Radio English

In today’s episode we’re discussing the Radio 4 Desert Island Discs interview with Dame Sue Campbell, the Director of Women’s Football at the Football Association We discuss some terms often used when talking about sport, such as 'to lag behind' and to 'have a competitive streak'. We also explain the verbs 'to collapse', 'to bombard' and 'to faint'.

In today’s episode we’re discussing the Radio 4 Desert Island Discs interview with Michael Lewis, a non-fiction writer and journalist. We explain some words related to his career, such as what a ‘trader’ is, what it means if someone writes under a 'pseudonym' and what is meant if something ‘mushrooms’. We’ll also discuss some  of the useful phrasal verbs, such as 'set up', 'tune out' and to be 'torn between' two things.  Links The original Desert island Discs interview The notes on my blog Facebook group Trailer of Moneyball (YouTube)

In today’s episode we’re discussing the radio 4 Desert Island Discs interview with Rupert Everett, an actor. We discuss what it means if someone has a ‘flash in the pan’ career and if they experience ‘lean’ periods. We also explain what it means if someone is described as ‘frosty’, ‘foxy’ and as having ‘a short fuse’. Links The original Desert island Discs interview The notes on my blog Facebook group

In today’s episode we’re discussing the radio 4 Desert Island Discs interview with Stephen Merchant, a writer, comedian and actor. He co-wrote the famous British sitcom ,‘The Office’, with Ricky Gervais. We discuss what a ‘sitcom’ and ‘mockumentary’ are and some of the phrases that are used in the interview, such as, ‘jack of all trades’ and when you would say that ‘butter wouldn’t melt in someone’s mouth’. We also talk about some vocab that is used to describe The Office like ‘dour’ and what it means when they say it is the comedy of ‘awkwardness’. Links The original Desert island Discs interview The notes on my blog Facebook group

In today’s episode we’re discussing the radio 4 Desert Island Discs interview with Heidi Thomas, a television screenwriter. Amongst many other words, we explain what some words related to the series, such as ‘a midwife’ and ‘umbilical cord’. We also talk about some of the useful phrases that are used like ‘out of the blue’, ‘free rein’ and what it means if something is ‘turned on it’s head’. Links The original Desert island Discs interview The notes on my blog Facebook group  

In today’s episode we’re discussing the Radio 4 Desert Island Discs interview with Russell Foster, Professor of circadian neuroscience. We’ll explain what ‘circadian’ actually means and other science related words like ‘microscope’ and ‘lab’. We’ll also talk about what it means if someone 'takes someone under their wing’ and what a ‘badge of honour’ is. Read through a list of advanced words and phrases from the interview on my blog Watch Russell Foster's Ted Talk, called 'Why do we sleep'. Join the discussion in the Facebook Group If you have enjoyed today's episode and you have found it helpful, can you help me let others know about it too? Just leave a rating and review on itunes (and subscribe if you haven't already). That would be amazing! Thank you so much!

In today’s episode we’re discussing the radio 4 Desert Island Discs interview with Asif Kapadia, a successful British film maker. Along with many other useful words and phrases, we discuss the words ‘reels’ and ‘footage’ that relate to filmmaking. We explain what it means if someone ‘has an eye for something’ and what their ‘take’ is.  Read through the notes for this episode on my blog Links mentioned The trailer for the film Amy

In today’s episode we’re discussing the radio 4 Desert Island Discs interview with Isabella Tree, a conservationist and writer. We explain words connected with nature, such as ‘scrub’ and ‘biodiversity’. We discuss the  language used in the interview when talking about doubt and unpleasant thoughts. like, ‘losing your nerve’, a ‘niggling feeling’ and a worry that ‘gnaws away’ at someone as well as the joy of having an ‘epiphany’ and what it means if you ‘turn something around’ Read through the notes for this episode on my blog Links mentioned Isabella's website The Knepp estate website  Novel called The Island

In today’s episode we’re discussing the radio 4 Desert Island Discs interview with Stephen Graham, a well known British actor that starred in the recent film The Irishman and the TV series The Line of Duty amongst many other roles. We explain terms related to acting, such as  a ‘skit’ is and what it means if something is ‘on set’. We also discuss slang words ‘to blag’ and ‘to go ballistic’ as well as many other useful words and phrases. Read through the notes for this episode on my blog Join the discussion in the Facebook Group Watch the caterpillar video here! If you have enjoyed today's episode and you have found it helpful, can you help me let others know about it too? Just leave a rating and review on itunes (and subscribe if you haven't already). That would be amazing! Thank you so much!

