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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

17:40

Le Creuset turns 100

Plain English ·

2025/04/28

Today's story: Le Creuset was founded in 1925 by two Belgian entrepreneurs who revolutionized cast iron cookware with colorful enamel and thoughtful design. Over 100 years, the company evolved from a local French producer into a global kitchen brand, with fans collecting its distinctive pieces and even passing them down to their kids.Transcript & Exercises: https://plainenglish.com/770Full lesson: https://plainenglish.com/770 --Upgrade all your skills in English: Plain English is the best

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16:16

Updates: Daniel Kahneman, new euro, Rust movie

Plain English ·

2025/04/24

Today's story: In this episode, you'll hear updates from several recent Plain English stories. Daniel Kahneman, who wrote the book "Thinking, Fast and Slow" died at age 90. What wasn't reported at the time: he went to Switzerland to end his own life. Plus, the movie "Rust" is coming out after the fatal gun accident on set. Standardized tests are making a comeback.Transcript & Exercises: https://plainenglish.com/769Full lesson: https://plainenglish.com/769 --Upgrade all your skills in English:

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16:24

Updates: Astronauts home; running records fall; no...

Plain English ·

2025/04/21

Today's story: In this first of two update episodes, you'll hear the latest on several recent Plain English stories. The astronauts who were stranded in space have come home. The former Spanish soccer federation president was ordered to pay a fine for kissing a player after the World Cup. More running records fall, thanks to new shoe designs. El Salvador has dropped Bitcoin. Trump wants to pause the penny.Transcript & Exercises: https://plainenglish.com/768Full lesson:

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17:17

Crumbl cookies are dessert for the social media era

Plain English ·

2025/04/17

Today's story: Crumbl Cookies is a gourmet dessert company known for its rotating menu, bold flavors, and eye-catching pink boxes. Since its beginnings in 2017, the company has used social media virality tactics to grow (and consumers are eating it up). But do the cookies live up to the hype?Transcript & Exercises: https://plainenglish.com/767--Upgrade all your skills in English: Plain English is the best current-events podcast for learning English.You might be learning English to improve your

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15:45

Trump's tariff chaos rattles world economies

Plain English ·

2025/04/14

Today's story: Donald Trump announced sweeping new tariffs on nearly every country in the world, triggering panic in global markets. But just days later, he walked back the harshest parts of the plan, leaving investors, business leaders, and political allies confused and shaken.Transcript & Exercises: https://plainenglish.com/766--Upgrade all your skills in English: Plain English is the best current-events podcast for learning English.You might be learning English to improve your career, enjoy

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15:53

Should you use a top sheet?

Plain English ·

2025/04/10

Today's story: Top sheets are a staple in some parts of the world, while in others they’re practically unknown. In places like the U.S., Canada, and parts of Latin America, a flat sheet between you and your blanket is seen as essential. But in much of Europe and Asia, sleepers go straight under a duvet with a washable cover. So what do you say: is a top sheet essential or too much work?Transcript & Exercises: https://plainenglish.com/765--Upgrade all your skills in English: Plain English is the

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14:21

Microsoft hangs up on Skype

Plain English ·

2025/04/07

Today's story: Skype launched in 2003 and transformed long-distance communication by making voice and video calls cheaper and easier. After early success, the platform was sold to eBay and later to Microsoft, where it became part of the company’s business tools. As newer apps took over the market, Skype lost relevance and will be shut down in 2025.Transcript & Exercises: https://plainenglish.com/764--Upgrade all your skills in English: Plain English is the best current-events podcast for

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16:07

Co-living is like coworking at home

Plain English ·

2025/04/03

Today's story: Co-living is like coworking for your personal life: flexible, furnished housing in shared spaces without the commitment of a long term lease or the need to own furniture. It can work for temporary stays and international moves, but high prices and limited privacy mean it isn’t for everyone.Transcript & Exercises: https://plainenglish.com/763--Upgrade all your skills in English: Plain English is the best current-events podcast for learning English.You might be learning English to

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17:10

Why do tariffs exist?

Plain English ·

2025/03/31

Today's story: Tariffs are taxes on imported goods, used by governments to raise revenue, protect local industries, or retaliate in trade disputes. They’ve existed for centuries, but have fallen in recent decades. But Donald Trump has made trade barriers popular again.Transcript & Exercises: https://plainenglish.com/762Full lesson: https://plainenglish.com/762 --Did you like this episode? You'll love the full Plain English experience. Join today and unlock the fast (native-speed) version of this

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16:34

Denmark to stop delivering mail after 400 years

Plain English ·

2025/03/27

Today's story: Denmark’s government-run postal service, PostNord, traces its roots to the year 1624. But at the end of 2025, it will stop delivering letters. The country has seen a 90% drop in mail volume since 2000, making letter delivery economically unsustainable. While private couriers will deliver letters to some places (at a price), Denmark will become the first country to eliminate universal mail service entirely.Transcript & Exercises: https://plainenglish.com/761Full lesson:

