Just Say The Word

S2E5 –Timothy Hedger: History

In episode 05, we reflect on the word “History” with Timothy Hedger, ex CEO Misty Maroon Ltd and MSc The London School of Economics.
As someone who has studied History extensively at school and university, Tim has a special relationship with this word, as you can hear from his highly insightful conversation with Paul Mangell.
Why do we need History? Is History only about describing information about past events or is there more to it? What is the difference between a history and a myth or legend which is believed to be historical? What can we learn from history? Paul and Tim look for the answers to these and many more intriguing questions.
Following the interview, our guest Language Detective Ethan Barret digs for clues about the etymological roots of the word “history”. Where did the term history come from? When did it enter the English language? How did the linguistic divide between “story” and “history” evolve? We hear Ethan searching for the answers to these and many more fascinating questions related to the origin of the word “history”.
Later in the podcast, our producer Yuliya Stancheva contemplates on some of the controversial discussions derived from the clash between “history” and “herstory”. As usual Yuliya takes us on an exciting journey in the world of arts and culture, revealing how the word “history” is imprinted in famous books, movies and song titles.
 
Hosts: Paul Mangell & Yuliya Stancheva
Guest Host: Ethan Barret
Producer/Writer: Yuliya Stancheva
Sound design: Alpha Studios
Sound engineers: Mikosh Nanasi
Art design: David Standley
Vocals: Stancho Stanchev
Guest: Timothy Hedger
Tim Hedger grew up in rural Hertfordshire and studied History at Reading University and subsequently at the London School of Economics. He spent a good deal of his early adult life travelling abroad and taught English in France and then China. In his 30's he became co-owner of The New School of English in Cambridge, stepping down as MD in 2017 when they sold the business. He is a keen amateur cricketer, and an enthusiastic guitarist in a Gypsy Jazz band, who has maintained a life-long interest towards history and historiography.
 

S2E4 – Ashley Brown: Truth

In episode 04, we discuss the word “Truth” with Ashley Brown, a historian, writer, editor and publisher, who produces science and history reference books for Windmill books, many of which he researches and writes himself.
Paul and Ashley dive into sensitive and controversial topics such as terrorism, politics, religion and history and contemplate on compelling questions like: “Are there any universal truths which are passed on from generation to generation?”  and “Can you manipulate the truth for what you consider to be a philosophical good?”
Following the interview, our guest Language Detective Mette Tingey reveals the etymological roots of the word “truth” and shares some intriguing facts about the archaic version which was used in Shakespeare’s plays.
Later in the podcast, our producer Yuliya Stancheva dives into the world of music, films, books and religion and highlights fascinating examples of how “truth” has puzzled the minds of artists, writers, musicians, philosophers and religious people throughout the years.
 
Hosts: Paul Mangell & Yuliya Stancheva
Guest Host: Mette Tingey
Producer/Writer: Yuliya Stancheva
Sound design: Alpha Studios
Sound engineers: Mikosh Nanasi
Art design: David Standley
Vocals: Stancho Stanchev
Guest: Ashley Brown
Born in 1950, Ashley Brown was educated at Dover Grammar School and Gonville and Caius College, Cambridge. After graduating, Ashley went to King’s College London to study for a PhD on the French Revolutionary army of the 1790s and spent some immensely enjoyable years in Paris splitting his time between the archives and his parallel life as a jazz drummer. Meanwhile, he had also found a profitable sideline in ghost writing history books for public figures. Eventually, combining all these activities proved impossible and he gave up thoughts of academia to enter publishing full time. In the late 1980s he set up his own company and has run this and offshoots ever since, producing science and history reference books, many of which he researches and writes himself. He now lives in Cambridgeshire, still plays music and turns out for the Cambridgeshire Over 60s cricket team when his creaking body allows.

S2E3 – James Broad: Identity

In episode 03, we reflect on the word “identity”.
“Many people seem to spend a lot of time trying to figure out who they are, what they want, and what they believe. We're constantly faced with complex decisions and circumstances and Identity helps us to make those important decisions.” says our guest James Broad, who is a Global Director for The Navigators, a worldwide Christian organization based in the States. 
Together with Paul Mangell they discuss the many challenges that come with the word “identity”- from having a false identity and identity crisis to having no identity at all or demonstrating your identity boldly regardless of the consequences. 
Following Paul and James’ highly insightful conversation, we search for the etymological roots of the word “identity” with the help of our guest Language Detective- Gerard Rodriguez- Alpha Studios’ very own sound engineer. 
Later in the podcast, our co-host & producer Yuliya Stancheva reflects on some existential questions such as “Is identity something we are born with?” and “How do we cultivate it?”. Then, she hunts for exciting movies, books and songs that play with the word “identity” and make us ponder over questions such as who we are as individuals, as a society, or as a nation.
 
