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Lucy, can I ask you something?

Sure. What's on your mind?

Yesterday I was talking to a friend. He's 29, has a stable job, he's in a healthy relationship, but then he said something that completely caught me off guard.

What did he say?

He looked at me and said, "I don't think I'll ever get married."

Wow. Did he just go through a bad breakup or something?

That's exactly what I asked, but he said, "No, I still believe in love. I just don't believe marriage is for me anymore."

That's interesting because I'm hearing that more and more these days.

Same here. And it got me thinking, is this just one person's opinion, or is something much bigger happening?

That's exactly what we're exploring today.

Why are so many people in Gen Z choosing to avoid marriage? Is it fear, money, changing values, or is marriage itself changing?

Let's find out. You know, if this were just your friend, I'd probably say he's an exception.

That's what I thought, too. But then I started noticing the same conversation everywhere, on podcasts, in interviews, even on social media.

I've noticed it, too. It feels like more and more people in their 20s are saying, "I want love, but I'm not sure about marriage."

Exactly. And that's what surprised me. They're not saying they never want a relationship. They're questioning marriage itself.

So naturally, I started wondering, is this just something people talk about online, or is there actually a bigger shift happening? It turns out there is. Across many countries, people are getting married later than previous generations, and in some places, fewer people are getting married at all.

That's a huge cultural shift. For a long time, getting married was seen as the next step in life. You finished school, found a job, got married, and eventually started a family.

Now that timeline doesn't seem as automatic anymore.

Exactly. Today, many young adults are focusing on building a career, improving their mental health, traveling, or simply figuring out who they are before making a lifelong commitment.

And here's something important. This doesn't necessarily mean Gen Z has stopped believing in love.

Right.

In fact, many of them still want deep, meaningful relationships. They're just asking a different question.

Instead of asking, "When should I get married?" they're asking, "Does marriage actually make sense for the life I want?"

And honestly, that's a very different conversation.

It is. So, if people still believe in love, why are so many of them hesitating when it comes to marriage?

You know what I find fascinating?

What?

If we had this conversation 30 or 40 years ago, it probably wouldn't even exist.

You're right. Back then, marriage wasn't something most people questioned. It was simply part of growing up.

Almost like an unwritten life plan.

Exactly. You finished school, found a job, got married, started a family, and that was considered a successful life.

But somewhere along the way, that script started to change.

It did, and I don't think one single event caused it. The world itself became very different.

Different how?

Well, think about it. Careers aren't as predictable anymore. People move more often. Technology changed how we meet, how we communicate, and even how we think about relationships.

So, Gen Z didn't just inherit a different dating culture.

They inherited a completely different world.

That actually explains a lot.

It does. Every generation makes decisions based on the world they're living in, not the one their parents grew up in.

So, maybe comparing Gen Z to previous generations isn't entirely fair.

Exactly. They're playing by a completely different set of rules.

And once you understand those new rules, their decisions start making a lot more sense.

So, let's look at those changes one by one. Can I ask you something?

Of course.

If you met the right person tomorrow, someone you truly loved, would you feel ready to get married?

Honestly, I don't know.

Really?

Yeah, and I don't think it would have anything to do with love.

Then what would stop you?

I'd start asking myself a hundred practical questions. Can we afford a home? What if one of us loses our job? Are we financially stable enough? What happens if things don't go as planned?

That's interesting, because those aren't relationship questions.

Exactly.

They're life questions. And I think that's one of the biggest differences today. For many young adults, marriage isn't just an emotional commitment anymore. It's a financial one, too.

Everything seems more expensive than it used to be.

Housing costs have gone up. Living expenses have increased. Many people are still paying off student loans or trying to build a career before they even think about settling down.

So, when older generations ask, "Why don't they just get married?" Gen Z is often thinking, "How can we when we're still trying to build a stable life?"

That changes the whole conversation.

It really does. Marriage hasn't become less meaningful. If anything, the stakes feel higher than ever.

Because now people feel like they need to have everything figured out before they can say, "I'm ready."

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Repeat with me. Don't just listen. I'm going to ask you something, and I want you to answer me honestly, without trying to change the story or avoid the question. Who was that boy?

What are you talking about? What boy? I don't understand that.

