When Christine Blasey Ford accused then-Supreme Court nominee Judge Brett Kavanaugh of sexual assault in 2018, she was immediately thrust into the spotlight, somewhere she never wanted to be. Everyone was eager to learn her intentions as negotiations over whether she would testify before the Senate Judiciary Committee began.

NPR was looking to for a human angle to this story. If interviewing Blasey Ford wasn’t possible, finding someone who knew her well was the next best thing. I soon found Kirsten Leimroth, a longtime friend of Blasey Ford’s who was wiling to speak with us about her.

I produced this story in 1 day. Finding and booking the guest was the most challenging part, followed by the edit.

Once Leimroth committed to the interview, I prepared my host, recorded the interview and turned 45 minutes of tape into a tight 7 in 2 hours for air. Leimroth gave us a great understanding of Blasey Ford’s thought process behind coming forward, as well as of her character. This is one of my most crucial bookings, and I’m proud of the edit as well.