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English Learning for Curious Minds
Leonardo English
295 episodes
2 days ago
Are you looking for a more interesting way to learn English? English Learning for Curious Minds is a podcast for intermediate-advanced English learners. Learn weird and wonderful things about the world at the same time as improving your English. Every episode comes with an interactive transcript, subtitles and key vocabulary and is spoken at a speed you can understand. Join listeners from 189 countries and discover a more interesting way of improving your English. Find the bonus episodes, interactive transcripts, subtitles, key vocabulary, and more at www.leonardoenglish.com
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Language Learning
Education
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All content for English Learning for Curious Minds is the property of Leonardo English and is served directly from their servers with no modification, redirects, or rehosting. The podcast is not affiliated with or endorsed by Podjoint in any way.
Are you looking for a more interesting way to learn English? English Learning for Curious Minds is a podcast for intermediate-advanced English learners. Learn weird and wonderful things about the world at the same time as improving your English. Every episode comes with an interactive transcript, subtitles and key vocabulary and is spoken at a speed you can understand. Join listeners from 189 countries and discover a more interesting way of improving your English. Find the bonus episodes, interactive transcripts, subtitles, key vocabulary, and more at www.leonardoenglish.com
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Language Learning
Education
Episodes (20/295)
English Learning for Curious Minds
#570 | DOGE | Elon Musk's Quest to Shrink the US Government

 


The Department of Governmental Efficiency, otherwise known as DOGE, was a radical plan to cut government waste and reduce spending.

 

Where did the idea come from? How did it work? And crucially, did it do what it set out to do?

 
  • Background to DOGE: Department of Governmental Efficiency
  • Controversial email to federal employees
  • Elon Musk's influence and Twitter comparison
  • Restructuring of USDS into DOGE
  • DOGE's cost-saving objectives and claims
  • Layoffs and budget cuts in various departments
  • Criticism over foreign aid cuts and their impact
  • Accounting errors and inflated savings claims
  • Public protests and Musk's departure
  • Future of DOGE and its divisive legacy

Full interactive transcript, subtitles and key vocabulary available on the website: https://www.leonardoenglish.com/podcasts/doge-elon-musk

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Keywords: Learn English, vocabulary, lessons, idioms, aprende inglés, idiomas, aprender inglês, apprendre l'anglais, imparare l’inglese, ingilizce öğren,英語を習う, تعلم الإنجليزية

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4 days ago
28 minutes

English Learning for Curious Minds
[From The Vault 🔐] Teflon’s Toxic Secret | The Hidden Cost of a Non-Stick Pan

From The Vault 🔐 — normally a member-only episode, unlocked this month for everyone.

--


It's a gripping battle of David vs. Goliath: a cattle farmer and a lawyer against DuPont, a massive chemical company. 


Discover how Rob Bilott uncovered a shocking environmental scandal, battled corporate giants, and revealed the hidden dangers of the "forever chemicals" found in non-stick pans.

  • The rise of Teflon and DuPont's global success 
  • Wilbur Tennant's dying cows near a DuPont landfill 
  • Lawyer Rob Bilott takes on Tennant's case 
  • Discovery of chemical PFOA linked to Teflon 
  • DuPont knew about PFOA dangers since the 1960s 
  • Bilott files federal lawsuit for Tennant in 1999 
  • Class-action lawsuit initiated by Rob Bilott in 2001 
  • 2011-2012 study links PFOA to several diseases 
  • DuPont's settlements: millions to affected residents 
  • Ongoing legal battle against "forever chemicals"

👉 Follow along with the interactive transcript, subtitles, and study pack — free, no registration required: https://www.leonardoenglish.com/podcasts/teflons-secret


--

🔓 And if you’d like to unlock our entire catalogue (550+ episodes), along with interactive transcripts, instant translations, and study packs, check out membership at https://bit.ly/FromTheVault2025


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1 week ago
24 minutes

English Learning for Curious Minds
#567 | Ross Ulbricht & The Silk Road | Drugs, Bitcoin & Digital Outlaws

 


Was Ross Ulbricht a visionary pioneer or a dangerous criminal?

