In this 5-Minute English episode, you'll learn useful vocabulary, phrasal verbs, and collocations related to cleaning your home.  Through a short story, we follow someone tackling a messy apartment—from dirty dishes and clutter to sparkling floors. Along the way, you'll hear natural English used to describe common chores and household tasks.  ⭐ Visit the website for more learning materials. You’ll also find the Academy there, where you can access bonus content for this episode.  ⚠️ This episode is a more advanced listening exercise, so don't worry if you don't understand every word the first time. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoicesBecome a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/learning-spanish--6765161/support.

⭐ Feature: 5-Minute English: Cleaning

In this episode, we explore the Great Molasses Flood of 1919, one of the strangest and most tragic disasters in U.S. history. On a cold January afternoon in Boston’s North End, a massive steel tank holding 2.3 million gallons of molasses burst, sending a deadly wave of syrup through the streets.  You’ll learn what molasses was being used for, why shipments kept arriving after World War I, and how Prohibition played a surprising role in the story. We’ll walk step by step through what caused the tank to fail,  and how this disaster helped shape modern building inspections and safety codes.  Along the way, I explain key vocabulary like seep, debris, dense, rivets, bootleg, and up to code — so you’ll build your English while learning about U.S. history and culture.  ⭐ Get the full transcript, vocabulary list, quiz, and bonus lesson on the third conditional inside the Academy. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoicesBecome a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/learning-spanish--6765161/support.

207.2 - The Great Molasses Flood of 1919

In this engaging (and slightly sticky) episode, we explore the common American English idiom “to be in a sticky situation.” After a real-life kitchen disaster involving spilled honey, we break down what the expression means, where it comes from (it dates back over 200 years!), and how Americans actually use it in everyday conversation.  You’ll hear relatable examples—from accidentally hitting “Reply All” at work to public mix-ups at the Academy Awardsand even the New Coke decision by Coca-Cola. We’ll also compare similar expressions and practice pronunciation so you can say it naturally and confidently.  And don’t miss Part Two, where we cover the unforgettable Great Molasses Flood.  ⭐ Get the full transcript, vocabulary list, quizzes, and more by signing up for Premium Content— available inside ⁠the Academy⁠.  Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoicesBecome a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/learning-spanish--6765161/support.

207 - Expression: In a Sticky Situation

In this playful and spontaneous episode, Liz and I play a fast-paced guessing game using common English portmanteaus—words created by blending two others together. From hangry and bromance to Spam and chillax, we break down their meanings, origins, and how Americans actually use them in conversation. Along the way, you’ll hear natural dialogue, cultural references, and plenty of examples to help these words stick. If you want to sound more natural in everyday American English, this one’s for you.  ⭐ Get the full list, as well as the full episode by signing up to Premium Content. Now available as part of  the Academy.  Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoicesBecome a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/learning-spanish--6765161/support.

⭐ Feature: Hangry, Bromance & Spam: Everyday Portmanteaus with Liz!

In this cozy winter episode, Shana is snowed in with her daughters on the East Coast after a big snowstorm. While it looks like a magical winter wonderland outside, things feel a little chaotic inside the house. Then Julia, who's seven, decides she wants to be a guest on the podcast.  Julia chooses a fun and unexpected topic: hair and hairstyles. Together, they talk about different types of hair, popular hairstyles, and even facial hair vocabulary — all in a relaxed, natural conversation.  ⭐ Sign up to the Academy to Learn English with Pictures    Useful Vocabulary  To be snowed in – when so much snow falls that you can’t leave your homeStraight hair – hair with no curl or waveCurly hair – hair that forms curlsWavy hair – hair that forms loose wavesSilky smooth – very soft and smoothBangs – short hair cut to fall over the foreheadFringe – the British English word for bangsPonytail – hair tied back in one sectionPigtails – two ponytails, one on each sideBraid – three sections of hair crossed over each otherFrench braid – a braid that begins at the top of the head and continues downwardBun – hair twisted and tied into a round shapeMohawk – short on the sides, long in the middleMullet – short in the front, long in the backAfro – a full, rounded hairstyle worn with natural curly or coily hairHair down – wearing your hair looseLice – tiny insects that live in hair and cause itchingHair tie / elastic band – used to hold hair backSalon – a place where people get their hair cut or styledHighlights – lighter streaks added to hairLowlights – darker streaks added to hairDye – to change the color of your hairPeach fuzz – very soft, light facial hairMustache – hair above the upper lipBeard – hair on the chin and jawGoatee – hair on the chin onlyCowlick – a section of hair that grows in a different direction Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoicesBecome a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/learning-spanish--6765161/support.

206 - Let's Talk about Hair! (with Julia)

In this episode, Shana is joined by her husband Lucas for another fun Preposition Party. Together, they play a guessing game with common English prepositions while sharing personal stories about food, fears, parenting, moving, and unexpected passions.   You’ll hear natural, real-life examples of expressions like look forward to, get used to, care about, to fall in love with and more. It’s a relaxed, conversational episode designed to help you build confidence and sound more natural in American English.  Sign up to the Academy to learn more! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoicesBecome a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/learning-spanish--6765161/support.

