This is the Read to Lead podcast episode 472.

If we dropped our preconceived notions based on this one very narrow view of language that we've learned,

and we step back to think of it from a scientific

and empirical standpoint, and a historical standpoint, the view we get of language is drastically

different.

Paranoid about the ums and us that pepper your presentations?

Concerned that people notice your vocal fry?

Bewildered by the meteoric rise of so.

But what if these features of our speech weren't a sign of cultural and linguistic

degeneration, but rather some of the most dynamic and revolutionary tools at our disposal?

Hi, I'm Jeff, and this is the Read to Lead podcast, the podcast dedicated to your personal

and professional growth.

I believe that if you want to achieve true success in business and in life, then intentional and

consistent reading is a must. I am a lover of language, and today's conversation is all

about that topic. I'm going to admit right up front that I get a little bit geeky about this topic,

so forgive me. But in just a few minutes, we'll be welcoming Valerie Friedland. She's author of a

brand new book, came out last week called, like literally dude, arguing for the good in bad English.

I'll be asking Valerie to share about how our idea of what's correct and what's not with

regard to language is often not even accurate in the first place.

What new research says about verbal tics like um and uh will unpack the history of words

like, well, like and literally, and you'll be surprised, trust me, and much, much more.

In the last week, we've had dozens of people sign up for free for the read-to-lead community

...