Part I with Chris Brogan last week resulted in the highest number of views ever for an interview at Adversity University.  This strongly suggests that readers, subscribers, lurkers, advertisers, clients, friends, new visitors and everyone else in between truly wanted to know more about their favorite blogger, Chris Brogan.

Let me tell you a little secret, okay?  This is between you and me.  The real reason I conduct interviews here is because I’m curious to see just how well connected bloggers are to their communities by the amount of traffic and/or comments that are generated after an interview airs.  I never reveal these stats but trust me when I say I’ve seen some very interesting numbers.  The higher the traffic, the more their readers feel connected to their fav bloggers.  The success of an interview is not based solely on the number of comments (although it’s certainly an indication) but more having to do with the number of visitors to that interview.

Now, what’s interesting is that I ask 22 questions.  Yes, that’s right.  22.  Darren Rouse of Problogger recently wrote:

There is nothing more off putting when you’re asked to do an interview than being sent 20 questions.  Source:  A Quick Tip on Landing an Interview for Your Blog

To his credit, he clarified that he was actually not against long interviews and has even done a couple of them himself.  But it was his recommendation that if you wanted to land an interview for your blog, you had a better chance with a much shorter list.

While this makes sense on a whole, I disagree.

The problem with brief interviews is that they tend to be superficial.  How can you really get to know someone with just a handful of questions?

That said, I’m happy to say I have no shortages of people who want to be interviewed here.   I truly believe those who are meant to be showcased here will show up at the right time.  They won’t mind answering 22 questions because they recognize another opportunity to make an even deeper connection with those who care to know.  I’ve been told several times that people look forward to the weekly interviews because it gives them an opportunity to find out about blogs they’ve never heard of before.

They look forward to it because it is here where they find out about other people’s dark secrets, most embarrassing moments, adversities endured and some of the biggest, yet unaccomplished dreams.

Where else will you find that kind of information?

While I understand and respect Darren’s point, I do not plan to shorten the number of questions anytime soon.  In fact, 22 will be my trademark number of questions.  But I will continue to revise and improve on them as we go along.  You all know by now that I’m very open to suggestions.  If you have any ideas on how to make my interviews even more compelling, please don’t hesitate to leave a comment down below or send me a private email if you wish.   Be assured that I will take every suggestion into consideration.

With that in mind, let’s go to Chris Brogan who’s been sitting next to me for a several minutes, waiting patiently to get on with Part II - sorry about that Chris (slapping on his shoulder and vigorously shaking his hand) - Chris LET’S GO!

12. At Adversity University, I often talk about the value of  changing our perceptions in order to deal with adversity.  How have  you dealt with adversity in your life?  Give us specific examples of  adversity and what you did to overcome them.

Most of my adversity in life has been self-created. I tend to over-pile my plate and find myself disappointing people by not meeting my commitments. I have a terrible urge to say yes and be a people-pleaser. This, it turns out, comes from self-esteem issues. So, to overcome this, I had to do a LOT of work on my self-esteem. I used books, practiced a lot of self-healing, and find myself constantly having to revisit these lessons to stay clear of further miring myself in adversity.

Stephen’s Response:  You hit it right on the nose about how we create our own adversity.  I once wrote a short post making this very suggestion.  It’s hard for a lot of people to grasp because it puts responsibility squarely back on their shoulders.  Once they take on responsibility for their own problems, never again will they be pointing fingers outside themselves!

13.  What would you say was the defining moment that forever changed the course of your life?  For example, was it someone who made an impact on you or was it a spiritual revelation?

Stephen R. Covey and the 7 Habits of Highly Effective People experience turned my entire perspective and execution process around and changed my life deeply. I’m not especially spiritual.

Stephen’s Response:  This goes to show just how powerful books can be.  Did you know that I actually inhale books?  Yes sir, I love books.  But if I ever run for President, I’ll have to deny it by saying, “I didn’t inhale.”

14.  What 3 books, blogs and/or mentors have influenced you and why?  (only 3 TOTAL)

7 Habits of Highly Effective People - I’ve beat that one into the ground.

Jeff Pulver - as a mentor, Jeff was my last boss. He’s a serial entrepreneur, a dreamer, and a futurist, and he’s done a lot to influence my perspective on the ways of the world.

Self-Esteem - a book by Dr. Matthew McKay. I use this as my grounding point, when I slip back into self-esteem issues.

