After losing the 'signboard' of being an announcer, I became an 'interviewer'.
Akiko Mori, who interviewed over 900 people during her 13 years as an announcer at Shikoku Broadcasting.
After retiring, she worked in health supplement sales and as a stress care counselor. Three years ago, she returned to work as an interviewer.
We asked her about the depth and fascination of listening to people's stories, which she only came to see after the 'signboard' of being an announcer was gone.
Akiko Mori
Born in Kagawa Prefecture in 1967. A former Shikoku Broadcasting announcer, she shared the lives of over 900 people through media during her tenure. As an expert in brain fatigue, she provides care for both mind and body using relaxation techniques. Her 'Sound Amulets' created from names are also popular. A graduate of the first class of THE INTERVIEW CAMP.
What I saw only after the 'signboard' of being an announcer was gone
—Has your approach to interviewing changed between your time as an announcer and after your retirement?
Akiko Mori (hereinafter, Aki-chan):
When I was an announcer, I had the 'signboard' of social recognition. With that signboard, I could ask anyone for an interview, but once that was gone, even though I had the title of 'former announcer,' there was no place to broadcast.
At that time, I stepped into a completely different world: selling health supplements.
Originally, I started it with the idea that if I became a distributor, I could buy them cheaply to stop my daughter's epileptic seizures and feed her more. But honestly, I had a complex about sales and was hesitant, thinking I couldn't do it.
What I realized after trying it was that my skills in listening to people were useful.How much the other person opens up and whether a relationship of trust can be built depends entirely on how I listen.
It is precisely because there is a relationship of trust that it leads to the act of spending money to buy a product, isn't it?
—You realized the importance of dialogue in the field of sales.
Aki-chan:
That's right. Follow-up after purchase is also important, and I listened carefully to my customers' stories. I realized that dialogue is very important.
However, there were many things that didn't go well. When I couldn't get through to someone, I initially blamed myself. If they didn't buy, I would blame myself, thinking my way of speaking was bad, and I would get depressed, lowering my own value.
But gradually, I began to realize.The value of the product and my own value are not the same.It took a little time to understand such an obvious thing.
A perspective changed by stress care
—While you achieved results in health supplement sales, it seems you were exhausted yourself.
Aki-chan:
I achieved sales of over 20 million yen a year and became a manager. But my daughter's seizures didn't stop, and I pushed myself too hard and became exhausted.
That was when I encountered the study of stress care.
—Did what you learned as a stress care counselor also influence your interviewing?
Aki-chan:
It changed significantly because I learned about the human mind and body.I was able to think about treating the life of the person in front of me with even more care than before.
Whether in my announcer days or now, listening to what that person wants to convey remains the same.
However, having learned about the relationship between the body and mind and the nuances of the human heart through the lens of stress care, I have become more conscious of trying to feel that person from multiple perspectives than I was as an announcer. I want to feel what that person values, even what lies behind their words.
What I Learned at THE INTERVIEW CAMP
THE INTERVIEW CAMP & VILLAGE is an interview course hosted by interviewer and writer Eriko Miyamoto.
—What kind of things did you learn at THE INTERVIEW CAMP?
Aki-chan:
In the monthly online Zoom sessions, Miyamoto-san gave specific lectures on 'listening techniques,' and based on that, we worked on interview exercises in pairs. We shared our challenges and what we learned from our partners before and after the exercises, so there was always a space for practice.
—Are there any words from Miyamoto-san that left a particularly strong impression on you?
Aki-chan:
I remember her talking about creating a calm atmosphere that makes it easy for people to speak. Before the interview, you should clear away any concerns the interviewee might have and create an environment where they can speak easily. It means the atmosphere created by the interviewer is crucial for the interviewee to speak freely.
There is another phrase I like: 'Everyone is just a person, and everyone is extraordinary.'
When the other person has a high social status, like a business executive, you tend to feel intimidated. When that happens, you shrink, and you end up worrying more about your reactions than the other person's words.
