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It's About Language, with Norah Jones
It's About Language, with Norah Jones episodes
- S5E11: I Just Want to be Heard- A Conversation with Sharon Deering Williford
How language, identity, and patience shape our healing and humanity.
In this deeply personal episode, Sharon Williford returns to the podcast nearly five years after her first appearance. Then, she was freshly navigating life after a massive stroke that left her with severe aphasia—a loss of language that profoundly impacted how she communicated and how others saw her.
Now, years later, Sharon shares her ongoing journey: the challenges of expressing herself, the patience required to rebuild identity through language, and the surprising strength found in simply being heard.
Contact Norah :
[email protected]
Website: https://fluency.consulting
Your journey to discover the richness of language starts here. Join us on the website and embark on a learning adventure like never before!
Social Media Platforms :
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/FluencyConsultingLLC
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/fluency_consulting/
Twitter: https://twitter.com/NorahLulicJones
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/fluency-norah-jones47 min - S5E10 Language is About People - A Conversation with Paul Frank“People don’t want to abandon who they are in order to have a better future. Language gives them options—and dignity—to be both rooted and reaching.”
– Paul Frank
In this powerful episode, Norah Jones is joined by Paul Frank, Associate Director for Language Solutions at SIL International. With more than four decades of experience in the field, Paul shares his journey from rural Mexico to the mountains of Colombia to international leadership roles supporting minority language communities.His message is rooted in lived experience: language is not just about communication—it’s about connection, identity, and opportunity.
In this episode, you’ll learn:
- How Paul’s early experiences in Tzeltal-speaking communities shaped his career
- Insights from his linguistic and community development work in Colombia
- The founding of SIL LEAD and the global impact of the Bloom book creation software
- Why multilingualism is the global norm—and why honoring it matters in education and policy
- What it means to support language choice, not language loss
Paul has worked in over a dozen countries, trained educators and linguists around the world, and helped launch a platform—Bloom—that now supports book creation in nearly 1,000 languages.
Contact Norah :
[email protected]
Website: https://fluency.consulting
Your journey to discover the richness of language starts here. Join us on the website and embark on a learning adventure like never before!
Social Media Platforms :
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/FluencyConsultingLLC
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/fluency_consulting/
Twitter: https://twitter.com/NorahLulicJones
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/fluency-norah-jones41 min - S5E9: The Soul of the Mangyan Ambahan
In this moving and powerful episode of It’s About Language, host Norah Jones welcomes a panel of cultural advocates and storytellers to explore the poetic traditions and philosophy of the Mangyan people of Mindoro, Philippines. From personal stories to academic insights, guests Chiara Cox, Lolita Delgado Fansler, Resti Pitgogo, Zosing Evangelista, and Emily Catapang open the door to a living tradition of Ambahan—an ancient, rhythmic poetry written in the Hanunuo Mangyan script. This script, still used today, dates back before the 10th century and has withstood centuries of colonization and cultural pressure. What emerges is not just language but a deeply human worldview of connection, respect, and soul.
Episode Highlights
- The poetic and philosophical depth of Ambahan as sung poetry
- Chiara Cox’s rediscovery of her roots and cultural mission
- Lolita’s journey from volunteer to lifelong cultural champion
- Resti’s decades-long study of Ambahan and its symbolic wisdom
- Zosing’s life as a Mangyan and how Ambahan shaped his legal philosophy
- Emily’s enduring work in preserving the Mangyan script and traditions
Contact Norah :
[email protected]
Website: https://fluency.consulting
Your journey to discover the richness of language starts here. Join us on the website and embark on a learning adventure like never before!
Social Media Platforms :
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/FluencyConsultingLLC
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/fluency_consulting/
Twitter: https://twitter.com/NorahLulicJones
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/fluency-norah-jones39 min - S5E8: Casa Areyto Taino Language & Culture Live
In this episode, we welcome Priscilla Colón, a writer, artist, and educator with over 20 years of experience in language programs. She has trained and empowered diverse learners, from government personnel to public school students, shaping the way Indigenous languages are taught and preserved.
Casa Areyto: A Mission to Reclaim the Taíno Identity
Priscilla’s work is deeply rooted in her own search for Indigenous heritage. She founded Casa Areyto with a mission to ensure that every Taíno descendant knows who they are and where they come from.
This episode dives into Indigenous language revitalization, cultural identity, and the role of education in preserving history. Don’t miss this powerful conversation with Priscilla Colón.
Contact Norah :
[email protected]
Website: https://fluency.consulting
Your journey to discover the richness of language starts here. Join us on the website and embark on a learning adventure like never before!
Social Media Platforms :
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/FluencyConsultingLLC
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/fluency_consulting/
Twitter: https://twitter.com/NorahLulicJones
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/fluency-norah-jones49 min - S5E7: Playful, Unexpected – Planet Word Museum with Anne Friedman“Let’s use our words to create community, to build bridges, to find the things we have in common—what we all laugh at, what we all celebrate. And let’s not use our words to divide.” – Ann Friedman, Founder & CEO of Planet Word I’ve always believed that words hold immense power, shaping our connections, fuelingContinue reading "S5E7: Playful, Unexpected – Planet Word Museum with Anne Friedman"46 min
- S5E7: Playful, Unexpected – Planet Word Museum with Anne Friedman
In this episode of It’s About Language, I sit down with Ann to hear how her love of language led her from working in Beirut and Jerusalem as a translator, to teaching young students, and finally, to founding a first-of-its-kind museum dedicated to words and literacy. We talk about the power of language to build communities, the importance of keeping literacy alive, and how Planet Word’s voice-activated exhibits and participatory experiences bring words to life.
Contact Norah :
[email protected]
Website: https://fluency.consulting
Your journey to discover the richness of language starts here. Join us on the website and embark on a learning adventure like never before!
Social Media Platforms :
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/FluencyConsultingLLC
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/fluency_consulting/
Twitter: https://twitter.com/NorahLulicJones
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/fluency-norah-jones46 min - S5E6 Julia, 17, Shares the Joy of Languages
Contact Norah :
[email protected]
Website: https://fluency.consulting
Your journey to discover the richness of language starts here. Join us on the website and embark on a learning adventure like never before!
Social Media Platforms :
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/FluencyConsultingLLC
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/fluency_consulting/
Twitter: https://twitter.com/NorahLulicJones
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/fluency-norah-jones49 min - S5E6 Julia, 17, Shares the Joy of LanguagesThere are hundreds and hundreds of languages and hundreds of different ways of saying something. Something simple can just be explained and communicated in so many different ways. Sure, you can use a translator, but you never get to experience that joy for yourself. That’s changed my perspective and my worldview. Julia Hosage Hello! MyContinue reading "S5E6 Julia, 17, Shares the Joy of Languages"49 min
- S5E5 Its About Language : Embrace Your Gifts | Guest Ana Lucia Lico
What if maintaining your heritage language is the key to unlocking a deeper sense of belonging and cultural identity? Join me as I sit down with Ana Lucia Lico, a fervent advocate for heritage language preservation. Ana shares her compelling journey from Brazil to the United States, transitioning from a career in science to becoming an influential figure in education. Her story is one of resilience and dedication as she spearheaded the creation of a language cooperative that grew into ABRACE, a thriving cultural association in the Washington DC area. Discover how Ana's passion helped shape a supportive community for language learners, emphasizing the critical role of heritage language in nurturing one's identity amidst new cultural landscapes.
In our heartfelt conversation, Ana reveals the intricate dance of raising children with a strong connection to their roots while navigating the challenges of adolescence. She highlights the profound influence of parental support and community-based schools in fostering a dual sense of belonging. These schools offer more than just language lessons; they are vibrant hubs for cultural celebrations, friendships, and the embracing of multiple cultural identities. We discuss how these cultural ties strengthen, rather than compromise, integration into broader society, providing a comprehensive view of the significance of creating environments where children feel valued and respected.
Ana also sheds light on the ongoing battle to preserve one's language and culture against external pressures. She advocates for educators and parents to seek out and build supportive communities, emphasizing the vital role of the Coalition of Community-Based Heritage Language Schools. As the episode draws to a close, Ana shares her personal aspirations, including writing a book about her family's journey, and leaves a touching message for her sons on the importance of maintaining their heritage amidst new experiences. This episode is a testament to the power of language in shaping cultural identity and fostering a sense of belonging across generations.Contact Norah :
[email protected]
Website: https://fluency.consulting
Your journey to discover the richness of language starts here. Join us on the website and embark on a learning adventure like never before!
Social Media Platforms :
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/FluencyConsultingLLC
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/fluency_consulting/
Twitter: https://twitter.com/NorahLulicJones
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/fluency-norah-jones46 min - S5E5 Ana Lucia Lico: Embrace Your GiftsYou have to fight to remain living the language and culture that are meaningful to you or to your students. Fight against not enough resources, fight against lack of support, and if you feel alone, parent or an educator, look for other schools, look for communities, look for organizations. You will find people like usContinue reading "S5E5 Ana Lucia Lico: Embrace Your Gifts"46 min
About It's About Language, with Norah Jones
From the publisher's feed
Insightful conversations on the nature and impact of language and culture with creative leaders in the fields of education, business, arts, and science. Their stories shed light on how language…
makes us human - and brings hope.Find your voice. Enter the conversation. Find your superpower.