You're kidding, right? Who was that boy you were hugging outside the cinema?

Um... well... Dad, it's not what you think it is. And I feel like you're already imagining something worse than what actually happened.

Yeah? Then help me understand it. Because what I saw was very clear. I saw my daughter hugging a boy in a way that didn't look like a simple hello. After you told me you were going out with only your friends. And you said it was just girls.

I know what I said. But things changed when we got there. And I didn't expect that situation to happen the way it did. Please.

What do you mean things changed? Be specific, Emily. Because right now it sounds like you are trying to find the right words to make your story sound better.

Okay. One of my friends invited him without telling me first. And when we got there, he was already there with them. And I didn't want to make a big deal in front of everyone.

So, now the story is that one of your friends invited him, and you had no idea before you arrived? That's different from what you said a minute ago, don't you think?

I'm just trying to explain everything. But you don't even let me finish before you judge me.

I'm not judging you without reason. I'm reacting to what I saw and what you told me. And let me tell you that those two things don't match. That's the problem.

It wasn't planned by me, okay? I didn't organize it. I didn't know. And I didn't think it was going to be a problem because we were all together.

And the hug? Was that also not planned? Because that didn't look like something casual or uncomfortable. That looked natural, like something you have done before.

We... we just greeted each other like that. Some people hug. It's normal.

Not like that, Emily. Not like what I saw. Don't try to make it sound smaller than it is, Emily. I'm going to ask you again, and this time I want a clear answer. Why did you tell me you were only going out with girls if there was a boy involved?

Ah... because I knew you were going to react exactly like this. And I didn't want to have this argument before even going out. That's it.

So, your solution was to lie to me and hope I would never find out? Is that what you thought was a good idea? I can't believe it, Emily.

I didn't... I didn't think it was a lie. I just didn't say everything.

That is the definition of lying, Emily. When you hide important information because you know the truth will create a reaction, that is still a lie.

I didn't want problems. I just wanted to go out, relax, watch a movie, and have a normal time with my friends without feeling controlled.

And now look at the result. You didn't avoid problems, you made them bigger. Because now it's not only about the boy, it's also about trust. You get that?

It's not fair that I can't have a normal life just because you assume the worst about everything.

This is not about controlling your life. This is about protecting you, Emily. Protecting you from situations you don't fully understand yet, even if you think you do.

What? I do understand more than you think. I'm not a child anymore.

You are 17, Emily. You're not a child, but you are also not fully an adult. You are in the middle. And that is exactly when people make the biggest mistakes.

So what? That means I can't have male friends? I can't talk to boys? I can't go out with them in a group? That's what you're saying, Dad?

No, of course not. I didn't say you can't have friends. Listen carefully. I said I don't want you getting close to boys in a way that can turn into something more, especially when I don't know anything about them.

That's the problem. You don't know anything about him because you don't even try to know him.

Because I don't trust easily. And I have my reasons for that, believe me. When I was your age, I saw many situations that looked innocent at the beginning, but ended badly. Boys pretending to be nice. Boys saying they only wanted friendship, but they wanted something else. And many girls believed them because they trusted too fast.

I... I understand that. But not everyone is like that, and you know that. You can't put everyone in the same group just because of your past experiences.

Uh... all right. Maybe not everyone, but enough to be careful. And I prefer to be careful than to regret something later. Although, you don't understand.

But that... you're not being careful. You're being unfair. You're deciding who he is without even talking to him, without even asking me properly.

Then, tell me properly. Who is he? Where did you meet him? What do you know about him that makes you trust him like that? Tell me.

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Hi, I'm Lisa.

People who are truly fluent in English can easily understand the vocabulary and the expressions in news articles. And they not only know the meaning of the words, but they can pronounce them correctly.

I selected this specific article because it has a lot of good vocabulary that advanced learners of English should know. And it contains some words that my students often mispronounce.

The article is from the Los Angeles Times newspaper. It talks about some recent news about Elon Musk. I think most people know who he is. He's the owner of SpaceX, Tesla, X, formerly Twitter, and other companies.

After we learn the words, I will pause to give you a chance to repeat so that you can practice your pronunciation. There's a lot to learn in this video.

Let's get started.

