Are we on the point of World War III - and what does Ancient Greece have to do with it?

In this episode of English and Beyond: Advanced, we explore The Thucydides Trap - a theory from ancient history that's now being used to explain modern tensions between China and the United States.

You’ll learn:
– Who Thucydides was and what he said about the Peloponnesian War
– How Harvard professor Graham Allison revived this idea for the 21st century
– Why some people believe war between China and the US is inevitable - and others say it's avoidable
– Why fear, not ambition, might be the most dangerous force in international relations
– And how studying Ancient Greece can help you understand today's world - and improve your English at the same time.

This episode includes natural native English, cultural insight, and advanced vocabulary related to politics, diplomacy, and global conflict.

📖 Want to improve your English even more?

• Read the full transcript & vocabulary flashcards → www.morethanalanguage.com
• Follow us on Instagram → @BritishEnglishandBeyond
• Watch us on Youtube → @englishandbeyondpodcast
• Email your thoughts or questions → [email protected]

🎙 New episodes every week! Subscribe now to practise listening, expand your vocabulary, and learn English in a natural, fun way.

And remember, if this podcast is a little too tough for you, we have "English and Beyond: Intermediate English Podcast" too!

Why did Britain fall out of love with Meghan Markle? In this episode of English and Beyond, I take a deep dive into the intense reaction to the Duchess of Sussex, unpacking her rise and fall in British public opinion.

From media double standards to cultural differences, race, class, and the emotional shift of Prince Harry, this monologue and conversation with César explore what the backlash really reveals about the UK, the monarchy, and modern identity politics.

Is it just about Meghan - or is she a symbol of something bigger?

🎧 Includes:
– A clear, comprehensible advanced-level monologue
– Real conversation with native/advanced speakers

📖 Want to improve your English even more?

• Read the full transcript & vocabulary flashcards → www.morethanalanguage.com
• Follow us on Instagram → @BritishEnglishandBeyond
• Watch us on Youtube → @englishandbeyondpodcast
• Email your thoughts or questions → [email protected]

🎙 New episodes every week! Subscribe now to practise listening, expand your vocabulary, and learn English in a natural, fun way.

And remember, if this podcast is a little too tough for you, we have "English and Beyond: Intermediate English Podcast" too!

An episode featuring a proper pronunciation expert, Emma (from Pronunciation with Emma)!

In this episode of English and Beyond, we dive deep into the surprising world of British accents — and why they can cause so much tension, even within the UK.

From royal RP to the streets of Newcastle, accents in Britain are more than just a way of speaking — they’re loaded with class, culture, and even controversy. We are joined by our first special guest, the eponymous founder of Pronunciation with Emma, a pronunciation expert and linguist, to unpack the history, politics, and social perceptions of accents in the UK and beyond.

We discuss:

• Why one accent dominated British media for decades;
• How your accent can still affect your job prospects in 2025;
• The myth of "the" British accent — and how Americans (and Hollywood) often get it wrong;
• Emma’s favourite accent (spoiler: it’s not British!);
• What happens when learners want to sound like the Queen; and
• Why pronunciation and accent aren't the same thing.

👂 Ideal for advanced English learners interested in real-life language issues, identity, and communication.

🌍 Plus, Emma shares insights from her own journey as a Yorkshire-born pronunciation coach living in Spain.

👋 Connect with Emma: www.pronunciationwithemma.com
🔎 YouTube & Instagram: Pronunciation with Emma
🎙 Podcast: Pronunciation with Emma Podcast

📖 Want to improve your English even more?

• Read the full transcript & vocabulary flashcards → www.morethanalanguage.com
• Follow us on Instagram → @BritishEnglishandBeyond
• Watch us on Youtube → @englishandbeyondpodcast
• Email your thoughts or questions → [email protected]

🎙 New episodes every week! Subscribe now to practise listening, expand your vocabulary, and learn English in a natural, fun way.

And remember, if this podcast is a little too tough for you, we have "English and Beyond: Intermediate English Podcast" too!

