Language Therapy with Dr. K

Why do we call it stand-up? What do mob violence and comedy have in common? In this episode of Language Therapy, Dr. K sits down with Judith Shelton—comedian, actor, and professor of stand-up comedy and improvisation at the USC School of Dramatic Arts—to unpack the language and culture behind making people laugh. Drawing on her decades-long career, from The Groundlings to a memorable turn as Kramer's girlfriend on Seinfeld, Judith reflects on how stand-up comedy is shaped by combative metaphors: punchlines, killing it, bombing on stage. Together, they explore whether comedy can truly be taught, and where craft ends and instinct begins. The conversation culminates in a powerful reflection on stand-up as a humanizing force—one that fosters empathy, connection, and self-knowledge, especially in the diverse classroom Judith has cultivated at USC. Join us for a sharp, thoughtful, and deeply entertaining exploration of language, laughter, and what comedy reveals about who we are.

What are the roots of the Armenian language and what does it mean to call it a living, evolving language? In this introductory episode of a special Armenian-language season, Dr. K sits down with Dr. Hrach Martirosyan, one of the world's leading historical-comparative linguists and foremost authorities on Armenian. Together, they unpack widespread misconceptions about Armenian—from what it means to call it Indo-European, to myths about its origins and age, to debates over the "right" form, borrowings, and language purism—setting the stage for a deep exploration of Armenian as a language shaped by history, contact, and its speakers. This conversation highlights what linguistic science, in all its branches and manifestations, can reveal about the millennia-long presence of Armenian speakers in the Armenian highland and across the globe.

What happens when your first American "language" isn't English, but jazz? How does a voice shaped in the uncertainty and upheaval of 1990s Armenia find its way onto New York's storied jazz stages while still carrying the timbre of folk songs and candlelit nights? In this episode, Dr. K sits down with jazz vocalist Lucy Yeghiazaryan, born in Armenia during a period of profound transition before immigrating at twelve—not to an Armenian enclave, but to rural New Jersey. Together they trace Lucy's journey as a quintessential 1.5-generation Armenian: from growing up between literary Russian, colloquial Eastern Armenian, and jazz standards learned phonetically, to navigating the complexities of singing a Black American art form as an Armenian immigrant woman. Lucy reflects on longing, guilt, and the feeling of forever standing "beside the golden door" that shaped her new album pairing Armenian folk songs with American jazz standards. The conversation explores raising a bilingual child, the tension between colloquial and literary Armenian, and why diasporans must shed the myth of being "defective Armenians" and claim their role as cultural creators. Join us for an intimate conversation about music as firelight, the universality of human feeling, and how a mountain-top voice can carry Armenia far beyond the narratives of war and loss.

What does it mean to write the words that shape history? How does language become a tool of power, persuasion, and memory? In this live episode, Dr. K sits down with Ken Khachigian—author of Behind Closed Doors: In the Room with Reagan and Nixon and one of America's most influential presidential speechwriters—to trace his journey from a farm boy in California's San Joaquin Valley to the heart of political power. An Armenian-American whose heritage shaped his sense of resourcefulness and agility, Khachigian reflects on the art and psychology of speechwriting, the intimacy and trust it demands, and the nicknames that capture its many dimensions—the Word Donkey, the Fireman, the Lion of the Speechwriters. Together, he and Dr. K explore how finding a president's voice means balancing message, emotion, and history. This is a conversation about ambition, integrity, and the enduring power of words to define both personal and collective experience.

What does it mean to call Armenian an Indo-European language? And how do linguists actually prove such family ties? In this episode, Dr. K and historical-comparative linguist Dr. Hrach Martirosyan trace Armenian's journey from its Indo-European roots to modern dialects, weighing evidence from cognates, systematic sound changes, and centuries of contact. They focus on the label "Indo-European," unpacking it as a scholarly convention that has often led to confusion about geography and identity. Together, they revisit the origins of the field, from Sir William Jones to Heinrich Hübschmann, and clarify why Armenian is recognized as an independent branch. Beyond the technical, they reflect on why this history matters—not only for Armenian speakers, but also for the field of Indo-European linguistics—showing how language embodies continuity, identity, and memory, and why both students and scholars should embrace the unanswered questions that keep the field alive.

