🤝 What makes someone a best friend? Is it time, shared experiences, or just luck?

In this special episode of English and Beyond, I sit down with my old university friend Chris, who joins from the USA, to explore the complex world of friendship. From childhood best friends to party buddies, we reflect on how friendships evolve and why some last while others fade.

🎧 Inside the episode:
🔍 Why do some friendships last a lifetime while others stay at the acquaintance level?
🤝 How does friendship compare to romantic relationships or sibling bonds?
🍻 Are “going-out” friends real friends, or just party acquaintances?
🇬🇧 Why do Brits make weekend “best friends” after a few drinks—only to never speak again?
💡 Do only children value friendships more than those with siblings?

This is a warm, reflective, and honest discussion about what friendship truly means. Whether you’re a social butterfly or an introverted deep-connection type, this episode will get you thinking about the people in your life in a whole new 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 C1/C2 level podcast is a little too tough for you, we have "English and Beyond: Intermediate English Podcast" too!

☕ "Sorry!" "Thank you!" "Oh, sorry again!" The British are famous for their politeness—but is it all genuine, or just world-class passive-aggressive fakery?

In this episode of English and Beyond, César & I unpack the quirks of British social etiquette, from excessive apologies to queuing obsessions and the mysterious art of ordering a pint the right way. 🍺

🎧 Inside the episode:
🔍 Why do Brits say "sorry" when THEY get bumped into?
🚇 The fine-tuned etiquette of public transport & queuing
🥂 Ordering drinks in a British pub—why "I want a beer" is NOT okay
🏖️ The bizarre contrast between polite Brits at home and rowdy Brits abroad
🇪🇸 How does Spanish directness clash with British subtlety?

💡 Are the British genuinely polite, or is it all just social survival? Let us know your thoughts!

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

👩‍🎓 Single-sex schools—progressive choice or charmingly outdated tradition? 🏫

In this episode, César & I take a deep dive into British single-sex education—those schools where boys & girls are kept apart for (supposedly) better focus, higher grades, and fewer distractions.

As a former teacher in an all-boys school, I share the surprising behaviours I observed, while César compares it to his own experience in co-educational Spanish schools. Together, we explore:

🔍 Do single-sex schools actually lead to better academic results?
🎭 The impact on social skills, confidence & gender dynamics
📚 Are these schools preparing kids for real life—or shielding them from it?
👨‍🏫 My personal experience with misogyny in all-boys education

💡 Join the debate! Do you think boys & girls should be educated separately?

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

🏝️ Stranded on a desert island… but with music, books & one ridiculous luxury item?

This week, César & I are taking a lighthearted twist on the classic British radio show Desert Island Discs! With zero time to overthink, I’m choosing the songs, book & one over-the-top item I’d bring to my imaginary deserted island—all while César reacts in real-time.

🎧 Tune in to hear:
🎶 The song that instantly transports me to childhood
🎵 The track that reminds me of César (spoiler: it’s from a musical)
📖 The book that had a huge impact on César’s life (hint: it’s deep)
🎹 My luxury pick—because obviously, a fully equipped gym or piano is essential on a desert island

💡 Expect personal stories, music nostalgia & a lot of laughs. It’s casual, unscripted, and hopefully just chaotic enough to keep you entertained.

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

💪 Can lifting weights actually change your mindset? 💪

In this episode of English & Beyond, I sit down with my friend Martha, a powerhouse in urban gardening and actualStrongwoman competitions 🏋️‍♀️, to chat about fitness, self-image, and what ‘strength’ really means.

💡 What’s inside:
✔️ My childhood fear of the word ‘muscles’ (seriously!) 😱
✔️ Why many women quit sports in their teens—and how that’s changing
✔️ Gym culture & masculinity—how it shapes men and women differently
✔️ Martha’s inclusive Strongwoman competition (feat. a drag queen compère!) 🌈
✔️ The psychology of fitness—why patience, progress & self-discipline matter in both lifting weights & learning languages!

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

🎃 Trick or treat? 🎃

In this episode of English & Beyond, César and I dig into Halloween’s surprising origins, exploring how a Celtic festival became a global phenomenon—with a little (or a lot) of help from the USA.

