To find podcasts to be a guest on, start with the people you want to reach and the subjects you can discuss usefully. Search podcast platforms, industry networks and relevant interview archives, then review each show before approaching its host.
For B2B founders, consultants and business leaders, audience and topic fit matter alongside reach. A specialist show may give you a useful opportunity to explain your expertise to potential customers, partners or people who influence buying decisions.
These 15 methods will help you discover potential shows and build a research list. Start with a few that fit your market. The aim is a shortlist you can explain and act on, with a relevant topic for each host.
How to Find Podcasts to Be a Guest On in Your Niche
A useful guest appearance connects your expertise with something the show’s audience wants to understand.
Before searching, write down who you want to reach and two or three topics you can discuss with specific examples. “Marketing” is broad. “Why professional services firms lose enquiries between the first response and the sales meeting” gives you a clearer direction.
Your searches should include the language your audience uses, not just the name of the service you sell. Someone interested in improving client acquisition may listen to shows about consultancy growth, business development or managing a professional services firm.
Also decide what a useful appearance would support: reaching a particular buyer group, developing a partnership or creating content that helps existing prospects understand your approach. That gives you a reason to prioritise some shows over others.
1. Search Podcast Directories by Topic
Where to look: Podcast platforms and directories such as Apple Podcasts and Spotify.
Search around your audience’s industry, role and challenges. Broad categories can help you explore, but specific topics give you a more focused starting point.
Example searches: “Professional services”, “consultancy growth”, “client acquisition” or “customer onboarding”. Try related phrases because hosts may describe the same subject differently.
Next step: Open the promising shows and review their descriptions and recent episodes. Check whether they feature external guests, then find the show’s website or contact page.
A show appearing in the results does not confirm that it accepts guest approaches. Treat directory searches as discovery, then investigate the fit.
2. Use Google to Find Relevant Interview Shows
Where to look: Google results for show websites, episode pages and industry podcast lists.
Combine a market or challenge with words such as “podcast”, “interview” and “guest”. Search both broad themes and specific subjects you could contribute to.
Example searches: professional services podcast interview, "client onboarding" podcast or consultancy podcast guest.
Next step: Open the actual show and episode pages behind the results. Record the shows that fit your audience rather than copying an entire recommendation list.
Quotation marks can help narrow a search to an exact phrase. Google’s search refinement guidance explains this and other ways to refine results.
3. Search YouTube for Podcast Conversations
Where to look: YouTube search results, channel pages and interview playlists.
Video interviews can reveal shows you have not found through podcast directories. They also let you assess the host’s style and the kind of discussion guests are expected to contribute.
Example searches: “B2B sales podcast interview”, “consultancy founder podcast” or a relevant expert’s name followed by “interview”.
Next step: Follow a promising video back to its channel. Review several recent interviews and check the description for the show website or guest information.
Distinguish a recurring interview show from a one-off webinar, presentation or promotional video. Note whether participation involves video so you can prepare accordingly.
4. Search LinkedIn for Hosts and Episode Announcements
Where to look: LinkedIn posts, profiles and company pages connected to your market.
Hosts and guests often discuss episodes through their professional networks. Those posts can help you discover shows and understand the business conversations surrounding them.
Example searches: “Professional services podcast”, “business development podcast” or “podcast host” combined with a relevant industry term.
Next step: Open the episode link, identify the show and review its recent content. Follow the host where appropriate and read how they describe their intended audience.
Use engagement on LinkedIn as context, not proof of who listens. A popular announcement does not establish that the show reaches your target buyers.
5. Trace Where Relevant Industry Experts Have Appeared
Where to look: Search results, personal websites, media pages and social profiles for people whose expertise overlaps with yours.
An expert’s past appearances can reveal shows already interested in a subject you understand. Choose people whose work attracts a relevant audience, rather than following celebrity guests alone.
Example search: Search an industry author’s name followed by “podcast interview”. Repeat this with several specialists who discuss related topics.
Next step: Review the shows behind those appearances and identify where your experience could add a different example or perspective.
A previous guest’s topic helps you understand the editorial interest. It does not mean the host wants the same conversation again.
6. Review Competitors’ and Peers’ Podcast Appearances
Where to look: Company news pages, founder profiles, interview archives and search results.
Businesses working in your market may already have appeared on relevant shows. Their interviews can help you identify hosts who understand your category.
Example searches: A competitor’s company name plus “podcast”, or a peer’s name plus “guest interview”.
Next step: Listen to the relevant episode and review the wider show. Note what was covered and whether you can contribute a useful angle that extends the discussion.
Do not approach the host with a pitch built around criticising a previous guest. Explain the value of your own experience.
7. Ask Customers Which Podcasts They Listen To
Where to look: Conversations with customers and contacts who resemble your intended audience.
If you want to find podcasts to be a guest on in a specialist market, ask people in that market what they listen to. Their recommendations can reveal shows you would not have found through your own terminology, and whether podcasts play a meaningful part in how they learn.
Example question: “Are there any podcasts you find useful for keeping up with your industry or thinking through business challenges?”
