In this episode, we'll explore the fascinating history of mercenaries, taking you from the era of Italian condottieri to the modern day with groups like Blackwater and Wagner.

You'll learn how these soldiers for hire have evolved, the reasons nations use or avoid them, and their impact on 21st-century warfare.

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Leap years help keep our calendars in sync with Earth's orbit, but have you ever wondered why we need them?

In this episode, we explore the history of leap years, covering early human calendars, Julius Caesar's reforms, and the adjustments introduced by Pope Gregory XIII.

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Today we have some news in English from our friends over at SEND7 - Simple English News Daily in 7 minutes.

World News in 7 minutes. Friday 21st February, 2025.

To listen to SEND7 every morning, search in your podcast app for Simple English News Daily, or go to send7.org

In this episode, we will explore Vladimir Putin's unlikely journey from a rat-catching streetfighter to the modern-day tsar of Russia.

We'll look at his rise to power, some of the accusations about what it took to get there, the key decisions that have defined his 25-year rule, and question how history will remember his legacy.

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Keywords: Learn English, vocabulary, lessons, idioms, aprende inglés, idiomas, aprender inglês, apprendre l'anglais, imparare l’inglese, ingilizce öğren,英語を習う, تعلم الإنجليزية

In this episode, we'll learn about the notorious Stanford Prison Experiment, known for revealing human behaviour's dark side in simulated prison conditions.

We'll discuss its purpose, dramatic events, the ethical concerns it raised, and question what it truly tells us about human nature.

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Keywords: Learn English, vocabulary, lessons, idioms, aprende inglés, idiomas, aprender inglês, apprendre l'anglais, imparare l’inglese, ingilizce öğren,英語を習う, تعلم الإنجليزية

Space mining sounds like something out of science fiction, but could it soon become reality?
In this episode, we'll explore how the idea of mining asteroids for valuable minerals might work, the challenges it faces, and whether it truly could be a better alternative to mining on Earth.

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In this episode, we'll enter the shadowy realm of secret societies.
We'll uncover the mysterious history, influence, and rituals of three infamous groups: Skull and Bones, the Knights Templar, and the Freemasons.
From elite university clubs to a medieval order with financial power, we'll learn what makes these societies so compelling.

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In this episode, we will explore the evolving role of the Vice President of the United States.  

We will examine the unique pathway this role offers to the presidency and discuss why the current Vice President may be one of the most influential in history. 

• Role of the Vice President in U.S. politics 
• Historical pathway from Vice President to President 
• Kamala Harris's attempt to go from Vice President to President
• Evolution of the Vice Presidency over time 
• Impacts of the 12th and 25th Amendments 
• Vice Presidents' influence on American governance 
• JD Vance as Donald Trump’s Vice President 
• Prospects for JD Vance in the next presidential election 

 Full interactive transcript, subtitles and key vocabulary available on the website: https://www.leonardoenglish.com/podcasts/us-vice-presidents

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In part one of our mini-series on nuclear energy, we'll explore the origins of nuclear power as it emerged alongside nuclear weapons.

Learn how President Eisenhower envisioned "Atoms for Peace" and how political events like the 1973 oil crisis propelled nuclear energy into the spotlight.

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A thousand-year rivalry exists between Scotland and England, rooted in battles, political strife, and deep-seated cultural differences. 

In this episode, we'll discuss how these ancient conflicts still shape modern relationships and national identities today.

• Scotland and England's thousand-year rivalry
• Differences in national anthems
• The Battle of Bannockburn (1314)
• The Scottish Wars of Independence
• The Union of the Crowns (1601)
• Formation of Great Britain (1707)
• Differences: laws, religion, and education
• Scottish versus British identity
• Present-day migration trends
• Contemporary humour and stereotypes

 Full interactive transcript, subtitles and key vocabulary available on the website: https://www.leonardoenglish.com/podcasts/scotland-england-rivalry

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