Podcaster Matze Hielscher was Joana Mallwitz's guest in the Night Session “Zuhören” [“Listening”]. In case you weren't there: Here, the host of “Hotel Matze” answered 5 more questions for us.

That's a good job description, I'm happy to accept it, thank you! I love listening - and that's how I earn my living. That's all I've been doing with “Hotel Matze” for three years now.

I wouldn't say it's a talent at all. I've simply noticed that I get more out of listening than talking: if I've taken in a lot in one day, I get more out of it.

I believe there are many things in common. You have to be open. It's the same with music as it is with information. We can all talk about the weather, that's always possible. We can also always somehow tolerate a gentle piece of music playing in the background. But when it gets a bit more complicated and it's about really getting involved with another person, with other ideas or melodies that you're not used to, then you have to pay more attention and really listen. I think there's a difference between hearing and listening: I move away from myself and towards you, try to get closer to you and understand you. I honestly don't even know what the differences are. A good conversation can transform you just like a good piece of music.

Pauses are the most beautiful thing. There is always a promise and a little hope in silence. In the vast majority of cases, something clever, good or unexpected comes after a silence. That's why it plays an incredible role. You can “dig into yourself” and bring out something that you hadn't seen before. That's why silence is essential.

I actually always write the same thing because it's something that has guided me for 30 years now. A person told me before I went on stage for the first time: “Don't be afraid of big fish!” It was a small stage, but it was very big for me at that moment. I think that even when you're standing in front of a concert hall like this, which is very big, you can have a lot of respect for it, just as you would for a meeting or a piece of music. But above all, you shouldn't be afraid, because all big fish were once small fish. The house used to be small, we used to be small - you just have to have the courage.