podcastsinenglish

Jackie and Richard kick off the new year venting about their courier woes. They detail the struggle of packages going missing in their remote Portuguese village, despite having accurate addresses. Frustration mounts as they share tales of unhelpful drivers, false excuses from couriers, and the irony of high-tech tracking failing them. Time wasted on calls and online searches adds to their exasperation. They hope that a new street name will finally resolve their delivery dilemmas, ending on a note of cautious optimism.

Join the hosts as they put your memory to the test with a year-in-review quiz packed with shocking statistics. Discover the grim details of US mass shootings and compare it to the staggering number of plastic bottles sold every minute. Dive into significant milestones like the women who won Nobel Awards in 2017 and Chris Froome's impressive Tour de France wins. Plus, learn about Hurricane Harvey's impact and the astonishing depth tolerance of the Mariana snailfish. It's a fun and eye-opening quiz adventure!

Delve into the festive spirit with a charming scene featuring Paddington and a mistaken Santa delivering gifts in London. Join the delightful antics as Paddington lends a paw to help load the sleigh. A humorous news report adds to the excitement, revealing a bear alongside Santa instead of an elf. End on a merry note, encouraging listeners to embrace the Christmas cheer. This heartwarming narrative is filled with holiday warmth and a touch of whimsy!

Explore the financial frenzy that surrounds Christmas as hosts dive into its significance for retail. They reveal staggering holiday sales figures, comparing spending habits between the US and UK. The shift to online shopping is highlighted, alongside a decline in physical store traffic. Discover which industries thrive during the festive season and which sectors struggle to stay afloat. Key shopping days like Black Friday and Super Saturday also make an appearance, ensuring listeners are reminded to shop smart this Christmas.

Discover how seemingly random factors influence our decisions! The hosts dive into price anchors, revealing how steep discounts can trick our perceptions. A fascinating dice experiment shows that numbers can sway judges' sentencing. You'll learn how the temperature of your drink impacts your view of others—holding a warm cup makes strangers seem friendlier. It's a deep dive into the hidden forces shaping our choices and relationships, leaving you pondering what affects your daily decisions!

Jackie and Richard delve into the fascinating world of toilets for World Toilet Day. They compare British and American toilet vocabulary, exploring informal terms like 'loo' and historical euphemisms. The conversation takes a serious turn as they address the global sanitation crisis affecting billions. They also touch upon the past when outside toilets were common and the significance of modern plumbing. Listeners are encouraged to raise awareness and contribute to sanitation efforts, reminding everyone that even a little help can go a long way.

Explore the surge in electric cars, learning about their design and emissions-free benefits. Discover how they cost more upfront but save money in the long run, with the Nissan Leaf showcasing impressive savings. Hear about the practicalities of recharging at home, especially for those without dedicated parking. The discussion highlights the growing public charging infrastructure, and the hybrid option emerges as a popular compromise for drivers. It's clear: electric vehicles are paving the way for a greener future!

Discover the fascinating Halloween traditions in Britain, from carving pumpkin lanterns to the age-old practice of using turnips. Dive into the world of spooky costumes, where witches and zombies steal the spotlight across different ages. Enjoy tales of lively Halloween parties and the mischievous fun of apple bobbing. Listen as hosts share their favorite spooky-themed foods and cozy movie nights that define their Halloween rituals. It's a delightful blend of history, fun, and festive spirit!

Jackie and Richard dive into the delightful world of jigsaw puzzles. They share how rediscovering this pastime brings joy and mental exercise, whether enjoyed alone or with friends. The conversation highlights how solving puzzles merges creativity and logic, allowing the brain to flourish. Richard illustrates the human knack for finding patterns in chaos, likening it to spotting shapes in clouds. They even reminisce about educational jigsaw maps from childhood, making this exploration both nostalgic and fun.

The hosts dive into the world of plastic, discussing its ubiquitous presence and essential role in our lives. They explore how plastic saves energy in transport and reduces food waste through effective packaging. However, concerns about pollution and microplastics are raised, highlighting their threat to wildlife and human health. Solutions like recycling are debated, revealing gaps in public behavior. The conversation also touches on the explosive growth of plastic production and the implications of plastic bag bans. Ultimately, they advocate for viewing plastic as a valuable resource.