All The F Words

When we say someone is a fanatic, we mean obsessed, zealous, fixed on a particular idea or way of viewing the world. Fanaticism often refers to religion or politics but, as we all know, there are many people who are fanatics about their favorite sports team or, for instance, Bruce Springsteen. On this episode of All the F Words, Joanne and Gabi look at fanaticism from all sides and, of particular...

At any given time, 800 million people worldwide are menstruating, and yet, it’s a topic that is largely considered taboo. As if that weren’t bad enough, thanks to issues accessing raw materials, shipping troubles, and labor issues, the U.S. is currently experiencing a massive tampon shortage that is leaving many people with uteruses unable to access the products they need to care for their periods...

By definition, if something is foolish, it’s ill-considered, unwise, lacking forethought. Sounds pretty grim. But foolishness is also silliness, zaniness, a way of getting beyond one’s dependence of the approval of others. On this episode of All the F Words, Gabi and Joanne will examine foolishness – how it’s different than stupidity, how it can be connected to curiosity and impulsivity, how it ca...

What are you afraid of? Are your fears rational? Absurd? Do they keep you up at night? Though it’s common to think of fear as being all in your head, research has increasingly shown that it’s experienced in the body, and that it actually exists to keep us safe. In this episode, we dive into the physiological process of fear, the difference between fears, phobias, and anxiety, and what you can do t...

When Gabi first started researching this episode, she thought it was going to be one of our lighter ones—maybe even a little woo-woo; a fun little chat about whether fate is real or not. Instead, she found that, at the heart of the discussion about fate is the question of the existence of another big F word: Free will. In other words, does fate exist? Or is every choice we make simply the result o...

Ever wonder why the U.S. can’t seem to pass any meaningful legislation to regulate assault weapons or mandate universal background checks? It’s because of an “F” word that’s being used in the Senate to endlessly delay voting on a bill. The word is FILIBUSTER and whether you’re interested in the nuances involved in our nation’s government or not, it’s important to understand a bit about what a fili...

Framily—a portmanteau of the words friend and family may have come into collective cultural prominence when Sprint launched its Framily Plan in 2014, but the meaning of the word—a group of close friends who function as a family—is a longstanding tradition, especially in the LGBTQIA community. On this episode, we talk about how and why framilies form. Follow us on social media @allthefwordspod Writ...

People like to talk about the “good old days,” when convention ruled, mothers stayed home, and people rarely divorced, as if they are something we’ve collectively lost as a culture and should strive to return to. But in our research and discussion of this topic, we found that it’s actually a lot more, well, complicated than that. The structure of families has changed tremendously over the past cen...

Thoughts and prayers are not preventing mass shootings. The statistics are horrifying. And it seems that there’s a copycat killer crying for help at every turn. This week on All the F Words, Gabi and Joanne discuss FIREARMS – why so many Americans are hell bent on never regulating guns, why there are so many mass shootings in this country, especially in comparison to every other nation on earth, w...

As of the recording of this episode, formula stock is down 40% throughout the United States— a catastrophic shortage caused by a massive recall by Abbott, the company that makes Similac and other infant formula and food products. As a result, parents—especially ones with limited resources and access—are frantically searching for nutrition for their babies. On this episode, we talk about the histor...

Some F words are loaded. They’re discussed, debated, and adjudicated, an, apparently, not just once. FETUS is perhaps the most timely such F word and on this week’s episode of ALL THE F WORDS, Gabi and Joanne will talk about Roe v Wade and the case that will overturn it. Joanne remembers a time before Roe v Wade. Gabi has only known a nation where reproductive rights for women were a given. Get re...

Every week, we talk about a different F word, but on this very special episode, we explore the multitude of Jewish F words! In our first ever live episode, we cover Farklempt, Farblondget, Faith, Freylach, Fiddler on the Roof, Fermisht, Farpitzed/Farputst, Farshtunken, Fleishadik, Feh, Fish (gefilte, of course), Friday Nights, and so much more. We’re joined by our friends Eli Batalion and Jamie El...

The word feral is generally used to describe normally domesticated animals that live in the wild—cats, for example. But did you know that throughout history, there have been a few situations of human children being feral? And we’re not just talking about rambunctious class clowns. On this episode, we’ll talk about the myths and realities of feral children, and the question it calls into focus: whi...

“That’s not fair!” Every parent hates the phrase. Teaching kids about fairness is critical, and we’re here to help. But what is fairness? This episode of All the F Words is a deep dive into the concept. We talk about the demise of the Fairness Doctrine in 1987, which ensured that broadcast outlets covered different sides of issues. Joanne’s convinced its loss has contributed to how polarized the U...

The phrase “first time” can refer to all sorts of things – voting, drinking, parenthood, heck, first time on a roller coaster or driving a car. But let’s be honest. When we talk about our “first time”, we’re generally talking about sex. Losing one’s virginity can be a beautiful experience but often it’s a big ugly disappointment. Also, different people define loss of virginity differently. That’s...

On today’s episode, we dive into fortitude—staying strong in the face of adversity. Some might say it’s a lost art, while others believe we should lean more heavily into vulnerability. The big question we tackle in this episode: are the two concepts mutually exclusive? LINKS: https://www.ted.com/talks/anna_kirse_from_fear_to_fortitude_a_journey_through_life_and_the_forest http://inotherwords.ac/fe...

Free love didn’t always refer to a sexually active lifestyle…with many casual partners and little to no commitment. That’s what it meant in the 1960’s and 70’s. In the 19th century, the Free Love Movement promoted the idea of removing the state from decisions about marriage, sex and fidelity. Sounds tame now. Then, it’s advocates were called sex radicals. Tune in for all the juiciness on this epis...

When you hear the word “fantasy”, what do you think of? Sex? Romance novels? Harry Potter? In this week’s episode, we discuss the pros and cons of indulging your daydreams. Subplots include manifesting, children’s literature, and celebrity meetings gone bad (and one really good one). Follow us on social media @allthefwordspod Write to us! allthefwordspod@gmail.com Links: https://www.psychologytoda...

The word “freak”, like the word “queer”, has many different meanings. To someone who came of age in the late 60’, early 70’s, it was a badge of honor. Hippies were what others called the tribe. Members called themselves freaks. Right around the same time, there were Jesus freaks and we’ll talk about them on this episode of All of the F Words too. And then there are freak shows, prominent from the...

It’s a common fantasy: I’ll become famous one day—that will show them! But experts (and many former child stars) agree: fame can come at a major price. In this episode, we discuss it all, as well as our respective moments in the spotlight (Joanne as a radio host and TV reporter, Gabi as a food writer and producer of a TV show based on her life), and reflect on what it cost and how it benefitted us...

What does “femininity” mean to you? Pink flowers and Sensitivity or, perhaps, a focus on experience over results? At a moment where gender roles are more fluid than ever, Femininity Coaching is on the rise. Yes, there is such a thing. Why, how and what it all means is the focus of this episode of “All the F Words”. PS. Spoiler alert: Joanne took the femme quiz and learned that she’s a cross betwee...

When you’re twenty, forty seems impossibly old. The closer you get to that major milestone, the more feelings about hurling toward midlife are likely to come up, as Gabi, whose fortieth birthday looms just on the other side of the publishing date of this episode, can tell you. In this episode, we talk about our relationships to the process of aging, and what, if anything, can be done to do it with...

There are few things more painful than not succeeding at getting pregnant when you really want a baby. In this episode, we examine the joys, challenges, timing, science, and some of the newer industries of making babies. @allthefwordspod - Instagram, Twitter, Facebook and Instagram LINKS Adam Ruins Everything – Fertility : https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=g9ryP0UyO5U Rising Workplace Benefit: Ferti...

Twenty billion hot frankfurters are consumed by Americans every year. That’s an F ton of hot dogs! How did it start? Why did they become so popular and what the heck is in them? That’s the focus of this episode of “All the F Words.” Gabi and Joanne will discuss the history of franks, how they became a ballpark staple, and why they hold such a soft spot in our nostalgic hearts, even when we don’t e...

For many people, freshman year of college is their first taste of some semblance of independence, and though it can be thrilling, it is not without its challenges! In this episode, we explore everything about that tender time—classes, new friends, and the excitement (and anxiety) of making one’s own choices. @allthefwordspod - Instagram, Twitter, Facebook, Instagram and YouTube Links The Hardest T...