The Turnaround with Jesse Thorn Ray Suarez
Aug 3, 2017
Ray Suarez, a veteran broadcast journalist with decades of experience, shares captivating insights into the art of interviewing. He reflects on his journey from local news to interviewing politicians, emphasizing the balance between ethics and storytelling, especially when speaking to grieving individuals. Suarez discusses techniques for engaging reluctant speakers and the importance of tailoring questions for non-professionals. His anecdotes include managing live interview pressure and the art of prompting for honest, unscripted moments, revealing the heart of meaningful journalism.
AI Snips
Chapters
Books
Transcript
Episode notes
First Interview: Recording His Father
- Ray Suarez's first interview was a seventh-grade school project where he recorded his barber father.
- He used a tape recorder gift to practice recording sounds and conversations early on.
Private Interviews Require Trust
- Interviewing unwilling people is a different craft than interviewing public officials who expect questions.
- You must convince private subjects you act in good faith to get them to open up.
Persuade With Purpose And Fairness
- Do persuade grieving or reluctant subjects by explaining how their story humanizes victims beyond names and ages.
- Promise fair treatment and follow through by portraying the person with dignity.
