American English Podcast

137 - 10 Words a Day: French Words in English

09 Jan 2023

Contributed by Lukas

It's story time! Welcome to a French coffee shop and fancy restaurant where you'll be introduced to a number of common French loanwords in English. A ...

136 - Discover Michigan with Camille Hanson

27 Dec 2022

Contributed by Lukas

In today's episode, we're talking to Camille Hanson, an ESL teacher and social media influencer who grew up in the U.P. - the Upper Peninsula of Michi...

135.2 - The Story of "Jingle Bells"

15 Dec 2022

Contributed by Lukas

In today’s lesson you’re going to hear the story of the creator of Jingle Bells, his questionable character and we’ll  go through the lyrics of...

135 - Expression: Bells and Whistles

12 Dec 2022

Contributed by Lukas

The holiday season is here and I bet some of you are skimming the internet for new gadgets. Do you like gadgets with a bunch of bells and whistles (fa...

134.2 - The Story of Starbucks Coffee

29 Nov 2022

Contributed by Lukas

You know Starbucks, right? The coffee company? Born in Seattle, Washington and brewed around the world? I bet you do; they have over 33 thousand store...

134 - Expression: To Blow Off Steam

28 Nov 2022

Contributed by Lukas

The expression To Blow Off Steam is a common one in the United States. In today's episode, you'll learn how to use it in everyday contexts, you'll hea...

133.2 - Common Similes with Liz (16 - 30)

19 Nov 2022

Contributed by Lukas

This is PART 2 of episode 133. In today’s lesson, Liz and I will be going through 15 common similes that you’ll hear in everyday conversation. Som...

133 - Common Similes with Liz (1-15)

18 Nov 2022

Contributed by Lukas

In today’s lesson, Liz and I will be going through 15 common similes that you’ll hear in everyday conversation. Some are literal, so they’ll sou...

132 - Discover Colorado with Lindsay McMahon

28 Oct 2022

Contributed by Lukas

In today's episode, Lindsay, host of the All Ears English Podcast, will take us on a journey to Colorado, one of the most stunning mountainous states ...

131 - 13 Common Superstitions in the U.S. and their Origins

14 Oct 2022

Contributed by Lukas

We live in a day and age that is driven by science and technology, yet people are still superstitious. According to a study I read by YouGov, 9% of Am...

130 - Music: "Sunday Toasted" by Zinn

28 Sep 2022

Contributed by Lukas

"Sunday Toasted" is a song that was recently released by a new artist named Zinn, and it's jam-packed with American slang and vocabulary which we'll g...

129.2 - The Monster Study

15 Sep 2022

Contributed by Lukas

The Monster Study (aka Tudor Study) is an unethical psychology experiment that was conducted in 1939 on 22 orphans in Davenport, Iowa.  The goal was ...

129 - Expression: Off the Record

12 Sep 2022

Contributed by Lukas

In this episode, there are two parts. In Part 1, you'll hear a joke, practice your pronunciation and learn the expression "Off the Record". In Part 2...

128 - 5-Minute English: Birthday Parties

31 Aug 2022

Contributed by Lukas

In today's episode, you'll learn vocabulary, phrasal verbs and expressions related to Birthday Parties. This episode was created with a goal in mind: ...

127 - Discover Washington with Philip Clem

12 Aug 2022

Contributed by Lukas

AboutPhilip Clem is a talented singer and songwriter from Seattle, Washington who has lived in San Francisco, Spain and now Los Angeles, California. T...

126 - 5-Minute English: A Day At The Beach

04 Aug 2022

Contributed by Lukas

In today's 5-Minute English episode, you'll learn vocabulary, phrasal verbs and collocations needed to describe A Day At The Beach.Beach Recommendatio...

125.2 - Doughnuts (or Donuts!)

23 Jul 2022

Contributed by Lukas

Today we're going to be talking about doughnuts (or donuts; both spellings are acceptable in American English). You'll learn the history, the stories ...

125 - Expression: To Sugarcoat Something

22 Jul 2022

Contributed by Lukas

In this episode, there are two parts. In Part 1, you'll hear a joke, practice your pronunciation and learn the expression "To Sugarcoat Something". I...

