Best Kelly Claus Podcasts (2025)

1
She Couldn’t Save Her Grandmother, So She Built a Lifeline for Others 44:40

3d ago44:40

44:40

Her grandmother was trapped in a financially abusive relationship. She knew that silence around money can cost a woman everything. In today’s podcast we speak with Stacy Francis about how women can build financial independence, especially through divorce, marriage, and life’s major transitions. Stacy Francis is a Certified Financial Planner (CFP®) …

1
The publishing world is changing. Jane Friedman tells us how. 26:45

4d ago26:45

26:45

1086. What does it really take to earn a living as a writer? Jane Friedman explains the multiple paths writers take — from speaking and consulting to newsletters and hybrid publishing—and offers grounded, practical advice for navigating the business of writing in 2025 and beyond. Jane Friedman is the author of "The Business of Being a Writer." 🔗 Sh…

1
Episode 220.5: Listener Stories #35 1:57:33

5d ago1:57:33

1:57:33

Welcome to Episode 220.5: Listener Stories #35! This is the episode where our Haunties (aka listeners) write in with their first-person spooky tales of cryptids, ghosts, curses, and aliens AND where Nat & Aly unbox fan mail sent by listeners just like YOU. This week, we listen and respond to 3 voicemails left on the Hauntie Hotline! Listener storie…

1
Why 'plz' might be pushing people away. How to write better thank-you notes. Studaloo 18:43

6d ago18:43

18:43

1085. Do abbreviations like “plz” and “ty” actually make your texts feel less sincere? New research suggests they might. We explore how shortened words affect how your messages are received — even in romantic conversations. Then, we offer practical tips for writing thoughtful, specific thank-you notes that reflect real gratitude. The texting segmen…

1
Coyotes! with Lulu Miller 1:16:22

9d ago1:16:22

1:16:22

Who is out there behind the howling midnight parties in the distance? For generations we have coexisted in varying degrees of rivalry, conflict, and admiration with the North American canine known as the coyote. From pre-colonization to our modern backyards, through the wild west and the streets of San Francisco, award-winning NPR science reporter …

1
Why simplified spelling nearly took over America (and why it didn't), with Gabe Henry 31:06

11d ago31:06

31:06

1084. This week, Gabe Henry talks about his new book, "Enough Is Enuf," and the long, strange quest to simplify English spelling. Learn why the "Chicago Tribune" made simplified spelling its house style for decades and why Roosevelt's attempt to make it law backfired. Find Gabe Henry at http://GabeHenry.com. 🔗 Use the code MACMIL for $50 off my Rag…

1
Episode 220: The Immortal Count of Saint Germain feat. Scared All The Time 2:14:18

12d ago2:14:18

2:14:18

He played the violin like a virtuoso, spoke dozens of languages, and claimed to have witnessed centuries of history firsthand. He could turn diamonds into larger gems, summon gold seemingly from nowhere, and yet his secrets died with him—if he ever died at all. Who was the mysterious Count of Saint Germain? This week, Nat (and chaos-conduit Gremlin…

1
Why 'wake' is so confusing. The playful language of vacations. 18:20

13d ago18:20

18:20

1083. Is it "woke," "woken," or "waked"? We break down why the verb "wake" is one of the trickiest in English, with four competing forms and centuries of change. Then, we lighten things up with a look at vacation vocabulary—from "staycation" to "glamping." The "wake" segment was written by Natalie Schilling, a professor emerita of linguistics at Ge…

1
Ambrose Bierce, from ‘The Devil’s Dictionary’ to disappearing in Mexico, with Jim Norrena 30:01

18d ago30:01

30:01

1082. Copy editor Jim Norrena joins us this week for a conversation about Ambrose Bierce, his famous "Devil's Dictionary," and his darkly funny take on the world. We look at Bierce’s fascinating (and tragic) life, his legendary wordplay, and his mysterious disappearance in Mexico. Plus, we share our favorite biting definitions and quirky facts abou…

1
Episode 219: Pine Gap, Australia's Area 51 (Portals, Super Soldiers, Aliens, & More!) 2:07:39

19d ago2:07:39

2:07:39

Welcome to Episode 219: Pine Gap: Spies, Super Soldiers, Wormholes, & Aliens! Today, we’ll be traveling to the center of Australia’s outback to a facility that has been dubbed “Australia’s Area 51”. Over the years, its presence has generated protests, documentaries, fictional Netflix dramas, and more than one conspiracy theory. Some say it’s a spy …