The headline of the article is:

“Elon Musk becomes world's first trillionaire. Here's what 1 trillion can buy.”

And the first sentence of the article says:

“Catapulted by the market debut of his rocket company SpaceX, Elon Musk is now the world's first trillionaire.”

You know the word millionaire and billionaire, and there's also trillionaire.

This is a million, and a billion is 1 followed by 9 zeros, and a trillion is 1 followed by 12 zeros. So, 1 million millions is a trillion.

And the article says:

“If you were to put the money together, it would go to the moon and back over 200 times.”

The article also says it would be $122 for every person on Earth.

Let's look at the pronunciation of some words.

This is a word that most non-native speakers struggle with. Have you been pronouncing it correctly? Let me teach you how to say it perfectly.

Look at the W and the R. We're going to ignore the O, and we're going to say “were.” So, the O is silent.

Were.

And then, we put a schwa sound between the R and the L.

Earl. Earl.

You can visualize it like this:

World. World.

But don't say “old,” just say “old.”

World. World.

Or maybe this helps:

World. World.

You say it.

Say this:

All over the world.

It's a worldwide company.

You say it.

And now, you can say it perfectly.

Let's look at the TR of this word.

We don't say “truh,” we say “truh.” The TR combination changes the sound a little bit.

Repeat after me:

Try.

Trust.

Training.

Or in the middle of the word:

Control.

We don't say “control,” we say “control.”

Introduce.

Attractive.

Atrocious.

Do you know what atrocious means? It means horrible, awful.

And now, let's say the word together:

Trillionaire.

And now, let's say the whole phrase:

World's first trillionaire.

You say it.

Let's look at this sentence from the article:

“Catapulted by the market debut of his rocket company SpaceX, Elon Musk is now the world's first trillionaire.”

If you speak a European language, you probably know the meaning of this verb. It's usually the same word because it comes from Greek and Latin.

To catapult.

A catapult was originally a machine that launched rocks or other objects through the air. A catapult launches a stone.

And the verb “to catapult” means to throw or to launch rapidly, but it's also used figuratively.

And in this case, it means to cause someone to rise or to advance very quickly to a higher level of success or fame or wealth.

To launch powerfully, we can say:

His success catapulted him to fame.

The invention catapulted the company to success.

And in this sentence, it means that the success of SpaceX caused Elon Musk's wealth to increase dramatically.

Let's look at the pronunciation of this word.

Have you been pronouncing it correctly?

It's pronounced debut. Debut.

It's day plus b plus u. The t is silent.

Debut.

And a debut is the first appearance or the first launch. The first time that something is released or made available to the public.

For example, we can say:

“The new smartphone made its debut last week.”

Or:

“The actor made his debut in the film.”

And if we add an ing, the t is still silent.

We say:

“Debuting.”

They are debuting it.

Apple is debuting the new iPhone next month.

And how do we pronounce this verb if we add an ed? If it's in the past tense.

Do you think the t is silent still?

Yes, it is. It's still silent.

Debuted.

The film debuted last week.

In this article, market debut is talking about the stock market. The first time a company's stock is offered for sale to the public on the stock exchange.

We will look at some advanced vocabulary in the next paragraph, but let's stay with pronunciation and accent just a little bit longer.

Let's learn a rule about word stress.

Let's look at these two words.

They're two words that represent one thing. It's one company. That's a compound noun.

We stress the first word and we say it like this:

Rocket company. Rocket company.

We don't say “rocket company.”

So, when we have two words with one meaning, we stress the first word.

Other compound nouns are:

Football. Football.

We don't say “football,” we say “football.”

And we can say:

Football game.

That's a compound noun in a compound noun.

Cell phone.

We stress the first word. Two words representing one object.

And how about this? How do we say this?

You say it.

Cell phone number. Cell phone number.

Make sure that you say it as one unit.

Repeat after me:

Please give me your cell phone number.

So, how do we say this word?

You say it.

Rocket company.

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Hey everyone, welcome back. I'm River.

And I'm Emma.

Emma, okay, something kind of strange happened to me yesterday at a family dinner.

Good strange or bad strange?

Just strange. Everyone was talking over each other. You know how family dinners go.

Oh, completely chaotic.

