Episodes
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When Nikki started her career in human rights, she found herself adapting to a job that required a lot more than she expected.
Level: Upper Intermediate
Accent: Canada (Calgary)
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5 Words & Expressions in Today's Story:
- BLASTING (MUSIC/AIR-CONDITIONING): Playing music or running air-conditioning at a very high volume or strength. "They had the music blasting at the party."
- TO CRAM INTO: To fit many people or things into a small space. "We all crammed into the car for the road trip."
- TO BLEND IN: To look or act like the people or things around you, so you are not noticed. "The animal’s fur helped it blend in with its surroundings."
- TUNNEL VISION: Focusing on one thing and ignoring everything else around you. "He had tunnel vision while studying, ignoring his friends."
- TO SHRUG: To lift your shoulders slightly to show you don’t know or don’t care. "She shrugged when asked about her plans."
Episode Links:
- To learn more about the work that Nikki does, visit Inter Pares
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- Free course Cambridge B2 First for Spanish speakers from AC English School
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Sarah Allworthy tells a story of what happens when you do something you're "not supposed to do."
Level: Upper Intermediate
Accent: United Kingdom (London)
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5 Words & Expressions in Today's Story:
- TO CALL SOMEONE’S BLUFF: To challenge someone to prove something they said or did. "He called her bluff during the poker game."
- WHIFF: To briefly smell something, often a faint or slight smell. "He got a whiff of smoke from the nearby barbecue."
- BLUR: Something unclear or not easy to see or remember. "The events of last night are a blur to me."
- TO BE DARING: To be bold and willing to take risks. "She was daring enough to try skydiving."
- CLOSE CALL: A situation where something bad almost happened, but didn’t. "We had a close call when we almost missed our flight."
Episode Links:
- Follow Sarah Allworthy on LinkedIn
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Sponsors That Support This Podcast:
- Free course Cambridge B2 First for Spanish speakers from AC English School
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Episodes manquant?
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Growing up, Archy Jamjun didn't feel seen, until someone finally saw him for who he really was.
Level: Advanced
Accent: United States (Chicago)
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5 Words & Expressions in Today's Story:
- TO THROW DOWN THE GAUNTLET: To challenge or invite someone to compete or flight. "She threw down the gauntlet by saying she could win the competition."
- TO FLING: To throw or push something with force. "She flung her coat onto the chair."
- TO BE ADEPT: To be good at doing something. "She is adept at solving math problems."
- TO MAKE THE NEWSPAPERS: To be featured in the news or media, especially in newspapers. "The story made the front page of the newspapers."
- TO SHOWER SOMEONE WITH SOMETHING: To give someone a lot of presents, praise, or attention. "On her birthday, she was showered with gifts by her friends."
Episode Links:
- Follow Archy Jamjun on Instagram @archyjam
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Sponsors That Support This Podcast:
- Free course Cambridge B2 First for Spanish speakers from AC English School
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After her dream job left her exhausted, Megan Nicholls decides to change her pace completely.
Level: Upper Intermediate
Accent: United Kingdom (Manchester)
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5 Words & Expressions in Today's Story:
- TO RUSTLE: To make a soft, crackling sound, usually from something moving, like leaves or paper. "The wind rustled the leaves in the trees."
- PICK UP THE PACE: To go or work faster. "We need to pick up the pace if we want to finish on time."
- TO AIR (SOMETHING) OUT: To let fresh air into something, like a room or clothing. “I aired my shoes out after the hike.”
- TO BE AT EASE: To feel comfortable and relaxed. "He felt at ease after solving the problem.
- TO BE STILTED: Awkward or unnatural, especially in speech or movement. "Their conversation felt stilted, with long pauses."
Episode Links:
- Learn more about Megan Nicholls at her website megalanguagecoach.com
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Sponsors That Support This Podcast:
- Free course Cambridge B2 First for Spanish speakers from AC English School
- Enjoy a 5% discount on IATI travel insurance, a company my family uses and trusts
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Ariel Goodbody steps into the world of stand-up comedy with a performance no one expected.
Level: Advanced
Accent: United Kingdom (Bath)
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5 Words & Expressions in Today's Story:
- DEADPAN: To say something serious or with no emotion, often in a funny way. "He told the joke in a deadpan voice, and everyone laughed."
