Best American Sign Language Podcasts (2024)

1
Sadie Robertson & Christian Huff on 'Duck Dynasty', Traumatic Birth and Marrying My Celebrity Crush 1:22:54

30m ago1:22:54

1:22:54

Sadie Robertson and Christian Huff open up about their traumatic birth experience with shoulder dystocia, Sadie reflects on growing up on “Duck Dynasty,” and Christian shares the reality of marrying your celebrity crush. This episode is sponsored by Nutrafol, Factor, Huggies and Chime. Nutrafol: Visit https://nutrafol.com/UNPLANNED for $10 off your…

1
Apostrophes have always been confusing. 'First' or 'firstly'? Trudy! 15:54

4d ago15:54

15:54

1009. If you think apostrophes are confusing today, wait until you hear how people used them 100s of years ago! Ammon Shea has some wild stories. Plus, should you use "first," "second," and "third" or "firstly," "secondly," and "thirdly"? Ammon Shea is the author of "Bad English," "Reading the OED." 🔗 Share your familect recording in a WhatsApp cha…

1
Reece Weaver on Dallas Cowboys Cheerleadering, Filming a Netflix Doc & Balancing 2 Jobs 1:38:30

10d ago1:38:30

1:38:30

Reece Weaver, DCC Rookie Sensation! 😱 Join us as the breakout star of Netflix's "America's Sweethearts" spills the tea on her journey to becoming a Dallas Cowboys Cheerleader. Reece reveals all! This episode is sponsored by Dreamland, BetterHelp, Liquid IV & ZocDoc. Dreamland: Go to https://dreamlandbabyco.com and enter code UNPLANNED at checkout t…

1
When to use 'the' before a noun. Why rhymes help us remember. Opening a lime. 18:22

10d ago18:22

18:22

1008. We look at why you have to use "the" before some nouns and not others, and then we dive into the science behind why rhymes stick in our memory and how they can even influence our beliefs. The "articles before nouns" segment was written by Neal Whitman, an independent writer and consultant specializing in language and grammar and a member of t…

1
Heather Murray, "Asylum Ways of Seeing: Psychiatric Patients, American Thought and Culture" (U Pennsylvania Press, 2022) 43:53

3h ago43:53

43:53

Asylum Ways of Seeing: Psychiatric Patients, American Thought and Culture (University of Pennsylvania Press, 2021) by Dr. Heather Murray is a cultural and intellectual history of people with mental illnesses in the twentieth-century United States. While acknowledging the fraught, and often violent, histories of American psychiatric hospitals, Heath…

1
Yoga, Disability, and Animism, with Theo Wildcroft 1:04:35

2d ago1:04:35

1:04:35

In this episode, Dr Pierce Salguero sits down with Dr Theodora Wildcroft, a researcher, anthropologist, and long-time teacher of what she calls “post-lineage yoga.” We discuss Theo's ethnographic research on yoga in the UK, focusing on its connections with animism, paganism, and other somatic practices. We also dive into Theo’s personal approach to…

1
Ella Houston, "Advertising Disability" (Routledge, 2024) 43:13

3d ago43:13

43:13

Ella Houston's book Advertising Disability (Routledge, 2024) invites Cultural Disability Studies to consider how advertising, as one of the most ubiquitous forms of popular culture, shapes attitudes towards disability. The research presented in the book provides a much-needed examination of the ways in which disability and mental health issues are …

1
Living in Nashville, Pursuing Acting & the End of 2 Under 2 1:13:53

6d ago1:13:53

1:13:53

Matt and Abby talk about living in Nashville, Abby's pursuit of an acting career, and the transition from "2 under 2" as Griffin turns 2. This episode is sponsored by Rocket Money, Skylight Calendar & Hiya. Rocket Money: Cancel your unwanted subscriptions by going to https://RocketMoney.com/unplanned. Skylight Calendar: Get $40 off a Skylight Calen…

1
Why singers lose their accents. Why the 'I before E' rule is weird. 18:29

18d ago18:29

18:29

1007. Why do Adele and Susan Boyle sound American when they sing? We have answers. Plus, with all the talk about "weird" lately, we think it's time to examine the old "I before E except after C" rule that has so many exceptions it's hardly a rule at all — until you add W for "weird." The singing segment is written by Susan K. Herman, a former multi…

