Since I can't seem to stop unloading Ask HN's here, I'm starting to wonder if there are perhaps more constructive ways of channeling my burning desire of asking people questions, maybe like podcasts or interviews or something?<p>Come to think of it, I've always loved to dig professors' brains during their office hours way back in university and just get inspired by their passion for their subject. And whenever there were particularly interesting speakers at conferences, I would dream of introducing myself and talking to them to soak up their wisdom.<p>But for all these cases, not only was I reluctant to continue the conversations because I was shy and nervous about it all, but also because I didn't actually know what I wanted to ask them. I had no questions in my head for them. I just knew that they are wise people that I would like to learn from.<p>For the Ask HN questions, most of them are self-serving in that they are questions I personally am curious about, many of which just spawn naturally as I poke around HN and think about my own endeavors.<p>But with interviews/podcasts, I would think the focus would be different? There would be some theme, I'm sure, but of what? The subjects they are known for, sure, but that seems a bit narrow?<p>I don't really have much ideas here, because it's always just been a fantasy, so I never got down to figuring out which questions to ask. Or is it the other way around, that because I couldn't think of questions, I could never bring the thought into reality... (drawing blank)<p>Does anyone know how interviewers and podcasters decide on their questions? How do they go about inviting the interviewees anyway? I've looked into this before but didn't get anything constructive to work with.<p>And, beyond interviews and podcasts, are there other ways of tapping into this desire to ask people questions?<p>PS. Another note here, is that I'm completely lost for words or ideas when I talk to people <i>in person</i>. I only come up with good questions when I've had time alone to churn through it. So this constraints stuff for sure.