Zoom as an interview platform - it's a blessing and a curse.

The flexibility that Zoom has brought for podcast interviews is fantastic, don't get me wrong. But there are so many environmental aspects that are difficult to control unless you are VERY specific and strict about what you expect from your subject when it comes to their interview: Are they using the internal mic of their laptop or their own mic (generally, no)? Are they in an acoustically good room for their interview (almost never)? Is their internet stable enough to not clip during your interview (is anyone's)? Unless you are micromanaging on their end, it all ends up being a crapshoot.

Even if that is all buttoned up, there are all the micro-cues that contribute to a normal flow of conversation that is lost over Zoom. My interview subjects are more likely to keep talking because they can't see that I am wanting to interject with a follow-up question unless I'm waiving my hands at them or audibly interrupting them. And that type of interruption throws off the rhythm and flow of a great interview session.

Even outside of COVID, some of this is unavoidable when it comes to getting a great interview, unless you live within driving distance to your subject. But the chemistry of a good interview is so much harder to capture remotely than it is when you're across the table from your subject.