In today’s episode we’re discussing the radio 4 Desert Island Discs interview with Kimberley Motley, who is an American lawyer who works in Afghanistan. We explain what it means if something is ‘tainted’ and ‘tangible’ and the pharsal verbs ‘go off’ and ‘rock up’ amongst many other useful words and phrases. Read through the notes for this episode on my blog Join the discussion in the Facebook Group If you have enjoyed today's episode and you have found it helpful, can you help me let others know about it too? Just leave a rating and review on itunes (and subscribe if you haven't already). That would be amazing! Thank you so much!

In today’s episode we’re discussing the radio 4 Desert Island Discs interview with Russell T Davies, who is one of the UK’s most successful television writers. He describes himself as a gay writer and we explain the words ‘queer’, ‘straight’ closetness’ and ‘out’ that are used in the interview. We also discuss some of the useful phrasal verbs that are used      to potter about, to churn out and to sail through. Read through the notes for this episode on my blog Join the discussion in the Facebook Group If you have enjoyed today's episode and you have found it helpful, can you help me let others know about it too? Just leave a rating and review on itunes (and subscribe if you haven't already). That would be amazing! Thank you so much!

In today’s episode we’re discussing the radio 4 Desert Island Discs interview with Wendell Pierce, who is a famous American actor. We discuss the terrible racism he suffered as a child with words such as, ‘segregated’ and ‘sub par’. We also explain some of the words used when he and Lauren Lavern talk about his career, like ‘longevity’, ‘aspiring to something’ and ‘adding a string to his bow’. Read through the notes for this episode on my blog Join the discussion in the Facebook Group If you have enjoyed today's episode and you have found it helpful, can you help me let others know about it too? Just leave a rating and review on itunes (and subscribe if you haven't already). That would be amazing! Thank you so much!

In today’s episode we’re discussing the radio 4 Desert Island Discs interview with Dame Glenys Stacey, former Chief Inspector of Probation. She also worked as a solicitor and a regulator for many years. We’ll explain what it means to ‘hold someone to account’  and what is meant by having 'skeletons in your cupboard'. We also discuss the words 'hindsight', 'clear sight' and 'foresight' as well as many other useful words and phrases. Read through the notes for this episode on my blog Join the discussion in the Facebook Group If you have enjoyed today's episode and you have found it helpful, can you help me let others know about it too? Just leave a rating and review on itunes (and subscribe if you haven't already). That would be amazing! Thank you so much!

In today’s episode we’re discussing the radio 4 Desert Island Discs interview with Baroness Arminka Helic. She is a politician who campaigns to prevent sexual violence in conflict zones. On a positive note, Aggie explains what ‘a sprinkling of stardust is’ and on a more serious note, we explain what ‘rape’ means and give the defiition of ‘shell shock’. We also talk about what it means to be ‘spotted, ‘smuggled’ and ‘humiliated’. Read through the notes for this episode on my blog Join the discussion in the Facebook Group If you have enjoyed today's episode and you have found it helpful, can you help me let others know about it too? Just leave a rating and review on itunes (and subscribe if you haven't already). That would be amazing! Thank you so much!

In today’s episode we’re discussing the radio 4 Desert Island Discs interview with Lin Manuel Miranda, a composer and lyricist who is very well known for creating the musical Hamilton. Along with many other great words, we talk about what ‘a smash’ is and what it means if something is ‘thrilling’ and at it’s ‘peak’. We also explain the phrasal verbs ‘live up to’, set yourself up’ and ‘mess up’. Read through the notes for this episode on my blog Join the discussion in the Facebook Group If you have enjoyed today's episode and you have found it helpful, can you help me let others know about it too? Just leave a rating and review on itunes (and subscribe if you haven't already). That would be amazing! Thank you so much!

In today’s episode we’re discussing the radio 4 Desert Island Discs interview with Sabrina Cohen-Hatton who is a firefighter. Along with many other great words, we explain what it means if a guy is described as ‘hunky’ or ‘Jack-the-lad’ and what it means if a man is told to ‘man-up’. We also talk about her experience of 'sleeping rough' and what it means if something is 'dehumanising'. Read through the notes for this episode on my blog Join the discussion in the Facebook Group If you have enjoyed today's episode and you have found it helpful, can you help me let others know about it too? Just leave a rating and review on itunes (and subscribe if you haven't already). That would be amazing! Thank you so much!

