Sticks & Stones - Roots & Bones: Exploring the Power of Words in a Polarized World

Sticks & Stones - Roots & Bones: Exploring the Power of Words in a Polarized World

Sticks & Stones, Roots & Bones is the name of this podcast series and part of my Ph.D. dissertation work at the University of British Columbia. I explore the power of words in a polarized world by looking at the psychological, cultural, and emotional components of these conversational ecosystems to gain insight and improve on existing knowledge of how we engage with each other. I invite activists, academics, and change-makers around the world to join us and share how they engage in difficult conversations.

Episodes

David Whyte - Beautiful Questions

February 22, 2025 • 40 mins
This is one of my favorite conversations with David Whyte, renowned poet, philosopher, and speaker. It was one of my greatest on air learning moments as we dove into the transformative power of dialogue—from how vulnerability and authenticity can redefine our personal narratives to the role of creative thinking in sparking growth and connection. I had to get rid of my notes and hang on! Whether you’re seeking inspiration for person...
Mark as Played

Ian Williams - What I Mean to Say: Remaking Conversation in Our Time

December 26, 2024 • 51 mins
Ian Williams is a poet, novelist, and essayist whose work explores themes of race, identity, and social complexity. Born in Trinidad and raised in Canada, Williams has developed a distinctive voice that combines lyrical sensitivity with sharp cultural insight. His debut novel, Reproduction, won the 2019 Giller Prize and was celebrated for its inventive structure and moving exploration of familial bonds across race and class. 
I was ...
Mark as Played

barbara findlay - How Language Shapes our Perceptions

July 25, 2024 • 42 mins
barbara findlay is an old white cisgender queer lawyer with disabilities who was raised working-class and christian on the prairies. In this episode, we explore barbara's extensive career and contributions to social justice, her involvement in fighting against oppression, and her continuous advocacy work. The conversation touches on significant topics such as the challenges of navigating difficult conversations, the current wave of...
Mark as Played

Corey Nathan - Talkin' Politics and Religion without Killing Each Other

February 11, 2024 • 54 mins
Corey Nathan is the Executive Producer and Host of the Talkin Politics & Religion Without Killing Each Other podcast. In this podcast, we discuss the importance of words and conversations in various aspects of life.
Corey Nathan shares his background as a stockbroker and theatre conservatory student, as well as his experiences as an entrepreneur and podcast producer. We emphasize the need to build bridges and have meaningful con...
Mark as Played

Nick Enfield - How We Talk

January 26, 2024 • 59 mins
Nick Enfield is a Professor of Linguistics at the University of Sydney and a co-director of the Sydney Centre for Language Research. His recent books include Language vs. Reality, Consequences of Language, and How We Talk. In this podcast, we discuss the importance of language. Nick emphasizes the need to understand language in its broader context, including its cultural and societal implications. He challenges the idea that langua...
Mark as Played

Vanessa Faloye - Holding space for liberation!

December 16, 2023 • 77 mins
Held is a partnership of facilitators, culture creators, and practitioners building a world liberated from oppressive systems, dynamics, and relationships. In this episode, one of their founders, Vanessa Faloye explains how with the help of co-founders, Alex and Pria, how they hold people, organizations and movements to build relational skills and cultural practices rooted in collective liberation. Our conversation highlights the n...
Mark as Played

Naomi Oreskes - The Big Myth

November 17, 2023 • 44 mins
Naomi Oreskes is a Professor of the History of Science and the author or co-author of 9 books, 150 articles, essays and opinion pieces. In this episode, we talk about the latest book that she worked on with Eric Conway, The Big Myth: How American Business Taught Us to Loathe Government and Love the Free Market. If you want to know why we are so polarized and have so many differing beliefs you shouldn't miss this episode and I think...
Mark as Played

Jason W. Moore - Zombie Capitalism and how it impacts the conversations we have!

November 5, 2023 • 57 mins
In this episode of Sticks & Stones, Jason talks about the interconnectedness of environmental history, capitalism, and social theory in our current social dynamic. He highlights the urgency of the planetary crisis, including climate change, biodiversity loss, and inequality. We discuss the impact of ideologies on various global issues, such as gender, race, religion, and culture. Moore explains that capitalist ideologies instru...
Mark as Played

Tzeporah Berman - This Crazy Time!

October 25, 2023 • 57 mins
Tzeporah Berman, an environmental activist and campaigner, talks about her work at Stand.earth and her role in campaigns to stop fracking, protect forests, and clean up the fashion industry. She emphasizes the need to replace fossil fuels and prevent their overproduction, as they contribute to climate change. Berman reflects on her journey as an activist and the challenges of finding common ground with different stakeholders.

