TRUE STORY by Explore English

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TRUE STORY is an English-learning podcast from Explore English that brings real stories to life through natural, engaging storytelling. Each episode helps English learners strengthen their listening comprehension, vocabulary, pronunciation, and understanding of natural spoken English—all while enjoying a story worth hearing.

Episodes

  1. 3d ago

    The Olympic Marathon That Went Completely Wrong

    The Olympic Marathon That Went Completely Wrong | TRUE STORY Imagine running an Olympic marathon in terrible heat, with almost no water, while another competitor passes you… after taking a ride in a car! Sounds ridiculous, right? But that's exactly the kind of chaos that unfolded at the 1904 Olympic Games in St. Louis, Missouri. One runner cheated by riding in a car. Another stopped for a snack. And the eventual winner was given a dangerous drug just to keep him moving! How did anyone manage to finish this race? In this episode of TRUE STORY by Explore English, discover one of the funniest and most bizarre events in Olympic history while improving your English through storytelling. You'll also learn three useful English expressions you can use in everyday conversations. Learn English through real stories! Want to take your learning further? Subscribe to our free TRUE STORY newsletter to read the story and explore additional vocabulary, grammar tips, and English practice activities. Subscribe to the newsletter: https://exploreenglish.substack.com/p/the-olympic-marathon-that-went-completely?r=5q45cv

    The Olympic Marathon That Went Completely Wrong

  2. Nov 1

    The Man Who Survived Two Atomic Bombs

    The Man Who Survived Two Atomic Bombs | TRUE STORY Imagine surviving one of the most devastating explosions in history, only to experience another just three days later. Sounds impossible, right? But in August 1945, that's exactly what happened to Tsutomu Yamaguchi, a Japanese engineer who survived the atomic bombing of Hiroshima, returned home to Nagasaki, and found himself facing another atomic bomb. How did he survive both explosions? And what did he do with the extraordinary life that followed? In this episode of TRUE STORY by Explore English, discover an incredible story of survival, resilience, and the importance of remembering history—all while improving your English through storytelling.

    The Man Who Survived Two Atomic Bombs

  3. Oct 25

    The Day Boston Was Flooded with Molasses

    Imagine walking down a busy street when suddenly, an enormous wave of molasses comes rushing toward you. Sounds impossible, right? But in 1919, that's exactly what happened in Boston, Massachusetts. What caused this bizarre disaster? And could it have been prevented? In this episode of TRUE STORY, discover one of the strangest disasters in American history while improving your English through storytelling. You'll also learn three useful English expressions you can use in everyday conversations. Learn English through real stories! Want to take your learning further? Subscribe to our free TRUE STORY newsletter to read the story and explore additional vocabulary, grammar tips, and English practice activities. Subscribe to the newsletter: https://exploreenglish.substack.com/p/the-day-boston-was-flooded-with-molasses?r=5q45cv

    The Day Boston Was Flooded with Molasses

  4. Oct 17

    The Girl Who Fell From the Sky—and Survived

    On Christmas Eve in 1971, 17-year-old Juliane Koepcke boarded a plane with her mother, expecting to spend the holidays with her family. But when lightning struck their aircraft over the Amazon rainforest, everything changed. Against all odds, Juliane survived a fall of nearly 10,000 feet. Injured, alone, and surrounded by miles of dense jungle, she faced an even greater challenge: finding her way back to civilization. Discover the extraordinary true story of a teenager whose courage, determination, and knowledge of nature helped her survive the impossible. Listen, learn, and build your English with TRUE STORY by Explore English, a podcast for intermediate English learners (B1–B2).

    The Girl Who Fell From the Sky—and Survived

  5. Oct 12

    The Man Who Sold the Eiffel Tower. Twice.

    In 1925, a charming con artist named Victor Lustig convinced a businessman that the French government was secretly selling the Eiffel Tower. The businessman believed him. He paid for it. And Lustig disappeared with the money. But the story doesn't end there. Lustig returned to Paris and decided to try the same trick again. Discover the unbelievable true story of one of history's boldest scams—and how a little confidence can make even the impossible seem believable. Listen, learn, and build your English with TRUE STORY by Explore English.

    The Man Who Sold the Eiffel Tower. Twice.

  6. Oct 3

    The Woman Who Went Over Niagara Falls in a Barrel

    In 1901, 63-year-old schoolteacher Annie Edson Taylor had a plan to change her life. She would climb inside a wooden barrel, go over Niagara Falls—and hopefully become rich and famous. It sounds impossible. But she did it. Discover the remarkable true story of the first person known to survive going over Niagara Falls in a barrel, why she took such an extraordinary risk, and what happened after she survived. Sometimes taking a risk changes everything. Just not always in the way you expect. Listen, learn, and build your English with TRUE STORY by Explore English.

  7. Sep 26

    The Crime That Finally Brought Down Al Capone

    Al Capone was one of the most notorious gangsters in American history. His name was connected to organized crime, violence, corruption, and murder. But proving it was another matter. For years, authorities struggled to build a case against him. Then investigators found another way. They followed the money. Discover the true story of how one of America’s most powerful gangsters was finally brought down—not by murder charges or organized crime, but by tax evasion. Listen, learn, and build your English with TRUE STORY by Explore English.

  8. Sep 19

    The Man Who Stole the Mona Lisa

    In 1911, Vincenzo Peruggia walked into the Louvre Museum in Paris and left with something rather important—the Mona Lisa. No elaborate heist. No team of professional thieves. And somehow, nobody noticed until the next day. Discover the strange and surprisingly funny true story of how the world's most famous painting disappeared for more than two years, why Pablo Picasso became involved in the investigation, and how the theft itself may have helped turn the Mona Lisa into the cultural icon we know today. Listen, learn, and build your English with TRUE STORY by Explore English.

  9. Sep 12

    The Family Who Turned a Six-Month Trip Into a Life of Adventure

    A young couple from Argentina set out for Alaska in a 70-year-old car. The plan? Six months on the road. But six months came and went. Then they became parents. And somewhere along the way, a simple road trip turned into more than 20 years of adventure. This TRUE STORY is about family, travel, unexpected turns—and what can happen when life doesn’t go according to plan. Listen, enjoy the story, and practice your English along the way.

  10. Sep 5

    The Billion-Dollar Skill Nobody Talks About

    Before building Spanx, Sara Blakely spent years selling fax machines door to door. Discover how rejection, persistence, and the ability to talk to strangers helped shape her success.

    The Billion-Dollar Skill Nobody Talks About

  11. Sep 1

    The Actor Who Wouldn’t Give Up Rocky

    Before Rocky Balboa became one of cinema's most famous underdogs, the actor who created him was fighting his own battle for a chance.

  • 11 Episodes

About

TRUE STORY is an English-learning podcast from Explore English that brings real stories to life through natural, engaging storytelling. Each episode helps English learners strengthen their listening comprehension, vocabulary, pronunciation, and understanding of natural spoken English—all while enjoying a story worth hearing.

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