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20:19

The ethics of self-driving cars

Plain English ·

2025/03/24

Today's story: Self-driving cars don’t just need advanced technology—they also need a moral code. Engineers must program vehicles to make ethical decisions in life-or-death situations, such as choosing between protecting a passenger or a pedestrian. But how can a machine's software make such personal decisions?Transcript & Exercises: https://plainenglish.com/760Full lesson: https://plainenglish.com/760 --Upgrade all your skills in English: Plain English is the best current-events podcast for

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20:20

The self-driving future is running late

Plain English ·

2025/03/20

Today's story: Self-driving cars were supposed to be here by now—but the road to autonomy has been bumpier than expected. The technology has gotten better, but the sensors and cameras remain imperfect. Meanwhile, uncertainties in the business and legal environment have contributed to the delays. Some companies have scaled back their ambitions, while others, like Tesla and Waymo, continue to push forward.Transcript & Exercises: https://plainenglish.com/759--Upgrade all your skills in English:

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17:48

James Bond’s future is now in Amazon’s hands

Plain English ·

2025/03/17

Today's story: Amazon has taken full creative control of James Bond, ending six decades of stewardship by the family of film producer Albert Broccoli. Previously, the family carefully managed the creative direction of the Bond franchise, even as big studios produced the movies. Now, Amazon may make more frequent films, expand Bond storylines, and push the character into new media like theme parks and animated specials. But some Bond fans worry the tech giant will dilute the brand and let algorithms

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15:34

The decline of the stick-shift in North America

Plain English ·

2025/03/13

Today's story: Manual transmissions were once a cheaper, more fuel-efficient alternative to automatics. But automatics have gotten better, and consumers overwhelmingly prefer them. Now, only about 1% of new cars in the U.S. and Canada come with a stick shift. Those who prefer to shift their own gears must pay up for a higher trim line or a performance car.Transcript & Exercises: https://plainenglish.com/757Full lesson: https://plainenglish.com/757 --Upgrade all your skills in English: Plain

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15:12

LA battles mudslides after devastating wildfires

Plain English ·

2025/03/10

Today's story: Los Angeles is facing the aftermath of both devastating wildfires and destructive mudslides. The fires burned vegetation that helped keep soil in place, leading to landslides when heavy rains arrived. Now, the city is dealing with cleanup while also rethinking building codes, infrastructure, and planning to better withstand future disasters.Transcript & Exercises: https://plainenglish.com/756Full lesson: https://plainenglish.com/756 --Upgrade all your skills in English: Plain

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14:12

The fires that wiped through Los Angeles

Plain English ·

2025/03/06

Today's story: Los Angeles faces wildfire risks every year due to its dry summers, drought-resistant vegetation, and the powerful Santa Ana winds. This year, however, was one of the worst in history. A series of devastating fires destroyed thousands of buildings, forced mass evacuations, and left entire neighborhoods in ashes.Transcript & Exercises: https://plainenglish.com/755--Upgrade all your skills in English: Plain English is the best current-events podcast for learning English.You might be

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16:30

The remote-work battle rages on

Plain English ·

2025/03/03

Today's story: Five years after the pandemic began, the fight over remote work still isn’t settled. Some companies are demanding full-time office attendance, using badge swipes and tracking software to enforce it. Others are trying to lure workers back with perks. Meanwhile, employees are pushing for more flexibility.Transcript & Exercises: https://plainenglish.com/754--Upgrade all your skills in English: Plain English is the best current-events podcast for learning English.You might be learning

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13:21

These contractions break the rules

Plain English ·

2025/02/27

Today's story: Most contractions in English are simple combinations of two words, like “you’re” for “you are.” But some contractions don’t follow the usual pattern. In this lesson, we explore three unusual contractions—“ma’am,” “o’clock,” and “ain’t”—their origins, meanings, and when (or if) you should use them.Transcript & Exercises: https://plainenglish.com/753--Upgrade all your skills in English: Plain English is the best current-events podcast for learning English.You might be learning

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13:04

The secret to a perfectly boiled egg

Plain English ·

2025/02/24

Today's story: Scientists have discovered the ideal way to boil an egg, ensuring a perfectly firm white and a soft, nutrient-rich yolk. The secret? Alternating the egg between boiling and warm water for 32 minutes. This method preserves nutrients and improves texture—but it requires patience and precision.Transcript & Exercises: https://plainenglish.com/752--Upgrade all your skills in English: Plain English is the best current-events podcast for learning English.You might be learning English to

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14:48

How to survive extreme cold temperatures

Plain English ·

2025/02/20

Today's story: Whether you live in cold weather, plan to visit, or are just curious, it's important to know how to protect yourself from extreme cold. Learn how to layer properly, choose the right gear, and protect yourself from frostbite and hypothermia.Transcript & Exercises: https://plainenglish.com/751Full lesson: https://plainenglish.com/751 --Upgrade all your skills in English: Plain English is the best current-events podcast for learning English.You might be learning English to improve

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