Best Plain Jane Podcasts (2025)

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Chasing Chi, Part Two: One Man's Trash... | FBI 40:59

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8m ago40:59

40:59

By 2004, FBI Special Agent Jim Gaylord has seen a lot of counterintelligence operations go right. But he's also seen plenty go wrong, especially when it comes to the People's Republic of China. But now, he has a chance to take down one of China's most prolific collectors of US military tech - and he's determined to take it. In Part Two, Jim's team …

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Why ‘Useless Etymology’ gives you super powers, with Jess Zafarris 33:23

4d ago33:23

33:23

1121. This week, we talk with Jess Zafarris about her book “Useless Etymology.” We look at three ways she says etymology gives you superpowers. We also look at the origins of simple words and learn why “girl” didn't always mean a female child, the unexpected historical figures behind “fedora” and “sideburns,” and why the word “outrage” has nothing …

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True Spies - Brief Histories: Women in Espionage 28:12

5d ago28:12

28:12

NEW from True Spies: Brief Histories. From 7th Century China to Nazi-occupied France, discover a selection of stories from the long history of female spies. In Brief Histories, the new monthly special from True Spies, series producer Joe Foley is your guide to this secret world - alongside a treasure-trove of expert knowledge from our archive. From…

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Can you use ‘epicenter’ for positive things? The etymology of ‘bro.’ Mukwonago, Oconomowoc. 16:34

7d ago16:34

16:34

1120. This week, we look at tricky uses of the word "epicenter" and how people feel about using it metaphorically. We also look at where the word “brother” came from and how it branched into “bro,” “boy,” and even “buddy.” The "brother" segment was written by Valerie Fridland, a professor of linguistics at the University of Nevada in Reno and the a…

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Chasing Chi, Part One: The Engineer | FBI 44:38

7d ago44:38

44:38

By 2004, FBI Special Agent Jim Gaylord has seen a lot of counterintelligence operations go right. But he's also seen plenty go wrong, especially when it comes to the People's Republic of China. But now, he has a chance to take down one of China's most prolific collectors of US military tech - and he's determined to take it. In Part One, Jim sets ou…

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25. On his master's business - Nietzsche, masters, and slaves 22:35

10d ago22:35

22:35

"Message the show" As Nietzsche writes, "he who cannot obey himself, will be commanded". The ability to obey oneself - to have an internal locus of authority rather than an external one - this is how, in our era of purported equality, a master is distinguished from a slave. But what about you? Who or what do you obey? And, in obeying, are you compr…

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Adapting a classic: from words to watercolors, with K. Woodman-Maynard 24:40

11d ago24:40

24:40

1119. This week, we talk with illustrator and cartoonist K. Woodman-Maynard about her new graphic novel adaptation of "Tuck Everlasting." We look at the creative process of adapting a beloved book, including how she uses visual storytelling to convey emotion and meaning with watercolor and panel design. We also look at her approach to condensing th…

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Dime idioms. ‘HoCo’ and syllable acronyms. Pulling a Trevor 14:48

14d ago14:48

14:48

1118. This week, we look at the origins of idioms related to the word "dime," like "turn on a dime" and "get off the dime." We also look at a special kind of acronym that uses syllables, and how words like "Nabisco," "SoHo," and "HoCo" were formed. The "dime" segment was written by Karen Lunde, a career writer and editor. These days, she designs we…

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True Spies Classic: Blood on the Waterside | MI5 48:04

13d ago48:04

48:04

In this classic episode of True Spies, Vanessa Kirby meets a spy who infiltrated the political wing of the Irish Republican movement. Willie Carlin risked his life in Derry, Northern Ireland, on a daily basis to provide the UK with intelligence. From SPYSCAPE, the home of secrets and skills. A Cup And Nuzzle production. Series producer: Gemma Newby…

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How algorithms are changing the meaning of words, with Adam Aleksic 14:04

19d ago14:04

14:04

1117. This week, we talk with Adam Aleksic, also known as the Etymology Nerd, about the ways algorithms are changing the meaning of words. We look at how words like "preppy" have evolved and how social media is accelerating language change. We also look at how different cultures "shout" online without using capital letters, the linguistic connectio…

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The pirate history of ‘scallywag.’ ‘Used to’ versus ‘use to.’ Cheese grits. 14:50

21d ago14:50

14:50

1116. This week, we clarify the origins of the word "Schnauzer" and why it may mean "snout," "growler," or "mustache." Then, in honor of Talk Like a Pirate Day, we look at the true origins of the word "scallywag," which, believe it or not, isn't from pirates but may be related to Shetland ponies. Then, we look at why we use both "used to" and "use …

