American English Podcast

Latest Episodes:

⭐ Feature: To Pull Some Strings / The Great Iditarod Jan 30, 2025

Show notes

In this episode, we introduce the phrase "to pull some strings", explaining its meaning, origins, and real-life usage. The phrase refers to using one's influence or connections to achieve something, much like a puppeteer manipulating a marionette. We provide several relatable examples to help you understand how to use the expression.

In the second part of this episode, you'll learn about the Iditarod, Alaska's famous dog sled race. We dive into its history, inspired by the 1925 Serum Run to Nome, and its modern-day significance as a grueling, nearly 1,000-mile challenge through harsh Arctic conditions. She describes the race’s logistics, the role of mushers and sled dogs, and the controversies surrounding it, including animal welfare debates.

⭐ Featured episodes are ones I’ve chosen from my back catalogue because they're a good fit for the time of year. The Great Iditarod takes place the first Saturday in March each year, which in 2025 will be on March 1! I hope you enjoy this episode.

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180.2 - Swimming from Cuba to Florida: Irregular Verb Story with Diana Nyad Jan 22, 2025

Show notes

Have you ever heard of someone swimming 110 miles without a shark cage? That’s exactly what endurance swimmer Diana Nyad accomplished when she crossed the treacherous waters from Cuba to Florida at 64 years old. This week, we dive into her incredible story—a journey of resilience, determination, and grit. From battling jellyfish stings and strong currents to enduring 53 hours in open water, Diana’s achievement proves that "the impossible is possible."

In this episode, you'll not only hear Diana’s inspiring tale but also get a fun and engaging lesson on irregular verbs. We’ve woven 10 key irregular verbs into the story, and you’ll practice identifying and using them in context. Plus, you’ll learn some fascinating facts about open-water swimming, including the iconic Triple Crown of marathon swimming.

Stick around until the end for insights into Diana’s grueling preparation, her record-breaking swim, and why critics couldn’t believe her achievement. Whether you’re here to improve your English or draw inspiration from a story of human triumph, this episode has something for everyone. Don’t miss out! 🌊

Want to take your learning further?

⭐ ⁠⁠⁠Visit the website⁠⁠⁠ for more learning materials. You’ll also find the Academy there, where you can access bonus content for this episode and all of Season 4.

Learn more:

Young Woman and the Sea (Learn more about Gertrude Ederle)
Swim from New York to New Jersey: Ederle-Burke Swim
NYAD: The Netflix Film About Diana
“Never, Ever Give Up” - Diana Nyad. Highly Recommended Ted Talk
Find a Way: The Inspiring Story of One Woman's Pursuit of a Lifelong Dream (memoir)

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180 - Expression: To Keep One's Head Above Water Jan 15, 2025

Show notes

Today, we’ll be diving into the expression "to keep one’s head above water." If you've ever felt like you're just barely managing to survive a tough situation, this idiom will resonate with you.

As always, my goal is to teach you the English spoken in the U.S. through engaging stories, pronunciation tips, and cultural insights. By the end of this episode, you’ll understand how to use this phrase confidently in everyday conversations.

Stay tuned, because in Part 2 next week, we’ll explore the incredible story of Diana Nyad, who swam from Cuba to Florida—a true example of resilience and determination!

Want to take your learning further?

⭐ ⁠⁠⁠Visit the website⁠⁠⁠ for more learning materials. You’ll also find the Academy there, where you can access bonus content for this episode and all of Season 4.

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179 - What's a Hyperbole? Examples and a Fun Conversation with Mara Jan 08, 2025

Show notes

In this episode, we explore hyperboles, dramatic and exaggerated figures of speech commonly used in American English. Shana and her mom, Mara, share everyday examples and discuss their meanings in a fun, relatable conversation.

What's a hyperbole?

Hyperboles are not meant to be taken literally. They emphasize a point or evoke strong feelings such as humor, drama, or enthusiasm. For example: "I'm so hungry I could eat a horse."

Everyday Hyperboles

“I’m melting”: Used when feeling extremely hot.
This bag "weighs a ton”: Describes something very heavy.
“As old as dirt”: Refers to someone or something extremely old.
“My mouth was on fire”: Indicates eating very spicy food.

Losing Body Parts (Metaphorically!)

“Cry your eyes out”: Feeling extreme sadness.
“Laugh your head off”: Laughing uncontrollably.
“Dance your feet off”: Dancing with great energy.
“Sing your heart out”: Singing with passion and volume.

More Common Hyperboles

“Bored to death”: Extremely bored, as Mara describes watching football.
“Floating on air”: Feeling extremely happy, such as discovering you’re going to be a grandparent.
“So angry you could explode”: Expressing intense frustration.
“Tastes like heaven on earth”: Describing an exceptionally delicious dessert.
“In your wildest dreams”: Imagining something extraordinary, like meeting Jane Austen.
“Speechless”: Amazed or overwhelmed, often by a breathtaking experience.
To be on top of the world: To be thrilled, or feel ecstatic / excited about life.
“Everyone and their mom”: EVERYONE and more.

Want to take your learning further?

⭐ ⁠⁠⁠Visit the website⁠⁠⁠ for more learning materials. You’ll also find the Academy there, where you can access bonus content for this episode and all of Season 4.

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⭐ Feature: New Year's Resolution Statistics (Episode 157.2) Jan 01, 2025

Show notes

As we step into 2025, it’s the perfect time to reflect on our goals and aspirations—and for many, that means making (and hopefully keeping!) New Year’s resolutions. Today, we’re revisiting one of my favorite episodes: 157.2 - New Year’s Resolutions Statistics. While originally created with 2024 in mind, the insights and lessons are just as relevant as ever for 2025!