124 - 3 Must-Know Expressions for IELTS Speaking and Daily Life with Aubrey Carter

12 Jul 2022

Contributed by Lukas

The decision to move overseas is a big one and it requires preparation. The first step for non-native English speakers who want to live, study or work...

123 - Goldilocks and The Three Bears (Phrasal Verb Fairy Tale)

29 Jun 2022

Contributed by Lukas

Goldilocks and The Three Bears is one of the most popular children's books ever written in English and it is my daughter's favorite. Today, you'll hea...

122.1 Rosa Parks and The Freedom Movement (from Slavery to Civil Rights)

14 Jun 2022

Contributed by Lukas

In honor of Juneteenth, we will be talking about "The Mother of the Freedom Movement" - Rosa Parks. Rosa made history when she politely refused to giv...

122 - Expression: Once in a Blue Moon

11 Jun 2022

Contributed by Lukas

In this episode, you'll learn how to use the common expression Once in a Blue Moon. In Part 2,  which will be posted shortly, you'll learn all about ...

121 - Chats with Shana: 5 Surprising Things About Los Angeles

28 May 2022

Contributed by Lukas

We've lived in Los Angeles for about 5 months and spend a lot of time exploring. I'm happy to say that the city is growing on us - we LOVE the restaur...

120 - 5-Minute English: U.S. Geography

12 May 2022

Contributed by Lukas

Today you're going to learn so many fun facts about the US, all of which have to do with geography. You'll hear about the topography, so the physical ...

119 - The Tale of Peter Rabbit by Beatrix Potter

25 Apr 2022

Contributed by Lukas

The Tale of Peter Rabbit was published in 1902 by the British author and illustrator Beatrix Potter. Today I'll read the story to you. What's the mora...

118 - Expression: Out of the Blue

07 Apr 2022

Contributed by Lukas

In this episode of the American English Podcast, you'll learn how to use the common English expression OUT OF THE BLUE. In Part 2 (Episode 118.2), you...

118.2 - The Blue People of Kentucky

07 Apr 2022

Contributed by Lukas

Martin ended up falling in love with a redheaded American woman named Elizabeth Smith, and eventually the couple decided to have a family. Never in th...

117.2 - The Survival Story of Aron Ralston

24 Mar 2022

Contributed by Lukas

We all love survival stories, do we not? Watching men and women  find food and water, seeing them build shelters out of sticks, stones and leaves. It...

117 - Expression: Between a Rock and a Hard Place

22 Mar 2022

Contributed by Lukas

In today's episode you'll learn how to use the common English expression BETWEEN A ROCK AND A HARD PLACE.Premium ContentThis episode is part of Season...

116 - 5-Minute English: Colds, Flus and Sickness

06 Mar 2022

Contributed by Lukas

In this 5-Minute English episode, you'll hear a lot of vocabulary and phrases related to Cold, Flus and Sickness.This episode type is extra challengin...

115 - 5-Minute English: Winter

11 Feb 2022

Contributed by Lukas

In this 5-Minute English episode, you'll hear a lot of vocabulary and phrases related to winter and the cold. You'll also learn about the typical expe...

114 - Dream House with Mara (Napa Valley Wine Country!)

21 Jan 2022

Contributed by Lukas

After my last conversation with Pete about his "Dream House" in Australia (Ep. 109), I decided to ask my friends and family members about their dream ...

113 - Chats with Shana: We're Moving to Los Angeles!

10 Jan 2022

Contributed by Lukas

We're moving to Los Angeles, L.A. - the City of Angels. This is a Chats with Shana episode, what I'm thinking comes out of my mouth. Hear about the bi...

112 - Embarrassing Stories with Charlie (British and American English)

27 Dec 2021

Contributed by Lukas

In this episode, Charlie and I discuss all things embarrassing. This is your chance to hear some funny embarrassing stories, practice listening to Bri...

111.2 Is it IN Hawaii or ON Hawaii? (Prepositions with Locations)

10 Dec 2021

Contributed by Lukas

The preposition in and on can be a nightmare, but in this short recording I hope to clarify some of the confusion when it comes to speaking about isla...

111 - Chats with Shana: A Vacation in Hawaii

07 Dec 2021

Contributed by Lukas

Want to go on a vacation to Hawaii? In this episode, I speak about our recent trip to Oahu - the most visited and populous island in the archipelago. ...

110 - 5-Minute English: Skincare and Makeup

15 Nov 2021

Contributed by Lukas

In this 5-Minute English episode, you'll hear a lot of vocabulary and phrases related to skincare and makeup. This episode type is extra challenging, ...

109 - Dream Houses with Pete

31 Oct 2021

Contributed by Lukas

I've always loved talking about Dream Houses. It's sort of a magical topic that everyone can relate to and yet for every person the response is going ...

108.2 - Sharks and Shark Attacks in U.S. Waters

17 Oct 2021

Contributed by Lukas

In today's episode, you'll learn about Sharks and Shark Attacks in U.S. waters and how to avoid a shark if you're visiting the U.S. coast! Premium Con...

108 - Expression: To Rock the Boat

16 Oct 2021

Contributed by Lukas

In today's episode, you'll learn how to use the common expression: To Rock the Boat. You'll get to practice pronunciation and hear a joke as well.  P...

107 - Expression: The Coast is Clear / The Great Escape from Alcatraz

27 Sep 2021

Contributed by Lukas

In today's episode, you'll learn how to use the common expression: The Coast Is Clear. You'll get to practice pronunciation and hear a joke as well. T...

106 - Off the Beaten Track with Charlie ("A Dream Trip to the Maldives")

18 Sep 2021

Contributed by Lukas

Charlie, our good friend from The British English Podcast, came up with an incredibly entertaining podcast format: "Off the Beaten Track." In short, i...

105 - Chats with Shana: Animals and Nature in Brazil (+10 Common Collective Nouns!)

03 Sep 2021

Contributed by Lukas

This episode is part of Season 3.  In this episode of the podcast, you'll hear about our recent month-long stay in Brazil. Other than spending time w...

104 - Study or Work Abroad: The IELTS Exam with Jessica Beck

18 Aug 2021

Contributed by Lukas

The decision to move overseas is a big one and it requires preparation. The first step for non-native English speakers who want to live, study or work...

103 - Expression: To Push Someone's Buttons / The Milgram Experiment

24 Jul 2021

Contributed by Lukas

This episode is part of Season 3.  In this episode of the podcast, you'll learn how to use the common expression TO PUSH SOMEONE'S BUTTONS. For the f...

102 - 5-Minute English: Toddlers

07 Jul 2021

Contributed by Lukas

The term "toddler" is typically used to describe a child that is between the ages of one and three, although some people consider a three-year-old up ...

101 - Welcome to Season 3!

26 Jun 2021

Contributed by Lukas

Welcome to Season 3!! In this episode, I share some news going on here in California and then we talk about what you can expect from Season 3.  Premi...

100 - 100 Commonly Mispronounced Words in American English

11 Jun 2021

Contributed by Lukas

After 5 years of teaching intermediate to advanced level English online, I found trends in the words that my students mispronounced. In today's episod...

099 - 10 Words a Day: Alex's Dating Disasters (Verbs 11-20)

29 May 2021

Contributed by Lukas

In this episode of the American English Podcast, you'll gain maximum exposure to 10 common verbs. You'll hear a story, get the definitions and new exa...

098 - 10 Words a Day: Alex's Dating Disasters (Verbs with Sound 1-10)

13 May 2021

Contributed by Lukas

In this episode of the American English Podcast, you'll gain maximum exposure to 10 common verbs that produce sound. You'll hear a story, get the defi...

097 - Expression: Bottoms Up! / Cinco de Mayo

30 Apr 2021

Contributed by Lukas

In this episode of the American English Podcast, you'll learn how to use the expression BOTTOMS UP! and all about CINCO DE MAYO.Premium Content (forme...

096 - Expression: Bent Out Of Shape / Tornadoes in the U.S.

