Introduction

Welcome to English Plus Podcast! I'm Danny, your host, and today's episode is packed with fascinating mysteries, extreme landscapes, and a deep dive into one of the most iconic artists of all time. We're starting with The Mystery of The Turin King List, an ancient papyrus that could rewrite everything we know about Egypt's forgotten rulers. Then, we challenge the idea that all deserts are hot in Deserts: Hot, Cold, or Somewhere In Between?. Finally, we unravel the tragic truth of why Vincent van Gogh, one of the most famous artists in history, sold so few paintings during his lifetime.

But that's not all! Stick around as we dive deep into vocabulary in context, helping you sharpen your language skills while discussing these intriguing topics. Plus, we’ll ask thought-provoking questions at the end of each section, sparking ideas you’ll want to explore.

Want to unlock the entire episode and all our back catalogue? Become a premium subscriber on Apple Podcasts or Patreon and dive into everything English Plus has to offer. And if you’re hungry for more knowledge, head over to englishpluspodcast.com—there’s a treasure trove of resources waiting for you. Don’t forget to check out the shop on the website, where we're launching new audio series for sale.

So, are you ready to explore the forgotten rulers of Egypt, the truth about deserts, and the legacy of Van Gogh? Let’s get started!

The Mystery of The Turin King List: Egypt’s Forgotten Rulers

Imagine a list, crumbling with age, that holds the names of kings both remembered and forgotten. A list that could rewrite the history we thought we knew about ancient Egypt. But here's the twist: many of the names on this list aren’t found anywhere else. Could this be a record of kings erased from history, or perhaps rulers whose reigns existed only in legend? Today, we’re diving into the mystery of The Turin King List, an ancient artifact that challenges everything we think we know about Egypt’s long line of pharaohs. What secrets are hidden in those faded hieroglyphs, and why has this list left historians baffled for centuries? Let’s unravel the enigma of Egypt's lost rulers.

Welcome to English Plus Podcast.

So, what exactly is the Turin King List? Discovered in the 19th century in Italy—far from its original home in Egypt—it’s a papyrus document that has puzzled Egyptologists ever since. This fragile scroll contains a chronological list of Egyptian kings spanning thousands of years, starting from the earliest known rulers all the way to more familiar pharaohs like Ramses and Tutankhamun. But what makes the Turin King List so intriguing is that it doesn’t just contain the names of well-documented kings; it includes rulers that don’t appear on any other official Egyptian record. Many of these names have been lost to time, wiped clean from temple walls and monuments, as if they were deliberately erased from history.

Why were these kings forgotten, and why does their existence remain a mystery? Some historians believe that these rulers were part of Egypt’s turbulent periods, when rival factions might have tried to rewrite history by erasing the names of their enemies. Others think that certain kings may have been considered illegitimate or were short-lived rulers whose reigns were intentionally omitted from other official records. Could this ancient list reveal a power struggle we never knew existed?

And then there’s the strangest part: some of the kings listed on the papyrus ruled for impossibly long periods—hundreds, even thousands of years according to the document. This has led to speculation that the list might also include mythological rulers, or perhaps divine beings who were thought to have ruled Egypt in the distant past. But if that’s the case, where does the myth end and the history begin?

The Turin King List also serves another fascinating purpose. Unlike other Egyptian records that often only highlighted the most powerful and successful rulers, this list attempts to be comprehensive. It even acknowledges the reigns of kings from times of political instability, civil war, and dynastic collapse. These were moments in Egypt’s history when chaos reigned, and the country was divided into rival factions. It’s almost as if the list is trying to give us a complete picture, unfiltered by the political agendas of the time.

But of course, the Turin King List is far from perfect. The papyrus itself is incomplete and heavily damaged—missing sections, torn edges, and fading ink mean that we may never have the full story. Some crucial parts of the document have been lost forever, leaving gaps in our understanding of Egypt’s dynastic timeline. Yet, it’s precisely this incomplete nature that adds to the intrigue. The mystery of what’s missing fuels our imagination: What stories lie in those lost lines? Could they hold the key to understanding more about Egypt’s rise and fall as one of the ancient world’s most powerful civilizations?

The Turin King List forces us to question what we accept as historical fact. If entire rulers—possibly even dynasties—can be erased from memory, what else might we have missed? How much of history is what really happened, and how much is what we’ve been allowed to remember?

So, as we unravel this ancient mystery, consider this: How much do we really know about the past, and what secrets might still be hidden in the fragments of history we’ve yet to discover?

Let's Learn Vocabulary in Context

Let’s dive into some of the key words and phrases we used in our exploration of the Turin King List. These terms will help you understand the mystery even more clearly and might just come in handy in everyday conversations.

