American English Podcast

Shana Thompson
  • 5.0 (2)
  • LANGUAGE LEARNING
  • UPDATED WEEKLY

The American English Podcast teaches the language and culture of the United States. Through common expressions, pronunciation tips and interesting cultural snippets or stories, I hope to keep this fun, useful and interesting! All bonus material can be accessed at http://americanenglishpodcast.com/

  1. 26 SEPT

    Review of Season 4

    Can you believe it? We’ve made it to Episode 200! 🥳 In this milestone episode, I look back on everything we’ve done together in Season 4 (Episodes 151–200). From expressions that made you laugh to cultural stories that made you think, this season has been packed with lessons designed to improve your English and your connection to American culture. Tune in to hear the your favorite episodes this season, stats and what's coming next! :) Thank you so much to everyone who's tuned in this season; it's been a fun ride! Check out Season 4 and All Premium Content to learn more with every episode this Season! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

    37 min

  2. 18 SEPT

    5-Minute English: Fall in the United States

    In this Five Minute English feature, we dive into one of America’s most beloved seasons: fall (also known as autumn). From pumpkin spice and cozy sweaters to apple orchards and football games, fall in the U.S. isn’t just a season—it’s a whole feeling. You’ll learn: Which is more common: fall or autumn? The sounds, sights, tastes, and smells that define the season. Cultural traditions like pumpkin patches, apple picking, football games, Halloween, and Thanksgiving. The meaning of fall foliage and why U.S. autumn leaves are so special. Personal stories and memories that capture the cozy, nostalgic spirit of the season. Along the way, you’ll hear rich vocabulary, expressions, and phrasal verbs to boost your English while connecting with American culture. Fall in the U.S. is marked by vivid colors, comfort foods, and family traditions. The season is more than dates on a calendar—it’s tied to the senses: smell, taste, touch, sight, and sound. Shared experiences (like stepping on a crunchy leaf 🍂) remind us of the simple pleasures that unite people. This episode is part of the Five Minute English series, which means it’s packed with advanced vocabulary and collocations. Listen several times, pause, and replay to strengthen your comprehension. If you’d like definitions, transcripts, and a vocabulary guide for this episode, check out the ⭐  5-Minute English Courses. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

    30 min

  3. 11 SEPT

    5 MORE Prepositions Advanced Speakers Get Wrong (with Lucas!)

    Ever get confused between “apply to” and “apply for”? Or wonder whether to say “argue about” or “argue over”? In today’s episode, we break down these common English combinations with quick, simple explanations and memorable examples. You’ll also learn the difference between “belong to” and “belong in.” By the end, you’ll feel more confident choosing the right phrase in everyday conversations. 👉 Perfect for English learners who want short, practical grammar tips they can use right away. to apply to vs. apply for to argue about vs. argue over to belong to vs. belong in to decide ______ to insist ______ Plus a few bonus ones mentioned in conversation (to have a reputation ____, to stick _____, etc.). Mentioned in this Episode ⁠Season 4 Premium Content⁠ ⁠All Premium Content Seasons 1-3⁠ (+ discount on Season 4) Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

    32 min

  4. 4 SEPT

    Irregular Verbs: The Survival Story of Hugh Glass

    What happens when you’re attacked by a grizzly bear, left for dead, and forced to crawl nearly 200 miles to survive? That’s the true story, or perhaps just the legend, of Hugh Glass, a 19th-century frontiersman whose incredible survival story inspired books and Hollywood films like The Revenant. In this episode, you’ll: Hear the dramatic survival story of Hugh Glass. Learn and review 10+ irregular past tense verbs in context (ran, tore, bit, beat, lay, wore, told, dealt, stole, and more). Discover how legends grow through “embellishment” — when details get added to make a story more dramatic. Reflect on the moral of the story: true strength isn’t just physical, it’s determination and endurance. 👉 This is the second part of Episode #198 (Against All Odds), so if you haven’t yet, go back and listen to that one first! Mentioned in this Episode ⁠Season 4 Premium Content⁠ ⁠All Premium Content Seasons 1-3⁠ (+ discount on Season 4) Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

    36 min

  5. 28 AUG

    Expression: Against All Odds

    Have you ever succeeded when no one thought you could? That’s what it means to do something against all odds. In today’s episode, Shana begins with a bear story from her front yard in Asheville (yes, one even climbed into her car!), then moves into a lighthearted pun about “bare feet.” From there, you’ll dive deep into the expression against all odds. You’ll learn its meaning, history, and how to use it naturally in daily conversation. Shana shares incredible real-life examples: the Donner Party pioneers who survived a brutal winter, Eminem rising to the top of rap, the “Miracle on Ice” U.S. hockey victory, and more inspiring stories including Walt Disney, Elvis Presley, Diana Nyad, and Aron Ralston. By the end, you’ll not only understand the phrase against all odds, but you’ll also feel motivated by stories of triumph in the face of impossible challenges. Stick around for the pronunciation practice to make sure the phrase rolls off your tongue like a native speaker’s—and get ready for next week’s tale of Hugh Glass, the legendary frontiersman who inspired The Revenant. Mentioned in this Episode ⁠Season 4 Premium Content⁠ ⁠All Premium Content Seasons 1-3⁠ (+ discount on Season 4) Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

    29 min

  6. 21 AUG

    5 Prepositions Advanced Speakers Still Get Wrong

    Think you’ve mastered English prepositions? Think again. In this episode, I sit down with my husband Lucas (an advanced English speaker) to tackle 5 prepositions even fluent speakers still get wrong. We’ll cover:✅ Invest ____✅ Be interested ____✅ Participate ____ / Take part ____✅ Spend money ____✅ Depend ____ / Rely ____ And a few more that came UP naturally in conversation. Can you find them? You’ll hear real-life examples, fun U.S. culture facts, and some entertaining stories. This is just the tip of the iceberg, but the goal is to have you stop second-guessing yourself and start sounding more natural when you speak. What do you think? 👉 Don’t forget to subscribe for more lessons on American English, culture, and expressions! Mentioned in this Episode ⁠Season 4 Premium Content⁠ ⁠All Premium Content Seasons 1-3⁠ (+ discount on Season 4) Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

    25 min

  7. 14 AUG

    ⭐ Feature: The Incredible Flight of "Lawn Chair" Larry

    In today's episode, you’ll hear the incredible story of a man named Larry Walters, or "Lawn Chair" Larry, who bought over 40 weather balloons, attached them to a lawn chair in his backyard and flew 16,000 feet up in the air. The story is weird and funny, and it gives way to a larger discussion about “Cluster Ballooning.” I’ll explain challenging words and phrases as I go along!*****Premium Content: This episode is part of  By purchasing Season 3 transcripts, you'll be able to access the full episodes, the full PDF transcripts for episodes 101 - 150, an Mp3 download  and the premium podcast player to work on your pronunciation.   All Premium Content Seasons 1-3⁠ (+ discount on Season 4) Season 3 This episode was sponsored by NordVPN. To get the best discount off your NordVPN plan - go to ⁠⁠https://nordvpn.com/americanenglish⁠⁠ - Our link will also give you 4 extra months on the 2-year plan! Plus, there's no risk with their 30-day money-back guarantee. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

    30 min

  8. 7 AUG

    Invasion of Burmese Pythons in South Florida

    In this wild episode, we dive deep into the Burmese python invasion in Florida’s Everglades, which is one of the most unexpected and dramatic ecological crises in U.S. history. It all started with exotic pet owners, relaxed laws in the '80s and '90s, and one catastrophic storm: Hurricane Andrew. From there, things spiraled. Thousands of snakes were released, some intentionally, others by accident, and they found paradise in the Everglades. Warm weather, endless food, no predators? That’s a snake's dream vacation... permanently. We’ll talk about: 00:58 - Introduction: Bears, Neighbors & the Python Cowboy 03:23 - The Everglades: An important ecosystem for Florida 05:53 - How Burmese Pythons got to South Florida 06:00 - The rise of python ownership as a trendy, edgy status symbol; Exotic Pets & Loose Laws 09:09 - From Pet to Predator: The Rise of the Python Population 11:17 - Hurricane Andrew & the Reptile Escape 18:25 - How Many Are Out There? Estimating the Python Population 19:59 - Are Pythons Dangerous to Humans? 22:01 - The Python Elimination Program (Paid Hunting) 24:17 - The Florida Python Challenge Explained 25:46 - What Happens to the Snakes After They’re Caught 28:11 - Can We Ever Win? An Uphill Battle 29:44 - Shana’s Creative Snake Solutions 30:22 - High-Tech Tools: Judas Snakes & eDNA 30:58 - Robo-Bunnies and Future Innovations By the end, you’ll see just how complex, challenging, and Florida this whole saga is. //SPONSORS ○ Brought to you by BetterHelp. Give online therapy a try at better help.com/AMERICANENGLISH and get on your way to being your best self. Mentioned in this Episode ⁠Season 4 Premium Content⁠ ⁠All Premium Content Seasons 1-3⁠ (+ discount on Season 4) Local Legends Video by Brad Leone (as heard in intro) Cowboy Python Interview with Joe Rogan (most popular segment) All Creatures: A Giant, The Burmese Python (learn more about the snake) Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

    39 min
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About

The American English Podcast teaches the language and culture of the United States. Through common expressions, pronunciation tips and interesting cultural snippets or stories, I hope to keep this fun, useful and interesting! All bonus material can be accessed at http://americanenglishpodcast.com/

Information

  • Creator
    Shana Thompson
  • Years Active
    2019 - 2025
  • Episodes
    245
  • Rating
    Clean
  • Copyright
    © 2024 American English Podcast
  • Show Website
    American English Podcast

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