{"id":2866,"date":"2026-06-27T15:49:58","date_gmt":"2026-06-27T15:49:58","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/silvybrand.com\/?p=2866"},"modified":"2026-06-27T15:49:58","modified_gmt":"2026-06-27T15:49:58","slug":"kai-wright-npr-guardian-interview-questionnaire","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/silvybrand.com\/?p=2866","title":{"rendered":"The Guardian\u2019s Kai Wright refuses to buy a new phone"},"content":{"rendered":"


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Kai Wright is the co-host of Stateside with Kai and Carter<\/em><\/a> over at the Guardian. But Wright has been bringing his unique insights to listeners for years. He\u2019s also hosted Notes From America<\/em><\/a>, The United States of Anxiety<\/em><\/a>, and Indivisible<\/em><\/a>. He\u2019s a Peabody Award-winning journalist who has profiled powerful men, explored what it means to be American, and chronicled the AIDS epidemic.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n

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When he\u2019s not diving deep on sex, race, and politics, he\u2019s gardening, listening to John Coltrane, and steadfastly refusing to buy a new phone. Wright was kind enough to give us a glimpse into his daily routine, how he unwinds, and offer some simple but powerful advice.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n

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What is your most indispensable tool?<\/strong><\/p>\n<\/div>\n

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Which is the most underappreciated?<\/strong><\/p>\n<\/div>\n

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Wheelbarrow. Seriously, though. Haul around enough dirt and rocks, and you will come to appreciate the brilliant utility of this basic design.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n

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What is one thing you wish you could change about your phone?<\/strong><\/p>\n<\/div>\n

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I wish I could have bought one smartphone and never ever had to buy another one again, forever. Why must it constantly go obsolete? (Of course, I haven\u2019t actually bought a new phone in I dunno how many years; I just take my partner\u2019s hand-me-downs. So I\u2019m complaining on cranky principle.)<\/p>\n<\/div>\n

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How many tabs do you have open right now?<\/strong><\/p>\n<\/div>\n

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In the window I\u2019m using right this moment, I have 10 tabs open. Yes, this is quite a reasonable number, thank you. I do have 11 more windows open, however, and cannot bring myself to account for what\u2019s in them.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n

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Which was the most disappointing gadget you\u2019ve ever owned?<\/strong><\/p>\n<\/div>\n

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I won\u2019t name brands, but I promise you can make a coffee machine too complicated. I\u2019m trying to get caffeinated so I can become a functioning human. I don\u2019t want an engineering challenge.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n

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What is one thing you wish you had created?<\/strong><\/p>\n<\/div>\n

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I wish I had thought of The Memory Palace – which is still, to me, podcasting at its best. Short, sweet, deeply human histories of our world. One person, telling you a well-written story.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n

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What creation are you most proud of?<\/strong><\/p>\n<\/div>\n

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Can I say my whole, entire garden? It\u2019s an exercise in constantly learning and applying the knowledge and trying again, and I hear from veteran gardeners that you never actually figure it out. Perfect.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n

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What\u2019s the best piece of advice you\u2019ve ever received?<\/strong><\/p>\n<\/div>\n

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Live an honest life. Meaning, try your best to tell yourself<\/em> the truth, and make choices accordingly.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n

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What do you do when you\u2019re feeling stuck?<\/strong><\/p>\n<\/div>\n

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Listen to John Coltrane records.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n

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What\u2019s the last piece of physical media you bought?<\/strong><\/p>\n<\/div>\n

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What would the tagline for your biopic be?<\/strong><\/p>\n<\/div>\n

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\u201cWhat had happened was\u2026\u201d<\/p>\n<\/div>\n

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What\u2019s the last GIF or meme you used?<\/strong><\/p>\n<\/div>\n

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