

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

16 snips
Oct 30, 2025 • 16min
BE 484: How to Ask for Help at Work in English
 Discover the art of asking for help at work! Learn how 'Would you mind' can make your requests sound polite and professional. Find out how to casually say 'Could you give me a hand?' for team tasks. Explore non-urgent ways to ask, like 'when you get a chance.' Dive into indirect requests that maintain diplomacy in the workplace. Enjoy a fun role-play showcasing these phrases while planning an event. Plus, understand how word choice can shape perceptions in remote communication! 

22 snips
Oct 28, 2025 • 17min
BE 483: Improve Your English Popcorn Style
 The hosts dive into the concept of 'popcorn style' in meetings, describing it as ideas popping up spontaneously during discussions. They share personal popcorn preferences and address challenges of this method in remote settings like Zoom. With practical examples and role-play, they illustrate how to facilitate a popcorn style meeting effectively. The conversation also touches on grammar nuances and alternative brainstorming styles, offering tips for leaders on balancing open dialogue with structured interaction. 

21 snips
Oct 26, 2025 • 20min
BE 482: Give Your Business Idea One Last Chance with this Vocabulary
 The hosts delve into the challenges of knowing when to give up on a business idea, discussing emotional attachment and pivotal decisions. They introduce the term 'last ditch effort,' unpacking its meaning and usage in both business and life. Personal anecdotes highlight the struggle between investing time and recognizing when to move on. The conversation also includes alternative phrases for final attempts and the importance of viewing projects objectively. Ultimately, they encourage listeners to embrace pivots and learn from failures. 

27 snips
Oct 23, 2025 • 15min
BE 481: Make a Push to Learn These Business Phrases
 Discover the power of the phrase 'make a push' in a business context! The hosts explore how to apply this term when striving for goals and meeting deadlines. They share examples from various industries like newsroom dynamics and sports. Learn how to articulate big-picture plans, like boosting sales or resources, using alternatives such as 'campaign' and 'initiative.' The hosts also role-play practical applications, encouraging listeners to incorporate these dynamic phrases into their professional repertoire. 

20 snips
Oct 21, 2025 • 19min
BE 480: How to Use the REAL Framework to Compromise at Work
 Discover the importance of compromise in enhancing workplace collaboration and productivity. Explore the REAL framework—Respect, Empathize, Align, Listen—to facilitate effective compromise. Learn how recognizing diverse perspectives and building empathy can strengthen relationships. Gain insights on aligning on shared goals and the power of open questions in fostering trust. Through role play, see how understanding motivations prevents conflict and promotes better outcomes. Ultimately, find out how compromise can lead to greater connection and workplace harmony. 

19 snips
Oct 19, 2025 • 17min
BE 479: Are You Logical or Rational?
 Dive into the intriguing world of logic versus rationality! The hosts explore how logic is rule-based and data-driven, while rationality leans on experience and intuition. Hear examples like planning a team dinner that highlight the balance between both. They also discuss the implications of calling someone irrational and how such terms are used in business conversations. Plus, a fun role play showcases decision-making styles. Don't miss insights on the future of AI in this logical context! 

10 snips
Oct 16, 2025 • 19min
BE 478: Avoid These Verbs in Business Emails
 The hosts dive into the pitfalls of using informal verbs in business emails. They highlight how phrases like 'lemme' and 'gonna' can undermine professionalism and suggest using full forms instead. Alternatives such as 'want to' and 'need to' are recommended for clearer communication. Listeners learn the importance of maintaining a polished tone with words like 'somewhat' instead of 'sorta.' Through role-playing, they illustrate the parallels between spoken and written language to reinforce professionalism in communication. 

9 snips
Oct 14, 2025 • 15min
BE 477: Let's Take 5. How to Create Space When There's Conflict at Work
 Explore the dynamics of workplace conflict and why misunderstandings arise among colleagues. Learn how empathetic leadership can improve communication by interpreting body language and tone. Discover powerful phrases like 'Let's Take a Step Back' and 'Take Five' to create necessary pauses in tense situations. Hear real-life role-plays demonstrating effective conflict resolution through breaks. Finally, understand the importance of giving space for colleagues to resolve issues on their own, fostering a healthier work environment. 

17 snips
Oct 12, 2025 • 15min
BE 476: Mastering Business English? Way to Go!
 Explore the art of congratulating colleagues in a casual workplace setting. Discover the meaning and usage of phrases like 'way to go' and alternatives such as 'nice going' or 'good job.' Learn how to deliver stronger praise with expressions like 'you killed it' and why outdated phrases, like 'kudos,' should be replaced. Engage in a role play that models team recognition and understand how acknowledging wins can boost morale and build connections among coworkers. 

7 snips
Oct 9, 2025 • 15min
BE 475: Is Your Job on the Line? How to Talk About Risk at Work
 Explore the intriguing dynamics of risk in the workplace! Hear an emotional story about an unexpected job loss that highlights the fragility of job security. Learn the meaning of 'on the line' and its applications in professional contexts. Discover how personal vulnerability can mirror workplace risks, illustrated by dating anecdotes. The hosts also discuss related phrases like 'in jeopardy' and 'on thin ice.' Gain valuable insights on how to signal what truly matters at work for better team morale. 


