Vernacular: Recent Episodes
Creedal
This show has been archived. To listen to its successor shows, head to creedalpodcast.com.
Vernacular explores what it means to fully embrace our humanity. It's not a philosophy podcast. Nor is it simply a lifestyle podcast. It's a little bit of both, but not really either. It's music reviews and movie previews, sports forecasts and food recipes, philosophizing on the nature of knowledge and prognosticating on the future of science.
THE FINAL EPISODE + A Big Announcement and our Read/Watch/Listen! Thank you so much for listening to Vernacular for these past six (!) years! It's been a really fun ride and we've learned so much along the way.
Our big news today is that we are drawing this podcast to a close, BUT we'll be doing future content over at Creedal: Theology & Culture. You can subscribe to Creedal on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, or wherever you get your podcasts.
Some of our recommendations: Little Women by Lousia May Alcott In This House of Brede by Rumer Godden Island of the World by Michael D. O'Brien City of the Lost by Kelley Armstrong Long Bright River by Liz Moore Matterhorn by Karl Marlantes Fulfillment by Alec MacGillis A Time to Die by Nicholas Diat No Country for Old Men (The Coen Brothers) A Serious Man (The Coen Brothers) Lupin (Netflix) Ted Lasso (Apple TV+) What God is Not (Podcast) The Realignment (Podcast) The Pillar (Podcast)
We'd love your feedback! Email us at zac@creedalpodcast.com.
Fall Read/Watch/Listen Recommendations! Some of the recommendations we discuss in today's episode:
The Mystery of the Immaculate Concussion by Julia Ioffe (GQ)
The Heart of Perfection by Colleen Carol Campbell
The Searcher by Tana French
Troubled Blood by Robert Galbraith (J.K. Rowling)
A Subversive Gospel by Michael Mears Bruner
American Kingpin by Nick Bilton
Under the Banner of Heaven by Jon Krakauer
"Out of Body" (album by NEEDTOBREATHE)
The Dispatch Podcast
Didn't I Just Feed You Podcast
Lovecraft Country
Get Out
The Dispatch
Money Heist (Netflix)
The Trial of the Chicago Seven (Aaron Sorkin film)
The Big Picture Podcast
The Rewatchables Podcast
What God is Not Podcast
Maple Tree Inn
Max Richter's recomposition of The Four Seasons
We'd love to hear what you think of this episode!
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The American Solidarity Party w/Amar Patel Today on the show I welcome fellow Catholic Amar Patel, who is running for Vice President of the United States on the American Solidarity Party ticket. Amar and I talk about the principles of solidarity, subsidiarity, personalism, and sphere sovereignty, why it's important to have third parties, what "success" looks like for his ticket, finding a way out of our toxic two-party culture, and a platform that upholds the dignity of every human life.
For more information on the American Solidarity Party, please visit https://solidarity-party.org/.
We'd love to hear what you think of this episode!
Reach out to us: Email | Instagram | Twitter | Patreon
The False Promise of Safetyism w/Maria Berggren Today on the show Sally's sister Maria joins us to talk us about a recent article (see below) from philosopher-mechanic Matthew Crawford that critiques the prevailing bureaucratic attitude towards COVID as one of safetyism rather than safety. Crawford thinks that safety isn't the highest good, which obviously raises the question: what is?
Crawford's Article: https://unherd.com/2020/05/the-hypocrisy-of-safetyism/
We'd love to hear what you think of this episode!
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The Meaning of Words w/Nick Clairmont Today on the podcast, Arc Digital's Nick Clairmont (@NickClairmont1) joined us to talk about the power of words, the changing meaning of words over time, the social construction of language (and what that does and doesn't mean), and more. It's a great conversation that's definitely worth your time!
To read Nick's latest piece in Tablet Mag, head to www.tabletmag.com/sections/arts-letters/articles/woke-language-privilege.
To read more of Nick's work at Arc Digital, head to arcdigital.media.
We'd love to hear what you think of this episode!
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The Plight of the Uighurs In today's episode, we talk about the Uighurs in northwestern China, who face unprecedented state surveillance, restrictions on religious practice, state-sponsored spies in their houses, and in many cases (1-2 millon!) forced internment in "re-education" camps.
If you're interested, check out Zac's new weekly newsletter, The Vernaculist (vernaculist.substack.com), in which he recently dove into this topic in detail.
We'd love to hear what you think of this episode!
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Race and Grace in Flannery O'Connor's Work w/Jessica Hooten Wilson Today on the podcast we sit down with Dr. Jessica Hooten Wilson, Louise Cowan Scholar in Residence at the University of Dallas, to talk about charges of accusation levied against Flannery O'Connor, Flannery's cultural and literary milieu, costly grace, and more.
Resources: Giving the Devil his Due by Jessica Hooten Wilson Flannery O'Connor the and Christ-Haunted South by Ralph Wood A Subversive Gospel by Michael Bruner Passing by the Dragon by J. Ramsey Michaels
We'd love to hear what you think of this episode!
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Race and Friendship w/Trey Lowman On today's episode of Vernacular, we talk to Zac's college friend and wedding groomsman, Trey Lowman, comes on the show to talk about his experience growing up as a Black man in a white community, what it's like to be the "token" Black friend in a group of white people, and living up to white friends' expectations about what a Black man should and shouldn't be. We also talk about friendship and how to navigate issues of race with charity, humility, and grace.
Articles we talk about: Reflections from a Token Black Friend by Ramesh Nagarajah I am Confused, Scared, and Afraid by Major Nate Dial, USAF
We'd love to hear what you think of this episode!
Reach out to us: Email | Instagram | Twitter | Patreon
Why Black Lives Matter w/Gloria Purvis Today on this Vernacular Podcast + Creedal Catholic crossover episode, Gloria Purvis joins us to talk about racial justice, George Floyd, systemic racism, and our national moment. It's a really good conversation, and Gloria has challenging words for the Church and for all Americans.
NOTE: The title of this episode, "Why Black Lives Matter," expresses unqualified support for the singular idea that Black Lives do matter. It is not an endorsement of all of the tenets of the organization Black Lives Matter or an expression of de facto membership of that organization.
Resources mentioned: The Color of Law Slavery by Another Name by Douglas Blackmon Throughline's American Police At the Dark End of the Street by Danielle McGuire Eyes on the Prize (PBS) Grant by Ron Chernow Desegregating the Altar by Stephen Ochs Ven. Augustus Tolton
Gloria is the host of EWTN's Morning Glory and a Board Member for the Northwest Pregnancy Center and Maternity Home in Washington, D.C. She is an Advisory Board Member on the Maryland Catholic Conference’s Respect for Life Department, and serves on the National Black Catholic Congress’ Leadership Commission on Social Justice. She is also the Chairperson for Black Catholics United for Life, which seeks to increase the size and strength of active Black Catholics participating in the pro-life movement.
We'd love to hear what you think of this episode!
Reach out to us: Email | Instagram | Twitter | Patreon
Other shows on the Vernacular Podcast Network: Vernacular | Breaking Pod | The Popped Cast | The Lineup
Unpacking Terrence Malick's "Tree of Life" w/ the Ryds Recently we (Sally and Zac) watched Terrence Malick's "Tree of Life" for the first time. There's a lot going on in the film, so we called in a filmmaker and an aspiring film critic to help us unpack it all.
Follow Chandler's work at chandlerryd.com Check out Lara's recent work at Bright Wall / Dark Room: "Please, Spare Me Your Secrets"
We'd love to hear what you think of this episode!
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Spring Read/Watch/Listen Recommendations w/Elena Forsythe We're back with another read/watch/listen recommendation episode! We're sorry for the delay this week...Zac made a catastrophic editing error last week. [insert embarrassed emoji]
We'd love to hear what you think of this episode!
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Flannery's Short Stories w/Elena Forsythe We start today's podcast as a quarterly read/watch/listen pod, but we quickly dive down the rabbit hole that is Flannery O'Connor's spectacular literature. As a result, we have a spirited 40-minute discussion about Temple of the Holy Ghost, Parker's Back, The Lame Shall Enter First, and more, leaving no room for our read/watch/listen list!
We'll be back in two weeks with our read/watch/listen recommendations!
We'd love to hear what you think of this episode!
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What Qualifies a Film as Art? w/Chandler Ryd Today on the podcast, filmmaker Chandler Ryd (chandlerryd.com) joins Zac to talk about the criteria for film as art. Starting off with Robert Frost's observation that "poetry is that which begins in delight and ends in wisdom," Chandler and Zac talk about how ways in which we can develop criteria for assessing the cinematic pursuits.
We'd love to hear what you think of this episode!
