English Language learning, but not as you know it - arty, sporty, comedy, poetry, crafty, plenty of stuff ...
Petra Kovacova, a Slovak national, is a traveller, passionate language learner, and teacher/mentor who helps others optimize and navigate their learning processes. She has lived in and explored several countries, which allowed her to enhance the quality of each experience; connect with local people; and appreciate the simple things in each place. Being a slow and mindful traveller challenged her beliefs, helped her learn about herself, and embrace the unknown. She has lived in many countries, most extensively in Mexico, Canada, Costa Rica, and the United States of America (USA). Teaching abroad became her new passion and a way of making discoveries, allowing her to combine her love for teaching and travelling into one enriching experience. Her broad background in human resources taught her a lot about people's behaviour and cultural and linguistic diversity. She has learned 6 different languages in the past, which has greatly benefitted her. Speaking other languages has opened new horizons for her and helped her tremendously in understanding and appreciating other cultures. She has worked as an Academic Director in Mexico and most recently as a Director for People and Culture in Costa Rica. She believes that an open mind and the right attitude help you to savour every moment and every encounter, and be in awe of everything that comes your way. You can make contact with Petra directly on LinkedIn via the following link: https://www.linkedin.com/in/petrakovacova963/ For more information on this podcast series, 'John Scott Lawton's English, you know', or to make any comments or to ask any questions relating to English Language learning, please contact me at johnscottlawton@hotmail.co.uk or leave a sound bite comment on Spotify. Please visit my LinkedIn profile at: https://www.linkedin.com/in/john-scott-lawton/ to view Recommendations regarding my English Language teaching and Executive Coaching Services (towards the bottom of my profile page). #teaching #learning #learningenglish #TEFL #TESOL #IELTS #listeningskills #listening #teacher #travel #southamerica #Spanish #USA #Mexico #CostaRica #SriLanka #Indonesia #teachingEnglish #HR #Headhunting #DigitalNomad #OpenMind #mindfulness --- Send in a voice message: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/john-lawton/message
In this episode I interview Italian national Marina Puviana, a university student, aspiring journalist and writer of short, powerful poems about the human experience. We talk about Marina's love of ballet, but then the disappointment as she came to the self-realisation that this was a career in which she could not excel, despite her passion and love of the discipline. Following this - as a trigger warning - Marina talks openly about her experiences of bullying and of how she overcame the opinions and taunts of others to build her own positive self-worth, self-esteem and identity. Marina's love of learning foreign languages has led her to study 3 languages at university: English, German and Spanish. She hopes to use these languages in her future career as a journalist. Recently, Marina has turned to writing her own poems as a powerful means of self-expression and she shares 4 of these poems with us on the podcast. The four poems are: 'Just Me': https://www.linkedin.com/posts/marina-puviani-b1b119309_poetry-life-englishspeaking-activity-7205679484237164545-sRdV?utm_source=share&utm_medium=member_desktop 'To All the Lonely Girls': https://www.linkedin.com/posts/marina-puviani-b1b119309_english-literature-poetry-activity-7205858642204524545-IsDh?utm_source=share&utm_medium=member_desktop 'Unrequited Love' https://www.linkedin.com/posts/marina-puviani-b1b119309_poetry-english-literature-activity-7205809497859112960-Pz0_?utm_source=share&utm_medium=member_desktop 'Life is a Tricky Game': https://www.linkedin.com/posts/marina-puviani-b1b119309_poetry-literature-english-activity-7206010552500826112-HiF9?utm_source=share&utm_medium=member_desktop For more information on this podcast series, 'John Scott Lawton's English, you know', or to make any comments or to ask any questions relating to English Language learning, please contact me at johnscottlawton@hotmail.co.uk or leave a sound bite comment on Spotify. Please visit my LinkedIn profile at: https://www.linkedin.com/in/john-scott-lawton/ to view Recommendations regarding my English Language teaching and Executive Coaching Services (towards the bottom of my profile page). #teaching #learning #learningenglish #TEFL #TESOL #IELTS #listeningskills #listening #teacher #stories #fiction #audiobooks #storytelling #poems #poetry #Italy #Italia #bullying #therapy #TaylorSwift #unrequitedlove --- Send in a voice message: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/john-lawton/message
In this rather different series of podcast Episodes (Series 11), I want to share with you a short novel I have written, set in Florence, Italy and inspired by its history and people and a recent working visit there. This series of podcasts is in effect, therefore, an audiobook in a change from my usual host/guest interview format. This episode therefore introduces you to the eighth part of my novel, 'Forever in Florence', which is formed of two parallel storylines; with the stories being presented as alternate chapters, set in two different time periods, 500 years apart. The odd numbered chapters; in this episode Chapters 43, 45, and 47; are set in the modern day and introduce you to its lead character, Isabella, who applies for a job in Florence's Academia Galleria so that she can be closer to her muse and idol Michelangelo Buonarroti and his works. We follow Isabella's life and her loves, including her love of her home city, its food, its people, the beauty of Tuscany and her friendships, particularly with her best friend, Mia. In this and later episodes, you will also hear about her lifelong love for one particular songwriter, artist and poet who Isabella adores. Chapter 43 Extract "David noted that they were still holding hands as they navigated the way slowly through the busy city streets. Cars had no place in this city and pedestrians knew it. Eventually they made their way to the drop-off point at the end of the small alleyway leading down towards Isabella's home. No cars could make it down there, so Isabella had to gently and carefully guide David down the length of the passage and into her small courtyard garden." In parallel with Isabella's life, the second storyline involves Francesca. This story is set in the High Renaissance and follows the life of Michelangelo as he struggles with his art, his stone craft, his relationships with the church and the city and with its controlling family, the Medici. Chapters 44, 46 and 48 in this episode tell Francesca's story. Chapter 44 Extract "The morning sun eased its way into the dense city streets as Francesca walked the dogs by the river. They were well-behaved and came to her when she called them to come to shake themselves dry at the water's edge. Her mission today was very simple: to get her master Michelangelo Buonarroti out into the safety of the countryside with as little fuss as possible and to settle him into Antonio's grandfather's farm buildings for protection." While based on some experiences described in the literature about Michelangelo's life, this is a story of fiction and is not meant to be wholly historically accurate, so please accept it as that; a story. If you would like to receive a free copy of the draft of the story so far, perhaps to read as you listen to the audio version, please email me at johnscottlawton@hotmail.co.uk Spotify and other podcast platforms also have the facility to follow a word by word transcript of the podcast, available via a tab next to the 'Description' tab on laptops or desktops, or at the bottom of the podcast description on mobiles and possibly tablets, headed, 'Episode Transcript'. For more information on this podcast series, 'John Scott Lawton's English, you know', or to make any comments or to ask any questions relating to English Language learning, please contact me at johnscottlawton@hotmail.co.uk or leave a sound bite comment on Spotify. Please visit my LinkedIn profile at: https://www.linkedin.com/in/john-scott-lawton/ to view Recommendations regarding my English Language teaching and Executive Coaching Services (towards the bottom of my profile page). #teaching #learning #learningenglish #TEFL #TESOL #IELTS #listeningskills #listening #teacher #stories #fiction #audiobooks #storytelling #Michelangelo #Italy #Florence #shortstory #shortnovel #novella #Firenze #Medici #BobDylan #Bologna #Italia #history --- Send in a voice message: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/john-lawton/message
In this rather different series of podcast Episodes (Series 11), I want to share with you a short novel I have written, set in Florence, Italy and inspired by its history and people and a recent working visit there. This series of podcasts is in effect, therefore, an audiobook in a change from my usual host/guest interview format. This episode therefore introduces you to the seventh part of my novel, 'Forever in Florence', which is formed of two parallel storylines; with the stories being presented as alternate chapters, set in two different time periods, 500 years apart. The odd numbered chapters; in this episode Chapters 37, 39, and 41; are set in the modern day and introduce you to its lead character, Isabella, who applies for a job in Florence's Academia Galleria so that she can be closer to her muse and idol Michelangelo Buonarroti and his works. We follow Isabella's life and her loves, including her love of her home city, its food, its people, the beauty of Tuscany and her friendships, particularly with her best friend, Mia. In this and later episodes, you will also hear about her lifelong love for one particular songwriter, artist and poet who Isabella adores. Chapter 37 Extract "The last comment took her rather by surprise. She didn't know how to respond. Many questions were going through her mind. Was he another player, coming over to Italy for a few months, leaving his English wife and possibly kids at home while he had fun in the sun, aided and abetted by his sister? Or did he mean ex-wife and he had just not been very clear? He didn't look old enough to have been married and divorced, although on reflection, she felt, there was a sadness to him that made him look old enough to have lived that experience." In parallel with Isabella's life, the second storyline involves Francesca. This story is set in the High Renaissance and follows the life of Michelangelo as he struggles with his art, his stone craft, his relationships with the church and the city and with its controlling family, the Medici. Chapters 38, 40 and 42 in this episode tell Francesca's story. Chapter 38 Extract "Antonio stood by the side of the main route to Bologna, anxious to get back to the university campus to prepare for his final examinations and to complete his degree. He had worked hard thus far and he was determined to do well." While based on some experiences described in the literature about Michelangelo's life, this is a story of fiction and is not meant to be wholly historically accurate, so please accept it as that; a story. If you would like to receive a free copy of the draft of the story so far, perhaps to read as you listen to the audio version, please email me at johnscottlawton@hotmail.co.uk Spotify and other podcast platforms also have the facility to follow a word by word transcript of the podcast, available via a tab next to the 'Description' tab on laptops or desktops, or at the bottom of the podcast description on mobiles and possibly tablets, headed, 'Episode Transcript'. For more information on this podcast series, 'John Scott Lawton's English, you know', or to make any comments or to ask any questions relating to English Language learning, please contact me at johnscottlawton@hotmail.co.uk or leave a sound bite comment on Spotify. Please visit my LinkedIn profile at: https://www.linkedin.com/in/john-scott-lawton/ to view Recommendations regarding my English Language teaching and Executive Coaching Services (towards the bottom of my profile page). #teaching #learning #learningenglish #TEFL #TESOL #IELTS #listeningskills #listening #teacher #stories #fiction #audiobooks #storytelling #Michelangelo #Italy #Florence #shortstory #shortnovel #novella #Firenze #Medici #BobDylan #Bologna #Italia #history --- Send in a voice message: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/john-lawton/message
In this episode I return to my regular interview format as I talk with Slovak national Martin Salamon from the company, ejoin, about the improvements required in the infrastruture for a country wishing to significantly increase the use of electric vehicles. ejoin is a Slovak manufacturer of charging stations for electric vehicles, charging stations, chargers, and electromobility. The ejoin website is available at: https://ejoin.eu/ Martin and I discuss the benefits of electric vehicles versus diesel vehicles (such as my 19-year-old Landrover), not just in terms of environmental sustainability, but also in terms of the running costs of keeping a vehicle on the road over time. We talk about some of the safety concerns that have been expressed about electric vehicles, particularly the fact that some people are worried that batteries in such vehicles can sometimes catch fire. On a technical level, Martin references AC and DC charging stations for electric vehicles and these refer to AC (Alternating Current - which is generally slower) and Direct Current (which is considerably faster) when charging a vehicle. We also discuss the economics of owning an electric vehicle versus a petrol or diesel alternative, where many factors have to be taken into account, not just the initial cost of purchasing the vehicle itself. If you wish to contact Martin directly to discuss the challenges faced with building the capacity of electric vehicle charging stations in Slovakia, in particular, please follow him on LinkedIn at: https://www.linkedin.com/in/mar-sal/ Spotify and other podcast platforms have the facility to follow a word by word transcript of the podcast, available via a tab next to the 'Description' tab on laptops or desktops, or at the bottom of the podcast description on mobiles and possibly tablets, headed, 'Episode Transcript'. For more information on this podcast series, 'John Scott Lawton's English, you know', or to make any comments or to ask any questions relating to English Language learning, please contact me at johnscottlawton@hotmail.co.uk or leave a sound bite comment on Spotify. Please visit my LinkedIn profile at: https://www.linkedin.com/in/john-scott-lawton/ to view Recommendations regarding my English Language teaching and Executive Coaching Services (towards the bottom of my profile page). #electricvehicles #electriccars #Košice #Slovak #Slovakia #Bratislava #Slovensko #capacitybuilding #English #Englishlanguage #listeningskills #TESOL #IELTS #listeningpractice #IELTSexam --- Send in a voice message: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/john-lawton/message
In this rather different series of podcast Episodes (Series 11), I want to share with you a short novel I have written, set in Florence, Italy and inspired by its history and people and a recent working visit there. This series of podcasts is in effect, therefore, an audiobook in a change from my usual host/guest interview format. This episode therefore introduces you to the sixth part of my novel, 'Forever in Florence', which is formed of two parallel storylines; with the stories being presented as alternate chapters, set in two different time periods, 500 years apart. The odd numbered chapters; in this episode Chapters 31, 33, and 35; are set in the modern day and introduce you to its lead character, Isabella, who applies for a job in Florence's Academia Galleria so that she can be closer to her muse and idol Michelangelo Buonarroti and his works. We follow Isabella's life and her loves, including her love of her home city, its food, its people, the beauty of Tuscany and her friendships, particularly with her best friend, Mia. In this and later episodes, you will also hear about her lifelong love for one particular songwriter, artist and poet who Isabella adores. Chapter 31 Extract "It was Isabella's turn to kiss her friend now, which she did delicately to each cheek, accompanied by a tight hug to really communicate the warmth and closeness they felt for each other. Mia was a bit of an enigma. She could be the life and soul of the party; but then disappear for weeks at a time, not always coming up with an explanation for her absence when she re-emerged from wherever she'd been hiding herself." In parallel with Isabella's life, the second storyline involves Francesca. This story is set in the High Renaissance and follows the life of Michelangelo as he struggles with his art, his stone craft, his relationships with the church and the city and with its controlling family, the Medici. Chapters 32, 34 and 36 in this episode tell Francesca's story. Chapter 32 Extract "The sheets on her bed were cold to the touch, but in an inviting way as she pulled her long nightdress over the length of her body. Rubbing her feet together quickly at the bottom of the bed to offer some initial warmth, Francesca began to think of her attitude to Antonio that evening and whether she had been too cruel in her response to him." While based on some experiences described in the literature about Michelangelo's life, this is a story of fiction and is not meant to be wholly historically accurate, so please accept it as that; a story. If you would like to receive a free copy of the draft of the story so far, perhaps to read as you listen to the audio version, please email me at johnscottlawton@hotmail.co.uk Spotify and other podcast platforms also have the facility to follow a word by word transcript of the podcast, available via a tab next to the 'Description' tab on laptops or desktops, or at the bottom of the podcast description on mobiles and possibly tablets, headed, 'Episode Transcript'. For more information on this podcast series, 'John Scott Lawton's English, you know', or to make any comments or to ask any questions relating to English Language learning, please contact me at johnscottlawton@hotmail.co.uk or leave a sound bite comment on Spotify. Please visit my LinkedIn profile at: https://www.linkedin.com/in/john-scott-lawton/ to view Recommendations regarding my English Language teaching and Executive Coaching Services (towards the bottom of my profile page). #teaching #learning #learningenglish #TEFL #TESOL #IELTS #listeningskills #listening #teacher #stories #fiction #audiobooks #storytelling #Michelangelo #Italy #Florence #shortstory #shortnovel #novella #Firenze #Medici #BobDylan #JohnMartyn #CatStevens #Yusuf --- Send in a voice message: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/john-lawton/message
