Smart Friends #100 Interviewing Your Parents, Writing Through Fear, and One's First Book (Kyle Thiermann)
Jan 20, 2026
Kyle Thiermann, a professional surfer and writer, dives deep into the journey behind his book, 'One Last Question Before You Go.' He reflects on a transformative pandemic moment that sparked interviews with his parents, exploring how these conversations can heal relationships. Balancing humor with emotional depth, Kyle shares his writing process, the challenges of merging memoir with how-to, and the importance of a compelling book title. He emphasizes the significance of unique storytelling and offers insights on long-term marketing strategies for authors.
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Podcast Episode Sparked The Book
- Kyle Thiermann interviewed his dad during early COVID and the episode unexpectedly resonated widely.
- Listener demand from that episode planted the seed for a book about interviewing parents.
Mix Advertising With Journalism Carefully
- Advertising and journalism skills both helped and hindered Kyle's book writing.
- He needed advertisers' mood-shift techniques and journalists' editing, but had to avoid glibness.
Personal Story Became The Book's Core
- Kyle's book centers on his mom's descent into conspiracy theories and his effort to repair their relationship.
- Writing the memoir forced him to confront painful family dynamics while teaching interviewing skills.
