Conversations That Reveal Truth
Most journalists spend years learning to write. But writing comes after the real skill—knowing how to ask questions that people actually answer. We teach you the craft of interviewing that opens doors others didn't know existed.
Explore Our Approach
The Interview Nobody Teaches
You've probably noticed—journalism courses focus heavily on structure, ethics, and writing mechanics. Yet the moment you're face-to-face with someone who's nervous, evasive, or simply doesn't want to talk, all that theory evaporates.
We start where others stop. Our program builds on a decade of field work across Southeast Asia, including three years covering political transitions in Malaysia. That experience taught us one thing: the quality of your story depends entirely on what happens in the room before you write a single word.
This isn't about memorizing question templates. It's about reading body language, managing silence, pivoting when answers stall, and creating the kind of trust that makes people tell you things they didn't plan to share.
See How We're DifferentWhat You'll Actually Learn
We break interviewing into teachable skills you can practice and refine. Each module addresses a specific challenge journalists face in real conversations.
Opening Resistance
Learn specific techniques for the first three minutes when sources decide whether to trust you. We cover positioning, tone calibration, and the questions that lower defenses without compromising your role.
Following Threads
Most interviewers ask their prepared questions and leave. You'll learn to recognize when someone's casual remark contains the real story, and how to pursue it without making them retreat.
Handling Evasion
Politicians, executives, and anyone media-trained will dodge direct questions. We teach six methods for getting answers when people are actively trying not to give them to you.
Practice Before Pressure
Reading about interviewing techniques doesn't prepare you for the moment someone starts crying, or gets angry, or suddenly goes quiet. That's why two-thirds of our program happens in simulated scenarios.
You'll conduct at least twelve practice interviews with trained respondents who replicate challenging personality types. Each session is recorded. You'll review your work, identify what worked, spot the moments you missed opportunities, and try again with immediate feedback.
By the time you're sitting across from a real source, the mechanics of questioning, listening, and responding will feel automatic. That frees you to focus on what actually matters—understanding the person in front of you.
View Full CurriculumYour Path Through the Program
The course runs for six months starting February 2026, with cohorts limited to fourteen participants. Here's how the learning unfolds.
Foundation Phase (Weeks 1–6)
We establish core principles through case analysis of published interviews—both successful and failed. You'll learn why certain questions produce revelations while others shut conversations down. Weekly assignments involve transcribing professional interviews and identifying the techniques being used.
Practical Application (Weeks 7–18)
This is where theory meets reality. You'll conduct practice interviews twice weekly, each lasting thirty minutes. Scenarios increase in difficulty—starting with cooperative subjects, progressing to hostile or evasive personalities. Every session includes detailed critique from instructors who've worked in investigative journalism.
Real-World Assignments (Weeks 19–24)
In the final phase, you'll conduct actual interviews with community figures, small business owners, and local officials. These aren't simulations—the resulting pieces can be published. We provide editorial support but you're responsible for sourcing, scheduling, conducting, and writing the story.