In this episode, you’ll uncover fascinating statistics about popular resolutions in the United States, gain cultural insights, and—most importantly—learn how to set actionable goals for your language learning journey. 🎯 You'll also learn 10+ words related to Statistics, such as ratio, fraction, correlation, etc.

🌟 Let’s dive in and make 2025 your best year for learning English yet! 🚀

Want to take your learning further?

⭐ ⁠⁠Visit the website⁠⁠ for more learning materials. You’ll also find the Academy there, where you can access bonus content for this episode.

Mentioned in the episode

How to Track Your Progress

Stutz the Documentary (available on Netflix)

CDC Study

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178.2 - The Vanderbilts and the Biltmore Estate Dec 25, 2024

Show notes

In this episode, we explore the fascinating legacy of the Vanderbilt family and their iconic Biltmore Estate in Asheville, North Carolina. Discover how Cornelius Vanderbilt, "The Commodore," built a fortune through steamboats and railroads during the Industrial Revolution, leaving a lasting impact on American infrastructure, culture, and philanthropy.

Together we'll take a tour of the Biltmore Estate, the largest privately-owned home in the U.S., featuring 250 rooms, stunning gardens designed by Central Park's Frederick Law Olmsted, and modern innovations like indoor plumbing and electricity. You'll learn polite and casual ways to describe wealth in English, such as "affluent" or "filthy-stinkin' rich," while gaining insights into the Gilded Age—a term coined by Mark Twain to describe the era's wealth and inequality.

What next? Plan a visit to experience the Blue Ridge Mountains, farm-to-table dining, and the country’s most-visited winery, especially during the magical holiday season. Access the full transcript, vocabulary list, and more by signing up to Season 4 Premium Content.

Want to take your learning further?

⭐ ⁠⁠⁠Visit the website⁠⁠⁠ for more learning materials. You’ll also find the Academy there, where you can access bonus content for this episode and all of Season 4.

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178 - Expression: Go Big or Go Home Dec 18, 2024

Show notes

In this episode, we dive into the iconic idiom "Go Big or Go Home!" With a mix of humor, real-life examples, and a pronunciation exercise, you'll learn how to use this bold expression in everyday conversation.

Whether you're making a big decision or simply going all-in, this idiom is perfect for describing those "go for it" moments. Stay tuned for our next episode, where we'll take you on a journey through the grand legacy of the Vanderbilts and explore the majestic Biltmore House—coming soon!

Want to take your learning further?

⭐ ⁠⁠⁠Visit the website⁠⁠⁠ for more learning materials. You’ll also find the Academy there, where you can access bonus content for this episode and all of Season 4.

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177 - Pronunciation: The 50 U.S. State Capitals Dec 09, 2024

Show notes

Today, we’re diving into an exciting and educational pronunciation practice where you’ll learn the names of all 50 U.S. state capitals! But we’re not stopping there—this lesson will also include one fun fact about each state, so you’ll walk away with the correct pronunciation and with a few fun tidbits to impress your friends.

For this episode, we recommend shadowing. Shadowing is when you listen carefully to a word or phrase and immediately repeat it out loud, mimicking the speaker as closely as possible. It’s an excellent way to improve pronunciation, rhythm, and intonation!

As you follow along, listen to the pronunciation of each capital, repeat it after me, and pay attention to the flow of the word. Let’s practice together, state by state, and have some fun along the way. Ready? Let’s get started!

Want to take your learning further?

⭐ ⁠⁠⁠Visit the website⁠⁠⁠ for more learning materials. You’ll also find the Academy there, where you can access bonus content for this episode and all of Season 4.

Read the Transcript: https://americanenglishpodcast.com/177-pronunciation-50-us-state-capitals/

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176.2 - English Story: Irregular Verbs with The Ferris Wheel Nov 28, 2024

Show notes

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In this episode, we’re taking a ride through the fascinating history of the Ferris wheel while learning some tricky irregular verbs along the way! Together, we’ll explore how this iconic amusement ride came to life as a bold attempt to rival the Eiffel Tower at the 1893 Columbian Exposition in Chicago.

Practice the terms, hear them in a variety of contexts and then take a quiz to test what you've learned! At the very end, we'll go through fun facts about the Ferris Wheel. Did you know the original Ferris wheel was dynamited? Or that Ain Dubai is the tallest Ferris wheel in the world, standing at a jaw-dropping 820 feet?

So, let’s ride through history, learn some grammar, and have a little fun together. Let’s do it! 🎡

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176 - Expression: What Goes Around Comes Around Nov 19, 2024

Show notes

Hello and welcome to today’s episode! 🌟 Today, we’re diving into a popular expression in English: What goes around comes around.

It’s a phrase you’ve probably heard in movies, TV shows, or even in real life, but what does it really mean? And how can you use it in your everyday conversations?

We’ve got a fun-packed lesson for you! First, we’ll break down the meaning of this expression, and to get us laughing, I’ll share a little joke. Then, we’ll explore some real-life examples so you can see how it fits into different situations, from friendships to the workplace.

At the end, we’ll do a pronunciation exercise and a tongue twister about Ferris Wheels! Stay tuned for next week’s episode when we learn all about the origin of the Ferris Wheel.

Want to take your learning further?

⭐ ⁠⁠⁠Visit the website⁠⁠⁠ for more learning materials. You’ll also find the Academy there, where you can access bonus content for this episode and all of Season 4.

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