Ira Glass is the reason I changed the name of my website from Eloquation to I Tell Stories. He’s the reason I am enraptured with narratives of the human experience, the reason I believe that telling stories is the best way to change the world. Ira Glass took my interest in the art of the raconteur (first fueled by Studs Terkel) and turned it into a full-flung obsession.

Today, I want to thank Ira Glass for being inspirational.

There are very few people in the world that can tell a story with such clarity, such emotion, and such vibrancy as Ira Glass. His knack for narrative is unsurpassed, and serves as a model for all aspiring storytellers. Aspiring storytellers like me. I strongly encourage you all to check out the great series of videos that feature Ira Glass talking about storytelling. They have been, and continue to be, and inspiration to me.

Every Sunday for the next little while, I’ll be writing one or two paragraphs about people that inspire me — as a kind of thank you for making me want to do and be better. Who inspires you?