1
Why 'epitome' is confusing. Quirky stories behind baby animal names. Alice doors 18:43

20d ago18:43

18:43

1081. Is an epitome a summary or a shining example? We look at why this word trips people up and how its meaning has changed over time. Then, we take a linguistic safari through the world of baby animal names—and what they tell us about language, culture, and human history. The "baby animal names" segment is by Karen Lunde, a career writer and edit…

1
How YouTubers' voices evolve, with Andrew Cheng 21:40

25d ago21:40

21:40

1080. Linguist Andrew Cheng explains why people’s accents shift over time, especially when they move—and how YouTubers make perfect data subjects. If you've ever cringed at your old voice recordings, this one’s for you. Andrew Cheng is a professor of linguistics at the University of Hawaii. You can find him on Bluesky at LinguistAndrew. NEW: Sign u…

1
Inventing the Teenager with Harmony Colangelo 1:07:54

26d ago1:07:54

1:07:54

Where did all these teens come from? Harmony Colangelo, co-host of This Ends at Prom, is here to explain how, before Americans got to worry about what teenagers were up to, we first had to decide what they were—and how a boom in postwar educational films taught a generation of adolescents what not to do. Skipper Learns a Lesson: https://www.youtube…

1
Episode 218: The Valley of Headless Men 1:53:25

26d ago1:53:25

1:53:25

Deep within Canada’s remote Nahanni Valley—known as the 'Valley of Headless Men'—people vanish without a trace, only to be found later… decapitated. Is there something more haunted than greed and gold behind the murders? Join and Aly as we uncover the chilling legends, strange disappearances, and dark forces said to haunt this forbidden wilderness.…

1
What dictionary labels tell us about words. Why we say 'mama'. DU, STU, and LO. 17:00

27d ago17:00

17:00

1079. Ever wonder what labels like "informal," "archaic," or "offensive" mean in a dictionary entry? We explain how different dictionaries use labels to describe when, where, and how to use words. Then, we explore why so many babies say "dada" first and why babies say "mama" almost everywhere. The "dictionary labels" segment was written by Susan He…

1
💍 James & Michelle’s Love Story: Navigating Marriage, Money & the HelloPrenup Experience! 17:30

1M ago17:30

17:30

What’s the secret to a strong and lasting relationship? James and Michelle, a real HelloPrenup couple, join us to share their love story, how they handle challenges, and how a prenup strengthened their relationship. From meeting and falling in love to tackling finances, communication, and long-term planning, James and Michelle open up about everyth…

1
The secret to writing ‘the same but different,’ with Mary Robinette Kowal 20:26

1M ago20:26

20:26

1078. Mary Robinette Kowal talks about going from writing magic-filled Regency romances to Hugo-nominated science fiction, what it's like to work with an agent, and how she keeps her career moving forward. Plus, she gave us three great book recommendations (and I've already read and loved one of them!). Find Mary at maryrobinettekowal.com. 🔗 Share …

1
Episode 217: The Cursed Painting That Burned Down 50 Homes 1:27:52

1M ago1:27:52

1:27:52

SKIP TO 00:08:48 TO GET STRAIGHT TO THIS WEEK’S STORY! Welcome to Episode 217: The Cursed Painting of The Crying Boy, featuring Tyler & Charlie of Believing The Bizarre! They say life imitates art, but what if the reverse were true? What if that unassuming piece of mass-produced art nailed to your wall could affect the very fabric of the reality ar…

1
'Lit' vs. 'lighted.' The mysteries of the dollar sign. Redd up. 19:04

1M ago19:04

19:04

1077. Is it “lit” or “lighted”? Both are correct, but we look at how their popularity has switched over time. Then we investigate four of the competing theories about the origin of the dollar sign and end with tips about how to use it. The "dollar sign" segment was written by Jim Norrena, MFA, who has been writing and editing for more than thirty-f…

1
What's New in Prenups? Lisa Zeiderman, Esq. on Must-Have Clauses & NY Spousal Support. 1:09:40

1M ago1:09:40

1:09:40

Prenups are evolving — and no one knows that better than Lisa Zeiderman. Join us as we welcome one of the top family law attorneys in NYC to the HelloPrenup Podcast for an episode filled with valuable advice, surprising legal insights, and the kind of hot topic cases you’ll be glad you heard about before it’s too late. Lisa reveals the prenup claus…

1
Ghostwriters, book deals, and AI: What you didn’t know about publishing, with Dan Gerstein 22:44

1M ago22:44

22:44

1076. Dan Gerstein, founder of Gotham Ghostwriters, looks at how ghostwriting fiction really works, who’s hiring ghostwriters, and why AI can’t replace human storytelling. We also talked about how ghostwriters negotiate royalties, film rights, and what makes a great collaboration work. Find Dan at GothamGhostwriters.com. 🔗 Share your familect recor…

