The best podcast for learning English if you like current events and trending topics. Improve your English listening, learn new words, and build your confidence with the #1 English-learning podcast focused on stories and English expressions. Join Jeff and JR every Monday and Thursday for a short English lesson. In the first half, you'll enjoy a story about something happening in the world. In the second half, you'll learn how to use a common English expression or phrasal verb. Best of all, t ...
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Parents and school shooters: who's responsible? (Take advantage of)
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24:55
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Today's story: School shootings are sadly, tragically common in the United States. Now, prosecutors are bringing murder or manslaughter charges against parents of school shooters, even if the parents weren't directly involved in the crime. Some say that's justified; others say it's going too far. What do you think? Learn this English expression: To…
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Today's story: The Birkin might be one of the coveted handbags in the world. Part of its appeal is its exclusivity: you can't just buy one in online or in a store. You have to build a relationship with a sales associate and spend thousands of dollars on other goods just to get one. So is it worth it? Learn this English expression: To 'deal with' is…
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Somehow, Abercrombie & Fitch is popular again (Take it easy)
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23:26
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Today's story: For a generation of Americans, the brand Abercrombie & Fitch was synonymous with overpriced, exclusive clothing for teenagers (and a highly sexualized staff and brand). It fell out of favor when the public mood turned against that kind of marketing. But against all odds, the company has turned its image around and is now a darling of…
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Matthew Perry and the drug that killed him (As far as I know)
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21:39
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Today's story: Matthew Perry, the actor who played Chandler on the popular TV series 'Friends,' died of an overdose of ketamine in 2023. Last month, five people were arrested in connection with his death, including a drug dealer to the stars called the 'Ketamine Queen,' government documents show. Learn this English expression: Use 'as far as I know…
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Do men need to wear ties anymore? (Close call)
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Today's story: Neckties were adopted in France in the 1600s as a symbol of power and respect. For many, they were a required part of business dress during the boom in white-collar work in the 20th century, but men are increasingly leaving the tie at home, even if they wear suits. So, is the necktie dead? Learn this English expression: A 'close call…
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Two astronauts are stranded in space (Short run / long run)
26:41
26:41
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Today's story: Astronauts Suni Williams and Barry Wilmore left Earth on June 5, planning to be in space for eight days. But thrusters on the Boeing Starliner spacecraft malfunctioned, so they have to return on another vehicle in February 2025, bringing their time on the International Space Station to eight months. Learn this English expression: Use…
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Why women's clothing sizes are so confusing (In touch)
22:48
22:48
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Today's story: Generations ago, women went to seamstresses for custom-made clothes. But today, many women's fashion brands use standard sizing that distills the fit to just a single number. But even that can be misleading, as the size standards vary by brand (and even by year). Learn this English expression: To be 'in touch' is to stay in contact w…
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'Massacre law' in Turkey threatens street dogs (Get out of hand)
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23:13
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Today's story: Turkey's parliament recently passed a law aimed at removing millions of dogs living on the street. The law doesn't specifically require euthanasia. But many in Turkey are afraid this new law will nonetheless lead to mass killing of the dogs they've grown attached to. Learn this English expression: Something that 'gets out of hand' be…
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Preview the changes improvements coming to Plain English this fall: The English expressions you learn may or may not appear in the main story. This will let us focus on those expressions that are most useful to you, whether or not you heard them in the first half of the lesson. Each month will have a theme with three or four episodes. (The remainin…
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Biden's awful debate and the rise of Kamala Harris (Down to the wire)
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23:52
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Today's story: At age 81, Joe Biden was the oldest person ever to seek the U.S. presidency. And while voters had concerns about his age, he easily won the Democratic Party's nomination. But after a terrible debate performance, he withdrew from the race. The sitting vice president, Kamala Harris, will face Donald Trump in the November election. Lear…
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Summer 2024: Three months that felt like decades (Get out of)
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23:28
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Today's story: From an attempted assassination of Donald Trump to a landslide election in the UK to an uplifting Summer Olympics, the summer of 2024 was a rollercoaster of news. Learn this English expression: To get out of something is to avoid doing it Full lesson: https://plainenglish.com/706 -- Upgrade all your skills in English: Plain English i…
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Today's story: Most American families are confronted with the decision to buy or rent a home at some point. This decision is a common one around the world, but the specific pros and cons can be different, depending on the country. Here's what the decision is like in the U.S. Learn this English expression: When someone has given you money, and you r…
