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English Learning for Curious Minds | A More Interesting Way To Learn English

Are you looking for a more interesting way to learn English?

English Learning for Curious Minds is an English podcast for intermediate and advanced English learners who want to improve their English listening while learning weird and wonderful things about the world.

If you want to learn English naturally, improve your English listening skills, and discover fascinating ideas at the same time, this podcast is for you.

Every episode helps you improve your English through interesting stories, history, psychology, business, culture, science, and strange-but-true events from around the world. Instead of textbook exercises or boring grammar drills, you’ll learn English through ideas worth talking about.

This is an English-learning podcast for curious adults — people who want to build confidence in English, improve listening comprehension, expand vocabulary in context, and enjoy the process of learning.

This podcast is spoken in clear, British English.

Whether you want English listening practice, vocabulary in context, or simply a way to learn through ideas worth talking about, you’ll find episodes designed for intermediate to advanced learners and spoken at a speed you can understand.

Every episode comes with:

* Interactive transcripts
* Subtitles
* Key vocabulary explanations
* Bonus learning materials
* PDF study packs

You’ll hear episodes about history, psychology, language, business, habits, strange stories, culture, communication, and the ideas that shape how people think and behave — all designed to help you improve your English naturally.

Questions we help listeners answer include:

* How can I improve my English listening?
* How can I learn English without boring textbooks?
* What is the best English podcast for intermediate learners?
* How can I build vocabulary in context?
* How can I stay motivated while learning English?

Join listeners in 189 countries and discover a more interesting way to learn English.

Find bonus episodes, interactive transcripts, subtitles, vocabulary explanations, and more at www.leonardoenglish.com

Copyright: © Leonardo English

Latest Episodes:

#242 | Operation Pied Piper: The Evacuation of British Cities in World War II Mar 04, 2022

Show notes

In September 1939, the British government embarked on the biggest civilian operation in British history when it moved over a million children out of British cities to live with strangers in the countryside.

In this episode, we'll learn about this amazing mission and the mark it left on the country.

September 1st, 1939 - the start of Operation Pied Piper
Why children were sent away before the first bomb had even fallen
Which cities were affected by evacuation?
Dividing the country into three separate zones for evacuation
Why it was called Operation Pied Piper
Who was actually evacuated?
Sending gold to Canada and paintings to Wales
How the children were chosen to stay with host families
How urban children reacted to countryside life
Why the children returned after a few months of "the phoney war"
Government propaganda: "Don't Do It, Mother. Leave the Children Where They Are"
The Blitz starts and the children return to the countryside
The mixed reaction of the evacuated children
Psychological effects on evacuated children
The mark Operation Pied Piper left on the country

Full interactive transcript, subtitles and key vocabulary available on the website: https://www.leonardoenglish.com/podcasts/operation-pied-piper

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Keywords: Learn English, vocabulary, lessons, idioms, aprende inglés, idiomas, aprender inglês, apprendre l'anglais, imparare l’inglese, ingilizce öğren,英語を習う, تعلم الإنجليزية

#240 | The Rise and Fall of Boris Johnson Feb 25, 2022

Show notes

From a young age, he believed he was destined for greatness, and he became the UK's prime minister at the age of 55.

Discover how Boris Johnson's rise to power was unusual and full of contradictions, and how his fall was entirely predictable.

Similarities between Donald Trump & Boris Johnson
The early life of Boris Johnson
A clever-but-lazy student
His early career as a journalist
Getting sacked for inventing quotes
Breaking into politics
Making lots of money (but never enough)
His romantic life (what we know of it)
Presenting TV programmes and being in the public eye
Becoming Mayor of London
Boris Johnson's attention to detail
The decision to support Brexit
Finally becoming Prime Minister of the UK
Why Boris Johnson was so popular
Boris Johnson's government during COVID
"Partygate" and the ongoing fall of Boris Johnson
“Nothing matters very much and most things don’t matter at all”
The character of Boris Johnson

Full interactive transcript, subtitles and key vocabulary available on the website: https://www.leonardoenglish.com/podcasts/rise-and-fall-boris-johnson

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Keywords: Learn English, vocabulary, lessons, idioms, aprende inglés, idiomas, aprender inglês, apprendre l'anglais, imparare l’inglese, ingilizce öğren,英語を習う, تعلم الإنجليزية

#238 | A Short History Of Tea Feb 18, 2022

Show notes

It's the second most popular drink in the world after water, with 3.7 billion cups drunk every single day.

