English Learning for Curious Minds

 It has gone from luxury to necessity, and there are over 2 billion air conditioning units in the world today.In this episode, we'll take a look at how air conditioning got started, why people didn't mind being hot in the past, and what the true cost of staying cool might be for future generations.Staying cool is nothing new: Romans & Egyptian methodsDing Huan & the rotating fanWhy people were afraid of creating cold artificiallyHow the Dutch magician Cornelis Drebbel tricked King James I in 1620Benjamin Franklin getting sweaty one July in PhiladelphiaPrimitive air conditioning by pumping air over iceDid people actually mind that there was no air conditioning?Willis H. Carrier & the first air conditioning unitConvincing the US public that it was something they needed1920s sweaty American cinemasSpending $600,000 on an air conditioning unit in 1932The boom of air conditioning in the USHow many households around the world have air conditioning in 2021?The impact of air conditioning: the good, the bad & the unexpectedEnvironmental impact of air conditioningFuture of air conditioning in the developing worldNew air conditioning technologies: high & low tech Full interactive transcript, subtitles and key vocabulary available on the website: https://www.leonardoenglish.com/podcasts/air-conditioning ---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

 He is the world's highest-paid podcaster, and his podcast was acquired by Spotify for a reported $200 million in 2020.But who actually is Joe Rogan, and what does this deal mean for independent podcasts?Introduction to SpotifyA time when you couldn't listen to podcasts on SpotifyHow Spotify works (as a business)The business model of most podcastsThe Joe Rogan Experience podcastWho is Joe Rogan?Why Spotify decided to buy the Joe Rogan ExperienceThe commentator's opinion of the acquisitionControversies of the Joe Rogan ExperienceThe Platform vs. Publisher debateThe future of independent podcasters & SpotifyFull interactive transcript, subtitles and key vocabulary available on the website: https://www.leonardoenglish.com/podcasts/joe-rogan-spotify ---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

 It is one of London's most famous tourist attractions, and it has an amazing history that not all tourists are aware of.In this episode, we'll explore the bloody but fascinating history of London's oldest standing building.The arrival of William The Conqueror in 1066How The Tower of London was builtWhat The Tower of London was used for in the Middle AgesThe country's most famous prison"Being sent to The Tower"Famous people who were executed at The Tower of LondonThe Beefeaters of The Tower of LondonThe Tower of London as a zooThe Royal MintThe first prisoner to escape from The Tower of LondonFull interactive transcript, subtitles and key vocabulary available on the website: https://www.leonardoenglish.com/podcasts/tower-of-london ---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

 Since the collapse of the USSR, London has become the city of choice for Russian oligarchs.In this episode, we'll explore how the UK's capital welcomed Russian money and why London became nicknamed "Londongrad".Roman Abramovich buys ChelseaDefinition of "oligarch"Why was London the destination of choice for Russian oligarchs?London's cultural appealThe English legal systemThe English libel lawsLondon as a financial hubCompany ownership in the UKThe "Golden Visa" schemeLinks between Russian oligarchs and British politicsEvgeny Lebedev becomes "Baron Lebedev"London doesn't ask questions about the origin of moneyThe Russian invasion of UkraineThe future of "Londongrad"Full interactive transcript, subtitles and key vocabulary available on the website: https://www.leonardoenglish.com/podcasts/londongrad ---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

 Despite only educating 1% of the population Oxford and Cambridge University have a tight grip over everything from UK politics to business.In this episode, we look at what life at Oxbridge is like, why graduates often go on to such powerful positions, and see what these two universities have been doing to improve access to disadvantaged children.Global rankings of Oxford & Cambridge universityInfluence and power of OxbridgeHow Oxbridge is divided (the "college" system)How much students at Oxbridge need to workThe most prestigious of the Oxbridge collegesChrist Church Oxford: the college that has produced 13 Prime MinistersTrinity College Cambridge: the college that has produced 34 Nobel prize winnersFamous alumni of OxbridgeWhy are graduates of Oxbridge so successful?Is access to Oxbridge fair?Private schools & OxbridgeGetting into Oxbridge vs. American universitiesThe Varsity Blues scandalCuriosities of Oxbridge: Harry Potter, a library with 13 million books, the head of Oliver Cromwell and a tortoise raceFull interactive transcript, subtitles and key vocabulary available on the website: https://www.leonardoenglish.com/podcasts/oxbridge ---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 20th century saw the creation of world-famous luxury fashion houses. In this episode, we'll explore the stories of Chanel, Dior, Gucci and Versace, and look at how they changed what we wear. The first fashion designer: Charles Frederick Worth The concept of "off the peg" clothes Coco Chanel Chanel & The Duke of Westminster The founding of Gucci The role of sanctions on Italy The later life of the Gucci family Christian Dior - designing in post-war Paris "This is a new look" Gianni Versace Versace's approach to using celebrities "Quality is remembered long after the price is forgotten" - Aldo Gucci Full interactive transcript, subtitles and key vocabulary available on the website: https://www.leonardoenglish.com/podcasts/rise-great-fashion-houses ---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

