How 'The Diary of a CEO' star Steven Bartlett avoids burnout

Steven Bartlett said staying curious about his interview subjects is critical to his success.

Frederic J.

Brown / AFP via Getty Images Steven Bartlett said he's setting up his company to last for 50 years by avoiding burnout.

He carefully picks his podcast guests to ensure he's genuinely interested in them.

He also maintains control of his holding company, Steven.com, so he can call the shots.

How can I avoid burning out? That's a big question facing many creators — and other entrepreneurs — as they look to scale up their businesses.

Star podcaster Steven Bartlett has thought a lot about how he can extend his business longevity.

The host of "The Diary of a CEO" said he approaches decision-making with the goal of lasting for 50 years — and it comes down to how he picks guests for his show.

"I say to my team all the time, 'Yes, I know this person has 150 million followers, but if I wake up in the morning and I look at my schedule, and I'm in a chair for four hours interviewing someone that I might not be interested in, and I have to do two hours of research, at some point, I'm going to get burned out,'" he told Business Insider in an interview.

Bartlett, who has the No.

1 business podcast on Spotify in the US and 20 million YouTube subscribers, started out nine years ago with early guests including business tycoons like Richard Branson and Brian Chesky.

He's since moved into more emotional and lifestyle territory.

Recent guests have included WeWork cofounder Adam Neumann, Ivanka Trump, and the entertainer Druski.

Another way Bartlett said he protects his curiosity — and avoids burning out — is by structuring his holding company, Steven.com, so he controls the board and decision-making about the business.