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Episodes 1694-1697
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Connection NOT Perfection™

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AEE Episode 1694: Learn English with Friends the TV Show and the
People
Announcer: This is an All Ears English Podcast Episode 1694: “Learn English with
Friends the TV Show and the People.”
[Instrumental]
Announcer: Welcome to the All Ears English podcast downloaded more than 200
million times. Are you feeling stuck with your English? We'll show you how
to become fearless and fluent by focusing on Connection NOT
Perfection™ with your American hosts Lindsay McMahon, the “English
Adventurer,” and Michelle Kaplan, the “New York Radio Girl,” coming to
you from Colorado and New York City, U.S.A.
And to get your transcripts delivered by email every week, go to

AllEarsEnglish.com/subscribe.
[Instrumental]
Announcer: Have you ever tried to learn a new language alongside your friends? Today
find out how to encourage your friends to speak only in English so that
everyone can become fluent faster.
[Instrumental]
Lindsay: Hello, Michelle, how's it going?
Michelle: Hi, good, Lindsay, how are you?
© All Ears English www.allearsenglish.com

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Lindsay: Awesome, awesome. I'm excited to talk today about Friends, both the TV
show a little bit, of course, and also just those wonderful people in our
lives that make our lives so much brighter.
Michelle: Lindsay, well, have you ever practiced learning a language with friends?
Like, maybe taken a language class with a friend or something like that?
Lindsay: That’s a good question. Not really. I think most of my language adventures
have been pretty much on my own, because my friends haven’t been
learning the same language at the same time. I guess I kind of became
friends with people in my Japanese classes in Tokyo, but they weren’t my
friends from before. So, what about you, Michelle? Have you ever teamed
up with someone?
Michelle: I mean, I used to, like, live with, no, I mean, I used to live, like, in a
dorm where we took some languages, took classes together, but I guess
we were becoming friends through the class as well. But I, I don't think
that I've ever been like, "Ohh, let's just take a language class together."
but that would be cool. But, I mean, what do you think, like, what are the
positives to doing that? Let's talk a little bit about, you know, learning
English with friends. First, we'll talk about the important people in your
life.
Lindsay: And then we'll talk about the TV show.
Michelle: Learning a… Sure. Learning a language with friends, like, what are some of
the good things about that?
Lindsay: Well, I think that language, again, we come back to connection, guys.
Language is a connection tool, that's all that it matters for, in our opinion,
that's all that it matters for, right? So, it can be motivating and fun when
you can use what you've just learned to connect. And so, you get to hang
out with them more often, you have someone to practice with. You can be
honest about things that you don't understand without feeling awkward
or self-conscious. But actually, I kind of think people do feel a little self-
conscious because they're learning in front of someone they already know.
I don't know if you've heard students, I actually think it's in the other camp
for a lot of people, that they would rather make a mistake in front of a
stranger than a friend, because there's pride there. You know?

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Michelle: So, this very much reminds me of this idea of, like, when I used to, like,
perform more, unfortunately, I don't do much anymore, but I would be so
scared to practice in front of three friends.
Lindsay: Exactly.
Michelle: And much more afraid of that than to perform in front of, like, a 100
people.
Lindsay: Exactly.
Michelle: It's an intimacy thing.
Lindsay: And I have the same thing, I'm the same way. I'd much rather mess up or
give a speech and to have it be a complete disaster and have no one I
know in the audience, than having all my colleagues or people I know and
people I respect and look up to and that, it's just... So, I actually disagree, I
think it's a negative.
Michelle: Yeah (yes), no, that's, that’s interesting, I didn't think about that. I thought
you might be less self-conscious, but you might actually be more. I mean, I
think a negative too, I mean, but I do think that it could be motivating and
fun. You can kind of challenge each other.
Lindsay: Yeah (yes).
Michelle: But I think a negative to learning with a friend is, like, you might be more
drawn to your first language when practicing with them. You might maybe
slack a little bit more, you know, get distracted. What do you think?
Lindsay: Ohh yeah (yes), for sure. You could easily just slip into that first language
more easily if you speak the same one, slack off, “We don’t want to study,
let’s go to the bar instead.” Things like that. There may be less
accountability, right?
Michelle: Right, right, right, exactly, and I mean, it could, I mean, if one person…
Like, let's say you're trying to study together, and one person is taking the
class more seriously, right, and then the other one, it could maybe, like,
strain, you know, your relationships, like, if you're not good, like, study
buddies. Right?

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Lindsay: Right, or it could just be awkward, just awkward, you know, let's say one
person is very earnest, and that's a great word right there, "earnest,"
earnest and serious about learning, they're taking this in completely. Let's
say you've joined a community class, right, learning language. You want to
do well, but your friend is just slacking off, they don't care, they're goofing
around, maybe they're, they don't have any confidence that they can
actually learn, so, they're goofing off. Then how do you talk to that person
and say, "Hey, I want to take this seriously, I actually want to learn." To me
it feels like it opens up a can of worms.
Michelle: Uh-huh, uh-huh. Well, you know what, this actually makes me think about
an episode of Friends.
Lindsay: That's hilarious. Which episode, Michelle?
Michelle: Yeah (yes), well, there was an episode where Rachel and Phoebe decide to
take a class, like, just, like, an adult education, I think, like, a literature
class.
Lindsay: Okay.
Michelle: And Phoebe, like, takes it very seriously, and Rachel just always, like,
comes in and she’s like, “I didn’t read it, like, I didn't..." Like, you know,
and then, like, she ends up getting very frustrated. So, that actually
reminds me of an episode of Friends.
Lindsay: What a great show too, I always... Sometimes it's on TV and I'll catch it, it
still makes me laugh. Makes me feel like the world can still be kind of light,
you know, lighthearted and we can still laugh. Like, there's such heavy
news on TV these days, and then sometimes Friends is on, like, I'm going
to watch CNBC or CNN, I'm just going to watch Friends and just laugh and
enjoy, you know.
Michelle: Exactly, exactly. I've, Lindsay, I've got a Friends reference for every
situation.
Lindsay: You do, Michelle.
Michelle: That's my superpower. So, anyway, So, let's talk more about using first
language. I mean, so, how can we, like, let's say we're taking, you know,
we're learning English with our friends, how, what can we do to avoid

