Should people use the Oxford comma? Is there a correct number of exclamation points per email? If someone ends a casual text with a period, does that mean they’re mad at you?

This hour: punctuation and how we use it. We talk about the history of punctuation marks, timeless punctuation debates, and how writing for texts and emails has changed the way we use punctuation.

GUESTS:
Raquel Benedict: The most dangerous woman in speculative fiction; she’s the host of the Rite Gud podcast
Claire Cock-Starkey: Author of Hyphens and Hashtags: The Stories Behind the Symbols on Our Keyboard
Julia Pistell: Founding member of Sea Tea Improv and one of the hosts of the Literary Disco podcast

The Colin McEnroe Show is available as a podcast on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, Amazon Music, TuneIn, Listen Notes, or wherever you get your podcasts. Subscribe and never miss an episode!

Subscribe to The Noseletter, an email compendium of merriment, secrets, and ancient wisdom brought to you by The Colin McEnroe Show.

Join the conversation on Facebook and Twitter.

Colin McEnroe, Jonathan McNicol, and Cat Pastor contributed to this show, which originally aired November 3, 2021.

Should people use the Oxford comma? Is there a correct number of exclamation points per email? If someone ends a casual text with a period, does that mean they&rsquo;re mad at you?
This hour: punctuation and how we use it. We talk about the history of punctuation marks, timeless punctuation debates, and how writing for texts and emails has changed the way we use punctuation.
GUESTS:
<ul>
<li>Raquel Benedict: The most dangerous woman in speculative fiction; she&rsquo;s the host of the Rite Gud podcast</li>
<li>Claire Cock-Starkey: Author of&nbsp;<a href="https://nonfictioness.com/my-books/#hyphens" data-cms-ai="0">Hyphens and Hashtags: The Stories Behind the Symbols on Our Keyboard</a></li>
<li>Julia Pistell: Founding member of Sea Tea Improv and one of the hosts of the Literary Disco podcast</li>
</ul>
The Colin McEnroe Show is available as a podcast on <a href="https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/the-colin-mcenroe-show/id714179884" data-cms-ai="0">Apple Podcasts</a>, <a href="https://open.spotify.com/show/0AXtqrzWounIoJyIqz003p" data-cms-ai="0">Spotify</a>, <a href="https://music.amazon.com/podcasts/9b6b3cee-f69b-4729-a78b-181f851d80e8/the-colin-mcenroe-show" data-cms-ai="0">Amazon Music</a>, <a href="https://tunein.com/podcasts/News--Politics-Podcasts/The-Colin-McEnroe-Show-p1208473/" data-cms-ai="0">TuneIn</a>, <a href="https://www.listennotes.com/podcasts/the-colin-mcenroe-show-connecticut-public-lXR08dxQSM5/" data-cms-ai="0">Listen Notes</a>, or wherever you get your podcasts. Subscribe and never miss an episode!
<a href="https://www.ctpublic.org/newsletters" data-cms-ai="0">Subscribe to The Noseletter</a>, an email compendium of merriment, secrets, and ancient wisdom brought to you by The Colin McEnroe Show.
Join the conversation on <a href="https://facebook.com/ColinMcShow" data-cms-ai="0">Facebook</a> and <a href="https://twitter.com/colinmcshow" data-cms-ai="0">Twitter</a>.
Colin McEnroe, Jonathan McNicol, and Cat Pastor contributed to this show, which originally aired November 3, 2021.

The Colin McEnroe Show is public radio’s most eclectic, eccentric weekday program. The best way to understand us is through the subjects we tackle: Neanderthals, tambourines, handshakes, the Iliad, snacks, ringtones, punk rock, Occam’s razor, Rasputin, houseflies, zippers. Are you sensing a pattern? If so, you should probably be in treatment. On Fridays, we try to stop thinking about what kind of ringtones Neanderthals would want to have and convene a panel called The Nose for an informal roundtable about the week in culture.

