English with Rhys

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What are public holidays really like in the UK?

In this episode, we explore British holidays throughout the year, from Pancake Day and Easter to Halloween, Bonfire Night, Christmas, and even Wales’ national day. You’ll learn about the traditions, the strange history behind some of them, and why so many UK celebrations seem to involve sweets and junk food.

This episode is completely unscripted, so you’ll hear natural, everyday British English. At the end, we focus on 5 useful phrasal verbs with “up” that you can start using immediately.

Key Phrasal Verbs:

-fry up: to cook something quickly in oil

-use up: to finish something completely

-give up: to stop doing something

-set up: to organise or arrange something

-box up: to put things into boxes

If you want to learn more with the full version of this lesson, follow this link to The Podcast Course. Every time a new episode comes out, a new lesson is added with vocabulary, grammar, and listening practice 👉 https://englishwithrhys.com/courses/the-podcast-course/

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In this episode, we talk about:

-Why Pancake Day is linked to Lent

-How Easter is celebrated in the UK (chocolate everywhere)

-The dark history behind Bonfire Night

-Why Halloween feels different today

-What Boxing Day actually means (or maybe doesn’t!)

-Bank holidays and British drinking culture

-Welsh culture and St David’s Day

Leave a comment and tell me: What’s a holiday in your country that might seem strange to foreigners?

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Start The Podcast Course 👉 https://englishwithrhys.com/courses/the-podcast-course/Become a member 👉 https://englishwithrhys.com/membership-levels/What are the invisible forces shaping your thoughts, habits, and feelings?In this episode, we explore the idea of “the water we’re swimming in”. This is the everyday things around us that feel normal, but quietly influence who we are. From technology and food to weather, culture, language, and the places we live, we look at how environment shapes behaviour without us even noticing.This episode is unscripted, so you’ll hear natural, real English. The kind native speakers actually use. Afterwards, we break down key phrases to help you understand and use them yourself.Key Phrases:what I'm getting at: the main point I'm trying to explainto shape: to strongly influenceto go broader / wider: to look at a topic in a more general wayon the other end of the spectrum: the complete opposite situationcome around: arrive or happen againIf you want to learn more with the full version of this lesson, follow this link to The Podcast Course. Every time a new episode comes out, a new lesson is added with vocabulary, grammar, and listening practice 👉 https://englishwithrhys.com/courses/the-podcast-course/Become a member 👉 https://englishwithrhys.com/membership-levels/In this episode, we talk about:– The famous “two fish” story and what it teaches us– Why normal things are often the hardest to see– How food, air, climate, and culture affect your mood and behaviour– City life vs countryside life and how environment changes people– Why travel, reading, and experience help you see your own culture clearlyLeave a comment and tell me: what’s one “normal” thing in your life that you’ve started to question?Subscribe for more English learning content.#english #learnenglish #englishpodcast #vocabulary #culture #thinking #environment #englishteacher

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What are we losing when we let technology guide our lives? In this episode, we explore how smartphones, social media, and AI change the way we think, focus, and even feel.

Along the way, you’ll improve your English with real phrases native speakers actually use.

Key Phrases:

trade-off: giving up one thing to get another

distract / distraction: something that stops your attention

intentional: done on purpose, with thought

novelty: something new or unusual

middle ground: a compromise between two extremes

If you want to learn more with the full version of this lesson, follow this link to The Podcast Course. Every time a new episode comes out, a new lesson is added with vocabulary, grammar, and listening practice 👉 https://englishwithrhys.com/courses/the-podcast-course/

Become a member 👉 https://englishwithrhys.com/membership-levels/

In this episode, we talk about:

– How modern technology changes the way we think and act

– The design tricks behind infinite scroll and endless notifications

– Why attention has become a valuable, and fragile, resource

– What we can learn from the Amish about using technology intentionally

– How to think about the trade-offs between convenience and skills

Leave a comment and tell me: which technology do you think affects your life the most?

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Start The Podcast Course 👉 https://englishwithrhys.com/courses/the-podcast-course/Become a member 👉 https://englishwithrhys.com/membership-levels/What is it like to be completely aware but trapped in your own body for years? In this episode, we talk about the inspiring and heartbreaking story of Martin Pistorius, also known as the “Ghost Boy”. Along the way, you’ll improve your English with real phrases native speakers actually use.Key Phrases:out of the ordinary: not normal, unusualas if: used to describe something that feels true but isn’twound up (not being able to…): ended up unexpectedlydragged out: continued much longer than it shouldtook a turn: changed suddenly, usually for the worseIf you want to learn more with the full version of this lesson, follow this link to The Podcast Course. Every time a new episode comes out, a new lesson is added with vocabulary, grammar, and listening practice 👉 https://englishwithrhys.com/courses/the-podcast-course/Become a member 👉 https://englishwithrhys.com/membership-levels/Read 'Ghost Boy' for yourself 👉 https://amzn.to/4qMTAo7...In this episode, we talk about:– Martin’s life trapped in silence– How his parents cared for him and never gave up hope– The discovery that he was aware all along– How he gradually found a way to communicate– The journey from complete isolation to finding love and connectionLeave a comment and tell me which part of Martin’s story moved you the most.Subscribe for more English learning content.#english #learnenglish #englishpodcast #memes #internetculture #vocabulary #englishteacher

