

American English With Brent
Brent
If you’re looking to improve your English, this podcast is for you. An American who speaks English slowly, so you can understand.
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Episodes
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Sep 3, 2025 • 20min
A Dangerous Friendship That Threatens the United States: Speak Better English
A dangerous new alliance could push the United States out of power. Are Russia, China, and others planning a future where America is no longer in charge?✅ I can be your speaking partner https://brentspeak.as.me/ Use Code SUMMER10 for 10% off your conversationEurasian – about both Europe and Asia. : The leaders talked about Eurasian trade between Europe and Asia.Stable – steady, not changing quickly. : China wants a stable friendship with India and Russia.Upend – to turn over or change completely. : The summit could upend the old system led by the West.Elaborate – detailed or fancy. : Xi gave an elaborate plan for new projects.Might – strength or power. : The summit showed the might of these big countries.Intentions – plans or goals. : Modi’s intentions were to grow trust and trade.Disarray – confusion or disorder. : Some experts said the group might fall into disarray.Military Bloc – a group of countries joined for defense. : The SCO is not just a military bloc, but also for trade.Count On – to depend on. : Russia can count on China’s support.Be At Odds – to disagree. : India and China have been at odds about their border.Clash – to fight or argue strongly. : The leaders did not want to clash during the meeting.Beats Up On – to hit again and again (real or in words). : Modi’s message beats up on the need for trust.Reached Out – tried to connect or talk. : Putin reached out to India for closer ties.Embraced – accepted gladly. : The leaders embraced the idea of more energy trade.Crude Oil – oil in its natural form. : They spoke about selling crude oil to each other.Hypocritical – saying one thing but doing another.Some people said it was hypocritical for leaders to talk about peace while selling more weapons.Levying – charging a tax or fee. : The group warned against levying high trade taxes.Manifesting – showing clearly. : Smiles were manifesting friendship at the summit.Roll Out The Red Carpet – give a very special welcome. : China rolled out the red carpet for Putin’s visit.Sacrifices – things given up for something else. : India may make sacrifices to keep peace in the region.Comparison – looking at how things are alike or different. : In comparison to Western meetings, this one felt different.Underdog – the weaker side. : Smaller countries in the group feel like underdogs.

Sep 1, 2025 • 15min
The Truth About Trump's Health (and His Bruised Hands) English With the News
In this lesson, we look at news reports about Trump’s health and the bruises on his hands. You’ll learn useful English words and expressions to talk about health, secrets, and scandals in the news.✅ I can be your speaking partner https://brentspeak.as.me/ Use Code SUMMER10 for 10% off your conversation💙 OVER 100 BONUS ENGLISH LESSONS? Become a channel member. https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCakDTg9dhhAsr3WmHyJDa-g/join1. Collapse: To fall down or suddenly stop working.: The player collapsed on the field after running too hard.2. Trajectory: The path or direction something moves or develops.: The rocket’s trajectory sent it high into the sky.3. Take the Foot Off the Gas: To slow down or stop trying so hard.: The team took their foot off the gas after scoring, and the other team caught up.4. Stamina: The strength to keep going for a long time.: Running a marathon takes a lot of stamina.5. Nervous Breakdown: A time when someone is too stressed and cannot handle daily life.: After weeks of pressure, he had a nervous breakdown and needed rest.6. Conspiracy Theory: A belief that events happen because of a secret plan.: Some people believe in a conspiracy theory about the moon landing.7. Viral: Something that spreads quickly on the internet.: Her dance video went viral and millions of people watched it.8. Whereabouts: The place where someone or something is.: The police asked about his whereabouts on the night of the accident.9. In Person: Face-to-face, not online.: I met my teacher in person at school today.10. Virtual: Happening online or with technology, not face-to-face.: We had a virtual meeting on Zoom.11. Health Scare: A time when people think someone might be very sick.: She had a health scare, but the doctor said she was fine now.12. Hashtag: A word with “#” used on social media to group posts.: People used the hashtag #SaveThePlanet to share ideas.13. Vein: A tube in the body that carries blood.: The nurse put the needle into my vein.14. Swollen: Bigger than normal because of injury or illness.: His ankle was swollen after the fall.15. Ankles: The joints that connect the feet and legs.: She twisted both ankles while running.16. Bruises: Dark marks on the skin from a hit or fall.: He had bruises on his arms after the game.17. Makeup: Colors or creams people put on their face.: She wore makeup for the school play.18. Fueling: Giving something energy or making it grow stronger.: His anger was fueling the fight.19. Step In: To replace someone and do their job.: When the teacher was sick, another teacher stepped in.20. Speculation: A guess or idea without all the facts.: There was speculation about who would win the game.21. Crisis Averted: A big problem was stopped before it happened.: The pilot landed safely, and a crisis was averted.

