On Storytelling with Survivor Host Jeff Probst
By Sofia Lopez
It’s not every day that a celebrity voice makes it into the batch of audio interview assignments Kristin Griffin grades each term in her Podcast Storytelling class. This past winter, Griffin hit play on an extraordinary conversation between OSU student Sofia Lopez and Jeff Probst, the longtime host of the hit CBS show Survivor. In addition to hosting and executive producing the show, Probst is a writer as well, publishing a series of young adult novels about blended families and wilderness survival. Below, Lopez shares a behind-the-scenes look at her experience in Podcast Storytelling more broadly and her interview with Probst in particular. Their conversation, which you’re welcome to listen to at the bottom of the page, centers around an extraordinary show and the power of storytelling in all its forms.
photo of Jeff Probst by Robert Voets, CBS
photo of Sofia Lopez
Sofia: I have been a podcast nerd for some time. Some people listen to music while they clean, workout, or while taking a morning stroll; I, on the other hand, listen to podcasts. WR250 (Podcast Storytelling) is a class that I have wanted to take from the moment I started at Oregon State University. Unfortunately, the class always filled up once it was my turn to register for classes. Finally, there was a spot open for me in the Winter 2025 term which I immediately took advantage of. Not knowing exactly what to expect, I was thoroughly impressed with the course’s format, projects, and professor. I remember introducing myself to the class and telling everyone that I love the show Survivor. My professor, Kristin Griffin, told me that she also enjoys that show and I knew that I belonged in that classroom. What specifically caught my attention was the “interview project.” I knew exactly who I wanted to interview and was thrilled to have made it happen. Public speaking has been an interest of mine for some time, but I have not had many opportunities to partake in it throughout college. After completing the interview and opening up in class by participating, I developed a newfound interest in audio editing along with rekindling the flame of my love for public speaking. Despite this course being one used to fulfill my Bacc Core credit, I would recommend it in a heartbeat to anyone interested in podcasts, or even anyone who has never listened to one in their life.