Reach out to us: Email | Instagram | Twitter | Patreon
Love in the Time of Corona In today's episode we broadcast from our home studio, where we're in social distancing mode. We talk about how we're handling the relatively minor inconveniences so far and how others are dealing with far worse, the good that can come out of a pandemic (yes, really!), and the need to prudentially balance competing public health and economic considerations in a crisis.
And here is the article by Nathan Schlueter that we mentioned: https://www.thepublicdiscourse.com/2020/03/61513/
In this difficult time, send prayer requests to zacandsally@vernacularpodcast.com!
We'd love to hear what you think of this episode!
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What's Missing in Salman Rushdie's Arabian Nights In this episode we talk about Salman Rushdie's 2015 book, Two Years Eight Months and Twenty-Eight Nights. We talk about Rushdie's false binary choice between heteronomy and autonomy and advance an alternative that he doesn't seem to have considered.
We'd love to hear what you think of this episode!
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Food News (February 2020) w/Elena Zac and Sally sit down with Elena to talk about replacing insect fact with butter, designing better tomatoes, eating fermented basking shark, an immersive Batman dining experience, the Impossible Whopper, and much more.
We'd love to hear what you think of this episode!
Reach out to us: Email | Instagram | Twitter | Patreon
Heavy Lies the Crown (The Crown, Season 3) w/Jordan and Catherine Short In this episode we sit down with Jordan and Catherine to talk about Season 3 of Netflix's docudrama The Crown. We talk acting performances, best episodes, best moments, episode MVPs, and whether or not this season exceeds the high standards of the previous seasons.
We'd love to hear what you think of this episode!
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Winter Read/Watch/Listen Recommendations! It's that time of the season again when we give you some of our top recommendations for what to read, watch, and listen to! In this episode we'll talk about The Crown (good), The Two Popes (bad), Colleen Carroll Campbell, North Korea, a new serial podcast on an oil boom in Texas, and bad plumbing.
We'd love to hear what you think of this episode!
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Episode Notes In today's episode we're talking about abortion--more specifically, how we're moving away from the language of "safe, legal, and rare" to an ideation of abortion as an unqualified good. This is a short conversation, but you may be interested in our longer discussion of this topic that we recorded originally in 2016. See our episode from January 22 of last year (2019) called From the Archives: 46 Years After Roe: https://pod.link/990809952/ep/1000428214082
Links: Alexandra DeSanctis in The Washington Post: How Democrats Purged 'Safe, Legal, and Rare' from the Party Caitlin Flanagan in The Atlantic: Losing the Rare in ‘Safe, Legal, and Rare’ Ross Douthat in The New York Times: The 'Safe, Legal, Rare' Illusion Maggie Astor in The New York Times: On Abortion Rights, 2020 Democrats Move Past ‘Safe, Legal and Rare’
We'd love to hear what you think of this episode!
Reach out to us: Email: zacandsally@vernacularpodcast.com | Instagram | Twitter | Patreon
Reviewing Star Wars: Rise of Skywalker w/Chandler Ryd [SPOILERS ABOUND]
In this episode Chandler joins the show to talk about the ninth serial installment in the Star Wars saga, "Rise of Skywalker." We talk about Zac's theory of the five levels of Star Wars fandom, J.J. Abrams as a franchise director, "The Last Jedi" vs "Rise of Skywalker," Disney's effect on the franchise, the "Guardianization" of Star Wars, and discontinuity in the Star Wars canon. We'd love to hear what you think of this episode!
Reach out to us: Email | Instagram | Twitter | Patreon
Holiday Food news w/Margaret Perry Today is our last release before Christmas Day, and Margaret Perry joins us on the show to talk about Holiday Food News! On the conversation list: mashed potato recipes, peppermint bark, and taco-scented wrapping paper (among other things), and we close out the episode with a Trader Joe's true fan litmus test, which we all fail miserably.
We'll be back during the 12 days of Christmas with more content--in the meantime, have a very Merry Christmas!
We'd love to hear what you think of this episode!
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The Popped Cast: Merry Madness of Christmas Music! March has March Madness. December has Merry Madness! In this crossover edition, we hop onto The Popped Cast to talk with hosts Josh and Maureen Goldman about the best Christmas songs of all time. Sixteen candidates go head-to-head in a bracket tournament until we declare one the winner!
If you like what you hear, check out The Popped Cast wherever you get your podcasts, or head to https://pod.link/1382870305.
We'd love to hear what you think of this episode!
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Making Room for Christ(mas) In today's episode of Vernacular, we talk about some ways that you can "make room" for Christmas despite all of the distracting noise of the season. We talk about hospitality, generosity, sharing of your things, hosting guests, maintaining family rhythms, avoiding Black Friday, penitence, the 12 days of Christmas, caroling after Christmas (gasp!), and devotional practices.
We'd love to hear what you think of this episode!
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Fighting Cancer, "Improved" Gene Editing, and More Bioethics News In this episode we review some bioethics news (links below) and talk about a new book about fighting cancer (and when enough is enough) and advancements in gene editing that some are talking about as "a significant step towards [being] able to make just about any kind of DNA change that anyone wants at just about any site in the human genome."
Prime Editing (NPR) Article on Dr. Rebrikov's efforts at altering "deaf" gene (Nature) First Cell Review (NYT)
(If you're interest in reading Dr. Raza's book, we encourage you to check it out at your library. Or you can buy it from Amazon here.
We'd love to hear what you think of this episode!
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Food News (October) w/ Elena We take advantage of Elena's visit to record an episode about the Food News you never knew you needed for the month of October. Liquor-filled tide pods? Check. Dave Chang's take on international food aisles as bastions of racism? Check. Cat Advent calendars? Check. We also have our first-ever on-air taste test, trying out Clif Bar's new Spiced Pumpkin Pie flavor.
We'd love to hear what you think of this episode!
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Does "Ad Astra" fulfill its ambitions? Lara & Chandler Ryd and Josh Goldman join Vernacular this week to talk about James Gray's Ad Astra, starring Brad Pitt, Tommy Lee Jones, and Liv Tyler (sort of). We share our observations and criticisms of the work, commiserate about the perils of voice-over, pick our favorite cinematography excerpts, and talk about space baboons. It's a fun conversation about a movie that doesn't quite cut it for most of us.
We'd love to hear what you think of this episode!
Reach out to us: Email | Instagram | Twitter | Patreon
Fall Read/Watch/Listen Recommendations! The September Equinox happened this week, which mean's it's time for October baseball, stiff breezes, early sunsets, and honeycrisp apples! In this episode we share some of the things that we've been reading, watching, and listening to (or plan to) as the leaves start to turn crimson--we have some ideas for media to accompany your pumpkin spice lattes and Oktoberfest ales this season.
We'd love to hear what you think of this episode!
Reach out to us: Email | Instagram | Twitter | Patreon
Food News w/Zac and Sally In a departure from our regularly scheduled programming, we take a lighthearted look (inspired by the sadly defunct "Food News" from Grantland) at food news from around the country. Take a listen to hear about "Grocery Happy Hour" in Finland, the Popeyes Chicken Sandwhich craze (and why Zac used to think Popeyes was a Catholic establishment), Starbucks' newest idea, and the pumpkin lineup at our beloved Trader Joe's.
Let us know if you like this episode--we had fun and would love to do it more often!
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The Philosophy of NBC's "The Good Place" w/Alexi Sargeant In this episode previous Vernacular guest Alexi Sargeant (freelance writer and Managing Director of the Aquinas Institute at Princeton University) joins us to talk about NBC's "The Good Place" and what it tells us about our final destination, ethical quandaries, and the art of being human. For more info on Alexi's work, follow him on Twitter. You can also read his article about "The Good Place" here.
We'd love to hear what you think of this episode!
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Dad Pod: Talking Fatherhood w/Nate Seibt In this episode of Vernacular (Zac is thrilled about the title), Nate Seibt returns to the podcast to talk about the joys and failures of fatherhood. Zac and Nate swap stories of bedtime struggles, obedience trials, transitioning from the workplace to the home on the end of day commute, and what they would tell their pre-dad selves about what fatherhood is all about.
We'd love to hear what you think of this episode!
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Episode Notes In this episode, Sally sits down with fellow moms Maureen Goldman (of The Popped Cast) and Caitlin Brian to talk about their current joys and challenges as moms. Tune in to hear about picky eating, discipline, and raising rambunctious youngsters.
Maureen mentioned her latest project, Working Mom Savvy!
We'd love to hear what you think of this episode!
