How to Live Your Life with No Regrets & What Bad Words Do | Something You Should Know
Summary of "How to Live Your Life with No Regrets & What Bad Words Do | Something You Should Know"
Short Summary:
This episode of "Something You Should Know" explores the concept of living a life with no regrets. The episode features two guests: Jody Wellman, an executive coach and author of "You Only Die Once," and Jess Zeris, a writer and journalist, author of "Words From Hell." Wellman emphasizes the importance of recognizing the finite nature of life and using that awareness to prioritize our goals and experiences. She encourages listeners to identify and pursue activities that bring them joy and fulfillment, even if they seem small or insignificant. Zeris delves into the history and evolution of swear words, explaining their origins and cultural significance. She highlights the changing perception of vulgarity and the role of social context in determining the acceptability of certain language.
Detailed Summary:
Section 1: Living a Life with No Regrets
- Jody Wellman, a positive psychology expert, encourages listeners to wake up to the reality of their own mortality and live with more urgency and intention.
- She introduces the concept of "regrets of omission," which are the things we didn't do and might regret at the end of our lives.
- Wellman suggests a simple exercise: calculate the number of Mondays you have left based on average life expectancy. This exercise can help us prioritize our goals and make conscious choices about how we spend our time.
- She emphasizes that living a fulfilling life doesn't require grand gestures; it's about identifying and pursuing small joys and activities that make us feel alive.
- Wellman stresses the importance of being present and appreciating the simple things in life, as well as the power of anticipation in enhancing our enjoyment of experiences.
Section 2: The History of Swear Words
- Jess Zeris, a writer and journalist, discusses the origins and evolution of swear words in the English language.
- She explains that swear words are present in virtually every language and serve various purposes, from expressing emotions to establishing social boundaries.
- Zeris highlights the influence of the Norman Conquest on the English language, explaining how many swear words are derived from Old English, while more polite terms are often from French or Latin.
- She debunks common myths about the origins of swear words, such as the acronym theory for the F-word and the "ship high in transit" theory for the S-word.
- Zeris explores the evolution of vulgarity in society, noting the relaxation of obscenity laws and the increasing acceptance of swearing in various contexts.
- She emphasizes that while many swear words have lost their shock value, slurs remain highly offensive and harmful due to their targeted nature.
Section 3: Health Myths Debunked
- The episode concludes with a brief segment debunking common health myths, such as the need to drink eight glasses of water a day, the necessity of eating breakfast for weight loss, and the idea that sugar makes children hyperactive.
- The segment provides evidence-based information to counter these misconceptions and promote a more informed understanding of health and well-being.
Notable Quotes:
- "I do want us to wake the F up to that fact so that we can live with more urgency and intention before we do in fact end up dying unfortunately." - Jody Wellman
- "The regrets I am deeply Gravely dare I say concerned about are the regrets about the paths we didn't take, the things we didn't do." - Jody Wellman
- "It's not about taking a big course or booking the big trip or making a big life change... it's about stuff like... write down 30 things that bring you joy." - Jody Wellman
- "The boundaries between the communities we speak with and what we're used to hearing have dissolved as we've been able to interact with each other in online spaces." - Jess Zeris
- "It all comes down to in groups... if someone who is an indigenous Australian prefers that term then um they are more than welcome to and uh and it's not it's up to them to decide whether that's a hurtful or hateful term." - Jess Zeris