In this rather different series of podcast Episodes (Series 11), I want to share with you a short novel I have written, set in Florence, Italy and inspired by its history and people and a recent working visit there. This series of podcasts is in effect, therefore, an audiobook in a change from my usual host/guest interview format. This episode therefore introduces you to the fifth part of my novel, 'Forever in Florence', which is formed of two parallel storylines; with the stories being presented as alternate chapters, set in two different time periods, 500 years apart. The odd numbered chapters; in this episode Chapters 25, 27, and 29; are set in the modern day and introduce you to its lead character, Isabella, who applies for a job in Florence's Academia Galleria so that she can be closer to her muse and idol Michelangelo Buonarroti and his works. We follow Isabella's life and her loves, including her love of her home city, its food, its people, the beauty of Tuscany and her friendships, particularly with her best friend, Mia. In this and later episodes, you will also hear about her lifelong love for one particular songwriter, artist and poet who Isabella adores. Chapter 25 Extract "Isabella lay in bed the next morning, not quite sure what to make of the encounter with David. He had seemed just a little distant. She got that he was a bit pressured for time, they hadn't got to the interesting stuff in the short conversations, like their mutual love of Dylan, and she wondered whether she had said something to offend him or he just wasn't interested in her." In parallel with Isabella's life, the second storyline involves Francesca. This story is set in the High Renaissance and follows the life of Michelangelo as he struggles with his art, his stone craft, his relationships with the church and the city and with its controlling family, the Medici. Chapters 26, 28 and 30 in this episode tell Francesca's story. Chapter 26 Extract "Francesca turned away from Maria, Antonio's grandmother, to hide the tears that were now ebbing from her face. She had to pull up part of her upper garment at the waist to soak them up adequately. The poem had touched her deeply and she could feel Michelangelo's pain and suffering in a very real sense, which made the simple poem all the more poignant." While based on some experiences described in the literature about Michelangelo's life, this is a story of fiction and is not meant to be wholly historically accurate, so please accept it as that; a story. If you would like to receive a free copy of the draft of the story so far, perhaps to read as you listen to the audio version, please email me at johnscottlawton@hotmail.co.uk Spotify and other podcast platforms also have the facility to follow a word by word transcript of the podcast, available via a tab next to the 'Description' tab on laptops or desktops, or at the bottom of the podcast description on mobiles and possibly tablets, headed, 'Episode Transcript'. For more information on this podcast series, 'John Scott Lawton's English, you know', or to make any comments or to ask any questions relating to English Language learning, please contact me at johnscottlawton@hotmail.co.uk or leave a sound bite comment on Spotify. Please visit my LinkedIn profile at: https://www.linkedin.com/in/john-scott-lawton/ to view Recommendations regarding my English Language teaching and Executive Coaching Services (towards the bottom of my profile page). #teaching #learning #learningenglish #TEFL #TESOL #IELTS #listeningskills #listening #teacher #stories #fiction #audiobooks #storytelling #Michelangelo #Italy #Florence #shortstory #shortnovel #novella #Firenze #Medici #BobDylan --- Send in a voice message: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/john-lawton/message
In this rather different series of podcast Episodes (Series 11), I want to share with you a short novel I have written, set in Florence, Italy and inspired by its history and people and a recent working visit there. This series of podcasts is in effect, therefore, an audiobook in a change from my usual host/guest interview format. This episode therefore introduces you to the fourth part of my novel, 'Forever in Florence', which is formed of two parallel storylines; with the stories being presented as alternate chapters, set in two different time periods, 500 years apart. The odd numbered chapters; in this episode Chapters 19, 21, and 23; are set in the modern day and introduce you to its lead character, Isabella, who applies for a job in Florence's Academia Galleria so that she can be closer to her muse and idol Michelangelo and his works. We follow Isabella's life and her loves, including her love of her home city, its food, its people, the beauty of Tuscany and her friendships, particularly with her best friend, Mia. In this and later episodes, you will also hear about her lifelong love for one particular songwriter, artist and poet who Isabella adores. Chapter 19 Extract "Isabella was addicted to Bob. His words, his music, his fine art and his poetry were the soundtrack, recitation and film score of her life. At every turn, he had been there for her, in sound and in virtual form. She had seen him live countless times; well, not really countless, she could remember every gig, every event, every opportunity to be near him. Now she was going to be with him; in the same room, in touching distance. In breathing distance." In parallel with Isabella's life, the second storyline involves Francesca. This story is set in the High Renaissance and follows the life of Michelangelo as he struggles with his art, his stone craft, his relationships with the church and the city and with its controlling family, the Medici. Chapters 20, 22 and 24 in this episode tell Francesca's story. Chapter 20 Extract "The stress of caring for Michelangelo in his hideaway and the need to behave secretively at work and in her social affairs were beginning to weigh heavily on Francesca's soul, mind and body. She needed to rest and went into her inner room away from the glare of the bright afternoon sun and lay on a soft cushioned couch against a cool wall that didn't receive the sun's attentions." While based on some experiences described in the literature about Michelangelo's life, this is a story of fiction and is not meant to be wholly historically accurate, so please accept it as that; a story. If you would like to receive a free copy of the draft of the story so far, perhaps to read as you listen to the audio version, please email me at johnscottlawton@hotmail.co.uk Spotify also has the facility to follow a word by word transcript of the podcast, available via a tab next to the 'Description' tab on laptops or desktops, or at the bottom of the podcast description on mobiles and possibly tablets, headed, 'Episode Transcript'. For more information on this podcast series, 'John Scott Lawton's English, you know', or to make any comments or to ask any questions relating to English Language learning, please contact me at johnscottlawton@hotmail.co.uk or leave a sound bite comment on Spotify. Please visit my LinkedIn profile at: https://www.linkedin.com/in/john-scott-lawton/ to view Recommendations regarding my English Language teaching and Executive Coaching Services (towards the bottom of my profile page). #teaching #learning #learningenglish #TEFL #TESOL #IELTS #listeningskills #listening #teacher #stories #fiction #audiobooks #storytelling #Michelangelo #Italy #Florence #shortstory #shortnovel #novella #Firenze #Medici #BobDylan --- Send in a voice message: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/john-lawton/message
In this special edition launched to celebrate International Women's Day 2024, I again interview popular guest, Michaela Smith, a Slovak national working as a transformational coach, focusing on supporting people to overcome Imposter Syndrome. Michaela goes back to basics, defining Imposter Syndrome, formerly known as Imposter Phenomenon, and briefly references the controversial research which was carried out on a group of only women as research subjects in the 1970's. We discuss whether this is a topic of relevance only to women and share personal experiences which illustrate the damage that Imposter Syndrome can do to our sense of self; our self-confidence; and our identity. Michaela shares her recent experiences of going through Imposter Syndrome herself and how she identified the patterns that led her to experience it again for herself. We consider whether it is ever possible, necessary or practical to try to separate the professional and the personal in our lives. As a possible trigger warning, we discuss the need for Inner Child wounds to be identified to heal childhood traumas or experiences which may be getting in the way of us coping with some situations we might experience in our adult lives. Michaela and I consider the effects Imposter Syndrome has on the human body as a physiological response to the dysregulation of our nervous system. Finally, Michaela shares her plans for the future and how she is getting her business back on track in 2024, despite the personal and professional challenges she has recently faced. These include plans for a Masterclass in 'How to Get the Pay Rise or Promotion You Deserve' which is coming up online in May 2024. Please subscribe to Michaela's Newsletter below to get first notice of these upcoming events and to read her latest news: https://bit.ly/44Z5Abk For more information on this podcast series, 'John Scott Lawton's English, you know', or to make any comments or to ask any questions relating to English Language learning, please contact me at johnscottlawton@hotmail.co.uk or leave a sound bite comment on Spotify. Please visit my LinkedIn profile at: https://www.linkedin.com/in/john-scott-lawton/ to view Recommendations regarding my English Language teaching and Executive Coaching Services (towards the bottom of my profile page). My audiobook, 'Forever in Florence' is available in Series 11 of my podcasts. #teaching #learning #learningenglish #TEFL #TESOL #IELTS #listeningskills #listening #teacher #audiobooks #ImposterSyndrome #authenticity #validation #somaticwork #transformationalcoach #masterclass #InternationalWomensDay #InternationalWomensWeek --- Send in a voice message: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/john-lawton/message
In a return to my more regular format of Interviewer/Guest I would like to introduce Isabelle Cottenet, a French language speaker who works as a translator and French language pronunciation coach. We talk about the challenges of developing a confident and proficient accent in French and make comparisons with the issues in developing an English Language accent that learners are proud of. We compare the two languages, French and English, and consider the fact that at least a third of 'English' words are derived from French, going back to the Norman Conquest of 1066. The following webpage gives just 135 examples of these words which are used on a daily basis in English but are 'clearly' French! https://www.berlitz.com/blog/french-words-phrases-used-english Isabelle discusses the techniques and methods she uses to develop a proficient or good French accent and gives useful tips and hints which are applicable to the English language, too. Our discussion includes topics such as self-motivational strategies, confidence-building and ways in which to expose yourself to the various accents which exist in all languages. We consider the importance of rhythm or prosody and stress (or emphasis) in language and how a detailed technical awareness of how sounds are formed in each language can help us to be more sensitive and accurate when reproducing certain sounds; some of which we do not have in our own first language. Isabelle can be contacted on LinkedIn at: https://www.linkedin.com/in/isabellecottenet/ or via her company website at: secureyourpronunciation.com For translation work from English or German to French, please contact Isabelle via her translation website at: secureyourtranslations.com or by email at: isabelle@secureyourtranslations.com For more information on this podcast series, 'John Scott Lawton's English, you know', or to make any comments or to ask any questions relating to English Language learning, please contact me at johnscottlawton@hotmail.co.uk or leave a sound bite comment on Spotify. Please visit my LinkedIn profile at: https://www.linkedin.com/in/john-scott-lawton/ to view Recommendations regarding my English Language teaching and Executive Coaching Services (towards the bottom of my profile page). My audiobook, 'Forever in Florence' is available in Series 11 of my podcasts. #teaching #learning #learningenglish #TEFL #TESOL #IELTS #listeningskills #listening #teacher #stories #fiction #audiobooks #storytelling #pronunciation #French #Frenchlanguage #pronunciationtips --- Send in a voice message: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/john-lawton/message
In this rather different series of podcast Episodes (Series 11), I want to share with you a short novel I have written, set in Florence, Italy and inspired by its history and people and a recent working visit there. This series of podcasts is in effect, therefore, an audiobook in a change from my usual host/guest interview format. This episode therefore introduces you to the third part of my novel, 'Forever in Florence', which is formed in two parts; with the stories being presented as alternate chapters, set in two different time periods, 500 years apart. The odd numbered chapters; in this episode Chapters 13, 15, and 17; are set in the modern day and introduce you to its lead character, Isabella, who applies for a job in Florence's Academia Galleria so that she can be closer to her muse and idol Michelangelo and his works. We follow Isabella's life and her loves, including her love of her home city, its food, its people, the beauty of Tuscany and her friendships, particularly with her best friend, Mia. In later episodes, you will also hear about her lifelong love for one particular songwriter, artist and poet who Isabella adores. Chapter 13 Extract "The pair skipped through the narrow streets and wide piazzas to bring themselves in front of the newest spa in town. It was already acquiring a solid reputation for some excellent treatments. Isabella was apprehensive about this and wasn't sure she wanted to go ahead with it. She was sure she had already imagined getting naked in front of David, but not like this, not for just a massage, at least. She had something far more sensual, sexual indeed, in mind." In parallel with Isabella's life, the second storyline involves Francesca. This story is set in the High Renaissance and follows the life of Michelangelo as he struggles with his art, his stone craft, his relationships with the church and the city and with its controlling family, the Medici. Chapters 8, 10 and 12 in this episode tell Francesca's story. Chapter 14 Extract "Francesca slumped across the hard wooden surface of the table and sobbed uncontrollably. She had been barely able to finish the note from Michelangelo before her heart nearly burst in her chest. Her arms stretched out over the table then she pulled them back to cradle her head. She felt immense emotional and physical pain throughout her whole body. Her legs began to shake and her dogs rushed to comfort her as they heard her now audible sobs throughout the house." While based on some experiences described in the literature about Michelangelo's life, this is a story of fiction and is not meant to be wholly historically accurate, so please accept it as that; a story. If you would like to receive a free copy of the draft of the story so far, perhaps to read as you listen to the audio version, please email me at johnscottlawton@hotmail.co.uk Spotify also has the facility to follow a word by word transcript of the podcast, available via a tab next to the 'Description' tab on laptops or desktops, or at the bottom of the podcast description on mobiles and possibly tablets, headed, 'Episode Transcript'. For more information on this podcast series, 'John Scott Lawton's English, you know', or to make any comments or to ask any questions relating to English Language learning, please contact me at johnscottlawton@hotmail.co.uk or leave a sound bite comment on Spotify. Please visit my LinkedIn profile at: https://www.linkedin.com/in/john-scott-lawton/ to view Recommendations regarding my English Language teaching and Executive Coaching Services (towards the bottom of my profile page). #teaching #learning #learningenglish #TEFL #TESOL #IELTS #listeningskills #listening #teacher #stories #fiction #audiobooks #storytelling #Michelangelo #Italy #Florence #shortstory #shortnovel #novella #Firenze #Medici --- Send in a voice message: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/john-lawton/message
In this rather different series of podcast Episodes (Series 11), I want to share with you a short novel I have written, set in Florence, Italy and inspired by its history and people and a recent working visit there. This series of podcasts is in effect, therefore, an audiobook in a change from my usual host/guest interview format. This episode therefore introduces you to the second part of my novel, 'Forever in Florence', which is formed in two parts; with the stories being presented as alternate chapters, set in two different time periods, 500 years apart. The odd numbered chapters; in this episode Chapters 7, 9, and 11; are set in the modern day and introduce you to its lead character, Isabella, who applies for a job in Florence's Academia Galleria so that she can be closer to her muse and idol Michelangelo and his works. We follow Isabella's life and her loves, including her love of her home city, its food, its people, the beauty of Tuscany and her friendships, particularly with her best friend, Mia. In later episodes, you will also hear about her lifelong love for one particular songwriter, artist and poet who Isabella adores. Chapter 7 Extract "Isabella found herself enjoying things the more the lesson continued. They mingled around the room using a structured questionnaire to find out more about each other. Each participant had to share something secret about themselves that no one could tell at first glance. She had so many delights to choose from. Which one should it be? She settled on the time she had climbed in the Himalayas, getting to base camp. This was safe to share with strangers. Some of her other stories were certainly not for this group of novices." In parallel with Isabella's life, the second storyline involves Francesca. This story is set in the High Renaissance and follows the life of Michelangelo as he struggles with his art, his stone craft, his relationships with the church and the city and with its controlling family, the Medici. Chapters 8, 10 and 12 in this episode tell Francesca's story. Chapter 8 Extract "Rushing through the busy morning streets as best she could, Francesca arrived at the Medici Palace to be greeted by guards and soldiers of the Court. They knew her, of course, and beckoned her to enter without delay. The noise and chatter of the outside world quietened as she entered the dark corridors and turns which led to her office, a substantial room on the ground floor which overlooked an internal courtyard, providing her with some indirect sunlight for much of the day." While based on some experiences described in the literature about Michelangelo's life, this is a story of fiction and is not meant to be wholly historically accurate, so please accept it as that; a story. If you would like to receive a free copy of the draft of the story so far, perhaps to read as you listen to the audio version, please email me at johnscottlawton@hotmail.co.uk Spotify also has the facility to follow a word by word transcript of the podcast, available via a tab next to the 'Description' tab on laptops or desktops, or at the bottom of the podcast description on mobiles and possibly tablets, headed, 'Episode Transcript'. For more information on this podcast series, 'John Scott Lawton's English, you know', or to make any comments or to ask any questions relating to English Language learning, please contact me at johnscottlawton@hotmail.co.uk or leave a sound bite comment on Spotify. Please visit my LinkedIn profile at: https://www.linkedin.com/in/john-scott-lawton/ to view Recommendations regarding my English Language teaching and Executive Coaching Services (towards the bottom of my profile page). #teaching #learning #learningenglish #TEFL #TESOL #IELTS #listeningskills #listening #teacher #stories #fiction #audiobooks #storytelling #Michelangelo #Italy #Florence #shortstory #shortnovel #novella #Firenze #Medici --- Send in a voice message: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/john-lawton/message
