How to get on The Diary of a CEO: updated for 2026 (UK). To get on The Diary of a CEO podcast, you need a distinctive personal story with genuine moments of vulnerability, specific hard-won insights that have not been told elsewhere, a business or life achievement worth discussing in depth, and willingness to engage on personal topics (mental health, failure, relationships). The podcast’s booking team vets rigorously; expect 3-6 month lead times.
What Diary of a CEO books in 2026
- Founders with contrarian takes on widely-accepted business wisdom.
- Celebrities willing to go deeper than their standard press.
- Scientists and researchers with popular insights.
- Public figures who have navigated significant challenges.
Pitch approach
- Email the booking team with: genuine story, specific insights you will share, evidence of depth from past interviews.
- Lead with story, not credentials.
- Accept that promotional pitches are immediately rejected.
How to get on The Diary of a CEO: preparing your pitch
Long-form interview podcasts look for guests who can hold an audience’s attention for an hour or more. Before approaching any show of this kind, it is worth being honest about whether you have a story with real depth: a turning point, a hard lesson, research that changes how people think, or an experience most listeners have never heard told first-hand.
- Listen to recent episodes. Understand the kinds of guests, topics and conversations the show favours. Your pitch should show you know the format.
- Define the conversation, not the CV. Explain the two or three themes you could discuss in depth and why they would matter to listeners.
- Show you can speak well. Links to previous long-form interviews, talks or podcast appearances help a booking team judge how you come across.
- Build your profile first. Appearing on smaller, relevant podcasts and in respected publications builds the track record bigger shows look for.
- Be patient. High-profile shows receive far more requests than they can book. A polite, well-targeted pitch with a clear angle is the best you can do.
Building towards top-tier podcasts
- Start with industry and niche podcasts where your expertise is directly relevant.
- Earn press coverage that shows you have something new to say.
- Publish thoughtful long-form content, such as articles or a newsletter, that shows the depth of your thinking.
- Get media training so you are comfortable discussing personal subjects on the record.
FAQs
Can a PR agency guarantee a booking on The Diary of a CEO?
No. Editorial bookings on major podcasts are decided by the show. A good agency can help you sharpen your story and build the profile that makes a booking more likely. Our list of UK podcasts for founders is a good place to start.
What should I avoid when I pitch a podcast?
Generic templates, sales language and pitches that focus only on promoting a product. The show’s own website at official Diary of a CEO page is the best place to check current information about the podcast.