English Learning for Curious Minds

From The Vault 🔐 — normally a member-only episode, unlocked this month for everyone.--The Affair of the Poisons was a scandal involving black magic, murder, and deceit at the court of King Louis XIV of France. It all began with the discovery of a red leather trunk, and would go on to expose the desperation and moral decay behind the glitter of Versailles.- King Louis XIV and life at the French court- The role of mistresses in Louis XIV's court- Marie de Brinvilliers and the hospital poisonings- The death of Godin de Sainte-Croix reveals a scandal- La Voisin's role in Parisian witchcraft and poisonings- The investigation led by Gabriel Nicolas de La Reynie- The Chambre Ardente tribunal's secretive findings- Madame de Montespan allegedly plots against the King- How the scandalous affair was quietly covered up- The enduring legacy of 17th-century France's dark secrets👉 Follow along with the interactive transcript, subtitles, and study pack — free, no registration required: https://www.leonardoenglish.com/podcasts/affair-of-poisons --🔓 And if you’d like to unlock our entire catalogue (550+ episodes), along with interactive transcripts, instant translations, and study packs, check out membership at https://bit.ly/FromTheVault2025

 In part one of our three-part series on "Tyrants of the Roman Empire," we'll meet Caligula, the notorious Roman emperor known for his cruelty and excess.  Once hailed as a promising leader, Caligula's reign quickly devolved into a nightmare, filled with public executions and humiliations. Caligula's chilling dinner party threatCaligula's background and rise to powerTiberius's influence on young CaligulaPublic approval and the initial Golden AgeCaligula's mysterious illness and recoveryShift to cruelty and public humiliationsCaligula's obsession with divinityExtravagant projects and bizarre military ordersAssassination by his own guardLegacy of despotism and unchecked power Full interactive transcript, subtitles and key vocabulary available on the website: https://www.leonardoenglish.com/podcasts/caligula ---You might like:🔓 Unlock bonus episodes, interactive transcripts, subtitles & vocabulary lists✨ 5 Powerful Tips for Learning English with Podcasts (Faster & Effectively!) [YouTube]📹 A look inside Leonardo English membership 📧 Join our FREE weekly newsletter---Keywords: Learn English, vocabulary, lessons, idioms, aprende inglés, idiomas, aprender inglês, apprendre l'anglais, imparare l’inglese, ingilizce öğren,英語を習う, تعلم الإنجليزية

 Today it's a bonus episode from Thinking in English, with Tom Wilkinson.You can find out more about Thinking in English at https://linktr.ee/thinkinginenglishpod--You’re studying every day… but you feel stuck. You forget vocabulary. You hesitate to speak. And you start to wonder… “Why am I even doing this?” If this sounds familiar, you’re not alone. Many English learners experience frustration, boredom, or burnout at some point on their journey. But what if I told you that philosophy could help? In this episode of Thinking in English, we’re going to explore practical, powerful lessons from some of history’s greatest thinkers: Stoics, Existentialists, Buddhists, and more. These ideas have helped people cope with life’s biggest challenges… so why not apply them to the challenge of learning English? Whether you’re feeling unmotivated, overwhelmed, or just tired of forgetting everything you study, this episode is for you!Thinking in English - https://linktr.ee/thinkinginenglishpod YouTube Channel -⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.youtube.com/@thinkinginenglishpodcast ---You might like:🔓 Unlock bonus episodes, interactive transcripts, subtitles & vocabulary lists✨ 5 Powerful Tips for Learning English with Podcasts (Faster & Effectively!) [YouTube]📹 A look inside Leonardo English membership 📧 Join our FREE weekly newsletter---Keywords: Learn English, vocabulary, lessons, idioms, aprende inglés, idiomas, aprender inglês, apprendre l'anglais, imparare l’inglese, ingilizce öğren,英語を習う, تعلم الإنجليزية

 The Department of Governmental Efficiency, otherwise known as DOGE, was a radical plan to cut government waste and reduce spending.   Where did the idea come from? How did it work? And crucially, did it do what it set out to do?  Background to DOGE: Department of Governmental Efficiency Controversial email to federal employees Elon Musk's influence and Twitter comparison Restructuring of USDS into DOGE DOGE's cost-saving objectives and claims Layoffs and budget cuts in various departments Criticism over foreign aid cuts and their impact Accounting errors and inflated savings claims Public protests and Musk's departure Future of DOGE and its divisive legacy Full interactive transcript, subtitles and key vocabulary available on the website: https://www.leonardoenglish.com/podcasts/doge-elon-musk ---You might like:🔓 Unlock bonus episodes, interactive transcripts, subtitles & vocabulary lists✨ 5 Powerful Tips for Learning English with Podcasts (Faster & Effectively!) [YouTube]📹 A look inside Leonardo English membership 📧 Join our FREE weekly newsletter---Keywords: Learn English, vocabulary, lessons, idioms, aprende inglés, idiomas, aprender inglês, apprendre l'anglais, imparare l’inglese, ingilizce öğren,英語を習う, تعلم الإنجليزية

