Best Urban Enthusiasm Podcasts (2024)

1
Why some verb sets are so odd (like 'go/went'). Corporate euphemisms. Goggy. 16:18

7h ago16:18

16:18

1016. This week, we look at why some verbs are so irregular that their forms don't even seem related, like "go" and "went." Then, we look at the surprising finding that corporate euphemisms are worse than annoying — they can also hurt a company's stock price. The "suppletion" segment was written by Valerie Fridland, a professor of linguistics at th…

1
Take Control of Your Mind & Mental Health (Motivational Lift for My Folks) 7:16

4h ago7:16

7:16

Hello everybody and Wake UP! Topic today is mental health. When you hear this phrase it makes you feel a certain type of way whether you know it or not. We all have gone through some sort of mental health issues in our life or know somebody that has gone through or is going through it. Please always take the time to understand what these two words …

1
Day Is Mine: How to stay focused and crush your goals. 🔥💯 (Motivational Lift for My Folks) 6:19

5h ago6:19

6:19

So you woke up. How did you wake up? Did you wake up to shake up or did you snooze to lose. You gonna Win the Day or Snooze the Day. It's got to be one or the other. It's really your choice. Put your Vision and Dreams in front of YOU. It exists. It's there for the taking. You are the author of your Content. What is your Content? Do you have a Visio…

1
What's new in the Chicago Manual of Style (18th edition), with Russell Harper and Mary Laur 51:34

6d ago51:34

51:34

1015. The Chicago Manual of Style is updated every seven years, and this year's update is a big one! I talked with two of the editors — Russell Harper and Mary Laur — about the major changes, how the decisions get made, and the history of the CMOS (pronounced "sea moss"). 🔗 Share your familect recording in a WhatsApp chat. 🔗 Watch my LinkedIn Learn…

1
There's More Than One Way to Skin a Cat, The No Good Carolina Panthers and Idiotic TikToks! 1:00:54

6d ago1:00:54

1:00:54

Welcome to another episode of the Carolina Reeper Show! This episode is like a Nasty Cat Fight in Springfield where Biting, Spitting, Hocking, and even Cooking are allowed. We’ve all heard the saying "There’s more than one way to skin a cat". Well, how many? I guess we have to ask the citizens of Springfield. Plus! The Hickory Hammer strikes again!…

1
Do words like 'mandate' and 'cockamamie' come from words for men? Grammatical doppelgangers. A pair of teeth. 16:50

7d ago16:50

16:50

1014. This week, we debunk misconceptions about gendered language, tracing the etymology of words like "cockamamie" and "gynecology." We also look at the flexibility of English grammar, examining how common words like "that" and "up" can function as different parts of speech in various contexts. The "gendered words" segment was written by Samantha …

1
Check yourself in the Morning! (Motivational Lift for My Folks) 5:51

3d ago5:51

5:51

Wake up every morning with the RIGHT ATTITUDE. When you wake up in the morning you have a choice. You either choose to have a good ATTITUDE or bad ATTITUDE. It's a choice folks. It really comes down to how you want your day to play out. You accept there's going to be some uncertainty in the day and things won't always go your way but despite all th…

1
Not the Right time to make Decisions! 💯🔥 (Stay out of your Feelings My Folks) 4:09

7d ago4:09

4:09

"What's up, everybody! Let’s talk about feelings—those moments when you get emotional or sentimental. Be extra careful because that’s not the time to make decisions. Trust me, I’ve been there and made choices I wish I could take back. You feel me? Don’t react based on your feelings; it rarely ends well. Instead, take a breath, walk away, and think …

1
When nobody believes in YOU❤️(Inspirational Lift for ALL my Folks) 5:01

8d ago5:01

5:01

"We all know the word 'special,' but what does it really mean? We all have special people and things in our lives, but I want you to know that YOU are special. You’re unique, beautiful, and have a gift inside of you. Believe in yourself and embrace the process to fulfill your purpose and keep the promise you’ve made to yourself. Don’t forget—you ar…

1
Stop Sleeping and WAKE UP! (Motivational Lift for My Folks) 7:54

8d ago7:54

7:54

"WAKE UP! Stop moving through life like a zombie, consumed by the everyday grind. Channel that energy into yourself—get better, be productive, and unlock your potential. You have the power to inspire and be the best version of yourself every day. Do something purposeful and wake up to your greatness. Stop sleeping on your potential and WAKE UP!"…

1
What fiction writers know about avoiding stereotypes, with Alex Temblador 34:42

23h ago34:42

34:42

1013. How can fiction writers create diverse, authentic characters without relying on stereotypes? Alex Temblador, author of "Writing An Identity Not Your Own," tackles this question and more. Learn about the importance of community engagement in research, the pitfalls of overemphasizing certain character traits, and techniques for editing with an …

1
Isaiah's Epic Mix-Up, The Fire Lane at Food Lion, and Residual Checks! 1:03:51

13d ago1:03:51

1:03:51

Welcome to an all-new episode of the Carolina Reeper Show! Today’s episode is like a Poisonous, Pick Pocketer who Poaches Other People's Property! Are you down with OPP? Have you ever sold somebody else’s stuff without their permission? Let's ask Isaiah? This one is hilarious. Our intern really has outdone himself this time! Also! Do you know what …

1
'Tea' or 'chai'? Why we misspeak. Fellatone. 13:51

3d ago13:51

13:51

1012. Most words are different in different languages, but water from steeped leaves has only two main names: tea and chai. We look at why! Also, if you've ever mixed up words, like calling a butterfly a "flutterby," you'll love learning about what these slips of the tongue tell us about how we form sentences. The "tea" segment was written by Valer…

1
Find your Inner Driver (Motivational Lift for My Folks) 4:10

14d ago4:10

4:10

"Are you driving your life, or are you just a passenger? That’s the real question. Your destination depends on you taking the wheel, not letting someone else steer. Lead, don’t be led. Find your inner driver and make sure you're in control of your journey. Stay in the driver’s seat, and take charge of your path in life."…

1
Episode 1: The Future of Transportation in the United States 28:14

5d ago28:14

28:14

Our guest, United States Deputy Secretary of Transportation Polly Trottenberg, discusses the transportation sector’s role in addressing the climate crisis, reconnecting communities divided by urban highways, reducing traffic fatalities, building the support needed to bring big ideas to fruition, and her proudest accomplishments at U.S. DOT, among o…

1
Curb Enthusiasm - Coming Soon! 0:25

19d ago0:25

0:25

A prett-ay, prett-ay, prett-ay good podcast. Coming soon.By New York City Department of Transportation

1
Labor Day ER Visits, The News with Tommy Donovan, and Goodwill Hunting! 1:05:33

9d ago1:05:33

1:05:33

Welcome to an all-new jam-packed Carolina Reeper Show! Today’s episode is like a Crazy Dehydrated Chimpanzee who gets the Cramps on Labor Day. Too much Labor on Labor Day sent me to the ER. Listen to hear this! Comedian (and the original Carolina Panthers Sir Purr mascot) Tommy Donovan makes a guest appearance on the "Who's Zoomin' Who" segment and…

1
The language of liars. 'Legendary,' 'famous,' or 'notorious'? Fish shapes. 14:49

22d ago14:49

14:49

1011. This week, we look at language patterns that may indicate someone is lying, such as how often they say "um" and the diversity of the words they use. Then we tease out the difference between being legendary, famous, infamous, and notorious. The "language of lying" segment was written by Valerie Fridland, a professor of linguistics at the Unive…