Reach out to us: Email | Instagram | Twitter | Patreon
Outro music: Heroine Queen by Hallows
Resisting Throwaway Culture w/ Dr. Charlie Camosy In today's episode of Vernacular, we sit down for a conversation with Dr. Charlie Camosy about his recent book, Resisting Throwaway Culture: How a Consistent Life Ethic Can Unite a Fractured People (New City Press, May 2019). We discuss how the Consistent Life Ethic (CLE) can challenge people of all political stripes to reevaluate their long-held beliefs on some of our most polarizing topics--including abortion, immigration, reproductive technology, prison reform, and even animal rights. It's a great conversation and an even better book.
Buy Dr. Camosy's book
We'd love to hear what you think of this episode!
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Outro music: Heroine Queen by Hallows
Today we have a special bonus episode of Zac's new theology podcast, Creedal Catholic! See below for show notes, and if you like what you hear, go ahead and subscribe wherever you get your podcasts!
We'd love to hear what you think of this episode!
Reach out to us: Email | Instagram | Twitter | Patreon
Preaching, Bishops, and Staying Catholic w/Meg Hunter-Kilmer Meg Hunter-Kilmer, the "Hobo for Christ" (piercedhands.com), joins Zac to talk about how Catholics can encourage their priests to be better at preaching, the importance of storytelling in the Gospels, scandal in the Church, the failures of bishops, why she's still so excited to be Catholic, six books every Catholic should read, and the incredible story of Blessed Peter Kibe.
The books Meg mentions:
- The Practice of the Love of Jesus Christ by St. Alphonsus Liguori
- On Being Catholic by Thomas Howard
- To Know Christ Jesus by Frank Sheed
- Jesus and the Jewish Roots of the Eucharist by Brant Pitre
- Modern Saints, Vol. 1 by Ann Ball
- Modern Saints, Vol. 2 by Ann Ball
You can follow Meg on Instagram, Twitter, and Facebook!
Please consider supporting Creedal Catholic and the rest of the Vernacular Podcast Network on Patreon!
Copyright 2019 by Vernacular Podcast Network
Support Vernacular by donating to their Tip Jar: https://tips.pinecast.com/jar/vernacular
Accidental Minimalism It's been well over a month since we arrived in Colorado, but we still don't have our furniture and other household items. It's actually a good thing though! In this episode, we talk about what we've learned in this accidental experiment in minimalism: a) you can always do with less, and it's easier than you think; b) having less forces you to be oriented outward towards friends and neighbors; and c) having less makes you more grateful.
We'd love to hear what you think of this episode!
Reach out to us: Email | Instagram | Twitter | Patreon
Outro music: Heroine Queen by Hallows
Support Vernacular by donating to their Tip Jar: https://tips.pinecast.com/jar/vernacular
Book, TV, and Podcast Recommendations for Summer In this episode, hot on the heels of our big Colorado move, we break down some of the reading, TV, and podcast material that has been consuming our time lately. Among the recommendations: a C.S. Lewis trilogy, a great new crime fiction mystery series, a couple of great theology books, a hagiography by a Nobel Prize winner, a bingeable murder mystery podcast, and HBO's new Chernobyl miniseries.
If you like our work, please consider supporting us at patreon.com/vpn!
Other Vernacular Network podcasts mentioned on this podcast:
The Popped Cast
Creedal Catholic
Breaking Pod
We'd love to hear what you think of this episode!
Reach out to us: Email | Instagram | Twitter | Patreon
Outro music: Heroine Queen by Hallows
Upping your Coffee Game In this episode we're joined by Nathan Seibt (follow Nate on Instagram here), who talks with us about his passion for coffee, what the average Joe needs to know about a cup o' Joe, and offers some practical ways to step up your coffee game.
Some of the resources Nate mentioned are below:
Stumptown Coffee Roasters
7 Ways to Level Up Your Morning Coffee Routine
Brew the Perfect Cup: The Complete Guide
Where the Wild Coffee Grows
We'd love to hear what you think of this episode!
Reach out to us: Email | Instagram | Twitter | Patreon
Outro music: Heroine Queen by Hallows
The Book Club Returns! In this episode, we sit down with Theresa Breslin, a repeat guest on the podcast, to talk about the latest series from J.K. Rowling, who is writing the Cormoran Strike under the pseudonym of Robert Galbraith. We talk about Rowling's masterful character development, the arc of the eventual 9 books in the series (only four have been published so far), the romantic tensions between the central characters, and more! But don't worry--if you haven't read the books yet, we fastidiously avoid spoilers.
If you're interested, book links are below: Cuckoo's Calling The Silkworm Career of Evil Lethal White
We'd love to hear what you think of this episode!
Reach out to us: Email | Instagram | Twitter | Patreon
Outro music: Heroine Queen by Hallows
How We Learned to Distrust Social Media Social media is everywhere. If you're reading this, chances are that you have at least one account on a major social site. We do! But in this episode we scratch the surface a little bit on the ideas driving social media, and the results aren't that encouraging. Listen along to hear about perverse incentive structures and the problems with advertising. We're not Luddites though, so we close with three ideas to help you better use social media.
We'd love to hear what you think of this episode!
Reach out to us: Email | Instagram | Twitter | Patreon
Outro music: Heroine Queen by Hallows
In this special bonus episode, we're so excited to introduce you to the latest show on the Vernacular Podcast Network. It's called Breaking Pod, and it is an episode-by-episode discussion of Breaking Bad (the TV show). We'll be back in two weeks on this feed with your regularly scheduled Vernacular programming, but for now, enjoy episode one of Breaking Pod. And make sure to subscribe to the show's feed at the links below.
Listen to Breaking Pod on its own feed now: Apple Podcasts | Google Play | Spotify | Pocket Casts | Overcast | TuneIn | Castbox
In this inaugural episode of the show, Zac and Josh break down the entire first episode of what Zac claims is "the best television show ever made." Zac unveils what he thinks is the central question of the entire show, Josh disagrees with Zac on the answer to that question, and we listen to (and critique) several key episode scenes.
What did we miss? Email us: breakingpod@vernacularpodcast.com Leave us a review on Apple Podcasts Watch Breaking Bad on Netflix Our awesome theme music is "Vaculator Blues" by The Mini Vandals
Find out more about all of the shows on the Vernacular Podcast Network by visiting vernacularpodcast.com!
We'd love to hear what you think of this episode!
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In this episode, Haley Stewart joins us to talk about her latest book, The Grace of Enough: Pursuing Less and Living More in a Throwaway Culture. We talk about what a throwaway culture is and how it poses problems to our humanness, Haley's time living with her family on a community farm without running toilets, and practical tips for you (and your family!) to practice living more fully in spite of the materialism around us. You can find more of Haley's work on her website.
If you're interested in the new show Zac mentions in the intro, check out Breaking Pod on Apple Podcasts and Google Play.
We'd love to hear what you think of this episode!
Reach out to us: Email | Instagram | Twitter
Outro music: Heroine Queen by Hallows
Today we're wrapping up our collaboration between the Vernacular Podcast Network and The Center for Public Justice (CPJ). What's this partnership all about? You can read (and hear!) more in Part 1, but the gist of it is that we’re teaming up with the people behind the Families Valued initiative to talk about the struggles that modern families face and to learn how we can better support families through private enterprise, charitable initiatives, and public policy.
In this final episode, we chat about leisure as the basis of culture, paid parental leave and current legislatie efforts to achieve it nationwide, the importance of unplugging, and principles for crafting policy and corporate rules to protect families.
For more information, reach out to us at head to Vernacular Podcast or visit familiesvalued.org. To support us, visit patreon.com/vernacular.
We'd love to hear what you think of this episode!
Reach out to us: Email | Instagram | Twitter
Outro music: Heroine Queen by Hallows
Today we're continuing our collaboration between the Vernacular Podcast Network and The Center for Public Justice (CPJ). What's this partnership all about? You can read (and hear!) more in Part 1, but the gist of it is that we’re teaming up with the people behind the Families Valuedinitiative to talk about the struggles that modern families face and to learn how we can better support families through private enterprise, charitable initiatives, and public policy.
In this second episode in our three-part series, we sit down with Rachel Anderson, Resident Fellow of CPJ and the director of Families Valued. We talk with Rachel about the sources of stress for today's families, including the shift from home-based economies to economy-driven homes, parents working outside of the home, and our loss of work's proper place in our lives.
For more information, reach out to us at zacandsally@vernacularpodcast.com, head tovernacularpodcast.com, or visit familiesvalued.org. To support us, visit patreon.com/vernacular.
Our music: “Laugh and Cry” (intro); “Heroine Queen” (outro)
Today on Vernacular, we are announcing (and launching) a three episode collaboration with the Center for Public Justice.
