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Words are Powerful.

As a student, teacher and active member of my community and society, I've devoted my professional life to the deep understanding and impact of words. On the surface that may seem so simplistic, but in fact, words are integral to the

worlds and relationships that we create all around us. Words are the foundation of communication,

and without fully understanding the impact word choice may have, one may be creating outcomes

and consequences without even being aware of doing so.  

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Through my website, published work, speaker sessions and social media, I invite you to delve deeper into

understanding of words and how your word choice and response to others' words

create the space the exists around you and between others.  That space may become very close or quite 

distant just by the words you choose to say and/or write, as well as how you respond to others.  You will

undoubtedly become more aware of thinking before you speak.  

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Here's to becoming a more aware participant in the world created around each of us. 

- Janet​

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Recent Substack Articles

I took a wonderful writing course this past week offered through the organization called  The Op Ed Project. The word expert was presented and the facilitator asked if we see ourselves as experts and the majority of the participants offered a resounding: “No.” 

Yesterday upon the insistence of my son, I went to the theatre to watch The Brutalist.  The quote from the German writer, Goethe, comes early in the film: “None are more hopelessly enslaved than those who falsely believe they are free.”

On January 28, 2025, Fortune (Jan 28, 2025) published an article “Bosses Are Firing Gen Z Grads Just Months After Hiring Them–Here’s What They Say Needs to Change.” My expectation is some bashing of kids will follow from this headline on how spoiled kids currently are and how much better kids were in the past.

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Featured Published Books

Stack of Books

Words Have Consequences:

Revisiting the Covid-19 Script 

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Coming Jan 2026

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"This work invites the reader to create a life full of meaning by attending to words. The emphasis here is on the power of the word. When we shift into a different relationship with words, we begin to shift

as well."

Words are Powerful: Articles to Explore

Words Matter
CHEST Journal

I write and teach that words are powerful. I invite my students into a metanoia, a complete change of mind, to see words as generative. We say maxims such as "sticks and stones...," "those are nothing but words," "talk is cheap," and "actions speak louder than words." 

My school district agreed to hire a special education teacher to work with my son, Andreas. The district has always adapted to Andreas's academic needs as he grows and changes. I appreciate that they choose to meet him where he is instead of asking him to adjust to a plan that does not fit. 

I was alone the first time I visited Dr. Stephen Cowan. I was searching for a doctor for my son, Andreas. Diagnosed with cerebral palsy when he was one, he was nine at the time of this visit. 

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Dr. Cowan made me a cup of tea and asked about Andreas. "Start at birth and take me year to year," he said.  

©2025 by Janet Farrell Leontiou. Proudly created with Wix.com

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