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English and Beyond: Intermediate English Podcast
Oliver & Cesar
27 episodes
1 week ago
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 car...
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Language Learning
Education,
Self-Improvement
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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 car...
Show more...
Language Learning
Education,
Self-Improvement
Episodes (20/27)
English and Beyond: Intermediate English Podcast
Have You Disappointed Your Parents Too? (Quitting My Job) | Intermediate English Listening Practice [B1/B2]
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 car...
Show more...
1 week ago
13 minutes

English and Beyond: Intermediate English Podcast
Stop Sounding Weak in English - Speak Persuasively Instead | Intermediate English Listening Practice [B1/B2]
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 wea...
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2 weeks ago
12 minutes

English and Beyond: Intermediate English Podcast
Why Are People So Rude Online? | Intermediate English Listening Practice [B1/B2]
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 b...
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3 weeks ago
12 minutes

English and Beyond: Intermediate English Podcast
Why Do We Love Seeing Rich People Suffer? | Intermediate English Listening Practice [B1/B2]
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 ...
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4 weeks ago
12 minutes

English and Beyond: Intermediate English Podcast
My Accidental Week on a Naturist Island 😱 | Intermediate English Listening Practice [B1/B2]
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 tople...
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1 month ago
14 minutes

English and Beyond: Intermediate English Podcast
Should We Bring Back the Death Penalty? | Intermediate English Listening Practice [B1/B2]
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 inn...
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1 month ago
11 minutes

English and Beyond: Intermediate English Podcast
How NOT to Talk About Your Disappointing Summer 😂 | B1/B2 Listening Practice
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 flashc...
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2 months ago
13 minutes

English and Beyond: Intermediate English Podcast
Why Britain and France Almost Became One Country | Intermediate English Podcast with Stories
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 kee...
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2 months ago
12 minutes

English and Beyond: Intermediate English Podcast
Is Time Just An Illusion? | Intermediate English Podcast
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...
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3 months ago
11 minutes

English and Beyond: Intermediate English Podcast
You’re Not Dying, So Why Aren’t You at Work?! | Intermediate English Podcast
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, missing...
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3 months ago
11 minutes

English and Beyond: Intermediate English Podcast
Sounding Native is Overrated | Intermediate English Podcast
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...
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3 months ago
10 minutes

English and Beyond: Intermediate English Podcast
Assassination! (Why Powerful People Get Killed) | Intermediate English Podcast
Assassination: When a Single Bullet Changes History What 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...
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3 months ago
10 minutes

English and Beyond: Intermediate English Podcast
"I’ll Do It Later": Procrastination and Lying to Yourself? | English for Intermediate Learners
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 phrase...
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4 months ago
10 minutes

English and Beyond: Intermediate English Podcast
Do You Know When to Stop? | English for Intermediate Learners
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 ...
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4 months ago
9 minutes

English and Beyond: Intermediate English Podcast
Why Does Our Memory Trick Us? | Learn Intermediate English with Real Stories
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 lik...
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4 months ago
10 minutes

English and Beyond: Intermediate English Podcast
The Most Beautiful Song in the English Language? | Intermediate English Listening Practice
In this reflective episode of English and Beyond: Intermediate English Podcast, I'm exploring the deeper, emotional side of language learning through the iconic song Waterloo Sunset by The Kinks. Rather than focusing on grammar or vocabulary, this episode invites listeners to think about how songs, places, and personal memories shape the way we connect with a language. Why do certain songs stay with us? What emotions do they capture that textbooks never teach? From nostalgia and saudade to qu...
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5 months ago
9 minutes

English and Beyond: Intermediate English Podcast
What Happens When an Entire Country Loses Power? | Intermediate English Listening Practice
What would you do if the lights went out — not just in your street, but across two countries? In this special episode of English and Beyond: Intermediate English Podcast, I share my experience of the huge blackout that hit Spain and Portugal, shutting down electricity, internet, and mobile service for hours. 🚫 No work. 🚫 No communication. 🚫 No idea what was happening. In this real-life story, you’ll hear about: – What it felt like when modern life stopped working – How dependent we are on tec...
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5 months ago
8 minutes

English and Beyond: Intermediate English Podcast
The Advantages of Learning English after 40 | Intermediate English Listening Practice
Is it too late to learn English after 40? Not at all. In fact - it might be the perfect time. In this motivational episode of English and Beyond: Intermediate English Podcast, I break down the myths about age and language learning. You’ll learn why your brain is still flexible, how to use adult learning strategies, and why confidence, consistency, and emotional connection make all the difference. What we cover: – What neuroplasticity really means – Why adults learn differently (and sometimes ...
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5 months ago
8 minutes

English and Beyond: Intermediate English Podcast
Why You’re Anxious (Even If Life Is Fine) | Intermediate English Listening Practice
💡 Featuring new: comprehension questions at the end! In this episode of English and Beyond, I explore anxiety in all its forms: from prehistoric survival instincts to modern mental health challenges. Learn the difference between healthy and pathological anxiety, discover 10 common thinking errors that increase stress, and hear my personal story of managing anxiety. This episode is perfect for intermediate English learners who want to expand their vocabulary, practise listening skills, and ref...
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5 months ago
12 minutes

English and Beyond: Intermediate English Podcast
Should we get Botox? | Intermediate English Listening Practice
💉 Should we get Botox? In this episode of English and Beyond: Intermediate English Podcast, I'm going to be talking about the pressure to look young in modern society - from cosmetic treatments like Botox and fillers to our complicated relationships with beauty, ageing, and self-worth. What starts as a personal story - a cancelled holiday, a walk on the beach, and a visit to the dentist - becomes a wider reflection on beauty standards, body image, and why so many people (and even camels...
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6 months ago
13 minutes

English and Beyond: Intermediate English Podcast
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 car...