In this episode of the "Words That Make Us" podcast, Rama and Tony discuss the topic of “Home”. Listen to them discuss what constitutes a home and the feelings that come up around the concept of home. Which nationalities and gender tend to own their homes? How can you Feng Shui your home to protect its Qi/Chi? What do stoics say about homes? There are some varied songs and poems by Rumi, Gibran, Mahmoud Darwish, Clive Gregson, Curly Putman and much more!   On Home by Khalil Gibran https://poets.org/poem/children-1   Stoics on home https://www.stoic-buddy.com/blog/the-household-stoic https://viastoica.com/what-does-home-mean/   The Guest House By Rumi Read by Helena Bonham Carter https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ShNYW2e5ecQ https://allpoetry.com/poem/8534703-The-Guest-House-by-Mewlana-Jalaluddin-Rumi   Feng shui rules: https://www.mindbodygreen.com/articles/feng-shui-for-every-room-in-your-home   Homesickness https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Homesickness#:~:text=Homesickness%20is%20the%20distress%20caused,on%20topics%20unrelated%20to%20home. “ID Card” by Mahmoud Darwish Written in 1964 https://www.wrmea.org/2017-november-december/id-card-by-mahmoud-darwish-a-translation-and-commentary.html Cultural differences in home ownership https://homeandtexture.com/homeownership-different-countries/ https://medium.com/@cailiansavage1/why-the-richest-countries-have-the-lowest-home-ownership-rates-6dc202a9b81a https://www.bundesbank.de/en/publications/research/research-brief/2020-30-homeownership-822176 If you have any ideas, suggestions or feedback, please send us an email at: wordsthatmakeus@gmail.com  

Season 2, episode 15: In this episode of the "Words That Make Us" podcast, Rama and Tony discuss the topic of “Sickness”. This promises to be an episode of fun discussions, varied readings of pain and hilarity, and a few statistics to boot! They discuss questions such as: why do men not go to the doctor’s? Can prayer really relieve pain? What poems, depressing and funny alike, have they found for you? And what are some funny stories doctors have told about patients? Also, what would Marcus Aurelius say about sickness if he was alive today?    Men don’t go to the doctor https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC1121551/ Dr Gabor Mate on addiction https://www.thesunmagazine.org/articles/23606-what-ails-us   Tulips by Sylvia Plath https://www.poetryfoundation.org/poems/49013/tulips-56d22ab68fdd0   Sick by Shel Silverstein https://poets.org/poem/sick   Funny stories by doctors: https://www.boredpanda.com/funny-doctor-patient-stories/   Stoic response to sickness - an AI Marcus Aurelius response https://www.stoicsimple.com/stoic-advice-on-health-problems-illness-ask-marcus-aurelius/#:~:text=Instead%20of%20dwelling%20on%20your,the%20natural%20order%20of%20things.   On Pain by Gibran Khalil Gibran https://poets.org/poem/pain-1   Assisted suicide In Germany https://www.medscape.com/viewarticle/1000135?form=fpf https://www.dw.com/en/assisted-suicide-germany-weighs-autonomy-and-ethics/a-66111477 In sickness and in health https://www.structuralheartjournal.org/article/S2474-8706(24)00034-4/fulltext https://www.diw.de/documents/publikationen/73/diw_01.c.801752.de/diw_sp1110.pdf Walking Around by Pablo Neruda https://allpoetry.com/Walking-Around If you have any ideas, suggestions or feedback, please send us an email at: wordsthatmakeus@gmail.com

In this episode of the "Words That Make Us" podcast, Rama and Tony discuss the topic of “Cake”. Listen to them as they discuss their cake eating and baking preferences all while discussing “Let them eat cake!” and why baking shows became so popular. Would you call the sweet little baked goodness Jaffa cake or biscuits? Why does it matter? And of course, here is some poetry in there for you!  No one said “Let them eat cake”! https://www.britannica.com/story/did-marie-antoinette-really-say-let-them-eat-cake   Betty Crocker cake mix story https://cantrell.medium.com/the-myth-of-the-instant-cake-mix-a45aaac8b302 https://www.snopes.com/fact-check/something-eggstra/   Chocolate Cake by Michael Rosen https://www.uv.mx/personal/jomartinez/files/2011/08/Chocolate-Cake.pdf   The most difficult cakes to make: https://www.findcourses.co.uk/inspiration/hobby-fun-leisure-articles/how-to-make-the-worlds-most-difficult-cakes-17573   Simnel cake https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Simnel_cake   The Jaffa Cake Story https://www.kerseys.co.uk/jaffa-cakes-cakes-biscuits/#:~:text=During%20the%20court%20battle%20between,recognised%20as%20chocolate%20covered%20cakes.   Cake idioms https://www.ihpalermo.com/Cake-Biscuit-Idioms   Sister’s cake By Eugene Field  https://www.poetrysoup.com/famous/poem/sisters_cake_605   Cake by Roger Mcgough https://allpoetry.com/poem/14373247-Cake-by-Roger-McGough If you have any ideas, suggestions or feedback, please send us an email at: wordsthatmakeus@gmail.com

In this episode of the "Words That Make Us" podcast, Rama and Tony discuss the topic of “Betrayal”. Listen to them as they discuss the different types of betrayal whether in relationships, in a relation to one’s country of oneself. They discuss statistics about cheating from different countries as well as how it is regarded in stoicism, the Quran and the Bible. There is poetry from different eras and perspectives too! Countries with highest infidelity rate: https://worldpopulationreview.com/country-rankings/infidelity-rates-by-country Is it emotional cheating? https://health.clevelandclinic.org/emotional-cheating Medusa by Carol Ann Duffy https://genius.com/Carol-ann-duffy-medusa-annotated Betrayal in the Quran https://submission.org/friday_betrayal.html#:~:text=Those%20elements%20might%20be%20summarized,and%20be%20among%20the%20truthful. We Who Are Your Closest Friends by Phillip Lopate https://poets.org/poem/we-who-are-your-closest-friends Dictionary Definition https://www.vocabulary.com/dictionary/betrayal#:~:text=Betrayal%20means%20%22an%20act%20of,someone's%20trust%2C%20possibly%20by%20lying.   https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/betrayal Betrayal in the bible https://renew.org/betrayal-in-the-bible/ Betrayal in Shakespeare https://nosweatshakespeare.com/blog/top-shakespearean-betrayals/ Famous cases of betrayal in history https://www.voxnews.al/english/histori/25-tradhtite-qe-ndryshuan-rrjedhen-e-historise-i18600 https://www.watchmojo.com/articles/top-10-most-ruthless-betrayals-in-all-of-history/vidkun-quisling Judas Goats on Galapagos Islands https://www.nationalgeographic.com/culture/article/on-the-galapagos-the-betrayal-of-judas-goats Farewell, Ungrateful Traitor! John Dryden https://allpoetry.com/Farewell-Ungrateful-Traitor Sonnet 142 by William Shakespeare https://www.poetryfoundation.org/poems/56226/sonnet-142-love-is-my-sin-and-thy-dear-virtue-hate If you have any ideas, suggestions or feedback, please send us an email at: wordsthatmakeus@gmail.com

In this episode of the "Words That Make Us" podcast, Rama and Tony discuss the topic of “Sarcasm”, or should we say wit? Humour? Verbal irony? Listen to them as they discuss the nuances in these terms all while reading poetry, research and some (soft) science and statistics.  Culture and Social Status https://www.tandfonline.com/doi/full/10.1080/0163853X.2023.2252695#abstract A Modest Proposal for Preventing the Children of Poor People from Being a Burthen to their Parents, or the Country, and for Making Them Beneficial to the Publick by Jonthan Swift https://www.gutenberg.org/files/1080/1080-h/1080-h.htm Psychology of Sarcasm negatives https://www.psychologytoday.com/us/blog/and-running/202012/behind-the-scenes-sarcasm https://www.harleytherapy.co.uk/counselling/what-sarcasm-means.htm   positives https://www.forbes.com/sites/traversmark/2024/02/09/a-psychologist-explains-the-irresistible-appeal-of-sarcasm/ https://www.apa.org/monitor/may05/sarcasm https://www.inc.com/jessica-stillman/why-sarcastic-people-are-more-successful.html Sarcastic TV characters https://www.storypick.com/hurting-your-stomach/   A Rational Anthem by Ambrose Bierce https://www.poetrynook.com/poem/rational-anthem Not Waving but Drowning By Stevie Smith https://www.poetryfoundation.org/poems/46479/not-waving-but-drowning If you have any ideas, suggestions or feedback, please send us an email at: wordsthatmakeus@gmail.com

In this episode of the "Words That Make Us" podcast, Rama and Tony discuss the topic of “Trees”. Listen to them as they discuss the fascinating mechanisms trees use to grow and survive. What are the oldest trees in the world? Which countries have the most trees and which countries are planting and cutting down trees? How do trees appear in religion, culture and literature? All these questions (and many more) will be answered. When Autumn Came - Faiz Ahmed Faiz 1911-1984 https://poets.org/poem/when-autumn-came   Be by Nizar Qabbani https://blogs.transparent.com/arabic/nizar-qabbani-the-tree/   The tree of life in Bahrain  https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tree_of_Life_(Bahrain)   Oldest Trees in the world https://www.sciencefocus.com/nature/oldest-tree-in-world   Deforestation in Syria: https://syriadirect.org/under-the-axe-the-fall-of-daraas-forests-and-fruit-trees/ Dragon Blood tree on the island of Socotra https://www.theguardian.com/environment/2022/nov/12/saving-dragons-blood-island-refused-let-tree-die-out-socotra-yemen   Poplar Trees are Happiest  – by John Russell McCarthy https://woodlandtrust.tumblr.com/post/690916023263789056/poplar-trees-are-happiest-john-russell-mccarthy Plant a trillion trees https://www.plant-for-the-planet.org/trillion-trees/ Tree statistics https://www.morfo.rest/article/top-30-forested-countries Alternative search engine https://www.ecosia.org/?https:/www.ecosia.org%3Ftt%3D2044ca88%26tt%3D2044ca88%26gad_source%3D1&tt=2044ca88&gclid=Cj0KCQjwlvW2BhDyARIsADnIe-LLHIog-ZQyQyYZpGApzW-nhZ8RU7MHLLlAPYJ5XN2jR-fQU7bwbFoaAjUYEALw_wcB When Great Trees Fall Maya Angelou https://poems.com/poem/when-great-trees-fall/ On Marriage (from The Prophet) by Gibran Khalil Gibran https://poets.org/poem/marriage-3 If you have any ideas, suggestions or feedback, please send us an email at:  wordsthatmakeus@gmail.com

In this episode of the "Words That Make Us" podcast, Rama and Tony discuss the topic of “Patience”. Listen to them as they discern one type of patience from another. Can one be stoically patient in one context and impatient in another? Is patience always a virtue? What can we do when we feel impatient? What have poets from different cultural backgrounds got to say about patience? Dictionary Definition https://dictionary.cambridge.org/dictionary/english/patience The Patience of Job https://www.gotquestions.org/patience-of-Job.html   Types of patience: https://www.astrazeneca.com/content/dam/az/PDF/2020/covid-19-toolkit/Patience.pdf Stoicism as a way to learn patience https://www.stoicsimple.com/stoicism-as-a-way-to-learn-patience-acceptance-be-calm/   Laughter and Tears IX - Kahlil Gibran https://www.poetrysoup.com/famous/poem/laughter_and_tears_ix_21303   On his Blindness by John Milton https://www.owleyes.org/text/on-his-blindness/read/text-poem   The marshmallow experiment debunked https://anderson-review.ucla.edu/new-study-disavows-marshmallow-tests-predictive-powers/   Most patient animals in the world https://learningmole.com/most-patient-animals-in-the-world/   Top 10 most patient countries https://www.sciencefocus.com/the-human-body/top-10-most-patient-countries https://ourworldindata.org/grapher/cross-country-variation-in-patience?tab=table https://www.csmonitor.com/Business/2019/0729/Why-wealth-and-patience-appear-to-go-hand-in-hand   Exposure to disaster causes impatience https://medicalxpress.com/news/2021-03-today-exposure-disaster-impatience-children.html   If you have any ideas, suggestions or feedback, please send us an email at:  wordsthatmakeus@gmail.com