Right. But there was this one guy sitting there not saying a word, and I honestly forgot he was there for a while. Then at some point he just said something, one sentence.

And?

The whole table went quiet. Everyone stopped and listened to him.

Huh. What did he say?

That's the thing. I can't even remember exactly, but the way people reacted, it just stuck with me the whole drive home.

Why do you think that happened though?

That's exactly what I kept asking myself. Like, why does the quietest person in the room sometimes end up being the most interesting one?

You know, I used to think the complete opposite when I was younger.

Same. If someone was confident, had an answer for everything, never paused, I just assumed they were the smart one.

Exactly. It felt like talking a lot meant knowing a lot.

And then you get older and you start noticing it doesn't always work that way.

I had a teacher, this is going back a few years. He almost never talked during class. Like, students would debate something and he'd just sit there.

That sounds a little terrifying, honestly.

It kind of was, but then he'd wait until everyone finished and then he'd say maybe two sentences, and somehow those two sentences made everything click.

That's wild because you'd think the person saying the most would be teaching.

Right, but it was the opposite. He said less and somehow landed harder.

Okay, so here's what I found out. There's actually a psychological reason for this, and it surprised me a bit.

Go on.

So our brains have this habit of confusing confidence with intelligence. Like if someone speaks fast, never hesitates, sounds totally sure of themselves, we just assume they know what they're talking about.

Even if they don't.

Oh, I've definitely been fooled by that. Some people can talk so much, and then you replay the conversation later and think, wait, what did they actually say?

Nothing. They said nothing, just confidently.

Exactly. But here's the flip side. Smart people, a lot of them, they think before they speak, not while they speak.

So the pause isn't empty. The pause is the work.

Yes. We feel this pressure to fill silence. Like if you're quiet for two seconds, something's wrong. But a lot of intelligent people just aren't bothered by that silence.

They're using it.

Exactly.

This reminds me of something from university actually.

What happened?

There was this one student, always had his hand up, always talking. The professor knew his name on day one.

The guy who asks three questions every lecture.

Exactly that guy. Everyone assumed he was going to ace everything.

Let me guess, the exams told a different story.

There was a girl who sat near the back. Barely spoke. And when results came out, she topped the class. By a lot.

That's kind of a gut punch if you think about it. We spend so much time noticing the loudest voice and completely miss the deepest thinker.

Volume isn't the same as value, but our brains treat it like it is.

Okay, so is there actual science behind this?

There is. And the part that surprised me most, people who score higher in emotional intelligence tend to spend more time listening than talking.

Like research? Because they're trying to understand the other person first?

Instead of thinking, "What do I say next?" they're thinking, "What is this person actually trying to tell me?"

That probably also means they say fewer things they regret later.

Almost certainly. And there's another finding: our brains actually process more when we're listening carefully than when we're talking.

So the quiet person in a conversation might be getting more out of it than everyone else.

While everyone else is busy trying to sound smart.

Okay, that's a little humbling.

A little bit, yeah.

Can I tell you about a manager I had?

Please.

So meetings at this place were kind of intense. Everyone competing to sound like they had the best idea. And this manager just sat there, listening.

People probably thought he was disengaged.

Oh, definitely. And then when he finally spoke, everyone shut up.

Immediately. No one interrupted him. And it wasn't because he was the boss, it was because everyone knew he'd actually been thinking the whole time.

His words carried more weight because they weren't just filling space.

Psychologists have actually looked at this. When someone pauses before answering, people perceive that as careful thinking. It signals that you took it seriously.

So the pause itself communicates something.

It does.

So just to be clear, this isn't about being shy.

Not at all.

A lot of quiet people simply don't feel the need to comment on everything.

Not every thought needs to become a sentence.

They choose when to speak. They ask questions. They watch what's happening around them. And weirdly, they often know more because of it.

Listening isn't passive. It's actually doing something most people have forgotten how to do.

Okay, can I give everyone a small experiment to try?

I like where this is going.

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Dad, I really need to talk to you. And I don't want to hide anything this time.

I've been feeling this for a long time. But I keep telling myself that it was normal, that it would pass, that I just needed to be stronger.

But now I feel different. I feel tired in a way that sleep doesn't fix. And I think I'm reaching a limit.

