Podcasts about Plain English

Learn the English expression, "all of a sudden."Get the full story and learning resources: https://plainenglish.com/expressions/all-of-a-sudden--Plain English helps you improve your English:Learn about the world and improve your EnglishClear, natural English at a speed you can understandNew stories every weekLearn even more at PlainEnglish.comMentioned in this episode:Hard words? No problemNever be confused by difficult words in Plain English again! See translations of the hardest words and phrases from English to your language. Each episode transcript includes built-in translations into Spanish, Portuguese, Chinese, German, French, Italian, Japanese, Polish, and Turkish. Sign up for a free 14-day trial at PlainEnglish.com

Today's story: Television title sequences began as a way to introduce shows and credit the people who made them. As viewing habits changed from channel-surfing to streaming and binge-watching, opening sequences evolved from explanations of a show to mood-setting artistic statements. The rise of Netflix's 'Skip intro' button has led some creators to shorten intros, while others have made them more elaborate in an effort to keep viewers watching. Transcript & Exercises: https://plainenglish.com/875Get the full story and learning resources: https://plainenglish.com/875--Plain English helps you improve your English:Learn about the world and improve your EnglishClear, natural English at a speed you can understandNew stories every weekLearn even more at PlainEnglish.comMentioned in this episode:Hard words? No problemNever be confused by difficult words in Plain English again! See translations of the hardest words and phrases from English to your language. Each episode transcript includes built-in translations into Spanish, Portuguese, Chinese, German, French, Italian, Japanese, Polish, and Turkish. Sign up for a free 14-day trial at PlainEnglish.com

Learn the English expression, "with a straight face." (Can you keep one?)Get the full story and learning resources: https://plainenglish.com/expressions/with-a-straight-face--Plain English helps you improve your English:Learn about the world and improve your EnglishClear, natural English at a speed you can understandNew stories every weekLearn even more at PlainEnglish.comMentioned in this episode:Hard words? No problemNever be confused by difficult words in Plain English again! See translations of the hardest words and phrases from English to your language. Each episode transcript includes built-in translations into Spanish, Portuguese, Chinese, German, French, Italian, Japanese, Polish, and Turkish. Sign up for a free 14-day trial at PlainEnglish.com

Selling a multifamily property can trigger a huge tax bill. Michael Velasco explains how investors can legally defer those taxes using 1031 exchanges. In this episode, Michael walks through the core rules investors need to know before selling an investment property. He explains forward exchanges, reverse exchanges, and improvement exchanges using real-world examples that make the process easier to understand. The conversation also covers common mistakes investors make, why the 45-day timeline can create pressure, and why investors should contact a qualified intermediary before listing a property for sale. Key Topics Discussed: The basic rules behind 1031 exchanges Equal or greater value requirements The difference between forward and reverse exchanges How improvement exchanges work for value-added projects Why the 45-day timeline creates challenges Common mistakes investors make before selling Why experienced investors often prefer reverse exchanges Guest Information: Michael Velasco Qualified Intermediary 1031 Exchangeable Website: 1031 Exchangeable Call To Action: Visit Michael's website to schedule a consultation, access educational resources, and learn more about how 1031 exchanges work before listing an investment property for sale.

Today's story: The 'cola wars' of the 1980s and 1990s pitted Coca-Cola against Pepsi. Both brands had their classic recipes and their 'diet' alternatives. But as consumers pivoted away from full-sugar sodas, makers of fizzy drinks found a new hit: 'zero-sugar' recipes that tasted just like the original. Now, the hot debate among soda drinkers is between diet and zero-sugar recipes. Transcript & Exercises: https://plainenglish.com/873Get the full story and learning resources: https://plainenglish.com/873--Plain English helps you improve your English:Learn about the world and improve your EnglishClear, natural English at a speed you can understandNew stories every weekLearn even more at PlainEnglish.comMentioned in this episode:Hard words? No problemNever be confused by difficult words in Plain English again! See translations of the hardest words and phrases from English to your language. Each episode transcript includes built-in translations into Spanish, Portuguese, Chinese, German, French, Italian, Japanese, Polish, and Turkish. Sign up for a free 14-day trial at PlainEnglish.com

