Crosby's 9

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Condensed 9-minute podcasts for improving your English: learn vocabulary, phrasal verbs and expressions as you improve your listening and speaking skills.

Drew Crosby


    • May 4, 2025 LATEST EPISODE
    • monthly NEW EPISODES
    • 9m AVG DURATION
    • 175 EPISODES


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    Latest episodes from Crosby's 9

    Good Food, Good Mood. EP 175

    Play Episode Listen Later May 4, 2025 9:04


    Along with discussing tasty, nutritious, well-made and comfort foods, Drew presents the musician known as the founding father of the New Orleans sound. And don't miss the wit of George Bernard Shaw, as well as some Awesome Advice: Remember, all news is biased. What do you think?

    What's Worth Owning? EP 174

    Play Episode Listen Later Mar 14, 2025 9:38


    What do you own? Why do you own it? Is it worth owning? Drew takes a look at this concept as he teaches you new words and expressions. Also, don't miss this episode's Remarkable Recording, you're going to love it! All in just 9 minutes.

    Never Mind. EP 173

    Play Episode Listen Later Feb 6, 2025 9:37


    Paying compliments. When was the last time you paid somebody a compliment? How did it make your feel? When did you last tell a joke that bombed? Discover more in this episode! And, don't miss the Cool Quote and Awesome Advice sections.

    Hello Stranger! EP 172

    Play Episode Listen Later Jan 22, 2025 9:56


    Is truth stranger than fiction? Is it time to hit the road? Was the LP released to very little fanfare? Did the preacher hit the road? Tune in and find out!

    Out With the Old, In With the New. EP 171

    Play Episode Listen Later Dec 31, 2024 9:48


    In this episode, Drew bids farewell to 2024 and rings in 2025. You'll learn these expressions along with many more. And how well do know question tags and the conditionals in English? Test yourself in this episode. Happy New Year everyone!!

    Fake It until You Make It. EP 170

    Play Episode Listen Later Oct 21, 2024 9:34


    In this episode, Drew looks at whether or not inauthenticity is a good thing. Faking it to make it may boost your self-esteem, but when it comes to knockoff products or counterfeit money, inauthenticity is damaging. Pretending to be real is typically disingenuous behavior.

    Things Are Falling into Place. EP 169

    Play Episode Listen Later Sep 16, 2024 9:29


    Before branching out into telephony, Nokia made paper. Before branching out into consumer electronics, LG made face cream. Before branching out into the energy industry, Shell sold…yep, decorative shells. There's your new phrasal verb: branch out. Tune in for a whole lot more!

    (Almost) Nothing Fazes Me. EP 168

    Play Episode Listen Later Sep 4, 2024 9:56


    In this episode, you'll learn the word “rowdy” and the expression “off your game”. Crowds at sporting events can sometimes be disorderly and disruptive, in other words, rowdy. Rowdy crowds often put athletes off their game. Also, check out the phrasal verbs “phase in” and “phase out”. The euro was phased in as the peseta was phased out. Tons of useful English for you - as usual - so don't miss out.

    Lucky You! EP 167

    Play Episode Listen Later Jul 23, 2024 9:31


    Is it fate? Is it destiny? Is it karma? Or is it simply luck? Do you believe in luck? What makes you lucky? Do have a lucky charm? What about jinxes? Are you really ready to improve your pronunciation? Well, then here we go….

    Butterflies Are Free to Fly. EP 166

    Play Episode Listen Later May 20, 2024 9:49


    Why am I asking you to repeat this? Because by doing so you'll improve your grammar, listening comprehension and pronunciation. Give it a shot.

    It's Time for Action. EP 165

    Play Episode Listen Later May 4, 2024 9:44


    It's time for action, as opposed to lounging around. It's time for action, as opposed to loafing around. It's time for action, as opposed to lazing around. You get the idea: “as opposed to” means “rather than” and we use it a lot in English. So, tune in and take advantage of this podcast, as opposed to missing your opportunity to improve your English.

    The Simple 70's. EP 164

    Play Episode Listen Later Apr 7, 2024 9:26


    With fewer complications and less distraction, the 70's were pretty simple, weren't they? Are they coming back? Tune in to find out more while you improve your English.

