Entertainer • Presenter • Moderator
As an interviewer, I have spoken with a multitude of guests with varying passions and ideologies.
One of the best pieces of advice I received when I first began doing standup was to pretend like you’re hosting a party and it’s your job to make sure everyone feels comfortable.
To me, this applies to all areas of public speaking; whether I’m reporting, interviewing, hosting or just trying to make you laugh, I treat every engagement as an opportunity to invite my audience into the conversation and allow them to feel included and welcomed.
In this capacity, I find my journalism and comedic background a strength; as it allows me to navigate complicated topics in a way that leaves people both entertained and informed.
As an interviewer, I have spoken with a multitude of guests with varying passions and ideologies. By creating a safe space, built around a focus of understanding rather than criticism, guests feel comfortable to present themselves authentically and, more often than not, are open to discussing challenging perspectives.
Whether on stage, on camera, or behind a microphone, I do my best not to take myself too seriously and allow myself to be vulnerable with my audience to build a level of trust and familiarity so they can feel invested in the presentation and underlying narrative.