The Center for Public Justice (or CPJ) describes itself as “an independent, nonpartisan organization devoted to policy research and civic education. Working outside the familiar categories of right and left, conservative and liberal, CPJ seeks to help citizens and public officeholders achieve justice.” Last year, CPJ launched the Families Valued initiative, a project that promotes organizational and public policies that better support family life and respect the family responsibilities of all workers.
In this collaboration between The Vernacular Podcast Network and The Center for Public Justice, we’re teaming up with the people behind the Families Valued initiative to talk about the struggles that modern families face and to learn how we can better support families through private enterprise, charitable initiatives, and public policy.
Supporting today’s families is a bipartisan imperative.According to 2018 data from the U.S. Census Bureau, Americans are waiting longer than ever to get married, yet delaying marriage has done nothing to drive down divorce rates. As marriage rates have declined over the past three decades, divorce rates have steadily risen. And while marriages face challenges of permanence, married couples are having fewer children.In a 2013 survey by Pew, only 49% of people listed “having kids” as a main reason for getting married; a summer 2018 Pew survey found that71% of parents under 50 described themselves as “not likely” to have kids or more kids.
And yet, despite these symptoms of pressure, today’s families overwhelmingly describe family as the primary source of meaning in their life. In a 2017 survey, 69% of adults listed family as a source of meaning in their life--more than double the amount of the next highest answer--career. This is why it’s important for us to find ways to support families. We shouldn’t have an economy that makes it necessary for82% of parents to work outside of the home. We shouldn’t have to fight for paid parental leave ata majority of private companies. And we shouldn’t make quality healthcare a luxury that parents can’t afford for their children. We need churches, employers, community organizations, courts, and legislatures to support the family at all stages of life. And that’s why we’re happy to announce this collaboration with CPJ’s Families Valued initiative.
For more information, reach out to us at zacandsally@vernacularpodcast.com, head tovernacularpodcast.com, or visit familiesvalued.org. To support us, visit patreon.com/vernacular.
Our music: “Laugh and Cry” (intro); “Heroine Queen” (outro)
In an appropriate sequel to our Valentine's Day marriage episode, today we're talking about how to better deal with difficult people. In less than twenty minutes, we talk through four big ideas to help you love the people who give you the hardest time in life:
1. Process externally but not publicly
2. Embrace the humanness of the other
3. Communicate clearly and set boundaries
4. Keep forgiveness front and center
Let us know what you think: Instagram | Twitter | Email
Also: don't miss our sister podcast The Popped Cast, which you can find on Anchor, Apple Podcasts, or wherever you get your podcasts.
In this Valentine's Day edition, we answer a listener question from our parenting episode and dive into how marriage can and should enrich our lives and make us more fully human. We talk about how marriage cultivates virtues like patience, self-control, grace, and love, and offer a few suggestions on how you can help your spouse cultivate these virtues.
We talked about Andrew Peterson's Dancing in the Minefields in this episode.
Let us know what you think: Instagram | Twitter | Email
Also: don't miss our sister podcast The Popped Cast, which you can find on Anchor, Apple Podcasts, or wherever you get your podcasts.
Here's to parents everywhere. In this episode we tackle the difficult topic of parenting from our limited experience as the parents of three young children. How do our kids make us more human? What do we have to learn from them? How do they help us practice the virtues? What can young parents resolve to do when the start every day anew? If you, like us, are "in the trenches" with young children, know that we are right there with you! If you're an older parent, share some wisdom with us that we can pass on to listeners.
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Also: don't miss our sister podcast The Popped Cast, which you can find on Anchor, Apple Podcasts, or wherever you get your podcasts.
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This episode originally ran on February 4, 2016.
//FROM THE ARCHIVES// On the occasion of the 46th anniversary of Roe v. Wade, we examine abortion's legal history in the United States, focusing on the flawed reasoning in SCOTUS decisions and the faulty data on which they have relied, abortion's medical, emotional, and psychological risks to women, the sad reality of sex-selective abortion, Planned Parenthood, and public opinion on the topic in America today. Joining us on this episode are experts from Americans United for Life and the Center for Bioethics and Human Dignity.
Donate to: AUL | CBHD | March for Life | Save the Storks | Susan B. Anthony List
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We're back for 2019! After a two month hiatus for parental leave, we're back with a discussion on some things that on our mind as we begin the new year. We talk about hospitality goals, books we want to read (and why everyone should read more), work-life synergy, and going to therapy. We'll be back soon with more episodes and are working hard on a great lineup of content for this year!
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Also: don't miss our sister podcast The Popped Cast, which you can find on Anchor, Apple Podcasts, or wherever you get your podcasts.
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In this episode, Zac and Sally develop five challenges for themselves (and for you, if you're up for it!) to celebrate the holidays this year in a more human way. If you have more ideas, let us know below!
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You may have never guessed you'd hear an episode about sports on Vernacular, but here it is! We break down four ways in which sports intersect with being human, and end with a recommendation to go play some basketball at your local YMCA. Along the way, we talk about the Greek Olympics, Zac's conflicted feelings about being an NFL fan, and Green Street Hooligans.
Let us know what you think: Instagram | Twitter | Email
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What does reading have to do with being human? Is it essential to a human life or simply a good idea? Does it matter what we read? Is nonfiction superior to fiction? How can we make sure that we don't simply read things that confirm our worst opinions? We explore all of these questions and more in this episode.
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Continuing our series on being human, we discuss in this episode what the environment has to do with being human. How should we relate to the environment and strive to protect it while also enjoying it? Do we have a duty to care for the environment, or should it only be a matter of choice?
Let us know what you think: Instagram | Twitter | Email
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In this episode, Josh and Maureen Goldman of Vernacular Podcast Network's The Popped Cast join us to talk about their show and what pop culture has to do with being human. We get to know Josh and Maureen and at the end of the show, we put the Goldmans through the paces of one of our lightning rounds, and ask them to make difficult decisions like "Jurassic World or Jurassic Park"?
Listen to The Popped Cast on Apple Podcasts | Overcast | Google Play | PocketCasts | Castbox
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In this episode Margaret Perry, General Manager of the hit D.C. restaurant Kyirisan, joins us to talk about life in the food biz and how food is more than fuel. Margaret gives us a sneak peek behind the scenes of Restaurant Week, talks about communal liturgies surrounding food preparation and consumption, and discusses food as a basis of culture.
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In this episode Lara Ryd of Rough Draft joins us to talk about what baking and food preparation has to do with being human. We discuss food preparation as art, manual and intellectual pursuits, liberal arts and mechanical arts, and quasi-spiritual culinary experiences.
Check out Lara's article, "On Baking and Being Human," for more!
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Here's a riddle: What doesn't grow on trees, is piled high but never high enough, and governs many--perhaps most--of the choices that humans make? Although you may have thought the answer was chocolate, it's actually money.And in this episode, Zac and Sally discuss three ways in which we can understand the intersection of money and being human--namely, the behaviors money dictates, the social interactions it enables, and its sheer ubiquity.
Zac and Sally also offer some practical ways in which they have jointly decided to use their money.
(Disclaimer: This episode is not financial advice, but we do encourage you to speak with a licensed financial advisor about your unique situation!)
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In this episode we sit down with Miriel Thomas Reneau to talk about what disability has to do with living a truly human life. Miriel, as the parent of a disabled child, shares a bit of that experience with us as we talk about unfair parental expectations, the social model of disability, respecting body diversity, and raising our children to understand that different doesn't mean worse. Let us know what you think!
Some books that may be of interest: Ava's Spectacular Spectacles, by Alice Rex Angela Perrini. 47 Strings: Tessa's Special Code, by Becky Carey, illustrated by Bonnie Leick. Don't Call Me Special: A First Look at Disability, by Pat Thomas. Zoom, by Robert Munsch, illustrated by Michael Martchenko. Susan Laughs, by Jean Willis, illustrated by Tony Ross. Henny, by Elizabeth Rose Stanton. Hello Goodbye Dog, by Maria Gianferrari Become a supporter of this podcast: https://anchor.fm/vernacular/support
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In this episode, we sit down with filmmaker Chandler Ryd to talk about his latest project, Into the Plains. Along the way, we ask Chandler about the task of the filmmaker in conveying truth through the lens of experience, and get his thoughts on the effect of YouTube and Instagram on modern filmmaking.
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For this week's Vernacular, we're cross-posting from the newest show on the Vernacular Podcast Network! It's episode three of The Popped Cast, featuring Josh and Maureen Goldman, who talk weird celebrity baby names (after Chip and Joanna Gaines of HGTV's Fixer Upper named their new baby boy "Crew" ), Johnny Depp's recent struggles, Roseanne without Roseanne, and celebrity commencement speeches as this year's graduations finally wrap up.
