The InFluency Podcast

Latest Episodes:

496. 10 words even advanced speakers mispronounce Jan 20, 2026

Show notes

Today, we're stepping into the world of just how confusing English spelling can be! In this video, we're going to analyze words that even advanced speakers mispronounce.

Want to keep practicing your pronunciation? Get the free 14-day pronunciation plan! https://bit.ly/3YAWcJ5

495. Speaking monotone can lower your IELTS score. Here's what to do Jan 13, 2026

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Do you ever feel like you speak monotone in English?

In this episode, Aubrey from the amazing All Ears English podcast is here to talk about how monotone speech can affect your IELTS speaking score (and the other ways it can impact you!)

In this conversation, we talk about:

Why sounding monotone can lower your IELTS pronunciation score
What examiners actually listen for in the speaking test
Why monotone speech makes people tune out in real conversations
How nerves and overthinking affect your voice
Why feeling "fake" when you change your intonation is normal
How to practice sounding more expressive

Whether you are preparing for IELTS or simply want to sound more confident and expressive in English, this episode will help you understand how to work on it!

Find Aubrey and the All Ears English podcast here! https://www.allearsenglish.com/

494. 5 Truths About Making Mistakes in English (That Will Set You Free) Jan 06, 2026

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Are you afraid of making mistakes when you speak English?

In this episode, we're talking about something that silently blocks fluency for so many people: the fear of making mistakes.

In today's episode, you'll learn 5 truths about mistakes in English that will completely change the way you speak, practice, and show up in real conversations. Because the goal is not to speak "perfectly." The goal is to speak clearly, confidently, and consistently, even when things are not 100 percent.

Want more?

Join us for the Start Strong Challenge! https://bit.ly/4qAqR5l

Join Beyond, my English practice community https://bit.ly/4nrfM5N

493. 10 everyday English expressions to level up your fluency in 2026 Dec 30, 2025

Show notes

Today, we're learning 10 super common English expressions that will help you start the year with energy, confidence, and momentum.

You might already recognize some of them, but today you'll learn what they really mean, how to say them more naturally, and how to use them in real sentences so they actually stick.

Download the practice PDF (expressions + definitions + example sentences): https://bit.ly/3YMyA4n

492. 5 things to LET GO OF in 2025 for better English Dec 23, 2025

Show notes

As we wrap up 2025 and step into 2026, I want to invite you to leave a few things behind with me: the need to be perfect, the fear of judgment, habits that aren't working for you, comparison, and that old story you keep telling yourself about your English.

Because here's the truth: you don't need "perfect" to be powerful. You just need practice, permission, and a new story.

If you want a little extra support to start 2026 feeling clearer, freer, and more confident, I've got two free ways to do it:

👉 Join the free 7-Day Confidence Challenge https://bit.ly/3UmzZMY A short daily email with a simple activity to help you build confidence in English, one step at a time.

👉 Get on the Start Strong Challenge list We're kicking off 2026 together with a free Start Strong Challenge so you can start the year with momentum and confidence. Click here to join https://bit.ly/498Lnmu

Let's make 2026 a year to remember!

491. Why speaking English makes you so tired Dec 16, 2025

Show notes

Do you ever feel tired after speaking English even when you can speak for hours in your first language with no problem? In this episode, I'll explain why English feels more exhausting and what you can do to feel lighter, clearer, and more effortless when you speak.

You'll learn practical strategies to reduce physical tension, stop overusing your muscles when pronouncing tricky sounds, ease voice strain, and manage the mental load that comes from overthinking and self editing. These small shifts can help you conserve energy, feel more confident, and enjoy speaking without ending the day completely drained.

Learn more about your voice with these videos: https://bit.ly/48Z774o

Join my programs 👇

My English Mindset: https://bit.ly/47wXuYD

Beyond Community: https://bit.ly/4nrfM5N

490. How to Tell Powerful Stories in English (Even as a Second Language) Dec 09, 2025

Show notes

Do you ever feel like you are "not a storyteller" or worry that your stories are too long, too messy, or "not interesting enough" in English? Join this conversation with us!

In this episode, I talk with Bree from the podcast "Into the Story" about what storytelling really is and why you do not need perfect English, fancy vocabulary, or a big dramatic life to tell powerful stories that connect.

We also talk about confidence, perfectionism, and that little feeling of shame when you remember a tiny mistake you made in English hours later. If you are tired of waiting to "fix" your English before you share your story, this episode is for you.

Connect with Bree: Into the Story podcast: https://intostory.com/ Bree's website: https://intostory.com/

TED Talks: The Official TED Guide to Public Speaking" by Chris Anderson: https://www.ted.com/read/ted-talks-the-official-ted-guide-to-public-speaking

489. One vowel sound, 15 different spellings: The /ɑ/ as in FATHER vowel Dec 02, 2025

Show notes

One vowel sound, but so many spellings in English! English spelling is not phonetic, which means that just because it has one spelling, doesn't mean it always sounds the same way! In this video, we're going to talk about the 15 (!) different spellings that just ONE sound has in English. Crazy, right?

For more information about this vowel, check out these episodes:

How to pronounce 'water': https://hadarshemesh.com/magazine/water/

/ah/ as in father (and coffee, job and office): https://hadarshemesh.com/magazine/aa-as-in-father/

The 3 A's : cap-cup-cop: https://hadarshemesh.com/magazine/cap-cup-cop/

488. Shadowing Practice: How Tone of Voice Changes Your Message Nov 25, 2025

Show notes

In this lesson we'll practice together how the same text can sound happy, sad, serious, or excited, only by changing your voice! I'll read two paragraphs in different ways so you can hear how tone, pitch, and rhythm change the meaning. Then we'll shadow together and you can practice your own intonation.

Shadow with me, repeat after me, and train your voice to tell the story you want!

If you want more practice with intonation, pronunciation, and real speaking skills, check out my free 14-day pronunciation plan! https://bit.ly/3YAWcJ5

487. How to stop LIMITING yourself and become your full self in English Nov 18, 2025

Show notes

Unlock the parts of you that stay quiet in English and finally show up as your full self. In this episode, we talk about the habits and thoughts that limit your expression and how to break them so you can speak with clarity, confidence, and freedom.

You will learn how to: • Notice the beliefs that hold you back • Shift from fear to curiosity • Practice in simple daily ways that build real confidence • Express yourself with more presence and ease

Want to keep practicing and building your true voice in English? Check out my practice community, Beyond. https://bit.ly/4nrfM5N

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