Aug 28, 2025 • 22min
26 Must-Know English Words About Heat – Are You Using Them Right?
In this English lesson, you’ll learn 26 everyday words related to warmth, heat, and being hot—from things in your kitchen to natural disasters like volcanoes. Each word has a simple definition and sentence to help English learners understand and use it in real life.✅ I can be your speaking partner https://brentspeak.as.me/ 👨🦰 Visit for a Hair Transplant: https://cabhealth.com/ Use Brent10 for 10% off your transplant1. Warm: A little hot, but comfortable.: I like to drink warm tea on a cold day.2. Fever: When your body is too hot because you are sick.: She stayed home from school because she had a fever.3. Toasty: Nicely warm and cozy.: The blanket made me feel toasty on the couch.4. Toast: Bread that is cooked until it is brown and warm.: He made a piece of toast and put butter on it.5. Oven: A machine that heats food from all sides.: She put the pizza in the oven to warm it up.6. Stove: A machine you use to cook food on top.: He cooked soup on the stove until it was hot.7. Boiling Water: Water that is so hot it makes bubbles.: Be careful—the pot has boiling water in it.8. Steaming: Letting out hot mist from something warm.: The rice was steaming when it came out of the pot.9. Blow on your food: Gently breathe on food to cool it down.: The soup was too hot, so she had to blow on her food.10. Hot Sauce: A spicy liquid that makes food taste hot.: He put hot sauce on his eggs to make them spicy.11. FieryDefinition: Very hot or full of strong heat or emotion.Example: The campfire gave off a fiery glow in the dark night.12. Volcano: A mountain that can shoot out hot lava.: The volcano erupted and sent hot rocks into the air.13. Lava: Very hot, melted rock from a volcano.: The red lava flowed down the side of the volcano.14. Spew: To shoot out something quickly, like hot lava or steam.: The volcano began to spew smoke and lava.15. Sweat: Water drops on your skin when you get too hot.: He started to sweat while playing soccer in the sun.16. Scorch: To burn the surface of something.: The fire scorched the edge of the paper.17. Beach Sand: Sand at the beach that can get hot in the sun.: The beach sand was so warm it burned my feet.18. Singe: To burn something just a little.: The fire singed the bottom of her jeans.19. Hairdryer: A machine that blows warm air to dry your hair.: She used a hairdryer to warm up after her shower.20. Balmy: Warm and gentle in a nice way (used for weather).: We took a walk on a balmy summer night.21. Balm: A soft cream that helps sore skin and feels warm.: He used a balm to help his dry lips feel better.22. Roasting: Very hot, like being cooked.: It was roasting in the car with the windows closed.23. Sweltering: Uncomfortably hot.: The room was sweltering with no fan or air.24. Blistering: Extremely hot, like burning.: The blistering sun made it hard to stay outside.25. Blister: A bubble on your skin from heat or rubbing.: She got a blister from walking in hot shoes.26. Fever Blister: A small sore near your mouth caused by a virus and sometimes heat.: He got a fever blister after being sick with a cold.

Aug 23, 2025 • 23min
Are You Using These 27 COLD THINGS in English Correctly?
