From method acting to music stands doubling as podiums, debate prep is part serious business, part political theatre. Ahead of the highly anticipated federal debates — the first major showdown between Liberal Leader Mark Carney and Conservative Leader Pierre Poilievre — CBC’s Rob Brown gets the inside story from two political strategists with firsthand experience. Shannon Andrews helped Saskatchewan Premier Scott Moe prepare his talking points against NDP leader Carla Beck, while Jean-Marc Prevost channelled his inner B.C. Conservative leader John Rustad to help Premier David Eby get debate-ready. In this episode of West of Centre Short, the two self-described political nerds pull back the curtain on what really goes on behind the scenes — and offer some candid advice for the federal party leaders.