Sam Fragoso, host of Talk Easy, is renowned for his insightful interviews with celebrities and family members. In this discussion, he highlights the art of meaningful interviews and the importance of creating a comfortable space for dialogue. Sam shares challenges of personal interviews, especially with family, emphasizing their power in preserving personal histories. He reflects on his parents' legacies and encourages listeners to explore their own motivations for documenting stories, advocating for authenticity in capturing the essence of loved ones.
Effective interviewing requires sensitivity and thorough preparation to foster genuine connections and promote authenticity during conversations.
Interviewing family members uniquely challenges interviewers to recreate relaxed atmospheres, enabling deeper sharing of personal histories and preserving memories for future generations.
Deep dives
The Art of Interviewing
Interviewing is characterized as an art form that requires sensitivity, preparation, and the ability to create a safe space for individuals to express themselves. Good interviews go beyond merely collecting anecdotes; they involve establishing a genuine connection with the interviewee to encourage honest and vulnerable conversations. The host highlights that this approach is particularly crucial when interviewing both well-known personalities and family members, as it allows the interviewer to navigate their defenses and delve deeper into their experiences. Ultimately, a successful interview facilitates mutual understanding and promotes authenticity from both parties.
The Value of Time and Preparation
Two key factors for effective interviewing are time and thorough research. The host shares that having a second interaction with an interviewee allows for deeper discussions and reflection on earlier topics, fostering a more meaningful connection. Additionally, demonstrating genuine preparation by conducting extensive research signals to the interviewee that their story matters, which can help them feel valued and comfortable. This approach not only enhances the quality of the interview but also conveys a commitment to understanding and honoring the interviewee’s narrative.
Navigating Family Interviews
Interviewing family members presents unique challenges and dynamics that differ from those encountered with professional subjects. The objective during such interviews is often to recreate the relaxed atmosphere of family gatherings, encouraging subjects to share their history without the pressure of formal interviewing. The host suggests approaching family interviews with specific goals, such as understanding personal histories or preserving memories for future generations, while also being attentive to the delicate balance of authenticity and vulnerability. The importance of capturing personal stories is underscored, as these narratives can profoundly impact future generations and foster connections across time.
Seeking Authenticity in Storytelling
There exists a growing appetite for authentic stories, particularly from family members, as a means to understand personal histories and shared struggles. The host emphasizes that interviews can serve as a bridge to connect past experiences with present dilemmas, particularly for younger generations seeking guidance. This way of storytelling transcends traditional celebrity culture, allowing people to be recognized for their complexities and human experiences. As a result, listeners often find comfort in the relatability of open, honest conversations that reveal the messiness of life and the struggles inherent in one's lineage.
Interviews are a time-honored way to elicit intimate insights from public figures and people in power. But at a moment when so much history is being denied or even deleted, interviewing family members and elders can be an important way to document their lives—and understand more about ourselves. On this episode of How To!, Carvell Wallace brings on Sam Fragoso, host of the podcast Talk Easy. Sam explains what he’s learned from hundreds of longform celebrity interviews, and how he applied those lessons to sit-downs with his parents.
Do you have a problem that needs solving? Send us a note at howto@slate.com or leave us a voicemail at 646-495-4001 and we might have you on the show. Subscribe for free on Apple, Spotify, or wherever you listen.
How To is produced by Rosemary Belson, with Kevin Bendis. Our technical director is Merritt Jacob and our supervising producer is Joel Meyer.
Want more How To!? Subscribe to Slate Plus to unlock exclusive bonus episodes. Plus, you’ll access ad-free listening across all your favorite Slate podcasts. Subscribe now on Apple Podcasts by clicking “Try Free” at the top of the How To! show page. Or, visit slate.com/howtoplus to get access wherever you listen.