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slipping into this pattern? I mean, this is not to say that all friends you
learn with it will have the same first language or the same study habits,
but let's say in the event that you are, maybe you are in your home
country and you're taking class together, or maybe you are abroad, and
you are living with people who speak your first language.
Lindsay: Yes.
Michelle: I mean and you, it might be easy to, like, you know, kind of slip into that
sometimes, and you want to watch out for that. Of course, it’s
unreasonable to say that you’re only going to speak in English all the time,
but I mean, what are, what are some things that you could say if, like, you
feel like, you know, you want to speak English more?
Lindsay: Yeah (yes), I mean, so, we're going to give you guys a couple phrases right
now, but I'll just say it first, saying these phrases in English is the first step,
right? Instead of...
Michelle: That's right.
Lindsay: Instead of saying them in your first language that you share with that
friend. So, just by speaking in the language to the person, you're indicating
to them, hey, I want to practice. So, you know, get, get into it or, you
know, hit the highway. Not literally. But, so, here's a phrase we could say,
guys. Again, this is what you would say to your friend who speaks your
language or another language about your desire to use English. You can
say, "Let's see if we can speak only in English for the next X minutes." So,
you could say five minutes or ten minutes or three hours, whatever it is.
Right?
Michelle: Right, true.
[Instrumental]
Lindsay: Hey, Michelle, something big is happening right now. Should we go ahead
and tell our listeners about it?
Michelle: Yes, absolutely. So, guys, here is the deal. We have teamed up exclusively
with Press Play Academy, a popular online learning platform in Taiwan to
launch a limited Chinese version of our Business English course.

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Lindsay: Ohh my gosh, this is the business English course that features interviews
with 25 native speaker business professionals. Right, Michelle?
Michelle: Yes, exactly, Lindsay, and it includes over 20 hours of video lessons, those
native speaker interviews, plus a study plan and quizzes.
Lindsay: Yeah (yes), this course is already popular, but with this exclusive Chinese
version, there are Chinese subtitles and learning materials.
Michelle: And we created an exclusive bonus course to go along with this with some
additional lessons, which is not available anywhere else except for this
Chinese version.
Lindsay: And Press Play is offering an award of 2000 NT dollars for students who
complete the two-month study plan and assignments. That sound like
motivation to me.
Michelle: Ohh yes, exactly, Lindsay. So, why are we telling you this now? Well, fans
of All Ears English have a chance right now to get a special early bird price
if you use our discount code. This offer goes away soon, though.
Lindsay: Alright, so, listen up, guys, the offer goes away soon. Here's what you have
to do to get the deal. Step one, go right now to
AllEarsEnglish.com/PressPlay. That's PRESSPLAY. And step two, use the
special discount code to get 250 NT dollars off. And what's the code,
Michelle?
Michelle: Alright, the code is AEE250.
Lindsay: Awesome. Again, if you guys want to have access and to save 250 NT
dollars on the exclusive Chinese version of our business English online
course, go over to AllEarsEnglish.com/PressPlay and enter code AEE250,
that's the number 250. Alright, Michelle, this has been great. I'm so
excited to see our students and our listeners inside of this course.
Michelle: Alright, me too.
Lindsay: Alright, talk you soon.
Michelle: Bye.

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[Instrumental]
Michelle: True. And I feel like that kind of is a fun thing to say because it's a little bit
of a challenge.
Michelle: Like, you could either, you could say it as a plan, or you could be like,
"Alright, we're at this restaurant. Let's see if we can just speak in English
for the next five minutes, like, only in English."
Lindsay: Yeah (yes), it's kind of fun. It's like you're proposing kind of a game and a
little, "let's see what we can do," and you're also using we, so you're not
saying, "You need to speak English more to me." Right, saying "we," "Let's
see how we can do this, if we can accomplish this challenge."
Michelle: "We want to," yes, the two of you. Yeah (yes), or more than two. Another
thing you could say, and this is another, another kind of game, like, thing is
“the first person to speak in ______, whatever the language is.”
Lindsay: Japanese.
Michelle: This after, this afternoon, this evening, whatever, owes the rest of us lunch
or owes the rest of us, or, like, has to do the dishes, or if you're there, your
roommate. Like, something, you know, like, another way to make it a
game.
Lindsay: Yeah (yes), I like these, Michelle, because they are playful, they're still
playful. You are communicating a very clear message that you want the
language of the day to be English, but they're still playful and fun, you're
not accusing, it's not accusatory, right? You're challenging your friends and
you're all together in this. That's why I like these.
Michelle: Right, right, right, right, it's all of you together, and, like, you know, it’s
different if someone is, like, "Lindsay, you know what, we really need to
practice our, you know, Spanish more. So, like, really, like, let's, I think for
the next five minutes...” You know, like, that's not fun.
Lindsay: No.

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Michelle: Like, you want to say it... Like, I think you're going to get the other people
more motivated if you make it a game, if you make it a challenge and, like,
put, like, some stakes to it, like, you're going to have to buy me lunch, or
you're going to, like, whoever speaks in English longer can, is, like, can
choose the movie we're going to watch tonight.
Lindsay: Yeah (yes), it's kind of like human psychology, I mean human, it's like
when you raise kids. Right, I've never raised a kid, but I imagine everything
has to be posed in the form of a game or a challenge or a quest. So, you
need to think about how you frame that to people. Adults are the same,
they're not that much different than kids. Right?
Michelle: It's true. Yeah (yes), no, it's definitely true. And like, I don't know. I think I
think that that's just motivating and fun, and I would be much more likely
to be like, "Alright, let's see if we can do it." rather than if somebody, like,
puts it, like, the school assignment to me.
Lindsay: Yeah (yes), for sure, for sure.
Michelle: Yeah (yes). I mean, Lindsay, what are some other tips you can think of for,
like, learning with friends?
Lindsay: I mean, make it fun, involve pop culture. So, get a book, get an article, get
a TV show, make a movie club where every week you get together and
watch a movie together and then you talk about it. So, it doesn't have to
be that you all have a textbook open together, right?
Michelle: No.
Lindsay: Like, use a piece of pop culture as the source of the content.
Michelle: Right, right, right. I mean, another thing is you could, I mean, you could do
the homework together, just be like, alright, I mean, you don't have to, but
that's, I mean, that is another way you can learn together.
Lindsay: You could, yeah (yes).
Michelle: Or you could go on outings and like I said, make it fun, give challenges,
like, dares. Like, for example, like, challenge each person to make a new
friend or to have three conversations and report back, or, like, you go to a