Next step: Ask what they like about each recommendation, then review the show yourself. Look for patterns across several conversations.
One customer’s preference is a useful clue, not a complete picture of the market. Avoid assuming everyone in the same role listens to the same shows.
8. Ask Your Network for Recommendations and Introductions
Where to look: Relevant professional contacts, former colleagues, partners and previous podcast guests.
A specific request makes it easier for people to suggest suitable shows. Explain the audience you want to reach and the subjects you can discuss.
Example request: “I’m looking for interview podcasts aimed at owners of professional services firms. I can share practical examples about improving enquiry follow-up. Are there any shows you would recommend?”
Next step: Research the recommendations first. If someone knows a host, ask whether they would be comfortable making an introduction and provide a short explanation they can forward.
An introduction opens a conversation. The host still needs to decide whether your contribution fits the show.
9. Explore Industry Associations and Professional Communities
Where to look: Association websites, member newsletters, professional groups and community resource pages.
These organisations may run their own interview series or feature podcasts produced by members. Their subject focus can make them useful places to discover specialist shows.
Example action: Review the resources and news sections of associations serving your target industry. Look for podcast episodes, interviews and conversations with members.
Next step: Check the show’s audience and guest requirements. Some series may focus on members, customers or particular professional qualifications.
If you participate in a community, follow its rules for promotion and guest requests. Make your expertise relevant to the discussion before approaching an organiser.
10. Look at Conference Speakers and Event Organisers
Where to look: Event websites, speaker biographies, organiser channels and sponsor content.
Conferences bring together people discussing current industry questions. Some speakers host podcasts, while organisers may produce interviews before or after an event.
Example action: Review the speaker list for an event your buyers would attend. Search relevant speakers’ names alongside “podcast” and check the organiser’s content channels.
Next step: Find the recurring shows behind those connections and assess their recent episodes. Identify which of your topics fits their editorial focus.
Check whether an interview series is ongoing or was created only for a particular event. Older event content may not represent an active guest opportunity.
11. Search Industry Newsletters and Publications
Where to look: Trade publications, specialist newsletters and their content archives.
Publishers may run podcasts themselves or recommend relevant episodes from other shows. Their coverage can also help you understand which topics interest the industry.
Example searches: A publication’s name followed by “podcast”, or site:example.com podcast, replacing the example domain with a relevant publisher’s website.
Next step: Follow recommendations to the original show and check its activity. For publisher-owned podcasts, look for editorial or guest submission guidance.
Distinguish editorial interviews from sponsored content. If payment is involved, assess the terms and audience evidence before deciding whether it fits your objectives.
12. Explore Related Shows and Podcast Cross-Promotions
Where to look: Recommendations, episode notes and collaborations connected to a podcast you already consider relevant.
You can also find podcasts to be a guest on by following the connections between shows. A host may recommend another series, interview a fellow host or take part in a joint discussion.
Example action: Review recent episode descriptions and listen for relevant recommendations. Look for collaborations with other podcasts serving a similar industry or professional audience.
Next step: Add promising shows to your research list and assess them individually. Record which recommendation led you there and why the new show may fit your topic.
A recommendation is a discovery route. Check the new show’s own audience, activity and guest format before treating it as a worthwhile opportunity.
13. Look for Complementary Businesses with Their Own Podcasts
Where to look: Businesses that serve similar customers through different services or products.
A complementary business may host conversations that fit your expertise. For example, a CRM provider’s show might explore sales processes, while an accountancy firm’s podcast might discuss managing business growth.
Example action: List businesses your intended customers also work with. Check their websites and channels for podcasts or recurring interviews.
Next step: Review the audience and recent topics. Develop an episode idea that helps their listeners without turning the appearance into a promotion for your company.
Check whether external guests are part of the format. A business-owned podcast may focus entirely on its team or customers.
14. Explore Guest-Matching Platforms and Communities
Where to look: Services that connect podcast hosts and potential guests, such as MatchMaker.fm and PodMatch.
These services provide another route to discovering hosts and presenting your expertise. They can supplement your research, but you still need to decide whether each show fits your audience and topic.
Example action: Review how a platform works, its current terms and any costs. If you use it, describe your audience, specific discussion topics and the practical experience you can contribute.
Next step: Research promising shows outside the profile listing. Listen to recent episodes and check the format before sending an approach.
A platform match or host response does not establish audience quality or guarantee a booking. Choose based on the show itself.
15. Find Explicit Calls for Podcast Guests
Where to look: Show application pages, host posts and topic-specific requests in relevant communities.
A host asking for guests gives you a clearer indication that approaches are welcome. The request may also explain the experience or subject they are looking for.
Example searches: "podcast" "looking for guests" consultancy or "podcast" "be a guest" "professional services". Try variations such as “guest application” and “seeking guests”.
Next step: Check the request date, recent episodes and application instructions. Respond to the specific brief with a relevant topic and supporting example.
An application page may remain online after a show stops publishing. Confirm that the opportunity is current before spending time on a detailed submission.
