Learn

Choose the skill you need before the next interview.

Start with the problem in front of you: understanding the angle, writing a priority line, answering the hard part, or staying composed under pressure. Each module connects to practice drills and review signals.

Suggested path

Understand the journalist's angle, build the message card, then practise direct answers and earned bridges under pressure.

1. Understand the story2. Write the answer3. Rehearse the pressure

Fundamentals

01
Fundamentals8 min read

How Journalists Think

Understand journalist logic, NZ media context, audience trust, interview formats, and how to give usable answers under deadline.

Use this when: you need to work out what the story is really about.

8 min readFoundation moduleNext drill: Name the likely angle, answer for the audience first, then support the line with one proof point.→

Techniques

02
Techniques6 min read

The ABC Framework

Answer the hard part, acknowledge the concern, bridge cleanly, and land the audience-relevant point.

Use this when: you need to answer fairly, then get back to your point.

6 min read🎯Best with The InquisitorNext drill: Answer the hard part first, acknowledge the concern, then bridge to the prepared line and proof point.→
03
Techniques7 min read

Bridging Techniques

Use importance, context, action, boundary, and agreement bridges without sounding scripted or evasive.

Use this when: the question is not the frame you want to accept.

7 min read⚡Best with The AmbusherNext drill: Practise one acknowledgement and one earned bridge from a difficult but fair question back to your message.→
04
Techniques5 min read

Key Message Development

Turn a complex issue into a priority line, proof point, audience impact, and boundary that can survive different interview formats.

Use this when: you are writing talking points or media lines.

5 min readFoundation moduleNext drill: Test one priority line and proof point against detailed follow-ups, then return to the audience outcome.→

Performance

05
Performance6 min read

Delivery & Composure

Keep delivery calm, clear, and undistracting while prioritising message, answer structure, proof, and recovery under pressure.

Use this when: delivery could distract from the message in TV, webcam, radio, doorstep, or high-pressure interviews.

6 min read🔴Best with The Crisis JournalistNext drill: Keep the first sentence clear, use pauses instead of filler, and recover cleanly after interruption.→

Read the idea, then test it under pressure.

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