Studs Terkel Quotes

My job is to listen and to ask questions and to be respectful and win the trust of my subjects so that I can work my way into their memories and their point of view.

I love meeting new people; I think everyone has a story to tell. We should all listen sometimes.

I love talking to people, hearing people's stories; I love honest things.

Talking to people and hearing their stories, you learn a lot.

I've just found the stories of the people I'm talking to much more interesting than my reactions to them.

To me, having the courage to tell your own story goes hand in hand with having the curiosity and humility to listen to others' stories.

If there's one thing I've learned about women, which I try to pass on to my boys, it's listening. Listen to the other side of the story first.

A good journalist, as you know, is a great listener. And so's a good writer. And I got to listen to people for almost 20 years. That serves me well, I hope, when I try to understand how a character might be feeling, or how they might react.

The best way to persuade people is with your ears - by listening to them.

What's important to me is people just being people.

Most people - and particularly people whose lives have nothing to do with books at all - are intrigued by the idea that somebody wants to listen to them and get it right.

I don't think I'd want to sit down and listen to people's stories all day long.

I think as a kid I always liked to listen to people. I loved hearing stories.

I used to not listen that much, but I've really learnt to listen to other people and to really listen to what they're saying. I've found, especially being on a film set, people have so many different stories; if you just listen, you can pick up so much stuff. I try to listen as much as I can.

What better way to connect with people than by staring and talking straight at them? Don't blink - that's one less connection you could have made.

That's why I don't understand why actors become arrogant and are completely unapproachable - because as an actor, the most valuable thing you can do is talk to people and hear their stories, because it'll all come in handy.

I get a guest on the air, and they're weird or strange, and I help them tell their story. I don't laugh at them. I listen.

I am running on the fact that I am doing a good job listening to people.

I've never interviewed anyone where I set out to try to persuade them to reveal something. Instead, it's about creating a space that allows someone to be authentic without judgment on my part.

I always want to talk about real life, not about material possessions. I've got to tell the story of the people for the people and not for celebrity or fame.

When people are saying something to you, you gotta listen to them.

In reporting, you will often be humbled by the courage others have in telling and trusting you with their tale, no two alike.

I try and listen to what the people I respect are talking about, what they believe and why.

Being present with a person and just seeing them for who they are is something that is so rarely given to us, and I try to do that with everyone I meet.

During the writing of all of my books, I've learned that, most of all, people want to know that someone is listening and - this is the tricky part - remembering.