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

#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 [https://www.leonardoenglish.com/podcasts/2025-words-of-the-year] --- You might like: 🔓 Unlock bonus episodes, interactive transcripts, subtitles & vocabulary lists [https://bit.ly/3GaFzZy] ✨ 5 Powerful Tips for Learning English with Podcasts (Faster & Effectively!) [YouTube] [https://bit.ly/5TipsEnglishPodcasts] 📹 A look inside Leonardo English membership [https://bit.ly/3yzifnL] 📧 Join our FREE weekly newsletter [https://bit.ly/3Gw3tPJ] --- 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

#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 [https://www.leonardoenglish.com/podcasts/ai-vs-planet] --- You might like: 🔓 Unlock bonus episodes, interactive transcripts, subtitles & vocabulary lists [https://bit.ly/3GaFzZy] ✨ 5 Powerful Tips for Learning English with Podcasts (Faster & Effectively!) [YouTube] [https://bit.ly/5TipsEnglishPodcasts] 📹 A look inside Leonardo English membership [https://bit.ly/3yzifnL] 📧 Join our FREE weekly newsletter [https://bit.ly/3Gw3tPJ] --- 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

#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 [https://www.leonardoenglish.com/podcasts/piazza-fontana] --- You might like: 🔓 Unlock bonus episodes, interactive transcripts, subtitles & vocabulary lists [https://bit.ly/3GaFzZy] ✨ 5 Powerful Tips for Learning English with Podcasts (Faster & Effectively!) [YouTube] [https://bit.ly/5TipsEnglishPodcasts] 📹 A look inside Leonardo English membership [https://bit.ly/3yzifnL] 📧 Join our FREE weekly newsletter [https://bit.ly/3Gw3tPJ] --- 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

[Black Friday Freebie #7] The Red Baron | Germany’s Deadliest World War I Fighter Pilot

In the final part of this three-part mini-series, we'll explore the fascinating life of Manfred von Richthofen, better known as The Red Baron.  From aristocratic cavalry officer to legendary fighter pilot, his story is one of bravery, strategy, and the harsh realities of war. * Manfred von Richthofen's early life and military background  * Transition from cavalry officer to fighter pilot  * Development of synchronised forward-firing machine guns  * Influence of Oswald Boelcke on Richthofen  * Rise to prominence and chivalrous reputation  * The Red Baron and The Flying Circus  * Head injury and its potential effects  * Writing of his biography for propaganda  * Circumstances surrounding The Red Baron's death  * Legacy and enduring fame of The Red Baron  Full interactive transcript, subtitles and key vocabulary available on the website: https://www.leonardoenglish.com/podcasts/red-baron [https://www.leonardoenglish.com/podcasts/red-baron] --- You might like: 🔓 Unlock bonus episodes, interactive transcripts, subtitles & vocabulary lists [https://bit.ly/3GaFzZy] ✨ 5 Powerful Tips for Learning English with Podcasts (Faster & Effectively!) [YouTube] [https://bit.ly/5TipsEnglishPodcasts] 📹 A look inside Leonardo English membership [https://bit.ly/3yzifnL] 📧 Join our FREE weekly newsletter [https://bit.ly/3Gw3tPJ] --- 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

[Black Friday Freebie #6] Mata Hari | Lover, Dancer, Courtesan…Spy?

In this episode, we’ll explore the fascinating life of Mata Hari, the Dutch dancer accused of being a German spy during World War I.  Her tale is one of luxury, seduction, and betrayal, but was she truly a spy or merely a scapegoat in a world gone mad with spymania? * Mata Hari's execution in 1917 Paris  * Her wealthy yet troubled early life  * Escape to Paris and rise in exotic dance  * Creation of the Mata Hari persona  * Her relationships with powerful men  * Accusations of being a German spy  * French offer to spy against Germany  * Arrest after intercepted German telegram  * Show trial alleging espionage  * Mata Hari as a convenient scapegoat  Full interactive transcript, subtitles and key vocabulary available on the website: https://www.leonardoenglish.com/podcasts/mata-hari [https://www.leonardoenglish.com/podcasts/mata-hari] --- You might like: 🔓 Unlock bonus episodes, interactive transcripts, subtitles & vocabulary lists [https://bit.ly/3GaFzZy] ✨ 5 Powerful Tips for Learning English with Podcasts (Faster & Effectively!) [YouTube] [https://bit.ly/5TipsEnglishPodcasts] 📹 A look inside Leonardo English membership [https://bit.ly/3yzifnL] 📧 Join our FREE weekly newsletter [https://bit.ly/3Gw3tPJ] --- 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