Hello all,

I just edited our next Chain of Influence piece, an interview with an Israeli bible scholar named Aviva Gottlieb Zornberg. We are now at six degrees of separation from the first person in our series, US poet laureate Ted Kooser, so it seems an appropriately Kevin Baconish point to take stock.

The idea, just to bring everyone up to speed, is to ask someone who their greatest living influence is, then to track down that person, and pose the same question to them, and so forth. So we've gone from Ted Kooser, to his cancer doctor, to the author Peter D. Kramer, to the psychiatrist Robert Coles, to Matt Vogel, a young guy who works with the homeless through the Catholic Worker's ministry in New York, to an Israeli bible scholar. By the way, we have finally jumped genders at the sixth link.

My interest in the project -- in part -- is the process or journey itself, to see where we end up, how far afield we can get from a poet laureate, but also to see how ideas morph and migrate. I think our treatment of this concept, however, could use some work, and am curious what suggestions you might have to improve the execution.

For instance, the idea itself poses some production challenges -- first and foremost -- that we are not choosing our subjects; they are chosen for us by our links in the chain, and as a result they are not the most radio-ready speakers. Also, I have been told that Bill Radke and I bore people silly in the introduction to the pieces, or we fail to articulate the concept well.

To address this, I am planning to produce an audio collage that will reintroduce the series, playing on the idea of and actual word "inspiration"... So that's one idea, but I invite yours. Also, it might be time to wrap up this chain. I am loathe to do that before we get a little further on, or at least talk to another woman, although Aviva Zornberg has sent us back to a male literature professor, so we might be heading towards a dead eddy.

Anyway, thoughts on the value of our Chain of Influence series, or on how to improve it? Just post them below.

Thanks,

Barbara

Hello Barbara,

It has been nearly a week since this post--so you may have already made major editorial decisions.

However, I have a few options, if the topic is still in play--

Chain of influence is at the 6th degree. You've definitely got the fixings for a hearty Bacon-feast and can close the loop by either:

a) interviewing John Guare who seems to ideologically be the "inspiration" for your very piece

b) playing with the amazing characters you have brought to the airwaves by engaging them in a radio round table discussion. There is nothing more exciting than being a fly (or..ear, rather) on the wall in a room full of people who are not only inspirational, but interacting with those who truly inspire them.

Thanks.

I think "chain of influence" is one of the most moving things I've ever heard on radio. Please do what you can to keep it alive. We live in an increasingly disconnected world. Your show does a lot to remind us we got where we are thanks to other humans, not technology, the hot job, or "self-actualization." I'm not bored at all by the introductions. You get my vote of confidence.

All best,
Sean MacLean
3-7 p.m. Host, Classical King FM 98.1, Seattle

I find that following the show gives me insight into this echoing back and forth among persons, this hard-to-define, intangible something that enriches and connects people.... very often where I didn't look for or expect it. A gift that (at age 78) I cherish.
PLease keep on going. May the wind be at your back,
Elise Yokelson
Sharon, MA

In response to your recent call for nominations for the beginning of a new chain in your Chain of Influence series, I urge you to select Jimmy Carter.

As farmer, engineer, naval officer, Governor, President, Author, Human Rights advocate and Nobel Prize winner; Mr. Carter clearly qualifies as rare example of a renaissance man. Any person whose life journey includes such wide ranging endeavors and accomplishments can only serve to further open our eyes and minds
by sharing with us their influences.

When asked our greatest living influence, we are most apt to choose a person our elder. Such is the natural progession of life and human history; as we generally inherit the wisdom and inspiration of those who come before us.

But by choosing someone later in life, as Mr. Carter is now 81, the view he
gives us will likely be in reverse. I suspect many of his greatest influences
are now gone and his offering to us will be someone younger; perhaps someone
whose greatest influence on the world has yet to unfold.

But rather than further speculation I will conclude my nomination by offering my gratitude for the opportunity to make this contribution to your fascinating Chain of Influence radio segment.

Best Regards,

Mark Niedzielski

I'd advocate considering more of a chain approach to the show - with multiple stories in any one show - a longer show, with segments. I'm thinking if we (the listeners) were hearing the stories of the chain in a row each time - and you helped point out (either via the way you edit the show or with commentary) how the stories/persons influence each other as the chain moves on - that would be illustrative and potentially nice for the flow. It could make the show even more engaging for both the listeners as well as more challenging for the producers and editors.

Barbara,

I just heard your interview with Aviva Gottlieb Zornberg. I was interested in what she said about English novelist George Eliot and how Eliot's female characters, who may seem to be unimportant people, are actuly extraordinary women who overcome adversities. I wrote my dissertation on George Eliot and have published articles on her novels. I am a professional woman with Cerbral Palsy. I write this because Ms. Zornberg inspired me. Have you ever considered interviewing people with disabilities who have been successful in the non disabled world?