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.

Last October, we opened the door to the unseen world, in GHOST PART 1!

Now, in Part Two, we return to the shadows. This time, we go deeper, exploring the origins of ghost stories and why humans have been drawn to them. We’ll also explore the ghosts we carry inside ourselves, regrets, grief, and memories that never quite rest. Storyteller Donna Washington joined us to share her insight into how ghost stories began and even left us with a chilling tale.

Join us as we uncover why ghosts communicate, why we love their stories, and what they reveal about our shared search for meaning.

In this episode, we explore the noisy roots of Hullabaloo, from hunting cries and Shakespearean chaos to lullabies and 18th-century satire. Along the way we meet Smollett’s character in The Adventures of Sir Launcelot Greaves, where the word first appears as “hollo-ballo.” We explore how comedy and music can soothe chaos, how satire and melody made sense of a messy 1760s and 1960's world, and why we’re still surrounded by our own modern-day hubbub, hurly-burly, and hullabaloo. A funny, thoughtful episode that ends with the art of surviving noise.

In this episode, we explore the many meanings of the word zenith — from its Arabic astronomical roots in samt ar-ra’s, to the solar moment when no shadow is cast, to the metaphorical peaks of empires, careers, and enlightenment.

We dive into the scientific significance of the zenith in celestial navigation and shadowless solar days, trace its journey through mistranslation and medieval astronomy with Al-Battani, and consider how technological zeniths — like those of the Zenith Radio Company — reflect fleeting moments of innovation.

But we don’t stop there. We go higher. We reflect on the philosophical and spiritual zenith through the lens of the Buddhist Eightfold Path — asking whether our personal zenith is a destination… or a journey.

Whether you’re standing in your shadow or at your brightest, this one’s for anyone wondering: Is my zenith behind me, above me… or still ahead?

In this episode of One Word, we wade through the wonderful mess of gobbledegook — the overstuffed, overly complicated language that clutters up our communication. From the corporate boardroom to social media buzzwords, we explore how jargon gets in the way of clarity, masks confusion as intelligence, and often leaves meaning behind. And just when you think you've heard it all, we throw in a bonus word: maverick. Learn how a stubborn Texan cattle rancher gave rise to a word we now use for trailblazers and rebels. It's a wordy ride through nonsense and nuance — and maybe, by the end, you’ll think twice before using “synergy” unironically.

What if we told you that terrific once meant something terrifying? Words evolve, just like we do, and in this episode of One Word, we’re diving into the fascinating transformation of terrific—from something that instilled fear to something, well, terrific!

We’ll unravel the history of this linguistic shift, tracing how and why words often flip their meanings over time. Along the way, we’ll quiz our co-hosts on other words that have done the same (spoiler: awful used to mean full of awe!), explore John Milton’s Paradise Lost and its grand themes of resilience and redemption, and discuss the science behind humanity’s natural tendency toward positivity.

Can a shift in language reveal something deeper about human nature? Do we lean toward optimism because we need it? And how can reframing our perspectives—just like we do with words—lead to real personal healing and catharsis?

Expect laughter, insight, and a reminder that sometimes, just like words, our lives evolve for the better. Tune in and discover why a little terrific thinking might just be the key to happiness.