PODCAST

BizPod

English Language Lab

Improve your Business English! For English lessons and more check out www.englishlanglab.co.uk

education language learning

All Episodes

00:11:17

BizPod 136 - The Myth of Perfection

BizPod ·

2026/02/11

In this conversation, we explore the concept of perfectionism, discussing its implications in personal growth, the influence of social media, and the importance of embracing mistakes as learning opportunities. We emphasise that perfection is an illusion and that striving for ‘good enough’ can lead to better communication and personal development. The discussion also touches on the idea of ‘failing fast’ and the significance of seeking feedback in a constructive manner.Keywordsperfectionism, social

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00:20:53

BizPod EXTRA 135 - Navigating Technology

BizPod ·

2026/02/07

In this extra bonus episode, hosts Rachel and Paul are joined by guest Paul Fisher to discuss the importance of resilience for freelancers, the challenges of technology literacy, and the potential risks and benefits of AI. The conversation delves into personal experiences, skill stacking, and the evolving landscape of technology in our lives.Keywordsresilience, freelancers, technology literacy, AI risks, skill stackingTakeawaysPaul Fisher emphasises the need for resilience in freelancing.Technology

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00:13:51

BizPod 134 - The Power of Action

BizPod ·

2026/02/04

In this conversation, we discuss the significance of taking action, building momentum, and maintaining consistency in personal development and language learning. We emphasise the transition from planning to doing, the role of motivation in sustaining momentum, and effective strategies for language acquisition, including the importance of practising in context and using tools like AI for feedback. The discussion also covers the challenges of learning phrasal verbs and the importance of polite

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00:16:32

BizPod 133 - Money Matters

BizPod ·

2026/01/28

In this episode, we delve into the psychology of spending, discussing topics such as retail therapy, managing personal finances like a business, and the challenges of discussing money openly. We explore the impact of cashless transactions on spending awareness and share strategies for navigating money conversations with others.Keywordsmoney, psychology of spending, personal finance, retail therapy, budgeting, taboo subjects, financial literacy, impulse buying, value for money,

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00:14:46

BizPod 132 - Clear Desk, Clear Mind

BizPod ·

2026/01/21

In this episode, we discuss the significance of decluttering both physically and digitally, emphasising the mental clarity that comes from a clean environment. We explore the concept of visual noise and its impact on productivity, as well as the distractions caused by notifications in our tech-driven society. The conversation also delves into the phrase 'I want to give this my full attention,' discussing its implications in communication and how to use it effectively to manage requests and

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00:14:45

BizPod 131 - New Habits

BizPod ·

2026/01/14

In this episode of BizPod, we discuss the challenges of adapting to a new video format while exploring the theme of creating new habits. We delve into the concept of becoming 1% better, the importance of systems over goals, and the technique of habit stacking. Additionally, we introduce a phrase of the week designed to engage emotions in communication, and highlight resources for language learners, including a vocabulary-building book.Keywordshabits, systems, goal setting, habit stacking, emotional

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00:21:45

BizPod 130 - A Fresh Start

BizPod ·

2026/01/07

In this new VIDEO episode of BizPod, we discuss the concept of fresh starts, particularly in the context of the new year. We explore the psychology behind setting goals and the importance of time markers in motivating individuals to make changes in our lives. The conversation also delves into effective communication strategies, including the introduction of a useful phrase for professional interactions. Additionally, we announce exciting new developments in our language learning approach, including

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00:09:48

BizPod 129 - Animal Watch

BizPod ·

2025/12/17

For our last podcast of 2025 we are discussing webcams, particularly those focused on animal observation. We begin by highlighting 'Nest'flix, from a BBC article, speaking about a webcam showing nesting Peregrine Falcons in Melbourne, Australia, noting its benefits for tourism and environmental awareness. The conversation then transitions to other popular animal cams, such as those at Edinburgh Zoo, including the highly recommended "Penguin Cam," contrasting it with less active

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00:11:46

BizPod 128 - Photo Booths

BizPod ·

2025/12/10

The discussion this week centres on the cultural history and business future of photographs and photo booths, all from an article in The Guardian.We initially discuss the decline of traditional photo booths for official uses, noting how modern technology, like smartphones and digital verification, has replaced them for tasks such as passport renewal. The conversation then shifts to the nostalgic appeal of physical photographs, comparing the current retro resurgence of photo booths in fun events

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00:30:34

BizPod 127 - A Toolbox of Tricks

BizPod ·

2025/12/03

This week we were honoured to welcome Deepika Vasudevan, as our final guest for 2025. Deepika, an English teacher from India who started teaching around 2013, is currently doing her PhD in applied linguistics and is based in Spain. She has been teaching all sorts of people, ages, and Englishes for almost 12 years now. She is a dedicated language enthusiast, or “nerd,” who particularly enjoys discussing the social and historical aspects of English, including the different varieties that exist and