    Time for Spring-Cleaning! EP 163

    Play Episode Listen Later Mar 11, 2024 9:46


    Spring-cleaning means deep cleaning those areas that you don't clean on a regular basis. Hard-to-reach areas. Under the carpets. Beneath the couch. And now is the time to do it. As usual, in this podcast you'll learn tons…expressions, pronunciation and speaking tips and new concepts and vocabulary. Don't miss it!

    A Leap (Year) of Faith. EP 162

    Play Episode Listen Later Feb 18, 2024 9:40


    It's February, the month of love, and this year it has 29 days, making it a leap year. In this episode, Drew discusses silent letters, steak doneness (yes, “doneness” is a word!) and taking leaps of faith.

    Taking the First Step. EP 161

    Play Episode Listen Later Jan 18, 2024 9:25


    When it comes to expressions and new vocabulary, this episode is chock-full. You'll learn “step up to the plate,” “taunting,” “go out on a limb”, “ill will”… And as regular listeners know, the key to speaking English better is by imitating Drew. Give it a shot!

    Decorations: Putting Them Up and Taking Them Down. EP 160

    Play Episode Listen Later Jan 7, 2024 9:47


    Are you ready to improve your speaking and pronunciation? All you have to do is imitate Drew. Try it and you'll see – it really does work! In this episode, Drew discusses one of his favorite Christmas decorations: popcorn garland.

    Telling Time. EP 159

    Play Episode Listen Later Dec 14, 2023 9:59


    The economy isn't creating any new jobs because consumers aren't spending any money. Consumers aren't spending any money because the economy isn't creating any new jobs. Ah, the vicious circle. Tune in for more! Also, how easy is it for you to tell time in English? Check it out.

    Making off with What? Money? EP 158

    Play Episode Listen Later Nov 22, 2023 9:03


    Dough, through, rough, tough…Check your pronunciation of these words and include a new one into your vocabulary arsenal: trough. We also review “would” and “used to” for describing repeated actions in the past. Don't miss it!

    America's Route 66 (4). EP 157

    Play Episode Listen Later Nov 5, 2023 9:52


    Hundreds of thousands of people affected by the Great Depression and the Dust Bowl left their homes in search of a better life, and Route 66 promised to take them to a land of opportunity and prosperity. Learn about the Mother Road that runs from Chicago to LA, as you practice -and improve- your English.

    America's Route 66 (3). EP 156

    Play Episode Listen Later Oct 24, 2023 9:53


    What are the top 10 must-see movies? Well, that's very subjective, but Drew gives you Roger Ebert's version right here. Check it out. Are you a big Breaking Bad fan? What are some of the series' iconic sites in Albuquerque? You'll find out…

    America's Route 66 (2). EP 155

    Play Episode Listen Later Sep 24, 2023 9:46


    Are you ready to put your listening comprehension into high gear? If so, tune in to hear more about Drew's Route 66 adventure. Lafayette Square in St. Louis, the Cherokee Nation in Vinita, coffee beans in Clinton, barbecue in Amarillo, biscuits and gravy in Tucumcari…The story continues.

    America's Route 66 (1). EP 154

    Play Episode Listen Later Sep 7, 2023


    Stops along Drew's Route 66 trip included: Chicago, St. Louis, Joplin, Clinton, Tucumcari, Albuquerque, Flagstaff, Kingman, Las Vegas and Santa Monica. In this episode, he shares highlights from his road trip from beginning to end. So, get your kicks with this, the first “chapter” of his experiences on what John Steinbeck dubbed the “Mother Road.”

    Two Hearts Are Better Than One. EP 153

    Play Episode Listen Later Jul 11, 2023 9:50


    Your English will get much better if you listen to Crosby's 9. Let that sink in. Wait! What does “let that sink in” mean? Tune in and find out. By the way, what is “sync” short for? What is “decaf” short for? And “info”? What does NASA stand for? And GPS? Short for vs. stand for…check it out in this episode.

