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Happy English Podcast (Natural American English) — Education
Happy English Podcast (Natural American English)

The Happy English Podcast helps English learners learn natural American English with clear lessons, practical phrases, everyday conversation tips, and listening practice.

Hosted by American English teacher Michael DiGiacomo, the show features short and practical lessons to help you build vocabulary, improve pronunciation, and speak English confidently in real conversations.

Episodes range from quick tips to longer explanations and cover useful topics like phrasal verbs, idioms, pronunciation, grammar, and natural conversation patterns used by native speakers.

If you want to learn English, improve your American English pronunciation, practice English listening, and speak English more confidently in everyday conversation, the Happy English Podcast will help you step by step.

Since 2014, the podcast has published over 1,000 episodes and reached more than 8 million downloads worldwide.

Get free weekly English lessons plus instant access to my FREE Vocabulary Workshop.:
https://learn.myhappyenglish.com/free-english-lessons

Watch video versions of the podcast:
https://www.youtube.com/@HappyEnglishNY/podcasts

Copyright: © Copyright 2017 Happy English LLC Michael DiGiacomo

Latest Episodes:

938 - Brush Up On - Phrasal Verbs in a Minute | Happy English Nov 28, 2025

Show notes

Hey there! It’s Michael here, and welcome back to Phrasal Verbs in a Minute from Happy English.
I’m here every Friday with a quick one-point lesson to help you learn a new phrasal verb and sound more natural when you speak.
By the way, if you want to see the video version of this lesson, just look for Happy English Podcast on YouTube.
Today’s phrasal verb is brush up on. When you brush up on something, it means you review it or practice it again so you can improve. We usually use brush up on for skills, subjects, and knowledge.

For example, before my trip to Paris, I brushed up on my French a little.
And yesterday, my friend Emma brushed up on her Excel skills before her job interview.
If you want to brush up on your English, why not take a lesson with me!

And here’s a pronunciation tip: brush up on sounds like bruh-shuh-pon. The SH of brush links with UP, and the P of UP links with ON bruh-shuh-pon That makes it smooth and quick.
So how about you? What’s something you want to brush up on? Maybe English, a hobby, or a skill you haven’t used in a while? Let me know in the comments, and remember to follow or subscribe so you don’t miss the next Happy English Podcast and next week’s Phrasal Verbs in a Minute. Hey, thanks for listening. And until next time, keep learning and keep it cool.
Watch video versions of the Happy English Podcast on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@HappyEnglishNY/podcasts
Build Vocabulary With My Free Vocabulary Workshop: https://learn.myhappyenglish.com/vocabulary-workshop-signup
The Happy English Podcast
Helping people speak English better since 2014
Over 1,000 episodes • 8 million downloads
📘 Get free weekly English lessons plus instant access to my FREE Vocabulary Workshop.:
https://learn.myhappyenglish.com/free-english-lessons
🎥 Watch video versions of the Happy English Podcast on YouTube
https://www.youtube.com/@HappyEnglishNY/podcasts
🌐 Learn more about my English lessons and courses
https://www.myhappyenglish.com

937 - Phrasal Nouns For Daily English Conversation Nov 27, 2025

Show notes

Do you need a pick-me-up? I’m not being a show-off when I say that our little online get-togethers like this podcast are probably good for your English.
Thanks for tuning in! Let me start with a quick question. Have you ever heard someone say, “We’re having a little get-together this weekend”? Or maybe, “I could really use a pick-me-up”? You might think, wait a second – isn’t get a verb? Isn’t get together a phrasal verb? Yep - but when we add a hyphen and use it as a noun, it becomes something totally different. Today, we’re going to look at these kinds of phrases that native speakers use all the time, but they don’t always show up in grammar books. These are called phrasal nouns and for today’s lesson, we’re going to see how those verbs become nouns, and how we use them in conversation.
Watch video versions of the Happy English Podcast on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@HappyEnglishNY/podcasts
Build Vocabulary With My Free Vocabulary Workshop: https://learn.myhappyenglish.com/vocabulary-workshop-signup
The Happy English Podcast
Helping people speak English better since 2014
Over 1,000 episodes • 8 million downloads
📘 Get free weekly English lessons plus instant access to my FREE Vocabulary Workshop.:
https://learn.myhappyenglish.com/free-english-lessons
🎥 Watch video versions of the Happy English Podcast on YouTube
https://www.youtube.com/@HappyEnglishNY/podcasts
🌐 Learn more about my English lessons and courses
https://www.myhappyenglish.com

