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PODCAST

English and Beyond: Intermediate English Podcast

Boost your confidence in English with engaging and interesting topics, useful vocabulary, and natural British pronunciation!Welcome to English and Beyond: Intermediate English Podcast, the perfect podcast for lower-intermediate to intermediate English learners who want to improve their listening, speaking, and comprehension skills in a fun and engaging way.There"s a free transcript online for every episode to help you follow along and understand tricky words available, as well as free flashcards so

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All Episodes

13:37

Insects, Lab Meats or Powder? Food of the Future! |...

English and Beyond: Intermediate English Podcast ·

2025/11/04

What if eating became optional?In this episode of English and Beyond : Intermediate English Podcast, I explore the strange and slightly dystopian future of food: from meal-replacement powders to lab-grown meat and even insect protein. Why are scientists and tech companies trying to reinvent something humans have done well enough for thousands of years? And what happens when efficiency replaces pleasure?📖 Want to improve your English even more? Read the full transcript & vocabulary flashcards →

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11:22

A Horror Story: Learning a Language as an Adult

English and Beyond: Intermediate English Podcast ·

2025/10/29

If you’re studying English as an adult, you’ll probably recognise this feeling: sitting in class, forgetting simple words, and wondering if you’re too old to improve. In this episode, I share what happened when I went back to school to learn Arabic from scratch, from the beginning, in my 30s - the embarrassment, the motivation, and the small victories that will add up to real progress.You’ll also hear useful and practical tips to help you stay motivated, study effectively, and keep improving your

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11:09

Why Do British People Lie? | Intermediate English...

English and Beyond: Intermediate English Podcast ·

2025/10/22

Have you ever been told your cooking was “interesting” - or that “we must do this again sometime”?In Britain, those aren’t compliments. They’re polite lies.In this episode, Oliver explores the very British habit of hiding the truth behind euphemisms - soft, careful words that sound kind but often mean the opposite. From “He’s between jobs” to “It’s not ideal”, you’ll learn how English uses politeness to disguise criticism, avoid conflict, and keep everyone comfortable… even when that means

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12:56

Margaret Thatcher: National Hero or National...

English and Beyond: Intermediate English Podcast ·

2025/10/14

Margaret Thatcher changed Britain forever - but not everyone agrees on how. For some, she was the strong leader who rescued the country from decline. For others, she was the politician who destroyed communities and divided a nation.In this episode, you’ll learn who she was, what she did, and why the “Iron Lady” still provokes such strong opinions decades later. Was she a national hero who transformed Britain for the better, or a national disgrace who left deep scars behind?Listen to find out - and

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10:44

I Hope Aliens Don't Exist... (The Wow! Signal) |...

English and Beyond: Intermediate English Podcast ·

2025/10/07

In 1977, astronomers in Ohio picked up a mysterious radio signal from deep space - a signal so unusual that the scientist who saw it simply wrote one word next to the data: Wow! In this episode, I explore the story behind the famous “Wow Signal”, what might have caused it, and what it reveals about our search for extraterrestrial life. Are we really alone in the universe? And - perhaps more importantly - should we want to be found? 📖 Want to improve your English even more? Read the full

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13:20

Have You Disappointed Your Parents Too? (Quitting My...

English and Beyond: Intermediate English Podcast ·

2025/09/29

I quit my job as a lawyer, and I upset my parents in the process.Many parents say they only want their children to be happy. But often “happy” looks very similar to “successful” - top grades, a good job, financial security. In this episode, Oliver reflects on parental expectations, cultural differences, and his own experience of following the “safe” path to Oxford and a legal career… only to find it didn’t bring happiness.Why do parents still push us towards success, and why do we still care so much

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12:44

Stop Sounding Weak in English - Speak Persuasively...

English and Beyond: Intermediate English Podcast ·

2025/09/22

Want to sound more confident and convincing in English?In this episode of English and Beyond: Intermediate English Podcast, Oliver breaks down the art of persuasion in simple, practical steps. You’ll learn why English is full of short, punchy words that make arguments powerful, how famous speakers like Barack Obama and Winston Churchill use repetition and rhythm, and how you can adapt the same tricks - even as an intermediate learner.By the end of this episode, you’ll know how to:Avoid weak,

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12:39

Why Are People So Rude Online? | Intermediate English...

English and Beyond: Intermediate English Podcast ·

2025/09/15

In everyday life, most of us rarely hear truly cruel comments face to face. Yet online, nastiness seems to be everywhere - from newspaper comment sections to Instagram selfies and Twitter threads. In this episode of English and Beyond, we explore why people behave so differently on the internet.Oliver reflects on his own experience receiving unkind comments and examines psychological explanations: online disinhibition, lack of tone, negativity bias, power imbalance, and the role of a small but loud

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12:49

Why Do We Love Seeing Rich People Suffer? |...

English and Beyond: Intermediate English Podcast ·

2025/09/08

Why do we find it so satisfying to watch the rich suffer? From Succession and The White Lotus to real-life stories of billionaires in crisis, this episode explores our fascination with the downfall of the wealthy.We’ll look at the psychology of schadenfreude, why wealth makes us feel emotionally distant from people, and how their meltdowns echo ancient tragedies. Is it harmless entertainment - or do we lose something when we stop seeing the rich as human?📖 Want to improve your English even more

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14:01

My Accidental Week on a Naturist Island 😱 |...