In this rather different series of podcast Episodes (Series 11), I want to share with you a short novel I have written, set in Florence, Italy and inspired by its history and people and a recent working visit there. This series of podcasts is in effect, therefore, an audio book in a change from my usual host/guest interview format. There will be other podcasts coming shortly in the more regular format, don't worry! This episode therefore introduces you to my novel, 'Forever in Florence', which is formed in two parts; with the stories being presented as alternate chapters, set in two different time periods. The odd numbered chapters; in this episode Chapters 1, 3, and 5; are set in the modern day and introduce you to its lead character, Isabella, who applies for a job in Florence's Academia Galleria so that she can be closer to her muse and idol Michelangelo and his works. We follow Isabella's life and her loves, including her love of her home city, its food, its people, the beauty of Tuscany and her friendships, particularly with her best friend, Mia. In later episodes, you will also hear about her lifelong love for one particular songwriter, artist and poet who Isabella adores. Chapter 1 (Extract) "Isabella shivered with excitement as she felt her phone ping in her pocket. Maybe it was them? She daren't look. She'd go for a coffee to calm her nerves, but it was a little late in the day for that, so it would have to be a glass of her favourite Chianti. But not now. Florence was still buzzing with the throngs of people who flooded its narrow, stone flagged streets and wide piazzas at this time of year. Didn't they know that she needed calm to get her thoughts in order so that she could think straight? Her whole body was throbbing with energy, vibration and warmth. It was not just the afternoon sun. This is the moment which could change her life, for the better or worse." In parallel with Isabella's life, the second story line involves Francesca. This story is set in the High Renaissance and follows the life of Michelangelo as he struggles with his art, his stone craft, his relationships with the church and the city and with its controlling family, the Medici. While based on some experiences described in the literature about Michelangelo's life, this is a story of fiction and is not meant to be wholly historically accurate, so please accept it as that; a story. Chapter 2 (Extract) "Francesca hurried as best she could across the Ponte Vecchio, trying to lift her long skirts above the mud and filth on the ground. The pungent smell of raw meat and decaying fish filled the air and she held her breath for as long as she could, before freeing her lungs with a half-cry, half-sigh of exasperation as she turned towards his secret hideaway. Tears filled her beautiful blue eyes as she struggled to see in the evening twilight. Her hands clasped the few provisions she could carry under her top garment as she struggled to move away from some drunks who moved towards her menacingly." If you would like to receive a free copy of the draft of the story so far, perhaps to read as you listen to the audio version, please email me at johnscottlawton@hotmail.co.uk For more information on this podcast series, 'John Scott Lawton's English, you know', or to make any comments or to ask any questions relating to English Language learning, please contact me at johnscottlawton@hotmail.co.uk or leave a sound bite comment on Spotify. Please visit my LinkedIn profile at: https://www.linkedin.com/in/john-scott-lawton/ to view Recommendations regarding my English Language teaching and Executive Coaching Services (towards the bottom of my profile page). #teaching #learning #learningenglish #TEFL #TESOL #IELTS #listeningskills #listening #teacher #stories #fiction #audiobooks #storytelling #Michelangelo #Italy #Florence #shortstory #shortnovel #novella --- Send in a voice message: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/john-lawton/message
Natasha Bechtholdt is an English and Spanish teacher, coach and facilitator from Buenos Aires, Argentina, and has been teaching languages for more than 13 years now. She has several certifications and diplomas in language teaching, life coaching, #neuropsychoeducation, innovation and technology in education and translation, apart from being a passionate language learner. She delivers 1-1 English and Spanish lessons as well as group courses and teacher training workshops. In this episode we talk about new approaches to language learning which are more brain-friendly, especially for adult learners. These are defined as those that offer a more comfortable, motivating and enjoyable learning experience, which acknowledge the challenges learners face in learning, speaking and using a foreign language. We consider older and more recent methods of teaching and learning, including the concept of the 'flipped classroom' or 'flipped learning', which actually has its roots back in the 1990's. Natasha and I go into detail about the challenges adult students face as they try to juggle the sometimes conflicting priorities of work, study, home-life and varying energy and motivation levels and identify one of the key enemies of successful learning, procrastination. We consider the future and the impact that Artificial Intelligence (AI) tools will have on language learning, considering the pros and the cons. You can contact Natasha: By email: nbechtholdt@gmail.com On Instagram https://www.instagram.com/powerup.ingles/ (English and Spanish Lessons) or https://www.instagram.com/tea.chable/ (Teacher training and Workshops) On LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/natasha-bechtholdt-25b85185/ For more information on this podcast series, 'John Scott Lawton's English, you know', or to make any comments or to ask any questions relating to English Language learning, please contact me at johnscottlawton@hotmail.co.uk or leave a sound bite comment on Spotify. I run Virtual Dinner Parties and a Virtual Book Club for Upper Intermediate and Advanced learners of English who want to improve their conversational skills. If you want to find out more about these online discussion opportunities which usually take place in the evenings (Central European Time), please email me directly at johnscottlawton@hotmail.co.uk. Thank you. Please visit my LinkedIn profile at: https://www.linkedin.com/in/john-scott-lawton/ to view Recommendations regarding my English Language teaching and Executive Coaching Services (towards the bottom of my profile page). To join the Poetry Club - International, please visit the LinkedIn Group page at: https://www.linkedin.com/groups/12492972/ #emotionalintelligence #teaching #learning #learningenglish #TEFL #TESOL #IELTS #listeningskills #listening #resilience #selflove #selfconfidence #curiosity #trust #motivation #resilience #Argentina #languages #determination #selfawareness #selfregulation #AI #flippedlearning #procrastination #enemiesoflearning #nanolearning #antiscreenrevolution #coach #facilitator #teacher --- Send in a voice message: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/john-lawton/message
In this episode I interview educator Silvina Andrea Fernandes from Buenos Aires, Argentina about the role emotional intelligence plays in the language learning process. Silvina describes two key components of Emotional Intelligence, being 'intrapersonal emotional intelligence' and 'interpersonal emotional intelligence'. She defines these and gives practical examples of how she trains young people and teachers to develop the necessary attributes of curiosity, trust, surprise, resilience, determination, patience, courage, risk-taking and critically self-love in order to become successful learners, teachers or managers. Silvina is a trained teacher of English as a Foreign Language and she describes her own journey into a career in neuropsychoeducation as it is applied to teaching and learning. We feel the podcast will be of interest to teachers and learners alike and we hope it will stimulate discussion and thinking about the teaching and learning experience and why we sometimes feel so challenged when learning a foreign language. Silvina is launching an online course, 'A Specialism in Emotional Intelligence' on 2 March 2024, initially in Spanish, but, at a later date, the course will also be delivered in English. If you are interested in attending the course online, please contact Silvina directly via the following means: Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/stories/silfernandes_edu Email: info@silvinafernandes.com.ar for any mentoring on Emotional Intelligence. Web page to find out more about the course 'Specialization in Emotional Intelligence: https://silvinafernandes.com/coaching-educativo/cursos-y-talleres/especializacion-en-inteligencia-emocional/ LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/silvinafernandes/ You can ask for the English version of the course directly on WhatsApp +54 9 11 4026 2917. For more information on this podcast series, 'John Scott Lawton's English, you know', or to make any comments or to ask any questions relating to English Language learning, please contact me at johnscottlawton@hotmail.co.uk or leave a sound bite comment on Spotify. I run Virtual Dinner Parties and a Virtual Book Club for Upper Intermediate and Advanced learners of English who want to improve their conversational skills. If you want to find out more about these online discussion opportunities which usually take place in the evenings (Central European Time), please email me directly at johnscottlawton@hotmail.co.uk. Thank you. Please visit my LinkedIn profile at: https://www.linkedin.com/in/john-scott-lawton/ to view Recommendations regarding my English Language teaching and Executive Coaching Services (towards the bottom of my profile page). To join the Poetry Club - International, please visit the LinkedIn Group page at: https://www.linkedin.com/groups/12492972/ #emotionalintelligence #teaching #learning #learningenglish #TEFL #TESOL #IELTS #listeningskills #listening #resilience #selflove #selfconfidence #curiosity #trust #motivation #resilience #Argentina #languages #determination #selfawareness #selfregulation --- Send in a voice message: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/john-lawton/message
In this episode I interview Ian Viner of the company CV Writing Services which was set up and is managed by CV Writing Consultant Ian Viner who has over 30 years' management experience gained in a variety of small to medium sized companies covering a wide range of industries. Ian also has a broad range of leadership, coaching and mentoring skills. In recent years Ian has used these CV Writing Consultant skills both within companies and independently to assist a wide range of people in their job search as well as to cope with redundancy. With experience of Professional Outplacement Training, Ian has expertise in and understanding of how to successfully negotiate the job market, using an empathic and supportive approach to achieve results. He has also worked for a Professional CV Writing company as well as written CV's for the UK's leading Career Consultancy. He differs from most other CV Writing companies as he meets all of his clients in person and spends most of the day drawing out their measurable achievements from his base in Watford, North London, England. We discuss the challenges of writing a CV which can 'stand out from the crowd', especially when Artificial Intelligence software is being used to screen digital CVs before they are even seen by a human being. Here we point to the significance of identifying and using the Keywords which might feature in a job advert or in the job description and person specification associated with the role for which you are applying. Additionally, Ian highlights the need to include Measurable Achievements as a key feature of any well-written CV. Ian Viner can be contacted on: Mobile Tel: (++) 44 (0)7855 514921 Email: ian@cvservices.uk.com Website: www.cvservices.uk.com LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/cvreview/ For more information on this podcast series, 'John Scott Lawton's English, you know', or to make any comments or to ask any questions relating to English Language learning, please contact me at johnscottlawton@hotmail.co.uk or leave a sound bite comment on Spotify. I run Virtual Dinner Parties and a Virtual Book Club for Upper Intermediate and Advanced learners of English who want to improve their conversational skills. If you want to find out more about these online discussion opportunities which usually take place in the evenings (Central European Time), please email me directly at johnscottlawton@hotmail.co.uk. Thank you. Please visit my LinkedIn profile at https://www.linkedin.com/in/john-scott-lawton/ to view Recommendations regarding my English Language teaching and Executive Coaching Services (towards the bottom of my profile page). To join the Poetry Club - International, please visit the LinkedIn Group page at: https://www.linkedin.com/groups/12492972/ #CV #curriculumvitae #CVwriting #employment #jobsearch #jobs #redundancy #recruitment #recruiting #HR #personnel --- Send in a voice message: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/john-lawton/message
In this episode I interview Slovak entrepreneur Edita Angyalová from the Terzos company about the Productized Services Model. This is where companies develop and package their existing and sometimes new services into sellable products which they then promote in the Business to Business (B2B) marketplace. Edita emphasises the importance of high quality services which are effective and efficient being selected to be further developed into marketable products. We also discuss the process of packaging these products; price banding; the opportunities for selling products at scale; and the benefits of transparency and clarity which come from developing packaged products from a company's services. We discuss the origins of this business model and identify the key business segments or sectors which have adopted this model most effectively, namely: marketing agencies, IT software companies; consulting agencies; and some specific sectors such as architectural firms. We also briefly discuss my experience of and aspiration to develop packaged products in the B2C or Business to Customer/Consumer sector. After a 20-year career in IT management, with over 8 years' experience as Chief Executive Officer, Edita also continues to produce a podcast in Slovak where she supports Small and Medium Enterprises (SMEs), particularly their owners and founders, to share their business expertise; their transformation strategies; and to facilitate knowledge transfer. Edita's podcast can be found at: https://open.spotify.com/show/70aWyPI5cxMawAS1se8TG8?si=c6a06268a1314507 Edita Angyalová's podcast with her guests - who are all Slovak SME entrepreneurs about how to start a business and how to become a successful entrepreneur. In each episode one business topic is explored in depth, with a full of hands-on experience, sharing proven tips and tricks. We talk about the differences between traditional leadership and management models and for the continuing need for human interventions, even in the Productized Services Model. Edita Angyalová can be contact on LinkedIn at: linkedin.com/in/edita-angyalova or by email at: edita@terzos.sk or visit her company website at: www.terzos.sk For more information on this podcast series, 'John Scott Lawton's English, you know', or to make any comments or to ask any questions relating to English Language learning, please contact me at johnscottlawton@hotmail.co.uk or leave a sound bite comment on Spotify. I run Virtual Dinner Parties and a Virtual Book Club for Upper Intermediate and Advanced learners of English who want to improve their conversational skills. If you want to find out more about these online discussion opportunities which usually take place in the evenings (Central European Time), please email me directly at johnscottlawton@hotmail.co.uk. Thank you. Please visit my LinkedIn profile at https://www.linkedin.com/in/john-scott-lawton/ to view Recommendations regarding my English Language teaching and Executive Coaching Services (towards the bottom of my profile page). To join the Poetry Club - International, please visit the LinkedIn Group page at: https://www.linkedin.com/groups/12492972/ #Productized #Services #Model #ProductizedServicesModel #entrepreneur #entrepreneurs #entrepreneurial #entrepreneurship #leaders #leadership #manager #womeninmanagement #womenleaders #managers #proofofconcept --- Send in a voice message: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/john-lawton/message
Sonya Ross is a voice, speech and pronunciation coach. Since 2006, when she completed her MA in Voice Studies, she's helped thousands of international professionals express their valuable ideas clearly, smoothly, confidently and authentically in business and in life. She's based between London and Hastings, UK – and globally available online. Sonya and I discuss her Top 10 Tips for Clear Pronunciation in English, a PDF of which is available via the links below. Sonya will shortly be producing a video of these tips in action. When that video is available, I will provide a direct link to it here. Sonya's website can be accessed at:https://vocalchoice.co.uk/ The Free PDF with 10 Expert Tips for Clear Pronunciation in English is available here: https://vocalchoice.co.uk/free-resources/ Connect with Sonya Ross on LinkedIn at: https://www.linkedin.com/in/sonya-ross-voice-speech-pronunciation-coach/ Follow Sonya Ross on Instagram at: https://www.instagram.com/vocalchoicelondon/ For more information on this podcast series, 'John Scott Lawton's English, you know', or to make any comments or to ask any questions relating to English Language learning, please contact me at johnscottlawton@hotmail.co.uk or leave a sound bite comment on Spotify. I run Virtual Dinner Parties and a Virtual Book Club for Upper Intermediate and Advanced learners of English who want to improve their conversational skills. If you want to find out more about these online discussion opportunities which usually take place in the evenings (Central European Time), please email me directly at johnscottlawton@hotmail.co.uk. Thank you. Please visit my LinkedIn profile at https://www.linkedin.com/in/john-scott-lawton/ to view Recommendations regarding my English Language teaching and Executive Coaching Services (towards the bottom of my profile page). To join the Poetry Club - International, please visit the LinkedIn Group page at: https://www.linkedin.com/groups/12492972/ #voice #voicecoach #vocalcoach #pronunciation #English #Englishlanguage #clarity #speech #speakingskills #publicspeaking #speakinginpublic #breathing #breathwork --- Send in a voice message: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/john-lawton/message