 

In part one of our series on "Young American Outlaws", we explore the rise and fall of the Silk Road and how Ulbricht's life sentence, followed by a 2025 presidential pardon, sparked fierce debate over freedom, technology, and the role of government.

 
  • Ross Ulbricht's LinkedIn clue
  • The concept behind The Silk Road
  • Cryptocurrency's role in anonymity
  • The structure of The Silk Road
  • Unexpected listings and control issues
  • Federal agents' Silk Road investigation
  • The arrest of Ross Ulbricht
  • Charges and the trial
  • Sentencing and pardoning
  • The wider debate on personal freedom

Full interactive transcript, subtitles and key vocabulary available on the website: https://www.leonardoenglish.com/podcasts/silk-road

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2 weeks ago
23 minutes

English Learning for Curious Minds
#565 | How I Make Podcast Episodes

 


Ever wondered how the (podcast) sausage is made?

 

In this slightly "meta" episode, I reveal the step-by-step process to make an episode of English Learning for Curious Minds.

 
  • Choosing podcast topics: interest, timelessness, and neutrality
  • Avoiding controversial topics and current affairs
  • Researching topics through books, articles, and data
  • Writing full scripts for natural conversation flow
  • Using a variety of vocabulary for diverse learners
  • Rewriting scripts after initial recordings
  • Aiming for 20-minute episodes, 2,500-3,000-word scripts
  • Incorporating AI tools for brainstorming and editing
  • Results from our 2025 listener survey
  • Thank you!

Full interactive transcript, subtitles and key vocabulary available on the website: https://www.leonardoenglish.com/podcasts/how-i-make-podcast-episodes

---

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1 month ago
23 minutes

English Learning for Curious Minds
#563 | The Curious Origins of The Nobel Prize

 


Alfred Nobel, the inventor of dynamite, was shocked to read his own obituary branding him the "merchant of death."

 

While the story might not be entirely true, it pushed him to reconsider his legacy.

 

His fortune went on to establish the Nobel Prizes, honouring achievements in physics, chemistry, medicine, literature, and peace, ensuring his name is remembered for contributions to humanity.

 
  • Overview of the Nobel Prize
  • Alfred Nobel's mistaken obituary
  • Nobel's early life and education
  • Invention of dynamite and its impacts
  • Nobel's relationship with Bertha von Suttner
  • Creation of the Nobel Prize in his will
  • Outcomes and controversies of the Nobel Prize
  • Notable Nobel laureates
  • Controversial Nobel Peace Prize awards
  • Legacy of Alfred Nobel

Full interactive transcript, subtitles and key vocabulary available on the website: https://www.leonardoenglish.com/podcasts/nobel-prize

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1 month ago
23 minutes

English Learning for Curious Minds
#560 | What Makes An Italian?

 


In part one of a three-part mini-series on the theme of citizenship and identity, we'll ask ourselves, "What makes someone Italian?"

 

We'll explore the topic of citizenship and identity in Italy, and see what the current laws tell us about what it means to be (or not to be) Italian.

 
  • Definitions of jus soli and jus sanguinis
  • Italy's citizenship rules and marriage eligibility
  • Referendum on easing Italy's citizenship rules
  • Italy's low birth rate and demographic challenges
  • Immigration's influence on Italy's citizenship debates
  • Opposition arguments against easing citizenship rules
  • Result of Italy’s citizenship referendum
  • Comparison with Germany and France's citizenship laws
  • Discussion on Italian citizenship by ancestry
  • Debate on the meaning of citizenship in Italy

Full interactive transcript, subtitles and key vocabulary available on the website: https://www.leonardoenglish.com/podcasts/italian-identity

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2 months ago
20 minutes

English Learning for Curious Minds
#558 | General Hannibal | Rome’s Greatest Enemy

 


Hannibal of Carthage, one of history's greatest military strategists, almost brought the Roman Republic to its knees.

