Just Another Word Podcast

In this episode, we listen for the sound of honey in the air. We explore the "mellifluous" quality of the human voice—from Paul McCartney to the sophisticated villain—and why the most dangerous words are often the ones that are easiest to hear.

In this episode, we discuss:

• The Seduction of the Smooth: Why a mellifluous voice is the ultimate mask for sirens and swindlers.

• Prose as Music: How to use "liquid consonants" like m...

In this episode, we stand in the doorway, caught between where we’ve been and where we are going. 

In this episode, we discuss:

• The Uncanny "Vibe": How storytellers can use physical settings like vacant offices or night-time playgrounds to signal that the rules of reality are thinning.

• The Narrative "Middle": Why the Second Act of a story is essentially a liminal state, and how to use "Threshold Guardians" to heighten the t...

In this episode, we look at the invisible hand that guides a protagonist and the delicate balance between a lucky break and a broken story.

In this episode, we discuss:

• The Portion of Fate: Exploring why your character’s story exists specifically because they survived the improbable.

• The Ta'veren Principle: Lessons from Robert Jordan’s The Wheel of Time on how to establish "fated" luck early so your readers accept the impos...

In this episode, we explore why, for a storyteller, joy is not the opposite of sadness, but a resilient state of being that can survive even the darkest chapters of a story.

In this episode, we discuss:

• The Reaction vs. The State of Being: Distinguishing between the surface-level flicker of happiness and the deep, abiding resonance of joy that is rooted in purpose rather than circumstance.

• The Paradox of Sad Joy: Why joy is...

In this episode, we explore a light that doesn't just burn, but glows from within. We look at why F. Scott Fitzgerald chose the word "incandescent" to describe Daisy Buchanan and how this specific type of brightness differs from the volatile hunger of a flame.

In this episode, we discuss:

• The Power of the Doublet: How storytellers can use similar words like "fiery" and "incandescent" to distinguish between volatile anger and ...

In this episode, we step into the fire of conviction and explore the danger of the "wrong" truth. We look at the "heretic"—not as a villain, but as the person who looks at the unquestionable and asks "Why?"

In this episode, we discuss:

• The Roots of Choice: Tracing the Greek origin hairetikos to understand how being "able to choose" became a dangerous act of subversion.

• The Heretic vs. the Zealot: Why the collision between t...

In this episode, we turn up the volume on the person who simply cannot find the "off" switch. We explore the "garrulous" soul and why, for a storyteller, this chatter is often a mask for something much deeper.

In this episode, we discuss:

• The Chatter of the Crow: Tracing the word back to the Latin garrire and its ancient connection to the incessant, noisy calling of birds.

• The Texture of Triviality: Why garrulousness feels ...

In this episode, we step into the shadows to explore the "fugitive"—a word that carries the weight of high-speed chases and the quiet, desperate need to escape oneself. We discuss why calling someone a fugitive is more than a legal status; it is a description of a soul in motion.

In this episode, we discuss:

• The Fugitive Adjective: How to use the word to describe elusive scents, vanishing thoughts, and details that actively t...

In this episode, we explore the beauty of impermanence and the nature of the world around us. We look at how embracing the fleeting moments in our narratives can increase emotional impact and remind the reader of life's fragility.

In this episode, we discuss:

The Art of the Sand Mandala: Lessons from Tibetan monks on precision, meditation, and the power of letting go of what we create.

What "ephemeral" moment in your story is...

In this episode, we explore the concept of "rested potential" and why silence shouldn't be mistaken for absence. We look at how the dormant "churning beast" within our characters is often just waiting for the right moment to erupt.

In this episode, we discuss

The "Impending" Narrative: How storytellers use dormancy to build tension, subvert expectations, and reveal hidden powers at the perfect moment.

What "dormant" power or secret...

In this episode, we dive into the "bad sounds" of life and art. We explore why cacophony is more than just noise and why as storytellers we must learn to tame it.

In this episode, we discuss:

The Etymology of Chaos: Breaking down the roots to understand why "bad sound" is a natural part of the human experience.

Cacophony as a Narrative Tool: How to use disorientation to your advantage, using Lady Macbeth’s famous sleepwalking scene...