Eva Lelkes is an internationally active mentor & coach empowering women. As a former top executive and a devoted change maker she supports professional women to harness their masculine drive and step into their feminine power, so they can chill with no guilt while creating a life which feels light and true. As the author of her 'Femme Fatale' mentoring program she empowers women to CHOOSE their destiny. We talk about her executive work as a senior manager and how experiences of burnout and anxiety led her to choose and follow her true calling. In the podcast, we examine emotions and concepts of the Divine Feminine and the Divine Masculine; as well as the Wounded Feminine and the Wounded Masculine and how balancing this polarity within us can give us our power back and bring lightness into our lives. Follow Eva on Instagram where she posts daily at https://www.instagram.com/evalelkes_empowering_women/ Her LinkedIn profile can be found at https://www.linkedin.com/in/evalelkesova/ Eva is fluent in 3 languages; besides English she serves her clients both in Hungarian and Slovak. To contact Eva Lelkes by email eva.lelkesova@icloud.com For more information on this podcast series, 'John Scott Lawton's English, you know', or to make any comments or to ask any questions relating to English Language learning, please contact me at johnscottlawton@hotmail.co.uk or leave a sound bite comment on Spotify. I run Virtual Dinner Parties and a Virtual Book Club for Upper Intermediate and Advanced learners of English who want to improve their conversational skills. If you want to find out more about these online discussion opportunities which usually take place in the evenings (Central European Time), please email me directly at johnscottlawton@hotmail.co.uk. Thank you. Please visit my LinkedIn profile at https://www.linkedin.com/in/john-scott-lawton/ to view Recommendations regarding my English Language teaching and Executive Coaching Services (towards the bottom of my profile page). To join the Poetry Club - International, please visit the LinkedIn Group page at: https://www.linkedin.com/groups/12492972/ #mindfulness #wellbeing #coaching #female #burnout #anxiety #emotions #FemmeFatale #women #connection #energies #spirituality #somatic #consciousness #femininepower #Tantra #Tantric #intention #DivineEnergies --- Send in a voice message: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/john-lawton/message
Cara Leopold is the creator of the Leo Listening Movie Club, a community where she helps film-loving non-native English speakers understand and discuss movies together so they can master conversational English. Find out more about the Movie Club at: https://leo-listening.com/movie-club/ Many people enjoy watching films (British English) or movies (American English), but find following the dialogues challenging. With Cara's support and with fellow members of the Movie Club, you work through guided activities to help you get the most out of your film/movie watching experience. In this podcast, I ask Cara what motivated her to set up the Movie Club and where she first got the idea from. We discuss the feedback she has had from members of the Club as to how useful they have found their participation in the online and offline sessions and activities. I ask Cara to detail some of the 30+ movies her members have watched to date and which ones have been the most popular and most controversial. So, if you are interested in movies, explore this podcast and then follow the links through to Cara's webpages and find out more about the Club. If you sign up to the Club, please be sure to let Cara know that you found out about it via this podcast! To book a free Discovery Call with Cara and to find out more about the Christmas Special Movie Club in December 2023, please contact Cara by filling in the form available here: https://caraleopold.as.me/makeprogresswithmovies Cara Leoplod's LinkedIn page can be found at: https://www.linkedin.com/in/caraleopold/ Cara's YouTube Channel can be found at: Subscribe to my YouTube Channel I run Virtual Dinner Parties and a Virtual Book Club for Upper Intermediate and Advanced learners of English. If you want to find out more about these online discussion opportunities which usually take place in the evenings (Central European Time), please email me directly at johnscottlawton@hotmail.co.uk. Thank you. For more information on this podcast series, 'John Scott Lawton's English, you know', or to make any comments or to ask any questions relating to English Language learning, please contact me at johnscottlawton@hotmail.co.uk or leave a sound bite comment on Spotify. Please visit my LinkedIn profile at https://www.linkedin.com/in/john-scott-lawton/ to view Recommendations regarding my English Language teaching and Executive Coaching Services (towards the bottom of my profile page). To join the Poetry Club - International, please visit the LinkedIn Group page at: https://www.linkedin.com/groups/12492972/ #English #films #movies #MovieClub #confidence #confidencebuilding #relationalcommunication #international #presentationskills #networking #culturalconnections #inspire #inspiration #storytelling #coach #coaching #selfdiscovery #poems #poetry #poet #IELTS --- Send in a voice message: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/john-lawton/message
In this episode I interview poet, teacher and writer Kathy Ellis, M.Ed. Kathy delivers a range of services from her home in Atlanta, Georgia in the United States of America and these include: Language Coaching, Training, and Instruction in workplace scenarios, job search, TOEFL, IELTS, TOEIC, and general English competency Cross-cultural communication competency skills for the global workplace, Licensed in Intercultural Development Inventory (IDI) and Cultural Detective In the podcast we discuss our separate motivations for teaching English as a Second or Foreign Language and find that our career paths have intersected at various points, following certain patterns of symmetry. We discuss what it means to live and work abroad, what it teaches us and whether or not we are prepared for all the lessons we may have to learn when away from home. Kathy reads three of her poems taken from her published books. Kathy's two poetry books referenced in the podcast and available for purchase are: Wings from Roots: Ellis, Kathy: 9798678465610: Amazon.com: Books (Kindle version available) and Amazon.com: Primero: 9781530272679: Ellis, Kathy J.: Books Kathy's new book, ‘Marvela and the Broken Waters' will be on Booklogix as well as Amazon. It will be available in Kindle form as well via the following website when published: BookLogix – Atlanta Based Book Publisher & Printer – Book Publishing & Book Printing Look out for the new Marvela Facebook page which will be coming soon. Kathy can be contacted by email at: interculturalenglishservices@gmail.com or via her website: Website for Intercultural English Services: Kathy Ellis can also be found on LinkedIn at https://www.linkedin.com/in/kathy-ellis-9b79191/ For more information on this podcast series, 'John Scott Lawton's English, you know', or to make any comments or to ask any questions relating to English Language learning, please contact me at johnscottlawton@hotmail.co.uk Please visit my LinkedIn profile at https://www.linkedin.com/in/john-scott-lawton/ to view Recommendations regarding my English Language teaching and executive coaching services (towards the bottom of my profile page). To join the Poetry Club - International, please visit the LinkedIn Group page at: https://www.linkedin.com/groups/12492972/ #English #Englishlanguage #confidence #confidencebuilding #relationalcommunication #international #presentationskills #networking #culturalconnections #inspire #inspiration #storytelling #coach #coaching #selfdiscovery #poems #poetry #poet #USA #IELTS --- Send in a voice message: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/john-lawton/message
In this episode I interview David Cabezas Ferreras from Málaga, Andalusia, Spain, an experienced English Language Coach with his own teaching business. We discuss the very purpose of language learning, focussing on the communicative aspects of language acquisition and use and the need to build relationships with others. We touch on aspects of marketing, using our own businesses as examples and consider how new software tools, such as ChaptCPT, for example, provide new opportunities to consider how to market businesses and services to others. An important topic in our conversation is the growing interest in English Language use for international companies who turn to English as their 'lingua franca' or common language when operational globally. What challenges and opportunities does this present for individuals wanting to work in these companies and is it possible that the English language is actually presenting very real barriers to people who want to progress in their careers, if they are not confident English Language users? David and I also talk about what we actually mean by 'Business English', a subject that both of us are asked about a lot ... and we always find ourselves asking questions to clarify what people actually mean when they use that title. We welcome any comment on the content of the podcast, either by using the Spotify for Podcasters sound comment or by emailing me via the contact details given below. David can be contacted directly at: learningmalaga@gmail.com or please visit his LinkedIn profile at: linkedin.com/in/davidcabezaslanguagecoach Also, please visit his website at: https://lmidiomas.com/ For more information on this podcast series, 'John Scott Lawton's English, you know', or to make any comments or to ask any questions relating to English Language learning, please contact me at johnscottlawton@hotmail.co.uk Please visit my LinkedIn profile at https://www.linkedin.com/in/john-scott-lawton/ to view Recommendations regarding my English Language teaching and executive coaching services (towards the bottom of my profile page). If you would like to know more about the upcoming English Language Retreats taking place in Slovakia - mentioned on the podcast - focussing on #Business English and #Presentation Skills, please email me directly johnscottlawton@hotmail.co.uk and please keep your eye on my LinkedIn feed. #English #Englishlanguage #confidence #confidencebuilding #Spain #relationalcommunication #international #presentationskills #networking #culturalconnections #inspire #inspiration #storytelling #coach #coaching #selfdiscovery #ChatGPT #marketing #sales #businesses #businessenglish --- Send in a voice message: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/john-lawton/message
In this episode I interview Julie Yoder, an experienced English language coach based in the Washington, DC area. Her company, 'English With Purpose', helps international professionals working for a better world eliminate any final communication barriers, unlock career potential, and confidently lead teams in English. We discuss the importance of networking; putting yourself forward, or promoting your skills and abilities, in order to get the job you aspire to; confidence building; and presentation skills. We consider the challenges foreign language speakers of English have when they have to engage in social chit-chat outside the formal presentation context, giving, if you like, natural sounding responses to spontaneous questions. This would be easy to do in an individual's first language, but harder to do if English is a second or foreign language for you. Again we come back to the topic of confidence and how this can be enhanced by working with others in a similar situation. Despite being high achievers in their own countries, some people feel undermined and feel that they are not achieving their potential when they first move to the United States of America. We discuss the technical difficulties of securing the correct visas to work in the USA and the kind of support Julie is able to provide or refer people to for sources of help. English With Purpose offers unique and innovative language coaching programs for advanced English learners that cannot be found anywhere else in the USA, including their signature program, Communication Vacation™, a holistic presentation and public speaking workshop retreat, hosted at Julie's farmette in Maryland, USA. Get in touch with Julie:You can follow Julie on LinkedIn at https://www.linkedin.com/in/julieayoder/or email her directly at julie@englishwithpurpose.com. You can learn more about English With Purpose's programming, career coaching, and presentation skills retreats for advanced learners at https://www.englishwithpurpose.com/ Julie also hosts a private online community, 'International Professionals With Purpose'. It's a supportive place for professionals working in English to connect, polish or improve skills, and build confidence together. Email Julie directly if you would like to join the community, which will be relaunched in October 2023. For more information on this podcast series, 'John Scott Lawton's English, you know', or to make any comments or to ask any questions relating to English Language learning, please contact me at johnscottlawton@hotmail.co.uk Please visit my LinkedIn profile at https://www.linkedin.com/in/john-scott-lawton/ to view Recommendations regarding my English Language teaching and executive coaching services (towards the bottom of my profile page). If you would like to know more about the upcoming English Language Retreats taking place in Slovakia - mentioned on the podcast - focussing on #Business English and #Presentation Skills, please email me directly johnscottlawton@hotmail.co.uk and please keep your eye on my LinkedIn feed. #English #Englishlanguage #confidence #confidencebuilding #USA #international #presentationskills #networking #culturalconnections #inspire #inspiration #storytelling #coach #coaching #selfdiscovery --- Send in a voice message: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/john-lawton/message
In this episode I interview author, teacher and minimalist, Fabio Cerpelloni. Fabio describes himself as a language learner, teacher, blogger, podcaster, writer, traveller, storyteller, nonfiction reader, and minimalist. English is his second language. Learning it became such a great passion that he ended up teaching it professionally in New Zealand, Spain, Ireland, and Italy, his native country. He has a lot of tips for language learners but the best advice he could give them is to question all the learning advice you receive. Find out more about him on his website: www.fabiocerpelloni.com Fabio's excellent short book, ‘Any Language You Want – 18 Conflicting Lessons for a New Kind of Language Learner' is available via the following page on his website: https://fabiocerpelloni.com/any-language-you-want/ In this podcast we talk about the inspiration behind the book and who it is for. The book's chapters are detailed below, with each chapter describing part of Fabio's English Language learning journey. 1. Invest in a New Life and Language Classes 2. Walk Alone, No Investment Needed 3. Plant Seeds 4. Learn Unconsciously 5. Don't Ask the Impossible 6. Take Mistakes Seriously 7. Study Rules 8. Make Music 9. Take Language Exams 10. Take Up Real-World Challenges 11. Accept There's No Blueprint 12. Adopt the Best Method in the World 13. Become a Master Solo-Storyteller 14. Include Everyone 15. Keep Your Accent 16. Speak Like a Native 17. Teach 18. Trust but Verify The article mentioned early on in the podcast relating to minimalism, 'I'm a Minimalist with a Home Full of Stuff' can be found here - https://fabiocerpelloni.com/minimalist/ To find out more about my English Language Teaching and Coaching Services, please connect via LinkedIn or review my profile at: https://www.linkedin.com/in/john-scott-lawton/ For more information on this podcast series, or to make any comments or to ask any questions relating to English Language learning, please contact me directly by email at: johnscottlawton@hotmail.co.uk Please feel free to leave any comments relating to this or any of my other podcasts using the Spotify audio comments App. The most challenging and instructive comments will be included in the podcasts for other listeners to benefit from. If you would like to appear as a guest on my show, please get in touch to share your story. Thank you. John Scott Lawton #author #writing #books #selfpublishing #bookdistribution #inspire #inspiration #storytelling #coach #coaching #selfdiscovery #Englishlanguage #languagelearning #English --- Send in a voice message: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/john-lawton/message
In this episode I interview writer and trauma therapist/coach Brooke Bownes, author of the book, 'You can Have It!: How to break through the self-sabotage cycle' (September, 2021). Brooke and I discuss what trauma is, where it comes from, how it manifests or shows itself, and how it can affect us throughout our lives. There are some delicate or sensitive topics discussed in this episode which may serve as a trigger or reminder for some people; identifying with their own trauma. We define the terms and words that are currently being used in this area of work from 'trigger warning' itself to the 'inner child' or 'inner critic'; 'pattern interrupt' or breaking cycles of behaviour, which can be changed with 'reprogramming' activities. We talk about the psychotherapeutic practice of 'EMDR' (Eye Movement Desensitisation and Reprocessing) and 'brainspotting'. We also look at breathing techniques which can be used to calm ourselves and at other somatic work with the body, making the connection between various aspects of trauma, which many people think is just in our thoughts or our minds, but which also shows itself in our physical bodies, too. We mention another acronym, PTSD, Post Traumatic Stress Disorder, which is often thought of as being associated with having served in the military, or having encountered a serious car accident, or such like. It is now accepted that PTSD can also be associated with other life events such as divorce, the death of a close friend or family member, or with other incidents that leave a lasting effect on our psyche or our mind, soul and spirit and our body. Brooke details the tools and techniques she uses with her clients to help them heal from trauma. Some of them sound very simple and straightforward; others more complex and complicated, but they are all intended to help people lead more confident, happy and fulfilling lives, free from the anxiety of feeling not worthy. As discussed in my previous podcast with Michaela Smith, many of these trauma wounds have their roots in our childhood, but they still have the power to affect us as adults, so they are worth addressing or paying attention to. Brooke has provided a number of resources to help listeners who may themselves, or know someone, who would like to talk about past traumatic events. If anyone wants a free, complimentary call with Brooke, they can email her at: brooke@brookebownes.com Brooke's Facebook page can be found at: https://facebook.com/brookebownes01 The above mentioned book can be purchased at: 'You Can Have It! How to breakthrough the self sabotage cycle', by Brooke Bownes https://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/B09DX7PB11 (United Kingdom) and https://www.amazon.com/dp/B09DX7PB11 (United States of America). Follow or connect with Brooke Bownes on LinkedIn via LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/brooke-bownes-the-trauma-breakthrough-queen-b17815116 Follow her on Instagram at: Instagram: https://www.Instagram.com/brookebownes Brooke's Tiktok page can be found at: https://www.tiktok.com/@brookebownes2?_t=8bJvoaDOBPx&_r=1 Finally, as mentioned on the podcast, Brooke is running a Virtual Bootcamp in September 2023 and further details can be found here if you would like to attend: https://brooke-bownes-coaching.newzenler.com/f/bootcamp Link to FREE Heal Your Inner Child - Heal You Bootcamp For more information on this podcast series, or to make any comments or to ask any questions relating to English Language learning, please contact me at johnscottlawton@hotmail.co.uk Please visit my LinkedIn profile at https://www.linkedin.com/in/john-scott-lawton/ to view Recommendations regarding my English Language teaching services (towards the bottom of my profile page). #author #writing #books #selfpublishing #bookdistribution #inspire #inspiration #storytelling #coach #coaching #selfdiscovery #innerchild #trauma #procrastination #somatic #somaticprogramming #breathing #innercritic #selfdoubt #healing --- Send in a voice message: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/john-lawton/message