In this episode of the "Words That Make Us" podcast, Rama and Tony discuss the topic of “Light”. Listen to them as they discuss how light is perceived in different cultures. What is Seasonal Affective Disorder (SAD) and how does it affect us? How did ancient peoples explain the sun and other light-related phenomena? Some great poetry awaits you! Seasonal Affective Disorder (SAD) https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/seasonal-affective-disorder/symptoms-causes/syc-20364651 Silver by Walter de la Mare https://allpoetry.com/poem/8494557-Silver-by-Walter-de-la-Mare The light triad https://www.simplypsychology.org/light-triad-personality.html#:~:text=The%20light%20triad%20consists%20of,narcissism%2C%20Mechiavialinism%2C%20and%20psychopathy. Myths about Aurora Borealis https://www.nathab.com/blog/fifteen-native-tales-about-the-northern-lights/ Light and darkness in Romeo and Juliet https://www.cliffsnotes.com/cliffsnotes/subjects/literature/how-does-shakespeare-use-light-and-darkness-in-romeo-and-juliet A World of Light - Elizabeth Jennings https://www.kidsworldfun.com/learn-english/poem-a-world-of-light.php Near death experiences and light https://www.scientificamerican.com/article/what-near-death-experiences-reveal-about-the-brain/ Japanese sun goddess Amaterasu https://www.britannica.com/topic/Amenouzume Bread, Hashish and Moon by Nizar Qabbani https://allpoetry.com/Bread,-Hashish-And-Moon Do Not Go Gentle Into that Good Night by Dylan Thomas https://poets.org/poem/do-not-go-gentle-good-night If you have any ideas, suggestions or feedback, please send us an email at:  wordsthatmakeus@gmail.com    

In this episode of the "Words That Make Us" podcast, Rama and Tony discuss the topic of “Doubt”. Listen to them as they discuss the useful and not-so-useful manifestations of doubt. They discuss Impostor Syndrome and why it might be more prevalent in females than in males and talk about ways to alleviate self-doubt and its negative impacts. They have some powerful poetry for you too.   How to overcome self-doubt: https://eugenetherapy.com/article/overcome-self-doubt/#:~:text=However%2C%20when%20it%20becomes%20debilitating,self%2Ddoubt%20later%20in%20life. Descartes on doubt: https://philife.nd.edu/descartes-meditations-doubt-everything/ Doubt in Islam: https://islamqa.org/hanafi/daruliftaa/8377/having-doubts-about-allah/#:~:text=Having%20doubts%20in%20Allah%20Almighty,a%20sign%20of%20one's%20faith.&text=The%20above%20two%20narrations%20cleary,or%20evil%20due%20to%20them.   Freethinker by Robert William Service https://www.poetrysoup.com/famous/poem/freethinker_11000   If by Rudyard Kipling https://www.poetryfoundation.org/poems/46473/if— My Doubt by Jane Hirshfield https://poets.org/poem/my-doubt Still I rise – Maya Angelou https://groundedafrican.com/2023/01/25/still-i-rise-maya-angelou/ If you have any ideas, suggestions or feedback, please send us an email at:  wordsthatmakeus@gmail.com  

After a short summer break, Rama and Tony are back with you with a new episode on this episode of the topic of “Water”. Listen to them as they discuss the different effects of water on us as humans. They discuss the many ways water has been used in different analogies attempting to describe the human experience. How does water feature in Christianity and Islam? What do stoics and mystics say about it? And of course, how does water feature in Shakespeare’s writing, especially Hamlet? How much water are we using for our different purposes and how does water scarcity threaten to affect us?    Becoming the Ocean by Khalil Gibran https://bradwcarr.medium.com/becoming-the-ocean-fb17376975ad    Stoicism on Water https://www.beststoicquotes.com/blog/on-digging-deep   Global market for bottled water https://www.statista.com/outlook/cmo/non-alcoholic-drinks/bottled-water/worldwide#revenue   Top 10 countries with freshwater resources https://www.jagranjosh.com/general-knowledge/top-10-countries-with-freshwater-resources-1537440475-1   Industries that consume most fresh water https://2030.builders/world-water-day/   “Water” by Ralph Waldo Emerson https://www.poetryfoundation.org/poems/52342/water-56d230b9c3194   Types of water use: https://watercycle.byu.edu/blue-green-and-gray-water-use#:~:text=Blue%20Water%20deals%20with%20human,quality%20issues%20or%20excessive%20heat.   How much water does it take to make a pair of Jeans? https://www.bbc.co.uk/sounds/play/p0ckr93c   If you have any ideas, suggestions or feedback, please send us an email at:  wordsthatmakeus@gmail.com

