“Um, What?”: The Hidden Purpose Behind Filler Words
While these fillers are distracting if overused, when added in moderation, they do play a very specific purpose.
Performance Anxiety: We All Struggle With It. How Do You Rise Above?
We speak with her to learn how everyone can utilize these same strategies in their daily lives.
“Um, What?”: The Hidden Purpose Behind Filler Words
Valerie Fridland explains why filler words are distracting if overused, but when added in moderation, they play a very specific purpose.
Sweaty Palms, Racing Heart: Facing The Fear of Public Speaking (2021)
Why are people so afraid to give speeches in public? For many, it can be the cause of much anxiety and dread. We speak with a psychologist and a speech educator about why this anxiety builds and how we can use this adrenaline to our benefit when putting ourselves out there.
The On- and Off-Stage Benefits of Practicing Improv
Getting on a stage in front of a crowd can be extremely daunting. But, taking a risk and trying something new may not only lead you to a new hobby but a renewed perspective on life. Improv comedy forces you to connect on a deeper level with others, as well as yourself through the collaboration, communication and confidence the performance art requires.
Why Is English So Hard To Learn? (2020)
We all know the rule: “I before E, except after C,” but it’s not applicable in “weird” or “science” or many other words. The English language has many exceptions to its rules and these irregularities make it a difficult language to learn. Two language experts join Viewpoints this week to share the many frustrations of English and the rules at play today.
Stutters, Stammers, and Vocal Fillers (2018)
If you’ve had to speak in public, you know the nerves that come with public speaking. So you probably also know the pain of umming, uhhing, or misspeaking. We explore where these vocal blunders come from and what they might mean.
Overcoming the Fear of Speaking in Public (2018)
We’ve all been in the position at some time in another where we have to give a presentation at school or at work, and often times, it can make us incredibly nervous. We discuss this fear and tips for overcoming it and delivering the best speech possible.
Stutters, Stammers, and Vocal Blunders (2017)
If you’ve had to speak in public, you know the nerves that come with public speaking. We explore where vocal blunders come from and what they might mean.
Overcoming the Fear of Public Speaking (2017)
Our guests discuss the fear of public speaking and offer advice on how to create, prepare for and deliver a speech with confidence.
The Complications of Spelling English (2017)
The rules of the English language always seem to have an exception or ten. We explored how the language got so complicated.
Public Speaking: It doesn’t have to be a scary, anxious situation (2016)
Speaking in public can be a very anxiety-producing experience, but why? And how can we remove some of that anxiety and do a better job in front of an audience? Our guests discuss the fear of public speaking and offer advice on how to create, prepare for and deliver a speech with confidence.
Public Speaking: Overcoming Fear and Putting Your Best Voice Forward (2015)
Speaking in public can be a very anxiety-producing experience, but why? And how can we remove some of that anxiety and do a better job in front of an audience? Our guests discuss the fear of public speaking and offer advice on how to create, prepare for and deliver a speech with confidence.
Slang, Jargon and Colorful Expressions
Slang is often thought of as a lower-class way of speaking, although we use it all the time and it does make our language more colorful and vibrant. But how does it come into being? We talk to a linguist and to an author about why slang and jargon are part of our speech, who brings them into our language and why some slang falls out of favor – but should …
