When Nikki started her career in human rights, she found herself adapting to a job that required a lot more than she expected. 

Level: Upper Intermediate  

Accent: Canada (Calgary)

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5 Words & Expressions in Today's Story:

- BLASTING (MUSIC/AIR-CONDITIONING): Playing music or running air-conditioning at a very high volume or strength. "They had the music blasting at the party."

- TO CRAM INTO: To fit many people or things into a small space. "We all crammed into the car for the road trip."

- TO BLEND IN: To look or act like the people or things around you, so you are not noticed. "The animal’s fur helped it blend in with its surroundings."

- TUNNEL VISION: Focusing on one thing and ignoring everything else around you. "He had tunnel vision while studying, ignoring his friends."

- TO SHRUG: To lift your shoulders slightly to show you don’t know or don’t care. "She shrugged when asked about her plans."

Episode Links: 

- To learn more about the work that Nikki does, visit Inter Pares 

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Sarah Allworthy tells a story of what happens when you do something you're "not supposed to do."

Level: Upper Intermediate  

Accent: United Kingdom (London)

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5 Words & Expressions in Today's Story:

- TO CALL SOMEONE’S BLUFF: To challenge someone to prove something they said or did.  "He called her bluff during the poker game."

- WHIFF: To briefly smell something, often a faint or slight smell. "He got a whiff of smoke from the nearby barbecue."

- BLUR: Something unclear or not easy to see or remember. "The events of last night are a blur to me."

- TO BE DARING: To be bold and willing to take risks. "She was daring enough to try skydiving." 

- CLOSE CALL: A situation where something bad almost happened, but didn’t. "We had a close call when we almost missed our flight."

Episode Links: 

-  Follow Sarah Allworthy on LinkedIn

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Growing up, Archy Jamjun didn't feel seen, until someone finally saw him for who he really was. 

Level: Advanced  

Accent: United States (Chicago)

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5 Words & Expressions in Today's Story:

- TO THROW DOWN THE GAUNTLET: To challenge or invite someone to compete or flight. "She threw down the gauntlet by saying she could win the competition."

- TO FLING: To throw or push something with force. "She flung her coat onto the chair." 

- TO BE ADEPT: To be good at doing something. "She is adept at solving math problems." 

- TO MAKE THE NEWSPAPERS: To be featured in the news or media, especially in newspapers. "The story made the front page of the newspapers."

- TO SHOWER SOMEONE WITH SOMETHING: To give someone a lot of presents, praise, or attention. "On her birthday, she was showered with gifts by her friends." 

Episode Links: 

-  Follow Archy Jamjun on Instagram @archyjam

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After her dream job left her exhausted, Megan Nicholls decides to change her pace completely. 

Level: Upper Intermediate  

Accent: United Kingdom (Manchester)

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5 Words & Expressions in Today's Story:

- TO RUSTLE: To make a soft, crackling sound, usually from something moving, like leaves or paper. "The wind rustled the leaves in the trees." 

- PICK UP THE PACE: To go or work faster. "We need to pick up the pace if we want to finish on time."

- TO AIR (SOMETHING) OUT: To let fresh air into something, like a room or clothing. “I aired my shoes out after the hike.”

- TO BE AT EASE: To feel comfortable and relaxed. "He felt at ease after solving the problem.

- TO BE STILTED: Awkward or unnatural, especially in speech or movement. "Their conversation felt stilted, with long pauses." 

Episode Links: 

- Learn more about Megan Nicholls at her website megalanguagecoach.com

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Ariel Goodbody steps into the world of stand-up comedy with a performance no one expected. 

Level: Advanced 

Accent: United Kingdom (Bath)

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5 Words & Expressions in Today's Story:

- DEADPAN: To say something serious or with no emotion, often in a funny way. "He told the joke in a deadpan voice, and everyone laughed."

- A SET (COMEDY): A group of jokes or a routine performed by a comedian. "She practiced her set for the open mic."

