American English Podcast

Who doesn’t love a good crime story from the 1930s? Add romance, fast cars, and a nation in chaos… and you’ve got Bonnie and Clyde. In this episode, I share a simplified, learner-friendly version of their true story—set during the Great Depression—and pack it with irregular verbs. You’ll hear how newspapers turned two criminals into legends, why the public sympathized with them, and how their story became one of the most famous love-and-crime tales in U.S. history. You’ll Learn: The meaning of infamous Why crime increased during the 1930s How newspapers turned Bonnie and Clyde into legends 10 essential irregular verbs in context (+ TONS of others we already learned in other irregular verb episodes) Focus Verbs: steal (stole) · meet (met) · have (had) · drive (drove) · shoot (shot) ·hurt (hurt) · catch (caught) · give (gave) · hide (hid) · forget (forgot) Mentioned in the Episode Get the full transcript, quizzes, worksheets, and videos inside ⁠The Academy Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

In today’s episode, we break down the common English expression “a shot in the dark,” which describes taking a guess or making an attempt with little to no information. You’ll hear where the idiom comes from, how people from the U.S. use it, and three real-life examples—from kids guessing ages, to ordering pintxos in Spain, to recreating Banana Kahlúa French toast (with no instructions!). We’ll also go over the joke of the day (“Why did the man take a ladder to the bar?”), cover some advanced terms and phrases, and finish with a pronunciation exercise focused on flap Ts. I highly recommend practicing them to sound more natural when speaking. At the end, I’ll challenge you to think of a moment when you took a shot in the dark. For the full transcript, glossary, and quiz, check out the Academy. Enjoy! Mentioned in the Episode The Academy Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

When life gives you lemons, make lemonade. 🍋In other words, turn a bad situation into a good one! That’s my new motto, and in this episode you’ll hear how we turned a full hour of tears at the Orlando Airport into one of the most magical experiences of our lives. This is a casual catch-up about what’s been going on since the last episode — and more importantly, a ridiculous story packed with 10 common English expressions used naturally in context. Listen, learn, and please don’t judge me. I love you. 😂 Mentioned in the Episode The Academy Lucas on guitar (wait for his entrance — totally worth it!) Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Can you believe it? We’ve made it to Episode 200! 🥳 In this milestone episode, I look back on everything we’ve done together in Season 4 (Episodes 151–200). From expressions that made you laugh to cultural stories that made you think, this season has been packed with lessons designed to improve your English and your connection to American culture. Tune in to hear the your favorite episodes this season, stats and what's coming next! :) Thank you so much to everyone who's tuned in this season; it's been a fun ride! Check out Season 4 and All Premium Content to learn more with every episode this Season! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

In this Five Minute English feature, we dive into one of America’s most beloved seasons: fall (also known as autumn). From pumpkin spice and cozy sweaters to apple orchards and football games, fall in the U.S. isn’t just a season—it’s a whole feeling. You’ll learn: Which is more common: fall or autumn? The sounds, sights, tastes, and smells that define the season. Cultural traditions like pumpkin patches, apple picking, football games, Halloween, and Thanksgiving. The meaning of fall foliage and why U.S. autumn leaves are so special. Personal stories and memories that capture the cozy, nostalgic spirit of the season. Along the way, you’ll hear rich vocabulary, expressions, and phrasal verbs to boost your English while connecting with American culture. Fall in the U.S. is marked by vivid colors, comfort foods, and family traditions. The season is more than dates on a calendar—it’s tied to the senses: smell, taste, touch, sight, and sound. Shared experiences (like stepping on a crunchy leaf 🍂) remind us of the simple pleasures that unite people. This episode is part of the Five Minute English series, which means it’s packed with advanced vocabulary and collocations. Listen several times, pause, and replay to strengthen your comprehension. If you’d like definitions, transcripts, and a vocabulary guide for this episode, check out the ⭐  5-Minute English Courses. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices