Interview vs Podcast: Difference Between a Podcast and an Interview as a Medium

Audio-based communication has become one of the most powerful ways to share ideas, stories, and perspectives. Two of the most popular formats today are the interview and the podcast. While both involve people talking, they are not the same medium.

Understanding the difference between a podcast and an interview helps creators, brands, journalists, and audiences choose the right format for their goals. Each serves a unique purpose, uses a different structure, and delivers content in its own way.

What Is an Interview?

An interview is a structured conversation where an interviewer asks questions and an interviewee responds. The goal is usually to gather specific information, opinions, or insights about a subject matter.

A traditional interview often appears in journalism, news reporting, or research-based media interview formats. It may be written, recorded, or presented as an audio interview.

Key Characteristics of an Interview

Focused question-and-answer format

Clear objective

Can be investigative or informational

Usually edited for clarity and length

In many cases, an interview is a conversation designed to extract facts, viewpoints, or expert knowledge rather than entertain.

What Is a Podcast?

A podcast is a digital audio show released in episodes and distributed through platforms like Spotify and BBC Sounds. Podcasts are typically subscription-based through RSS feeds, allowing listeners to receive new episodes automatically.

Podcasts can include interviews, storytelling, discussions, audio drama, or solo commentary. Podcasting allows creators to explore topics in depth and build long-term familiarity with their audience.

Key Characteristics of a Podcast

Episode-based structure

Hosted by one or more hosts

Can include multiple formats

Often informal and conversational

A good podcast focuses on consistency, tone, and value for the listener.

Podcast vs Interview: Core Difference

The biggest distinction is purpose.

An interview is a format.
A podcast is a medium.

A podcast can contain an interview, but an interview does not automatically become a podcast.

This difference shapes how each is created, distributed, and consumed.

Podcast vs Interview: Format and Structure

Interview Format

Interviewer asks structured questions

Interviewee provides answers

Usually shorter and focused

Often edited tightly

Podcast Format

May include interviews, discussions, or storytelling

Can be long-form

Often includes theme music and show notes

Allows deeper exploration

A podcast interview usually feels more relaxed than a traditional interview.

Podcast vs Interview: Medium and Platform

An interview can exist in newspapers, websites, television, radio, or audio files.

A podcast exists primarily as an audio medium distributed through podcast platforms.

Platforms like Spotify, Apple Podcasts, and BBC Sounds make podcasts easy to access globally.

This platform difference affects reach, discovery, and listening habits.

Podcast vs Interview: Tone and Style

An interview tends to be formal, especially in journalistic or investigative settings.

A podcast is usually informal and conversational. Hosts and guests often speak freely, allowing personality and emotion to come through.

This intimate style makes podcasts feel personal and relatable.

Role of Host, Guest, and Interviewer

In an interview:

The interviewer controls the flow

The interviewee answers questions

In a podcast:

The host guides the episode

The guest contributes expertise or experience

Some podcasters also act as interviewers, but their role includes engaging the listener and shaping the overall episode.

Podcast Interview vs Media Interview

A podcast interview is designed for long-form listening and deeper conversation.

A media interview focuses on delivering specific information for news or editorial purposes.

Both serve valuable but different communication goals.

Podcasting and Storytelling

Podcasting allows creators to use storytelling techniques that go beyond simple Q&A. Music, pacing, editing, and narrative structure help convey emotion and meaning.

Storytelling strengthens audience engagement and builds long-term loyalty.

Editing and Recording Differences

An interview is often lightly edited.

A podcast episode may go through heavier edit processes:

Removing pauses

Adding intro and outro

Including theme music

Adjusting sound quality

A microphone and good recording setup are essential for both.

Audience Experience

Listening to a podcast is often intentional and habitual. Listeners subscribe, follow hosts, and return for new episodes.

An interview is usually consumed as a standalone piece.

This difference affects how content builds relationships over time.

Brand and Marketing Use

Brands use interviews for:

Thought leadership

Press coverage

Expert positioning

Brands use podcasts to:

Build long-term authority

Share perspective

Boost engagement

Both can support a campaign, but podcasts offer broader storytelling opportunities.

Video Podcasts and Multi-Format Content

Some creators now upload a video version of their podcast. Video podcasts expand reach across YouTube and social platforms.

An interview may also be recorded on video, but it is not automatically part of a podcast series.

Who Should Choose What?

Choose an interview if you:

Need specific answers

Want journalistic credibility

Are creating a standalone piece

Choose a podcast if you:

Want ongoing audience engagement

Enjoy long-form discussion

Want to build a loyal listener base

Perspective for Creators

Creators should think about:

Their niche

Their goals

Their available resources

A podcaster focuses on consistency.
A journalist focuses on accuracy and clarity.

Both approaches can coexist.

Why Podcasts Have Grown Rapidly

The fact that podcasts are portable, on-demand, and personal makes them highly attractive. People can listen while commuting, exercising, or relaxing.

This flexibility has helped podcasts become a dominant audio medium.

Key Distinction Summarized

The distinction is simple:

A podcast is a platform-based audio show.
An interview is a content format.

A podcast and an interview are related, but they are not the same.

Conclusion

The difference between a podcast and an interview lies in purpose, structure, and delivery. An interview is a conversation designed to extract information. A podcast is a medium designed to build connection, familiarity, and long-term engagement.

Understanding how podcasts and interviews differ allows creators, brands, and journalists to choose the right format for their message. The goal is not to decide which is better, but to use the right tool for the right context.