Siriusly

Bob Edwards literally has the coolest job on the face of the planet.

Every day he gets to wake up, mosey on into work (in whatever attire he so chooses, I might add), and talk to interesting people all day long about their interesting lives. Sure, his official title may be something more official sounding - along the lines of 'talk show host', and it does take a notable skill-set to do what he does, but Bob wasn't one to try to make himself seem more import by citing details like those.

Before starting his long-form interview program at Sirius/XM Radio, the incredibly awesome studios of which we toured Tuesday (radio cubbies lining every corridor, each representing one of Sirius's trillion gazillion shows), Bob Edwards worked for NPR, which he joined in its 3rd year. He hosted All Things Considered and started Morning Edition.

So, essentially, he's my life's goal incarnate.

[Fun fact: Ira Glass (host of NPR's This American Life) was his INTERN! Can you believe that!? Ira Glass is kind of like my 10-year-old self's Britney Spears; I've gotten progressively geekier with age.]

But don't let his disheveled appearance and somewhat bedraggled attire fool you, Bob Edwards is an interview king - he's so good he often-times just ad-libs, making sure to listen closely to their answers in order to make up questions as he goes. Like most of the people we've spoken with, he sticks to his guns when it comes to what makes a good journalist/interviewer/reporter - curiosity, background research, and the aforementioned and all-important ability to listen. In one way, however, he differs - noting that he's not so concerned with letting his opinion seep through anymore. Sometimes his questions reveal an obvious mindset, a fact that he was blatantly at ease with.

Bob was humble, emphasizing that what makes a good interview is the guest, and that if a person is interesting, the best questions are usually along the lines of "really?!" or "no!" - because it's not about him, it's about them, and those types of responses typically elicit more detailed responses.

We finished off the morning by sitting in on an interview that Bob did with the mother of a soldier killed in the Middle East. It was heart-wrenching and literally painful to listen to. Bob was perfect; using his low, husky voice to lead the interviewee along - not with questions per se, but brief comments that drew long and detailed responses.

So, in conclusion:
I Want His Job.

    {    Here's his show's website:   http://www.bobedwardsradio.com/    }