Episodes

  • Skills We All Need 1 | Communication Skills
    Nov 7 2024

    Welcome to the very first episode of Skills We All Need! In this episode, we’re diving into one of the most essential skills of all: communication. Whether you’re navigating a team meeting, chatting with friends, or just trying to write an email that won’t put people to sleep, solid communication skills make life easier and more enjoyable. Join host Danny as he explores the four key areas of communication that everyone should master:

    • Listening – Discover why real listening goes beyond just hearing words, and how practicing active listening can change the way people respond to you.
    • Speaking – Learn how to speak with clarity, engage your audience, and keep your words concise to avoid misunderstandings and make a lasting impression.
    • Writing – Get tips for crafting messages that are clear, purposeful, and even enjoyable to read, so your emails and texts don’t get lost in translation.
    • Non-Verbal Communication – Uncover the secrets of effective body language, from eye contact to gestures, and how to use these cues to make a strong impact without saying a word.

    Throughout the episode, Danny shares real-life examples, practical tips, and a few laughs to make these skills easy and fun to apply. You’ll leave with actionable advice that can transform your interactions, whether at work, home, or even online.

    If you’re ready to take your communication to the next level, tune in and start mastering the skills we all need to succeed!

    Unlock the Full Episode

    To listen to the full episode and gain access to our entire back catalogue of engaging discussions, become a premium subscriber on Apple Podcasts or Patreon. You’ll unlock exclusive content and dive deeper into thought-provoking stories and lessons!

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    Make sure to check out our English Plus Magazine for even more articles, vocabulary lessons, and our exciting new audio series available in our shop. Whether you’re looking to expand your knowledge or explore new perspectives, there’s something for everyone.

    Episode Highlights:

    • Introduction to the Skills We All Need series
    • Practical tips for listening, speaking, writing, and non-verbal communication
    • Real-life examples and scenarios for applying these skills
    • Fun, engaging insights to make learning enjoyable

    Let’s get better at the skills that make life smoother and connections stronger. Happy listening!

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    6 mins
  • The Lies We Still Believe 3 | Brain Myths, Knuckles, Lightning, and More
    Nov 6 2024

    Full Episode Description

    In this episode of The Lies We Still Believe, we explore five common myths that just won’t go away.

    • 10% Brain Usage: Hollywood loves it, but science says we already use our whole brain—even when we’re not aware of it.
    • Cracking Knuckles Causes Arthritis: We pop the truth about this cautionary tale and reveal what’s really behind that satisfying sound.
    • Lightning Never Strikes the Same Place Twice: We debunk this myth and explain why lightning often targets the same spots repeatedly.
    • Gum Takes Seven Years to Digest: Find out why your digestive system handles swallowed gum better than this myth suggests.
    • Mobile Phones Cause Brain Cancer: Separate fear from fact as we dive into the science behind phone radiation and health risks.

    Discover why these myths persist, how they spread, and what it takes to think critically about the claims we hear every day.

    To unlock the full episode and gain access to our extensive back catalogue, consider becoming a premium subscriber on Apple Podcasts or Patreon. And don’t forget to visit englishpluspodcast.com for even more content, including articles, in-depth studies, and our brand-new audio series now available in our English Plus Podcast’s shop!

    Hosted by Danny, this episode is packed with insights and myth-busting fun. Tune in and challenge the stories you’ve grown up believing!

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    10 mins
  • Introducing English Plus Season 3
    Oct 1 2021
    Learn about the significant changes coming your way in season 3 of English Plus that will start on Monday, October 4, 2021. I will talk in this episode about the changes in the schedule, the new patron program and everything you need to know about English Plus in the brand-new season. Support me to keep English Plus alive on https://www.patreon.com/dannyballanAccess the full archive of English Plus on https://englishpluspodcast.com/english-plus-podcast-archive/Explore a world on learning on my website https://englishpluspodcast.com Unlock all Premium Episodes on Patreon

    See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

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    40 mins
  • Unlock English Grammar 2 | Basic Verb Tenses 2
    Nov 5 2024

    In Episode 2 of Unlock English Grammar, we're diving deep into the Present Perfect and Past Perfect tenses—your essential tools for expressing past experiences and describing actions with relevance to the present. We start with the Present Perfect tense, which helps you talk about life experiences, achievements, and ongoing actions that bridge the past and the present. From sharing personal experiences like “I have visited Paris” to describing recent actions that still have an impact, you'll learn how this tense keeps your conversations natural and relevant.

    Next, we explore the Present Perfect Continuous, a tense that shines when describing ongoing actions with visible results, perfect for capturing actions that are still in progress or just completed. We also look at key phrases, like “for” and “since,” to convey duration and connect past actions to the present.

    To round out the episode, we tackle the Past Perfect and Past Perfect Continuous tenses. These past tenses are essential for storytelling, helping you clarify the order of events and add depth to your narratives. From explaining missed opportunities to setting the background for interrupted actions, you'll learn when to choose each tense to make your stories precise and engaging.