First, we mentioned the Turin King List itself. Now, in the context of history, a “king list” is exactly what it sounds like—a record of kings, arranged in chronological order. But what makes the Turin King List special is that it’s not just any list; it contains names of rulers that don’t appear elsewhere. In everyday use, a “list” is a simple record of things, but when you say something like “king list,” it immediately implies something more official, structured, or even mysterious. You might use this phrase when describing any sort of official or historical record, for example, “The museum has a list of all the presidents, but it’s almost like a modern-day king list.”

Next, let’s talk about hieroglyphs, which were mentioned when describing the faded writing on the papyrus. Hieroglyphs are the ancient symbols Egyptians used for writing. These symbols weren’t just letters—they were pictures representing sounds, objects, or ideas. In a broader sense, we could use the word “hieroglyph” to describe any writing that’s hard to interpret or understand, like when looking at something completely unreadable: “My doctor’s handwriting is like hieroglyphs—I can’t read a thing!”

Another key phrase we used was dynastic timeline. A dynasty is a line of rulers from the same family, often holding power over several generations. When we talk about a “dynastic timeline,” we’re referring to the sequence of these rulers and how their reigns unfold over time. In life, we might use the word “dynasty” to talk about families or businesses that have held power for a long time. For instance, “That tech company is like a dynasty, with leadership passed down through generations.”

We also mentioned the power struggle. This refers to a situation where different groups are competing for control or influence. It’s a common phrase when discussing politics or historical events, but it can apply to everyday life, too. Think of a workplace where different people are trying to assert control over a project—that’s a power struggle. You might say, “There was a real power struggle between departments over who would manage the new account.”

Lastly, the phrase mythological rulers came up when talking about kings who might not have been historical figures, but legends instead. Mythological refers to something that comes from myth—stories that explain the world, often filled with gods, heroes, and fantastical events. When you describe something as mythological in everyday life, you’re saying it’s larger than life or almost unbelievable, like “The athlete’s performance was mythological—it’s hard to believe anyone could be that good!”

Now, a couple of questions to think about: If parts of history can be erased or forgotten, what does that mean for how we view the past? And, when you hear about mythological figures being part of history, do you think they were based on real people, or were they purely fictional?

Deserts: Hot, Cold, or Somewhere In Between?

When you think of a desert, what comes to mind? Blistering heat, endless sand dunes, and a scorching sun overhead? That’s the typical image, right? But what if I told you that not all deserts are as hot as you think? In fact, some deserts are so cold that you’d need a thick winter coat just to survive. So, does the idea that all deserts are hot really hold up? Today, we’re breaking down this common belief and revealing what’s real and what’s not about deserts. Are you ready to find out the truth about the world’s most extreme landscapes? Stick around, because we’re about to challenge what you thought you knew.

Welcome to English Plus Podcast.

Let’s dive into this: Are all deserts really hot? The short answer is no. But let’s unpack why that is. A desert, by definition, isn’t determined by temperature—it’s all about how much precipitation it gets. To be classified as a desert, an area has to receive less than 10 inches, or 25 centimeters, of rainfall per year. That’s it. Temperature doesn’t even come into play in that definition.

Now, of course, many of the most famous deserts in the world, like the Sahara or the Arabian Desert, are hot deserts. They’ve got those classic high temperatures that can soar to over 120 degrees Fahrenheit (49 degrees Celsius) during the day. These are the deserts most of us imagine when we think of places where only the toughest creatures survive. And, yes, hot deserts are extreme. The sun’s relentless, the sand’s scorching, and water? Well, good luck finding that.

But here’s where it gets interesting. Not all deserts are sizzling under the sun. Enter the cold deserts. One of the best examples? Antarctica. Surprised? That’s right—Antarctica, the land of ice and snow, is actually classified as a desert. Why? Because it hardly gets any precipitation. It’s the driest continent on Earth, receiving only about 2 inches of snow or rain per year. And it’s not just Antarctica; the Arctic region is also considered a cold desert for the same reason. Freezing temperatures, yes, but hardly any moisture.

And then we’ve got deserts that fall somewhere in between—what we call semi-arid deserts. These places, like the Great Basin Desert in the U.S., experience cold winters but have warm, sometimes hot, summers. They’re deserts because of their low rainfall, but they don’t fit neatly into the “hot” or “cold” categories.

So, how did we end up thinking that all deserts are hot? It’s likely because the iconic image of a desert—thanks to movies, books, and even school lessons—almost always revolves around the hot, sandy landscapes of places like the Sahara. It’s easy to see how we might associate the word “desert” with heat when that’s what we’ve been shown again and again. But, as we’ve just seen, that’s only part of the story.

