Can I Have a Word? | Culture, Identity & the Power of Language

What does it really mean to have faith? Not as something rooted in belief—but as a choice to move forward when nothing is guaranteed. We often think of faith as something that should work out in our favor. But what if it’s not about the outcome at all? What if it’s about moving anyway—and trusting that whatever comes from it, even if it’s simply “I won’t do that again,” still has value. In this se...

There’s a difference between a bad day… and a period where things aren’t just difficult—they’re unraveling . In this episode, we explore how to recognize when you’re not just having a hard day—but moving through something deeper. What it means to stop minimizing what you feel, and instead be honest about where you are. And how to navigate that space without trying to quickly fix it—by focusing on...

We're taught that strength is survival—but what if always being strong is the very thing holding you back? What does it cost to never let yourself fall? In this episode, I am joined by my friend Bomopregha Julius to unpack the word fear —not just as an emotion, but as a lived experience shaped by identity, expectation, and pressure. For many of us—especially those who are first-generation, people...

“It’s just a preference.” It’s a phrase we hear constantly — in dating, in hiring decisions, and in everyday conversations about who or what we choose.  The word preference often sounds neutral, as if our choices simply reflect personal taste. But what if the things we call "personal taste" are actually shaped by the culture around us? In this episode, we explore how preference can feel perso...

In this episode, I’m joined by my friend Adam Lucas, a screenwriter who specializes in adaptations, to explore the word imposter — not as a diagnosis, but as a question. Why do so many of us feel like frauds in spaces we’ve earned the right to occupy? Whether pitching creative work to powerful decision-makers or stepping into parenthood for the first time, the doubt can feel immediate and disorien...

"Witness" is a continuation of "Reckoning"—but this time, the work moves from accounting to presence. In this episode, I take you to Rwanda, a country forever shaped by the 1994 genocide against the Tutsi. Walking through memorials, listening to survivors’ stories, and sitting with the weight of what happened here demands a different kind of attention—one that cannot rush, explain away, or turn su...

I used to believe you could control what parts of yourself were allowed to change. That growth could be selective, strategic, and contained. For most of my life, I knew how to keep things separate and still succeed. But then it stopped working. When you begin to explore yourself - your beliefs, your norms, what you inherited versus what you're choosing - eventually everything becomes fair game. Th...

What parts of yourself have you learned to keep quiet in order to belong? Who is really allowed to speak freely in our workplaces and relationships? How much of your life is shaped by what you DON’T say? In this episode, I am joined by author, speaker, and organizational consultant Elaine Lin Hering to explore the word silence not as a lack of sound, but as a social force—one that shapes power, be...

What do we mean when we talk about currency—and who gets to decide what holds value? In this episode of "Can I Have a Word?", I explore how currency extends far beyond money. From desirability and youth, to social access and belonging, this conversation examines how value is assigned, circulated, and sometimes quietly withdrawn—especially within queer spaces and broader social systems. This is the...

Discipline is often understood as something rigid—tight control, strict routines, or the ability to push through discomfort at all costs. But that version of discipline doesn’t work for everyone, and it rarely lasts. In this episode, we explore discipline as a practice rather than a test of toughness. When discipline is intentionally designed around your own standards, needs, and capacities, it be...

What does it mean to feel safe when the world keeps proving how quickly certainty can collapse? In this episode, I explore how our relationship to safety changes the moment violence feels close—geographically, emotionally, or personally. A recent mass shooting at the headquarters of my former employer forced me to confront how fragile the familiar can be, and how often we mistake comfort or instit...

In this episode, I’m joined by my friend and returning guest Ty McKinnie, a singer-songwriter whose honesty and introspection make every conversation feel grounded. Our word is "Becoming" — a lifelong unfolding, the continuous evolution toward your most authentic self, refined by experience but never complete. Together, we explore what it really takes to grow: - Letting go of who you were - Naviga...

