How Humans Talk is a series exploring how people connect, persuade, and make sense of one another through language. Join host Rune Pedersen as he navigates the quirks, nuances, and hidden meanings of everyday conversations. Uncover the subtle ways our words shape identities, relationships, and the world around us. Listen in for chats with communication specialists, cultural commentators, and some delightfully curious minds.
In the season finale of How Humans Talk, Rune Pedersen turns the microphone inward to explore one of the most personal forms of communication: how we talk to ourselves. From spirals of doubt to pep talk, inner monologues shape our sense of self and how we move through the world. Psychologist Dr. Chris Cheers helps untangle the threads of self-talk, rumination, and childhood schemas, revealing how our internal narratives can support or sabotage us. Rune also speaks with Corinne Ooms from Alone Australia, who recounts the profound shift in her self-perception after spending seventy days in complete isolation. And poet Thabani Tshuma invites us into the transformative space of language and recovery, where self-talk becomes both survival and art. Together, they explore how changing the voice in your head can change everything.
3 Jul 2025TRANSCRIPT
How Australians talk about Housing
In this episode of How Humans Talk Rune and Stefan tackle one of Australia's most passionate and polarising topics - the great Australian dream of home ownership. Diving into the myths and realities surrounding housing in Australia, they reflect on the emotional and cultural pressure of chasing property ownership - and the ways that language reinforces it. In contrast, they examine Denmark’s model, where stable, lifelong renting is not only common but culturally accepted.
26 Jun 2025TRANSCRIPT
Speaking for Two: How Kids Navigate Heritage Language, Culture and Identity
Pey Chi, Jim Hlavac, and Danny Tran share personal stories with Stefan Delatovic and Rune Pedersen about navigating heritage language, culture, and identity, revealing the intricate connection between language and belonging in this interview episode.
19 Jun 2025
How Doctors Talk
Host Rune explores doctor-patient communication with Dr. Sarah J. White, conversation analyst, and Mary Dahm, health communication expert, revealing how language impacts care and improves medical outcomes in this interview.
12 Jun 2025
How Voice Actors Talk
Voice coach Abbe Holmes coaches host Rune Kirt on how voice actors manipulate pitch, rhythm, and intention to craft authentic performances and bring life to language, in this interview episode.
4 Jun 2025
How humans talk to dogs
Animal welfare scientist Dr. Mia Cobb joins Rune to investigate how humans communicate with dogs through baby talk, commands, and whispers, revealing insights into our relationships with animals in this interview episode.
29 May 2025
Why do we curse and swear: #!@*&% ?
Linguist Rune Pedersen interviews Professor Kate Burridge about the psychology and sociology behind swearing, revealing its historical, emotional, and even pain-relieving power.
22 May 2025TRANSCRIPT
How DO Humans Talk?
Host Rune Pedersen interviews speech pathologist Dr. Sarah Lobegeiger de Rodriguez about the power of the human voice and speaks with Dory Wang regarding the challenges multilingual speakers face, highlighting the importance of effective communication.
15 May 2025TRANSCRIPT
Introducing 'How Humans Talk'
Host Rune Pedersen introduces "How Humans Talk," a series exploring the hidden layers of language and how it shapes human connection, persuasion, and understanding through conversation.
Inside a recent episode
How We Talk to Ourselves
Published 10 Jul 2025 · Transcript excerpt
[…] So if you are sort of going over things from the past and sort of in your head kind of going over and over them and telling yourself that you did bad or what you did bad in the past, that's less likely to be good, that's less likely to be useful for your well -being to kind of ruminate for days and days. […]
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