What does it really mean to be woke - and how did a word born in Black activism turn into a global political flashpoint? In this episode, Artie Ficial and Ina Telligens trace the evolution of “woke” from its 1930s roots in African-American English, where it meant staying alert to racial injustice, to its mainstream rise during the Black Lives Matter era.

We unpack how the term’s meaning shifted - and how it’s been weaponized by political movements worldwide to undermine progressive values, education, and equality. From genuine awareness to corporate “woke-washing,” this is the story of how language, culture, and politics collide in real time.

It’s complex, it’s controversial, and it matters more than ever.

Source material:

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Woke

https://yougov.co.uk/politics/articles/35904-what-does-woke-mean-britons

https://abcnews.go.com/Politics/woke-conservatives/story?id=93051138

https://www.humanrightscareers.com/issues/what-does-woke-mean/

https://www.umass.edu/magazine/when-did-woke-become-four-letter-word

In this episode, Artie Ficial and Ina Telligens explore what it really takes to move past small talk and into deeper, more fulfilling dialogue. They unpack the science and strategies behind meaningful conversation - from asking better questions and truly listening, to sharing your own thoughts with honesty and curiosity.

You’ll learn why smart conversations don’t just feel good - they actually make us think better. Plus, Artie and Ina dig into how finding the right people (and creating the right space) can turn everyday chatter into genuine connection.

Because intelligent thinking starts with intelligent talking.

Source material:

https://www.teachingtimes.com/intelligentconversation/

https://socialself.com/blog/intellectual-conversation/

https://www.frisovandijk.com/blog/starting-intelligent-conversation/

https://psyche.co/guides/how-to-have-more-meaningful-conversations

https://www.succeedsocially.com/deeperconversations

Why do we yawn… and why does everyone else start yawning right after? In this episode, Artie Ficial and Ina Telligens dig into the surprisingly fascinating science behind one of our most universal (and contagious) behaviors.

We unpack the leading theories - from brain cooling to mental state shifts - and explore how yawning might actually help regulate alertness, empathy, and even group connection. Plus, we touch on what happens when yawning goes into overdrive and what that can reveal about sleep or neurological health.

It’s science, it’s social, and yes… you might yawn just listening.

Source material:

https://www.sleepfoundation.org/sleep-faqs/why-do-you-yawn

https://my.clevelandclinic.org/health/body/yawning

https://www.webmd.com/sleep-disorders/what-to-know-about-yawning

Ever wondered why we dress up, carve pumpkins, and hand out candy like it’s a competitive sport? Artie Ficial and Ina Telligens take a spirited dive into the origins of Halloween - from the ancient Celtic festival of Samhain (where ghosts were totally a thing) to All Hallows’ Eve to the costumed, candy-fueled celebration we know today.

We’ll explore how centuries of myth, migration, and cultural mash-ups gave us trick-or-treating, spooky symbols like witches and black cats, and a holiday that somehow delights both kids and grown-ups.

History, mystery, and just the right amount of creepy. Happy haunting.

Source material:

https://americanenglish.state.gov/files/ae/resource_files/halloween.pdf

https://learnenglish.britishcouncil.org/sites/podcasts/files/LearnEnglish-Magazine-Halloween_0.pdf

https://www.paps.net/cms/lib4/NJ01001771/Centricity/Domain/2262/History%20of%20Halloween.pdf

Traditional training is broken - too many screens, too little time, and zero attention left to give. In this episode, Artie Ficial and Ina Telligens make the case for podcast-style eLearning as the upgrade today’s workforce has been waiting for. Younger employees (and honestly, all of us) want learning they can take on the go - during commutes, workouts, or while juggling the day-to-day.

We dig into why audio boosts accessibility, respects busy schedules, and reaches hands-on workers who don’t sit at desks. Plus, with new AI tools making production fast and affordable, great training content doesn’t have to look like homework anymore.

The future of learning? It sounds a lot like this.

In our debut episode, Artie Ficial and Ina Telligens tackle the 4 Pillars of AI Prompting - your shortcut to making generative AI actually useful.

We break down essential techniques and role-based prompting strategies, then show you how to put them to work across real business roles: from executives and HR to customer service and marketing.

Clear frameworks. Practical examples. Instant productivity boost.

Learn how to talk to AI like a pro - and get results that matter.

Source material: Google’s Prompting Guide – Quick-start handbook for effective prompts