Me: cool another linguistics podcast, I love those! Them: (a few episodes in) Schadenfreude is mean but ok if it’s “about a white dude” Me: oh right, it’s a podcast about linguistic discrimination! Byeeeeeee!

I’ve tried to listen to several episodes but couldn’t bear the consistently uninformed views that betray the hosts’ meager knowledge of history (just one example, in an episode about dialects, one of the hosts speculated that, since the founding of the U.S. was contemporaneous with the French Revolution, perhaps the “English only” movement in the U.S. was modeled after France’s insistence on a single uniform national language). I never managed to finish an episode and I can’t believe they’ve lasted long enough to make over 100 episodes of tiresome dreck. I’m sure they mean well but these are not serious people, despite their academic credentials.

Moronic drivel.

I fell in love with linguistics in college in Inge Genee’s class at the University of Lethbridge (you should have her on the show!). I am now many years past college and that love has stuck with me and I get to keep learning thanks to Carrie and Megan. I love how accessible they make a very academic discipline and the way they force me to address my own biases and preconceptions. Thank you, Carrie and Megan! Please never stop!

Many of the concepts are very basic intro linguistics concepts, but I don’t feel like they explain them thoroughly enough for someone who is unfamiliar with linguistics to understand. On the other hand, anyone who is already familiar with these concepts won’t find much groundbreaking material here. The first episode I listened to was about prescriptivism vs descriptivism. The hosts spent a long time covering how non-standard grammar was not “wrong” per se, but just different, from a different cultural perspective. Then, not ten minutes later, they talk about how annoying it is when people use “whom” wrong. Isn’t the concept of “wrong” here the prescriptivism they just made a point of poo-pooing? I feel they also did not really cover the idea that standardized grammar DOES have a purpose, which is to find common clarity. Whether or not it is always successful is perhaps another story, but they don’t seem to address that having a codified grammar model has ANY benefits at all, which it most certainly does. Sure, it’s not helpful in all situations at all times, but having standardized grammar does have many benefits. I might give this podcast a few more episodes to see if they found their groove any more in later episodes, but the start was pretty rocky.

This podcast is such a pleasure to listen to! I learn so much and Carrie and Megan’s personalities are so fun. 10/10 recommend I love them.

If you enjoy listening to two Uber-left white apologists who have no concept of what language is, look no further! I suspect if you came looking for this drivel without a sense of irony you probably will agree with these dolts and you will probably love it. Just know that the majority of people who speak any language at all think that you, and these sub-normals are the dregs of society as we know it.

I learn so much from Carrie, Megan, and their guests. Vocal fries is one of my fave podcasts ever 😻!

Even after one episode I’m hooked by this informative and assured show, which has helped me examine my own assumptions and prejudices about how people speak. Also gotta love how the reviewers who hate this podcast are flying their bigoted colors (as well as flaunting their amazing grammar skills). So glad I found you guys!

Excellent and informative podcast.

Carrie and Megan are both expert linguists with all the right training and creds to absolutely know what they are talking about. Each episode breaks down language stereotypes and busts some myths in a way that’s both informative and fun. An absolute must-listen for anyone who enjoys talking and thinking about language.

This podcast is amazing on various levels. Not only do the hosts have a fun and informative dynamic, but their guests always bring fascinating perspectives to language from differnt fields of study. This is one of the best podcasts there are out there. I can't recommend it enough.

As a non-linguist, I appreciate hearing about how linguistic discrimination affects our lives. The hosts are top notch. Keep it up :)

They do a well-rounded job of bringing accessible information and ideas to people who have little knowledge on a topic while also remaining relevant to those who have a solid handle on a topic but are always keeping up with new perspectives or looking to discover that one thing they didn’t realize they had the power to do. I’d imagine many listeners leave an episode going, “Wait—have I been doing that?” or “Why didn’t I think of that?” (or both!).

