Welcome to Monday Night Live

Welcome to another insightful episode of and now a leading expert on mnday Night Live! I’m Derek Arden, and this week, I’m joined by the fantastic Michael Dodd – a seasoned journalist, foreign correspondent, Media communication and interview techniques.

Michael’s career kicked off in Sydney with the Australian Broadcasting Corporation (ABC), where he was trained in the art of asking “blowtorch on the belly” questions – tough, persistent inquiries designed to put real pressure on political figures. This phrase, coined by an Australian politician, became the backbone of Michael’s journalistic style, pushing for truth and accountability.

In our conversation, Michael shares his journey from covering politics in Canberra to witnessing the historic revolutions of Eastern Europe, including the fall of the Berlin Wall and the Velvet Revolution in Prague. He tells a captivating story of interviewing Václav Havel, the Czech dissident-playwright who would later become president. Havel’s masterful response to a tough question about his political ambitions became a defining moment in Michael’s career and illustrates how great communicators can turn pointed questions into opportunities for impactful messaging.

As we shift to modern-day media dynamics, Michael offers a behind-the-scenes look at how journalists operate during high-stakes press conferences, like those with Prime Ministers or Presidents. He explains how competitive journalists, from Sky News to the BBC, often don’t coordinate their questions but instead aim to deliver the sharpest queries for their respective audiences and editors.

We also dive into Michael’s transition from journalism to media training. He now teaches business leaders, politicians, and even sports coaches how to respond to difficult questions with confidence and clarity. His approach is rooted in integrity – always advocating for honest and effective communication rather than evasiveness.

Michael introduces us to his golden formula, the ABCDE method, for crafting powerful responses to tough questions:

A: Answer the question (or acknowledge it if you can’t fully respond).
B: Bridge – smoothly transition to your key message.
C: Content – deliver your core message clearly and concisely.
D: Dangle – set up your example or supporting evidence.
E: Example – share a compelling story or data point to reinforce your message.
Throughout the session, Michael emphasizes the importance of preparation and truth, especially in an age where disinformation can easily sway public opinion. We touch on the rise of false narratives, citing figures like Donald Trump and Elon Musk, and the challenges this poses for credible journalism. Michael underlines the critical role journalists play in combating misinformation and holding power to account – a responsibility that’s never been more vital.

We also discuss how these media dynamics affect leaders in business and sports. Michael shares anecdotes from his media training with rugby league teams and how captains and managers can apply the ABCDE formula to defuse criticism and refocus on positive actions, even under pressure from hostile media or frustrated fans.

From dissecting press conference tactics to reflecting on the wider implications of truth and integrity in public discourse, Michael brings a wealth of wisdom, wit, and practical advice to this conversation.

For those interested in learning more about Michael’s approach, he mentions his book, Great Answers to Tough Questions at Work, which dives deeper into his ABCDE strategy and how to stay composed and effective when the heat is on.

If you’re a business leader, media professional, or just someone keen to sharpen your communication skills, you won’t want to miss this masterclass.