Where the magic happens
Recently I was writing the advertising copy for my upcoming workshop on interview techniques. Advertising copy is typically short and sweet, but if I had have had room for an essay I would have said the following:
The interview is where the magic happens.
We all know that magic exists in the spaces between things, and one such space is the silence of a host who is holding the moment. This host is waiting and they are listening. This is a host who believes in themself, who believes in the guest, and in the moment that they have created together. This is a host who can hold the guest's answer and any emotions that might come. This is a host who has the confidence to ask a question and then to let go.
A guest enters the interview space with a certain vulnerability. I've been on both sides of an interview and as the guest I can't imagine what I will possibly say, yet every time I surprise myself. The tension exists in the difference between the social role of "guest" or even "expert" and the much smaller task of sharing knowledge and experiences. The host knows this, but the guest often doesn't.
The interview is an unusual space. First and foremost it's a space of curiosity and empathy, where the guest has the rare of experience of being truly listened to. Even your therapist will offer you advice, but that's not the role of the host. I cannot count the number of times that a guest has finished an interview with tearful thanks, because being listened to and heard is a deep need that often goes unmet. Layer in the fact that the guest and host are often strangers to each other, and the unusual circumstances elevate. Then layer in the more prosaic considerations - an interview generally has a goal, there's a need to manage pacing and timing, there's a certain amount of tech to contend with. And of course there's the audience, who are physically absent and so unable to intercede, but who are central to the whole affair.
Without proper planning the guest ends up sitting, covered in tech, in a moment of vulnerability. They're wondering which part of themselves to reveal to the world; how much to share; and maybe if they even have anything worth sharing. As the host it's your job to build a container that holds the unusual moment of the interview. The planning and negotiations that precede the interview are designed to make the guest feel safe by setting expectations, listening to their needs and sharing your own. Safety is the requirement for empathy, curiosity and even magic.
You might be thinking that not all interviews are magic: "what about the interview about superannuation on the finance podcast?" But why make a finance podcast? Finance is about meeting human needs within the capitalist system; a system that is often at odds with human needs. This is a thorny topic worthy of your curiosity and empathy. If your superannuation expert isn't passionate - if they don't think on superannuation as a way to care for the older members of our community - if they can't locate it within the union movement and the historical moment of The Accord - then they've missed the point and you need to find another guest. Or maybe they've been taught a professional demeanour and you need to give them permission to share the magic of superannuation. This is all part of the pre-production process.
"Well what about an interview with someone who harms others, are we supposed to show curiosity and empathy to these people?" Yes, this is exactly the same process. Treat them with curiosity and empathy, ask the question, hold the space and wait. You'll be surprised at the information that is shared.
"Calm down there, we're not all working on 4 Corners. What about comedy? Light chat?" My answer is yes! I am furious if you don't think that curiosity and empathy are what makes these things good! I'm furious if you don't think that comedic timing is knowing how to wait!
So that's what we cover in the workshop: planning and listening. Building the container, asking the question...
and then:
Details
When: 3pm (Melbourne time) on Monday 28th September
Where: Online
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