In today's English lesson, you will learn how to talk about cold things in English much better than you are now.✅ I can be your speaking partner https://brentspeak.as.me/ Use Code SUMMER10 for 10% off your conversation❄ Weather & NatureSnow – Soft, white frozen water that falls from the sky. The snow covered the ground like a fluffy white blanket.Frost – A thin layer of ice on surfaces. The grass had frost in the morning, sparkling in the sunlight.Icicle – A thin stick of ice hanging from something. The roof had long icicles hanging down like glass decorations.Snowflake – A tiny piece of frozen water that falls from the sky. A snowflake landed on my hand and melted in seconds.Hail – Small balls of ice that fall from the sky. Hail hit the car during the storm, making loud tapping sounds.Sleet – Rain mixed with snow or ice. Sleet made the roads slippery and dangerous for drivers.Blizzard – A strong snowstorm. The blizzard made it hard to see outside, even a few feet ahead.Snowstorm – A lot of snow falling at one time. The snowstorm lasted all night, covering the town in deep snow.Slush – Wet snow mixed with water. The sidewalk was covered with slush, soaking my shoes.🥶 Objects, Foods & Drinks10. Ice – Frozen water.There is ice in my drink, clinking against the glass.Ice Cube – A small block of ice. She put ice cubes in her water to make it extra cold.Freezer – A cold part of a fridge where food is kept frozen. The ice cream is in the freezer, next to the frozen vegetables.Fridge – A machine that keeps food cold. The milk is in the fridge, on the top shelf.Popsicle – Frozen flavored water on a stick. The popsicle melted in the sun, dripping down my hand.Ice cream – Sweet frozen milk dessert. We had chocolate ice cream for dessert after dinner.🌍 Places & Animals16. Iceberg – A huge piece of ice floating in the ocean.The ship sailed past an iceberg, most of it hidden under the water.Glacier – A slow-moving river of ice. The glacier is melting because of warm weather in the summer.Polar Bear – A large white bear that lives in cold places. The polar bear walked across the ice, looking for food.Penguin – A black and white bird that lives in cold places. The penguin slid on the ice toward the water.Ski Slope – A snowy hill for skiing. We went down the ski slope fast, feeling the wind in our faces.Ice Rink – A place to skate on ice. We went to the ice rink to skate with our friends.Arctic – The very cold area at the top of the Earth. The Arctic is home to polar bears, seals, and snowy owls.Antarctica – A cold continent at the bottom of the Earth. Penguins live in Antarctica, where the land is covered in ice.Ice Fishing – Fishing through a hole in ice. He went ice fishing on the lake, waiting for a fish to bite.🧣 Body & Clothing25. Shiver – To shake because you are cold.I started to shiver in the cold wind, even with my coat on.Winter Coat – A heavy coat for cold weather. I wore my winter coat outside because the temperature was below freezing.Snow Boots – Boots for walking in snow. She put on her snow boots before going out to play.Frostbite – An injury from very cold temperatures. He got frostbite on his fingers after staying outside too long.Snowman – A man made from snow. They made a big snowman in the yard with a carrot for a nose.