205 - Preposition Party with Lucas 🎉 Love, Caring, Passions & Worries

What if you woke up one day and couldn’t see or hear the world around you?  In this episode of the American English Podcast, you’ll discover the incredible true story of Helen Keller — one of the most inspiring figures of the 20th century — and the teacher who changed her life, Anne Sullivan.  As you follow Helen’s journey from silence to self-expression, you’ll learn 10 essential irregular verbs in the simple past tense, hear them used naturally in a powerful story, and reinforce them with clear examples. Along the way, we’ll explore how Helen learned to communicate, speak, read, and eventually address audiences around the world.  🎧 Listen closely — and see how many irregular verbs you can catch!  ⭐ Sign up to the Academy to Learn More with AEP    Cheat sheet:  hear - heard - heard  sit - sat - sat  bend - bent - bent  send - sent - sent  have - had - had  read - read - read  write - wrote - written  go - went - gone  speak - spoke - spoken  say - said - said   Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoicesBecome a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/learning-spanish--6765161/support.

204.2 - Irregular Verbs with Helen Keller

In this episode of the American English Podcast, we explore the meaning and usage of the common English expression to see eye to eye. Along the way, you’ll learn vocabulary related to sight, wordplay, disagreement, and perspective—plus hear a classic (and slightly corny) dad joke.         A quick heads up about the next episode on Helen Keller          A dad joke featuring eyeballs, puns, and eye-rolling         Common actions eyes can do: blink, wink, stare, roll         A clear breakdown of the expression to see eye to eye          How to use this expression correctly in positive and negative sentences         Cultural examples from U.S. history, pop culture, politics, and music         Pronunciation practice and sentence stress tips    Want to learn more with the AE Podcast? Join the Academy.     https://americanenglishpodcast.com/the-academy/   Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoicesBecome a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/learning-spanish--6765161/support.

204: Expression: To See Eye to Eye

You know Starbucks, right? The coffee company? Born in Seattle, Washington and brewed around the world? I bet you do; they have over 40 thousand stores in over 80 countries.   In today's episode, we're going to talk about how it came to be.     Why is it called Starbucks?     Who's that woman on their cups?    What's the story?   There are a lot of Starbucks haters and a lot of lovers out there, but all of you will find this episode fascinating because 1. it’s an absurdly successful business—how did they do it?! 2. it’s about coffee (who doesn’t love coffee!?) and 3. you’ll learn a bucketload of new vocabulary as we go.   Thanks again to my amazing supporters who have contributed to this podcast either by purchasing  Premium Content or ⁠buying me coffee⁠!        Check out the Academy    Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoicesBecome a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/learning-spanish--6765161/support.

⭐ Feature: The Story of Starbucks

In this episode, I’m joined by my husband, Lucas, for another Preposition Party—a casual, conversation-based way to learn common verb + preposition combinations in American English.  You’ll hear natural examples of everyday phrases like look forward to, be good at, prefer … over, listen to, and get rid of, along with gentle corrections and explanations that help these patterns stick.  This episode focuses on how Americans actually use prepositions in real life, so you can stop guessing and start sounding more natural when you speak.  Perfect for intermediate learners who want to build confidence with small words that make a big difference.  Learn more with The American English Podcast     The Academy   Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoicesBecome a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/learning-spanish--6765161/support.

203 - Preposition Party with Lucas 🎉  Everyday Verb + Preposition Pairs

Who doesn’t love a good crime story from the 1930s?   Add romance, fast cars, and a nation in chaos… and you’ve got Bonnie and Clyde.  In this episode, I share a simplified, learner-friendly version of their true story—set during the Great Depression—and pack it with irregular verbs.   You’ll hear how newspapers turned two criminals into legends, why the public sympathized with them, and how their story became one of the most famous love-and-crime tales in U.S. history.    You’ll Learn:     The meaning of infamous    Why crime increased during the 1930s    How newspapers turned Bonnie and Clyde into legends    10 essential irregular verbs in context (+ TONS of others we already learned in other irregular verb episodes)   Focus Verbs:  steal (stole) · meet (met) · have (had) · drive (drove) · shoot (shot) ·hurt (hurt) · catch (caught) · give (gave) · hide (hid) · forget (forgot)    Mentioned in the Episode     Get the full transcript, quizzes, worksheets, and videos inside  ⁠The Academy    Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoicesBecome a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/learning-spanish--6765161/support.

202.2. Irregular Verbs with Bonnie and Clyde

In today’s episode, we break down the common English expression “a shot in the dark,” which describes taking a guess or making an attempt with little to no information. You’ll hear where the idiom comes from, how people from the U.S. use it, and three real-life examples—from kids guessing ages, to ordering pintxos in Spain, to recreating Banana Kahlúa French toast (with no instructions!).  We’ll also go over the joke of the day (“Why did the man take a ladder to the bar?”), cover some advanced terms and phrases,  and finish with a pronunciation exercise focused on flap Ts. I highly recommend practicing them to  sound more natural when speaking.  At the end, I’ll challenge you to think of a moment when you took a shot in the dark.  For the full transcript, glossary, and quiz, check out the Academy. Enjoy!  Mentioned in the Episode     The Academy   Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoicesBecome a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/learning-spanish--6765161/support.

202 - Expression: A Shot in the Dark

When life gives you lemons, make lemonade. 🍋In other words, turn a bad situation into a good one!  That’s my new motto, and in this episode you’ll hear how we turned a full hour of tears at the Orlando Airport into one of the most magical experiences of our lives.  This is a casual catch-up about what’s been going on since the last episode — and more importantly, a ridiculous story packed with 10 common English expressions used naturally in context.  Listen, learn, and please don’t judge me. I love you. 😂  Mentioned in the Episode      The Academy       Lucas on guitar (wait for his entrance — totally worth it!)     Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoicesBecome a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/learning-spanish--6765161/support.

201 - When Life Gives You Lemons...🍋 (+10 Expressions)

Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/learning-spanish--6765161/support.

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