42. Recording stories of older people — Judith Fyfe
From Learning How To Be Old by Rachel McAlpine
February 10, 2026 · 24 min · Season 5 · Episode 42
About this episode
Judith Fyfe shares her insights on recording the stories of older people and the importance of listening with empathy.
Here's a very special discussion I recorded a couple of years ago with Judith Fyfe. As a trailblazing oral historian in New Zealand she has vast experience in recording the voices of older people, for example, World War I veterans and our centenarians. As a young journalist and talkback host, Judith Fyfe started to learn the necessary skills of listening with intelligence. Today she is still listening with purpose and empathy in her job as as a forensic lawyer. Listen carefully to Judith Fyfe, because she shares some fascinating insights, practical and profound. She has a strong sense of just how precious is the sound of very old people speaking — not just the stories they tell but their fascinating use of language and interesting voices. I hope you might be inspired to ask someone old to let you record their stories. It's a very significant work, usually bringing joy to both parties. Also it's so much easier now, starting with a cellphone and a microphone. But first, listen to Judith's advice. She is terribly modest, but she is the real deal. Oral history and sound archive, New Zealand National Library The birth of talkback radio in New Zealand War Stories Our Mothers Never Told…
People in this episode
Host: Rachel McAlpine
Guest: Judith Fyfe
Topics covered
- oral history
- storytelling
- listening skills
- aging
- New Zealand culture
Keywords
- oral historian
- centenarians
- listening
- story recording
- New Zealand
Mentioned in this episode
Organizations: New Zealand National Library
Books & works: Our Mothers Never Told Us
More episodes of Learning How To Be Old
- 50. Your Easy Aging Year with Hetty Hellriegel · June 5, 2026 · 23 min
- 49. Sobriety in old age with Lotta Dann · May 18, 2026 · 24 min
- 48. The face of old age (replay) · May 5, 2026 · 28 min
- 47. Timeless, ageless gardening with Lesley and Richard Evans · April 21, 2026 · 25 min
- What’s a podcast? · April 15, 2026
- 46. A curious centenarian role model · April 7, 2026 · 24 min
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