Podcasts about English language

✨ The Learn English with AI Challenge

In this episode, we focus on two unique natural sites and the efforts to protect and restore them. First, we visit the Šúr nature reserve, located near Bratislava. Despite its international ecological value, it remains little-known to the public. Conservationists are now working to revive this rare wetland forest—using traditional methods like grazing cattle. Then, we turn our attention to the Danube River and its islands. Once rich in biodiversity, many of these islands have been damaged by human intervention. We speak with Andrea Froncová from the Regional Association for Nature Conservation and Sustainable Development about current efforts to restore them.

Please join us at patreon.com/tortoiseshack Shams Mazen Rajab is a Palestinian graduate in English Language and Teaching Methods from Al-Aqsa University in Gaza. She is a writer and translator whose work conveys the resilience, struggles, and hopes of her community. Her articles and poems have been published in international platforms such as We Are Not Numbers, the collective blog Through Our Eyes, and the academic journal Brief Encounters. She joins us from her displacement tent in Deir Al Balah. Exclusive - Gaza Humanitarian Foundation whistleblower, Anthony Aguilar responds to Mike Huckabee and THAT Tucker Carlson interview here:https://www.patreon.com/posts/patron-exclusive-151502695 Support the Ionad Hind Rajab here:https://www.patreon.com/posts/ionad-hind-rajab-150782129

Please join us at patreon.com/tortoiseshack Shams Mazen Rajab is a Palestinian graduate in English Language and Teaching Methods from Al-Aqsa University in Gaza. She is a writer and translator whose work conveys the resilience, struggles, and hopes of her community. Her articles and poems have been published in international platforms such as We Are Not Numbers, the collective blog Through Our Eyes, and the academic journal Brief Encounters. She joins us from her displacement tent in Deir Al Balah. Exclusive - Gaza Humanitarian Foundation whistleblower, Anthony Aguilar responds to Mike Huckabee and THAT Tucker Carlson interview here:https://www.patreon.com/posts/patron-exclusive-151502695 Support the Ionad Hind Rajab here:https://www.patreon.com/posts/ionad-hind-rajab-150782129

Ben Pascoe takes a look back at the Winter Olympics to see how the Slovak team fared. He talks with journlalists Palo Tehlar, Martin Kaigl, Stefan Bugan and Stanislav Ščepán abouts the successes and disappointments from Milan 2026.

Why do people give? What does generosity really mean, and what shapes charitable behavior in Slovakia compared to other countries? To explore these questions, we speak with experimental and behavioral economist Matej Lorko. We discuss what behavioral economics reveals about human decision-making, how economists study altruism in laboratory settings, and whether charitable giving is driven more by empathy, moral values, or subtle forms of self-interest. We also examine how experimental research can inform public policy, support the nonprofit sector, and deepen our understanding of cooperation, trust, and prosocial behavior in modern societies. The new episode of Slovak Sound Check explores grammatical gender and polite forms of address in Slovak.

In the new episode of Window to the World, we visit Klátova Nová Ves and the French town of Vignoles. We also share greetings from our dear listeners and round things off with a lively selection of Slovak tunes by bands that don't take themselves too seriously — a reminder that a touch of humour and an upbeat rhythm can brighten any day.

We take a look back at the week's headlines and some of our best stories from the past week.

From The Vault

Are sentences getting much shorter or is it just our attention spans? 

A bill has been introduced to make English an official language of New Zealand. Despite being the country's most-spoken language, it is not an official language by law. The bill provoked ridicule in Parliament from the opposition, but was staunchly defended by Winston Peters. AUT Associate Professor of Linguistics Sharon Harvey says that language laws exist to protect languages that aren't as widely used, and English doesn't fall in to this category. "If we look at like jurisdictions like Australia, federal level of the US and the UK, those jurisdictions don't have English as an official language and don't see any need to." LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

As part of the RADIOO:100 years of radio broadcasting in Slovakia, we present once again a programme originally aired on RSI at the beginning of March 2018. Our former colleague, Anca Monica Dragu, dedicated the entire show to the murder of investigative journalist Ján Kuciak and his fiancée, Martina Kušnírová, and the aftermath of their deaths. They were killed in their home on 21 February 2018.

Slovakia consistently ranks among countries with high levels of belief in conspiracy theories. But what drives this phenomenon? In this episode, we look beyond misinformation and focus on feelings. Based on new research conducted by a team of researchers from the Institute of Experimental Psychology of the Center for Social and Psychological Sciences of the Slovak Academy of Sciences published in the British Journal of Social Psychology, we discuss with researcher of this project Magdalena Adamus how conspiracy narratives teach people to perceive the world as hostile and unstable — and why this matters for public trust and democracy.

