Easy Stories in English

Ariel Goodbody, Polyglot English Teacher & Glassbox Media
undefined
Sep 1, 2025 • 44min

Hello from China! (Conversation)

Ariel shares her zany adventures after moving to Ningbo, China, from falling suitcases hitting policemen to bonding with locals over TikTok dances. She navigates the chaotic bureaucracy and dives into delicious local dishes like spicy bullfrog soup and congee. The subtropical heat accompanies her as she gets accustomed to a new teaching job and the quirks of digital life in China. Despite the challenges, her reflections reveal a mix of excitement and the emotional rollercoaster of starting anew.
undefined
Aug 19, 2025 • 25min

Running (Pre-Intermediate)

A character grapples with racing thoughts while running in the park until a surprising encounter with an owl shifts their perspective. Humorous tales emerge, like the speaker's comedic panic when trapped in a closet, highlighting themes of fear and isolation. Reflections on moving to China spark discussions about female creativity and personal challenges. Nature becomes a backdrop for exploring freedom and emotional struggles, fostering a deep connection to the environment and the need for companionship.
undefined
Aug 12, 2025 • 31min

I Ate Colin's Face (Conversation)

Get episodes without adverts + bonus episodes at ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠EasyStoriesInEnglish.com/Support⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠. Your support is appreciated! In the last week before moving to China, I recount awkward goodbyes, the British tradition of caterpillar-shaped cakes, my sneaky strategy to avoid jet lag, and my super secret language study hacks. Keep listening to learn English! Go to ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠EasyStoriesInEnglish.com/Colin⁠ for the full transcript. Vocabulary: Bubbly (drink), Caterpillar, Irish goodbye, Fly long-haul, Maglev, Jet lag 00:00 Intro 01:36 Audio chat 04:42 A week of lasts 05:46 A British icon 10:54 My travel itinerary 13:05 Avoiding jet lag 16:18 Dodging earthquakes 17:39 How I'm studying Chinese 21:51 Finding love at the worst time 24:13 Bathed in love 27:20 Outro Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
undefined
Aug 5, 2025 • 50min

The Cave of the Danishman (Beginner)

Get episodes without adverts + bonus episodes at ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠EasyStoriesInEnglish.com/Support⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠. Your support is appreciated! A horrible pirate called the Denschman terrorises a small Scottish island. But when a storm leaves the Denschman trapped in a cave, will the people of the island be cruel enough to leave him to die? Go to ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠EasyStoriesInEnglish.com/Danish for the full transcript. Level: Beginner. Genre: Myths & Legends. Vocabulary: Raid, Eagle, Hide, Sink, Pray, Crash, Sword, Gift, Kind-hearted. Setting: Scotland. Word Count: 1992. Author: Tom Muir. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
undefined
7 snips
Jul 22, 2025 • 38min

Freezing to Death in Scotland (Conversation)

Ariel's camping adventure at a cousin's wedding in chilling Edinburgh leads to unexpected stress and emotional moments. She reflects on a unique Quaker ceremony that offered solace despite the cold. Facing the Japanese Language Proficiency Test again, she shares past failures and the necessity of emotional closure. Her insights on exam experiences and preparation methods reveal a journey of self-discovery. As she anticipates moving to China, she connects these events to her commitment to personal growth and academic aspirations.
undefined
Jul 15, 2025 • 43min

I Got Kicked Out! (Conversation)

Get episodes without adverts + bonus episodes at ⁠⁠⁠⁠EasyStoriesInEnglish.com/Support⁠⁠⁠⁠. Your support is appreciated! Yes, that's right, I was kicked out of a public building... Not only that, I went to a wild party in Cambridge, and I'm setting the house on fire with incense. Sort of. Go to ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠EasyStoriesInEnglish.com/Kicked for the full transcript. Vocabulary: Hay fever, Incense, Ball (party), Checkmate, Gen Z, Shisha, Bumper cars, Helter skelter, Middle of the road, Joie de vivre Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
undefined
4 snips
Jul 8, 2025 • 21min

The Monkey's Heart (Intermediate)

Get episodes without adverts + bonus episodes at ⁠⁠⁠⁠EasyStoriesInEnglish.com/Support⁠⁠⁠⁠. Your support is appreciated! A monkey shares his figs with a shark, and for a while they are friends, but when the shark invites the monkey to his home under the sea, the monkey suspects that something may be wrong... Go to ⁠⁠⁠⁠EasyStoriesInEnglish.com/Monkey⁠⁠⁠ for the full transcript. Level: Intermediate. Genre: Philosophical. Vocabulary: Fig, Nimble, Toss, X and Y don't mix, Halfway, Graceful, Indifferent, Ordeal, Nap, Send someone your wishes. Setting: Fairytale. Word Count: 1686. Author: Fairy Tales. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
undefined
Jun 24, 2025 • 38min

Who is Middle Class? (Conversation)

Get episodes without adverts + bonus episodes at ⁠⁠⁠EasyStoriesInEnglish.com/Support⁠⁠⁠. Your support is appreciated! British people are obsessed with class, but what does it mean to be middle class? From accents to animatronic tigers, come with me for a whirlwind tour of class markers in British society. Go to ⁠⁠⁠⁠EasyStoriesInEnglish.com/MiddleClass for the full transcript. Vocabulary: Social bubble, Parvenu, Nouveau riche, Processed food, Received Pronunciation, Posh, Chav Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
undefined
Jun 17, 2025 • 1h 4min

Just Say Yes (Pre-Intermediate)

Book a class in June and July and get 50% off! ⁠⁠EasyStoriesInEnglish.com/Classes⁠⁠ Tony cannot say no. So he eats food he doesn't like, does a job he hates, and goes on holidays where he almost dies. But when his friend asks him to marry her, will he still say yes? Go to ⁠⁠⁠EasyStoriesInEnglish.com/Yes⁠⁠ for the full transcript. Get episodes without adverts + bonus episodes at ⁠⁠⁠EasyStoriesInEnglish.com/Support⁠⁠⁠. Your support is appreciated! Level: Pre-Intermediate. Genre: Comedy. Vocabulary: Salmon, Give a speech, Allergy, Spot (body), Squeamish, Faint (verb), Bowling, Health condition, Terrible, Horse-riding, Unable. Setting: Modern. Word Count: 2308. Author: Ariel Goodbody. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
undefined
May 27, 2025 • 50min

Have You Met Elaine? (Intermediate)

Book a class in June and July and get 50% off! ⁠EasyStoriesInEnglish.com/Classes⁠ Have you met Elaine? Elaine is very giving, but not very nice. Oh, she loves everyone, but she shows her love through action, not smiles. And Elaine has a secret, which only I know about... Go to ⁠⁠EasyStoriesInEnglish.com/Elaine⁠ for the full transcript. Get episodes without adverts + bonus episodes at ⁠⁠EasyStoriesInEnglish.com/Support⁠⁠. Your support is appreciated! Level: Intermediate. Genre: Horror. Vocabulary: Cuppa, Hoarder, Ragamuffin, Vandalise, Parish council, Egging, Spot (skin), Fertiliser, Infer, Defrost, Intermittent fasting, Six pack. Setting: Modern. Word Count: 1728. Author: Ariel Goodbody. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

The AI-powered Podcast Player

Save insights by tapping your headphones, chat with episodes, discover the best highlights - and more!
App store bannerPlay store banner
Get the app