In today's episode I interview Ismet (Isse) Muratspahic as we discuss: - How to go on a self-discovery journey with your inner book - How to structure a business and personal brand by creating a book asset and, - How to follow your calling with authenticity and attract your tribe (aka how to market your book). Ismet (Isse) Muratspahic is an author and founder of Calling to Millions where he inspires individuals to follow their inner calling by following their inner book. In the podcast, Ismet and I discuss: 1. Ismet's story from a corporate company background to a self-employed entrepreneur, identifying key milestones and transitions. 2. How he supports clients as a Book & Business Coach. 3. The results that he delivers to people who need support to write and publish their own story. 4. Ismet's book, “Calling to Millions”, tells us about why he wrote it, how he wrote it and what he hopes to achieve by publishing it. 5. We identify the best part about being a Book Coach, helping people to write their books. 6. We consider how a book is connected to personal branding and one's business. 7. I ask Ismet about his views on the future of books in the digital age and the age of Artificial Intelligence. 8. We consider what separates people who read books from those who don't and what separates people who write a book from those who don't. Ismet's own book, 'Calling to Millions™: The 60-Day Book Method to Reveal Your Calling, Attract Your Tribe and Achieve Financial Abundance', is available at: https://www.amazon.co.uk/Calling-MillionsTM-Attract-Financial-Abundance/dp/9198726153/ref=sr_1_1?crid=21WASAZL4U8HW&keywords=calling+to+millions+book&qid=1689788427&s=books&sprefix=calling+to+millions+book%2Cstripbooks%2C133&sr=1-1 Isse's world can be explored at: https://www.callingtomillions.com/ To connect in person with Ismet, please view his LinkedIn profile at: https://www.linkedin.com/in/issem/ To get your own copy of my own self-published book, 'Journey to Your Love - A Story to Awaken all the Senses', please search your Amazon listing, for example: https://www.amazon.co.uk/Journey-Your-Love-Awaken-Senses/dp/1537726390 The book is available in paperback (printed) format as well as a digital download. Warning: There are some adult themes contained in the book and it is written under the pseudonym Mary Lee Scott. For more information on this podcast series, or to make any comments or to ask any questions relating to English Language learning, please contact me at johnscottlawton@hotmail.co.uk Please visit my LinkedIn profile at https://www.linkedin.com/in/john-scott-lawton/ to view Recommendations regarding my English Language teaching services (towards the bottom of my profile page). You can also follow my LinkedIn company page at https://www.linkedin.com/company/john-scott-lawton-consulting/?viewAsMember=true #author #writing #books #selfpublishing #bookdistribution #inspire #inspiration #storytelling #coach #coaching #selfdiscovery #AI #ArtificalIntelligence #bookpublishing #inspiration --- Send in a voice message: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/john-lawton/message
In this episode, I interview Zuzana Labašová from the Centre of Environmental and Ethical Education Živica, based in Pliešovce, Banska Bystrica, Slovakia. We discuss her work; her motivations for getting involved in educating teachers; and the impact she sees on people on a personal and professional level. A migrant during childhood, an inhabitant of a tiny island in the Mediterranean, a foreigner in her own country, a family member of Indian-South African refugees in the United States, a mother of a half-Indian child growing up in central Slovakia, an eco-village dweller for 15 years – all these life experiences have shaped who Zuzana is, what she passionately believes in and what she does in her life. Prejudice, radicalization, a lack of mutual respect and an absence of critical thought are present in our society and affect people and their relationships on a daily basis. Zuzana's effort is to bring clarity, a sense of trust and hope and understanding of the processes that shape the way we think and relate to our environment, other people, as well as ourselves. Zuzana studied psychology at the Univerzita Komenského and Hunter College CUNY, with continuing education courses completed at J. F. Kennedy University, California. She has been working for CEEV Živica www.zivica.sk for over 15 years, mostly focusing on teaching pupils and students, creating lesson plans on global education and training teachers and university professors in innovative methods of teaching. Zuzana is a validated British Council teacher of critical thinking. In her work she focuses mostly on experiential teaching and where appropriate, incorporating art and psychology into teaching. Her psychology background gives her a theoretical understanding of the process, while standing in front of the classroom and training teachers for many years gave her experience and practice. Zuzana is currently the head of Komensky Inštitút www.komenskehoinstitut.sk – a programme which educates, networks and supports teachers interested in continually innovating their teaching and bringing soft skills development into their classes. The Institute believes that effective school reform can only happen when we bring together inspirational teachers as well as policy makers and create a space where innovative teachers become leaders of change, inspiring the entire teacher community. The Institute does this mostly in their education centre located in the eco-village of Zaježová https://www.centrumzajezova.sk/ that provides a creative safe space for shifting perspectives and opening new possibilities as to how to redefine education as well as our lifestyles. Further reading: https://www.schooleducationgateway.eu/en/pub/latest/news/meetings-with-hatred.htm https://www.hltmag.co.uk/oct20/why-dont-monkeys-eat-bananas For more information on this podcast series, or to make any comments or to ask any questions relating to English Language learning, please contact me at johnscottlawton@hotmail.co.uk Please visit my LinkedIn profile at https://www.linkedin.com/in/john-scott-lawton/ to view Recommendations regarding my English Language teaching services (towards the bottom of my profile page). You can also follow my LinkedIn company page at https://www.linkedin.com/company/john-scott-lawton-consulting/?viewAsMember=true --- Send in a voice message: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/john-lawton/message
In this episode, I again interview transformational coach, Michaela Smith about 'Imposter Syndrome', which many leaders experience at least once in their lives or careers. Where does this feeling of being, 'not good enough' or, 'not worthy' and the associated 'fear of failure' come from, and what can be done to change it? Read on below and listen to the podcast to book your free 90-minute consultation with Michaela. Born in then communist Czecho-Slovakia Michaela has always dreamt of being able to travel and experience the world without the restrictions of the repressive regime. After finishing University in 1997 she immediately left Slovakia to follow her dream of travelling. Since then, she lived and worked in Spain, Slovakia, Dubai, Vietnam, Japan and she is now settled in the South of England where her husband of twenty five years comes from. Before becoming a full time coach she worked in a global hotel corporation in the capacity of a Director of Sales and Marketing for almost twenty years. Leading multicultural teams in different countries and continents Michaela became fascinated by the human psyche, behavioural patterns, thought processes and emotional expressions - her own and the people around her. The period between 2012 and 2017 was significantly influenced by Michaela's own struggles with Imposter Syndrome which grew in parallel with her growing professional success. The more recognised she became as an expert in her field – the stronger her fear of failure. Five years of constant anxieties, insomnia, regular panic attacks and physical symptoms caused by Imposter Syndrome coupled with her husband's diagnosis of brain cancer in 2017 proved to be too much to handle and eventually Michaela decided to seek help. This was the beginning of her current mission of helping other already successful business leaders and business owners struggling with Imposter Syndrome to face their fears and guide them on their journey of regaining their true authentic confidence. Michaela is an accredited Transformational Coach and a Resilience Practitioner. When working with her clients she focuses on accessing the deep subconscious beliefs causing Imposter Syndrome. She guides her clients on their journey of accessing these subconscious beliefs so that they can be brought up to the surface, released through various coaching techniques including somatic (physical) work and replaced with new beliefs, patterns and behaviours. As a leader of many years herself, it is Michaela's mission to help talented people become more conscious and self-aware so that they can lead from the place of love and connection as opposed to fear, competition and self-criticism. Humanity is going through an enormous transformation and an expansion of human consciousness is one of those transformations Michaela feels an internal duty and privilege to be a part of. To book your FREE 90-minute consultation with Michaela Smith, please book your diary slot via the following link: https://bit.ly/457p4e6 You can follow Michaela Smith on LinkedIn at: https://www.linkedin.com/in/smith-michaela/ or email Michaela directly at: michaela@michaela-smith.com Michaela also produces a free weekly newsletter and regular post impactful videos on LInkedIn. Follow her page there or visit her website to find out more: https://michaela-smith.com/ For more information on this podcast series, or to make any comments or to ask any questions relating to English Language learning, please contact me at johnscottlawton@hotmail.co.uk or visit my LinkedIn profile at https://www.linkedin.com/in/john-scott-lawton/ You can also follow my LinkedIn company page at https://www.linkedin.com/company/john-scott-lawton-consulting/?viewAsMember=true #ImposterSyndrome #leadership #management #coaching #transformationalcoach #coach #leader #anxiety #mentalhealthsupport #mentalhealth #positivemindset #freesession #English #Englishlanguage #Slovak #Slovensko #Bratislava #Slovakia #Czech #Chechia --- Send in a voice message: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/john-lawton/message
In this episode I interview Gabby Sosa, a mentor who supports individuals at a challenging time of their lives. She works with people who are going through a separation or divorce and provides practical guidance to help people fully understand what's happening to them. In Gabby's own words: My marriage was never meant to happen but because I didn´t listen to my intuition, which at that time I had no idea what it was about, I committed to something unwanted, unpleasant, lacking trust and in false hope of changing my ex-husband. Years went by and because I was a dedicated mother, sufferer, martyr and people pleaser, I didn´t realise that the person I was hurting and neglecting most was me. I was stuck in the victimhood and in the mire of self-guilt, blame and frustration. So many times I wanted to close the door on my marriage but for the sake of our kids I continued in my mum´s footsteps who actually died as a result of the same thing at the age of 47. At that point I was determined never to allow myself to end up like her. When we know what we don´t want, we know what we do want and when our desires are stronger than our beliefs, the right people, perfect timing and cooperative components are being gathered to assist us. Our Inner Being is constantly calling us to our desires through the path of least resistance. And that is exactly how it all came about. I filed for divorce and entered a 3-year-long process with many external people involved – psychologists, police officers, neurologists, attorneys and mediators. I felt drained, zombie-like, had zero energy, feeling everything but beautiful and confident, pushing forward and at the same time doing my best to present myself to the public as happy and natural as possible, not realising that the energy that we omit can never be camouflaged. Then one Sunday afternoon when I was lying on the sofa doing nothing, I had an impulse to click on one of those videos on mindset, meditation and the Law of Attraction. This was the tipping point in my life. I´ve never stopped clicking on them and it´s already been a beautiful four years. I was so hungry for this information that made more and more sense to me as I listened more. I´ve learnt so much about the conscious and subconscious mind, epigenetics, conscious parenting, spirituality, emotions, numerology, life´s purpose and more. None of those uplifting ideas would have changed my life, if I hadn´t applied them. All these teachings were transforming my life so clearly and vividly, that I decided to share them with others and my social media audience. I will always say that Universal laws work on everyone but not everyone allows themselves the leverage of them for their own good. I am here to support and guide those who are coachable and willing to step out of their comfort zone and whose desires are stronger than their habits of thoughts. I am certain that everyone can have it all – beautiful relationships, peace of mind, satisfying lives and a body that is feeling great inside out. I am living proof of what is possible, that nothing is set in stone and that old beliefs can be bridged. The question is, will you become the powerful and conscious creator of your own reality or do you want to stay satisfied only dreaming about it. Contact Gabby Sosa directly at: gabby-sosa@hotmail.com or view her LinkedIn page at: https://www.linkedin.com/in/gabby-sosa-286964241/ Visit her YouTube channel at: https://youtube.com/@hodnotnyzivotporozvode or Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/g_a_b_b_y_s_o_s_a/?igshid=ZDc4ODBmNjlmNQ TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@hodnotnyzivotporozvode For more information on this podcast series, or to make any comments or to ask any questions relating to English Language learning, please contact me at johnscottlawton@hotmail.co.uk or visit my LinkedIn profile at https://www.linkedin.com/in/john-scott-lawton/ or my company page at https://www.linkedin.com/company/john-scott-lawton-consulting/?viewAsMember=true --- Send in a voice message: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/john-lawton/message
In this episode I interview Czech jewellery maker and designer Antonie Lecher. We talk about the inspiration for her unique pieces which she sees as a cocktail of art deco, antique and minimalist styles, with echoes of the natural environment. Antonie discusses the challenges faced when launching a new business during the COVID pandemic and how marketing is in itself an additional skill which she has had to learn. She talks about the barriers and challenges faced when developing a new business and how these can be overcome with a positive mindset, support from friends and family and continual learning. We consider the Czech historical traditions of jewellery and glass making and about talk how these inform her work. The podcast will be of interest and inspiration to anyone who has ever thought about following their passions and creating their own business as an entrepreneur. Antonie gives advice to people starting out on their own, including some of the surprises that may wait for you along the way. You can view Antonie's work via the following links: Website: https://antonielecher.com/Instagram for Antonie Lecher: https://instagram.com/antonie_lecher?igshid=NTc4MTIwNjQ2YQ==Instagram for Smetanaq Showrooms (multiple artists and craftspeople): https://instagram.com/smetanaq_showroom?igshid=NTc4MTIwNjQ2YQ== When in Prague in the Czech Republic (Czechia) please visit the studio at: SmetanaQ Showroom - studio and design shop, Smetanovo nábř. 334/4 (1st floor above the cafe) 110 00 Prague - Old Town - Czech Republic. It's very close to the National Theatre, next to the river. For more information on this podcast series, or to make any comments or to ask any questions relating to English Language learning, please contact me at johnscottlawton@hotmail.co.uk or visit my LinkedIn profile at https://www.linkedin.com/in/john-scott-lawton/ or my company page at https://www.linkedin.com/company/john-scott-lawton-consulting/?viewAsMember=true Please use a sound comment if using the Spotify App, if possible, to ask any questions or to comment on the language used in this podcast. Finally, please take a look at my website where I post additional content to support this podcast series: https://johnscottlawtonsenglishyouknow.wordpress.com/ #jewellery #design #Prague #CzechRepublic #Czechia #entrepreneur #entrepreneurship #newbusiness #startup #artdeco #antique #nature #minimalism --- Send in a voice message: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/john-lawton/message
