How to Own the Interview (Instead of Letting It Own You)

I've seen some very smart people fall apart in interviews. I do everything I can to get them to relax because I want the interview and the story to be interesting, but many times they get too far inside their own head and start obsessing about how they look or sound. 

I get it, news interviews can feel like root canals with better lighting. Whether you’re talking to a reporter, stepping on stage, or bracing for tough questions from colleagues or other stakeholders, it’s easy to feel like you're one wrong word away from a viral disaster.

But here’s the good news: you can own the interview. You being you is a big part of it, but it also takes a little strategy and some real-world coaching.

I’ve spent decades asking the questions, answering them (as a reporter out in the field), and watching people either rise to the moment… or wish they could crawl under the table or somewhere in between.  Here’s what I’ve learned about coming out on top.

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Confidence: Nerves Are Normal—We Just Don’t Let Them Win

Nerves are real. When I first started in TV, all those years in Scottsbluff, Nebraska, and Rapid City, South Dakota, I had really bad anxiety when I anchored the news.

Here’s what I learned: You don’t need to be fearless. You need to know how to fake calm until you feel it. I coach clients on simple ways to settle the nerves, get out of their own heads, and deliver their message with confidence, even if their heart is racing. 

Spoiler alert: most “naturals” weren’t born that way. They just practiced until it felt natural.

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Clarity: Say It Like a Human, Not a Headline

The best interviewees talk like real people. No buzzwords. No word salad. Just clear, honest, authentic communication. I’ll help you ditch the fluff, find your message, and say it like you mean it. We’ll work on keeping your answers focused, your stories tight, and your audience actually awake.

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Presence: Show Up, Shine, and Keep It Real. 

People don’t connect with perfect. They connect with real. I’ll help you find your authentic on-camera presence—how you carry yourself, how you sound, how you connect—without turning into a robot or a stump speech machine.

The old saying is that people won’t remember what you said, but how you made them feel. I believe that. Perfection isn’t the goal because it’s not possible. 

The goal: you, but dialed in and ready.

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Strategy: Have a Game Plan, Not a Panic Plan

Winging it is not a strategy. Especially not when the questions get tough. I help clients prepare with purpose—know what to say, what not to say, and how to pivot when things go off-script. Sometimes the reporter's questions can go sideways, and it’s not the interviewee’s fault. The reporter might have the wrong information, or doesn’t really know what the story is. It’s your job to stay in command. 

The best interviews feel natural because they’re anything but off the cuff. The Takeaway

Owning the interview isn’t about perfection. It’s about preparation. It’s about knowing your message, staying present, and showing up with the kind of confidence that makes people lean in, not tune out.

Whether you’re a CEO, a candidate, a reluctant spokesperson, or just someone tired of saying, “I wish I’d said that”—I’ve got you. Let’s make sure next time, you walk out of the interview feeling like a pro… not reaching for a drink.

Want to work together? Let’s talk. One session of How to Own the Interview can make a world of difference. And yes, we’ll keep it real.