 It was meant to be a simple space mission to the moon, but 56 hours into the flight tragedy struck.In this episode, we'll learn how three astronauts managed to use teamwork and quick thinking to escape death and return to Earth alive.Background to the Apollo programmeThe objective of the Apollo 13 missionThe pilots of the Apollo 13 missionThe three parts of the Apollo 13 spacecraftThe importance of ground control at HoustonThe uneventful first 56 hours of the missionA piece of routine maintenance goes wrong"Houston, we've had a problem"What actually went wrong?Losing all power and being 330,000 km away from EarthHow quick thinking turned this lunar mission into a rescue missionFiguring out the path backConserving oxygen and water and going around the moonFixing the spacecraft to avoid getting carbon dioxide poisoningReturning to EarthThe legacy of Apollo 13Full interactive transcript, subtitles and key vocabulary available on the website: https://www.leonardoenglish.com/podcasts/apollo-13 ---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

 He was the Victorian era's most famous social writer, and his novels were loved by everyone from Queen Victoria to street children.In this episode we'll learn about Charles Dickens shone a light on the injustices of 19th century Britain and invented the modern idea of Christmas.Definition of "inimitable"The early life of Charles DickensHis early experience with grinding povertyBecoming a legal clerk and then reporting on parliamentary debatesHis talent for writing sketchesHis first book: The Pickwick PapersThe serial publication style of Charles DickensThe private life of Charles DickensHis vast literary outputThe social activism of Charles DickensGoing on tour in his later yearsThe fame of Charles DickensHis universal appealCharles Dickens & the modern idea of ChristmasThe legacy of Charles DickensFull interactive transcript, subtitles and key vocabulary available on the website: https://www.leonardoenglish.com/podcasts/charles-dickens ---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

 He was the peasant who went from a village in Siberia to the centre of the Russian imperial court, befriending the Tsar and Tsarina, and playing a role in the downfall of Russia’s longest-serving dynasty, The Romanovs. In this episode, we'll learn about the unlikely but fascinating life of Grigori Rasputin.Russia in 1900Overview of the fall of the Romanov DynastyThe early life of ​​Grigory Yefimovich Novykh ("Rasputin")Discovering the "Khylsts" and “sinning to drive out sin”Earning the nickname of "The Mad Monk"Rasputin's personal hygiene (or lack of)Curing the Tsar's son, AlexeiSecuring a place within the imperial familyRasputin's relationship with the Tsarina, AlexandraAn assassination attempt by a noseless peasantThe plot to kill RasputinThe (very long) murder of RasputinRussia after Rasputin's deathThe legacy (and importance) of Grigori Rasputin on Russian historyFull interactive transcript, subtitles and key vocabulary available on the website: https://www.leonardoenglish.com/podcasts/rasputin ---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

 It is one of the most influential cities in the United States but has recently been accused of falling into disrepair, with rising homelessness and open drug dealing.In this episode, we'll look at what is happening in San Francisco, what has caused this, who and what is thought to be responisble, and what is being done to change it.The mothers' billboards: “Unfortunately, we’re just as famous for our dirt-cheap fentanyl”A brief history of San FranciscoThe tech boom contributes to an increase in house pricesSan Francisco's growing homeless populationDrug use and petty crimeThe election of Chesa BoudinChesa Boudin's personal experience with imprisonmentProposition 47: The Safe Neighborhoods and Schools ActTheories about the causes of San Francisco's declineThe San Francisco budget: more per capita than any other US cityThe use of fentanyl in San FranciscoThe recall Chesa Boudin campaignFull interactive transcript, subtitles and key vocabulary available on the website: https://www.leonardoenglish.com/podcasts/san-francisco ---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