In this episode, we explore tea's fascinating history, how it changed global politics, caused countries to go to war with each other, and literally changed the world.

How much tea do we really drink every year?
Myths about the discovery of tea
Early tea consumption in East Asia
Tea first being brought to Northern Europe
Catherine of Braganza: the woman who brought tea to Britain
Tea and The East India Company
The Brits adding sugar to tea
Britain struggling to find a product to exchange with China for tea
Flooding China with opium
The Opium Wars
Sending spies deep into China to discover how tea was made
Tea cultivation in British colonies
Curious tea fact #1: The three different word groups for "tea" (and what they tell us)
Curious tea fact #2: The invention of the teabag
Curious tea fact #3: How to make the perfect cup of tea (advice from an expert)

Full interactive transcript, subtitles and key vocabulary available on the website: https://www.leonardoenglish.com/podcasts/history-of-tea

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Keywords: Learn English, vocabulary, lessons, idioms, aprende inglés, idiomas, aprender inglês, apprendre l'anglais, imparare l’inglese, ingilizce öğren,英語を習う, تعلم الإنجليزية

#236 | How To Use Podcasts To Improve Your English [My Favourite Strategies] Feb 11, 2022

Show notes

Learn how to actually use podcasts to improve your English listening, vocabulary, speaking, and even writing.

This is a special episode packed full of tips & tricks to help you use podcasts in a more effective way.

What most people do when listening to podcasts to learn a language
Listening tip #1: How to become a more attentive listener
Listening tip #2: Listening out for word/phrase use
Listening tip #3: Listening out for sounds of English
Podcast superpowers: how to use them as a learning exercise
Vocabulary tip #1: How to go from passive to active vocabulary
Speaking tip #1: Recording yourself, techniques to do so (and why this works)
Speaking tip #2: Shadowing (and why this works)
(Bonus) Speaking tip #3: Simultaneous translation (warning: advanced)
Writing tip #1: Summaries & reflections
The importance of writing in English as a way to clarify thoughts

Full interactive transcript, subtitles and key vocabulary available on the website: https://www.leonardoenglish.com/podcasts/how-to-use-podcasts-improve-english

---

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Keywords: Learn English, vocabulary, lessons, idioms, aprende inglés, idiomas, aprender inglês, apprendre l'anglais, imparare l’inglese, ingilizce öğren,英語を習う, تعلم الإنجليزية

#234 | The Future of The British Royal Family Feb 04, 2022

Show notes

On February 6th, the 95-year-old Queen Elizabeth will celebrate her 70th anniversary of being the queen of the United Kingdom.

In this episode, we’ll ask ourselves what happens next, how will the next king be different, and what the future holds for the British Royal Family.

The British royal family as a family business
Practical question: who will the next monarch be?
The popularity of Queen Elizabeth II
The problems ahead for Prince Charles
The public perception of Prince Charles
Why the British royal family will reduce in size
The Prince Andrew scandal
How might Prince ("King") Charles deal with Prince William?
Prince William & Princess Kate: the future of the British monarchy?
Allowing more access to the British royal family
Relationship between the British monarchy and the British parliament
The successes of Queen Elizabeth II
Charles I vs. Charles II vs. Charles III

Full interactive transcript, subtitles and key vocabulary available on the website: https://www.leonardoenglish.com/podcasts/future-british-monarchy

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Keywords: Learn English, vocabulary, lessons, idioms, aprende inglés, idiomas, aprender inglês, apprendre l'anglais, imparare l’inglese, ingilizce öğren,英語を習う, تعلم الإنجليزية

#232 | When Britain Killed Its King Jan 28, 2022

Show notes

In the 17th century, Britain decided to kill its king and experiment with life without a monarch.