Our co...
Mark as Played

Bob Joseph - The Path to Reconciliation

September 9, 2023 • 57 mins
Bob Joseph has spent more than twenty years training corporations and government organizations to work effectively and respectfully with Indigenous communities through his business, Indigenous Corporate Training. He has been an associate professor at Royal Roads University and a guest lecturer at other academic institutions. He is the author of the Canadian best-seller 21 Things You May Not Know About the Indian Act and Indigenous ...
Mark as Played

Jessie Sutherland - Intercultural Strategies

September 9, 2023 • 58 mins
In this episode, we catch up with Jessie Sutherland. Jessie developed Intercultural Strategies and the Belonging Matters framework to provide the knowledge, processes and tools that can bridge the gap between people with lived experience and system influencers in order to create lasting and sustainable personal and community change. We talked about many things, but I'm still thinking about naming the system that we've been born int...
Mark as Played

Teun van Dijk - The Centre for Discourse Studies

August 31, 2023 • 58 mins
I've started a new series here and I'm calling it Sticks & Stones, Roots & Bones. It's part of my dissertation research project with the University of British Columbia as I explore the power of the words we use in a polarized world with experts who research, and study how to navigate difficult conversations.

In this episode, we're joined by Teun van Dijk. Teun is a Dutch linguist who studies language structure, development, ...
Mark as Played

Connie Zweig - Meeting the Shadow on the Spiritual Path

August 23, 2023 • 32 mins
Connie Zweig is a retired Jungian psychologist and therapist, author, Climate Reality Project Leader, and Citizens Climate Lobbyist. In this episode, we talk about her latest book, Meeting the Shadow on the Spiritual Path: The Dance of Darkness and Light in Our Search for Awakening and how our "shadow" affects the conversations we have.
Mark as Played

Sticks & Stones, Roots & Bones Trailer

August 20, 2023 • 58 secs
This is the trailer and introduction to Sticks & Stones, Roots & Bones. A new podcast produced at the conversation lab with a focus on the words we use and the hope that we will learn how to change hearts and minds one conversation at a time.
Mark as Played

Naomi Klein - The Need For an Alternative Vision

September 28, 2018 • 26 mins
Naomi Klein is an award-winning journalist, columnist, filmmaker, and author. I had the opportunity to speak with her a few years ago when she wrote No Is Not Enough. While this conversation was a few books ago, when I went back to listen to it I found it eerily relevant as she discusses the political climate and the rise of Trump as a brand. She highlights the dangers of equating wealth with wisdom and the role of billionaires in ...
Mark as Played

Popular Podcasts

    Stuff You Should Know

    Stuff You Should Know

    If you've ever wanted to know about champagne, satanism, the Stonewall Uprising, chaos theory, LSD, El Nino, true crime and Rosa Parks, then look no further. Josh and Chuck have you covered.

    Dateline NBC

    Dateline NBC

    Current and classic episodes, featuring compelling true-crime mysteries, powerful documentaries and in-depth investigations. Follow now to get the latest episodes of Dateline NBC completely free, or subscribe to Dateline Premium for ad-free listening and exclusive bonus content: DatelinePremium.com

    On Purpose with Jay Shetty

    On Purpose with Jay Shetty

    I’m Jay Shetty host of On Purpose the worlds #1 Mental Health podcast and I’m so grateful you found us. I started this podcast 5 years ago to invite you into conversations and workshops that are designed to help make you happier, healthier and more healed. I believe that when you (yes you) feel seen, heard and understood you’re able to deal with relationship struggles, work challenges and life’s ups and downs with more ease and grace. I interview experts, celebrities, thought leaders and athletes so that we can grow our mindset, build better habits and uncover a side of them we’ve never seen before. New episodes every Monday and Friday. Your support means the world to me and I don’t take it for granted — click the follow button and leave a review to help us spread the love with On Purpose. I can’t wait for you to listen to your first or 500th episode!

    The Bobby Bones Show

    The Bobby Bones Show

    Listen to 'The Bobby Bones Show' by downloading the daily full replay.

    The Clay Travis and Buck Sexton Show

    The Clay Travis and Buck Sexton Show

    The Clay Travis and Buck Sexton Show. Clay Travis and Buck Sexton tackle the biggest stories in news, politics and current events with intelligence and humor. From the border crisis, to the madness of cancel culture and far-left missteps, Clay and Buck guide listeners through the latest headlines and hot topics with fun and entertaining conversations and opinions.

Advertise With Us
Music, radio and podcasts, all free. Listen online or download the iHeart App.

Connect

Explore

iHeart

Live Radio

Podcasts

Artist Radio

Exclusives

News

Features

Events

Contests

Photos

Information

About

Advertise

Blog

Brand Guidelines

Contest Guidelines

Subscription Offers

Jobs

Get the App

Automotive

Home

Mobile

Wearables

© 2025 iHeartMedia, Inc.