Have you ever experienced culture shock - that strange, unsettling feeling when you're suddenly living in a completely different country? 🌍 In this episode of English and Beyond, César and I share our real experiences of living abroad and how it affected them emotionally, practically… and even gastronomically.

🎧 I will tell you about moving to Spain, despite speaking the language and knowing the culture well - and still being surprised by how challenging it felt. Meanwhile, César reflects on reverse culture shock after returning to Spain from 10 years in the UK.

Together, we talk about:

• What really causes culture shock
• Why it’s not the same as going on holiday
• The unexpected emotions of moving “home” again
• Food, supermarkets and missing oat/old milk! 🥲
• The unique challenges of living in Germany, China, the US, and the UK
• BUREAUCRACY 😩 and why it might be the biggest shock of all

Whether you’re preparing to move country now or are just curious about what it’s really like, this episode will help you understand the emotional ups and downs of building a life somewhere new.

📖 Want to improve your English even more?

• Read the full transcript & vocabulary flashcards → www.morethanalanguage.com
• Follow us on Instagram → @BritishEnglishandBeyond
• Watch us on Youtube → @englishandbeyondpodcast
• Email your thoughts or questions → [email protected]

🎙 New episodes every week! Subscribe now to practise listening, expand your vocabulary, and learn English in a natural, fun way.

And remember, if this podcast is a little too tough for you, we have "English and Beyond: Intermediate English Podcast" too!

🇬🇧 Why do Brits have such a reputation for binge drinking? 🇬🇧

In this episode of English and Beyond, César and I dive into British drinking culture, exploring why nights out in the UK start and end so early, the historical reasons behind our binge-drinking habits, and how it all compares to nightlife in Spain. 🍻

From pub culture to the impact of World War I alcohol laws, I share my own experiences of clubbing in London and why the contrast between British and European drinking habits is so stark. Plus, César gives his perspective as a Spaniard who has lived in the UK, and we ask:

👉 Does Britain’s "stiff upper lip" culture contribute to heavy drinking?
👉 Are Brits really the worst binge-drinkers in Europe?
👉 How do history, licensing laws, and social norms shape the way we drink?

This episode is perfect for advanced English learners looking to improve listening skills while diving into an interesting cultural discussion.

📖 Want to improve your English even more?

• Read the full transcript & vocabulary flashcards → www.morethanalanguage.com
• Follow us on Instagram → @BritishEnglishandBeyond
• Watch us on Youtube → @englishandbeyondpodcast
• Email your thoughts or questions → [email protected]

🎙 New episodes every week! Subscribe now to practise listening, expand your vocabulary, and learn English in a natural, fun way.

And remember, if this podcast is a little too tough for you, we have "English and Beyond: Intermediate English Podcast" too!

As ridiculous as it sounds, I think this is my favourite episode ever.

💬 Are British teeth really as bad as the stereotype suggests? This episode of English and Beyond is perfect for advanced English learners looking to improve their comprehension and expand their vocabulary!

We explore the long-standing myth about British teeth, using real statistics, personal anecdotes, and cultural comparisons. Plus, you’ll learn useful English vocabulary related to dentistry, health, and stereotypes.

📌 What you’ll learn in this episode:
✔ The origins of the "bad British teeth" stereotype
✔ Key English vocabulary for talking about teeth and dental care
✔ How British and American attitudes to dental aesthetics differ
✔ Why the NHS and private dentistry create big differences in dental care
✔ Funny personal stories and real-life experiences

📖 Want to improve your English even more?

• Read the full transcript & vocabulary flashcards → www.morethanalanguage.com
• Follow us on Instagram → @BritishEnglishandBeyond
• Watch us on Youtube → @englishandbeyondpodcast
• Email your thoughts or questions → [email protected]

🎙 New episodes every week! Subscribe now to practise listening, expand your vocabulary, and learn English in a natural, fun way.

And remember, if this podcast is a little too tough for you, we have "English and Beyond: Intermediate English Podcast" too!

Why is frustration so difficult to manage? In this episode of English and Beyond, César and I explore how we deal with everyday setbacks—from minor inconveniences to major stress triggers.

