Navigating Media Interviews under Pressure

I’m usually the guy standing just off-camera, coaching the spokesperson: “Relax your shoulders.” “Don’t overexplain.” “You’ve got 90 seconds—use them wisely.” But yesterday? I was on the other side of the lens—being interviewed by the superb team at Jewish Federations of North America about our advocacy work on Capitol Hill. And let me tell you: Giving media training is easier than doing it yourself. Here’s 10 Tips for Nailing a Media Interview (from someone who usually gives the advice, and just had to eat his own cooking): 1. Don’t look at the camera. Look at the interviewer. The camera’s not your best friend—it’s your static stalker. 😉 2. Be animated, not theatrical. Hand gestures = good. Mime performance = not good. 3. Speak like you’re talking to a smart eighth grader. Clear, short sentences. Then stop. Let the soundbite breathe. 4. Dress for clarity. Solid colors. No stripes, no logos, no hypnotic polka dots. 5. Over-enunciate slightly. TV eats consonants. Add a touch of drama without sounding like you’re auditioning for Shakespeare in the Park. 6. Never repeat a negative. Q: “Isn’t your program a total failure?” ❌ A: “I don’t think we’re a total failure, no.” ✅ A: “I wouldn’t characterize it that way, here’s what we’ve seen work, and why it matters.” 7. If you don’t know, say so. “Let me confirm the data and circle back.” A confident deferral beats a wobbly bluff. 8. Know your message and ‘headlines’ If you don’t know your 3 key points going in, you’re just riffing—and that’s a gamble. 9. No bobblehead mode. Eye contact is good. Wide-eyed blinking and constant nodding? Distracting. 10. Breathe. You’ll think it’s a sprint. It’s actually a slow-motion obstacle course. Stay grounded. - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - So here’s to all the advisors, coaches and comms pros who sit behind the camera. Once in a while, it’s worth stepping into the spotlight. Even when it’s awkward (it was)! Even if your shoes are Hokas because you walked 15K steps nursing a broken foot. Even if your inner monologue is screaming. You’ll be fine. You’ve trained for this. Literally. What quick media interviewing tips would you add here? ** If you or your team need some urgent care style speaker and talking point prep, drop me a DM or email anytime. **

In high-stakes interviews, knowledge is useless if you can’t access it under pressure. You know that moment.. Your brain goes blank. Your palms sweat. And instead of solving, you start surviving. But here’s the truth → Problem-solving under stress is not a “talent.” It’s a trainable skill. And the candidates I coach who master it often walk out with multiple job offers. Let me break it down with no-fluff, expert-backed techniques that actually work: 1️⃣ Rewire Your Stress Response with the 4-7-8 Reset When your nervous system panics, your prefrontal cortex (the problem-solving part of your brain) shuts down. Before answering, use the 4-7-8 breathing method: Inhale for 4 sec Hold for 7 sec Exhale for 8 sec This activates the parasympathetic system → instantly reduces cortisol and gives you back cognitive control. 2️⃣ Switch from “Answering” to “Framing” Research from Harvard Business Review shows that candidates who frame the problem out loud sound more confident and buy time to think. Instead of jumping straight in, say: “Let me structure my approach — first I’ll identify the constraints, then I’ll evaluate possible solutions, and finally I’ll recommend the most practical one.” This shows clarity under stress, even before the solution lands. 3️⃣ Use the MECE Method (Consulting’s Secret Weapon) Top consulting firms like McKinsey train candidates to solve under pressure using MECE → Mutually Exclusive, Collectively Exhaustive. Break the problem into 2–3 distinct, non-overlapping buckets. Example: If asked how to improve a delivery app → Think in “User Experience,” “Logistics,” and “Revenue Streams.” This keeps you structured and avoids rambling. 4️⃣ Apply the 30-70 Rule Neuroscience research shows stress reduces working memory. So don’t aim for perfection. Spend 30% of time defining the problem clearly and 70% generating practical solutions. Most candidates flip this and over-explain, which backfires. 5️⃣ Rehearse with Deliberate Discomfort Candidates who only practice “easy” questions crash in high-pressure moments. I make my students solve case studies with distractions, timers, or sudden curveballs. Why? Because your brain learns to adapt under chaos and that resilience shows in interviews. 👉 Remember: Interviewers aren’t hunting for perfect answers. They’re hunting for calm thinkers. The ones who don’t crumble under the weight of uncertainty. That’s how my students at Google, Deloitte, and Amazon got noticed → not by being geniuses, but by staying structured under stress. Would you like me to share a step-by-step mock interview framework for practicing these techniques? Comment “Framework” and I’ll drop it in my next post. #interviewtips #careerdevelopment #problemsolving #dreamjob #interviewcoach

