Smart People Podcast

Have you ever been criticized for the way you speak? If you have, you're not alone. As human beings, our need to communicate is inherent, but linguistic standards are often indoctrinated in us early on, leading to a perception of slang and informal language as being incorrect. In our latest episode, we explore the true nature of language and its function beyond correctness.We discuss how language is an accident of socio-historical-political factors and how there is nothing intrinsically wrong with slang or informal language. In fact, they serve a purpose, and embracing them can lead to better communication and connections.We also delve into the evolution of language and how words and phrases that were once considered poor speech are now an integral part of standard English. Moreover, we explore how social forces and invasions have led to massive shifts in language, such as the Vikings being responsible for introducing Old Norse words like "window" and "sister" into the English language.Chris Stemp is joined by linguistic expert Valerie Fridland to discuss her new book, Like, Literally, Dude: Arguing for the Good in Bad English, which takes a scientific approach to language and challenges the misconceptions associated with slang and speech features.Join us now as we explore our relationship with language and the nuanced ways in which it affects our interactions. Don't forget to check out Valerie's website at valeriefridland.com and her monthly blog on Language in the Wild.Topics Discussed: Language as a socio-political accident The evolution of slang and speech features The usefulness and function of common phrases like 'like' The changing perception of speech throughout history The role of social forces in language change The impact of social influencers on language The role of children in language change The importance of efficient communication and reducing redundancy in language The challenges of linguistic accommodation Dr. Fridland's book, Like, Literally, Dude: Arguing for the Good in Bad English Support the Show - Become a Patron!Help us grow and become a Patron today: https://www.patreon.com/smartpeoplepodcastSponsors:Notion - For a limited time, try Notion AI for free when you go to Notion.com/smartBetterHelp - This episode is brought to you by BetterHelp. Visit BetterHelp.com/smart today to get 10% off your first month.LinkedIn - Right now, you can try LinkedIn Sales Navigator and get a sixty-day free trial at linkedin.com/smartpeople. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Coleman Hughes is an American writer, podcast host, and opinion columnist who specializes in issues related to race, public policy and applied ethics. He was a fellow at the Manhattan Institute for Policy Research and a fellow and contributing editor at their City Journal, and is the host of the podcast Conversations with Coleman.Find out more about Coleman at colemanhughes.org and check out his Youtube channel.Support the Show - Become a Patron!Help us grow and become a Patron today: https://www.patreon.com/smartpeoplepodcastSponsors:Notion – Try Notion AI for free when you go to notion.com/smart.Shopify - Sign up for a one-dollar-per-month trial period at shopify.com/spp.ButcherBox - Sign up today at butcherbox.com/SMART and use code SMART to get a 100% grass-fed chuck roast and a whole chicken FREE in your first box plus $20 off. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