Welcome back to "Can I Have a Word?" — and welcome to Season 2!   We’re starting with a word that’s being stretched, questioned, reclaimed, and redefined: masculinity. In this episode, we explore masculinity as a living language — not a fixed identity or checklist of behaviors, but a space shaped by culture, history, and personal truth. We look at how masculinity is inherited, where it harms,...

What does it mean to build a relationship with a place you’ve never lived—but that somehow still lives in you? With a nod to exploring the roots of our identity, we examine the notion of "home" through the lens of memory, migration, and meaning. For many first-generation Americans, and particularly for Black Americans navigating the legacy of forced displacement, home is not always a fixed locatio...

What does it really take to chase our dreams? In this episode, we unpack ambition— not just as a goal or drive, but as a mirror. To move forward, we must first get honest about what's holding us back. Join us for a raw, reflective (and at times humorous) conversation on how our mental and emotional health directly shape our ability to pursue our highest goals. Because ambition isn't just about str...

What do you do when the story you’ve always told yourself…isn’t true anymore? What if that familiar, comforting narrative needs to be refined to reflect your age, growth, or maturity? How do we begin to let go of the assumptions that once shaped and protected us to reflect the person we are today? In this episode, we examine the origin and power of the biases rooted in our past and how they might...

Anxiety is one of the most common - and most hidden - experiences in our world today. Unfortunately it often exists behind polished exteriors and unexplored stereotypes. This episode explores what it means to live with anxiety and still show up fully in life, work, and relationships. There is power in giving language to our internal struggles IF we're willing to sit with vulnerability. Whether you...

"Forgiveness" isn't just a feel-good buzzword—it's a deeply personal and sometimes painful journey. With that in mind, we’re diving into the complicated and often contradictory world of forgiveness. It’s a word we throw around easily, but the process? Not so much. In this episode, we explore what it really means to forgive, how accountability plays a key role in healing, and why it’s so much harde...

In this episode, we delve into the quiet power of introversion. While the world often celebrates loud voices and fast decisions, introverts bring a unique perspective to the forefront shaped by internal focus, deep analysis, and a calm presence. Join us as we examine how a “quiet” lens can illuminate innovative ideas, why stillness is a strength, and how introverted minds quietly shape the world a...

The desire for a loving, committed relationship is something many if not most of us have been taught to aspire to and work toward. But to what end and at what cost? How do you maintain the balance between aspirational hopes for companionship and navigating your own self-discovery and personal evolution? In this episode, we examine the expectations we place on relationships and how the weight of th...

America's history has been shaped by countless movements that have attempted to guarantee full inclusion for all Americans regardless of race, gender, or sexual orientation. The Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, and Transgender (LGBT+) community was born out of a necessity to ensure their own survival and defend their right to live with the dignity and rights afforded to others. And yet, despite decades of...

We all have insecurities but some of us may not be aware of them or how deep they actually run. And while it’s important to acknowledge our insecurities, we should work to overcome them in a way that doesn’t unfairly impact other people. So, what do you do if you are made to feel less than simply because of something you can’t consciously control? In this short episode, we explore the importance o...

Many of us have a conceptual idea of how "success" can be defined - financial independence, wealth, starting a family, career achievements, even having millions of fans on social media. Any of these markers can be indicative of success but should the criterion for success change as we age, learn more, and yes, achieve more? How does our framework of success evolve as we get older and what other at...

In this inaugural episode of “Can I Have a Word?”, we explore how this podcast came to be and why the intersection of language and identity should matter to all of us. We also get to learn a bit more about our host, Carl James, and examine why compliments aren’t always as complimentary as they might seem.  Production Team Host/Creator - Carl James  Lead Engineer - Josh Wilcox  Techn...

This trailer offers a sneak peak into the brand-new podcast, “Can I Have a Word?” The “Can I Have a Word?” podcast explores the complex intersection between language and self-identity. Through a nuanced exploration of the words we use, this podcast examines how words inform who we are and how we subsequently navigate through the world as a result. By understanding our individual relationship...