Recent studies by music streaming services Deezer and Spotify have found that most people reach an age of “musical paralysis.” Younger listeners tend to listen to the most popular music and then our tastes expand. But at a certain point, most people stop discovering new music and simply listen to the music they already know. On today’s episode, you’ll also learn the English phrase “settle in.” Read the full transcript of this episode at http://www.plainenglish.com/72 Transcripts are always free ...
Jul 30, 2018•18 min•Ep. 72
Rome is building a new subway and archaeologists keep finding hidden treasures buried deep beneath the city. The artifacts range from small tiles and pottery to entire buildings, including a military barracks and an entire house. Many of the discoveries are already on display in the new subway stations. Learn one new way to use the English word “twist.” Read the full transcript of this episode at http://www.plainenglish.com/71 Transcripts are always free and available now! ¿Hablas español? Você ...
Jul 26, 2018•17 min•Ep. 71
Several companies are developing robots to automatically prepare restaurant meals. One California restaurant has a machine that makes a burger start-to-finish without any human interaction; a startup in London says its robot can mimic a master chef at work and prepare any one of 2,000 recipes. Automation may drive down costs and increase speed at so-called “fast casual” restaurants. Learn the English phrase, “brace yourself.” Read the full transcript of this episode at http://www.plainenglish.co...
Jul 23, 2018•18 min•Ep. 70
The movement to eliminate plastic straws is spreading: the UK government plans to ban them and Starbucks has already announced it will re-design its cold-drinks lids to go straw-less. Straws can stay intact in the environment for up to 200 years. But will giving up straws really help the environment? Plus, learn the English phrase “gathering steam.” Read the full transcript of this episode at http://www.plainenglish.com/69 Transcripts are always free and available now! ¿Hablas español? Você fala...
Jul 20, 2018•17 min•Ep. 69
Andrés Manuel López Obrador, a populist leader who twice lost presidential races in Mexico, swept to a landslide victory July 1 as Mexicans overwhelmingly backed his message of change. AMLO, as he is known, promised to reduce poverty, end corruption, and get the country’s violence under control. He takes office in December. Learn the English expression “strike a chord.” Read the full transcript of this episode at http://www.plainenglish.com/68 Transcripts are always free and available now! ¿Habl...
Jul 18, 2018•18 min•Ep. 68
In a high-scoring and at times odd final, France defeated Croatia 4-2 to win its second World Cup in history, putting an end to Croatia’s improbable and dramatic rise. Croatia’s Mario Mandzukic scored at both ends of the field, Video Assistant Review figured in a controversial handball penalty, the game was threatened by lightning, and a fan ran out onto the field. France persevered and brought home a World Cup trophy. Its coach, Didier Deschamps, is the third man to win a World Cup as both a pl...
Jul 16, 2018•16 min•Ep. 67
Twelve boys and their 25-year-old soccer coach were rescued from a cave in northern Thailand after floodwaters stranded them on a ledge for 18 days. The group was trapped in a cave after monsoon rains flooded the passageways. After 10 days stranded with no food or water, a team of rescue divers found them—and the search for an escape route began. In the end, the boys were evacuated by teams of expert divers who helped them navigate the dark and treacherous cave system with scuba gear. On today’s...
Jul 13, 2018•21 min•Ep. 66
As part of Crown Prince Mohammad bin Salman’s Vision 2030, the government of Saudi Arabia began issuing driver’s licenses to women. Women across the country were celebrating their new freedom, and some sat in the driver’s seat of a car for the first time. But not everyone is celebrating: some think the right to drive should be just the beginning of new women’s rights, while others are not comfortable with the idea of women on the road. Today you’ll learn the English phrasal verb “put on.” Read t...
Jul 11, 2018•16 min•Ep. 65
The final four teams are set: they are France and Belgium, who face off on Tuesday, and Croatia and England, who play on Wednesday. Belgium’s golden generation is hitting is prime right in time to make a big move this year, while France’s are exceeding expectations. Croatia’s goalie may have injured his hamstring in the game against Russia, potentially giving England an advantage in the finals. Learn the English expression “on the line.” Read the full transcript of this episode at http://www.pla...
Jul 09, 2018•17 min•Ep. 64
Venezuela is facing a slow-motion societal collapse, as shortages of food, medicine and electricity plague the country; cities are overrun by violence and looting; and the country’s government has slid into authoritarianism. Despite it all, some organizations are doing their best to relieve the suffering. Learn how to use the English expression “in the face of.” NBC News Video: https://www.nbcnews.com/nightly-news/video/how-one-miami-woman-is-bringing-relief-to-children-caught-in-venezuela-s-hun...
