What Listeners Say
“We really enjoy your podcasts on our road trips. My oldest son just finished his freshman year in Helena, MT. So we have a 9-hour drive each way and we love listening to the words and conversation from your show. Thanks to you, I’m helping pass along the fun of language to my youngest who just finished his freshman year of high school.” — Seattle, Washington
“I wanted to share the inspiration you brought into my life. A few weeks ago, you nonchalantly used the phrase ‘linguistic heirloom.’ I really fell in love with the idea that language is passed from generation to generation, and that linguistic heirlooms are in some ways gifts or treasures to be carried on, taken care of, and even intentionally shared.
“It is far more than just people loving words. It’s also loving people, relationships, and the things that we all share in common.” —Edmond, Oklahoma
“Thank you for sharing your skill and knowledge, and for the lighthearted and entertaining reminders of what a beautiful thing language can be.” — San Diego, California
“I can’t express how happy I am to find your podcasts on the Internet. I have downloaded and listened to 10 and I love them. I am also going to tell my advanced students about your website and podcasts, so very soon there may be more of us.” —Warsaw, Poland
What Educators Say
“It’s one of the best things on public radio.”
— Geoffrey Nunberg, Professor at UC Berkeley’s School of Information, and linguistics commentator on NPR’s Fresh Air.
“As President of the State University of New York at Potsdam, I am so pleased that the program is available both on air, via our local NPR station, and as a podcast. It provides our students with a fantastic resource and opens up a world of opportunities for lifelong learning.”
— John F. Schwaller, President, State University of New York-Potsdam
“A Way with Words explores the multifaceted landscape of America through language. In their engaging interactions with callers, the co-hosts present a remarkable program that connects listeners with the original meanings of words, the cultural nuances of dialects, and the twists and turns of contemporary slang. The students in our colleges represent diverse backgrounds, and it is important for them to understand the multicultural heritage of the nation.
“A Way with Words celebrates the extraordinary mosaic of America through the medium of language.”
— Constance M. Carroll, Chancellor, San Diego Community College District
“The program’s format lets a smart lay audience ask questions and gives experts a chance to talk to the wider world. And the hosts introduce some much-needed good sense and good humor into the often tiresome squabbles over good and bad English.”
—Jack Lynch, Professor of English, Rutgers University