1
Episode 216: The Bizarre Disappearance of Alfred Loewenstein, Part 2 2:04:39

1M ago2:04:39

2:04:39

Welcome to Episode 216: The Mysterious Disappearance of Alfred Loewenstein, Part 2! What happened to famed financier Alfred Loewenstein on July 4, 1928 as his plane passed over the English Channel and he disappeared from the aircraft? Could he have gotten confused when exiting the bathroom and mistaken the door to the outside of the plane for the d…

1
Before you start that YouTube channel, listen up… w/Tass Vogel 32:56

1M ago32:56

32:56

If you’ve ever thought that starting a YouTube channel or publishing a blog will get you clients, you might be right. But you could also be very wrong. Tass Vogel has been down this road, and has a lot of thoughts on the topic. If you’re considering that strategy and don’t want to waste a ton of time for nothing, have a listen to Tass’s experience …

1
'I.e.' versus 'e.g.' What Shakespeare actually added to English. Four schnitzels. 18:01

1M ago18:01

18:01

1075. People often confuse "i.e." and "e.g." We'll help you get them right — no Latin required. Then, in honor of Shakespeare’s birthday, we look at five common myths about his contributions to the English language, including whether he coined thousands of words and how much Latin he actually knew. The "Shakespeare" segment was by Jonathan Culpeper…

1
Episode 215.5: Listener Stories #34 1:50:06

2M ago1:50:06

1:50:06

SKIP TO 00:18:10 TO GET TO THIS WEEK’S LISTENER STORIES! NOTE: Unboxings and Fan Mail have moved over to the “Free” tier of Patreon! Head over to https://patreon.com/letsgethaunted and subscribe to the Free Tier (or Tier 1 or Tier 2) to watch now! Welcome to Episode 215.5: Listener Stories #34! This is the episode where our Haunties (aka listeners)…

1
AI and the future of dictionaries, with Erin McKean 26:02

2M ago26:02

26:02

1074. Is AI good enough to replace lexicographers? Wordnik founder Erin McKean shares what works, what doesn’t, and why the future of dictionaries is far from settled. Find Erin McKean at wordnik.com, dressaday.com, and [email protected]. 🔗 Share your familect recording in a WhatsApp chat. 🔗 Watch my LinkedIn Learning writing courses. 🔗 Subscribe…

1
Is Your House Too Clean? with Sarah Archer 1:03:34

2M ago1:03:34

1:03:34

Have you scrubbed down the top of your fridge lately? Home & garden correspondent Sarah Archer is here to tell us how and when we got so obsessed with the antiseptically clean house as a status symbol, and whether we really need to worry about every bit of dust on that baseboard. Find out more about Sarah Archer: https://www.sarah-archer.com/ Suppo…

1
Better paragraph breaks. The story behind 'mad money' and 'pin money.' Bruce bad. 15:52

2M ago15:52

15:52

1073. Today, we have practical tips for writing better paragraphs (and it's not the formulaic topic-sentence structure). Then, we look at the surprising history of phrases like “mad money” and “pin money” and what they show about women’s roles and financial independence through time. The "paragraph" segment originally appeared on the OUP Blog, and …

1
The future of editing jobs in the age of AI, with Samantha Enslen 17:01

2M ago17:01

17:01

1072. Is AI coming for our jobs—or just the boring parts? This week, Samantha Enslen of Dragonfly Editorial talks about how she sees AI changing the work of writers and editors. We talked about real clients, real fears, and hope for the future. Plus, Samantha shares her favorite old-school fiction (spoiler: Agatha Christie strikes again!). Find Sam…

1
Episode 215: The Bizarre Disappearance of Alfred Loewenstein, Part 1 1:35:20

2M ago1:35:20

1:35:20

Welcome to Episode 215: The Mysterious Disappearance of Alfred Loewenstein, Part 1! Born in 1877, Belgian financier Alfred Loewenstein would eventually grow to be the third wealthiest man in the world. By the time the roaring 20s rolled around, Alfred seemed to have everything going for him: a successful career, a beautiful wife, a healthy baby boy…

1
How to write photo captions. The real difference between ‘immigrate’ and ‘emigrate.’ Ko Pha-ngan'd 16:57

2M ago16:57

16:57

1071. Is it "Taylor and I" or "Taylor and me"? We explain why photo captions follow their own grammar rules. Then, we explore the subtle difference between "immigrate" and "emigrate," how the terms are used historically, and why their meanings often depend on perspective. The "photo captions" segment is by Karen Lunde, a former Quick & Dirty Tips e…

Podcasts Worth a Listen

Kelly Claus Podcasts

Podcasts Worth a Listen