 

As a boy, he swore eternal enmity against Rome, leading him to cross the Alps with his diverse army and elephants, stunning the Romans.

 

Despite his victories, he never managed to capture Rome, but his legacy of brilliance and determination remains.

 
  • Hannibal's vow to hate Rome forever
  • Hannibal's upbringing and education in military tactics
  • The First Punic War and Carthage's defeat
  • Hannibal's march across the Alps into Italy
  • Hannibal's diverse and strategic army composition
  • Key victories at the Trebia, Lake Trasimene, and Cannae
  • Rome's Fabian Strategy to counter Hannibal
  • Hannibal's defeat at the Battle of Zama
  • Hannibal's later life and exile
  • Hannibal's enduring legacy and impact on military strategy

Full interactive transcript, subtitles and key vocabulary available on the website: https://www.leonardoenglish.com/podcasts/hannibal

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2 months ago
27 minutes

English Learning for Curious Minds
#555 | Mobutu Sese Seko | The King of the Kleptocrats

💊 Register for "The Mules": https://bit.ly/TheMules25

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Meet Mobutu Sese Seko, the man who rose from a lowly army officer to become the autocratic ruler of the Democratic Republic of the Congo.

 

Wearing his signature leopard-skin hat, Mobutu rebranded the country as Zaire and himself as a symbol of African pride.

 

Despite his charismatic persona and lavish lifestyle, his regime left the country impoverished, highlighting the dangers of unchecked power and corruption.

 
  • Mobutu Sese Seko's rise to power in Congo
  • Congo's harsh colonial history under Belgian rule
  • Mobutu's involvement in Patrice Lumumba's downfall
  • Mobutu's 1965 coup and 32-year rule
  • Renaming Congo to Zaire and introducing the Authenticité movement
  • Mobutu's repressive regime and personality cult
  • Corruption and Mobutu's embezzlement of state funds
  • Economic decline and dependency on foreign aid
  • Mobutu's fall from power and death in exile
  • Mobutu's enduring legacy in modern-day DRC

Full interactive transcript, subtitles and key vocabulary available on the website: https://www.leonardoenglish.com/podcasts/mobutu-sese-seko

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2 months ago
27 minutes

English Learning for Curious Minds
#553 | A Short History Of The Minimum Wage

 


In this episode, we'll explore the complex world of minimum wage laws, from their surprising origins in Australia and New Zealand to modern debates around their effectiveness.

 

Do they protect the lowest-paid workers, or do they do more damage than good?

 
  • History of the minimum wage globally
  • Early minimum wage laws in Australia and New Zealand
  • Introduction of minimum wage in the UK and the US
  • Arguments for and against minimum wage
  • Impact of the minimum wage on businesses
  • Regional variations in minimum wage
  • Alternatives to the minimum wage
  • Minimum wage and wage growth in the UK
  • Comparison of minimum wage with skilled jobs
  • Political perspectives on the minimum wage

Full interactive transcript, subtitles and key vocabulary available on the website: https://www.leonardoenglish.com/podcasts/minimum-wage

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3 months ago
24 minutes

English Learning for Curious Minds
#550 | The Egyptian Revolution

 


In 2011, Egypt erupted in protest, toppling a 30-year regime.

What began as a grassroots movement against an autocratic leader turned into a complex struggle for democracy and power.

In this episode, we'll travel through the events that led from the hopeful dawn of revolution to the military's return to power, and see how social media and global events played pivotal roles in shaping modern Egypt.


  • Egypt's conditions ripe for revolution in 2011 
  • Hosni Mubarak's rule and use of emergency laws 
  • Impact of Tunisian Revolution on Egypt 
  • Rise of protests on Egyptian Police Day 2011 
  • Role of social media in Egyptian protests 
  • Mubarak's resignation and military's interim government 
  • Muslim Brotherhood's rise and Morsi's presidency 
  • Morsi's overreach and public dissatisfaction 
  • Army's intervention and Sisi's rise to power 
  • Repression and return to authoritarian rule under Sisi


 Full interactive transcript, subtitles and key vocabulary available on the website: https://www.leonardoenglish.com/podcasts/egyptian-revolution


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3 months ago
28 minutes

English Learning for Curious Minds
#548 | The Salem Witch Trials

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In this episode, we'll explore the eerie events of the Salem Witch Trials, a chilling tale of suspicion, fear, and injustice in 17th-century Massachusetts.  


