We’ve All Heard It Before

In this second of 4 episodes, Mike and Peter continue their discussion on the strange bedfellows Trump has surrounded himself with. This episode focuses on the Epstein files and how the lack of full transparency has landed them into the annals of conspiracy theories.  The Link to The Miami Chronicles: Booby Trap https://podcasts.apple.com/ca/podcast/s1e1-the-official-story/id1534934131?i=100049554...

In this first of 4 episodes, Mike and Peter discuss the idiom "Strange Bedfellows" and apply it to Trump's sycophantic cabinet members and other hanger-on advisors. Trump, having made 4 promises to his voters during the 2024 election, assured his supporters on the following issues: (1) He would be a peace president and not start any new wars (2) He would release the Epstein files and expose those...

In this (non-political) mini-episode, Mike and Peter discuss idioms and how important they are in gaining fluency in any given language. This "outtakes" episode serves as a bridge between the previous "Projections" episode and the forthcoming (multi-part) episode on "Strange Bedfellows".  Michael Fragomeni earned his Bachelor of Arts in History (Magna Cum Laude) and his PhD in Germanic Linguistics...

In this episode, Mike and Peter discuss how we use language to project onto others. They cite Alexander Hamilton's hijacking of the word Federal, as well as other political nomenclatures, ultimately bringing it all back to an orange colored man.  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...

In this third and final of three episodes, Mike and Peter first point out the absurd in Scott Bessent's answers (or lack thereof) during the senate's recent oversight hearing, then they expose the absurdity in Trump's "meltdown" interview with Kristen Welker. Michael Fragomeni earned his Bachelor of Arts in History (Magna Cum Laude) and his PhD in Germanic Linguistics both from UC Berkeley. Peter...

In this second of three episodes, Mike and Peter reference Kafka, Hoffmann, and the madness of war to draw parallels with the mainstream media, Trump, and Marco Rubio; how it all blurs into the absurd. The brief audio clips from The Bridge On The River Kwai are strictly being used for educational purposes only! Michael Fragomeni earned his Bachelor of Arts in History (Magna Cum Laude) and his PhD...

In this first of three episodes, Mike and Peter lay the foundation for the following discourse by offering definitions and examples of the absurd.  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...

In this episode, Mike and Peter return to a more linguistics based analysis and zoom in on the weaponization of language - how it's used to convince and inspire, but also manipulate and deceive. The brief audio clip from Darkest Hour is strictly being used for educational purposes only! Michael Fragomeni earned his Bachelor of Arts in History (Magna Cum Laude) and his PhD in Germanic Linguistics b...

In this episode, Mike and Peter make a couple announcements and answer a question they received regarding the previous episode. 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 Ge...

In this part 2 episode, Mike and Peter discuss fascism as an economic system and how it compares to laissez-faire (free market) capitalism and socialism.   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 Univers...

In this debut episode of season 2, Mike and Peter discuss the socio-political meaning of fascism and how it can be applied to MAGA and Trump. This is a two-part episode with part two investigating the economic aspect of fascism.   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 intern...

In this (Non-Political) bonus episode, Mike and Peter discuss the pronunciation of German loanwords into English. When is it appropriate to hyper-articulate the German sound system and when is it just too much? When is the English pronunciation more appropriate? And at what point is a lazy English pronunciation just butchering the word, leading to a lack of comprehension?    Michael Fragomeni earn...

In this second part of a two part episode, Mike and Peter discuss Aristotle's Politics in the context of the "No Kings" (peaceful) protests, and the reality that MAGA would actually be okay with a King.   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...

In this first part of a two part episode, Mike and Peter discuss Aristotle's Politics in the context of the "No Kings" (peaceful) protests, and the reality that MAGA would actually be okay with a King.   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 a...

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...