My reflections after having listened to thirty minutes of “On Topic.”

Questions are vital when I produce a radio conversation. My friend and researcher wondered if I had enough questions to fill the hour I had. Filling the hour is and isn’t my major concern. If I were wanting to fill it, then I need to find a different passion. When I think fill, I think fluff. I think filler. I think “absent of substance.” Wright’s Words are supposed to start conversations. They are not supposed to be escapism.

When I was in the midst of the conversation, I was focused on making sure that I asked great, evocative and information questions. These questions would keep the conversation flowing well. I would try to stay out of the way of the story. “On Topic” is about a story.

My second goal, after ensuring that I’ve prepared the best questions, is to make sure that there’s a story being told. I don’t want to bore my listeners. Boredom doesn’t start conversations. Well, if you’re boring enough, that will start a conversation. That conversation is not worthy of Wright’s Words, though.

When I’m in the studio broadcasting or recording and guiding a conversation, I’m completely ignorant of flow and pace. I have no objectivity when I’m in front of that “hot“ mic. Then, everything seems to move slowly, very slowly.

When I listened to this Gordon Parks conversation, I heard how well it all stuck together. There were good questions and great answers.