Best Spot Monkey Podcasts (2025)

1
How a long-lost yearbook revealed the origin of 'hella,' with Ben Zimmer 30:31

Play Pause

6h ago30:31

30:31

1145. In this bonus segment from October, I talk with Ben Zimmer about "hella" and how even yearbook messages can be digitized to help preserve the language record. Ben shares the full story of this slang term, and we also talk about the detective work that led to the OED using Run DMC's use of "drop" in “Spin Magazine” as a citation. Ben Zimmer's …

1
The origin of X in algebra. Why we say ‘how come’ for ‘why.’ Water handles. 17:37

2d ago17:37

17:37

1144. This week, we look at the origin of the letter X as the variable for the unknown in algebra. Then, we look at the phrase "how come," explaining why it's more informal than "why" and how its grammar subtly differs from other question words. That X segment was written by Peter Schumer, Professor of Mathematics and Natural Philosophy at Middlebu…

1
Helpful tips for sleeping better (Reissue) 10:22

2d ago10:22

10:22

674. Missing new episodes of Get-Fit Guy? We're bringing you the best episodes from the show, and today, we're back with Coach Kevin Don! In this episode, he shares his own bedtime routine for optimal sleep. Get-Fit Guy is hosted by Kevin Don. Find a full transcript here. Have a fitness question? Email Kevin at [email protected] or le…

1
Wrexham County Borough: Rose Cuttings, Begonias and Hydrangeas 42:03

3d ago42:03

42:03

Is there a foolproof way to take rose cuttings? Why have my hydrangeas turned from blue to pink? And do begonias have a lifespan limit? Kathy Clugston is in the vibrant Wrexham County Borough, where an enthusiastic audience puts their gardening dilemmas to an expert panel. Joining Kathy are celebrated garden designer and botanist James Wong, hortic…

1
Crazy Christmas Crimes & Best Christmas Horror Movies 1:02:37

3d ago1:02:37

1:02:37

It's Christmas! Tony and Kelsey break down their favorite Christmas themed horror movies, who the best killer Santa is, and talk about some of the craziest crimes that have been committed on Christmas! 🔔 Subscribe, scream, and share with your fellow ghouls. Check out our YouTube, where you can now WATCH episodes of Scaredycast! And follow us on soc…

1
2025 Words of the Year, with Jess Zafarris and Danny Hieber 24:00

7d ago24:00

24:00

1143. This week, we look at the 2025 words of the year with Jess Zafarris and Danny Hieber. We look at viral slang like "six seven" and cultural terms like "rage bait" and "fatigued." We also look at the dramatic rise of "slop" to describe low-quality AI content and how words like "parasocial" are changing function. Find Jess Zafarris at UselessEty…

1
'Pride and prejudice' before Jane Austen. Was Parson Brown a real person? Happy Panda. 15:24

9d ago15:24

15:24

1142. This week, we look at the history of the phrase "pride and prejudice," which was used frequently before Jane Austen’s 1813 novel. Then, we look at whether Parson Brown from “Winter Wonderland” was a real person, and why his name is sometimes replaced with a “circus clown.” Links to Get One Month Free of the Grammar Girl Patreon (different lin…

1
How to warm up before winter exercise (Reissue) 7:13

9d ago7:13

7:13

563. Missing new episodes of Get-Fit Guy? Don't despair - we're bringing you the best episodes of the show. Today, we hear great winter exercise tips from Dr. Su! Warming up before exercise is especially important when the weather is cold. Get-Fit Guy, Dr. Jonathan Su, shows you how to prepare your body for exercise with a proper warm-up in just a …

1
Where Is Your Bleed Out Spot? 48:02

11d ago48:02

48:02

If you were bleeding out, and the end was near, where would you want to lie down and watch the world go dark? We discuss this and things like Days of the Dead, how much Holiday Inn sucks, a woman who wakes up to find herself in a coffin, a man performing some crazy procedures in the back of his Corolla, and more! 🔔 Subscribe, scream, and share with…