What does it mean to live and create between languages? How can code-switching become a form of artistry? In this episode of Language Therapy with Dr. K, Armenian American singer, songwriter, and one-half of the chart-topping duo Capital Cities, Sebu Simonian, takes listeners behind the scenes of his creative process and reveals the central role of language. From growing up a heritage speaker of Western Armenian to performing in Eastern Armenian, from writing global pop hits in English to reimagining Komitas in bilingual form, Sebu moves fluidly not only between languages but also across genres — making hybridity itself a hallmark of his work. The conversation highlights his deep connection to Armenian music, particularly Komitas, and the wide-ranging collaborations through which he continually reimagines how language, culture, and sound converge. Listen for a thoughtful reflection on the power of words and melodies to shape both personal expression and collective experience.

What happens when language is more than a tool—when it becomes a performance, a personality, a portal to the past? In this richly layered conversation, artist and filmmaker Arman Nshanian joins Dr. K to trace the story of his life through the languages and dialects he's spoken, sung, embodied, and directed—from Egyptian-Armenian roots to Vienna opera halls, Yerevan film sets, and now to the Greek Theatre in Los Angeles with his latest project, Echoes of Our Ancestors. Together, they explore multilingualism, method acting, dialectal code-switching, diasporic identity, and the cost—and power—of artistic vulnerability.

What happens when the language you speak has been disconnected from its homeland for over a century? How does dialect shape identity, belonging, and memory? In this episode, Dr. K sits down with David Ghoogasian—educator and head of AGBU Manoogian-Demirdjian School—who grew up speaking the now-rare Armenian dialect of Artvin, passed down to him by his grandparents. Together, they explore the emotional and cultural power of dialect, the experience of linguistic shame, and the formative role of literacy in diasporic life. Drawing on his background in neuroscience and education, David reflects on how language lives in the body, in the brain, and across generations. This is a conversation about inclusion, transmission, and the future of Armenian in all its forms.

How do we talk about luck? Can a shift in language alter our experience of chance and unpredictability? What happens when we stop waiting for fortune to strike and begin cultivating the conditions for serendipity? In this episode, Dr. K is joined by Dr. Christian Busch—author of The Serendipity Mindset and professor at USC's Marshall School of Business—for a wide-ranging conversation on the intersection of language, luck, and meaning-making. Together, they explore how the stories we tell about fortune shape our ability to perceive and act on unexpected opportunities. From folk etymologies of fate in Armenian to the role of inner narrative in shaping agency, Dr. K and Dr. Busch reflect on cultural attitudes toward chance, leadership under uncertainty, and the joy that can emerge from embracing the unplanned. Listen to gain insights into how linguistic framing influences self-perception, the difference between passive luck and active serendipity, and why ambiguity in language can be a powerful generator of connection and creativity.

What does it mean to live a multilingual life shaped by displacement, theology, and research? How can language serve both as a utilitarian tool and a site of philosophical reflection? And what can large-scale data reveal about Armenian identity across continents? Join Dr. K and Dr. Hratch Tchilingirian—sociologist, scholar of religion, and director of the Armenian Diaspora Survey—as they trace his personal and intellectual journey across Beirut, Jerusalem, New York, and Oxford, using language as the thread. In this expansive conversation, they discuss the boundaries imposed and chosen in diasporic life, the shifting relationship between Armenian identity and language, and the surprising findings of one of the most ambitious studies of the global Armenian diaspora to date. From dialects and hyphenated identities to the politics of survey design, this episode explores how diasporic communities imagine and articulate Armenianness across generations and geographies.

How does active listening shape a conversation? And what happens when we bring colloquial language into public discourse? In this episode, Dr. K sits down with Narek Amirkhanyan, host of Rearrange, Armenia's most popular podcast, to explore the power of authenticity in language and media. They dive into the origins of Rearrange, its impact on the Armenian media landscape, and what it means to have smart, unfiltered conversations in everyday Armenian. Together, they unpack the cultural, personal, and political weight of speaking colloquially in public media—examining how language can be an act of inclusion, how communications styles shift across societies, and why asking ինչի ["why" in colloquial Armenian] might be the most radical question of all.

How can a film seamlessly play with languages? What is it like to move through multiple languages in a single sentence on screen? And what is the impact of giving linguistic freedom and agency to an actor? Join Dr. K and Karren Karagulian, Armenian American actor most well known for his role as Toros in the five-time Oscar winning film, Anora, as they discuss his unique position as the film's unofficial language consultant for Armenian, the trust necessary between actor and director to capture authentic linguistic fluidity, and the impact on the audience.

How can an ancient language be used as a vital tool of contemporary research? Can it serve as a form of time travel? What is the value of studying Classical Armenian - the oldest attested form of the Armenian language? Join Professor Peter Cowe, Narekatsi Professor of Armenian Studies at UCLA, and Dr. K as they reflect on learning, teaching, and living in multiple classical and modern languages. Listen as they locate Armenian in the larger Indo-European language family, dispel prevalent misconceptions, and reinforce language as a crucial lens for understanding the past and the present.

Why are certain dialects stigmatized? Which factors are pivotal in transforming societal attitudes and validating the legitimacy of a dialect? How can rigorous academic studies and scholarly attention alter perceptions of a language variety? What processes and methodologies are involved in constructing a grammar? Join Dr. K and Hossep Dolatian, linguist and author of the first published grammar of Persian Armenian, as they unpack the linguistic variations of this important dialect of the Armenian language. Learn about the importance of linguistic documentation and its role in elevating the status of a language within the global community.

How can a dialect be given new life after the loss of its homeland? Do dialects always need to compete with standard languages? What does it feel like to be a refugee in a shared homeland that is not one's home? Join Dr. K and Lika Zakaryan, journalist and author of 44 Days: Diary from an Invisible War, a book later adapted into a movie, that documented Lika's experience as an Artsakh native during the 2020 Nagorno-Karabakh War. She is currently the host of the Muklimandil Podcast, recorded in Yerevan, Armenia and conducted entirely in Artsakh dialects. Join Dr. K and Lika as they discuss the pressures of language conformity, the impact of transmitting language through stories, and the multifaceted challenges and efforts to sustain the vitality of dialects in exile.

What is the connection between food and language? Can they be separated or do they always live in each other's orbits? And how do Armenians benefit from the culinary and linguistic diversity present in the culture? Dr. K is joined by Ara Zada, chef and co-author of the cookbook Lavash, who shares his journey through the gastronomical landscapes of Armenia. Dr. K and Ara take us on his journey to discover dishes made and consumed by people in Armenia and the linguistic encounters that punctuate the adventure. Their conversation traverses borders, cultures, and languages, showcasing the transformative power of sharing meals and experiences.

How do scholars decipher the ways people have used and thought about language in the past? How have those attitudes and practices been distorted and rewritten in modern national narratives? How do language ideologies from several centuries ago shape modern day practices? Join Dr. K and historical sociolinguist Dr. Jennifer Manoukian as they examine the language practices, attitudes, and ideologies of Ottoman Armenians and their descendants in the post-genocide Armenian diaspora. In tracing the evolution of the Armenian language through a social history, learn about some of the most prevalent myths that undergird present day attitudes and practices.

What does a typical day look like for students immersed in two languages? How does language immersion actually work? How are misconceptions about language learning challenged through immersion educational models? Join Dr. K and Dr. Nancy Hong, Director of Dual Language Immersion and Magnet Programs at Glendale Unified School District, as they delve into the unique educational model of dual immersion, highlighting its objectives of fostering functional bilingualism and biliteracy. They explore the cognitive, academic, and social advantages of learning through two languages and dispel prevalent myths associated with language immersion.

How does our choice of language shape our understanding of history? What power do words hold in defining our past and current events? Join Dr. K and Dr. Vartan Matiossian, author of The Politics of Naming the Armenian Genocide, as they delve into the geneology, etymology, and chronology of Medz Yeghern - the Armenian term for the mass murder and ethnic cleansing of the Armenian ethno-religious group in the Ottoman Empire between the years 1915-1923. They discuss how the politics of naming the Armenian genocide have been navigated in academic, political, and social spheres, particularly as Armenians struggled for international recognition in the face of Turkish denial. They unpack the use, misuse, and abuse of Medz Yeghern as a reflection on the weight of language choice in shaping historical narratives and collective memory.

What experiences and motivations inspire someone to learn multiple languages? How do polyglots use language to connect with various cultures? How can the Armenian language serve as a gateway to explore vibrant Armenian communities across the globe? Join Dr. K and Rouben Koulaksezian, author of "Little Armenias: The Travel Guide of the Armenian Diaspora," as they embark on a linguistic journey. Together, they delve into the intricacies of language acquisition, drawing from the experiences of a seasoned polyglot who is already on his tenth language. They discuss how travel and language intersect, intertwining heritage, identity, and the shared narratives of dispersed communities. They explore the nuances of learning both Eastern and Western Armenian, along with multiple other languages, and uncover the transformative power of language when approached through a diasporic lens.