 Was Ross Ulbricht a visionary pioneer or a dangerous criminal?   In part one of our series on "Young American Outlaws", we explore the rise and fall of the Silk Road and how Ulbricht's life sentence, followed by a 2025 presidential pardon, sparked fierce debate over freedom, technology, and the role of government.  Ross Ulbricht's LinkedIn clue The concept behind The Silk Road Cryptocurrency's role in anonymity The structure of The Silk Road Unexpected listings and control issues Federal agents' Silk Road investigation The arrest of Ross Ulbricht Charges and the trial Sentencing and pardoning The wider debate on personal freedom Full interactive transcript, subtitles and key vocabulary available on the website: https://www.leonardoenglish.com/podcasts/silk-road ---You might like:🔓 Unlock bonus episodes, interactive transcripts, subtitles & vocabulary lists✨ 5 Powerful Tips for Learning English with Podcasts (Faster & Effectively!) [YouTube]📹 A look inside Leonardo English membership 📧 Join our FREE weekly newsletter---Keywords: Learn English, vocabulary, lessons, idioms, aprende inglés, idiomas, aprender inglês, apprendre l'anglais, imparare l’inglese, ingilizce öğren,英語を習う, تعلم الإنجليزية

Ever wondered about the process behind crafting a podcast? Discover the intricate steps involved, from selecting timeless topics to conducting thorough research. Learn how writing scripts enhances conversational flow while making content accessible for various learners. Delve into the use of AI tools for brainstorming and refining ideas. Hear insights on balancing creativity with listener feedback, and understand the importance of consistent effort over perfection. This journey reveals how episodes truly come to life!

Alfred Nobel, known for inventing dynamite, was stunned by a mistaken obituary labeling him a 'merchant of death.' This prompted a significant shift in his legacy, leading to the establishment of the Nobel Prizes. The prizes recognize outstanding achievements in various fields, including peace, and have spurred both admiration and controversy. The podcast delves into Nobel's life, his relationship with advocate Bertha von Suttner, and the implications of his inventions. Discover the fascinating history and the enduring impact of his philanthropic vision.

 In part one of a three-part mini-series on the theme of citizenship and identity, we'll ask ourselves, "What makes someone Italian?"  We'll explore the topic of citizenship and identity in Italy, and see what the current laws tell us about what it means to be (or not to be) Italian.  Definitions of jus soli and jus sanguinis Italy's citizenship rules and marriage eligibility Referendum on easing Italy's citizenship rules Italy's low birth rate and demographic challenges Immigration's influence on Italy's citizenship debates Opposition arguments against easing citizenship rules Result of Italy’s citizenship referendum Comparison with Germany and France's citizenship laws Discussion on Italian citizenship by ancestry Debate on the meaning of citizenship in Italy Full interactive transcript, subtitles and key vocabulary available on the website: https://www.leonardoenglish.com/podcasts/italian-identity ---You might like:🔓 Unlock bonus episodes, interactive transcripts, subtitles & vocabulary lists✨ 5 Powerful Tips for Learning English with Podcasts (Faster & Effectively!) [YouTube]📹 A look inside Leonardo English membership 📧 Join our FREE weekly newsletter---Keywords: Learn English, vocabulary, lessons, idioms, aprende inglés, idiomas, aprender inglês, apprendre l'anglais, imparare l’inglese, ingilizce öğren,英語を習う, تعلم الإنجليزية

Hannibal of Carthage emerges as one of history's greatest military generals, fueled by a childhood vow of vengeance against Rome. His audacious Alpine crossing with elephants and a diverse army left the Romans in shock. The podcast highlights his stunning victories at Trebia, Lake Trasimene, and Cannae, showcasing his tactical genius. Yet, despite his brilliance, he faced defeat at the Battle of Zama. Hannibal's enduring legacy reshaped military strategy for centuries, making him a fascinating figure in the annals of warfare.

 Meet Mobutu Sese Seko, the man who rose from a lowly army officer to become the autocratic ruler of the Democratic Republic of the Congo.   Wearing his signature leopard-skin hat, Mobutu rebranded the country as Zaire and himself as a symbol of African pride.   Despite his charismatic persona and lavish lifestyle, his regime left the country impoverished, highlighting the dangers of unchecked power and corruption.  Mobutu Sese Seko's rise to power in Congo Congo's harsh colonial history under Belgian rule Mobutu's involvement in Patrice Lumumba's downfall Mobutu's 1965 coup and 32-year rule Renaming Congo to Zaire and introducing the Authenticité movement Mobutu's repressive regime and personality cult Corruption and Mobutu's embezzlement of state funds Economic decline and dependency on foreign aid Mobutu's fall from power and death in exile Mobutu's enduring legacy in modern-day DRC Full interactive transcript, subtitles and key vocabulary available on the website: https://www.leonardoenglish.com/podcasts/mobutu-sese-seko ---You might like:🔓 Unlock bonus episodes, interactive transcripts, subtitles & vocabulary lists✨ 5 Powerful Tips for Learning English with Podcasts (Faster & Effectively!) [YouTube]📹 A look inside Leonardo English membership 📧 Join our FREE weekly newsletter---Keywords: Learn English, vocabulary, lessons, idioms, aprende inglés, idiomas, aprender inglês, apprendre l'anglais, imparare l’inglese, ingilizce öğren,英語を習う, تعلم الإنجليزية