- A SET (COMEDY): A group of jokes or a routine performed by a comedian. "She practiced her set for the open mic."
- TO BE UNSETTLED: To feel disturbed or uncomfortable, either mentally or physically. "He felt unsettled after hearing the bad news."
- TO PUT (SOMETHING) OFF: To delay or postpone something. "She put off studying until the night before the exam."
- TO BE OVERDONE: To be done too much or in an excessive way. "The meme was funny at first, but now it’s overdone."
Episode Links:
- Learn more about Ariel Goodbody at their website, EasyStoriesInEnglish.com
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Sponsors That Support This Podcast:
- Free course Cambridge B2 First for Spanish speakers from AC English School
- Enjoy a 5% discount on IATI travel insurance, a company my family uses and trusts
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Rob Rudge tells a story about that moment when you’re so close to a problem that you can’t see the solution.
Level: Upper-Intermediate
Accent: United Kingdom (Yorkshire)
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SPONSORS THAT SUPPORT THIS PODCAST:
- Free course Cambridge B2 First for Spanish speakers from AC English School
- Enjoy a 5% discount on IATI travel insurance, a company my family uses and trusts
5 words & expressions in today's story:
- UPBRINGING: The way a child is raised and taught by their parents. Examples: "Her strict upbringing influenced her strong work ethic." or "He credits his upbringing for his sense of responsibility."
- TO KICK BACK: To relax and do nothing. Examples: "After a long day, I just want to kick back and watch TV." or "She kicked back on the sofa with a good book."
- MAIN DRAG: The main street or central road in a town or city. Examples: "The main drag is always busy with traffic." or "Shops and restaurants line the main drag of the city."
- WITHOUT BATTING AN EYE: Without showing any reaction or surprise. Examples: "She handled the criticism without batting an eye." or "He agreed to the risky plan without batting an eye."
- TO DREAD: To feel great fear or anxiety about something. Examples: "She dreaded going to the dentist." or "He dreaded the long flight ahead."
Episode Links:
- Learn more about Rob Rudge at his website, Energetic English
- Listen to Rob & Bree chat about small talk on The Business English Podcast
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Fabio decides to contact someone famous and what ends up happening gives him a new perspective on what becomes possible, when you ask.
Level: Intermediate
Accent: Non-Native English Speaker (Italy)
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WE HAVE A NEW SPONSOR!
5% OFF in my TRAVEL INSURANCE - I contacted them after several years using it with my family, not the other way around. I recommend it because it's been working really well for me.
5 words and expressions in today's story:
- THERE'S SOMETHING HERE: An expression used to say that something is interesting or has potential.
- TO SHOW UP (IN THE SENSE OF DOING YOUR BEST): To be present and perform to the best of your ability.
- TO LET SOMEONE DOWN: To disappoint someone by not meeting their expectations.
- CATASTROPHIZING: Imagining the worst possible outcome of a situation.
- TO LOSE SIGHT OF SOMETHING: To forget or overlook something important.
Episode Links:
- Learn more about Fabio Cerplloni at www.fabiocerpelloni.com
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New episodes starting August 13, 2024 — Join Bree as she explores stories that inspire and improve your English.
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Season 6 of Into the Story arrives August 2024! Meanwhile, enjoy this fiction story from Ariel Goodbody of Easy Stories in English about two sisters.
If you haven't already listened to Sisters, Sisters (Part 1), go listen now!
Angeline and Annabelle are a classic sister act. Annabelle writes the songs and they sing together, but Angeline gets all the compliments. When a music producer offers a deal to Annabelle, she realizes she can't let the opportunity go. But what starts as a harmonious collaboration soon turns into a discordant nightmare…
Level: Intermediate
Accent: United Kingdom (Bath)
👉 Get the full transcript at EasyStoriesInEnglish.com/Sisters
Episode Vocabulary:
- DYE: To change the color of something using a special liquid. Examples: "She dyed her hair bright red." or "They dyed the fabric blue for the costumes."
- VOCALS: The singing part of a song. Examples: "Her vocals were amazing in the concert." or "He provided the vocals for the band's latest album."
