The Guest Behind the Microphone

An Expert on Both Sides

1Seven minutes before the student podcast recording, producer Dalia checked a message in the hallway. Their scheduled guest, a sound technician, had canceled. His replacement wrote, “I’m Lenora Vale. I hosted radio interviews for thirty years. Your adviser asked whether I could discuss listening.” Dalia grinned. Inside the recording room, host Beck was practicing an introduction about cables and microphones. Dalia typed, “Perfect. I’ll tell Beck when I get back.”

2Before Dalia could return, the adviser called her into the office to sign an equipment form. Meanwhile, Lenora reached the recording room carrying a small black case. Beck glanced at the case, then at his question cards. “You must be our technician. I’m Beck, the interviewer.” Lenora opened her mouth, but Beck continued. “Dalia handles arrangements. I handle conversation.” He pointed her toward a chair and began straightening his cards.

3Lenora set the case beside her chair. “Before we start, you should know—” The room’s fan rattled overhead, and Beck leaned across the table to switch it off. “I’ve learned that good interviewers eliminate distractions,” he explained. He slid a page toward her. “Here are some tips for being interviewed. Short answers work best. If you get nervous, just look at me.” Lenora studied the page, pressing her lips together.

4Dalia returned as Beck put on his headphones. From the doorway, she saw Lenora’s name on the guest card beside Beck’s elbow, but his question cards covered her occupation. “Beck, about our guest—” she began. Beck raised one finger and pressed RECORD. “Welcome. Today, an expert on microphones joins an expert on asking questions.” Dalia stayed beside the door. Lenora’s hand rested on her closed case.

5“What’s the most important piece of equipment for a successful interview?” Beck asked. “The person listening,” Lenora answered. Beck checked his cards. “I was expecting a microphone.” “Then perhaps you can ask why I chose something else.” He looked up. For the first time that afternoon, he left his next card untouched. Lenora waited without filling the silence. Beck took a breath and asked her why.

6After her answer, Dalia slid the guest card free. Beck read it, stopped, then turned it toward the microphone as if listeners could see it. “Thirty years?” Lenora nodded. “And I still occasionally begin with the wrong question.” Beck removed his advice sheet from her side of the table and placed it beneath his own cards. “Could we talk about that?” he asked. This time, he waited for the whole answer.