Lisa Lipkin, Season 08, Male, English, Business Leader, Education; Author, USA

Eric Marcus, Executive Director of Making Gay History, on the Power of Storytelling

Posted on by inknuts
08
Sep

Eric Marcus, Executive Director of Making Gay History, on the Power of Storytelling

  • Growing up in provincial New Jersey with dreams of New York theater and storytelling.

  • The influence of Studs Terkel’s book Working and its focus on ordinary people’s lives.

Podcast

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Overview

Explore the fascinating journey of Eric Marcus, Executive Director of Making Gay History, in this engaging episode of The Brand Called You, hosted by Lisa Lipkin.

The conversation explores the power of oral history, the complexities of memory and truth, the impact of intergenerational trauma, and the importance of preserving LGBTQ+ history. Eric also shares his approach to storytelling, interviewing, and bringing overlooked voices and personal experiences to a wider audience.

Below is a quick-reference guide to the key questions and topics discussed in the episode.

00:08-What inspired Eric Marcus to begin collecting stories? 

  • Growing up in provincial New Jersey with dreams of New York theater and storytelling.

  • The influence of Studs Terkel’s book Working and its focus on ordinary people’s lives.

  • An early realization of the value of everyday stories and overlooked voices.

02:07-How did Studs Terkel’s approach shape Eric’s oral history work? 

  • Studs Terkel’s work inspired Eric’s approach to collecting and preserving personal stories.

  • His collaboration with the Studs Terkel Radio Archive helped bring historical voices to new audiences.

  • A strong emphasis on capturing authentic voices and transforming interviews into compelling narratives.

05:03-How does intergenerational trauma affect storytelling? 

  • The idea of developing a “hyper radar” among children exposed to trauma, creating heightened awareness of moods and unspoken secrets.

  • Eric’s reflections on growing up with mentally ill parents and navigating family secrets.

  • The importance of breaking through secrecy and finding the courage to tell one’s truth.

08:06-What are Eric’s strategies for eliciting deep or difficult stories? 

  • Using unexpected and personal questions rather than conventional biographical questions.

  • Conducting thorough research to uncover unique angles, even with people who have been interviewed many times.

  • Listening closely and following emotional threads as they emerge during conversations.

10:31-Are facts or emotions more important in oral histories? 

  • The challenge of balancing factual accuracy with the emotional truth of personal memories.

  • Understanding memory as a combination of lived experience, perception, and aspiration.

  • Exploring cultural and academic differences in how truth and storytelling are interpreted.

16:34-How does the medium—audio versus print—impact storytelling? 

  • The unique power of “noisy silence” and other subtle sounds captured through audio.

  • Emotional nuances in a person’s voice that written transcripts cannot fully convey.

  • The ability of podcasting to preserve and share stories with greater emotional depth and authenticity

RESOURCES

Learn more about Eric Marcus: LinkedIn

ENJOYED THIS PODCAST?

What about the “facts”?

Eric Marcus makes an important distinction: in oral history, emotional truth can be just as meaningful as factual precision. What people remember, how they experienced an event, and how they feel about it can reveal powerful dimensions of their personal stories.

Do you agree that emotional honesty can sometimes matter more than perfect chronology?

Share your thoughts in the comments and help spread these insights across your network.

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Profile

  • Eric Marcus is the Executive Director of Making Gay History, dedicated to preserving and sharing LGBTQ+ history through oral storytelling.
  • He is an accomplished author, interviewer, and oral historian who brings personal experiences and overlooked voices to wider audiences.
  • His work explores the power of memory, truth, storytelling, and intergenerational trauma in shaping historical narratives.
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