x

75% of people globally want unbiased news (Pew Research) but are concerned they're not getting that.

Get balanced coverage with Symby. See how stories are covered across diverse outlets and spot when one side covers a story the other skips.

PODCAST

Plain English

Jeff at Plain English

Improve your English and learn about the world at the same time. Plain English brings you short, modern stories about culture, science, travel, business, and everyday life, all told in clear, natural English designed for learners. You’ll grow your vocabulary, improve your listening skills, and build your confidence one episode at a time. Like the show? Sign up free at PlainEnglish.com and get a personalized learning path.

education language learning

All Episodes

27:56

Should donors get paid for plasma?

Plain English ·

2024/12/09

Today's story: Plasma is a light-yellow liquid that makes up about half the volume of our blood. It plays an important role carrying substances from one part of the body to another. It's also a critical ingredient in life-saving treatments. It's easy and safe to donate plasma, but the world still faces a shortage. Is it time for more countries to allow patients to be paid to donate plasma?Transcript & Exercises: https://plainenglish.com/734Full lesson: https://plainenglish.com/734 --Upgrade all

en

22:34

Three self-help books that really help

Plain English ·

2024/12/05

Today's story: This story explores three impactful self-help books that break away from the usual clichés. ""Four Thousand Weeks"" by Oliver Burkeman, ""Deep Work"" by Cal Newport, and ""The Power of Habit"" by Charles Duhigg offer fresh perspectives on managing time, focusing deeply, and building positive habits. These books go beyond fluff to provide readers with thoughtful, research-backed insights that can genuinely improve their lives.Transcript & Exercises: https://plainenglish.com/733Full

en

17:29

Searching for life on one of Jupiter's moons

Plain English ·

2024/12/02

Today's story: The Europa Clipper, NASA’s latest mission to explore potential life in the solar system, is set to arrive at Jupiter’s orbit in 2030. Equipped with high-resolution cameras and advanced instruments, the spacecraft will take photos of what astronomers think is a vast ocean beneath the icy surface of one of Jupiter's many moons.Transcript & Exercises: https://plainenglish.com/732Full lesson: https://plainenglish.com/732 --Upgrade all your skills in English: Plain English is the best

en

21:51

The best side dishes for American Thanksgiving

Plain English ·

2024/11/28

Today's story: Thanksgiving isn’t just about the turkey; it’s also about the delicious side dishes that complete the holiday meal. From savory stuffing and creamy mashed potatoes to tart cranberry sauce and green bean casserole, these traditional dishes add color and flavor to every American Thanksgiving table.Transcript & Exercises: https://plainenglish.com/731Full lesson: https://plainenglish.com/731 --Upgrade all your skills in English: Plain English is the best current-events podcast for

en

10:30

How Plain English helped these 3 members

Plain English ·

2024/11/27

**Black Friday specials: https://plainenglish.com/blackCurious if Plain English Plus+ can help you?Listen to the stories of three members: Gustavo, Monica, and Hana. They each learn in different ways, but they're all improving their skills inside Plain English.Our members:Learn in a way that's right for themMake progress in their speaking, listening, vocabulary, and moreHave fun in a supportive environmentIf you're ready to make 2025 your best year yet in English, come join us this Black

en

27:59

He's back: How Trump returned to power in 2024

Plain English ·

2024/11/25

Today's story: After losing in 2020, Donald Trump faced widespread criticism and seemed politically finished. However, a combination of Joe Biden's policy choices and Trump's resilient, disciplined 2024 campaign led the former president to an improbable comeback. He became only the second person to win the presidency after once having lost it.Transcript & Exercises: https://plainenglish.com/730Full lesson: https://plainenglish.com/730 --Upgrade all your skills in English: Plain English is the

en

25:30

Got camel milk? Now, more people do (Cut back on)

Plain English ·

2024/11/21

Today's story: Camel milk, long consumed by nomadic societies in desert regions, is now increasingly available for order around the world. Known for its nutritional benefits, including lower lactose and higher vitamin content, camel milk is easier to digest and offers environmental advantages over traditional dairy. With lower water and food needs, and minimal methane emissions, camels are a sustainable option for milk production. However, camel milk is still a niche product due to challenges in

en

23:13

Greenland bets on responsible tourism (Fall from grace)

Plain English ·

2024/11/18

Today's story: Greenland, a vast but sparsely populated island, is investing in new airports and sustainable tourism strategies to attract international visitors. With upgrades to airport infrastructure and policies favoring local businesses, Greenland aims to offer an eco-friendly experience while preventing the kind of over-tourism experienced by neighboring Iceland. These efforts aim to bring economic benefits to the island while preserving its natural beauty and fostering a deeper connection to

en

13:54

Lost Mozart composition found in German archives...

