Ep. 48: Delicious

Stop what you're eating. Is it really yummy enough? If not, why not join us on a tasty adventure through the history of our week's word: delicious. Learn what types of food the Extreme Vocabulary gang likes to eat, how they make their syllabi, and what their rhymes taste like. Abe's research will get your tastebuds rocking, while Efren brings a delectable piece of literature from a little known author named Herman Melville. Put that low-calorie podcast down, and pick up the juiciest piece of podcast candy you have ever had, on today's episode. 

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Episode 47: Persuasion

We are here to convince, urge, strong-arm, and maybe just order at gunpoint you into appreciating the depths of today's word. Don't worry, when we're done, you will think it was your idea. If you can be persuaded to listen to this episode, you will hear all about the history of suasion, what words it is and isn't related to, as well as a conversation about the role of persuasion in today's bifurcated landscape. Dr. Efren P.H.D. brings a poem by Li-Young Lee, and we go out on a sixties classic. 

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Episode 46: Revenge

Have you ever wished that you could punish all those other podcasts who waste your time with pointless speculation? Welcome back to Extreme Vocabulary, where our success has caused such consternation among our peers that our very existence is vengeance itself. On today’s episode we take revenge out on all the other podcasts with Abe’s research on today’s word as well as a poetry reading by Efren of a work by Heid E. Erdrich titled “Ghost Prisoner.” And just in case you still demand satisfaction, we choose a Pearl Jam song to go out on. So don’t just wait for the scales of justice to weigh in your favor, take things into your own hands on today’s episode of Extreme Vocabulary! 

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Episode 45: Conundrum

You are at a crossroads. Should you listen to this podcast, where we take a deep-dive into our word of the day, which was created as a joke? Or should you watch another episode of Cobra Kai, where every time you try to do the right thing, things just get worse? Some might call this some kind of conundrum, and we hope that you choose to do the right thing, and listen to us as we answer some classic conundrums before  discussing the conundrums of our times. Abe does the research, and Efren brings a poem by George Bowering, and Aaron and Josh still don't know what to do all on this episode of Extreme Vocabulary.  

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Ep 44: Maudlin

Have you ever had a friend who seems to show up at all the most important moments of your life? If your name is Jesus, that friend is probably Mary Magdalene; or so the story goes. But what does Mary Magdalene have to do with today's word? Well, as it turns out, everything and almost nothing at all. Sometimes we give birth to things that have nothing to do with us. It's enough to make you cry, really. Efren brings a poem by Linda Gregerson. And we read a letter by Joshua Clover, whose poetry was featured on this very show. Our adventure keeps getting bigger, and our vocabulary keeps getting more extreme, but you don't have to take my word for it. Join us today. 

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Ep. 43: Mezzanine

In the middle of life's journey, one might encounter fancy and laborious words like mezzanine, but we're here to help. In this episode, we talk about elevated floors and why upper-middle class people fantasize about them on Pinterest Boards, and why Home Depot workers fall from them, and why John Wilkes Booth had to traverse one to commit his horrible deed. Efren brings a poem about mezzanines and identity, and Aaron chooses today's song. So, come join us up here on the mezzanine called Extreme Vocabulary!

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Ep. 42: Miracle

What if I told you that miracles happen everyday? What if Abe also told you that's really not a big deal because the etymology of the word reveals that miracles aren't about anything unusual anyways? In today's episode, we venture into discussions of consciousness, the Christmas story, and the power of movies. Efren brings a piece of literature from Jorge Luis Borges, and Aaron does the hosting. This was a liveshow so thanks go out to anybody who joined us on our Zoom call, especially Hugo, who helped us choose the song. Were the times good? Well, they were a miracle.

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