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restaurant and, like, "I challenge you to, like, ask the waiter two extra
questions.”
Lindsay: Yeah (yes). So, this is good. This kind of reminds me of our Urban
Immersion Adventure.
Michelle: That’s what I was thinking, I was thinking the same thing.
Lindsay: Yeah (yes), remember we had, we kind of had, like, scavenger hunts
around Boston and New York City, and our students were coming back,
reporting back in English, what they did, and they were together with a
friend from the program, in some cases they spoke the same language, but
they used English the whole time, they wanted that experience together.
So, for sure. Yeah (yes).
Michelle: Right, right, right. I mean, and this way you kind of become each other's
teachers, like, you make it fun, you work together. And just, like, I always
say to my students, like, even if, even if you say, "Let's talk together only
English for, you know, two minutes a day." Right? Even if you do two
minutes a day, even if you're tired at the end of the day and you say, "Let's
just talk for two minutes." you know, or whatever, like, let's just do it,
that's already, look at, if you do that for two minutes a day, that's 14
minutes... My math skills. That's 14 minutes a week, right, however, a
month, and, like, just increasing it, even if it's just a tiny bit. So, like, just
try and push yourself.
Lindsay: Exactly. There's no standard, like, it's not like it doesn't qualify as
practicing unless you hit a certain amount of time.
Michelle: Yeah (yes). No.
Lindsay: Right? It's the same with really anything. You're kind of, it's muscle
memory, you're teaching yourself anything you can do with that, one
minute, two minutes, three minutes. It's so good. The important thing is
that it becomes a habit, right, Michelle, that we make it a habit, we do it
every day, or at least five days a week or something. Right?
Michelle: Yeah (yes), right, right, right, exactly. So, I mean, guys, I think that the main
thing is to remember, you know, don't let your friends hold you back,
make sure that you meet new people and make new friends. And if you
are, you know, really, but also, like, use your friends as, like, you guys are

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each other's assets, like, you can work together and make it fun. But, you
know, don't, don't let it be, like, this one friend isn't interested in speaking.
You know, this one friend doesn't like, isn't into the challenge, isn't into
the whole thing, kind of goofing off, laughing. Don't let that pull you down,
you, you know, go after your goals and be honest about your goals.
Lindsay: Be honest about your goals and just remember the famous Jim Rohn
quote, right, you are the average of the five people you spend the most
time with. So, if, you know, your friends are just not getting on board, if
for whatever reason they just are not taking it seriously, they just want to
keep speaking your native language, think about learning with different
friends that have higher quality goals and are trying to achieve something
big in their lives. Right, Michelle? I mean, sometimes we have to be honest
with ourselves. So, that's a piece of it too.
Michelle: Right.
Michelle: Exactly, exactly. Yeah (yes), so, Lindsay, I think that's the takeaway, if your
friends don't have the same goals, that's okay, right?
Michelle: You can acknowledge this and go on your way, and in any case, you should
be making new friends, but hopefully you can, you know, use these ways
to motivate each other. So, I hope that we've given you some ideas to now
if you're kind of working with your friends, you can be like, "Alright, let's
try, like, let's make it fun. Let's, let's place some, you know, casual bets on,
people buy food or people do this, not." I'm not encouraging betting, but
you know what I mean? Like, just make it your own, make it fun, make
learning English, like, unique to, like, things that you may be already like as
friends.
Lindsay: Yes, that's so true.
Michelle: And, like, so, I think that's going to be motivating. So, definitely learn
English with friends, your special people, and also the TV show is great.
Lindsay: I love that, that's so funny. And guys, remember, by the way, this episode
has been on YouTube, this episode is right over there on YouTube. So, if

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you want to see us and hang out over there, you can subscribe to our
YouTube channel, just search for All Ears English over on YouTube, and you
can get, we put at least two of our episodes a week on video over there.
So, so good. And Michelle, thanks for hanging out today and talking about
this.
Michelle: Alright, thanks, Lindsay, have a good one.
Lindsay: Alright, bye.
Michelle: Bye.
[Instrumental]
Announcer: Thanks for listening to All Ears English. Would you like to know your
English level? Take our two-minute quiz. Go to
AllEarsEnglish.com/FluencyScore. And if you believe in Connection NOT
Perfection™, then hit subscribe now to make sure you don't miss anything.
See you next time.

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AEE Episode 1695: Five Tips to Stay Focused when You Read and
Listen in English
Announcer: This is an All Ears English Podcast Episode 1695: “Five Tips to Stay Focused
when You Read and Listen in English.”
[Instrumental]
To get real-time transcripts right on your phone and create your

personalized vocabulary list, try the All Ears English app for iOS and
Android. Start your 7-day free trial at AllEarsEnglish.com/App.
[Instrumental]
Announcer: In today's episode we answer a question from a student who is having a

hard time staying focused. Does your mind wander when you read or
listen? Today get our top tips to solve this problem.
[Instrumental]
Lindsay: Hey (hi), Michelle, how's it going today?

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Michelle: Hey (hi), Lindsay, I'm good, I'm good. How are you?
Lindsay: I'm good. Are you excited? We're recording with a new program today.
We're so excited. This is going to be on YouTube today, guys. So, Go over
and check us out on YouTube.
Michelle: Yes, check us out. This is fun, this is fun, I am excited for today’s episode.
So, today we are going to, guys, also on YouTube you can ask questions
there.
Lindsay: Yes.
Michelle: So, that’s a really good place. We do go through those YouTube questions
and today we’re actually going to be answering a question that somebody
asked on YouTube through a comment. So, this is good stuff, Lindsay.
Lindsay: Yeah (yes), this is going to be great. First of all, I want to ask you, Michelle,
have you been doing a lot of reading lately? Are you reading a novel or
anything in particular that you’re digging into?
Michelle: I have started reading again. I, for a while, I was just, like, way too tired to
read, and I had read a really bad book.
Lindsay: A bad book? Ohh no.
Michelle: And I think I just... It was just terrible. I’m not going to say the name, it was
awful. But, like, I... So, I kind of got out of it, and now I'm, I did get a new
book, and it takes me a little while to get, to get moving again, like, in the
rhythm of reading. But I do love to read. So, but the new book is good so
far.
Lindsay: That's awesome. I'm still getting sucked into the New York Times on my
phone. I really struggle getting, you know, every night it's like there's a
book by my side and then there's my phone with the New York Times, and
the New York Times wins most of the time, Michelle, sadly, but I love
curling up with a book, especially as it's getting colder in the mornings, in
the morning with a coffee, weekend morning and a book. I love that, that
is the best.
Michelle: Wow. I, like, never read in the morning, my reading would always...