- TO BE UNSETTLED: To feel disturbed or uncomfortable, either mentally or physically. "He felt unsettled after hearing the bad news."

- TO PUT (SOMETHING) OFF: To delay or postpone something. "She put off studying until the night before the exam."

- TO BE OVERDONE: To be done too much or in an excessive way. "The meme was funny at first, but now it’s overdone."

Episode Links: 

- Learn more about Ariel Goodbody at their website, ⁠EasyStoriesInEnglish.com

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Rob Rudge tells a story about that moment when you’re so close to a problem that you can’t see the solution.

Level: Upper-Intermediate 

Accent: United Kingdom (Yorkshire)

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5 words & expressions in today's story:

- UPBRINGING: The way a child is raised and taught by their parents. Examples: "Her strict upbringing influenced her strong work ethic." or "He credits his upbringing for his sense of responsibility."

- TO KICK BACK: To relax and do nothing. Examples: "After a long day, I just want to kick back and watch TV." or "She kicked back on the sofa with a good book."

- MAIN DRAG: The main street or central road in a town or city. Examples: "The main drag is always busy with traffic." or "Shops and restaurants line the main drag of the city."

- WITHOUT BATTING AN EYE: Without showing any reaction or surprise. Examples: "She handled the criticism without batting an eye." or "He agreed to the risky plan without batting an eye."

- TO DREAD: To feel great fear or anxiety about something. Examples: "She dreaded going to the dentist." or "He dreaded the long flight ahead."

Episode Links: 

- Learn more about Rob Rudge at his website, Energetic English 

- Listen to Rob & Bree chat about small talk on The Business English Podcast

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Fabio decides to contact someone famous and what ends up happening gives him a new perspective on what becomes possible, when you ask. 

Level: Intermediate 

Accent: Non-Native English Speaker (Italy)

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5 words and expressions in today's story:

- THERE'S SOMETHING HERE: An expression used to say that something is interesting or has potential.

- TO SHOW UP (IN THE SENSE OF DOING YOUR BEST): To be present and perform to the best of your ability.

- TO LET SOMEONE DOWN: To disappoint someone by not meeting their expectations.

- CATASTROPHIZING: Imagining the worst possible outcome of a situation.

- TO LOSE SIGHT OF SOMETHING: To forget or overlook something important.

Episode Links:

- Learn more about Fabio Cerplloni at www.fabiocerpelloni.com

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New episodes starting August 13, 2024 — Join Bree as she explores stories that inspire and improve your English.

New episodes starting August 13, 2024 — Join Bree as she explores stories that inspire and improve your English.

Season 6 of Into the Story arrives August 2024! Meanwhile, enjoy this fiction story from Ariel Goodbody of Easy Stories in English about two sisters.

If you haven't already listened to ⁠Sisters, Sisters (Part 1)⁠, go listen now!

Angeline and Annabelle are a classic sister act. Annabelle writes the songs and they sing together, but Angeline gets all the compliments. When a music producer offers a deal to Annabelle, she realizes she can't let the opportunity go. But what starts as a harmonious collaboration soon turns into a discordant nightmare…

Level: Intermediate

Accent: United Kingdom (Bath) 

👉 Get the full transcript at EasyStoriesInEnglish.com/Sisters 

Episode Vocabulary: 

- DYE: To change the color of something using a special liquid. Examples: "She dyed her hair bright red." or "They dyed the fabric blue for the costumes."

- VOCALS: The singing part of a song. Examples: "Her vocals were amazing in the concert." or "He provided the vocals for the band's latest album."

- SYNTHESIZER: An electronic instrument that creates various sounds. Examples: "He played the melody on the synthesizer." or "The band used a synthesizer to add electronic effects to their music."

- CUT OUT: To remove something by cutting. Examples: "She cut out the article from the newspaper." or "He cut out pictures from magazines for his collage."

Episode Links:

- Find more episodes like this one at Easy Stories in English 

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