Jul 06, 2018•18 min•Ep. 63
Happy Fourth of July! Americans celebrate their nation’s birthday by having parades, watching fireworks displays, setting off their own fireworks, and watching the Nathan’s Hot Dog Eating Contest. Though US independence was declared on July 4, the actual vote to become an independent nation was two days earlier, on July 2. At the end of the program, learn the English phrasal verb “go off.” Read the full transcript of this episode at http://www.plainenglish.com/62 Transcripts are always free and ...
Jul 04, 2018•16 min•Ep. 62
Two soccer powerhouses fell in their first games in the knockout round of the world cup as Portugal and Argentina fell to Uruguay and France. Russia stunned Spain with a penalty-shot victory in Moscow. Brazil faces Mexico today: will Mexico finally beat the five-time champion? Plus, learn the phrasal verb shape up. Read the full transcript of this episode at http://www.plainenglish.com/61 Transcripts are always free and available now! ¿Hablas español? Você fala português? Parles-tu français? 你会说...
Jul 02, 2018•16 min•Ep. 61
They are a ubiquitous part of live in New York City: the yellow plastic cards with a magnetic stripe called MetroCards are the way New Yorkers board the subway. But they are set to be retired in the next several years, in favor of a more high-tech way to ride the 114-year-old system of underground trains. Plus today learn the English phrasal verbs “phase in” and “phase out.” Read the full transcript of this episode at http://www.plainenglish.com/60 Transcripts are always free and available now! ...
Jun 29, 2018•17 min•Ep. 60
TV host Anthony Bourdain and fashion pioneer Kate Spade took their own lives this month—Spade in New York and Bourdain in France. Both were successful, rich, and admired around the world, but lived with deep personal troubles. In the wake of these tragic suicides, take a moment to connect with those around you and to care for your own mental health. Read the full transcript of this episode at http://www.plainenglish.com/58 Transcripts are always free and available now! ¿Hablas español? Você fala...
Jun 27, 2018•18 min•Ep. 58
Lionel Messi has been but a bystander in this World Cup as Argentina fought Iceland to a draw and fell to Croatia in its first two games, putting the soccer powerhouse in danger of elimination. Mexico’s team—and its fans—have made an impression so far. Video review reversed a penalty call for the first time in World Cup history. And tiny Iceland’s hopes are still alive. Learn how to use the expression, “over the top.” Read the full transcript of this episode at http://www.plainenglish.com/59 Tra...
Jun 25, 2018•15 min•Ep. 59
Andres Manuel Lopes Obrador, a leftist candidate pledging to fight corruption and revive the agricultural sector, is leading in the polls leading up to Mexico’s July 1 presidential vote. He is both similar to and very different from Donald Trump. Learn how to use the English expression “buck the trend.” Read the full transcript of this episode at http://www.plainenglish.com/57 Transcripts are always free and available now! ¿Hablas español? Você fala português? Parles-tu français? 你会说中文吗？日本語を話せます...
Jun 21, 2018•17 min•Ep. 57
Juul, the most popular brand of e-cigarettes, was designed to help smokers quit by giving them the nicotine their bodies crave without the harmful side-effects of lighting up. But now American teenagers who have never smoked are getting hooked on Juul, calling it a “harmless cigarette.” Health experts disagree. Plus, learn the English phrasal verb “sweep through.” Read the full transcript of this episode at http://www.plainenglish.com/56 Transcripts are always free and available now! ¿Hablas esp...
Jun 18, 2018•17 min•Ep. 56
The world’s most anticipated sporting competition, FIFA’s World Cup, starts today with a match between host country Russia and Saudi Arabia. The games will be played in 12 stadiums across Russia and will feature a brand-new soccer ball just for this tournament. Learn where they say “soccer” and where they say “football” in English. We’ll know the champion of the month-long tournament on July 15. Plus, today’s expression is “licking your chops.” Read the full transcript of this episode at http://...
Jun 14, 2018•17 min•Ep. 55
Hurricane Maria was one of the worst natural disasters to hit the United States, but the true human damage on the island may never be known. A new study says over 4,600 people died—more than the government’s official estimate of 64. Most of the human toll came as a result of poor health care in the storm’s aftermath. On today’s episode, you’ll also learn the English phrase “go without.” Read the full transcript of this episode at http://www.plainenglish.com/54 Transcripts are always free and ava...
Jun 11, 2018•16 min•Ep. 54
They are calling him ‘Le Spiderman’: A 22-year-old immigrant from Mali climbed the side of a Paris apartment building with only his bare hands to save a toddler who was stranded on a fourth-floor balcony. After the dramatic rescue, he met the French president and was offered citizenship—and a place in the Paris fire department. Plus, learn the English phrase “shine a spotlight.” Read the full transcript of this episode at http://www.plainenglish.com/53 Transcripts are always free and available n...
