Be as open as possible to the person in front of you. Listen and observe so closely that you can follow up on a sigh, a shake of the head, a change in tone of voice. Take a chance on reflecting your observations back to them without judgment: “You looked amused just now. What’s that about?” Ask the question about feelings that occurs to you, the one you might normally suppress.

Allow silence.

And see what happens. I think you may be astonished at the result.

~ Elaine Appleton Grant, from Great storytelling is built on revealing interviews. Are yours falling flat?

In conversation generally, and in our work as podcasters, is there anything more fundamental than being open?

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