In today’s episode we’re discussing the radio 4 Desert Island Discs interview with Thom Yorke who is the frontman of the very famous band, Radiohead. Along with many other great words, we explain what it means to be ‘spellbound’, ‘gobsmacked’, ‘stunned’ and what happens to you if something ‘blows your mind’.  We also talk about the definition of ‘elation’ and what ‘eureka moments’ are.  Read through the notes for this episode on my blog Join the discussion in the Facebook Group If you have enjoyed today's episode and you have found it helpful, can you help me let others know about it too? Just leave a rating and review on itunes (and subscribe if you haven't already). That would be amazing! Thank you so much!

In today’s episode we’re discussing the radio 4 Desert Island Discs interview with Jo Fairley who co-founded Green & Blacks, a chocolate company. There are so many words that can be used in everyday conversation. We talk about the words ‘ethical’, ‘fairtrade’ and what it means to ‘have a conscious’.  We also explain what it means to ‘bluff’, ‘to let rip’ and talk about what it means if someone ‘breaks the mould’. Read through the notes for this episode on my blog Join the discussion in the Facebook Group If you have enjoyed today's episode and you have found it helpful, can you help me let others know about it too? Just leave a rating and review on itunes (and subscribe if you haven't already). That would be amazing! Thank you so much!

In today’s episode we’re discussing the radio 4 Desert Island Discs interview with Tim Waterstone who founded the very famous chain of bookshops that have his name. We explain the language Tim uses when he talks about his vision and what he has created with phrases such ‘a cross between’,’a branch’ and  ‘a haven’. We’ll also explain what it means to ‘browse’ and to peer through something as well as many other amazing words and phrases that can be used in everyday conversational English. Read through the notes for this episode on my blog Join the discussion in the Facebook Group If you have enjoyed today's episode and you have found it helpful, can you help me let others know about it too? Just leave a rating and review on itunes (and subscribe if you haven't already). That would be amazing! Thank you so much!

In today’s episode we’re discussing the radio 4 Desert Island Discs interview with Dame Sally Davies, who is chief medical officer of England. We explain the adjectives ‘sensitive’, ‘sane’, and plain speaking that she and Lauren uses to describe her character. We also talk about words that relate to her career like ‘ethics’, ‘stigma’ and ‘diversity’. Read through the notes for this episode on my blog Join the discussion in the Facebook Group If you have enjoyed today's episode and you have found it helpful, can you help me let others know about it too? Just leave a rating and review on itunes (and subscribe if you haven't already). That would be amazing! Thank you so much!

In today’s episode we’re discussing the radio 4 Desert Island Discs interview with John Cooper Clarke, a poet. There are masses of great words! We explain some of the positive adjectives he uses, like ‘sensational’, ‘uplifting’ and  ‘flourished’ and talk about the meanings of the phrasal verbs to ‘knock around’, ‘catch on and take off.

In today’s episode we’re discussing the radio 4 Desert Island Discs interview with Marcus Wareing, a very well-known British chef. There are some great words that he uses to describe people.  He talks about himself as ‘sharp and a ‘stickler for precision, his mum as ‘houseproud’ and his dad as a ‘rock’. We also explain some of the idioms in the interview. ‘Putting the cart before the horse’, the ‘seeds of something being sown’.

In today’s episode we’re discussing the radio 4 Desert Island Discs interview with Sue Biggs, the director of the Royal Horticultural Society. As well as some great gardening terms,like ‘trowel’, ‘cultivate’ and being ‘green fingered’,  there are some very useful words that describe feeling strong emotions, such as something ‘stirring your emotions’ ‘to wow’ and ‘being smitten.’

In today’s episode we’re discussing the radio 4 Desert Island Discs interview with Jared Diamond, a writer and academic. We explain terms that are used to describe him, such as ‘versatile’, a ‘polymath’ and having ‘constructive paranoia’. We explain words that he uses when talking about the reasons for his research, like ‘predisposed’, ‘precipitant and ‘impetus’.