How to Decide Which Podcasts Are Worth Approaching
Finding a show is the beginning of the research. Before adding it to your outreach shortlist, review the following points.
- Audience fit: Does the show explicitly serve people relevant to your business? Review its description and topics, and ask the host for clarification where needed.
- Topic fit: Can you offer a useful conversation that belongs on this show?
- Recent activity: Are episodes still being published? Consider the normal schedule rather than judging every show by weekly output.
- Guest format: Does the host interview external contributors, and are there eligibility requirements?
- Conversation quality: Does the host give guests space to explain ideas and share practical examples?
- Recording requirements: Can you meet the expectations for video, equipment, timing and preparation?
- Contact route: Is there a guest form, producer contact or stated method for approaches?
- Terms: Are any fees, promotional requirements or content-use conditions clear?
Listen to at least one relevant episode and review several recent titles before pitching. Avoid treating guest seniority, social followers or video views as verified evidence of the listening audience.
A smaller specialist show may be worth approaching when its audience and topic fit are strong. A large audience is useful only in the context of what you want the appearance to achieve.
If you plan to use an interview in your own marketing, ask about available recordings, supplied clips and reuse permissions. Our B2B podcast content repurposing guide explains ways to put episode content to work.
Keep a Simple Podcast Research List
As you find podcasts to be a guest on, keep a simple research list. A spreadsheet can help you compare shows, avoid duplicate approaches and separate confirmed information from assumptions.
Start with these fields:
- Podcast name and website.
- Host or producer name.
- Stated audience and relevant topics.
- Latest episode date and usual publishing pattern.
- Episode reviewed and a specific observation.
- Your proposed topic and why it fits.
- Contact route and any application requirements.
- Research status, outreach date and response.
Leave unknown information marked as unknown. For example, if the show does not provide audience figures, do not estimate downloads from its social following.
Keep the discovery method for each show as well. Over time, compare which routes produce suitable candidates, host conversations and published appearances. Later, review the relevant enquiries and relationships those appearances support. Our B2B podcast KPI guide provides a wider framework for measuring commercial contribution.
Turn Your Research into a Relevant Guest Approach
Once a show makes the shortlist, use your research to explain why you would be a useful guest.
Refer to a specific discussion, suggest a focused topic and show what you can contribute through experience or examples. Give the host enough information to assess the idea without sending your entire career history.
For example, if a show recently explored growth in consulting firms, you could propose a discussion about the practical gaps between receiving an enquiry and securing the first meeting. Explain the decisions, examples or lessons you could share.
Finding the right show improves the relevance of your approach. It does not guarantee a booking, and a booking does not guarantee enquiries or sales.
Get the Podcast Guest Booking Toolkit
If you want help organising your podcast guest outreach, take a look at our Podcast Guest Booking Toolkit.
Use it as a starting point for preparing your approach, alongside your research into each show and its audience.
Want Help to Find Podcasts to Be a Guest On?
Echo Eight helps B2B founders, CEOs and business leaders research relevant shows, develop interview angles and manage guest outreach. We also coordinate interested hosts and help you prepare for the conversation.
Explore our podcast guest booking service if you would like support with this work. The host makes the final booking decision, so research and outreach should be assessed separately from confirmed appearances.
Frequently Asked Questions About Finding Podcasts to Be a Guest On
Can I find podcasts to be a guest on for free?
Yes. You can use podcast platforms, search engines, industry websites and your existing network to research potential shows. Some guest-matching services or placements involve fees, so check the current terms. The main investment in a direct approach is the time needed to assess each show and prepare a relevant pitch.
Do I need a large following to be a podcast guest?
Guest requirements vary. Some hosts prioritise audience reach, while others value specialist experience, useful examples or an interesting perspective. Review previous guests and application guidance. Explain what you can contribute rather than relying only on follower numbers.
How can I assess a podcast if the host does not share audience figures?
Use the show’s stated audience, recent topics and relevant customer recommendations to make a reasoned judgement, and keep the uncertainty visible. Ask the host for any audience information they can share. These clues help assess fit, but they do not establish listener numbers or prove that specific buyers are listening.
How can I tell whether a podcast is still active?
Review recent episode dates, the usual publishing schedule and updates on the show’s website or host channels. Some podcasts publish in seasons, so a gap does not always mean the show has stopped. Ask through the stated contact route if its status is unclear.
Should I pay to appear on a podcast?
Some opportunities involve fees or sponsorship. Before deciding, establish what the payment covers, how the appearance is presented, what audience evidence is available and which content-use rights you receive. Assess it as a paid marketing activity rather than assuming a fee guarantees results.
What should I include when approaching a podcast host?
Explain why your proposed topic fits their audience, refer to a relevant episode and provide a brief summary of your experience. Offer specific examples or lessons you could discuss. Follow the show’s application instructions and keep the approach easy to assess.
Can a podcast guest booking agency do the research for me?
Yes, where research is part of its agreed service. Ask how the agency assesses audience fit, selects shows and reports progress. Check the responsibilities for pitching, follow-up and booking coordination. Our guide to podcast guest booking agencies for B2B founders is a starting point for comparing outside support.