Podcasts · Education · Society & Culture

American English Podcast

Shana Thompson

281 episodes

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/

Episodes page 1 of 6

  1. 223 - Itchy Feet: 10 Travel Expressions & My First Trip in Years

    · 25 min · S5 E223

    After seven years of being glued to my kids, I finally packed a bag and took a trip on my own. In this Chat with Shana episode, I take you back to my backpacking days in Europe: hostels, grocery store picnics, and one…

  2. 222 - "The Tell-Tale Heart" by Edgar Allan Poe (Halloween Special)

    · 32 min · S5 E222

    📖 Need help following along? Read the transcript + vocabulary explanations while you listen! In this episode, we're diving into the dark and mysterious world of Edgar Allan Poe, one of the most famous writers in the…

  3. ⭐ Feature: 13 Common Superstitions and Their Origins

    · 37 min

    We live in a day and age that is driven by science and technology, yet people are still superstitious. According to a study I read by YouGov, 9% of Americans claim to be superstitious, while another 35% admit to not…

  4. 221 - Firsts with Elise

    · 38 min · S5 E221

    Have you ever noticed how many of your best stories begin with, “The first time I…”? In today’s episode, I’m joined by my friend Elise to talk all about firsts—first jobs, first driving experiences, first adventures,…

  5. 220 - What’s on Your Bucket List? With My Mom

    · 31 min · S5 E220

    ➡️ Start improving your English today! Learn more about the Academy. What’s on your bucket list? ✨ In this episode, I sit down with my mom, Mara, to talk about some of the things she’d still love to do, see, and…

  6. 219 - The Art of Small Talk in the U.S.

    · 33 min · S5 E219

    🎯 Learn languages 1-on-1 with native teachers on italki. Use code SHANA9 to get $5 off your first lesson 💻 Web: https://go.italki.com/shana2609 📱App: https://go.italki.com/shana2609app Small talk in the U.S. isn't…

  7. ⭐ Feature: Funny Chat with My Dad (+Superlatives!)

    · 32 min

    ➡️ Start improving your English today! Learn more about the Academy. Every month, I like to bring back one of my favorite episodes from the past, and this one is an oldie but a goodie. ❤️ Some longtime listeners…

  8. 218.2 - English Story: Irregular Verbs with Dance Marathons

    · 29 min · S5 E218

    The other day, I was staring at my list of common Irregular Verbs, trying to think of a lesson I could create with 10 of them. Immediately, I saw some potential! Swing -> Swung, Fling -> Flung , Slide -> Slid. Somehow…

  9. 218 - Expression: To Keep Someone On Their Toes

    · 21 min · S5 E218

    The other day, I was staring at my list of common Irregular Verbs, trying to think of a lesson I could create with 10 of them. Immediately, I saw some potential! Swing -> Swung, Broadcast -> Broadcast, Sleep -> Slept.…

  10. 217 - What Bugs You? Insects and Annoyances with Lucas

    · 36 min

    Well, well, well. I never thought I’d make an entire episode about bugs and annoying things until Lucas was attacked by a swarm of yellow jackets this week! It got me thinking, why do we say something "bugs" us? In…

  11. ⭐ Feature: The Truth About Shark Attacks in U.S. Waters

    · 23 min

    Every year when I go to the beach, I have the same thought: Are there sharks out there in that dark water? It's not an irrational fear. Years ago, a student at my university, Lucas Ransom, was surfing off the…

  12. 216 - Soccer Vocabulary and the Miracle Match

    · 28 min · S5 E216

    While watching soccer matches in Brazil, I quickly realized I had no idea how to comment on a game in Portuguese. There were so many moments when I wanted to yell at the TV along with everyone else, but I needed an…

  13. 215 - Countries and Nationalities (Pronunciation and Quiz!)

    · 28 min · S5 E215

    How do you say the names of countries and nationalities in American English? Is it Swiss or Switzerlanders? Spaniard or Spanish? Dutch or Netherlanders? In this episode, we'll practice the pronunciation of 48 World…

  14. 214 - Soccer in the United States (History, Stories, and More!)

    · 30 min · S5 E214

    ⭐ Take part in our Free 14-Day English Slang and Expression Challenge. Why do Americans call it soccer instead of football? Why isn't it the most popular sport in the country? And do Americans actually care about the…

  15. ⭐ Feature: The Sweet History of the American Doughnut (or Donut)

    · 30 min

    ⭐ Want to start sounding more natural in English? Sign up to the Academy to learn more with each lesson. About this episode Why do doughnuts have holes? Who invented them? And how did they become one of America's…

  16. 213 - Discover South Carolina with Lora

    · 47 min · S5 E213

    What comes to mind when you think of South Carolina? Maybe it's Charleston's cobblestone streets, beautiful beaches, or Spanish moss hanging from ancient oak trees. But South Carolina has much more to offer than its…

  17. 212.2 - The Birth of Netflix and the Fall of Blockbuster

    · 28 min · S5 E212

    In this episode, I’m taking you back to the 1990s and sharing what family movie nights were like growing up in suburban California. From browsing the aisles at Blockbuster with my family to ordering DVDs through…

  18. 212 - Expression: To Think Outside the Box

    · 27 min · S5 E212

    What does it really mean to think outside the box? In this episode, you’ll learn one of the most common expressions in American English, used to describe creativity, innovation, and doing things differently. We’ll…

  19. 211 - Preposition Party 🎉 : 7 Everyday Word Pairs with Lucas

    · 31 min · S5 E211

    Lucas and I are back for another Preposition Party! Today our conversation is going to based on common English collocations like famous for, similar to, suffer from, believe in, proud of, and recover from. Along the…

  20. ⭐ Feature: 5-Minute English: Springtime in the U.S.

