Why is it so hard to make real friends in the UK? In this episode of English & Beyond, Oliver sits down with Antonio from Spanish with Antonio to talk about what it's actually like living abroad - the friendships that never quite happen, the cultural codes nobody explains, and why British politeness doesn't always lead to real connection. Antonio shares his experiences living in Portsmouth (UK) and Lille (France), and together they explore why making friends as an adult abroad is so complicated.

📖 Want to improve your English even more?

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• 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 C1/C2 level podcast is a little too tough for you, we have "English and Beyond: Intermediate English Podcast" too!

Is it rude to ghost someone, or is silence sometimes the kindest answer?

In this episode of English and Beyond, Oliver and César explore the modern phenomenon of ghosting - when someone suddenly stops replying in dating, friendships or even professional situations.

This episode is designed for advanced English learners who want to improve their English listening skills through natural conversation. As they discuss why people ghost, whether honesty is always better, and why rejection can sometimes hurt more in friendships than in romance, you'll hear authentic spoken English, real dialogue, and useful advanced English vocabulary and idioms.

Along the way, you'll learn expressions such as hit it off, hold a grudge, and a difficult pill to swallow, all used in real conversational English.

📖 Want to improve your English even more?

• Read the full transcript, access vocabulary flashcards and vocabulary trainers for FREE → 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 C1/C2 level podcast is a little too tough for you, we have "English and Beyond: Intermediate English Podcast" too!

In this advanced English conversation, César and Oliver reflect on how birthdays change as we get older - from childhood parties and British birthday traditions to adult expectations, gifts and family gatherings. The discussion explores ageing, social pressure and cultural differences in a natural, unscripted dialogue designed for advanced learners.

Improve your listening with real British English, authentic storytelling and reflective conversation.

📖 Want to improve your English even more?

• Read the full transcript, access vocabulary flashcards and vocabulary trainers for FREE → 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 C1/C2 level podcast is a little too tough for you, we have "English and Beyond: Intermediate English Podcast" too!

Does ambition make us more successful - or just more disconnected from the people around us?

In this advanced English conversation, César and Oliver explore the role of ambition in modern life, from hustle culture and big-city pressure to discipline, happiness and personal relationships. Through a natural, unscripted discussion, they question whether constantly striving for more can affect how we see success, friendship and even ourselves.

This episode is designed for advanced English learners who want to improve their listening skills through real conversations about society, ethics and everyday life. Expect natural vocabulary, cultural references and thought-provoking ideas that go beyond typical language lessons.

🎧 Perfect for learners looking to build fluency while engaging with deeper topics in English.

📖 Want to improve your English even more?

• Read the full transcript, access vocabulary flashcards and vocabulary trainers for FREE → 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 C1/C2 level podcast is a little too tough for you, we have "English and Beyond: Intermediate English Podcast" too!

Why does everyone have a podcast now?

In this episode, we discuss the podcast boom, why most podcasts don’t last, and what podcasting says about modern culture - through natural, unscripted advanced English.

Ideal for advanced English learners who want to improve listening comprehension, learn real expressions, and get used to native-level conversation without simplified language.

📖 Want to improve your English even more?

• Read the full transcript, access vocabulary flashcards and vocabulary trainers for FREE → 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 C1/C2 level podcast is a little too tough for you, we have "English and Beyond: Intermediate English Podcast" too!

What do we really owe our families - and where do we draw the line?
In this advanced-level English podcast episode, we explore family conflict, obligation, loyalty and boundaries. Using clear, natural British English, we discuss cultural differences, falling out with relatives, and when family expectations become a burden. Ideal for advanced learners who want thoughtful content and real-world vocabulary.

📖 Want to improve your English even more?

• Read the full transcript, access vocabulary flashcards and vocabulary trainers for FREE → 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 C1/C2 level podcast is a little too tough for you, we have "English and Beyond: Intermediate English Podcast" too!

Are social networks and their new best friend, artificial intelligence, destroying our attention spans? In this episode, we examine how AI-generated content, endless scrolling, and algorithm-driven platforms are changing the way we focus, learn, and consume information online. We discuss fake influencers, their low-effort “educational” content, and why depth, effort, and long-form thinking are becoming harder - and hopefully more valuable - in the age of AI.

📖 Want to improve your English even more?

• Read the full transcript, access vocabulary flashcards and vocabulary trainers for FREE → 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 C1/C2 level podcast is a little too tough for you, we have "English and Beyond: Intermediate English Podcast" too!

In this advanced English listening episode, we talk about the reality of moving back in with your parents as adults. You’ll hear natural, unscripted English, real opinions, and everyday vocabulary about family life, shared spaces, awkward moments, and cultural differences. Ideal for advanced learners who want real English, not textbook English.

📖 Want to improve your English even more?

• Read the full transcript, access vocabulary flashcards and vocabulary trainers for FREE → 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 C1/C2 level podcast is a little too tough for you, we have "English and Beyond: Intermediate English Podcast" too!

Why do so many resolutions quickly fail - even when we feel so motivated at the start of the year?

In this episode, we reflect on failed resolutions, accountability, and the uncomfortable idea that some goals don’t stick because they were never truly our goals. From language learning to fitness and productivity, we explore how honesty matters more than discipline.

📖 Want to improve your English even more?

• Read the full transcript, access vocabulary flashcards and vocabulary trainers for FREE → 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 C1/C2 level podcast is a little too tough for you, we have "English and Beyond: Intermediate English Podcast" too!

At the start of the year, I had a fairly clear idea of what the next twelve months would look like...that didn’t happen.

In this episode, I talk about how the year actually ended up - the practical changes, the shifts in routine, and how you can end a year in a completely different place without any single dramatic moment causing it.

It’s not a recap, and it’s not a lesson. Just a look at how plans drift, circumstances change, and how that only becomes obvious when the year is already over.

📖 Want to improve your English even more?

• Read the full transcript, access vocabulary flashcards and vocabulary trainers for FREE → 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 C1/C2 level podcast is a little too tough for you, we have "English and Beyond: Intermediate English Podcast" too!