OUR MISSION IS TO HIGHLIGHT THE POWER OF LANGUAGE and storytelling by providing a platform for language arts, visual arts, performance arts, and mental health advocacy.
The ATP mission is grounded by our three pillars of appraisal: Unveil The Origin, Confirm The Meaning, and Assess The Value.
To appraise a phrase is to uncover, honor, and challenge the value of depth and commitment to the root source of language in our culture.
“A word never – well hardly ever – shakes off its etymology and its formation. In spite of changes in, and extensions of, and additions to its meaning…there will persist the old idea.”
J.L. Austin, A Plea For Excuses, Philosophical Papers, 1961.
ATP is the platform dedicated to turning the conversation about the words and idioms popularized over time into action that triggers the positive impact of our communities, large or small.
“Words – so innocent and powerless as they are, standing in a dictionary, how potent for good and evil they become, in the hands of one who knows how to combine them.”
Nathaniel Hawthorne, American Notebooks, 1841-52.
Language is the common thread among us all that creates and shapes our reality. The words we speak are an expression of who we are.
“Syllables govern the world.”
John Seldon, Table Talk, Mid 17th century.
“Language most shows a man: speak that I may see thee.”
Ben Johnson, Timber; or Discoveries, 1640.
Our love for language and community drives our mission to provide insight, education, and history to our viewers and listeners while supporting the change makers within our community.
“Thanks to words, we have been able to rise above the brutes, and thanks to words, we have sunken to the level of the demons.” – Aldous Huxley, Adonis and The Alphabet, 1956
The Hosts
Mario and Twenty are college best friends that bring their long time connection to you to appraise phrases from each of their unique perspectives.
Mario
Detroit native (Ecorse to be exact).
- Former pro athlete (nfl + GFl)
- podcast host – producer
- Co-host of The Underdog Sports NFL Show
- Youth Development Director
- I.T. systems analyst
Has a deep desire to search for the deeper meaning, honor the source, lead with kindness, show love, and focus on the youth. Always been good at math but better with language. Despises the phrase ‘benefit of the doubt.’
Twenty
Hails from Miami, FL.
- College football teammates with Mario
- Manager of Groot Hospitality Group
- Former Recording Artist
A pop culture junkie that sees further than the surface.’ Firm believer in ‘since people are out here living different, we should be able to speak different.’ Favorite phrase is Ignorance Is Bliss
The Expression Appraisal Team
Our Expression Appraisal Team, made up of Fave and Myron, are Mario and Twenty’s most trusted colleagues. You’ll find them on episodes throughout the season including the GOAT Phrase Tournament Ranking and GOAT Phrase Tournament Champion episodes that end and start each season, respectively.
MSG. Myron
The villain. The contrarian. The know it all.
Fave
The Rational, Reasonable one. Tells it like it is.