Email Josh and Maureen at thepoppedcast@vernacularpodcast.com!
Subscribe to the Popped Cast on Apple Podcasts | Google Play
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In episode 86 of Vernacular, we discuss yet another essential aspect of being human: living immediately. We unpack the concept, give a defense of why it is essential to a truly human life, consider the numerous challenges that modern life poses to the goal of living immediately, and address possible objections. We share some of the ways we have personally found it difficult to live immediately and the steps we've taken to start to overcome those difficulties. Let us know your thoughts and what you do to live immediately in your own life! Become a supporter of this podcast: https://anchor.fm/vernacular/support
In part two of this special Father's Day episode from 3rd String Podcast, Zac (@ZacCrippen), Pete Laclede (@Pete_Laclede), and Josh Goldman (@GoldmanStandard) talk about the defining biography of Tiger Woods and the lessons that fathers everywhere can draw from it. Also be sure to check out Zac's longform piece on Tiger Woods, Golfing in the Dark
Don't miss the Vernacular Podcast Network's newest show, The Popped Cast, launching later this month! Josh and Maureen Goldman host this pop culture addition to the Vernacular lexicon.
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In part one of this special Father's Day episode from 3rd String Podcast, Zac (@ZacCrippen), Pete Laclede (@Pete_Laclede), and Josh Goldman (@GoldmanStandard) talk about the defining biography of Tiger Woods and the lessons that fathers everywhere can draw from it. Also be sure to check out Zac's longform piece on Tiger Woods, Golfing in the Dark
Don't miss the Vernacular Podcast Network's newest show, The Popped Cast, launching later this month! Josh and Maureen Goldman host this pop culture addition to the Vernacular lexicon.
https://anchor.fm/vernacular/support
Why is suffering important for our understanding of what it means to be human? Would a life devoid of suffering be a life without meaning? Can our suffering be redeemed? In the latest episode, we examine all of these questions and more, arguing that suffering--just like mortality--is essential to being human. Become a supporter of this podcast: https://anchor.fm/vernacular/support
In the latest episode of Vernacular, Zac and Sally talk to Catherine (@ashortblonde) and Jordan (@JordanDShort) Short about season two of The Crown, why it's the best show on television today, its portrayal of marriage, and the power of its wordless scenes. To hear our season one discussion from last year, "it's not easy being queen," head here. Don't forget to follow us on Twitter, Instagram, and Facebook! Become a supporter of this podcast: https://anchor.fm/vernacular/support
In this episode of Vernacular, we take a break from our regularly scheduled programming to talk to contributor/listener/Patreon supporter Joshua de Gastyne and put him through the paces of our lightning round. Then we talk about what books, movies, podcasts, and food that we've been enjoying lately. Become a supporter of this podcast: https://anchor.fm/vernacular/support
In this episode, we discuss the attraction and hope of immortality: a life without death and possibly a life without aging and the suffering that accompanies aging. For the sake of this conversation, we assume that eventually medical technology will make immortality an option for people. So we ask and answer Leon Kass' question: why not immortality? The costs of immorality (the Justice Cost, Personal Cost, and Intergenerational Cost) are such that an immortal life is no longer a truly human life. Ultimately, we conclude that immortality is not compatible with a truly human life, would instead rob us of our humanity, and would not fulfill our deepest human desires. Become a supporter of this podcast: https://anchor.fm/vernacular/support
In episode 82, we discuss the stages and span of a human life. What are those stages? Do we see and experience them as discrete units on a timeline? Or is there an overall shape to the human lifecycle that all people share and that gives it meaning as a whole? We argue for the latter view and also share our favorite/least favorite life stages. Finally, we address possible objections to the shape view. Stay tuned for the next episode when we take this conversation a step further and discuss aging, death, and immortality. Become a supporter of this podcast: https://anchor.fm/vernacular/support
In this episode of Vernacular, we discuss the question: what is a human person? Are we pure soul? Spirit? Mind? Just a body? We describe the human person as a union of soul and body--an embodied soul and an ensouled body--in which both elements are good. Then we identify competing ideas and misconceptions about the nature of the human person. Finally we explore our experience of embodiment and how embodiment should impact how we treat ourselves and others. If you enjoyed this discussion, we recommend Gilbert Meilaender's book "Neither Beast Nor God." Become a supporter of this podcast: https://anchor.fm/vernacular/support
In this episode, we chat with Tsh Oxenreider about mental health and how travel can help us be more fully human. Tsh is an Austin, TX native, podcaster (creator and host of The Simple Show and Women's Work), author, entrepreneur, wife, and mom who traveled with her family of five around the world to 30 countries in 9 months. We end the show with a lightning round and Tsh gives us her take on Austin. If you enjoy this conversation, we recommend you check out The Simple Show archives for more travel tips, especially episodes 117-120, 68-72, and 34-37. Become a supporter of this podcast: https://anchor.fm/vernacular/support
In this third installment of our series on the art of being human, we discuss the end (or purpose) of medicine. What should medicine aim to do? What does it mean to be a healthy human person? We also answer a listener question about science and the space race, and talk about why we're not gnostic. If you like this episode, be sure to read Leon Kass' 1975 article, "Regarding the End of Medicine and the Pursuit of Health." Become a supporter of this podcast: https://anchor.fm/vernacular/support
In episode 78, the second in our series on the art of being human, we discuss the relationship between science or scientific pursuits and what it means to be human. Instead, we spend this episode answering two questions: what are the possible aims of a scientific project and which of those aims comport with what it means to be human--which of them are "truly human" aims? Once again, all in under 20 minutes! Become a supporter of this podcast: https://anchor.fm/vernacular/support
We discuss the fact that all human beings fall short of perfection and yet we want to be perfect in some or all areas of our lives. What does it mean to live a fully human life and accept imperfection? How do we balance a desire to better ourselves with the importance of finding genuine contentment with our failures and possibly even celebrating our imperfections? We relate these questions to a short story, movie, and book as well as real life--all in under 20 minutes! Become a supporter of this podcast: https://anchor.fm/vernacular/support
In this episode, we introduce our plans for the new Vernacular Podcast, which will air every other week going forward. Then we chat about why you shouldn't make New Year's "resolutions" and share things we want to carry over from 2017 and things we want to do differently in 2018. We will be back in two weeks with a new episode exploring a topic and how it relates to what it means to be human. Become a supporter of this podcast: https://anchor.fm/vernacular/support
To commemorate the 45th anniversary of Roe v. Wade, we're re-airing this episode from our second season, in which we examine abortion's legal history in the United States, focusing on the flawed reasoning in Supreme Court decisions and the faulty data on which the justices have relied, abortion's medical, emotional, and psychological risks to women, sex-selective abortion, Planned Parenthood, and public opinion on the topic in America today. Become a supporter of this podcast: https://anchor.fm/vernacular/support
We ring in the new year with a conversation about mental health and self care with Julia Hogan, a License Clinical Professional Counselor, psychotherapist, speaker, and writer. Julia chats with us about the value of therapy, the ubiquity of mental health challenges (especially in younger generations), and the importance of prioritizing self care. As you head into 2018, hopefully you can gain some insights from this conversation! For more of Julia's work, you can check out https://anchor.fm/vernacular/support
In this very special and spontaneous episode of Vernacular, we call listener Pawel from Poland and get to hear all about Polish Christmas traditions. He also shares how he met his American wife and we give him an abbreviated lightning round. We hope you enjoy this mini episode as you prepare for Christmas--all twelve days of it! A very merry Christmas from us here at Vernacular!
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Netflix
In this episode we talk with filmmaker Chandler Ryd and film enthusiast Lara Forsythe about seasons one and two of Netflix's hit series Stranger Things. We dissect our favorite characters, examine differences between seasons one and two, question the Duffer brothers' vision for the future of the series, and share our favorite fan theories and predictions. Spoilers abound, so if you haven't seen the show, go watch it and then come back to listen!
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In this episode, we sit down with recurring guest Nathan Seibt to talk about his recovery from a horrific automobile accident and how strength training has aided this process. You can check out more about strength training through resources like Starting Strength, and it's never too late to begin! For more of the backstory on Nathan and his family's car accident, check out episodes 9 and 38 of Vernacular.
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Photo Credit: Netflix
In this episode, we sit down with contributors Jordan and Catherine Short to discuss season 1 of Netflix's The Crown, in advance of season 2's release later this week. Among our questions, we ask whether or not we would be willing to accept "the crown" if it were offered to us, Elizabeth II's preparation for her role as queen, the director's portrayal of Church Become a supporter of this podcast: https://anchor.fm/vernacular/support
In this episode, we interview Zac's brother Schuyler and our sister-in-law Noelle about their passions. Noelle, an emergency room physician assistant by day, shares about her part-time work at a local pregnancy care center, why she hasn't always called herself "pro-life" and the ways in which we can support women who find themselves unintentionally pregnant. Schuyler, a consultant by day, shares about his love of rock climbing, why everyone should give it a try, and how it helps him combat his mental health struggles.
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In this episode of Vernacular, we continue the theme of home that we introduced in episode 68. Perennial contributors Catherine and Jordan Short return to discuss how to make a house feel like home during the holidays (without going overboard!). We chat traditions, decor, and music and share both our positive and negative "sense memories" of the holidays. Zac reveals our " Become a supporter of this podcast: https://anchor.fm/vernacular/support
In episode 68 we talk to Mary and Cody Strecker about life abroad in Germany, how moving a lot has strengthened their family, the challenges (and joys!) of creating a home when their home keeps changing, and the importance of enjoying the great outdoors. We close with a lightning round that features bratwurst and schnitzel. If you like this conversation, be sure to follow Mary on Instagram!
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Several weeks ago, we announced the launch of 3rd String, a new podcast from Vernacular. We're in full swing now, and wanted to take the opportunity to release a full episode here on the Vernacular feed. In the 5th full episode, Pete Laclede and Zac break down game 7 of the World Series, talk about George Springer’s MVP performance in the whole series, and discuss the new College Football Playoff Committee rankings, Lane Kiffin’s Twitter antics, why the Become a supporter of this podcast: https://anchor.fm/vernacular/support
In episode 6 of season 7, we chat with Eric Wind, a vintage watch specialist who recently left Christie's Auction House to start Wind Vintage, an independent vintage watch dealer. Eric chats with us about the formative role that wristwatches played in his childhood, how he turned a hobby into a career, and the unique (and surprising) history of wristw Become a supporter of this podcast: https://anchor.fm/vernacular/support
In episode 5 of season 7, we bring contributor Elena on the show as our first-ever guest host. We chat about Google's founders planning a city, whether we can really live without iMessage, and the minimal media coverage of https://anchor.fm/vernacular/support
While we are off gallivanting in California, we thought you might enjoy this episode from the Vernacular archives! It's a conversation with ex-Googler Steffi Bryson, now working for Uber, about the internet age and the security and privacy issues it creates. We also talk about what it's like to work at Google. It's a great conversation we're pretty sure you don't want to miss!
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A scene from Taylor Swift's latest music video
In this installment, we talk with contributors Will Brian and Miriel Reneau about Taylor Swift's new single, Look What You Made Me Do, a federal judge's efforts to get women and minorities more involved in h Become a supporter of this podcast: https://anchor.fm/vernacular/support
In episode 2 of season 7, we interview Dr. William Hurlbut, a Stanford medical doctor and bioethicist, about the pros and cons of CRISPR-Cas9, a targeted DNA editing tool. He also tells us about his https://anchor.fm/vernacular/support
In the very first episode of season 7, we announce the launch of our new sports podcast 3rd String, hosted by Zac and Vernacular contributor Ishan Nath, and we bring long-time listener Nathan Seibt back on for a lightning round. We also discuss recent developments in the tech world and share what we are up to lately.
- Apple's 1984 commercial
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In the final episode of season six, we sit down with contributor Margaret Perry, General Manager of Kyirisan, to talk about food that we should be on the lookout for this time of year. Margaret and Sally celebrate the bounty of late summer produce, and Margaret shares with us some excellent reading suggestions on food and wine, including https://anchor.fm/vernacular/support
In episode 9, we bring back "The Professor" (our contributor Will Brian) to chat with us about physicist Michio Kaku's book "Physics of the Future: How Science Will Shape Human Destiny and Our Daily Lives in the Year 2100." Will shares his own opinions and also responds to criticisms of the book. We cover everything from Become a supporter of this podcast: https://anchor.fm/vernacular/support
Christopher Nolan's "Dunkirk", in theaters now
In episode 8, we talk with Chandler Ryd, filmmaker and proprietor of Ryd Films, about Christopher Nolan's latest film, Dunkirk. Chandler explains the mastery of storytelling throughout the film and dismisses the suggestion that Churc Become a supporter of this podcast: https://anchor.fm/vernacular/support
In this season's seventh episode (and final episode before we move from St. Louis!), Zac shares some news in the world of baseball, science, tech, and https://anchor.fm/vernacular/support
In episode six, we talked to our contributor (and certified Investment Adviser Representative) Elena Forsythe about millennial spending habits. We examine the claim that millennials spend too much money on avocado toast, discuss what it takes to save up enough money for a house, and talk about some https://anchor.fm/vernacular/support
In episode 5, we sit down with Carly Hubbard, owner and manager of Rough Draft, a Michigan coffeehouse and cocktail bar. We talk about the stresses of owning and operating a restaurant, the importance of being brave enough to leave your comfort zone, the food culture of Michigan, and the unfortunate ubiquity of the fern in latte art. Join the conversation with us on Twitter or https://anchor.fm/vernacular/support
In this episode, we talk with contributor Miriel Reneau about the joys and challenges of parenting, especially when one of your children has a genetic condition with an uncertain prognosis. Miriel shares some great insights on marriage, faith, and family life as she and her husband have helped their daughter through a challenging last year. It's a great conversation and definitely worth a listen--let us know your thoughts on Instagram, https://anchor.fm/vernacular/support
In the first roundtable episode of season six, we sit down with Ishan Nath and Kevin Beauchemin to discuss interesting articles we've collected from around the web. In the course of our conversation, we dissect the 2016 election (and broader voter behavior), discuss the importance of political norms in ancient Rome, and talk about the prevalence of anxiety in America and how we can calm our nerves (hint: it's not the fidget spinner).
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In episode 2 of season 6, we sit down with Brian Brown, principal and founder of Narrator, author and editor at Humane Pursuits, and founder of the Anselm Society, to discuss the importance of cultivating imagination through storytelling and the arts. Brian also shares his favorite cocktail recipe and his top three book picks. But first we have a Become a supporter of this podcast: https://anchor.fm/vernacular/support
Image from 16personalities.com
In the first episode (!) of our sixth season, we sit down with longtime contributors Jordan and Catherine Short to talk about personality typing, especially through the Myers-Briggs Type Indicator and the https://anchor.fm/vernacular/support
"Et in Arcadia Ego" by Nicolas Poussin, c. 1638.
