Episode 29: Mother Tongue by Jenni Nuttall — A Nonfiction Deep Dive into the History of Women's Words

Sara and Jennie step away from romantasy for a nonfiction episode on Mother Tongue: The Surprising History of Women's Words by Jenni Nuttall — a history of the English language traced through words used to describe women's bodies, sexuality, motherhood, work, and aging. They dig into the book's best moments (British towns historically named after a certain four-letter word, the etymology of "seamstress," the loss of language like "singlewoman"), get into an interesting disagreement about the book's treatment of gender-neutral language, and go on a tangent about the neuroscience of how language shapes perception.

Correction: In the episode, the hosts mention that Jenni Nuttall was a Cambridge University professor. She was actually a scholar at the University of Oxford, where she taught and researched medieval literature. Our apologies for misspeaking!

Spoilers: None — this is a nonfiction discussion, not a plot-driven book.

Content Warnings: Discussion of the historical influence of religion (particularly Christianity) on the oppression of women, brief mention of pregnancy loss, discussion of gender-neutral language debates (including a brief, non-judgmental discussion of "TERF" discourse), strong language/profanity throughout, and frank discussion of anatomy, menstruation, and childbirth.

Chapters

00:23 - Welcome back & introducing this season's nonfiction pick 03:48 - Reading the book's summary and overview of its scope 05:12 - Is this book intersectional? A discussion of its British, Old English-focused lens 07:34 - Favorite historical finds: towns names after a fave 4-letter word, and British slang 10:20 - "Flowers," "Aunt Flo," and disagreeing on period euphemisms 11:14 - The legal history behind "spinster," "singlewoman," and married women's business rights 12:15 - "Seamster" vs. "seamstress" and the linguistics of gendered suffixes 14:06 - A tangent on the neuroscience of language and perception 19:01 - Motherhood, poetry, and grief over lost language 22:06 - Aging and menopause, and creating new language for "crone-hood" 22:56 - Pregnancy and birth language — contractions vs. "surges" 24:03 - Disagreement: was the author too neutral on gender-inclusive language? 28:59 - Final ratings and why they'd recommend this one widely

Mentioned in This Episode

• Mother Tongue: The Surprising History of Women's Words by Jenni Nuttall

What book do Sara and Jennie discuss in Episode 29 of the Spread Your Wingspan podcast? They discuss Mother Tongue: The Surprising History of Women's Words by Jenni Nuttall, a nonfiction history of the English language as it relates to women's bodies, sexuality, and experiences.

Is Mother Tongue by Jenni Nuttall a romance or fantasy book? No — this is a nonfiction linguistics and history book, a departure from the show's usual romantasy and romance focus.

Do Sara and Jennie recommend Mother Tongue by Jenni Nuttall to their listeners? Yes — both hosts rate it a 9 out of 10 and call it highly accessible even for readers who don't typically read nonfiction.

Got a question or a book/author you want us to check out? Email us at hello@spreadyourwingspan.com Find us on Instagram at https://www.instagram.com/spreadyourwingspan/ Subscribe to our YouTube channel at https://www.youtube.com/@spreadyourwingspan.

Season 3 Teaser: What's Coming Up — ACOTAR Reread, Author Interview & More

Sara and Jennie are back after a long break to give listeners a preview of Season 3. The headline: a full reread and recap of the ACOTAR series ahead of the publication of books six and seven, with some Crescent City and possibly Throne of Glass woven in. They also tease upcoming episodes on nonfiction, a hockey romance episode, an author interview with Jennifer MIchelle Herrera about her novel Siren Says, and Jennie’s plan to pre-read Sierra Simone's Devil to scout it for content warnings before Sara dives in.

Spoilers: None — this is a preview episode with no book discussion.

Content Warnings: None specific to this episode; brief mention that an upcoming book (Devil by Sierra Simone) carries its own strong content warning from the author.

Chapters

• 0:00 – Welcome back & why the long gap between seasons
• 0:33 – Announcing the full ACOTAR reread and recap, ahead of books six and seven
• 1:58 – Early reread reactions: revisiting Nesta and catching foreshadowing in the first chapters
• 3:21 – What else is coming: nonfiction, a hockey romance, and an author interview with Jennifer Michelle Herrera on Siren Says
• 3:36 – Previewing Sierra Simone's Devil and its content warning

Mentioned in This Episode

• A Court of Thorns and Roses series by Sarah J. Maas
• Crescent City series by Sarah J. Maas
• Throne of Glass series by Sarah J. Maas
• Fourth Wing by Rebecca Yarros
• Siren Says by Jennifer MIchelle Herrera
• Devil (Priest series) by Sierra Simone

What is Spread Your Wingspan covering in Season 3? Season 3 kicks off with a full reread and recap of Sarah J. Maas's ACOTAR series ahead of the release of books six and seven, plus episodes on nonfiction, hockey romance, and an author interview with Jennifer Herrera about Siren Says.

Will there be spoilers in the ACOTAR reread series? Yes — full spoiler discussion is expected once the reread episodes begin, since the hosts have read the entire series.

Summary

In this episode of the Spread Your Wingspan podcast, hosts Sara and Jennie dive deep into the latest installment of the Blood and Ash series, 'The Primal of Blood and Bone.' They discuss character arcs, plot developments, and the themes of love, obsession, and the complexities of relationships. The conversation also touches on the reactions from fans, the writing style of the author, and predictions as the series wraps up. With a mix of humor and insightful analysis, the hosts explore the intricacies of the story and its characters, making for an engaging discussion for fans of the series.

