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The #1 Ingredient of a Compelling Podcast Interview

Have you ever listened to a podcast interview (or been a guest on one) in which the host leads the guest into new territory?

You Can See the Tears in Your Mind’s Eye

You can almost hear the gears turning as the guest processes the question. You may feel the energy shift when they’re unsure how to answer or become emotionally choked up. You may even envision the tears in their eyes.
Or, if you’re the podcast guest, you know you’re in the hands of a compassionate pro, and you know you can trust them and allow them to take you somewhere deep.
Candy O’Terry recently invited me into that territory on her acclaimed podcast, “The Story Behind Her Success.” I discussed aspects of my life that I hadn’t discussed in public before.

Territory We Covered in the Podcast Interview

In this podcast interview, we discussed my grandma and her story. I’ll tell you more about that in a second.

We also explored other topics—from living an inspired, creative life to writing, in particular, to the crossroads moments and lessons that change our path and help us grow:

  • Candy O'Terry podcaster
    Book coach Lisa Tener with Podcast host, singer/songwriter and author Candy O’Terry

    how to navigate challenging crossroads

  • how listening to my anger changed my life
  • the holistic healing practices that helped me recover from chronic disease and discover my inner life
  • how journaling takes us into new territory for healing, reflection, insights and liberation
  • how to tune into the muse
  • how to use breathing techniques to free your voice and unleash your creativity
  • how the ancient practice of qigong works to connect us to our cosmic self and deepest wisdom, integrating and manifesting
  • how to create/write when you don’t think you have time
  • how to make writing fun and nourishing.
  • what we can learn from the people in our lives who shut down our creativity–and how to use that energy for creative material
  • what the research shows about breathing, movement and creativity.

The Podcast Deep Dive

Grandma's creative legacy
Grandma Lily

Still, it surprised me to talk about growing up in Queens in a multigenerational household with my Viennese grandmother, Lily, who shared her stories of growing up in Vienna (think Wednesday music nights where the young people hung out in her home and everyone played an instrument, followed by a late night in Vienna’s cafes; her stints in the countryside where she was sent to “fatten up”:  her Uncle managed a manor which included a farm and held many of her fondest memories.

photo Paula Allerhand
My great-grandmother, Paula Allerhand

Grandma survived the Holocaust while the rest of her family—her beloved mother, sisters and many aunts, uncles and cousins all perished. Lily found a way to see the good in people, not to let the horror infect her openness towards people, even her own countrymen and countrywomen, many of whom welcomed the Nazis with open arms. This ability to keep her heart open taught me so much about a way to live life.

In the interview I share some of her harrowing journey and resilience of spirit.
I hope you find the interview as moving as Candy and I did.

Lisa Tener

Lisa Tener is an award-winning book writing coach who assists writers in all aspects of the writing process—from writing a book proposal and getting published to finding one’s creative voice. Her clients have appeared on The Oprah Winfrey Show, CBS Early Show, The Montel Williams Show, CNN, Fox News, New Morning and much more. They blog on sites like The Huffington Post, Psychology Today and WebMD.

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