In the final installment of season 5, we discuss the last selection in the Vernacular Book Club: Being Mortal: Medicine and What Matters in the Endby Harvard surgeon and New Yorker writer Atul Gawande. As the Become a supporter of this podcast: https://anchor.fm/vernacular/support
When Emily Esfahani Smith joined us in Season 2, she gave us a sneak preview of the book that she was working on, and how she believed that finding meaning in your life came down to four "pillars": belonging, purpose, storytelling, and transcendence. In episode 4 of season 5, we continue the Vernacular Book Club with a discussion of Emily's finished work, The Power of Become a supporter of this podcast: https://anchor.fm/vernacular/support
In episode 3 of season 5, we take a break from the Vernacular Book Club and catch up on life lately. We chat about the start of the baseball season (check out Zac's new blog!), our upcoming trip to California, Sally's eats, and what we've been reading and listening to (hint hint S*Town). Join the conversation and join the book club (next month's book is The Power of Meaning) by connecting with us via email, soci Become a supporter of this podcast: https://anchor.fm/vernacular/support
In episode 2 of season 5, we continue the Vernacular Book Club with a discussion of Fredrik Backman's bestselling novel A Man Called Ove. Be prepared for spoilers and our poor (and varied) pronunciations of Ove. We loved this book and we hope you enjoy(ed) it too! If you haven't read it yet, we definitely recommend reading it before seeing the recent movie adaptation. While not perfect (we do have criticisms!), Backman is clearly a storytelling master. Join the conversation about Ove o Become a supporter of this podcast: https://anchor.fm/vernacular/support
In episode 1 of season 5, we kick off the Vernacular Book Club with a discussion of Susan Cain's bestseller Quiet: The Power of Introverts in a World That Can't Stop Talking. With Zac on Skype, Sally attempting to maneuver Garageband for the first time, and both of us sleep-deprived, we share our impressions of the major elements of Cain's argument and our experiences as an extrovert/introvert (can you guess which one of us is which?). We also announce the birth of our s Become a supporter of this podcast: https://anchor.fm/vernacular/support
In the final episode of season 12, Matthew Loftus joins us to discuss his medical work in Yei, South Sudan, where he and his family lived until recently. We talk about ethical decisions in medical practice, wrestling with mortality, and lessons that medicine and theology can teach us about race relations. It's a really good conversation and a high note on which to conclude season 4! We also talk about our plans for season 5 and announce the books that we will be reading in our Vernacular Become a supporter of this podcast: https://anchor.fm/vernacular/support
It is difficult to overstate the link between pornography and rape culture: pornography promises cheap thrills, quick satisfaction, and no consequences. But how does pornography shape the minds of its viewers? Has it crippled a generation's ability to relate to the opposite sex? This is what we're talking about in this episode, and the results are alarming. Mary Rose Somarriba of Verily Magazine joins us to talk about her latest research and writing at this intersection, and to talk to Become a supporter of this podcast: https://anchor.fm/vernacular/support
In this short episode, we're broadcasting on location from Montgomery, Alabama! We break down some of our favorite recent books and magazines, discuss television, and recommend some new podcasts. You can find links to everything we discuss on our blog. Let us know what we missed! @VernacularPod or https://anchor.fm/vernacular/support
In this episode, we catch up with Season 1 guests Astrid and Aaron Cevallos, who own and run a hop farm in Virginia. They update us on their second hop crop and share their views on organic v. GMO farming. Then we chat with Abby and Aaron Hummel, a writer and research scientist respectively, about genetical Become a supporter of this podcast: https://anchor.fm/vernacular/support
In Episode 8, Zac and Sally round up several Vernacular contributors (Kevin Beauchemin, Will Brian, Elena Forsythe, & Joshua de Gastyne) to discuss the ethics of human gene editing including the use of the technology CRISPR-Cas9. Let us know your opinions on this topic after you take a listen! If you want to learn more, check out our https://anchor.fm/vernacular/support
In this episode, Zac & Sally kick things off with a conversation about the things they are most looking forward to about fall and cooler weather. Next, listener (and previous guest!) Theresa joins us for a lightning round, and then contributor Will Brian joins us with his wife Caitlin to talk about their recent experience in an escape room. We also talk with them about Uber's recent announcement that they are launching a fleet of self-driving cars in PIttsburgh. Check out https://anchor.fm/vernacular/support
In this episode, Zac and Ishan break down some of the prominent storylines in the sports world this fall, including: how Kevin Durant's trade to the Golden State Warriors affect the Dubs' title chances, baseball's greatest phenom, Tim Tebow's shot at the majors, the problem with college football preseason rankings, and the Super Bowl champion. Check it out and let us know what you think!
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In Episode 6 of Season 4, we call listener Schuyler for his very own lightning round, chat with former Googler Steffi Bryson, now working for Uber, about security and privacy issues, and announce our new Vernacular Podcast t-shirts. It's a great conversation we're pretty sure you don't want to miss!
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In Episode 5, we give contributor Elena a bespoke lightning round, talk to Dr. Gilbert Meilaender about his forthcoming book Not by Nature but by Grace: Forming Families through Adoption, and bring back Nathan & Sadie Seibt from Season 1 Become a supporter of this podcast: https://anchor.fm/vernacular/support
In Episode 4, we call listener Brittany for a "lightning round" and chat about our new favorite Philadelphia eats. Then we invite writer and editor Alexi Sargeant on the show to share his argument in favor of Pokemon Go! (after we trashed it last week). Finally, contributor Joshua joins us to discuss the meri Become a supporter of this podcast: https://anchor.fm/vernacular/support
In this installment of Vernacular, Leah Libresco of FiveThirtyEight and Unequally Yoked joins us to talk about her conversion from atheism to Catholicism. Along the way, we discuss epistemology as it Become a supporter of this podcast: https://anchor.fm/vernacular/support
In this second episode of our fourth season, we talk to contributors Jordan and Catherine about how to build a summer road trip playlist--a timely topic before we embark on a massive trip next week! We also talk with them about what summer flicks we should be excited to see, and get an update on James Tiberius Short's arrival plans. Along the way, we talk about LaCroix beverages and how they inspired Zac and Sally's latest investment decision.
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In this episode, we talk to contributors Kevin Beauchemin, Margaret Perry, Elena Forsythe, Will Brian, and Miriel Reneau about a variety of topics, including John Steinbeck's literature, William Deresiewicz's thought on leadership, Broadway's latest hit, genetic editing, and racial disparities in sentencing. It's a big conversation but a lot of fun.
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In the final episode of season 3, we talk to Theresa Breslin, author at the Brez Blog, about her decision to leave her promising career at a law firm to become a full-time mom. Theresa shares with us her reasons for making the change, even amidst piles of law school debt and a family legacy of career performance--https://anchor.fm/vernacular/support
In Episode 9 of Season 3, we share some tips of the week from listener Nathan (who recently survived a scary car accident) about car safety and accident preparation. We chat with contributor Kevin about Aristotle, the meaning of true friendship, the impact of social media on friendship, and whether men and women can be friends. Then we bring contributor Ishan back to update us on Steph Curry and the NBA playoffs.
Editorial Question of the Week: Can men and women be (true) friends? Let us know what you think!
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In this episode, we sit down with Jennifer Lahl of the Center for Bioethics and Culture, an organization dedicated to working "for a human future." We talk with Jennifer about what that means, focusing our conversation on the little-known problems of surrogacy (this kindhttps://anchor.fm/vernacular/support
Yummmmm.
In this episode, we talk to Kylie Mitchell of ImmaEatThat about what she calls "intuitive eating." Kylie is a registered dietitian who helps people find their fullest potential--what you might even call human flourishing--through the food that they eat. We also talk with contributors Catherine and Jordan Short, who share lesson Become a supporter of this podcast: https://anchor.fm/vernacular/support
The Parthenon
In this episode of Vernacular, we talk to Kevin Beauchemin, a classics enthusiast and new contributor to the podcast, about the origins of the word peripatetic. (We became interested in this word when our guest (also a contributor!) brought it up in this episode.) We also spoke to author and blogger Matthew Lee Anderson about his latest book, https://anchor.fm/vernacular/support
In this episode, we talk to Margaret, General Manager of Water & Wall and part of the founding team at a new Washington, D.C. restaurant called Kyirisan. Margaret tells us the story of how she ended up in the food industry and why she considers it such a key aspect of her vocation. Along the way, she educates Zac on Become a supporter of this podcast: https://anchor.fm/vernacular/support
In this episode of Vernacular, we talk to Nathan Hitchen, co-founder and Principal at Conservative Foresight Consulting. Nathan joins us to discuss the importance of futurism and how we can all be better futurists. Along the way, we talk about political movements in America and the importance of playing the long game. We also talk about baseball, Zac's beloved Philadelphia Phillies, https://anchor.fm/vernacular/support
The late great Johnny Cash.
Join us for an interesting conversation with one of our previous guests about how we can find our vocation. Along the way, we listen to the wisdom of the great Johnny Cash, talk about Adam McKay's 'The Big Short,' extol the wonders of broccoli, and announce the RRS Boaty McBoatface. Join the conversation at zacandsally@vernacularpodcast.com, or comment below.
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In this episode, we talk to Sophie Caldecott, co-founder of A Better Place Journal, about what her company does and why it does it. Along the way, we hear Sophie's moving personal account of why she started A Better Place and the role that her late father played in its inception. We also talk to Ishan Nath, a previous Vernacular guest from s1e11, about Steph Curry and the historic season of the Golden State Warriors. It's a really great conversation that you don't want to miss. Remember to rate us on iTunes and reach out to us through email, https://anchor.fm/vernacular/support
In episode one of season three, we bring on four of our contributors--Jordan & Catherine Short, Will Brian, and Joshua de Gastyne. Jordan and Catherine help us break down all the highlights from the Oscars, including Lady Gaga's raw, emotional performance, Mad Max's collection of Academy Awards, and Leo's first Oscar (!!). Will and Joshua then help us dissect some recent trends in artificial intelligence, and we talk about how to teach machines to think and reason ethically.
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We examine abortion's legal history in the United States, focusing on the flawed reasoning in SCOTUS decisions and the faulty data on which they have relied, abortion's medical, emotional, and psychological risks to women, the sad reality of sex-selective abortion, Planned Parenthood, and public opinion on the topic in America today. Let us know what you think by emailing zacandsally@vernacularpodcast.com or calling in at (719) 357-9221. You can find more info and resources on our blog.