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Lindsay: You don't?
Michelle: No, but that sounds delightful.
Lindsay: It's fantastic. I always feel, like, a clear sense in my mind when I'm reading
in the morning, it's just easier to read in the morning for some reason. So, I
don't know. Yeah (yes).
Michelle: Yeah (yes), yeah (yes), that's cool. I mean, Lindsay, do you ever, like, have
trouble concentrating, though?
Lindsay: Ohh yeah (yes).
Michelle: Like, when you’re reading or, or not necessarily with reading but, like,
maybe with language learning or anything, like, do you have a hard time
staying focused sometimes?
Lindsay: All the time, Michelle, especially now, right, emails are coming in all the
time, I'm always thinking about something else, it's so bad. I definitely do.
Do you have a hard time concentrating?
Michelle: Yeah (yes), and I do have a hard time concentrating with reading and, like,
I think that at night it's kind of what you're saying, like, I do get attracted
to my phone and to looking up articles on my phone.
Lindsay: Yes.
Michelle: And it's true. They're in this, like, competition, and it's... I wish I were the
type of person that could be like, "I'm going to put my phone in the other
room."
Lindsay: I know, me too, me too.
Michelle: And there are people who do that, but, like, I can't, it's terrible. It's really
terrible.
Lindsay: Yeah (yes), all the articles tell you that the worst thing is having technology
by your bed and that you should turn it off and put in the other room. But
I just, yeah (yes), no, not happening.

16
Michelle: Yes, I can't, I know, I know. So, but we have this listener question, and this
is about, like, you know, staying focused with reading, things like that. So, I
mean, like, especially when you're learning a language I think, you know,
we often think about the output, right, the speaking, the writing.
Lindsay: Yes, yes.
Michelle: And I think to stay focused on the input, the reading and listening, that can
be, that can be tricky.
Lindsay: For sure.
Michelle: So, Lindsay, I mean, can you read our...
Lindsay: Of course, yes.
Michelle: Listener question for today?
Lindsay: Absolutely. So, the listener says, "Hello, thank you very much. Could you
make a video about how to keep concentration?" meaning how to stay
concentrated is how we'd say that in English. Right, Michelle?
Michelle: Yeah (yes), stay concentrated.
Lindsay: "Stay concentrated while doing reading and listening, please. Thank you in
advance, I'm really struggling." Ohh boy. And Michelle, I think it's doubly
hard when we're doing this in a second language. Right? I mean, we
struggle in our own language, but to stay conc...
Michelle: Yeah (yes), right, so true, it's so true. I mean, yeah (yes), I definitely lose
focus even when reading something for pleasure. Do you ever have that
moment, Lindsay, when you are trying to read when it somehow it beats
out the New York Times, maybe it's in the morning and you're reading and
you're reading and you're reading and you realize that your eyes are doing
the reading, but your brain isn't actually processing anything?
Lindsay: This used to happen to me in school a lot too. When we were told, "Read
this paragraph, read this chapter silently." I would often be thinking about
something else and realize that my eyes are just reading, I'm not actually
absorbing anything, that's so bad.

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Michelle: I know, I know. That's a worse, and then you kind of have to go back and
you're like, "Where was I? Like, where did I stop?" And then it's like,
sometimes, like, a whole page or more, and you're like, "Uh-oh."
Lindsay: Or the worst is in class when you have to report back, like, this class would
summarize what you learned from the passage, and you have nothing.
I got nothing.
Michelle: Yeah (yes), I know, I know. Okay. It sounds like we’re similar readers here.
Michelle: So, yeah (yes), I mean, but how can our listeners, I mean, let's answer our
listener question today, right, like, kind of stay concentrated when it
comes to reading and listening. Because this can happen to me with
listening too, like, I'll listen to a podcast or anything really, and then I'll
realize I wasn't actually listening.
Lindsay: For sure.
Michelle: You know, sometimes it becomes backward noise. background noise. I

know that never happens to our listeners with All Ears English because
they're hanging on every word.
Lindsay: I love that expression, by the way. Guys, that's a little bonus for you today,
"hanging on every word." Michelle, what does it mean?
Michelle: It means that you, you can't stop paying attention, you are listening so
carefully that every word is important. It's like you're hanging on, yeah
(yes).
Lindsay: Exactly. And first before we go into our tips, we do have tips, guys, before
we go into them, we want to remind you to go and subscribe to the IELTS
Energy podcast if you're taking the IELTS exam. Michelle, why should they
check out this podcast?
Michelle: Ohh, well, it's amazing.
Lindsay: It's amazing.

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Michelle: You got Jessica, you got Jessica and Aubrey over there. What could be
better?
Lindsay: I know.
Michelle: They're experts when it comes to IELTS, and they do it in a fun way. Right?
Michelle: That you're going to learn so much and you're going to love learning it,
and you're not going to feel like you're, like, you know, studying, boring.
You're going to actually be interested in it.
Lindsay: Exactly. So, guys, go over there, find the IELTS Energy podcast and hit
follow now. Alright, Michelle, let’s get into these tips for our listeners. So,
what would be the first one of how they can stay focused?
Michelle: Alright, guys, the first one is to put a time cap on it, right? Have a goal. So,
it could be 30 minutes, but it could also be five minutes, it could be ten
minutes, it could be one paragraph, right? So, some sort of time or some
sort of limit, set a timer or leave a mark where you’re going to stop, even if
it’s two minutes, right? And try and increase your time as, you know, as
time goes along, right? Like, make it a game, see how much you can take
in a certain amount of time, like a goal, maybe, like, let’s say you have ten
minutes to do something, make yourself a goal. Like, you're going to
highlight, you know, two interesting words in ten minutes or five
interesting words in 30 minutes. So, like, kind of make it a little bit like a
game. We talk about the sometimes, making things more game-like.
Lindsay: More game-like.
Michelle: Or, like, you can say, "I'm going to closely read three paragraphs in 20
minutes.'' I think just, like, having that limit knowing that it's coming to an
end, or this could be with listening too, of course, right, listening for a
certain amount of time.
Lindsay: Sure.
Michelle: But knowing, like, that I have this goal, it's not just an open-ended
completely, you know.

