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Johann Hari: The Obsessive Research Method | How I Write

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Apr 30, 2025

Guest

Johann Hari

Johann Hari, a renowned author known for his in-depth research and global conversations, shares his unique approach to storytelling. He discusses the significance of emotional connections and vulnerability in writing, emphasizing empathy in interviewing diverse individuals. Hari offers insightful anecdotes from his experiences, including a harrowing tale about an apple in Vietnam. He critiques contemporary journalism while advocating for deeper, more nuanced narratives that explore the roots of personal and societal issues, particularly the impact of disconnection in communities.

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Episode notes

00:00 / 00:00

Ask Open-Ended Questions

Use open-ended questions like "How did you feel?" to elicit unexpected, authentic responses.
Guide interviewees gently without imposing expected answers to capture their true experience.

00:00 / 00:00

Power of Genuine Listening

People are profoundly lonely and rarely experience genuine listening.
Listening deeply to interviewees reveals insights and builds emotional connections.

00:00 / 00:00

Verify Quotes with Interviewees

Always send interview quotes back to subjects for revision to ensure fair representation.
Giving people the chance to clarify builds trust and fuller, more accurate portrayal.

Get the Snipd Podcast app to discover more snips from this episode

Empathy in Investigative Interviewing

03:21 • 22min

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Crafting Stories: A Journey of Intent and Insight

25:19 • 23min

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Connecting Through Empathy and Storytelling

47:51 • 11min

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The Impact of Disconnection in Struggling Communities

58:59 • 3min

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Navigating the Complexities of Personal Pain and Mental Health

01:01:46 • 3min

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The Art of Emotional Storytelling

01:04:58 • 9min

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The world isn’t made of atoms, it’s made of stories. I’ve never heard anyone speak so deeply about interviewing. Johann Hari has written four books, and for each one he travels the globe to record hundreds of conversations. In this episode, he’ll explain exactly how he does it, sharing stories of getting up close and personal with homeless people in Vegas and a crack dealer in New York. In the end you’ll hear a wild story of the apple in Vietnam that almost killed him. Enjoy!

Hey! I’m David Perell and I’m a writer, teacher, and podcaster. I believe writing online is one of the biggest opportunities in the world today. For the first time in human history, everybody can freely share their ideas with a global audience. I seek to help as many people publish their writing online as possible. Follow me Apple: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/how-i-write/id1700171470 YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@DavidPerellChannel X: https://x.com/david_perell

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