That's such a difficult one! These are all great approaches.
In my very first journalism job, when I was 22, I worked at an IT magazine and one of the things I had to write each month was "5 minutes with ..." an IT manager or Manager of Information Services. I loved doing it because most of the answers were predictable, but the one about "if you weren't [in this job], what would you be doing" was fascinating. I never interviewed a single person in that role who didn't have a very specific, clearly imagined answer. Like one person wanted to manage a big hotel in Europe. Another wanted to build a public sculpture garden. It made me a little sad -- all of those dreams set aside! -- but on the other hand most of them truly seemed to enjoy their work and the lives it afforded them.
Perhaps you could give your interviewees the option to choose x number of questions from any one of the different styles?🥰 by the way, I love the names for each style🥰
Yes, very hard. In my interviews because I love processes I always start with childhood. It has given me an idea to ask my subscribers for questions as I am doing a collaboration without someone outside Substack. But I find him fascinating… he is 70, lived in Japan for 20 years, and is doing a 1250 mile walk from Canterbury to the Vatican. Amazing.
The last time I had a regular car commute was back when I was teaching computer classes. I would try to finish a few minutes early so I could be in the car by four, just in time for Fresh Air with Terri Gross on WNYC. I'm realizing that was the 1990s! After that, I became more of a Krista Tippett fan, and then several years I'd catch the Rich Roll podcast. These days it's mostly written interviews here on Substack.
Very little people chose the Krista Tippett but I think that they have the potential to result in the craziest and most inspiring interviews.
I love a question about, “what’s a time when you changed your mind?” Maybe about a big belief or just way of approaching something routine.
That's such a difficult one! These are all great approaches.
In my very first journalism job, when I was 22, I worked at an IT magazine and one of the things I had to write each month was "5 minutes with ..." an IT manager or Manager of Information Services. I loved doing it because most of the answers were predictable, but the one about "if you weren't [in this job], what would you be doing" was fascinating. I never interviewed a single person in that role who didn't have a very specific, clearly imagined answer. Like one person wanted to manage a big hotel in Europe. Another wanted to build a public sculpture garden. It made me a little sad -- all of those dreams set aside! -- but on the other hand most of them truly seemed to enjoy their work and the lives it afforded them.
My only question is whether any given writer wears pajamas when they write. Without an answer, our understanding of the world is incomplete.
Perhaps you could give your interviewees the option to choose x number of questions from any one of the different styles?🥰 by the way, I love the names for each style🥰
Yes, very hard. In my interviews because I love processes I always start with childhood. It has given me an idea to ask my subscribers for questions as I am doing a collaboration without someone outside Substack. But I find him fascinating… he is 70, lived in Japan for 20 years, and is doing a 1250 mile walk from Canterbury to the Vatican. Amazing.
Such a difficult choice. Of course, I wanted Wendell Berry (I'm a nature girl so of course) but Proust felt so on the mark.
I thought the different styles each had juicy questions!
Lots of good questions—I had a hard time choosing just one interview.
These were so fun Julie. I enjoyed reading the choices and it cheered me up today!
"Are you part of a movement?" What a great question.
The last time I had a regular car commute was back when I was teaching computer classes. I would try to finish a few minutes early so I could be in the car by four, just in time for Fresh Air with Terri Gross on WNYC. I'm realizing that was the 1990s! After that, I became more of a Krista Tippett fan, and then several years I'd catch the Rich Roll podcast. These days it's mostly written interviews here on Substack.
And you didn’t even include a Julie Gabrielli!
I like them all but the Proust might be a catchy way to describe your series. Love shoutout to Wendell Berry as well.