Easy Stories in English

Ariel Goodbody, Polyglot English Teacher & Glassbox Media
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Mar 23, 2026 • 27min

Herding Mountains to Make a Forest (Pre-Intermediate)

Get episodes without adverts at ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠EasyStoriesInEnglish.com/Support⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠. Your support is appreciated! The Stone Forest in Yunnan is a beautiful karst mountain range. But how did it come to be? Learn all about the Sani people and the magical origins of this Chinese nature site in today's episode. Go to ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠EasyStoriesInEnglish.com/Mountains⁠⁠ for the full transcript. Level: Pre-Intermediate. Genre: Myths & Legends. Vocabulary: Herd, Bucket, Spirit, Order, Whip, Unfurl, Dam, Rooster, Freeze. Setting: China. Word Count: 681. Author: Chinese Myths. 00:00 Intro 00:52 The Sani people 01:39 My full circle momoent 04:12 Leaving Chinese 06:19 Coming back to Chinese 08:57 Busy busy! 11:14 Stumbling across the origin story 13:30 Vocabulary 17:34 Herding Mountains to Make a Forest 23:31 Outro Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
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Mar 9, 2026 • 25min

Doing Stand-Up Comedy in Chinese (Conversation)

Ariel shares travel plans to Shanghai and Cambodia and talks about batching episodes. They laugh over tone mix-ups while learning Chinese and describe the challenge of doing stand-up in Mandarin. Stories from a Ningbo open mic and hosting a simple Chinese set reveal cultural contrasts between London and China. There are reflections on making friends through comedy circles and falling for Chinese food.
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Feb 23, 2026 • 21min

The Animals' Peace Party (Pre-Intermediate)

Get episodes without adverts at ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠EasyStoriesInEnglish.com/Support⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠. Your support is appreciated! The cows and horses have argued with the pigs for too long. It's time to have a peace party and finally settle things. But one very talkative pig has a different view... Go to ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠EasyStoriesInEnglish.com/Peace⁠ for the full transcript. Level: Pre-Intermediate. Genre: Myths & Legends. Vocabulary: Hoarse, Filthy, Greedy, Settle a dispute, Master (leader), Amongst, Farmhand, Favour (verb), Wisdom, Squeal. Setting: China. Word Count: 1044. Author: Mary Hayes David, Chow Leung. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
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Feb 9, 2026 • 59min

All the Housemates I've Ever Had (Conversation)

Ariel recounts a long string of difficult housemates, from passive-aggressive silence to manipulative, messy behaviors. Stories cover dodgy landlords, moldy flats, cold rooms, and shared living in co-ops. They reflect on choosing housemates during COVID and the point when tensions boiled over into gaslighting and no contact.
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Jan 26, 2026 • 18min

How the Moon Became Beautiful (Beginner)

Get episodes without adverts at ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠EasyStoriesInEnglish.com/Support⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠. Your support is appreciated! The moon is beautiful, but it wasn't always that way. True love was needed, as well as breaking a mother's heart... Go to ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠EasyStoriesInEnglish.com/Moon for the full transcript. Level: Beginner. Genre: Myths & Legends. Vocabulary: Astronomy, Poem, Pick (flower), Sharp, Gentle, Ridiculous. Setting: China. Word Count: 843. Author: Ariel Goodbody. 00:00 Intro 01:11 Vocabulary 04:53 How the Moon Became Beautiful 12:58 Transcription problems 16:10 Outro Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
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21 snips
Jan 12, 2026 • 1h 8min

Christmas in Japan (Conversation)

Discover the unique quirks of Christmas in Japan, where humiliation and strange food await! Ariel shares tales from bustling Osaka to serene Fukuoka, including humorous travel mishaps, encounters with local customs, and a delightful first onsen experience. Enjoy the contrast between Christmas traditions and the lively atmosphere of Japanese nightlife. Tune in for insights on cultural differences, epic karaoke sessions, and a memorable chazuke meal that will leave you craving more!
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Dec 30, 2025 • 36min

Hansel and Gretel (Pre-Intermediate)

Get episodes without adverts at ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠EasyStoriesInEnglish.com/Support⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠. Your support is appreciated! What if the witch in Hansel and Gretel was Chinese? Well, then things would be very different. In this twisted version of the classic fairy tale, the two young children run away from the house of sweets and end up somewhere far more exotic... Go to ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠EasyStoriesInEnglish.com/Hansel for the full transcript. Level: Pre-intermediate. Genre: Horror. Vocabulary: Woodcutter, Sweet tooth, Twig, Abandon, Breadcrumbs, Quitter, Betrayal, Witch, Belly, Prison bars. Setting: Fairytale. Word Count: 2357. Author: Ariel Goodbody. 00:00 Intro 10:55 Hansel and Gretel 29:52 Outro Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
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13 snips
Dec 15, 2025 • 38min

It's My Podcast and I'll Ramble If I Want To (Conversation)

Join a whimsical discussion about the nuances of holiday cheer in China, where Christmas feels muted. Discover the curious experience of trying bone marrow and pondering ancient eating habits. The conversation shifts to personal style transformations with a flair for old-world British fashion. Ariel shares travel plans to Japan, highlighting unique pronunciations of place names. Dive into the frustrations of video production and the desire for creative freedom, plus engaging thoughts on AI art and the importance of diverse challenges in language learning.
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7 snips
Dec 1, 2025 • 22min

The Three Goats (Rerun)

Three clever goats embark on a daring journey across a bridge to find new grass. They encounter a menacing troll eager to eat them. With quick thinking, the middle goat distracts the troll, allowing the eldest to confront him directly. In a surprising twist, the eldest goat uses her strength to defeat the troll, sending him tumbling into the river. This delightful fairy tale features themes of bravery, teamwork, and cleverness, making it a perfect imaginative adventure for young listeners.
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Nov 17, 2025 • 44min

Hangzhou and the Joy of Cycling (Conversation)

Discover the beauty of Hangzhou, from its stunning West Lake to the vibrant atmosphere of local temples. Hear about a transformative cycling journey after an 18-year hiatus, and the liberating joy it brings. Ariel shares hilarious mishaps, like a moped crash while cycling, and the quirky experiences of navigating life in China, including unique cafes and delightful noodles. Plus, find out about her language learning triumphs and the fascinating little conveniences of living abroad!

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