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
June 19, 2025 • 19 mins
In this episode, learn the meaning, origin, and everyday use of the expression “to stand one’s ground.”
As usual, the lesson will begin with a joke (this one's a pun!). Then we'll dive into the expression. Shana will explain how to use the phrase in real-life situations, and guides you through a quick pronunciation practice.
Stay tuned for next week’s follow-up episode on bison—majestic animals that quite literally stand their ...
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June 13, 2025 • 34 mins
It helps you make your oatmeal in 90 seconds and reheat your pizza in 30. Some of you love it; others are skeptical, with concerns it might cause brain damage. What am I talking about? Microwaves, of course!
The story of how the microwave was discovered (or invented!) is weird and very funny—and it all went down in Massachusetts.
To make this story extra valuable, I've added 20 irregular verbs to it. How many did you catch?
If y...
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June 5, 2025 • 32 mins
In this episode, you'll learn how to use the common English expression “the coast is clear,” which means it’s safe to proceed because no one is watching or in the way. After breaking down the literal and figurative meanings, as well as the origin, you'll hear three vivid examples—one featuring a mama bird, a cheating girlfriend, and shoplifting teens.
The cultural spotlight of this episode is on Alcatraz, the infamous island pri...
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May 29, 2025 • 40 mins
The Great Smoky Mountains National Park is the most popular national park in the entire United States. Every year close to 14 million people go to check out the nature, the wildlife, and to see what life was like back in the 1800s (90 structures have been preserved!).
What's really exciting about the Smokies, at least to me, is that they're the birthplace of Appalachian culture.
In today's episode, we'll begin with some geogra...
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May 21, 2025 • 26 mins
Hi everyone! Welcome back. I'm excited for another expression episode. Today we're going to be talking about a common one: "Where there's smoke, there's fire." We'll of course, dive into the meaning, I'll teach you about the origin, and we have multiple examples today so that you can hear how it's used naturally in conversation. At the very end, there will be a little pronunciation exercise just for reinforcement.
In part two of ...
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May 14, 2025 • 39 mins
Welcome back to the second part of our chat about cultural curiosities! This episode is jam-packed with our thoughts on tipping, splitting the bill on first dates (a.k.a. “going Dutch”), personal space, how to handle food in someone’s teeth, and so much more!
Hope you enjoy it!
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May 9, 2025 • 40 mins
If you've been listening to this podcast for a while, you know Liz. She's one of my college buddies who's been on about 6 or 7 episodes. Every time she comes on, I get messages about how much you guys like her. I, of course, do too. She's smart, she's kind, and very well-spoken, which, of course, makes her a great guest to have.
In today's episode, we'll be discussing awkward cultural questions. We'll cover everything from double...
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April 30, 2025 • 36 mins
Have you ever gone to the dentist and thought, “Can I really explain what’s happening here in English?” Well, if you’ve struggled in the past with describing anything related to going to the dentist or dental care, then you're in the right place! In today’s episode, we’re going to talk all about going to the dentist—and also the orthodontist.
You'll hear a short story that includes useful vocabulary, phrases, and collocations, and...
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April 23, 2025 • 31 mins
Big hats, and the most exciting two minutes in sports—yep, we're headed to Kentucky! 🏇
In this episode, we take a deep dive into the Kentucky Derby, an iconic horse racing event that’s been captivating crowds since 1875. From fancy fashion and mint juleps to cigar traditions and million-dollar thoroughbreds, you’ll get the full Derby experience.
We’ll explore the history and highlights of the event, learn key vocabulary related ...
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April 17, 2025 • 36 mins
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 alone—and you’re not doomed! 😅 In this episode, I share 5 game-changing speaking tips that have helped my students (and myself!) speak with more confidence, clarity, and joy. We’ll dig into real strategies to get English out of your head and into your mouth—whether you're shy...
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April 9, 2025 • 23 mins
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, we dive into a powerful real-life experiment that challenges how we see art, talent, and everyday beauty. You'll hear the story of Joshua Bell’s anonymous subway performance, the unexpected art stunt pulled by Banksy in Central Park, and even a surprise appearance by Ed Sheer...
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April 3, 2025 • 19 mins
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. We’ll look at where the expression comes from, how to use it naturally in conversation, and go over three everyday examples to help you understand it clearly.
You’ll also hear a lighthearted joke involving music and miners, and at the end, we’ll practice pronunciation together....
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March 27, 2025 • 31 mins
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 swallowing gum would glue your organs together... or that Bigfoot was spotted at your local supermarket. That moment you realized it wasn’t true? That was someone pulling your leg! They were tricking you.
In this feature episode, we’re bringing back one of my favorite expressions—a...
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March 21, 2025 • 38 mins
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 million households in the U.S. have a dog? 🐕 And nearly 46 million have a cat? 🐈 Pets are a huge part of American life! Today we’ll talk about a lot of different vocabulary that will be useful when talking about these two very special animals. You’ll learn descriptive adje...
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March 13, 2025 • 42 mins
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.
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 the top wine regions in the U.S., from the rolling vineyards of California to the hidden gems of New York and Virginia.
You'll l...
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March 5, 2025 • 25 mins
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! :)
Terms you will hear:
to slur
to stumble
to giggle
to black out
to have a hangover
to be as drunk as a skunk
Next week, we'll be talking about Wine Regions in the United States. Stay tuned!
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February 27, 2025 • 41 mins
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? Well, it’s no coincidence—that’s the birthday of a man whose impact on children’s literature is nothing short of legendary: Dr. Seuss.
Who’s that, you ask? Oh, just the wacky, wildly creative genius who shaped childhoods for generations. Some call him the father of children’...
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February 22, 2025 • 43 mins
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 happy. I'll go first.
Throughout the episode, you’ll hear 50 universal sources of happiness—from the smell of freshly baked bread and cookies to cuddling with a kitten or puppy. To break the ice, I will share 10 things that make me happy, and throughout my explanations, I’ll c...
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February 12, 2025 • 49 mins
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 share what it was like growing up in the state. You’ll hear about farming, the work ethic, Kool-Aid, and more. I hope you enjoy her story as much as I did! :)
We recently had a conversation on her YouTube channel here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iqV0yI_A0EI
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February 5, 2025 • 33 mins
In this lesson, we explore essential English vocabulary related to gardening and yard work, covering tools, tasks, and outdoor spaces. The lesson starts with an explanation of what a yard is—both as a unit of measurement and as a space around a home, such as the front yard and backyard. The teacher shares personal experiences with yard maintenance, offering practical examples of how these words are used in daily life.
You’ll learn...
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