

The Fluent Mind ESL Podcast
Jack McBain
Welcome to The Fluent Mind ESL Podcast, where we take you on a journey from learning the basics to mastering the nuances of the English language. Our podcast is designed for non-native speakers who are looking to improve their English skills in a fun and interactive way. Each episode covers a wide range of topics to help you navigate the English-speaking world with ease. Join us every week as we explore the English language and help you build confidence in your communication skills. Let's get started!
Episodes
Mentioned books

Feb 12, 2025 • 7min
Which story is true?
True Story: In January 2025, a zoo in China's Guangdong province made headlines for dyeing two Chow Chow puppies to resemble pandas. Visitors initially admired the "pandas" until they noticed the animals panting and barking. The zoo later admitted to the stunt, sparking outrage and criticism from animal rights groups.False Story: A small town in eastern China recently claimed to have discovered a mysterious underground village dating back thousands of years. Local officials stated that residents found perfectly preserved homes, complete with ancient furnishings and pottery, after a sinkhole suddenly appeared. Archaeologists reportedly described it as one of the most significant finds in Chinese history.Podcast Website: http://atozenglishpodcast.comSocial Media:WeChat: atozenglishpodcastFacebook Group: https://www.facebook.com/groups/671098974684413/Tik Tok: @atozenglish1Instagram: @atozenglish22Twitter: @atozenglish22A to Z Facebook Page:https://www.facebook.com/theatozenglishpodcastCheck out our You Tube Channel:https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCds7JR-5dbarBfas4Ve4h8ABecome a member of Podchaser and leave a positive review!https://www.podchaser.com/podcasts/the-a-to-z-english-podcast-4779670Intro/Outro Music: Debora by Jangwahttps://freemusicarchive.org/music/Dilating_Times/single/debora/https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0Support this podcast at — https://redcircle.com/the-fluent-mind-esl-podcast/donationsAdvertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brandsPrivacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy

Feb 11, 2025 • 16min
Our Weekly Challenge (Week 2)
In this week's episode, Xochitl and Jack talk about their experiences meditating for "20" minutes every day for the past week.Podcast Website: http://atozenglishpodcast.comSocial Media:WeChat: atozenglishpodcastFacebook Group: https://www.facebook.com/groups/671098974684413/Tik Tok: @atozenglish1Instagram: @atozenglish22Twitter: @atozenglish22A to Z Facebook Page:https://www.facebook.com/theatozenglishpodcastCheck out our You Tube Channel:https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCds7JR-5dbarBfas4Ve4h8ABecome a member of Podchaser and leave a positive review!https://www.podchaser.com/podcasts/the-a-to-z-english-podcast-4779670Intro/Outro Music: Debora by Jangwahttps://freemusicarchive.org/music/Dilating_Times/single/debora/https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0Support this podcast at — https://redcircle.com/the-fluent-mind-esl-podcast/donationsAdvertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brandsPrivacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy

Feb 8, 2025 • 7min
Collocation Quiz February 8 Part 2
Cut corners – To do something in a cheaper, easier, or faster way that is often unethical or results in lower quality.Example: The construction company was accused of cutting corners to save costs.Go the extra mile – To make a special effort beyond what is expected.Example: The customer service representative went the extra mile to ensure the client was satisfied.Hit the ground running – To start a project or task with great enthusiasm and speed.Example: The new manager hit the ground running by immediately implementing a plan to increase sales.Podcast Website: http://atozenglishpodcast.comSocial Media:WeChat: atozenglishpodcastFacebook Group: https://www.facebook.com/groups/671098974684413/Tik Tok: @atozenglish1Instagram: @atozenglish22Twitter: @atozenglish22A to Z Facebook Page:https://www.facebook.com/theatozenglishpodcastCheck out our You Tube Channel:https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCds7JR-5dbarBfas4Ve4h8ABecome a member of Podchaser and leave a positive review!https://www.podchaser.com/podcasts/the-a-to-z-english-podcast-4779670Intro/Outro Music: Debora by Jangwahttps://freemusicarchive.org/music/Dilating_Times/single/debora/https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0Support this podcast at — https://redcircle.com/the-fluent-mind-esl-podcast/donationsAdvertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brandsPrivacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy

Feb 8, 2025 • 6min
Collocation Quiz February 8 Part 1
A collocation is a combination of words that are commonly used together in a natural way by native speakers of a language. These word pairings sound "right" to native speakers because they occur frequently in everyday language.Break new ground – To do something innovative or unprecedented.Example: The scientist broke new ground in renewable energy research.Lend support – To provide help or assistance.Example: Several organizations lent their support to the charity event.Draw a conclusion – To reach a decision or opinion based on evidence or reasoning.Example: After analyzing the data, the team drew a conclusion about the market trends.Podcast Website: http://atozenglishpodcast.comSocial Media:WeChat: atozenglishpodcastFacebook Group: https://www.facebook.com/groups/671098974684413/Tik Tok: @atozenglish1Instagram: @atozenglish22Twitter: @atozenglish22A to Z Facebook Page:https://www.facebook.com/theatozenglishpodcastCheck out our You Tube Channel:https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCds7JR-5dbarBfas4Ve4h8ABecome a member of Podchaser and leave a positive review!https://www.podchaser.com/podcasts/the-a-to-z-english-podcast-4779670Intro/Outro Music: Debora by Jangwahttps://freemusicarchive.org/music/Dilating_Times/single/debora/https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0Support this podcast at — https://redcircle.com/the-fluent-mind-esl-podcast/donationsAdvertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brandsPrivacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy

Feb 3, 2025 • 12min
Our Weekly Challenge (Week 1)
In this week's episode, Xochitl and Jack explain their idea to start weekly challenges. Podcast Website: http://atozenglishpodcast.comSocial Media:WeChat: atozenglishpodcastFacebook Group: https://www.facebook.com/groups/671098974684413/Tik Tok: @atozenglish1Instagram: @atozenglish22Twitter: @atozenglish22A to Z Facebook Page:https://www.facebook.com/theatozenglishpodcastCheck out our You Tube Channel:https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCds7JR-5dbarBfas4Ve4h8ABecome a member of Podchaser and leave a positive review!https://www.podchaser.com/podcasts/the-a-to-z-english-podcast-4779670Intro/Outro Music: Debora by Jangwahttps://freemusicarchive.org/music/Dilating_Times/single/debora/https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0Support this podcast at — https://redcircle.com/the-fluent-mind-esl-podcast/donationsAdvertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brandsPrivacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy

Feb 1, 2025 • 10min
Collocation Quiz February 01
A collocation is a combination of words that are commonly used together in a natural way by native speakers of a language. These word pairings sound "right" to native speakers because they occur frequently in everyday language.Raise objections – To express disapproval or disagreement.Example: Several employees raised objections to the new policy.Cast doubt – To cause uncertainty or suspicion about something.Example: The new evidence cast doubt on his testimony.Hold a grudge – To maintain feelings of resentment or anger.Example: She held a grudge against him for years after the argument.Podcast Website: http://atozenglishpodcast.comSocial Media:WeChat: atozenglishpodcastFacebook Group: https://www.facebook.com/groups/671098974684413/Tik Tok: @atozenglish1Instagram: @atozenglish22Twitter: @atozenglish22A to Z Facebook Page:https://www.facebook.com/theatozenglishpodcastCheck out our You Tube Channel:https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCds7JR-5dbarBfas4Ve4h8ABecome a member of Podchaser and leave a positive review!https://www.podchaser.com/podcasts/the-a-to-z-english-podcast-4779670Intro/Outro Music: Debora by Jangwahttps://freemusicarchive.org/music/Dilating_Times/single/debora/https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.Support this podcast at — https://redcircle.com/the-fluent-mind-esl-podcast/donationsAdvertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brandsPrivacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy

Jan 31, 2025 • 7min
Collocation Quiz January 31
A collocation is a combination of words that are commonly used together in a natural way by native speakers of a language. These word pairings sound "right" to native speakers because they occur frequently in everyday language.Pay tribute – To honor or show respect to someone or something.Example: The president paid tribute to the fallen soldiers.Bear responsibility – To accept or take on accountability for something.Example: He bore responsibility for the project's failure.Run a risk – To expose oneself to the possibility of danger or loss.Example: You run a risk of injury if you don't warm up before exercising.Podcast Website: http://atozenglishpodcast.comSocial Media:WeChat: atozenglishpodcastFacebook Group: https://www.facebook.com/groups/671098974684413/Tik Tok: @atozenglish1Instagram: @atozenglish22Twitter: @atozenglish22A to Z Facebook Page:https://www.facebook.com/theatozenglishpodcastCheck out our You Tube Channel:https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCds7JR-5dbarBfas4Ve4h8ABecome a member of Podchaser and leave a positive review!https://www.podchaser.com/podcasts/the-a-to-z-english-podcast-4779670Join our Whatsapp group: https://forms.gle/zKCS8y1t9jwv2KTn7Intro/Outro Music: Debora by Jangwahttps://freemusicarchive.org/music/Dilating_Times/single/debora/https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.Support this podcast at — https://redcircle.com/the-fluent-mind-esl-podcast/donationsAdvertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brandsPrivacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy

Jan 27, 2025 • 18min
Composing Music with Xochitl and Jack
In this episode, Xochitl and Jack discuss writing music as a hobby.Find links to Jack's music here:https://soundcloud.com/jack-mcbhttps://www.youtube.com/@echodust77https://echodust2.bandcamp.com/musicPodcast Website: http://atozenglishpodcast.comSocial Media:WeChat: atozenglishpodcastFacebook Group: https://www.facebook.com/groups/671098974684413/Tik Tok: @atozenglish1Instagram: @atozenglish22Twitter: @atozenglish22A to Z Facebook Page:https://www.facebook.com/theatozenglishpodcastCheck out our You Tube Channel:https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCds7JR-5dbarBfas4Ve4h8ABecome a member of Podchaser and leave a positive review!https://www.podchaser.com/podcasts/the-a-to-z-english-podcast-4779670Join our Whatsapp group: https://forms.gle/zKCS8y1t9jwv2KTn7Intro/Outro Music: Debora by Jangwahttps://freemusicarchive.org/music/Dilating_Times/single/debora/https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.Support this podcast at — https://redcircle.com/the-fluent-mind-esl-podcast/donationsAdvertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brandsPrivacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy

Jan 24, 2025 • 13min
When a pet dies
In this episode, Xochitl and Jack talk about their pets and the sad news related to Jack's dog, Lily. Podcast Website: http://atozenglishpodcast.comSocial Media:WeChat: atozenglishpodcastFacebook Group: https://www.facebook.com/groups/671098974684413/Tik Tok: @atozenglish1Instagram: @atozenglish22Twitter: @atozenglish22A to Z Facebook Page:https://www.facebook.com/theatozenglishpodcastCheck out our You Tube Channel:https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCds7JR-5dbarBfas4Ve4h8ABecome a member of Podchaser and leave a positive review!https://www.podchaser.com/podcasts/the-a-to-z-english-podcast-4779670Join our Whatsapp group: https://forms.gle/zKCS8y1t9jwv2KTn7Intro/Outro Music: Debora by Jangwahttps://freemusicarchive.org/music/Dilating_Times/single/debora/https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.Support this podcast at — https://redcircle.com/the-fluent-mind-esl-podcast/donationsAdvertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brandsPrivacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy

Jan 22, 2025 • 19min
Xochitl's Trip to Korea and Japan
In this episode, Xochitl tells Jack about her trip to Korea and Japan. They also discuss the sad reason that Jack couldn't meet up with Xochitl while she was visiting Korea. Podcast Website: http://atozenglishpodcast.comSocial Media:WeChat: atozenglishpodcastFacebook Group: https://www.facebook.com/groups/671098974684413/Tik Tok: @atozenglish1Instagram: @atozenglish22Twitter: @atozenglish22A to Z Facebook Page:https://www.facebook.com/theatozenglishpodcastCheck out our You Tube Channel:https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCds7JR-5dbarBfas4Ve4h8ABecome a member of Podchaser and leave a positive review!https://www.podchaser.com/podcasts/the-a-to-z-english-podcast-4779670Join our Whatsapp group: https://forms.gle/zKCS8y1t9jwv2KTn7Intro/Outro Music: Debora by Jangwahttps://freemusicarchive.org/music/Dilating_Times/single/debora/https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/Support this podcast at — https://redcircle.com/the-fluent-mind-esl-podcast/donationsAdvertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brandsPrivacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy


