Hosting interviews for podcasts, panels and social media
19 May + 20 May 2026 - A two-day live course covering all the interview skills and techniques you'll need to host everything from podcasts to panels to fireside chats with confidence
Date: 10:00 - 1:30, 19 May and 20 May 2026
Location: Online
Cost: £295.00 + VAT
Trainer: Paul Connolly
Whether you’re a podcast host, a content creator, a panel moderator, or the person tasked with leading a fireside chat on behalf of your company - this two-day course will give you everything you need to conduct modern interviews with confidence, clarity and real skill.
Led by award-winning investigative journalist and broadcaster Paul Connolly - presenter of hit TV series for Netflix, ITV, Discovery, Facebook Watch and the BBC - this is a practical, focused, no-fluff workshop that will take your interviewing ability to the next level.
What you’ll learn
Day 1 – The Art of the Interview
- How to prepare for an interview without overpreparing
- How to keep your interviews structured but natural
- How to craft stronger, shorter, and more revealing questions
- How to unlock emotional, honest, and story-rich answers
- How to build trust without losing control of the conversation
- How to handle your own nerves and stay calm under pressure
Day 2 – Advanced Interviewing Techniques
- How to interview nervous, evasive or challenging guests
- Trauma-informed interviewing — how to speak with care and confidence to those who’ve been through distressing experiences
- How to manage interviews in corporate settings or live panels
- How to shift pace, tone and energy depending on your guest
- How to listen more deeply and ask better follow-up questions
- How to take back control when things start to go off track
Who It’s For
This course is designed for:
- Podcast hosts and content creators
- Corporate communicators and brand reps
- Influencers and YouTubers conducting interviews
- Panel moderators and fireside chat hosts
- Anyone who wants to become a more confident and effective interviewer - even if you’ve never done it before
What Makes This Course Different
You’ll be learning from someone who has spent decades interviewing people at their most guarded, most emotional, and most vulnerable. Paul Connolly has interviewed convicted criminals, political leaders, whistleblowers, survivors, and CEOs - often in high-pressure or emotionally charged environments. The techniques you’ll learn are grounded in that real-world experience and are made accessible for anyone, no matter your background.
You’ll leave with a repeatable process, a clear framework, and the confidence to take your next interview further — whether it’s for a podcast, a panel, or a post on LinkedIn.
