Dr. Barlow Interviews Himself

Published January 2, 1986.  During my professional career I have been interviewed several times by newspaper reporters. Some interviews went well. Others didn’t. I always felt there were some questions I wished had been asked but were not.

So, at the beginning of this new year, I have decided to interview myself. I know someone has to be a little schizophrenic to do something like this, but here goes.

QUESTION:  How long have you been writing your column for the Deseret News?

ANSWER:  I started in January 1979, so this is the beginning of the seventh year.

QUESTION:  What do you think is behind everyone who writes a column for a newspaper?

ANSWER:  A supportive spouse, a superb editor, and a surprised mother-in-law. I have all three.

QUESTION:  Do you think very many people read your column?

ANSWER:  Quite a few. But I also realize that some articles end up on the bottom of the birdcage the following day. Face up.

QUESTION:  How do you get your information for your articles?

ANSWER:  Some of the material is obviously from my own marriage experience, some of it is from my conversations with people about marriage, and some of it is from my observations of others. In addition, I subscribe to several periodicals or publications that deal specifically with marriage.

QUESTION:  What is it you try to do in your weekly column?

ANSWER:  I think I try to inform, educate, entertain, and hopefully encourage. Sometimes it’s difficult to do all of these at once.

QUESTION:  Do you really come up with new material each week?

ANSWER:  Not always. Someone once noted it is sometimes better to be reminded than informed. I think I do a lot of reminding.

QUESTION:  Don’t you get discouraged with all the dismal statistics about divorce and marital failure in this country?

ANSWER:  On the contrary. With all the possibilities of ending a marriage, I am encouraged that so many stay with it. In addition, most still seem to enjoy marriage even with all the known problems.

QUESTION:  Do you really think your column makes that much difference in the marriages of your readers?

ANSWER:  Perhaps not. I have no way of really knowing. I once received a letter from a woman who had decided to get a divorce. She indicated in her letter that I had written something in one column that was relevant to her at that particular moment, and she decided to give her marriage another try.

QUESTION:  What is your major concern pertaining to marriages in the Intermountain area?

ANSWER:  Without question it is apathy. Many do not seem to think or believe anything detrimental can or will happen to their individual marriage. Consequently, we tend to allow things to happen that need not occur.

QUESTION:  What is the one question you get tired of being asked the most?

ANSWER:  Because I write and advise others about marriage, many often ask if I am the ideal husband.

QUESTION:  Just out of curiosity, what kind of husband are you?

ANSWER:  If I had to choose a theme song to describe me, it would probably be the old hit “Mister Wonderful.”

QUESTION:  And if your wife, Susan, had to choose a song to describe you, what would be her choice?

ANSWER:  Tough question, but it would probably be another old hit tune from the past.

QUESTION:  And the title?

ANSWER:  “The Great Pretender.”

Thanks for the interview.

Anytime.