- SYNTHESIZER: An electronic instrument that creates various sounds. Examples: "He played the melody on the synthesizer." or "The band used a synthesizer to add electronic effects to their music."
- CUT OUT: To remove something by cutting. Examples: "She cut out the article from the newspaper." or "He cut out pictures from magazines for his collage."
Episode Links:
- Find more episodes like this one at Easy Stories in English
💛 Want more from Into the Story? Subscribe to our free newsletter to get a quick email from Bree every few weeks filled with practical tips, fascinating topics from the world of psychology, and strategies to improve your life.
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Season 6 of Into the Story arrives August 2024! Meanwhile, enjoy this fiction story from Ariel Goodbody of Easy Stories in English about two sisters.
Angeline and Annabelle are a classic sister act. Annabelle writes the songs and they sing together, but Angeline gets all the compliments. When a music producer offers a deal to Annabelle, she realises she can't let the opportunity go. But what starts as a harmonious collaboration soon turns into a discordant nightmare...
Level: Intermediate
Accent: United Kingdom (Bath)
👉 Get the full transcript at EasyStoriesInEnglish.com/Sisters
Episode Vocabulary:
- FIDDLE: To play with something in a restless or nervous way. Examples: "He fiddled with his pen during the meeting." or "She fiddled with her hair while she talked."
- SPRINKLES: Tiny pieces of candy used to decorate desserts. Examples: "She added sprinkles to the cupcakes for a festive look." or "The ice cream was topped with colorful sprinkles."
- KEEP YOUR NOSE CLEAN: To stay out of trouble. Examples: "He tries to keep his nose clean and avoid any legal issues." or "She was advised to keep her nose clean at her new job."
- COMPLIMENT: A polite expression of praise or admiration. Examples: "She gave him a compliment on his new haircut." or "He received many compliments on his performance."
- FLIRT: To behave playfully towards someone you are attracted to. Examples: "He likes to flirt with her at parties." or "She was flirting with him at the coffee shop."
- PINCH: To squeeze tightly between the fingers. Examples: "She pinched her arm to make sure she wasn't dreaming." or "He pinched his brother playfully."
- FLAP: To move up and down or back and forth quickly. Examples: "The bird flapped its wings and flew away." or "The flag flapped in the strong wind."
- X MEETS Y: A way to describe something as a combination of two different things. Examples: "The movie is like 'Indiana Jones meets Star Wars.'" or "Her music is a mix of pop meets classical."
- BROADSHEET: A large-format newspaper known for serious journalism. Examples: "He reads the broadsheet every morning for the latest news." or "The broadsheet published an in-depth article on the topic."
- NOTE (MUSIC): A single sound of a particular pitch in music. Examples: "She played a high note on the piano." or "He hit the perfect note during his solo."
- HIKE: A long walk, usually in the countryside or wilderness. Examples: "They went for a hike in the mountains." or "She enjoys hiking on weekends."
Episode Links:
- Find more episodes like this one at Easy Stories in English
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Christie was on tour as a professional dancer when unexpected turns teach her about strength and confidence, even when things get difficult.
Level: upper intermediate
Accent: Canadian
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5 words and expressions in today's story:
- BREAD AND BUTTER: Someone's main job or main source of income. Examples: "For many musicians, playing concerts is their bread and butter." or "Writing is her bread and butter; it pays all her bills."
- OUT OF THE BLUE: Something happens suddenly and unexpectedly. Examples: "I was walking home, and out of the blue, it started raining heavily." or "He received a phone call out of the blue from an old friend."
- BUMP UP: This phrasal verb means to upgrade or move to a higher position or level. Examples: "She was bumped up to a manager position at work." or "The airline bumped up her seat to business class for free."
- LONG STORY SHORT: To explain only the most important parts of a story, leaving out unnecessary details. Examples: "The car broke down, we missed the event, and long story short, it was a terrible day." or "Long story short, we decided to move to a new city after many discussions."
- TO BURN OUT: This phrasal verb can mean two things: (1) When a fire stops burning because there is no more fuel. Example: "The campfire burned out after we ran out of wood." (2) When a person becomes very tired and can't continue because they have worked too hard. Example: "The campfire burned out after we ran out of wood." or "After working nonstop for months, he finally burned out and needed a vacation."