Stephen’s Response:  Oh, I didn’t know that Jeff Pulver was your last boss!  I’ve been reading some of his posts lately and have really enjoyed them.

Yes, you’ve certainly beat Stephen Covey’s highly effective book into the ground.  I hear you, I hear you!  Well, actually, not really (for those of you who are visiting for the first time, that pun was intended - I’m totally deaf and have been since birth, okay?).

15.  Name the top 5 articles from “chrisbrogan” that you believe readers at Adversity University would benefit from.

How about I give you just one link that gives you a breakdown of my best-of?

Best Social Media Advice From This Site

There you go. : )

Stephen’s Response:  That was brilliant!  (Turning to the audience:  Think of the link as something that was projected up on the wall behind us in a university setting for all to see.)

16.  What do you hope God will have to say to you when you arrive at the Pearly Gates?

I hope God says, “Well, that was ONE way to do it.”

Stephen’s Response:  Chris, this is my all-time favorite.  I love the different responses I get to this one.    Who says God doesn’t have a sense of humor?

17.  Being deaf, I am always curious to know which sounds other people love and hate to hear.  Tell us a sound you absolutely adore and a sound you detest.

I love the sound of my children laughing. Both have similar but very different laughs. I think laughter in general is a worthy sound to cherish.

I detest repetitive noise, like car alarms or phones or things like that.

Stephen’s Response:  I better not call you - that goes for everybody else too!  Take heed.

I agree that laughter is something to be cherished.  Why do you think they say “laughter is best medicine”? Hey, I just thought of an add-on question:

Is there a different sound between a guffaw and a belly-type laugh?

18.  We all have our likes and dislikes.  What would you say turns you on and what turns you off?  Give the first answer that comes to your  mind without censoring or editing it.

I love leftovers as a favorite food. I’m not a big fan of traffic.

Stephen’s Response:  WHAT?  You’re not a fan of traffic?  Oh wait, you’re not talking about the kind of traffic you get to your blog?  Of course you LOVE tons of traffic - what blogger in their right mind wouldn’t?

Seriously though, don’t ever go to LA if you can help it or even NYC.  Both have horrendous congestion.  In California, it’s bumper to bumper.  ACK!!

Eating leftovers?  That reminds me of when I was a kid.  My Mom was always serving leftovers much to the chagrin of us kids, especially me.  I was not exactly fond of leftovers in those days.  But I’ve come to appreciate how sometimes leftovers taste better than when they were first served!  Have you ever had that experience?

19.  What is your favorite word?  Least favorite?

Favorite word: Thanks.

Least favorite: Stupid.

Stephen’s Response:  Thanks Chris for being here with us today.  Wink, wink.

20.  What’s next for Chris Brogan?

I’m working on a book with Julien Smith (http://inoveryourhead.net)  about online reputation, influence, and trust. I’m hoping that grows into something much bigger over 2009.

Stephen’s Response:  I had the good fortune to meet Julien at SOBCon08 (Chicago).   I got this sense that he’s not too concerned with other people think of him, which I think is way cool.  He has a huge button-type earring in his right ear (the kind that Africans wear).  He and I had a good conversation one evening while playing pool in Chicago.  I would like to get to know him more.

21.  What’s the biggest, wildest and seemingly impossible dream you’d like to achieve in your lifetime?

My biggest and wildest dream right now is to spend my days researching and speaking/training and taking the rest of my time to enjoy different places from which to do both. : )

Stephen’s Response:  We all have dreams and I figure what’s the use of having a dream if you don’t share it with others?  By putting it out in a public way, you are setting in motion for it to manifest in due time.  The more people who know about your dream, the more energy and thus power you give it. Yes, I know what some people say about being careful who you share your dreams with but……

22.  Finally but not least, where can we find out more about you?

I’m an open book at http://chrisbrogan.com

Well, well, well, I HATE for this interview to be over so quickly.  Ladies and gentlemen, this was no ordinary interview.  You got more than you bargained for, wouldn’t you say?  Now you can go and tell your friends about Chris Brogan.  In fact, I wouldn’t be surprised if you felt comfortable enough with him to invite him over for dinner.  Would that be about accurate?

As usual, I hope you enjoyed this as much as I did.  Don’t forget to let me know in the comments (or send a private email) if you have suggestions on how to improve the quality of future interviews.

Until the next time we meet, enjoy!

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