English Learning for Curious Minds | A More Interesting Way To Learn English

Leonardo English
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Are you looking for a more interesting way to learn English? English Learning for Curious Minds is a podcast for intermediate-advanced English learners. Learn weird and wonderful things about the world at the same time as improving your English. Every episode comes with an interactive transcript, subtitles and key vocabulary and is spoken at a speed you can understand. Join listeners from 189 countries and discover a more interesting way of improving your English. Find the bonus episodes, interactive transcripts, subtitles, key vocabulary, and more at www.leonardoenglish.com

  1. #594 | Mohammed Bin Salman & The Rise of Saudi Arabia

    2D AGO

    #594 | Mohammed Bin Salman & The Rise of Saudi Arabia

    For decades, Saudi Arabia was ruled by ageing princes, until one young royal began changing the system from within.   This episode tells the story of Mohammed bin Salman, and how he rose rapidly to become Saudi Arabia’s most powerful figure.   Saudi royal family is huge; succession once moved between brothers. Pressure grew to pass power to a younger generation. Mohammed bin Salman’s early life, connections, and growing ambition. His father becomes king; MBS controls money and army. MBS replaces Mohammed bin Nayef as Crown Prince, 2017. Ritz-Carlton purge targets princes, businessmen; power and assets seized. Vision 2030: modernise society, move economy beyond oil. Global investments and NEOM aim to change Saudi image. Opponents targeted; Khashoggi murder shocks the world. Women driving, cinemas reopen; activists jailed, Yemen war continues. Full interactive transcript, subtitles and key vocabulary available on the website: https://www.leonardoenglish.com/podcasts/mohammed-bin-salman --- You might like: 🔓 Unlock bonus episodes, interactive transcripts, subtitles & vocabulary lists ✨ 5 Powerful Tips for Learning English with Podcasts (Faster & Effectively!) [YouTube] 📹 A look inside Leonardo English membership 📧 Join our FREE weekly newsletter--- Keywords: Learn English, vocabulary, lessons, idioms, aprende inglés, idiomas, aprender inglês, apprendre l'anglais, imparare l’inglese, ingilizce öğren,英語を習う, تعلم الإنجليزية

    30 min
  2. ⚡️ A bonus episode from SEND7: World News in 7 minutes. Monday 9th February, 2026

    5D AGO

    ⚡️ A bonus episode from SEND7: World News in 7 minutes. Monday 9th February, 2026

    Today, we have some news in English from our friends over at SEND7 - Simple English News Daily in 7 minutes.  World News in 7 minutes. Monday 9th February, 2026. To listen to SEND7 every morning, search in your podcast app for Simple English News Daily, or go to www.send7.org --- You might like: 🔓 Unlock bonus episodes, interactive transcripts, subtitles & vocabulary lists ✨ 5 Powerful Tips for Learning English with Podcasts (Faster & Effectively!) [YouTube] 📹 A look inside Leonardo English membership 📧 Join our FREE weekly newsletter--- Keywords: Learn English, vocabulary, lessons, idioms, aprende inglés, idiomas, aprender inglês, apprendre l'anglais, imparare l’inglese, ingilizce öğren,英語を習う, تعلم الإنجليزية

    8 min
  3. #592 | A Beginner’s Guide To British Politics

    JAN 29

    #592 | A Beginner’s Guide To British Politics

    British politics can feel confusing, with a king, a Prime Minister, and noisy debates in an old building.   This episode explains how the system works, from Parliament and voting to why two parties have ruled for so long.   Magna Carta and early Parliament shaped British politics. Westminster: Parliament's home with Commons and Lords. Parliament: Commons of elected MPs, Lords of appointed members. Monarch's role: ceremonial, appoints PM, opens Parliament. Voting system: constituencies and First Past the Post. Two-party dominance challenged by rising Reform party. Forming governments, general elections, choosing the Prime Minister. MPs' duties, constituency work, and Prime Minister’s Questions. Leadership contests and votes of no confidence. Devolution: Scotland, Wales, Northern Ireland; West Lothian Question. Full interactive transcript, subtitles and key vocabulary available on the website: https://www.leonardoenglish.com/podcasts/guide-british-politics --- You might like: 🔓 Unlock bonus episodes, interactive transcripts, subtitles & vocabulary lists ✨ 5 Powerful Tips for Learning English with Podcasts (Faster & Effectively!) [YouTube] 📹 A look inside Leonardo English membership 📧 Join our FREE weekly newsletter--- Keywords: Learn English, vocabulary, lessons, idioms, aprende inglés, idiomas, aprender inglês, apprendre l'anglais, imparare l’inglese, ingilizce öğren,英語を習う, تعلم الإنجليزية