Discover how a village turned against itself, leading to the execution of innocent people amidst accusations of witchcraft, and consider the theories behind what really happened. 


  • The harsh winter of 1692 in Massachusetts 
  • Puritans' fear of the devil and witchcraft 
  • Witch accusations in Salem Village 
  • Tituba's confession and impact 
  • Spectral evidence in Salem court trials 
  • Tragic outcomes of the witch trials 
  • Ergot fungus and mass hysteria theories 
  • Social tensions and personal vendettas in Salem 
  • Aftermath and attempts to right wrongs 
  • Exoneration of Elizabeth Johnson Jr. in 2022


 Full interactive transcript, subtitles and key vocabulary available on the website: https://www.leonardoenglish.com/podcasts/salem-witch-trials

Episode about The History of Witches: https://www.leonardoenglish.com/podcasts/witches
"Weird history" episodes: https://www.leonardoenglish.com/podcast-tags/weird-history
"Horror" episodes: https://www.leonardoenglish.com/podcast-tags/horror

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4 months ago
22 minutes

English Learning for Curious Minds
#545 | The Life of Lawrence of Arabia

 


In part one of this three-part mini-series, we'll explore the captivating life of T.E. Lawrence, the British archaeologist and army officer known as "Lawrence of Arabia."  

Discover how he fought alongside Arabian tribesmen during World War I in their quest for independence, all while knowing an uncomfortable secret. 

  • The early life and interests of T.E. Lawrence 
  • Lawrence's work as an archaeologist in the Middle East 
  • The Ottoman Empire and World War I context 
  • Lawrence's role with Arab forces against Ottomans 
  • The strategy of guerrilla warfare and victory at Aqaba 
  • Lawrence's experience and trauma in Deraa 
  • The broken promises of the Sykes-Picot Agreement 
  • Lawrence's return to Britain and later life 
  • The lasting impact of Lawrence on the Middle East 
  • Varied perceptions of T.E. Lawrence's legacy


 Full interactive transcript, subtitles and key vocabulary available on the website: https://www.leonardoenglish.com/podcasts/lawrence-arabia


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4 months ago
24 minutes

English Learning for Curious Minds
#543 | From Temples to Duty-Free | The Ancient History of Modern Perfume

 


In this episode, we'll explore the fascinating history of perfume, tracing its journey from Ancient Mesopotamia to its artistic development in France.

 

We'll learn how scents have evolved from practical uses to luxury items, and discover the intriguing world of “grands nez,” the master perfumers who dedicate their lives to crafting these aromatic masterpieces.

 
  • Perfume origins: from Mesopotamia to Middle Eastern innovation
  • Ancient perfume use: religious rituals and practical odour cover
  • Egypt: Perfume as a status symbol in hot climates
  • Cleopatra and the power of scent
  • Roman perfume indulgence and imported fragrances
  • French perfume evolution: From leather gloves to luxury
  • Grasse: The perfume capital of the world
  • Why perfume is expensive: ingredients and branding
  • Becoming a "grand nez": the perfumer's journey
  • Perfume's artistic and historical significance across cultures

Full interactive transcript, subtitles and key vocabulary available on the website: https://www.leonardoenglish.com/podcasts/perfume

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5 months ago
22 minutes

English Learning for Curious Minds
#540 | Mustafa Kemal Atatürk | The Father of Modern Turkey

 


In this episode, we'll explore the life of Mustafa Kemal Atatürk, the founder of modern Turkey.

 

Discover how he turned a fragmented resistance into a national movement, established a secular republic from imperial ruins, and why he’s still called "The Father of the Turks."