Aug 20, 2025 • 24min
Zelensky's English Still Isn't Good Enough: 20 Must Know English Phrases
In this lesson, you’ll learn important English words and idioms that world leaders and the news often use. I’ll explain each one in simple English with examples so you can understand and use them too.✅ I can be your speaking partner https://brentspeak.as.me/ Use Code SUMMER10 for 10% off your conversation💙 OVER 100 BONUS ENGLISH LESSONS? Become a channel member. https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCakDTg9dhhAsr3WmHyJDa-g/joinDisclaimer – A message that says, “I’m not responsible.”: The paper had a disclaimer saying the advice might not be correct.Interpreter – A person who translates spoken language.: The interpreter helped the two leaders talk to each other.Rearm – To give weapons or supplies again.: The country had to rearm its army after the attack.Kissing up – Trying too hard to please someone important.: He is always kissing up to the teacher to look good.Foolproof – Something so safe or easy it cannot fail.: This plan is foolproof—it works every time.Throw under the bus – To blame someone else to protect yourself.: She threw me under the bus so she wouldn’t get in trouble.Corrupt – Doing dishonest or illegal things, often in power.: The corrupt mayor took money for himself.Mental decline – When someone’s thinking or memory gets worse.: The doctor checked for signs of mental decline in the patient.Rigged – Fixed in a dishonest or unfair way.: People thought the game was rigged, so the winner was not fair.Went through hell – Had a very hard or painful time.: He went through hell after losing his job.Mail-in ballots – Votes that are sent by mail.: Many people used mail-in ballots to vote from home.Off-topic – Not about the main subject.: That question is off-topic; we are talking about history.Fraud – A lie or trick to get money or power.: She went to jail for fraud because she lied about her business.Transgender – A person whose gender is different from the one given at birth.: The school supports its transgender students.Mugged – Attacked and robbed in public.: He was mugged while walking home at night.Lead the charge – To be the first or strongest to start something.: She led the charge to make the park cleaner.Article 5 – NATO’s rule: if one country is attacked, all must help.: Because of Article 5, all NATO members must defend each other.Trilat – Short for “trilateral,” meaning a meeting with three sides or countries.: The U.S., Ukraine, and the EU had a trilat meeting.Ushered out – Politely made to leave.: The guard ushered out the man after the meeting.

Aug 17, 2025 • 14min
Nothing Got Done! English Lesson from Trump & Putin’s Meeting
President Trump and Vladimir Putin met in Alaska, but the summit ended in disappointment with nothing accomplished. In this English lesson, you’ll learn the key words and phrases from this failed meeting so you can follow world news with confidence.✅ I can be your speaking partner https://brentspeak.as.me/ Use Code SUMMER10 for 10% off your conversation💙 OVER 100 BONUS ENGLISH LESSONS? Become a channel member. https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCakDTg9dhhAsr3WmHyJDa-g/joinHere is the full newscast: https://youtu.be/dpqeKR1zCeM?si=aVMH6GIaXS7kSJMHStand out – To be different from the rest.One of Trump’s comments stood out in the meeting.Takeaway – The main point you learn after a meeting.The takeaway was that nothing new was agreed on.I want to be clear – To make sure people understand.Trump said, “I want to be clear, we made no deal.”Justly – In a fair way.Putin said he was justly protecting his country.Earth-shattering – Very surprising or big.People hoped for earth-shattering news, but nothing happened.Trilateral – Involving three countries.Some wanted a trilateral meeting with China too.Breakthrough – A big step forward.Reporters asked if there was a breakthrough. There wasn’t.Takeaways – The important lessons (plural).One of the takeaways was that both leaders disagreed.Critical – Very important.This was a critical chance to improve relations.Stood Firm – Did not change position.Putin stood firm on what he wanted.Contrast – A big difference.There was a contrast between promises and results.Collapse of Kabul – When Afghanistan’s capital city fell to the Taliban in 2021.Some said Putin saw how the U.S. handled the Collapse of Kabul and decided to invade Ukraine. Mass – To gather in a large group.Protesters began to mass outside the building.Inconclusive – No clear result.The meeting was inconclusive. Nothing was decided.Durable – Strong and able to last.They wanted a durable peace plan but didn’t get one.Stable – Steady, not changing suddenly.The leaders talked about keeping things stable.Autonomy and sovereignty – Autonomy = self-rule; sovereignty = full control of a country.Many world leaders said that Ukraine’s autonomy and sovereignty were important.