Episode Links:
- To find out more about Christie Cunningham, visit her website
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Tom spends months preparing for an ultramarathon, but race day brings surprising challenges.
Level: upper intermediate
Accent: Australian
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5 words and expressions in today's story:
- TO PUSH YOURSELF TO DO SOMETHING: To make a big effort to do something. Examples: "I need to push myself to stay awake until midnight." or "He pushes himself to work harder every day."
- TO CLOCK / TO CLOCK UP: To reach a certain number or amount of something. Examples: "He clocked 70 kilometers last week as part of his training." or "She has clocked up 200 hours of volunteer work this year."
- TO TAKE A TOLL: To have a bad effect on someone or something. Examples: "Working long hours takes a toll on health." or "Hard training takes a toll on your body."
- GUT FEELING: A strong feeling about something without a clear reason. Examples: "She had a gut feeling that something was wrong." or "He trusted his gut feeling during the race."
- RELIEF: Feeling better after being worried or stressed. Examples: "When the storm passed, they felt great relief." or "Finding her lost keys was such a relief."
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Jaclyn tells the story of a paragliding accident and its emotional impact on her life.
Level: upper intermediate
Accent: Canadian
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5 words and expressions in today's story:
- TO END UP: To arrive at a particular place or find yourself in a situation, often unintended. Examples: "After getting lost, we ended up at a beautiful beach." or "She ended up working late because of the unexpected project."
- TO LIFT OFF: To take off, especially for rockets or planes, launching in a vertical direction. Examples: "The rocket lifted off successfully, heading towards space." or "The helicopter lifted off from the helipad."
- TO GLIDE: To fly smoothly through the air in a continuous motion. Examples: "The bird glided effortlessly across the sky." or "The paraglider glided down to the landing point."
- SLOPE: A surface with one side higher than the other; can also be used as a verb to describe something inclining. Examples: "The children enjoyed sledding down the snowy slope." or "The path slopes gently towards the river."
- TO FIT IN: To be comfortable with a group of people or to have enough space for something. Examples: "She fit in well with her new colleagues at work." or "The couch didn’t fit in the small living room, so they had to move it to another room."
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Twice in her life has Brigitte felt alone and lost, and both times she decided to search for the northern lights.
Level: Intermediate
Accent: Canadian (Quebec)
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5 words and expressions in today's story:
- UPROOT: to pull something—especially a tree or plant—out of the ground.
Examples: "The strong winds uprooted the old tree." or "They had to uproot the weeds from the garden."
Metaphorically: to move (someone) from their home or a familiar location.
Examples: "His family was uprooted when they moved to a new city." or "The war uprooted many families from their homes."
- OUTGOING: Friendly and socially confident.
Examples: "She is very outgoing and makes friends easily." or "His outgoing personality makes him popular at parties."
- FIRST NATIONS: Indigenous peoples that are the original inhabitants of the land that is now Canada.
Examples: "First Nations have a rich cultural heritage and history." or "The government works with First Nations to preserve their traditions."
- PITCH-BLACK: Completely dark.
Examples: "The night was pitch-black without any stars." or "The power outage left the house in pitch-black darkness."
- STAY PUT: To not move or go anywhere.
Examples: "She told the dog to stay put while she answered the door." or "During the storm, we decided to stay put at home."
- DIM: Not shining brightly or clearly.
Examples: "The room was lit by a dim lamp." or "The dim light made it hard to read."
Episode Links:
- Find out more about Brigitte at The Story Warrior
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When Scott goes exploring in a dark cave and gets stuck hanging on a rope with no light, he has to use his imagination to find a way out.
Level: Advanced
Accent: United States (Ohio)
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5 words and expressions in today's story:
- CAVING / SPELUNKING (CAVER/SPELUNKER): Exploring caves as an adventure activity. A caver or spelunker is someone who enjoys this, often with helmets and lights for safety.
Examples: "The spelunker explored deep caves, amazed by the rocks." or "Caving is fun for people who like discovering new places."
- TO GET DRENCHED: To get completely wet, usually from rain or water.
