Welcome to Root Words Podcast. I'm Michelle Root and on this podcast we will
embark on a journey of self-discovery while appreciating the complexities of
language through etymology, the study of words. Each episode we will explore the
origins of a specific word and how it can influence our spiritual, mental,
physical, and emotional well-being. I want to help us dive into the
intersections of language and life so we can contribute to a common understanding.
Let's uncover the power of language together. One word at a time. This is Root Words.
Welcome to Root Words and this is our first introductory episode. I wanted you
to get a peek behind the inspiration of this podcast and how it all manifested.
It's important to me that we embark on this journey together, building a strong
foundation right from inception as I don't claim to be an expert on
linguistics and etymology. I will be learning right alongside you, expanding
our understanding and relationship to each word we choose to explore. As we
become more entrenched in the power of this linguistic experience, I hope to
evoke a sense of personal activation within you. It is imperative that we
understand how something we use daily to connect is so immensely overlooked and
underappreciated. You have the ability to transform your whole reality once you
harness the truth of the words you speak into existence. I've always had a
complex relationship with language and the spoken word. As a young child of a
multicultural household, I was always being confronted by strangers over my
dialect as I didn't look how I sounded, which never made any sense outside of
the stereotypical connotations held by this statement. I was always fascinated
with the saying, sticks and stones may break my bones, but words will never hurt
me. I knew at my core this was partially incorrect. As the bullying I endured in my
younger years definitely shaped the vision I had of myself in a negative way.
It absolutely did hurt to hear others mocking the way I spoke or looked. Words
influenced my psyche on such a deep level, I genuinely felt like I was
abnormal for how intensely I could feel the vitriol and energy of others through
their words. I paid attention to how their body language sometimes didn't match
the vocabulary being used and how I could intuitively just hear their true
intentions despite the disconnect in their words. Alternatively, when I receive
praise and positive encouragement, the endorphin serotonin boost I receive is
equally as strong. I feel seen and acknowledged by the individuals I'm
speaking to. Just by their simple word choice and tone alone, I'm able to feel
validated in my whole existence. Words can assist in carving a pathway to future
successes for those who know how to transmute the energy of language.
Self affirmations through constant repetition can solidify either a
positive or negative way of being within us. It reminds me of water and how its
gentle, consistent, yet destructive nature can create erosion over time, forming
new streams for it to flow through. Some being beneficial to those around it,
while others face levels of destruction by its creation. I think it's
interesting how both words and water flow when unrestricted, yet given
direction and purpose. In addition to positive and negative self affirmations,
we often hear those of religious background speaking the word when
reflecting on the power their teachings can emanate. I believe that all language
when used with intention has the power to hurt or heal. Honestly, that realization
has been a huge factor in the creation of this project. In addition to the
toxicity of social media, which honestly is a whole beast of a topic in of
itself, I see language being used daily that fractures our spirit piece by
piece. I'm stupid, I'm broke, or some other disparaging comet. Even if you don't
share in the notion that our thoughts shape our reality, why would you actively
engage in your own self-deprecation? Now I don't have an internal monologue like
most, but others I've spoken to that do have stated that they are subjected to
negative comments 100% of the time, all day, every day. How heartbreaking to feel
like your biggest bully. So what's the solution? What can we do to try and
change this dynamic? How can we better utilize language to empower us rather
than destroy us? Well, in my opinion, the first step is education. It's helpful to
learn the origins of words, their meanings, pronunciations, and what their
modern-day relevancy is. In each episode, I will reference either Webster's
dictionary or dictionary.com for traditional definitions. I will also at
times utilize urbandictionary.com, as sometimes a word's social impact and
relevance is way more important than the traditional definitions. Secondly, let's
learn how to utilize these words in our everyday conversations. If you can empower
your language, you're able to open doorways that otherwise would have been
close to you. Let's also try and identify other variations of commonly used words
to help us expand our vocabulary. It's a simple difference between angry versus
raging or happy versus exuberant. Refining a word's meaning helps us better
convey the scene we're trying to paint. For this, I will utilize the source.com.
Each source will be cited in the show notes for reference. Third and lastly, I
want to explore potential spiritual, emotional, or mental impacts our word
may have on the human experience. Does it make you recoil in grief like the word
lonely does for me? Or does it feel soft and safe like the word luxurious? We may
have words that affect each of us differently, so it will be very interesting
to hear feedback on how it varies. I absolutely hate the word moist, which is
strangely a commonly despised word. We'll get into that later. And I love the
word serendipity. Ultimately, how does it affect you personally? I also want to
address an obvious error in the title in the podcast. Well, it's not technically
an error. It was done intentionally to differentiate between another podcast
with a similar name. And the Z represents an alternative perspective, a way to look
at things from outside the box versus traditionally. I know the alternative
spelling will not reduce the podcast's authenticity. And I hope to bring in all
sorts of people here from the young student just understanding the
complexities of language to the expert linguist or the elder millennial like me,
who has to now translate the language of our children to communicate. If you have
any suggestions on words you'd like me to cover, please send them to root words
podcast at gmail.com or you can join the Facebook group root words podcast. And
don't forget for both words with a Z. I want to thank you for joining me today
and look out for our next episode where our first word will be existentialism.
Join me in deciphering the meanings behind the word and how the ever popular
existential crisis brought this podcast to fruition. I'll see you next time and
thank you for joining me on root words.