

American English Podcast
Shana Thompson
The American English Podcast teaches the language and culture of the United States. Through common expressions, pronunciation tips and interesting cultural snippets or stories, I hope to keep this fun, useful and interesting! All bonus material can be accessed at http://americanenglishpodcast.com/
Episodes
Mentioned books

Nov 28, 2022 • 16min
134 - Expression: To Blow Off Steam
The expression To Blow Off Steam is a common one in the United States. In today's episode, you'll learn how to use it in everyday contexts, you'll hear a joke and also practice your pronunciation! :) Thanks again to my amazing supporters who have contributed to this podcast either by purchasing Premium Contentor buying me coffee!Thank you to Paulo, Picante, Stefan, Ortiz and the other anonymous contributors from this month. SO exciting! *****Premium Content: This episode is part of Season 3. By purchasing Season 3 transcripts, you'll be able to access the full episodes, the full PDF transcripts for episodes 101 - 150, an Mp3 download and the premium podcast player to work on your pronunciation.
Get ALL PREMIUM CONTENT FOR SEASONS 1 - 3 (with 5 in-depth courses to improve your English, includes all transcripts + mp3s)
Get ONLY the Transcripts for Episodes 001 - 150
Get the Free E-Book: 101 American English Slang Words
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Nov 19, 2022 • 41min
133.2 - Common Similes with Liz (16 - 30)
This is PART 2 of episode 133. In today’s lesson, Liz and I will be going through 15 common similes that you’ll hear in everyday conversation. Some are literal, so they’ll sound normal, others are quite random so you may want to write these down in your notebook. If you would the full list of words, with examples and a quiz to make sure you’ve understood them, be sure to sign up to Premium Content at americanenglishpodcast.com. See link below. A simile, according to Oxford Languages is “a figure of speech involving the comparison of one thing with another thing, used to make a description more emphatic or vivid.” A similes comparison that the words like or as to compare things. For example, you may hear someone say that you look like a deer in the headlights if you look confused. This is a common simile and it’s a vivid visual, it evokes the image of a deer standing in front of the headlights of a car. While in a coffee shop in Italy, I had no idea how to order a coffee, I just looked at the barista like a deer in the headlights. In addition to the word like, you’ll recognize a simile in speech when you hear a comparison made with as, as used twice. In today’s audio, for example, you’ll hear Liz say she feels as old as dirt. Dirt is the brown stuff you use in your garden, you dig a hole in dirt to plant seeds. When something is described as being as old as dirt it means it is very old. Liz feels as old as dirt.*****Premium Content: This episode is part of Season 3. By purchasing Season 3 transcripts, you'll be able to access the full episodes, the full PDF transcripts for episodes 101 - 150, an Mp3 download and the premium podcast player to work on your pronunciation.
Get ALL PREMIUM CONTENT FOR SEASONS 1 - 3 (with 5 in-depth courses to improve your English, includes all transcripts + mp3s)
Get ONLY the Transcripts for Episodes 001 - 150.
Get the Free E-Book: 101 American English Slang Words
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Nov 18, 2022 • 38min
133 - Common Similes with Liz (1-15)
In today’s lesson, Liz and I will be going through 15 common similes that you’ll hear in everyday conversation. Some are literal, so they’ll sound normal, others are quite random so you may want to write these down in your notebook. If you would the full list of words, with examples and a quiz to make sure you’ve understood them, be sure to sign up to Premium Content at americanenglishpodcast.com. A simile, according to Oxford Languages is “a figure of speech involving the comparison of one thing with another thing, used to make a description more emphatic or vivid.” A similes comparison that the words like or as to compare things.For example, you may hear someone say that you look like a deer in the headlights if you look confused. This is a common simile and it’s a vivid visual, it evokes the image of a deer standing in front of the headlights of a car. While in a coffee shop in Italy, I had no idea how to order a coffee, I just looked at the barista like a deer in the headlights. In addition to the word like, you’ll recognize a simile in speech when you hear a comparison made with as, as used twice. In today’s audio, for example, you’ll hear Liz say she feels as old as dirt. Dirt is the brown stuff you use in your garden, you dig a hole in dirt to plant seeds. When something is described as being as old as dirt it means it is very old. Liz feels as old as dirt.*****Premium Content: This episode is part of Season 3. By purchasing Season 3 transcripts, you'll be able to access the full episodes, the full PDF transcripts for episodes 101 - 150, an Mp3 download and the premium podcast player to work on your pronunciation.
Get ALL PREMIUM CONTENT FOR SEASONS 1 - 3 (with 5 in-depth courses to improve your English, includes all transcripts + mp3s)
Get ONLY the Transcripts for Episodes 001 - 150.