Hosts: Paul Mangell & Yuliya Stancheva
Guest Host: Gerard Rodriguez
Producer/Writer: Yuliya Stancheva
Sound design: Alpha Studios
Sound engineers: Mikosh Nanasi
Art design: David Standley
Vocals: Stancho Stanchev
Guest: James Broad
 

S2E2 – Tamara Rogers: Humanity

In episode 02, we discuss the word “humanity” with our guest Tamara Rogers, the Global Chief Marketing Officer for Haleon (formerly GSK Consumer Healthcare).
As someone who works in the healthcare sector, Tamara has always been interested in how to make a difference in the world. She explains why she has chosen such a powerful word and what the concept of “humanity” means to her.
Tamara and Paul touch on many fascinating topics and contemplate on the significant role of marketing, as well as companies and organizations to act in ways that raise the bar when it comes to humanity.
As they enter the realm of Artificial Intelligence, Paul and Tamara look at dehumanization and the good and bad sides of the advances of science and technology. In their highly insightful conversation, we hear many hot questions being asked: Do people need to take personal responsibility for their own humanity? Should we be teaching humanity? How do we fight the inhumane things done in the name of politics and religion? And how do we build humanity from the bottom up or from the heart out?
Following the interview, our guest host Joanna Shiokka reveals how the concept of humanity relates to her native Greek language and culture, while our producer Yuliya reflects on some existential questions that have fascinated the minds of some of the biggest thinkers and philosophers of all time: “What does it mean to be human?” and “What separates us from other species and makes us unique?”.
Later in the podcast, we hear Yuliya dives deep into the world of arts and culture and draws inspiration from famous songs, movies and books that explore the best and the worst of humanity.
 
 
Hosts: Paul Mangell & Yuliya Stancheva
Guest Host: Joanna Shiokka
Producer/Writer: Yuliya Stancheva
Sound design: Alpha Studios
Sound engineers: Gerard Rodriguez and Mikosh Nanasi
Art design: David Stanley
Vocals: Stancho Stanchev
Guest: Tamara Rogers
Tamara Rogers is the Global Chief Marketing Officer for Haleon (formerly GSK Consumer Healthcare) – which includes a fantastic portfolio of brands including Sensodyne, Parodontax, Polident, Voltaren, Panadol, Advil, Otrivin, Theraflu and Centrum. She also oversees the Design Team, Media, Marketing Capability, Expert Marketing, Digital Commerce and CBIA (Consumer Business Insights & Analytics).
Tamara joined GSK Consumer Healthcare in 2018 as Region Head EMEA.
Prior to joining the Group, Tamara spent 25 years at Unilever having joined as a Management Trainee in the UK and rapidly assumed positions of seniority. She held significant leadership positions such as EVP Region Head Personal Care Unilever N America and prior to that EVP Global Deodorants Category.

S2E1 – Isabelle Weiss: left-handed

Our Season 2 has arrived! In the first episode, we have the pleasure and honour to chat to our very own Isabelle Weiss, the founder of Alpha CRC, who has 40 years of professional experience translating millions of words from English into French and German.
As a left-handed person herself, Isabelle talks about her first encounter with prejudice and stereotyping. In Switzerland where she grew up, there was a strict law which required everyone to write with the right hand, so she had to endure lots of hits with the cane on the left hand because it was seen as the “bad hand”. Isabelle tells us her heartfelt story of how she has been looked at as an oddity and put in many different categories to her disadvantage and how her emancipation and rebelliousness turned out to be the driving force behind setting up Alpha CRC. It is a story of extraordinary resilience and entrepreneurship, interlinked with the word “left-handed”.
While exploring the different connotations of the word “left-handed”, Paul and Isabelle touch hot topics like “Is there a danger that comes with giving people labels?”, “Can categorising people contribute to excluding them? “ and “How the removing of categories such as male and female and embracing unisex and neutral labels pose challenges for translators?”
Following the interview with Isabelle, Yuliya and Sonia investigate the etymological roots of the word “left-handed” while revealing interesting associations with the word in their native languages- Bulgarian and Spanish.
The widespread negativity about left-handed people is also imprinted in the arts and culture as we hear from our producer Yuliya who highlights some of the books and TV shows that have embraced the left-handedness’ theme as well as some of the most famous people in history that are left-handed.  As a bonus, at the end of the show we pull some of the most fascinating facts that you didn’t know about left-handed people. 
 