1
Peach Fuzz, Football Returns, and More Fire Lane Antics! 1:10:29

16d ago1:10:29

1:10:29

Welcome to an ALL NEW Carolina Reeper Show! This episode is gonna be downright peachy. When was the last time you ate a peach? Wes and Isiah are in the house... We've got updates from the Food Lion Fire Lane and with College Football returning we have to revisit The Rules and Regulations on Rooting in College Athletics. Plus! I've got more unopened…

1
Cat Idioms. 'Summerween' and other blends. Bankery 16:33

18d ago16:33

16:33

1010. We'd never be accused of belling the cat, but we did let our curiosity get the best of us when sniffing around common cat-related idioms. Plus, little did we know that we're already in Augtober and Summerween! Grab a pumpkin-spiced treat and come on an adventure through the looking glass to learn about portmanteau words. The "cat idoims" segm…

1
The Carolina Foodie, Sweet Potato Pipes and Goodwill Hunting! 1:09:59

23d ago1:09:59

1:09:59

Welcome to an all-new episode of the Carolina Reeper Show! Today’s episode is like a Secret Agent Food Critic who Plays the Sweet Potato Pipe! Did you know there was a sweet potato pipe? Yeah, me either but we’re gonna learn about it. And we have a new segment with the Carolina Foodie Wesley Hawn, where did he eat recently? What did he eat? Was it …

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

1M 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
Parking in the Fire Lane, Aussie Breakdancing and Residual Checks! 1:24:08

30d ago1:24:08

1:24:08

Welcome to an all-new Carolina Reeper Show! In this episode, our friend Doug Rink is in the house... we're going to be discussing the infuriating phenomenon of people parking in the Fire Lane at Food Lion. Plus, Jon and the gang get into the Australian Break Dancer making waves at the Olympics... are the Australians mocking break dancing? We'll als…

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

1M 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
Dead Lead Air: From 10-Meter Champion to Airgun Innovators | RMAC 2024 Exclusive with Christine & Jason Larson" 56:39

1M ago56:39

56:39

Send us a text Hello Fellow Airgun Geeks, Join us on "The Airgun Geeks Channel" as we dive into the inspiring story of Christine and Jason Larson, the dynamic duo behind the brand-new airgun company, Dead Lead Air. At RMAC 2024, Christine, a decorated 10-meter shooter, and Jason share their passion and vision for revolutionizing the airgun world wi…

1
Hurricane Debby, Olympic Pole Vaulting Mishaps, and Best Trends! 56:53

1M ago56:53

56:53

In this brand new LIVE episode of the Carolina Reeper show we give a salute to Vice President Hurricane Debby who’s also a dentist from Memphis with Sleep Apnea and a Swimming Pool! So...I’m getting a pool, I just got back from Memphis, I had a dentist appointment, Hurricane Debby is coming, and Kamala Harris selects a running mate, all that and it…

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

2M 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
Summer Olympics, 90's Beauty Pageants, Health Scares, and Goodwill Hunting! 1:13:32

2M ago1:13:32

1:13:32

LIVE from Hickory! It's an all-new Carolina Reeper Show! This episode is a Totally Request Live Hour. It’s like a better-looking episode of TRL on MTV but instead of Carson Daily, it’s me Jon Reep, and my pal Marc Hunt. In this episode, we get to the bottom of "Is Diet Mountain Dew Racist?", talk about the hot topic of the Olympics Opening Ceremony…

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

2M 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
Gorgeous Grandmas, Biden is Out, and Ken Speeracee! 1:04:37

2M ago1:04:37

1:04:37

Welcome to an all-new Carolina Reeper Show! This episode is like a Gorgeous Grandma wearing a Tin Foil hat drinking a Citrus Vanilla Ice Cream Float. Did you know today is Gorgeous Grandma Day? Who’s the hottest grandma you know? Also, who is Ken Speeracee and what are his theories? Where is Joe Biden? Who’s the next Democratic Presidential Candida…

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

2M 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
The power of words: Conscious language, with Karen Yin 42:08

2M 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
Trump Assassination Attempt, Richard Simmons, Shannon Doherty & Dr. Ruth! 1:19:48