But once you peel back the layers, everyone is the same human being. And at the same time, not just famous people, but ordinary people without titles also have lovely life stories.Everyone's experience is interesting and will always bring you new insights.
The Moment People Change Through Interviews
—Are there any memorable moments you've had while interviewing?
Aki-chan:
When I'm interviewing, I can see the moment something changes within that person.
People who initially said, 'I don't really have anything to talk about...' start to find their own words as they answer questions, and their eyes begin to sparkle.
After the interview, 'I realized for the first time that I was thinking about things like this,' or 'I was able to organize my thoughts while talking.'They tell me things like that. That makes me so happy!
—You witness that kind of change in your own service, 'Oto-hon' (stories read by ear), as well, don't you, Aki-chan?
Aki-chan:
Yes, that's right. I first have the person write freely, and then I interview them from various angles to dig deeper. What starts as less than a single A4 page of text becomes about a 20-minute narration piece through our repeated dialogues.
Once, there was a woman who wrote about her experience living with a cat that had become violent. She worked very seriously to dig up feelings she hadn't faced before, so it was very painful for her during the production process.
But as she gradually faced her true feelings and became able to express them without fear, she started to actively suggest, 'Wouldn't it be better to do it this way?'Her energy changed completely.
An Interview is a Magic Mallet
—What is an interview to you, Aki-chan?
Aki-chan:
An interview is a magic mallet.
A magic mallet doesn't produce treasures unless you swing it, right? If you don't use it, it's a waste of a treasure, and I think it's very important that your own curiosity—the feeling of 'I want to hear this person's story'—is what moves first.
Depending on how you swing it, various things will come out. When I swing it, I want to convey safety and security, and create a space where that person can speak freely.
It's not just about the words; if you can make people feel at ease through your own presence and demeanor, I think a wealth of treasures will spill out from the magic mallet.
――By treasures, you don't mean money?
Aki-chan:
That's right, there are all sorts of treasures. Connections expand, and self-understanding deepens. Not only myself, but the other person also makes new discoveries.
That's why I want to ask good questions. As I conduct interviews, I hope to create a space where the other person can also advance their own internal dialogue.
By asking questions, the other person finds the answers within themselves. Being present for that process is, I believe, the greatest thrill of interviewing.
Summary
When she lost the 'label' of announcer, Aki-chan learned the importance of building trust from scratch.
By studying stress care and understanding the human mind and body, her desire to 'treat the other person's life with care' became even stronger than before.
And now, while honing her skills at THE INTERVIEW CAMP, she swings her magic mallet every time.
Aki-chan's words are packed with the essence of 'listening'.
May this reach those who listen to their subordinates in 1-on-1s, those who do coaching, and anyone who wants to listen deeply to others.
Using the method of interviewing, let's create a space together where the other person can encounter themselves.
Interviewer
Kunie Yuasa
Born in Osaka in 1981. Works at an advertising agency. For 21 years, she has been involved in human resources and recruitment communications, handling the production and operation of corporate websites, recruitment sites, and owned media. She produces 400 articles a year and conducts 200 interviews. Her strength lies in her empathy for listening deeply to people's stories. Graduate of THE INTERVIEW CAMP 3rd cohort.
About THE INTERVIEW CAMP&VILLAGE
This interview was conducted as a community project for 'THE INTERVIEW CAMP&VILLAGE,' a course hosted by interviewer and writer Eriko Miyamoto.
By interviewing each other and introducing one another, we convey the depth of interviewing. Please look forward to the next member interview!
🔽Click here for more details about THE INTERVIEW CAMP&VILLAGE
Aki-chan, who spoke with us today, is also a participant in the community circle activity 'Audio Distribution Lab'.
Starting in March 2026, we launched the audio program 'kikikatsu,' which community members take turns delivering weekly.In this program, we are currently sharing 'interview discoveries' found in daily life 📻
Please experience the fun of interviewing with your ears as well♪