1
Dundee: Amaryllis, Monkey Puzzles and Australian Plants 42:41

13d ago42:41

42:41

What is the best way to take cuttings of a monkey puzzle tree? What plants that are grown in Australia and would thrive in Dundee? Why hasn’t my Amaryllis flowered? Kathy Clugston brings together a perfectly curated panel of gardening experts at the V&A Dundee to tackle these questions from an enthusiastic, plant-loving audience. Joining Kathy on t…

1
The 'sheeple' incident, with Stefan Fatsis 25:27

14d ago25:27

25:27

1141. We look at the controversy that caught Stefan Fatsis by surprise when he defined the word "sheeple" for Merriam-Webster, leading to public complaints. We also look at the origin and purpose of the obscure "Backward Index" invented by Webster's Third editor Philip Gove and how quickly Merriam added COVID-related words to the dictionary. Find S…

1
The rise of the 'hamster wheel.' The many names of Santa Claus. Unattractive turtles. 14:04

16d ago14:04

14:04

1140. This week, we look at the difference between the modern phrase "hamster wheel" and the older "rat race," and why the former gained popularity. We also look at the similar concept of the hedonic treadmill. Then, we look at the many names for Santa Claus, including the Dutch "Sinter Klaas" and the German "Christkindlein." The Santa Claus segmen…

1
Is There Such Thing as a 'Hard Gainer'? (Reissue) 12:09

16d ago12:09

12:09

648. Missing new episodes of Get-Fit Guy? Don't despair - we're bringing you the best episodes from Coach Kevin Don! This week, Kevin asks if there really such a thing as a ‘hard gainer’ or do we all have muscle building potential? Get-Fit Guy is hosted by Kevin Don. A transcript is available at Simplecast. Have a fitness question? Email Kevin at g…

1
The Return of the Living Dead Panel from Days of the Dead Chicago 29:45

17d ago29:45

29:45

The Return of the Living Dead actors Miguel Nunez, Thom Matthews, Beverly Randolph, and John Philbin took to the stage at Days of the Dead in Chicago in November 2025 to discuss all things horror, zombies, and the past and future of Return of the Living Dead! Check out more celebrity panels and interviews on our YouTube! And see if a Days of the De…

1
S4 Ep10 Part 3 Larkin Arrives in California 32:05

18d ago32:05

32:05

Larkin’s decision to move to Monterey, in Mexico’s California, was to work with his very successful half-brother, Bostonian John Rogers Cooper, who made his fortune in the sea otter trade that was transitioning to the hide and tallow trade. [email protected] (email me directly) monkeyblocksf.buzzsprout.com (for transcripts and cited sources) …

1
Why Small Straws Break Big Relationships: Todd and Kandi 8:06

18d ago8:06

8:06

Welcome to this week's Blonde Intelligence. I am your host Ms. Roni and I always seek to give you exquisite cranial repertoire. If hot takes are sprinting past your feed, pause here and breathe with us. We unpack the Todd Tucker and Kandi Burruss headlines without chasing drama, tracing how pride, tenderness, and the tiniest dealbreakers shape the …

1
Waltham Forest: Coriander, Sow-By-Date and Perennials 42:28

20d ago42:28

42:28

How do you grow coriander successfully from seed? Do seeds have a sow-by-date? And will your treasured perennials thrive in the challenging Scottish climate? Kathy Clugston hosts from the beautiful St Mary’s Church in Walthamstow, where a lively audience puts their gardening dilemmas to an expert panel. Joining Kathy are renowned garden designer an…

1
An inspiring tutor, 'New York System' hot dogs, and 'queen spotting.' 25:11

21d ago25:11

25:11

1139. In this bonus discussion with Martha Barnette back in March, we look at Martha's pivotal twelve-year journey with a polyglot tutor who transformed her understanding of ancient Greek, starting with the etymology of "Oedipus." We also look at her beekeeping adventures, including the unknown-to-me history of the term 'queen bee' and a unique boo…

