English Learning for Curious Minds

What does happiness really mean, and can it be measured? In this episode, we move from Aristotle’s eudaimonia to brain scans, surveys, big data, and what truly lifts our mood. It asks why money only helps so much, why social ties matter, and how trust shapes national well-being. Full interactive transcript, subtitles and key vocabulary available on the website: https://www.leonardoenglish.com/podcasts/science-of-happiness Read the World Happiness Report here: https://www.worldhappiness.report/ --- 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

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 20th October, 2025. To listen to SEND7 every morning, search in your podcast app for Simple English News Daily, or go to www.send7.org

From The Vault 🔐 — normally a member-only episode, unlocked this month for everyone. -- The Affair of the Poisons was a scandal involving black magic, murder, and deceit at the court of King Louis XIV of France. It all began with the discovery of a red leather trunk, and would go on to expose the desperation and moral decay behind the glitter of Versailles. - King Louis XIV and life at the French court - The role of mistresses in Louis XIV's court - Marie de Brinvilliers and the hospital poisonings - The death of Godin de Sainte-Croix reveals a scandal - La Voisin's role in Parisian witchcraft and poisonings - The investigation led by Gabriel Nicolas de La Reynie - The Chambre Ardente tribunal's secretive findings - Madame de Montespan allegedly plots against the King - How the scandalous affair was quietly covered up - The enduring legacy of 17th-century France's dark secrets 👉 Follow along with the interactive transcript, subtitles, and study pack — free, no registration required: https://www.leonardoenglish.com/podcasts/affair-of-poisons -- 🔓 And if you’d like to unlock our entire catalogue (550+ episodes), along with interactive transcripts, instant translations, and study packs, check out membership at https://bit.ly/FromTheVault2025

✨ 30 for 30 Challenge - Starts 13th October - https://bit.ly/30FOR30Challenge Registration closes at 23:59 on Sunday, 12th October. -- In part one of our three-part series on "Tyrants of the Roman Empire," we'll meet Caligula, the notorious Roman emperor known for his cruelty and excess. Once hailed as a promising leader, Caligula's reign quickly devolved into a nightmare, filled with public executions and humiliations. Full interactive transcript, subtitles and key vocabulary available on the website: https://www.leonardoenglish.com/podcasts/caligula --- 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

Today it's a bonus episode from Thinking in English, with Tom Wilkinson. You can find out more about Thinking in English at https://linktr.ee/thinkinginenglishpod -- You’re studying every day… but you feel stuck. You forget vocabulary. You hesitate to speak. And you start to wonder… “Why am I even doing this?” If this sounds familiar, you’re not alone. Many English learners experience frustration, boredom, or burnout at some point on their journey. But what if I told you that philosophy could help? In this episode of Thinking in English, we’re going to explore practical, powerful lessons from some of history’s greatest thinkers: Stoics, Existentialists, Buddhists, and more. These ideas have helped people cope with life’s biggest challenges… so why not apply them to the challenge of learning English? Whether you’re feeling unmotivated, overwhelmed, or just tired of forgetting everything you study, this episode is for you! Thinking in English - https://linktr.ee/thinkinginenglishpod YouTube Channel -⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.youtube.com/@thinkinginenglishpodcast --- 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

The Department of Governmental Efficiency, otherwise known as DOGE, was a radical plan to cut government waste and reduce spending. Where did the idea come from? How did it work? And crucially, did it do what it set out to do? Full interactive transcript, subtitles and key vocabulary available on the website: https://www.leonardoenglish.com/podcasts/doge-elon-musk --- 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

From The Vault 🔐 — normally a member-only episode, unlocked this month for everyone. -- It's a gripping battle of David vs. Goliath: a cattle farmer and a lawyer against DuPont, a massive chemical company. Discover how Rob Bilott uncovered a shocking environmental scandal, battled corporate giants, and revealed the hidden dangers of the "forever chemicals" found in non-stick pans. 👉 Follow along with the interactive transcript, subtitles, and study pack — free, no registration required: https://www.leonardoenglish.com/podcasts/teflons-secret -- 🔓 And if you’d like to unlock our entire catalogue (550+ episodes), along with interactive transcripts, instant translations, and study packs, check out membership at https://bit.ly/FromTheVault2025

Was Ross Ulbricht a visionary pioneer or a dangerous criminal? In part one of our series on "Young American Outlaws", we explore the rise and fall of the Silk Road and how Ulbricht's life sentence, followed by a 2025 presidential pardon, sparked fierce debate over freedom, technology, and the role of government. Full interactive transcript, subtitles and key vocabulary available on the website: https://www.leonardoenglish.com/podcasts/silk-road --- 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

Ever wondered how the (podcast) sausage is made? In this slightly "meta" episode, I reveal the step-by-step process to make an episode of English Learning for Curious Minds. Full interactive transcript, subtitles and key vocabulary available on the website: https://www.leonardoenglish.com/podcasts/how-i-make-podcast-episodes --- 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

Alfred Nobel, the inventor of dynamite, was shocked to read his own obituary branding him the "merchant of death." While the story might not be entirely true, it pushed him to reconsider his legacy. His fortune went on to establish the Nobel Prizes, honouring achievements in physics, chemistry, medicine, literature, and peace, ensuring his name is remembered for contributions to humanity. Full interactive transcript, subtitles and key vocabulary available on the website: https://www.leonardoenglish.com/podcasts/nobel-prize --- 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

In part one of a three-part mini-series on the theme of citizenship and identity, we'll ask ourselves, "What makes someone Italian?" We'll explore the topic of citizenship and identity in Italy, and see what the current laws tell us about what it means to be (or not to be) Italian. Full interactive transcript, subtitles and key vocabulary available on the website: https://www.leonardoenglish.com/podcasts/italian-identity --- 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