<a href="https://www.ctpublic.org/show/the-colin-mcenroe-show/about">The Colin McEnroe Show</a> is public radio’s most eclectic, eccentric weekday program. The best way to understand us is through the subjects we tackle: Neanderthals, tambourines, handshakes, the Iliad, snacks, ringtones, punk rock, Occam’s razor, Rasputin, houseflies, zippers. Are you sensing a pattern? If so, you should probably be in treatment. On Fridays, we try to stop thinking about what kind of ringtones Neanderthals would want to have and convene a panel called <a href="https://www.ctpublic.org/tags/the-nose">The Nose</a> for an informal roundtable about the week in culture.

The Colin McEnroe Show

There are rules for punctuation, but we don’t always agree on them

Nirvanna the Band the Show the Movie is the fourth feature film written and directed by Matt Johnson. It is cowritten and scored by Jay McCarrol, and it is an adaptation of and spiritual sequel to the 2017 television series Nirvanna the Band the Show, which is an adaptation of and spiritual sequel to the 2007 web series Nirvana the Band the Show. Nirvanna the Band the Show the Movie stars Matt Johnson and Jay McCarrol as Matt Johnson and Jay McCarrol. Here is Neon’s synopsis: “When their plan to book a show at the Rivoli goes horribly wrong, Matt and Jay accidentally travel back to the year 2008. Blah blah blah blah blah.”

And: Louis Theroux: Inside the Manosphere is a Netflix documentary produced and presented by Theroux. It explores how social media figures like HSTikkyTokky, Myron Gaines, Sneako, Justin Waller, and Ed Matthews “are helping to reshape young men’s ideas about masculinity and fueling a resurgent global men’s rights movement.”

GUESTS:
Shawn Murray: A stand-up comedian, writer, and the host of the Fantasy Filmball podcast
Carolyn Paine: An actress and comedian; she’s the founder and director of Connetic Dance and the creative producer and choreographer for The Bushnell’s Digital Institute
Lindsay Lee Wallace: A writer and journalist covering culture, health, technology, bats, and anything else people will answer her questions about

Music featured (in order):
The Waters of March – Susannah McCorkle
Back in Time – Huey Lewis and The News
It’s a Man’s Man’s Man’s World – Seal
Macho Man – The Village People
See You On The Radio – Grayson Hugh

Nirvanna the Band the Show the Movie&nbsp;is the fourth feature film written and directed by Matt Johnson. It is cowritten and scored by Jay McCarrol, and it is an adaptation of and spiritual sequel to the 2017 television series&nbsp;Nirvanna the Band the Show, which is an adaptation of and spiritual sequel to the 2007 web series&nbsp;Nirvana the Band the Show.&nbsp;Nirvanna the Band the Show the Movie&nbsp;stars Matt Johnson and Jay McCarrol as Matt Johnson and Jay McCarrol. Here is Neon&rsquo;s synopsis: &ldquo;When their plan to book a show at the Rivoli goes horribly wrong, Matt and Jay accidentally travel back to the year 2008. Blah blah blah blah blah.&rdquo;
And:&nbsp;Louis Theroux: Inside the Manosphere&nbsp;is a Netflix documentary produced and presented by Theroux. It explores how social media figures like HSTikkyTokky, Myron Gaines, Sneako, Justin Waller, and Ed Matthews &ldquo;are helping to reshape young men&rsquo;s ideas about masculinity and fueling a resurgent global men&rsquo;s rights movement.&rdquo;
GUESTS:
<ul>
<li>Shawn Murray:&nbsp;A stand-up comedian, writer, and the host of the&nbsp;Fantasy Filmball&nbsp;podcast</li>
<li>Carolyn Paine:&nbsp;An actress and comedian; she&rsquo;s the founder and director of Connetic Dance and the creative producer and choreographer for The Bushnell&rsquo;s Digital Institute</li>
<li>Lindsay Lee Wallace:&nbsp;A writer and journalist covering culture, health, technology, bats, and anything else people will answer her questions about</li>
</ul>
Music featured (in order):
<ul>
<li><a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Sa2kuAYOpBE">The Waters of March</a>&nbsp;&ndash; Susannah McCorkle</li>
<li><a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ur57IunS9To">Back in Time</a>&nbsp;&ndash; Huey Lewis and The News</li>
<li><a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nOvKal4nhU0">It&rsquo;s a Man&rsquo;s Man&rsquo;s Man&rsquo;s World</a>&nbsp;&ndash; Seal</li>
<li><a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Zg3q6qW2aKo">Macho Man</a>&nbsp;&ndash; The Village People</li>
<li><a href="https://soundcloud.com/swampman-1/ill-see-you-on-the-radio">See You On The Radio</a>&nbsp;&ndash; Grayson Hugh</li>
</ul>

The Nose looks at ‘Nirvanna the Band the Show the Movie’ and ‘Louis Theroux: Inside the Manosphere’

Henry David Thoreau is a bit of a polarizing figure. He has been both celebrated and criticized for his writing. He’s considered an inspirational figure for retreating to the woods, but mocked for his reliance on his mother during that same period.

This hour, in celebration of the new PBS documentary about the writer, we look at the life and legacy of Henry David Thoreau, and ask what his example can teach us about who is remembered and celebrated.

GUESTS:


Laura Dassow Walls: Professor emeritus of English at the University of Notre Dame and the author of Henry David Thoreau: A Life


Alex Beam: Author, journalist, and contributor to The Boston Globe 


Tracy Fullerton: Director of the Game Innovation Lab at the University of Southern California and the designer and director of Walden, A Game 

The Colin McEnroe Show is available as a podcast on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, Amazon Music, TuneIn, Listen Notes, or wherever you get your podcasts. Subscribe and never miss an episode!

Subscribe to The Noseletter, an email compendium of merriment, secrets, and ancient wisdom brought to you by The Colin McEnroe Show.

Join the conversation on Facebook.

Colin McEnroe and Cat Pastor contributed to this show, which originally aired on April 27, 2022.

Henry David Thoreau is a bit of a polarizing figure. He has been both celebrated and criticized for his writing. He&rsquo;s considered an inspirational figure for retreating to the woods, but mocked for his reliance on his mother during that same period.
This hour, in celebration of <a href="https://www.pbs.org/show/henry-david-thoreau/">the new PBS documentary</a> about the writer, we look at the life and legacy of Henry David Thoreau, and ask what his example can teach us about who is remembered and celebrated.
GUESTS:
<ul>
<li>
Laura Dassow Walls: Professor emeritus of English at the University of Notre Dame and the author of <a href="https://press.uchicago.edu/ucp/books/book/chicago/H/bo23013074.html">Henry David Thoreau: A Life</a>
</li>
<li>
Alex Beam: Author, journalist, and contributor to The Boston Globe&nbsp;
</li>
<li>
Tracy Fullerton: Director of the Game Innovation Lab at the University of Southern California and the designer and director of <a href="https://www.waldengame.com/">Walden, A Game</a>&nbsp;
</li>
</ul>
The Colin McEnroe Show is available as a podcast on&nbsp;<a href="https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/the-colin-mcenroe-show/id714179884">Apple Podcasts</a>,&nbsp;<a href="https://open.spotify.com/show/0AXtqrzWounIoJyIqz003p">Spotify</a>,&nbsp;<a href="https://music.amazon.com/podcasts/9b6b3cee-f69b-4729-a78b-181f851d80e8/the-colin-mcenroe-show">Amazon Music</a>,&nbsp;<a href="https://tunein.com/podcasts/News--Politics-Podcasts/The-Colin-McEnroe-Show-p1208473/">TuneIn</a>,&nbsp;<a href="https://www.listennotes.com/podcasts/the-colin-mcenroe-show-connecticut-public-lXR08dxQSM5/">Listen Notes</a>, or wherever you get your podcasts. Subscribe and never miss an episode!
<a href="https://www.ctpublic.org/newsletters">Subscribe to&nbsp;The Noseletter</a>, an email compendium of merriment, secrets, and ancient wisdom brought to you by&nbsp;The Colin McEnroe Show.
Join the conversation on&nbsp;<a href="https://facebook.com/ColinMcShow">Facebook</a>.
Colin McEnroe and Cat Pastor contributed to this show, which originally aired on April 27, 2022.

Demystifying the life, and legacy, of Henry David Thoreau

On the morning of May 24, 2019, Jennifer Dulos dropped her kids off at New Canaan Country School. And then minutes later, she vanished.

Her presumed murder quickly became a national story.

This hour, Wall Street Journal columnist Rich Cohen joins us to talk about his book, Murder in the Dollhouse: The Jennifer Dulos Story.

Plus: a look at our ongoing obsession with these true crime stories.

GUESTS:


Rich Cohen: Writer at large at Air Mail and a columnist at The Wall Street Journal; his new book is Murder in the Dollhouse


Bethany Usher: A journalist and academic and the author of Journalism and Crime

The Colin McEnroe Show is available as a podcast on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, Amazon Music, TuneIn, Listen Notes, or wherever you get your podcasts. Subscribe and never miss an episode!

Subscribe to The Noseletter, an email compendium of merriment, secrets, and ancient wisdom brought to you by The Colin McEnroe Show.

Join the conversation on Facebook and Twitter.

Colin McEnroe and Dylan Reyes contributed to this show, which originally aired on July 17, 2025.

On the morning of May 24, 2019, Jennifer Dulos dropped her kids off at New Canaan Country School. And then minutes later, she vanished.
Her presumed murder quickly became a national story.
This hour, Wall Street Journal columnist Rich Cohen joins us to talk about his book, <a href="https://us.macmillan.com/books/9780374608064/murderinthedollhouse/">Murder in the Dollhouse: The Jennifer Dulos Story</a>.
Plus: a look at our ongoing obsession with these true crime stories.
GUESTS:
<ul>
<li>
Rich Cohen: Writer at large at Air Mail and a columnist at The Wall Street Journal; his new book is Murder in the Dollhouse
</li>
<li>
Bethany Usher: A journalist and academic and the author of&nbsp;<a href="https://www.routledge.com/Journalism-and-Crime/Usher/p/book/9781032022246">Journalism and Crime</a>
</li>
</ul>
The Colin McEnroe Show is available as a podcast on <a href="https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/the-colin-mcenroe-show/id714179884">Apple Podcasts</a>, <a href="https://open.spotify.com/show/0AXtqrzWounIoJyIqz003p">Spotify</a>, <a href="https://music.amazon.com/podcasts/9b6b3cee-f69b-4729-a78b-181f851d80e8/the-colin-mcenroe-show">Amazon Music</a>, <a href="https://tunein.com/podcasts/News--Politics-Podcasts/The-Colin-McEnroe-Show-p1208473/">TuneIn</a>, <a href="https://www.listennotes.com/podcasts/the-colin-mcenroe-show-connecticut-public-lXR08dxQSM5/">Listen Notes</a>, or wherever you get your podcasts. Subscribe and never miss an episode!
<a href="https://www.ctpublic.org/newsletters">Subscribe to The Noseletter</a>, an email compendium of merriment, secrets, and ancient wisdom brought to you by The Colin McEnroe Show.
Join the conversation on <a href="https://facebook.com/ColinMcShow">Facebook</a> and <a href="https://twitter.com/colinmcshow">Twitter</a>.
Colin McEnroe and Dylan Reyes contributed to this show, which originally aired on July 17, 2025.

There are rules for punctuation, but we don’t always agree on them

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