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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.

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All Episodes

19:41

Activated charcoal: What is it? | Learn English...

Plain English ·

2023/04/06

" Activated charcoal is carbon treated with oxygen and heated at very high temperatures. The result is a fine and porous powder. In a medical setting, it can combat poisoning, aid the kidneys, and even control bloating. It's also being added to consumer products like skin cream, toothpaste, and even towels, but the marketing claims behind these products are not scientifically substantiated. Plus, learn what it means to ""come across"" something. -- At Plain English, we make English lessons for the

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22:35

The robot therapist will see you now | Learn English...

Plain English ·

2023/04/03

" The pandemic put a new focus on mental health, but many people still don't (or can't) access the therapy they need. Others might want some general counseling, but don't need a full therapy relationship. Enter the therapy apps like Woebot. They aim to provide general help to consumers that don't need (or can't get) full therapy treatment. They're effective at some things, but are no substitute for the real thing. Plus, learn the English expression ""cracks in the system."" -- At Plain English, we

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22:24

The puzzle of office-to-apartment conversions | Learn...

Plain English ·

2023/03/30

" As prices of old office buildings fall, developers are looking into converting them into apartments. This would help city centers, but a variety of practical and economic challenges make such projects difficult. Still, the rewards can be high for the developers who can make it work. Plus, learn English phrase ""get wind of."" -- At Plain English, we make English lessons for the modern world. -- Today’s full English lesson, including a free transcript, can be found at: https://plainenglish.com/559

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20:21

New York misses its commuters | Learn English phrase...

Plain English ·

2023/03/27

" Three years after the start of the COVID-19 pandemic, much of the world has ""returned to normal."" But for New York City-area commuters, that normal means making the long commute into Manhattan much less often. The city is only now coming to grips with what that might mean in the long run. Plus, learn the English expression ""inflection point."" -- At Plain English, we make English lessons for the modern world. -- Today’s full English lesson, including a free transcript, can be found at:

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25:12

How drugs get their names | Learn English expression...

Plain English ·

2023/03/23

" Xoloft, Ibrance, Zocor, Mounjaro: How do drug companies come up with these names? When a pharmaceutical company develops a new treatment, the company creates both the generic (scientific) name and the brand name. They sound weird, but there's a method behind the madness of naming prescription drugs. Plus, learn the English expression ""plenty of."" -- At Plain English, we make English lessons for the modern world. -- Today’s full English lesson, including a free transcript, can be found at:

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20:54

New treatments seek to control obesity | Learn...

Plain English ·

2023/03/20

" Obesity affects over a billion people worldwide and can lead to chronic diseases like heart attacks, stroke, and cancer. Now, a new class of drugs has been shown to reduce weight in obese patients by up to 20 percent. This is promising, but it's not the magic bullet some may be hoping for. Plus, learn the English expression ""to spare."" -- At Plain English, we make English lessons for the modern world. -- Today’s full English lesson, including a free transcript, can be found at:

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20:53

Mario mania as Super Nintendo World opens at...

Plain English ·

2023/03/16

" Super Mario Brothers was one of the first games available on the original Nintendo video game console, and it went on to become one of the most popular video games of all time. Now, it's reborn as a theme park at Universal Studios in Tokyo and Hollywood. Plus, learn the phrasal verb ""team up."" -- At Plain English, we make English lessons for the modern world. -- Today’s full English lesson, including a free transcript, can be found at: https://plainenglish.com/555 -- Learning English should be

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24:26

Turkey asks why earthquake caused so much damage |...

Plain English ·

2023/03/13

" A strong earthquake struck southeastern Turkey and northern Syria last month, causing immense human and property damage. But the rubble in Turkey shows that many buildings were not constructed up to modern building codes. And the government was slow to respond to the emergency. Plus, learn the English expression ""bear the blame."" -- At Plain English, we make English lessons for the modern world. -- Today’s full English lesson, including a free transcript, can be found at:

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20:22

'Titanic' movie 25 years later | Learn English...

Plain English ·

2023/03/09

" The movie ""Titanic"" shattered box-office records, demonstrated the possibility of special effects, and elevated artists like Leonardo DiCaprio and Celine Dion to stardom. Now, 25 years later, James Cameron's three-hour epic film has been re-released in 3-D, and it's just as good as when it came out. Plus, learn the English phrasal verb ""root for."" -- At Plain English, we make English lessons for the modern world. -- Today’s full English lesson, including a free transcript, can be found at:

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19:54

Spy balloons: Real danger or just hot air? | Learn...

Plain English ·

2023/03/06

" A white balloon floating high above American airspace originated in China. The two sides don't agree on much more than that. The Americans say it was loaded with surveillance equipment and was used to spy on sensitive military sites. China says it was used for weather research and was blown off course. The U.S. shot it down over the Atlantic Ocean, and the two sides are barely speaking. Plus, learn the English phrase ""blown off course."" -- At Plain English, we make English lessons for the modern

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19:05

Fentanyl and drug overdose deaths | Learn phrasal...

Plain English ·

2023/03/02

" Fentanyl is a powerful painkiller used legally in hospitals. It can also amplify the effects of heroin, cocaine, methamphetamine, and counterfeit prescription drugs. But because it's so powerful, just a little too much fentanyl can be extremely dangerous. And it's causing a spike in overdose deaths among drug users. Plus, learn the phrasal verb ""mix in."" -- At Plain English, we make English lessons for the modern world. -- Today’s full English lesson, including a free transcript, can be found

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18:52

Missing: radioactive capsule the size of a pea

Plain English ·

2023/02/27

A radioactive capsule the size of a pencil eraser fell of a truck in Western Australia. The capsule was part of a machine used in mining for iron ore. That led mining giant Rio Tinto and the Australian government to search a 1,400-kilometer stretch of desolate highway, searching for something the size of a pea. Plus, learn the phrasal verb "set off." -- At Plain English, we make English lessons for the modern world. -- Today’s full English lesson, including a free transcript, can be found at:

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25:06

Netflix password rules: how much pain & how much...

Plain English ·

2023/02/23

" As Netflix plans to roll out its new policies on password sharing, it faces a balancing act between two priorities: getting password-sharing viewers to pay up, while also not angering legitimate users. The authentication rules will work for the average household, but a lot of people are not average. Plus, learn the English phrasal verb ""grow up."" -- At Plain English, we make English lessons for the modern world. -- Today’s full English lesson, including a free transcript, can be found at:

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25:27

Netflix falls out of love with password sharing |...

Plain English ·

2023/02/20

" After turning a blind eye for many years, Netflix is now planning to tighten its rules around password sharing. Out of 215 million paying accounts, the company says, perhaps 100 million share a password with someone outside their household. The company plans to use authentication codes and other tools to determine who is part of the main account and who is not. Plus, learn the English expression ""come up."" -- At Plain English, we make English lessons for the modern world. -- Today’s full English

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18:39

What a layoff is like (for both parties) | Learn...

Plain English ·

2023/02/16

" Big technology (and non-tech) companies are laying off thousands of workers. It's the first round of layoffs in many years, so how are employers (and employees) handling it? It's not easy on either side of the table. Plus, learn the English expression ""bulk up."" -- At Plain English, we make English lessons for the modern world. -- Today’s full English lesson, including a free transcript, can be found at: https://plainenglish.com/547 -- Learning English should be fun! That’s why our lessons are

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24:19

Legacy of Jacinda Ardern, New Zealand's prime...

Plain English ·

2023/02/13

" Jacinda Ardern became prime minister of New Zealand at age 37; she was the world's youngest female country leader. Her COVID policies were harsh, but effective, and she won high approval from New Zealanders. But after five years in office, she resigned, letting another minister lead her party into the next elections. Plus, learn the English expression ""overstay your welcome."" -- At Plain English, we make English lessons for the modern world. -- Today’s full English lesson, including a free

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26:40

Gas vs. electric stoves: Which is better? | Plus,...

Plain English ·

2023/02/09

Natural gas stoves have many advantages, but they may come with some health hazards. Are electric stoves any good? And what about induction? We talk about the pros and cons of each in today's lesson. Plus, learn the phrasal verb "win out."

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23:08

Alec Baldwin and the 'Rust' shooting | Learn English...

Plain English ·

2023/02/06

" Actor Alec Baldwin and another crewmember have been charged with involuntary manslaughter, after a gun accidentally fired and killed a cinematographer during the filming of a movie in 2021. Plus, learn the English expression ""meet the definition."" -- At Plain English, we make English lessons for the modern world. -- Today’s full English lesson, including a free transcript, can be found at: https://plainenglish.com/544 -- Learning English should be fun! That’s why our lessons are about current

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25:56

When cemeteries run out of space | Learn a new way to...

Plain English ·

2023/02/02

" Death is forever, but at many cemeteries, a burial plot may not be. That's because some cemeteries are running out of space for new caskets. What can be done about it? Here are some ways different cultures deal with this grave problem. Plus, learn what it means to be 'short' (but not in stature). -- At Plain English, we make English lessons for the modern world. -- Today’s full English lesson, including a free transcript, can be found at: https://plainenglish.com/543 -- Learning English should be

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25:33

What happened at FTX | Learn English phrasal verb...

Plain English ·

2023/01/30

" FTX was a cryptocurrency futures exchange. However, the firm suddenly collapsed into bankruptcy in late 2022, leaving millions of customers without their deposits. The 30-year-old founder is charged with fraud and could face over 100 years in jail. Plus, learn English phrasal verb ""pay up."" -- At Plain English, we make English lessons for the modern world. -- Today’s full English lesson, including a free transcript, can be found at: https://plainenglish.com/542 -- Learning English should be fun

en

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