Get the Free E-Book: 101 American English Slang Words
*****Support the show Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Oct 28, 2022 • 44min
132 - Discover Colorado with Lindsay McMahon
In today's episode, Lindsay, host of the All Ears English Podcast, will take us on a journey to Colorado, one of the most stunning mountainous states in the western United States.On our 3-day trip to Colorado, via audio, we'll not only get a taste of what it's like to be a tourist there, but hear from a local's standpoint what culture, beauty and adventures awaits us.Be sure to check out the episode webpage for links to the places we talked about in this episode! :)*****Buy Me a Coffee*****Premium Content: This episode is part of Season 3. By purchasing Season 3 transcripts, you'll be able to access the full episodes, the full PDF transcripts for episodes 101 - 150, an Mp3 download and the premium podcast player to work on your pronunciation.
Get ALL PREMIUM CONTENT FOR SEASONS 1 - 3 (with 5 in-depth courses to improve your English, includes all transcripts + mp3s)
Get ONLY the Transcripts for Episodes 001 - 150.
Get the Free E-Book: 101 American English Slang Words
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4 snips
Oct 14, 2022 • 38min
131 - 13 Common Superstitions in the U.S. and their Origins
We live in a day and age that is driven by science and technology, yet people are still superstitious. According to a study I read by YouGov, 9% of Americans claim to be superstitious, while another 35% admit to not being very superstitious, but somewhat. That makes over 40% of individuals in the United States somewhat superstitious.So what does it mean to be superstitious? According to Cambridge Dictionary, it is to have beliefs that are not based on human reason or scientific knowledge, but are connected with old ideas about magic. Many times, superstitious people believe in irrational, unproven signs of good and bad luck.In today’s episode, we’re going to go through 13 common superstitions in the United States and their origins. By the end of this audio lesson, you’ll walk away with more knowledge about American culture and some new vocabulary and phrases. I’ll teach those as we go along.Find a penny, pick it up, all day long you'll have good luck! *****Buy Me a Coffee*****Premium Content: This episode is part of Season 3. By purchasing Season 3 transcripts, you'll be able to access the full episodes, the full PDF transcripts for episodes 101 - 150, an Mp3 download and the premium podcast player to work on your pronunciation.
Get ALL PREMIUM CONTENT FOR SEASONS 1-3 (with 5 in-depth courses to improve your English, includes all transcripts + mp3s)
Get ONLY the Transcripts for Episodes 001 - 150.
Get the Free E-Book: 101 American English Slang Words
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Sep 28, 2022 • 32min
130 - Music: "Sunday Toasted" by Zinn
"Sunday Toasted" is a song that was recently released by a new artist named Zinn, and it's jam-packed with American slang and vocabulary which we'll go through in this episode. This song is also full of cultural references about working and partying :). All in all, I can't think of a more fitting song to be the first "music" episode on this podcast. By the end, you'll have a beautiful picture in your mind of a typical summer's day in the South and understand why lake culture is so big there! "You just don't know what you're missing!" This song was written by Zinn, my husband (Lucas) and Stefan."Sunday Toasted" - by ZinnClocked out, now I’m en routeIt’s about summertimeBeen waitin' all damn week There’s one thing on my mindYeah I'm thinking about tan lines And moonshine, it goes down easilyNight rides, in the moonlightA cozy on my kneeCold beer in the YetiBeckies on deckIn the dirty waterWe'll be speedingFalling off jetsNo sir, no blue collarOut of touch, ain't no serviceSoak it up Sunday ToastedLake house, party down SouthYou just don't know what you're missingChorus*Pull out from the dock, three deep, three boats heading out your wayLight it up, let the speakers bleedGot the girls choosing what to playYeah we bumpin' Nelly, Aldean, Country, R & BWaiting all week, to kick back and release Chorus*Meet me on the table, cuz I’m heating upWe can run it back, wanna test your luckShoot behind the back it’s a double cupOne more shot I’m on fireRerack that I’m a gentlemanWho’s going next you can send them inBetter get ready cuz I’m running it Let’s get f***Listen to the song on SpotifyFor those of you who have been following our story in Los Angeles, you may know that my husband Lucas is a Brazilian songwriter and music producer trying to get a song on the radio in English in the U.S.. A few of you have asked to listen to his songs in the past and I'm happy to announce that this is his first release in English - many more are coming out this year (from artists in Japan, Spain and Britain).*****Premium Content: This episode is part of Season 3. By purchasing Season 3 transcripts, you'll be able to access the full episodes, the full PDF transcripts for episodes 101 - 150, an Mp3 download and the premium podcast player to work on your pronunciation.
Get ALL PREMIUM CONTENT FOR SEASONS 1-3 (including transcripts + mp3s)
Get ONLY the Transcripts for Episodes 001 - 150.
