Have you ever wondered what’s up with double negation, the history of gender neutral pronouns, or why swearing is taboo? Then get ready for this week’s guest, linguist Anne Curzan! Anne and Jonathan talk about how the English language has evolved since the 1300s and how our words are SO powerful because of their central role in our identities and communities ... Show More
Jul 15
From Conservative Christian Pop Singer to to LGBTQ+ Ally | The Education of Julianna Glasse
Can someone really change their mind? This week on Getting Better, Jonathan sits down with singer, author, speaker, and activist Julianna Glasse to look at what it means to question everything you’ve ever believed. Julianna opens up about growing up in an evangelical Christian co ... Show More
1h 2m
Jul 13
Trying the Viral Smoked Salmon, Mifepristone Access, the first Spelling Bee | ICYMI
ICYMI: This week: our first official TME Spelling Bee, Producer Nathanael learns the Tin whistle, we try the viral smoked salmon, talk GLP-1 & Cannabis usage, cover Mifepristone Access in the US over at the Jonathan Van News Desk, and drop this week’s Hot B*tch of the Week. The M ... Show More
30 m
Dec 2023
The special sauce of human language. Gotten. NATO alphabet. A1 sauce.
959. Learn why human language goes beyond basic communication to allow spontaneous creativity, expression of identity, and leadership in linguistic change — things animals and chatbots can't quite achieve. Plus, I answer a British listener's question about the confusing way Ameri ... Show More
14m 19s
Jul 2020
Feminism and the English Language with Wordslut
<p>Amanda Montell, author of 'Wordslut: A Feminist Guide to Taking Back the English Language', stops by to discuss reclaiming gendered insults, cursing, women's linguistic innovation, sexism in our language and owning your own voice.</p><p> </p> Learn more about your ad-choices a ... Show More
1h 5m
Oct 2023
Ep28 "Does your language shape your thinking?"
Are there really dozens of words for snow in northern cultures? What did the movie Arrival have to do with language and cognition? Why are Russians better than Americans at distinguishing certain shades of blue? And what does any of this have to do with space, time, gender, and h ... Show More
33m 39s
<p>What way can the language we use reinforce existing stereotypes and biases? </p><p>In this episode of <a href="https://www.fastersmarter.io/"><em>Think Fast, Talk Smart</em></a><em>,</em> <a href="https://www.fastersmarter.io/guests/sarah-soule/">Sarah Soule</a>, Senior Associ ... Show More