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Today's story: American office culture isn't exactly what you see on TV. In this story, learn about the typical workday, including what time people arrive, what they wear to work, how much time they have for lunch, and how they get to the office from their homes. Learn this English expression: To 'wrap up' is to finish something successfully Full l…
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Today's story: It starts with a notice from a court: ""You have been summoned."" American citizens are occasionally required to appear for jury service. Most people called don't have to serve on juries. Here's what the experience is like, for selected jurors and for those who are excused. Learn this English expression: To 'check in' is to register …
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What is retirement like in the United States? (Stay put)
21:48
21:48
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Today's story: There are over 50 million retirees in the United States, about the equivalent of the entire population of Spain. Every person's retirement is different, but today, you'll learn about what retirement is like for most people in the U.S. Learn this English expression: To 'stay put' is to stay in one place and not move Full lesson: https…
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Train travel in the U.S. (Up and running)
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20:47
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Today's story: Train travel is famous in Europe. In the United States, though, it's a little more complicated. But with some planning, you can make train travel part of a U.S. vacation (if you plan ahead and leave plenty of time). Learn this English expression: A system is 'up and running' when it is fully working Full lesson: https://plainenglish.…
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This workshop teaches you how to use "even as" to present a potential contrast in a sentence. Full workshop: https://plainenglish.com/videos/even-as Video Workshops give you all the tools you need to express more complex ideas. Workshops include: Video lesson ~10 minutes Quiz Exercises Opportunity to practice & get feedback Watch workshops free tod…
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Fast Version: A quick tour through America's national parks (One of a kind)
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** Enjoy this fast version of Episode #700. Listen to the fast audio of our lessons by signing up for a free trial at PlainEnglish.com Today's story: America's national parks are an important part of the country's natural landscape and they attract millions of visitors per year. Some parks preserve wilderness areas. Others have pristine beaches. Tw…
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A quick tour through America's national parks (One of a kind)
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23:29
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Today's story: America's national parks are an important part of the country's natural landscape and they attract millions of visitors per year. Some parks preserve wilderness areas. Others have pristine beaches. Two parks include networks of caves. All are preserved for future generations and open to visitors. Learn this English expression: Someth…
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Regional varieties of American pizza (Made of)
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21:32
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Today's story: You fold it in New York. You put caviar on it in California. You make in a pan for car-parts in Detroit. And you eat it with a knife and fork in Chicago. Pizza is a perfect dish for sharing at parties and around a family dinner table. But pizza is not the same everywhere. Here are four regional varieties in the United States. Learn t…
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School life outside the classroom (Try out)
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20:59
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Today's story: School is about learning. But for many students, school is about so much more: sports teams, after-school clubs, drama, and free time during the school day. Learn what social and after-school life is like at a typical American school. Learn this English expression: To 'try out' is to compete for a role in a play or on a team Full les…
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The typical American school day (Spread out)
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Today's story: Math, science, history, reading. Learning these things in school is, now, almost a universal experience. But the specifics of the school day differ from country to country. Here, learn what a typical school day is like in the United States. Learn this English expression: To be 'spread out' is to have a lot of space between each one F…
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America's west: mountains, plains, and desert (Take cover)
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22:22
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Today's story: America's west is its most visually stunning region, with Rocky Mountain peaks and the bright lights of Las Vegas. The mountain west has beautiful national parks and forests. The southwest is characterized by bigger (and newer cities) and the desert. Learn this English expression: To 'take cover' is to seek protection from danger (of…
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Today's story: The American South used to be an agricultural region, which lagged behind the rest of the country in education, income, and modernization. But that is no more, as the South is now the destination of choice for families moving within the United States. Learn this English expression: A 'safety net' is all the things that protect you fr…
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What it's like to live in the Midwest (Fall on hard times)
23:39
23:39
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Today's story: The Midwest may not have the diversity of the east or the spectacular outdoors of the west coast. But it offers a good quality of life at reasonable cost, with a diversified economy and plenty to do inside and outside. Learn this English expression: To 'fall on hard times' is to experience financial hardship Full lesson: https://plai…
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