Guest Preparation Guide
Welcome to
Culture by Design
Everything you need to show up prepared, confident, and ready to share the culture story only you can tell.
We are so glad you are here.
Being invited onto Culture by Design is a recognition of something real: you have built something worth talking about. The culture inside your organization reflects your values, your decisions, and the kind of leader you have chosen to be. That story deserves to be heard.
This guide is here to make the experience as smooth and enjoyable as possible. There is nothing to memorize, no right or wrong answers, and no script to follow. Just an honest conversation about what you have built and what you have learned along the way.
We are honored to share your story with our community of leaders, culture champions, and people who believe that great organizations are built with intention.
"Culture works best when it is designed with intention. We cannot wait to hear how you designed yours."
What is Culture by Design?
A podcast from True Colors International dedicated to exploring what it truly takes to build a workplace that inspires excellence, earns admiration, and brings out the best in people.
Each episode is a real conversation, not an interview with a script. Robert brings his background in leadership, consulting, and organizational transformation to explore the strategies, decisions, and defining moments that shaped the cultures his guests have built.
Our audience includes HR leaders, C-suite executives, people managers, and culture champions who are actively working to build better organizations. They are listening because they want to learn from people who have done it.
The show is available on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, and all major podcast platforms. Each episode is also shared across True Colors International's social media channels and email community, giving your story a meaningful reach.
Before You Record
The best conversations happen when guests arrive with a sense of what they want to share, even if the exact path unfolds naturally. Here is how to set yourself up for a great episode.
A Note on Preparation
Come as You Are
There are no trick questions, no prepared scripts, and no topics that are off limits unless you tell us. Robert's goal is simply to have a great conversation with someone who has built something worth talking about. The more authentic and relaxed you are, the more your audience will connect with what you share.
Setting the Stage for a Great Recording
A few simple steps before you join the Zoom call will make a significant difference in the quality of your audio and video, and in how confident you feel on the day.
Audio
- Use a headset, earbuds, or an external microphone rather than your laptop's built-in mic. This makes the biggest difference in sound quality.
- A USB microphone such as the Samson Q2U (around $70) is a great option if you plan to record podcasts regularly.
- Always wear headphones or earbuds during the recording to prevent echo and feedback.
- Do a quick audio test before the session by joining the Zoom call a few minutes early.
Your Environment
- Choose a quiet room where you will not be interrupted for the duration of the recording.
- Rooms with soft furnishings such as bookshelves, curtains, and carpet absorb sound and reduce echo.
- Let anyone nearby know you are recording so you are not interrupted.
- Silence your phone and close any browser tabs or apps that might generate notifications.
Video
- Position your camera at eye level. Stacking your laptop on books works perfectly if needed.
- Face a natural light source such as a window for the most flattering and professional look.
- A clean, uncluttered background works best. A bookshelf or a simple wall is ideal.
- Check your framing: your face and shoulders should be centered with a little space above your head.
Zoom & Connection
- Use a wired internet connection if possible, or sit close to your Wi-Fi router for the strongest signal.
- Update Zoom to the latest version before the recording day.
- Join the call from the Zoom link in your calendar invite. No special account is required beyond the standard Zoom app.
- Join two to three minutes early so we can do a quick sound and video check together.
Pro Tip
The Walk-In Closet Trick
If you are in a space with a lot of echo, a walk-in wardrobe or clothes closet is one of the best recording environments you can find. The clothing absorbs sound beautifully and creates a warm, studio-like acoustic. Many professional podcasters rely on it.
What to Expect on the Day
Here is a simple walkthrough of how your recording session will unfold, so there are no surprises and you can focus entirely on the conversation.
Before We Begin
A Warm Welcome and Sound Check
When you join the Zoom call, Robert or a member of our team will greet you. We will spend a few minutes checking your audio and video, making sure everything sounds and looks great before we start recording. This is also a great time to ask any last-minute questions.
The Conversation
30 to 45 Minutes of Real Talk
Once we begin recording, Robert will lead the conversation naturally. He will introduce you to the audience, and from there the episode unfolds as a genuine dialogue. There is no strict agenda. Robert follows the energy of the conversation, so feel free to take your time, tell stories, and go wherever the discussion leads. If you stumble over a word or want to revisit something, simply say so and we will pick it back up.
Wrapping Up
Your Closing Message to the Audience
Near the end of the episode, Robert will give you the opportunity to share a final thought or a call to action with the audience. This is your moment to direct listeners to your website, a resource, your social channels, or simply leave them with a message that matters to you. Think about what you would like to say in advance.
After Recording
What Happens Next
After we stop recording, our production team takes over. Your episode will be edited, mixed, and produced to a high standard. We will reach out to you with a release date and your social collateral package before the episode goes live. Most episodes are published within two to four weeks of recording.
Making the Most of Your Episode
The conversation does not end when the recording stops. Here are four ways to extend the life and impact of your episode once it goes live.
Share on the Day of Release
Post your episode on LinkedIn and your other social channels on the day it goes live. Momentum builds fastest in the first 24 to 48 hours. Use the collateral we send you or write a personal note about what the conversation meant to you.
Tag Us and Engage
Tag @truecolorsintl and #CultureByDesign in your posts so we can reshare your content and introduce you to our audience. When people comment on your post, reply and keep the conversation going.
Share a Key Moment
Pull out one quote, story, or idea from the episode and share it as a standalone post in the week after release. This gives your network a second reason to engage and drives listeners back to the full episode.
Add It to Your Professional Story
Update your LinkedIn profile, bio, or speaker page to include your Culture by Design appearance. Being featured on a podcast is a meaningful credential, and it opens doors to future speaking and media opportunities.
One Last Thing
Thank You for Saying Yes
Sharing your culture story takes courage and generosity. The leaders who listen to Culture by Design will be better for having heard from you. We are grateful you said yes, and we are committed to making this an experience you are proud of. If you have any questions at any point, please reach out to Robert directly at [email protected] and he will be happy to help.
Your Social Media Playbook
When your episode goes live, sharing it with your network is one of the most powerful things you can do, both for the reach of the show and for your own personal brand. We make it as easy as possible by providing you with ready-to-use social collateral.
LinkedIn
LinkedIn is the primary platform for this audience. A post announcing your episode, tagging True Colors International and Culture by Design, will put your story in front of the exact community that needs to hear it. We recommend posting on the day of release and again one week later.
Instagram & Facebook
Share the episode graphic to your feed or stories with a short caption about what you discussed. Tag @truecolorsintl so we can reshare your post to our community and amplify your reach further.
Email Newsletter
If you have an email list or a company newsletter, a brief mention of your episode with a direct link is one of the most effective ways to drive listens. Your subscribers already trust you, and this gives them a reason to engage with your leadership voice in a new way.
Your Website
Consider adding a "Featured In" or "Media" section to your website or bio page with a link to your Culture by Design episode. This builds your credibility as a thought leader and gives the episode a permanent home in your professional story.
Your Social Collateral Package
When your episode is ready to publish, we will send you a complete social collateral package with everything you need to share your episode with confidence and consistency. No design work required on your end.
Graphics
Branded episode graphics sized for LinkedIn, Instagram, and Facebook
Caption Copy
Suggested caption copy ready to post or personalize in your own voice
Episode Links
Direct links to your episode on all major podcast platforms