Sit down, son. Take your time. I can see something is heavy on your mind. And I want to understand everything.

What's going on?

I think I want to quit my job. But I'm also afraid of doing it.

Okay. Start from the beginning. Tell me what your normal day looks like. I want to see your life through your eyes.

All right.

My day starts before the sun comes up. I wake up around 5:30, sometimes even earlier. And the first thing I feel is pressure.

Not motivation.
Not energy.
Pressure.

I check my phone, and I already have emails, messages, and tasks waiting for me.

Before I even leave my bed, my mind is already working.

Then I rush to get ready. I don't eat properly most days, and I go to work thinking about everything I have to do.

When I arrive, it doesn't stop. It's like entering a machine that never slows down.

Emails come non-stop. Meetings start one after another, and every task feels urgent, like everything is a priority at the same time.

The problem is not just the amount of work. It's how it is managed.

There's no clear system. Sometimes I start a task, and suddenly my boss gives me another one and says, "It's more important."

Then another person comes and asks for something urgent too.

So I end up doing many things at the same time. But I don't feel like I finish anything properly.

That sounds chaotic.

Do they give you clear instructions?

Not always.

Many times I have to guess what they want. And if I make a mistake, they don't say, "Let's fix it."

They say, "Why did you do it wrong?"

Like I should already know everything.

Tell me more about your boss. This is important.

He's very demanding. And I understand that part.

But he doesn't recognize effort. If you do ten things well and one thing wrong, he only talks about the mistake.

And when he's stressed, he talks in a way that makes you feel small, like nothing you do is enough.

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Scene 1: Looking for the Keys
Honey, I'm looking for my keys. Did you see them anywhere?
I'm not sure. Are they somewhere in the kitchen?
No, I already looked everywhere in there.
What about the TV room? I saw them somewhere on the couch yesterday.
I checked there, too. They're nowhere in the usual spots.
Why don't you check the dresser? That's where you always leave things.
Oh, yeah, I remember now. That's where I left them. Thanks, honey.

Scene 2: The Missing Contract
Did anyone see the contract I was working on?
No, I didn't see it anywhere on your desk.
I'm searching everywhere, but it's not here.
Did you leave it somewhere in the meeting room?
That's possible. Let me go there and check.
Do you think you left it there?
I think so. He always leaves his things everywhere.
You're right.

I'm sorry for interrupting your meeting. I left a file here. Thank you.
Did you find it?
Yes, it was there. Some people were having a meeting. I had to interrupt them, but I found it.

Scene 3: Vacation Plans
I'm so excited. My vacation starts in 2 days.
Where are you going this summer?
I'm not sure yet. I'm thinking about going somewhere in Europe, but I'm not sure where.
That sounds amazing. Last year, I was traveling through Italy for 2 weeks.
Really? Did you enjoy it? I'm looking for somewhere with good food and history.
Italy is perfect for that. There's incredible food everywhere you go.
I'll have a look at that. Are you planning to go anywhere this year?
I'm going somewhere completely different this time. I'm going to book a beach resort in Thailand.
Wow. That's a big change. Why Thailand?
I want to go somewhere in Asia.
That sounds nice, but I want to avoid anywhere too touristy.
Smart choice. Tourists are everywhere in the popular cities.
Exactly. I want to go somewhere with less tourists. I'll search for somewhere in the countryside.
That's a good idea.

Scene 4: Valentine's Day Plans
Hey Mike, Valentine's Day is coming up fast. Are you taking Sarah anywhere special this year?
I'm planning something, but I'm not finding anywhere good to take her. Everywhere nice is already booked.
Tell me about it. I was calling restaurants somewhere downtown yesterday, and they're all full.
Where are you taking Linda? You always find somewhere romantic.
Well, everywhere is already booked, so I'm not going anywhere. This year, I'm cooking dinner for her.
That sounds great. Well, I can't cook, so I hope to find somewhere nice to take her.
I'm sure you will.

