One of the best parts of my job

Listening to Tony Soprano

As someone who writes journalistic pieces, I do a lot of interviews. We talk on the phone, we meet over Zoom, I offer to drive to their part of town if they're local.

I've spoken to people from all walks of life about all kinds of things. Sometimes these conversations get very personal. Deep—sometimes deeper than I expected or intended. While I recognize that I am no therapist (my Dr. Melfi gif was meant to be humorous), I like to think that I make people feel comfortable opening up and revealing things.

Their stories don't always make it into the articles. Often there isn't enough room for it, or sometimes it doesn't fit with the rest of the story. It always hurts a little bit when something gets cut in the editing process. And sometimes their stories don't make it in because I know that even though they told something to me that it doesn't mean they want it to be told to the world.

But regardless of whether their words (either partially or in full) make it into the final, published piece or not, I hold people's stories near and dear to my heart. I don't always know what to say, but it's truly an honor to listen.