Start with the guest prep work weeks or even months ahead. Research isn't just about digging up basic background info; it's time to dive into unexplored areas. I'm talking about finding unique perspectives, identifying blind spots, and uncovering genuine surprises.

Don't be afraid to ask weird, tangential, or seemingly unrelated questions during your prep calls. These can lead to fresh insights and break your guest out of their normal narrative routine. The goal is to uncover the things they've never spoken about before, the gaps in their thinking, or potential contradictions in their views.

To truly unearth these hidden gems, adopt a 'reverse-engineer' mindset. Instead of asking yes/no questions or ones that directly elicit a pre-scripted response, try framing your queries in a way that encourages your guest to walk you through their thought process. Ask them to walk you backward through their thinking, step by step.