Scene 5: Hotel Check-in Mix-up
Hi, good evening. I'm checking in. My name is Anderson.
Good evening, Mr. Anderson. Let me find your reservation.
Thanks. I booked somewhere on your website last month.
Sure. Hmm, I'm not seeing it anywhere in the system. What date did you book?
January 15th. The confirmation is somewhere in my email. Let me check.
Please do. I'm searching everywhere, but nothing appears.
Here it is. It says I'm staying here for three nights.
Sir, this reservation is not for this hotel. You booked the Grand Plaza Hotel. We're the Grand Park Hotel. This hotel is on the other side of town.
Oh, that's true. I'm so sorry. But I'm not going anywhere tonight. I'm exhausted. Do you have any rooms available?
Yes, we do.
I'll stay here for one night then.
No problem.

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Hello and welcome.

This episode might make some people uncomfortable.

And that's okay.

Today we're talking about technology. Not just phones, apps, or social media, but how technology has changed our lives, our minds, and our behavior.

Technology has helped us in many ways, but it has also taken more control than we'd like to admit.

I'm here with someone who knows this world from the inside. He's a former executive from one of the biggest technology companies in the world.

Thank you for being here and for being willing to speak openly.

Thank you for inviting me.

And I want to be honest from the beginning. I loved technology. I still do in many ways.

But after years inside that system, I started seeing things that made me uncomfortable. Things people need to understand.

Okay, let's start simple.

When you look at our lives today, how has technology changed us?

Technology has changed everything.

The way we work, the way we communicate, the way we think, and even the way we feel.

We can talk to anyone in the world in seconds. We can learn almost anything for free.

That is powerful. That is beautiful.

But at the same time, technology changed our relationship with time and attention.

We are faster, but also more distracted.

We are connected, but often more lonely.

Technology didn't just enter our lives. It slowly became the center of them.

And that's true.

Many people don't even remember how life felt before constant notifications.

And we need to be fair.

Technology has helped millions of people.

It created jobs.

It gave voices to people who had none.

It allowed education to reach places it never reached before.

From a business perspective, technology solved real problems.

I saw doctors saving lives using technology.

I saw small businesses growing thanks to the internet.

These things matter.

Technology itself is not evil.

I agree.

Many of us are here learning, working, and connecting because of technology.

But here is where things get complicated.

When something helps you too much, you kind of stop using your own skills.

We stopped remembering phone numbers.

We stopped being bored.

We stopped being alone with our thoughts.

Inside big tech companies, we talked a lot about engagement.

Not happiness.

Not well-being.

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Hello everyone and welcome back to our podcast. I am your host River.

And I am Emma.

Today, we are excited to explore some engaging English expressions and useful vocabulary that will enrich your language skills.

That is right. We will go beyond traditional textbook explanations and examine how native speakers actually use these expressions in everyday conversations.

Precisely. You will hear authentic, natural English as it is spoken in real life.

So, we are going to watch a short movie clip and then break it down together.

Exactly. We will play the clip, highlight the key English expressions and vocabulary used by the characters, and explain how native speakers naturally employ them in real-life situations.

This way, you will not only learn the phrases, but also understand the context and intonation behind them. Shall we begin?

"Where have you been all these years?"
Character 1: I've got to start with a question that is on everyone's mind. Where have you been all these years?

Character 2: Well, it's a complicated story. I was a research scientist studying genetic sequencing when one of my experiments went wrong.

Welcome back, friends. The key expression we are focusing on today is "Where have you been all these years?"

This is a natural and emotionally expressive question used when someone reappears after a long absence. It conveys surprise, curiosity, and sometimes relief or mild reproach. Native speakers use it when reconnecting with old friends, family members, or acquaintances after many years.

For example: "Wow, Jenny, where have you been all these years? I haven't seen you since high school."

For example: "Where have you been all these years, man? We've missed you at our reunions."

"Get" (e.g., Get a road manager)
Character 1: Eh, I thought he looked puffy. Did they blow dry his fur? This is why I've been saying he needs a full-time road manager.

Character 2: Uh-huh, let me guess. You're putting yourself up for the job.

Character 1: Naturally. I've got an eye for showbiz, the glitz, the glamour.

Character 2: Maybe he should get a road manager who doesn't have fleas.

Character 1: Hey.

Welcome back, friends. "Get a road manager." Let's learn how native people use "get" in everyday English.

"Get a road manager" means hire or find someone to do that job. In this case, it's said in a funny way because of the fleas comment.

