Shows / American English Podcast
American English Podcast
The American English Podcast teaches the language and culture of the United States. Through common expressions, pronunciation tips and interesting cultural snippets or stories, I hope to keep this fun, useful and interesting! All bonus material can be accessed at http://americanenglishpodcast.com/
Episodes
- American English Podcast
187 - 5 Essential Speaking Tips for English Learners
Ever freeze mid-sentence? Forget a word you just learned? Or feel like your voice disappears the moment someone asks you a question in English? You’re not…
- American English Podcast
186.2 - The Violinist in the Metro: Art, Context, and the Power of Place
What happens when one of the world’s greatest violinists plays a million-dollar instrument… in a subway station? Will anyone stop to listen? In this episode…
- American English Podcast
186 - Expression: To Play It By Ear
In today’s episode, you’ll learn the common English expression “to play it by ear,” which means to improvise or make decisions without having a fixed plan…
- American English Podcast
⭐ Feature: To Pull Someone's Leg / The Greatest April Fool's Day Jokes of All Time
Have you ever believed something so ridiculous, so outrageous, that later you just had to laugh because—yep—you got fooled? Maybe someone told you that…
- American English Podcast
185 - 5-Minute English: Cats and Dogs
Welcome to today’s 5-Minute English Lesson! Today, we’re talking about the most common pets in the United States—cats and dogs! Did you know that more than 65…
- American English Podcast
184.2 - Wine Regions in the United States: A Virtual Tour with Key Vocabulary 🍇
Ever wondered what makes Napa Valley the "Hollywood of Wine" or why Texas is suddenly a wine hotspot? In this episode, we’re taking a virtual road trip through…
- American English Podcast
184 - Expression: Three Sheets To The Wind
The idiom "to be three sheets to the wind" means to be very drunk. If you don't like hearing content related to alcohol, or you're underage, skip this episode!…
- American English Podcast
⭐ Feature: The Story of Dr. Seuss ("The Father of Children's Literature")
On March 2, we celebrate Read Across America Day, a time when schools across the U.S. encourage kids to dive into the magical world of books. But why March 2?…
- American English Podcast
183 - Chats with Shana: What Makes You Happy? I'll go first.
Hello! As you may know, Chats with Shana episodes are casual and are intended for you to hear natural language. Today, we’ll be chatting about what makes us…
- American English Podcast
182 - Discover Nebraska with Tanya Jordening
Hello! Today, we have ESL teacher and language coach Tanja Jordening as our guest. She runs English Coach 3Ts and is from Nebraska. In this episode, she’ll…
- American English Podcast
181 - 5-Minute English: Yard Work (+ Gardening Tools)
In this lesson, we explore essential English vocabulary related to gardening and yard work, covering tools, tasks, and outdoor spaces. The lesson starts with…
- American English Podcast
⭐ Feature: To Pull Some Strings / The Great Iditarod
In this episode, we introduce the phrase "to pull some strings", explaining its meaning, origins, and real-life usage. The phrase refers to using one's…
- American English Podcast
180.2 - Swimming from Cuba to Florida: Irregular Verb Story with Diana Nyad
Have you ever heard of someone swimming 110 miles without a shark cage? That’s exactly what endurance swimmer Diana Nyad accomplished when she crossed the…
- American English Podcast
180 - Expression: To Keep One's Head Above Water
Today, we’ll be diving into the expression "to keep one’s head above water." If you've ever felt like you're just barely managing to survive a tough situation…
- American English Podcast
179 - What's a Hyperbole? Examples and a Fun Conversation with Mara
In this episode, we explore hyperboles, dramatic and exaggerated figures of speech commonly used in American English. Shana and her mom, Mara, share everyday…
- American English Podcast
⭐ Feature: New Year's Resolution Statistics (Episode 157.2)
As we step into 2025, it’s the perfect time to reflect on our goals and aspirations—and for many, that means making (and hopefully keeping!) New Year’s…
- American English Podcast
178.2 - The Vanderbilts and the Biltmore Estate
In this episode, we explore the fascinating legacy of the Vanderbilt family and their iconic Biltmore Estate in Asheville, North Carolina. Discover how…
- American English Podcast
178 - Expression: Go Big or Go Home
In this episode, we dive into the iconic idiom "Go Big or Go Home!" With a mix of humor, real-life examples, and a pronunciation exercise, you'll learn how to…
- American English Podcast
177 - Pronunciation: The 50 U.S. State Capitals
Today, we’re diving into an exciting and educational pronunciation practice where you’ll learn the names of all 50 U.S. state capitals! But we’re not stopping…
- American English Podcast
176.2 - English Story: Irregular Verbs with The Ferris Wheel
⭐ My annual BLACK FRIDAY SALE IS HAPPENING NOW! Sign up for Premium Content for a HUGE savings: ➡️ https://bit.ly/44822TQ In this episode, we’re taking a ride…
- American English Podcast
176 - Expression: What Goes Around Comes Around
Hello and welcome to today’s episode! 🌟 Today, we’re diving into a popular expression in English: What goes around comes around. It’s a phrase you’ve probably…
- American English Podcast
175 - Funny Chat with My Dad (+Superlatives!)
