Words Do Things

Don't miss Kelly & Chris's practice session, in which they debate which is the best science-fiction franchise: Star Wars or Star Trek.
Here’s the second of our Rogerian dialogues between two people who passionately disagree! Today, we talk about sex, gender, and identity. Chris holds a traditional view of two fixed, immutable biological sexes that determine gender, whereas Kelly’s lived experience is not inside that strict binary, and she/they see(s) many people having to find creative ways to live outside damaging masculine/feminine expectations. They talk about science, social construction, biological factors, Biblical hermeneutics, psychology, and more. And they’ll be back later for a Part Two!Give it a listen here (or, even better, go over to YouTube and watch it there) and let me know: With whom do you agree more? Did either of them open your eyes to ideas you’d overlooked? Did you pick up on any skills you could use for conversing with ideological opponents?
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*Star Wars vs. Star Trek: A Collaborative Conversation!* Fellow English PhDs Kelly and Chris joined me for a practice session so they could get used to the Rogerian format, and they debated which is the best science-fiction franchise: Star Wars or Star Trek (they’re obviously both wrong: the correct answer is Agents of S.H.I.E.L.D!) . Here's the first five minutes of that conversation. If you want to view the rest of this video, become a patron at https://buymeacoffee.com/higginssorina or a paid subscriber here. Those of you who are already paid subscribers or members of my Author’s Circle will have already gotten the full episode. In any case, then tune in this coming Sunday (10/11/26) when Kelly & Chris discuss a serious topic: the settled or fluid nature of gender identity.

Here’s the first of our Rogerian dialogues between two people who passionately disagree! Dr. Jennifer Steele, a professor of Education, Public Administration, and Policy, sees great potential in Large Language Models to reveal and assist enormous potential for productivity and creativity, even in giving humans an advantage and making real art ever more valuable. Dr. Ben Utter, an English professor, sees the dire possibilities for “AI” to stifle and replace creativity, interfere with cognitive development and critical thinking, and remove the hard work of self-disciple. Both share a concern about jobs. Have a listen and let me know: With whom do you agree more? Did either of them open your eyes to option you’d overlooked? Did you pick up on any skills you could use for conversing with ideological opponents?
 

*Soup vs Cereal: A Collaborative Conversation!* Dr. Jennifer Steele and Dr. Ben Utter joined me for a practice session so they could get used to the Rogerian format, and they debated whether or not cereal is a soup. Here's the first five minutes of that conversation. If you want to view the rest of this video, become a patron at https://buymeacoffee.com/higginssorina or a paid subscriber at https://substack.com/@sorinahiggins. And then tune in this coming Sunday (10/4/26) when Ben & Jennifer discuss a serious topic: the perils and promise of Artificial Intelligence. 

Here is the first episode in Season Two, Series Four: “A Gentle Answer” in which I bring together guests who passionately disagree with each other on one of the controversial issues of our day and guide them to listen carefully, repeat accurately, and respond respectfully. Sometimes it doesn’t quite work, though, and things get heated! Each set of guests did a practice episode with me on a silly topic, and you can get access to that bonus content by becoming a paid subscriber here on Substack or by becoming a member of my Author’s Circle https://buymeacoffee.com/higginssorina (which also gives you access to the paid tier of this Substack, so you get more perks for your bucks!)
If you love Arthurian literature, register for my upcoming class about Galahad & the Grail by Malcolm Guite! https://wyrdhoard.com/gg-class/
If you’re a writer, hire me as your Consulting Editor or Writing Coach: https://wyrdhoard.com/
#rhetoric #politics #debate #discussion #conversation #controversial
 

As I prepare the upcoming series, please enjoy this rerun from the archives. This conversation with Larry Rosen of The Enemies Project originally aired on March 22, 2026. Let me know what you think of it, please!
#BadWords #Rhetoric #Politics #Enemies #Friends

A Course on Malcolm Guite's Merlin's Isle Vol I Four Tuesdays: October 6, 13, 20, & 27, from 3-5pm eastern online Visit ⁠https://wyrdhoard.com/gg-class/⁠ to register now! ⁠‪
Put on your shining armor and come on this quest! Why is an epic retelling of the King Arthur story, told in old-fashioned ballad meter, the #1 bestselling poem in the world?! How has the Rev. Dr. Malcolm Guite crafted the perfect story for our times out of this timeless legend? Join me, Dr. Sørina Higgins, as I take you through Volume I of Guite's four-volume Arthuriad. I'll take you through his sources, point out his adaptation choices, explain the power of his chosen meter and rhyme scheme, and talk with you about the themes he's evoked to give us hope. Pick up your pen, take up your sword, and let's go on this adventure. ⁠
#MalcolmGuite⁠ ⁠#KingArthur⁠ ⁠#Arthuriana⁠ ⁠#arthurianlegends⁠ ⁠#arthurianlegend⁠ ⁠#arthurian⁠ ⁠#poetry⁠ ⁠#poet⁠ ⁠#poem⁠ ⁠#Galahad⁠ ⁠#Grail⁠ ⁠#HolyGrail⁠ ⁠#Camelot⁠
Visit ⁠https://wyrdhoard.com/gg-class/⁠ to register now!

As I prepare the upcoming series, please enjoy this rerun from the archives. This conversation with Dr. Taylor Jones (aka Language Jones on YouTube) originally aired on Mar 15, 2026. Let me know what you think of it, please!
#BadWords #Rhetoric #Politics #Kabbalah #Linguistics

Join my Author's Circle to get top-notch feedback on your writing AND support my independent projects at the same time! #AuthorsCircle #Writing #writinglife #writers #writerslife #writingcommunity

As I prepare the upcoming series, please enjoy this rerun from the archives. This conversation with the Rev. Dr. Malcolm Foley originally aired on Nov 15, 2025. Let me know what you think of it, please! #BadWords #Rhetoric #Politics #Religion #Race #Racism #Christianity #Theology