When you are used to doing the interviewing, it can be a little disconcerting to be on the other side of the microphone. Unless your interviewer is the awesome Sheriff of Guilford County, NC. (And yes I am admittedly biased.)
Sheriff BJ Barnes does a weekly show for Cable Access, Channel 8 called: Guilford Sheriff 9-1-1. However, don’t let the name fool you. It is anything but a “Cops” style show. This sheriff looks for the positives in his community to profile and no surprise that this top cop knows how to conduct an interview.
He invited me in to talk about Speckled Angels and the work we are doing to combat bullying in our schools. I came with my number one PR guy (my son Nicholas) in tow. As a wonderful champion of children, Barnes graciously invited Nicholas to sit in. Once we finished our conversation, the sheriff interviewed my son.
What a time of trepidation and pride because who really knows what will come out of a 9 year old’s mouth. I am overjoyed and relieved to tell you that he did well in this taping.
We were finished and as only a child of a journalist can do…he said:
“Well, I do have one more thing to say.” My heart fell a little. What he wanted to say is that he has more things published than his mom. He has created 8 comic strips to my mere two books. We had a great laugh and were able to end the show with a smile and another bit of hope for the future which seems to be a trademark for this sheriff.
I have said often that I have never seen a man work so hard to keep people out of his jail. To have my son meet that calibur of humanity made it an all around great day!
Our segment is set to air in early August. I will keep you up to date, but please check out some of the sheriff’s other insightful interviews at http://www.guilfordcountysheriff.com/ Just click on Sheriff’s Beat in the left hand column.
