

English Learning for Curious Minds | A More Interesting Way To Learn English
Leonardo English
Are you looking for a more interesting way to learn English?
English Learning for Curious Minds is a podcast for intermediate-advanced English learners.
Learn weird and wonderful things about the world at the same time as improving your English.
Every episode comes with an interactive transcript, subtitles and key vocabulary and is spoken at a speed you can understand.
Join listeners from 189 countries and discover a more interesting way of improving your English.
Find the bonus episodes, interactive transcripts, subtitles, key vocabulary, and more at www.leonardoenglish.com
English Learning for Curious Minds is a podcast for intermediate-advanced English learners.
Learn weird and wonderful things about the world at the same time as improving your English.
Every episode comes with an interactive transcript, subtitles and key vocabulary and is spoken at a speed you can understand.
Join listeners from 189 countries and discover a more interesting way of improving your English.
Find the bonus episodes, interactive transcripts, subtitles, key vocabulary, and more at www.leonardoenglish.com
Episodes
Mentioned books

Feb 24, 2022 • 26min
#240 | The Rise and Fall of Boris Johnson
From a young age, he believed he was destined for greatness, and he became the UK's prime minister at the age of 55.Discover how Boris Johnson's rise to power was unusual and full of contradictions, and how his fall was entirely predictable.Similarities between Donald Trump & Boris JohnsonThe early life of Boris JohnsonA clever-but-lazy studentHis early career as a journalistGetting sacked for inventing quotesBreaking into politicsMaking lots of money (but never enough)His romantic life (what we know of it)Presenting TV programmes and being in the public eyeBecoming Mayor of LondonBoris Johnson's attention to detailThe decision to support BrexitFinally becoming Prime Minister of the UKWhy Boris Johnson was so popularBoris Johnson's government during COVID"Partygate" and the ongoing fall of Boris Johnson“Nothing matters very much and most things don’t matter at all” The character of Boris JohnsonFull interactive transcript, subtitles and key vocabulary available on the website: https://www.leonardoenglish.com/podcasts/rise-and-fall-boris-johnson
---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

Feb 17, 2022 • 24min
#238 | A Short History Of Tea
It's the second most popular drink in the world after water, with 3.7 billion cups drunk every single day.In this episode, we explore tea's fascinating history, how it changed global politics, caused countries to go to war with each other, and literally changed the world.How much tea do we really drink every year?Myths about the discovery of teaEarly tea consumption in East AsiaTea first being brought to Northern EuropeCatherine of Braganza: the woman who brought tea to BritainTea and The East India CompanyThe Brits adding sugar to teaBritain struggling to find a product to exchange with China for teaFlooding China with opiumThe Opium WarsSending spies deep into China to discover how tea was madeTea cultivation in British coloniesCurious tea fact #1: The three different word groups for "tea" (and what they tell us)Curious tea fact #2: The invention of the teabag Curious tea fact #3: How to make the perfect cup of tea (advice from an expert)Full interactive transcript, subtitles and key vocabulary available on the website: https://www.leonardoenglish.com/podcasts/history-of-tea
---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

Feb 10, 2022 • 29min
#236 | How To Use Podcasts To Improve Your English [My Favourite Strategies]
Learn how to actually use podcasts to improve your English listening, vocabulary, speaking, and even writing.This is a special episode packed full of tips & tricks to help you use podcasts in a more effective way.What most people do when listening to podcasts to learn a languageListening tip #1: How to become a more attentive listenerListening tip #2: Listening out for word/phrase useListening tip #3: Listening out for sounds of EnglishPodcast superpowers: how to use them as a learning exerciseVocabulary tip #1: How to go from passive to active vocabularySpeaking tip #1: Recording yourself, techniques to do so (and why this works)Speaking tip #2: Shadowing (and why this works)(Bonus) Speaking tip #3: Simultaneous translation (warning: advanced)Writing tip #1: Summaries & reflectionsThe importance of writing in English as a way to clarify thoughtsFull interactive transcript, subtitles and key vocabulary available on the website: https://www.leonardoenglish.com/podcasts/how-to-use-podcasts-improve-english
---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