Yes, native people use "get" in many casual ways. For example: "I need to get a new phone."

For example: "They decided to get a tour guide for their trip."

(Clip excerpt)
Character: ...for days. You're going to pardon. You're going to pardon. You're going to pardon. Hey, YOU'RE GOING TO PARDON. YOU GOT A JET. YOU GOT A JET. YOU GOT A JET.
Character: OH, SHUT UP.
Character: YOU GET A BOOK. You get a book. And you get a book.
Character: Yeah. Tell me about it.

"Look on the bright side"
Character 1: I grew up assuming my parents would be together forever. But that sure didn't happen.

Character 2: Maybe the problem is expecting too much from other people.

Character 1: I don't know. I just thought things would finally be normal, but they're not. Suddenly he's famous and everybody wants something from him.

Character 2: Look on the bright side. People love your dad. He makes them happy.

Welcome back, friends. Did you notice "look on the bright side"? What does it mean?

Yes, it means to focus on the positive aspect of a situation instead of the negative.

For example: "I lost my job, but look on the bright side, I can finally start my own business."

For example: "The weather is rainy, but look on the bright side, the plants need water."

Do you always see the bright side?

Character: Bright side? You can start running with that again. You're fine. Ding. This is your stop. See you later.

"Pathetic"
Character 1: Hey, Emma. I was thinking well, maybe we could go to the movies sometime. Like on a date or whatever. Ah, I'm pathetic.

Friends, welcome you back. Did you notice the word pathetic at the end? Let's break it down.

Yes, pathetic means sad, weak, or deserving pity. In this clip, the character says it about himself because he feels embarrassed after failing to ask Emma out smoothly.

For example: "I forgot my lines on stage. I felt so pathetic." It means he felt embarrassed and useless about himself.

For example: "He gave up after one try. That's just pathetic." It means that behavior is weak and disappointing.

Character 1: They fed you.
Character 2: You make me sound pathetic.
Character 1: You were pretty pathetic in the Fenders veggie.
Character 2: Fender's Frost collection is pathetic. Well, no, it's beautiful. I'm pathetic. You get it.
Character 1: I get it. I'm...

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Welcome to today's podcast. Today's episode is very special. Because we're not talking about theory or motivation quotes. We're talking about a real story. A story about struggle, mistakes, fear, sacrifice, and growth.

Today, I'm sitting with someone who became a millionaire. But not because he was lucky. Not because he was born rich. And not because things were easy. Thank you so much for being here. To start, I want to ask you something simple, but very important. Who are you? And where did your story begin?

Thank you for having me. My story began in a place most people don't imagine when they hear the word millionaire. I was born in a very poor neighborhood. Not "we had little money" poor, but real poverty. Sometimes there was no food in the house. Sometimes the electricity was cut. I shared one small room with my brothers. And my parents were always worried. I remember my mother crying quietly at night, thinking we were asleep.

That kind of childhood stays with you. It shapes the way you see the world. When I was a kid, I didn't dream about being rich. I dreamed about stability. About not being afraid of tomorrow. About opening the fridge and knowing there will be food. Those dreams were simple but very powerful. They became the fuel that pushed me forward later in life.

That sounds very hard. When did you start working?

Very early. I was around 12 years old when I got my first informal job. I cleaned shoes, carried bags, helped people at the market. I didn't do it because I wanted extra money for fun. I did it because my family needed it.

While other kids played, I learned responsibility. While others complained about homework, I learned how tiring real work can be. But here is something important: working early didn't make me successful. It made me tired. What changed my life was not working more, but thinking differently later.

Did you study at the university?

Yes. But not in the way people imagine. I entered university with hope, but also fear. I didn't understand many things. I felt inferior. Many students came from better families, better schools, and had connections.

I failed exams. I repeated classes. At one point, I almost quit. I remember sitting alone thinking, "Maybe this life is not for me." And here is the truth many people don't like to hear: I failed many times. I was not special. I was not the best student. I was just stubborn enough to continue.

When did you start making money on your own?