Some of you have been listening to this podcast since episode number one, and so you might remember my dad, Joe. He was a guest on episode 44 to talk about…
- American English Podcast
174 - 5-Minute English: Swimming
Today, we’re diving into the topic of swimming. Whether you’re someone who loves the water or maybe you're a bit nervous around it, swimming is a great…
- American English Podcast
173.3 - The Trail of Tears: The Tragic Story of Native American Removal
The Trail of Tears is one of the darkest chapters in U.S. history, and it's a story that can only be understood by evaluating how the relationship between…
- American English Podcast
173.2 - Native Americans and Cherokee Culture
In today's episode, we'll start by answering the question: Who are Native Americans? Then we're going to dive into the fascinating culture of the Cherokee…
- American English Podcast
173 - Expression: To Cry One's Eyes Out
If you've ever been so emotional that you cried uncontrollably, Episode 173 is for you! In Part 1 (this episode), you will hear a joke, learn the English…
- American English Podcast
172 - Chats with Shana: 10 Must-Know Southern Foods
Southern cuisine is more than just food—it's a reflection of history, traditions, and the diverse cultural influences. From Native Americans bringing corn to…
- American English Podcast
171.2 - English Story: Irregular Verbs with Amelia Earhart
This episode is sponsored by BetterHelp. Give online therapy a try at betterhelp.com/AMERICANENGLISH and get on your way to being your best self. Welcome to…
- American English Podcast
171 - Expression: When Pigs Fly!
Today, we’re diving into a phrase that’s all about the impossible, the absurd, and the downright ridiculous. Ever seen a pig soar through the sky? Of course…
- American English Podcast
170 - Chat with Charlie: British Culture in Harry Potter
By now, you probably know how much I love connecting language and culture. To me, they go hand in hand! And that's why in today's episode, I've invited Charlie…
- American English Podcast
169.2 - The Magical World of Harry Houdini
The theater is packed. Anticipation electrifying the air. It's the early 1900s, and you're about to witness the legendary Harry Houdini, whose name has become…
- American English Podcast
169 - Expression: To Vanish Into Thin Air
Hi everyone. Welcome back! I am curious, have you ever heard a story about a magician making a rabbit disappear? Have you ever seen it? Maybe you've read a…
- American English Podcast
168.2 - English Story: Irregular Verbs with The Statue of Liberty
Imagine you are on a ferry slowly approaching Liberty Island in New York Harbor. The sky is a brilliant blue with just a few clouds drifting overhead. There's…
- American English Podcast
168 - Expression: To Spread One's Wings
Welcome back to this week's episode! It'll begin with a joke. Then, we move into the expression of the day, "to spread one's wings," breaking down its meaning…
- American English Podcast
167 - 5-Minute English: Bad Driving
The whole world has bad drivers. No country or city in the world is immune. What’s funny is that most of us don’t consider ourselves bad drivers! We tend to…
- American English Podcast
166.2 - English Story: Irregular Verbs with McDonald's
Welcome back to the second part of episode 166. In today’s episode, we’re going to talk about Irregular Verbs and McDonald’s. You guys know McDonald’s, right.?…
- American English Podcast
166 - Expression: To Take It With A Grain Of Salt
In today's episode, we'll begin by going through the commentary you guys made on Culture Shock in the United States. Afterwards, I'll tell you a joke, we'll go…
- American English Podcast
165 - Chats with Shana: Culture Shock in the U.S. (Everyday Life)
In this Chats with Shana episode, I'm going to reflect on various aspects of US culture. Although I talk about culture all the time on here, it's not often we…
- American English Podcast
164.2 - English Story: Irregular Verbs with the Titanic
One of the most popular films of 1997 was by far “ Titanic.” It won 11 Academy Awards! If you saw the film, or even just previews of it, you know the plot…
- American English Podcast
164 - Expression: To Hit Rock Bottom
Life can't possibly get worse! You've lost your job, you have no money, and then to top it off, your dog dies. You've hit rock bottom; you've reached the…
- American English Podcast
163 - 5-Minute English: The Post Office and Mail
My grandma permanently moved to the United States from Spain in the 1950s and the only way she could afford to keep in contact with friends and family was…
- American English Podcast
162 - Discover Illinois with Jackie (from "Ask Jackie")
Illinois is situated in the heart of the American Midwest, and it's known as the "Prairie State" because over 60% of it is covered in farmland. Despite the…
- American English Podcast
161 - 10 Words a Day: Handy-Dandy Reduplications
I know, I know, 99% of you are saying what in the world is that? What in the world is a reduplication? Well I just told you one: Handy-dandy. Handy by itself…
- American English Podcast
160.2 - How Cereal Became The Number One Breakfast Food in the U.S.
