The presidential debates are the second most watched event, second only to the Super Bowl.

Millions of people tuning in live to listen to the candidates speak, debate and try to win over voters.

How do you prepare for an event of that calibre?

There’s one person who knows the answer to that question….

That person’s name is Karen Dunn.

Who is Karen Dunn?

She’s one of the top debate prep specialists in the U.S, and she’s worked with some of the biggest names in politics—Obama, Hillary Clinton, Kamala Harris.

For six to eight weeks leading up to a presidential debate, her entire focus is on making sure her candidates are ready for anything.

What can we learn from how Karen Dunn prepares presidential candidates for high-stakes debates?

Most people think preparing for a big presentation means running through your notes once or twice and hoping for the best. But when you’re prepping for a presidential debate, it’s a full-time job.

Karen starts working with candidates six to eight weeks before the debate.

During this time, the candidates are running daily sessions, often for hours each day, where they’re refining every single detail — from what they’re going to say to how they’re going to stand.

Think about that.

For nearly two months, these candidates are dedicating a huge chunk of their day to one thing: practicing.

The takeaway here? If you’ve got an important presentation, don’t wait until the night before. Start early. Make it a priority.

One of the most important parts of Karen’s process is running mock debates.

These aren’t just casual run-throughs—they’re full-on simulations of the real thing.

She creates a stage that looks just like the actual debate stage, complete with podiums and lighting.

The candidates go head-to-head with someone playing the role of their opponent, and another team member acts as the moderator, asking questions designed to be as tough as what they’ll face in the real debate.

It’s all about repetition.

They run these mock debates several times a week, sometimes even multiple times a day, until the candidate knows exactly how they’ll handle every question, every attack, every curveball.

This is a game-changer.

Imagine doing that for your own presentation — practicing in the exact setting where you’ll be delivering it, with someone throwing tough questions at you until you’re fully prepared.

You’ll walk into the room with the confidence that nothing can throw you off.

Karen also puts her candidates through “hot seat” sessions—intense, rapid-fire questioning that lasts anywhere from one to three hours.

The idea? Get them comfortable being uncomfortable.

Candidates are grilled by Karen and her team, challenged on their responses, and given real-time feedback.

Every word, gesture, and reaction is dissected.

The candidates leave these sessions better prepared to handle the high-pressure environment of the debate.

This is key for anyone who’s preparing for a big presentation.

Find someone who will give you brutal, honest feedback.

The more you get comfortable with pressure in practice, the better you’ll perform when it really counts.

Karen’s team spends hours analyzing the opponent.

They study their past debate performances, public statements, and interviews to predict what strategies they’ll use.

They don’t just look at the opponent’s strengths—they dig into their weaknesses and prepare the candidate to exploit them.

This attention to detail allows the candidate to anticipate attacks and deliver sharp, confident responses.

In your own presentations, it’s not just about knowing your content—it’s about knowing your audience and preparing for any tough questions or objections that might come up.

Karen Dunn doesn’t just focus on what the candidates will say. A huge part of her preparation is about demeanor and body language.

Candidates are trained to project confidence, authority, and calm under pressure.

She records mock debates and reviews them frame by frame, paying close attention to every non-verbal cue.

Are they standing tall? Are their hand gestures purposeful? Are they making eye contact with the camera? These things matter just as much as the words coming out of their mouth.

The same applies to your presentations. Your words matter, but your presence matters more. Stand tall, make eye contact, and project confidence—even if you’re nervous. Your audience will pick up on your energy.

In a debate, anything can happen.

Candidates are interrupted, asked tough questions, and sometimes have to deal with technical difficulties.

Karen’s team prepares candidates for all these scenarios. They train them to handle interruptions with grace, pivot on tough questions, and stay calm no matter what happens.

In your own presentations, you should be ready for anything, too.

Maybe you get a question you didn’t expect, or the projector stops working.

Be flexible, stay calm, and focus on your message.

In the last two weeks before the debate, the intensity ramps up even more.

Mock debates happen almost daily.

The goal is to make sure the candidate is so well-prepared that when they step on the stage, it feels like just another practice session.

The repetition builds muscle memory.

When the real debate happens, the candidate knows exactly what to do, what to say, and how to respond to anything that comes their way.

If you want to nail your presentation, put in the reps.

Practice until it’s second nature. By the time you’re in front of your audience, it should feel like you’ve already been there a hundred times.

Karen Dunn’s debate prep strategies that you can apply in your own life.

and if you ever use these tips to become president, don’t forget to give me a quick shoutout.

Appreciate it!


—Yasir Khan