19
Lindsay: Yes.
Michelle: And be honest with yourself, if you feel like your concentration is that you
got about two minutes in you, go for two minutes, that's fine. Better than
nothing.
Lindsay: Yeah (yes), and I like, I like the time limit that the amount of time we're
putting on this, the recommendation is about 25-30 minutes. Right,
Michelle, more or less in that range, 40 maybe. I think we were talking
about this yesterday, or maybe I was talking with someone else, the
pomodoro method. Right? The pomodoro method is based on this concept
that adults can really only focus for about 40 minutes. Right, 30 to 40
minutes on any one task. And so, if that's based on science, right, so, if we
take that science and we say I'm going to do this thing for 30 minutes and
I'm not going to ask my brain for two hours of focus, concentration, just 30
minutes, that's very digestible in terms of time, right?
Michelle: Right, right, right, exactly. I think it's manageable.
Michelle: And be, like I said, be honest with yourself about how much, how much
you want to do, how much you can do. So, yeah (yes). Lindsay, what's the
next, what's the next tip?
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Lindsay: Well, we believe in rewards, right? We, even though we’re not kids, right,
we still as adults need rewards to make ourselves feel motivated. Right?
That’s what we need, and we’ve been talking about this lately. So, what
would that be? Taking a day off. It’s okay to take a day off where you’re
not reading in English or listening in English. Or make it pretty. I like this

20
idea. This is creative. What’s your favorite color? Buy headphones in that
color. That’s kind of cool.
Michelle: Right.
Lindsay: What else could we do, Michelle, to beautify our work experience?
Michelle: Well, you could make, like, a little workstation, you know, that has, you
know, like, put like, like, you know, reading things up, you know,
something that makes you feel like exciting to be in that space, excited to
be in that space.
Lindsay: I love that.
Michelle: Right?
Michelle: Maybe you have a special comfy (comfortable) reading chair, or

somewhere where you listen to things. But yeah (yes), having this, like, or
maybe for reading also buy fun highlighters or pans, like, just something
that makes it feel a little bit different. Not just you're sitting there reading
with your pen and, like, that's it.
Lindsay: Yeah (yes), yeah (yes).
Michelle: I feel, like, the headphones idea is also, yeah (yes), like I like that.
Lindsay: It's cool.
Michelle: Like, you buy fun headphones, you just feel special, you feel like you're
making, like, this is, like, the special thing I do when I'm reading, it's a
special thing I do when I'm listening.
Lindsay: Yeah (yes), and I can tell you that this really works because for my
meditation practice in order to make sure I did it, right, I set up a little,
like, a little shrine space for myself in my old house, right. I've bought the
items that would make that, you buy the pillow or the cushion, and then
you buy, like, I have a little, or had, it broke unfortunately, a little Buddhist
statue, you know, and then I set it on a nice table with a nice drape that I
had bought in Thailand. And so, creating, a little candle next to it. I created

21
a little space that felt kind of sacred to me and that I could come back to,
it's my space. And so, doing the same thing, guys, whether that's in the
items you're using or a physical space, a corner window seat with candles,
you want to go back to that space.
Michelle: Right.
Lindsay: So, that's so good, yeah (yes).
Michelle: Right, right, right, exactly. And then the third thing is to tie it in with
another skill. So, like, have output be your motivator. Okay? So, maybe
you get really excited to have a conversation, but not so excited to read
something. Right? I mean, we're all different what we like, but you know,
have that be the motivator. So, tie it in with that. So, maybe you are going
to read something and then have a discussion, like, have a discussion with
a friend or make a summary or write a journal entry about it, right? So, tie
it in. Don't necessarily feel like, "I could probably do reading this day. This
is only reading and that's it."
Lindsay: I love that, Michelle, and I think this is kind of leading into the next point,
but the way I see this is, you know, have connection be the motivator,
right? So, most of the time that output is going to be between you,
hopefully, and another person in one way or another, whether you're
writing it or you're speaking it. Right? So, have... and this ties in so much
with All Ears English, it's never about the language, it's about the
connection in life. So, that's so good, that's just kind of what we said in the
next one. Right, Michelle, what is that? What's the next one?
Michelle: Right, to choose things that you like, right. So, maybe it's a podcast you're
really interested in, or, you know, choose a genre that's interesting to you.
Also like we said, you know, maybe choose something that will lead you to
connection, that you know people are listening to, that you know people
are reading so that you can have, be motivated, like, "Okay, not only am I
reading this to practice my reading skills, but like Lindsay said, I'm reading
this, I'm listening to this in order to connect because I know that I'm going
to a dinner party and people are excited about such and such book or such
and such show." Maybe you're in a book club or something.
Lindsay: Exactly. As we talk about filling up your brain box, right, and your brain box
has to have material, and how do you get that material? You need to know

