Just a guess, but I’m thinking that at the heart of the poll responses, it’s less about someone’s professional background (author, celebrity, journalist) and more about how relatable they are as people. If you find someone relatable with a story that pushes them outside their comfort zone, then you’ve got something worth reading or listening to. And yeah most people are boring most of the time, because we don’t know how to tell our own stories. But ask them about a moment of great discomfort, good or bad or weird, and then use your storytelling prowess, and I’ll bet you’ve got an episode in the making.
Amen to all of that! And yes I didn’t mean that people are boring, just that when you make them a “story” it can be frustratingly lacking in takeaways or narrative tension. Because, well, life. But I love your idea to ask people about great discomfort! Do you ever do that in practice?
Asking about getting outside one’s comfort zone vs moments of great discomfort are definitely different questions. I have a few close friends that I like to get deep with and I’m sure we’ve talked about that. With acquaintances, I haven’t tried...yet...but I’d ask them about getting outside their comfort zone in regards to a particular theme: food, extreme sports, cultural norms, etc. Lots of options.
Today's poll was: I live in a country différent from where I was born ? How should I answer when I'm a nomadic person in the country where I was born... (smiling)
Greetings, Earthlings! I'm Iranian-American from Seattle living in Rabat, Morocco after trying out 9 other countries on the 5 biggest continents. I'm a global nomad in spirit but now have an 11 year old who would like some stability in her schooling (she's lived in 6 languages so far and going to school in 3 of them), so we've so far been here a total of 3 years since 2018 (and planning to stay; I'm done with living in the US). I don't care whether podcasts are about the average Jane or celebrity Joe; what matters most is how exceptional the storytelling is, what we can learn from this person and their country and culture . I once did a 7 episode podcast in the early days called the Art of Risk, featuring local citizens who had make extraordinary, brave choices, but I concede that the audience will be bigger if the interviewee is well known or has cache. I can't wait to see how Rough Translation evolves in the post-NPR era. Best wishes
Selfish suggestion. Sea Nomads. Cruisers- we are a subset genre living on sailboats around the world. There are a number of “famous” YouTubers, (makes interviewing easier) but I never tire of meeting new boats and hearing their stories of how they got into this life.
It would be interesting to explore stories of refugees and others who have migrated to escape violence or improve their lives. Do they fit into our ideas of global nomads? Depending on their circumstances they may or may not be able to return to their home country which could also impact how we interpret their stories.
Well hello everyone and especially Ellie! I'm also in Stockholm, Sweden. A British guy born in Malaysia and who's also lived in Canada, Uruguay and Taiwan... Definitely a global nomad here. And Gregory, I wonder if the 'nugget' you describe you want to serve to people can be something they mine for themselves rather than something you have to give them?
Yeah! It's an extraordinarily beautiful city, for sure. I really love how vital nature has been in the design of the city. Lovely how there are cafes hidden in beautiful little corners everywhere....Culturally, I've had a hard time adjusting, but it's been very good for me in a lot of ways, has definitely been an important piece in my growth. It's been a rather epic story, my Swedish experience. Loads of twists & turns! How about your experience?
My experience is quite straightforward really, came as an experiment and managed to learn the language and get a job. Now I'm about to start my final year of teacher training
Hi everyone! Instead of saying 'Average Joe,' in Italy we say somebody who is 'pane e salame' — bread and salami — a person who is down to earth, simple, no fuss.
Hi 👋🏽! I actually don't know one word for "Everyman," and interestingly enough, the definition of an ordinary person in Italian is "not distinct" or "not chosen," so it's not looking good 😅.
Hi all... I'm from New York City, but now live in Rome, Italy. I've been here since 1986 and have finally become a dual citizen (took a long time to make the decision, and then many years of waiting for the paperwork to go through). It's been wonderful and difficult, but I'm glad to be here rather than there.
though all the boyfriends I've ever had, including the one I married in the end, are born in other countries (and almost all have parent/s who are born in another other country). so I'm one degree of separation!
I just binge-listened to all three episodes of Love Commandos whilst walking in my daughter's neighbourhood in Seattle (new to me; I live in England, but from California originally). I got completely lost but didn't even know it for awhile since I was completely absorbed in the story. Great storytelling and am anxiously awaiting the next episodes!
Born in the Philippines. Now living in Seattle. Considering Portugal.
I believe this is the 3rd time SEATTLE has been mentioned in comments just on this one story. Gregory, that must mean you ought to come to Seattle! :-)
Just a guess, but I’m thinking that at the heart of the poll responses, it’s less about someone’s professional background (author, celebrity, journalist) and more about how relatable they are as people. If you find someone relatable with a story that pushes them outside their comfort zone, then you’ve got something worth reading or listening to. And yeah most people are boring most of the time, because we don’t know how to tell our own stories. But ask them about a moment of great discomfort, good or bad or weird, and then use your storytelling prowess, and I’ll bet you’ve got an episode in the making.
Amen to all of that! And yes I didn’t mean that people are boring, just that when you make them a “story” it can be frustratingly lacking in takeaways or narrative tension. Because, well, life. But I love your idea to ask people about great discomfort! Do you ever do that in practice?
Or phrase it not as “great discomfort” because that sounds like you’re expecting it to be dramatic, but perhaps the “absence of comfort”...
Asking about getting outside one’s comfort zone vs moments of great discomfort are definitely different questions. I have a few close friends that I like to get deep with and I’m sure we’ve talked about that. With acquaintances, I haven’t tried...yet...but I’d ask them about getting outside their comfort zone in regards to a particular theme: food, extreme sports, cultural norms, etc. Lots of options.
Today's poll was: I live in a country différent from where I was born ? How should I answer when I'm a nomadic person in the country where I was born... (smiling)
You’re right! Internal refugee should be a category…
Greetings, Earthlings! I'm Iranian-American from Seattle living in Rabat, Morocco after trying out 9 other countries on the 5 biggest continents. I'm a global nomad in spirit but now have an 11 year old who would like some stability in her schooling (she's lived in 6 languages so far and going to school in 3 of them), so we've so far been here a total of 3 years since 2018 (and planning to stay; I'm done with living in the US). I don't care whether podcasts are about the average Jane or celebrity Joe; what matters most is how exceptional the storytelling is, what we can learn from this person and their country and culture . I once did a 7 episode podcast in the early days called the Art of Risk, featuring local citizens who had make extraordinary, brave choices, but I concede that the audience will be bigger if the interviewee is well known or has cache. I can't wait to see how Rough Translation evolves in the post-NPR era. Best wishes
Selfish suggestion. Sea Nomads. Cruisers- we are a subset genre living on sailboats around the world. There are a number of “famous” YouTubers, (makes interviewing easier) but I never tire of meeting new boats and hearing their stories of how they got into this life.
It would be interesting to explore stories of refugees and others who have migrated to escape violence or improve their lives. Do they fit into our ideas of global nomads? Depending on their circumstances they may or may not be able to return to their home country which could also impact how we interpret their stories.
Well hello everyone and especially Ellie! I'm also in Stockholm, Sweden. A British guy born in Malaysia and who's also lived in Canada, Uruguay and Taiwan... Definitely a global nomad here. And Gregory, I wonder if the 'nugget' you describe you want to serve to people can be something they mine for themselves rather than something you have to give them?
Yes! My thought is to use this substack to learn better how to mine our own nuggets. (Though somehow that just sounds wrong when said aloud ;)
Hi there, Patia! You have definitely made the rounds on this planet!
😁 There's a lot to see! How do you enjoy Stockholm? For me it's a nice mix of Swedish and international culture... And nature 🌳
Yeah! It's an extraordinarily beautiful city, for sure. I really love how vital nature has been in the design of the city. Lovely how there are cafes hidden in beautiful little corners everywhere....Culturally, I've had a hard time adjusting, but it's been very good for me in a lot of ways, has definitely been an important piece in my growth. It's been a rather epic story, my Swedish experience. Loads of twists & turns! How about your experience?
That's cool, epic stories are good 😁
My experience is quite straightforward really, came as an experiment and managed to learn the language and get a job. Now I'm about to start my final year of teacher training
Are you from the States? What was your biggest cultural adjustment?
Hi everyone! Instead of saying 'Average Joe,' in Italy we say somebody who is 'pane e salame' — bread and salami — a person who is down to earth, simple, no fuss.
Love it. And is there a word for “Everyman”?
Hi 👋🏽! I actually don't know one word for "Everyman," and interestingly enough, the definition of an ordinary person in Italian is "not distinct" or "not chosen," so it's not looking good 😅.
In German, there’s the concept of Durchschnittstyp “average type”, which is at least not gendered
In French, you'd say "Pierre Paul Jacques" aka any guy off the street with a super common name. Still very white male I'm afraid.
Hi all... I'm from New York City, but now live in Rome, Italy. I've been here since 1986 and have finally become a dual citizen (took a long time to make the decision, and then many years of waiting for the paperwork to go through). It's been wonderful and difficult, but I'm glad to be here rather than there.
though all the boyfriends I've ever had, including the one I married in the end, are born in other countries (and almost all have parent/s who are born in another other country). so I'm one degree of separation!
I just binge-listened to all three episodes of Love Commandos whilst walking in my daughter's neighbourhood in Seattle (new to me; I live in England, but from California originally). I got completely lost but didn't even know it for awhile since I was completely absorbed in the story. Great storytelling and am anxiously awaiting the next episodes!
So glad! Like the peripatetic podcast equivalent of a driveway moment!
Born in the Philippines. Now living in Seattle. Considering Portugal.
I believe this is the 3rd time SEATTLE has been mentioned in comments just on this one story. Gregory, that must mean you ought to come to Seattle! :-)