In this episode of CorpusCast, Dr Robbie Love dives into the transformative potential of statistics in corpus linguistics, featuring special guest Professor Stefan Th. Gries from the University of California, Santa Barbara. Known for his advocacy of rigorous statistical methods, Professor Gries challenges conventional approaches, pushing for statistical sophistication in understanding language. Throughout the conversation, Professor Gries shares how statistical modeling is changing the field by providing tools to quantify language patterns, moving beyond basic calculations to multifactorial models that address the complexity of linguistic data. With these advanced methods, researchers are better equipped to manage variability, enhancing the reliability and generalisability of corpus-based findings. The discussion also explores the shift toward mixed-effects modelling, which considers individual differences in language use, adding nuance to linguistic studies. Dr. Love and Professor Gries discuss the challenges students and researchers face in learning and applying these methods, as well as practical approaches to make complex statistics accessible to linguistics students and seasoned researchers alike. Whether you're new to corpus linguistics or a seasoned professional, this episode provides valuable insights into the evolving role of statistics in the field. Don’t miss this enlightening discussion on the power of data in revealing hidden patterns in language.