Global “Ummm” Podcast Initiative Launches: Share Your Filler Words & Join a Cultural Movement
In a bold and creative step forward for the podcasting world, a brand-new international initiative is giving center stage to something we all use but rarely think about — filler words. The project, launched in celebration of International Podcast Day 2025, invites participants from around the globe to share their “umms,” “uhhs,” “ehs,” and “likes” in a collaborative effort to create a one-of-a-kind archive of human speech patterns.
This is more than just a quirky idea — it’s a fusion of linguistics, art, and community building. The project lives on UmmmPodcast.com, spearheaded by podcast industry leader Arielle Nissenblatt, along with Certified Crucial founders Marz Marcello and Michael Bickett.
The UmmmPodcast project is an open invitation for people worldwide to contribute audio samples of their natural speech fillers. These small utterances — often dismissed as “meaningless” — are being reimagined as valuable cultural artifacts.
Key Objectives:
Create a Global Speech Archive: A comprehensive collection of filler words from all languages and dialects.
Celebrate Human Communication: Highlighting how filler words differ across cultures.
Support Podcasters and Linguists: Providing a free, searchable database that creators can use in their projects.
Blend Creativity and Data: Turning collected waveforms into unique, wearable art.
“We are hoping to build a global database of speech that podcasters, linguists, and creators can explore for years to come,” says Arielle Nissenblatt.
How It Works: Submit Your “Umm” in Minutes
Participating in the project is simple. Anyone with an internet connection can contribute:
Visit UmmmPodcast.com – The official home of the initiative.
Record Your Filler Words – Use the built-in recording tool to share your “umms,” “uhhs,” “likes,” and “ehs.”
Submit in Any Language – Contributions from all cultures and regions are encouraged.
Become Part of the Archive – Your clip becomes part of a searchable, growing database of human speech.
This easy process allows creators, students, and even curious listeners to be a part of a historic, collaborative linguistic experiment.
The Artistic Twist: Turning Speech Into Fashion
The team is going beyond archiving sound — they are turning submissions into art. An artist has been commissioned to transform selected waveform visualizations into limited-edition T-shirt designs.
Why This Matters:
Merch With Meaning: The shirts feature real speech patterns, connecting wearers with the global community.
Exclusive Access: Pre-orders are already open, with a special discount code for early supporters.
Giveaways: Lucky participants will receive free shirts as part of the campaign.
“We started Certified Crucial to make merch that actually means something. Turning the world’s umms and uhhs into shirts feels like the perfect reminder that creativity lives in the smallest, most human moments,” says co-founder Marz Marcello.
Timeline and Key Dates
September 12, 2025: Official launch of UmmmPodcast.com.
September 25, 2025: Deadline for T-shirt waveform submissions.
Ongoing: Speech archive contributions will remain open indefinitely as the project grows.
This ensures that even those who discover the initiative later can still add their voice to the collection.
Why Filler Words Are Important
Filler words — often considered a nuisance — actually play a critical role in communication:
Provide Thinking Time: They give speakers a moment to process their next words.
Convey Emotion: The tone of an “umm” can reveal hesitation, excitement, or uncertainty.
Cultural Markers: Different languages have unique fillers (e.g., “eh” in Canada, “ano” in Japan).
Podcast Production Insight: Editors can study filler words to better understand natural speech patterns.
By collecting these sounds worldwide, researchers and podcasters can analyze how people speak across regions and generations.
Educational and Creative Resources
UmmmPodcast.com also offers:
Audio Creation Tips: For beginners looking to start podcasting.
Reflections on Speech: Articles about the cultural significance of filler words.
Partnership Opportunities: Ways for educators, podcasters, and linguists to get involved.
This makes the platform not only a project hub but also a learning center for the growing podcast community.
Meet the Creators
Arielle Nissenblatt
A prominent voice in the podcast world, Arielle is the founder of EarBuds Podcast Collective and currently Head of Community and Content at Pinwheel by Audily. She has long advocated for strengthening podcast communities and encouraging collaboration.
Certified Crucial: Marz Marcello & Michael Bickett
Certified Crucial is known for providing innovative merchandise solutions to creators. Their products often feature handcrafted, limited-run items designed in collaboration with independent makers.
Their involvement brings a creative, tangible dimension to the UmmmPodcast project.
Call to Action: How You Can Join
This is not just a passive listening experience — it’s a chance to be part of a cultural experiment:
Spread the Word: Encourage your podcast community, school, or team to contribute.
The more diverse the submissions, the richer the global speech archive becomes.
The Bigger Picture: A Cultural Archive for the Future
This initiative is more than just fun and games. It represents a future where we:
Document Spoken History: Capture everyday speech before AI and editing tools erase natural imperfections.
Promote Linguistic Diversity: Celebrate the differences that make each culture unique.
Inspire Creativity: Use real-world data to create art, merchandise, and educational tools.
By participating, contributors help build a resource that will benefit podcasters, researchers, and educators for years to come.
Conclusion: Small Sounds, Big Impact
The UmmmPodcast initiative proves that even the smallest, most overlooked parts of speech can become powerful tools for connection, creativity, and cultural preservation. As the world celebrates International Podcast Day 2025, this project reminds us that podcasting is about more than just polished episodes — it’s about capturing authentic human expression.
Whether you are a podcast enthusiast, a linguist, or simply curious, this is your chance to add your voice to a living archive of humanity.