In a world awash in audio content, you have to learn to filter out the useless chatter and go after the quality talk like this that will leave you smarter at the end. The Vocal Fries podcast, hosted by friendly folks (who, however, don’t take any guff) constantly bring forth people you don’t usually hear from, explain points of view you might not know about, and they and their guests share interesting tidbits that you’ll want to pause to re-share with everyone around you. It can be upbeat or serious, but it never takes itself too seriously — this isn’t one of those shows aiming to be bought out by a big network, but one of those shows with a big heart doing it for the love of linguistics and language and the point of view of “don’t be a jerk” — good advice more than a few of us should be taking. This show is at the top of my podcast playlist!

Love this podcast! The hosts are smart, funny, and have made me think harder about language. A great experience!

Two narcissistic SJW’s who “other” people to death while actually being everything they claim to hate. To whom does this podcast even entertain? Did I do that right? Doesn’t matter. Don’t be an classist, hypocrite. *cringe*

Two morons who are bad at using the English language telling you how “racist” it is. White women are becoming so self-righteous and pompous. These two dolts are perfect examples. If you like this podcast, question your life choices. You might also be a moron.

If you're a social minded person interested in language, communication, and material politics - it's great!

The two hosts are a constant delight and appeal to the experienced and fresh linguist alike. A diverse assortment of guests represent the topic of linguistic discrimination comprehensively. Also the way they discuss current events in the field ensures the listener the views are relevant and helpful. Five stars!

Unless two dumb “woke” broads saying “like” every two words and literally speaking in that annoying white matriarchy tone everyone loathes is your bag. They also perpetually condemn their betters, white men to make their drivel more palatable to the idiots who listen to this drek.

The hosts of this pod are wonderful and always choose such great people to interview

2 self hating white female swj liberals explain why everything in language is racist, classist, etc. Wonder Bread for the mind

These rich white privileged Marxists Karen’s claim grammar is racist. Karen was hired to teach grammar refused to teach her paying students who elected to take this class refused to teach them grammar because grammar is racist

I just want to thank you both for making such a great podcast where I learn something new every episode, just like Megan! Lol Keep it up.

Instead of arguing with people about issues around language discrimination I’ve just started sending them links to this podcast. Carrie and Megan do such an amazing job finding people who are doing important work in this field and asking them great questions.

I listen to a lot of language and linguistics podcasts, and this one has quickly become one of my favorites because of how Carrie and Megan approach using knowledge and information about linguistic behavior and linguistics research and scholarship to make the world a better place with a little more justice, a little more humanity, and a little more patience and understanding of differences in how people communicate.

There is a LOT of preamble before the meat of the episode. Like 10 minutes of introductory chit chat. I just want the linguistics!

Thank you Carrie and Megan for creating an educational and entertaining show about the function and power of language as it relates to our daily lives as well as the world at large! We’ve learned a lot about the way language reveals and conceals truth, evokes privilege, influences identity and culture, and just generally shapes the way we think. Keep on keeping on!!

Love this podcast! Shines a light on the expectations and perceptions we place on others, and in an informative, educational way, gives us tools for undoing our biases. Bravo, ladies!

I love challenging my own linguistic biases and learning about origins, accents, patterns and changes in language through each episode. Entertaining and educational- my favorite combination! Heidi Bennett of Vibrant Visionaries Podcast

A fun and approachable way to explore the questions we all have about language use. Hosted by two brilliant and wise authorities who remind us, as we communicate and judge others’ communication: #DontBeAnA**Hole!!! If you like podcasts that dig deeper into our everyday lives (e.g., Stuff You Should Know, 99% Invisible, Lingthusiasm), you will LOVE Vocal Fries 🍟

Topics and guests are really interesting and engaging - I’ve really enjoyed listening and makes me miss my sociolinguistics MA program. However pretty left wing bubble editorializing especially in the intro section; not sure if it is a goal or not, but you are definitely not reaching anyone that doesn’t already agree with your message of linguistic diversity and acceptance (which is a radical thought for many, even liberals) in that section. E.g. constantly apologizing for America; telling someone not to do their job because they’re probably not getting paid enough rather than give actual advice on how to handle the expectation of standard American English in the workplace

Language can be confusing. So many different meanings and voices, accents and interpretations. Luckily, Vocal Fries is here to make sense of it all! Great hosts and a wonderful show to teach you all about why people sound the way they do.

