Ever had a podcast guest that seemed incredible on paper but turned out to be a total mismatch on air? In this episode, I asked my OBM and Guest Concierge, Tayler Neeley, to take you behind the scenes and share our exact system for choosing guests who don’t just fill a slot but actually elevate your podcast’s credibility.Plus, we’ll show you a foolproof way to turn down pitches kindly and professionally (without ghosting anyone) so you can protect your listeners’ time and build trust with every episode.So if you're ready to learn how to curate guests who will strengthen your show’s authority and keep your listeners coming back for more, hit play and let’s make your business bingeworthy.0:02 – Why a Perfect Pitch Doesn’t Always Mean a Perfect Guest1:39 – Our Top Mistakes (and What We Fixed) in Guest Vetting3:51 – The Exact Criteria We Use to Choose Standout Guests11:37 – Handling the "Thanks, But No Thanks" Pitch Replies14:49 – Deciding When Not to Air a Guest Episode Episode Links:Steal Our Guest Vetting Criteria ChecklistHow to Decline Guest Pitches That Aren't a FitHow to Decline Airing a Guest Episode Other Episodes You’ll Enjoy:Why Guesting on Podcasts Won’t Grow Your Show (Unless You Do This)Exactly What to Say to Get Your Podcast Guests to Share Their Episode  → This episode was recorded on the Deity VO-7USupport the showLiked this episode? Share it with your podcasting friends! Love this show? Say thanks in true podcasting style by leaving a review. Take the Podcast Health Score™ to see exactly where your show is losing listeners and get a custom plan that shows you what to fix first. Join the On-Air Coaching waitlist for a chance to get coached on air by Courtney and get your podcast questions answered in real time. Get the Podcast SEO Mastery Course and learn how to optimize your show so the right listeners can actually find it. Apply for the PodLaunch® Accelerator and get deeper podcasting support and expert guidance tailored to your specific podcasting goals. Email us at hello@podlaunchhq.com to learn more. Follow Courtney for more podcasting insights: Linked In | Instagram | PodLaunchHQ.com ©Ⓟ 2018–2026 by Courtney Elmer. All Rights Reserved.