BBGuy Essentials Podcast Guest Guide

Blood Bank Guy Essentials is an interview show in which I discuss core, or “essential” topics in Transfusion Medicine with international experts. My podcast’s mission: Teach the essentials of Transfusion Medicine to learners everywhere.

My target audience is anyone who wants or needs to learn about Transfusion Medicine. That group includes pathology residents, Transfusion Medicine fellows, non-BB/TM pathologists, laboratory science students and those in practice, SBB students, clinical physicians (and residents), nurses, and anyone else who wants a review of foundational principles in Transfusion Medicine.

This is a very important question! My target audience, as detailed above, is anyone who wants or needs to learn about Transfusion Medicine. So, even though you are an expert, most of those listening are not experts in the topic you are discussing! As a result, I will try to guide you toward simple, clear discussions at a level that would be understandable by those who are not at an advanced level. In practical terms, that means I try to release interviews that a first or second-year pathology resident, or a student just graduated from a Medical/Clinical Laboratory Scientist program would understand. That does not mean it ALL has to be super-basic, but it does mean we need to at least start there so learners can go along with us!

Practically, this means that I may ask you for definitions of basic terms or concepts that you normally might not explain to a “higher-level” audience. Together, we can focus on clarity over all, and choose simplicity over complexity as much as possible!

Blood Bank Guy Essentials is available on all major podcast outlets, like Apple Podcasts, YouTube Podcasts, Amazon Music, or Spotify, to name a few. Listeners can also “Ask Alexa” for the podcast on Amazon devices. Of course, they can also listen directly here on my site at BBGuy.org/podcast.

Since I started the podcast in April 2016, listeners in 162 countries around the world have downloaded over 750,000 episodes.

Absolutely! Please send me a pdf, PowerPoint, Keynote, or Google Slides version of a talk you’ve done on the topic we will cover (I promise to keep it safe and never use it without your permission). That gives me a great idea of how you like to approach things, and helps me ask better questions to lead you through your presentation.

I can do that, but I’d rather not. The reason is simple: This should be a conversation, and when my guest knows the exact questions in advance, their responses can sound “scripted.” Spontaneity is good, and it sounds much more natural.

I realize that this means you will have to trust me a little bit. Here is my guarantee: I do not want to trick or trap you, or to try to say or do anything to make myself look smart at your expense. If I ask something that surprises you, it’s totally fine to pause, ask me what I’m trying to ask, and even to completely skip that question if you prefer! Those things will be edited out of the final version, and no one will ever know. Further, if you send me a copy of a previous presentation on your topic (see the tip above this one), I will follow your outline, for the most part, so you’ll have a good idea of where I am headed.

I will say this: If the idea of not knowing every question in advance really makes you feel stressed, I will do anything you need to help you be comfortable.

I would try to be familiar with the presentation you’ve sent me and any supporting references. Mostly, though, just relax! My goal is to keep this as simple as possible, and help you show off what you know about one of your favorite topics!

Also, check out the video done by the good folks at “Squadcast” (one of the sites I use for recording) on other ways to prepare to be a great podcast guest.

Nope! We will record this interview remotely, with you at your desk (or couch, or kitchen table, or wherever!) and me at my studio in sunny Southern California. NOTE: Wherever you are, having a good internet connection speed is most important!

You will open your Google Chrome or Microsoft Edge web browser and click the address I will provide in your invitation email. The recording program (called “Riverside”) will walk you through how to get everything set up before we connect. Then we just talk! Your computer will record your side of the conversation and send the file to me automatically. NOTE: As of now, Apple Safari, Microsoft Internet Explorer, and Firefox browsers are not supported.

Of course! If you need more help, I can connect with you over the phone or Zoom to walk you through all of it. Don’t stress about it. I’m here to help you.

I know your time is valuable, so I do everything I can to keep you for just an hour. However, I tell everyone to allow 90 minutes at minimum, in case of technical issues.

No one else is listening live when we record the interview (though I am investigating a way to allow a few people to do so; don’t worry, I will let you know if that changes). 