12 Apr 2021

Contributed by Lukas

In this episode of the American English Podcast, you'll learn how to use the expression BENT OUT OF SHAPE and all about TORNADOES IN THE U.S..**Premiu...

095 - Chats with Shana: 10 Must-Know Expressions to Survive English Conversations

25 Mar 2021

Contributed by Lukas

In this Chats with Shana episode, you'll hear about some of the language mistakes I've made in foreign languages. You'll learn how to get yourself out...

094 - Expression: To Ring a Bell / The Liberty Bell

13 Mar 2021

Contributed by Lukas

In this episode of the American English Podcast, you'll learn how to use the expression TO RING A BELL and all about the LIBERTY BELL, a symbol of fre...

093 - Chats with Shana: The Story of My Previous Language Company

23 Feb 2021

Contributed by Lukas

In Episode #93, you'll hear my adventure starting a business in NYC and traveling overseas as a digital nomad. You'll also hear the lessons learned fr...

092 - Expression: To Pull Some Strings / The Great Iditarod Dogsledding Race

06 Feb 2021

Contributed by Lukas

In this episode of the American English Podcast, you'll learn how to use the expression TO PULL SOME STRINGS and all about the GREAT IDITAROD RACE, th...

091 - 5-Minute English: Babies

16 Jan 2021

Contributed by Lukas

How many vocabulary words, phrases and collocations can you think of within the topic of Babies? I bet a lot. Now, do you know the translations for th...

090 - Chats with Shana: Yearly Review

02 Jan 2021

Contributed by Lukas

This is the first of many (hopefully) yearly reviews. There's nothing better than reflecting on the highlights in one's year, especially with the help...

089 - Dessert Adjectives with Charlie

24 Dec 2020

Contributed by Lukas

Hi Everyone! Christmas is just a few days away and what better way to prepare than by learning how to describe desserts in English. Whether you celebr...

088 - The Night Before Christmas (A Visit From Santa Claus)

09 Dec 2020

Contributed by Lukas

Hi Everyone! Welcome back to Episode #088. Today we will be talking about a poem, a very famous poem. In fact it may be one of the most read and refe...

087 - 5-Minute English: Strengths and Weaknesses

03 Dec 2020

Contributed by Lukas

For today we're back with another 5-Minute English episode and it's all about Strengths and Weaknesses, one of the most challenging questions you'll r...

086 - Expression: In the Red / Black Friday

19 Nov 2020

Contributed by Lukas

In today's episode you'll learn how to use the expression IN THE RED and we'll talk about how BLACK FRIDAY got started, how it grew in popularity and ...

085 - British Tea Time and Baking Vocabulary with Charlie

12 Nov 2020

Contributed by Lukas

In this episode, we have a special guest. His name is Charlie Baxter and he's the host of the British English Podcast. We talk about the British Bake ...

084 - College Life with Jessica Buenaventura

06 Nov 2020

Contributed by Lukas

Listen to Jessica (my college roomie) and I talk about our college experiences at UC Santa Barbara!To gain access to the full episode, transcript, pod...

083 - Chats with Shana: October Days

30 Oct 2020

Contributed by Lukas

In this episode, you'll hear about what my family has been doing in the month of October. You'll hear the Present Perfect Continuous tense used over a...

082 - Halloween Story: The Red Spot (Lower Intermediate)

22 Oct 2020

Contributed by Lukas

In this episode, you'll hear a lower intermediate story for Halloween called the Red Spot. It's disgusting. Don't say I didn't warn you, so either ski...

081 - 5-Minute English: Fall

15 Oct 2020

Contributed by Lukas

In this episode, you'll hear a 5-Minute English episode about FALL (AKA AUTUMN) in the United States. By the end, you'll learn vocabulary, phrasal ver...

080 - Expression: Hit the Spot / Ben and Jerry's Ice Cream

08 Oct 2020

Contributed by Lukas

Hi Everyone! In today's episode, you'll learn how to use the expression HIT THE SPOT like a native speaker. You'll also learn about Ben and Jerry's, o...