Jun 07, 2018•14 min•Ep. 53
A group of artists called the Night Lords has turned vacant walls into graffiti murals of The Simpsons in Iztacalco, a neighborhood of Mexico City. Over 15 murals are up and five more are on the way. Neighbors who were initially skeptical now embrace the project. Plus, learn how to use the English phrase ‘on board.’ Check out pictures of Sprayfield here: https://www.vice.com/en_us/article/ywx5w7/artists-turned-this-neighborhood-into-springfield-from-the-simpsons Read the full transcript of this ...
Jun 04, 2018•16 min•Ep. 52
Gareth Bale scored two goals as a substitute and Karim Benzema scored an embarrassing goal against Liverpool goaltender Lorius Karius as Real Madrid captured its 13th Champions League title and its third in a row. It was Cristiano Ronaldo’s fifth title—but his comments after the game cast doubt on his future in Madrid. Learn what it means to take someone up on an offer. Read the full transcript of this episode at http://www.plainenglish.com/51 Transcripts are always free and available now! ¿Habl...
May 31, 2018•16 min•Ep. 51
On Plain English’s 50th episode: Captain Liu Chuanjian landed a Sichuan Airlines flight safely after its windshield blew out mid-air, 32,000 feet above ground. The co-pilot was sucked halfway out of the plane and the temperature and air pressure in the cockpit plummeted. Captain Liu is being “hailed as a hero” for his efforts to save the plane—and learn how to use “hailed as a hero” in English. Read the full transcript of this episode at http://www.plainenglish.com/50 Transcripts are always free...
May 28, 2018•16 min•Ep. 50
Prince Harry, the grandson of Queen Elizabeth II of England, married American actress Meghan Markle in a ceremony that both honored tradition but had its own unique touch. On the morning of the wedding, Prince Harry was given the official title Duke of Sussex, and Ms. Markle, who may have to give up her American citizenship, will be Duchess of Sussex. The expression today is “one for the ages.” Read the full transcript of this episode at http://www.plainenglish.com/49 Transcripts are always free...
May 24, 2018•15 min•Ep. 49
The last home-grown terrorist organization in Europe officially disbanded. The Basque country’s ETA, which used violent tactics in an attempt to separate from Spain, agreed to give up its weapons and disband last month. Plus, we discuss the English phrase “fight back.” Read the full transcript of this episode at http://www.plainenglish.com/48 Transcripts are always free and available now! ¿Hablas español? Você fala português? Parles-tu français? 你会说中文吗？ The episode transcripts include instant tr...
May 21, 2018•16 min•Ep. 48
Electric scooters are taking over the streets in some American cities, including San Francisco. New programs allow people to rent a scooter for $1, unlock it with their smartphones, and leave the scooters wherever they please when they are finished. Mayors and city officials aren’t happy with the rollout. Plus, we discuss the English phrasal verb “roll out.” Read the full transcript of this episode at http://www.plainenglish.com/47 Transcripts are always free and available now! ¿Hablas español? ...
May 17, 2018•15 min•Ep. 47
Nazaré, Portugal, attracts surfers and observers from around the world for its world-class surfing waves, and last November Brazilian surfer Rodrigo Koxa set the record for surfing the biggest-wave ever, at 80 feet. The same day, a British surfer broke his back on a similar wave. The silver lining for him was that he was given the award for best wipeout—and in the second half of the show, we talk about the meaning of “silver lining.” Read the full transcript of this episode at http://www.plainen...
May 14, 2018•15 min•Ep. 46
The Kilauea volcano in Hawaii is erupting and sending lava flowing through residential areas, putting homes and businesses at risk. Gas and steam are coming out of new cracks in the earth that opened up after a series of earthquakes last week. Several residents were given only minutes to evacuate their homes and head for safety. We also discuss the English phrase “head for” on today’s program. Read the full transcript of this episode at http://www.plainenglish.com/45 Transcripts are always free ...
May 10, 2018•15 min•Ep. 45
Eighty years ago, the original Superman cartoon was published in issue #1 of Action Comics—and the modern-day superhero genre was born. What began as a simple cartoon by two teenagers in Ohio turned into one of the most recognizable characters in comic book history. Over the years, several other superheroes have followed in the footsteps of the Man of Steel, but none has had quite as much staying power as the original. We also discuss the meaning of “staying power.” Read the full transcript of t...
May 07, 2018•15 min•Ep. 44
Leaders of North and South Korea met in a historic one-day summit at the border of their two countries to negotiate the formal end to the Korean War. Though fighting stopped over sixty years ago, the countries have remained in a state of war ever since. North Korea has also promised to close its main testing site for nuclear weapons. Learn the English phrasal verb “hash out.” Read the full transcript of this episode at http://www.plainenglish.com/43 Transcripts are always free and available now!...
May 03, 2018•15 min•Ep. 43