National's Matt Doocey and Labour's Megan Woods joined John MacDonald for Politics Friday this week. They covered some of the biggest topics from the week from the Infrastructure Commissions report, NZ First pushing for English to become an official language, and they reflect on the February 2011 earthquake sixteen years on. LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

A five minute bulletin for English Language learners

In this episode, we explore what drives ordinary people to step forward in extraordinary times. Social psychologist Barbara Lášticová from the Slovak Academy of Science joins us to discuss new research into the motivations of volunteers who helped refugees following the outbreak of the war in Ukraine. Drawing on a large study conducted across Slovakia, Hungary, and Poland, the conversation looks at the difference between personal, moral, and politicized motivations — and why some forms of solidarity last longer than others. Listeners will hear how early waves of compassion evolved into long-term engagement, what shapes our expectations of refugees, and what this research reveals about sustaining solidarity in times of crisis.

Ben Pascoe talks with pianist and composer Peter Breiner about the state of Slovakia today. They discuss what is going right here, the challenges facing Slovakia today and what needs to be done to improve Slovakia today.

What if faith was never meant to be something we get right?In this tender and honest conversation, Pastor Kelsey sits down with writer Val Hystek to talk about perfectionism, people-pleasing, and the deep desire many of us carry to be the “good girl” who gets faith, motherhood, and life right.Val shares pieces of her story, including her experience of secondary infertility and recurrent pregnancy loss, and how those seasons unraveled the version of faith she thought she needed to maintain. Together, we explore what it looks like to stop striving for perfect and instead embrace faith as a practice — something lived, questioned, wrestled with, and held with compassion.This episode is for anyone who feels tired of trying to earn God's love, exhausted from performing goodness, or unsure how faith fits into the messy realities of real life.Because faith was never meant to be perfect — only practiced.Connect with us:Website: dancingpastor.orgSubscribe to our weekly devotional: Embody FaithInstagram: @pastorkelseybSupport our ministry: dancingpastor.org/giveAbout Val Val Hystek (she/her) has always been a writer, but becoming an author was an audacious dream for a 90s kid.After completing her Honours Specialization in English Language and Literature Degree from the University of Western Ontario, Val went on to become a primary teacher at an inner-city school in Ontario. She is married and a mom to two girls, Savanna (10) and Paisley (6).After experiencing secondary infertility and three recurrent miscarriages, Val began to write again, trying to find Jesus underneath the pieces of her shattered faith.She now writes for her online community, both on Instagram and Facebook, and is on a year's sabbatical from teaching to travel and write a book.She is creating a space where good and holy work can be messy and wild by giving wonder, loneliness, questions, doubt, beauty and anger a voice.  This community is stubbornly seeking after the heart of Jesus in a posture of curiosity and discovering just how wide and how deep the love of God is.

What does it really mean to shape European policy? From 5–8 February 2026, students in Košice experienced it firsthand. Model European Union brought together 60 high school students from across Slovakia for an immersive, English-language simulation of EU decision-making. Stepping into the roles of Members of the European Parliament, EU Commissioners, and national representatives, they debated pressing topics such as the EU–Mercosur trade agreement and the Green Claims Directive tackling greenwashing. Organised by BETA Slovakia in cooperation with FUTURUM Bilingual High School, and supported by the European Parliament Liaison Office in Slovakia, the event blended dynamic debate with real-world insight. We spoke with participating students, as well as Veronica Anna Lacová, President of BETA Slovakia, and Ján Haraslín, Community Manager at the EP Liaison Office in Bratislava. The programme was further enriched by the opening address of the Vice Mayor of Košice and by discussions with MEPs Katarína Roth Neveďalová and Michal Wiezik, who engaged directly with students about the work of the European Parliament and the importance of youth participation in European democracy.

Sundays on RSI, music, greetings and good feelings.

RSI takes a look back at the past week in Slovakia and on RSI

In this episode of The Teacher Think-Aloud Podcast, co-hosts Shé and Anna sit down with Dr. Lillian Ardell—founder of Language Matters—for a timely and deeply reflective conversation about monolingual bias and how it shapes English language education around the world. Together, they unpack how the assumption that English should dominate learning environments shows up in policies, classroom practices, assessment, and even well-intentioned instructional decisions.Rather than framing monolingual bias as an abstract concept, this conversation names how it operates in real contexts—and why it persists even in institutions that claim to support multilingualism. The episode invites educators to rethink whose language practices are valued, whose are marginalized, and how teachers can act with intention and integrity within complex systems.

UNESCO has declared 13 February World Radio Day. In 2026, the focus is on the challenge artificial intelligence poses to radio. Contributing to this year's UNESCO-themed World Radio Day on behalf of Radio Slovakia International is our colleague Jozef Bohunický.