079 - The Faces On Our Money

01 Oct 2020

Contributed by Lukas

Hi everyone! In today's episode we'll be talking about THE FACES ON OUR MONEY. By money, I'm referring to the United States Dollar, which is commonly ...

078 - 5-Minute English: Elections and Voting

24 Sep 2020

Contributed by Lukas

In this episode, you'll hear a 5-Minute English episode about ELECTIONS AND VOTING in the United States. By the end, you'll learn vocabulary, phrasal ...

077 - 5-Minute English: Labor and Delivery

17 Sep 2020

Contributed by Lukas

In this episode, you'll hear a 5-Minute English episode about LABOR AND DELIVERY, as well as facts and statistics about GIVING BIRTH in the United Sta...

076 - Portmanteaus with Liz Johnson!

08 Sep 2020

Contributed by Lukas

Hi Everyone! In today's episode, Liz is back on the show! We have a very fun / funny episode for you which is about Portmanteaus. Don't be afraid of t...

075 - 5-Minute English: Wildfires in the U.S.

26 Aug 2020

Contributed by Lukas

Hi Everyone! In today's episode, I talk about WILDFIRES, which is a devastating issue many Americans face every summer (including myself!). Since this...

074 - Fairy Tale: Hansel and Gretel

19 Aug 2020

Contributed by Lukas

Hi Everyone! In this week's episode, I retell the very famous Brothers' Grimm fairy tale, Hansel and Gretel. I've made a few changes to the original t...

073 - Expression: On the Edge of One's Seat / The Life of Stan Lee

13 Aug 2020

Contributed by Lukas

Hi Everyone! In today's episode, you'll learn how to use the expression ON THE EDGE OF ONE'S SEAT like a native speaker. You'll also learn about the l...

072 - 5-Minute English: Cleaning

06 Aug 2020

Contributed by Lukas

Hi Everyone! In today's episode, I talk about CLEANING, which is an activity that most of us dread. The thing is, the topic often pops up in conversat...

071 - Expression: Through Thick and Thin / Parental Leave in the U.S.

30 Jul 2020

Contributed by Lukas

Hi Everyone! In today's episode, you'll learn how to use the expression THROUGH THICK AND THIN like a native speaker. You'll also learn about MATERNIT...

070 - Expression: Music to One's Ears / The Life of Elvis Presley

23 Jul 2020

Contributed by Lukas

Hi Everyone! In today's episode, you'll learn how to use the expression MUSIC TO ONE'S EARS like a native speaker. You'll also learn about the fascina...

069 - 5-Minute English: Summer in the U.S.

15 Jul 2020

Contributed by Lukas

Hi Everyone! In today's episode, I talk about Summer in the US. For many Americans, summertime brings back a sense of nostalgia. Today, we'll talk abo...

068 - Initialisms in Conversation: Party Culture in the U.S.

09 Jul 2020

Contributed by Lukas

In this episode of the American English Podcast, we will talk about initialisms which are a type of abbreviation. The initialisms discussed are used i...

067 - Expression: A Lot On One's Plate / Competitive Eating in the U.S.

01 Jul 2020

Contributed by Lukas

In this American English Podcast Episode you'll learn how to use the expression A LOT ON ONE'S PLATE and hear about COMPETITIVE EATING in the U.S.. Th...

066 - 5-Minute English: American Barbecue

24 Jun 2020

Contributed by Lukas

Hi Everyone! In today's episode, I start by talking about our recent trip to an RV park, a chat with some boys I had about hunting and eating bear and...

065 - Chats with Shana: Nesting

17 Jun 2020

Contributed by Lukas

Hi Everyone! In today's episode, we talk casually about NESTING which is a phenomenon that occurs with pregnant women (some men!) and animals before c...

064 - Pronunciation: 50 U.S. States

10 Jun 2020

Contributed by Lukas

Hi Everyone! In today's episode, I teach how to pronounce the 50 U.S. States. In this lesson, you'll also learn about unstressed syllables and the imp...

063 - Expression: Take a Hike / Yellowstone National Park

02 Jun 2020

Contributed by Lukas

Hi Everyone! In today's episode, I teach how to use the expression TAKE A HIKE like a native speaker. For the fun fact, we go over YELLOWSTONE NATIONA...