In this episode of the "Words That Make Us" podcast, Rama and Tony discuss the topic of “Stationery”. Listen to them as they discuss what stationery items mean to them as teachers. There are some interesting facts and statistics about stationery that might surprise you. What are the most stolen items of stationery? Tony also reads you poetry about stationery which we hope you enjoy!   Stealing stationery from work https://www.bbc.com/worklife/article/20180524-the-psychology-of-stealing-office-supplies https://yougov.co.uk/economy/articles/21708-what-are-britons-stealing-work https://www.furniture-work.co.uk/blog/post/13-eye-opening-statistics-about-theft-in-the-workplace The history of pencils (and other stationery) https://inkymemo.com/unknown-facts-stationery-tricks/ Pens Are Better Than Pencils by Dan Brown https://www.poemhunter.com/poem/pens-are-better-than-pencils/ Most expensive pens: https://www.executivepensdirect.com/blogs/fun-stuff/the-ten-most-expensive-pens-in-the-world History of BIC biro https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bic_Cristal#:~:text=The%20 BIC%20 Crystal%20(stylised%20as,billionth%20sale%20in%20 September%202006.   If you have any ideas, suggestions or feedback, please send us an email at:  wordsthatmakeus@gmail.com

In this episode of the "Words That Make Us" podcast, Rama and Tony discuss the topic of “Lying”. Listen to them as they discuss the different types of lies people tell and why we lie. Which nations lie more than others? Which gender? Should one always be honest and what are the most common lies people tell?  Which country lies the most https://www.thrillist.com/news/nation/the-most-dishonest-country-is https://nypost.com/2015/11/16/the-most-dishonest-country-is/ https://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-6875219/Australia-ranks-list-dishonest-countries.html Why Children/teenagers lie or want to lie https://raisingchildren.net.au/preschoolers/behaviour/common-concerns/lies#:~:text='white%20lie'.-,When%20do%20children%20start%20lying%3F,more%20at%204%2D6%20years.   https://www.newportacademy.com/resources/restoring-families/why-do-teenagers-lie/#:~:text=Teens%20Lie%20More%20Than%20Any,get%20away%20with%20it%20more. The most common lies https://www.lawyersmutualnc.com/blog/the-20-most-popular-lies-we-tell-every-day White Lies by NATASHA TRETHEWEY https://www.poetryfoundation.org/poems/58265/white-lies Sonnet 138: When My Love Swears That She Is Made of Truth https://www.poemhunter.com/william-shakespeare/ 8 of History’s Most Destructive Lies https://www.saturdayeveningpost.com/2018/05/8-historys-destructive-lies/ Stoicism on lying https://dailystoic.com/its-about-what-you-do-and-dont-do/ Shakespeare and Lies - the 7 degrees of lying https://noshitshakespeare.tumblr.com/post/140859299194/the-seven-degrees-of-lying-in-as-you-like-it-by If you have any ideas, suggestions or feedback, please send us an email at:  wordsthatmakeus@gmail.com

In this episode of the "Words That Make Us" podcast, Rama and Tony discuss the topic of “Football”. This episode was recorded during the European Championship and it spurred a conversation about why men are generally more enthusiastic about football than women. How is women’s football doing in terms of equality, support and funding? What is the Mohammad Salah effect. They discuss their findings on the history of the game and some interesting facts. There’s poetry, too!    Why more men are interested in football than women: https://time.com/4322947/men-women-sports-evolution/ Psychology of football supporters - need for identification/belonging: https://www.psychologytoday.com/us/blog/the-science-of-fandom/202302/why-football-fans-get-so-emotional https://neurosciencenews.com/fan-emotion-brain-25236/ ‘We See You’ by Carol Ann Duffy: https://www.countryandtownhouse.com/culture/carol-ann-duffy-womens-football/ Shakespeare on Football: https://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/articles/1S1GnZzSNft0WpBRK92bW8T/back-of-ye-net https://nosweatshakespeare.com/blog/shakespeare-beautiful-game/ Stoic response to fandom: https://modernstoicism.com/stoicism-sports-and-fandom-an-exchange-by-tim-lebon-and-greg-sadler/ The Mohammad Salah effect: https://www.cambridge.org/core/journals/american-political-science-review/article/can-exposure-to-celebrities-reduce-prejudice-the-effect-of-mohamed-salah-on-islamophobic-behaviors-and-attitudes/A1DA34F9F5BCE905850AC8FBAC78BE58 If you have any ideas, suggestions or feedback, please send us an email at:  wordsthatmakeus@gmail.com

In this episode of the "Words That Make Us" podcast, Rama and Tony discuss the topic of “Hair”! Join them as they discuss what different hairstyles might say about us, hair loss, wig history and growing market. Should hair be covered? Shampooed? Cut? They read you poetry too! Alain de Botton on boldness and hairstyles: https://www.theschooloflife.com/article/why-we-think-so-much-about-our-hair/   For Anne Gregory by William Butler Yeats https://www.poemhunter.com/poem/for-anne-gregory/ Wigs: The Truth About Where Hair Extensions Come From | Shady | Refinery29   Global hair care market - statistics https://www.statista.com/outlook/cmo/beauty-personal-care/personal-care/hair-care/worldwide https://www.skyquestt.com/report/hair-care-market#:~:text=Hair%20Care%20Market%20Insights,period%20(2024%2D2031). https://www.statista.com/statistics/824153/market-value-organic-natural-hair-care-global/   Hair loss shampoos - don’t work https://drwilliamlindsey.com/fact-fiction-hair-loss-shampoos-work-stop-hair-loss/   No-poo https://www.healthline.com/health/beauty-skin-care/no-poo#hair-health   History of hairstyles https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hairstyle https://www.thehairroutine.com/blogs/journal/hair-through-decades https://www.thelovepost.global/decolonise-your-mind/photo-essays/hair-power-exploring-history-and-meaning-hairstyles-across-globe   Hairstyles and pop music https://www.buzzfeed.com/spotify/shaggy-beards-and-curly-hair https://www.bbc.co.uk/music/articles/0125caa8-a00d-4bf8-98e1-089e2dac254f Idioms about HAIR https://www.learn-english-today.com/idioms/idiom-categories/body/hair.html https://torontohairtransplantclinic.com/the-idioms-of-hair/   Her Hair - Charles Baudelaire https://www.poemhunter.com/poem/her-hair/ Hijab Scene 7 by Mohja Kahf https://www.poemhunter.com/poem/hijab-scene-7/ Redheads: https://www.ucihealth.org/blog/2018/04/redheads-pain#:~:text=They%20need%20about%2020%20percent,killing%20analgesics%2C%20such%20as%20opioids. Granddad's Got Hair By Graham Craven https://www.familyfriendpoems.com/poem/grandads-got-hair If you have any ideas, suggestions or feedback, please send us an email at:  wordsthatmakeus@gmail.com

In this episode of the "Words That Make Us" podcast, Rama and Tony discuss the topic of “Cats”. Listen to them as they discuss their experiences with cats. Rama reads some research about the health benefits of having cats, while Tony counters by reading statistics and other science about cat owners. How do different cultures see cats, especially black ones? Which countries have the most cats and which countries are restricting cat owning? Some interesting poetry about cats features in today’s episode as well!   The physical and mental health benefits of having cats: https://www.healthline.com/health/benefits-of-being-cat-lover#4.-Health   Annual expenditure on cats and dogs USA https://www.battersea.org.uk/pet-advice/cat-advice/cost-owning-cat   Needy cat people https://www.dailymail.co.uk/sciencetech/article-2911381/It-s-official-crazy-cat-ladies-exist-Pet-owners-neurotic-needy-cliams-study.html   "Quick! quick! ..." BY ANONYMOUS https://www.poetryfoundation.org/poems/42906/quick-quick-   The Galloping Cat by Stevie Smith(1972) https://www.poetrybyheart.org.uk/poems/the-galloping-cat   Cat Idioms and Phrases https://owlcation.com/humanities/50-Cat-Idioms-and-Phrases   Famous cats https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_individual_cats   Cat islands: https://www.japan-guide.com/e/e5031.html   The Panther by Rainer Maria Rilke https://allpoetry.com/The-Panther   Cats in Shakespeare https://www.thegreatcat.org/cat-shakespeare/ https://www.historyhit.com/the-bizarre-life-of-cats-in-shakespeares-england/   Black cat superstitions and witchcraft https://www.msj.edu/news/2024/02/the-power-of-black-cats.html#:~:text=Over%20time%2C%20European%20folklore%20evolved,would%20ultimately%20threaten%20their%20safety. February by Margaret Atwood https://www.poetryfoundation.org/poems/47787/february-56d2288025b1e If you have any ideas, suggestions or feedback, please send us an email at:  wordsthatmakeus@gmail.com

