Update: the segment is now online at msnbc.com.

I was excited and flattered when Kim Cornett, a producer on NBC’s Today Show, asked me to interview for a segment on their weekend edition. I accepted the invitation and before you know it, Greg and I were booked on a flight back to New York City. The prospect of being nervous and inarticulate on camera had not sunken in yet. I had a TV outfit to worry about! What was more important than that?

Kim advised against wearing black or white on camera. Uh oh. An edgy, black and white eye-catching outfit was precisely what I had in mind. Now what? Enter my media-savvy, documentary producer friend Laurel, who knows what works best on camera. Colours! Laurel came over and we finalized my outfit in twenty minutes. It was easy because there is no shortage of colour in my wardrobe, and because I had already decided on a pencil skirt and tailored jacket. I was at peace with leaving some of my edgier style off camera. It was important that my appearance appealed to a wide audience, and erring on the side of modern-classic for this occasion seemed like a good decision.

I opted for a super sleek charcoal grey pencil skirt, black ruffle collared shirt, retro emerald green trapeze jacket, micro fishnets,  zebra print skinny belt and off-white knee-high go-go boots (I guess I couldn’t resist a bit of edge). Adding my chunky pearl necklace from Hong Kong to complete the outfit was a no-brainer. I felt fabulous and true to my style and self.

I am tense on camera, so once the outfit was sorted it was on to a bit of media training. Greg was a wonderful coach and we role played the interview situation at home to calm my nerves. We had loads of fun and laughed up a storm during practice takes.

This process was extremely helpful. By the time interview day came I felt cool, calm and collected. After several cups of tea and an almond croissant that morning, Greg and I headed off to NBC Studios in Rockefeller Center. While waiting in the lobby we bumped into Jimmy Fallon who was working with Kim on a special to promote his new show (he has taken over Conan O’Brien’s slot as Conan takes over from Jay Leno). So fab.

Everyone at NBC was approachable, professional and organized. The whole experience was low key and ran like clockwork. It was amazing to see the inside of a recording studio. There are many, many, many wires! I took my place on a director’s chair and we started to set up, ensuring that the sound and visual quality was up to scratch.

Kim instantly had me feeling at ease and when one of the crew attached a microphone to my jacket, the experience suddenly felt real. It was just me under the spotlights, shot from the shoulders up, while Kim asked interview questions from behind the camera. I could actually see myself on camera while we were shooting, which was interesting. Greg stood in the recording studio with me, taking loads of pictures. I felt extra supported knowing that he was right there.

The interview took half an hour to shoot, but the actual segment is only a few minutes long. I enjoyed every second of the interview, yakking about a subject that I am passionate about. It was a brilliant experience and I can’t wait to see the edited version. The segment will air tomorrow, Saturday 7 March, on NBC’s Today Show between 8am and 9am.

Note that the weekend edition of the Today Show may be aired at a different time to the weekday edition in your area. In Seattle it starts just after 4am PST, which puts my segment some time after 5am (TiVo time!).

Update: the segment is now online at msnbc.com.

Thank you for having me Kim and NBC.