Welcome to the monthly segment geared toward potential podcast guests. If you don’t care about being interviewed by any media member ever, please feel free to unsubscribe to this section.

Listen, I talk with my hands a lot. But one thing I’ve realized after doing this for the better part of a decade is that not being intentional about hand placement adds a lot more time for the audio editor.

And as an avid podcast listener, it pains my neuro-spicy brain to hear unnecessary clinking during an otherwise riveting story or interview. Of course, there are exceptions to the rule, and not everyone cares about distracting noises. But again, as a guest, being mindful about the audio editing will go a long way. So, without further ado, here is what not to do during a podcast recording with your hands:

• Hold onto the microphone while talking (unless you don’t have a stand).

• Wear “loud” jewelry, like bracelets that clang together or anything that will bang against your microphone.

• Light up anything directly into the microphone. Even if it’s a show that encourages smoking, move away from your microphone.

• Slam on a table to make a point. Instead, try to do it in the air if you are feeling passionate, but try to avoid slamming it on any hard surfaces near the microphone.

• Scroll on your phone, drive your car, or cook dinner while being a guest. Yes, I’ve dealt with all of these, and the audio was always terrible.

• Tap your nails - try a fidget spinner instead (placed as far from the mic as possible).

  That’s all for now, but please feel free to add your own input in the comments. If you would like more in-depth media training, please reach out to diana@yourhighnesspodcast.org.

I know you came to this space to check out our plant-y podcast and related content. But one throughline that has always been present is podcasting and working in the media. After more than a decade of crafting and receiving pitches, interviewing guests, and producing various podcasts, I decided it was time to share some of the insights I've gained along the way.

If you have no interest in ever becoming a podcast guest or pitching yourself to a media outlet, please feel free to unsubscribe from this section. To start, I thought it would be good to focus on what not to do before guesting on a show.

Here are some things (not to do) that may seem obvious, but are largely ignored by guests:

• Ignore the host’s instructions pre-recording. If they ask you to wear headphones or earbuds, it’s for the audio editor/producer’s sake. It doesn’t matter how nice your microphone/laptop is, following this step saves the podcast team a lot of time as a whole. And please don’t argue with the host because you have the latest fancy tech thingy or because it’s “usually not an issue” - it’ll only start the conversation off on a sour note.

• Avoid taking twenty minutes (at the very least) to check out the podcast on which you are about to be a guest. Find out the host’s name, spend at least ten minutes listening to an episode to get a feel for their style.

• Ignore the podcast’s social media. Do your homework to make sure that your feeds align, and don’t use branding as an excuse not to tag and promote the episode on your platforms. If the show is taking the time to promote it, match that energy, and it’ll go a long way.

• Avoid taking a few moments the day before to check your audio settings.

That’s it for now! Tell me in the comments how you prepare for a recording!