Aug 14, 2025 • 15min
Must-Know English to Understand the Trump–Putin Alaska Meeting News
Get ready for the upcoming Trump–Putin summit in Alaska with this special English lesson! Learn the key words and phrases you need so you can follow every moment of the news and not miss a thing.✅ I can be your speaking partner https://brentspeak.as.me/ Use Code SUMMER10 for 10% off your conversation💙 OVER 100 BONUS ENGLISH LESSONS? Become a channel member. https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCakDTg9dhhAsr3WmHyJDa-g/joinVocabulary Quiz1. Which sentence shows the meaning of fate?A) He bought some fruit at the market.B) It was her fate to travel the world.C) She turned on the light.D) He forgot his homework.2. If someone shows up to a party, they…A) leave early.B) bring food.C) arrive at the party.D) dance all night.3. A summit is…A) the top of a mountain.B) a meeting between leaders.C) a kind of food.D) a type of sport.4. If you give up, you…A) keep trying.B) stop trying.C) start a new hobby.D) win a prize.5. Swapping means…A) eating quickly.B) trading one thing for another.C) losing something.D) buying something expensive.6. To specify means to…A) guess the answer.B) say something clearly and exactly.C) speak quietly.D) tell a story.7. An aggressor is…A) someone who starts a fight or war.B) someone who helps in a fight.C) someone who makes peace.D) someone who studies history.8. Parameters are…A) ideas for a story.B) rules or limits for something.C) tools for cooking.D) different kinds of animals.9. Consequences are…A) the results of an action.B) questions in a game.C) good feelings after eating.D) pieces of equipment.10. A follow-up is…A) a rest after work.B) something done to check after an earlier event.C) a new activity.D) a group meeting.11. Setting the table means…A) washing the dishes.B) putting plates, forks, and spoons on a table.C) moving the table to another room.D) buying new furniture.12. If someone is downplaying something, they are…A) making it seem less important.B) making it seem more exciting.C) making it easier to understand.D) playing a game with friends.Answer KeyBCBBBBABABBA

Aug 12, 2025 • 44min
10 Famous Men with Horrible Secrets – Learn 50 English Words for IELTS/TOEFL
In this lesson, you’ll learn about 10 famous men who had surprising and sometimes horrible secrets. While we explore their stories, you’ll also learn 50 new English words that can help you on the IELTS or TOEFL exam. These words will improve your vocabulary, reading, and speaking skills so you can understand and use English more confidently.✅ I can be your speaking partner https://brentspeak.as.me/

Aug 3, 2025 • 14min
Trump and Putin Move Closer to War: 18 Must Know English Terms
In this lesson, you’ll learn 18 powerful English words and phrases from a real news story about President Trump moving U.S. submarines after threats from Russia. Each word comes with a simple and two example sentences—one from the news and one from real life—to help you understand and remember it.✅ I can be your speaking partner https://brentspeak.as.me/ 💙 OVER 100 BONUS ENGLISH LESSONS? Become a channel member. https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCakDTg9dhhAsr3WmHyJDa-g/join1. Nuclear Submarines: Submarines that use nuclear power and can carry nuclear weapons.: President Trump reportedly moved nuclear submarines closer to Russia.: In the movie, a nuclear submarine was hiding deep underwater.2. In Light Of: Because of something; considering something.: In light of Russian threats, Trump made a quick decision.: In light of the bad weather, we stayed home.3. Remarks: Things someone says, often in public or to the media.: Trump made remarks about Russia that got attention.: Her remarks during class were funny and smart.4. Dmitry Medvedev: A well-known Russian leader and former president.: Dmitry Medvedev responded to Trump’s actions with strong words.: We learned about Dmitry Medvedev in world history class.5. Traded Jabs: Said mean or critical things to each other.: Trump and Medvedev traded jabs during their speeches.: The two boys traded jabs on the playground until the teacher stopped them.6. Pentagon: The main office of the U.S. military.: The Pentagon helped decide where to send the submarines.: The news said the Pentagon was planning new safety rules.7. Triggers: Starts or causes something to happen.: Russia’s words triggered a quick reaction from the U.S.: Loud music can trigger my headaches.8. Deployed: Sent people or things to a place to do a job.: The Navy deployed submarines near Europe.: The city deployed more police officers for the big event.9. Engages: Takes part in or begins doing something.: The Navy engages in missions to watch Russian activity.: She engages in sports after school.10. Ballistic Missile: A very fast missile that can travel far and carry explosives.: The U.S. is worried about Russia’s ballistic missiles.: We saw a video of a ballistic missile launching into the sky.11. Tip up: The pointed end or top of something.: U.S. submarines moved toward the tip of the ocean near Europe.: The tip of his pencil broke during the test.12. ICBM: A long-range missile that can travel between continents.: Trump warned about Russia’s ICBMs.: The military explained what ICBMs can do during the news show.13. Hunter Submarine: A submarine that finds and attacks other submarines.: Hunter submarines were sent to look for enemy submarines.: In the video game, I used a hunter submarine to win the battle.14. Vague: Not clear; not giving enough information.: Officials gave vague answers about where the submarines were.: His instructions were vague, so I didn’t know what to do.15. Constantly: Happening all the time or very often.: The Pentagon is constantly watching what Russia is doing.: My little brother constantly asks questions during movies.16. Classified: Secret; not shared with the public.: The location of the submarines was classified.: Some government files are still classified and cannot be seen.17. Disclose: To tell or share information.: The government did not disclose where the submarines were.: She didn’t want to disclose her test score.18. Breakdown : A simple and clear explanation of something.: The reporter gave a breakdown of what Trump decided to do.: The teacher gave us a breakdown of the homework rules.