936 - Get Outta Here! Casual English Phrases That Show Surprise Nov 24, 2025

Show notes

Let me ask you something… have you ever been surprised - like, really surprised - and you just didn’t know what to say in English? Imagine, you’re talking to a friend, and they say something totally unexpected. Like, “Hey, did you hear? Lisa is moving to Australia!” And you want to respond like a native speaker - with something more natural than just “Wow” OR “Really?”
That’s what we’re going to look at today - casual, real-life phrases that native English speakers use to show surprise. And hey - this isn’t just fun stuff. These phrases help you sound more natural and more confident when you speak. So let’s jump in!
Watch video versions of the Happy English Podcast on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@HappyEnglishNY/podcasts
Build Vocabulary With My Free Vocabulary Workshop: https://learn.myhappyenglish.com/vocabulary-workshop-signup
The Happy English Podcast
Helping people speak English better since 2014
Over 1,000 episodes • 8 million downloads
📘 Get free weekly English lessons plus instant access to my FREE Vocabulary Workshop.:
https://learn.myhappyenglish.com/free-english-lessons
🎥 Watch video versions of the Happy English Podcast on YouTube
https://www.youtube.com/@HappyEnglishNY/podcasts
🌐 Learn more about my English lessons and courses
https://www.myhappyenglish.com

935 - Didn’t → Dih-n’t → Dih-n’ - Speak Naturally in a Minute | Happy English Nov 23, 2025

Show notes

Hey there! It’s Michael here - and welcome back to Speak Naturally in a Minute from Happy English. I’m here every Sunday with a quick one-point lesson to help you improve your pronunciation, rhythm, and intonation.
And if you want to watch this lesson, just look for Happy English Podcast on YouTube.
Now, in everyday spoken American English, we often use reduction - that means we shorten or soften sounds when we speak. Today’s example is the word “didn’t.”
First, most native speakers drop the D in the middle. So instead of “didn’t,” we say “dih-n’t.” “dih-n’t.” The reason is if you pronounce the final D of did, and the next sound is N, D followed by N makes the sound stop. Did-n’t. Dropping the D makes the sound smoother: “dih-n’t.” Like, “I didn’t see your message.” becomes “I din’t see your message.” OR “She didn’t call me back.” becomes “She dih-n’t call me back.” “dih-n’t.”
And there’s one more thing. The final T in this word also tends to get very soft… or disappears. So “dih-n’t ” becomes “dih-n.” That’s right - both the D and the T get reduced. I’m sure you hear this all the time, like, “I didn’t hear you.” becomes “I dih-n hear you.” “She didn’t call me back.” becomes “She dih-n call me back.” and “They didn’t do it.” becomes “They dih-n do it.”
This is not slang and it’s not lazy. It’s just how real American English flows. So next time you say didn’t, try relaxing your tongue a bit: “I dih-n know.” “I dih-n get it.” That’s the rhythm of natural American speech.
Hey, thanks for listening! And remember to follow and subscribe so you won’t miss the next Happy English Podcast and next Sunday's Speak Naturally in a Minute. Until next time, keep learning and keep it cool.
Watch video versions of the Happy English Podcast on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@HappyEnglishNY/podcasts
Build Vocabulary With My Free Vocabulary Workshop: https://learn.myhappyenglish.com/vocabulary-workshop-signup
The Happy English Podcast
Helping people speak English better since 2014
Over 1,000 episodes • 8 million downloads
📘 Get free weekly English lessons plus instant access to my FREE Vocabulary Workshop.:
https://learn.myhappyenglish.com/free-english-lessons
🎥 Watch video versions of the Happy English Podcast on YouTube
https://www.youtube.com/@HappyEnglishNY/podcasts
🌐 Learn more about my English lessons and courses
https://www.myhappyenglish.com

934 - Do Me a Favor - English Tips in a Minute | Happy English Nov 22, 2025

Show notes

Hey there! It’s Michael here - and welcome back to English Tips in a Minute from Happy English. I’m here every Saturday with a short, simple tip to help you speak English more naturally and confidently. And by the way, if you want to watch this lesson, just look for Happy English Podcast on YouTube.
Today, let’s look at a really common phrase you’ll hear in everyday English - “Do me a favor.”
We use do me a favor when we want to ask someone to do something for us. It’s usually for a small, everyday request, and it sounds more friendly than directly asking someone to do something.

One common pattern is: Do me a favor and, plus a verb. You can say things like, “Do me a favor and close the window.” OR “Do me a favor and turn down the TV a little.”
We also use Do me a favor followed by a sentence. Like, “Do me a favor. Hand me that dictionary over there.” OR “Do me a favor, don’t tell anyone what we just talked about.
You can also use Do me a favor when you’re annoyed with someone. Like, Do me a favor and talk more quietly. OR Do me a favor. Stop smoking in this restaurant.

