Best Joshua C Pies Podcasts (2025)

1
'Lit' vs. 'lighted.' The mysteries of the dollar sign. Redd up. 19:04

1d ago19:04

19:04

1077. Is it “lit” or “lighted”? Both are correct, but we look at how their popularity has switched over time. Then we investigate four of the competing theories about the origin of the dollar sign and end with tips about how to use it. The "dollar sign" segment was written by Jim Norrena, MFA, who has been writing and editing for more than thirty-f…

1
Reinvention, Empowerment, & Bold Steps 35:27

5d ago35:27

35:27

Reinvention, Empowerment, & Bold Steps | Bootstrapped Unicorns Podcast | Episode 45 with Leigh Burgess Link to video podcast episode: https://youtu.be/jtU6jZPy8hw Welcome to the Bootstrapped Unicorns Podcast! Take a dive into the world of entrepreneurship with host Josh Pies of C47 Digital Studios, and join the conversations filled with inspiring s…

1
Ghostwriters, book deals, and AI: What you didn’t know about publishing, with Dan Gerstein 22:44

6d ago22:44

22:44

1076. Dan Gerstein, founder of Gotham Ghostwriters, looks at how ghostwriting fiction really works, who’s hiring ghostwriters, and why AI can’t replace human storytelling. We also talked about how ghostwriters negotiate royalties, film rights, and what makes a great collaboration work. Find Dan at GothamGhostwriters.com. 🔗 Share your familect recor…

51
'I.e.' versus 'e.g.' What Shakespeare actually added to English. Four schnitzels. 18:01

8d ago18:01

18:01

1075. People often confuse "i.e." and "e.g." We'll help you get them right — no Latin required. Then, in honor of Shakespeare’s birthday, we look at five common myths about his contributions to the English language, including whether he coined thousands of words and how much Latin he actually knew. The "Shakespeare" segment was by Jonathan Culpeper…

1
AI and the future of dictionaries, with Erin McKean 26:02

14d ago26:02

26:02

1074. Is AI good enough to replace lexicographers? Wordnik founder Erin McKean shares what works, what doesn’t, and why the future of dictionaries is far from settled. Find Erin McKean at wordnik.com, dressaday.com, and [email protected]. 🔗 Share your familect recording in a WhatsApp chat. 🔗 Watch my LinkedIn Learning writing courses. 🔗 Subscribe…

1
Better paragraph breaks. The story behind 'mad money' and 'pin money.' Bruce bad. 15:52

16d ago15:52

15:52

1073. Today, we have practical tips for writing better paragraphs (and it's not the formulaic topic-sentence structure). Then, we look at the surprising history of phrases like “mad money” and “pin money” and what they show about women’s roles and financial independence through time. The "paragraph" segment originally appeared on the OUP Blog, and …

1
What Is Hippie Capitalism? 13:11

18d ago13:11

13:11

What Is Hippie Capitalism? | Bootstrapped Unicorns Podcast | Episode 44 with Kay Rawlins Link to video podcast episode: https://youtu.be/yh3caQPlKT0 Welcome to the Bootstrapped Unicorns Podcast! Take a dive into the world of entrepreneurship with host Josh Pies of C47 Digital Studios, and join the conversations filled with inspiring stories and act…

1
The future of editing jobs in the age of AI, with Samantha Enslen 17:01

21d ago17:01

17:01

1072. Is AI coming for our jobs—or just the boring parts? This week, Samantha Enslen of Dragonfly Editorial talks about how she sees AI changing the work of writers and editors. We talked about real clients, real fears, and hope for the future. Plus, Samantha shares her favorite old-school fiction (spoiler: Agatha Christie strikes again!). Find Sam…

1
How to write photo captions. The real difference between ‘immigrate’ and ‘emigrate.’ Ko Pha-ngan'd 16:57

23d ago16:57

16:57

1071. Is it "Taylor and I" or "Taylor and me"? We explain why photo captions follow their own grammar rules. Then, we explore the subtle difference between "immigrate" and "emigrate," how the terms are used historically, and why their meanings often depend on perspective. The "photo captions" segment is by Karen Lunde, a former Quick & Dirty Tips e…

1
The hidden techniques behind well-paced fiction, with Joshua Essoe 25:35

28d ago25:35

25:35

1070. Fiction editor Joshua Essoe explains the hidden techniques behind pacing in storytelling. Learn how good pacing shapes reader engagement, why well-placed story beats and emotional shifts matter, and how popular films like Memento and Fight Club use pacing to captivate audiences. Joshua also looks at managing flashbacks, using white space stra…

1
Why don't we say the L in 'walk'? Never use 'always.' PABST 15:17

30d ago15:17

15:17

1069. Have you ever wondered why we have silent L's in words like "walk" and "half"? Those questions lead us to L-vocalization, spelling pronunciation, and why American and British speakers differ. Plus, we look at some of the most dangerous words in the English language: "always" and "never." The "L vocalization" segment is by Karen Lunde, a forme…

