The minimum viable source pack
1. One anchor source. Choose the piece that best represents the session: a product or project page, a research paper, a launch note, an essay or talk, a case study, a lesson plan, a proposal or method, or a public thread or post.
The anchor tells the system what the conversation is about. It does not have to be perfect or comprehensive.
2. Two supporting sources. Add material that supplies evidence, contrast, or history. Useful supporting sources include an earlier version, a customer question, a changelog, a diagram, a public result, a relevant policy, or a critique you disagree with.
More links are not automatically better. Five closely related sources usually create a better interview than fifty pages with no priority.
3. One audience question. Write the question in the audience's language.
Weak: "Talk about product strategy."
Stronger: "How should a small team explain a roadmap change to customers without pretending the old plan never existed?"
A specific question gives the interview an outcome.
4. Three concrete moments. List the events you would be willing to unpack: a decision, a failure, a surprising result, a tradeoff, a moment you changed your mind, a repeated objection, or an artifact that shows the work.
A few nouns are enough. Do not script the story.
5. Your boundaries. Mark confidential names, numbers, screens, clients, research participants, unreleased features, and regulated claims. If another person or organization must approve a statement, say so before recording.
A good session needs permission to be specific, not permission to be reckless.
Optional material that improves the interview
A vocabulary list. Provide the correct spelling of names, products, acronyms, and technical terms. This improves question quality and makes the transcript easier to review.
A common advice note. Write down the standard advice you think is incomplete or wrong. The contrast often produces a strong point-of-view question.
A proof artifact. Prepare a screen, sketch, object, timeline, chart, or document you can show. Remove private information and check that the important detail will be visible in the final format.
A risk reviewer. For legal, medical, financial, scientific, or reputationally sensitive material, identify the qualified person who will review the relevant clip before publication.
A desired content job. Choose one or two jobs for the session: explain, prove, teach, position, or answer an objection. This helps prioritize highlights later.
What not to bring
A finished script. A script can be appropriate for a precise statement, but reading a full generated answer often removes the pauses, examples, and live reasoning that make an interview useful. Bring facts and prompts instead.
A giant unsorted folder. If everything is a priority, the research will spend effort reconstructing your priorities. Pick the strongest material and explain why it matters.
Unsupported marketing claims. "Best," "proven," "guaranteed," and claims of market leadership need evidence and scope. Replace them with the actual result, method, or comparison the interview can support.
Private material you are not allowed to use. Do not upload or screen-share sensitive content merely because it would make a good story. Use an anonymized example or obtain permission first.
A 15-minute preparation routine
Minutes 1-3: Choose the anchor source and audience question.
Minutes 4-7: Add two supporting links and three concrete moments.
Minutes 8-10: Mark confidential topics and claims that need review.
Minutes 11-13: Open any artifact you may show and hide private details.
Minutes 14-15: Test the camera, microphone, and first answer.
Then stop preparing sentences. The point is to enter with evidence in mind, not language memorized.
What REC does with the material
REC Content Studio uses the supplied context and relevant public work to prepare a research dossier and tailored question path. The questions are designed to surface examples, decisions, tradeoffs, artifacts, and clear explanations.
You record your real answers. The session is transcribed, and grounded moments can be proposed as highlights with rationale. You review the result before using the clips.
"Source-backed" describes the chain from material to question to recorded answer. It is not an automatic fact-check, so important claims still need human review.
Copy this checklist
One anchor source.
Two supporting sources.
One audience question.
Three concrete moments.
Confidentiality and approval boundaries.
Correct names and terminology.
One visual artifact, if useful.
One or two content jobs.
A reviewer for high-stakes claims.
Camera and microphone test.
Bring the work, not a performance. REC can prepare the room from there.