What tool(s) would you use for a national listening tour?

Fellow Mac Geeks,

If you were going on a nationwide listening tour for six months, hoping to talk to hundreds of people online and in person about what they think about a certain topic, and then remember those convos in order to distill insights about what they say into a framework for what that topic means, what would your kit (hardware and software) include?

I’ve got more specifics if they’re needed, and of course I have my own ideas, but I’m wondering what you might recommend.

Thanks!