I’ve had several people worry about this one, so let me make it clear: You are not going to be making a formal presentation by yourself! This is an interview, not a webinar presentation. I will be introducing you, asking you questions, and guiding you through your topic. When the episode is released, the listeners will hear an edited conversation between the two of us.

This is mostly an “audio-only” podcast, though the program will also be recording video of our discussion. Since no one will be seeing slides like in an AABB Annual Meeting lecture, we will have to paint “word pictures!” NOTE: I can place selected slides on the “show page” for our episode at BBGuy.org, so we can refer to them if necessary. Also, I can release snippets of the video of our discussion on my site and on social media to explain certain topics. I’ll let you know if that is going to happen.

The best microphone is a desktop microphone connected by USB (there are many different types; check with your IT department if you don’t have one). If you don’t have access to a USB mic, then a headset (preferably connected by USB or the headphone jack on your computer, not Bluetooth/wireless) can work, or a phone headset (like the white iPhone headset) can be a really good alternative.

Headphones really are SUPER-important! Your computer needs to record your voice and not mine, so a good set of headphones makes all the difference in keeping my voice in your ears and not in your microphone. That’s why the BEST headphones for this process are “over-the-ears” style. However, people often use wired headsets or iPhone-style earbuds. Those are ok, but just keep them tight in or on your ears and turn down the volume as much as you can to still hear me clearly. NOTE: The Riverside platform will allow you to record without headphones (it will ask whether or not you are using them), but the sound is much better if you are using headphones.

Yes, the program I use records video as well as audio when we are talking. People really seem to enjoy watching the discussion between me and my guests, and I’ve released some episodes with video. We will discuss your preferences (in other words, you don’t HAVE to do video), but my preference is to record video as well as audio.

I understand that for some, all of this is just feels like “too much.” I’ve done this a lot, and I have walked many guests who felt that way successfully through the process. However, if we can’t make it happen, I can record through a Skype, Zoom, or Apple FaceTime connection, if necessary. Contact me, and let’s talk about it.

Here are a few tips:

• Block out 60-90 minutes where you will be uninterrupted
• Have any journal references you plan to mention printed out or on your computer screen so you can access them quickly
• Turn off your cell phone if possible (at least mute it)
• Forward your office calls to your assistant or turn off your ringer
• Get comfortable! You will speak more naturally if you are comfortable
• Place your headphones tightly over your ears. Your mic should not pick up my voice
• Get some water or your beverage of choice and place it in easy reach
• Make sure your space is well-lit, your background is not cluttered, and most importantly, ensure that no confidential information or documents are visible in your webcam. 

It’s truly no big deal! Since no one is listening “live,” we can just re-record your answer (or my question!). The podcast is edited before release, so no one will ever know! Don’t be embarrassed to say, “Can I try that again, Joe?” (one of my first guests took 5 takes to get a particular statement worded in just the right way, and it was no problem at all). I want you to be happy with the answers you give.

This does happen sometimes, and it’s pretty much always my fault! It’s totally fine to say, “Joe, I don’t know what you mean with that question!” or, “hey dummy, what are you trying to ask?” I’ll try to explain or rephrase. Either way, that part of the discussion will be edited out and no one will ever know.

By all means, YES! This is intended to be lighthearted. You will find that I can be pretty silly sometimes, and I’m totally happy for you to join in and do the same!

At the same time, I don’t want you to feel any pressure to be funny! Just be yourself. Laugh if it feels natural to do so, make a joke if you feel like it. I’ll adapt to you either way.

Here’s some simple stuff:

• Don’t get too close or be too far from your microphone. 1-2 inches is optimal.
• Don’t breathe directly into your microphone, especially when I’m talking.
• Avoid moving stuff around your desk while we talk. Microphones pick up those sounds VERY clearly.
• It’s ok to pause after I ask a question to gather your thoughts or make sure you know what I’m asking (editing will remove the pauses).

My phone and email address are on the email I sent or will be sending. Feel free to use either at any time for questions, concerns, etc.