Hosts: Paul Mangell, Yuliya Stancheva
Guest Host: Sonia Arroyo
Producer/Writer: Yuliya Stancheva
Sound design: Alpha Studios
Sound engineers: Gerard Rodriguez and Mikosh Nanasi
Art design: David Stanley
Vocals: Stancho Stanchev
Guest: Isabelle Weiss, Alpha CRC Founder
 

S1E6 – Vlad Illich: Menopause

In the last episode of our Season 01, we invited the award-winning Stand-Up Comedian Vlad Illich to choose one word that relates to his life experiences and achievements, and to our surprise, Vlad chose the word “menopause”. Now, you might ask yourself, “How could menopause relate to Vlad’s successes as a comedian?”  Well, since we don’t want to spoil that for you, we’ll leave it to Vlad to tell you his story in the podcast.
During their hilarious conversation in the studio, Vlad, Paul and Yuliya embark on an intriguing journey with the word “menopause”, taking unexpected turns and stops at topics such as communism, Balkan parenthood, invisible male menopause and empty nest syndrome. Vlad shares his insight on many different issues, wrapped up in humour elegantly: from the positive meaning of the word menopause to the livelihood of cultures and languages to the art of walking on a thin rope in comedy shows. And as a special bonus, we are treated to some of Vlad’s iconic sketches that won him fame during his BBC Three’s ‘Stand up for Live Comedy’.
Following the interview with Vlad, our Language Detective Balnur investigates the etymological roots of the word “menopause” while revealing some of its weirdest and funniest alternative names.
At the end of the podcast, our producer Yuliya dives into the world of arts and culture. She highlights the way menopause is imprinted in different cultures worldwide as well as in our daily lives- from TV shows, documentaries, and musicals, to arts, books, and real-life stories- many seasoned with humour. If you don’t want to miss out on an episode, packed with insightful information, inspiration, and entertainment, then do have a listen.
 
This podcast is an Alpha CRC production. 
Hosts: Paul Mangell, Yuliya Stancheva, Balnur Zhexeni
Producer/Writer: Yuliya Stancheva
Sound design: Alpha Studios
Sound engineers: Gerard Rodriguez and Mikosh Nanasi
Art design: David Stanley
Vocals: Stancho Stanchev
Guest: Vlad Illich
Vlad is an up-and-coming comic, actor and writer from who’s been working tirelessly on the London circuit for the last several years.
He’s been awarded four times on the circuit in different clubs such as winning the notorious King of the Gong award the Comedy Store, up to the most recent One to Watch 2020 at the well-established club Up the Creek which earned him the reputation of an outstanding newcomer and he has been signed with Blue Book Artist Management since. He is currently a finalist in Next Up’s competition Live or Die.
Vlad has appeared on BBC Three and BBC one and is developing a script. As an actor, he has trained in Scotland and Malta and loves poetry. He is currently working on his debut work-in-progress show “Hi, my name is Immigrant” which premiered on the Brighton, Cambridge and Camden Fringe and os going to be played in Edinburgh at the 2023 Fringe festival.
 
“Vlad is playful, charming, intelligent and very funny.” – Luke Toulson (C4, Russell Howard Good News)
“A confident, gag-packed set.” – The British Comedy Guide