    28 min
  4. #590 | The Unabomber | The Story of Ted Kaczynski

    JAN 15

    #590 | The Unabomber | The Story of Ted Kaczynski

    He was a mathematical genius who vanished into the wilderness... and became one of America’s most notorious terrorists.   In this episode, we'll explore the life of the Unabomber, the manifesto that finally exposed him, and the manhunt that lasted 17 years.   1995 newspapers publish manifesto; FBI hopes someone recognises author. Manifesto argues technology enslaves and crushes freedom. David Kaczynski recognises his brother’s writing style. Ted’s childhood genius, social isolation, and a Harvard study. Leaves academia; Montana cabin life fuels anti-technology radicalisation. Bombings kill three, injure twenty-three; targets linked to technology. Long, expensive manhunt; few clues for years. Language analysis helps arrest; cabin raid finds crucial evidence. Trial, plea deal, life sentences, death in 2023. Anti-technology message spreads online, despite his original intentions. Full interactive transcript, subtitles and key vocabulary available on the website: https://www.leonardoenglish.com/podcasts/unabomber --- You might like: 🔓 Unlock bonus episodes, interactive transcripts, subtitles & vocabulary lists ✨ 5 Powerful Tips for Learning English with Podcasts (Faster & Effectively!) [YouTube] 📹 A look inside Leonardo English membership 📧 Join our FREE weekly newsletter--- Keywords: Learn English, vocabulary, lessons, idioms, aprende inglés, idiomas, aprender inglês, apprendre l'anglais, imparare l’inglese, ingilizce öğren,英語を習う, تعلم الإنجليزية

    28 min
  5. #587 | The Curious Tradition of Words of the Year

    JAN 1

    #587 | The Curious Tradition of Words of the Year

    What do “truthiness”, “selfie”, and “goblin mode” have in common?   In this episode, we'll see how Words of the Year are chosen, look at some of the most pertinent from history, and explore the winners of this year's prize.   What "Word of the Year" means How dictionaries choose: data and expert judgement Sometimes a public vote decides the winner Common themes: politics, culture, technology, internet language 2005 "truthiness": feels true, not actually true 2013 "selfie": rise of phone photos of yourself 2016 "post-truth": emotions beat facts in politics 2022 "goblin mode": lazy, messy, not sorry attitude 2025 "6 7": young people's meme with unclear meaning Collins winner "vibe coding": using AI to write code Full interactive transcript, subtitles and key vocabulary available on the website: https://www.leonardoenglish.com/podcasts/2025-words-of-the-year --- You might like: 🔓 Unlock bonus episodes, interactive transcripts, subtitles & vocabulary lists ✨ 5 Powerful Tips for Learning English with Podcasts (Faster & Effectively!) [YouTube] 📹 A look inside Leonardo English membership 📧 Join our FREE weekly newsletter--- Keywords: Learn English, vocabulary, lessons, idioms, aprende inglés, idiomas, aprender inglês, apprendre l'anglais, imparare l’inglese, ingilizce öğren,英語を習う, تعلم الإنجليزية

    21 min
  6. #585 | Is AI Really Destroying the Planet?

    12/18/2025

    #585 | Is AI Really Destroying the Planet?

    Is AI really a disaster for the environment, or are the fears exaggerated?   In this episode, we'll discuss the environmental cost of Artificial Intelligence.   From a water controversy in Scotland to the heat of Arizona, we look at how much energy AI really needs, and whether we should be worried.   BBC report on AI water use in Scotland. Scotland's data centres use 0.005% of water supply. What data centres are; cooling also uses energy. AI requests create answers, needing powerful chips and energy. Each query uses tiny energy, CO2, and water. Headlines exaggerate AI's impact; context shows minimal effect. Data centres use 1.5% of global electricity. One burger's water equals millions of AI queries. Energy source matters; location and water scarcity change impact. AI use growing fast, but efficiency improving a lot. Full interactive transcript, subtitles and key vocabulary available on the website: https://www.leonardoenglish.com/podcasts/ai-vs-planet --- You might like: 🔓 Unlock bonus episodes, interactive transcripts, subtitles & vocabulary lists ✨ 5 Powerful Tips for Learning English with Podcasts (Faster & Effectively!) [YouTube] 📹 A look inside Leonardo English membership 📧 Join our FREE weekly newsletter--- Keywords: Learn English, vocabulary, lessons, idioms, aprende inglés, idiomas, aprender inglês, apprendre l'anglais, imparare l’inglese, ingilizce öğren,英語を習う, تعلم الإنجليزية