In this new season of The Words That Make Us, Rama and Tony attempt to shorten the episodes. Listen to them as they discuss the topic of "Shoes". They tell you a little about the history and trends in shoes. Which shoe brand generates the most profit and what are elevator shoes? What does your choice of shoes say about you? There's a story and some poetry about shoes in there too. Interesting facts and the earliest shoes: https://shuzes.co.uk/blogs/news/10-facts-about-shoes-you-didnt-know   Cultural Significance of Shoes https://www.walkingonacloud.ca/blog/the-cultural-significance-of-shoes/   https://www.comunitymade.com/blogs/posts/draft-how-footwear-reflects-community-and-culture   Shoe Traditions https://woombie.com/blog/post/shoe-traditions-across-the-globe-that-leaves-tourist-wondering-why   http://traditionalshoes.com/en/archives/210   https://mainecrimewriters.com/2016/12/08/christmas-customs-a-shoe-in/   Sneaker Culture https://www.nationalgeographic.com/culture/article/sneaker-culture-sneakerheads-air-jordans-history-expression   Footwear Industry Trends https://www.statista.com/outlook/cmo/footwear/worldwide   Bible Quotations and Topics about Shoes https://www.bible-topics.com/Shoes.html#:~:text=Deuteronomy%2033%3A25%20Thy%20shoes,so%20shall%20thy%20strength%20be.&text=Bound%20round%20the%20feet%20with,am%20not%20worthy%20to%20unloose. Phrases or Idioms with Shoes https://idioms.thefreedictionary.com/shoe   My Old Shoes by Amos Russel Well https://discoverpoetry.com/poems/amos-russel-wells/my-old-shoes/?utm_content=cmp-true   The Shoemaker by Evander A. Crewson https://discoverpoetry.com/poems/e-a-crewson/the-shoemaker/   If you have any ideas, suggestions or feedback, please send us an email at:  wordsthatmakeus@gmail.com

In this episode of the "Words That Make Us" podcast, Rama and Tony discuss the topic of “Food”. Listen to them discuss the foods of their childhoods and respective countries. What are some statistics about meat and other foods around the world? How is food seen in stoicism, Islam and Christianity? How is the food industry evolving to keep up with modern trends? They also share with you some poems about food. Trigger warning: If you find the topic of eating disorders triggering, be sure to skip the poem “The Diet” by Carol Ann Duffy. On Eating and Drinking (from The Prophet) Kahlil Gibran  https://poets.org/poem/eating-and-drinking-0   Evolution of Diet / Timeline https://www.nationalgeographic.com/foodfeatures/evolution-of-diet/ https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Timeline_of_food   Learning to eat the stoic way https://thestoicgym.com/the-stoic-magazine/article/127 Organic Foods Statistics https://science.howstuffworks.com/environmental/green-science/organic-food6.htm   On US food consumption https://docs.google.com/spreadsheets/d/1nZxOh7ghMjKeo2Y49_mb98OIzP1GUa2t/edit#gid=2065436962   Corned Beef and Cabbage BY GEORGE BILGERE https://www.poetryfoundation.org/poems/52248/corned-beef-and-cabbage “The Diet” by Carol Ann Duffy https://poemanalysis.com/carol-ann-duffy/the-diet/ FUN FACTS ABOUT FOOD! https://www.thefactsite.com/100-random-food-facts/ If you have any ideas, suggestions or feedback, please send us an email at:  wordsthatmakeus@gmail.com