Aug 1, 2025 • 19min
5 Dead in New York City Shooting (Super Sad Story)
✅ I can be your speaking partner https://brentspeak.as.me/ 💙 OVER 100 BONUS ENGLISH LESSONS? Become a channel member. https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCakDTg9dhhAsr3WmHyJDa-g/join1. Dispatch: Sending help or messages from a control center.: Police dispatch received multiple 911 calls reporting a shooter in the lobby of 345 Park Avenue. : The company dispatch sent a delivery driver to pick up the package.2. Responding: Acting in reply to a call or request.: Responding officers arrived within minutes of the first gunfire reports. : She is responding to emails from her students after school.3. 911: Emergency telephone number in the U.S.: A witness dialed 911 when they saw the shooter with a rifle. : If you smell smoke, call 911 immediately.4. Rushing Into: Moving quickly into a place.: Officers were rushing into the building’s lobby after hearing shots. : Children were rushing into the classroom as class started.5. M4 Assault Rifle: A military-style, semi-automatic rifle.: The shooter used an M4 assault rifle to open fire in the skyscraper’s lobby. : The museum exhibit showed different types of rifles, including an M4 assault rifle.6. Body Armor: Protective clothing worn to stop bullets.: He entered wearing body armor, making the threat more serious. : Some construction workers wear body armor for safety in dangerous zones.7. Spraying: Firing many bullets rapidly.: The suspect sprayed the lobby with bullets before moving to the elevator. : The gardener was spraying water over the plants early in the morning.8. Security Guard: A person who protects buildings or people.: An unarmed security guard was shot while trying to block the shooter’s path. : The mall has a security guard at the entrance checking bags.9. Pillar: A vertical column or support structure.: One victim hid behind a pillar in the lobby before being shot. : The old building had decorative pillars in the hallway.10. Secure: To make a place safe or protected.: Police began to secure the building immediately after the shooting. : They secure the classroom door during exams.11. Opened Fire: Started shooting a gun.: The gunman opened fire in the lobby without warning. : In the video game, the player opened fire on enemy targets.12. Barricading: Blocking a door or area to prevent entry.: Officials say the shooter may have barricaded himself on an upper floor. : She barricaded her room during a thunderstorm for safety.13. Self‑Inflicted: Caused by oneself.: The suspect died from a self‑inflicted gunshot wound. : He accidentally took a self‑inflicted short break while working from home.14. Wound: An injury to skin by a weapon.: One NFL employee suffered a serious wound but is now stable. : After she cut her finger, she cleaned the wound with water.15. CPR: A first-aid technique to revive someone who stops breathing.: Paramedics performed CPR on one injured victim at the scene. (inferred news context): She learned CPR in her health class to help save lives.16. Closet: A small room or enclosed space for storage.Sentence (unrelated): She stored her jacket in the closet before going to class.News: (not applicable directly)17. Escorted: Accompanied someone safely from one place to another.: Survivors were escorted out of the building by police. (logical context): A student was escorted to the nurse’s office after feeling faint.