Examples: "We got drenched in the rain, running for cover." or "The kids got drenched playing in the water."
- SLACK VS TAUT: Slack means loose, while taut means tight.
Examples: "Check the rope is taut before climbing." or "He adjusted the slack in the rope for better climbing."
- TO NOT SAY SOMETHING LIGHTLY: To say something seriously, not casually.
Examples: "I don't say this lightly, but we need to change." or "She didn't say it lightly when apologizing."
- TANGLED VS UNTANGLED: Tangled means twisted, while untangled means straightened out.
Examples: "The wires were tangled and hard to fix." or "She untangled the knots in the necklace."
Episode Links:
- For more thoughts and inspiration from Scott Brandon, follow him on LinkedIn.
- Visit Scott’s website.
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Tiffani leaves her job at NASA to explore a new path, leading her to the most difficult thing she's ever done.
Level: Upper intermediate
Accent: United States (Maryland)
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5 words and expressions in today's story:
- TO BE GLUED TO YOUR SEAT / SCREEN: To be unable to move from your seat or stop watching something.
Examples: "I was glued to my seat during the movie." or "He's glued to his screen, playing video games all day."
- TO BE DIALED IN (FOCUSED): To concentrate or pay close attention.
Examples: "She's dialed in during class, always listening to the teacher." or "Being dialed in means you're focused and not distracted."
- TO PUSH THROUGH: To keep going even when it's difficult.
Examples: "Even though he was tired, he pushed through and finished the race." or "Pushing through means not giving up, even when things are hard."
- TO HAVE YOUR CONFIDENCE STRUCK: To feel less sure of yourself.
Examples: "After failing the test, his confidence was struck." or "Having your confidence struck means feeling unsure or not believing in yourself."
- TO CLICK (UNDERSTANDING): To understand something suddenly.
Examples: "After studying for a while, it clicked, and I understood the math problem." or "It clicked in my mind how to solve the puzzle."
Episode Links:
- Speak English With Tiffani Academy
- Speak English With Tiffani YouTube
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When Martin becomes a dad, he realizes how difficult it is when we can’t be with the ones we love.
Level: Upper Intermediate
Accent: United Kingdom (Essex)
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5 words and expressions in today's story:
-TO SHOVE: To push someone or something roughly or with force, often with the intention of moving someone or something out of the way. For example, "She accidentally shoved her friend while rushing to catch the bus, causing them to stumble," or "He shoved his passport in his pocket before getting on the plane."
-TO BE OVER THE MOON: To be extremely happy or thrilled about something. For example, "She was over the moon when she found out she got the job she had been dreaming of," or "He was over the moon with joy when he received the surprise birthday party his friends had organized for him."
-A PRAM: A stroller or baby carriage used for transporting infants. For example, "She took her baby for a walk in the pram," or "The pram was equipped with a comfortable seat and a protective canopy."
-OBVIOUSLY (FILLER WORD): similar to saying "it's clear" or "you see" to show something is easy to understand. It's added to sentences to make a point stronger or emphasize that something should be clear. But it doesn't always change what's being said; it just helps the speaker highlight their viewpoint or understanding of the situation.
-FULL ON (ADJECTIVE): Intense or extreme in nature. For example, "The party was full on, with loud music and dancing all night," or "He experienced a full-on adrenaline rush while participating in the extreme sports event."
Episode Links:
- Listen to Martin’s podcast Rock n’ Roll English
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Gloudina goes to Ecuador to volunteer with a wildlife veterinarian and ends up learning an important lesson from children in the Amazon.
Level: Upper Intermediate
Accent: South Africa
🚐 Ready to take your English further? CLICK HERE FOR FULL EPISODE PACKAGE with vocabulary, test, and transcript!
5 words and expressions in today's story:
- WILDLIFE: Animals and plants that live and grow in natural environments.
Examples: "The national park is home to a diverse range of wildlife, including bears, deer, and birds." or "Conservation efforts aim to protect wildlife and their natural habitats."
- CABIN/HUT: Small, simple dwellings or houses typically located in rural or wilderness areas.
Examples: "They rented a cozy cabin in the mountains for their weekend getaway." or "The forest ranger stayed in a rustic hut deep in the woods during his patrols."