Chapters

00:00 - Introduction and Personal Anecdotes 02:55 - Character Development and Emotional Impact 08:47 - Themes and Symbolism 14:54 - Climactic Moments and Revelations 30:45 - The Weight of Leadership and Responsibility 36:04 - Character Dynamics and Relationships 42:33 - The Complexity of Ascension and Addiction 53:28 - Reader Reactions and Authorial Choices 01:05:10 - Looking Ahead: Future Themes and Representation 01:06:36 - Outro

Summary

In this episode of the Spread Your Wingspan podcast, hosts Sara and Jennie chat with Canadian author J.M. Frey about her latest book, 'Nine Tenths.' They explore the inspiration behind the story, the themes of grief and colonialism, and the representation of mental health in characters. J.M. shares her writing journey, the significance of her characters, and the importance of research in crafting her narrative. The conversation delves into the meta-narrative techniques used in the book, the exploration of love and fear in relationships, and the social commentary on ethical wealth. J.M. also discusses her writing process and rituals, concluding with her hopes for readers to take away courage and kindness from her work.

You can find J.M. Frey at her website: jmfrey.net and @j.m.frey on Bluesky, TikTok, Instagram, & Threads

Chapters

00:00 - Introduction to J.M. Frye and Nine Tenths 03:05 - The Journey of Self-Publishing 06:21 - Inspiration Behind Nine Tenths 09:15 - Exploring Themes of Grief and Colonialism 12:02 - Character Development and Personal Experiences 15:22 - Meta Storytelling and Writing Process 18:15 - Research and Historical Context 21:06 - Anxiety Representation in Fiction 24:01 - Romance and Speculative Fiction 31:08 - Navigating Grief and Love 33:02 - Character Development and Relationships 34:49 - Exploring Dark Themes in Fantasy 36:39 - The Role of Fantasy in Society 38:57 - Ethical Wealth and Responsibility 43:14 - The Creative Process and Writing Rituals 52:05 - The Intersection of Science and Fantasy 56:48 - Courage in the Face of Fear 01:00:51 - Outro

Summary

In this episode, Jennie and Sara discuss the book 'Nine Tenths' by J.M. Frey. They explore the themes of wealth inequality, the complexities of relationships, and the representation of anxiety and bisexuality within the narrative. The conversation also touches on the world-building aspects of the story, including its historical context and cultural commentary. The hosts share their personal reflections on the characters and the dynamics of their relationships, ultimately providing a rating for the book and expressing excitement for the upcoming author interview.

Content Warnings accidental injury between domestic partners, enslavement, loss of parent

Chapters

00:00 - Introduction and Excitement for the Interview 04:38 - Themes Explored in the Book 09:48 - Historical Context and Cultural Commentary 17:39 - Spice Rating and Relationship Dynamics 39:56 - Outro

Summary

In this episode, the hosts discuss the fourth and final book in the Flesh and Fire series, 'Born of Blood and Ash.' They explore its complex themes, including trauma, leadership, and the balance between fate and free will. The conversation delves into character development, romantic dynamics, and the implications of parenthood in a chaotic world. The hosts also express their excitement for future installments in this literary universe and reflect on the impact of page length on storytelling.

Chapters

00:00 - Introduction and Episode Overview 00:24 - Content Warnings and Themes of the Book 02:40 - Summary of 'Born of Blood and Ash' 06:23 - Character Development and Relationships 10:40 - Exploring Leadership and Decision-Making 14:19 - The Role of Fate and Free Will 18:39 - Reflections on Writing and Page Length 22:30 - Pregnancy and Its Implications in the Story 26:37 - Final Thoughts and Future Expectations 35:11 - Outro

Summary

In this conversation, Jennie and Sarah delve into the third book of the Flesh and Fire series, discussing its themes, character arcs, and the complexities of morality and monstrosity. They discuss the development of the protagonist Sera, and the intricate dynamics of villainy and heroism. The episode also touches on the portrayal of romantic relationships and the pacing of the narrative. Overall, the conversation highlights the depth of the characters and the writing style, while setting the stage for the last installment in the series.

Chapters

00:00 - Introduction and Context Setting 05:34 - Character Development and Themes of Monstrosity 14:22 - Character Dynamics and Relationships 21:31 - Empathy and Human Experience 28:01 - Exploring Consent and Trauma in Romance 34:05 - The Journey of Healing and Recovery 39:11 - Romance and the Gray Areas of Consent 47:03 - Outro

Summary

In this conversation, Jennie and Sara discuss 'A Light in the Flame', the second book in the Blood and Ash prequel series Flesh and Fire. They explore themes such as enemies to lovers, atonement, and the complexity of morality. The discussion highlights character development, the nature of good and evil, and the interplay of fate and free will. They also touch on the significance of the Draken and the terrifying villain Kolis, while reflecting on the emotional depth of the characters and their relationships.

Chapters

00:00 - Introduction 06:32 - Themes of Enemies to Lovers and Atonement 12:21 - Character Depth and Mental Health Themes 18:27 - The Stakes of Mortality and Humanity 26:16 - Sera and Nyktos: Love and Sacrifice 31:56 - The Complexity of Love and Relationships 37:07 - Villains and Betrayals: The Nature of Evil 42:28 - The Draken: Love and Loyalty 46:51 - Outro