In this episode we'll learn about the English Civil War, the 11 years the country spent without a monarch, why the monarchy was eventually restored, and the impact this had on the country.

The background to the English Civil Wars
The Divine Right of Kings
The errors of judgment of Charles I
Dissolving Parliament in 1629
Religious divisions in Great Britain
Trust breaking down between the King and Parliament
Civil War breaks out
The nature of The First English Civil War
The rise of Oliver Cromwell
The trial and execution of King Charles I
The second and third English Civil Wars
The Interregnum
The death of Oliver Cromwell and the return of Charles II to the throne
What was life like when Britain didn't have a king
The influence of "life without a king" on the country
The legacy of Oliver Cromwell
How to punish a man who had already died

Full interactive transcript, subtitles and key vocabulary available on the website: https://www.leonardoenglish.com/podcasts/britain-killed-its-king

---

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Keywords: Learn English, vocabulary, lessons, idioms, aprende inglés, idiomas, aprender inglês, apprendre l'anglais, imparare l’inglese, ingilizce öğren,英語を習う, تعلم الإنجليزية

#230 | The Opioid Crisis Jan 21, 2022

Show notes

Over the past twenty years, over half a million Americans have died of opioid overdoses.

In this episode, we'll explore how this happened, who is responsible, and ask ourselves whether the USA will ever be able to kick its addiction to prescription opioids.

Origin of "opioid"
Opioid overdoses in the US vs Western Europe
What caused the boom in opioid use in the United States?
Morphine & heroin during the American Civil War
The arrival of OxyContin
Purdue Pharma sales representatives' tactics to sell the drug to doctors
Increasing the doses for patients
The "less than 1% of patients become addicted" claim
People start abusing the drug
Senior executives are aware but do nothing
The cycle of addiction that doctors saw
Moving onto heroin & fentanyl
Why fentanyl is so powerful and dangerous
Who has been held responsible for the opioid crisis?
The Sackler Family (and its quest for immunity)
Opioid prescriptions are down, but overdoses are up
Is a solution for the opioid crisis possible?

Full interactive transcript, subtitles and key vocabulary available on the website: https://www.leonardoenglish.com/podcasts/opioid-crisis

---

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🔓 Unlock bonus episodes, interactive transcripts, subtitles & vocabulary lists

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Keywords: Learn English, vocabulary, lessons, idioms, aprende inglés, idiomas, aprender inglês, apprendre l'anglais, imparare l’inglese, ingilizce öğren,英語を習う, تعلم الإنجليزية

#228 | The Crazy Life of Elvis Presley Jan 14, 2022

Show notes

He was told by countless people that he would never make it as a star, yet by his mid-20s he was the most successful musician in the world.

In this episode, we'll learn about how Elvis Presley defied all his critics, became the biggest star of the 1960s, created the category of rock and roll but then lost the battle with his personal demons.

The USA that Elvis Presley was born into
Being given his third choice of birthday present: a guitar
Coming fifth place in a singing competition
Moving to Memphis and developing his own style
Recording his first song at the studio of Sun Records
Failing to achieve success and being told to continue driving a truck
His first hit: "That's All Right"
The musical style of Elvis Presley
His first tour in 1954, aged only 19
Thrusting his hips and causing controversy
Letter to the FBI: "Presley is a definite danger to the security of the United States"
Meeting Colonel Tom Parker, his exploitative manager
Going on the Ed Sullivan show
How much of his own music did Elvis actually write?
Trying to make it as a Hollywood star
Joining the army
Meeting the 14-year old Priscilla Beaulieu
Discovering prescription drugs
Returning to music after a 7-year break
The Elvis comeback
The Las Vegas years & a changed image
His marriage breaking up
His two addictions: prescription drugs & fast food
His love for "Fool's Gold"
How he died, and how it was covered up by his family
The rise of the Elvis impersonator
The legacy of Elvis Presley