Using “do me a favor” is a common, indirect way to soften your request. Even when you’re annoyed. So do me a favor and try using this phrase in one of your English conversations this week, ok?
Lemme know in the comments how it goes, and remember to follow or subscribe so you don’t miss the next Happy English Podcast and next Saturday’s English Tips in a Minute. Hey, thanks for listening - and until next time, keep learning and keep it cool.
Watch video versions of the Happy English Podcast on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@HappyEnglishNY/podcasts
Build Vocabulary With My Free Vocabulary Workshop: https://learn.myhappyenglish.com/vocabulary-workshop-signup
The Happy English Podcast
Helping people speak English better since 2014
Over 1,000 episodes • 8 million downloads
📘 Get free weekly English lessons plus instant access to my FREE Vocabulary Workshop.:
https://learn.myhappyenglish.com/free-english-lessons
🎥 Watch video versions of the Happy English Podcast on YouTube
https://www.youtube.com/@HappyEnglishNY/podcasts
🌐 Learn more about my English lessons and courses
https://www.myhappyenglish.com

933 - Chip In - Phrasal Verbs in a Minute | Happy English Nov 21, 2025

Show notes

Today’s phrasal verb is chip in. When you chip in, it means you contribute money, effort, or help toward something - especially when everyone gives a little to make something happen.
For example, at the office, we all chipped in to buy a birthday gift for our manager.
And last weekend, my friends chipped in to rent a cabin in the mountains.
And at home, my neighbors and I chipped in to help our elderly neighbor clean up his yeard. It was a nice way to do something together.
And gere’s a pronunciation tip: Chip in sounds like chi-pin. The P at the end of chip links with in, so it sounds like chi-pin.
So how about you? When was the last time you chipped in for something - maybe a gift, a party, or a project?
Lemme know in the comments, and remember to follow or subscribe so you don’t miss the next Happy English Podcast and next week’s Phrasal Verbs in a Minute. Hey, thanks for listening - and until next time, keep learning and keep it cool.
Watch video versions of the Happy English Podcast on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@HappyEnglishNY/podcasts
Build Vocabulary With My Free Vocabulary Workshop: https://learn.myhappyenglish.com/vocabulary-workshop-signup
The Happy English Podcast
Helping people speak English better since 2014
Over 1,000 episodes • 8 million downloads
📘 Get free weekly English lessons plus instant access to my FREE Vocabulary Workshop.:
https://learn.myhappyenglish.com/free-english-lessons
🎥 Watch video versions of the Happy English Podcast on YouTube
https://www.youtube.com/@HappyEnglishNY/podcasts
🌐 Learn more about my English lessons and courses
https://www.myhappyenglish.com

932 - How To Politely Refuse an Invitation in English Nov 19, 2025

Show notes

Has this ever happened to you? Someone invites you to do something - maybe go out for dinner, or join a party - but you can’t go. Maybe you’re too busy. Maybe you don’t want to go. But you feel a little nervous about saying no? Yeah... totally understandable. Saying no in English isn’t always easy, so today let’s learn how to do it.
In this lesson, we’re going to look at how we invite people in English, and more importantly, how to politely say no when you can’t accept that invitation. This is super helpful for conversations at work, school, or even with friends.
Build Vocabulary With My Free Vocabulary Workshop: https://learn.myhappyenglish.com/vocabulary-workshop-signup
Watch video versions of the Happy English Podcast on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@HappyEnglishNY/podcasts
The Happy English Podcast
Helping people speak English better since 2014
Over 1,000 episodes • 8 million downloads
📘 Get free weekly English lessons plus instant access to my FREE Vocabulary Workshop.:
https://learn.myhappyenglish.com/free-english-lessons
🎥 Watch video versions of the Happy English Podcast on YouTube
https://www.youtube.com/@HappyEnglishNY/podcasts
🌐 Learn more about my English lessons and courses
https://www.myhappyenglish.com

931 - Questions and Negatives with Still, Yet, Already, & Anymore Nov 17, 2025

Show notes

Thanks for joining me today! If you’ve ever wondered what the difference is between “Have you eaten yet?” and “Are you still eating?”... or if you’re not sure when to use anymore - then this episode is for you. These four little words - still, yet, already, and anymore - seem simple, but when it comes to questions and negative sentences, things can get a little tricky. So today, we’ll take a deep dive into how they work, with plenty of real, everyday examples.
Build Vocabulary With My Free Vocabulary Workshop: https://learn.myhappyenglish.com/vocabulary-workshop-signup
Watch video versions of the Happy English Podcast on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@HappyEnglishNY/podcasts
The Happy English Podcast
Helping people speak English better since 2014
Over 1,000 episodes • 8 million downloads
📘 Get free weekly English lessons plus instant access to my FREE Vocabulary Workshop.:
https://learn.myhappyenglish.com/free-english-lessons
🎥 Watch video versions of the Happy English Podcast on YouTube
https://www.youtube.com/@HappyEnglishNY/podcasts
🌐 Learn more about my English lessons and courses
https://www.myhappyenglish.com