Plain English ·

2024/11/14

Today's story: A hand-copied manuscript of a musical composition believed to have been written by Mozart has been discovered in the archives of a German library. Mozart experts believe the composition dates to the 1760s, when Mozart was between 10 and 13 years old. An analysis of the music suggests that the piece is consistent with Mozart's style from this period. The piece is now titled 'Ganz kleine Nachtmusik' and was performed for the first time in Salzburg, Austria.Learn this English expression:

en

19:32

The return of the backflip in figure skating (Give away)

Plain English ·

2024/11/11

Today's story: The backflip has been a controversial move in figure skating for decades. It was first performed in high-level competition at the 1976 Olympics by American skater Terry Kubicka, but was quickly banned due to safety concerns. Despite its prohibition, some skaters continued to perform it in exhibitions. Now, nearly fifty years later, the International Skating Union has decided to legalize the backflip once again, though the move won’t earn skaters extra points in competition.Learn this

en

20:19

Haggis: Scotland's most famous recipe (Out of reach)

Plain English ·

2024/11/07

Today's story: Haggis is a traditional Scottish dish made from various animal organs mixed with oats and spices. In the traditional recipe, it's cooked in the lining of a sheep's stomach. It's a beloved part of Scottish culture (even if outsiders aren't always brave enough to try it).Learn this English expression: 'Out of reach' refers to something that is inaccessible or unattainableFull lesson: https://plainenglish.com/725 --Upgrade all your skills in English: Plain English is the best

en

21:47

Scientists map a fly's entire brain (On a roll)

Plain English ·

2024/11/04

Today's story: Scientists have completed a ""connectome"" of an adult fruit fly, mapping all 140,000 brain cells and the 55 million connections between them. The map will allow scientists to study in much greater detail how a brain works. And the complete connectome of the fruit fly may pave the way for mapping larger, more complex brains, including those of mice and, potentially, humans.Learn this English expression: 'On a roll' means experiencing a series of successes or feeling confident and

en

24:22

What Election Day is like in the U.S. (Pull off)

Plain English ·

2024/11/01

Today's story: When the sun rises on Election Day, about half of Americans will have already voted. But here's what the experience is like for the tens of millions of people who cast their votes in person on the first Tuesday of November. Plus, learn why it takes so long to count the votes.Learn this English expression: 'Pull something off' means to succeed in doing something difficult or unexpected.Full lesson: https://plainenglish.com/723 --Upgrade all your skills in English: Plain English is the

en

23:30

Dengue in Italy, M-pox vaccines, and Netflix’s new...

Plain English ·

2024/10/28

Today's story: Dengue fever has spread to Italy, which has seen 500 cases this year. M-pox vaccines are now being distributed in Africa for the first time. Shohei Ohtani’s translator has pleaded guilty to bank fraud, and Netflix’s new ""Monsters"" series, based on the Menendez brothers' case, has hit number one on the charts.Learn this English expression: 'Sooner or later' means that something will definitely happen, even if the exact timing is uncertain.Full lesson: https://plainenglish.com/722

en

24:57

Build more homes? Now, some say ‘yes’ in my backyard...

Plain English ·

2024/10/24

Today's story: Across the English-speaking world, the cost of housing (to buy or to rent) has far outpaced increases in incomes. That has caused governments to take a critical look at policies that have limited homebuilding, especially apartments. From London's green belt to cities in America, Canada, and Australia, people are increasingly saying ""yes"" to more building.Learn this English expression: A person who is ""out of touch"" doesn't keep up with latest trends in culture, technology, or a

en

21:59

‘Emily in Paris’ is the show France loves to hate...

Plain English ·

2024/10/21

Today's story: Netflix recently released season four of its hit show ""Emily in Paris."" Television critics in France and the U.S. panned the show for its unrealistic, Instagram-worthy fantasy of life in Paris. But audiences love it: the show reached number one on Netflix when its fourth season was released (and yes, it was popular in France, too). ""Emily in Paris"" will return for a fifth season, with main character Emily spending time in Rome as well as the French capital.Learn this English

en

23:51

Why only 538 votes decide the U.S. presidency (On track)

Plain English ·

2024/10/17

Today's story: America’s complicated system of choosing a president can be traced back to its origins as a union of individual states. The process involves two elections: a popular vote by citizens and an electoral vote by states. This indirect system places more emphasis on the results of the election in the individual states. Learn why Americans will cast hundreds of millions of votes, but only 538 votes really matter.Learn this English expression: 'On track' means making progress toward a goal as

en

23:32

James Earl Jones, voice of Darth Vader, dies at 93...

Plain English ·

2024/10/14

Today's story: James Earl Jones, the actor known as the voice of Darth Vader in Star Wars and Mufasa in The Lion King, overcame a childhood stutter and developed one of the most distinctive voices in Hollywood. His booming baritone lent authority to any character he played (including his comedic roles). He died in September 2024 at age 93.Learn this English expression: ""Up in the air"" describes something that is undecided or uncertain, often used when a decision has not yet been made.Full lesson:

en

23:37

How much power does a vice president really have? (On...

Plain English ·

2024/10/10

Today's story: The American vice president's primary function is to be available in case a president can't continue in office. Besides that, the VP is the ceremonial leader of the Senate, the upper house of the legislature. In the case of a tie vote in the Senate, the VP breaks the tie. With few formal duties, ""veeps"" try to have influence as advisors and to help where they can.Learn this English expression: 'On the same page' means sharing the same understanding or working together in synch.Full

en

26:01

The U.S. election is too close to call with one month...

Plain English ·

2024/10/07

Today's story: With just a month left until Election Day, the U.S. presidential race between Donald Trump and Kamala Harris is extremely close. Both candidates are focusing on their closing arguments, aiming to rally supporters and secure every possible vote. You'll get an in-depth look at the current state of the race and learn what to expect as the campaigns enter their final stretch.Learn this English expression: The expression ""hand in hand"" refers to two things being closely connected or

en

881 results

Similar Podcasts

Science Talk

Albert Einstein College of Medicine

五分钟心理学

柠檬心理

Daily Facts

Amalia Dupray and Montgomery Jones.

Les dents et dodo

BFMTV

Veterinary Clinical Podcasts

The Royal Veterinary College