The Art of the Interview: What Makes a Great Interviewer?

What makes someone a great interviewer?

It’s hard to say.

Is it their curiosity?
The way they listen?
Their ability to put people at ease?

Probably all of that—and something intangible on top.

Sam Fragoso, host of Talk Easy, is one of those rare interviewers who just gets it. He’s been at it for eight years, and it shows. (He’s also barely 30… which, let’s be honest, is slightly depressing for the rest of us.)

His recent conversations with Josh Brolin, Jia Tolentino, and Francis Ford Coppola are all masterful: thoughtful, surprising, and deeply human.

Fragoso shows up armed with extraordinary preparation and knowledge about his guests, yet somehow keeps the vibe spontaneous and easy.

Here’s the thing: he also breaks “the rules.”
He’ll interrupt.
He sometimes talks as much as his guests.
But he’ll also let a silence stretch for six or seven minutes, giving guests the space to fully unravel their thoughts.

And it works. He never seems overawed by celebrity, and he even gets notoriously guarded people to open up—and enjoy themselves.

Interviewing is one of those underrated skills we don’t talk about enough. Maybe because it’s so hard to pin down.

• How does someone actually get good at it?

• How do you recognize it when they are?
• And here’s the meta twist: how do you build the skill of spotting any skill?

This isn’t just for podcast producers—it’s invaluable in leadership, hiring, or any creative collaboration.

Who’s your favorite interviewer?

And what makes them stand out?