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The Secret Policeman | MI6 1:08:49

21d ago1:08:49

1:08:49

Lawyer and intelligence historian David Burke reveals a shadowy chapter in the story of Anglo-Irish relations in the 20th century. Irish police intelligence analyst Patrick Crinnion was a man of rare intelligence. He had also been groomed from a young age to spy for the United Kingdom. When the Troubles in Northern Ireland broke out, he was feeding…

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From clay tablets to the Gutenberg press, with Keith Houston 25:19

26d ago25:19

25:19

1115. This week, we talk with Keith Houston about his book, "The Book." We look at how writing technology evolved from clay tablets and bamboo slips to papyrus and paper. He shares some surprising facts, including why books are rectangles, how museums try to deacidify books, and how printing was once political. Keith Houston - Shadycharacters.co.uk…

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24. An Economy of Bodies: Nietzsche, Sex, and Beauty. 43:29

27d ago43:29

43:29

"Message the show" Special Episode: An Economy of Bodies – Nietzsche, Sex, Beauty, and the Will to Power This week’s episode is something different. I’m sharing the recording of my presentation at the annual Friedrich Nietzsche Society conference at Queen's University in Belfast (6th September). My paper, An Economy of Bodies, brings Nietzsche’s ph…

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Why we have indents. More on Formica. Running on Edgar. 19:13

27d ago19:13

19:13

1114. This week, we look at the history and purpose of indents, from medieval manuscripts to modern word processors, and the difference between a first-line indent and a hanging indent. Then, we look at the fascinating, multi-layered story behind the word "Formica," and its connection to both a plastic substitute for mica and the Latin word for "an…

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True Spies Debriefs - Andy Greenberg on Sandworm 33:23

28d ago33:23

33:23

WIRED journalist Andy Greenberg has spent years reporting from the murky world of hackers, spies, and cyber warriors. His 2019 book Sandworm tells the true story of the Kremlin-backed cyber criminals that became one of the most destructive hacking groups in history. This week, True Spies producer Morgan Childs sits down with Andy to talk about the …

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The surprising ways we gesture about time and space, with Lauren Gawne 22:58

1M ago22:58

22:58

1113. This week, we talk with linguist Lauren Gawne about her book "Gesture: A Slim Guide." We look at how different cultures gesture about abstract concepts like time and space, and how we unknowingly gesture from our left-to-right writing system. We also look at why pointing is often rude, how different cultures point in different ways, and wheth…

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True Spies - Brief Histories: Tradecraft 28:52

1M ago28:52

28:52

NEW from True Spies: Brief Histories. From Egyptian codebreaking, to USB sticks with the power to cripple nuclear facilities, this week hear the long evolution of tradecraft.In Brief Histories, the new monthly special from True Spies, series producer Joe Foley is your guide to the evolution of this secret world - alongside a treasure-trove of exper…

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Vonnegut’s semicolon rule. What age has to do with language. Chocolate donut. 15:42

1M ago15:42

15:42

1112. This week, we look at why you can safely ignore Kurt Vonnegut’s famous advice about ignoring semicolons. We also look at why taking punctuation advice from fiction writers may not be a good idea for business writing. Then, we look at how major life events, not age, change how you speak as you get older. The age segment was by Valerie Fridland…

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True Spies Classic: The Sociopathic Spy | CIA 43:14

1M ago43:14

43:14

Jim Lawler is one of the CIA's most successful recruiters of foreign spies. But even he had to start somewhere. In this classic episode of True Spies, Vanessa Kirby joins Jim on his first foreign posting. His mission? To enlist a crucial intelligence asset for the USA. To do it, he'll stop at nothing to manipulate, subvert, and seduce his target. F…

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Why we say 'near miss.' How dogs got their names. Stupid dog Jackie. 18:31

1M ago18:31

18:31

1111. This week, we look at the phrase "near miss" and why this seemingly illogical term actually makes sense. Then, in honor of National Dog Day, we look at how 16 different dog breeds got their names, including why a dachshund is a "badger dog," a poodle is a "puddle dog," and a mastiff is a "tame dog." The "near miss" segment was by Natalie Schi…

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True Spies Debriefs: John Taylor on the Psychology of Spies 42:43

1M ago42:43

42:43

John Taylor is an author, lecturer and advisor on handling human sources of secret intelligence. He joins True Spies producer Morgan Childs to discuss the psychology of those who play the espionage game - agent and handler alike. From SPYSCAPE, the home of secrets. A Cup And Nuzzle production. Series producer: Joe Foley. Produced by Morgan Childs. …