 
  • Mustafa Kemal Atatürk's famous 36-hour speech, Nutuk
  • Decline and Fall of the Ottoman Empire
  • Reasons for the Ottoman Empire's decline
  • The Ottoman Empire's defeat in World War I
  • Mustafa Kemal's rise as a military leader
  • Turkish War of Independence overview
  • Establishment of the Republic of Turkey
  • Atatürk's radical reforms and modernisation
  • Introduction of secularism and language reform
  • Legacy of Mustafa Kemal Atatürk

Full interactive transcript, subtitles and key vocabulary available on the website: https://www.leonardoenglish.com/podcasts/mustafa-kemal-ataturk

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5 months ago
28 minutes

English Learning for Curious Minds
[Bonus] The 2008 Financial Crisis and Housing Bubble – Past Perfect Continuous (English Grammar Lesson)

In this episode of Thinking in English, host Tom Wilkinson explores the past perfect continuous tense, using the 2008 financial crisis as a case study. 

The episode covers the grammar rules and structures of the past perfect continuous tense, emphasising its usage to describe actions that started in the past, continued for some time, and were ongoing or just finished before another event. 

The lesson includes in-depth examples and concludes with a discussion on Michael Burry, who had been predicting the financial collapse for years.


Links


Website - https://thinkinginenglish.blog/

Study Pack - https://www.patreon.com/thinkinginenglish/shop/study-packs-past-present-and-future-807289

TiE Patreon - https://www.patreon.com/c/thinkinginenglish

Find Out More - https://linktr.ee/thinkinginenglishpod



00:00 Introduction

01:39 Grammar Lesson

04:42 Financial Crisis and Past Perfect Continuous

10:56 Final Thought

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5 months ago
13 minutes

English Learning for Curious Minds
#538 | Percy Fawcett | The Real Life Indiana Jones

 


In this episode, we'll explore the incredible story of Percy Fawcett, a daring British explorer who vanished in the Amazon rainforest while searching for the mythical city he called "Z."

 

Often compared to a real-life Indiana Jones, Fawcett's life was filled with adventure, mystery, and a relentless quest to prove the Amazon held secrets beyond our imagination.

 
  • Percy Fawcett: Real-life Indiana Jones
  • Fawcett's early life and aristocratic background
  • His fascination with exploration and adventure
  • His expeditions in the Amazon rainforest
  • Fawcett's quest for the lost city "Z"
  • Impact of World War I on Fawcett's views
  • 1925 expedition disappearance with son and friend
  • Various theories on Fawcett's mysterious fate
  • Legacy and influence of Percy Fawcett's explorations
  • The possible existence of advanced Amazon civilisations

Full interactive transcript, subtitles and key vocabulary available on the website: https://www.leonardoenglish.com/podcasts/percy-fawcett

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Keywords: Learn English, vocabulary, lessons, idioms, aprende inglés, idiomas, aprender inglês, apprendre l'anglais, imparare l’inglese, ingilizce öğren,英語を習う, تعلم الإنجليزية

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6 months ago
23 minutes

English Learning for Curious Minds
The Freezer Door [Easy Stories In English]

A woman has a loving husband and children, and she's great at her job. So why is she sad? One day, she opens the freezer door and sees the way into another world. If she goes, she will lose her husband and children. But could she be happy there?


Go to EasyStoriesInEnglish.com/Door for the full transcript.


Level: Beginner.

Genre: Philosophical.

Vocabulary: Freeze, Freezer, Cheek, Pick at, Kid, Nightmare, Gooseberry, Cliff, Sober, Weigh something up, Parallel universe.

Setting: Modern.

Word Count: 1517.

Author: Ariel Goodbody.

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6 months ago
24 minutes

English Learning for Curious Minds
#536 | A Brief History of Mercenaries

 


In this episode, we'll explore the fascinating history of mercenaries, taking you from the era of Italian condottieri to the modern day with groups like Blackwater and Wagner.

 

You'll learn how these soldiers for hire have evolved, the reasons nations use or avoid them, and their impact on 21st-century warfare.