- CHECKUP: A routine health examination.
Examples: "The doctor recommended an annual checkup to monitor her blood pressure and cholesterol levels." or "After the accident, he underwent a thorough checkup to ensure there were no internal injuries."
- ENDANGERED SPECIES: Species at risk of extinction.
Examples: "Efforts to save the sea turtle focus on protecting nesting sites and reducing bycatch in fishing nets." or "The black rhinoceros is endangered due to poaching and habitat loss."
- TO CLEAR YOUR MIND: Removing thoughts or worries to achieve calmness.
Examples: "Yoga and meditation help him clear his mind and reduce stress after a long day." or "Taking a walk in nature allows her to clear her mind and gain perspective on her problems."
Episode Links:
- Visit Gloudina’s website Wildme.eu and use the code INTOWILDME100 to download one of her digital guides for free
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Anna wanted to go to one of the most prestigious music schools in the UK and Europe, but felt that she wasn’t good enough.
Level: Intermediate
Accent: United Kingdom
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5 words and expressions in today's story:
- TO NAG: To keep asking or reminding someone to do something, often in an annoying or persistent way. Examples: “He always nags his sister to clean up her room.” or “She nagged her friend to come with her to the concert until she finally agreed.”
- TO GIVE IT A GO: To try something, to make an attempt. Examples: "I'm not sure if I can ski, but I'll give it a go." or "She wasn't confident about singing in public, but she decided to give it a go at the talent show."
-TO BE BLOWN AWAY / TO BLOW YOUR SOCKS OFF: To be extremely impressed or amazed by something. Examples: "When she saw the sunset over the mountains, she was blown away by its beauty." or "The performance of the singer blew my socks off; it was absolutely incredible."
- TO MINCE (ONE’S) WORDS: To speak directly and honestly, even if you upset people by doing this. Examples: "She never minces her words; she tells it like it is, even if it's uncomfortable." or "In the meeting, he didn’t mince his words and offended his boss"
- THE UNDERDOG: The competitor or participant in a competition or conflict who is expected to lose, they are considered less likely to win or succeed compared to others involved. Examples: "Despite being the underdog, the team fought hard and won the championship." or "The small startup company, seen as the underdog in the industry, surprised everyone by outselling its larger competitors."
Episode Links:
- Listen to Bree & Anna's chat about fear
- Find out more about Anna Tyrie at English Like A Native
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When Lindsay McMahon was backpacking alone in Southeast Asia, an injury teaches her an important lesson about living a good life.Level: Upper IntermediateAccent: United States (New Hampshire)🚐 Ready to take your English further? CLICK HERE FOR FULL EPISODE PACKAGE with vocabulary, test, transcript and much more!5 words and expressions in today's story:- TO BE WINDY (A WINDY ROAD): A road with lots of twists and turns.Examples: "The road to the cabin is windy and hard to drive." or "Be careful on the windy road; it can be dangerous."- A MUFFLER: The tube that comes out the back of a car that makes it quieter.Examples: "The mechanic replaced the muffler on my car." or "The teenager took the muffler off his motorbike, to make it very loud." - TO DOWNPLAY SOMETHING: To make something seem less important or serious.Examples: "After her basketball team lost the match, she tried to downplay the defeat by saying it wasn’t an important game" or "Even though the project faced significant challenges, she downplayed the difficulties, emphasizing the progress made."- TO BE MAKESHIFT: Something that's put together quickly with whatever's available. Examples: "The kids used a cardboard box as a makeshift table." or "He made a makeshift umbrella out of a plastic bag so that he wouldn’t get wet in the rain."- TO HAVE A WIN: To succeed or accomplish something you were hoping for. Examples: "This week, I finally had a win: normally I procrastinate editing podcasts, but this time I finished the episode earlier than expected." or "When the young student won the spelling contest, it was a big win. It made her feel more sure of herself."Episode Links: - Listen to Lindsay’s podcast, All Ears English- Listen to Bree explain the connection between emotions and fluency on All Ears English (available March 2024)Enjoyed today's episode? Share it with a friend improving their English! Thanks for being a part of our community. 💛
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