“Identity, belonging, impact: these three define the role of language in the lives of human beings, these are the elements of the DNA of language.”
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To end Season 1 of “It’s About Language,” I have selected 10 of the 48 amazing guests from this opening year of the podcast to provide excerpts that integrate what we all have learned from their reflections and expertise. Their insights and experience address the complete flow and purpose of language, which is alive in the mouths and hearts of all who speak and write it, native and non-native language alike.
In my work as an educator, speaker, coach and trainer, I have integrated these language reflections and experience into what I call the DNA of language. Language is alive, and along the strands of language DNA we see the elements I summarize as identity, belonging, and impact. These elements parallel the basic psychological and physical needs of human beings; language, as the most human of skills and behaviors, reflects and replicates these needs and the progression of our human experience.
It is inevitable that leaders in business, industry, government, the military, non-profit institutions, and careers of all kinds should address one of more of these elements as they speak about their work. Indeed, the more reflective and powerful the leader, the more impact they bring to their world through their work, the more aware they are of the impact of language on their life and the lives of those with whom they work and those they serve. Listen as each of these 10 speakers brings forward the specific ways language reflects identity, belonging, and impact: service among others; uncovering and overcoming unconscious bias; understanding oneself and others; listening; questioning; being vulnerable; being a leader.
Language is what humanity brings to “life’s table,” as it were. Language can be used to hurt, divide, oppress, and make invisible, BUT language is also exactly that tool that can bring hope, healing, fellowship, service, power, joy, companionship, and positive impact.
It is to this positive outcome that this podcast has been dedicated for this year. It is in this spirit that this retrospective has been prepared. It is for this purpose that I turn to you, the listener, to reflect on your own story of language, your own use of language, and how you use language for the well-being of our common humanity.
Guests heard on this episode are (along with their episode number for easy access): Patrick Moynihan (26), Arthur Padilla (28), Dan Goodwin (29), Robert Pizzini (30), Ashwini Prasad (31), Matt Bailey (35, 36), Jill Bishop (42), Michael Liebowitz (44), Chaz Volk (46), and Jacque Merritt (48).
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Want to hear more? Access previous episodes, and get to know the wonderful people I talk with through the It’s About Language page, or by clicking on the Podcast tab above. You can also find this week’s episode on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, Google Podcasts, Facebook, LinkedIn, Instagram, and Twitter.
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