1
How I Started a Pro Soccer Team 46:42

1M ago46:42

46:42

How I Started a Pro Soccer Team | Bootstrapped Unicorns Podcast | Ep. 43 with guest Kay Rawlins link to video podcast episode: https://youtu.be/lQSz4kKanEA Welcome to the Bootstrapped Unicorns Podcast! Take a dive into the world of entrepreneurship with host Josh Pies of C47 Digital Studios, and join the conversations filled with inspiring stories …

1
Exploring slang, AI ghost words, and language change, with Heddwen Newton 31:13

1M ago31:13

31:13

1068. Did Yosemite Sam ever actually say "tarnation"? What’s "fridgescaping," and why is it trending? And why is AI filling the internet with nonsense words like “lrtsjerk”? Linguist and translator Heddwen Newton shares her favorite new slang, explains the Mandela Effect, and breaks down how AI-generated content is making language even messier. Fin…

1
What’s wrong with "'til"? Why tiny words control conversations. How many cookies? 17:25

1M ago17:25

17:25

1067. Think "'til" is a valid alternative to "until"? Think again! We learn about the difference between "till" and "until" and why many style guides frown on "'til." Then, we uncover the hidden power of interjections—words like "um," "huh," and "mm-hmm"—and how they help us negotiate meaning, keep conversations flowing, and even challenge artifici…

1
The best punctuation book, period, with June Casagrande 25:04

1M ago25:04

25:04

1066. Do you really need that comma? Should your dashes have spaces? Is there ever just one "right" way to punctuate? June Casagrande, author of "The Best Punctuation Book, Period," busts punctuation myths, compares style guides, and looks at the surprising complexity of the humble em dash. Find June Casagrande at grammarunderground.com. 🔗 Share yo…

1
Why we say ‘OK.’ How tea shaped English slang. Poetry winner 17:29

1M ago17:29

17:29

1065. Is it "OK" or "okay"? We look at the surprising history of one of the world’s most recognized English words and how a 19th-century election campaign helped it stick. Then, we have some fun with Victorian tea culture and the many idioms it inspired, from Cockney rhyming slang to "scandal broth." The "tea" segment is by Karen Lunde, a former Qu…

1
How to Find Startup Investment Funds 39:10

2M ago39:10

39:10

How to Find Startup Investment Funds with Markus Kaulius | Bootstrapped Unicorns Podcast | Episode 42 Link to video podcast episode: https://youtu.be/BeZ0s4atocI Welcome to the Bootstrapped Unicorns Podcast! Take a dive into the world of entrepreneurship with host Josh Pies of C47 Digital Studios, and join the conversations filled with inspiring st…

1
Behind the scenes of Wikipedia: editing, accuracy, and notability, with Jonathan Rick 27:38

2M ago27:38

27:38

1064. Is Wikipedia the last refuge on online truth? With AI-generated content and misinformation spreading online, Wikipedia is growing in esteem, but who decides what gets published? How does Wikipedia determine things like credibility and notability? Wikipedia consultant Jonathan Rick gives us the inside scoop on Wikipedia’s strict sourcing rules…

1
How did our holidays become so 'corny'? Why do some words have accent marks in English? Cubby hole 15:42

2M ago15:42

15:42

1063. Why is it called "corned beef" when there’s no corn involved? We look at how the word "corn" evolved to mean different things over time. Then, we look at the role of accent marks in English — why some words keep them, why others lose them, and what they tell us about language. The "corn" segment was written by Valerie Fridland, a professor of…

1
Why kids can't read (and what we can do about it), with Kate Crist 27:39

2M ago27:39

27:39

1062. Did you know that 21% of U.S. adults struggle with basic literacy? In this eye-opening episode, literacy specialist Kate Crist talks about the literacy crisis in America, how reading is taught incorrectly in schools, and what we can do to fix it. She has real stories of students and adults overcoming reading struggles, the science behind lear…

1
The mystery of ‘it’ in English. The most dramatic moments in grammar history. Ghost Town Mad, the song 16:48

2M ago16:48

16:48

1061. Ever wonder why we say "It's raining" even though "it" doesn't refer to anything? We explain the logic behind this quirky English rule. Then, we look at some of the most dramatic moments in grammar history, including a semicolon duel, a costly comma mistake, and a famous book with 5,000 typos. The "dummy 'it'" segment is by Karen Lunde, a for…

1
From 'Parasite' to 'Emilia Pérez': How movies shape language, with Andrew Cheng 31:28

2M ago31:28

31:28

1060. Why do villains always have British accents? Why was "Parasite" a game-changer for non-English films? And how is AI secretly shaping the voices you hear on screen? With the Oscars coming up, Dr. Andrew Cheng talks about how films are evolving to reflect linguistic authenticity — and why it matters. From heritage speakers in "Anora" to made-up…