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00:10:16

BizPod 126 - Spring Forward, Fall Back

BizPod ·

2025/11/26

This week, we discuss the debate surrounding Daylight Saving Time (DST), specifically focusing on its potential negative effects on health. Our source is an article from Healthline that reports on new research suggesting that the biannual clock change is hazardous to health, potentially increasing rates of obesity and stroke by disrupting the body’s circadian rhythm. We discuss this article, expressing cynicism about the claim that DST is “hazardous to health,” although we acknowledge that it seems

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00:10:26

BizPod 125 - The End of Call Centres

BizPod ·

2025/11/19

Let's explore the imminent role of artificial intelligence (AI) in the customer service industry, particularly focusing on the potential replacement of human call centres. The BBC article reports on industry predictions, such as Gartner's forecast that AI will autonomously resolve 80% of common customer service issues by 2029, while highlighting the current challenges, including AI "hallucinations" and the high cost of implementation. It presents both success stories, like

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00:11:17

BizPod 124 - Will AI Replace You?

BizPod ·

2025/11/12

This time, we examine the increasing impact of Artificial Intelligence (AI) on the business world and employment, specifically focusing on the replacement of human workers in corporate and customer service roles. It's from a BBC article.We discuss whether AI will lead to the end of call centres, noting that while some experts predict AI will resolve most common customer issues soon, the current technology still faces issues like "hallucination," and many customers still prefer human

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00:29:10

BizPod 123 - From Manchester to Mexico and Back

BizPod ·

2025/11/05

This week, we are introducing you to Megan Nicholls and her business, Megalanguagecoach, which offers expert Business English coaching, particularly tailored for marketing professionals. Megan offers specialised coaching services, including bespoke support for business vocabulary, corporate training, and CV writing. We chat about her background, her focus on confidence coaching for adult learners, and her extensive international travel and language learning experiences, demonstrating how these

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00:12:50

BizPod 122 - Shrink it and Pink it

BizPod ·

2025/10/29

Let’s discuss the issue of “shrink it and pink it” in the design of women’s sports footwear, as we read an article that highlights shortcomings in running shoes traditionally based on male anatomy.The Guardian excerpt details a study of female runners in Canada who expressed a desire for footwear modifications such as a wider toe box, narrower heel, and more cushioning, indicating that current designs fail to address women’s distinct anatomical and biomechanical needs.We then expand on this,

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00:11:25

BizPod 121 - Gen Z and the 2-hour rule

BizPod ·

2025/10/21

We have an article from The Guardian this week, and discuss a recent initiative in Japan where the town of Toyoake proposed a voluntary two-hour daily limit on smartphone use, particularly targeting youth. The Guardian article reports on the experiences of several Japanese Gen Z individuals who attempted to adhere to this limit, sharing stories of both struggle and success, noting that some found the challenge made their days more meaningful. We use the article as a starting point to discuss the

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00:14:29

BizPod 120 - Job Hunting

BizPod ·

2025/10/14

The central topic this week revolves around the news that OpenAI is planning to launch a jobs platform intended to challenge Microsoft-owned LinkedIn, with a strong focus on AI skills and certification. See the article from CNBC.The conversation also explores the broader implications of AI adoption, including the potential for job displacement, the resulting need for new learning platforms, and the concern that over-reliance on AI could lead to a loss of essential knowledge and skills. Finally, we

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00:41:42

BizPod 119 - Build Confidence

BizPod ·

2025/10/07

In this episode, we welcome Djalma from Brazil - a teacher with nearly 20 years of experience whose LinkedIn headline is "Communicating in English with confidence." He says, "It's More Than English - It's About Authority. I help international professionals go beyond grammar to find their voice and communicate with the confidence that showcases their true expertise."Djalma argues that the speaker who makes mistakes but speaks with confidence wins. He explains that for

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00:08:11

BizPod 118 - Secrets of Lost Luggage

BizPod ·

2025/09/30

This week, we discuss the rising trend of buying and opening lost luggage at auction, often referred to as “suitcase gambling.” We came across an interesting article in The Guardian, which features a detailed journalistic piece about the process, detailing personal experiences of bidding on and opening unclaimed suitcases, and highlighting how this practice has gained popularity on social media platforms like TikTok. Complementing this, we discussed the topic from a business English perspective,

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00:15:26

BizPod 117 - Netflix Numpties

BizPod ·

2025/09/23

Another week, another discussion! This time, we speak about current trends in streaming subscriptions and the entertainment industry. We share our personal experiences with services like Netflix, Amazon Prime, Disney +, Paramount, and Apple TV, noting our struggles with accumulating too many subscriptions and the resulting decline in quality content, especially documentaries. A significant portion of the conversation focuses on the article about the supposed Netflix "algorithm" for

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