In this episode, we explore the fascinating legacy of the Vanderbilt family and their iconic Biltmore Estate in Asheville, North Carolina. Discover how Cornelius Vanderbilt, "The Commodore," built a fortune through steamboats and railroads during the Industrial Revolution, leaving a lasting impact on American infrastructure, culture, and philanthropy.

Together we'll take a tour of the Biltmore Estate, the largest privately-owned home in the U.S., featuring 250 rooms, stunning gardens designed by Central Park's Frederick Law Olmsted, and modern innovations like indoor plumbing and electricity. You'll learn polite and casual ways to describe wealth in English, such as "affluent" or "filthy-stinkin' rich," while gaining insights into the Gilded Age—a term coined by Mark Twain to describe the era's wealth and inequality.

What next? Plan a visit to experience the Blue Ridge Mountains, farm-to-table dining, and the country’s most-visited winery, especially during the magical holiday season. Access the full transcript, vocabulary list, and more by signing up to Season 4 Premium Content.

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In this episode, we dive into the iconic idiom "Go Big or Go Home!" With a mix of humor, real-life examples, and a pronunciation exercise, you'll learn how to use this bold expression in everyday conversation.

Whether you're making a big decision or simply going all-in, this idiom is perfect for describing those "go for it" moments. Stay tuned for our next episode, where we'll take you on a journey through the grand legacy of the Vanderbilts and explore the majestic Biltmore House—coming soon!

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Today, we’re diving into an exciting and educational pronunciation practice where you’ll learn the names of all 50 U.S. state capitals! But we’re not stopping there—this lesson will also include one fun fact about each state, so you’ll walk away with the correct pronunciation and with a few fun tidbits to impress your friends.

For this episode, we recommend shadowing. Shadowing is when you listen carefully to a word or phrase and immediately repeat it out loud, mimicking the speaker as closely as possible. It’s an excellent way to improve pronunciation, rhythm, and intonation!

As you follow along, listen to the pronunciation of each capital, repeat it after me, and pay attention to the flow of the word. Let’s practice together, state by state, and have some fun along the way. Ready? Let’s get started!

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⭐ My annual BLACK FRIDAY SALE IS HAPPENING NOW! Sign up for Premium Content for a HUGE savings: ➡️ https://bit.ly/44822TQ

In this episode, we’re taking a ride through the fascinating history of the Ferris wheel while learning some tricky irregular verbs along the way! Together, we’ll explore how this iconic amusement ride came to life as a bold attempt to rival the Eiffel Tower at the 1893 Columbian Exposition in Chicago.

Practice the terms, hear them in a variety of contexts and then take a quiz to test what you've learned! At the very end, we'll go through fun facts about the Ferris Wheel. Did you know the original Ferris wheel was dynamited? Or that Ain Dubai is the tallest Ferris wheel in the world, standing at a jaw-dropping 820 feet?

So, let’s ride through history, learn some grammar, and have a little fun together. Let’s do it! 🎡

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Hello and welcome to today’s episode! 🌟 Today, we’re diving into a popular expression in English: What goes around comes around.

It’s a phrase you’ve probably heard in movies, TV shows, or even in real life, but what does it really mean? And how can you use it in your everyday conversations?

We’ve got a fun-packed lesson for you! First, we’ll break down the meaning of this expression, and to get us laughing, I’ll share a little joke. Then, we’ll explore some real-life examples so you can see how it fits into different situations, from friendships to the workplace.

At the end, we’ll do a pronunciation exercise and a tongue twister about Ferris Wheels! Stay tuned for next week’s episode when we learn all about the origin of the Ferris Wheel. 

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Some of you have been listening to this podcast since episode number one, and so you might remember my dad, Joe. He was a guest on episode 44 to talk about driving in the US, and in episode 43 when he talked about his experience living and working in Alaska.

After I posted those episodes, some of you sent me messages on how much you enjoyed listening to my dad. so I dragged him back today! The conversation you'll hear in this episode is lighthearted, funny, and it's full of English idioms. That wasn't the goal for this episode, it just happens to have a lot of idiomatic language because that's the way my dad speaks. Since he speaks clearly, I bet you'll understand a lot of the idioms he used from context.

The goal of this episode is for you to hear superlatives in context. What's a superlative form?

The superlative form is used to express the highest or lowest degree of an adjective or adverb within a group. For example: Our tree in our front yard is the tallest in the neighborhood. There is no tree taller than ours; ours is the tallest. "The tallest" is the superlative form.

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Today, we’re diving into the topic of swimming. Whether you’re someone who loves the water or maybe you're a bit nervous around it, swimming is a great activity to talk about because it evokes very specific memories. The more memories we can recall, the easier it is to chat!

Just thinking about this topic reminds me of so many wonderful times at the pool. Today, I’ll share these stories; they’ll be used as a canvas to introduce words, expressions and collocations related to the topic of swimming. My goal is for you to walk away from this lesson feeling ready to talk to a native speaker about your experiences in the pool!

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The Trail of Tears is one of the darkest chapters in U.S. history, and it's a story that can only be understood by evaluating how the relationship between Native Americans and white settlers evolved over time. What happened? What caused so much tension between the groups? What led to the forced removal of thousands of Native Americans from their homeland? Listen to today's episode and find out.

By understanding historical context, you'll better understand modern political discussions between native tribes and the United States.

Disclaimer: I'm not Native American, so creating this episode made me anxious. It's very important to me that everything I say is culturally sensitive and accurate. If you are a native, please know that I would love to talk to you! Write to me on Instagram @americanenglishpodcast, and don't hesitate to tell me your thoughts.

Learn more about Native American Boarding Schools:

• PBS Documentary: Unspoken: America's Native American Boarding Schools

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This episode is sponsored by BetterHelp. Give online therapy a try at

betterhelp.com/AMERICANENGLISH and get on your way to being your best self.

In today's episode, we'll start by answering the question: Who are Native Americans? Then we're going to dive into the fascinating culture of the Cherokee people, who are one of the largest Native American tribes in the U.S.. We'll discuss their traditions, their language, and deep connection to the land. We'll also cover how their society was structured historically. Personally, I find the clans very interesting, so we have to cover that. Be sure to stay tuned until next week, we're going to be talking about the Trail of Tears.

Disclaimer: I'm not Native American, so creating this episode worried me. It's very important to me that everything I say is culturally sensitive and accurate. If you are a native, please know that I would love to talk to you! Write to me on Instagram @americanenglishpodcast, and don't hesitate to tell me your thoughts.

Support

• Wealthiest Tribe of Appalachia - Cherokee
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If you've ever been so emotional that you cried uncontrollably, Episode 173 is for you! In Part 1 (this episode), you will hear a joke, learn the English expression "to cry one's eyes out," and you'll practice your pronunciation (specifically cases where d+y = j). Stay tuned for next week when we’ll talk about the Cherokees and The Trail of Tears.

If you would like to support this podcast, you can leave me a review on Spotify or your favorite podcast player, buy me a coffee, or sign up to Premium Content to learn more with each episode. Thank you once again to all supporters! 

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Southern cuisine is more than just food—it's a reflection of history, traditions, and the diverse cultural influences. From Native Americans bringing corn to the table, to the fisherman of the Carolinas and Georgia introducing shrimp to grits, there's a story behind all of the classic must-try Southern dishes. Learn vocabulary, hear stories, and learn what you should order for breakfast, lunch and dinner when you're here! :)

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