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 clarify challenging expressions and phrases.

I hope you walk away from this lesson happier and ready to share what makes you happy.

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Introducing Oprah Picks Your Next Cozy Read | The Oprah Podcast from The Oprah Podcast.

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BUY THE BOOK!

https://www.penguinrandomhouse.com/books/744560/dream-state-by-eric-puchner

Buy at Apple Books: https://books.apple.com/us/book/dream-state/id6504841280

Listen to the Audiobook on Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/4x3YoAvjZDfv7zEFg4CB8N?si=547a878fa812404f

In this episode of Oprah’s Book Club: Presented by Starbucks, Oprah and author Eric Puchner discuss his newest book "Dream State" - a novel New York Times bestselling author Elin Hildebrand calls “an absolute masterpiece.” Set in Montana, Oprah’s 111th book club pick is a page turner and emotional rollercoaster that spans 50 years in the lives of college friends starting in the early 1990s. As we witness this tight circle experience friendship, a love triangle, marriage, raising kids aging and death, the novel evokes powerful questions about what really matters in life.

For this conversation, Eric and Oprah are joined by a live audience enjoying Matcha Lattes in a Starbucks cafe in the iconic Empire State Building.

Eric talks about character development, his writing process and his thought-provoking depiction of friendship, marriage and parenting while taking questions from the audience of avid readers.

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DISCLAIMER: Please note, this is an independent podcast episode not affiliated with, endorsed by, or produced in conjunction with the host podcast feed or any of its media entities. The views and opinions expressed in this episode are solely those of the creators and guests. For any concerns, please reach out to [email protected].

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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Introducing The 3 Things EVERY Human Wants with Esther Perel | The Oprah Podcast from The Oprah Podcast.

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In this episode of The Oprah Podcast, presented by Ulta Beauty, world renowned relationship therapist Esther Perel offers her profound insight on modern romance, and what we can do to feel more alive in all our relationships – not just the romantic ones.

With wisdom gained as a therapist and from her hit podcast, Where Should We Begin? with Esther Perel, Esther offers frank sexual advice along with her thoughts on dealing with betrayal, life transitions and relational burn out. Couples and individuals will join via Zoom to hear Esther do what she does best: reveal the hidden truth beyond the stories we tell. She’ll also discuss her ingenious conversation-starter card game, “Where Should We Begin? A Game of Stories by Esther Perel.”

Thank you to our partners at Ulta Beauty. They want to help you celebrate all the relationships in your life - not just the romantic ones! Share a post, tag your bestie and @ULTABEAUTY and share why they’re so special to you! Ulta Beauty will help pay the joy forward with a chance to receive a ‘surprise and delight’ beauty experience. www.ulta.com

“Where Should We Begin? A Game of Stories by Esther Perel” is available on her website,

And Esther's books are available here: https://www.estherperel.com/books

Conflict to Connection: https://www.estherperel.com/courses/turning-conflict-into-connection 

Desire Bundle: https://www.estherperel.com/course-bundles/the-desire-bundle 

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DISCLAIMER: Please note, this is an independent podcast episode not affiliated with, endorsed by, or produced in conjunction with the host podcast feed or any of its media entities. The views and opinions expressed in this episode are solely those of the creators and guests. For any concerns, please reach out to [email protected].

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 about common tools like shovels, rakes, wheelbarrows, pruning shears, hedge trimmers, and leaf blowers, as well as the parts of a yard such as lawns, flower beds, shrubs, mulch, and greenhouses. Through stories about seasonal yard work in North Carolina, listeners gain insight into the changing responsibilities that come with spring, summer, fall, and winter. Tasks like digging, planting, weeding, mowing, pruning, and shoveling are introduced in context, making it easier to understand and remember their meaning.

We also share gardening challenges like bears visiting local orchards. Key words and expressions like "to have a green thumb" (being good at gardening) and "to prune" (cut unwanted branches) are explained in detail.

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Introducing Healing Your Childhood Trauma | The Oprah Podcast from The Oprah Podcast.

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"What Happened To You? Conversations on Trauma, Resilience, and Healing" by Bruce D. Perry and Oprah Winfrey, published by FLATIRON BOOKS | MACMILLAN PUBLISHERS, is available wherever books are sold.

Go here for more information about Dr. Bruce Perry’s work

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In this episode of The Oprah Podcast, world-renowned child and adolescent psychiatrist and neuroscientist, Dr. Bruce Perry, offers his advice on how to heal from childhood wounds.