Full interactive transcript, subtitles and key vocabulary available on the website: https://www.leonardoenglish.com/podcasts/elvis-presley

---

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🔓 Unlock bonus episodes, interactive transcripts, subtitles & vocabulary lists

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Keywords: Learn English, vocabulary, lessons, idioms, aprende inglés, idiomas, aprender inglês, apprendre l'anglais, imparare l’inglese, ingilizce öğren,英語を習う, تعلم الإنجليزية

#226 | The Amazing Life Of Ray Charles Jan 07, 2022

Show notes

His early life was full of tragedy and misfortune, but Ray Charles never let this get in his way.

In this episode, we'll learn about how Ray Charles overcame adversity to become one of the most loved musicians in American history.

The early life of Ray Charles: born to a teenage mother in an institutionally racist country
Ray Charles: "Even compared to other blacks we were on the bottom of the ladder looking up at everyone else. Nothing below us except the ground"
The death of Ray Chales' younger brother
Going blind and being sent to a school for the blind
Learning to play the piano (while blind)
The death of his mother and moving to Jacksonville
Trying to make ends meet playing music
Copying the style of Nat King Cole
Deciding to move to Seattle
Making a name for himself in Seattle and meeting Quincy Jones
Getting his first record deal & "I Got A Woman"
Ray Charles' style: a combination of blues, jazz & gospel
Why Ray Charles was unpopular with many pastors
Ray Charles as an excellent businessman
Where his confidence comes from - “you’re blind, you ain’t stupid”
Battling his heroin addiction
Ray Charles and women
Later life and legacy

Full interactive transcript, subtitles and key vocabulary available on the website: https://www.leonardoenglish.com/podcasts/ray-charles

---

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🔓 Unlock bonus episodes, interactive transcripts, subtitles & vocabulary lists

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Keywords: Learn English, vocabulary, lessons, idioms, aprende inglés, idiomas, aprender inglês, apprendre l'anglais, imparare l’inglese, ingilizce öğren,英語を習う, تعلم الإنجليزية

#224 | Predictions Of The Future From The Past Dec 31, 2021

Show notes

As a general rule, people are very bad at predicting the future.

In this episode, we'll take a look at some predictions of the future from the past, looking at what people thought our "today" would be like, the times they got it wrong, the times they got it eerily correct, and we'll also look at some predictions about what the future holds for future generations.

Why there was never a great need to "predict" the future until recently
A Roman born in 100BC being transported 1,000 years into their future
The prediction of Robert Malthus in 1798 about population
Paul Ehrlich's 1968 prediction: "The Population Bomb"
John Maynard Keynes's 1930 prediction about a reduced working week
Predictions from 1900 about what cities would look like: flying cars, roofs, driving ships
The Millennium Bug prediction
The man who could predict the future: Nikolas Tesla
Tesla predicting self-driving cars
Tesla predicting video calling
Tesla incorrectly predicting fashion choices
Tesla predicting an increasing expenditure on scientific discovery vs. war
Predictions today about our future: cancer, multi-planetary, metaverse
The terrible predictions top 3: computers, silent films & everything being invented

Full interactive transcript, subtitles and key vocabulary available on the website: https://www.leonardoenglish.com/podcasts/predictions-of-future

---

You might like:

🔓 Unlock bonus episodes, interactive transcripts, subtitles & vocabulary lists

✨ 5 Powerful Tips for Learning English with Podcasts (Faster & Effectively!) [YouTube]

📹 A look inside Leonardo English membership

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Keywords: Learn English, vocabulary, lessons, idioms, aprende inglés, idiomas, aprender inglês, apprendre l'anglais, imparare l’inglese, ingilizce öğren,英語を習う, تعلم الإنجليزية

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