English Learning for Curious Minds | A More Interesting Way To Learn English

Leonardo English
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May 5, 2022 • 26min

#260 | The Cambridge Analytica Scandal

 In March of 2018, it was revealed that 50 million Facebook profiles had been "hacked" and used to target American voters. The story involved Donald Trump, a supposed Russian spy, a Cambridge researcher and a political consulting company.The only problem was, how much of it was actually true?The breaking of the story on March 18th 2018A summary of the Cambridge Analytica report in The GuardianThe academic: Aleksandr KoganThe role of Facebook in 2012Quiz apps on Facebook (and their real purpose)The role of Cambridge Analytica (the company)Building "This Is Your Digital Life"How many people took the quiz?Was there really a "data breach"?What was Aleksandr Kogan's involvement in the story?The results come in: was the Facebook data effective at guessing someone's personality?Cambridge Analytica's message to its clients: "5,000 data points on over 220 million Americans"Working for Ted CruzWorking for the Donald Trump CampaignThe news breaking in 2018Was Cambridge Analytica involved in Brexit?Conclusion: Did Cambridge Analytica actually have any involvement in the US election?Full interactive transcript, subtitles and key vocabulary available on the website: https://www.leonardoenglish.com/podcasts/cambridge-analytica ---You might like:🔓 Unlock bonus episodes, interactive transcripts, subtitles & vocabulary lists✨ 5 Powerful Tips for Learning English with Podcasts (Faster & Effectively!) [YouTube]📹 A look inside Leonardo English membership 📧 Join our FREE weekly newsletter---Keywords: Learn English, vocabulary, lessons, idioms, aprende inglés, idiomas, aprender inglês, apprendre l'anglais, imparare l’inglese, ingilizce öğren,英語を習う, تعلم الإنجليزية
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Apr 28, 2022 • 29min

#258 | The War Of The Currents

 In the late 19th century there was fierce competition to provide electricity to the rapidly industrialising USA. The winner would be rewarded with huge wealth and fame.But who would claim the prize, and how dirty would the fight get?Difference between AC & DCThe Golden Age in AmericaEarly electrical inventionsThe race to invent indoor electric lightingThomas Edison's incandescent electric light bulbWhy Edison pushed for DCThe problems with DCThe opportunity for a monopolyCreating a challenge for Edison's employeesBreaking with TeslaWhat was better: AC or DC?The arrival of George WestinghouseThe battle gets dirty as Edison fears he is losingThe creation of the first electric chairThe execution of William KemmlerWestinghouse's AC system wins the contract for the 1893 World FairThe legacy of The War of CurrentsFull interactive transcript, subtitles and key vocabulary available on the website: https://www.leonardoenglish.com/podcasts/war-of-the-currents ---You might like:🔓 Unlock bonus episodes, interactive transcripts, subtitles & vocabulary lists✨ 5 Powerful Tips for Learning English with Podcasts (Faster & Effectively!) [YouTube]📹 A look inside Leonardo English membership 📧 Join our FREE weekly newsletter---Keywords: Learn English, vocabulary, lessons, idioms, aprende inglés, idiomas, aprender inglês, apprendre l'anglais, imparare l’inglese, ingilizce öğren,英語を習う, تعلم الإنجليزية
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Apr 21, 2022 • 21min

#256 | Where Does All Our Rubbish Go?

 Worldwide we produce over 2 billion tonnes of rubbish every year. In this episode, we explore the history of rubbish collection and look at what happens to our rubbish after the truck comes to take it away. How much rubbish does the average person throw away? Iceland vs. Lesotho How much is actually recycled A brief history of rubbish disposal Rubbish disposal in Ancient Greece Monte Testaccio & disposal of amphorae in Ancient Rome The four categories of rubbish disposal "Frank" & his rubbish disposal The incineration vs. landfill debate Recycling: how much actually ends up being recycled? Recycling throughout history Perverse incentives with recycling Developments in recycling Full interactive transcript, subtitles and key vocabulary available on the website: https://www.leonardoenglish.com/podcasts/rubbish ---You might like:🔓 Unlock bonus episodes, interactive transcripts, subtitles & vocabulary lists✨ 5 Powerful Tips for Learning English with Podcasts (Faster & Effectively!) [YouTube]📹 A look inside Leonardo English membership 📧 Join our FREE weekly newsletter---Keywords: Learn English, vocabulary, lessons, idioms, aprende inglés, idiomas, aprender inglês, apprendre l'anglais, imparare l’inglese, ingilizce öğren,英語を習う, تعلم الإنجليزية
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Apr 14, 2022 • 23min