Get the Free E-Book: 101 American English Slang Words
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Sep 15, 2022 • 36min
129.2 - The Monster Study
The Monster Study (aka Tudor Study) is an unethical psychology experiment that was conducted in 1939 on 22 orphans in Davenport, Iowa. The goal was to a test the theory that by deeply worrying about starting to stutter, one may develop the speech disorder. Mary Tudor, a graduate student, attempted to induce stuttering - to create the behavior - in fluent speakers with the assistance of her advisor Wendell Johnson.The study was dubbed "The Monster Study" for the cruelty and misconduct of it. Learn more about the creators, the experiment and what can be deduced from its results. This study was kept OFF THE RECORD for many years; now the official documentation can be found online for anyone to view.*****I'm not a speech pathologist, but I do know one thing. Don't let anyone ever make you feel like you are not worth being heard. What you say has value, and it doesn't matter how fast you speak or how perfectly you speak, what you say matters. Try to be patient with others as well.*****Premium ContentThis episode is part of Season 3. By purchasing Season 3 transcripts, you'll be able to access the full episodes, the full PDF transcripts for episodes 101 - 150, an Mp3 download and the premium podcast player to work on your pronunciation. Follow along with the Season 3 audio (episodes 101-150) as episodes are released. Season 3..Other Links!
Get ALL PREMIUM CONTENT FOR SEASONS 1-3 (including transcripts + mp3s)
Get ONLY the Transcripts for Episodes 001 - 150.
Get the Free E-Book: 101 American English Slang Words
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Sep 12, 2022 • 17min
129 - Expression: Off the Record
In this episode, there are two parts. In Part 1, you'll hear a joke, practice your pronunciation and learn the expression "Off the Record". In Part 2 of today's lesson, we’re going to talk about The Monster Study, a wildly unethical study (by today's standards) that is about orphans and language development, specifically stuttering.To amp up the learning experience in episode 129, I explain challenging words and phrases as I go along. The American English Accent Course As mentioned in the audio, if you're interested in improving your pronunciation and overall accent in English, check out this course. Hours of videos and transcripts will help you hone the nuances of American English, from word stress, syllable stress and connected speech to reductions, vowel sounds and so much more. Check it out.Premium ContentThis episode is part of Season 3. By purchasing Season 3 transcripts, you'll be able to access the full episodes, the full PDF transcripts for episodes 101 - 150, an Mp3 download and the premium podcast player to work on your pronunciation. Follow along with the Season 3 audio (episodes 101-150) as episodes are released. Season 3..Other Links!
Get ALL PREMIUM CONTENT FOR SEASONS 1-3 (including transcripts + mp3s)
Get ONLY the Transcripts for Episodes 001 - 150.
Get the Free E-Book: 101 American English Slang Words
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5 snips
Aug 31, 2022 • 28min
128 - 5-Minute English: Birthday Parties
In today's episode, you'll learn vocabulary, phrasal verbs and expressions related to Birthday Parties. This episode was created with a goal in mind: to help you think about the birthday parties in your life. I hope that by the end of this lesson you feel like you can describe your special days with more detail in English.This is an advanced listening exercise so it's ok if you don't understand everything! To access to material and worksheets that correspond to this episode, check out Premium Content below. A birthday is just another day, but it's also a new beginning. It's a time to reflect on life, on how far you've come, how you've changed, and where you're going. So live it up and take lots of videos and pictures. You won't regret it!Premium ContentThis episode is part of Season 3. By purchasing Season 3 transcripts, you'll be able to access the full episodes, the full PDF transcripts for episodes 101 - 150, an Mp3 download and the premium podcast player to work on your pronunciation. Follow along with the Season 3 audio (episodes 101-150) as episodes are released. Season 3..Other Links!
Get ALL PREMIUM CONTENT FOR SEASONS 1-3 (including transcripts + mp3s)
Get ONLY the Transcripts for Episodes 001 - 150.
Get the Free E-Book: 101 American English Slang Words
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Aug 12, 2022 • 30min
127 - Discover Washington with Philip Clem
AboutPhilip Clem is a talented singer and songwriter from Seattle, Washington who has lived in San Francisco, Spain and now Los Angeles, California. Today, Philip is going to tell us about what it's like to be a local from Seattle. In this episode, you'll learn about the state, its stereotypes (and whether or not they're true!), you’ll learn about the culture, food, weather and, of course, about our special guest!I hope that after you’re done listening to this episode, you feel like you know a local!Interested in Philip, or his music? Find Philip on Instagram here (@philipjohnclem)Premium ContentThis episode is part of Season 3. By purchasing Season 3 transcripts, you'll be able to access the full episodes, the full PDF transcripts for episodes 101 - 150, an Mp3 download and the premium podcast player to work on your pronunciation. Follow along with the Season 3 audio (episodes 101-150) as episodes are released. Season 3..Other Links!
Get ALL PREMIUM CONTENT FOR SEASONS 1-3 (including transcripts + mp3s)
Get ONLY the Transcripts for Episodes 001 - 150.
Get the Free E-Book: 101 American English Slang Words
Support the show Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices