ONE LAST QUESTION BEFORE YOU GO: Why You Should Interview Your Parents consists of 27 chapters, each about a question to explore with one’s parents. For example, “What is the biggest misconception about you?” and “What scares you but is good for you?” These questions are designed to help the reader have revealing and strengthening conversations with the very people who raised them, allowing for a healthier and kinder perception of each other.
Who is Kyle Thiermann to write such a guide? Alongside years of experience as a podcast host, he brings a unique perspective from his upbringing in homeschooling. Thiermann is wise enough to not rely on his insights alone, drawing from such sources as Psychology Today and podcast guests including Tim Cahill (founder of Outside Magazine), Dr. Katie Hendricks (author of Conscious Loving), and Derek Sivers (philosopher and entrepreneur). This choice seems emblematic of Thiermann’s style; he comes across as open-minded, considerate, and curious— always looking to learn and understand more. This is obvious from the opening pages, when he describes his relationship with his mother as one that was built on respect (“she was wise enough to know that punishment would only create distance”) before they drifted apart as she entered the world of conspiracy theories.
Drifting from our parents as we grow up is a tale as old as time. Instead of allowing it to create a negative narrative of his parents, Thiermann wondered what he could learn in that space and invites his reader to do the same. His approach is healthy and nuanced, guiding the reader to navigate the harder parts of parental relationships with grace and generosity. It’s also not a one-dimensional approach. Thiermann encourages the reader to use the word parent “elastically,” and acknowledges that this approach isn’t appropriate for every family with humor and lightness: “[this is] where a disclaimer would appear on the lower part of the screen, and the narrator would hastily say, ‘Check with a doctor to see if interviewing your parents is right for you.’”
Beyond offering some wonderful advice, Thiermann also has a knack for storytelling; his insights are peppered with helpful comparisons—from writing that “like waves to Hawaiians, the definition of parent can carry a constellation of nuance” to aptly likening depression to a disc slipping in one’s back. Encompassed by enjoyable prose and humor, this book distinguishes itself from other how-to guides by ringing with practicality and encouragement. The reader will surely echo Thiermann’s stepfather’s gratitude, as noted at the end of his interview: “[thank you] for your curiosity.”
Kyle Thiermann’s ONE LAST QUESTION BEFORE YOU GO: Why You Should Interview Your Parents comes from sincere sentiment and experience. It is as much a heartfelt story as a practical guide, reminding us that we all have stories worth sharing and all benefit from a good conversation.
~ Tess McCumstie for IndieReader