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23. Wrestling with the Spirit of Gravity 43:29

2M ago43:29

43:29

"Message the show" Recorded on the rugged trails of the Lake District, with a stupidly heavy pack, sore knees, and a wild Nietzschean esprit! In this episode, I yomp alone through across 40 miles of peaks and silence, sleeping out, drinking from streams, and thinking deeply about beauty, power, shame, and the weight we carry—both physically and psy…

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How to build a successful writers’ newsletter, with Jane Friedman 18:29

2M ago18:29

18:29

1110. This week, we talk with Jane Friedman, an expert on the business of being a writer. We look at how to build a strong email newsletter and why it's a critical tool for authors in today's publishing world. Jane shares her best tips for getting started, what to write about, and how to get new subscribers — offering advice that can help any write…

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What is 'versing'? ‘Whatchamacallit' and other placeholder words. Chicken. 13:14

2M ago13:14

13:14

1109. This week, we look at why kids and video gamers talk about "versing" someone. Then, we look at the linguistics of placeholder words like "whatchamacallit" and "thingamajig," including some fun international examples and the now-obsolete word "whiblin." The "thingamajig" segment was by Ursula Kania, a Senior Lecturer in English Language and Li…

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The Great Illegals, Part Two: The Ambassador | NKVD 50:37

2M ago50:37

50:37

In this two-part True Spies story, author and journalist Shaun Walker unmasks the greatest generation of Russian spies - the Great Illegals. In Part Two, Shaun tells the story of Iosif Grigulevich - the Lithuanian Illegal who rose to the upper echelons of Italy's diplomatic community. From SPYSCAPE, the home of secrets. A Cup And Nuzzle production.…

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AI's impact on translators, untranslatable Dutch words, and more, with Heddwen Newton 19:38

2M ago19:38

19:38

1108. This week, we talk to Heddwen Newton about some of the unique and untranslatable words she's discovered while translating. She shares her thoughts on why the translation profession is being hit hard by AI and the kind of work that is likely to be lost. We also hear her book recommendations, including a novel and a nonfiction book about the hi…

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True Spies - Brief Histories: Information Warfare 22:58

2M ago22:58

22:58

NEW from True Spies: Brief Histories. From Ancient Roman propaganda apparatus to burgeoning MI6 operations, hear how the very information we consume has throughout history been orchestrated. In Brief Histories, the new monthly special from True Spies, series producer Joe Foley is your guide to the evolution of this secret world - alongside a treasu…

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Double possessives. Words that do double duty. The monkeys aren't working. 14:53

2M ago14:53

14:53

1107. This week, we look at double possessives, such as "a friend of Mignon's" and whether they are grammatically correct. Then, we look at words that do double duty, from the nautical origins of "scuttlebutt" to "beetle" — which can be both an insect and a tool. The double possessives segment was written by Susan Herman, a retired multidisciplined…

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The Great Illegals, Part One: The Whistler | NKVD 58:15

2M ago58:15

58:15

In this two-part True Spies story, author and journalist Shaun Walker unmasks the greatest generation of Russian spies - the Great Illegals. In Part One, Shaun tells the story of Nikolai Khokhlov - the music-hall 'whistler' turned deep-cover spy in Nazi-occupied Belarus. From SPYSCAPE, the home of secrets. A Cup And Nuzzle production. Series produc…

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22. Can your suffering be sanctified? 37:52

2M ago37:52

37:52

"Message the show" This week on the Will to Joy podcast – Can suffering be more than something to endure? Nietzsche thought so. In a world obsessed with comfort, safety, and minimising pain, he argued for the discipline of great suffering as the forge of strength, depth, and creativity. We explore the difference between meaningless and meaningful p…

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New words: 'beer muscles' & 'waka jumpers,' with Fiona McPherson. 16:34

2M ago16:34

16:34

1106. We talk with Fiona McPherson, a senior editor at the Oxford English Dictionary, about the playful words that get added to the OED. We look at the dictionary's ongoing work to expand its coverage of World Englishes, and Fiona shares some of her favorite recent additions, including "waka jumper" from New Zealand politics and "Rolex," a term for…

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How pronouns reveal our psychology. How'd we get our alphabet? Tabagogox. 14:46

2M ago14:46

14:46

1105. This week, we look at how the pronouns you use can reveal your psychological state — for example, how using "I" versus "we" can signal how you are coping with a breakup or a tragic event. Then, we look at where our alphabet started, from ancient Egyptian hieroglyphs to the Phoenicians and Romans. The psychology of pronouns segment was written…