
Deep Talk: Advanced English Discussions with Rhiannon ELT
Deep Talk is a podcast for Advanced English learners who want to go deeper and explore the topics and ideas that really fascinate them.
No more "English learning" podcasts on boring topics you've heard talked about a million times before!
No, in Deep Talk, we're going to confront:
- Death and dying
- LGBT rights
- Re-writing (and re-playing) history
- Witchcraft
- Exercise and menstrual cycles
- The dark side of being an IG Language Teacher
You'll find the links to the article or video being discussed in the episode descriptions so that you can join in the conversation!
Latest episodes

Sep 16, 2022 • 35min
#13 [PART 2] Should people try to modify their accent in English?
Join our Deep Talkers community on Facebook. Discuss the episodes, meet new people, share what you’re reading about at the moment, all in a yummy community of like-minded souls.
Head to: https://www.rhiannonelt.com/deep-talk-podcast to sign up!
Today, I’m joined by Irina who has chosen the topic we’ll be discussing this week: accent modification. You can find a related article below.
1. Why a regional accent will cost you
https://www.linkedin.com/news/story/why-a-regional-accent-will-cost-you-4775284/
Irina is an Accent Coach and helps Russian speakers adopt a more American accent. You can find out more about her services on her Instagram page: @my_russian_accent
Get in Touch:
Join my mailing list here: www.rhiannonelt.com
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Email me: info@rhiannonelt.com

Aug 29, 2022 • 37min
#12 How is food poverty impacting the poorest people in Britain?
Join our Deep Talkers community on Facebook. Discuss the episodes, meet new people, share what you’re reading about at the moment, all in a yummy community of like-minded souls.
Head to: https://www.rhiannonelt.com/deep-talk-podcast to sign up!
Today, I’m joined by Hannah who has chosen the text we’ll be talking about this week:
1) Pasta, bread and crisps among biggest UK budget food price increases
https://www.theguardian.com/business/2022/may/30/pasta-bread-and-crisps-among-biggest-uk-food-price-increases
I recommend you read this news article before listening to the conversation (that’s what this podcast is all about, after all) but the chat will still make sense if you don’t!
Hannah works in sustainability within the TV industry and helped set up a food waste charity in Lewisham, South East London where she lived.
Download the Transcript:
You can download the transcript for this episode here: www.rhiannonelt.com/deep-talk-podcast
If you want to use the transcript and/or the podcast audio for more focussed language practice, you’ll find a whole host of self-study activities on my website to help you.
Get in Touch:
Join my mailing list here: www.rhiannonelt.com
Follow me on Instagram: @rhiannonelt
Email me: info@rhiannonelt.com

Aug 16, 2022 • 36min
#11 How are toxic workplaces leaving us burnt out?
Join our Deep Talkers community on Facebook. Discuss the episodes, meet new people, share what you’re reading about at the moment, all in a yummy community of like-minded souls.
Head to: https://www.rhiannonelt.com/deep-talk-podcast to sign up!
Today, I’m joined by Anna who has chosen the texts we’ll be talking about this week:
1) A Toxic Work Culture Is Forcing High-Performing People to Quit
https://www.linkedin.com/pulse/toxic-work-culture-forcing-high-performing-people-quit-tim-denning/?trackingId=CqTCoCpw9oKthtgbDBYD2A%3D%3D
Extra Reading (also chosen by Anna):
2) Do you feel burnt out? It’s not just about working too much
https://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2022/feb/01/burnout-not-just-about-working-too-much
3) Your work is not your god: welcome to the age of the burnout epidemic
https://www.theguardian.com/lifeandstyle/2022/jan/06/burnout-epidemic-work-lives-meaning
I recommend reading these articles before listening to the conversation (that’s what this podcast is all about, after all) but the chat will still make sense if you don’t!
Download the Transcript:
You can download the transcript for this episode here: www.rhiannonelt.com/deep-talk-podcast
If you want to use the transcript and/or the podcast audio for more focussed language practice, you’ll find a whole host of self-study activities on my website to help you.
Get in Touch:
Join my mailing list here: www.rhiannonelt.com
Follow me on Instagram: @rhiannonelt
Email me: info@rhiannonelt.com

