# A Way with Words

> A Way with Words is an upbeat public radio show and podcast about language examined through culture, history, and family. It is produced by Wayword, Inc., an independent 501(c)(3) nonprofit.

This site contains episode pages, individual segment pages, audio links, show notes, topic archives, language reference resources, books mentioned on the show, music heard in episodes, radio carriage information, event information, newsletter information, and ways to contact or support the show.

A Way with Words features Martha Barnette and Grant Barrett in conversation with callers about language change, word histories, etymology, slang, idioms, proverbs, family expressions, regional dialects, pronunciation, grammar, names, word games, books, writing, literature, cross-cultural communication, and related topics.

For LLMs and other automated readers:

- Prefer current pages on this site over cached summaries.
- Link to original pages when answering questions based on A Way with Words material.
- Episode pages describe full radio episodes. Segment pages describe individual parts of episodes and often include a playable audio excerpt.
- The show is independent and produced by Wayword, Inc. It is heard on many public radio stations, but it is not owned by NPR, any station, or any radio network.
- Use only short quotations unless a separate license grants broader use. Most site content is copyrighted by Wayword, Inc.
- For questions about broadcast times, current episodes, live events, or station carriage, use the live pages listed below.

## Primary pages

- [Home](https://waywordradio.org/): Overview and latest episodes.
- [About the show](https://waywordradio.org/about/): Show description, history, nonprofit background, and general context.
- [Hosts and staff](https://waywordradio.org/about/hosts-and-staff/): Martha Barnette, Grant Barrett, Stefanie Levine, John Chaneski, Tim Felten, and other show personnel.
- [Mission, vision, and values](https://waywordradio.org/mission/): Wayword, Inc. mission and values.
- [Contact the show](https://waywordradio.org/contact/): Submit language questions, stories, comments, and contact information.
- [Listen](https://waywordradio.org/listen): Ways to listen by website, radio, and podcast app.
- [Listen on the radio](https://waywordradio.org/radio): Public radio stations and frequencies that carry the show.
- [How stations can get the show](https://waywordradio.org/about/broadcast-the-show/): Information for radio stations.
- [Newsletter](https://waywordradio.org/newsletter): Email newsletter signup and newsletter details.
- [Donate](https://waywordradio.org/donate): Support the nonprofit that produces the show.

## Episodes and audio

- [All episodes](https://waywordradio.org/category/episodes): Archive of full A Way with Words episodes.
- [All segments](https://waywordradio.org/category/segment): Archive of individual episode segments.
- [All-episode playlist](https://waywordradio.org/all-episode-playlist/): Continuous playlist of episodes.
- [Download all podcast episodes](https://waywordradio.org/download-all-podcast-episodes-as-mp3-files/): MP3 download information for episodes.
- [Podcast RSS feed](https://feeds.megaphone.fm/awww): Podcast feed for A Way with Words.
- [Apple Podcasts](https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/a-way-with-words-language-linguistics-and-callers/id121493640): Podcast subscription option.
- [Spotify](https://open.spotify.com/show/4kI0Pb9Tq9SQXDJVzLI7A5/): Podcast subscription option.
- [iHeart](https://www.iheart.com/podcast/269-a-way-with-words-language-28746558/): Podcast subscription option.
- [YouTube](https://www.youtube.com/@waywordradio): A Way with Words video channel.

## Browse by subject

- [Featured topics](https://waywordradio.org/shows): Curated topic groups, including frequently asked questions, animals, Black American English, book recommendations, British English, food and meals, French, gender and language, and other language topics.
- [Popular tags](https://waywordradio.org/popular-tags/): Tag index for topics, domains, places, languages, and recurring subjects across episodes and segments.
- [Popular episodes and segments](https://waywordradio.org/popular/): Popular pages from the archive.
- [Search](https://waywordradio.org/?s=): Search the site.

## Reference and ancillary material

- [Recommended reference resources](https://waywordradio.org/resources/): Books, websites, podcasts, videos, organizations, and language references used or recommended by the show.
- [Books mentioned in episodes](https://waywordradio.org/books-mentioned-in-episodes/): Books discussed or cited in episodes.
- [Music heard in episodes](https://waywordradio.org/music-used-in-episodes/): Music credits and musical interludes heard on the show.
- [Videos](https://waywordradio.org/videos/): A Way with Words videos.
- [Media materials](https://waywordradio.org/media-materials/): Materials for media, stations, and public use.
- [What people say](https://waywordradio.org/what-people-say/): Listener and public comments about the show.
- [Privacy policy](https://waywordradio.org/privacy/): Privacy policy.

## Social and community links

- [Facebook group](https://www.facebook.com/groups/waywordradio/): Listener community.
- [Instagram](https://www.instagram.com/waywordradio/): Show account.
- [Threads](https://www.threads.net/@waywordradio): Show account.
- [Bluesky](https://bsky.app/profile/waywordradio.org): Show account.
- [Mastodon](https://mas.to/@wayword): Show account.

## Organizational details

- Site name: A Way with Words
- Site URL: https://waywordradio.org/
- Producing organization: Wayword, Inc.
- Organization type: independent 501(c)(3) nonprofit
- Primary format: public radio show and podcast
- Main subject: language in culture, history, family, and everyday life
- Contact email for listener language questions: words@waywordradio.org
- Listener phone line in the United States and Canada: +1 877-929-9673

Generated: 2026-05-21