Tímea Reicher is an Executive MBA graduate of the WU Executive Academy of the Vienna University of Economics and Business and University of Minnesota Carlson School of Management (USA). We talk about her career and how learning has always been a key part of her personal and professional development. Tímea has been with SLOVNAFT, part of the MOL group of companies, for over 17 years and in the podcast she describes the various roles she has undertaken in that time. Again, Tímea emphasises the role learning has played in her career advancement, leading to her now being responsible for the company's ever-expanding retail division. Over the past 7 years under her management, the Retail Division has tripled the Petrol chain business's EBITDA to €87 Million. SLOVNAFT Group is an integrated refinery-petrochemical group and Tímea has responsibility for the overall retail operations of the company in Slovakia. The most powerful company is SLOVNAFT, a.s. dealing mainly with refining in one of the most complex European refineries and with the wholesale, logistics and retail sale of motor fuels and non-fuel products. Other members of the Group are SLOVNAFT MONTÁŽE A OPRAVY a.s., SLOVNAFT TRANS a.s., VÚRUP, a.s., CM European Power Slovakia, s.r.o. and other companies. SLOVNAFT Group is one of the biggest investors in Slovakia. Its cumulative capital expenditure has amounted to nearly EUR 2 billion, on average, approx. EUR 120 million per year since the mid-1990's. SLOVNAFT operates the largest network of petrol/diesel filling stations in Slovakia. The company is a leader in Slovakia in the field of Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) and corporate philanthropy, and the company significantly supports sport, culture, education, youth and the revitalizing of the environment. Through their visionary mindset, Mol Group Retail and local countries have created a concept of the Fresh Corner Convenience store format which, apart from 272 Service Stations in Slovakia, is now operating in 9 countries throughout the Central and East European (CEE) region. One of the key strategic directions besides maintaining SLOVNAFT's strong position in fuel retailing, has been to transform the retail network into multi-purpose service stations and to shift from product-driven, to customer-driven operations. Therefore Tímea and her team introduced the aforementioned successful new retail concept Fresh Corner, SLOVNAFT's convenience brand encompassing top quality coffee, fresh food and everyday groceries and Fresh Corner restaurants. Tímea also talks about her experiences of travelling abroad for work and study and the benefits these can bring. We discuss language learning, including the importance of learning English for international communications and the persistent challenges for women in leadership positions, including her innovative solution to childcare issues! The general aim of the podcast series is to be entertaining for all listeners, as well as being educational, assisting upper-intermediate and advanced level English language students with additional listening practice. I've been told the podcasts are the perfect travelling companion for long car journeys, train rides and even for airplane adventures. For more information on this podcast series, or to make any comments or to ask any questions relating to English Language learning, please contact me at johnscottlawton@hotmail.co.uk You might like to visit my LinkedIn profile at https://www.linkedin.com/in/john-scott-lawton/ or my company page at https://www.linkedin.com/company/john-scott-lawton-consulting/?viewAsMember=true Please use a sound comment if using the Anchor App, if possible, to ask any questions or to comment on the language used in this podcast. #Coaching #Leadership #speakinginpublic #Mindset #Listeningskills #TESOL #IELTS #toefl #Englishlanguage #Slovak #Slovakia #Retail #Learning #LanguageLearning #Confidence #Confidencebuilding #retailselling #marketing #corporate --- Send in a voice message: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/john-lawton/message
In this episode, I interview celebrated author N. Dean Meyer about his book: 'How Organizations SHOULD Work: envisioning a high-performing organization made of a network of internal entrepreneurs', released in June 2022. The book provides: A detailed vision (blueprint) of the end-state operating model - to help you craft and communicate your own vision. All the mechanics - solid principles of design, and clear frameworks to help you design your organization in a fact-based manner. Implementation processes - participative processes that engage your leadership team in designing your organization. A case study. Analysis of many critical challenges, including innovation, digital business, scalability, acquisitions integration, agility, and the founder bottleneck. Perspectives on transformational leadership. A book summary (akin to Cliff's Notes ®). From two foundational principles -- internal entrepreneurship, and empowerment -- Meyer derives every detail of how organizations of all types and sizes should work. This "Market Organization" is a comprehensive blueprint of a high-performing organization. Paradoxically, it's common sense, and yet it's also profound. The Market Organization applies to all industries, including government and not-for-profits. It applies to organizations of all sizes and stages of growth, starting with ventures where it can build scalable organizations with mature processes while retaining their entrepreneurial spirit, on up to multi-nationals where it dissolves the dichotomy of localization versus global synergies. And this operating model applies to departments (such as IT) as well as entire companies. Throughout this book, the word "organization" refers to either an entire enterprise, or a department within it. In our interview, we consider the language used in the book to describe organizational design principles. I ask Dean to explain what he means by transformational processes being likened to 'twisting minds'. We also discuss the current fascination with 'agile' project methodologies and how these can easily be misunderstood and misinterpreted when taken out of context. We also discuss the use of such terms as 'own', 'ownership' and 'product' and therefore 'product owner' and how this can lead to dangerous conclusions. We consider the potential overuse of the terms 'stakeholder', 'partner', 'sponsor' and whether a distinction needs to be made between 'accountabilities' and 'responsibilities'. Dean's book, How Organizations SHOULD Work, is available on Amazon: https://amzn.to/3wWmFD1 You can learn more about Dean and view a library on organizational design and transformation at: NDMA.com The general aim of the #podcast series is to be entertaining for all listeners, as well as being educational, assisting upper-intermediate and advanced level English language students with additional listening practice. I've been told the podcasts are the perfect travelling companion for long car journeys, train rides and even for airplane adventures. For more information on this podcast series, please review the full episode list on your chosen podcast platform or email johnscottlawton@hotmail.co.uk. Please visit my LinkedIn profile at: https://www.linkedin.com/in/john-scott-lawton/ if you would like to be a guest on my programme or to view my work. Please use a sound comment if using the Spotify App, if possible, to ask any questions or to comment on the language used in this podcast. Finally, please take a look at my website where I post additional content to support this podcast series. An interview schedule which acts as a summary of the questions asked and terminology used in the podcast is available at: https://johnscottlawtonsenglishyouknow.wordpress.com/ #organizationaldesign #organizationalchange #organizationaltransformation #organisationaldesign #organisationalchange #organisationaltransformation #managers #leaders #entrepreneurship #empowerment #agility #innovation #change --- Send in a voice message: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/john-lawton/message
In this episode, I interview Leadership Coach Petra Holic both about her early life experiences and her current work with individuals and teams. Talking about her childhood and her inspirational mother, Petra describes how, as a young family, they twice attempted to leave Czechoslovakia during the socialist era, but were prevented from doing so on each occasion. Despite her mother being taken as a political prisoner, Petra and her sister defiantly held on to each other and their dreams of fleeing to another country, eventually emigrating with their mother to Canada after the Velvet Revolution. Petra details her early months in Canada when, as a young student, she started school with no English language skills, but quickly adapted, learnt the language and began a successful working career, supported by the strength, determination and love of her mother and sister. Now, Petra explains how she finds herself back in Slovakia, the country she calls home, and reflects on what it means to have lived through and experienced so many changes and positive challenges in her life. Having worked for many years in and now with many large corporate companies, Petra talks about her own business, supporting individuals and teams as a leadership coach. Petra describes this role as a "partner in thinking", allowing her clients to reflect on what they want from their careers. This is true whether it is as a new, first-time manager, or an experienced executive, navigating their way through mid-career challenges and reflecting on their life purpose and achievements to date. Petra talks about the importance of being an interested but neutral participant in the process of helping clients to talk about their lives and careers. She helps people to make sense of what's happening to them as someone who is supportive, but impartial and independent. Petra considers how it is very important to continually invest in her own career in order to be the best version of herself and the best coach she can possibly be with her clients. She also describes her non-profit activities supporting young people through her non-profit Educoach.sk https://www.educoach.sk/ Please contact Petra Holic and find out more about her work and career by visiting her LinkedIn profile at: https://www.linkedin.com/in/petraholic/ The general aim of the #podcast series is to be entertaining for all listeners, as well as being educational, assisting upper-intermediate and advanced level English language students with additional listening practice. I've been told the podcasts are the perfect travelling companion for long car journeys, train rides and even for airplane adventures. For more information on this podcast series, please review the full episode list on your chosen podcast platform or email johnscottlawton@hotmail.co.uk. Please visit my LinkedIn profile at: https://www.linkedin.com/in/john-scott-lawton/ if you would like to be a guest on my programme or to view my work. Please use a sound comment if using the Spotify App, if possible, to ask any questions or to comment on the language used in this podcast. Finally, please take a look at my website where I post additional content to support this podcast series: https://johnscottlawtonsenglishyouknow.wordpress.com/ #lifestory #coaching #story #storytelling #leadership #managers #management #mentor #coach #mentoring #careerdevelopment #guidance #support #Canada #Slovakia #English #Englishlanguage #speaking #listening #IELTS #TESOL #TEFL #ESL #E2L #Czechoslovakia #Velvetrevolution #podcast --- Send in a voice message: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/john-lawton/message
In this episode, I interview Leon Conrad, an author, educator, and story structure consultant and author of the multi-award-winning book, Story and Structure: A complete guide which won the IPNE Book of the Year Award for 2022. His next book, Master the Art and Craft of Writing is due out in 2023. Story and Structure: A complete guide is about story—as a dynamic force of life. It explores the deep structures which underpin stories. Leon argues that by following story back to its source, we can find more flow in our lives. For Leon, story has a purpose. Story generally appears when we face problems. Most story structures arise because we face different kinds of problems. There are problems we can easily solve ourselves, for instance, and others we can't easily solve without a little help from our friends. It's the differences in the kinds of problems that we face that give rise to different story structures. Find out more in this episode all about the hidden depths of story. Visit Leon's website: leonconrad.com/writer, join him on social media, sign up to his Substack newsletter and find out more about The Unknown Storyteller Project - a project that will take you deeper into the land of story than you have ever gone before. Publication details Story and Structure (528 pages (xxviii, 500)) is published in hardback in a signed limited edition of 450 copies (Aladdin's Cave Publishing, 10 August 2022, ISBN 978-09-55639-13-5 £40/$50) and in paperback (The Squeeze Press, an imprint of Wooden Books, 1 November 2022, ISBN 978-19-06069-25-4 £29.95/$39.95) and features over 20 black-and-white illustrations by Jason Chuang. The general aim of the podcast series is to be entertaining for all listeners, as well as being educational, assisting upper-intermediate and advanced level English language students with additional listening practice. I've been told the podcasts are the perfect travelling companion for long car journeys, train rides and even for airplane adventures. For more information on this podcast series, please review the full episode list on your chosen podcast platform or email johnscottlawton@hotmail.co.uk. Please visit my LinkedIn profile at: https://www.linkedin.com/in/john-scott-lawton/ if you would like to be a guest on my programme or to view my work. #story #storytelling #genre #writing #oraltradition #storystructure --- Send in a voice message: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/john-lawton/message
In this episode, I interview Jane James, the founder of the Little Voices franchise network in the United Kingdom. Little Voices provides singing and drama (or acting) classes for children and young people from the ages of 4 - 18 years of age. Jane trained as an opera singer at the Royal Conservatoire of Scotland after gaining a degree at the University of Sheffield. She brought her love for the performing arts into her teaching career, establishing the Little Voices Franchise Network in 2007. Little Voices has been, and always will be, about excellence and caring for each and every child. A child's development, and the individual attention that they receive through Little Voices' unique drama and singing lessons, is of paramount importance. It is fundamental to all at Little Voices that they help build each child's confidence and nurture their talent, because this is what will set them up with skills they can use throughout their life! I ask Jane about her journey to becoming a multiple award winning franchisor and leader of a national network of successful businesses. We consider the benefits for children and parents of participation in Little Voices classes and the joy, fulfilment and friendship which children derive from their activities, alongside the improvements in self-esteem and self-confidence. At the very centre of Little Voices' culture are their five core values that embrace friendship, integrity, trust, care and confidence. Quite simply, Little Voices want only the best for every child and every parent, every tutor and every franchisee. In our discussion, Jane and I talk about the challenges faced by entrepreneurs who want to start their own business. We consider the need for franchise owners to have great drive, ambition, motivation and a love of what they do, and the need to develop resilience. To find out more about the opportunities to become a franchise partner with Little Voices, please visit their website at: https://littlevoices.org.uk/work-with-us/ For more information on this podcast series, or to make any comments or to ask any questions relating to English Language learning, please contact me at johnscottlawton@hotmail.co.uk or visit my LinkedIn profile at https://www.linkedin.com/in/john-scott-lawton/ or my company page at https://www.linkedin.com/company/john-scott-lawton-consulting/?viewAsMember=true Please use a sound comment if using the Anchor App, if possible, to ask any questions or to comment on the language used in this podcast. Finally, please take a look at my website where I post additional content to support this podcast series: https://johnscottlawtonsenglishyouknow.wordpress.com/ #Coaching #entrepreneurship #franchise #drama #singing #acting #children #youngpeople #teenagers #confidence #confidencebuilding #self-esteem #Leadership #anxiety #impact #self-talk # Mindset #English #Language #Listeningskills #TESOL #IELTS #toefl #confidence #confidencebuilding #Englishlanguage #resilience --- Send in a voice message: https://anchor.fm/john-lawton/message
In this extended episode, I interview Dr. Venu Panicker and Michaela Fábry Pardubská, MBA about the life science of Ayurveda. Originating in India about 5000 years ago, many of the descriptions of Ayurveda are given in the original Sanskrit form in which the Hindu Vedas were written, with an English equivalent given by Dr Venu as he guides us through the key elements of Ayurveda. You will hear about the Panchakarmas - or five (5) cleansing procedures which are used to detoxify the body. These are Vamana – vomiting; Virechana – purgation; Vasthi – enemas; Nasya – nasal drops; and Raktha moksha – or blood letting. As Dr Venu explains, not every patient needs to receive each of these cleansing procedures and it depends on the individual as to which is best for them, according to which of the Doshas, a person's energy type, is predominant in an individual's body and mind. In this way, Ayurveda is best described as a holistic practice, focussing on the whole person and looking at the causes of their ailments or illnesses, not just focussing on the symptoms. Other Sanskrit words you will hear in the podcast describe the various treatments which may be prescribed for an individual including: (1) Abhyangam – a full body massage; (2) Udwarthanam – a type of body scrub using herbal powders; (3) Sirodhara – the dripping of medicated oil on the forehead or 3rd eye; (4) Kizhy – best described as a bundle or pouch massage [ the pouch contains herbs, herbal powder , lemon, rice etc and any one of them is used for massaging the body after tying them in a piece of cloth like a pouch]; (5) Siro abhyanga – a head massage; and (6) Pizhil – an oil bath. Michaela Pardubská who has undergone many of the treatments described in the podcast and who has adopted an Ayurvedic lifestyle to improve her health and wellbeing, describes the benefits she has gained from the treatments and the changes it has made to her body and mind. Michaela and Dr Venu have organised several retreats to India, Croatia and Slovakia where the Ayurvedic lifestyle can be experienced at first hand. The upcoming trip to Kerala, in southern India, is a wonderful opportunity to live the Ayurvedic practice and to explore some of the beautiful nature that can be found in the state of Kerala. The retreats will incorporate the daily practice of yoga and meditation. To find out more about the opportunities to join the retreat in Kerala at the end of January 2023 - beginning of February 2023, please see the website at: https://www.ayurdia.eu or contact Michaela directly at manager@ayurdia.eu . Dr Venu can be contacted directly on +798 27 28 28 00 or by email at doctor@ayurdia.eu The general aim of the podcast series is to be entertaining for all listeners, as well as being educational, assisting upper-intermediate and advanced level English language students with additional listening practice. I've been told the podcasts are a perfect travelling companion for long car journeys, train rides and for airplane adventures. For more information on this podcast series, or to make any comments or to ask any questions relating to English Language learning, please contact me at johnscottlawton@hotmail.co.uk or visit my LinkedIn profile at https://www.linkedin.com/in/john-scott-lawton/ or my company page at https://www.linkedin.com/company/john-scott-lawton-consulting/?viewAsMember=true Please use a sound comment if using the Anchor App, if possible, to ask any questions or to comment on the language used in this podcast. --- Send in a voice message: https://anchor.fm/john-lawton/message
