Ira Glass is a writer, producer, storyteller, performer, and a familiar voice.
But business as usual is apparently not enough for Ira.
Ira is certainly not afraid of a challenge.
I prefer reading books on an iPad mini.
Movies and TV shows I watch exclusively on the iPad mini, never on a TV.
What apps/software/tools cant you live without?
On the tech/app side I keep things unsophisticated.Pro Toolsto edit sound, Microsoft Word for writing.
This American Life runs onGoogle Docs.
God bless Google Docs.
At each edit, we add at least one producer whos never heard the earlier versions.
Someone times how long the story is.
We all take notes.
Lately weve been buyingMuji notebooksand.38 Muji gel ink pensat the office for this purpose.
Theyre pleasant to touch and make the world seem like an orderly place.
I number and date my notebooks in case I need to go back to them later.
Then we all rewrite the script together on Google Docs, on MacBook Airs purchased for this purpose.
Were also big users of Google Calendar at the radio show.
Ive used the 835b since I was in my twenties.
Shotguns are better for interviews because they isolate the voice of the interviewee better than omnidirectional mics.
You just have to be careful about handling noise, but thats not hard.
Most radio people dont use these but theyre like a crazy magic trick.
I prefer theLectrosonicswireless rigs though theyre insanely expensive.
The first one I boughtfor $2000was the most expensive thing Id ever owned.
I paid more for it than Id paid for my car.
Okay warning: this is going to get a little wonky.
I narrate live, and roll in quotes and mix music, all live.
For years, I needed a mixing console and CD players to do this.
But now I can do it with an iPad mini.
The tech isnt complicated.
I runAbleton Livesoftware on my MacBook Air.
The Air plugs into the house sound system out of the regular headphone jack.
system but direct boxes are cheap.
systems at line level and its got clean, great sound, but its pricier for sure.)
Then on the iPad mini I use software calledTouchAblethat controls the Ableton Live software thats on my Mac.
It gives me all my quotes and music and a full mixer, right on the iPad.
So I can hit music and ride levels up and down, all live.
Whats your workspace setup like?
Im not fussy about where I work.
In fact, kind of the opposite.
I can write anywhere.
Desk, diner, airplane.
If anything, I write better on planes and away from the office because Im not interrupted by anyone.
Whats your best time-saving shortcut/life hack?
I eat the same breakfast and lunch everyday, both at my desk.
I employ no time-saving tricks at all.
We did this because of our dog.
I dont have the time.
Like lots of people, I work long hours.
Whats your favorite to-do list manager?
I tried Wunderlist for a while but it was buggy and I got frustrated and gave up on it.
Im okay but not great at managing my time.
Which is to say: Iprocrastinate by working.
I wonder if thats common.
The new task is like icy water you have to dive into.
The old task is a warm bath.
I always have to brace myself.
Besides your phone and computer, what gadget cant you live without and why?
Id be lost without a toilet to dispose of human waste.
What everyday thing are you better at than everyone else?
This is handier than you might think.
Often this short list of favorite things will provide the backbone to the structure to my story.
Then I transcribe the tape or have it transcribed by someone.
For some reason in the radio biz we dont call these transcripts, we call them tape logs.
Then I print out the log and mark it up.
Any quote thats especially promising gets an asterisk.
Any quote Im sure I cannot tell the story without gets two asterisks.
You see all your options.
Its in a form where your brain can start to organize it.
You organize the beats of your plot around the most compelling moments you have on tape.
(Though I learned this from a print journalist so I guess its applicable there too.)
Next I stare at my one-page list and think about what would be a fun or compelling beginning.
Usually my list will include a few extra beats that Im not sure if pacing will permit.
When I get to that spot in the writing, Ill know whether to include them or cut them.
This technique lets you go from many hours of interview tape to a concise, workable structure very quickly.
Its hard to imagine how you could do it more efficiently.
What are you currently reading?
They are amazingly similar books, about what were doing to the natural world.
His stuff about fish is some of my favorite reporting Ive read this year.
Molly Ringwalddid a story on our showand now Im readingher novel.
Its deeply relatable and pretty sad.
Im also slowly working my way through all theLemony Snicketbooks which seem like works of pure genius to me.
The word genius is used here to mean works of complete originality in content and voice.
Snicket readers know what Im talking about.
I dont read many books that arent for work.
I dont have time to read much for pleasure.
I readRookieto see what my wifes up to; shes one of the people running the site.
Fortunately, its great: soulful and entertaining and continually surprising.
Are you more of an introvert or an extrovert?
I am a noisy introvert.
My sister Randi made up that phrase and it describes lots of people I know.
Lots of writers seem to be introverts who love to now and then be on stage.
Lots of radio people too.
Whats your sleep routine like?
No routine at all.
Productive thinking or working can happen late at night or early morning.
By the end of every week, Im sleep deprived.
Fill in the blank: Id love to see _________ answer these same questions.
Jay-Z, Malcolm Gladwell, Tavi Gevinson,Shonda Rhimes.
Seriously, Shonda Rhimes, how does she do it?
How many TV shows is she writing and producing now?
Whats Jay-Zs day like?
Does he work, like, ten hours a day, or just two?
Whats his home stereo system like?
Does Malcolm Gladwell set aside time in his week to look for stories?
If not, where do they come from?
Whats the best advice youve ever received?
An explanation is where the mind comes to rest.
This wasnt said to me.
I read it inMichael Lewissomewhere.
Is there anything else youd like to add that might be interesting to readers/fans?
Id just say to aspiring journalists or writerswho I meet a lot ofdo it now.
Dont wait for permission to make something thats interesting or amusing to you.
Just do it now.
Dont wait till youre older, or in some better job than you have now.
Dont wait for anything.
Dont wait till some magical story idea drops into your lap.
Thats not where ideas come from.
Go looking for an idea and itll show up.
Be a fucking soldier about it and be tough.
Title photo by Stuart Mullenberg.
Additional photos by Adrianne Mathiowetz/This American Life.
Have someone you want to see featured, or questions you think we should ask?Email Andy.