#254 | En Garde! A History Of Duelling

 For much of human civilisation, people have fought each to the death as a way of resolving arguments.In this episode, we'll explore the curious and bloody history of one-on-one combat, from ancient Rome to 20th century France.The most recent "modern" duel (1967, France)The ancient concept of "champion warfare"Trial by combat: a legal way to resolve a disputeHow trial by combat worked: a practical perspectiveWhy trial by combat died outTrial by combat in Scandinavia: "Holmgang"Renaissance duelling for honourThe role of the "second"The two French officers who duelled against each other 30 times in 19 yearsDuelling in the USADuelling goes all the way to The White House: Andrew Jackson & Alexander HamiltonWhy (and when) duelling stopped being popularThe legacy of duelling in books, poetry and filmFull interactive transcript, subtitles and key vocabulary available on the website: https://www.leonardoenglish.com/podcasts/duelling ---You might like:🔓 Unlock bonus episodes, interactive transcripts, subtitles & vocabulary lists✨ 5 Powerful Tips for Learning English with Podcasts (Faster & Effectively!) [YouTube]📹 A look inside Leonardo English membership 📧 Join our FREE weekly newsletter---Keywords: Learn English, vocabulary, lessons, idioms, aprende inglés, idiomas, aprender inglês, apprendre l'anglais, imparare l’inglese, ingilizce öğren,英語を習う, تعلم الإنجليزية
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Apr 7, 2022 • 22min

#252 | Five Surprising Food Origins

 In this episode, we'll explore the weird and fascinating origins of five foods that you know and (perhaps) love.From the sandwich to tomato ketchup, chicken tikka masala, fish & chips and even the teabag, discover the weird and wonderful stories behind these well-known dishes.Weird origin story #1: The SandwichWeird origin story #2: Tomato ketchupWeird origin story #3: Fish & chipsWeird origin story #4: Chicken tikka masalaWeird origin story #5: The tea bagFull interactive transcript, subtitles and key vocabulary available on the website: https://www.leonardoenglish.com/podcasts/unusual-food-origins ---You might like:🔓 Unlock bonus episodes, interactive transcripts, subtitles & vocabulary lists✨ 5 Powerful Tips for Learning English with Podcasts (Faster & Effectively!) [YouTube]📹 A look inside Leonardo English membership 📧 Join our FREE weekly newsletter---Keywords: Learn English, vocabulary, lessons, idioms, aprende inglés, idiomas, aprender inglês, apprendre l'anglais, imparare l’inglese, ingilizce öğren,英語を習う, تعلم الإنجليزية
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Mar 31, 2022 • 26min

#250 | A History of Smoking

 There are over a billion smokers across the world, and over 7 trillion cigarettes are smoked every year.In this episode, we'll look at the history of smoking, from the "discovery" of tobacco by Christopher Columbus to how tobacco companies keep us smoking, even when we know the dangers to our health.Tobacco in indigenous societies in the Americas1492 - the year Christopher Columbus discovers tobaccoThe etymology of "tobacco"Jean Nicot finds a tobacco plant in LisbonCatherine de Médici tries "snuff" for the first timeSmoking sweeps across EuropeThe invention of the cigaretteThe invention of the cigarette rolling machineSmoking during World War I & IIThe 1964 headline: "Cigarettes Peril Health, U.S. Report Concludes."Smoking & societyCigarette advertisingLegal cases against Big TobaccoThe future of smoking - can it really be "smoke-free"?Full interactive transcript, subtitles and key vocabulary available on the website: https://www.leonardoenglish.com/podcasts/history-of-smoking ---You might like:🔓 Unlock bonus episodes, interactive transcripts, subtitles & vocabulary lists✨ 5 Powerful Tips for Learning English with Podcasts (Faster & Effectively!) [YouTube]📹 A look inside Leonardo English membership 📧 Join our FREE weekly newsletter---Keywords: Learn English, vocabulary, lessons, idioms, aprende inglés, idiomas, aprender inglês, apprendre l'anglais, imparare l’inglese, ingilizce öğren,英語を習う, تعلم الإنجليزية
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Mar 24, 2022 • 26min

#248 | The Antarctic Treaty

 It's an amazing piece of legislation that protects the Earth's most isolated continent.In this episode, we'll learn all about the history of Antarctica, which countries tried to claim it as their territory, and how the situation was resolved to benefit all humankind.Background to AntarcticaThe early history of Antarctic explorationAntarctica and whalingThe rush to discover the magnetic South PoleThe Sixth International Geographical CongressLand claims on AntarcticaThe Cold War & AntarcticaThe International Geophysical YearThe signing of the Antarctic TreatyWhat the Antarctic Treaty actually doesThe future of the Antarctic TreatyFull interactive transcript, subtitles and key vocabulary available on the website: https://www.leonardoenglish.com/podcasts/antarctic-treaty ---You might like:🔓 Unlock bonus episodes, interactive transcripts, subtitles & vocabulary lists✨ 5 Powerful Tips for Learning English with Podcasts (Faster & Effectively!) [YouTube]📹 A look inside Leonardo English membership 📧 Join our FREE weekly newsletter---Keywords: Learn English, vocabulary, lessons, idioms, aprende inglés, idiomas, aprender inglês, apprendre l'anglais, imparare l’inglese, ingilizce öğren,英語を習う, تعلم الإنجليزية
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Mar 17, 2022 • 23min