Feb 3, 2022 • 24min
#234 | The Future of The British Royal Family
On February 6th, the 95-year-old Queen Elizabeth will celebrate her 70th anniversary of being the queen of the United Kingdom.In this episode, we’ll ask ourselves what happens next, how will the next king be different, and what the future holds for the British Royal Family.The British royal family as a family businessPractical question: who will the next monarch be?The popularity of Queen Elizabeth IIThe problems ahead for Prince CharlesThe public perception of Prince CharlesWhy the British royal family will reduce in sizeThe Prince Andrew scandalHow might Prince ("King") Charles deal with Prince William?Prince William & Princess Kate: the future of the British monarchy?Allowing more access to the British royal familyRelationship between the British monarchy and the British parliamentThe successes of Queen Elizabeth IICharles I vs. Charles II vs. Charles IIIFull interactive transcript, subtitles and key vocabulary available on the website: https://www.leonardoenglish.com/podcasts/future-british-monarchy
---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

Jan 27, 2022 • 31min
#232 | When Britain Killed Its King
In the 17th century, Britain decided to kill its king and experiment with life without a monarch.In this episode we'll learn about the English Civil War, the 11 years the country spent without a monarch, why the monarchy was eventually restored, and the impact this had on the country.The background to the English Civil WarsThe Divine Right of KingsThe errors of judgment of Charles IDissolving Parliament in 1629Religious divisions in Great BritainTrust breaking down between the King and ParliamentCivil War breaks outThe nature of The First English Civil WarThe rise of Oliver CromwellThe trial and execution of King Charles IThe second and third English Civil WarsThe InterregnumThe death of Oliver Cromwell and the return of Charles II to the throneWhat was life like when Britain didn't have a kingThe influence of "life without a king" on the countryThe legacy of Oliver CromwellHow to punish a man who had already diedFull interactive transcript, subtitles and key vocabulary available on the website: https://www.leonardoenglish.com/podcasts/britain-killed-its-king
---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

Jan 20, 2022 • 27min
#230 | The Opioid Crisis
Over the past twenty years, over half a million Americans have died of opioid overdoses.In this episode, we'll explore how this happened, who is responsible, and ask ourselves whether the USA will ever be able to kick its addiction to prescription opioids. Origin of "opioid"Opioid overdoses in the US vs Western EuropeWhat caused the boom in opioid use in the United States?Morphine & heroin during the American Civil WarThe arrival of OxyContinPurdue Pharma sales representatives' tactics to sell the drug to doctorsIncreasing the doses for patientsThe "less than 1% of patients become addicted" claimPeople start abusing the drugSenior executives are aware but do nothingThe cycle of addiction that doctors sawMoving onto heroin & fentanylWhy fentanyl is so powerful and dangerousWho has been held responsible for the opioid crisis?The Sackler Family (and its quest for immunity)Opioid prescriptions are down, but overdoses are upIs a solution for the opioid crisis possible?Full interactive transcript, subtitles and key vocabulary available on the website: https://www.leonardoenglish.com/podcasts/opioid-crisis
---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

Jan 13, 2022 • 33min
#228 | The Crazy Life of Elvis Presley
He was told by countless people that he would never make it as a star, yet by his mid-20s he was the most successful musician in the world.In this episode, we'll learn about how Elvis Presley defied all his critics, became the biggest star of the 1960s, created the category of rock and roll but then lost the battle with his personal demons.The USA that Elvis Presley was born intoBeing given his third choice of birthday present: a guitarComing fifth place in a singing competitionMoving to Memphis and developing his own styleRecording his first song at the studio of Sun RecordsFailing to achieve success and being told to continue driving a truckHis first hit: "That's All Right"The musical style of Elvis PresleyHis first tour in 1954, aged only 19Thrusting his hips and causing controversyLetter to the FBI: "Presley is a definite danger to the security of the United States"Meeting Colonel Tom Parker, his exploitative managerGoing on the Ed Sullivan showHow much of his own music did Elvis actually write?Trying to make it as a Hollywood starJoining the armyMeeting the 14-year old Priscilla BeaulieuDiscovering prescription drugsReturning to music after a 7-year breakThe Elvis comebackThe Las Vegas years & a changed imageHis marriage breaking upHis two addictions: prescription drugs & fast foodHis love for "Fool's Gold"How he died, and how it was covered up by his familyThe rise of the Elvis impersonatorThe legacy of Elvis PresleyFull interactive transcript, subtitles and key vocabulary available on the website: https://www.leonardoenglish.com/podcasts/elvis-presley
---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