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In the finale of season 2, we talk to Joshua and Jordan Short of the new band, Father Hands. Joshua and Jordan talk us through some of their music and their vision for their band, and share a track off of their new EP. We also sit down with Brianna and Jonathan Cowan, the owners of a Chicago-area pizzeria. It's a fun episode and a fitting way to wrap up two full seasons of (y)our favorite podcast. For more info on Joshua, Jordan, Brianna, Jonathan, and everything else we chat about in this episode, head over to our blog.
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In this episode we are joined by Emily Esfahani Smith, whose work you may recognize from The Wall Street Journal, The Atlantic, The New York Times, or other outlets. In preparation for the start of 2016 (and all the new year resolutions that come with January 1st!) we talk to Emily about what it is to live a life full of meaning, and how that might differ from the pursuit of happiness (are you listening, Jefferson?). Emily also gives us a preview of her book, due out in 2017. It's a great conversation! You can also check out our blog for more of Emily's work.
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In episode 8 of season 2, we congratulate the winner of our giveaway (!!), talk about all the stuff that s/he won, share our contemporary preoccupations, talk about Christmas music, and chat with Dr. Will Brian about the emerging technology surround invisibility. It's a fun conversation that we're pretty sure you don't want to miss! Visit our blog for links to everything we discuss.
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In this episode, we talk to Catherine Short, creator of ashortblonde.com, about her gift guide. We also talk about our new giveaway (!), jointly hosted with Catherine, in which you can win a wonderful box of our favorite things. We also discuss Thanksgiving food, Black Friday, our book gift recommendations, and the difficulty in buying presents for people. Join us as we usher in the Christmas season!
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In this episode, we talk to Brandon Showalter, a musician who recently released his first album and has a second in the works, about what music means to him, his creative process, and his future plans. We also sit down with Janet Easter, founder and style editor at Verily, a women's magazine that is on a mission "to empower and inspire women to be the best versions of themselves." We also return to one of our favorite topics--books!--and share two tips of the week!
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In episode 5, we sit down with 3 of our contributors to talk about traveling to Mars, the existence of alien life, and a new class of brain supplements called 'nootropics.' It's a really fun conversation that we're pretty sure you don't want to miss! For articles related to everything we discuss, head over to our blog.
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In this episode, we talk to Seattle-based power couple Ashley and Gabe Rodriguez. Ashley is the author of the award-winning food blog Not Without Salt, and more recently the cookbook Date Night In. Gabe is a photographer and amateur pancake connoisseur. We also chat about our garage door, e-books, and pumpkin tea! Check out our blog for more information.
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In this episode we talk to contributor Jordan Short, who talks us through a chronology of James Bond music as we evaluate Sam Smith's latest contribution to the genre. We also speak to Kristina Olney about the work of In Defense of Christians in the Middle East. Finally, contributor Miriel Reneau joins us to talk through the latest work by Anne-Marie Slaughter and Andrew Moravcsik. It's a packed episode with a lot of great conversations! Check out our blog for links to everything we mention.
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In our second episode of the season, we talk to Becca Weingard, a mental health counselor who has written a new Kindle single that she calls "a field guide to suicide survival." We also discuss ginger, tea, the GOP debate, books we're reading, and more. Pretty sure you don't want to miss this. Check out our blog for links to Becca's Kindle single, recipes, and blog.
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We're back! Season 2 of Vernacular Podcast has officially kicked off, with some programming changes. In each episode, we're talking to more people about more things, bringing more variety to each show. In this episode, we talk to Mae Mae about business school and working as a consultant at Bain & Co., and we are joined by our new contributor Miriel to talk about the previous term of the Supreme Court.
Like what you hear? Don't like what you hear? Let us know at zacandsally@vernacularpodcast.com and check out our blog for links to the articles and cases we discussed.
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It's been a fun ride, folks. Eleven full episodes of Vernacular and episodes '00' and '12' to bookend them. In this episode, we talk to two of our listeners about their thoughts on our gender dysphoria conversation, we hear from Joshua on the purpose of work, and we explore the changes that are coming to the podcast in season 2. Take a listen!
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In episode 11, we talk to Ishan and Julia, a husband-wife duo based in Chicago, where both attend graduate school. Julia is studying for her MD, while Ishan is pursuing a PhD in economics. Our conversation starts on the Greece crisis, but wanders to guinea pigs, vegetarianism, triathlons, and Dorothy Day. Join us for the conversation and check out our blog for more information. Follow Ishan on Twitter @Ishan_Nath and Julia @JuliaBNath.
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This one's a blast: we sit down with Astrid and Aaron, who are a husband-wife duo starting a new Virginia hops farm called Heritage Hops. Astrid works at a Washington think tank as a China researcher and moonlights as the Heritage Hops Director of Marketing. Aaron spends his time in the great outdoors training 20-foot hops to grow on coconut twine, a la Jack and the Beanstalk. In addition to hearing all about a hops farm, we also talk with them about the rise of the machines and a world without work. It's a great conversation! Check out their website here and head to our blog for more info!
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Join us for a conversation with Nathan and Sadie. Nathan is a Huey helicopter pilot, and Sadie is a self-described "Colorado hippie wife," but they've recently moved to northern North Dakota (what some of us might call Canada) and are gearing up for -40 degree winters. We chat with them about Caitlyn Jenner, gender dysphoria, outdoor activities, marriage, and miscarriage. You can read more about all the stuff we discuss by heading to our blog.
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For July 4th, we sat down and talked with Dick Carroll, a World War II veteran who was a Prisoner of War in Hungary and has lived ever since with a bullet in his heart. Dick talks to us about the old days of the Army Air Corps and his harrowing experience bailing out behind enemy lines. Join us for a great conversation with an American hero!
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We had a blast talking to Joshua, an Emory University graduate who has worked all across the country but is headed to the Washington, D.C. area this fall to start medical school. We talk with him about the ethics of genetic editing, our summer book lists, and more! For links to things referenced in the episode, check out our blog about it here.
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Join us for episode 07, in which we talk to Will and Caitlin (yes, that would be Will & Cait, a homophone of the Duke and Duchess of Cambridge) about math, the meteor formerly known as the planet of Pluto, raising kids, road trips, and more. You can check out more of Will's work here and learn more about Pluto on our blog.
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In this episode, we talk to Anne, a Houston-based journalist who has also spent time at the Washington Bureau of the New York Times. We discuss our favorite pieces of journalism from the last twelve months, Peruvian food (Anne's mom grew up in South America), and we hear more about how Anne became a journalist. It's a lot of fun! Check out our blog for links to everything we discuss.
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In this episode of Vernacular, we talk to Jordan and Catherine--a husband-wife duo--about Google, Apple, blogging, graphic design, Nashville, Chicago, and infertility. It's a really fun conversation, and at the end you can sample some of Jordan's musical work! Follow @JordanDShort and @ashortblonde for more, and head to our blog for other links.
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In our fourth installment, we talk to Miriel (not the elven queen) who is busy doing a PhD in American Politics, spending time with her husband (who is a medical resident), and taking care of 6-month-old Gregory, their son. We talk to Miriel about the death penalty, date ideas, and whether or not women can 'have it all.' It's a great conversation! Follow Miriel on Twitter @mirielmargaret. Visit our blog to find links to the topics and articles we discussed.
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Join us for our third episode as we talk to Julia, who serves as Chief of Staff to a state senator in Colorado! We chat about raw milk, red lake 40, Ben & Jerry's, Jimmy Fallon, Tinder, Oman, and more. Tune in below or find us on iTunes. You can follow Julia on Twitter @JuliaKiewit. To read up on more of what we talked about, check out our blog.
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Join us for episode 02 as we talk to Elena, who was born and raised in the Chicago suburbs, but has lived in the largest Muslim community outside of the Middle East and traveled to Thailand for a Starbucks latte (and some other stuff too). We also cover the Baltimore Riots and Mumford and Sons' latest album, Wilder Mind. Follow Elena on Twitter @ElenaForsythe. For info on our #tipoftheweek about grilling, head over to our blog.
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It's the first full episode of Vernacular Podcast! Join us as we talk about lawnmowers, breakfast, Cuba(n cigars), and more. We sit down with Danny, a medical student at Harvard Medical School, and hear about why he wants to be a doctor, what med school is like, and what is next for him. To access the recipes that we talk about on this episode, head over to our blog.
Reach out to us at zacandsally@vernacularpodcast.com with suggestions for next time! And follow Danny on Twitter @dlage.
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Hey everyone! It's our introductory mini-podcast--"the one where we speak in the vernacular." Tune in to hear how Zac learned what "Vernacular" means, why we chose the name, and what we plan for future episodes!
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