Words, Myths, and Other Poor Decisions

The Duck Difference

This week, Joe and Jackson dive into the surprisingly weird history of duct tape, duck tape, WD-40, and PB Blaster. Why do some people swear by one product over another? Is Duck Tape actually duct tape? What does WD-40 even stand for? And can any of these miracle products really fix everything? Along the way, we explore military origins, rusted bolts, questionable home repairs, and other facinating crap.

The History of English, Constantly Interrupted

What do Vikings, French nobles, Roman soldiers, and a terrible Sean Connery impression have in common? They all helped shape this week's episode on the surprisingly chaotic history of the English language.

Big Trouble In Little Pennsylvania: Language Part 2

In this episode, Joe puts Jackson in the hot seat with follow-up questions from our previous discussion on language and rhetoric. We explore theories about the birth of language, how humans went from gestures and sounds to complex communication, and the teachers who inspired us along the way. As usual, the conversation takes a few unexpected turns.

Words, Myths, and Other Poor Decisions

What makes language so powerful? Why are humans uniquely capable of persuasion, storytelling, and argument? This week, Jackson shares lessons from a college course he teaches on the origins of language and rhetoric. We dive into Greek mythology, ancient philosophy, and the foundations of communication itself—before wandering into territory that would almost certainly not appear on the final exam.

Riobic Tompomiter: Lyrics Part 3

Why do lyrics matter so much to us? In Part 3 of our ongoing lyrics series, Jackson gives Joe an alternative pronunciation to iambic pentameter and takes a surprisingly serious dive into poetry, meter, rhythm, rhyme schemes, Greek storytelling traditions, and the musical DNA that connects ancient epics to modern rock songs all while we cross our wires. Somewhere along the way, we discuss Bruce Springsteen crowds yelling choruses, the origins of rock & roll, and whether most people actually know the words they're singing. Joe contributes confusion, interruptions, and moral support.