Start The Podcast Course 👉 https://englishwithrhys.com/courses/the-podcast-course/...Why does a meme that means nothing spread everywhere? And what does that tell us about English, culture, and belonging? In this episode, we talk about the viral “67” meme and why memes aren’t really about meaning at all. They’re about connection. Along the way, you’ll improve your English with real phrases native speakers actually use.Key Phrases:You can’t escape it: It’s everywhere.It doesn’t really belong: It feels out of place.To feel left out: To feel excluded.I’ll hold my hands up: I admit my mistake.Just a quick aside: A short comment not directly related.If you want to learn more with the full version of this lesson, follow this link to The Podcast Course. Every time a new episode comes out, a new lesson is added with vocabulary, grammar, and listening practice 👉 https://englishwithrhys.com/courses/the-podcast-course/...In this episode, we also talk about:– Why “67” went viral– Memes and belonging– Old memes like Doge, Rickrolling, and “All your base are belong to us”– Why perfect English isn’t the goalLeave a comment and tell me about the first meme you remember being part of. Did it make sense at the time?Subscribe for more English learning content.#english #learnenglish #englishpodcast #memes #internetculture #vocabulary #englishteacher

Start The Podcast Course 👉 https://englishwithrhys.com/courses/t...Did you know that your language changes the way you think? Your mother tongue affects the colours you see, how you feel time, and even what you remember. It's a fascinating topic that blew my mind, and I wanted to share it with you. Of course, you'll also level up your English with key phrases too.Key Phrases:It's not just X, it's Y: It's deeper than you think.It's easy to think that: Something feels true but might not be true.This is not the case: This is not true.It just goes to show (that): This example proves.It turns out (that): A surprising result or discovery.If you want to learn more with the full version of this lesson, follow this link to The Podcast Course. Every time a new episode comes out, a new lesson is added. 👉 https://englishwithrhys.com/courses/t...Read 'Drunk Tank Pink' for yourself 👉 https://amzn.to/4jxai8jGondwana Collective website 👉 https://gondwana-collection.com/blog/how-do-namibian-himbas-see-colourSubscribe for more English learning content.#english #englishpodcast #englishteacher #learnenglish #thinkagain #vocabulary

Start The Podcast Course 👉 https://englishwithrhys.com/courses/the-podcast-course/Today, we’re talking about rethinking. We'll talk about how to change your mind, learn from mistakes, and see things in a new way. Inspired by Adam Grant’s book Think Again, this episode is all about the joy of being wrong and how rethinking can help us grow, both in life and in language learning.You’ll also hear a fascinating true story about a group of firefighters, and how one man’s ability to “think again” saved his life.Key Vocabulary & Phrases:Change your mind: to decide something different from before.Rethink: to think about something again and maybe change your opinion.Admit a mistake: to say that you were wrong.Defensive: trying to protect yourself or your ideas from criticism.Open-minded: willing to consider new ideas.To strike a chord: to feel emotionally connected to something.To learn from mistakes: to use your past errors to improve.If you want to learn more with the full version of this lesson, follow this like to The Podcast Course. Every time a new episode comes out, a new lesson is added. 👉 https://englishwithrhys.com/courses/the-podcast-course/Download the free transcript for this lesson:👉 https://englishwithrhys.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/10/Lewis-Capaldi-Survive.pdfRead 'Think Again' for yourself 👉 https://amzn.to/4o26gpXSubscribe for more English learning content.#english #englishpodcast #englishteacher #learnenglish #thinkagain #vocabulary

I'm excited to be back with a fascinating topic. Today, we’re exploring the question: Is coffee good for you?

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In this episode, we’ll discuss the benefits and drawbacks of coffee, learn some new vocabulary related to coffee and health, and delve into some advanced grammar.

Key Vocabulary:

Caffeine: A substance in coffee, tea, and energy drinks that keeps you awake.

Stimulant: A substance that increases energy and alertness.

Benefit: An advantage or positive effect.Boost: To increase or improve something.

Depend: To rely on something regularly.

Health Vocabulary:

Diabetes: A disease affecting sugar use in the body.

Cancer: Uncontrolled growth of abnormal cells.

Insomnia: Difficulty falling or staying asleep.Diarrhoea: Frequent and loose bowel movements.

Stroke: A sudden problem in the brain affecting movement or speech.

Discussion Points:

Benefits of Coffee: Longer life, reduced risk of heart disease, diabetes, and certain cancers, better liver health, and protection against Alzheimer's and Parkinson's diseases.

Drawbacks of Coffee: Anxiety, insomnia, digestive issues, high blood pressure, and dependency.

Grammar Focus:

Relative Clauses: Adding information to describe something more specifically (e.g., "people who drink coffee every day").

Concessive Clauses: Expressing contrast (e.g., "especially when you drink too much").

Join the discussion in the comments! Do you drink coffee every day? Do you experience any benefits or side effects? If you don’t drink coffee, let us know why.

Follow for more English learning content, and let’s improve our English together!

Sources: DrugAware Australia, Johns Hopkins Medicine, Healthline, BBC.

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Are you a fan of The Simpsons and their uncanny ability to predict the future? Join us in this episode of The English with Rhys Podcast as we dive into The Simpsons' predictions and teach you how to talk about future predictions in everyday conversational English. Rhys is joined by his best friend, Ben, to discuss some of the most famous Simpsons predictions and explore the language used for making and discussing predictions.

Become a member: https://englishwithrhys.com/membership-levels/Take the Podcast Course: https://englishwithrhys.com/courses/the-podcast-course/Get the transcript: https://englishwithrhys.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/09/Episode-07-Transcript-Non-Members.pdf