1
Kay and Tay Address Allegations, Rumors About Divorce & Leaked Mugshot 57:24

17d ago57:24

57:24

Kay and Tay tackle the allegations and rumors surrounding Tay's leaked mugshot. This episode is sponsored by ZocDoc, Huggies & Rocket Money. ZocDoc:Go to https://Zocdoc.com/UNPLANNED and download the Zocdoc app for FREE! Huggies: Learn more at https://Huggies.com. Rocket Money: Cancel your unwanted subscriptions by going to https://RocketMoney.com/…

1
Why 'I' takes plural verbs. Making names that end in S, like Harris and Biles, possessive. Marinate. 14:40

25d ago14:40

14:40

1006. We look at why the pronoun "I" seems to take plural verbs, and then we talk about a grammar topic that's in the news: how to make names that end in S (like Harris and Biles) possessive. | Share a recording of your familect story with me on WhatsApp, Threads, Instagram, or Mastodon. | Edited transcript with links: https://grammar-girl.simpleca…

1
Sign Language Brokering in Deaf-Hearing Families 40:30

15d ago40:30

40:30

Emily Pacheco speaks with Professor Jemina Napier (Heriot-Watt University, Scotland) about her book, Sign Language Brokering in Deaf-Hearing Families (Palgrave Macmillan, 2021). The conversation focuses on child and sign language brokering, the innovative methodology Dr. Napier employed in her study, and the impacts of researching sign language bro…

1
Fella Benabed, "Applied Global Health Humanities: Readings in the Global Anglophone Novel" (de Gruyter, 2024) 52:32

17d ago52:32

52:32

Fella Benabed's book Applied Global Health Humanities: Readings in the Global Anglophone Novel (de Gruyter, 2024) highlights the importance of global Anglophone literature in global health humanities, shaping perceptions of health issues in the Global South and among minorities in the Global North. Using twelve novels, it explores the historical, p…

1
Zach & Tori Roloff on Leaving ‘Little People, Big World’, Raising Kids with Dwarfism & Mixed-Height Marriage 1:41:32

1M ago1:41:32

1:41:32

'Little People, Big World' stars Zach & Tori Roloff open up about leaving reality TV, parenting children with dwarfism, and navigating their mixed-height marriage. This episode is sponsored by Factor & Nutrafol. Factor: Head to https://factormeals.com/unplanned50 and use code UNPLANNED50 to get 50% off your first box plus 20% off your next month. N…

1
A brief history of English (aka when they spoke French in England). Killer death meat. 19:21

1M ago19:21

19:21

1005. You asked, so I have a brief history of English from invading Germanic tribes to the Modern English era. We talk about Vikings, the Norman Conquest, the Black Death, the Tyndale Bible, the printing press, and more. | Share a recording of your familect story with me on Threads, Instagram, or Mastodon. | Edited transcript with links: https://gr…

1
Patrick McKelvey, "Disability Works: Performance After Rehabilitation" (NYU Press, 2024) 1:02:23

21d ago1:02:23

1:02:23

In 1967, the US government funded the National Theatre of the Deaf, a groundbreaking rehabilitation initiative employing deaf actors. This project aligned with the postwar belief that transforming bodies, minds, aesthetics, and institutions could liberate disabled Americans from economic reliance on the state, and demonstrated the growing belief th…

1
The power of words: Conscious language, with Karen Yin 42:08

26d ago42:08

42:08

1004. This week, Karen Yin, author of "The Conscious Style Guide," discusses the concept of conscious language and its importance in promoting equity and respect. We explore the differences between conscious language and political correctness, the evolution of the singular "they," and how to navigate language change. Karen also shares insights on a…

1
Christy Carlson Romano on voicing 'Kim Possible,’ co-starring with Shia LaBeouf & getting scammed by a psychic 1:40:55

1M ago1:40:55

1:40:55

Christy Carlson Romano talks about voicing 'Kim Possible,' co-starring with Shia LaBeouf and sharing her experience of being scammed. This episode is sponsored by Dreamland Baby, Rocket Money, Liquid I.V. & DoorDash. Dreamland Baby: Go to https://dreamlandbabyco.com and enter code UNPLANNED at checkout to receive 20% off sitewide + free shipping. R…

1
How to write about zero. Are your emails accidentally rude? PAPST. 17:23

1M ago17:23

17:23

1003. This week, we look at zero — what a weird number! It has two plurals, sometimes you use the word and sometimes you use the numeral, and it gave rise to a bunch of idioms in the World War II era. Then we turn our attention to email. Generational differences can lead to misunderstandings. We explain why and how to avoid them. | Edited transcrip…