 For decades, Saudi Arabia was ruled by ageing princes, until one young royal began changing the system from within.  This episode tells the story of Mohammed bin Salman, and how he rose rapidly to become Saudi Arabia's most powerful figure.  Saudi royal family is huge; succession once moved between brothers. Pressure grew to pass power to a younger generation. Mohammed bin Salman's early life, connections, and growing ambition. His father becomes king; MBS controls money and army. MBS replaces Mohammed bin Nayef as Crown Prince, 2017. Ritz-Carlton purge targets princes, businessmen; power and assets seized. Vision 2030: modernise society, move economy beyond oil. Global investments and NEOM aim to change Saudi image. Opponents targeted; Khashoggi murder shocks the world. Women driving, cinemas reopen; activists jailed, Yemen war continues. Full interactive transcript, subtitles and key vocabulary available on the website: https://www.leonardoenglish.com/podcasts/mohammed-bin-salman ---You might like:

On behalf of the Singles Awareness Day that falls anually on February 15, we are going to talk about the phenomenon of loneliness in Slovakia. Project Disconnect, implemented at the Faculty of Arts of Comenius University aims to comprehensively explore loneliness and social isolation in Slovakia in an interdisciplinary manner. In this show, Patrícia Polakovičová talked to Jakub Januška, a researcher and doctor from the Psychiatric Clinic at the Slovak Medical University. Sharing their insights is also a representative from a crisis helpline IP-čko that deals with a wide range of mental health issues including loneliness, Simona Stopková, who is also the head of IP-čko Bratislava.

"You either need to call it fascism or you need to invent a new word with more or less the same meaning." — Jonathan RauchJonathan Rauch's viral Atlantic essay has reignited the debate over what to call the Trump administration. Having previously settled on "semi-fascist," Rauch now argues that Trump ticks all 18 boxes on his checklist of fascist characteristics — from the glorification of violence and territorial ambitions to Carl Schmitt's philosophy of "enemies, not adversaries." We spar over whether the term obscures more than it reveals: Is this really fascism, or just authoritarianism with American characteristics? The conversation sharpens around Minneapolis, where citizens were shot face down, and the government initially denied it happened. You don't do that to win votes, Rauch argues — you do it because you believe that's how the social contract should work. He predicts Trump will fail to turn America into a fascist country but warns that institutions like the newly expanded ICE will outlast this administration. About the GuestJonathan Rauch is a senior fellow at the Brookings Institution and a contributing writer for The Atlantic. He is the author of nine books, including The Constitution of Knowledge: A Defense of Truth (2021), Cross Purposes: Christianity's Broken Bargain with Democracy (2025), and Kindly Inquisitors: The New Attacks on Free Thought (1993). He received the 2005 National Magazine Award.ReferencesThinkers discussed:·      Carl Schmitt was a Nazi political theorist whose "friend-enemy distinction" argued that politics is fundamentally about identifying and crushing enemies, not managing disagreements with adversaries.·      George Orwell wrote in his 1946 essay "Politics and the English Language" that "the word 'fascism' has now no meaning except insofar as it signifies something not desirable."·      Hannah Arendt was a German-American political theorist and refugee from Nazi Germany whose book The Origins of Totalitarianism examined both Nazism and Stalinism, preferring "totalitarianism" to "fascism" as the more encompassing term.Historical figures:·      Benito Mussolini invented the term "fascism" (from the Latin fasces, a bundle of rods symbolizing collective strength) and ruled Italy as dictator from 1922 to 1943.·      Francisco Franco ruled Spain from 1939 to 1975. Whether he was truly a fascist or merely an authoritarian remains debated; he never got along well with Hitler and outlasted the fascist era by three decades.·      Viktor Orbán is the prime minister of Hungary whose systematic capture of media, courts, and civil society has become known as the "Orbán playbook" — a template Rauch argues the Trump administration is following.Contemporary figures mentioned:·      Stephen Miller is a senior advisor to Trump who declared that "force is the iron law of the world" and told progressives "you are nothing" at a memorial service where the widow of the deceased had just offered Christian forgiveness to an assassin.·      Russell Vought is the director of the Office of Management and Budget, identified by Rauch as one of the younger ideologues building Trumpism into something more like a coherent ideology.·      Chris Rufo is a conservative activist and culture war strategist who has employed what Rauch calls "revolutionary language" in his campaigns against universities and public institutions.Essays and books mentioned:·      "Politics and the English Language" (1946) is Orwell's essay arguing that the corruption of language enables the corruption of politics, and that vague or meaningless words like "fascism" make clear thinking impossible.·      The Origins of Totalitarianism (1951) is Hannah Arendt's study of Nazism and Stalinism as parallel forms of total domination, examining how mass movements, propaganda, and terror enable regimes to control entire societies.About Keen On AmericaNobody asks more awkward questions than the Anglo-American writer and filmmaker Andrew Keen. In Keen On America, Andrew brings his pointed Transatlantic wit to making sense of the United States—hosting daily interviews about the history and future of this now venerable Republic. With nearly 2,800 episodes since the show launched on TechCrunch in 2010, Keen On America is the most prolific intellectual interview show in the history of podcasting.WebsiteSubstackYouTubeApple PodcastsSpotify Chapters:(00:00) - (00:13) - The viral essay (02:10) - Why Rauch changed his mind (03:41) - Fascism vs. authoritarianism (05:54) - Carl Schmitt and "enemies not adversaries" (06:14) - Orwell on the word "fascism" (09:12) - Can old people be fascists? (11:51) - Blood and soil nationalism (14:14) - Minneapolis (17:51) - Kristallnacht comparisons (20:07) - The postmodern right (26:34) - Following the money (32:05) - ICE as paramilitary force

Today, we venture beyond Earth and into the future of food as we explore space agriculture—growing crops in space to support long-term human missions. Joining us to unpack this topic are Professor Nigel Mason and Dr. Veronika Medvecká. In the second half of the program, we shift focus back to Earth. We sit down with Lucia Kocáková from Knižnica pre mládež mesta Košice to talk about the evolving role of libraries in today's digital age. From fostering literacy and creativity in youth to serving as inclusive community spaces, Lucia Kocáková shares why libraries remain more important than ever.

