How can you obtain consent from guests before airing their stories?

Firstly, clearly communicate your intentions to the guests, explaining how their stories will be used and distributed. Provide them with a release form outlining the terms, including the right to edit content for clarity and length. Clearly state whether the podcast is public or private and the platforms on which it will be available. Obtain written consent, either through physical or electronic signatures, before recording the interview. Ensure guests understand their rights and have the option to withdraw consent at any time before the episode's release. Respecting your guests' autonomy and maintaining open communication builds trust and ensures a positive collaboration.

On top of what Sarra is saying here, there is a particular aspect in Europe: The need to obtain consent to store and process personal data. So, while it is a (really) good idea to get someone's consent relative to the content you are producing, you are also required by European law to get it for the personal data you record, process and store.

Cheers to @Daniel and @Sarra -- Yes! And per Daniel's specifics about Europe, we in the US are working on consent in AI scenarios, specifically around future usages and storage of likeness and avatars.

Let me provide an example of why consent is very important: Let's say you record a podcast with Joe & the episode goes VIRAL & a production company says they'll pay you $500K to use the podcast recording in an ad. You say sure & take the money. Joe didn't give you consent to use his content and is now suing you for proceeds..

Before booking any guest on my podcast, I ask a simple question on my booking page "Are there any topics or personal subjects you are not comfortable talking about?". All my guest answer this question, which let's me know what's off limits. I believe in getting this information well before the interview. Most people know what parts of their story they comfortable talking about publicly.

It's good practice to provide both written guidelines on what the podcast recording involves and how the content will be edited and shared. Sharing guidelines in advance give guests the opportunity to note questions they'd like to ask, or simply decline the invitation to proceed if they feel it's not for them.

Asking for consent is the diligent, respectful thing to do, and any guest will appreciate the mindfulness you display in informing them about their rights and the terms of their participation. You can make this process super simple by creating or using an existing template and utilising a digital eSign solution like Connie to obtain and manage consent.

As my show has advertising and I am signed to a media company, I ask that all guests complete a talent release at the time of booking. If one is not provided the episode is not released until the talent release is complete and sent through. Majority of guests don't have a problem with this.

Sensitive subjects and topics are something to discuss before your guest's participation - or in preparation for the interview. What is sensitive to me may not be sensitive to you. We have guests complete an interview preparation form that allows them to think through what is relevant, useful, and meaningful (to our listeners). We then do an interview prep call to ensure they are comfortable talking about topics that arise in the interview. Often, we can address a guest's discomfort (if any) before springing it on them on the fly. While shock makes for good content, it doesn't make for good relationships.

What should be kept in mind is that sensitive content is always, on the one hand, something that directly affects a certain group of people, and on another, much larger group of people who are simply interested in that topic. Conducting an interview that, on the one hand, shows the perspective of those affected, but on the other hand also sheds light on all the relevant context, is an emotional balancing act that has to be mastered by both the podcast interviewer and the guest. The personal story used as examples must make it clear that this is about an experience that someone has had. Personal experiences that are reported are less vulnerable and less likely to lead to controversial discussions.

Giving them the final episode before it airs enables them to make edits or re-recordings if they'd like to. Focus on the parts that they'd like to edit or add. It can be done effectively, and you both can agree on the time it takes for the edits to be completed. If the guest would like to re-record a part or two, you can allow a bit of time for the new submissions to be made.

Above all, you should give the interview partner the chance to make changes if necessary. It is essential that both parties check the recordings after editing. It would also be advisable to develop a time strategy with the interview partner. This is the only way the content can be shared as widely as possible on different platforms.

It is particularly important that you stay in touch with your guest even after the first publication and share your successes. This also increases the chance of an episode that can be a continuation of the first interview. In this way, series can be created that can be listened to separately by fans of the respective topic.

If the podcast episode contains content that could be quite sensitive or divisive among listeners, then it's a good idea to have a protocol in place to: 1. actively monitor comments in response to posts about the episode 2. remove or increase the strictness of commenting e.g. this is a feature available on YouTube for example 3. have guidelines for spaces, such as communities you manage, where you may post about the episode 4. have a workflow in place if an inappropriate comment is made about the guest and the topic This helps to keep the conversation about the topic respectful, as well as protects the guest from potentially hurtful comments.

Sometimes guests will disclose information but not want you to include it in the podcast. A best practice is to ask before & after the episode if there is anything the guest doesn't want mentioned in the published episode.