It all started with the Big Bang. We all know that. But what does that even mean? And how did the big bang lead to us?! Our body is made up of “starstuff”, and by by understanding how everything started, we can make better choices on living.Dan Levitt spent over twenty-five years writing, producing, and directing award-winning documentaries for National Geographic, Discovery, Science, History, PBS, and the Howard Hughes Medical Institute. He began his career as a Peace Corps volunteer in Kenya, teaching high school physics and biology.Dan's book, What's Gotten Into You: The Story of Your Body's Atoms, from the Big Bang Through Last Night's Dinner, is available now.Find out more about Dan at danlevitt.com.Support the Show - Become a Patron!Help us grow and become a Patron today: https://www.patreon.com/smartpeoplepodcastSponsors:Huel – Go to huel.com/smart and get a free t-shirt and shaker with your first order.Notion - Try Notion AI for free when you go to notion.com/smart.Wonolo – Head over to wonolo.com/smart and learn how Wonolo makes finding hard workers easy.Shopify - Sign up for a one-dollar-per-month trial period at shopify.com/spp. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Steven Kotler is a New York Times bestselling author, an award-winning journalist, and the Executive Director of the Flow Research Collective. He is one of the world’s leading experts on human performance and is the author of 11 bestselling books (out of 14!!!). His work has been nominated for two Pulitzer Prizes.Steven's newest book, Gnar Country: Growing Old, Staying Rad, is available now.Find out more about Steven at stevenkotler.com and gnarcountry.com.Support the Show - Become a Patron!Help us grow and become a Patron today: https://www.patreon.com/smartpeoplepodcastSponsors:Huel – Get a free t-shirt and shaker with your first order by going to huel.com/smart.Notion - For a limited time, try Notion AI for free when you go to notion.com/smart.Wonolo – Head over to wonolo.com/smart and learn how Wonolo makes finding hard workers easy. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Colin Coggins and Garrett Brown are adjunct professors of entrepreneurship at USC’s Marshall School of Business where they teach the popular class they created, “Sales Mindset for Entrepreneurs.” They are also authors, speakers, longtime sales professionals, and best friends who met while working at enterprise software startup Bitium, which they helped lead to an acquisition by Google.Garret and Colin's book, The Unsold Mindset: Redefining What It Means to Sell, is available now!Find more about Garret and Colin at colinandgarrett.com.Support the Show - Become a Patron!Help us grow and become a Patron today: https://www.patreon.com/smartpeoplepodcast.Sponsors:Huel – Get a free t-shirt and shaker with your first order by going to huel.com/smart.Wonolo – Head over to wonolo.com/smart and learn how Wonolo makes finding hard workers easy. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Stefan Falk is an internationally-recognized executive coach and human performance expert. A McKinsey & Company alumnus specializing in leadership and corporate transformation, he has trained over 4,000 leaders across more than 60 different client organizations in North America and Europe.Stefan's book, Intrinsic Motivation: Learn to Love Your Work and Succeed as Never Before, is available now!Find more about Stefan at learntoloveyourwork.com.Support the Show - Become a Patron!Help us grow and become a Patron today: https://www.patreon.com/smartpeoplepodcastSponsors:ButcherBox - Sign up today at butcherbox.com/SMART and use code SMART to get a 100% grass-fed chuckroast and a whole chicken FREE in your first box plus $20 off.Justworks – Take a look at Justworks' transparent pricing by visiting justworks.com/pricing.Wonolo - A comprehensive, easy-to-use online staffing platform that helps businesses connect with the workers they need. Head over to wonolo.com/smart to get started. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Gloria Mark is Chancellor’s Professor of Informatics at the University of California, Irvine. She received her PhD from Columbia University in psychology and studies the impact of digital media on people’s lives. She takes a deep dive in examining multitasking, interruptions, and mood with the use of digital devices. She has published over 200 articles, and in 2017 was inducted into the ACM SIGCHI Academy which recognizes leaders in the field of human-computer interaction.Gloria's book, Attention Span: A Groundbreaking Way to Restore Balance, Happiness and Productivity, is available now!Find more about Gloria at gloriamark.com.Support the Show - Become a Patron!Help us grow and become a Patron today: https://www.patreon.com/smartpeoplepodcastSponsors:RocketMoney - Cancel unwanted subscriptions – and manage your expenses the easy way – by going to rocketmoney.com/SMART.Finding the Way – Finding the Way: An Entrepreneur’s Tale is available at Amazon, Barnes & Noble, and anywhere books are sold. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Marc Schulz is the associate director of the Harvard Study of Adult Development and the Sue Kardas PhD 1971 Chair in Psychology at Bryn Mawr College. He also directs the Data Science Program and previously chaired the psychology department and Clinical Developmental Psychology PhD program at Bryn Mawr. Dr. Schulz received his BA from Amherst College and his PhD in clinical psychology from the University of California at Berkeley.Dr. Schulz' book, The Good Life: Lessons from the World's Longest Scientific Study of Happiness, is available now!Support the Show - Become a Patron!Help us grow and become a Patron today: https://www.patreon.com/smartpeoplepodcastSponsors:RocketMoney - Cancel your unnecessary subscriptions right now at rocketmoney.com/SMART.Justworks - Take a look at Justworks' transparent pricing by visiting justworks.com/PRICING.Finding the Way – Finding the Way: An Entrepreneur’s Tale is available at Amazon, Barnes & Noble, and anywhere books are sold. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

2022. It was quite the year.Jon's wife is having a baby! Chris is excited to rebrand! Join us as we discuss some of our favorite clips from 2022 and what we are looking forward to in 2023.Support the Show - Become a Patron!Help us grow and become a Patron today: https://www.patreon.com/smartpeoplepodcastSponsors:RocketMoney - Cancel your unnecessary subscriptions right now at rocketmoney.com/SMART.Blinkist - Go to Blinkist.com/SMART to start your 7-day free trial and get 25% off of a Blinkist Premium membership.Justworks - Take a look at Justworks' transparent pricing by visiting justworks.com/PRICING. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Jennifer Moss is an award-winning writer, international speaker, and workplace culture strategist with clients ranging from startups to Fortune 500 companies. She is a nationally syndicated radio columnist and freelance journalist. She writes for Harvard Business Review and her work has appeared in CNN, TIME, The New York Times, The Wall Street Journal, and The Washington Post.Jennifer's book, The Burnout Epidemic: The Rise of Chronic Stress and How We Can Fix It, is available now!Learn more about Jennifer at jennifer-moss.com.Support the Show - Become a Patron!Help us grow and become a Patron today: https://www.patreon.com/smartpeoplepodcastSponsors:RocketMoney - Cancel your unnecessary subscriptions right now at rocketmoney.com/SMART.MasterClass - This holiday, give one annual membership and get one free! Go to masterclass.com/smart today.Finding the Way - Finding the Way: An Entrepreneur’s Tale is available at Amazon, Barnes & Noble, and anywhere books are sold.Butcher Box - Sign up today at butcherbox.com/SMART and use code SMART to get 10% off your first box and ground beef for life of your membership. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices