Former NASA employee, Tiffani Claiborne, shares her journey of leaving NASA to explore a new path, facing personal challenges, and embracing new expressions. She discusses the importance of understanding the purpose behind one's work, her passion for web design, and overcoming academic challenges through perseverance and emotional growth.

When Martin becomes a dad, he realizes how difficult it is when we can’t be with the ones we love.   Level: Upper Intermediate Accent: United Kingdom (Essex) 🚐 Ready to take your English further? ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠CLICK HERE⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ FOR FULL EPISODE PACKAGE⁠ with full vocabulary list, transcript, test, and much more! 5 words and expressions in today's story: -TO SHOVE: To push someone or something roughly or with force, often with the intention of moving someone or something out of the way. For example, "She accidentally shoved her friend while rushing to catch the bus, causing them to stumble," or "He shoved his passport in his pocket before getting on the plane." -TO BE OVER THE MOON: To be extremely happy or thrilled about something. For example, "She was over the moon when she found out she got the job she had been dreaming of," or "He was over the moon with joy when he received the surprise birthday party his friends had organized for him." -A PRAM: A stroller or baby carriage used for transporting infants. For example, "She took her baby for a walk in the pram," or "The pram was equipped with a comfortable seat and a protective canopy." -OBVIOUSLY (FILLER WORD): similar to saying "it's clear" or "you see" to show something is easy to understand. It's added to sentences to make a point stronger or emphasize that something should be clear. But it doesn't always change what's being said; it just helps the speaker highlight their viewpoint or understanding of the situation. -FULL ON (ADJECTIVE): Intense or extreme in nature. For example, "The party was full on, with loud music and dancing all night," or "He experienced a full-on adrenaline rush while participating in the extreme sports event." Episode Links:  - Listen to Martin’s podcast Rock n’ Roll English Enjoyed today's episode? Share it with a friend improving their English! Thanks for being a part of our community. 💛

Gloudina goes to Ecuador to volunteer with a wildlife veterinarian and ends up learning an important lesson from children in the Amazon. Level: Upper Intermediate Accent: South Africa 🚐 Ready to take your English further? ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠CLICK HERE⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ FOR FULL EPISODE PACKAGE⁠ with vocabulary, test, and transcript! 5 words and expressions in today's story: - WILDLIFE: Animals and plants that live and grow in natural environments. Examples: "The national park is home to a diverse range of wildlife, including bears, deer, and birds." or "Conservation efforts aim to protect wildlife and their natural habitats." - CABIN/HUT: Small, simple dwellings or houses typically located in rural or wilderness areas. Examples: "They rented a cozy cabin in the mountains for their weekend getaway." or "The forest ranger stayed in a rustic hut deep in the woods during his patrols." - CHECKUP: A routine health examination. Examples: "The doctor recommended an annual checkup to monitor her blood pressure and cholesterol levels." or "After the accident, he underwent a thorough checkup to ensure there were no internal injuries." - ENDANGERED SPECIES: Species at risk of extinction. Examples: "Efforts to save the sea turtle focus on protecting nesting sites and reducing bycatch in fishing nets." or "The black rhinoceros is endangered due to poaching and habitat loss." - TO CLEAR YOUR MIND: Removing thoughts or worries to achieve calmness. Examples: "Yoga and meditation help him clear his mind and reduce stress after a long day." or "Taking a walk in nature allows her to clear her mind and gain perspective on her problems." Episode Links:  - Visit Gloudina’s website Wildme.eu and use the code INTOWILDME100 to download one of her digital guides for free Enjoyed today's episode? Share it with a friend, improving their English! Thanks for being a part of our community. 💛

Anna Tyrie, a musician who struggled with feeling inadequate, shares her journey of overcoming imposter syndrome to attend a prestigious music school. She reflects on her passion for performance, unexpected offer from the Royal Academy of Music, and a transformative performance at the Royal Albert Hall with Sir Elton John.

When Lindsay McMahon was backpacking alone in Southeast Asia, an injury teaches her an important lesson about living a good life. Level: Upper Intermediate Accent: United States (New Hampshire) 🚐 Ready to take your English further? ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠CLICK HERE⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ FOR FULL EPISODE PACKAGE⁠ with vocabulary, test, transcript and much more! 5 words and expressions in today's story: - TO BE WINDY (A WINDY ROAD): A road with lots of twists and turns. Examples: "The road to the cabin is windy and hard to drive." or "Be careful on the windy road; it can be dangerous." - A MUFFLER: The tube that comes out the back of a car that makes it quieter. Examples: "The mechanic replaced the muffler on my car." or "The teenager took the muffler off his motorbike, to make it very loud." - TO DOWNPLAY SOMETHING: To make something seem less important or serious. Examples: "After her basketball team lost the match, she tried to downplay the defeat by saying it wasn’t an important game" or "Even though the project faced significant challenges, she downplayed the difficulties, emphasizing the progress made." - TO BE MAKESHIFT: Something that's put together quickly with whatever's available. Examples: "The kids used a cardboard box as a makeshift table." or "He made a makeshift umbrella out of a plastic bag so that he wouldn’t get wet in the rain." - TO HAVE A WIN: To succeed or accomplish something you were hoping for. Examples: "This week, I finally had a win: normally I procrastinate editing podcasts, but this time I finished the episode earlier than expected." or "When the young student won the spelling contest, it was a big win. It made her feel more sure of herself." Episode Links:  - Listen to Lindsay’s podcast, All Ears English - Listen to Bree explain the connection between emotions and fluency on All Ears English (available March 2024) Enjoyed today's episode? Share it with a friend improving their English! Thanks for being a part of our community. 💛

In this podcast, Alastair Budge shares his journey from working in tech startups to founding his language learning venture. He discusses reimagining success, raising funding, facing challenges, and finding personal fulfillment. The episode also explores essential terms like 'to bond with someone' and 'outlook'. Listen for insights on navigating lifestyle businesses and personal paths for a fulfilling life.

Storyteller Anna Connelly shares her journey on building confidence through personal experiences. Topics include overcoming challenges, navigating childhood memories, determination to attend university, taking a leap of faith, career journey advice, and presentation tips.

Michael Lavers, from Level Up English, shares his story of trying 16 different jobs in search of something more. From working at a crematorium to a journey of self-discovery in Japan, he emphasizes the power of language learning and living in the present moment.

Guest Erica Tait shares a terrifying story of falling off an 18-meter cliff, resulting in unconsciousness and a life-changing realization about existence. She reflects on facing fears, finding healing through Western psychology and spirituality.

Season 5 of Into the Story will feature inspirational stories of what it means to be human, including stories of loss and moving forward. New episodes begin on January 2nd.