1
AI: Friend or foe? A conversation with Martha Brockenbrough 22:29

1M ago22:29

22:29

1002. This week, Mignon talks with author Martha Brockenbrough about the good and bad sides of using artificial intelligence for writing and education, including ethical concerns about using AI-generated content, strategies for teaching writing in the age of AI, and the potential effects on teachers' jobs. Martha's new book, "Future Tense": https:/…

1
Sasha Warren, "Storming Bedlam: Madness, Mental Health, and Revolt" (Common Notions, 2024) 1:26:42

1M ago1:26:42

1:26:42

Mental health care and its radical possibilities reimagined in the context of its global development under capitalism. The contemporary world is oversaturated with psychiatric programs, methods, and reforms promising to address any number of "crises" in mental health care. When these fail, alternatives to the alternatives simply pile up and seem to…

1
Abby Lee Miller on Coaching Jojo Siwa, Dance Moms and Surviving Prison 1:09:33

1M ago1:09:33

1:09:33

Abby Lee Miller from "Dance Moms" opens up about her journey from the beginnings of the Abby Lee Dance Company, her relationship with Jojo Siwa, being sentenced to a year and a day in prison, to her battle with cancer. Don't miss this candid and powerful conversation! This episode is sponsored by BetterHelp, DoorDash, Athena Club & Huggies. BetterH…

1
The unspoken rules of adjectives. The rise of 'yeah-nah.' Sundies 17:43

1M ago17:43

17:43

1001. This week, we explore the often-overlooked rules for ordering adjectives in English and when to use commas between them. Then, spurred by a recent shout-out at a Taylor Swift concert in Australia, we look at the rise of the phrase "yeah-nah" (and its American cousin "yeah-no"). | Edited transcript with links: https://grammar-girl.simplecast.c…

1
Catherine Tan, "Spaces on the Spectrum: How Autism Movements Resist Experts and Create Knowledge" (Columbia UP, 2024) 45:41

1M ago45:41

45:41

Movements that take issue with conventional understandings of autism spectrum disorder, a developmental disability, have become increasingly visible. Drawing on more than three years of ethnographic fieldwork and interviews with participants, Dr. Catherine Tan investigates two autism-focused movements, shedding new light on how members contest expe…

1
Grammar Girl at 1000: Words, wisdom, and a dash of whimsy 25:35

2M ago25:35

25:35

1000. In this special 1000th episode, I take the hot seat to answer your questions. Hear what made the first year of the podcast so wild, what I wish I had done differently, what mistakes I still make, how I still find fresh topics after all these years, and the title of my secret dream show (hint: it involves penguins!). It's a celebration of lang…

1
Answering Your Burning Questions About Us 1:05:17

1M ago1:05:17

1:05:17

Matt and Abby reveal everything in this Q&A session! Discover their favorite baby names, whether Matt envies Abby's muscles, and more intriguing insights. Join us for an intimate conversation packed with laughter and surprises! This episode is sponsored by Hiya, Nutrafol, Rocket Money and Lume. Hiya: Go to https://hiyahealth.com/UNPLANNED and recei…

1
The birth of American English. How to recognize a phrasal verb. Cucka-nucka. 19:06

2M ago19:06

19:06

999. This week, we look at what shaped early American English, from Native American words to Noah Webster's spelling reforms. Then, we explore phrasal verbs, looking at their grammatical peculiarities and some tips to distinguish them from other types of verbs. The "American English" segment was written by Valerie Fridland, a professor of linguisti…

1
Buying your hometown newspaper, with Samantha & Greg Enslen 46:13

2M ago46:13

46:13

998. This week, I talked with Samantha and Greg Enslen, who recently purchased their hometown newspaper, the "Tippecanoe Gazette" in Tipp City, Ohio. Sam and Greg shared how they are making it work, from updating antiquated systems to expanding news coverage and readership. We also discussed balancing print and digital content, the challenges of ad…

1
John Thomas Maier, "The Disabled Will: A Theory of Addiction" (Routledge, 2024) 49:32

2M ago49:32

49:32

John T. Maier's The Disabled Will: A Theory of Addiction (Routledge Press, 2024) defends a comprehensive new vision of what addiction is and how people with addictions should be treated. The author argues that, in addition to physical and intellectual disabilities, there are volitional disabilities - disabilities of the will - and that addiction is…

1
We put an offer on a house 58:10

2M ago58:10

58:10

Matt & Abby discuss their new house offer, share insights from their journey with online fame, and reflect on Matt's experience auditioning for 'The Voice.' This episode is sponsored by Kleenex, Factor & ZocDoc. Kleenex: For this Allergy season, grab Kleenex and face allergies head on! Factor: Head to https://factormeals.com/unplanned50 and use cod…

