Thinking in English

Explore the catastrophic Great Fire of London in 1666, where over 13,000 houses were destroyed and the city had to be rebuilt. Delve into the conditions of 17th-century London that set the stage for disaster. Discover how the passive voice is used to describe historical events, highlighting who did what became less important than what happened. Learn about the fire's devastating four-day reign, ineffective firefighting efforts, and the aftermath that transformed London's architecture and regulations forever.

What exactly defines a podcast? The discussion dives into the evolving meaning of the term, examining its roots in 'iPod' and 'broadcast.' You'll learn about RSS feeds that enabled distribution and how Apple Podcasts transformed podcast discoverability. The rise of niche content allows listeners to enjoy diverse themes at their convenience. Plus, the emergence of video podcasts brings a visual twist to the audio format. Finally, the podcast ponders future trends, including commercialization and audience discovery in the age of social media.

Imagine learning to drive… joining classes, talking to driving instructors, and taking theory exams in a foreign language. That’s exactly what I just did. Two weeks ago, I passed my Japanese driving test! It wasn’t easy. I went from knowing almost nothing about Japanese road signs, traffic rules, or driving terminology to passing both my provisional and main license written tests on the first try. I also completed over 60 hours of lessons, both online and in a car, all entirely in Japanese. In this episode, I want to share what this experience taught me about language learning: how you can absorb hundreds of new words, understand complex grammar, and actually use all of it in real life… much faster than I ever thought possible. Conversation Club - ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.patreon.com/thinkinginenglish⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ TRANSCRIPT - https://thinkinginenglish.blog/2025/09/29/355-my-greatest-language-challenge-learning-to-drive-in-another-language-english-vocabulary-lesson/ AD Free Episode - ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.patreon.com/thinkinginenglish⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Thinking in English Bonus Podcast -⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.patreon.com/collection/869866⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ YouTube Channel -⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.youtube.com/@thinkinginenglishpodcast⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠INSTAGRAM - thinkinginenglishpodcast (⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.instagram.com/thinkinginenglishpodcast/⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠) ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Borough by Blue Dot Sessions Contact ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠advertising@airwavemedia.com⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ to advertise on Thinking in English. Thinking in English is part of the ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Airwave Media podcast network.⁠⁠ Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Explore the intriguing concept of gerrymandering, where political parties manipulate voting district boundaries for advantage. Discover how recent redistricting in states like Texas fuels political tension. Delve into the history and techniques behind gerrymandering, including definitions of crucial terms like packing and cracking. The discussion also highlights international perspectives and legal implications, making this a must-listen for anyone curious about the intersection of politics and language.

Explore the groundbreaking life of the remarkable Marie Skłodowska Curie, the first woman to win a Nobel Prize. Discover her historic achievements in radioactivity and her unique distinction of winning Nobel Prizes in two different scientific fields. Delve into her challenges and the lasting impact she had on both science and medicine, paving the way for future generations, especially women in science. Was she the greatest scientist of all time? You’ll want to tune in to find out!

Dive into the complexities of the United Nations Security Council, a powerful entity with a controversial grip on global peace. Discover its structure, including the dominance of five permanent members, and the significant decisions impacting regions like Gaza and Sudan. Explore criticisms surrounding its effectiveness and ponder potential reforms to meet today’s challenges. The discussion also encourages listeners to think about alternative methods for maintaining international harmony. It's a thought-provoking look at one of the world’s key organizations!

Discover the incredible journey of Istanbul, a city that has served as the capital for three empires. Learn about its transformation from Byzantium to Constantinople and its strategic importance in history. Explore the rich cultural and culinary landscape that makes Istanbul unique, while reflecting on its modern challenges like overpopulation. This podcast delves into the crossroad of continents and cultures, offering historical insights alongside vocabulary lessons that enhance your understanding of this fascinating city.

What defines our identity as we change over time? The podcast delves into the Ship of Theseus, a famous philosophical thought experiment that questions if an object remains the same when all its parts are replaced. It invites listeners to ponder their own transformations—are you still the same person if your personality and memories evolve? With relatable examples, this discussion challenges our perceptions of identity, continuity, and the essence of who we are.

Unlock the secrets to mastering English with proven strategies! Discover how recognition, repetition, and timely feedback are vital for fluency. Learn why a structured practice environment can skyrocket your skills. Explore the importance of immediate feedback and the necessity of pushing past your comfort zone. Embrace challenges as key elements for growth and expertise. Plus, get involved with the community for extra resources and support on your learning journey!

What if the government handed out free cash to everyone? This thought-provoking discussion delves into Universal Basic Income (UBI) and its potential to tackle poverty and inequality. The conversation highlights intriguing trials from Finland, Kenya, and Stockton, revealing varied results on mental health and financial stability. Is UBI a genius strategy for the future of work, or does it come with significant risks? Tune in to explore this compelling debate!