Aug 1, 2022 • 35min
#10 How have children's language skills been impacted by Covid?
Join our Deep Talkers community on Facebook. Discuss the episodes, meet new people, share what you’re reading about at the moment, all in a yummy community of like-minded souls.
Head to: https://www.rhiannonelt.com/deep-talk-podcast to sign up!
Today, I’m joined by Jo who has chosen the text we’ll be talking about this week:
1) Speaking Up for the Covid Generation
https://ican.org.uk/media/3753/speaking-up-for-the-covid-generation-i-can-report.pdf
I recommend you read this report before listening to the conversation (that’s what this podcast is all about, after all) but the chat will still make sense if you don’t! Don’t be scared by the word “report” - it’s a very easy read - lots of pictures and bright colours!
Jo is a primary school teacher, working in Surrey, in the South East of England.
RESET YOUR MINDSET:
Sukhi (my guest from last week) and I are running a two-week coaching event in August 2022 and you can find out more here: https://www.rhiannonelt.com/interested-summer-re-set
Download the Transcript:
You can download the transcript for this episode here: www.rhiannonelt.com/deep-talk-podcast
If you want to use the transcript and/or the podcast audio for more focussed language practice, you’ll find a whole host of self-study activities on my website to help you.
Get in Touch:
Join my mailing list here: www.rhiannonelt.com
Follow me on Instagram: @rhiannonelt
Email me: info@rhiannonelt.com

Jul 25, 2022 • 33min
#09 What's wrong with the question 'Where are you from?'?
Join our Deep Talkers community on Facebook. Discuss the episodes, meet new people, share what you’re reading about at the moment, all in a yummy community of like-minded souls.
Head to: https://www.rhiannonelt.com/deep-talk-podcast to sign up!
Today, I’m joined by Sukhi who has chosen the texts we’ll be talking about this week:
1) 4 Reasons Asking 'Where Are You From?' Is Offensive
https://www.huffpost.com/archive/ca/entry/asking-where-are-you-from-offensive_b_10802722
2) What’s Wrong with Asking “Where Are You From?”
https://hbr.org/2020/10/whats-wrong-with-asking-where-are-you-from
I recommend you read these articles before listening to the conversation (that’s what this podcast is all about, after all) but the chat will still make sense if you don’t!
Sukhi is an English teacher and coach and you can follow him on social media at @english.language.everyday
Sukhi and I are running a two-week coaching event in August 2022 and you can find out more here: https://www.rhiannonelt.com/interested-summer-re-set
Download the Transcript:
You can download the transcript for this episode here: www.rhiannonelt.com/deep-talk-podcast
If you want to use the transcript and/or the podcast audio for more focussed language practice, you’ll find a whole host of self-study activities on my website to help you.
Get in Touch:
Join my mailing list here: www.rhiannonelt.com
Follow me on Instagram: @rhiannonelt
Email me: info@rhiannonelt.com

Apr 15, 2022 • 32min
#08 Should we try to re-write history?
Join our Deep Talkers community on Facebook. Discuss the episodes, meet new people, share what you’re reading about at the moment, all in a yummy community of like-minded souls.
Head to: https://www.rhiannonelt.com/deep-talk-podcast to sign up!
Today, I’m joined by Calum who has chosen the text we’ll be talking about this week:
Questions raised about UK landmarks after Bristol statue torn down - Channel 4 News
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nVrGaGza0zo
I recommend you watch this video before listening to the conversation (that’s what this podcast is all about, after all) as it lays out a lot of the context of what we talk about in today’s discussion.
Calum is an English language teacher based in Lyon, France. He has a Master’s in History, and this study influenced his choice of topic today. We are talking about the push to re-evaluate how Britain sees its colonial past, particularly in its commemoration of philanthropists and wealthy merchants who earned their money through the slave trade.
Download the Transcript:
You can download the transcript for this episode here:
www.rhiannonelt.com/deep-talk-podcast
Join the Waitlist for the Deep Talk Discussion Program:
https://www.rhiannonelt.com/deep-talk-discussion-program
Get in Touch:
Join my mailing list here: www.rhiannonelt.com
Follow me on Instagram: @rhiannonelt
Email me: info@rhiannonelt.com

Apr 8, 2022 • 31min
#07 Are society’s expectations of women fair?
Join our Deep Talkers community on Facebook. Discuss the episodes, meet new people, share what you’re reading about at the moment, all in a yummy community of like-minded souls.
Head to: https://www.rhiannonelt.com/deep-talk-podcast to sign up!
Today, I’m joined by Candelaria who has chosen the text we’ll be talking about this week:
Societal Expectations: Female Perspective
https://kscequinox.com/2018/10/societal-expectations-female-perspective/
I recommend you read this article before listening to the conversation (that’s what this podcast is all about, after all) but the chat will still make sense if you don’t!
Candelaria works both as cabin crew and a freelance copywriter and is a true deep talker! We met when I helped her prepare for her CPE earlier this year. She’s passionate about the female experience and women’s rights, as you’ll hear in this episode!
Download the Transcript:
You can download the transcript for this episode here:
www.rhiannonelt.com/deep-talk-podcast
Join the Waitlist for the Deep Talk Discussion Program:
https://www.rhiannonelt.com/deep-talk-discussion-program
Get in Touch:
Join my mailing list here: www.rhiannonelt.com
Follow me on Instagram: @rhiannonelt
Email me: info@rhiannonelt.com