Hannibal of Carthage, one of history's greatest military strategists, almost brought the Roman Republic to its knees. As a boy, he swore eternal enmity against Rome, leading him to cross the Alps with his diverse army and elephants, stunning the Romans. Despite his victories, he never managed to capture Rome, but his legacy of brilliance and determination remains. Full interactive transcript, subtitles and key vocabulary available on the website: https://www.leonardoenglish.com/podcasts/hannibal --- 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

💊 Register for "The Mules": https://bit.ly/TheMules25 Registration closes 23:59 03/09/2023 || Summer Offer €99 only (€30 off) -- Meet Mobutu Sese Seko, the man who rose from a lowly army officer to become the autocratic ruler of the Democratic Republic of the Congo. Wearing his signature leopard-skin hat, Mobutu rebranded the country as Zaire and himself as a symbol of African pride. Despite his charismatic persona and lavish lifestyle, his regime left the country impoverished, highlighting the dangers of unchecked power and corruption. Full interactive transcript, subtitles and key vocabulary available on the website: https://www.leonardoenglish.com/podcasts/mobutu-sese-seko --- You might like: 💊 Join The Mules (closes 23:59 06/07/2025) 🔓 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

In this episode, we'll explore the complex world of minimum wage laws, from their surprising origins in Australia and New Zealand to modern debates around their effectiveness. Do they protect the lowest-paid workers, or do they do more damage than good? Full interactive transcript, subtitles and key vocabulary available on the website: https://www.leonardoenglish.com/podcasts/minimum-wage --- 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

In 2011, Egypt erupted in protest, toppling a 30-year regime. What began as a grassroots movement against an autocratic leader turned into a complex struggle for democracy and power. In this episode, we'll travel through the events that led from the hopeful dawn of revolution to the military's return to power, and see how social media and global events played pivotal roles in shaping modern Egypt. Full interactive transcript, subtitles and key vocabulary available on the website: https://www.leonardoenglish.com/podcasts/egyptian-revolution --- 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

⚡️ "The Great Speeches Challenge" Special Offer: https://bit.ly/GreatSpeechesChallenge Sign up for Pro Annual before 23:59 25/05/2025 and get "The Great Speeches Challenge" (worth €99) FOR FREE -- In this episode, we'll explore the eerie events of the Salem Witch Trials, a chilling tale of suspicion, fear, and injustice in 17th-century Massachusetts. Discover how a village turned against itself, leading to the execution of innocent people amidst accusations of witchcraft, and consider the theories behind what really happened. Full interactive transcript, subtitles and key vocabulary available on the website: https://www.leonardoenglish.com/podcasts/salem-witch-trials Episode about The History of Witches: https://www.leonardoenglish.com/podcasts/witches "Weird history" episodes: https://www.leonardoenglish.com/podcast-tags/weird-history "Horror" episodes: https://www.leonardoenglish.com/podcast-tags/horror W --- You might like: ⚡️ "The Great Speeches Challenge" Special Offer (ends 23:59 25/05/2025) 🔓 Unlock bonus episodes, interactive transcripts, subtitles & vocabulary lists ⚡️ How To Use Podcasts Like A Boss To Learn English 📧 Join the weekly newsletter --- Keywords: Learn English, idioms, aprende inglés, idiomas, aprender inglês, apprendre l'anglais, imparare l’inglese, ingilizce öğren,英語を習う, تعلم الإنجليزية

In part one of this three-part mini-series, we'll explore the captivating life of T.E. Lawrence, the British archaeologist and army officer known as "Lawrence of Arabia." Discover how he fought alongside Arabian tribesmen during World War I in their quest for independence, all while knowing an uncomfortable secret. Full interactive transcript, subtitles and key vocabulary available on the website: https://www.leonardoenglish.com/podcasts/lawrence-arabia --- 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

In this episode, we'll explore the fascinating history of perfume, tracing its journey from Ancient Mesopotamia to its artistic development in France. We'll learn how scents have evolved from practical uses to luxury items, and discover the intriguing world of “grands nez,” the master perfumers who dedicate their lives to crafting these aromatic masterpieces. Full interactive transcript, subtitles and key vocabulary available on the website: https://www.leonardoenglish.com/podcasts/perfume --- 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

In this episode, we'll explore the life of Mustafa Kemal Atatürk, the founder of modern Turkey. Discover how he turned a fragmented resistance into a national movement, established a secular republic from imperial ruins, and why he’s still called "The Father of the Turks." Full interactive transcript, subtitles and key vocabulary available on the website: https://www.leonardoenglish.com/podcasts/mustafa-kemal-ataturk --- 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

In this episode of Thinking in English, host Tom Wilkinson explores the past perfect continuous tense, using the 2008 financial crisis as a case study. The episode covers the grammar rules and structures of the past perfect continuous tense, emphasising its usage to describe actions that started in the past, continued for some time, and were ongoing or just finished before another event. The lesson includes in-depth examples and concludes with a discussion on Michael Burry, who had been predicting the financial collapse for years. Links Website - https://thinkinginenglish.blog/ Study Pack - https://www.patreon.com/thinkinginenglish/shop/study-packs-past-present-and-future-807289 TiE Patreon - https://www.patreon.com/c/thinkinginenglish Find Out More - https://linktr.ee/thinkinginenglishpod 00:00 Introduction 01:39 Grammar Lesson 04:42 Financial Crisis and Past Perfect Continuous 10:56 Final Thought