Tomtit & Baobab: A Bee-Inspired Podcast

Here at T&B we love a week that starts with a visit from CUPID and ends with an extra day off! In this OOEY GOOEY episode, our hearts are in the Bee, our heads are in the clouds, and C's mom is back for a KICKY Wild Card live from New York. It's the whole kit and CABOODLE! 

One  word: MAHIMAHI. This week on T&B we're talking about that missing  hyphen, that DOOMY Bee day (2/8), and that most FANCIFUL (i.e. made-up)  word: FANFIC. Buckle up for a wild ride. If you'd like to make a donation to earthquake relief efforts in Türkiye and Syria, we suggest checking out Bridge to Türkiye Fund , The White Helmets , AKUT Search & Rescue Association , Tur...

Special guest Simon Sinek joins us for a sesquipedalian chat about some of our favorite words. No superciliousness intended! We want to hear about your favs, too. Let us know on social with the tags @tomtitbaobab @simonsinek, or drop us a line at tomtitandbaobab@gmail.com.

It's a new year, and T&B is back for a whole new season. We're thrilled to be kicking off Season 3 with optimist, author, and fellow word nerd Simon Sinek! Join us as we call for an upheaval of UPHEAVE, get fired up about DRAGOON, and chat with Simon about why the Bee is infinitely enjoyable, despite its finite frustrations. 

We're wrapping up T&B Season 2 in style with this very special, sugarplum of an episode! Joined by our smart and funny friend Jared Goodman, we're putting Sam on the naughty list, taking a rollicking romp through a winter Worderland, and suggesting gift ideas for the word lovers in your life. We'll BEE back with Season 3 in the new year. Until then, wishing you happy, healthy holidays. **Note...

w00t w00t! In this episode, we're talking words of the year, world cup communication, and the language of the Internet circa 1995. We're also introducing Leslie, who is a NOOB when it comes to the Bee but a pro on social media. While C is watching fútbol, Leslie will be helping Jenn up our social game!

Everybody jump for joy! This week we're EXING out AMEBIC, DORKing out on WALLAROOs, and playing a fun game we learned from our new social media happy place, Mastodon (find us there at @tomtitbaobab@universeodon.com). 

In this very special, "live" Thanksgiving episode, we gathered our families around the table to talk turkey and share some of our favorite words. It's a riotous Bee feast replete with trash words, jerk words, spontaneous singing, and whole lot of fun. 

You say PINATA, we say PIÑATA! In this extra long episode, we're calling out for consistency, exploring Mexican arts and letters, and chatting with the #Hivemind's own Peggy Robin! [Check out Peggy's blog, "All Life is Local", here and follow her on Twitter @StillLifewRobin.]

C conveniently lost her voice this week. So we're re-running a classic episode from Season 1. We'd tell you which one, but that would be a spoiler and we know how the #Hivemind feels about those! 

Still wondering whether flies have PHALLI? We've got an answer to that and so much more! In this extra PHAT episode, we're cranking about LARRUP,  throwing a MANHATTAN into the mix, and doing some old episode housekeeping. 

If you're looking for treats not tricks, you're knocking on the right door! This episode we're treating you to an OFFAL-ly good review of the week, an entertaining exposition on EMCEE, and some hilarious trash talk with C's mom. Happy Halloween and happy listening, #Hivemind!  

In Season 2, Episode 7, you will surely find us trying! Jenn tries to kiss up to Sam for Bee swag; C tries to explain TOMAHAWK; and we both try to figure out a puzzle of pangrams posed by Gus. Do we succeed? Take a listen and find out!

With T&B every day is a BEE-day! This episode we preach to the COIR about LINGUAL, AUGUR in a new age of pirate speak, and explore the fascinating phenomenon that is "home slang". (Our Wild Card segment is inspired by Kathryn Hymes' article "Why We Speak More Weirdly At Home", which you can read in full here .) 

Hey there, CHICKADEEs, we're back from VACAY! In this quick, fun, unedited episode of T&B, we're marveling at the apian abundance of Greece, enjoying the GNOCCHI, and exploring the negative side of a few familiar BEE words. Nine-year-old NYT Spelling Bee genius Gus joins us for a jet-lagged, song-filled, somewhat ill-considered game...which is perfectly safe to try at home yourself! 

While you're listening to this episode, we are on VACAY! We tried to make a "mini" episode, but we like to talk so...Enjoy this regular sized episode featuring a super fast Saturday review, a TUTU interesting deep dive, and a travel-themed interview with Bee doer, #Hivemind member, and author of "Flight of the Spelling Bee Solver" Nancy Pfeffer!

It's a BONANZA! In episode three, we’re talking trash words, highlighting HENGEs, and learning when to shut our big BAZOOs. We're also trying out Dispensers , a new online game by our pal across the pond, puzzlemaker Graham Smith. 

We're so EXCITED and we just can't hide it! In episode 2, we PHIAL our complaints, get to know the head HONCHO, and pick up where we left off with writer, programmer, Spelling Bee Solver mastermind, and our new BEE.F.F., Mr. William Shunn. 

It wouldn't be T&B without a little B.S. and S#!T talk, right? In this poopy-packed first episode of Season 2, we're catching up on summer, getting the lowdown on doornails, and hanging with writer, programmer, and puzzler, William Shunn, A.K.A. @beesolved, A.K.A. the brains behind Spelling Bee Solver! 

The episode in which we come to grips with facticity, announce our summer break, and assess the national anthem, spangles and all! (Tomtit & Baobab will return with Season 2 in September. Bee with us on Twitter while you wait!)

The episode in which we learn what makes the piper pied, ululate about the Bee, and find out the average salary of a lexicographer. 

The episode in which we keep C happy, noodle on neocon, and learn the long and short of abbreviations. 

The episode in which we contemplate cooties with Jenn's mom; review some no-tech, new-to-us word games; and fail miserably at our own challenge, dammit! (Recorded, with uneven results, on location "down the shore".)

The episode in which we commit cloaca to memory, talk about teddies, and take on a game worthy of the Scripps Spelling Bee. 

The episode in which we acknowledge the suckiness, beef about bight, and find out about foodies. Extra-long for an extra-long weekend. Boffo!