You've seen it, right? The long cereal aisles in a U.S. supermarket? Crammed from top to bottom with colorful boxes? I bet you have. Cereal arouses a sense of…
- American English Podcast
160 - Expression: Gimme Some Sugar!
You're sitting on the couch and your significant other is too far from you. Want them to cuddle up next to you? Say: "Gimme some sugar!" "Gimme some sugar" is…
- American English Podcast
159 - 5-Minute English: Home Renovation
Last month, my family and I moved into a new home. In English, it's what we'd call a fixer upper; it's a home that needs updates, it needs renovation, it needs…
- American English Podcast
158 - Moving Across the U.S. with Lucas
Moving across the United States is a significant event that brings with it a mix of excitement and challenges. Just last month, Lucas made the cross-country…
- American English Podcast
157.2 - New Year's Resolution Statistics for the U.S.
Every January, as the clock strikes midnight and the New Year unfolds, millions of people around the globe start a familiar ritual: they start their New Year’s…
- American English Podcast
157 - Expression: To Get The Ball Rolling
This lesson has two parts. In part one, you'll learn the common English expression "to get the ball rolling" you'll hear a joke and you'll do some…
- American English Podcast
156 - Chats with Shana: My Christmas Memories (+10 Must-Know Oxymorons)
Today you’ll learn 10-Must Know Oxymorons to avoid confusion in conversation and the canvas for introducing these words will be a story about my Christmas…
- American English Podcast
155 - Decades: The 1980s with Alex
Earlier this year, I asked some friends and family members if they could write a short story about their favorite decade. A decade is a ten-year time frame…
- American English Podcast
154.2 - The Boston Tea Party + U.S. Independence from Britain
Boston is situated in present-day Massachusetts, right on the northern Atlantic coastline. It’s picturesque, it’s lively and it’s steeped in stories of how the…
- American English Podcast
154 - Expression: My Cup of Tea
This lesson has two parts. In part one, you'll learn the common English expression "my cup of tea" you'll hear a joke and you'll do some pronunciation…
- American English Podcast
153 - 5-Minute English: Shopping for Clothes
Every year, more and more people buy clothes online, but today, you are heading to the mall with your stylish friend, Katrina. Your mission is to buy a new…
- American English Podcast
152 - The Legend of Sleepy Hollow (Halloween Special)
Sleepy Hollow is a quaint village nestled in the Hudson Valley, in New York. There, many many years ago a peculiar schoolteacher named Ichabod Crane gets…
- American English Podcast
151.2 - Moose in the U.S. (Do we live in harmony with our moose?)
Moose are majestic creatures and an iconic symbol of wilderness in North America. They inhabit many northern states in the U.S.; the state with the biggest…
- American English Podcast
151 - Expression: To Steer Clear
This lesson has two parts. In part one, you'll learn the common English expression "to steer clear," you'll hear a joke and you'll do some pronunciation…
- American English Podcast
150 - Review: Season 3
Two years ago, I started Season 3 (Episodes 101 - 150) and it's been a journey. In this episode, you'll hear about the many cultural topics we covered in the…
- American English Podcast
149 - 5-Minute English: Injuries and Getting Hurt
Today you'll hear a short story our recent trip to Brazil, during which I ended up going to the hospital and getting stitches. Throughout this story you'll…
- American English Podcast
148 - Language Learning with Ben Whately (Co-founder of Memrise)
Today we have a special guest named Ben Whatley. Maybe you know him! He's the Co-founder and Chief Strategy Officer at Memrise, one of the most celebrated…