A linguistic expedition into brave new words. Maggie Rowe and Emily John Garcés hunt for words that lack an English equivalent. They like to think of themselves as Dora the Explorers of language, with their rucksacks and hats and notebooks and magnifying glasses, embarking on a cultural adventure, hunting and gathering useful new word specimens from far flung continents, and holding them up to see what new light they shine on old ideas.
S1 E30 · Thu, April 17, 2025
Rerun of episode one Dutch Delights. Bonus: Italian actress Laura James shares how to swear in Italian.
S1 E29 · Thu, April 10, 2025
The final episode of season one. Maggie and Emily scoop up the last bits of interviews (like a scarpetta – a piece of bread used to mop up last bits of sauce) and review their favorite word specimens found on their expedition
S1 E28 · Thu, April 03, 2025
Maggie and Emily learn the Scottish words haar and coorie from Scotland native Lynsay Mackay. They discuss with Steve O'Donnell a word he has coined: Arbeitstraumschreck . Word in Action "hurkle durkle" with Eric Giancoli and poem by Maggie: Hurkle Durkle; For Those Who Stay in Bed.
S1 E27 · Sat, March 29, 2025
Maggie and Emily talk with author Leigh Cowart about the terms nociception and hyperalgesia. They discuss embarrassing sounds with actress Naomi Grossman and learn the term vinted coined by Bonnie Harvey and Michael Houlihan. Poem by Emily: Oi Void.
S1 E27 · Thu, March 27, 2025
Maggie and Emily talk with author Leigh Cowart about the terms nociception and hyperalgesia. They discuss embarrassing sounds with actress Naomi Grossman and learn the term vinted coined by Bonnie Harvey and Michael Houlihan. Poem by Emily: Oi Void.
S1 E26 · Thu, March 20, 2025
Maggie and Emily learn the poker terms “pot committed” and “on tilt” from TV writer producer poker champion Matt Salsberg. They talk with philosopher Pete Rollins about freedom from the pursuit of happiness. Poem by Maggie: On Tilt.
S1 E25 · Thu, March 13, 2025
Maggie and Emily learn the Japanese words ikigai and okagesama from native speakers Masami Covey and Yujiro Seki. Word in action “apisoir” with Eric Giancoli and poem by Emily: Ikigai.
S1 E25 · Thu, March 13, 2025
Maggie and Emily learn the Japanese words ikigai and okagesama from native speakers Masami Covey and Yujiro Seki. Word in action “apisoir” with Eric Giancoli and poem by Emily: Ikigai.
S1 E24 · Thu, March 06, 2025
Maggie and Emily learn about murmurations and zugunruhe from Ballona Wetlands tour guide Susan Levinson. Isi the Scribe discuss (and shares a poem) about animal collective nouns. Poem by Maggie: Zugunruhe.
S1 E23 · Thu, February 27, 2025
Maggie and Emily learn the words from “terroir” and “noble rot” from wine educator Nora Murphy. They discover “apisoir” with Michael Alberty and “aha-mnesty” with C. Brian Smith. Poem by Emily: Terroir.
S1 E22 · Thu, February 20, 2025
Maggie and Emily discuss the Buddhist words dukkha and mudita with Zen priest Senshin and put the word “karma” on trial with judge Matthew Laura Aitken. Poem by Maggie: Not To My Liking.
S1 E21 · Thu, February 13, 2025
Maggie and Emily talk to guests from around the world about love and learn how people say “I love you” across the globe. Poem by Emily: galaxies.
S1 E20 · Thu, February 06, 2025
Maggie and Emily learn the Armenian words qti maz and mousmous from Gagik Hakobyan and John Ekezian. They discuss the term brickianity with Rob Bell and see the word kalsarikänni in action with Eric Giancoli. Poem by Maggie: Tapping Out.
S1 E19 · Thu, January 30, 2025
Maggie and Emily discuss the words isophene and asymptote with fiction writer Susan Sechrist and learn the musical term mondegreen from jazz singer Sarah Spiegel. Poem by Emily: Isophene.
S1 E18 · Thu, January 23, 2025
Maggie and Emily learn Hebrew words asir toda and nefesh from native speaker Leila Eden. Reporter at large Peter Baynham reports on the Finnish word kalsarikännit and Susie McDonnell shares “embarrask.” Poem by Maggie: Asir Toda (Gratitude Prisoner)
S1 E17 · Tue, January 14, 2025
Maggie and Emily discuss the Pashto words gharzai and sabar with native speaker Sanjar Qiam from Afghanistan and learn the word "contemplocean" from the author of The Cosmic Dictionary, Norm Millstein. Poem by Emily: Gharzai.
