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The Vocal Fries

The Vocal Fries
Linguistic Discrimination
Racialization
Linguistics
Bilingual Education
British Sign Language
Language Acquisition
Latinx Racialization
Social Justice
Language Deprivation
Laura Loomer
Critical Race Theory
Language and Gender
Demystifying Language Project
San Quentin Rehabilitation Center
Neapolitan Language
Simplified Spelling Movement
Like
Makaton
Donald Trump
White Supremacy

The monthly podcast about linguistic discrimination. Learn about how we judge other people's speech as a sneaky way to be racist, sexist, classist, etc. Carrie and Megan teach you how to stop being an accidental jerk. Support this podcast at www.patreon.com/vocalfriespod

PublishesMonthlyEpisodes159Founded9 years ago
Number of ListenersCategories
Social SciencesScienceSociety & Culture

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Artwork for The Vocal Fries

Latest Episodes

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Carrie and Megan talk with Dr Valerie Fridland about her newest book, Why We Talk Funny: The Real Story Behind Our Accents.

• Maine Monitor interview with Platner

• Platner's apology

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• Threads us @vo... more

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Carrie and Megan talk with Drs Lynnette Arnold and Anna I. Corwin about their new co-edited book (with Jennifer R Guzmán and Emily Avera), Language and Health in Action (ebook), along with two authors in the same volume, Drs Stephan... more

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Carrie and Megan talk with Kory Stamper, about her newest book, True Color: The Strange and Spectacular Quest to Define Color from Azure to Zinc Pink. Out March 31, 2026!

• Chatbots and bias

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• Thread... more

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Carrie and Megan talk about the Epstein emails and Chomsky's correspondence with him. Carrie swears more than usual.

• Support Tim Brookes Kickstarter

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• Threads us @vocalfriespod

• Bluesky us @vocalf... more

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Recent Guests

Dr. Valerie Fridland
Professor of linguistics, author of Like Literally Dude and Why We Talk Funny
University of Nevada, Reno
Episode: Why We Talk Funny
Lynnette Arnold
Associate Professor, Department of Anthropology, University of Massachusetts Amherst
University of Massachusetts Amherst
Episode: Language and Health in Action
Anna Corwin
Associate Professor and Chair of the Women's Spirituality Program, California Institute of Integral Studies
California Institute of Integral Studies
Episode: Language and Health in Action
Abby Mack
Assistant Professor, Department of Anthropology, University of Kentucky
University of Kentucky
Episode: Language and Health in Action
Stephanie Keeney Parks
University of California Chancellor Postdoctoral Fellow, Department of Anthropology, UCLA
University of California, Los Angeles
Episode: Language and Health in Action
Kory Stamper
Lexicographer, author, speaker, and expert on dictionaries
True Color (Book)
Episode: I see your True Color(s)
Tim Brookes
Founder of the Endangered Alphabets Project and author of multiple books including 'By Hand.'
Endangered Alphabets Project
Episode: By Hand
Adam Aleksic
A linguist and content creator currently living in Manhattan.
Episode: Algospeak
Megan C. Reynolds
Editor at Dwell Magazine and author of 'Like, A History of the World's Most Hated and Misunderstood Word'
Dwell Magazine
Episode: A History of Like

Hosts

Carrie Gillan
Co-host specializing in linguistic criticism and cultural studies.
Megan Figueroa
Co-host with a focus on linguistic education and social implications of language.

Reviews

4.5 out of 5 stars from 277 ratings
  • Linguistics is fun

    Me: cool another linguistics podcast, I love those!

    Them: (a few episodes in) Schadenfreude is mean but ok if it’s “about a white dude”

    Me: oh right, it’s a podcast about linguistic discrimination!

    Byeeeeeee!

    Apple Podcasts
    3
    jjiusbbbdhag
    United States2 years ago
  • Tedious banter between two insufferable twits

    I’ve tried to listen to several episodes but couldn’t bear the consistently uninformed views that betray the hosts’ meager knowledge of history (just one example, in an episode about dialects, one of the hosts speculated that, since the founding of the U.S. was contemporaneous with the French Revolution, perhaps the “English only” movement in the U.S. was modeled after France’s insistence on a single uniform national language). I never managed to finish an episode and I can’t believe they’ve las... more

    Apple Podcasts
    2
    RbccaSuth
    United States2 years ago
  • Makes my ears bleed

    Moronic drivel.

    Apple Podcasts
    1
    Nellygoat
    United States3 years ago
  • Keeps my Love of Language Alive!

    I fell in love with linguistics in college in Inge Genee’s class at the University of Lethbridge (you should have her on the show!). I am now many years past college and that love has stuck with me and I get to keep learning thanks to Carrie and Megan. I love how accessible they make a very academic discipline and the way they force me to address my own biases and preconceptions.

    Thank you, Carrie and Megan! Please never stop!

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    Umm Isa
    United States4 years ago
  • Not really sure who this podcast is for…

    Many of the concepts are very basic intro linguistics concepts, but I don’t feel like they explain them thoroughly enough for someone who is unfamiliar with linguistics to understand. On the other hand, anyone who is already familiar with these concepts won’t find much groundbreaking material here.

    The first episode I listened to was about prescriptivism vs descriptivism. The hosts spent a long time covering how non-standard grammar was not “wrong” per se, but just different, from a different c... more

    Apple Podcasts
    2
    Xbound24
    United States4 years ago

Listeners Say

Key themes from listener reviews, highlighting what works and what could be improved about the show.

The dynamic between the hosts is frequently noted as fun and insightful, making the exploration of heavy subjects enjoyable for many.
There are mixed reviews on the depth of content, with some feeling it's too basic while others find it accessible and informative for a broader audience.
Listeners appreciate the engaging and humorous approach to complex linguistic topics, enhancing their understanding of language's societal impacts.

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Talking Points

Recent interactions between the hosts and their guests.

Language and Health in Action
Q: Why did you decide to write about your interaction with the white clinician in Stephanie's chapter, and what does it reveal about race and disability in clinical spaces?
The researchers discuss this as a powerful example of how racism works quietly in clinical spaces, with autism and language being central; whiteness is often unmarked, and diagnostic processes can pathologize non-white speech and behavior, reinforcing disparities despite clinicians' good intentions.
I see your True Color(s)
Q: Why did you want to write this book, and why now?
Kory Stamper explains that her long-standing work with dictionaries led her to explore how color definitions evolved, the role of scientists and lexicographers, and the social and cultural forces shaping color perception, culminating in a book that unpacks the messy history behind color terms and naming.
Algospeak
Q: Why did you want to write this book and why now?
Because as a linguist and content creator, I can't turn off my linguist brain and my content creator brain.
A History of Like
Q: How did 'like' become a target for so much hate?
It is primarily because 'like' has been associated with young women and girls for decades, and societal biases often deem their speech as less valid.
A History of Like
Q: Why did you want to write this book and why now?
Megan C. Reynolds shares that the idea was presented by her editor and upon reflection, she realized the topic is about how we communicate and the difficulties that arise in effective communication post-pandemic.

Audience Metrics

Listeners, social reach, demographics and more for this podcast.

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Frequently Asked Questions About The Vocal Fries

What is The Vocal Fries about and what kind of topics does it cover?

Focusing on the complexities and nuances of linguistic discrimination, this podcast explores how language can act as a vehicle for bias, including racism, sexism, and classism. The hosts engage listeners with discussions that analyze public perceptions of speech and how these perceptions contribute to societal judgments. Episodes feature a diverse array of topics, from critical reviews of well-known linguists' ideologies to cultural phenomena in language evolution, ensuring a wide-ranging exploration of linguistic themes. Notably, the conversational style blends humor with critical analysis, making complex subjects accessible and engaging for a broad audience.

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How many episodes of The Vocal Fries are there?

The Vocal Fries launched 9 years ago and published 159 episodes to date. You can find more information about this podcast including rankings, audience demographics and engagement in our podcast database.

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What guests have appeared on The Vocal Fries?

Recent guests on The Vocal Fries include:

1. Dr. Valerie Fridland
2. Lynnette Arnold
3. Anna Corwin
4. Abby Mack
5. Stephanie Keeney Parks
6. Kory Stamper
7. Tim Brookes
8. Adam Aleksic

To view more recent guests and their details, simply upgrade your Rephonic account. You'll also get access to a typical guest profile to help you decide if the show is worth pitching.

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