22
what's going on in the news, what are some current issues people might
talk about at that party? That's how you fill your brain box with vocab
(vocabulary) and topics, that's how you know what topics to bring up. We
get a lot of our listeners asking us, "What topics can I bring up? How do I
start a conversation?" It's by strategically choosing the material you
consume. Right, Michelle? So, we can kind of get to goals with this. Yeah
(yes).
Michelle: Right, right, right. And then the last thing is, and this, again, this all kind of
works together really, guys, but work with someone. So, like, you know,
we were just talking about learning with friends and, you know, what
we've talked about with that, you know, make it a game, first person to
finish reading something and explain it wins, or listener for some, to
something and explain it. Or like I said, book club.
Lindsay: Book club.
Michelle: Listening club, or whatever, you could have a third friend be the judge of
who explained something the best. Just like, just like have fun with it and
that'll motivate you. I feel like so much of what we've been talking about is
just like finding that motivation, and I think games and challenges really do
well with that.
Lindsay: Challenges are really good. I mean, I like the book club concept because if
you make it an evening, right, so, I had this for a few months, it didn't last
unfortunately, but in Boston towards the end of my time, I had two or
three good friends that I brought together from different places, and you
know, the first Monday of the month we were meeting at a little cafe in
Cambridge and were talking about a book that we all read that month. So,
we did, like, two or three times. It unfortunately didn't last because I left
Boston and whatever. But it was cool because that became an evening out
with my friends.
Michelle: Right, right.
Lindsay: So, that's the point. Yeah (yes)?
Michelle: It's funny with book clubs, though. I've actually never been in a book club,
but, like, I was just, I just met with someone who said, “I have to get to my
book club.” And I said, “What book did you read?” and she was like, “Ohh,

23
I don’t know.” So, actually read the book, like, I know it's tempting to just
go out to dinner, but it's not a book club then.
Michelle: Well, actually a good solution to that, what that is, is article club. So, I
know people like to do article club, which is almost better because then
you can just read it on the way to the party, the event, the dinner.
Michelle: That's true.
Lindsay: And then you make it a dinner with your friends. So, that's even better in
some ways. It doesn't suck up all your time.
Michelle: Right, right, that's a good point, that's a good point, Lindsay.
Lindsay: Yeah (yes), yeah (yes), yeah (yes), for sure.
Michelle: So, guys, you know, these are some ways that you can, you know, increase
your concentration just having fun with it, not taking it too seriously,
making it, you know, having challenges for yourself, working with others,
realizing that it's ultimately still about connection and filling your brain
box, and also get some nice headphones, send us pictures of the pretty
headphones you buy.
Lindsay: I love that. And guys, remember, this question came in through our
YouTube channel. So, if you're listening over there, make sure you ask a
question in the comments and we'll write it down, we'll include it in our
list of questions. We love getting your questions, guys.
Michelle: We do.
Lindsay: Awesome, Michelle, fantastic.
Michelle: Okay, Lindsay, anything else you want to add, or should we hang it up for
today?
Lindsay: Well, I think this has been great, I just want to make sure our listeners
know, guys, if you are taking IELTS in 2022, 2022 is going to be a big year,
it's going to be a great year, Michelle, we are coming out of, out of
everything, the health crisis, right, coming out of it, we're ready to move
on with our lives. So, go and get started with IELTS Energy podcast. Alright.

24
Michelle: Awesome. I love it. Lindsay, this was fun, I'm going to go read my book.
Lindsay: Okay, great. Enjoy it.
Michelle: Alright, bye.
Lindsay: Take care, Michelle, bye.
Michelle: Bye.
[Instrumental]
See you next time.

25
AEE Episode 1696: Get a Piece of the Vocabulary Pie
Announcer: This is an All Ears English Podcast Episode 1696: “Get a Piece of the
Vocabulary Pie.”
[Instrumental]
And to get your transcripts delivered by email every week, go to

AllEarsEnglish.com/subscribe.
[Instrumental]
Announcer: This episode is easy as pie. Listen in to learn about our favorite pie flavors,
plus get four ways we use pie in native English expressions.
[Instrumental]
Michelle: Hey (hi) Lindsay, how are you?
Lindsay: I’m doing great, Michelle. How’s everything on your end?

26
Michelle: I’m good, I’m good. Do you like sweets?
Lindsay: Do I like sweets? Are you kidding me? I love sweets.
Michelle: I think, I think I know.
Lindsay: I'm like the Cookie Monster. I love sweet, yeah (yes), I have a sweet tooth.
Michelle: You have a sweet tooth?
Lindsay: Big time.
Michelle: I feel like lately I've been having a sweet tooth, to be honest.
Lindsay: Yeah (yes), for sure. No, I love sweets. I love pie, I love cake. I think I like
pie better than cake.
Michelle: You do? Okay, interesting. Tell me more. I don't know.
Lindsay: I just think sometimes cake, I think with cake it's a risk because you can,
you know, I love the cream cheese frosting, you know, like, the carrot cake
frosting for cream cheese, cream cheesy stuff. But sometimes you get that
whippy frosting that's very much a disappointment in my mind. But with
pie, I mean it's just so good. So, yeah (yes), and it also just evokes more
memories for me, pie rather than cake.
Michelle: Okay, you know what, I recently baked an apple pie.
Lindsay: How did it turn out?
Michelle: It was good, actually, it didn't look pretty, but it tasted good.
Lindsay: That's okay. Doesn't need to look pretty.
Michelle: No, who cares, right? Like, I thought that it was good. So, yeah (yes), it
was, it was a fun thing to do.
Lindsay: Fun, yeah (yes), that is fun. Did you bake the crust yourself too? Did you
make the crust?
Michelle: I used, I had, like, a, it wasn’t a totally new mix, but mostly. I mean, yes,
but the crust, I did have, like, the dough, and I rolled out the dough.

27
Lindsay: Okay, yeah (yes), that can be pretty tricky. I think maybe making pie is
harder maybe, I'm not sure, but it seems like it would be harder because
you have to deal with the crust.
Michelle: Yeah (yes), well, it was, it was, we got a pretty good pan, everything was
pretty good. And then of course we threw chocolate chips in it because I
have a three-year old, it was actually delicious.
Lindsay: Yum. Wait, chocolate chips in the apple pie?
Michelle: In the apple pie, yeah (yes), you would love it.
Lindsay: Why not, why not? I'm into it.
Michelle: Why not? So, anyway, Lindsay, I mean, well, what's your favorite kind of
pie?
Lindsay: Ohh my gosh, strawberry rhubarb is my favorite kind of pie.
Michelle: Ohh, very specific.
Lindsay: Yeah (yes), I know, it is very specific. I love it. It's just so good. You know, it
comes out, it's fresh every year, round June, beginning of the summer,
rhubarb is a nice kind of tart, and the strawberry is sweet. So, yeah (yes),
it's good stuff.
Michelle: Sounds good. Yeah (yes), when I was, I was, like, in the Cape Cod area over
the summer and there was this bakery and it had pie in the name, and I
didn't even know if it was like a... Like, I'm not even a huge pie person, but
it just, when I saw that, I, I was like, "I must eat pie." and I just, like, ran in
and got one. So weird.
Lindsay: I can picture you, you know, just, like, seeing it and, like, running into the
shop.
Michelle: Pretty much. Like, we were driving, and I think my son was sleeping in the
car and Dan just, like, was like, "Okay, like, I'll stay in the car, like, you get
out and get the pie." Like...
Lindsay: It becomes an emergency, right?

