English and Beyond: Intermediate English Podcast

In this intermediate English listening episode (Intermediate B1/B2 level), we explore the idea of the “anti-soulmate” - the person who instantly irritates you for no clear reason. Through a real life holiday story, you’ll learn natural spoken English while discovering psychological concepts like first impressions, personality clashes, insecurity, and projection. Perfect for intermediate English learners who want to improve listening skills, build useful vocabulary in context, and understand a...

In this Intermediate English listening episode, we explore the Prince Andrew scandal and ask a deeper question: are powerful people really ever held to account? You’ll learn key vocabulary related to law, privilege, media, and public opinion while following a clear explanation of the events surrounding Prince Andrew, Jeffrey Epstein, and the civil case brought by Virginia Giuffre. We examine the difference between criminal and civil law, what it means to be “held to account”, and how wealth a...

Who decides who the heroes are - and who becomes the monster? In this episode, we revisit the myth of Theseus and the Minotaur, not as a simple adventure, but as a story shaped by power and perspective. What happens when a myth is told to make one city look heroic and another cruel? This episode explores how propaganda works, how national stories simplify complex realities, and why the version of a story that survives often benefits those who tell it. Designed for intermediate English learner...

This intermediate English learning episode tells my true story about love at first sight, dating, emotions, and relationships, with clear, natural spoken English for listening practice. Do you believe in Love At First Sight? 📖 Want to improve your English even more? Read the full transcript & vocabulary flashcards → www.morethanalanguage.com Watch us on Youtube → @englishandbeyondpodcast Email your thoughts or questions → oliver@morethanalanguage.com 🎙 New episodes every week! Subscri...

I’m moving house… to my mother-in-law’s apartment. Yes, *really*. In this episode, I talk about why my partner and I are moving in with her while our new flat is being renovated, and why the whole process fills me with a unique kind of fear. From packing and misplaced chargers to angry drivers and mountains of paperwork, moving house always reveals more chaos than you expect. I also look back at my earlier moves - to Germany, Italy, China and finally Spain - and how living out of two suitcase...

Learn English through one of the most interesting stories in British history: in 1649, Britain killed its own king. The monarchy was gone. Oliver Cromwell took power - and the country became a Republic. The British Revolution! For eleven (quite dull) years, England lived without a crown: no kings, no queens, just strict rules and fading hope for democracy. Find out how the British Republic began, why it failed, and what it taught the monarchy that followed. Perfect for intermediate English le...

If you’re studying English as an adult, you’ll probably recognise this feeling: sitting in class, forgetting simple words, and wondering if you’re too old to improve. In this episode, I share what happened when I went back to school to learn Arabic from scratch, from the beginning, in my 30s - the embarrassment, the motivation, and the small victories that will add up to real progress. You’ll also hear useful and practical tips to help you stay motivated, study effectively, and keep imp...

Margaret Thatcher changed Britain forever - but not everyone agrees on how. For some, she was the strong leader who rescued the country from decline. For others, she was the politician who destroyed communities and divided a nation. In this episode, you’ll learn who she was, what she did, and why the “Iron Lady” still provokes such strong opinions decades later. Was she a national hero who transformed Britain for the better, or a national disgrace who left deep scars behind? Listen to find ou...

I quit my job as a lawyer, and I upset my parents in the process. Many parents say they only want their children to be happy. But often “happy” looks very similar to “successful” - top grades, a good job, financial security. In this episode, Oliver reflects on parental expectations, cultural differences, and his own experience of following the “safe” path to Oxford and a legal career… only to find it didn’t bring happiness. Why do parents still push us towards success, and why do we still car...

In everyday life, most of us rarely hear truly cruel comments face to face. Yet online, nastiness seems to be everywhere - from newspaper comment sections to Instagram selfies and Twitter threads. In this episode of English and Beyond, we explore why people behave so differently on the internet. Oliver reflects on his own experience receiving unkind comments and examines psychological explanations: online disinhibition, lack of tone, negativity bias, power imbalance, and the role of a small b...

Imagine arriving on a quiet Mediterranean island… only to realise that everyone around you is naked. That was my experience when I finally agreed to join a university friend on a naturist island in France. In this episode of English and Beyond: Intermediate Edition, I share: My awkward first moments on the islandThe surprising rules (sarongs in the streets if you want, but nudity required on the beaches and hiking trails)The surreal details, like ordering bread at the boulangerie from a tople...

Is your summer never quite as amazing as you expected? In this B1–B2 English podcast episode, I talk about why holidays can feel disappointing - and how to describe that in real English. You’ll learn: – How to talk about summer without saying “It was nice” – English vocabulary for expectations, emotions, and honesty – How to express yourself naturally when things weren’t perfect...which they never are! 📖 Want to improve your English even more? Read the full transcript & vocabulary flashc...

Most of us check the time every day without thinking twice. But what if the numbers on your screen or wrist aren’t as objective as they seem? In this episode of English and Beyond, we explore the strange history of time: from ancient rhythms and local sunsets to train schedules and time zones. We’ll look at why 9 to 5 feels unnatural, why jet lag is so confusing, and how culture shapes our idea of punctuality. Perfect for intermediate learners, with clear storytelling and practical vocabulary...