Here’s another fascinating fact: Deserts, whether hot or cold, actually experience some of the most dramatic temperature swings on the planet. In many hot deserts, while the days are unbearably hot, the nights can be freezing. In fact, temperatures in places like the Sahara can drop by as much as 40 degrees Fahrenheit (around 22 degrees Celsius) at night. Why? Because deserts don’t have much moisture in the air or on the ground to hold onto heat once the sun goes down. So, even the hottest deserts can get pretty cold after dark.

The takeaway here? Deserts are far more diverse than most people realize. Some can be brutally hot, while others are bitterly cold. Some are full of shifting sands, and others are vast stretches of ice and snow. It’s a reminder that just because something seems simple on the surface, it doesn’t mean there isn’t more to the story.

So, the next time someone mentions deserts, ask yourself: Are we only seeing part of the picture? Maybe it’s time to challenge the assumptions we’ve been carrying with us and dig deeper into the facts. After all, not everything is as it first appears.

Let's Learn Vocabulary in Context

Let’s take a closer look at some of the key terms and phrases we just explored in our discussion about deserts. Understanding these words can really help you use them in everyday conversations, and you’ll see how useful they can be when talking about more than just deserts.

First up, we talked about precipitation, which refers to any form of water—rain, snow, sleet—that falls from the sky. In the context of deserts, we used it to explain why a place like Antarctica is considered a desert. It’s all about how little precipitation it gets. You can use this word anytime you're discussing weather or climate. For example, if you're talking about your local weather, you might say, "We haven’t had much precipitation this month, which is strange for this time of year."

Then there’s the term semi-arid, which we used to describe deserts that don’t fit the classic image of blistering heat or freezing cold. A semi-arid desert has some rainfall and often experiences cold winters and warm summers. In everyday life, you might use this phrase when describing regions that don’t get much rain but aren’t quite as extreme as full deserts. You could say, "The climate here is semi-arid, so it’s dry, but we still get some rain in the spring."

We also touched on the temperature swings in deserts—how temperatures in these places can change dramatically from day to night. This phrase is perfect for describing big shifts in temperature, not just in deserts but anywhere you experience major weather changes. You might say, "I love living in the mountains, but the temperature swings are wild. It’s hot during the day and freezing at night."

Moisture is another important term we brought up. It’s the amount of water present in the air or the ground, and in deserts, there’s very little of it. Moisture affects everything from the way plants grow to how comfortable we feel. You could say, “The air feels so dry here—there’s hardly any moisture left after the rain.”

Lastly, we discussed iconic images—those familiar pictures or ideas that come to mind when we think of something. We used it in the context of deserts, saying the iconic image is often that of a hot, sandy landscape. But you can use "iconic" for anything that’s instantly recognizable, like, “The Eiffel Tower is one of the most iconic landmarks in the world.”

These words all help us dig deeper into how we think about the world and the assumptions we carry. Now that you’ve got them in your vocabulary toolkit, try using them to describe different situations or environments in your daily life.

Here’s something to think about: How often do you take common ideas at face value, like assuming all deserts are hot? And, how can digging a little deeper change the way you see things in your everyday surroundings?

The Starving Artist: Why Van Gogh Only Sold a Few Paintings

Why is it that one of the most famous artists in the world—a name synonymous with genius and creativity—struggled to sell his art while he was alive? How could Vincent van Gogh, a man whose work now sells for millions, barely sell a handful of paintings during his lifetime? What was it about his art or the world he lived in that kept people from seeing the brilliance we celebrate today? Today, we’re diving into the puzzling and almost tragic reality of Van Gogh’s life as an artist. By the end of this episode, you’ll be asking yourself, how do we really value art—and what does it take for true genius to be recognized?

Welcome to Did You Know.

So, here’s the fact that gets people every time: During his lifetime, Vincent van Gogh only sold a few paintings. By some accounts, it was just one. One of the most brilliant, prolific artists who produced over 2,000 works—paintings that now hang in the world’s most prestigious museums—lived most of his life in near poverty, unable to make a living from his art. It’s mind-blowing, right? How could something like this happen?

Let’s break it down. Van Gogh lived during the late 19th century, a time when the art world was pretty rigid. Traditional art—those grand, historical paintings, classical portraits, and realistic landscapes—was what sold. That was what people wanted to hang in their homes, galleries, and salons. But Van Gogh? He was a rule-breaker. His style was bold, unconventional, and emotional. He used thick brushstrokes, vibrant colors, and swirling patterns that didn’t quite fit with the polished, academic art of his time. He was an outsider, and people just weren’t ready for it.

And it wasn’t just his style that made things tough for Van Gogh. His personal life was a mess. He struggled with mental health issues, moved constantly, and lived a life of isolation. He didn’t exactly have the best social network to promote his work, either. If you think about how artists today rely on galleries, collectors, or even social media to get their art out there, Van Gogh had none of that. His brother Theo, who was an art dealer, tried desperately to help him, but even Theo couldn’t make people see the brilliance of his brother’s work at the time.

But there’s another layer to this story. Van Gogh wasn’t painting what people wanted to buy—he was painting what he felt. His art was deeply personal, almost like therapy for him. He painted sunflowers, starry nights, and fields of wheat not because they were trendy, but because they spoke to him on an emotional level. He wasn’t in it for fame or fortune—he was in it because he had something inside him that he had to express. Unfortunately, in his lifetime, this passion wasn’t something the art market valued.

The irony, of course, is that now Van Gogh’s paintings are considered some of the most valuable and beloved works of art in the world. In fact, one of his paintings, "Portrait of Dr. Gachet," sold for over $80 million. But during his life, he was barely scraping by. So, why the change? Well, time has a funny way of shifting our perspective. What was once seen as strange or ugly can become beautiful once people’s minds open up to new possibilities. Van Gogh’s raw emotion, his bold use of color, and his unique perspective are exactly what make his work so captivating to us today. He was ahead of his time, and it took the world a while to catch up.

But here’s where it gets interesting: How many other artists, creators, or thinkers are out there right now, going unnoticed, just like Van Gogh did in his time? How do we decide what’s valuable, and what if we’re missing out on today’s Van Goghs just because their work doesn’t fit with current trends or tastes?

It makes you wonder: How do we really value art? And are we only able to recognize greatness after it’s too late?

Let's Learn Vocabulary in Context

Let’s take a closer look at some of the key words and phrases from our story about Van Gogh, and how they help us understand not just his life but the bigger picture of how art—and people—get recognized.

First up is the phrase prolific artist. We used this to describe Van Gogh because he produced an incredible number of artworks—over 2,000 pieces in just a few years. When we say someone is prolific, we mean they produce a lot, whether it’s art, books, or ideas. You might hear it in conversation like, “She’s a prolific writer; she publishes a new book every year.”

Next, we talked about Van Gogh being an outsider in the art world. An outsider is someone who doesn’t fit into the usual group or system. In Van Gogh’s case, his style was so different from what was popular that he wasn’t accepted by the mainstream art community. You can use this word in everyday situations, like when someone doesn’t fit in with a particular group at work or school. You might say, “I always felt like an outsider in high school, but that just made me more independent.”

We also mentioned traditional art, referring to the classical and formal styles that were popular at the time. Traditional art followed specific rules, like painting realistic portraits or historical scenes. You can use “traditional” to describe anything that follows long-established customs, like “traditional cooking” or “traditional clothing.” It often implies something that hasn’t changed much over time.

Then we used raw emotion to talk about the deep feelings that Van Gogh expressed in his work. Raw emotion means unfiltered, powerful feelings that come straight from the heart. In conversation, you might say something like, “Her speech was full of raw emotion; you could tell she really cared about the issue.”

Lastly, there’s the phrase ahead of his time. We said this to explain how Van Gogh’s art wasn’t appreciated while he was alive because his ideas and techniques were too forward-thinking for his era. This phrase can be used to describe anyone whose ideas or work are innovative, even if people don’t understand them right away. For example, you might say, “He was ahead of his time with his invention, but now it’s something everyone uses.”

These words and phrases help us see how art, or any kind of creative work, isn’t just about fitting into what’s popular right now. It’s about being authentic, even if the world isn’t ready for it yet.

Now, let’s think about this: How do you view people or ideas that don’t fit into the mainstream today? And, do you think it’s more important to create for yourself or for recognition from others?

Outro

And that’s a wrap for today’s episode of English Plus Podcast! We’ve unraveled the mystery of the Turin King List, discovered the surprising truth about deserts, and explored the life of Vincent van Gogh—an artist ahead of his time.

But the journey doesn’t end here! If you’re curious to dive deeper into any of these topics, why not explore the full episode and all the exclusive content we offer by becoming a premium subscriber on Apple Podcasts or Patreon? Unlock our entire back catalogue and never miss out on any of the fascinating stories we bring you.

Don’t forget to visit englishpluspodcast.com, where you’ll find a treasure trove of knowledge, resources, and our latest audio series available in the shop. Whether you're learning, exploring, or just looking for something new, there’s always more to discover.

Thank you for listening! Keep questioning, keep exploring, and as always, keep learning. I’m Danny, and I can’t wait to dive into more exciting stories with you next time on English Plus Podcast.