Sound great in interviews & on podcasts
I coach people and teams to be better on-air, using my 20+ years experience at the BBC.
Be at your best when the microphone is on
Interview & host coaching for individuals and teams
Most people prepare for an interview by memorising what they want to say. In my experience, the usual reason interviews go wrong is that people forget to relax and hold a conversation, and instead ram home the one thing they remembered - like an exam. By all means, know your guardrails - but what producers want is someone who answers the question they were asked, says something interesting, and is reliable at short notice.
I coach chief executives, founders, finance directors, subject experts and whole comms teams to do exactly that, on radio, TV and podcasts. I spent over a decade booking and briefing contributors at BBC Radio 5 live, then edited international business programmes at the World Service, and I still make programmes and read the news for the BBC, so what I teach is current. I work with companies of all kinds, with a particular focus on fintech. Based in Manchester, I work across the UK, Europe and further afield, in person or online. Every session is bespoke.
Coaching a great group of journalists at the Financial Times
Not sure what you need?
If journalists aren’t saying yes to your pitches, start with Pitching.
If you get the coverage but the interview itself goes badly, you’re in the right place. If it’s both, start here.
Hosting a podcast on your own? Have a look at Podcast Host Coaching.
“Working with our journalists, James brought his vast broadcasting experience into a very personable, encouraging environment that left our journalists enthused and confident in their podcast work. James’ teaching style brings the theory into practice. The one-to-one nature and collaborative approach resonated strongly with the team who have taken the lessons to heart to produce better programming. Looking forward to introducing more of the team to his training.”
“If you get the chance to work with James, grab it. Not only is his enthusiasm infectious, but his wide range of current experience at the BBC is a tremendous resource for anyone making programmes/podcasts as an indie or simply trying to get a story across.
He has a fund of patience and can make the most reluctant media performer tell stories with a point.
His careful ear can detect nonsense at 100 paces, which makes life a lot easier for the potential interviewee when it dawns upon them that they will have only one chance to get it right. He’s funny and a great speaker. I hope you will enjoy working with him as much as I did.”
FAQs
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How to answer the question you were asked while knowing your guardrails; how to sound interesting and thoroughly on top of your brief, and staying calm and collected. You’ll do recorded practice interviews and appearances and we’ll review them line by line, and then you do them again. Formats include radio, television, down-the-line and hostile interviews. We work on listening under pressure, confidence, tone and clarity, how to prepare without memorising, and what to do when an interview goes off course. Crisis media training is available, built around the hardest questions you’re likely to face. We tackle your fears and help to make you more understandable and the best version of yourself.
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I spent over a decade booking and briefing contributors at BBC Radio 5 live, then edited international business programmes at the World Service, so I know what producers want from a guest and why they call some people back. I’ve presented thousands of radio programmes, so I understand what presenters are looking for as well. The sessions I run are half teaching and half doing, and you work on your own stories, because hypotheticals sound hypothetical. I can also call on a network of experienced journalists, presenters, camera operators, technicians and writers to build a realistic mock interview. Everyone who helps me is specially selected: very good at their jobs and, just as important, friendly, decent humans.
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That’s depends on what you need and want - as every session is designed around you! No previous experience is needed, and we’ll start with a video call to talk through your priorities. I then send a short proposal setting out the session and how it will run, and we can change anything that isn’t right. I record everything we do on the day, and afterwards send a written summary of the areas to work on. Groups work best at four to six people and for an individual I recommend at least three hours. I can run it online, travel to your studio, bring kit to mock one up in your office, or use studios I have access to in Manchester.
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Every package is bespoke, so there isn’t a standard fee. As a guide, a session for a group of four is approximately £3,000 plus travel and accommodation, charged at cost outside Greater Manchester, where I’m based. Larger groups, one-to-one and online sessions are quoted individually, and I offer reduced rates for charities and non-profits. Once we agree a date, I take a 50% deposit, and the balance is due when the session is done.
Get in touch through the contact form or book a call and we can talk through what you need.