The word cacoethes has long been used to describe an irresistible urge, an itch that refuses to go away. But its origins tell a deeper story.

In this New Year’s episode of One Word, we trace cacoethes back to its earliest roots in ancient Greek medicine, where Hippocrates and his contemporaries used it to describe malignant conditions that would not heal. From there, we move into the biting satire of the Roman poet and satirist Juvenal, who transformed the term into a metaphor for human compulsion, most famously, the “incurable itch” to write.

Along the way, we explore how this word evolved from a clinical diagnosis to a cultural critique, reappearing in Grub Street England, modern psychology, and today’s world of constant noise, posting, and reaction.

As we stand at the beginning of a new year, this episode asks a simple but powerful question: What if our urges are not commands, but signals? And what choices become possible when we pause long enough to listen?

What does it really mean to be jubilant? In this holiday episode of One Word, we explore why joy so often becomes louder, brighter, and more communal at this time of year. From ancient winter festivals and global traditions to the science behind sound, generosity, and visual joy, jubilant reveals itself as more than simple happiness. Along the way, we wander into unexpected territory, why certain shapes feel joyful before we can explain them, what in the world the Kiki/Bouba effect is, and that lemons aren’t actually a natural thing. Blending etymology, history, psychology, and culture, this episode asks a timeless question: why does joy, especially in winter, insist on being shared? P.S. If you feel the need to throw an orange, that is perfectly acceptable at this time of year in some places.

What does it mean to grow up, really? From Goethe’s Wilhelm Meister’s Apprenticeship, the first Bildungsroman, we explore a young man navigating chaotic theatre troupes, secret societies, and confusing life advice while learning that growth comes from stepping into life, not achieving perfection. We tie this to today’s world of social media, where perfectionism and comparison can haunt us like ghosts, and share insights on embracing failure, letting go of self-blame, and finding balance. Plus, we celebrate the lessons of improv: mistakes aren’t the problem, refusing to play is. A messy, beautiful hullabaloo of life, learning, and imperfection.