28
Michelle: It seriously was, and that's what it felt like. I don't know, you know,
sometimes something just hits you in that way.
Lindsay: Yeah (yes), I get it, I get it.
Michelle: Yeah (yes), exactly. So, guys, today we're going to be talking about pie and,
like, pie idioms, pie expressions. Guys, head over to Episode 485 which
was also about sweets. So, Episode for 485 was “How to Make These
English Idioms a Cakewalk.” Okay?
Lindsay: So good.
Michelle: So, we did like "piece of cake," "cakewalk," so, listen to that one as well,
that's over a thousand episodes ago. So, good to review.
Lindsay: Yes.
Michelle: But before we get into that, Lindsay, we want to remind our listeners that
we have this awesome All Ears English app.
Lindsay: Yeah (yes), guys, just really quick. I don't want you to forget that we have
an Android and an iOS app. So, go over to AllEarsEnglish.com/app to check
it out, get your personal power list, and read the transcripts of the show
right on your phone while you listen. So good.
Michelle: Awesome. Yeah (yes), that is such a cool feature.
Lindsay: It really is, it’s really cool. So, Michelle, where are we starting today?
Michelle: Alright, so, the first one is “easy as pie." Do you hear this one, Lindsay?
Lindsay: Ohh yeah (yes), for sure. You hear this all over the place, and it's simple
and I'm not sure, I think we've just finished saying that pie is not easy. So,
actually...
Michelle: Yeah (yes), that's funny. So, why do we say something is easy as pie? I
don't know.
Lindsay: Maybe it's, like, it's easy to eat pie, but not necessarily...
Michelle: Maybe.

29
Lindsay: To make pie.
Michelle: Maybe, yeah (yes), just mean something is, like, very easy. So, like, for
example, let's do a little role play. Okay. "I'm nervous about tech problems
during the presentation."
Lindsay: "You can handle it. It's easy as pie."
Michelle: Okay. Lindsay, what is something that's easy as pie to you, but maybe not
to everyone? Anything you can think of?
Lindsay: Ohh man.
Michelle: I know, that's, you know, one of our tough questions what I just asked you,
you feel like, "Uh-oh."
Lindsay: I guess hand-eye coordination is pretty easy to me. So, like, because I, you
know, grew up, I played a lot of tennis, and, like, racket sports have always
been pretty easy. I'm not sure if that's something that, like, was naturally
in me or if it was trained through tennis from an early age, but that's
always been pretty easy. Like, anything where a, ball goes into my hand
and then I throw it back is not that hard. So, yeah (yes), what about you,
Michelle? Give me an example.
Michelle: Lindsay, that's not, that’s very different from me.
Lindsay: I know because you told us about your skee-ball disaster.
Michelle: That's right, that's right, ohh my gosh, good memory. Yeah (yes), no, I
don't identify what that, that is not easy as pie to me. What is something
that is easy as pie to me? I don't want to say public speaking because that
sounds so obnoxious.
Lindsay: No, share that, I had a feeling, I was going to say that if you didn't have
anything I was going to say probably it's public speaking because you say
that, you get uniquely, like, kind of excited before you speak.
Michelle: Yeah (yes), it's fun, I was a theatre major, what can I say?
Lindsay: That's awesome.

30
Michelle: I mean, I don't know, it like, it gives me, I like the adrenaline rush from
that. So, I wouldn’t say it’s easy as pie, like, it's not, like, I'm just like, I
could be sleeping and then wake up and do it. But, you know, it's fun for
me.
Lindsay: That's interesting. I bet our listeners would love to work with you some
time, Michelle, on that, on presentations, on how to evoke that
excitement. Because I think a lot of us, we just curl up and we just get
nervous when we give a presentation. But how can we change our minds
about that, you know.
Michelle: Yeah (yes), yeah (yes), yeah (yes), yeah (yes), definitely. Yeah (yes), maybe
we'll talk about them soon, for sure. It is changing, it is about changing the
mindset, I think.
[Instrumental]
Announcer: An easier and better way to study English with All Ears English is with our
app for iOS or Android. You get to see transcripts instantly while you're
listening to the episodes, and you can tap key words to save them to your
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at AllEarsEnglish.com/app.
[Instrumental]
Michelle: Alright, let's move on to the next one, Lindsay, what is it?
Lindsay: Okay, the next one is "a piece of the pie." This is good, and I guess you
could say "a slice of the pie." Yeah (yes), I've heard that too, "a slice of the
pie," "a piece of the pie." This kind of means a portion, and this is used a
lot in talking about business, the economy. Maybe when a company goes
public, first goes public, all the employees get kind of a little piece of the
pie, they get stock options, that kind of thing. Right?
Michelle: Yeah (yes), actually, yeah (yes), that's one of my... Yeah (yes), yeah (yes).
Well, yeah (yes), it's just talking about, like, getting in on something, being
able to be a part of something. So, let's give it a try in this role play.
Lindsay: Alright. "I want to really get more in my company."