In this episode of Run the Numbers, CJ sits down with Dan Bettes, CFO of SoundCloud, at the New York Stock Exchange. Dan breaks down how SoundCloud operates as a two-sided music marketplace, how he thinks about liquidity between fans and creators, and why great finance leaders need to make forecasting feel owned by the business—SPONSORS:Aleph is a modern FP&A platform built for teams that want more than another planning tool. By connecting your ERP, CRM, and other systems into one trusted data layer with AI workflows, Aleph helps you move faster with real-time insights. Get a personalized demo at https://www.getaleph.com/runRightRev is an automated revenue recognition platform that lets your product team ship new pricing without asking finance for permission, and your sales team close deals without creating downstream chaos. Check out their free tool at calculator.rightrev.com It scores your rev rec process, shows what's exposing you to risk, and tells you exactly where to focus before it bites you in the rear end. Check it out at https://calculator.rightrev.comRillet is an AI-native ERP built for modern finance teams that want to replace NetSuite and close faster. With revenue recognition, close management, multi-entity support, and native Stripe and Salesforce integrations, Rillet helps scaling companies run their finance stack in one place. Hundreds of teams, including Windsurf and Mercor, use Rillet to make the zero-day close real. Book a demo at https://www.rillet.com/cjEY has been part of Silicon Valley since it was just a valley, helping the most successful names in tech go from startup to exit to megacap. With teams across strategy, tax, audit, and transactions, EY helps you get your financials right early, long before your investors start asking for it. You build the next big thing, and EY will help you build it right. Learn more at https://www.ey.com/techstartupsSpendHound cuts your SaaS and AI spend by up to 30% using real pricing benchmarks across 10,000 vendors, so you always know what fair pricing looks like before your next renewal. Rated #1 on G2 in SaaS spend management, it's free forever for teams up to 1,000 employees. Sign up by June 12th and get $500 just for getting started. Go to https://www.spendhound.com/cjBrex is an intelligent finance platform with AI-powered agents that capture expenses automatically, enforce policy before the spend happens, and close your books in minutes instead of weeks. 35,000+ companies like OpenAI, Coinbase, Anthropic, and DoorDash already run on Brex. It's time to get Brex AF. Learn more at https://www.brex.com/metrics—LINKS: Mostly Talent: https://mostlymetrics.typeform.com/to/cLTxtAsNGuest: https://www.linkedin.com/in/danielbettes/Company: https://soundcloud.com/CJ: https://www.linkedin.com/in/cj-gustafson-13140948/Mostly metrics: https://www.mostlymetrics.com—TIMESTAMPS:0:00 Preview and Intro2:17 First stock: a Vanguard index fund3:13 Most memorable IPO: Groupon4:54 Benefits of going public have changed5:47 SoundCloud and the music industry7:21 Three eras: physical, streaming, creator platform8:49 Streaming unbundled the album10:03 Artists don't need labels anymore11:40 Sponsors — Aleph | RightRev | Rillet15:00 SoundCloud's two-sided business model16:23 Touring replaced the album17:17 First metric every morning: net adds18:31 DAU vs. MAU: it's a funnel19:14 Viral moments and exogenous pops20:10 LTV and the subscription funnel21:38 Sponsors — EY | SpendHound | Brex24:35 Tops-down vs. bottoms-up: reconcile both26:21 Revenue is an output27:45 Handling forecast deviation29:24 How often to reforecast30:23 The final boss: indirect cash flow statement33:09 Cash vs. EBITDA fluency35:04 Plain English and the power of reps36:52 Tailor the message to the audience37:45 Lightning round37:45 Screwed up: miscounted corn at a banquet38:41 Lean into discomfort39:55 Craziest expense: a post-flight massage40:17 Credits

Learn the English expression "grow up" (and why even fully grown adults sometimes need to do it sometimes)Get the full story and learning resources: https://plainenglish.com/expressions/grow-up--Plain English helps you improve your English:Learn about the world and improve your EnglishClear, natural English at a speed you can understandNew stories every weekLearn even more at PlainEnglish.comMentioned in this episode:Hard words? No problemNever be confused by difficult words in Plain English again! See translations of the hardest words and phrases from English to your language. Each episode transcript includes built-in translations into Spanish, Portuguese, Chinese, German, French, Italian, Japanese, Polish, and Turkish. Sign up for a free 14-day trial at PlainEnglish.com

Today's story: Japan has millions of vacant homes, especially in rural areas where populations are shrinking. Some of these properties, known as akiya, are sold for surprisingly low prices or even given away for free. While they attract adventurous buyers from around the world, many require extensive repairs, complicated paperwork, and a willingness to adapt to life in rural Japan. Transcript & Exercises: https://plainenglish.com/871Get the full story and learning resources: https://plainenglish.com/871--Plain English helps you improve your English:Learn about the world and improve your EnglishClear, natural English at a speed you can understandNew stories every weekLearn even more at PlainEnglish.comMentioned in this episode:Hard words? No problemNever be confused by difficult words in Plain English again! See translations of the hardest words and phrases from English to your language. Each episode transcript includes built-in translations into Spanish, Portuguese, Chinese, German, French, Italian, Japanese, Polish, and Turkish. Sign up for a free 14-day trial at PlainEnglish.com

Learn the English phrasal verb, "boil over."Get the full story and learning resources: https://plainenglish.com/expressions/boil-over--Plain English helps you improve your English:Learn about the world and improve your EnglishClear, natural English at a speed you can understandNew stories every weekLearn even more at PlainEnglish.comMentioned in this episode:Hard words? No problemNever be confused by difficult words in Plain English again! See translations of the hardest words and phrases from English to your language. Each episode transcript includes built-in translations into Spanish, Portuguese, Chinese, German, French, Italian, Japanese, Polish, and Turkish. Sign up for a free 14-day trial at PlainEnglish.com

Today's story: Beneath the streets of Paris is a huge network of underground tunnels filled with the bones of millions of former residents. Originally built as limestone quarries, the tunnels became a burial site in the 1700s after Paris's cemeteries became overcrowded and unhealthy. The city recently completed a major renovation project to preserve the catacombs and improve conditions for visitors. Transcript & Exercises: https://plainenglish.com/869Get the full story and learning resources: https://plainenglish.com/869--Plain English helps you improve your English:Learn about the world and improve your EnglishClear, natural English at a speed you can understandNew stories every weekLearn even more at PlainEnglish.comMentioned in this episode:Hard words? No problemNever be confused by difficult words in Plain English again! See translations of the hardest words and phrases from English to your language. Each episode transcript includes built-in translations into Spanish, Portuguese, Chinese, German, French, Italian, Japanese, Polish, and Turkish. Sign up for a free 14-day trial at PlainEnglish.com

Learn the English expression, "hold out hope"Get the full story and learning resources: https://plainenglish.com/expressions/hold-out-hope--Plain English helps you improve your English:Learn about the world and improve your EnglishClear, natural English at a speed you can understandNew stories every weekLearn even more at PlainEnglish.comMentioned in this episode:Hard words? No problemNever be confused by difficult words in Plain English again! See translations of the hardest words and phrases from English to your language. Each episode transcript includes built-in translations into Spanish, Portuguese, Chinese, German, French, Italian, Japanese, Polish, and Turkish. Sign up for a free 14-day trial at PlainEnglish.com

Today's story: Route 66 was created in 1926 as part of America's new national highway system and soon became a symbol of freedom, migration, and adventure. The highway helped farmers transport goods, guided Dust Bowl migrants west to California, and later became famous for family road trips, roadside attractions, and American car culture. As Route 66 celebrates its 100th anniversary, towns along the historic road are honoring its lasting influence on travel and tourism. Transcript & Exercises: https://plainenglish.com/867Get the full story and learning resources: https://plainenglish.com/867--Plain English helps you improve your English:Learn about the world and improve your EnglishClear, natural English at a speed you can understandNew stories every weekLearn even more at PlainEnglish.comMentioned in this episode:Hard words? No problemNever be confused by difficult words in Plain English again! See translations of the hardest words and phrases from English to your language. Each episode transcript includes built-in translations into Spanish, Portuguese, Chinese, German, French, Italian, Japanese, Polish, and Turkish. Sign up for a free 14-day trial at PlainEnglish.com

Learn the English phrasal verb, "get away with"Get the full story and learning resources: https://plainenglish.com/expressions/get-away-with--Plain English helps you improve your English:Learn about the world and improve your EnglishClear, natural English at a speed you can understandNew stories every weekLearn even more at PlainEnglish.com

Today's story: Prediction markets allow people to bet on elections, weather, wars, and other real-world events. Supporters say these markets reveal valuable information more quickly than polls or experts can. But recent scandals suggest that some users may be illegally profiting from military secrets, and even manipulating events themselves. Transcript & Exercises: https://plainenglish.com/865Get the full story and learning resources: https://plainenglish.com/865--Plain English helps you improve your English:Learn about the world and improve your EnglishClear, natural English at a speed you can understandNew stories every weekLearn even more at PlainEnglish.comMentioned in this episode:Hard words? No problemNever be confused by difficult words in Plain English again! See translations of the hardest words and phrases from English to your language. Each episode transcript includes built-in translations into Spanish, Portuguese, Chinese, German, French, Italian, Japanese, Polish, and Turkish. Sign up for a free 14-day trial at PlainEnglish.com

Learn the English phrasal verb, "blend in"Get the full story and learning resources: https://plainenglish.com/expressions/blend-in--Plain English helps you improve your English:Learn about the world and improve your EnglishClear, natural English at a speed you can understandNew stories every weekLearn even more at PlainEnglish.com

Today's episode is an old ·Monopolize Your Marketplace· webinar Rich did where he goes through some of the most important concepts found in an outstanding book called ·The Plain English Approach to Business Writing· by Edward P. Bailey

Today's story: What's it like to ride in a self-driving car? Jeff gives you a first-hand account of his first-ever ride in a robotaxi. In cities like Los Angeles, where Waymo operates, the future is already here. Requesting a car is just like using Uber. All that's left is to sit back and let the computer do the driving. Transcript & Exercises: https://plainenglish.com/863Get the full story and learning resources: https://plainenglish.com/863--Plain English helps you improve your English:Learn about the world and improve your EnglishClear, natural English at a speed you can understandNew stories every weekLearn even more at PlainEnglish.comMentioned in this episode:Hard words? No problemNever be confused by difficult words in Plain English again! See translations of the hardest words and phrases from English to your language. Each episode transcript includes built-in translations into Spanish, Portuguese, Chinese, German, French, Italian, Japanese, Polish, and Turkish. Sign up for a free 14-day trial at PlainEnglish.comHard words? No problemNever be confused by difficult words in Plain English again! See translations of the hardest words and phrases from English to your language. Each episode transcript includes built-in translations into Spanish, Portuguese, Chinese, German, French, Italian, Japanese, Polish, and Turkish. Sign up for a free 14-day trial at PlainEnglish.com

Learn the English phrasal verb, "Straighten out"Get the full story and learning resources: https://plainenglish.com/expressions/straighten-out--Plain English helps you improve your English:Learn about the world and improve your EnglishClear, natural English at a speed you can understandNew stories every weekLearn even more at PlainEnglish.comMentioned in this episode:Hard words? No problemNever be confused by difficult words in Plain English again! See translations of the hardest words and phrases from English to your language. Each episode transcript includes built-in translations into Spanish, Portuguese, Chinese, German, French, Italian, Japanese, Polish, and Turkish. Sign up for a free 14-day trial at PlainEnglish.com

Today's story: Self-driving cars have struggled for decades because driving requires human judgment in unpredictable situations. Early systems relied on strict rules, which failed in rare “long-tail” events. New AI systems can better handle these complex scenarios, leading to rapid growth in places like China and the U.S., though regulation and mapping still limit widespread adoption. Transcript & Exercises: https://plainenglish.com/861Get the full story and learning resources: https://plainenglish.com/861--Plain English helps you improve your English:Learn about the world and improve your EnglishClear, natural English at a speed you can understandNew stories every weekLearn even more at PlainEnglish.comMentioned in this episode:Hard words? No problemNever be confused by difficult words in Plain English again! See translations of the hardest words and phrases from English to your language. Each episode transcript includes built-in translations into Spanish, Portuguese, Chinese, German, French, Italian, Japanese, Polish, and Turkish. Sign up for a free 14-day trial at PlainEnglish.com

Most investors think their portfolio needs to "pay them" in income. In this episode of Off The Wall, Nate Tonsager, CIPM®, CFA and Dave Armstrong, CFA challenge one of the most common investing habits: chasing income. They walk through how yield gets calculated, why it spikes for the wrong reasons, and how investors end up taking on more risk than they might realize.  They also break down why and how total return drives real outcomes for your financial freedom. Next, the conversation goes deeper into real-life decisions: how much to withdraw, how to think about gifting, and how to make sure your money supports your life while you're here to enjoy it.  The goal isn't to maximize income but to build a portfolio that works for you.      Please see important podcast disclosure information at https://monumentwealthmanagement.com/disclosures   Episode Timeline/Key Highlights:   00:00 - Disclosures and Big Picture 00:34 - The Myth About Portfolio Income 01:57 - Total Return in Plain English 10:37 - Sustainable Withdrawal Rate Reality 13:25 - Giving With A Warm Hand 21:16 - Rules Of Thumb And Real Life 23:35 - Listener Questions And Wrap Up Connect with Monument Wealth Management:    Visit our website: https://monumentwealthmanagement.com/   Follow us on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/monumentwealth/#   Connect on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/monument-wealth-management/   Connect on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/MonumentWealthManagement   Connect on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/user/MonumentWealth#Fit   Subscribe to our Private Wealth Newsletter: https://monumentwealthmanagement.com/subscribe/   Check out our Between Sips Podcast: Where Money Meets Meaning Because money without meaning never feels like wealth. https://monumentwealthmanagement.com/between-sips-podcast/   About "Off the Wall":    Markets are noisy. Your time is limited. Off The Wall cuts through the clutter. Hosts Dave Armstrong, CFA and Nate Tonsager, CIPM bring you straightforward, candid insights about what's really moving markets and why it matters for successful investors. From economic shifts to portfolio positioning, we break down the complexities so you can invest with intention and stay grounded when headlines and life feels chaotic.   Learn more about our hosts on our website at https://monumentwealthmanagement.com 

Attorney‑turned‑developer Dan DiCicco and lender‑vet Jody Cienfuegos break down how cost segregation and bonus depreciation can turn rental properties—especially in the PNW—into massive tax savings. We cover real‑world numbers, short‑term rental loopholes, depreciation recapture traps, and why parking lots and rehab projects might be your best friends this year.

Freedom is one of the few ideas everyone agrees on. Surely more choice and autonomy is a good thing, right? But what if our endless pursuit of freedom is actually making us more anxious, less creative, and holding us back from reaching our full potential?Today, Derek Thompson talks with bestselling author David Epstein about the surprising upside of constraints. After arguing for breadth in 'Range,' Epstein's new book, 'Inside the Box,' makes the opposite case: that limits and rules can actually unlock creativity and satisfaction. They explore why more options don't always make us happier, and how too many possibilities can lead to paralysis.As Søren Kierkegaard warned, anxiety may be the price of too much freedom. It's the dizziness that comes from keeping every option open. So in a world obsessed with maximizing choice and opening doors, this episode makes the case for something radical: closing some. Subscribe to our YouTube channel here: Plain English with Derek Thompson If you have questions, observations, or ideas for future episodes, email us at PlainEnglish@Spotify.com. Host: Derek Thompson Guest: David Epstein Producer: Devon Baroldi Additional Production Support: Ben Glicksman Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Learn the English phrasal verb, "fill out"Get the full story and learning resources: https://plainenglish.com/expressions/fill-out--Plain English helps you improve your English:Learn about the world and improve your EnglishClear, natural English at a speed you can understandNew stories every weekLearn even more at PlainEnglish.comMentioned in this episode:Hard words? No problemNever be confused by difficult words in Plain English again! See translations of the hardest words and phrases from English to your language. Each episode transcript includes built-in translations into Spanish, Portuguese, Chinese, German, French, Italian, Japanese, Polish, and Turkish. Sign up for a free 14-day trial at PlainEnglish.com

Send us Fan MailWe lay out the biggest WNBA 2026 storylines, starting with the title path running straight through New York and Las Vegas. Then we get into expansion expectations, year-round basketball fatigue, and our early calls for the awards and the 2027 draft radar.• Liberty and Aces as the clear top tier and why depth and cohesion separate them• Expansion team expectations for the Valkyries plus early outlooks for Portland and Toronto• How offseason leagues could affect health, fatigue, and playoff performance• Coach of the Year candidates and why seeding matters• Most Improved Player watch list built around opportunity, role changes, and pressure• Sixth Woman of the Year left as TBD due to lineup uncertainty• Rookie of the Year possibilities and why minutes and team context decide it• DPOY names to watch and what defensive roles could look like• MVP conversation tied to team seeding and who drives winning most• 2027 WNBA Draft prospects to track and what makes each intriguingPlease make sure to like, subscribe, comment, and tell anyone who's anyone about one, the WNBA, but then two, my show.Support the showhttps://linktr.ee/GetABucketShow for more content!!!

Today's story: French authorities arrested suspects in the Louvre heist, but there was another high-profile museum robbery. The Air Canada CEO resigned over his limited French. Premium economy is booming, BTS is back, and King Tut's tomb is on full display in Egypt. Transcript & Exercises: https://plainenglish.com/859Get the full story and learning resources: https://plainenglish.com/859--Plain English helps you improve your English:Learn about the world and improve your EnglishClear, natural English at a speed you can understandNew stories every weekLearn even more at PlainEnglish.com

To see the image of the car, head to curlynikki.com!

Instead of pumping the brakes on the Iran war, President Trump is breaking the pumps. This week Alex looks at how high gas prices are impacting Americans, and why they've long been considered an existential political threat. First, she speaks to an Uber driver and a gas station owner to get first hand accounts of the financial toll of the war. Then Alex is joined by Derek Thompson, writer and host of the Plain English podcast, to break down the other ways financial strain is going to spread across industries and wallets, and why it feels like one crisis after another has made it impossible to afford life in America.

Learn the English expression, "track down"Get the full story and learning resources: https://plainenglish.com/expressions/track-down--Plain English helps you improve your English:Learn about the world and improve your EnglishClear, natural English at a speed you can understandNew stories every weekLearn even more at PlainEnglish.com

Today's story: Hachette, a major book publisher, pulled a horror novel from bookstore shelves after online critics found the text was full of the telltale signs of artificial intelligence. The author, Mia Ballard, says that a freelance editor may have used ChatGPT, but that the story was her own work. The case raises questions in the literary community about how much artificial intelligence can be used in creating a work of fiction. Transcript & Exercises: https://plainenglish.com/857Get the full story and learning resources: https://plainenglish.com/857--Plain English helps you improve your English:Learn about the world and improve your EnglishClear, natural English at a speed you can understandNew stories every weekLearn even more at PlainEnglish.comMentioned in this episode:Hard words? No problemNever be confused by difficult words in Plain English again! See translations of the hardest words and phrases from English to your language. Each episode transcript includes built-in translations into Spanish, Portuguese, Chinese, German, French, Italian, Japanese, Polish, and Turkish. Sign up for a free 14-day trial at PlainEnglish.com

The Quantas Advantage IPO opens April 22, 2026 — and it might be the most important JSE listing of the year. Dr. Matthew Preston and Dr. Thaon Simms break down the full prospectus LIVEWe're reading the prospectus page by page, answering your questions in real time, and giving you our honest take on whether this belongs in your 2026 portfolio.Drop your questions in the chat — we're answering them live.Chapters:00:00 LIVE Intro and Welcome02:00 What is Quantas Advantage? (Plain English)06:00 The Two-Pillar Business Model Explained12:00 Structured Finance vs Securitised Assets18:00 The Numbers: 10.19% ROE and Zero Credit Losses25:00 Dividend Policy: 9.2% Yield Breakdown32:00 Pricing Tiers: Why Anchors Pay $17.45 and You Pay $19.3940:00 Who Already Owns Quantas (JMMB, Continental, DBJ)48:00 Use of Proceeds: Where Your Money Actually Goes55:00 Risk Factors You Need to Know1:05:00 USD Main Market Listing: What This Means1:12:00 Our Verdict: Buy, Pass, or Wait?1:20:00 Live Q&A⚠️ Key IPO Dates:Opens: April 22, 2026Closes: May 21, 2026Lead Broker: JMMB Securities LimitedListing: JSE USD Main Market

Learn the English expression, "Add up"Explore the full lesson & practice using today's expression: https://plainenglish.com/expressions/add-up--Plain English helps you improve your English:Learn about the world and improve your EnglishClear, natural English at a speed you can understandNew stories every weekLearn even more at PlainEnglish.comMentioned in this episode:Hard words? No problemNever be confused by difficult words in Plain English again! See translations of the hardest words and phrases from English to your language. Each episode transcript includes built-in translations into Spanish, Portuguese, Chinese, German, French, Italian, Japanese, Polish, and Turkish. Sign up for a free 14-day trial at PlainEnglish.com

Today's story: Mahjong, a traditional Chinese tile game, is gaining popularity again around the world. Once a major trend in the U.S., it declined for decades but survived in small communities. Now, clubs, apps, and pop culture are introducing it to new players, drawn by its mix of strategy, luck, and social interaction. Transcript & Exercises: https://plainenglish.com/855Get the full story and learning resources: https://plainenglish.com/855--Plain English helps you improve your English:Learn about the world and improve your EnglishClear, natural English at a speed you can understandNew stories every weekLearn even more at PlainEnglish.comMentioned in this episode:Hard words? No problemNever be confused by difficult words in Plain English again! See translations of the hardest words and phrases from English to your language. Each episode transcript includes built-in translations into Spanish, Portuguese, Chinese, German, French, Italian, Japanese, Polish, and Turkish. Sign up for a free 14-day trial at PlainEnglish.com

In this episode, Scott Becker critiques overused corporate jargon and emphasizes the importance of clear, straightforward communication.

In this episode, Scott Becker critiques overused corporate jargon and emphasizes the importance of clear, straightforward communication.

This is a free preview of a paid episode. To hear more, visit andrewsullivan.substack.comDerek Thompson is a long-time writer at The Atlantic. His books include Hit Makers, On Work, and Abundance, which he co-wrote with Ezra Klein. Derek also has an excellent substack and hosts a podcast called “Plain English.”This episode was recorded on March 17. For two clips — on the impact of Abundance, and the difference between being alone and anti-social — head to our YouTube page.Other topics: growing up near DC; theater his first love; the two of us trading stories of stage acting; pursuing journalism after 9/11; how writing has evolved in the 21st century; conspiracy theories online; AI creating doubt; strategizing the Abundance book; Virtually Normal; books as totems; blue vs red city governance; housing deregulation; “procedural fetish” vs Trumpian chaos; government spurring innovation; Derek's piece “The Anti-Social Century”; OnlyFans; looking at smartphones in a gay bar; Kierkegaard; Camus; tradition as a ballast; meaning through limits; fatherhood; Hegseth reveling in dominance; Nietzsche; the tribalism of early humans; wokeness and the Trump cult; liquid modernity; consumerism replacing meaning; the fertility crisis; the growing dominance of Orthodox Jews in Israel; and Oakeshott and infinite games of non-winning.Browse the Dishcast archive for an episode you might enjoy. Coming up: Jeffrey Toobin on the pardon power, Tiffany Jenkins on privacy in a liberal democracy, Adrian Wooldridge on “the lost genius of liberalism,” HW Brands on the life of George Washington; Greg Lukianoff on free speech, and Tom Junod on his memoir and masculinity. As always, please send any guest recs, dissents, and other comments to dish@andrewsullivan.com.

Learn how to use the English phrasal verb, "figure out"Get the full story and learning resources: https://plainenglish.com/expressions/figure-out--Plain English helps you improve your English:Learn about the world and improve your EnglishClear, natural English at a speed you can understandNew stories every weekLearn even more at PlainEnglish.comMentioned in this episode:Hard words? No problemNever be confused by difficult words in Plain English again! See translations of the hardest words and phrases from English to your language. Each episode transcript includes built-in translations into Spanish, Portuguese, Chinese, German, French, Italian, Japanese, Polish, and Turkish. Sign up for a free 14-day trial at PlainEnglish.com

Today's story: GLP-1 drugs, originally developed for diabetes and later used for weight loss, are now showing surprising benefits in other areas of health. Patients taking these medications have lower rates of heart attacks, strokes, and fatty liver disease, along with improvements in sleep apnea and addiction. Scientists believe these effects may be linked to reduced inflammation in the body, but more research is needed to understand their full potential. Transcript & Exercises: https://plainenglish.com/853Get the full story and learning resources: https://plainenglish.com/853--Plain English helps you improve your English:Learn about the world and improve your EnglishClear, natural English at a speed you can understandNew stories every weekLearn even more at PlainEnglish.comMentioned in this episode:Hard words? No problemNever be confused by difficult words in Plain English again! See translations of the hardest words and phrases from English to your language. Each episode transcript includes built-in translations into Spanish, Portuguese, Chinese, German, French, Italian, Japanese, Polish, and Turkish. Sign up for a free 14-day trial at PlainEnglish.com

Send us Fan MailStay Connectedhttps://www.commstock.com/https://www.facebook.com/CommStockInvestments/https://www.youtube.com/channel/UClP8BeFK278ZJ05NNoFk5Fghttps://www.linkedin.com/company/commstock-investments/

Learn the English expression, "come up with"Get the full story and learning resources: https://plainenglish.com/expressions/come-up-with--Plain English helps you improve your English:Learn about the world and improve your EnglishClear, natural English at a speed you can understandNew stories every weekLearn even more at PlainEnglish.comMentioned in this episode:Hard words? No problemNever be confused by difficult words in Plain English again! See translations of the hardest words and phrases from English to your language. Each episode transcript includes built-in translations into Spanish, Portuguese, Chinese, German, French, Italian, Japanese, Polish, and Turkish. Sign up for a free 14-day trial at PlainEnglish.com

Your Differences Make You Dangerous is a powerful reminder that what sets you apart is not a flaw — it's your advantage. In this episode of Plain English with Pastor Jay, we look at the story of Ehud and discover how God uses our unique wiring, experiences, and perspective to accomplish His purpose. If you've ever felt like you didn't fit, this message will challenge you to stop hiding your differences and start using them to make a Kingdom impact.

Today's story: Pennsylvania Station was once one of the most beautiful train stations in the United States, but the building was demolished in 1963. New York almost immediately regretted the loss of its grand old station. For decades, leaders have promised to rebuild it, but a series of political and architectural obstacles have stood in the way. Transcript & Exercises: https://plainenglish.com/851Get the full story and learning resources: https://plainenglish.com/851--Plain English helps you improve your English:Learn about the world and improve your EnglishClear, natural English at a speed you can understandNew stories every weekLearn even more at PlainEnglish.comMentioned in this episode:Hard words? No problemNever be confused by difficult words in Plain English again! See translations of the hardest words and phrases from English to your language. Each episode transcript includes built-in translations into Spanish, Portuguese, Chinese, German, French, Italian, Japanese, Polish, and Turkish. Sign up for a free 14-day trial at PlainEnglish.com

Learn how to use the English expression "up close"Get the full story and learning resources: https://plainenglish.com/expressions/up-close--Plain English helps you improve your English:Learn about the world and improve your EnglishClear, natural English at a speed you can understandNew stories every weekLearn even more at PlainEnglish.comMentioned in this episode:Hard words? No problemNever be confused by difficult words in Plain English again! See translations of the hardest words and phrases from English to your language. Each episode transcript includes built-in translations into Spanish, Portuguese, Chinese, German, French, Italian, Japanese, Polish, and Turkish. Sign up for a free 14-day trial at PlainEnglish.com

Today's story: Alex Honnold, a 40-year-old American climber famous for his "free solo" climbs without ropes, thrilled millions of viewers by climbing a 101-story skyscraper without any safety gear. The climb was broadcast live on Netflix. His wife, watching the climb from inside the office building, said she was panicking the whole time. Transcript & Exercises: https://plainenglish.com/849Get the full story and learning resources: https://plainenglish.com/849--Plain English helps you improve your English:Learn about the world and improve your EnglishClear, natural English at a speed you can understandNew stories every weekLearn even more at PlainEnglish.comMentioned in this episode:Hard words? No problemNever be confused by difficult words in Plain English again! See translations of the hardest words and phrases from English to your language. Each episode transcript includes built-in translations into Spanish, Portuguese, Chinese, German, French, Italian, Japanese, Polish, and Turkish. Sign up for a free 14-day trial at PlainEnglish.com

Pop quiz: If your company's agents go off the rails, can you confidently name the human at fault in 10 seconds? Prolly not. Because lately, companies have spent more energy on going fast and breaking things instead of governance. Ready for the ironic part? People think AI governance slows you down. But, it actually speeds you up. Join us as we give you the 101 on AI Governance and the 5 AI Rules Every Company Needs to Follow. AI Governance in Plain English: 5 AI Rules Every Company Needs to follow -- An Everyday AI Chat with Jordan WilsonNewsletter: Sign up for our free daily newsletterMore on this Episode: Episode PageJoin the discussion on LinkedIn: Thoughts on this? Join the convo on LinkedIn and connect with other AI leaders.Upcoming Episodes: Check out the upcoming Everyday AI Livestream lineupWebsite: YourEverydayAI.comEmail The Show: info@youreverydayai.comConnect with Jordan on LinkedInTopics Covered in This Episode:AI Governance Explained in Plain EnglishWhy AI Governance Matters for CompaniesDeloitte AI Governance Statistics BreakdownChallenges in Governing Rapidly Evolving AIReal-World Lawsuits from Ungoverned AIU.S. vs. EU AI Governance Laws OverviewFive Essential AI Governance RulesShadow AI and AI Tool Inventory RisksClassifying AI Tools by Risk LevelAssigning Clear Ownership of AI SystemsWriting Playbooks Versus Policy DocumentsGovernance as an AI Scaling EngineImportance of Monthly AI Governance ReviewsTimestamps:00:00 "AI Governance Gap Insights"05:56 "AI Governance Challenges Today"09:03 "AI Governance Matters More Now"11:57 AI Governance Showdown Looms16:23 Optimizing AI Use in Organizations19:21 "Classify and Assess Risk Levels"21:32 "Clear Accountability for Crashes"25:14 "AI Use Responsibility Retained"29:42 "AI Governance: Stay Adaptive Daily"31:09 "AI Adoption Made Easy"Keywords: AI governance, AI rules, artificial intelligence governance, AI risk management, operational AI governance, agentic AI, autonomous AI, AI use cases, AI adoption, AI inventory, shadow AI, shadow AI breaches, AI sprawl, AI tools, AI transformation, AI policy, AI plSend Everyday AI and Jordan a text message. (We can't reply back unless you leave contact info) Half of companies have AI tools. Only 12% get value. Section closes that gap. Find out how.  Half of companies have AI tools. Only 12% get value. Section closes that gap. Find out how. 

Bonni Stachowiak shares how to keep your Personal Knowledge Mastery (PKM) real simple with RSS on episode 614 of the Teaching in Higher Ed podcast. Quotes from the episode Rather than get that overwhelmed feeling of how hard it’s going to be to keep up, I don’t have to, and neither do you. Enter RSS, Real Simple Syndication. -Bonni Stachowiak It’s pretty spectacular how, if somebody knows about RSS, and they’ve subscribed to a blog or a website, how you can find people that you have a lot in common with, and get going with your curiosity. -Bonni Stachowiak It’s amazing what happens when, before we start trying to lecture or share information,  we ask people to predict something. Even if they end up predicting incorrectly, there still is that connection where we’ve piqued their curiosity. -Bonni Stachowiak Resources Why Isn't RSS More Popular By Now, by Bonni Stachowiak Real Simple Syndication, by Harold Jarche Inoreader Unread App The Indispensable Digital Research Tool I can Say, Without Lying, Saves Time, by Alan Levine (aka CogDog) RSS in Plain English, by Common Craft MiniRoll This Cozy Reading Life with Katie Linder The Transformers: Imagining the Future of the Teaching of Writing NASA Image of the Day McSweeney’s Internet Tendency Poll Everywhere

Learn the English expression, "show up"Explore the full lesson & practice using today's expression: https://plainenglish.com/expressions/show-up--Plain English helps you improve your English:Learn about the world and improve your EnglishClear, natural English at a speed you can understandNew stories every weekLearn even more at PlainEnglish.comMentioned in this episode:Hard words? No problemNever be confused by difficult words in Plain English again! See translations of the hardest words and phrases from English to your language. Each episode transcript includes built-in translations into Spanish, Portuguese, Chinese, German, French, Italian, Japanese, Polish, and Turkish. Sign up for a free 14-day trial at PlainEnglish.com

Today's story: For decades, the United States followed other wealthy democracies in becoming less religious. The share of Americans identifying as Christian fell sharply, while the number of people with no religious affiliation grew. But new data suggest that this long decline may have slowed. Younger generations are no less religious than Millennials, and adults today are not becoming less religious as they age. Transcript & Exercises: https://plainenglish.com/847Get the full story and learning resources: https://plainenglish.com/847--Plain English helps you improve your English:Learn about the world and improve your EnglishClear, natural English at a speed you can understandNew stories every weekLearn even more at PlainEnglish.comMentioned in this episode:Hard words? No problemNever be confused by difficult words in Plain English again! See translations of the hardest words and phrases from English to your language. Each episode transcript includes built-in translations into Spanish, Portuguese, Chinese, German, French, Italian, Japanese, Polish, and Turkish. Sign up for a free 14-day trial at PlainEnglish.com

Learn how to use the English expression, "come to grips"Explore the full lesson & practice using today's expression: https://plainenglish.com/expressions/come-to-grips--Plain English helps you improve your English:Learn about the world and improve your EnglishClear, natural English at a speed you can understandNew stories every weekLearn even more at PlainEnglish.comMentioned in this episode:Hard words? No problemNever be confused by difficult words in Plain English again! See translations of the hardest words and phrases from English to your language. Each episode transcript includes built-in translations into Spanish, Portuguese, Chinese, German, French, Italian, Japanese, Polish, and Turkish. Sign up for a free 14-day trial at PlainEnglish.com

Is A.I. gonna boom, bust or just become Excel? And how screwed are we either way? Plus: Peyton Manning, Lamar Jackson, Geraldo Rivera's vault, a young Tim Pawlenty, vibe-coding NFL scouts... and Filipino Jell-O. Further content:• "A.I. as Normal Technology" (Columbia University)https://knightcolumbia.org/content/ai-as-normal-technology• "The 2028 Global Intelligence Crisis" (Citrini Research)https://www.citriniresearch.com/p/2028gic• "Nobody Knows Anything" (Derek Thompson)https://www.derekthompson.org/p/nobody-knows-anything• "This Is How the A.I. Bubble Will Pop" (Derek Thompson)https://www.derekthompson.org/p/this-is-how-the-ai-bubble-will-pop• "Fear of A.I. Eliminating Jobs Makes Its Way to Football (Mike Florio)https://www.nbcsports.com/nfl/profootballtalk/rumor-mill/news/fear-of-ai-eliminating-jobs-makes-its-way-to-football• Previously on PTFO: How Artificial Intelligence Is Already Changing Sports, with Daryl Morey and Sendhil Mullainathan• Subscribe to "The Mina Kimes Show featuring Lenny"• Subscribe to "Plain English with Derek Thompson" Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

In January 2026, a CMO at a six billion dollar software company scrapped his entire year's marketing plan only two weeks into the year. AI agents made it obsolete. Stephanie Postles, CEO of Mission.org, and Lacey Peace, VP of Content, explain in plain English what AI agents are, why they are fundamentally different from the automations marketing teams rely on today, and what this shift means for marketing jobs, team structure, and the skills that will matter most going forward. If you have confused AI agents with automation or wondered whether your role is safe, this episode gives a direct answer. Chapters (00:00) Introduction (01:51) The CMO Who Scrapped His 2026 Marketing Plan in January (03:23) What Triggered This, and Why It Happened in Two Weeks (06:30) What Is an AI Agent? (Plain English Definition) (09:15) AI Agents vs. Automation: The Key Difference (10:53) The Mindset Shift Required to Use AI Agents Effectively (13:19) What Happens to Marketers in Execution Roles (16:38) How Automation Reshaped Marketing Jobs Before (17:40) Do Marketers Need to Understand AI Internals (29:01) Is AI Coming for Marketing Jobs, The Honest Answer (30:05) What Marketers Should Do Right Now (37:28) Recap and What Is Coming Next ----Mission.org is a media studio producing content alongside world-class clients. Learn more at mission.org. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.