Monika Kočiová leads the Center for International Private Enterprise's (CIPE's) portfolio of programs across Central and Eastern Europe as a Program Officer, based in Bratislava, Slovakia. Her work focuses mostly on strengthening the capacity of the private sector to advocate for constructive policy reform, advancing the role of women leaders, and strengthening overall the business and governance environment. Monika previously served as the Director of the Slovak Chamber of Commerce and Industry in Košice. Her focus in recent years has been on the development of trade relations, especially in the Central and East European Region (CEE), but also worldwide; cross-sectoral cooperation; and support of the innovation ecosystem within the region. In this podcast, we explore the issues around economic empowerment for women and some of the barriers to full engagement which still exist, not only in Europe, but across the world. We discuss the importance of girls and young women having positive roles models they can emulate to pursue the career of their dreams. We also talk about the online abuse which many women face, even in social media forums such as LinkedIn, which is supposedly a professional networking platform, but where misogyny, or hatred and gender-based online violence, is still to be found. Monika briefly references the three main programs which the Center for International Private Enterprise (CIPE) is currently working on to advance women's empowerment in business and enterprise. These are: (1) Women and Leadership - e.g. where the Center actively equip women with soft skills for their personal and professional development; and Women on Boards - again to promote women in influential leadership positions by being represented on Trustee or Directorship Boards and; (2) Women in Technology - engaging women in the digital transformation agenda (3) Gender-based Violence in the Workplace - countering hate speech and abuse, both online and face to face. Monika holds a Master's degree in International Affairs from National Chengchi University in Taiwan. Beside Taipei, she also pursued her studies in Mexico, Czechia (the Czech Republic), and Portugal. Outside work she dedicates her time to Rotary International where she has been appointed as the spokesperson and the Chair of the International Aid Committee for the Czech and Slovak Republics regarding the current situation in Ukraine and she is the founder and Chair of the Mentoring Program. Find out more about the Centre for International Private Enterprise at: https://www.cipe.org/ Find out more about Rotary International at: https://www.rotary.org/en Contact Monika Kočiová via LinkedIn at: https://www.linkedin.com/in/monika-kociova/ For more information on this podcast series, or to make any comments or to ask any questions relating to English Language learning, please contact me at johnscottlawton@hotmail.co.uk or visit my LinkedIn profile at https://www.linkedin.com/in/john-scott-lawton/ or my company page at https://www.linkedin.com/company/john-scott-lawton-consulting/?viewAsMember=true #Leadership #speech #impact # Mindset #English #Empowerment #Listeningskills #TESOL #IELTS #toefl #confidence #confidencebuilding #Englishlanguage #Slovak #Slovakia #Women --- Send in a voice message: https://anchor.fm/john-lawton/message
Caroline E. King is the founder of Vocal Assets which is a speaking company based in Somerset, UK, focusing on you being able to show up as your best you and being able to communicate that with style, resonance and gravitas. In this episode we talk about how to use the natural sound of your voice, but to enhance it in a way which makes it pleasant to listen to and which carries its message perhaps more powerfully. Caroline sang with The London Philharmonic Choir which gave her the opportunity to sing in some of the best concert halls in the world like The Festival Hall and The Royal Albert Hall in London. One of her fondest memories was recording Mahler's Eighth Symphony under the baton of Klaus Tennstedt which received the Grammy Award for The Best Choral Performance in the 30th Grammy Awards in 1988. Caroline was the Principal of 6 Stagecoach Performing Arts Schools for 14 years, turning over £500,000 per annum. Many students have gone on into the profession like Katie Norris who is an up and coming comedian and has supported the likes of Hal Cruttenden on his recent tour. About Vocal Assets Caroline focuses on helping you rediscover your voice so that it resonates deeply with everyone you meet and has them hanging on wanting to hear more. She guides you in how to use the full range of your “leadership instrument”, your resonant natural voice, without stress, so that you are consistently heard and valued more highly. Transferring that voice to the “stage” (offline and online) is more tricky without sounding shouty, hard-edged or strained. She helps you to connect and command presence and impact by speaking from a more natural, authentic and powerful vocal resonance that doesn't need to be ‘switched on' or projected with overpowering force. To contact Caroline E King, please visit her LinkedIn profile at: https://www.linkedin.com/in/caroline-e-king-vocalresonancecoach/ The general aim of the podcast series is to be entertaining for all listeners, as well as being educational, assisting upper-intermediate and advanced level English language students with additional listening practice. I've been told the podcasts are the perfect travelling companion for long car journeys, train rides and even for airplane adventures. For more information on this podcast series, or to make any comments or to ask any questions relating to English Language learning, please contact me at johnscottlawton@hotmail.co.uk or visit my LinkedIn profile at https://www.linkedin.com/in/john-scott-lawton/ or my company page at https://www.linkedin.com/company/john-scott-lawton-consulting/?viewAsMember=true Please use a sound comment if using the Anchor App, if possible, to ask any questions or to comment on the language used in this podcast. Finally, please take a look at my website where I post additional content to support this podcast series: https://johnscottlawtonsenglishyouknow.wordpress.com/ #Coaching #Transformationalcoach #Leadership #speech #speakinginpublic #voice #voiceproduction #voicequality #anxiety #impact #self-talk # Mindset #English #Language #Listeningskills #TESOL #IELTS #toefl #confidence #confidencebuilding #Englishlanguage #Slovak #Slovakia --- Send in a voice message: https://anchor.fm/john-lawton/message
In this episode, I interview Beth Jannery, CEO and founder of Titan, a woman owned small business specialising in strategic communications, advising and life coaching, working with C-Suite executives in Fortune 100 companies. Beth and I explore the welcome and increasing trend to more conscious leadership in companies, organisations and groups, as well as in our personal lives within our families, relationships and friendship groups. We talk about what it means to be 'conscious', ''self-aware', 'present' or living in 'presence', compared to living a life full of drama, stress, anxiety and a feeling of things being out of or beyond our control. We consider what it really means to be 'being' rather than just 'doing' and consider aspects of language relating to these concepts. This conversation follows on from my previous podcast with Michaela Smith where we considered similar concepts, attitudes, behaviours and language. In Beth's professional work with companies, she focusses on their strategic communications, enabling companies to make the right impressions of themselves in their chosen markets and to communicate effectively with their customers, directors or trustees and stakeholders. Beth has established a brand, 'The Advisor' where she actively supports companies to work through issues they are facing in a mindful, creative and indeed, playful way. She also describes herself as a Life Coach and we talk about how some people are still a little uncomfortable with that term. To find out more about Beth's work, please visit her LinkedIn page at https://www.linkedin.com/in/bethjannery/ or her website at https://bethjannery.com/ Listeners may find the excellent short videos produced by the Conscious Leadership Group of value and these can be found on YouTube at https://www.youtube.com/@ConsciousIsNow The general aim of the podcast series is to be entertaining for all listeners, as well as being educational, assisting upper-intermediate and advanced level English language students with additional listening practice. I've been told the podcasts are the perfect travelling companion for long car journeys, train rides and even for airplane adventures. For more information on this podcast series, or to make any comments or to ask any questions relating to English Language learning, please contact me at johnscottlawton@hotmail.co.uk or visit my LinkedIn profile at https://www.linkedin.com/in/john-scott-lawton/ or my company page at https://www.linkedin.com/company/john-scott-lawton-consulting/?viewAsMember=true Please use a sound comment if using the Anchor App, if possible, to ask any questions or to comment on the language used in this podcast. Finally, please take a look at my website where I post additional content to support this podcast series: https://johnscottlawtonsenglishyouknow.wordpress.com/ #Coaching #ConsciousLeaders #ConsciousLeadership #Consciousness #Transformationalcoach #Leadership #burnout #anxiety #impact #self-talk # Mindset #English #Language #Listeningskills #TESOL #IELTS #toefl #confidence #confidencebuilding #Englishlanguage #Slovak #Slovakia --- Send in a voice message: https://anchor.fm/john-lawton/message
After a longer than expected summer break due to ill-health, I am back, nearly fighting fit, to share another episode of my conversational podcast with you, 'John Scott Lawton's English, You Know'. The general aim of the podcast series is to be entertaining for all listeners, as well as being educational, assisting upper-intermediate and advanced level English language students with additional listening practice. I've been told the podcasts are the perfect travelling companion for long car journeys, train rides and even for airplane adventures. In this episode I again interview Slovak national Michaela Smith about her relatively new career as a Conscious Leadership, Mindset & Transformational Coach. Our last podcast proved to be my most popular one to date as we explored the challenges for managers and leaders to overcome self-doubt; Imposter Syndrome; and negative self-talk. Michaela and I talked about why it was important for High Achievers, people who are doing well in their chosen careers or life direction, to avoid burnout by being mindful of what is happening to them on a daily basis and why. We take these issues a significant stage further in this podcast and explore some new language which Michaela uses to describe what she does as a coach. As mentioned on this podcast, in the spring of 2023, Michaela is running a residential retreat, probably in the beautiful Tatras Mountains in Slovakia. You can contribute to the development of the content for that Retreat by completing the following online survey: https://forms.gle/x7XmCC87K37EZ1kA8 Michaela is keen for participants and those interested in Conscious Leadership to co-create the event; to be active participants involved in the design and evaluation of the Retreat, so please share your ideas via the above online survey, if you would. Thank you. Michaela Smith's website can be found at: https://michaela-smith.com/ Here you can subscribe to Michaela's regular Newsletter. It's an excellent read. To connect with or follow Michaela Smith on LinkedIn go to : https://www.linkedin.com/in/smith-michaela/ For more information on this podcast series, or to make any comments or to ask any questions relating to English Language learning, please contact me at johnscottlawton@hotmail.co.uk or visit my LinkedIn profile at https://www.linkedin.com/in/john-scott-lawton/ or my company page at https://www.linkedin.com/company/john-scott-lawton-consulting/?viewAsMember=true Please use a sound comment if using the Anchor App, if possible, to ask any questions or to comment on the language used in this podcast. Finally, please take a look at my website where I post additional content to support this podcast series: https://johnscottlawtonsenglishyouknow.wordpress.com/ #Coaching #ConsciousLeaders #ConsciousLeadership #Consciousness #Transformationalcoach #Leadership #burnout #anxiety #impact #self-talk # Mindset #English #Language #Listeningskills #TESOL #IELTS #toefl #confidence #confidencebuilding #Englishlanguage #Slovak #Slovakia #Crossculturalcommunication The cover landscape image was produced by the fantastic photographer, Darren Allen. More of his excellent landscape, countryside and wildlife images can be found on his Instagram page at: https://www.instagram.com/dazzlinpix/ --- Send in a voice message: https://anchor.fm/john-lawton/message
Arguably the most popular genre or style of fictional writing in English is the crime novel. Many of the most popular series of books or short stories feature professional or amateur detectives seeking to solve crime, often murders. What is it about this type of story that appeals? When did the genre first become popular? Who are some of the most famous authors and who are their leading protagonists, or lead characters, attempting to solve these fictional murders or major crimes? I interview Dave Lee, an English Language and Literature graduate who has a real passion for this style of writing, evidenced by his ownership of thousands of books, many yet to be read, from this category of literature. Dave talks about the work of New Zealander Naomi Marsh, American Raymond Chandler, the British writer Agatha Christie and many others including Marjorie Ellingham, Gladys Mitchell, Nicholas Blake (Cecil Day Lewis), the American Dashiell Hammett, Caroline Graham and more modern authors such as Ian Rankin, John Lawton (not me), Stephen Booth, Colin Dexter (writer of the Inspector Morse series), Peter Robinson, Emma Lathen (the pen name of two American businesswomen), Aline Templeton, Reginald Hill and most latterly Richard Osman (The Thursday Murder Club). We examine the plot devices at play in the novels and short stories; how good is expected to triumph over evil in the end, and examine why we are fascinated, as observers, with the difficulties of others. Critically, we examine the story telling qualities of the authors which enable them to be exciting, frightening (but in a vicarious way) and sometimes even humorous. Dave and I discuss whether the many TV and film adaptations can ever be as good as the books and point to one possible rare exception where this might possibly have been achieved. For more information on this podcast series, or to make any comments or to ask any questions relating to English Language learning, please contact me at johnscottlawton@hotmail.co.uk or visit my LinkedIn profile at https://www.linkedin.com/in/john-scott-lawton/ or my company page at https://www.linkedin.com/company/john-scott-lawton-consulting/?viewAsMember=true Please use a sound comment if using the Anchor App, if possible, to ask any questions or to comment on the language used in this podcast. Finally, please take a look at my website where I post additional content to support this podcast series: https://johnscottlawtonsenglishyouknow.wordpress.com/ #English #Language #Listeningskills #TESOL #IELTS #toefl #confidence #confidencebuilding #Englishlanguage #Slovak #Slovakia #Crossculturalcommunication #crime #crimewriting #novels #detective #fictionalcrime #detectivegenre #crimeseries #fiction The cover image is a pen and ink sketch by Slovak artist Maxima Riva. Please contact me for more information or to commission a personalised drawing. --- Send in a voice message: https://anchor.fm/john-lawton/message
In this episode I interview Laura Field, Director of Spoken Words, a company specialising in providing professional support to international clients who wish to improve their communication skills in the business environment. Laura and I discuss what it takes to be an excellent communicator; how we sometimes are too critical of ourselves when speaking, which can have a negative impact on our confidence and competence; and we explore ways in which we can all continue to improve our communication and presentation skills in English. Laura reveals her Top Three Tips for developing excellent communication skills as we explore the challenges that people face in the new hybrid working environments that have become the 'new normal' in the post-Covid working world. Laura Field can be contacted at: laura@spokenwords.net and her company website can be found at: https://spokenwords.net/ You can also make contact and connect with Laura Field via her LinkedIn page at: https://www.linkedin.com/in/laura-field-1242601a/ For more information on this podcast series, or to make any comments or to ask any questions relating to English Language learning, please contact me at johnscottlawton@hotmail.co.uk or visit my LinkedIn profile at https://www.linkedin.com/in/john-scott-lawton/ or my company page at https://www.linkedin.com/company/john-scott-lawton-consulting/?viewAsMember=true Please use a sound comment if using the Anchor App, if possible, to ask any questions or to comment on the language used in this podcast. Finally, please take a look at my website where I post additional content to support this podcast series: https://johnscottlawtonsenglishyouknow.wordpress.com/ #Coaching #BusinessEnglish #Transformationalcoach #Leadership #self-talk #English #Language #Listeningskills #TESOL #IELTS #toefl #confidence #confidencebuilding #Englishlanguage #Slovak #Slovakia #Crossculturalcommunication The cover image of a Kingfisher on the Chesterfield Canal, England was produced by the excellent photographer, Darren Allen. More of his wildlife and other images can be found on his Instagram page at: https://www.instagram.com/dazzlinpix/ --- Send in a voice message: https://anchor.fm/john-lawton/message
Hello and welcome to my podcast John Scott Lawton's English, you know. In this episode, I interview Michaela Smith a Leadership, Mindset and Transformational Coach. Michaela has recently established herself as a professional, accredited coach focussing on working with high achievers; people who are driven to succeed and to have an impact, but who often suffer burnout because of the intense pressure they put on themselves to be successful. Together we discuss the concepts of self-talk; self-doubt; self-awareness; burnout; mastering your heart and mind; and the role that listening to our gut feelings and intuition have to play in the decision making process. Michaela helpfully defines the differences between coaching, therapy, consulting and mentoring. She considers the roles of the coach and the coachee, that is the person being coached. Michaela outlines the possible impacts that coaching might have on the individual and the benefits that can accrue. Michaela Smith's website can be found at: https://michaela-smith.com/ Here you can subscribe to Michaela's Newsletter. To connect with or follow Michaela Smith on LinkedIn go to : https://www.linkedin.com/in/smith-michaela/ The following article from Michaela discusses High Achievers and Anxiety: https://www.linkedin.com/posts/smith-michaela_if-you-are-a-high-achiever-who-struggles-activity-6891740732026417153-h1Bn For more information on this podcast series, or to make any comments or to ask any questions relating to English Language learning, please contact me at johnscottlawton@hotmail.co.uk or visit my LinkedIn profile at https://www.linkedin.com/in/john-scott-lawton/ or my company page at https://www.linkedin.com/company/john-scott-lawton-consulting/?viewAsMember=true Please use a sound comment if using the Anchor App, if possible, to ask any questions or to comment on the language used in this podcast. Finally, please take a look at my website where I post additional content to support this podcast series: https://johnscottlawtonsenglishyouknow.wordpress.com/ #Coaching #Transformationalcoach #Leadership #burnout #anxiety #impact #self-talk # Mindset #English #Language #Listeningskills #TESOL #IELTS #toefl #confidence #confidencebuilding #Englishlanguage #Slovak #Slovakia #Crossculturalcommunication The cover image of a Kingfisher on the Chesterfield Canal was produced by the excellent photographer, Darren Allen. More of his wildlife and other images can be found on his Instagram page at: https://www.instagram.com/dazzlinpix/ --- Send in a voice message: https://anchor.fm/john-lawton/message