In today’s episode we’re discussing the radio 4 Desert Island Discs interview with Emily Eavis who is the co-organiser of the world famous Glastonbury festival. We explain the words ‘mind boggling’ and ‘logistical’ that are used when they talk about the organisation required. We also explain some of the many phrasal verbs in the interview. Such as to take on, chip in and put on.

In today’s episode we’re discussing the radio 4 Desert Island Discs interview with an extremely successful musician called Nitin Sawhney, who also produces and composes music. As well as discussing musical terms such ‘jams’ and ‘riffs’. We explain what a ‘visceral’ reaction is, feeling ‘empowered’ and what  it means to get a ‘buzz’ from something,

In today’s episode we’re discussing the radio 4 Desert Island Discs interview with peace campaigner, Professor Monica McWilliams. She is also an academic and former politician.We explain adjectives that are used to talk about challenges, such as  ‘arduous’ and ‘daunting’ and explain what it means if something is ‘ironic’ or ‘profound’. 

In today’s episode we’re discussing the radio 4 Desert Island Discs interview with Lubaina Himid, a contemporary artist that won a famous art prize in 2017. We explain some of the adjectives that are used  - Exuberant, bitter-sweet about and devastating and phrasal verbs, such as to wash over and soak up. 

In today’s episode we’re discussing the radio 4 Desert Island Discs interview with a successful magician! (Or as he describes himself a mentalist, illusionist and author). His name is Derren Brown. As well as learning about some great vocab for talking about magic, we explain some of the adjectives he uses to describe himself, such as ‘precocious’, sceptical and soppy. We also talk about the words and phrases used to explain why he does what he does, such as the ‘urge’ to impress and ‘getting a kick’ out of something.

In today’s episode we’re discussing the radio 4 Desert Island Discs interview with the hugely successful make-up artist, Pat McGrath. As well as learning some great make-up vocab, we’ll explain the physical actions of sneaking, prancing and ripping and some expressions that are used to describe being nervous and excited along with many more words and phrases.

In today’s episode we’re discussing the radio 4 Desert Island Discs interview with the very famous television documentary maker, Louis Theroux. We talk about the language he uses to talk about the people in his programmes, such as  ‘on the margins’, ‘dodgy’ and ‘questionable’ as well as some great phrasal verbs, such as boil down, smuggle in and latch onto. 

In today’s episode we’re discussing the radio 4 Desert Island Discs interview with the very famous actor, Martin Freeman who played Bilbo Baggins in The Hobbit films Watson in Sherlock Holmes. We talk about the language he uses to talk about his success, such as ‘incremental, double whammy and getting past your station   as well the the funny terms that he uses to describe his mum ‘barmy’ and himself ‘a smart ass’ and ‘lairy’.

In today’s episode we’re discussing the radio 4 Desert Island Discs interview with Jacqueline de Rojas who is the President of TechUK which represents hundreds of companies in the tech industry. We’ll discuss terms related to being a successful woman, such as ‘gender gap’, ‘the glass ceiling’ and ‘to even the playing field’. We also talk about language that can be used to describe skills being released, developed, and promoted. 

In today’s episode we’re discussing the radio 4 Desert Island Discs interview with Marlon James. He is a writer that won a famous literary prize for his book about Bob Marley . We also explain many phrasal verbs, such as ‘tap into’, ‘come out’ and ‘dash back’ and explain the vocab he uses when he talks about the troubles he had when he was at school with words such as nerd, geek, sissy and we’ll explain what it means to be teased.

In today’s episode we’re discussing the radio 4 Desert Island Discs interview with Esther Rantzen, who was a journalist and very well-known TV presenter before she retired.  We’ll discuss terms connected with her career such as justice, evidence and stigma as well as adjectives to describe someone, like ‘cheeky’, ‘spontaneous’ and ‘creepy’.

In today’s episode we’re discussing the radio 4 Desert Island Discs interview with Trevor Sorbie. He’s a very successful British hairdresser so as well as lots of good hair related vocab, we also explain many phrasal verbs, such as ‘sketch away’, ‘kick off’ and drift off’ and we’ll talk about language used for having a passion for something with phrases such as ‘it fuelled my fire’.  The notes for the episode can be found on my blogpost: www.skyblueenglish.co.uk/blog/sorbie

Listen to this episode and hear what this podcast is all about, why we started it, who it is for and how it can advanced English learners improve.