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Notes -
Yeah, but you really don't have to be a media specialist to succeed on EconTalk. Russ Roberts will push back on people a fair bit (particular in areas he's highly knowledgeable), but it's always good-spirited and framed in a fashion that gives the guest a great chance to explain their position well. Anyone that's a decent public speaker should do fine, whether their background comes from academia, research, or even just corporate settings.
Seriously, Russ is such a fantastic interviewer because he's curious, open-minded, and generous. Every time I've heard him push back on something he sets it up like he's asking the interviewee to explain what he's misunderstood. "It sounded to me like what you just said implies that ducks are made of green cheese, but I'm sure I'm making a mistake in my reasoning. Could you unpack that a bit?" Talking with him is the Platonic Ideal of a sounding board.
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