220. Disobedience

220. Disobedience

From The Allusionist by Helen Zaltzman

November 9, 2025 · 41 min

About this episode

So Mayer discusses the importance of vocabulary in dismantling social structures and personal identity.

“The more we look into social structures, the more many of us realize we don't fit into them," says So Mayer, author of the new book Bad Language, "So each phrase or set of vocabulary is another piece of that dismantlement.” We discuss finding vocabulary for oneself, coming out as a speech act, growing up under Section 28, busting through oppression and shame, and joyous listening. Content note: in the episode we refer to sexual abuse or crimes against consent, and to suicide, but we do not go into any detail about these things, or describe any experiences. Also there are some category A and B swears. Visit theallusionist.org/disobedience for more information about So's work and today's topics, plus a transcript of the episode. Support the show at theallusionist.org/donate and as well as keeping this independent podcast going, you also get behind-the-scenes info about every episode; livestreams with me reading from my ever-growing collection of dictionaries, and the charming and nurturing Allusioverse Discord community, where among daily sharing of thoughts and amusements, we're watching The Princess Bride, the current season of Great Canadian Baking Show, and Game of Wool. This…

People in this episode

Host: Helen Zaltzman

Guest: So Mayer

Topics covered

  • social structures
  • vocabulary
  • oppression
  • shame
  • joyous listening
  • coming out

Keywords

  • disobedience
  • social structures
  • vocabulary
  • oppression
  • shame
  • coming out
  • joyous listening

Mentioned in this episode

Books & works: Bad Language

Places: xʷməθkʷəy̓əm (Musqueam), Sḵwx̱wú7mesh (Squamish), səlilwətaɬ (Tsleil-Waututh)

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