Question Everything with Brian Reed Journalists Question Everything: Ira Glass, Zoe Chace, Jonathan Eig, Astead Herndon
13 snips
Sep 12, 2024 
Join Ira Glass, renowned journalist and radio host, Zoe Chace, a contributing reporter at 'This American Life', Jonathan Eig, author of 'King: A Life', and Astead Herndon, a host at the New York Times, as they candidly discuss the challenges of journalism. They explore the ethical dilemmas of compensating interviewees, revealing personal narratives, and rebuilding trust in an era of misinformation. The warm, candid atmosphere allows for reflections on their journeys, revealing unexpected insights into the complexities of sharing stories.
AI Snips
Chapters
Transcript
Episode notes
King Biography Origin
- Jonathan Eig's biography of Martin Luther King Jr. started with a conversation about King and Muhammad Ali.
- This led him to interview people who knew King personally for a more intimate portrait.
King Family's Silence
- King's children refused to be interviewed due to the book's inclusion of his sex life.
- They believe their father did not cheat on their mother.
The Limits of Biography
- Biographies are inherently incomplete, as a full understanding of a person remains elusive.
- Jonathan Eig believes capturing a feel of the subject's essence is possible, even without complete knowledge.