S1E5–Krassimira Hendry: Resilience

In Episode 05, we asked the BBC World Service’s broadcast journalist and World Duty Editor, Krassimira Hendry, what is her special word, and she chose: resilience.
As Krassimira contemplates on what the word “resilience” means to her, she tells us her story of how she left her native Bulgaria in 1998 for political reasons and arrived in the UK with poor English and no job. Her professional path then led her to various jobs as a journalist in CNN, Al Jazeera English and BBC. Currently, alongside her career as a journalist, she is a qualified hypnotherapist who runs her own clinic in London.
In her open and real conversation with Paul, Krassimira reflects on what does it mean to be resilient not only through the eyes of a journalist, but also through the lenses of a hypnotherapist. Does resilience come uniquely from experience? What skills do we need to develop to be resilient in a corporate world? Can we be both vulnerable and resilient at the same time?  As Krassimira and Paul share their thoughts on these and many more questions, they touch on topics like war, Brexit, the pandemic, bereavement, life changes, religion and travelling: such wide is the use of the word “resilience” in our everyday lives.
Following the interview, our Language Detective Balnur talks about the use of the term “resilience” in the English language and shares a story, which many people in her native Kazakhstan can relate to.
Later, our producer Yuliya takes us on a captivating journey through the arts and culture, recollecting inspiring songs, documentaries, and films, as well as movie and literature characters who deal with adversity and display great resilience and perseverance. And for the finale of the podcast, looking at a different angle, Yuliya prompts us all to look at the twisted interpretation of the word “resilience” at our workplaces, and how we can all change this negative narrative.
Our podcast is for all of you, language professionals, arts, and culture lovers, and not only. If you are curious to find out more about the use of the word “resilience” in our everyday lives, or simply want a bit of insight, inspiration, and entertainment, then do have a listen.
 
Hosts: Paul Mangell, Yuliya Stancheva, Balnur Zhexeni
Producer: Yuliya Stancheva
Sound Design: Alpha Studios
Sound engineers: Gerard Rodriguez and Mikosh Nanasi
Art design: David Stanley
Vocals: Stancho Stanchev
Guest: Krassimira Hendry
Krassimira Hendry is a journalist currently working for the BBC World Service as a World Duty Editor responsible for managing the work of the bi-lingual correspondents in the corporation. Her work as the Europe region Planning Editor covered the work of the Russian, Ukrainian, Azeri and Serbian Services at the BBC. She ran the most successful BBC talent recruiting apprenticeship scheme “Future Voices" looking for the next generation British born bilingual reporters for the corporation. Currently alongside her BBC career, she is running a hypnotherapy clinic and free journalism master classes in 2 universities in Bulgaria, teaching disinformation and social media behaviour to young Bulgarian journalists.
 
 
 

S1E4-James Fox:Translation

In Episode 04, the notable English actor James Fox reflects on the word: translation.
“We actors are in some ways translators.”, we hear James making a statement. But how did the word “translation” land with him and what role does it play in his life as an actor? We learn all about it as James discusses the word with Paul.
Following the interview, our Language detective Balnur investigates the Latin roots of the word “translation” as she embarks on a discovery etymological journey.
Translation and culture are intimately connected. Translation plays a variety of roles in the arts, music, theatre, films, and literature and Yuliya dives into this exciting world to find gems of “translation”, embedded in culture. From misinterpretation in politics and mistranslation in adverts and movies to interesting translation approaches in music, books and theatre.
Translation doesn’t just mean carrying across a meaning from one language to another, while crafting beautiful sentences and applying stylistic flair, it is also a concept of change. But can we change cultures that are not our own, or should they remain their own? We prompt you to contemplate over the question at the end of the show. 
This podcast is for all of you, translation professionals and language lovers, and not only. If you are curious to find out more about the use of the word “translation” and its concepts in our every day lives, then do have a listen.
Hosts: Paul Mangell, Yuliya Stancheva, Balnur Zhexeni
Producer- Yuliya Stancheva
Sound design: Alpha Studios
Sound engineers: Gerard Rodriguez and Mikosh Nanasi
Art design: David Stanley
Vocals: Stancho Stanchev
Guest: Jamex Fox
James Fox is an English actor. He appeared in several notable films of the 1960s and early 1970s, including King Rat, The Servant, Thoroughly Modern Millie and Performance, before quitting the screen for several years to be an evangelical Christian. He has since appeared in a wide range of film and television productions. He replaced actor John Woods in the Old Vic's early 2006 production of the Arthur Miller play "Resurrection Blues". He played King George V and his son Laurence Fox played King George VI in W.E. (2011).
 
