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A Way with Words is an upbeat and lively show about language examined through culture, history, and family. Language debates, variations, and evolution, as well as new words, old sayings, slang, family expressions, word histories, etymology, linguistics, regional dialects, word games, grammar, books, literature, writing, and more.

A Way with Words

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A one-hour edition of the popular afternoon radio newsmagazine delivering breaking news mixed with compelling analysis, insightful commentaries, interviews and special features, and transforming the way listeners understand current events and view the world.
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Weekend All Things Considered

A one-hour edition of the popular afternoon radio newsmagazine delivering breaking news mixed with compelling analysis, insightful commentaries, interviews and special features, and transforming the way listeners understand current events and view the world.

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Performing Arts

A rendering of what South Broad Street would look like facing North, with large sections with trees and bushes on either side of the street and the median.
Urban Planning

How Philly’s Avenue of the Arts will be transformed into a green space

South Broad Street in Center City begins a small step toward a 10-year, $150 million greening project.

4 days ago

Listen 1:05
A patriotic mummer wearing copies of the Constitution performs
Arts & Entertainment
Billy Penn

The Mummers get another week in the spotlight in ‘52 Weeks of Firsts’

The Philadelphia Historic District’s celebration of America’s 250th birthday next highlights the nation’s first folk parade.

2 weeks ago

Playwright James Ijames in 2023
Arts & Entertainment
Billy Penn

Innovative pass offers one Pulitizer Prize-winning playwright, 3 productions across town

A citywide subscription gets purchaser three James Ijames plays, at three different theaters.

2 weeks ago

Two marchers for the Golden Sunrise Fancy Division in “King Kelce” costumes
Arts & Entertainment
Billy Penn

What to know ahead of the Mummers parade on New Year’s Day

The folk parade is celebrating its 125th year. Here are the details about the road closures, when and where things happen — and how best to appreciate it.

3 weeks ago

The cast of Arden Theatre Company’s production of ''A Wrinkle in Time'' in Philadelphia.
Arts & Entertainment

‘Stranger Things’ and Philly’s Arden Theatre share an affinity for ‘A Wrinkle in Time’

The hit Netflix show channels the classic 1962 young adult novel, just as the Arden Theatre puts it on stage.

3 weeks ago

Fireworks are launched from a barge in the Delaware River as seen from Penns Landing.(Jonathan Wilson for WHYY)
Arts & Entertainment
Billy Penn

Philly preps for first-time New Year’s Eve concert, extra fireworks and Mummers parade

Philadelphia’s supercharged New Year’s Eve festivities next week will set the stage for a banner year of special events in 2026.

4 weeks ago

Philadelphia-based Grammy award-winning rockers The War On Drugs
Arts & Entertainment

The War On Drugs celebrates ‘A Drugcember To Remember’ with guest stars to aid Philly public schools

The Grammy Award-winning rock band packed Fishtown’s Johnny Brenda’s for a three-night benefit concert featuring performances by Joe Walsh and Kurt Vile.

4 weeks ago

Listen 1:08
Two ballet dancers rehearsing in the dance studio
Arts & Entertainment

Philadelphia Ballet dancer makes his ‘Nutcracker’ solo debut after recovering from cancer

At this time last year, Nicholas Patterson could barely walk from chemotherapy. Now he is dancing with the Sugar Plum Fairy.

1 month ago

Listen 2:23
A Rube Goldberg machine
Arts & Entertainment

Philadelphia’s Pig Iron Theatre will revive a Rube Goldberg machine contest this spring

The Philadelphia Contraption Contest went dormant during the pandemic. It took an experimental theater company to bring it back.

1 month ago

Listen 1:21
Studio 2
Arts & Entertainment

The state of stand-up comedy

Ticket sales for stand up comedy shows have tripled in the last decade. Local comedians Tu Rae, Manny Brown, and Jamie Pappas tell us why.

Air Date: December 4, 2025

Listen 51:12
Madeline Marriott profile
Arts & Entertainment

Bucks County Community College names this year’s poet laureate

Madeline Marriott, 23, credits the local poetry community for her development as a writer.

2 months ago

Listen 0:47
two perfomers in the You Are Here experience
Arts & Entertainment

‘Not Safe’ For Teens opens a haunted house of teenage political anxieties in former Philly church

With “You Are Here,” teenagers carve out their own space in West Philly to express themselves freely.

2 months ago

Listen 2:50
Members of various Mummers clubs’ string bands play their instruments in colorful outfits
Arts & Entertainment

Mummers announce their 125th parade on New Year’s Day

America’s oldest folk parade will feature 10,000 participants on New Year’s Day.

2 months ago

Listen 1:07
Akeem Davis (Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.)
Arts & Entertainment
Billy Penn

Arden’s ‘Mountaintop’ visits MLK Jr. on last night of his life

Akeem Davis plays the civil rights icon as wonderfully imperfect. The show runs through Dec. 14.

2 months ago

Professional musicians lead a community songwriting and music play workshop at the please touch museum
Arts & Entertainment

At Philly’s Please Touch Museum, kids, parents and professional musicians gathered to pen an original lullaby

The workshop was one of many such events happening Saturday in recognition of World Kindness Day.

2 months ago

Listen 1:00
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