I love the way they approach the linguistic topics that really affect the way we see other people. Just changing our words can change a lot. Intelligent and very accessible.

This podcast is literally the funniest and most informative podcast about linguistics/linguistic discrimination. Their guests are always obviously so passionate about their area of expertise. I am so intrigue with EVERY episode that I find myself nodding my head in agreement or laughing out loud while sitting on the bus. The topics and discussion are not esoteric at all. Anyone can listen and learn despite any knowledge of linguistics!

The Vocal Fries starts out with a bang in episode one focusing on vocal fry and each episode hits you with an equally important and fascinating lesson to be had about linguistics. Perhaps I'm just a geek for communication, but this is one of the most informative and entertaining podcasts I've ever listened to and it's done with such style and wit. Even when you think you're woke to a topic, you learn something new, which is exactly why I'll have students in my college classes listen to some of the episodes. Amazing work and it adds so much to our world. Thank you! Alysa, Best Forevers: A Podcast for Kindred Spirits

The Vocal Fries Podcast is an absolute must-listen for anyone even moderately interested in issues of language and discrimination. They discuss relevant issues from a position of great expertise (they are both PhDs in linguistics) and also a biting sense of humor infused with contagious positivist. This is by far one of the most informative and entertaining podcasts you will ever find. A+

Great podcast about how characteristics in our speech are creating judgements we may not even realize. Lead by expert hosts Carrie and Megan, treat yourself to their informative and entertaining conversations. And slowly become less of a jerk.

I love this podcast! I’m a literature and genders studies teacher, not a linguist, but their conversations are always completely fascinating and so useful in understanding the way biases about our voices—that most personal of expressions—affect our lives every day. From gendered views of “vocal fry” and uptalk to the ways our brains discriminate against certain “foreign” accents (but not others), this is a great resource for anyone interested in language, gender, nationality, teaching or public speaking, or cultural norms around the way we talk. Highly recommended, it’s going in my regular rotation.

I’m so happy I started listening to this podcast! Linguistics are everything, and these highly qualified women are digging into the subtle and no-so-subtle ways we discriminate based on language. It’s fascinating and I love shows that entertain me while I’m learning to be a better person. My favorite things! Listen to this show!

I've always found linguistics interesting but don't know much about it, so this podcast is great both to educate me on various topics and to make me laugh and think. I appreciate their focus on unconscious (and conscious) biases regarding accents and word choice. The interviews are great too!

Listened after EarBuds Podcast Collecitve recommended and LOVED it. The hosts have a lot of knowledge and display it well.

Megan & Carrie are the best. Listen to this podcast if you want some really good laughs with your learning about language.

Love these ladies! They provide some really valuable information that helps listeners to be better informed global citizens. For those wanting to be better allies and more self-aware of biases that society creates, this is an awesome resource. They also have great chemistry, so listening to them is engaging and delightful!

I love the topic and hosts! I grew up in the south, but somehow managed not to hear the term vocal fry or understand what it is. I have no idea where I have been, but I'm glad I stumbled across this awesome #ladypodsquad podcast. I especially loved their episode on cussing, because I'm a lady who LOVES to cuss.

Enjoyed the show, keep it up! If you like Podcast, please check this show out and support other independent podcasters. Keep listening! #PodTester #PodernFamily #100Pods #PWLT #UnderDogPods ~Sam

Carrie and Megan break down linguistics so everyone can understand the subject matter. It’s fun, informative, and fast paced. I’ve been amazed at how much I’ve learned in a short amount of time and how Carrie and Megan make me so interested in a topic I become a googling maniac. Easily one of my favorite podcasts!

Megan & Carrie do a superb job of sharing their knowledge of linguistic demonstration with a broad audience who may or may not have a background in linguistics. Their chosen guests are always informative and present viewpoints that expand the discussion in interesting and unpredicted ways. I'd recommend this podcast to anyone who's ever thought that someone else talked 'funny' or 'wrong' - the Vocal Fries are a great way to start re-examining those linguistic prejudices that many of us don't even realize we hold!

So informative and very fun. I’ve recommended to many- especially those that whine about vocal fry 😉