930 - I’m Tryin’ To → Ahm Tryin’ Uh - Speak Naturally in a Minute | Happy English Nov 16, 2025

Show notes

Hey there! It’s Michael here - and welcome back to Speak Naturally in a Minute from Happy English. I’m here every Sunday with a quick one-point lesson to help you improve your pronunciation, rhythm, and intonation.
And if you want to watch this lesson, just look for Happy English Michael on YouTube.
In fact, the idea for today’s lesson came from a listener’s question on YouTube. It’s all about reductions. In language learning, reduction means shortening or softening sounds when we speak quickly - it’s what makes English sound smooth and natural. One really common example is when we say the phrase “I’m trying to.” It usually sounds like, “I’m tryin’ uh.” “I’m tryin’ uh.”
There are three things happening here. First, I’m is pronounced as Ahm. Then, we drop the g of trying, so it sounds like try-in, and third we drop the T in the word TO and pronounce it as uh. Ahm try-in-uh. Here are some examples in context:

“I’m tryin’ uh finish this report.”
“I’m tryin’ uh get up earlier.”
And these days, “I’m tryin’ uh learn Japanese.”

It’s quick, relaxed, and totally natural - especially in everyday conversation and songs. You’ll hear this kind of reduction all the time in American English, like what we studied last Sunday: Lemme, gimme, and gemme. So next time you say I’m trying to, relax your mouth and let it flow: “I’m tryin’ uh.” That’s the rhythm of real American English.
Hey, thanks for listening! And remember to follow and subscribe so you won’t miss the next Happy English Podcast and next week’s Sunday Speak. Until next time, keep learning and keep it cool.
Watch the video version of this Podcast on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@HappyEnglishNY/podcasts
Build Vocabulary With My Free Vocabulary Workshop: https://learn.myhappyenglish.com/vocabulary-workshop-signup
The Happy English Podcast
Helping people speak English better since 2014
Over 1,000 episodes • 8 million downloads
📘 Get free weekly English lessons plus instant access to my FREE Vocabulary Workshop.:
https://learn.myhappyenglish.com/free-english-lessons
🎥 Watch video versions of the Happy English Podcast on YouTube
https://www.youtube.com/@HappyEnglishNY/podcasts
🌐 Learn more about my English lessons and courses
https://www.myhappyenglish.com

929 - Does That Make Sense? - English Tips in a Minute | Happy English Nov 15, 2025

Show notes

Hey there! It’s Michael here - and welcome back to English Tips in a Minute from Happy English. I’m here every Saturday with a short, simple tip to help you speak English more naturally and confidently.
And if you want to watch this lesson, just look for Happy English Michael on YouTube.
Today, let’s look at a really common phrase you’ll hear in everyday English - “Does that make sense?”
We use does that make sense? to check if the other person understands what we just explained.
It’s a more natural and friendly way to say “Do you understand?” - which can sometimes sound a little too direct.
For example, if you’re giving directions, you could say:
“Go straight two blocks, turn right at the light, and the café’s on the left. Does that make sense?”
Or, if you’re helping a coworker with a report, you might say:
“So, we’ll send this out by Friday, and then follow up next week. Does that make sense?”
It’s polite, warm, and shows you care that the other person understood you. So next time you’re explaining something, try ending with a friendly “Does that make sense?” - just to make sure!
And hey, does that make sense to join me again next time for another podcast English lesson? Lemme know in the comments, and remember to follow or subscribe so you don’t miss the next Happy English Podcast and next Saturday’s English tips in a minute. Hey, thanks for listening - and until next time, keep learning and keep it cool.
Watch the video version of this Podcast on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@HappyEnglishNY/podcasts
Build Vocabulary With My Free Vocabulary Workshop: https://learn.myhappyenglish.com/vocabulary-workshop-signup
The Happy English Podcast
Helping people speak English better since 2014
Over 1,000 episodes • 8 million downloads
📘 Get free weekly English lessons plus instant access to my FREE Vocabulary Workshop.:
https://learn.myhappyenglish.com/free-english-lessons
🎥 Watch video versions of the Happy English Podcast on YouTube
https://www.youtube.com/@HappyEnglishNY/podcasts
🌐 Learn more about my English lessons and courses
https://www.myhappyenglish.com

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