    · 15 min

    Join my 14-Day Slang and Expression Challenge. It's free! In this 5-Minute English episode, we’re diving into springtime in the United States. From blooming flowers and unpredictable April weather to outdoor…

  21. 210 - Quick Fix: Further vs. Farther

    · 14 min · S5 E210

    Do you like this episode format? I've been thinking about doing a series of these "quick fixes" for word confusion, pronunciation, and grammar. That is, if you like the format. So please be honest! In the meantime,…

  22. 209 - Ghost Towns in the American West with Aubrey Carter

    · 37 min · S5 E209

    In this episode, we explore the fascinating world of ghost towns in the United States—places where thousands of people once lived, worked, and searched for fortune… and then suddenly left behind. We begin in Coloma,…

  23. 208 - How to Improve the Four Skills in English: Listening, Reading, Speaking & Writing

    · 30 min · S5 E208

    In this episode, we go back to the fundamentals of language learning:listening, reading, speaking, and writing. But here’s the key idea: You’ll learn faster when these skills overlap. Instead of practicing each skill…

  24. ⭐ Feature: 5-Minute English: Cleaning

    · 21 min

    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…

  25. 207.2 - The Great Molasses Flood of 1919

    · 27 min · S5 E207

    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…

  26. 207 - Expression: In a Sticky Situation

    · 20 min · S5 E207

    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…

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

    · 27 min

    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…

  28. 206 - Let's Talk about Hair! (with Julia)

    · 22 min · S5 E206

    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…

  29. 205 - Preposition Party with Lucas 🎉 Love, Caring, Passions & Worries

    · 33 min · S5 E205

    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,…

  30. 204.2 - Irregular Verbs with Helen Keller

    · 28 min · S5 E204

    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…

  31. 204: Expression: To See Eye to Eye

    · 18 min · S5 E204

    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…

  32. ⭐ Feature: The Story of Starbucks

    · 36 min

    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…

  33. 203 - Preposition Party with Lucas 🎉 Everyday Verb + Preposition Pairs

    · 31 min · Episode 203

    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…

  34. 202.2. Irregular Verbs with Bonnie and Clyde

    · 31 min · Episode 202

    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…

  35. 202 - Expression: A Shot in the Dark

    · 21 min · Episode 202

    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…

  36. 201 - When Life Gives You Lemons...🍋 (+10 Expressions)

    · 32 min · Episode 201

    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…

  37. 200 - Review of Season 4

    · 37 min · S4 E200

    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…

  38. ⭐ 5-Minute English: Fall in the United States

    · 30 min

    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…

  39. 199 - 5 MORE Prepositions Advanced Speakers Get Wrong (with Lucas!)

    · 32 min · S4 E199

    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…

  40. 198.2 - Irregular Verbs: The Survival Story of Hugh Glass

    · 36 min · S4 E198

    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…

  41. 198 - Expression: Against All Odds

    · 28 min · S4 E198

    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…

  42. 197 - 5 Prepositions Advanced Speakers Still Get Wrong (with Lucas!)

    · 25 min · S4 E197

    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: ✅…

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

    · 30 min

    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…

  44. 196.2 - Invasion of Burmese Pythons in South Florida

    · 39 min · S4 E196

    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,…

  45. 196 - Expression: To Have a Hissy Fit

    · 21 min · S4 E196

    Ever heard someone say, “Don’t have a hissy fit”? In this episode, we break down this funny, very Southern expression that describes a dramatic overreaction (think tantrum, or an overreaction). You’ll hear real-life…

  46. 195 - The Goose & The Golden Egg (+10 Advanced Adjectives)

    · 33 min · S4 E195

    Yesterday at the library with my girls, a lightbulb went off in my head 💡—fables aren’t just great for kids... they’re perfect for English learners too! This week on the podcast, we’re diving into one of Aesop’s most…

  47. 194 - Discover Iowa with Bethany

    · 52 min · S4 E194

    Ever wondered what life is like in the middle of the U.S.? Tune in to this week’s episode with Bethany Anderson and discover tornado drills, taco pizza, sweet corn, Amish visits, and small towns bursting with culture.…

  48. ⭐ Feature: 5-Minute English: A Day at the Beach

    · 26 min

    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 this immersive summer episode, you'll escape to the sun-drenched…

  49. 193 - Sharks, Swamps, and Sweet Tea: Our Wild Trip to South Carolina

    · 33 min · S4 E193

    In this casual Chats with Shana episode, I’m taking you along on our sweaty summer trip to Charleston, South Carolina. 🌴 You’ll hear about: • Milo’s first vacation (spoiler: he’s a sand-digging pro) • Dining…

  50. 192.2 - American Bison (or Buffalo!)

    · 36 min · S4 E192

    You may be wondering: What’s the difference between a buffalo and a bison? That was the first question I had when researching this topic. And the answer is—well, a lot. Despite being from the same family (Bovidae),…

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