    Food for Thought. EP 152

    Play Episode Listen Later Jun 12, 2023 9:37


    Here's a phrasal verb you need to start using: to cut out. Question: What would happen if you cut out sugar? What would the consequences be? Tune in and find out! Drew also explains the expression, “no shirt, no shoes, no service,” among others.

    The Tables Have Turned. EP 151

    Play Episode Listen Later May 30, 2023


    By now, you're surely good at recognizing all the “difficult” letters in English. Listen to this podcast and test yourself. Also, tune in for a simple tip on how to sound more like a native English speaker by using the interrogative structure for emphasis. And there's practice on the conditional.

    Peace of Mind. EP 150

    Play Episode Listen Later May 3, 2023 9:31


    How well can you master the most important verb in the English language, to be? Drew offers a quick reminder and exercise. He also takes you through a quick review of the conditionals and teaches several useful expressions that you can start using…right now!

    Certain Rules Rule. EP 149

    Play Episode Listen Later Apr 16, 2023 9:29


    Quick question: what's a “pet peeve”? Do you have any? Drew mentions a couple of his in this episode. Also, how familiar are you with the structure “there + to be” in English? Drew reminds you how important it is so…don't forget to practice it!

    Expecting the Inevitable. EP 148

    Play Episode Listen Later Mar 21, 2023 9:16


    Is increased crime driving away local investment? Are higher taxes driving away local residents? Learn how to use this key phrasal verb in this episode. And for the umpteenth time, Drew reminds you: imitate him and you'll improve your speaking!

    Rise and Shine! EP 147

    Play Episode Listen Later Feb 27, 2023 9:25


    In this episode you'll continue to improve your listening comprehension by listening to Drew speak naturally spoken English. And there's another million-dollar question as well. Will you get it right?

    I Miss You. EP 146

    Play Episode Listen Later Feb 13, 2023 9:53


    Do you share strong ties with every friend you have? Do you have friendships based on weak ties? Do any spring to mind? Do you make small talk with them? Tune in and learn more! (Yes, you'll learn the expression, “spring to mind”…).

    Seeing Is Believing. EP 145

    Play Episode Listen Later Feb 2, 2023 9:35


    Are you ready to take your English to the next level? BTW, how do you pronounce the contraction, “I will”? There are more pronunciation tips here, so don't miss out! Like “ghosts.” Hmmm, that sounds scary…

    Shop till You Drop. EP 144

    Play Episode Listen Later Jan 22, 2023 9:16


    In this episode, you'll review your knowledge of question tags while you window shop. And there's a quick test on the most famous verb of all: to be. Give it a shot!

    Peanuts! EP 143

    Play Episode Listen Later Jan 7, 2023 9:02


    Do you work for peanuts? Did you shell out on Christmas presents? Michael Jordan was a basketball player par excellence. Do you understand these questions? If not, you will after you listen to this episode. And remember, imitate and improve!

    Argentina, World Champions. EP 142

    Play Episode Listen Later Dec 30, 2022 9:52


    Your English will quickly and easily get better by simply listening to Crosby's 9. In this episode, Drew discusses the words “hat trick”, (Mbappé scored one), “manage”, (France managed to tie the match) and “penalty shootout” (After overtime, the match went into a penalty shootout). Imitate and improve.

    The 12 Days of Christmas. EP 141

    Play Episode Listen Later Dec 12, 2022 9:32


    How do you pronounce “Christmas”? Are you pronouncing it properly? Tune in to find out. And as usual, you'll improve your English speaking and pronunciation by simply imitating Drew. For example: Perhaps partridges prefer to perch on pair trees. Got it?

    Gratitude. EP 140

    Play Episode Listen Later Nov 22, 2022 9:35


    You'll learn tons of expressions in the episode, such as “after all,” “wishful thinking,” “how about,” and a lot more. If you tune in and actively listen, you'll be surprised by how easily your English improves.

    Windfall. EP 139

    Play Episode Listen Later Nov 7, 2022 9:29


    As always, you'll repeat, imitate and put into practice what you learn in the podcast. It's a super easy way to improve your English. Give it a shot!

    Nothing to Lose. EP 138

    Play Episode Listen Later Oct 1, 2022 9:37


    Also, you'll work on your listening comprehension -particularly using letters- and you'll learn two super useful expressions: “it's all in your head” and “I'll let it slide.” Don't miss it!

