2008 October Archive at The Word Nerds

Howard and Dave by the courthouse in Jonesborough Stories and Storytelling: Howard Shepherd and Dave Shepherd are in Jonesborough, Tennessee, at the National Storytelling Festival, where they discuss stories and storytelling.

Thanks to Martin P. for a PayPal donation (1:58)

We are in Jonesborough, Tennessee, the oldest town in Tennessee, home of the International Storytelling Center and host to the National Storytelling Festival. (2:19)

Why do people tell stories? Morality tales, expressions of heritage, stories that break the ice, stories that support the ego (5:14)

Music bumper from “Edgar Meyer Winter” by Shibboleth (13:28)

Different kinds of storytelling performances that we have seen: folk music, reminiscence stories, cowboy poetry, telling traditional tales (15:20) Train tracks and story tent

Song: “The Story” by Jason Silver (22:19)

Rude Word of the Week: “turkey” (25:41)

Music bumper from “Nada” by Jaime Beauchamp. (29:36)

The future of storytelling: what will storytelling look and sound like in future generations? Benjamin Shepherd, Ruthanna Ruben, Caden Watts (30:17) Main Street, Jonesborough

Music courtesy of The Podsafe Music Network

Theme music by Kick the Cat

time: 37:35

size: 34.4 Mb

rating: G (No “adult stories” were recounted in this edition. Furthermore, kids should be told stories all the time.)

Standard Podcast: Play Now | Play in Popup | Download

Debate: Barbara Shepherd and Dave Shepherd argue back and forth and try to come to agreement about the meaning of debate.

Thanks to Alex Enkerli for an audio comment on MyChingo. (2:03)

This edition was inspired by an email from Paul Lawler (3:45)

Definitions of debate; what exactly constitutes a debate? (5:26)

Music bumper from “Arabesque” by Mauricio Cuburu (11:21)

Different types of debates for different purposes and in different forums; check out the Copley Debates website, as well as Trivium Pursuit and the Aberdeen Central High School site. We also discuss Robert’s Rules of Order.(13:26)

Song: “Support for My Argument” by Emma Wallace (25:11)

Rude Word of the Week: “filibuster” (28:55)

Music bumper from “Rebuttal” by The Working Title. (32:44)

When does an argument become a debate? A brief homage to Monty Python’s classic “Argument” sketch: “Just saying no isn’t an argument!” “Yes it is.” “No it isn’t!” (33:24)

Music courtesy of The Podsafe Music Network.

Theme music by Kick the Cat

Closing theme from “Grapes” by Evan Stone

time: 39:44

size: 36.4 Mb

rating: G (This entire discussion of debate is conducted in a civil and respectful manner.)

Standard Podcast [39:44m]: Play Now | Play in Popup | Download