@GeePawHill He is an *excellent* interviewer. You think he's just being bubbly and camp and funny, but suddenly the guests are talking about deep emotions or trauma, or some aspect of their experience they'd never shared before.
The fact that the green room bartender has a very generous pour surely helps too.
@dotcolm Multiple factors? A little bit of a buzz. 3 or 4 at a time instead of 1. Letting the pitch happen, but then moving beyond it. Knowing when to sit on your hands and let the story unfold.