    Whether you’re learning English or refining your grammar skills, this episode provides you with valuable insights and practical examples for mastering these tenses in daily conversations. Tune in to start using these tenses with confidence and fluency!

    To unlock the full episode and gain access to our extensive back catalogue, consider becoming a premium subscriber on Apple Podcasts or Patreon. And don’t forget to visit englishpluspodcast.com for even more content, including articles, in-depth studies, and our brand-new audio series now available in our English Plus Podcast’s shop!

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    8 mins
  • Word Power | From Smart Toasters to Space Explorers
    Nov 4 2024

    In this Word Power episode on the English Plus Podcast, we dive into thought-provoking questions, explore cutting-edge tech, analyze social trends, and revisit historical milestones—all through a lens that expands your vocabulary and understanding. From pondering our roles as creators in a world filled with AI tools to exploring how smart devices are redefining everyday life, this episode covers diverse topics to spark your curiosity and boost your language skills. We journey through synchronized dancing and its surprising impact on human connection, the ripple effects of urbanization on rural communities, and end with a space-age story of courage, featuring Yuri Gagarin, the first human to orbit Earth. Tune in for fascinating insights, big ideas, and words that add power to your conversations!

    To unlock the full episode and gain access to our extensive back catalogue, consider becoming a premium subscriber on Apple Podcasts or Patreon. And don’t forget to visit englishpluspodcast.com for even more content, including articles, in-depth studies, and our brand-new audio series now available in our English Plus Podcast’s shop!

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    21 mins
  • Mythical Mayhem | The Great Greek Big Bang
    Nov 1 2024

    Before reality TV, the original drama kings and queens were the gods of Greek mythology. The Big Bang(ers): How the Gods Invented Chaos (and Bad Parenting) takes you on a wild, hilarious ride through the ultimate cosmic soap opera. Meet Gaia, the overworked Earth mom, Uranus, the absentee father who literally shoved his kids back where they came from, and Cronus, the paranoid son who thought snacking on his offspring was a solid parenting strategy. And just when you think the chaos has peaked, Zeus enters the scene—lightning bolts in one hand, terrible decisions in the other.

    Packed with betrayal, sibling rivalries, monster revolts, and divine tantrums, this story promises laugh-out-loud moments and jaw-dropping antics. Because let’s face it—your family drama has nothing on the gods.

    Ready to meet the gods and feel better about your own life? Join the fun now, and discover just how badly the immortals messed things up!

    To unlock the full episode and gain access to our extensive back catalogue, consider becoming a premium subscriber on Apple Podcasts or Patreon. And don’t forget to visit englishpluspodcast.com for even more content, including articles, in-depth studies, and our brand-new audio series now available in our English Plus Podcast’s shop!

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    37 mins
  • Unlock English Grammar 1 | Basic Verb Tenses 1
    Oct 31 2024

    In the debut episode of Unlock English Grammar, your host Danny takes you on a journey into the present continuous and present simple tenses, essential tools for mastering real-life English. From understanding actions in progress with "I am doing" to describing daily routines with "I do," Danny breaks down each tense through relatable examples, everyday scenarios, and simple explanations. Whether you’re a beginner or looking to brush up on your grammar skills, this episode is packed with insights, practical tips, and easy-to-understand rules. Discover how to describe actions happening now, express temporary situations, talk about future plans, and master conversations with confidence. Tune in and start building your grammar foundation one tense at a time!

    To unlock the full episode and gain access to our extensive back catalogue, consider becoming a premium subscriber on Apple Podcasts or Patreon. And don’t forget to visit englishpluspodcast.com for even more content, including articles, in-depth studies, and our brand-new audio series now available in our English Plus Podcast’s shop!

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    9 mins
  • The Lies We Still Believe 2 | Columbus, Nazis in Antarctica, and Other Persistent Lies
    Oct 30 2024

    In this episode of The Myths We Still Believe, we take a deep dive into five enduring myths that have left a lasting mark on history and society:

    • Columbus Didn’t Discover America: Find out what Columbus was really after in 1492 and why he never set foot in North America.
    • Nazis in Antarctica: We debunk the bizarre conspiracy theory of a secret Nazi base hidden under the ice.
    • The Protocols of the Elders of Zion: Discover how this fabricated document spread hate and fueled anti-Semitism across the centuries.
    • Julius Caesar’s Famous Last Words: Was "Et tu, Brute?" just a Shakespearean invention? We’ll uncover what really happened.
    • The Vaccine-Autism Myth: Learn how a debunked study sparked fear and mistrust in vaccines, and why misinformation still threatens public health today.

    This episode reveals the truth behind these stories and highlights the importance of questioning what we think we know.

    To unlock the full episode and gain access to our extensive back catalogue, consider becoming a premium subscriber on Apple Podcasts or Patreon. And don’t forget to visit englishpluspodcast.com for even more content, including articles, in-depth studies, and our brand-new audio series now available in our English Plus Podcast’s shop!

    Hosted by Danny, this is an episode you don’t want to miss!

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    7 mins