The Most Important Social Reformers Are Phonaticians

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Shaw was a socialist who believed that speech therapis could be important social reformers in helping to level playing field. We're doing it as americans all the time, we really are making judgments about people's socio economic status according to how they speak. It's why we say that voices, voice and accent are the last acceptable form of prejudice.

Today, we are revisiting one of our favorite episodes: an interview with New Yorker staff writer John Colapinto. In his brilliant book, "This Is the Voice," John says that while opposable thumbs are handy, the voice is our species' greatest attribute. We rely on it to communicate and collaborate, woo our mates and protect our children, win wars and make podcasts. John would know. A vocal injury changed his relationship with his instrument and set him on a path to better understand what his voice means to him — and what the voice means to humanity.