#246 | Cornish Smugglers

 In the 18th century, a small region of southwest England was the national centre for the illegal importing of goods such as tea and rum.In this episode, we'll discover how smuggling really worked, who was involved, and why it was so successful for such a long period of time.Cornwall todayCornwall's relationship with LondonThe Cornish identityBritain in the 18th centuryThe reason that import taxes were so highWhy Cornwall was such a centre for smugglingHow smuggling worked in practical termsWhy smuggling was so tolerated by the local populationHonest vs. dishonest smugglersThe strange English law about what you could do to goods found on a shipwreckJohn Carter: the "King of Prussia"How big a problem was smuggling in Britain?The end of smuggling in BritainThe legacy of Cornish smugglers todayFull interactive transcript, subtitles and key vocabulary available on the website: https://www.leonardoenglish.com/podcasts/cornish-smugglers ---You might like:🔓 Unlock bonus episodes, interactive transcripts, subtitles & vocabulary lists✨ 5 Powerful Tips for Learning English with Podcasts (Faster & Effectively!) [YouTube]📹 A look inside Leonardo English membership 📧 Join our FREE weekly newsletter---Keywords: Learn English, vocabulary, lessons, idioms, aprende inglés, idiomas, aprender inglês, apprendre l'anglais, imparare l’inglese, ingilizce öğren,英語を習う, تعلم الإنجليزية
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Mar 10, 2022 • 28min

#244 | The Scandalous Life of Lord Byron

 He was the Romantic poet famously described as "mad, bad, and dangerous to know".In this episode, we'll learn about his scandalous life, how he shocked the nation so badly he had to leave, and how England's first "rock star poet" became a national hero in Greece.The early life of Lord ByronHis time at Harrow schoolGoing to Cambridge University, sleeping around, and keeping a bear as a petHis first poetic scandalEmbarking on The Grand Tour and discovering Europe's more relaxed attitudeChilde Harold’s Pilgrimage and returning to England a heroReturning to England and becoming a hero overnightHis affairs and sexual exploits in EnglandHis relationship with Augusta, his half-sisterGetting married and being a father to Ada (Lovelace)Running away to EuropeA dark, moody summer writing Gothic horror with Percy and Mary ShelleyHis exploits in VeniceFinding some order to life with Countess Teresa GuiccioliMoving to Greece and becoming caught up with Greek independenceHis early death aged 36The legacy of Lord ByronFull interactive transcript, subtitles and key vocabulary available on the website: https://www.leonardoenglish.com/podcasts/byron ---You might like:🔓 Unlock bonus episodes, interactive transcripts, subtitles & vocabulary lists✨ 5 Powerful Tips for Learning English with Podcasts (Faster & Effectively!) [YouTube]📹 A look inside Leonardo English membership 📧 Join our FREE weekly newsletter---Keywords: Learn English, vocabulary, lessons, idioms, aprende inglés, idiomas, aprender inglês, apprendre l'anglais, imparare l’inglese, ingilizce öğren,英語を習う, تعلم الإنجليزية
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Mar 3, 2022 • 27min

#242 | Operation Pied Piper: The Evacuation of British Cities in World War II

 In September 1939, the British government embarked on the biggest civilian operation in British history when it moved over a million children out of British cities to live with strangers in the countryside.In this episode, we'll learn about this amazing mission and the mark it left on the country.September 1st, 1939 - the start of Operation Pied PiperWhy children were sent away before the first bomb had even fallenWhich cities were affected by evacuation?Dividing the country into three separate zones for evacuationWhy it was called Operation Pied PiperWho was actually evacuated?Sending gold to Canada and paintings to WalesHow the children were chosen to stay with host familiesHow urban children reacted to countryside lifeWhy the children returned after a few months of "the phoney war"Government propaganda: "Don't Do It, Mother. Leave the Children Where They Are"The Blitz starts and the children return to the countrysideThe mixed reaction of the evacuated childrenPsychological effects on evacuated childrenThe mark Operation Pied Piper left on the countryFull interactive transcript, subtitles and key vocabulary available on the website: https://www.leonardoenglish.com/podcasts/operation-pied-piper ---You might like:🔓 Unlock bonus episodes, interactive transcripts, subtitles & vocabulary lists✨ 5 Powerful Tips for Learning English with Podcasts (Faster & Effectively!) [YouTube]📹 A look inside Leonardo English membership 📧 Join our FREE weekly newsletter---Keywords: Learn English, vocabulary, lessons, idioms, aprende inglés, idiomas, aprender inglês, apprendre l'anglais, imparare l’inglese, ingilizce öğren,英語を習う, تعلم الإنجليزية

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