All Ears English Podcast
Lindsay McMahon and Michelle Kaplan
Are you looking for a new and fun way to learn American English? Come hang out with Lindsay and Michelle from Boston and New York City and have fun while you improve your English listening skills! We are an English as a Second Language (ESL) podcast for intermediate to advanced English learners around the world. We will show you how to use everyday English vocabulary and natural idioms, expressions, and phrasal verbs and how to make small talk in American English. We will also give you special tips on American culture, customs, etiquette, and how to speak with Americans as well as conversation and commentary on study tips, business English, life in America and Boston and New York, how to apply to university in the US, dating, travel, food and more. You'll get TOEFL, IELTS, and TOEIC help also from The Examiner of Excellence, Jessica Beck. This podcast is for adult students who are professionals and university students as well as ESL teachers. Join the community to learn to speak American English like a native! Connection NOT Perfection!
Episodes
Mentioned books
5 snips
Apr 7, 2026 • 16min
AEE 2595: Do You Find Yourself Loving English?
They explore phrases for actions you cannot avoid, like 'I had no choice but to' and 'feel compelled' to show necessity or moral pressure. Learn how 'find yourself doing' describes automatic habits and involuntary behavior. Short role plays demonstrate using these expressions naturally in conversation.
19 snips
Apr 6, 2026 • 16min
AEE 2594: We Bet You Can’t Resist This Episode!
They break down differences between 'can't help it', 'can't help but', and 'can't resist'. Short role plays show natural examples at a bakery and in everyday speech. They discuss how sharing small weaknesses can build connection in American culture.
42 snips
Apr 4, 2026 • 19min
AEE: How to Articulate 3 Types of Hurt in English
They explore three meanings of the word hurt: physical pain from injuries, emotional pain in relationships, and abstract damage like lost opportunities. Listeners hear common phrases and natural chunks to use in conversation. A role play demonstrates how the word fits different situations and how hurt can shape connection and resilience.
32 snips
Apr 2, 2026 • 20min
AEE 2593: I Could Use Some Lunch! How to Indirectly Indicate You're Hungry
Casual phrases for hinting you want food or drink without sounding demanding. Real travel and hosting scenarios showing polite, indirect language. Short role plays with offers and responses to practice. Cultural notes on how people in the US offer drinks and how to reply.
15 snips
Apr 1, 2026 • 20min
AEE 2592: What Can State Mottos Teach You About American Culture?
A lively tour of state mottos and what they reveal about history and identity. Stories trace phrases like 'Live Free or Die' back to Revolutionary roots. A clear take on liberty versus freedom sparks conversation ideas. Listeners hear a role play weighing personal rights against public safety and tips for discussing politics with cultural sensitivity.
47 snips
Mar 31, 2026 • 23min
AEE 2591: Who Even Does That?! How to Comment When Actions Are Outside the Norm
They unpack the rhetorical phrase who does that as a way to react to surprising actions. They show positive and negative uses with everyday examples like food and tidiness. Variations such as who says that and who even thinks like that are explored. Tone, emphasis and cultural sensitivity are emphasized to avoid missteps in teasing or serious situations.
37 snips
Mar 30, 2026 • 22min
AEE 2590: 3 Tips to Keep Your Accent and Be Understood With Valerie Fridland
Valerie Fridland, linguistics professor and author of Why We Talk Funny, studies accents and language variation. She discusses embracing your accent. She explains when accent affects understanding and which sounds to prioritize. She emphasizes prosody, stress, and targeted practice like shadowing to improve clarity while keeping your voice.
28 snips
Mar 28, 2026 • 19min
AEE: How to Use Necessary Evils to Bond in English
They define the phrase necessary evil and give everyday examples like bills, commuting, and chores. They explain how to use the phrase naturally in conversation and offer alternative expressions such as unavoidable or a fact of life. They include a gym role play to practice the language and point listeners to related business English resources.
99 snips
Mar 26, 2026 • 22min
AEE 2589: Party's Over! How to Say Something Is Coming to an End
Fun expressions for signaling that a social moment or situation is ending. Playful lines like "Party's over" and "Everybody out of the pool" for getting people to leave. How phrases shift meaning to fit jobs, performances, or life changes. Cultural tips on using indirect, polite language to end things without awkwardness.
42 snips
Mar 25, 2026 • 16min
AEE 2588: We Wish For You to Master English
They compare phrases like "I wish for," "I wish I had," "I would like for," and "I want" to show how word choice signals big hopes versus small wants. They discuss politeness and when to use softer language with neighbors or formal situations. A role play demonstrates natural usage for plans, intentions, and playful grand wishes.