Staying calm and professional under pressure is crucial for executives - especially when facing tough questions from a persistent reporter. The key? Preparation. In today’s media landscape, where interviews are scrutinized by the ever-watchful eyes of social media, a proactive approach can make all the difference. A four-step action plan I developed, based on my experience as a reporter, helped a financial services executive stay composed during an aggressive interview. The result? His responses weren’t misconstrued, and a major news outlet published a balanced report that upheld his company’s reputation. Here’s the plan for handling aggressive media interviews: 1. Body Language: Maintain steady eye contact, avoid defensive gestures, and adopt an open posture. 2. Pause and Breathe: Build confidence by pausing before responding to stay in control of the narrative. 3. Rehearse Scenarios: Practice mock interviews with increasingly challenging questions to prepare for the toughest situations. 4. Handle Tough Questions Tactfully: Prepare versatile phrases to address interruptions or inappropriate questions. - Avoid saying “no comment” - it can seem evasive. - Instead, use responses like: -- “Let me finish that thought.” -- “I’d like to circle back to the main point.” - For irrelevant questions (e.g., “Why is X refusing to fund your lifesaving program?”), try: “I won’t speak on X’s behalf, but I encourage you to contact the appropriate decision-makers.” P.S. Are you interested in mastering media engagement? I can help you understand a journalist’s mindset to craft and deliver your message effectively. DM me to learn more. #mediatraining #communication #publicspeaking #watchwithpremium

These past few days, my social media feeds have been full of clips of a candidate during a tough interview. *This is not a political post. It’s a best practice post. Difficult media interviews always come down to one thing: preparation. If you’re speaking publicly, whether it’s a media interview, panel discussion, investor pitch, podcast interview or social media livestream, you need to be ready for anything. I’ve experienced this on both sides. When I was a reporter, I was the one asking the tough questions and there were difficult/awkward moments. When I handled PIO duties at a public agency, reporters were asking me challenging questions and it was stressful. Getting well-prepared means doing drills: anticipating the hardest questions and answering them out loud until your responses are clear, calm, and confident. Recording your answers on video and reviewing them is even more helpful. The more you practice, the more you release your emotions around difficult topics, and that’s what keeps you composed when pressure hits. We’ve all had that moment where someone hits a nerve and we blurt out something, losing our composure. Don’t let that happen on camera. Because of social media, these clips are amplified like never before. Prepare. Practice. Then practice again. 🎯

Media interviews can change the game for your business, if you’re ready. As a founder or CEO, you are the most powerful spokesperson for your brand. Fred Schebesta Founder & Executive Chair of Finder, who joined me for the Influence Unlocked Podcast, is a great example. Media interviews build trust, expand your reach, and can open doors you never expected. ✨ But here’s the thing: preparation is everything. Over the years, I’ve seen how a well executed media interview can lead to new partnerships, investment opportunities, and greater brand visibility. I’ve also learned that winging it is not an option. Here are my top 5 tips for nailing your next media interview: 1️⃣ Do your homework Know who you’re speaking to. Research the journalist, outlet, or podcast host. Understand their style and audience. You never know who’s watching or listening—it only takes one connection to change everything. 2️⃣ Invest in media training Even the best spokespeople need to refine their skills. Media training helps you stay on message and navigate tricky questions with confidence. 3️⃣ Always show up Unless it’s an emergency, stick to your commitments. Canceling last minute damages trust and relationships (and PR is all about relationships!). 4️⃣ Dress the part Authenticity is key, but presentation matters. Whether it’s TV, a podcast, or a Zoom call, prepare for the format. First impressions count. 5️⃣ Practice makes perfect Mock interviews, reviewing key messages, or recording yourself, all these help you feel more confident and in control. Practice gives you freedom when the spotlight is on. Great media talent gets noticed. Nail your interview, and you’ll be invited back. It’s not always comfortable, but it’s worth it. Every speaking opportunity is a chance to grow your personal brand and business. #PersonalBrand #PRStrategy #MediaTips #ThoughtLeadership #MediaInterviews #PR #Entrepreneurship

So you have a big press interview coming up? In my experience, I've seen the most confident leaders get nervous before press interviews. But here's the thing - with the right preparation, you can turn any interview into a powerful opportunity to build your brand and share your company message. Here are my top 5 tips to help you shine! 🎤 🔍 Know What's Happening Is it a background chat or feature story? Each interview type needs different preparation, but they all require you to bring your A-game. Being prepared for the format of the interview will help tremendously. 🧐 Research Your Interviewer Turn the tables! Read their recent articles, check their social presence, understand their perspective. They've done their homework on you - returning the favor sets the stage for a great conversation. 🎯 Craft Your Story and Messaging What's the ONE thing you want people to remember? Keep it simple, memorable, and jargon-free. The best messages are the ones that stick. 🎭 Practice Makes Perfect Would you give a TED talk without rehearsing? Have someone throw tough questions at you the day before. This prep work is what separates good interviews from great ones. 🤝 Build Lasting Connections Send that thank-you note after the interview. When the story goes live, share it. These small gestures make a big difference in building lasting media relationships. Remember: Every interview is a chance to tell your story. Make it count! ✨ What's your experience with media interviews? Share your stories below! 👇 #MediaTraining #Leadership #CommunicationStrategy #PublicRelations Jason Fink R. Kurt Osenlund Julie Farin Isha Kamani Melanie Shaw Olivia Morley