Mar 25, 2022 • 28min
#06 Are we moving backwards on LGBT rights?
Join our Deep Talkers community on Facebook. Discuss the episodes, meet new people, share what you’re reading about at the moment, all in a yummy community of like-minded souls.
Head to: https://www.rhiannonelt.com/deep-talk-podcast to sign up!
Today, I’m joined by Tadeja who has chosen the text we’ll be talking about this week:
The Worrying Regression Of LGBT Rights In Eastern Europe
https://www.rferl.org/a/lgbt-rights-eastern-europe-backsliding/31622890.html
I recommend you read this article before listening to the conversation (that’s what this podcast is all about, after all) but the chat will still make sense if you don’t!
Tadeja is an activist and has been working within the LGBT sector for the past decade. They currently work for Ljubljana Pride on their anti-bullying program.
Download the Transcript:
You can download the transcript for this episode here:
www.rhiannonelt.com/deep-talk-podcast
Join the Waitlist for the Deep Talk Discussion Program:
https://www.rhiannonelt.com/deep-talk-discussion-program
Get in Touch:
Join my mailing list here: www.rhiannonelt.com
Follow me on Instagram: @rhiannonelt
Email me: info@rhiannonelt.com

Mar 18, 2022 • 27min
#05 Should we take life advice from the mega rich?
Join our Deep Talkers community on Facebook. Discuss the episodes, meet new people, share what you’re reading about at the moment, all in a yummy community of like-minded souls.
Head to: https://www.rhiannonelt.com/deep-talk-podcast to sign up!
Prepare for the Episode:
Today we’re talking about two materials
1) Kim Kardashian’s Business Advice: ‘Get Your F**king Ass Up and Work’”
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XX2izzshRmI
2) Kim Kardashian Under Fire For Saying Key To Success Is To ‘get Your F***ing Ass Up And Work’
https://www.independent.co.uk/life-style/kim-kardashian-work-backlash-interview-b2032448.html
Download the Transcript:
You can download the transcript for this episode here:
www.rhiannonelt.com/deep-talk-podcast
If you want to use the transcript and/or the podcast audio for more focussed language practice, you’ll find a whole host of self-study activities on my website to help you.
Get in Touch:
Add your name to my Deep Talk discussion program waitlist: https://www.rhiannonelt.com/deep-talk-discussion-program
Follow me on Instagram: @rhiannonelt
Email me: info@rhiannonelt.com

Mar 11, 2022 • 29min
#04 Why do we wonder about what could have been?
Join our Deep Talkers community on Facebook. Discuss the episodes, meet new people, share what you’re reading about at the moment, all in a yummy community of like-minded souls.
Head to: https://www.rhiannonelt.com/deep-talk-podcast to sign up!
Prepare for the episode:
Today, I’m joined by Lorna who has chosen the text we’ll be talking about this week:
1) What If You Could Do It All Over? The uncanny allure of our unlived lives.
https://www.newyorker.com/magazine/2020/12/21/what-if-you-could-do-it-all-over
I recommend you read this article before listening to the conversation (that’s what this podcast is all about, after all) but the chat will still make sense if you don’t!
Lorna works in higher education, helping universities reach their audiences. She’s passionate about education, running, and reading - she’s part of a feminist book club! She also runs her own podcast, Destination Unknown, all about people’s varied and twisting career paths.
You can find Destination Unknown here: https://open.spotify.com/show/5oqoBxz9QB4uFzdYAiMNa4?si=Rj1IsRXpSl2Sc2m5AR8oHg
Download the Transcript:
You can download the transcript for this episode here: www.rhiannonelt.com/deep-talk-podcast
Join the Waitlist for Deep Talk:
You can join the waitlist for the Discussion Program: https://www.rhiannonelt.com/deep-talk-discussion-program
Get in Touch:
Join my mailing list here: www.rhiannonelt.com
Follow me on Instagram: @rhiannonelt
Email me: info@rhiannonelt.com