Turn Taking Strategies in Mark Zuckerberg Interview in ‘Powerful Jre’ Podcast

Abstract

This study analyzes how Joe Rogan and Mark Zuckerberg take turns speaking in a podcast episode from January 11, 2025. Using Stenstrom’s (1994) theory, the research uses a qualitative method to explain three turn-taking strategies: taking a turn, holding a turn, and giving up a turn. A total of 336 lines from the podcast transcript were analyzed. The results show that "taking a turn" is used the most (215 times), followed by "holding a turn" (84 times), and "yielding a turn" (37 times). The most common sub-strategy is “clear start,” used 92 times. This is because Joe Rogan, as the host, and Zuckerberg, as the guest, both try to keep the conversation clear and smooth. Besides smooth communication, the conversation also shows dynamic communication—where disagreement, interruptions, or different opinions can still lead to effective and meaningful talk. In this podcast, such moments happen naturally and add depth to the discussion. This shows that good communication is not just about talking clearly, but also about being flexible, listening well, and responding to differences during a conversation.