The well-known and well-respected radio and television talk show host, Larry King, passed away the other day...
I was sad to learn the news. Back in August of 1999, after much prayer and trepidation, I granted an interview with Larry. Prior to this, I had never seen his program before and was only vaguely familiar with him. At the time, his show was featured on CNN on weekday evenings. But I knew, after getting his invitation to meet, that it was time to step out in faith and sit down with him. I'm so glad I did.
It was my best interview ever, and nothing has been equaled to it since. Larry King was polite and respectful. He spoke to me in a fatherly way. He made me feel as if I were having a heart-to-heart talk with my dad. Larry put me at ease, instantly.
During our interview, which lasted about sixty minutes, he never tried to out-talk me or lay traps for me as most reporters and journalists seemed to do. While all my other interviews with media people, with just one exception, would cause me to become defensive, uncomfortable, and withdrawn. They made me feel as if I couldn't wait for the interview to be over with. And I couldn't. With them, I'd want to unhook my microphone as fast as possible and go. But everything with Larry King was different.
I never got to see the interview. But the responses I received were all positive and encouraging. Even several individuals on staff at the former correctional facility I was housed in at the time, approached me to comment on how encouraging and positive the interview was, and in how much they enjoyed it. I was deeply humbled by their words. Even after all these years, I'll get letters from those who watched it and were inspired.
My prayers go up to heaven for Larry's family to be comforted in their time of loss. The media lost one of their greats, and the world lost a kind and decent soul.
D.B.
It was my best interview ever, and nothing has been equaled to it since. Larry King was polite and respectful. He spoke to me in a fatherly way. He made me feel as if I were having a heart-to-heart talk with my dad. Larry put me at ease, instantly.
During our interview, which lasted about sixty minutes, he never tried to out-talk me or lay traps for me as most reporters and journalists seemed to do. While all my other interviews with media people, with just one exception, would cause me to become defensive, uncomfortable, and withdrawn. They made me feel as if I couldn't wait for the interview to be over with. And I couldn't. With them, I'd want to unhook my microphone as fast as possible and go. But everything with Larry King was different.
I never got to see the interview. But the responses I received were all positive and encouraging. Even several individuals on staff at the former correctional facility I was housed in at the time, approached me to comment on how encouraging and positive the interview was, and in how much they enjoyed it. I was deeply humbled by their words. Even after all these years, I'll get letters from those who watched it and were inspired.
My prayers go up to heaven for Larry's family to be comforted in their time of loss. The media lost one of their greats, and the world lost a kind and decent soul.
D.B.
