Thank you so much. This is a great interview! It's full of very helpful tips. I'm so excited that I'm actually considering interviewing people even though I never thought this was for me.
I have one follow-up question:
Jane interviews public figures who are probably experienced getting interviewed. What are your tips for interviewing people who are not experienced at it? How do you get them to feel comfortable? What are your tips for helping people relax and open up?
I loved the interview and appreciate Jane's comments on preparation so much! As a reader who religiously follows my favorites, I feel so heartbroken when they get cliche questions and end up repeating an answer they have already given many times before.
A really fantastic opportunity to listen to Jane, and it strikes me that her many wisdoms about interviewing and the art of listening well is very helpful for all of us who wish to deepen our connections, understandings and lives.
You don’t need to be a writer, journalist or interviewer to want to strive for this. We can all be aspiring best-listeners.
Thank you Jane for your generous shares! You’re a master.
The below from the interview with Jane Ratcliffe is terrific advice about two ways to position an interview:
"Down into the earth or up into the sky"
It reminded me of the best scene in the Fablemans, the Spielberg biopic, when he meets John Ford who gives him one piece of invaluable advice:
"When the horizon's at the bottom, it's interesting, when the horizon's at the top, it's interesting, when the horizon's in the middle, it's boring as shit."
As a naturally curious person, I LOVE hearing about other people's lives and interests. I knew I wanted to do interviews with my Substack after speaking with Sarah. I had been a journalist in my previous life yet felt rusty when it came to interviews. BUT, getting back into the saddle has been so rewarding. Thank-you Jane for sharing your insights. Very timely and greatly appreciated.
Yay! Wonderful to see you featuring the Rat! Looking forward to listening to the interview!
Aw, thank you, Anne!
I love the Rat!
Thank you so much, Sarah, for all your kind words! And for this lovely interview!
Thank you!
“Beyond excited”!! 😂
I could have kept going with that one!
Haha! Thanks, Jillian!
I found this so interesting, so insightful - thank you! And I wonder how it felt to Jane to be on the other side of an interview?
Thanks so much, Jeffrey! It felt weird!! But also lovely and fun. Thanks for listening to it!
Thank you so much. This is a great interview! It's full of very helpful tips. I'm so excited that I'm actually considering interviewing people even though I never thought this was for me.
I have one follow-up question:
Jane interviews public figures who are probably experienced getting interviewed. What are your tips for interviewing people who are not experienced at it? How do you get them to feel comfortable? What are your tips for helping people relax and open up?
Great question!
Sarah posted this in Notes, so I shared my thoughts there! I hope that helps! And thanks for your kind words!
I'll check it out there! Thank you. It was a lovely interview.
Great interview. An interviewer with true curiosity. Great listen: "Down into the earth or up into the sky." Love that.
Great interview. An interviewer with true curiosity. Great listen: "Down into the earth or up into the sky." Love that.
Aw, thanks, Jennifer! That means so much coming from you!
Great interview. An interviewer with true curiosity. Great listen: "Down into the earth or up into the sky." Love that.
Great interview. An interviewer with true curiosity. Great listen: "Down into the earth or up into the sky." Love that.
I loved the interview and appreciate Jane's comments on preparation so much! As a reader who religiously follows my favorites, I feel so heartbroken when they get cliche questions and end up repeating an answer they have already given many times before.
Agreed!
Thanks for your kind words, Petya. I agree. Sometimes it's unavoidable. But, when possible, I do my best to come up with fresh questions!
I really should book a meeting. I’m procrastinating
Do it! It's the best time and money you can spend. I don't say that lightly.
Sarah is incredibly helpful! You'll be glad you did!!
A really fantastic opportunity to listen to Jane, and it strikes me that her many wisdoms about interviewing and the art of listening well is very helpful for all of us who wish to deepen our connections, understandings and lives.
You don’t need to be a writer, journalist or interviewer to want to strive for this. We can all be aspiring best-listeners.
Thank you Jane for your generous shares! You’re a master.
Aw, thank you, Marissa. Your words mean so much!
The below from the interview with Jane Ratcliffe is terrific advice about two ways to position an interview:
"Down into the earth or up into the sky"
It reminded me of the best scene in the Fablemans, the Spielberg biopic, when he meets John Ford who gives him one piece of invaluable advice:
"When the horizon's at the bottom, it's interesting, when the horizon's at the top, it's interesting, when the horizon's in the middle, it's boring as shit."
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=q5aLoCO4VCg (only a minute long)
As a naturally curious person, I LOVE hearing about other people's lives and interests. I knew I wanted to do interviews with my Substack after speaking with Sarah. I had been a journalist in my previous life yet felt rusty when it came to interviews. BUT, getting back into the saddle has been so rewarding. Thank-you Jane for sharing your insights. Very timely and greatly appreciated.