Watch the episode on YouTube: https://youtu.be/SqPoEVhjGnU

In this episode of Easy Stories in English, Ariel Goodbody, the host, discusses a recent controversy involving a blasphemous phrase in a podcast episode titled 'The Holy Cat,' leading to its removal after feedback from Muslim listeners. Ariel apologizes and reflects on the learning experience. Additionally, Ariel talks about experimenting with recording formats and locations for YouTube, changes to the availability of episode transcripts, and premium content adjustments. Ariel also shares personal updates, including a recent live stream, an Easter experience, a mindset shift in professional self-perception, pricing adjustments for teaching services, efforts to improve the YouTube channel, upcoming birthday plans, and a collaboration with Alistair from English Learning for Curious Minds. The episode concludes with a promotion for Ariel's English classes and an invitation to subscribe to the email newsletter for live stream notifications.

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An old man lives in an old house. The house is so old that it has changed shape and many things are broken. Every day, the man must climb up a big hill to get to the kitchen. Lots of people tell him he needs to leave the house, but the old man refuses. But one day, the house makes sure he will never leave.

Go to EasyStoriesInEnglish.com/House for the full transcript.

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Level: Pre-Intermediate.

Genre: Horror.

Vocabulary: Crooked, Moisture, Warp (wood), Hook, Zip-line, Roll, Fern, Drain (noun), Plumber, Association, Pretend.

Setting: UK.

Word Count: 1753.

Author: Ariel Goodbody.

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Dinewan gets married to Bohra the kangaroo, and they go for a walk in the desert. But Dinewan soon gets bored. Bohra is a magic kangaroo, and his spirit can walk through the sky. Dinewan thinks it would be interesting to see Bohra's spirit...

Go to EasyStoriesInEnglish.com/Emu for the full transcript.

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Level: Beginner.

Genre: Children's.

Vocabulary: Emu, Kangaroo, Feather, Spirit, Desert, Shelter, Scratch, Hole, Thorn, Rub, Twig.

Setting: Australia.

Word Count: 741.

Author: Ariel Goodbody.

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In this episode, I talk about the kinds of performance I've been doing recently - storytelling in a sauna, spinning a tale at the London Esperanto Club, improvising at an open mic night, moderating a talk-show discussion and singing in a church choir. I've been busy this past month! No wonder I've been a bit sick, but hopefully my croaky voice won't stop you from enjoying this episode :)

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Level: Intermediate.

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Sam works in the stupidest department of his company: the 'Synergy Snakes'. What they're actually supposed to do, he has no idea, but he's managed to create a system where he doesn't have to talk to his co-workers and does as little work as possible. The only problem is, the company is looking to get rid of some people, and Sam's an easy target...

Content warning: this episode contains rude language, sexual harassment and bullying. It is not suitable for children.

Go to EasyStoriesInEnglish.com/MakeASnake for the full transcript.

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Level: Advanced.

Genre: Drama.

Vocabulary: Synergy, Line manager, Touch base, Drill down, Filing cabinet, Get the memo, Squeeze out, Minutes, Dread, Scroll (computer), Piss, Urinal, Sexual harassment.

Setting: Modern.

Word Count: 6590.

Author: Ariel Goodbody.

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A cat hunts all the mice in the town, so it goes to the fields. But the mice in the fields are too fast. So the cat decides to start praying...

Go to EasyStoriesInEnglish.com/Holy for the full transcript.

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Level: Beginner.

Genre: Philosophical.

Vocabulary: Holy, Hunt, Hole, Prayer beads, Purr, Run away, Sin, Learn by heart, Test, Damn.

Setting: Fairytale.

Word Count: 758.

Author: Palestinian Folk Tales.

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In this episode, I talk about my challenges finding stable friendship and love in London as a single in my 30s. I argue that technology has encouraged ghosting and 'no contact' culture, and because of this it's harder to form stable relationships and integrate into local communities. However, it's not all doom and gloom! I also talk about finding comfort in spending time with myself - taking myself out on dates - and focussing on slow, simple things like darning my socks.

The book I discuss in the episode is Conflict is Not Abuse by Sarah Schulman.

Get the transcript for this episode by joining Easy Stories in English Premium! Your support is appreciated! (after you join, go to this episode's description on the Premium feed to get the transcript link)

Level: Intermediate.

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A woman's husband dies, and she visits his grave every week to pray. When she dies, she goes to the land of the dead, and is excited to finally see him again. But she can't find him...

Go to EasyStoriesInEnglish.com/Widow1 for the full transcript.

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Level: Beginner.

Genre: Romance.

Vocabulary: Widow, Tear (crying), Grave, Float, Land, Death, Ghost, Skin, Petal, Smile, Lonely.

Setting: Latin America.

Word Count: 816.

Author: Daniel from Argentina.

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Get 20% off Gymglish! Go to EasyStoriesInEnglish.com/Courses and use the code DRAGON2024.

Buddha is about to leave Earth, and he wants to say goodbye to the animals in a special way: he will have a race, and name the years after them in the order they win.

Go to EasyStoriesInEnglish.com/Race for the full transcript.

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Level: Beginner.

Genre: Myths & Legends.

Vocabulary: Earth (planet), Stupid, Cheat, Amazed, Blow, Hide, Rope, Don’t care.

Setting: Fairytale.

Word Count: 1076.

Author: Chinese Myths.

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Apologies that this episode is a bit late. I've been fighting both catatonia and a cold.

In this episode I talk about the history of the podcast, give an update about my life and discuss the genocide taking place in Palestine.

Follow me on Instagram @arielgoodbody to get updates about Queer Stories For Queer Folks. The next date will be 23rd February at 7pm.

Find out more about CI Sleepover, an unconference for teachers who use comprehensible input, at comprehensible.uk.

Get the transcript for this episode by joining Easy Stories in English Premium! Your support is appreciated! (after you join, go to this episode's description on the Premium feed to get the transcript link)

Level: Intermediate.

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Gemma finds a strange red book on her way home from school. She starts reading it, and it is a story about a boy called Nai. In the story, Nai also finds a red book, and when he starts to read it, the story is about Gemma...

Go to EasyStoriesInEnglish.com/RedBook for the full transcript.

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Level: Beginner.

Genre: Horror.

Vocabulary: Pile, Leaf, Push, Wrap, Treasure, Keep doing, Dive, Scary, Run away.

Setting: Modern.

Word Count: 1821.

Author: Ariel Goodbody.

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