1
Why Brits eat biscuits and Americans eat cookies. Why brands keep nouning everything. Hamster alert. 17:46

23d ago17:46

17:46

This week, in honor of National Cookie Day, we look at the vocabulary split between British and American English, including the differences between a cookie and a biscuit, and the two meanings of "pudding." Then, we look at anthimeria, the advertising trend of turning one part of speech into another, as in the slogan "Together makes progress." The …

1
Philosophy, fitness, and AI (Reissue) 13:02

23d ago13:02

13:02

694. Missing new episodes of Get-Fit Guy? Don't despair - we're bringing you the best episodes from Coach Kevin Don! This week, Kevin takes a deep dive into the environmental implications of AI technologies like ChatGPT, connecting the dots between fitness, philosophy, and the future of technology. Get-Fit Guy is hosted by Kevin Don. Find a full tr…

1
Ted Raimi & Felissa Rose from Days of the Dead Chicago 52:22

24d ago52:22

52:22

This week on Scaredycast, we're joined by horror legends Ted Raimi and Felissa Rose for a double-feature episode packed with insider stories, fan-favorite memories, and a few unexpected surprises. All from their panels at Days of the Dead in Chicago! First, Ted Raimi stops by to reveal what Bruce Campbell is really like, share behind-the-scenes mom…

1
What Happens When A Strong Woman Refuses To Dim Her Light 38:51

25d ago38:51

38:51

Welcome to the replay of Blonde Intelligence. I am your host Ms. Roni and I always seek to give you exquisite cranial repertoire. A talkative kid who got in trouble for speaking too much grew into a host, actress, and certified TV producer who gets paid to use her voice. We sit down with Mz. Sipp to map out how she built a multi-hyphenate career ac…

1
Henley-on-Thames 42:28

27d ago42:28

42:28

What’s the strangest thing wildlife has whisked away from your garden? How can I prevent codling moth from spoiling apples? And how do I make reliably nutritious compost using horse manure? Peter Gibbs and a panel of green-fingered experts return to Henley-on-Thames, where a lively audience of passionate gardeners awaits answers to their most press…

1
Rob Drummond on languaging and our fluid speaking identities 18:36

28d ago18:36

18:36

In this bonus conversation with Rob Drummond from back in June, he and I get into the fascinating concept of "languaging" — the idea that speaking is an active process we use to constantly shape and project our identities. Rob explains how our "speaking identities" are incredibly fluid, changing based on context, audience, and even the language we'…

1
The sinful fork (and other dinner-table surprises) 14:49

1M ago14:49

14:49

1136. This week, we go full Thanksgiving, talking about the origin of butter knives, forks, and more. You'll love all the tidbits you can share with your family or friends during dinner. 🔗 Share your familect recording via Speakpipe, by calling 833-214-4475 (or via WhatsApp chat.) 🔗 Watch my LinkedIn Learning writing courses. 🔗 Subscribe to the new…

1
How to develop physical skills (Reissue) 6:29

1M ago6:29

6:29

596. Missing new episodes of Get-Fit Guy? Don't despair - we're bringing you the best episodes from Coach Kevin Don! This week, Kevin explains the more complex or explosive the contraction, the more training has to go into learning the sequence in which things have to move. Find a transcript here. Have a fitness question? Email Kevin at getfitguy@q…

1
Playing MÖRK BORG for the First Time | RPG Session w/ Crit Hit AZ 2:25:59

1M ago2:25:59

2:25:59

Join Scaredycast and Crit Hit AZ as we dive head-first into MÖRK BORG, the infamous grimdark, heavy-metal, rules-light horror RPG that promises pain, chaos, and questionable survival odds. In this one-shot adventure we: 💀 Face brutal monsters 🎲 Make terrible (and occasionally brilliant) decisions 🩸 Try—and fail—to stay alive 🤘 Embrace the apocalypt…