Welcome to my podcast: 'John Scott Lawton's English, you know'. In this rather different episode, I'm interviewed by one of my advanced level students, Mária from Slovakia, about my teaching career and my experiences of living and working in many different countries. The episode is intended to provide live material for students who want to improve their listening skills by hearing natural dialogues in English; albeit in a question and answer format in an interview situation. Here, the tables are turned with the student asking the questions of a teacher to elicit honest and considered responses. I had no idea what questions Mária was going to ask me, so the responses are not prepared or scripted and I give natural, 'off-the-cuff' answers which hopefully will enable listeners to find out something more about my motivations in wanting to teach English, my love of travelling and my opinion on what can be gained from living and working away from your home country. As a potential trigger issue, we talk about what can be done when you find yourself in a toxic working environment, something which is sadly all too common these days. For more information on this podcast series, or to make any comments or to ask any questions relating to English Language learning, please contact me at johnscottlawton@hotmail.co.uk or visit my LinkedIn profile at https://www.linkedin.com/in/john-scott-lawton/ or my company page at https://www.linkedin.com/company/john-scott-lawton-consulting/?viewAsMember=true Please use a sound comment if using the Anchor App, if possible, to ask any questions or to comment on the language used in this podcast. Finally, please take a look at my website where I post additional content to support this podcast series: https://johnscottlawtonsenglishyouknow.wordpress.com/ #voice #voicecoaching #speakinginpublic #English #Language #Listeningskills #TESOL #IELTS #toefl #confidence #confidencebuilding #Englishlanguage #Slovak #Slovakia #Crossculturalcommunication #travel #travelling The cover image of a Kingfisher on the Chesterfield Canal was produced by the excellent photographer, Darren Allen. More of his wildlife and other images can be found on his Instagram page at: https://www.instagram.com/dazzlinpix/ --- Send in a voice message: https://anchor.fm/john-lawton/message
Welcome to my podcast, 'John Scott Lawton's English, You Know'. In this episode I interview Priscilla Morris from Loud and Clear Voice Coaching about the importance of protecting our speaking voice from overuse and damage. Our voice is an essential part of our personality. Research has demonstrated that our voice is often as distinctive as our fingerprints, unique to each of us; often instantly recognisable to others; and a key part of our character. However, in certain occupations and through misuse, it is very easy to unintentionally damage the voice through simple overuse, or through straining the vocal cords in some way. In this podcast, we consider some of the situations in which it is easy to damage the voice; discuss, in simple terms, what damage is actually done; and consider ways of protecting the voice from initial or further harm. Priscilla Morris gives clear and practical advice for anyone who uses their voice extensively in their work such as teachers, coaches and trainers; actors and singers; call centre workers; and anyone who uses their voice extensively on a day-to-day basis. Supplementary free resources are available at Priscilla's website https://www.loudandclearuk.com/tutorials/ including a previous podcast where Priscilla and I consider: 'Public Speaking: An Art or a Science?'. Priscilla Morris can be contacted directly to discuss her professional services at: priscilla@loudandclearuk.com For more information about this podcast series, or to make any comments or to ask any questions relating to English Language learning, please contact me at johnscottlawton@hotmail.co.uk or visit my LinkedIn profile at https://www.linkedin.com/in/john-scott-lawton/ or my company page at https://www.linkedin.com/company/john-scott-lawton-consulting/?viewAsMember=true Please use a sound comment if using the Anchor App, if possible, to ask any questions or to comment on the language used in this podcast. Finally, please take a look at my website where I post additional content to support this podcast series: https://johnscottlawtonsenglishyouknow.wordpress.com/ #voice #voicecoaching #speakinginpublic #COVID #LongCOVID #English #Language #Listeningskills #TESOL #IELTS #toefl #confidence #confidencebuilding The cover image of a Kingfisher on the Chesterfield Canal was produced by the excellent photographer, Darren Allen. More of his wildlife and other images can be found on his Instagram page at: https://www.instagram.com/dazzlinpix/ --- Send in a voice message: https://anchor.fm/john-lawton/message
Welcome to my podcast, 'John Scott Lawton's English, You Know'. In this personal episode, I interview my 88-year-old mother, Muriel Lawton, about her experiences as a child growing up during the Second World War. She was evacuated, or moved, from the city of Manchester in England, to go to live with two families that she didn't know at first. In 1939, she was evacuated to Mobberley in Cheshire, just south of Manchester, which was then a perceived target of German bombers at the start of the war. When these attacks didn't come, she went back home to Manchester after just a few months, only to be re-evacuated the following year (1940) when Manchester, a large industrial city in the north of England, was indeed the target of a very heavy German bombing campaign. During this second evacuation, Muriel as a seven year-old child, lived with a vicar or rector's family in Rode Heath, again in Cheshire, in the countryside bordering Staffordshire, again to the south of Manchester. She stayed there for over three and a half years, only seeing her mother once during all that time. There are a couple of trigger warnings associated with this episode. First, my mother describes the distressing scenes that she witnessed as a young child following overnight bombing raids on Manchester, involving the discovery of dead bodies and body parts. These episodes prompted my mother's second evacuation to the perceived safety of the English countryside. Second, although my mother greatly enjoyed her own experiences of living with new families, other children were not so lucky, and we talk briefly about the fact that some children suffered abuse at the hands of host families; the children being made to work almost as forced labour by the people who were supposed to be caring for them. The purpose of making this podcast is to save my mother's stories for my children, her grandchildren, and indeed now her great grandchildren to listen to, in her own words and her own quiet voice, as she recalls her lived experiences from a very challenging time in our history as Europeans. Such reminiscence work is, I believe, vital in to order to keep these stories alive and to learn from the very challenging lessons of the past. A few years ago, my father-in law, now deceased, Sidney Witham, told his wartime stories as part of the BBC's written memories project, 'The People's War'. His story and that of his wife, Kathleen, can be found at: https://www.bbc.co.uk/history/ww2peopleswar/stories/73/a2799273.shtml (Sidney Witham) and https://www.bbc.co.uk/history/ww2peopleswar/stories/68/a2799868.shtml (Kathleen Witham). For more information about this podcast series, or to make any comments or to ask any questions relating to English Language learning, please contact me at johnscottlawton@hotmail.co.uk or visit my LinkedIn profile at https://www.linkedin.com/in/john-scott-lawton/ or my company page at https://www.linkedin.com/company/john-scott-lawton-consulting/?viewAsMember=true Please use a sound comment if using the Anchor App, if possible, to ask any questions or to comment on the language used in this podcast. Finally, please take a look at my website where I post additional content to support this podcast series: https://johnscottlawtonsenglishyouknow.wordpress.com/ #WW2 #wartime #evacuation #childhood #memories #Manchester #English #Language #Listeningskills #TESOL #IELTS #bombings --- Send in a voice message: https://anchor.fm/john-lawton/message
In this episode I interview Martina Gregorova, a Public Relations Officer at an international environmental organisation based in London, UK. Martina is passionate about tackling the climate crisis and she became an accredited Climate Reality Leader in 2020. She spends her free time educating others how to take environmental action for positive change. Martina is also an enthusiastic vegan and, in this episode, she talks about her own personal journey – when, how and why she became a vegan; how her friends and family reacted to her decision; and what she found difficult about the radical change in her lifestyle; and how it's changed her life for the better. Martina is from Slovakia and has previously studied and worked in Germany, Austria, the United Arab Emirates and now lives and works in the United Kingdom. Martina references the following website in her responses to me: https://nutritionfacts.org/ a website founded by American physician Michael Greger, M.D. FACLM. The two book titles Martina references are: (1) 'How Not to Die' by Michael Greger, M.D. published by US Macmillan and (2) 'Fibre Fueled' - The Plant-Based Gut Health Program for Losing Weight, Restoring Your Health, and Optimizing Your Microbiome 1 by Bulsiewicz, Will (ISBN: 9780593084564) from Amazon's Book Store. For more information about this podcast series, or to make any comments or to ask any questions relating to English Language learning, please contact me at johnscottlawton@hotmail.co.uk or visit my LinkedIn profile at https://www.linkedin.com/in/john-scott-lawton/ or my company page at https://www.linkedin.com/company/john-scott-lawton-consulting/?viewAsMember=true Please use a sound comment if using the Anchor App, if possible, to ask any questions or to comment on the language used in this podcast. Finally, please take a look at my website where I post additional content to support this podcast series: https://johnscottlawtonsenglishyouknow.wordpress.com/ #vegan #veganism #environment #environmental change #english #Microbiome #health #animalwelfare --- Send in a voice message: https://anchor.fm/john-lawton/message
In this episode, I interview Phil Tooley from Chesterfield, Derbyshire in the United Kingdom about his passion for fine dining - which involves seeking out the best restaurants to experience some of the highest quality dining experiences. Phil and I discuss the importance of selecting the finest ingredients or produce from which skilled and experienced chefs create some of the best foodie experiences available. We also discuss the accompanying wines that should go with such meals and I challenge Phil to tell me what his favourite meal would be. The podcast will be of interest to people who enjoy their food and those who also enjoy fine wines and spirits and the English language, or should we say French language, that often accompanies such descriptions. To find out more about the whiskey sampling experiences described at the end of the podcast which are taking place in Chesterfield, Derbyshire, UK in November and December 2021, please email me for more information at johnscottlawton@hotmail.co.uk For more information about this podcast series, or to make any comments or to ask any questions relating to English Language learning, please contact me at johnscottlawton@hotmail.co.uk or visit my LinkedIn profile at https://www.linkedin.com/in/john-scott-lawton/ or my company page at https://www.linkedin.com/company/john-scott-lawton-consulting/?viewAsMember=true Please use a sound comment if using the Anchor App, if possible, to ask any questions or to comment on the language used in this podcast. Finally, please take a look at my website where I post additional content to support this podcast series: https://johnscottlawtonsenglishyouknow.wordpress.com/ #finefood #dining #culinary #whiskey #whiskeytasting #gin #gintasting #restaurants #cuisine #Chesterfield #Derbyshire #Michelinstars --- Send in a voice message: https://anchor.fm/john-lawton/message
In this episode, I interview Chesterfield Football Club supporter, Phil Tooley. Phil has been associated with his home town football club, Chesterfield FC, which is in Derbyshire, England, for over 40 years as a volunteer and reporter. He currently commentates on the club's own internet radio station, 1866 Sport. I ask Phil what he enjoys about a close involvement with the football club as a whole and we consider the crucial role the club's supporters have had in not only following the club's fortunes on the pitch, but off it, too, including being instrumental in the very survival of the club. Other than football, another area he's passionate about is fine food & drink, frequently combining these two areas together. You can hear more about his eating, or should I say fine dining habits, in the next episode of the podcast. Phil also hosts drink tasting events, sampling nights involving the likes of malt whisky, gin, rum, Belgian beer and port. His day job involves working with companies who carry out research and development and enabling them to benefit from the Research & Development Tax Credits scheme. He is also a non-executive director of the Chesterfield and North East Derbyshire Credit Union. For more information about this podcast series, or to make any comments or to ask any questions relating to English Language learning, please contact me at johnscottlawton@hotmail.co.uk or visit my LinkedIn profile at https://www.linkedin.com/in/john-scott-lawton/ or my company page at https://www.linkedin.com/company/john-scott-lawton-consulting/?viewAsMember=true Please use a sound comment if using the Anchor App, if possible, to ask any questions or to comment on the language used in this podcast. Finally, please take a look at my website where I post additional content to support this podcast series: https://johnscottlawtonsenglishyouknow.wordpress.com/ #football #chesterfield #derbyshire #unitedkingdom #supporter --- Send in a voice message: https://anchor.fm/john-lawton/message
In this episode I interview Robin Pardo Roques about his interest and experience of learning and teaching European Languages, in particular Spanish, Italian and, indeed, English. Robin is Head of Modern Foreign Languages in a Secondary School in Derbyshire, England. In this interview, we discuss his chance meeting in a lift (an elevator) that led to a life abroad and a career teaching languages. Robin talks about how international exchanges, in particular the European Union's Erasmus Programme, led to adventures in football and culture before returning to the United Kingdom (UK) to pursue a career in language teaching. Robin talks about the politics and people that have lined his path to teaching, a Master of Arts (MA) in Education, a Bachelor of Arts (BA) in Spanish with Italian, and a CELTA teaching qualification, which enabled him to teach English as a Foreign Language, in the UK and in Europe. Although we discuss our mutual interest in sports, particularly football, it is in the context of language learning and the challenge of acquiring a new language for productive and active use, i.e. in real-life situations. I mention briefly my experiences of learning the Slovak language and how it helps me to put it to practical use if I ever hope to move from the earliest stages of language use to fluent and confident speech. For more information about this podcast series, or to make any comments or to ask any questions relating to English Language learning, please contact me at johnscottlawton@hotmail.co.uk or visit my LinkedIn profile at https://www.linkedin.com/in/john-scott-lawton/ or my company page at https://www.linkedin.com/company/john-scott-lawton-consulting/?viewAsMember=true Please use a sound comment if using the Anchor App, if possible, to ask any questions or to comment on the language used in this podcast. Finally, please take a look at my website where I post additional content to support this podcast series: https://johnscottlawtonsenglishyouknow.wordpress.com/ --- Send in a voice message: https://anchor.fm/john-lawton/message
In this the second part of the two-part episode of 'John Scott Lawton's English, You Know', I again interview Slovak national Michaela Smith about her fascinating career, initially in the Commercial Hospitality sector, in particular, which has seen her live, work and travel to many different countries. More recently, Michaela has trained to become a Leadership and Transformational Coach to share her vast experiences of working with people to help others progress in their careers and to develop personally. In this second episode, we follow Michaela on her exciting journey from Vietnam to work in Japan for 3 years, before a move to England in rather difficult personal circumstances. We also discuss Michaela's new work aspirations as she establishes herself as a Leadership and Transformational Coach, sharing her many years of experience of managing and coping with change in both personal and professional contexts. Her vast experiences of leading and managing multi-national, multi-cultural and multi-lingual teams will be a tremendous resource on which she can draw when coaching and supporting others to fulfil their potential. Michaela explains the concept of 'Mindful Leadership' and what it means for current and future leaders and managers. We both hope the podcast is of interest and value to anyone who has lived abroad or is considering it as a career option. Such a move is certainly not for everyone, but Michaela's open and very frank approach illustrates some of the issues that will be faced if people do choose to work away from what they consider home. In a deeply personal account, Michaela explains the importance of self-reflection and self-care; taking time out to enjoy nature, one's hobbies and especially one's close family and friends. You can find out about the professional coaching services Michaela Smith now provides at: https://michaela-smith.com/ and her LinkedIn profile describing her career in the Commercial Hospitality sector as a Marketing and Sales Director can be found at https://www.linkedin.com/in/michaela-smith-896a5735/ For more information about this podcast series, or to make any comments or to ask any questions relating to English Language learning, please contact me at johnscottlawton@hotmail.co.uk or visit my LinkedIn profile at https://www.linkedin.com/in/john-scott-lawton/ or my company page at https://www.linkedin.com/company/john-scott-lawton-consulting/?viewAsMember=true Please use a sound comment if using the Anchor App, if possible, to ask any questions or to comment on the language used in this podcast. Finally, please take a look at my website where I post additional content to support this podcast series: https://johnscottlawtonsenglishyouknow.wordpress.com/ --- Send in a voice message: https://anchor.fm/john-lawton/message
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