Segment-First Interview Preparation
Design each segment, then combine contrasting researchers' questions
- Difficulty
- Easy
- Time to result
- ~days to results
- Steps
- 5
- Confidence
- 94%
Ritholtz prepares long-form interviews by starting with the architecture of the conversation rather than an undifferentiated question list. He and his head of research first decide what each segment should cover. They then develop questions from their different ways of seeing the world, preserving prompts one of them would never have generated alone. Deep research and complementary perspectives produce serious, unexpected questions capable of engaging demanding guests. A standing editorial rule—no stock picks and no forecasts—also removes a predictable media ritual and lets guests discuss ideas without worrying about whether a public pick will later embarrass them. The output is a sequenced interview in which every section has a job, the questions are less replaceable, and the guest is more likely to stay intellectually involved.
Origin
Barry Ritholtz described the preparation process he uses with head of research Michael Batnick for Masters in Business interviews.
Core principles
- 01Give every segment a purpose
- 02Use different perspectives to escape predictable questions
- 03Research deeply enough to challenge accomplished guests
- 04Avoid stock picks and forecasts when they would narrow the conversation
How to run it
- 1
Research the guest
Study enough of the guest's work and history to move beyond questions they routinely receive.
Pro tip Prepare at the level required to impress a guest known for demanding standards.
Watch out Surface research produces familiar prompts and a visibly bored guest.
- 2
Assign segment purposes
Decide what subject or outcome each segment of the interview should own.
Pro tip Use the segment map to prevent repetition and ensure the conversation progresses.
- 3
Generate questions separately
Have people with different perspectives draft questions so each can reveal blind spots in the other's approach.
Pro tip Protect questions that make the other researcher say they would never have thought to ask them.
Watch out Collaborating too early can collapse two perspectives into one.
- 4
Apply editorial rules
Remove questions that conflict with the show's positioning, including routine requests for stock picks or forecasts.
Pro tip A clear exclusion can make the interview safer and more distinctive for the guest.
- 5
Sequence for stimulation
Place the strongest questions into the segment map so the guest encounters depth, novelty, and a coherent flow.
Watch out A researched question can still fail if it arrives without enough context or at the wrong point in the conversation.
In the wild
A host and researcher divide a fund manager's career into focused segments, independently draft questions, and merge only the strongest prompts. They remove requests for current picks and instead ask about decisions, process, and lessons that fit the show's rules.
→ The guest receives serious, less predictable questions and stays engaged throughout the interview.
Common mistakes
Starting with a random question list
Questions without segment ownership create repetition and weak conversational progression.
Using one research perspective
A single point of view misses the surprising questions that emerge from contrasting interpretations.
Forcing forecasts
Routine prediction requests can make guests defensive and reduce a durable conversation to a temporary call.
Is it for you?
Best for
It is best for hosts interviewing experienced guests who have answered standard questions many times.
Not ideal for
It is not ideal for spontaneous formats whose value depends primarily on improvisation rather than prepared depth.
From the transcript
“My head of research who you just signed the trend following book Till Mike Mike Batnick. He and I sit down usually a few days…”
“And between the two of us, you know, when you're sitting down with a guy like Leon Kooperman of Omega Advisors, who's got a reputation…”
“the model of the show is no stockpicks, no forecasts.”
From the episode
Interview With Michael Covel: Masters in Business (Audio)
Michael Covel