English and Beyond: Intermediate to Advanced English Podcast

After I persuaded my mum to sit down and talk to me for last week's episode, it was logical to ask my dad to join me for one as well. It wasn't hard to convince him - I'm sure that he thought that if my mum could do it, he absolutely should be able to do so too!

Our relationship has always been an interesting one—full of debates, arguments, and the kind of exchanges that perhaps many fathers and sons share. In fact, we spent many of my teenage years at odds with each other, but, in retrospect, those arguments shaped our bond and I don't regret it at all! In this episode, we talk about everything from family life to his career in the fashion industry and even dive into a few deeper reflections on ageing and regrets.

One of the things I loved about recording this episode is seeing how much our relationship has changed over the years. My dad might (frequently) refer to himself as being “in decline,” but his sense of humour and sharpness are very much still intact. And despite all the disagreements we’ve had over the years, this chat is a reminder of the deep respect and connection we share. I hope you enjoy listening to this episode as much as I enjoyed recording it.

So, if you’ve ever had a complex relationship with a parent, or simply enjoy hearing stories about family, work, and life’s changes, tune in!

For a full transcript and additional learning resources, check out our website at the following link: morethanalanguage.com

This is quite an exciting episode for me, because I've actually persuaded my mum to join me for it, which was a big surprise!

My mother hates to be photographed and has basically told me already that she'll refuse to listen to this episode - like many people, she doesn't like seeing herself in photos or listening back to recordings of her own voice. That's why I am so shocked to have her on board!

So why am I excited to have done this episode? Simply because I love her and I enjoyed creating it. Editing the episode made me smile a lot. Like many people, I feel that I owe so many of the best parts of my life to my mother. I have seen first-hand that not everyone has that relationship with a parent, and I am grateful to have had someone who listened to me, was (mostly!) patient with me, and fundamentally cared about me.

In this episode, we reminisce together about her own childhood, her relationship with her mother, and the best and worst things about being a parent.

I hope that you enjoy this discussion with my mum. :)

For a full transcript and additional learning resources, check out our website at the following link: morethanalanguage.com

Are you looking to improve your English comprehension skills while also exploring a thought-provoking topic? This episode may be what you’re looking for…

Do you consider yourself a lucky person? Can you ever say that you’ve had a happy life? How would your answer change if something truly terrible happened tomorrow? In this episode of English and Beyond, I explore these questions by sharing an old story that has stuck with me since I was a teenager: the tale of Croesus, a wealthy king whose arrogance and belief in his good fortune led to a tragic downfall. What lessons can we learn from this story, and what does it have to do with the modern-day celebrities who seem to have it all, only to lose it all soon after?

Together with my guest César, we talk about luck, happiness, and the inevitable ups and downs we all face. This episode will challenge you to think about your own luck and what it means to live a fulfilling life.

If you're an intermediate English learner, this episode is packed with rich vocabulary, approachable philosophical discussions, and relatable examples, all designed to help you practise your listening skills while reflecting on life’s big questions.

For a full transcript and additional learning resources, check out our website at the following link: morethanalanguage.com

Welcome to English and Beyond, the ultimate podcast for intermediate English learners! Join us weekly as we dive into a wide variety of engaging and slightly unconventional topics that go beyond traditional language learning. From quirky cultural insights to intriguing personal stories, this podcast offers a fresh approach to improving your English. Each episode features natural, idiomatic English and often a range of accents, helping you boost your listening skills and expand your vocabulary. Hosted by experienced language teachers, Oliver and Cesar (from Spanish Language Coach), and featuring guest speakers, English and Beyond ensures an entertaining and educational experience. Whether you're looking to enhance your language routine or simply enjoy interesting discussions in accessible English, this podcast is perfect for you. Subscribe now on your favourite podcast platform and visit us at www.morethanalanguage.com for transcripts and more!

For a full transcript and additional learning resources, check out our website at the following link: morethanalanguage.com

You may be curious about why I have included a French word in the title to this episode? Set your mind at ease - all will be revealed (including the meaning of the word) if you join us this week for another episode of English and Beyond, the new intermediate-level podcast for people learning English as a foreign language.

This week, I (Oliver, your host) discuss the fact that I haven't had the burst of motivation that I usually get every September. What do you, listener, think I should do about that? What happens when you don't have the motivation to do your job or pursue your hobbies or...well, anything at all, really? In this episode, César and I trade advice about how we approach this universal issue.

So don't give in to your ennui - give this episode a go! :)

For a full transcript and additional learning resources, check out our website at the following link: morethanalanguage.com

Do you believe in the supernatural? Are there unseen forces at work, which manipulate our lives and control our destinies? If something bad is fated to happen, can you intervene by paying close attention to omens and natural signs? I personally don’t believe in superstitions…but I somehow find myself carrying them out all the time anyway.

In honour of our unlucky-for-some episode number 13, this week I’m talking to one of my very best friends and favourite Wiccans, Charlie, about his opinions on good and bad luck omens. You may well listen to this episode with an open, curious mind before concluding that I’m totally insane - I won’t blame you, but I’m not sure I can change!

This episode, again, has lots of tricky vocabulary and advanced phrases/idioms, so have a look at the downloadable transcript for integrated explanations of some of that challenging language - it’s available at: www.morethanalanguage.com

For a full transcript and additional learning resources, check out our website at the following link: morethanalanguage.com

Fear can come in many forms, but today we’re going to discuss cinematic terror - perhaps my favourite genre, although that seems an odd thing to admit! We’re going to discuss my first hair-raising encounters with the Horror genre, and why we think that humans like to feel terrified. We also discuss why we seem to feel less scared over time, and César and I will also touch upon a few of our favourite horror classics. Tune in to learn more (and try not to be scared off by the editing horrors we’ve experienced this week!)

For a full transcript and additional learning resources, check out our website at the following link: morethanalanguage.com

In this challenging and high-level episode of English and Beyond, I'm thrilled to welcome my special guest, Federica, whose English is truly exceptional. We explore my memorable yet challenging time in Milan, discussing my childlike excitement about moving to Italy and the bitter reality of facing office politics and my personal struggles once in the country.

Federica and I also discuss the paradoxes of Italian culture in general, the frustrations of dealing with Milanese bureaucracy and her love-hate relationship with her homeland. She shares her experiences growing up in Milan and offers insight into the beauty and complexity of Italian life.

Tune in for an engaging conversation about the contrasts of modern Italy and what it means to live and thrive there. Don’t miss this heartfelt episode!

For a full transcript and additional learning resources, check out our website at the following link: morethanalanguage.com

For the first time ever, I'm going solo on an episode of the podcast, where - on the strict instructions of César (who's on holiday with his family) - I'll be discussing the reality of the (in)famous University of Oxford.

I discuss myths and criticisms of Oxford, the notoriously intense admission process, and the demanding tutorial system which often drives so many Oxford alumni into the confrontational world of British politics. I also share some personal stories about academic pressure and the 'lively' social scene.

Tune in for a candid look at life at one of the world's most prestigious universities!

For a full transcript and additional learning resources, check out our website at the following link: morethanalanguage.com

Why am I so scared to be caught up in Cancel Culture? This week, I explain in more detail why I don't (yet) use my image to publicise the podcast, and César and I discuss my (hopefully) irrational fear of becoming the latest person to be publicly shamed and cancelled due to socially unacceptable opinions - even if I'm not quite sure what those unacceptable opinions are yet!

Join us every week for episodes designed to help curious minds expand their English vocabulary and improve their listening comprehension.

For a full transcript and additional learning resources, check out our website at the following link: morethanalanguage.com