What does it take to sit across from one of the world’s most powerful men… and not flinch? In this week’s episode of You’re Gonna Want To Hear This, Georgie McCourt sits down with legendary British broadcaster, journalist and author Emily Maitlis for a riveting conversation about career-defining interviews, the discipline of preparation, and why the best journalists never move on until they get an answer. 

From the now-iconic Prince Andrew interview to covering revolutions, elections and some of the biggest global stories of our time, Emily reveals what was really going through her mind inside Buckingham Palace, why she locked herself in a bathroom moments before that interview… and how years of being underestimated as a “silly little girl” became her greatest strength. 

She also opens up about motherhood in the public eye, the brutal early years of balancing young children with a high-pressure career, learning to lean into discomfort, and why women often become more powerful - - not less—as they get older. 

Plus, Emily shares the one piece of advice every woman needs to hear right now. 

In this episode, Emily shares: 

• Why great journalism is 80% preparation, 20% surrendering to chaos 

• The interview technique she swears by: “Don’t move on.” 

• What happened in the five minutes before the Prince Andrew interview 

• Why she never got angry sitting across from powerful men she believed weren’t telling the truth 

• How repetition, rejection and public mistakes built her confidence 

• The reality of raising children while living in the glare of public scrutiny 

• Why she feels more energised in her career now than ever before 

• Her next major investigation into the Epstein files 

• Her powerful message for women: “Choose your battles carefully… then fight for them.” 

If you’ve ever struggled to ask the hard question, back yourself in a room full of powerful people, or wondered whether your best years are still ahead of you - this episode is for you. 

In Australia, contact Lifeline on 13 11 14 for 24/7 crisis support, 1800RESPECT on 1800 737 732 for domestic, family and sexual violence support, or Blue Knot Foundation on 1300 657 380 for support around complex trauma and childhood trauma. 

Emily Maitlis is the author of Airhead: The Imperfect Art of Making News and co-host of The News Agents. 

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Credits: 

Host Marie Claire Editor-in-Chief Georgie McCourt 

Edited by Charlie Potter 

Executive Producer Jessie-Lee Klass 

Head of Vodcasting Rachel Fountain 

Our amazing team at Marie Claire 

Learn More: You're Gonna Want to Hear This is a production of Marie Claire and Are Media.