In 2026, I began recording audio essays for Original Public Meaning, a new podcast on the ancient roots of modern words.
Each episode explains the etymological backstory of a word and considers how its appearance in some later text—a poem, a political speech, a Shakespearean drama—reflects the word’s complex and often bewildering history.
Here are a few episodes that can give you a sense of my approach:
If you find yourself enjoying these episodes, you’re welcome to support my work on this project (and perhaps suggest a word to investigate).