Ben Pascoe talks with 3 time Olympic Hockey Team member Michal Handzus to discuss the olympic experience, Slovakia's team and hockey in Slovakia today.

 Today, we have some news in English from our friends over at SEND7 - Simple English News Daily in 7 minutes. World News in 7 minutes. Monday 9th February, 2026.To listen to SEND7 every morning, search in your podcast app for Simple English News Daily, or go to www.send7.org ---You might like:

The Winter Olympic Games in Milan and Cortina d'Ampezzo are underway, with more than 50 Slovak athletes competing under the five rings. This year's team features a notably strong presence of young athletes. According to Roman Buček, head of the Slovak delegation, youth representation is even above average. In total, 32 Slovak athletes are making their Olympic debut, underlining a clear generational shift in Slovak sport. Ahead of the Games, we spoke with young figure skating talent Adam Hagara and Slovak flag bearer, bobsledder Viktória Čerňanská. The new episode of Slovak Sound Check also takes a closer look at popular winter sports in Slovakia.

Music, greetings from listeners and our new competition kicks off

In this week’s “Throwback Thursday” segment, we hear from an English teacher who turns his passion for verbs into online income. Side Hustle School features a new episode EVERY DAY, featuring detailed case studies of people who earn extra money without quitting their job. This year, the show includes free guided lessons and listener Q&A several days each week. Show notes: SideHustleSchool.com Email: team@sidehustleschool.com Be on the show: SideHustleSchool.com/questions Connect on Instagram: @193countries Visit Chris's main site: ChrisGuillebeau.com Read A Year of Mental Health: yearofmentalhealth.com If you're enjoying the show, please pass it along! It's free and has been published every single day since January 1, 2017. We're also very grateful for your five-star ratings—it shows that people are listening and looking forward to new episodes.

Resultados financieros históricos de Apple para el primer trimestre fiscal de 2026, destacando unos ingresos récord de 143.800 millones de dólares impulsados por la fuerte demanda del iPhone y la recuperación del mercado en China. También comentamos el lanzamiento del AirTag 2, un dispositivo que apuesta por el continuismo en su diseño pero mejora aspectos internos como el volumen del altavoz y la precisión de búsqueda, además de celebrar la cifra de 2.500 millones de dispositivos activos de la marca.Exploramos las estrategias corporativas más recientes, incluyendo la adquisición de la empresa de inteligencia artificial QAI por 2.000 millones de dólares y la confirmación de que la nueva Siri integrará tecnología de Google Gemini. Además, debatimos largamente sobre la polémica política que rodea a Tim Cook tras su asistencia a eventos recientes y el malestar interno que esto ha generado entre los empleados, analizando el aparente cambio de rumbo en la defensa de valores sociales por parte de la compañía.Por último, repasamos las grandes novedades de Apple TV+, celebrando el acuerdo con el autor Brandon Sanderson para adaptar el universo del Cosmere en películas y series, así como la confirmación de la cuarta temporada de Ted Lasso. Cerramos el episodio comentando la incorporación de Sebastian de With al equipo de diseño de Apple y reflexionamos sobre la lenta tasa de adopción de iOS 26 por parte de los usuarios. Apple reports first quarter results - Apple Apple acquires AI startup Q.ai for reported $2B - SiliconANGLE Apple confirms Gemini-powered Siri will use Private Cloud Compute - 9to5Mac Apple introduces new AirTag with expanded range and improved findability - Apple iOS 26 Adoption Hits 50%, But Some Users Are Still Reluctant to Update - MacRumors Daring Fireball: The iOS 26 Adoption Rate Is Not Bizarrely Low Compared to Previous Years White House Holds VIP 'Melania' Screening With Mike Tyson, Tim Cook Brandon Sanderson's Mistborn, Stormlight Archive to Get Movie, TV Show Apple's Emmy Award-winning “Ted Lasso” heads back to the pitch this summer - Apple TV Press Apple TV renews “Shrinking” for season four ahead of its season three premiere - Apple TV Press Amazon's Spending on 'Melania' Is a Barely Concealed Bribe Hacker News Daring Fireball: Tim Cook Wrote a Memo on the 'Events in Minneapolis' Daring Fireball: Politics and the English Language, January 2026 Edition Daring Fireball: Amazon's Spending on 'Melania' Is a Barely Concealed Bribe A CEO, Captured.  – On my Om Apple CEO Tim Cook is letting politics destroy his legacy The Verge