062 - Baseball Culture and Expressions with Liz Johnson (PART 2)

26 May 2020

Contributed by Lukas

Episode #62 is part 2 of a long conversation with my good friend Liz Johnson about BASEBALL and BASEBALL EXPRESSIONS we use in everyday life. The exam...

061 - Baseball Culture and Expressions with Liz Johnson (PART 1)

20 May 2020

Contributed by Lukas

In Episode #61, my good friend Liz Johnson and I talk about BASEBALL CULTURE IN THE U.S. and we teach COMMON BASEBALL EXPRESSIONS we use in everyday l...

060 - Expression: Out Of This World / The Life of Walt Disney

13 May 2020

Contributed by Lukas

Hi Everyone! In today's episode, I teach how to use the expression OUT OF THIS WORLD like a native speaker. For the fun fact, we go over THE LIFE STOR...

059 - 5-Minute English: Springtime in the U.S.

06 May 2020

Contributed by Lukas

Hi Everyone! Today you'll hear another 5-Minute English episode and it's all about Springtime.5-Minute English episodes are designed to teach "fluency...

058 - Expression: A Method to Madness / Exotic Animals as Pets

30 Apr 2020

Contributed by Lukas

Hi Everyone! In today's episode, I teach how to use the expression A METHOD TO MADNESS like a native speaker. For the fun fact, we go over EXOTIC ANIM...

057 - Gender Prediction and Old Wives' Tales

22 Apr 2020

Contributed by Lukas

Hi Everyone!I'm very excited about this week's episode which is about a topic that is not often discussed: Gender Prediction.In the episode, I'll shar...

056 - Expression: On a Roll / Philly Cheesesteaks

15 Apr 2020

Contributed by Lukas

Hi Everyone! In this week's episode I'll teach you the expression ON A ROLL and all about the famous PHILLY CHEESESTEAK. You'll also learn many adject...

055 - 5-Minute English: 3 Trending Diets To Lose Winter Weight

09 Apr 2020

Contributed by Lukas

Hi Everyone! Today you'll hear another 5-Minute English episode and it's all about 3 Trending Diets to Lose Winter Weight.5-Minute English episodes ar...

054 - Expression: To Pull Someone's Leg / Best April Fool's Jokes in History

31 Mar 2020

Contributed by Lukas

Hi Everyone! This week's episode is about the expression TO PULL SOMEONE'S LEG and popular APRIL FOOL'S JOKES that went down in history.**Premium Cont...

053 - Chats with Shana: Brazil Trip and Coronavirus

25 Mar 2020

Contributed by Lukas

This week’s episode is all about my family’s TRIP TO BRAZIL and how “the shit has hit the fan” during the past two weeks because of the CORONA...

052 - Expression: A Bun In The Oven / The "Octomom"

07 Mar 2020

Contributed by Lukas

Hi Everyone! This week’s episode is all about pregnancy! The expression is A BUN IN THE OVEN and the fun fact is about THE WOMAN WHO GAVE BIRTH TO O...

051 - Expression: That's The Way The Cookie Crumbles / Girl Scout Cookies

27 Feb 2020

Contributed by Lukas

Hi Everyone! This week’s episode is all about cookies! The joke is about cookies, the expression is THAT’S THE WAY THE COOKIE CRUMBLES and the fun...

050 - Chats with Shana: Snow Trip and Snow Vocabulary!

20 Feb 2020

Contributed by Lukas

This week’s episode is all about my family’s trip to the snow last week. In it, I share tips on skiing and snowboarding in the US as well as plent...

049 - Expression: When Hell Freezes Over / Ice Castles of Utah

10 Feb 2020

Contributed by Lukas

Hi Everyone! In this week's episode, I teach the common English expression: When Hell Freezes Over. We also talk all about the very famous ICE CASTLES...

048 - Interview with Lauren: Sororities and Fraternities

06 Feb 2020

Contributed by Lukas

Hi Everyone! This week's episode is all about SORORITIES AND FRATERNITIES. I introduce the history of Greek Life and talk about the famous people were...