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Finding a Story by Asking ‘Really Stupid Questions’


What stories are you drawn to?

Stories about the forgotten, the overlooked, the underestimated.

Where do you find your ideas?

I start with questions – usually really stupid questions – and then I ask a lot of people for answers. A story emerges from there.

You have reported from all over the world. Is there a reporting trip you remember vividly?

Every journey teaches you something about that place, but also about your own country and yourself. I covered 10 wars, from Sri Lanka to Liberia to Syria. I’ve always tried to tell war stories not through warriors, but through civilians – people like me – because in these extreme conditions, you see how cruel people can be, and how brave at the same time. I can’t help but wonder who I could be under these circumstances.

How has your daily routine changed during the pandemic process?

I have strange, unpredictable hours because I have a global rhythm. Some weeks I can get up at dawn to interview sources in Europe, and maybe the next week, I’ll call Asia in the evening. This, combined with working from home, means I have to take time off. I have to give my days some rhythm and it’s the only thing that compels me to take the time to take care of my child. First thing in the morning, I try to set aside 5-10 minutes for meditation. (I have a teenager and I deal with climate change. Need I say more?) I save my early evenings for uninterrupted, device-free time with my child. In the early months of the epidemic, while he was distance learning and staring at his screen for everything, I cleared my deck for a 30-minute aimless walk with him after school every day. Also cooking. I cook three meals for us. This gives rhythm to my days.

How do you tighten and loosen?

hobbies? Do you mean like sleep? Or helping out with your algebra homework? I used to play a few instruments as a kid – I thought about studying music in college – so I dream of going back to music. Probably not bassoon. My neighbors probably wouldn’t want that. Teen often dictates my screen time. (We’ve watched “Never Have I Ever” a million times.) In terms of books, I have NK Jemison and Rebecca Solnit on my night stand right now, and there is a book called “Donut Economics” that I’m reading with my colleagues. . My relaxation is running. I force my friends to take a walk with me, and when we can’t see each other face to face, we schedule Zoom conversations over wine. I call it Somini and Zwine.



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