💡 What we chat about in this episode:
✔️ My non-existent childhood Halloween celebrations 🎭
✔️ Santa, the Tooth Fairy, and why my parents refused to play along
✔️ The Celtic roots of Halloween & why the UK never embraced it (until now)
✔️ How Spain celebrates All Saints' Day—cemeteries, marzipan, and family traditions
✔️ How Halloween became an American mega-industry (and why Starbucks thanks you for your Pumpkin Spice Latte addiction)
✔️ Is Halloween actually about death? Or just another excuse to dress up & party? 🕷️

🎤 PLUS: César shares his tragic first Halloween experience in London...where he was the ONLY one in costume.

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

🎭 Ever walked out of a film because it was THAT disappointing? We did…

In this episode, César and I discuss disappointment—from movies that didn’t live up to expectations (Joker: Folie à Deux, we’re looking at you) to the frustration of setting the bar too high.

💡 What we chat about in this episode:
✔️ Joker 2—why we actually walked out of the cinema
✔️ The problem with hyped-up sequels
✔️ Musicals we loved… and ones that weren’t worth the popcorn 🍿
✔️ Our own creative disappointments—when things don’t turn out how we imagined
✔️ Turning English-learning frustrations into wins using our free eBooks

🎤 PLUS: We share a practical language learning tip at the end—don’t miss it!

🚀 Want to boost your English listening skills? Listen with the free transcript at www.morethanalanguage.com.

🎧 Enjoyed this episode? Rate, subscribe, and share it with a friend who needs a laugh!

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

👀 Difficult or delightful? The mother-in-law relationship is rarely simple…

In this episode, I dive into one of the most important and potentially awkward relationships you’ll ever have: the one with your mother-in-law! From first meetings to memorable meals (yes, rabbit and snails included 🐰🐌), I share my experiences of building relationships with three different mothers-in-law over the years.

💡 What we discuss in this episode:
✔️ First impressions—the nerves, the awkward moments & the bonding
✔️ Cultural differences in in-law relationships
✔️ Why mothers-in-law have a ‘bad reputation’ in films & books
✔️ César’s perspective on his own mothers-in-law (yes, my mum listens to this podcast…)
✔️ Balancing family expectations vs. independence in a relationship
✔️ How some in-laws become cherished family members

Whether your mother-in-law is a second mum or a nightmare, this episode is for you! Join me and César for a light-hearted, honest chat about this unique relationship.

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

Please listen to (Episode 18 / Part I) first if you wish to understand Episode 19 fully

If you tuned in last time, you know we left off with a cliffhanger… and now it’s time to wrap up the 'career confessions' with me, Oliver, and my guest, César! César is finally back in the interrogation seat after a few weeks' break, to discuss with me the ups and downs of career switching, the struggles of finding fulfilment, and why today’s economy makes “sticking to one job” nearly impossible for millennials. 

In this episode, we share some personal (and occasionally embarrassing!) stories about our past jobs in retail, teaching, law, and beyond. Expect a characteristically candid chat on everything from handling customer complaints, navigating VIP lounges, to the challenges of leaving well-paid but unfulfilling careers behind. César and I both end up reflecting on how teaching - in school and online - has been both rewarding and emotional at times! 

Whether you’re navigating your own career changes or just looking for some real-life advice on work and happiness, this episode is sure to resonate. Tune in as we explore what it means to find joy in work, even if it means breaking away from the traditional path. 

Catch up now and join us for some honest conversation! 

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

🎙️ Ever wondered how someone goes from law to Latin, politics to podcasting?

Join me, Oliver, as I share the unexpected twists and turns of my career, from quitting my job as a lawyer to teaching Latin, and now, moving to Spain to focus on teaching English online. 🌍✈️

In this episode, I’ll be rating my previous jobs (including some awful ones!), sharing why I walked away from a legal career, and reflecting on what I’ve learned from job-hopping. Plus, there’s a cliffhanger—because this story is too big for just one episode! 🎬

💡 What we cover in this episode:
✔️ The worst jobs I’ve ever had (and why retail nearly broke me!)
✔️ My time in UK Parliament and why I didn’t stay in politics
✔️ Why I left law (even though it paid really well!)
✔️ Teaching: The best job I’ve ever had—but also why I left
✔️ Moving to Spain and my new career plans
✔️ Workplace happiness vs. salary—what really matters?

If you’re feeling stuck in your job, thinking about a career change, or just curious about different career paths, 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 C1/C2 level podcast is a little too tough for you, we have "English and Beyond: Intermediate English Podcast" too!