Not fast. And not successfully at first. My first business failed completely. I lost money I didn't really have. I borrowed from friends. Some supported me; others laughed. I remember one person saying, "You should stop dreaming. This is not for people like us." That sentence hurt deeply. But it also stayed in my mind every time I wanted to quit. I tried again and again. Some small successes came, but they disappeared quickly because I didn't know how to manage money. Nobody teaches you that when you're poor. You think money will save you. But if you don't respect it, it leaves.

Was there a moment that changed everything?

Yes. One moment. I was exhausted, broke again, and emotionally empty. I met a man much older than me. He was not rich, but he was calm. He asked me one question:

"Do you want money, or do you want skills?"

That question hit me hard. I realized I was chasing money, not value. From that day, I focused on learning sales, communication, leadership, and problem-solving. I read books slowly, many times. I listened more than I spoke. I stopped trying to look successful and started trying to be useful.

What did you have to sacrifice?

A lot. Friends, comfort, nights out, sometimes family time. Not because I didn't love them, but because I had to choose. Many people don't talk about this part. Success is lonely before it is visible.

There were years where nobody believed in me. People only see the results, not the silence. I missed birthdays. I worked weekends. I said no many times, and every "no" hurt, but it built discipline. And discipline changed my life more than motivation ever did.

When did things finally work?

Slowly. Very slowly. One project worked better than expected. Then another. Then I learned how to reinvest, not spend. I learned how to build teams, not to do everything alone. Money came as a result, not as a goal.

The day I realized I was a millionaire was not exciting. I didn't celebrate. I just sat quietly and remembered where I came from. I thought about my mother, about the fridge, about fear, and I felt peace, not happiness.

What advice would you give to someone listening right now?

Stop comparing your chapter one to someone else's chapter 20.

Understand that money is not the goal. Freedom is.

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Hello everyone, and welcome back to Listen Speak Academy.

We are going to do another lesson today. It is A2 level today.

Randy is going to the shopping mall and wants to shop for some new shoes.

We will listen to some slow and simple English, followed by some focus on vocabulary.

This is followed by shadowing and repeating exercises.

Enjoy your lesson and pay attention.

Hello, welcome to the shop.

I need new shoes.

Great. What kind are you looking for?

I need two pairs today. I need one pair for work. I also need one pair for the gym.

We can certainly help with that.

I do a lot of walking at work, and I lift weights at the gym.

I have just the right sections for you. Let's look at work shoes first.

I want something black and professional.

These leather shoes are very popular.

Are they heavy?

No, they are very lightweight.

That is good for long days.

They have extra cushion inside, too.

I like the style of these. Can I try a size 10 in black?

Let me check for you. Here is the size 10 in black.

They feel a bit tight.

Hmm, is it not wide enough, or the length?

My toes feel a little squeezed.

Let's try a size 10 and a half.

These feel much better. I can move my toes now.

Do they slip at the heel?

They stay perfectly in place. I will definitely take this pair.

Now, let's find your gym shoes.

I want something with good grip.

These yellow sneakers are great for the gym.

I like the bright color.

They have a flat sole for lifting.

That is exactly what I need.

Should we stay with the 10 and a half size?

Let's try that size first.

Here you go. Give them a try.

These feel very stable on the floor. I will walk around a little bit.

How is the arch support?

Feels very firm and supportive.

These shoes are also water-repellent.

Oh, really? That is amazing.

Yes, water slides right off them.

That is perfect for rainy days.

They are very breathable, too.

The mesh lets air in. I really like them. I will take these as well.

You picked two great pairs.

I am happy with the choices.

I have some good news for you.

What is that?

We have a buy-two special today.

Is there a discount?

Yes, you get 20% off the total.

That is a wonderful deal.

It saves you a lot of money.

I love finding a good sale.

Let us go to the register.

Here are both pairs of shoes.

The total for both is $110.

That is a very fair price.

Would you like the boxes?

I will take the work shoes in the box. I want to wear the gym shoes now.

Sure, I can put your old shoes in the bag.

Thank you. I will pay with my card.

Just tap it on the machine, please. Here is your receipt and your bag.

Thank you for all your help.

It was my pleasure.

My feet feel much better already.

Enjoy your workout later.

I will. Is the bakery still across the street?

Yes, it is right over there.

Great. I am going to get a snack.

Have a wonderful afternoon.