WARNING: If you are small minded and homophobic you can probably skip this episode.Daniel was born and raised in Saigon by conservative Northern parents, with his dad having fought for the North before moving South. Daniel faced the familiar familial pressures that many young people in Saigon face, to study hard and get good grades.Daniel's passions are and always have been music, food and fashion but under those family expectations went on to study Biochemistry in California. He spent six years studying in the US before being pressured to move back home to Saigon by his parents despite wanting to pursue his biggest passion, fashion.We talk about what it was like to come out to his parents as a gay man, and how they have handled that since. And what it is like to be LGBTQ in Saigon compared to other parts of Vietnam. You'll be surprised to learn that he is now married and expecting a baby boy soon.After moving back to Saigon Daniel was admittedly lost, qualifying to become an English Language teacher but never finding a job. He eventually made peace with his families demands on him as a gay man, and followed his other passions, American and  food. He is now a restauranteur, owning American Bistro Hungry Bunny.If you go to Hungry Bunny and tell Daniel you've heard this episode he'll give you 30% off your bill!-------------------Theme music composed by Lewis Wright.Main Cover Art designed by Niall Mackay and Le Nguyen.Episode art designed by Niall Mackay, with pictures supplied by guests and used with permission."Send me a message!"Support the show

The Gollum Effect - 7 Innocent Habits That Are Destroying You (J.R.R. Tolkien). In this podcast we will be talking about 7 Innocent Habits That Are Destroying You from the philosophy of J.R.R. Tolkien.J.R.R. Tolkien, an Oxford Professor of English Language and Literature created a mythology that would define the modern imagination: The Lord of the Rings. On the surface, it is a fantasy epic about wizards, kings, and magic rings. But if you strip away the monsters and the battles, you realize that Tolkien wasn't just writing some fantasy; he was writing a terrifying psychological study on the architecture of addiction and the corruption of the self. For those unfamiliar with the story, the most tragic figure is not a dark lord or a demon. It is a creature named Gollum. But Gollum wasn't born a monster. He began his life as a regular person - a Hobbit of the River-folk named Sméagol. He lived in a matriarchal family led by his grandmother. He was curious, he had a home, and he had status. He didn't turn into a wretched, slime-covered creature overnight. He was slowly eroded, over five hundred years, by a series of small, daily surrenders to a specific object: The One Ring, which he obsessively called "My Precious." In the story, the Ring is a magical artifact that offers power, but in exchange, it enslaves the mind of the owner. We are talking about this text today because Sméagol is the perfect case study for a psychological phenomenon we will call "The Gollum Effect." The Gollum Effect is the process where a person loses their identity not through one massive tragedy, but through the accumulation of small, secret habits. It is the slow replacement of the "Self" with the "Shadow." It explains how a bright, capable young man can slowly transform into a cynical, isolated, and bitter version of himself without ever realizing when the change happened. The "Ring" in Tolkien's work is the ultimate metaphor for anything that promises you power, pleasure, or escape for zero effort. It is your smartphone, your substances, your validation seeking, and your cheap dopamine - your own personal "Precious." If you feel like you are losing your grip on who you are, it is likely because you are falling into the same traps that destroyed Sméagol. Here are the 7 "Innocent" Habits That Are slowly Destroying you, and the Solutions to fix them, all from the Philosophy of J.R.R. Tolkien.So here are the  7 Innocent Habits That Are Destroying You from the philosophy of J.R.R. Tolkien - Introduction Habit 1 - The "Birthday" Excuse Habit 2 - The Trap of Invisibility Habit 3 - Digging for Roots Habit 4 - The Fear of the "Yellow Face" Habit 5 - Talking to the Echo Habit 6 - The Allergy to "Goodness"Habit 7 - The "Stairs of Cirith Ungol" Moment Conclusion I hope you enjoyed listening to this podcast and hope these 7 Innocent Habits That Are Destroying You from the philosophy of J.R.R. Tolkien will add value to your life. 

 British politics can feel confusing, with a king, a Prime Minister, and noisy debates in an old building.  This episode explains how the system works, from Parliament and voting to why two parties have ruled for so long.  Magna Carta and early Parliament shaped British politics. Westminster: Parliament's home with Commons and Lords. Parliament: Commons of elected MPs, Lords of appointed members. Monarch's role: ceremonial, appoints PM, opens Parliament. Voting system: constituencies and First Past the Post. Two-party dominance challenged by rising Reform party. Forming governments, general elections, choosing the Prime Minister. MPs' duties, constituency work, and Prime Minister's Questions. Leadership contests and votes of no confidence. Devolution: Scotland, Wales, Northern Ireland; West Lothian Question. Full interactive transcript, subtitles and key vocabulary available on the website: https://www.leonardoenglish.com/podcasts/guide-british-politics ---You might like:

In this episode, Brent and Ixchell talk through NotebookLM from a classroom teacher's perspective. What problems does it solve for language teachers? How can students utilize it? We look at how it works with your own lesson notes and materials, what it's genuinely helpful for, and what still needs a human touch. It's an honest conversation about where this tool fits into ELT language tasks without the pressure to use "all the things." Show notes: www.DIESOL.org/132 

In this episode of The Teacher Think-Aloud Podcast, Shé and Anna are joined by global educator and ESL teacher Andrea Collados for a timely and deeply reflective conversation about algorithms, echo chambers, and the urgent role of critical thinking in English language teaching. Together, they unpack how algorithm-driven media environments shape what our students see, believe, and share—and why the English language classroom may be one of the last spaces where learners can slow down, question information, and encounter perspectives beyond their digital bubbles.Rather than framing technology as something to reject, this episode invites teachers to interrogate it thoughtfully. Andrea shares classroom-ready ideas for embedding critical thinking into everyday lessons without overwhelming teachers or students, reminding us that language is not neutral—and that teaching English today means teaching discernment, empathy, and media literacy alongside grammar and vocabulary.

What happens to Lutheran identity when faced with cultural decisions, like adopting the English language? The Rev. Dr. Cameron MacKenzie (the Forrest E. and Frances H. Ellis Professor of Historical Theology at Concordia Theological Seminary in Fort Wayne, IN) joins Andy and Sarah for a series on the Battle of the Augsburg Confession in American Lutheranism to explore the impact of the American Revolution on Lutheran immigration patterns, noting a significant decline in German immigrants and the subsequent assimilation of Lutheran communities into English-speaking culture. This assimilation raises concerns about the preservation of Lutheran identity, particularly as many second and third-generation Lutherans begin to abandon their German heritage and language, leading to a potential loss of their religious roots. Dr. MacKenzie highlights the challenges faced by Lutheranism during westward expansion, where the demand for preachers outstrips the supply, resulting in many untrained individuals leading congregations. He also introduces Samuel Simon Schmucker, a pivotal figure in American Lutheranism, who seeks to establish a national Lutheran church body and seminary to preserve Lutheran identity amidst the changing American landscape. Schmucker's approach, however, leads to a redefinition of Lutheranism that aligns more closely with American evangelical Protestantism, raising questions about the future of traditional Lutheran beliefs in the face of evolving cultural dynamics. Find all episodes in this series at kfuo.org/tag/battle-for-the-augsburg-confession-series. As you grab your morning coffee (and pastry, let's be honest), join hosts Andy Bates and Sarah Gulseth as they bring you stories of the intersection of Lutheran life and a secular world. Catch real-life stories of mercy work of the LCMS and partners, updates from missionaries across the ocean, and practical talk about how to live boldly Lutheran. Have a topic you'd like to hear about on The Coffee Hour? Contact us at: listener@kfuo.org.

What does it mean to be a disciple of Jesus?In first century Israel, you would regularly see rabbis walking along the roador teaching at your local synagogue. They were revered teachers, not justof the Torah, but of life. Behind the rabbi would be a group of students,called talmidim. This word literally means Student, Disciple, Learner, orFollower. Many scholars argue the best word for disciple in the Englishlanguage is apprentice.The goal wasn't to learn about something, but to become someone.In this message, we talk about looking at the seasons of your life like TheDow Jones Index. What have been the highs and lows of your life. The goalis for the investments of our life to produce higher highs and higher lows.What types of investments will yield that return?What types of habits will produce higher highs and higher lows?In many respects, these habits are the secret to unlocking health andholiness for your home. We'll give a preview of nine habits to help you growin your relationships with Jesus and others.Sabbath, Scripture, Prayer, Fasting, SolitudeCommunity (Friendship), Service, Witness, GenerosityMost people have reduced these habits down to a casual commitment toattend church. Attending church is the starting point, but it isn't enough togrow us.Ultimately, every relationship is nurtured and sustained by healthy habits.Tune into this message and learn to embrace holy habits. It is a no regretdecision.

✨ The Great Speeches Challenge

Join Digital Education Committee Member and podcast host Melissa E. Middeldorp, MPH, PhD, and her guests Helmut Pürerfellner, MD, FHRS, and Jonathan M. Kalman, MBBS, PhD, FHRS for this week's Lead episode. This episode was recorded LIVE at APHRS 2025 in Yokohama, Japan. The OCEAN randomized trial found that in patients who remained free of atrial arrhythmia at least one year after successful catheter ablation for atrial fibrillation, continuing anticoagulation with rivaroxaban did not significantly reduce the risk of stroke, systemic embolism, or covert cerebral infarcts compared with low-dose aspirin, with both groups experiencing very low event rates. Additionally, rivaroxaban was associated with a higher incidence of bleeding, suggesting that long-term anticoagulation may not be necessary for many post-ablation patients with low to moderate stroke risk.   Learning Objectives Evaluate the evidence regarding the risks and benefits of continuing oral anticoagulation after successful catheter ablation for atrial fibrillation. Interpret the clinical implications of low thromboembolic event rates and increased bleeding risk when comparing anticoagulation with antiplatelet therapy in post-ablation patients. Apply study findings to clinical decision-making by identifying which patient populations may safely discontinue long-term anticoagulation after atrial fibrillation ablation.   Article Authors Atul Verma, M.D., David H. Birnie, M.D., Chenyang Jiang, M.D., Ph.D., Hein Heidbüchel, M.D., Gerhard Hindricks, M.D., Paulus Kirchhof, M.D., D.Sc., Jeff S. Healey, M.D. , Yunhe Wang, M.D., Nikolaos Dagres, M.D., Marc W. Deyell, M.D., Prashanthan Sanders, M.B., B.S., Ph.D., Rajeev K. Pathak, M.B., B.S., Ph.D., Pieter Koopman, M.D., Dieter Nuyens, M.D., Paul Novak, M.D., Guy Amit, M.D., Charles Dussault, M.D., Bhavanesh Makanjee, M.D., F. Russell Quinn, M.D., Umjeet Jolly, M.D., Leon Iden, M.D., Malte Kuniss, M.D., Mukul Sharma, M.D., Andrew Ha, M.D., Vidal Essebag, M.D., Ph.D., Jean Champagne, M.D., Michael D. Hill, M.D., Eric E. Smith, M.D., M.P.H., and George A. Wells, Ph.D., for the OCEAN Investigators   Host and Contributor Disclosure(s):H. Purerfellner •Honoraria/Speaking/Teaching/Consulting: Biosense Webster, Inc., Abbott, Medtronic, Boehringer Ingelheim, Daiichi Sankyo, Bristol Meyers Squibb, Boston Scientific J.M. Kalman •Research: Zoll Medical Corporation, Abbott Medical, Boston Scientific •Fellowship Support: Biosense Webster, Inc., Medtronic M. Middeldorp   •Nothing to disclose. Staff Disclosure(s) (note: HRS staff are NOT in control of educational content. Disclosures are provided solely for full transparency to the learner): S. Sailor: No relevant financial relationships with ineligible companies to disclose.    

Forrest, Kristina Oakes, and Conan Neutron are joined by Sean McGrath, the other half of Unkind Rewind, to talk about Bong Joon-ho's Memories of Murder (2003)Starring Song Kang-ho, Park Hae-il, Kim Roi-ha, and Song Jae-ho Years before the more International Acclaim of Parasite and English Language films Snowpiercer and Mickey 17, Bong Joon-ho's second film is probably his most culturally Korean. It's also his most brutally realistic, telling the story of the first modern South Korean Serial Killer, who at that time had not yet been caught, and the Police who hoped to bring him down during the transition to democracy. #memoriesofmurder #southkorea #bongjoonho #parasite #snowpiercer #koreancinema #songkang #songkangho #hwaseong #truecrimestories #truecrimecommunity #goldenglobes #thehost #crime #crimethriller #vertical #verticallive #verticallivefeed #verticallivestream #goldenglobes What we get, is a unique police procedural. Told in a way only a filmmaker like Bong Joon-ho can. Sean McGrath's work can be found here on his website: heyseanmcgrath.com and CineQuote can be found here https://cinequote.net

1149. This week, we look at the life and legacy of Samuel Johnson, the man behind the 1755 Dictionary of the English Language. We talk with John Overholt, curator at Harvard's Houghton Library, about Johnson's eclectic career. We also look at what it's like to manage a collection of 4,000 rare books and why even the most "unremarkable" items deserve a home in a library.Find John Overholt on Mastodon.Houghton Library's websiteLinks to Get One Month Free of the Grammar Girl Patreon (different links for different levels)Order of the Snail ($1/month level): https://www.patreon.com/grammargirl/redeem/687E4Order of the Aardvark ($5/month level): https://www.patreon.com/grammargirl/redeem/07205Keeper of the Commas ($10/month level): https://www.patreon.com/grammargirl/redeem/50A0BGuardian of the Grammary ($25/month level): https://www.patreon.com/grammargirl/redeem/949F7

Join Digital Education Committee Member and podcast host Melissa E. Middeldorp, MPH, PhD, and her guests Eue-Keun Choi, MD, PhD, and Sandeep Prabhu, MBBS, PhD for this week's Lead episode. This episode was recorded LIVE at APHRS 2025 in Yokohama, Japan. The DECAF trial investigated whether continuing regular caffeinated coffee consumption versus complete abstinence affected the recurrence of atrial fibrillation (AF) or atrial flutter in patients after successful cardioversion. Over six months in this randomized study of 200 adults, those who drank at least one cup of caffeinated coffee daily had a significantly lower rate of AF or flutter recurrence compared to those who abstained (47% vs. 64%), suggesting moderate coffee intake may be safe and potentially beneficial for rhythm stability in this setting.    Learning Objectives Evaluate the impact of caffeinated coffee consumption versus abstinence on atrial fibrillation recurrence following cardioversion. Interpret the design and key outcomes of the DECAF randomized clinical trial and their relevance to clinical practice. Apply the trial findings to patient counseling regarding caffeine intake and atrial fibrillation management.   Article Authors Christopher X. Wong, MBBS, MPH, PhD; Christopher C. Cheung, MD, MPH; Gabrielle Montenegro, BA, Hannah H. Oo, BS; Isabella J. Peña, BA; Janet J. Tang, MPH, PhD; Samuel J. Tu, MBBS; Grace Wall, BA1; Thomas A. Dewland, MD; Joshua D. Moss, MD; Edward P. Gerstenfeld, MD; Zian H. Tseng, MD, MAS; Henry H. Hsia, MD; Randall J. Lee, MD, PhD; Jeffrey E. Olgin, MD; Vasanth Vedantham, MD; Melvin M. Scheinman, MD; Catherine Lee, PhD; Prashanthan Sanders, MBBS, PhD; Gregory M. Marcus, MD, MAS Podcast Contributors Melissa E. Middeldorp, MPH, PhD Eue-Keun Choi, MD, PhD Sandeep Prabhu, MBBS, PhD   Link to article Host and Contributor Disclosure(s): E.K. Choi •Honoraria/Speaking/Teaching/Consulting: Daiichi •Stock Options, Privately Held: DeepQure •Research: Biosense Webster, Inc., Bristol-Meyers Squibb, Bayer Healthcare Pharmaceuticals, Chong Kun Dang Pharmaceutical Corp., Jeil Pharmaceutical Co, Medtronic, Inc., Samjinpharm, Seers Technology, Skylabs, Genome Opinion Inc S. Prabhu   •Honoraria/Speaking/Consulting: Biosense Webster •Research: National Health and Medical Research •Fellowship Support: St. Jude Medical Center, Boston Scientific   M. Middeldorp   •Nothing to disclose.   Staff Disclosure(s) (note: HRS staff are NOT in control of educational content. Disclosures are provided solely for full transparency to the learner): S. Sailor: No relevant financial relationships with ineligible companies to disclose.

 What do “truthiness”, “selfie”, and “goblin mode” have in common?  In this episode, we'll see how Words of the Year are chosen, look at some of the most pertinent from history, and explore the winners of this year's prize.  What "Word of the Year" means How dictionaries choose: data and expert judgement Sometimes a public vote decides the winner Common themes: politics, culture, technology, internet language 2005 "truthiness": feels true, not actually true 2013 "selfie": rise of phone photos of yourself 2016 "post-truth": emotions beat facts in politics 2022 "goblin mode": lazy, messy, not sorry attitude 2025 "6 7": young people's meme with unclear meaning Collins winner "vibe coding": using AI to write code Full interactive transcript, subtitles and key vocabulary available on the website: https://www.leonardoenglish.com/podcasts/2025-words-of-the-year ---You might like:

Poem: Rhapsody of A Grateful HeartPoet: TJ EsubiyiGuest Poet: Dîba TuncerPoem: I WonderDîba Tuncer (she/her) is a trauma-informed somatic and systemic coach, educator, and researcher based in Germany. Her work bridges embodied healing with decolonial and critical pedagogies, offering a unique approach to personal and collective transformation. She specializes in individual and team coaching, supervision, and training—particularly supporting women in leadership roles—and facilitates safer spaces for learning, growth, and reflection.Dîba holds a BA in English Language and Literature and has experience teaching in both Turkey and Germany. She earned her MA in Anglophone Modernities in Literature and Culture at the University of Potsdam. Currently, she is pursuing her PhD in Education at the University of Bremen and Alice Salomon University, focusing on decolonial pedagogy, epistemic justice, and embodied learning.As the host of the podcast Pedagogy of Integrity, she continues to create relational, reflective spaces that nurture inner and collective wisdom.

Some people find jargon annoying. But lots of managers use it. Pippa and Phil explain some of the strangest business jargon and why we use it with the help of Anne Curzan, Professor of English Language at the University of Michigan. This episode was originally broadcast in November 2024.TRANSCRIPT Find a full transcript for this episode and more programmes to help you with your English at: https://www.bbc.co.uk/learningenglish/english/features/business-jargon/241104FIND BBC LEARNING ENGLISH HERE: Visit our website ✔️ https://www.bbc.co.uk/learningenglish Follow us ✔️ https://www.bbc.co.uk/learningenglish/followus SUBSCRIBE TO OUR NEWSLETTER: ✔️ https://www.bbc.co.uk/learningenglish/newsletters LIKE PODCASTS? Try some of our other popular podcasts including: ✔️ 6 Minute English ✔️ Learning English from the News ✔️ Learning English Stories They're all available by searching in your podcast app.

George Orwell's famous essay "Politics and the English Language" leads us into a discussion of good language, good thought, and their relationship. PATREON-EXCLUSIVE EPISODE - https://www.patreon.com/posts/145712151

Segment 11 — Training Soviet Spies: Ray Bennett Instructs in American Culture and Etiquette — Svetlana Lokhova — Bennett educated Russian agents, including Shumovski, in English language proficiency and Americancultural customs—including proper silverware usage and appropriate business attire—to prepare them for assignments at elite American institutions like MIT. This meticulous cultural preparation proved essential to establishing credible cover identities within academic and scientific communities. 1931