    21 min
  7. #582 | Piazza Fontana & The Accidental Death of An Anarchist

    12/04/2025

    #582 | Piazza Fontana & The Accidental Death of An Anarchist

    A deadly bomb. A death in a police station. A secret kept from the public.  In 1969, an explosion in Milan killed 17 people. The police accused a group of anarchists, but the story was not that simple.  In part one of this three-part mini-series on "Gli Anni Di Piombo" (The Years of Lead), we look at how this tragedy started one of the darkest times in Italian history.  Italy modernising fast, but divided and tense.12 December 1969: bomb at Milan’s Piazza Fontana.Seventeen dead, eighty-eight injured; shock across Italy.Coordinated Rome bombs; no claim; anarchists blamed.Anarchist Giuseppe Pinelli dies after police questioning; controversy.Pietro Valpreda arrested; weak evidence; years before acquittal.Evidence pointed to far-right group Ordine Nuovo.Suspected cover-ups by police and secret services.Strategy of tension; suspected Gladio links; extent unclear.Impact: fear, ordinary victims, start of the Years of Lead. Full interactive transcript, subtitles and key vocabulary available on the website: https://www.leonardoenglish.com/podcasts/piazza-fontana --- You might like: 🔓 Unlock bonus episodes, interactive transcripts, subtitles & vocabulary lists ✨ 5 Powerful Tips for Learning English with Podcasts (Faster & Effectively!) [YouTube] 📹 A look inside Leonardo English membership 📧 Join our FREE weekly newsletter--- Keywords: Learn English, vocabulary, lessons, idioms, aprende inglés, idiomas, aprender inglês, apprendre l'anglais, imparare l’inglese, ingilizce öğren,英語を習う, تعلم الإنجليزية

    26 min
  8. #580 | Operation Valkyrie & The Plot To Kill Hitler

    11/20/2025

    #580 | Operation Valkyrie & The Plot To Kill Hitler

    On 20 July 1944, a bomb ripped through a meeting room in Hitler’s Wolf’s Lair.   This episode tells how Operation Valkyrie *almost* managed to kill Adolf Hitler, and the vicious crackdown that came afterwards.   The Wolf’s Lair meeting on 20 July 1944 Claus von Stauffenberg’s injuries and role in the plot Setting one bomb; briefcase placed near Hitler Explosion at Wolf’s Lair; Hitler survives due to briefcase moved Operation Valkyrie: reserve army plan blaming SS A mixed group’s reasons to remove Hitler Coup starts; Goebbels phones Hitler; Remer switches sides Bendlerblock firefight, arrests, executions of plotters Brutal crackdown: show trials, thousands arrested, many executed Haunting “what if”: ways the plot almost succeeded Full interactive transcript, subtitles and key vocabulary available on the website: https://www.leonardoenglish.com/podcasts/operation-valkyrie --- You might like: 🔓 Unlock bonus episodes, interactive transcripts, subtitles & vocabulary lists ✨ 5 Powerful Tips for Learning English with Podcasts (Faster & Effectively!) [YouTube] 📹 A look inside Leonardo English membership 📧 Join our FREE weekly newsletter--- Keywords: Learn English, vocabulary, lessons, idioms, aprende inglés, idiomas, aprender inglês, apprendre l'anglais, imparare l’inglese, ingilizce öğren,英語を習う, تعلم الإنجليزية

    22 min
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Are you looking for a more interesting way to learn English? English Learning for Curious Minds is a podcast for intermediate-advanced English learners. Learn weird and wonderful things about the world at the same time as improving your English. Every episode comes with an interactive transcript, subtitles and key vocabulary and is spoken at a speed you can understand. Join listeners from 189 countries and discover a more interesting way of improving your English. Find the bonus episodes, interactive transcripts, subtitles, key vocabulary, and more at www.leonardoenglish.com

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