    Ticky-Tacky. EP 137

    Play Episode Listen Later Sep 15, 2022 9:54


    Does shoddy workmanship bother you? Some people really can't stand it. What about you? (Clue: shoddy = inferior). Drew delves into this topic in this episode, so tune in and not only practice your English, but IMPROVE your English! You'll also review the very useful modal verb “might.”

    Back to the Grindstone. EP 136

    Play Episode Listen Later Aug 22, 2022 9:41


    Question: Do you need to grind ground coffee? Not sure? Tune in! And regarding letters, don't confuse the “g” with the “j.” Also, Drew reminds you how to improve your pronunciation of the letter “s.”

    Making Waves. EP 135

    Play Episode Listen Later Jul 3, 2022 9:29


    Once again, Drew gives you the key to becoming a better English speaker: imitate him. Here, he discusses the business concepts of creative destruction and disruption through the use of two common expressions: making waves and rocking the boat.

    Winging It. EP 134

    Play Episode Listen Later Jun 20, 2022 9:04


    Some people believe that achieving success through hard work is for losers. Intuition, they argue - or winging it - is the key to success. Have we reached the point where success through hard work is looked down upon? Also, get ready to REALLY improve your speaking and pronunciation because this podcast is all about repeat, repeat, repeat. Don't miss it!

    "Social" Media. EP 133

    Play Episode Listen Later Jun 11, 2022 9:38


    Downloading, uploading, checking, scanning, swiping…Isn't social media a big waste of time? Probably not, as long as you don't go overboard. Are you familiar with the term “to go overboard?” You will be after this podcast!

    Enjoy the Chaos. EP 132

    Play Episode Listen Later May 29, 2022 9:35


    Drew reminds you of two key tips in order to easily and correctly pronounce words in English. Also, how well can you form question tags? Test yourselves in this episode.

    In the Zone. EP 131

    Play Episode Listen Later May 12, 2022 9:26


    How do you pronounce the “z” in English? Here's a refresher. In fact, you're really going to practice your letters in this podcast. You'll also learn the (slightly rude) expression, “zip it,” and -as usual- there are lots of new words to add to your vocabulary “arsenal.”

    True to Form. EP 130

    Play Episode Listen Later Apr 26, 2022 9:43


    Quick! Which one is the synonym for “accustomed to?” “Use to” or “used to?” You'll get the lowdown here. (Lowdown? You'll have to look that one up!) Also, test your knowledge of the conditionals and learn whether or not it's a good idea to show the boss up.

    The Plot Thickens. EP 129

    Play Episode Listen Later Apr 1, 2022 9:22


    Drew will also have you on the edge of your seat -yes; you'll learn this expression- as he offers you his regular dose of tips for pronunciation and speaking, along with useful vocabulary and expressions for your everyday English. Don't miss it!

    Raising the Bar. EP 128

    Play Episode Listen Later Mar 18, 2022 9:56


    How do you pronounce “hire?” Is it a noun? Tune in and you'll be surprised. Also, we review the phrasal verb “to dress up.” Of course we dress up for Halloween, but is it normal to dress up for work? Lastly, fix your pronunciation of the word “athlete” forever.

    Are You Thick-Skinned? EP 127

    Play Episode Listen Later Feb 23, 2022 9:50


    Quick! How many syllables does the word “criticism” have? Four. Did you get it right? Remember, the suffix “ism” has two syllables. Listen to this episode for some good practice. Drew also discusses the meaning of “poetic license.” Don't miss it!

    Money. EP 126

    Play Episode Listen Later Feb 15, 2022


    Are you still struggling with recognizing certain letters in English? Tune in for a trick that'll help you out. Question: Is it C-y-n-d-i or C-i-n-d-y? You'll “see…”

    Hats Off to Nadal! EP 125

    Play Episode Listen Later Feb 8, 2022 9:17


    C – a – p – p – e – d…how do you pronounce this word? What does it mean? DO YOU WRITE IN ALL CAPS? Nobody likes drinking flat Coca-Cola, right? So cap the bottle!

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