Jan 6, 2022 • 20min
#226 | The Amazing Life Of Ray Charles
His early life was full of tragedy and misfortune, but Ray Charles never let this get in his way.In this episode, we'll learn about how Ray Charles overcame adversity to become one of the most loved musicians in American history. The early life of Ray Charles: born to a teenage mother in an institutionally racist countryRay Charles: "Even compared to other blacks we were on the bottom of the ladder looking up at everyone else. Nothing below us except the ground"The death of Ray Chales' younger brotherGoing blind and being sent to a school for the blindLearning to play the piano (while blind)The death of his mother and moving to JacksonvilleTrying to make ends meet playing musicCopying the style of Nat King ColeDeciding to move to SeattleMaking a name for himself in Seattle and meeting Quincy JonesGetting his first record deal & "I Got A Woman"Ray Charles' style: a combination of blues, jazz & gospelWhy Ray Charles was unpopular with many pastorsRay Charles as an excellent businessmanWhere his confidence comes from - “you’re blind, you ain’t stupid”Battling his heroin addictionRay Charles and womenLater life and legacyFull interactive transcript, subtitles and key vocabulary available on the website: https://www.leonardoenglish.com/podcasts/ray-charles
---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

Dec 30, 2021 • 26min
#224 | Predictions Of The Future From The Past
As a general rule, people are very bad at predicting the future.In this episode, we'll take a look at some predictions of the future from the past, looking at what people thought our "today" would be like, the times they got it wrong, the times they got it eerily correct, and we'll also look at some predictions about what the future holds for future generations.Why there was never a great need to "predict" the future until recentlyA Roman born in 100BC being transported 1,000 years into their futureThe prediction of Robert Malthus in 1798 about populationPaul Ehrlich's 1968 prediction: "The Population Bomb"John Maynard Keynes's 1930 prediction about a reduced working weekPredictions from 1900 about what cities would look like: flying cars, roofs, driving shipsThe Millennium Bug predictionThe man who could predict the future: Nikolas TeslaTesla predicting self-driving carsTesla predicting video callingTesla incorrectly predicting fashion choicesTesla predicting an increasing expenditure on scientific discovery vs. warPredictions today about our future: cancer, multi-planetary, metaverseThe terrible predictions top 3: computers, silent films & everything being inventedFull interactive transcript, subtitles and key vocabulary available on the website: https://www.leonardoenglish.com/podcasts/predictions-of-future
---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

Dec 23, 2021 • 25min
#222 | John Dillinger - American Bank Robber
He was the most famous bank robber in American history and is still thought of as a Robin Hood-type figure in popular culture.Learn about how John Dillinger went from a quiet life to becoming America's Public Enemy Number One, and how the law finally caught up with him.The early life of John Dillinger: a naughty but not inherently bad boyMoving out of the city to stay out of troubleBeing arrested for car theft and joining the navyBriefly getting his life back on trackMeeting Ed Singleton and planning his first robberyThe robbery that went wrong and subsequent arrestBeing advised badly and going to prison for 9 years"I will be the meanest bastard you ever saw when I get out of here"Learning how to rob banks while in prisonBeing released from prison and returning to a life of crimeBeing arrested again and then rescued by friends from prisonGoing on the run and starting the bank-robbing spreeBeing arrested (again) and breaking out of prison by making a fake gunBeing chased by the FBIMaking front-page newsGrowing a moustache, dyeing his hair, then having plastic surgeryBeing betrayed by Anna SageThe final cinema trip of John DillingerThe legacy of John DillingerFull interactive transcript, subtitles and key vocabulary available on the website: https://www.leonardoenglish.com/podcasts/john-dillinger
---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