1
From Schoolyard Threats To Community Action 17:29

1M ago17:29

17:29

Hello, welcome this week's Blonde Intelligence. I am your host, Ms. Roni, and I always seek to give you exquisite cranial repertoire. A mother fresh out of the hospital for a sickle cell crisis is jumped by a group of kids in Chicago while walking her children home from school. That single moment forces a hard look at what happens when schools miss…

1
Chirk: Pickled Onions, Tall Perennials and Picky Pests 42:46

1M ago42:46

42:46

Why are my herbaceous perennials growing so tall? What is the best type of onions to grow for pickling? Why do pests prefer my burgundy blooms over the rest? Kathy Clugston and an esteemed panel of gardening experts are in Wrexham to answer the questions of a green fingered audience. Joining Kathy on the panel are garden designers, botanists and al…

1
Why print dictionaries still matter, with Peter Sokolowski 35:31

1M ago35:31

35:31

1135. This week, we talk with Peter Sokolowski, editor at large at Merriam-Webster, about the new print 12th Collegiate Dictionary. We look at why print still matters, how the dictionary used lookup data to decide which words to drop (least looked-up compounds), and the importance of serendipity when researching words in a physical book. Find Peter…

1
Personification in language and AI. Dictums, maxims, and proverbs. Expensitive. 17:26

1M ago17:26

17:26

1134. This week, we look at the poetic power of personification (the language quirk that gives human traits to nonhuman things) and why style guides advise against using it for AI. Then, we look at the different names for common sayings, defining a proverb and breaking down the four main types: maxim, adage, dictum, and truism. The personification …

1
Escaping the "metrics trap" in fitness (Reissue) 14:20

1M ago14:20

14:20

696. Missing new episodes of Get-Fit Guy? We are bringing you the best episodes from all of our hosts, to give you the most resounding advice from our experts over the years. This week, Coach Kevin Don breaks down how our core values in fitness can be shaped by external metrics, from calorie counts to college rankings. He explores how devices and m…

1
Aaron B. Koontz: Scare Package Director & Revival Co-Creator 57:18

1M ago57:18

57:18

Join us for a killer conversation with filmmaker Aaron B. Koontz as we dive into the world of genre cinema. We get into the new movie Shelby Oaks, his series Revival that is streaming now on Peacock, break down the wild ride that is Scare Package 1 & 2, and talk shop about fellow creators like Adam Wingard, Steven Kostanski, and more. Of course, it…

1
Spotting Flying Monkeys In Music 17:11

1M ago17:11

17:11

Hate rarely works alone. When jealousy heats up in indie music, it often recruits a crowd—flying monkeys who amplify smears, file mass reports, and push venues to back away right as you announce a tour, drop a single, or apply for funding. Welcome to this week's Blonde Intelligence and I am your host Ms. Roni and I always seek to give you exquisite…

1
St Mary's Walthamstow 42:20

1M ago42:20

42:20

Kathy Clugston and an esteemed panel of gardening experts are in St Mary's Church in Walthamstow to answer the questions of a green fingered audience. Joining Kathy on the panel are garden designers, botanists and alotmenteers James Wong, Matthew Biggs and Frances Tophill. Later, Matthew Pottage provides a list of thriving trees that are sweeping t…

1
The secret rules of crossword puzzles, with Natan Last 29:16

1M ago29:16

29:16

1133. This week, crossword pro Natan Last talks about his book "Across the Universe." We look at the technical and cultural differences between American and British puzzle styles and the secrets that will surprise you about how clues are written and edited. We also look at "crosswordese," the long submission process for the “New York Times,” and th…

1
Sources of fitness information (Reissue) 11:17

1M ago11:17

11:17

653. Missing new episodes of Get-Fit Guy? We are bringing you the best episodes from all of our hosts, to give you the most resounding advice from our experts over the years. This week, Coach Kevin Don asks what are the best sources of fitness information? Find Get-Fit Guy on Facebook and Twitter, or subscribe to the newsletter for more fitness tip…