English and Beyond: Intermediate English Podcast ·

2025/09/01

Imagine arriving on a quiet Mediterranean island… only to realise that everyone around you is naked. That was my experience when I finally agreed to join a university friend on a naturist island in France.In this episode of English and Beyond: Intermediate Edition, I share:My awkward first moments on the islandThe surprising rules (sarongs in the streets if you want, but nudity required on the beaches and hiking trails)The surreal details, like ordering bread at the boulangerie from a topless

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11:59

Should We Bring Back the Death Penalty? |...

English and Beyond: Intermediate English Podcast ·

2025/08/12

In this episode, Oliver looks at the history and main arguments surrounding the death penalty. With examples from the UK and insights from other countries, he explains why some nations have abolished it, and how public opinion can change over time.You’ll hear about well-known legal cases and the key ethical questions at the centre of the debate - from whether capital punishment deters crime, to whether it delivers justice, to the serious risk of punishing someone who is later found to be

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13:21

How NOT to Talk About Your Disappointing Summer 😂 |...

English and Beyond: Intermediate English Podcast ·

2025/08/06

Is your summer never quite as amazing as you expected? In this B1–B2 English podcast episode, I talk about why holidays can feel disappointing - and how to describe that in real English.You’ll learn:– How to talk about summer without saying “It was nice”– English vocabulary for expectations, emotions, and honesty– How to express yourself naturally when things weren’t perfect...which they never are!📖 Want to improve your English even more? Read the full transcript & vocabulary flashcards →

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12:03

Why Britain and France Almost Became One Country |...

English and Beyond: Intermediate English Podcast ·

2025/07/22

In 1940, as Nazi Germany advanced across Europe, a radical proposal was made: Britain and France would merge into a single country. One parliament, one army, one citizenship. In this episode, we explore that forgotten moment in history - what led to it, why it failed, and what it reveals about the long, complicated relationship between the UK and France.From medieval invasions to Concorde and Eurostar, Oliver reflects on rivalry, admiration, and cooperation - and how these two neighbours keep

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11:30

Is Time Just An Illusion?

English and Beyond: Intermediate English Podcast ·

2025/07/03

Most of us check the time every day without thinking twice. But what if the numbers on your screen or wrist aren’t as objective as they seem?In this episode of English and Beyond, we explore the strange history of time: from ancient rhythms and local sunsets to train schedules and time zones.We’ll look at why 9 to 5 feels unnatural, why jet lag is so confusing, and how culture shapes our idea of punctuality. Perfect for intermediate learners, with clear storytelling and practical vocabulary.📖 Want

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11:30

You’re Not Dying, So Why Aren’t You at Work?! |...

English and Beyond: Intermediate English Podcast ·

2025/06/27

Why do you feel guilty for resting when you're sick?In this episode of English and Beyond, I explore the strange but familiar feeling of guilt that creeps in when you take a sick day. Why do so many of us struggle to switch off, even when we’re clearly unwell? From cultural attitudes to childhood messages about work and productivity, we dig into where this mindset comes from - and how to challenge it.You'll also learn some natural English expressions and idioms related to being ill,

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10:26

Sounding Native is Overrated | Intermediate English...

English and Beyond: Intermediate English Podcast ·

2025/06/18

Have you ever felt frustrated that, no matter how long you’ve been learning English, you still don’t sound like the Queen? Or Hugh Grant? Or anyone remotely British?In this episode, I share my personal journey with pronunciation - from crying in a French oral exam as a teenager, to getting over perfectionism through Mandarin, German, and now Spanish. We talk about why trying to sound native can sometimes hold us back, and why the real goal should be clear, confident communication in your own voice.I

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10:17

Assassination! (Why Powerful People Get Killed) |...

English and Beyond: Intermediate English Podcast ·

2025/06/11

Assassination: When a Single Bullet Changes HistoryWhat do Julius Caesar, Abraham Lincoln, and JFK have in common? Their deaths weren’t random - they were assassinations. In this episode of English and Beyond, we explore how assassination has shaped history, from Ancient Rome to the modern day.We’ll look at iconic cases like:Julius Caesar and the fall of the Roman RepublicThomas Becket and the power of the Church in medieval EnglandAbraham Lincoln and the aftermath of the Civil WarArchduke Franz

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10:22

"I’ll Do It Later": Procrastination and Lying to...

English and Beyond: Intermediate English Podcast ·

2025/06/04

Do you ever find yourself doing literally anything to avoid starting something important? Cleaning the flat? Making a playlist? Suddenly very thirsty?Yep - you're probably procrastinating.In this episode of English and Beyond, I explore why we put things off (even things we enjoy), how we lie to ourselves about it, and what actually helps us get started. Spoiler: I procrastinated while making this episode too, hence its late arrival.💬 Stay until the end to learn some natural English phrases to

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9:13

Do You Know When to Stop? | English for Intermediate...

English and Beyond: Intermediate English Podcast ·

2025/05/27

Do you ever go too far with the things you love? In this episode of English and Beyond, Oliver reflects on how easy it is to overdo the things that bring us joy - from binge-watching a show to eating too quickly, to becoming obsessed with learning or exercise.You’ll learn natural English expressions like to overdo it, burn out, binge, in moderation, and too much of a good thing - all through a personal, honest story.This episode is perfect for intermediate learners who want to improve their English

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10:46

Why Does Our Memory Trick Us? | Learn Intermediate...

English and Beyond: Intermediate English Podcast ·

2025/05/12

Why do we forget so much of our early life? Why do some memories stay clear and others vanish completely? In this episode of English and Beyond, I share real stories and reflections about memory, childhood amnesia, and how emotion shapes what we remember - or forget.You’ll learn natural, intermediate English through a personal and relatable story, packed with vivid vocabulary, expressions and questions that will make you reflect on your own earliest memories.This episode explores topics like brain

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