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 English Clear, natural English at a speed you can understand New stories every week Learn even more at PlainEnglish.com Mentioned in this episode: Hard words? No problem Never be confused by difficult words in Plain E...
Jun 11, 2026•13 min•Ep. 872
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/871 Get the full story and learning resources: https://plainen...
Jun 08, 2026•15 min•Ep. 871
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 English Clear, natural English at a speed you can understand New stories every week Learn even more at PlainEnglish.com Mentioned in this episode: Hard words? No problem Never be confused by difficult words in Plain English again! See translations of the hardest words and phra...
Jun 04, 2026•11 min•Ep. 870
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/869 Get the full story and learning resource...
Jun 01, 2026•14 min•Ep. 869
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 English Clear, natural English at a speed you can understand New stories every week Learn even more at PlainEnglish.com Mentioned in this episode: Hard words? No problem Never be confused by difficult words in Plain English again! See translations of the hardest words and...
May 28, 2026•9 min•Ep. 868
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 & Exercise...
May 25, 2026•17 min•Ep. 867
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 English Clear, natural English at a speed you can understand New stories every week Learn even more at PlainEnglish.com
May 21, 2026•9 min•Ep. 866
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/865 Get the full story and learning resources: https://plainenglish.com/865 -- Plain English helps you ...
May 18, 2026•16 min•Ep. 865
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 English Clear, natural English at a speed you can understand New stories every week Learn even more at PlainEnglish.com
May 14, 2026•12 min•Ep. 864
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/863 Get the full story and learning resources: https://plainenglish.com/863 -- Plain English helps you improve your English:...
May 11, 2026•18 min•Ep. 863
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 English Clear, natural English at a speed you can understand New stories every week Learn even more at PlainEnglish.com Mentioned in this episode: Hard words? No problem Never be confused by difficult words in Plain English again! See translations of the hardest words...
May 07, 2026•10 min•Ep. 862
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/861 Get the full story and learning resources: https://plai...
May 04, 2026•15 min•Ep. 861
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 English Clear, natural English at a speed you can understand New stories every week Learn even more at PlainEnglish.com Mentioned in this episode: Hard words? No problem Never be confused by difficult words in Plain English again! See translations of the hardest words and phrases...
Apr 30, 2026•10 min•Ep. 860
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/859 Get the full story and learning resources: https://plainenglish.com/859 -- Plain English helps you improve your English: Learn about the world and improve your English Clear, n...
Apr 27, 2026•12 min•Ep. 859
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 English Clear, natural English at a speed you can understand New stories every week Learn even more at PlainEnglish.com
Apr 23, 2026•8 min•Ep. 858
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/857 Get th...
Apr 20, 2026•15 min•Ep. 857
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 English Clear, natural English at a speed you can understand New stories every week Learn even more at PlainEnglish.com Mentioned in this episode: Hard words? No problem Never be confused by difficult words in Plain English again! See translations of the hardest w...
Apr 16, 2026•13 min•Ep. 856
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/855 Get the full story and learning resources: https://plainenglish.com/855 -- Plain English helps you improve your English:...
Apr 13, 2026•14 min•Ep. 855
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 English Clear, natural English at a speed you can understand New stories every week Learn even more at PlainEnglish.com Mentioned in this episode: Hard words? No problem Never be confused by difficult words in Plain English again! See translations of the hardest wo...
Apr 09, 2026•18 min•Ep. 854
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://pla...
Apr 06, 2026•16 min•Ep. 853
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 English Clear, natural English at a speed you can understand New stories every week Learn even more at PlainEnglish.com Mentioned in this episode: Hard words? No problem Never be confused by difficult words in Plain English again! See translations of the hardest words and p...
Apr 02, 2026•13 min•Ep. 852
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/851 Get the full story and learning resources: https://plainenglish.com/851 -- Plain English helps...
Mar 30, 2026•16 min•Ep. 851
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 English Clear, natural English at a speed you can understand New stories every week Learn even more at PlainEnglish.com Mentioned in this episode: Hard words? No problem Never be confused by difficult words in Plain English again! See translations of the hardest words and...
Mar 26, 2026•12 min•Ep. 850
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/849 Get the full story and learning resources: https://plainenglish.com/849 -- Plain English helps you impr...
Mar 23, 2026•15 min•Ep. 849
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 English Clear, natural English at a speed you can understand New stories every week Learn even more at PlainEnglish.com Mentioned in this episode: Hard words? No problem Never be confused by difficult words in Plain English again! See translations of the hardest...
Mar 19, 2026•12 min•Ep. 848
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/847 Get the full story and lea...
Mar 16, 2026•13 min•Ep. 847
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 English Clear, natural English at a speed you can understand New stories every week Learn even more at PlainEnglish.com Mentioned in this episode: Hard words? No problem Never be confused by difficult words in Plain English again! See tran...
Mar 12, 2026•8 min•Ep. 846
Today's story: The 2026 Winter Olympics were kind to some 40-something competitors, but devastating to the skier Lindsay Vonn. Mikhail Shaidorov brought Kazakhstan its first gold medal since 1994 after defeating the self-proclaimed "Quad God." Team GB won its first event on snow, and Brazil became the first South American country to claim a Winter Olympic gold medal. And an anonymous woman somewhere in Norway got quite a shock. Transcript & Exercises: https://plainenglish.com/845 Get the ful...
Mar 09, 2026•14 min•Ep. 845
Learn the expert-level English expression "turn the tables" Get the full story and learning resources: https://plainenglish.com/expressions/turn-the-tables -- Plain English helps you improve your English: Learn about the world and improve your English Clear, natural English at a speed you can understand New stories every week Learn even more at PlainEnglish.com Mentioned in this episode: Hard words? No problem Never be confused by difficult words in Plain English again! See translations of the h...
Mar 05, 2026•12 min•Ep. 844
Today's story: When a Canadian producer pitched a TV adaptation of a gay hockey romance novel, major U.S. streamers hesitated. It was about a niche sport, featured explicit same-sex scenes, and was based on a romance novel. But a smaller Canadian platform took a chance on the story, and the series became a massive hit in Canada and around the world. Its success surprised everyone. But the clues to its success were there all along. Transcript & Exercises: https://plainenglish.com/843 Get the ...
Mar 02, 2026•16 min•Ep. 843