1
'Which' versus 'that.' Words for walking. Bottleadammit. 16:18

2M ago16:18

16:18

997. This week, I help you learn (and remember!) the difference between "which" and "that" with practical tips and examples about cupcakes. Then, we take a linguistic stroll through walking-related terms, including "perambulate," "sashay," and "traipse." The "words for walking" segment was written by Michaela Dunn, a Wyoming-based editor and publis…

1
Slava Greenberg, "Animated Film and Disability: Cripping Spectatorship" (Indiana UP, 2023) 1:00:03

2M ago1:00:03

1:00:03

While many live-action films portray disability as a spectacle, "crip animation" (a genre of animated films that celebrates disabled people's lived experiences) uses a variety of techniques like clay animation, puppets, pixilation, and computer-generated animation to represent the inner worlds of people with disabilities. Crip animation has the pot…

1
The Hidden Stories of African American English with Dr. Sonja Lanehart 39:41

2M ago39:41

39:41

996. This week, you'll learn about the rich linguistic history of African American English with Dr. Sonja Lanehart, an advisor to the Oxford Dictionary of African American English. We talked about what goes into making an entirely new dictionary and about some of the first entries, including "kitchen," "Aunt Hagar's Children," and "do rag." Find Dr…

1
Unclogging My Milk Duct, Co-Sleeping & Our Motel Nightmare 1:04:11

2M ago1:04:11

1:04:11

Matt and Abby share their hilarious experience with a clogged milk duct, co-sleeping with Griffin, and Matt's motel room snake nightmare. This episode is sponsored by Dreamland Baby, Prose, ShipStation & Rocket Money. Dreamland Baby: Go to https://dreamlandbabyco.com and enter code UNPLANNED at checkout to receive 20% off sitewide + free shipping. …

1
The art of punctuation and the charm of 'kerfuffle.' Nicing. 18:18

2M ago18:18

18:18

995. This week, we look at when to use parentheses, dashes, and commas and how the choice can change the tone of your writing. Then, we dive into the history of words for describing a big fuss — "kerfuffle," "hullabaloo," "hoopla," and more. The "big fuss" segment was written by Samantha Enslen, who runs Dragonfly Editorial. You can find her at Dra…

1
Dasha Kiper, "Travelers to Unimaginable Lands: Stories of Dementia, the Caregiver, and the Human Brain" (Random House, 2023) 1:04:39

2M ago1:04:39

1:04:39

If you’ve ever worked with dementia patients before, you know how unique and bizarre the experience can be, and how little the stereotypes actually hold up to the experience. Even knowing about the diagnosis often does little to help us in caring for people, and many caregivers find themselves getting sucked into behavioral loops of their own. This…

1
Test Subjects 41:03

2M ago41:03

41:03

Season Two erupts in our ears with a film-noir soundscape—an eerie voice utters strange and disjointed phrases and echoing footsteps lead to sirens and gunshots. What on Earth are we listening to? We unravel the mystery with NYU media professor Mara Mills who studies the historical relationship between disability and media technologies. In Episode …

1
Exploring the Language of 'Dune': An Interview with Kevin J. Anderson and Scott Brick 44:42

2M ago44:42

44:42

994. This week, I sat down with the prolific "Dune" author Kevin J. Anderson and the famed "Dune" narrator Scott Brick to explore the language challenges in the "Dune" series. Learn how Kevin and Scott navigated Frank Herbert's original vocabulary, stayed true to the cultural influences of the names and terms, and created an extensive pronunciation…

1
Jinger Duggar Vuolo and Jeremy Vuolo on Growing Up Duggar, Courtship & Baby #3 1:33:52

2M ago1:33:52

1:33:52

Jinger & Jeremy discuss life growing up in the Duggar household, their courtship, and their plans for baby no. 3 This episode is sponsored by Liquid IV, Huggies, BetterHelp & DoorDash. Liquid IV: Get 20% off your first order of Liquid I.V. when you go to https://LiquidIV.com and use code UNPLANNED at checkout. Huggies: Learn more at Huggies.com. On…

1
The power of sign language in 'Dune.' The words we use for dad. Chee 16:42

2M ago16:42

16:42

993. This week, we cover the strategic use of sign language by the Bene Gesserit in the 'Dune' movies, including its importance in covert communication. Then, we look at the many words for 'father' and their historical and linguistic significance, from early baby talk to more formal terms for adults. Dune sign language supercut video: https://youtu…

