Journalists are often celebrated for their ability to ask sharp questions and uncover stories. But after more than two decades as a BBC journalist, I realized that the heart of powerful reporting isn’t just about what you ask — it’s also about how you listen.
Deep Listening, as I’ve explored through research, fieldwork, my experience as an executive coach and mediator, and in my book, is a transformational approach that can help journalists move beyond transactional interviews to truly understand, connect with, and represent their sources.
What is Deep Listening?
Deep Listening in journalism means going beyond simply hearing words or extracting quotes. It’s about being fully present, setting aside your own agenda (temporarily), and listening with genuine curiosity and empathy. Unlike the traditional, often transactional approach — where journalists listen just long enough to get the information they need — Deep Listening acknowledges the speaker’s humanity, creating the psychological safety for them to share more openly and authentically.
Why does Deep Listening matter in journalism?
- Stories are shaped by how we listen: The authenticity and depth of what sources share is directly influenced by our presence, respect (for the person, not necessarily their views), curiosity, and empathy. When people feel listened to, they are more likely to reveal nuanced perspectives, not just soundbites.
- It builds trust: Practicing Deep Listening helps build rapport and trust, especially with those who may be wary of journalists or have been misrepresented in the past.
- It uncovers deeper narratives: Deep Listening enables journalists to access the underlying stories, values, and emotions that shape people’s perspectives — crucial for reporting on complex or polarizing issues.
- It reduces polarization: Research shows that Deep Listening can make people less extreme in their views and more open to understanding both sides of an argument.
Eight practical steps for journalists to practice Deep Listening
Drawing on academic research, Indigenous wisdom, extensive interviews with people who listen in the most extreme circumstances, and lessons from my own reporting, here are eight steps to embed Deep Listening into your journalistic practice:
(1) Create space: Set up an environment — physical or virtual — where your source feels psychologically safe and inspired to share.
(2) Listen to yourself first: Check your own biases, assumptions, and distractions before engaging. Self-awareness is the foundation of listening well and with integrity.
(3) Be present: Give your full attention. Put away distractions, maintain eye contact, and signal that you are truly there for your source.
(4) Be curious: Approach every interview with genuine curiosity. Let go of preconceptions and be open to learning something new.
(5) Hold the gaze: Use non-verbal cues — such as maintaining a warm-hearted eye contact, nodding where it feels natural, open posture, and attentive body language — to show you are engaged. Research shows that positive facial expressions and, what are termed backchannel responses, encourage people to share more deeply.
(6) Hold the silence: Don’t rush to fill pauses. Silence gives interviewees space to reflect and often leads to richer responses. Again, your silences are not a cold hard silence but a rich, warm, spacious stillness.
(7) Reflect back: Summarize the heart of what you’ve heard, including emotions and underlying messages. Check your understanding and invite clarification. This iterative process helps both you and your source crystallize meaning. Even if you get it wrong, your interviewee can say, “no, not that, but this.”
(8) Go deeper: Explore the underlying narratives, needs, and values that shape your source’s perspective through attempting to clarify what your speaker has shared, either in words or through other ways. Your reflections invite them to elaborate on what matters most to them. This is very different from the exchange being driven by what’s most interesting to you.
Real-world examples and lessons
- Interviewing underrepresented perspectives: When reporting on climate change skeptics, I found that Deep Listening — visiting people multiple times and reflecting their perspectives — helped uncover the deeper narratives of distrust and frustration that shaped their views, rather than simply dismissing them as “deniers.” When this dairy farmer read my piece, which placed his perspective in the context of climate science, he still felt heard.
- Challenging interviews: In one memorable interview with Ethiopia’s President Meles Zenawi, my confrontational approach led to defensiveness and an early end to the conversation. In hindsight, had I listened with more curiosity and openness, I might have gained a deeper understanding of his vision, while still holding him to account.
The challenge — and the opportunity
Deep Listening isn’t easy. Journalists face deadlines, editorial pressures, and the urge to get the perfect quote. But when we set aside our agenda, even temporarily, we create space for stories that are more authentic, nuanced, and impactful. This approach is especially vital when covering polarized or marginalized communities, where trust is fragile and stories are often simplified or misunderstood.
Ethical considerations
When you practice Deep Listening, people might share more than they first intended. You need to treat this information with sensitivity — and double-check with your interviewee that they are happy for you to publish. If your source belongs to a group with strong opinions, they might be in danger. Ensure they understand the risks of sharing nuanced views and confirm their consent before publication.
Key takeaways for journalists
- Deep Listening is not about avoiding tough questions, but about being open to the full complexity of your interviewee’s experience.
- It takes practice and self-awareness, but the rewards are profound: richer stories, stronger, empathetic, and effective reporting.
Photo by Tima Miroshnichenko via Pexels.
Emily Kasriel's book, "Deep Listening: Transform your Relationships with Family, Friends and Foes," is published by HarperCollins internationally on May 22 and in the U.S. and Canada on June 24. It includes substantial guidance relevant for journalists. For more on Deep Listening in journalism, visit EmilyKasriel.com.
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