 
  • What are mercenaries? Definition and historical context.
  • Origins and role of freelance knights in Medieval Europe.
  • Renaissance Italy: The rise of the condottieri.
  • Impact and decline of the condottieri.
  • Blackwater: A modern private military company.
  • Private Military Contractors and international law issues.
  • The Wagner Group and its ties to Russia.
  • Wagner's global influence and alleged war crimes.
  • Mercenaries in business and war: Ethical dilemmas.
  • Future of warfare with mercenary involvement.

Full interactive transcript, subtitles and key vocabulary available on the website: https://www.leonardoenglish.com/podcasts/mercenaries

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Keywords: Learn English, vocabulary, lessons, idioms, aprende inglés, idiomas, aprender inglês, apprendre l'anglais, imparare l’inglese, ingilizce öğren,英語を習う, تعلم الإنجليزية

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6 months ago
24 minutes

English Learning for Curious Minds
#533 | The Science of Leap Years

 


Leap years help keep our calendars in sync with Earth's orbit, but have you ever wondered why we need them?

 

In this episode, we explore the history of leap years, covering early human calendars, Julius Caesar's reforms, and the adjustments introduced by Pope Gregory XIII.

 
  • Why do we need leap years?
  • Earth's orbit and the solar year explained
  • How the first calendars were created
  • Egyptian and Roman calendar systems
  • The Julian calendar's introduction of leap years
  • Inaccuracies in Caesar's calendar calculations
  • The Gregorian calendar and its leap-year rule
  • Challenges in adopting the Gregorian calendar
  • Alternative calendar systems proposed over time
  • The impossibility of changing Earth's orbit for an exact year

Full interactive transcript, subtitles and key vocabulary available on the website: https://www.leonardoenglish.com/podcasts/science-leap-years

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Keywords: Learn English, vocabulary, lessons, idioms, aprende inglés, idiomas, aprender inglês, apprendre l'anglais, imparare l’inglese, ingilizce öğren,英語を習う, تعلم الإنجليزية

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7 months ago
22 minutes

English Learning for Curious Minds
#530 | Vladimir Putin: Russia’s Modern Tsar

 


In this episode, we will explore Vladimir Putin's unlikely journey from a rat-catching streetfighter to the modern-day tsar of Russia.

 

We'll look at his rise to power, some of the accusations about what it took to get there, the key decisions that have defined his 25-year rule, and question how history will remember his legacy.

 
  • Vladimir Putin's early life and rise to power
  • Siege of Leningrad during World War Two
  • Putin's upbringing in poverty and street life
  • Putin's early interest in the KGB
  • Putin's political career and rise in St Petersburg
  • Connections and corruption allegations in early political life
  • Putin becomes Russia's Prime Minister in 1999
  • Controversy surrounding the 1999 apartment bombings
  • Consolidation of power and suppression of opposition
  • Putin's use of poison to eliminate opponents

Full interactive transcript, subtitles and key vocabulary available on the website: https://www.leonardoenglish.com/podcasts/putin-modern-tsar

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You might like:

🔓 Unlock bonus episodes, interactive transcripts, subtitles & vocabulary lists

📹 A look inside Leonardo English membership

🧑‍💼 Demystifying Business English Course

⚡️  How To Use Podcasts Like A Boss To Learn English

📧 Join the weekly newsletter

✍️ Free English Grammar Checker

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Keywords: Learn English, vocabulary, lessons, idioms, aprende inglés, idiomas, aprender inglês, apprendre l'anglais, imparare l’inglese, ingilizce öğren,英語を習う, تعلم الإنجليزية

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7 months ago
26 minutes

English Learning for Curious Minds
Are you looking for a more interesting way to learn English? English Learning for Curious Minds is a podcast for intermediate-advanced English learners. Learn weird and wonderful things about the world at the same time as improving your English. Every episode comes with an interactive transcript, subtitles and key vocabulary and is spoken at a speed you can understand. Join listeners from 189 countries and discover a more interesting way of improving your English. Find the bonus episodes, interactive transcripts, subtitles, key vocabulary, and more at www.leonardoenglish.com