2M ago1:19:48

1:19:48

It's an all-new Carolina Reeper Show! In this episode...Former President Trump got shot by a misguided 20-year-old dork with bad aim. So we’ll talk about it. Celebrity deaths are in the news! Jon and the gang will take time to remember Richard Simmons, Shannon Doherty, Dr. Ruth Westhiemer, and Joe Bonsall of the Oak Ridge Boys. Also, pal Marc Hunt …

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

2M 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
Overcoming Adversity in Competitive Shooting | RMAC 2024 Insights with John Rupple and Bill Ruehl" 48:43

2M ago48:43

48:43

Send us a text Hello Fellow Airgun Geeks, In this compelling episode of "The Airgun Geeks Channel," we dive deep into the mind of a competitive shooter with the insightful John Rupple and Bill Ruehl. Recorded at the epic RMAC 2024, John shares his candid story of experiencing equipment failure during a crucial moment and the mental hurdles that fol…

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

3M 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
Hickory Crawdads with Kurtis, Shark Week and Idiotic TikToks! 1:08:12

2M ago1:08:12

1:08:12

Welcome to an all-new Carolina Reeper! This episode is like a chaotic caption this contest with Kurtis while eating a hotdog in a hurricane at a Hickory Crawdads game! In this episode, Jon and the gang talk about Hurricane Beryl, Jon shares some of his new favorite Idiotic TikToks, we celebrate Shark Week, get a Mystery History Lesson from Intern I…

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

2M 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
Grammar Girl at 1000: Words, wisdom, and a dash of whimsy 25:35

3M 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
Happy Birthday America! 1:04:17

3M ago1:04:17

1:04:17

It's an all-new Carolina Reeper Show! This episode is where Patriotism, Performance, and Pyrotechnics, Collide in a Cacophony of Loud Kabooms that produce Mushroom Clouds! We’re gonna give you fuel, give you fire, give you that which you desire. We're celebrating the 4th of July.. Happy Birthday, America! We’re gonna look at some fireworks gone wro…

1
Ultimate Shootout at RMAC 2024! New Airguns Unveiled & Exclusive GX Compressor Tips 1:05:03

3M ago1:05:03

1:05:03

Send us a text Hello Fellow Airgun Geeks, Join us on the Airgun Geeks Podcast as we dive into the action at the Rocky Mountain Airgun Challenge 2024 with our special guest, Justin Jacobson of Utah Airguns. Discover the latest thrills and spills from one of the year's biggest competitive shooting events. 🎯 Pat reveals his latest airgun wins and the …

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

3M 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
Jamaica, Goodwill Hunting, Idiotic TikToks and Hawk Tuah! 58:22

3M ago58:22

58:22

Welcome to an all-new Carolina Reeper Show! This episode is like Jamaican Jambalaya of Jerk Chicken and Catfish Goulash with Cornball Nuggets. I’m back from Jamaica, I survived and we’ve got stories to tell. Also, we’re gonna talk about the Hawk Tuah Girl and how Mike Judge predicted the future. Plus, I have more residual checks to give away. Who w…

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

3M 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
The Hidden Stories of African American English with Dr. Sonja Lanehart 39:41

3M 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
Father's Day, Jamaica, and Colonoscopies! 1:02:57

3M ago1:02:57

1:02:57

Welcome to an all-new Carolina Reeper Show! This week's episode is like an Intimate Invasive Intrusive Anal Father from Jamaica, Mon! It's National WANNA GET AWAY DAY... so I talk about my upcoming trip to Jamaica. We talk about my recent colonoscopy and I place bets with my crew about whether I'm getting a Father's Day gift or not. What's the best…

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

3M 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
Exploring the Language of 'Dune': An Interview with Kevin J. Anderson and Scott Brick 44:42

3M 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
The power of sign language in 'Dune.' The words we use for dad. Chee 16:42

3M 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…

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