1
Why Americans write 'canceled' but still write 'cancellation.' How printing history gave us 'fine print.' Fluff. 15:52

2M ago15:52

15:52

1059. Ever wonder why Americans use "canceled" with one L but still write "cancellation" with two? We explore how spelling rules, stress patterns, and historical quirks explain this inconsistency. Plus, we look at the history of "fine print" — from typesetting in smoky print shops to its modern use in hiding legal loopholes. The "fine print" segmen…

1
Writing Motivation Hacks, with Mary Robinette Kowal 28:00

2M ago28:00

28:00

1058. If you struggle to sit down and write, you’ll love this conversation with award-winning author and podcaster Mary Robinette Kowal. Learn how to conquer writing obstacles with tips on managing distractions, handling research rabbit holes, and making time to write — even when life gets in the way. Mary Robinette Kowal is the author of The Spare…

1
Why we misuse ‘literally.’ How ham radio got its name. District 17:42

2M ago17:42

17:42

1057. Why do people use "literally" when they mean "figuratively"? This week, we look at how the meaning of "literally" changed over time. Plus, we look at how amateur radio operators came to be known as "hams" and why the term stuck. The "literally"segment was written by Valerie Fridland, a professor of linguistics at the University of Nevada in R…

1
How to be a ghostwriter, with Dan Gerstein 33:40

3M ago33:40

33:40

1056. Ghostwriting is more than just anonymous book writing — it’s a thriving industry. Dan Gerstein, founder of Gotham Ghostwriters, shares how writers can break into ghostwriting, what types of projects are available, and how much top ghostwriters earn. Plus, we explore the ethical considerations of ghostwriting and how the industry is evolving. …

1
Why some holidays have apostrophes. Why Californians say ‘the 405.’ MIGD 18:55

3M ago18:55

18:55

1055. Ever wonder why some holidays have apostrophes while others don’t? We look at Mother’s Day, Veterans Day, and Presidents’ Day. Then, we look at why Southern Californians say "the 405" while the rest of the country skips "the" in front of freeway names. The "apostrophe" segment is by Karen Lunde, a former Quick & Dirty Tips editor and digital …

Podcasts Worth a Listen

Joshua C Pies Podcasts

Podcasts Worth a Listen

1
Bootstrapped Unicorns: Entrepreneurship with Josh Pies

Joshua C Pies

1
Grammar Girl Quick and Dirty Tips for Better Writing

QuickAndDirtyTips.com

1
'Lit' vs. 'lighted.' The mysteries of the dollar sign. Redd up. 19:04

1
Reinvention, Empowerment, & Bold Steps 35:27

1
Ghostwriters, book deals, and AI: What you didn’t know about publishing, with Dan Gerstein 22:44

51
'I.e.' versus 'e.g.' What Shakespeare actually added to English. Four schnitzels. 18:01

1
AI and the future of dictionaries, with Erin McKean 26:02

1
Better paragraph breaks. The story behind 'mad money' and 'pin money.' Bruce bad. 15:52

1
What Is Hippie Capitalism? 13:11

1
The future of editing jobs in the age of AI, with Samantha Enslen 17:01

1
How to write photo captions. The real difference between ‘immigrate’ and ‘emigrate.’ Ko Pha-ngan'd 16:57

1
The hidden techniques behind well-paced fiction, with Joshua Essoe 25:35

1
Why don't we say the L in 'walk'? Never use 'always.' PABST 15:17

1
How I Started a Pro Soccer Team 46:42

1
Exploring slang, AI ghost words, and language change, with Heddwen Newton 31:13

1
What’s wrong with "'til"? Why tiny words control conversations. How many cookies? 17:25

1
The best punctuation book, period, with June Casagrande 25:04

1
Why we say ‘OK.’ How tea shaped English slang. Poetry winner 17:29

1
How to Find Startup Investment Funds 39:10

1
Behind the scenes of Wikipedia: editing, accuracy, and notability, with Jonathan Rick 27:38

1
How did our holidays become so 'corny'? Why do some words have accent marks in English? Cubby hole 15:42

1
Why kids can't read (and what we can do about it), with Kate Crist 27:39

1
The mystery of ‘it’ in English. The most dramatic moments in grammar history. Ghost Town Mad, the song 16:48

1
From 'Parasite' to 'Emilia Pérez': How movies shape language, with Andrew Cheng 31:28

1
Why Americans write 'canceled' but still write 'cancellation.' How printing history gave us 'fine print.' Fluff. 15:52

1
Writing Motivation Hacks, with Mary Robinette Kowal 28:00

1
Why we misuse ‘literally.’ How ham radio got its name. District 17:42

1
How to be a ghostwriter, with Dan Gerstein 33:40

1
Why some holidays have apostrophes. Why Californians say ‘the 405.’ MIGD 18:55