S1 E16 · Fri, January 03, 2025
Maggie and Emily learn the words khomar and melamastia from native speaker Sanjar Qiam. They speak with Italian actress Laura James about the Italian word pantofoliao and observe the French word flaneur in action with Jim Vallely. Poem by Maggie: It Happens Sometimes.
S1 E15 · Thu, December 19, 2024
Maggie and Emily speak with Chris Reuland about the French words flaneur and dépaysement and learn a very particular use of the word “scripted” from John Ekezian. Poem by Emily: Dépaysement.
S1 E14 · Thu, December 12, 2024
Maggie and Emily learn the words pomalo and fjaka from native Croatian speaker Saskia Neal. They discover the word hustletivity with Bonnie Harvey and Michael Houlihan. Poem by Maggie: It is Time.
S1 E13 · Thu, December 05, 2024
Maggie and Emily talk to Majken Nillson about the Swedish words slutspurt and lagom . They explore a "Word in Action" with Nerys Miller-Baynham and the word "woolfthdt." Poem by Emily: Lagom.
S1 E12 · Thu, November 28, 2024
Maggie and Emily discuss the words scarpetta and spaghettata with Italian guest Sofia Milos. They coin the term "highlight huddle" with C. Brian Smith and discuss gossip with Jim Vallely. Poem by Maggie: Scarpetta.
S1 E11 · Thu, November 21, 2024
Maggie and Emily learn the Farsi words taarof and khaste nabashid with native speaker Navid Naderi Alizadeh and put the term “happy birthday” on trial. Poem by Emily: Taarof.
S1 E10 · Thu, November 14, 2024
Maggie and Emily learn the ancient Greek words eunomia and eudomonia with scholar and theologian Peter Rollins. They coin the word "tempfatum." Poem by Maggie: Eunomia in the Aftermath.
S1 E10 · Thu, November 14, 2024
Maggie and Emily learn the ancient Greek words eunomia and eudomonia with guest Peter Rollins. They coin the word "tempfatum." Poem by Maggie: Eunomia in the Aftermath.
S1 E9 · Thu, November 07, 2024
Maggie and Emily learn the Hawaiian words pono and ha’aha’a from native speaker Luana Kawaa. They coin the word "pommies" with Vern M and put a usage of "cringe" on trial with Judge Matt Aitken. Poem by Emily: Getting Low.
S1 E8 · Thu, October 31, 2024
Maggie and Emily learn the Yiddish words machatunim and kvell with guest Annie Korzen. They coin the word “yuck yum” with Nerys Miller-Baynham and “flink” with Tammy Schlofterson. Poem by Maggie: They Kvell.
S1 E7 · Thu, October 24, 2024
Maggie and Emily discuss the Spanish diminutive and the word estrenar . They put the word sweet (usage of “compliant woman”) on trial with judge Matt Aitken and coin the word conker. Poem by Maggie: To Be Dear.
Thu, October 17, 2024
Maggie and Emily learn the Chinese words guimi 诡 秘 and houpa 后 怕 from native speaker Sheng Zhong. They coin the word “schaudenfriend” with Eric Giancoli and put the word “bromance” on trial with judge Matt Aiken. Poem by Emily: “Houpa: A Poem About PTSD.”
S1 E5 · Thu, October 10, 2024
Maggie and Emily talk to native Hindi speaker Shashi Bandhu and learn the words jigivisha and jugaad. They coin the word “snoob” and rescue “scurrifunge” from the brink of extinction. Poem “Necessity Labors” by Maggie.
S1 E4 · Thu, October 03, 2024
Maggie and Emily explore the Bengali words aram and jhapang jhapang with native speaker Safeera Ahmed. They put the word “canoodle” on trial with judge Jim Vallely, coin the word “rain-newel” and explore the concept of a soul wink from hotline caller Tammy Slofterson. Poem by Emily: Aram.
Thu, September 26, 2024
Maggie and Emily explore the German words torschlusspanik , waldensemkeit , and kaputreparium with linguist Charley Rowe and native German speaker Merle Emrich. They put the word “mine” on trial with judge Jim Vallely and coin the word “torschlusspresence.” Poem by Maggie “Nothing at All.”
S1 E2 · Thu, September 19, 2024
Maggie and Emily explore the Japanese words wabi sabi and shoshin with native Japanese speaker Taka Tora in Tokyo. They put the word “should” or trial with judge Matt Vern and coin the words “winblunder” and “loomingloss.” Poem by Emily “A Japanese View of Love.”
Thu, September 05, 2024
Our mission.
S1 E1 · Thu, September 05, 2024
Maggie and Emily explore the Dutch words gezellig and niksen with Dutch native speaker Natanel Bohmer. They put the word “lazy” on trial with judge Matt Vern, coin the word “sacred flakery,” and learn how long it takes it the average human being Jim Vallely to eat a banana. Poem by Maggie: Pilgrim! Stop your Progress!
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