We’ve All Heard It Before

In this episode, Mike and Peter discuss mispronunciation and other forms of misspeaking. They insist that there are degrees of mistakes in a hierarchical order, driven by context, distinctiveness, and commonality.  Michael Fragomeni earned his Bachelor of Arts in History (Magna Cum Laude) and his PhD in Germanic Linguistics both from UC Berkeley. Peter Woods earned his BA in international affairs...

In this episode, Mike and Peter do a deep dive into the field of Semiotics and apply it to Pam Bondi, Trump, and MAGA, with some pop-cultural references along the way. Michael Fragomeni earned his Bachelor of Arts in History (Magna Cum Laude) and his PhD in Germanic Linguistics both from UC Berkeley. Peter Woods earned his BA in international affairs of Russia and Eastern Europe from George Washin...

In this episode, Mike and Peter discuss the differences between mimicry and mockery and how they're being used in today's political landscape.  Michael Fragomeni earned his Bachelor of Arts in History (Magna Cum Laude) and his PhD in Germanic Linguistics both from UC Berkeley. Peter Woods earned his BA in international affairs of Russia and Eastern Europe from George Washington University and his...

In this episode, Mike and Peter welcome Bajun Mavalwalla whose son was arrested by the FBI for peacefully protesting ICE actions in Spokane, WA. This story has far-reaching implications for every American citizen.    Michael Fragomeni earned his Bachelor of Arts in History (Magna Cum Laude) and his PhD in Germanic Linguistics both from UC Berkeley. Peter Woods earned his BA in international affair...

In this episode, Mike and Peter discuss the influence that professional sports, and primarily the NFL, have had on politics and the American voting psyche.   Michael Fragomeni earned his Bachelor of Arts in History (Magna Cum Laude) and his PhD in Germanic Linguistics both from UC Berkeley. Peter Woods earned his BA in international affairs of Russia and Eastern Europe from George Washington Unive...

In this episode, Mike and Peter discuss critical thinking and why it's a diminishing skill in American society.   Michael Fragomeni earned his Bachelor of Arts in History (Magna Cum Laude) and his PhD in Germanic Linguistics both from UC Berkeley. Peter Woods earned his BA in international affairs of Russia and Eastern Europe from George Washington University and his MA and PhD in Germanic linguis...

In this third and final episode on the pronoun "they", Mike and Peter compare its potential capitalization with other languages that capitalize similar pronouns.  Michael Fragomeni earned his Bachelor of Arts in History (Magna Cum Laude) and his PhD in Germanic Linguistics both from UC Berkeley. Peter Woods earned his BA in international affairs of Russia and Eastern Europe from George Washington...

In this second of three episodes, Mike and Peter discuss the many uses of the pronoun "they", as well as the controversy of potentially standardizing its capitalization when used to refer to trans and nonbinary people. Michael Fragomeni earned his Bachelor of Arts in History (Magna Cum Laude) and his PhD in Germanic Linguistics both from UC Berkeley. Peter Woods earned his BA in international affa...

In this first of three episodes, Mike and Peter discuss the many uses of the pronoun "they", as well as the controversy of potentially standardizing its capitalization when used to refer to trans and nonbinary people. Michael Fragomeni earned his Bachelor of Arts in History (Magna Cum Laude) and his PhD in Germanic Linguistics both from UC Berkeley. Peter Woods earned his BA in international affai...

In this episode, Mike and Peter introduce the concept of the sympathetic "You" and how it can be interpreted when analyzing one of Trump's most notable statements.   Michael Fragomeni earned his Bachelor of Arts in History (Magna Cum Laude) and his PhD in Germanic Linguistics both from UC Berkeley. Peter Woods earned his BA in international affairs of Russia and Eastern Europe from George Washingt...

In this episode, Mike and Peter analyze a few weird interviews, like the Ted Cruz/Tucker Carlson interview, through the lens of Pragmatics.    Michael Fragomeni earned his Bachelor of Arts in History (Magna Cum Laude) and his PhD in Germanic Linguistics both from UC Berkeley. Peter Woods earned his BA in international affairs of Russia and Eastern Europe from George Washington University and his M...

In this second of a two-part episode, Mike and Peter ask the question, "Is It Propaganda?"  Michael Fragomeni earned his Bachelor of Arts in History and his PhD in Germanic Linguistics both from UC Berkeley. Peter Woods earned his BA in international affairs of Russia and Eastern Europe from George Washington University and his MA and PhD in Germanic linguistics from UC Berkeley

In this first of a two-part episode, Mike and Peter ask the question, "Is It Propaganda?"  Michael Fragomeni earned his Bachelor of Arts in History (Magna Cum Laude) and his PhD in Germanic Linguistics both from UC Berkeley. Peter Woods earned his BA in international affairs of Russia and Eastern Europe from George Washington University and his MA and PhD in Germanic linguistics from UC Berkeley

In this episode, Mike and Peter apply a semiotic analysis to the act of flag burning. Michael Fragomeni earned his Bachelor of Arts in History (Magna Cum Laude) and his PhD in Germanic Linguistics both from UC Berkeley. Peter Woods earned his BA in international affairs of Russia and Eastern Europe from George Washington University and his MA and PhD in Germanic linguistics from UC Berkeley

In their debut episode, Mike and Peter discuss the meaning of the word "Privilege" and how it applies to the Writ of Habeas Corpus in the dark shadow of Stephen Miller's (Donald Trump's Deputy Chief of Staff) public comments on the potential suspension of Habeas Corpus. Michael Fragomeni earned his Bachelor of Arts in History (Magna Cum Laude) and his PhD in Germanic Linguistics both from UC Berke...

In this episode, Mike and Peter analyze a recent interview of JD Vance, in which he relies on fallacies to strengthen his argument. Michael Fragomeni earned his Bachelor of Arts in History (Magna Cum Laude) and his PhD in Germanic Linguistics both from UC Berkeley. Peter Woods earned his BA in international affairs of Russia and Eastern Europe from George Washington University and his MA and PhD i...

In this episode, Mike and Peter discuss the Republican strategy of using the word "Democrat", instead of "Democratic". Michael Fragomeni earned his Bachelor of Arts in History (Magna Cum Laude) and his PhD in Germanic Linguistics both from UC Berkeley. Peter Woods earned his BA in international affairs of Russia and Eastern Europe from George Washington University and his MA and PhD in Germanic li...

In this episode, Mike and Peter discuss the meaning of the word "Insurrection" and how Karoline Leavitt uses it to defend the Trump administration's reaction to peaceful protests. Michael Fragomeni earned his Bachelor of Arts in History (Magna Cum Laude) and his PhD in Germanic Linguistics both from UC Berkeley. Peter Woods earned his BA in international affairs of Russia and Eastern Europe from G...