I confess my struggles with patience (and his frustration with technology), while César explains why he tries to stay calm—even when Spanish bureaucracy tests his limits. Expect honest reflections, a few laughs, and plenty of useful vocabulary along the way.

📖 Want to improve your English even more?

• Read the full transcript & vocabulary flashcards → www.morethanalanguage.com
• Follow us on Instagram → @BritishEnglishandBeyond
• Watch us on Youtube → @englishandbeyondpodcast
• Email your thoughts or questions → [email protected]

🎙 New episodes every week! Subscribe now to practise listening, expand your vocabulary, and learn English in a natural, fun way.

And remember, if this podcast is a little too tough for you, we have "English and Beyond: Intermediate English Podcast" too!

The British Royal Family is one of the most famous institutions in the world, but is it still relevant today? In this episode of English and Beyond, we explore the monarchy’s role in modern Britain, its history of scandals, and how it continues to shape the UK’s global image.

We discuss:
👑 César’s journey to becoming a British citizen and his thoughts on the monarchy
⚖️ The contradictions of a hereditary royal system in a modern democracy
📜 The historical impact of Henry VIII—divorces, beheadings, and a major religious upheaval
🎭 How the monarchy remains a source of global fascination and soft power

If you're an advanced English learner interested in British culture, politics, and history, this episode is for you!

📖 Want to improve your English even more?

• Read the full transcript & vocabulary flashcards → www.morethanalanguage.com
• Follow us on Instagram → @BritishEnglishandBeyond
• Watch us on Youtube → @englishandbeyondpodcast
• Email your thoughts or questions → [email protected]

🎙 New episodes every week! Subscribe now to practise listening, expand your vocabulary, and learn English in a natural, fun way.

And remember, if this podcast is a little too tough for you, we have "English and Beyond: Intermediate English Podcast" too!

Have you ever wondered where certain words disappear to? Why do some expressions vanish from everyday speech, only to reappear centuries later? And which words could be on the verge of extinction right now?

In this episode of English and Beyond, we uncover the hidden history of lost English words—from ‘eftsoons’ to ‘unfriend’—and explore how cultural shifts, technology, and slang shape the way we speak. We’ll also discuss why English is seemingly more adaptable than other languages and why it keeps borrowing, evolving, and even ditching words at an alarming rate.

Got a word you love (or hate)? Let us know!

📖 Want to improve your English even more?

• Read the full transcript & vocabulary flashcards → www.morethanalanguage.com
• Follow us on Instagram → @BritishEnglishandBeyond
• Watch us on Youtube → @englishandbeyondpodcast
• Email your thoughts or questions → [email protected]

🎙 New episodes every week! Subscribe now to practise listening, expand your vocabulary, and learn English in a natural, fun way.

And remember, if this podcast is a little too tough for you, we have "English and Beyond: Intermediate English Podcast" too!

📢 E35: Parenthood Isn’t for Me, and Here’s Why – A Deep Dive into Choosing a Child-Free Life

💡 Why do some people choose not to have kids? A listener asked me about being child-free in my mid-30s, and it got me reflecting on my own reasons—autonomy, sacrifice, fulfilment, and whether parenthood is truly the only path to a meaningful life.

In this episode of English & Beyond, I dive into:
✅ The rising trend of choosing a child-free life
✅ Family pressure & societal expectations around parenthood
✅ The "white picket fence" dream—why I once wanted kids but changed my mind
✅ The pros & cons of a child-free life
✅ A candid discussion with César—do we ever feel FOMO (Fear Of Missing Out) about not having children?

Plus, unexpected twists, including an awkward baby-holding moment and… sausage dogs. 🐶

📖 Want to improve your English even more?

• Read the full transcript & vocabulary flashcards → www.morethanalanguage.com
• Follow us on Instagram → @BritishEnglishandBeyond
• Watch us on Youtube → @englishandbeyondpodcast
• Email your thoughts or questions → [email protected]

🎙 New episodes every week! Subscribe now to practise listening, expand your vocabulary, and learn English in a natural, fun way.

And remember, if this podcast is a little too tough for you, we have "English and Beyond: Intermediate English Podcast" too!