1
The crossword craze — now and then — with Ben Zimmer 27:11

3M ago27:11

27:11

992. What began as a simple word game in 1913 sparked a nationwide craze just a decade later, causing a moral panic and changing American publishing forever. This week, Ben Zimmer, a prolific crossword constructor and language commentator, takes us through the crossword puzzle's surprising early history and enduring legacy. He also explores the mod…

1
Sam and Monica on Marrying a Brit, Losing My Mom to Cancer & Consulting a Psychic 1:42:00

3M ago1:42:00

1:42:00

Sam and Monica discuss cultural differences between the U.S. and England in their relationship, Sam's loss of his mother to cancer, and their experience consulting a psychic. This episode is sponsored by Claritin, Hiya, Rocket Money & Lume. Claritin: Go to https://claritin.com for a discount so you can Live Claritin Clear. Hiya: Go to https://hiyah…

1
From 'dog' to 'hot dog.' The 'audience of one' trick. More on the long S. Footbridge. 20:29

3M ago20:29

20:29

991. This week, we trace the origin and meaning of the word "dog," from its mysterious beginning to its current use in phrases like "hot dog" and "hair of the dog." Then we go through the "audience of one" concept, which involves tailoring content to a single, imagined recipient; and we look at how this approach can make your writing more understan…

1
Jessica Leigh Kirkness, "The House with All the Lights on: Three Generations, One Roof, a Language of Light" (Allen & Unwin, 2023) 35:20

2M ago35:20

35:20

Emily Pacheco speaks with writer and researcher Jessica Kirkness about her memoir, The House with All the Lights on: Three Generations, One Roof, a Language of Light (Allen & Unwin, 2023). Jessica has published in Meanjin and The Conversation, as well as other outlets. Her PhD focused on the ‘hearing line’: the invisible boundary between Deaf and h…

1
Why is this a question? with Paul Anthony Jones 29:40

3M ago29:40

29:40

990. Have you ever wondered why English doesn't have gender like Spanish and French? Which languages are the hardest to learn (and why)? And why a Q is always followed by a U? We have the answers to those questions and more this week from Paul Anthony Jones, author of "Why is this a question?" | Find Paul Anthony Jones at https://www.paulanthonyjon…

1
Faye Ginsburg and Rayna Rapp, "Disability Worlds" (Duke UP, 2024) 1:25:38

3M ago1:25:38

1:25:38

In Disability Worlds (Duke UP, 2024), Faye Ginsburg and Rayna Rapp chronicle and theorize two decades of immersion in New York City’s wide-ranging disability worlds as parents, activists, anthropologists, and disability studies scholars. They situate their disabled children’s lives among the experiences of advocates, families, experts, activists, a…

1
Selling Our House, Boycotting Father’s Day & Quitting Breastfeeding 1:10:15

3M ago1:10:15

1:10:15

Matt and Abby argue about selling their house, discuss their decision to boycott Father's Day this year and reflect on Abby's completed breastfeeding journey. This episode is sponsored by ARMRA, Kleenex & ZocDoc. ARMRA: Go to https://TryARMRA.com/UNPLANNED or enter UNPLANNED to get 15% off your first order. Kleenex: For this Allergy season, grab Kl…

1
What is a Word? Target moments. 18:41

3M ago18:41

18:41

989. What is a word? Does "that's" count as one word or two? In this excerpt from Paul Anthony Jones' new book "Why Is This a Question," we look at how things like plurals, compound words, and contractions make defining the word "word" a tricky exercise. | Find Paul Anthony Jones at https://www.paulanthonyjones.com/ | Edited transcript with links: …

1
Premilla Nadasen, "Care: The Highest Stage of Capitalism" (Haymarket Books, 2023) 1:10:19

3M ago1:10:19

1:10:19

During the COVID pandemic, billions of dollars in relief aid was sent out to help us ride out the storm, although many people who struggled through it might scratch their heads at such a number, having seen little of it make any concrete impact in their own lives. This discrepancy is indicative of the underlying problem with the contemporary care e…

1
Building a More Inclusive Society: Disability and Work in Timor-Leste 25:38

3M ago25:38

25:38

What does an inclusive society look like? And what are the challenges and opportunities when the society in question, Timor-Leste, is one of the most resource-constrained in Southeast Asia? My guest today is interested in these questions of inclusion and participation, and argues that people with a disability are a key component of a truly inclusiv…

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