 

S1E3 – Alexander Devrient: Multicultural

In Episode 03, the multilingual voiceover artist and actor, Alexander Devrient talks to Paul about his chosen word: multicultural.
As Alexander’s heritage stems from different parts of the world with roots in Germany, Lebanon, and Argentina, he reveals how multiculturalism has shaped him both professionally and personally. While Paul and Alexander dig deep into the conversation, they liberally throw a wide range of topics into the“multicultural” mix ….some Lebanese wine, Ecuadorian wife, Catalan languages, German upbringing, French summer vacations and London’s golden pot of opportunities.  
And for those who love the more philosophical side of things, Alexander and Paul try to find the answers to questions like these: Can you stay open to the influences from all the different cultures you are connected to and be protective of your roots at the same time? Is there a clash between the many different cultures of which you are part? How do you deal with the tension between monoculturalism and multiculturalism?
Following our interview with Alexander, our Language detective Balnur tells us all about the origins of the word “multicultural” and the so called “Melting pot” and “salad bowl” theories. Then Yuliya explores how cultural diversity is rooted in our social lives and its wide range of meanings within the contexts of sociology, philosophy, arts, travel and food.
This podcast is an Alpha CRC production. 
Hosts: Paul Mangell, Yuliya Stancheva, Balnur Zhexeni
Producer/Writer- Yuliya Stancheva
Sound design: Alpha Studios
Sound engineers: Gerard Rodriguez and Mikosh Nanasi
Art design: David Stanley
Vocals: Stancho Stanchev
Guest: Alexander Devrient
Alexander Devrient is a native German/French actor known for Ted Lasso (2021), Industry (2020), The Bureau (2018), and The Danish Girl (2015). Thanks to his multicultural background, he works at ease in English, German, French, & Spanish.
After studying Economics and International Relations at the University of Birmingham, Alexander went on to train at Drama Studio London. Alongside a flourishing Film and TV career, he was also part of the main cast in the critically acclaimed theatre show 'The Jungle' directed by Stephen Daldry and Justin Martin. He performed on stage in the West End (London), at St.Ann's Warehouse (NYC) and at the Curran (San Francisco). Alexander is also an established voiceover artist with hundreds of recordings under his belt. His voiceover credits include: Anvil, Sniper Elite 4, Grey Goose, Spotify, Vodafone, Amazon, Disney, Lego, FIFA, Cartoon Network.

S1E2-Gytha Lodge: Blood

In Episode 02, we have invited the Sunday Times bestselling writer and multi-award-winning playwright, Gytha Lodge, and asked her, ”What’s your word?”. She chose “blood”.
Now, for a crime writer, that’s a very fitting choice, wouldn’t you agree? In the interview, Paul and Gytha discuss the word ”Blood”, and explore its meaning from many different angles… we hear about the often ‘bloody’ implications of crime, the making of a pact, ‘blood’ as an emotional connection, and an unbreakable bond, to fragility, mortality, transfusion, brotherhood and sisterhood. It’s fascinating to see how the word blood weaves its way through Gytha’s work.
Then, haunted by the word “blood”, our Language Detective Balnur investigates its gripping origins and shares some thrilling connotations of that word in her native Kazakh, while Yuliya goes on a hunt for hair-rising, spine-chilling, mind-opening and heart-racing “blood-stained “traces in music, theatre films and arts.
In the arts and culture, there are many works that are drenched with blood. Dare to find out more? Then prick your ears and let yourself be submerged in this episode, which is our Halloween-special edition. We promise, there are no trick-or-treats, just pure audio pleasure.
 
Hosts: Paul Mangell, Yuliya Stancheva, Balnur Zhexeni
Producer- Yuliya Stancheva
Sound design: Alpha Studios
Sound engineers: Gerard Rodriguez and Mikosh Nanasi
Art design: David Stanley
Vocals: Stan Stanchev
Guest: Gytha Lodge is a Sunday Times bestselling writer and multi-award-winning playwright who lives in Cambridge. She is the author of Little Sister, She Lies in Wait, Watching from the Dark, and Lie Beside Me. She studied English at Cambridge University and received an MA in creative writing from the University of East Anglia.
After studying creative writing at UEA, she was shortlisted for the Yeovil Literary Prize and the Arts' Council England fiction awards and developed a large online following for her young adult and children's writing, with over seven million reads accrued on platform Wattpad.
Her debut novel was a Richard & Judy Book Club Pick. With nail-biting cases that hook you in, and heart that keeps you coming back for more, Lodge's highly acclaimed Jonah Sheens series - which also includes Watching from the Dark, Lie Beside Me and Little Sister - has kept readers gripped from beginning to end, and Lodge has been acclaimed as 'a gifted writer' by Daily Mail.