Business English from All Ears English
Lindsay McMahon
Want to feel more confident with your business English?Lindsay and Michelle show you real, business English vocabulary for the global economy in this podcast from All Ears English. Learn spoken English for business with native speakers.Get advanced skills for English meetings, presentations, small talk and socializing at work, job interviews, telephone English and more.Write more clear and concise business emails in English to sound professional.Be respected when you speak to colleagues, bosses, partners, suppliers, and stakeholders.Increase your self-esteem at work to participate, facilitate, persuade, and respond quickly in English.Learn formal, informal, and semi-formal English for different workplace situationsIncrease your salary and get a promotion.This podcast is perfect for you if you are at the mid-career or middle management stage, early career, senior-level or C-suite, entrepreneur, self-employed freelancer, or a small business owner.The English level for this podcast is intermediate to advanced English CEFR B1 Intermediate English, CEFR B2 Upper-Intermediate English, CEFR C1 Advanced English, CEFR C2 Proficiency EnglishThis podcast is great for software engineers, senior executives, MBA students, marketing managers, doctors, lawyers, accountants, project managers, HR professionals, customer service professionals, IT, financial planners, import/export businesses, biotech professionals, sales reps, and any career that involves international business or using English.With every episode, we show you how to organize and deliver your message clearly.You’ll be able to understand phone calls and conference calls by improving your listening skills.Use the right English grammar and the right English tenses in every situation.We also cover: Assigning tasks to the team, global leadership and management, English pronunciation and accent, American culture and business, cross-cultural communication skills for business, negotiation idioms, vocabulary, slang, and business proverbs and sayings.Learn how to tell stories that convince people to take action in business.Speak with customers and resolve client issues.Be polite with the right English vocabulary when you speak with your colleagues.This podcast is a collection of episodes that were originally published on All Ears English Podcast and new Business English episodes.
Episodes
Mentioned books
Jan 29, 2026 • 13min
BE 523: Do You Put Your Blood, Sweat, and Tears into Learning English?
They unpack the idiom "blood, sweat, and tears" and show how to use it naturally in conversation. You hear similar expressions for deep dedication and practical example sentences. A workplace role play demonstrates real usage. They also debate cultural attitudes toward passion at work versus work-life balance and invite listener perspectives.
7 snips
Jan 27, 2026 • 16min
BE 522: Take Notice of Business English Verbs
Short, punchy talk about why noticing small details matters in business. Clear explanations of the verbs notice and realize with practical workplace examples. A role-play shows how observing client cues reveals cost concerns. Conversation includes tips on hiring and applying observation skills at work.
17 snips
Jan 25, 2026 • 16min
BE 521: Let's Talk Cars Part 2: Take the Wheel in Your Business Conversations
Conversation weaves common car expressions into business talk. Listeners hear metaphors like running out of gas, cruise control, and shifting gears applied to meetings and momentum. Phrases such as give the green light, test drive, and take the wheel are practiced in workplace role-play. A cultural note compares car idioms across English-speaking regions.
7 snips
Jan 22, 2026 • 15min
BE 520: Am I Taking English Vocabulary for Granted?
Delve into the emotional nuances of 'taking for granted' as the hosts explore its meanings through relatable examples like family and health. Discover the intricacies of workplace dynamics and the 'curse of knowledge' that can affect user experience. Learn about the importance of intentionally overlooking minor issues in management and the risks of communication breakdowns. Insightful role-plays illustrate the practical application of vocabulary, ensuring you won't overlook the value of clear expectations in business interactions.
13 snips
Jan 20, 2026 • 15min
BE 519: Does Your English Strike a Chord?
Curious about English idioms? Discover the meaning of 'strike a balance' and how it conveys the idea of finding equilibrium in life and work. The hosts share relatable examples, like balancing customer demands with budget constraints. They explore other 'strike' expressions, such as 'strike a deal' and 'strike a chord,' enriching your business vocabulary. A fun role-play meeting showcases these phrases in action, highlighting their practical use. Tune in for insights that emphasize active effort in communication!
48 snips
Jan 18, 2026 • 16min
BE 518: Kick Your Business English into High Gear
Discover how to elevate your business English with idioms focused on intensity and teamwork. Learn the meaning and usage of phrases like 'kick it into high gear' and 'raise the stakes' in real-world scenarios. The hosts dive into examples of going all out for presentations and managing deadlines effectively. Enjoy a fun role-play segment showcasing these idioms in action. Wrap up with insights on fostering connection and cohesion within teams to enhance workplace dynamics.
16 snips
Jan 15, 2026 • 19min
BE 517: Roll the Dice and Start an English Conversation
In this lively discussion, hosts explore the risks inherent in business decisions, emphasizing how entrepreneurs often "roll the dice" on new ventures. They unpack the imagery behind this idiom and share personal stories that exemplify taking significant life risks. Listeners learn about the balance between intuition and credentials in hiring, while also reflecting on cultural attitudes toward risk-taking. With practical examples and alternative phrases, this conversation equips listeners to embrace uncertainty in both language and life.
14 snips
Jan 13, 2026 • 15min
BE 516: What's on the Horizon? How to Talk About the Future at Work
The hosts dive into key phrases for discussing the near future at work. They explain the meaning of 'on the horizon' and provide real workplace examples. Listeners learn how 'coming up' is neutral while 'looming' carries a negative tone. The term 'imminent' highlights urgently approaching events. In a fun role play, they demonstrate how to use these phrases effectively during meetings. Ultimately, the discussion wraps up with tips on building connections by acknowledging near-future events with colleagues.
11 snips
Jan 11, 2026 • 16min
BE 515: Be a Connector But Do This First
Explore the art of professional introductions and learn why asking first is essential. Discover a three-step method for proposing connections that ensures respect for everyone's time. The hosts provide practical phrasings and role-play scenarios to illustrate how to ask effectively. Finally, they emphasize the importance of gauging interest before making introductions to foster genuine connections in your network.
8 snips
Jan 8, 2026 • 14min
BE 514: Phrasal Verbs to Amp Up Your Business English
Discover effective ways to recommit to your goals in business as hosts share personal experiences. Learn how to use phrasal verbs like 'upped' to discuss project timelines and budgets. Explore terms like 'step it up' to emphasize team efforts and 'amped up' to motivate colleagues. The conversation also includes 'cranked up' for increasing production, illustrated through role-playing scenarios. Plus, get a sneak peek into exciting idioms that will enhance your business communication!
