Can I Have a Word?

About Can I Have a Word?

Words are never just words. They shape who we become, what we believe, and how we see the world - whether we mean for them to or not. This podcast explores the complex intersection between language and identity. Through a nuanced exploration of the words we use, this podcast examines how words inform who we are and how we subsequently navigate through the world as a result. By understanding our individual relationship to language, we gain insight into the depths of the human experience and simultaneously create opportunities to better understand one another. Hosted by cultural advisor and communications strategist Carl James, this podcast unlocks the deeper meaning that lies in the words we use every day. If you are open to exploring the power that language can have in our lives, then this podcast is for you! This podcast will provide the context and rationale for important questions like: *How do the words we use shape our personal and cultural identity? *How does language connect or disconnect us from our cultural roots or communities? *How do the words we use intersect with specific identity markers, including race, gender, and class? *How does language influence power dynamics in society? *What emotional and psychological impact does language have on identity? *How does a deeper exploration of language allow for a greater sense of freedom, control, and power? Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy (https://acast.com/privacy) for more information.

Publisher

Carl James

Category

education · leisure · society & culture

Language

en

Explicit

No

First episode

7 Jan 2025

Latest episode

20 Apr 2026

Latest episodes

25 episodes in the feed.

1. 

   20 Apr 2026

   Faith: Action Without Assurance

   What does it really mean to have faith? Not as something rooted in belief—but as a choice to move forward when nothing is guaranteed. We often think of faith as something that should work out in our favor. But what if it’s not about the outcome at all? What if it’s about moving anyway—and trusting that whatever comes from it, even if it’s simply “I won’t do that again,” still has value. In this season finale, we explore faith as trusting the step in front of you… without needing the outcome to prove it was worth it. This episode is about redefining faith—not as a guarantee, but as a willingness to act without one. If this resonates, follow the show and share it with someone who might need the reminder: you don’t have to know how it ends to take the next step. Production Team Host/Creator - Carl James Lead Engineer - Josh Wilcox Editor - Walter Nordquist Logo Design - Stephanie Cardenas Music - Yennaedo Balloo Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy (https://acast.com/privacy) for more information.

2. 

   6 Apr 2026

   Unraveling: Honesty, Capacity, and the Slow Work of Rebuilding

   There’s a difference between a bad day… and a period where things aren’t just difficult—they’re unraveling. In this episode, we explore how to recognize when you’re not just having a hard day—but moving through something deeper. What it means to stop minimizing what you feel, and instead be honest about where you are. And how to navigate that space without trying to quickly fix it—by focusing on what’s within your control, honoring your capacity, and taking it one day at a time. There’s no quick way out of unraveling. Only the quiet work of meeting yourself where you are—and starting there. Content note: This episode includes a brief reference to suicidal thoughts as part of a broader conversation about emotional overwhelm. If you or someone you know needs support, you can call or text 988 (Suicide and Crisis Lifeline) in the U.S. Production Team Host/Creator - Carl James Lead Engineer - Josh Wilcox Editor - Walter Nordquist Logo Design - Stephanie Cardenas Music - Yennaedo Balloo Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy (https://acast.com/privacy) for more information.

3. 

   23 Mar 2026

   Fear: The Burden of Always Being Strong

   We're taught that strength is survival—but what if always being strong is the very thing holding you back? What does it cost to never let yourself fall? In this episode, I am joined by my friend Bomopregha Julius to unpack the word fear—not just as an emotion, but as a lived experience shaped by identity, expectation, and pressure. For many of us—especially those who are first-generation, people of color, or navigating spaces where success feels non-negotiable—fear doesn’t just show up as hesitation. It shows up as silence. As perfectionism. As the inability to admit when things aren’t going well. Together, we explore: - Why fear is often hidden beneath the pressure to succeed - The weight of expectation across identity and upbringing - What it means to “fall” — and why perceived failure is often the real teacher - The tension between self-protection and self-honesty - Why running toward fear may be the only way to truly understand yourself This conversation is an invitation—to make space for uncertainty, and to recognize that growth often begins where comfort ends. Because fear isn’t just something to avoid. It might be pointing you toward the version of yourself you’re afraid to meet and the truth you’ve been trying to outrun. Production Team Host/Creator - Carl James Lead Engineer - Josh Wilcox Editor - Walter Nordquist Logo Design - Stephanie Cardenas Music - Yennaedo Balloo Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy (https://acast.com/privacy) for more information.

Reach and audience

Public platform figures. Ratings count people who left a rating, not total listeners.

YouTube views

489

Score snapshot 15 Sept 2025

Apple Podcasts (US)

5.0 / 5

7 ratings

Podcast Authority Score: 39 / 100

A composite of feed quality, social presence, YouTube performance and engagement. Read the methodology.

Quality

38

Social presence

0

YouTube

66

Engagement

32

Contact Can I Have a Word?

Guest appearances

Books guests

Based on episode analysis; this does not confirm that the show is currently accepting guests.

Questions about Can I Have a Word?