Down to Business English

By Skip Montreux, Dez Morgan & Samantha Vega | Business English InstructorsEducation Language Learning

Down to Business English episodes

July 20, 2023 Understanding India's Economic Growth: Demographics, Markets, and Foreign Investment
India's economy, now the fifth largest globally, is in a state of rapid expansion and transition. This growth is not only reshaping the Indian economy but also redefining its role on the global stage.
In this episode of Down to Business English, Skip Montreux and Dez Morgan take a dive deep into India's demographics, the overall health of its economy, and what the future could potentially hold.
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Contact Skip, Dez, and Samantha at
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24 min
July 13, 2023 Warren Buffet's Investment Journey from China to Japan's Giants (Public Introduction)
In the world of investing, few names are as renowned as Warren Buffet, the CEO of Berkshire Hathaway. Known as the Sage of Omaha, Buffet has a seven-decade-long track record of making profitable investments, earning him a net worth of $117 billion and the title of the 5th richest person in the world.
In this episode of Down to Business English, Dez Morgan and Skip Montreux explore Warren Buffet’s investment strategies and his shifting focus from China to Japan. They discuss his successful investment in the Chinese Electric Vehicle maker, BYD, and his recent decision to sell.
9 min
June 28, 2023 Understanding the US Debt Ceiling
Dez Morgan and Skip Montreux take a deep dive into the concept of a debt ceiling, a term often thrown around in financial news but rarely fully understood. They start by defining what a debt ceiling is, then explore how some countries have set hard limits on their borrowing, while others base their debt ceilings on their GDP.
Dez and Skip also discuss the history of the US debt ceiling and shed light on the reasons behind its creation and why it still exists today, despite the changing economic landscape.
Visit Apple Podcasts to subscribe to Down to Business English, rate the show, and leave a comment.
Contact Skip, Dez, and Samantha at
[email protected]
Follow Skip & Dez
Skip Montreux on Linkedin
Skip Montreux on Instagram
Skip Montreux on Twitter
Skip Montreux on Facebook
Dez Morgan on Twitter
RSS Feed
8 min
June 19, 2023 No Pay? No Pens! The Writers Guild of America Strike
The ongoing Writers Guild of America (WGA) strike has sent shockwaves through the entertainment industry. The WGA, a labor union representing over 11,500 writers in the US, is locked in a dispute with the Alliance of Motion Picture and Television Producers (AMPTP), a trade association of more than 350 US television and film production companies. The core issues at the heart of the strike have been brewing for quite some time, with the evolution of the entertainment industry playing a significant role.
Skip Montreux and Samantha Vega discuss the ongoing writer's strike in the entertainment industry. They provide an overview of the key players involved, explain the evolution of the industry due to technological advancements, particularly the rise of streaming services, the internet, and artificial intelligence (AI), and discuss how streaming has changed the production process.
Visit Apple Podcasts to subscribe to Down to Business English, rate the show, and leave a comment.
Contact Skip, Dez, and Samantha at
[email protected]
Follow Skip & Dez
Skip Montreux on Linkedin
Skip Montreux on Instagram
Skip Montreux on Twitter
Skip Montreux on Facebook
Dez Morgan on Twitter
RSS Feed
22 min
June 15, 2023 Argentina's Economic Nightmare
Argentina is currently grappling with an economic crisis that has seen inflation rates skyrocket to over 100%. This has placed Argentina among the countries with the highest inflation rates globally, surpassed only by Zimbabwe and Venezuela.
In this episode of Down to Business English, Skip Montreux and Dez Morgan delve into the factors contributing to this crisis, the government’s response, and its impact on the Argentine population.
26 min
June 03, 2023 Tesla in China (Public introduction)
In the ever-evolving landscape of the electric vehicle (EV) industry, Tesla continues to make waves. Recently, the company announced plans to open a new factory in Shanghai, China, aimed at producing its Megapack storage units. This move is set to double Tesla’s worldwide production of the Megapack, further solidifying its position as a leader in the EV market.
Skip Montreux and Dez Morgan unpack Tesla’s ambitious plan to double its worldwide production of the Megapack, a large capacity storage unit used to stabilize energy grids during peak demand. They also explore Tesla’s unique direct sales method, a strategy that sets them apart in the electric vehicle market and discuss the intense competition between Tesla and Chinese automaker Build Your Dreams (BYD).
10 min
May 25, 2023 Language Learning in the AI Age: A Conversation with Memrise CEO Steven Toy - Part 2
In part 2 of our conversation, Steve talks about how Memrise has implemented AI technology in their learning platform and what benefits it offers to the language learner.
He also gives his views on what place AI has in the language learning process.
Will we even need to study second languages in the future in order to communicate with each other?
25 min
May 18, 2023 Language Learning in the AI Age: A Conversation with Memrise CEO Steven Toy - Part 1
In this episode of Down to Business English, we’re joined by Steven Toy, the CEO of Memrise, a leading online language learning platform. Steven takes us through how AI and GPT technology have been integral to Memrise’s success, their unique approach to language learning, and what it means for the future of the industry.
With over 23 languages available and a user base of 65 million learners, the platform has become well-known for its innovative use of AI. From their humble beginnings to their current status as an industry leader, Memrise’s journey is worth noting.
Steven’s professional journey is just as inspiring. His career path has seen him delve into both the tech world and the realm of adult literacy, culminating in his current role at Memrise. Steven’s experience deploying AI technology and his passion for education have both been key to his leadership role at Memrise.
28 min
May 08, 2023Alibaba’s Big Break up and the Return of Jack Ma
Jack Ma, the founder of Alibaba and one of China's most prominent businessmen, has recently returned to China after spending two years maintaining a low profile abroad. This event has not only reignited interest in Ma's activities but also coincides with a series of important changes within the Alibaba Group.

Skip Montreux and Dez Morgan discuss Jack Ma's return to China and Alibaba's restructuring.
Why was Jack Ma keeping a low profile over the past two years?
What are the details behind Alibaba’s restructuring?
What prompted Softbank to sell off their position in Alibaba?

Listen in to learn the answers to these questions and more.
Visit Apple Podcasts to subscribe to Down to Business English, rate the show, and leave a comment.
Contact Skip, Dez, and Samantha at
[email protected]
Follow Skip & Dez
Skip Montreux on Linkedin
Skip Montreux on Instagram
Skip Montreux on Twitter
Skip Montreux on Facebook
Dez Morgan on Twitter
RSS Feed
21 min
April 30, 2023The Beef with Brazilian Beef
While the beef industry’s impact on climate change is a global phenomenon, Brazil's industry is unique and has specific environmental concerns. Samantha Vega and Skip Montreux discuss the Brazilian beef industry and its impact on the environment.

They start by highlighting the size and importance of the industry in Brazil, and also discuss the major concern of the industry's role in deforestation of the Amazon rainforest.
How big is this industry?
How is it contributing to the deforestation of the Amazon?
What steps is the industry taking to reduce its impact on climate change?

Listen in to learn the answers to these questions and more.
Visit Apple Podcasts to subscribe to Down to Business English, rate the show, and leave a comment.
Contact Skip, Dez, and Samantha at
[email protected]
Follow Skip & Dez
Skip Montreux on Linkedin
Skip Montreux on Instagram
Skip Montreux on Twitter
Skip Montreux on Facebook
Dez Morgan on Twitter
RSS Feed
8 min

About Down to Business English

From the publisher's feed

A podcast for people who use English as a Second or Foreign Language (ESL/EFL) in their work environment and want to improve their overall language skills. In each episode, hosts Skip Montreux, Dez…