  In this episode of the "Words That Make Us" podcast, Rama and Tony discuss the topic of “Holidays”. Listen to them as they discuss the different types of holidays and holiday makers. Which are the most visited countries? Which countries make the most revenue from travel? What is “Paris Syndrome”? What are some poems about travel and the feelings it conjures. Country tourism revenue and statistics: https://ourworldindata.org/tourism Paris Syndrome: https://qz.com/emails/quartz-obsession/1850677468/paris-syndrome-troubles-in-tourism#:~:text=Symptoms%20include%20dizziness%2C%20anxiety%2C%20vomiting,in%20Paris%2C%20in%20the%201980s.   Shakespeare on holidays: https://www.folger.edu/blogs/shakespeare-and-beyond/how-william-shakespeare-invented-the-holiday-romcom/   History and evolution of holidays https://www.inghams.co.uk/blog/inghams/the-history-and-evolution-of-holidays-and-travel/#:~:text=31%20BC%2D1484%20%E2%80%93%20The%20Romans,the%20way%20to%20southern%20Egypt! https://culturetourist.com/cultural-tourism/history-of-travelling-how-people-started-to-travel/ https://familyholidaycharity.org.uk/our-story/how-times-have-changed-social-history-holidays Holidays  - Henry Wadsworth Longfellow  https://poets.org/poem/holidays Vacation - Rita Dove https://poets.org/poem/vacation If Once You Have Slept On An Island by Rachel Lyman Field https://allpoetry.com/If-Once-You-Have-Slept-On-An-Island Extreme Wanderlust: https://www.elitedaily.com/life/culture/damaging-side-effects-wanderlust/610398 The types of travelers: https://travel.earth/different-types-of-travellers/ If you have any ideas, suggestions or feedback, please send us an email at:  wordsthatmakeus@gmail.com

In this episode of the "Words That Make Us" podcast, Rama and Tony discuss the topic of “dreams”. Listen to them as they discuss the meaning of dreams and why women dream differently (and more) than men. How do dreams appear in Buddhism, Christianity, Islam and Sufism? What are the most recurring dreams? Of course expect some poetry too. The story of Prophet Yusuf in the Quran: https://www.al-islam.org/enlightening-commentary-light-holy-quran-vol-7/section-6-kings-dream-yusufs-interpretation What are dreams and what do they mean? https://health.clevelandclinic.org/dreams-and-dreaming What is daydreaming and what does it mean? https://thereader.mitpress.mit.edu/daydreaming-and-concentration-what-the-science-says/ https://www.verywellmind.com/positives-about-daydreaming-5119107 Dreams by Langston Hughes 1901 –1967 https://poets.org/poem/dreams Why women dream more than men: https://www.dreams.co.uk/sleep-matters-club/women-dream-men Recurring dreams: https://www.sleepfoundation.org/dreams/dream-interpretation/recurring-dreams#what-are-the-most-common-recurring-dreams Dreams by Langston Hughes 1901 –1967 https://poets.org/poem/dreams The Dream That Must Be Interpreted by Rumi https://www.stillnessspeaks.com/dream-must-interpreted-rumi/ If you have any ideas, suggestions or feedback, please send us an email at:  wordsthatmakeus@gmail.com

In this episode of the "Words That Make Us" podcast, Rama and Tony discuss the topic of “Teachers”. Listen to them as they discuss their experiences with teaching both as students and teachers. They read a range of humorous poems and share some research about teaching. My Teacher Wasn't Half As Nice As Yours Seems To Be by Roald Dahl https://www.poemhunter.com/poem/my-teacher-wasn-t-half-as-nice-as-yours-seems-to-be/ Napoleon BY MIROSLAV HOLUB https://www.poetryfoundation.org/poems/51047/napoleon   Stoicism on teaching https://www.alphabetpublishingbooks.com/stoicism-relevant-teachers/ The Lesson by Roger McGough https://www.poemhunter.com/poem/the-lesson/ Mrs Stein By Bill Dodds  https://www.giggleverse.com/?gv_poem=mrs-stein The Supply Teacher by Allan Ahlberg https://www.poemhunter.com/allan-ahlberg/ Where in the world are teachers most respected https://www.weforum.org/agenda/2018/12/teachers-where-most-and-least-respected/ https://www.bbc.com/news/business-46063947 https://www.anefore.lu/wp-content/uploads/2015/09/EURYDICE-THE-TEACHING-PROFESSION.pdf European teacher salaries and other statistics https://www.euronews.com/next/2023/07/05/teachers-pay-which-countries-pay-the-most-and-the-least-in-europe#:~:text=Annual%20gross%20starting%20salaries%20of%20teachers%20(2020%2F2021)&text=Leaving%20aside%20Luxembourg%2C%20the%20annual,than%20half%20the%20German%20figure. Maya Angelou about her teacher: https://www.boredteachers.com/post/celebrities-teachers-changed-their-lives If you have any ideas, suggestions or feedback, please send us an email at:  wordsthatmakeus@gmail.com