Oprah and Dr. Perry co-authored the #1 New York Times bestselling book, What Happened to You? Which has sold over 1 million copies. Dr. Perry discusses why asking this simple question is so important to understanding one’s story and behavior. He also gives scientific and practical guidance on why certain traumas can have lasting impacts on our lives and how little moments of hope make all the difference. Oprah shares stories from her own life offering ways to overcome our challenges.

People from around the country join via Zoom to share their experiences and receive advice from Dr. Perry and Oprah on how to heal and move forward from their personal traumas.

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DISCLAIMER: Please note, this is an independent podcast episode not affiliated with, endorsed by, or produced in conjunction with the host podcast feed or any of its media entities. The views and opinions expressed in this episode are solely those of the creators and guests. For any concerns, please reach out to [email protected].

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 influence or connections to achieve something, much like a puppeteer manipulating a marionette. We provide several relatable examples to help you understand how to use the expression.

In the second part of this episode, you'll learn about the Iditarod, Alaska's famous dog sled race. We dive into its history, inspired by the 1925 Serum Run to Nome, and its modern-day significance as a grueling, nearly 1,000-mile challenge through harsh Arctic conditions. She describes the race’s logistics, the role of mushers and sled dogs, and the controversies surrounding it, including animal welfare debates.

⭐ Featured episodes are ones I’ve chosen from my back catalogue because they're a good fit for the time of year. The Great Iditarod takes place the first Saturday in March each year, which in 2025 will be on March 1! I hope you enjoy this episode. 

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Introducing Levels to Health: Armani Latimer and Her Journey with Alopecia from Levels to This with Sheryl Swoopes and Terrika Foster-Brasby.

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In this episode of Levels to This, Sheryl and Terrika dive into a heartfelt conversation with Armani Latimer, a Dallas Cowboys cheerleader who performed bald to raise awareness for alopecia. They talk about the challenges and triumphs of living with alopecia, societal pressures placed on women surrounding beauty and the importance of finding community. Armani opens up about her journey towards self-acceptance and empowerment, revealing how her bold decision to perform without a wig inspired countless others. Plus, Terrika shares about her own experience with Alopecia and the three discuss its outsized impact on the Black community.

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

DISCLAIMER: Please note, this is an independent podcast episode not affiliated with, endorsed by, or produced in conjunction with the host podcast feed or any of its media entities. The views and opinions expressed in this episode are solely those of the creators and guests. For any concerns, please reach out to [email protected].

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 treacherous waters from Cuba to Florida at 64 years old. This week, we dive into her incredible story—a journey of resilience, determination, and grit. From battling jellyfish stings and strong currents to enduring 53 hours in open water, Diana’s achievement proves that "the impossible is possible."

In this episode, you'll not only hear Diana’s inspiring tale but also get a fun and engaging lesson on irregular verbs. We’ve woven 10 key irregular verbs into the story, and you’ll practice identifying and using them in context. Plus, you’ll learn some fascinating facts about open-water swimming, including the iconic Triple Crown of marathon swimming.

Stick around until the end for insights into Diana’s grueling preparation, her record-breaking swim, and why critics couldn’t believe her achievement. Whether you’re here to improve your English or draw inspiration from a story of human triumph, this episode has something for everyone. Don’t miss out! 🌊

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Introducing How People Treat You Differently After Weight Loss | The Oprah Podcast from The Oprah Podcast.

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In this episode of The Oprah Podcast, Oprah continues her conversation with Dr. Ania Jastreboff, an endocrinologist and associate professor at the Yale School of Medicine, about the anti-obesity GLP-1 medications that are changing the world of weight loss. Oprah and Dr. Ania talk about what happens to a person’s mental health, body image and how the world treats them after losing a significant amount of weight. Joined by clinical psychologist Dr. Rachel Goldman, assistant professor at NYU Grossman School of Medicine, Oprah and Dr. Ania speak to people using the GLP-1 medications like long-time Harpo producer, Brian Piotrowicz, who reveals how people treat him differently now that he’s lost a significant amount of weight in a short period of time. Several other guests from across the country also share how their lives have changed after GLP-1 weight loss including a woman who lost over 160 pounds. Finally, we will get an update from several guests that appeared on the ABC Oprah Special: Shame, Blame and the Weight Loss Revolution including high school student Maggie who lost over 100 pounds.

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Watch Part 1 Here.

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DISCLAIMER: Please note, this is an independent podcast episode not affiliated with, endorsed by, or produced in conjunction with the host podcast feed or any of its media entities. The views and opinions expressed in this episode are solely those of the creators and guests. For any concerns, please reach out to [email protected].