31
Michelle: "Well, if you want to have a bigger piece of the pie, you need to put in the
work, Lindsay. Then you may be able to get stock options from the
company."
Lindsay: I love that. Yeah (yes), that's, yeah (yes), definitely. I mean, that's
something that I have some friends who work for companies that are
going public or just went public and, you know, when that happens, often
leadership changes, but they consider that an important part of, I guess,
kind of building their nest egg, you know, being part of a company that
goes public eventually to get those stock options. So, that is a conversation
people will be having, guys, native speakers will be having, for sure.
Michelle: Yeah (yes), definitely, definitely. And then the next one is "pie in the sky."
So, we use this like "a pie in the sky dream." I feel like sometimes, you
know, kind of connect those things, like, it's a big dream or a fantasy,
pretty difficult to get. I don't know why we call it a pie in the sky, though.
Lindsay: This one's fun. I actually like this. I wish I used this more. I think I'm going
to start using it more often. Because yeah (yes), it's talking about
something that seems, maybe seems out of reach, right?
Michelle: Maybe unattainable or?
Lindsay: Yeah (yes), I love this. Okay, let's try this conversation here.
Michelle: Okay.
Lindsay: Go for it, Michelle.
Michelle: Ohh, it's me. Alright, here we go. Alright, "She has all these pie in the sky
goals, but they can't come true unless she works hard to improve her
dance skill."
Lindsay: "Well, maybe we can talk to her about a practice schedule." Yeah (yes),
yeah (yes). So, another way we could use this is if I'm having a
conversation and I have an idea, I have a big idea and I come to you and
say, you know, "Is this pie in the sky or what? I mean, am I being realistic?"
Something like that.

32
Michelle: Right, right, right, right, exactly. So, I don't know, are any of, Lindsay, do
you think any of your current or maybe your past goals are a pie in the
sky?
Lindsay: Ohh man, yeah (yes), for sure. Some of them we've made come true at All
Ears English, right, like, even the road trip, the Connected Communicator
course is based on a 12,000-mile road trip around the country, and we did
that in 2 months that, we filmed it, we delivered it to our students, and we
have students still joining that course. I’m still really proud of that
adventure.
Michelle: Yeah (yes), I think that was awesome when you did that, I remember that
that was so cool.
Lindsay: So cool. What about you? Anything pie in the sky, Michelle, that’s going on
in your life?
Michelle: Ohh man, yeah (yes), I don’t know, I’m trying to think if I have any current,
like, goals. I, I, I, yeah (yes), that's sad. Is that bad that I, like, don’t really
have, like, a big goal at this second? I'm just, like, trying to survive.
Lindsay: That's okay, Michelle. I mean, everyone kind of has different moment in
their lives when they're reaching for something big or not. You know?
Michelle: Yeah (yes), yeah (yes), yeah (yes), I'm just like, "Alright, let's just keep
breathing."
Lindsay: Keep breathing. I remember when I was a kid I wanted a horse so badly,
like, I wanted my own horse and I was convinced I was going to get one,
but that was not in the plan whatsoever for my parents to gift me a horse.
Horses are, like, $25,000. For some reason I thought I was on the verge of
getting a horse. I was in a fantasy world, that was a pie in the sky for me.
Michelle: Okay, well maybe one day, Lindsay.
Lindsay: I don't want a horse now. I just, you know, I don't know, a lot of, like,
young girls love horses. Young kids, I used to love horses. Ohh my gosh.
Still do.
Michelle: Oh yeah (yes). Definitely. Alright, let's, talking about young kids, right,
another thing is "cutie pie" or "sweetie pie."

33
Lindsay: Ohh yeah (yes), for sure. Here we go.
Michelle: Alright, "Wow, she's such a sweetie pie. What a loving kid."
Lindsay: "Thanks. She's a good one." I guess maybe you're talking about my kid in
this case, right?
Michelle: Yes, yes, yes, yes, yes. So, yeah (yes), sometimes, I don't think we use that
really, like, with adults, but I don’t know. Do you use these with anyone
else other than kids?
Lindsay: Not really. You might use it with the person you’re dating or married to. I,
I, I say “sweetie” to my dog, like, “Hi, sweetie.”
Michelle: Ohh yeah (yes), that’s right, that’s right.
Lindsay: But you can take off “pie” for either of these and say, “hi cutie," "hi
sweetie." Right?
Michelle: Yeah (yes), I think that's more, yeah (yes). It's so funny, like, I feel, I’m
more likely to say that. But I don’t know, so, wow, we have a lot of pie
expressions and idioms today.
Lindsay: I know. Don’t you just want to go get a nice piece of blueberry pie or
something? I do.
Michelle: Yeah (yes), I do too. So, I mean, guys, these can even be used, like, the
ones that we talked about, some of them can be used for business, but
these are good, you know, expressions that can be used to connect. So, I, I,
I don't know, I think that, you know, this has been a, this has been a very
pie episode. I don't know. I don't know what...
Lindsay: It's been a very delicious episode, Michelle.
Michelle: Delicious episode, that's it.
Lindsay: This has been great, and I'm definitely going to have to go get a piece of
pie. Here's the final question. When it comes to pie for you, Michelle, do
you take ice cream on the side or do you not want ice cream involved, like,
seeping into your pie?

34
Michelle: Seeping in? I don't know if I want it's seeping in, I want the option. I'm a
big dipper, I'm a bit believer of, like, having the option to dip in something,
like, just in general, like, I like some things on the side, so, I can decide how
much I want. But I do like ice cream on it, but I don’t know if I want it
plopped right on top. What about you? That is a good question.
Lindsay: That’s a good question because people have very strong opinions on this,
don’t they? I like ice cream right on the side, so, they mix together
because it just, it's a nice combination, like, the crust is kind of dry maybe,
and then the ice cream is, is refreshing. So, yeah (yes), I do like ice cream
on my plate.
Michelle: Awesome, awesome. Okay, sounds good.
Lindsay: Now we're definitely going for a piece of pie. Alright, Michelle, thanks for
hanging out today, this has been a great topic.
Michelle: Okay, awesome. Guys, remember, go to AllEarsEnglish.com/app to get our

app.
Lindsay: Alright, sounds good, talk soon.
Michelle: Alright, bye.
Lindsay: Bye.
[Instrumental]
See you next time.

35
AEE Episode 1697: Don't Trap the Energy in the English Conversation
Announcer: This is an All Ears English Podcast Episode 1697: Don't Trap the Energy in
the English Conversation”
[Instrumental]
To get real-time transcripts right on your phone and create your

personalized vocabulary list, try the All Ears English app for iOS and
Android. Start your 7-day free trial at AllEarsEnglish.com/App.
[Instrumental]
Announcer: How can you respond when someone asks you if you are familiar with a
movie or a TV star and you aren't? Today get a high-level conversation
strategy to lead the conversation flow.
[Instrumental]
Lindsay: Hey (hi) Michelle, how's everything going today?

36
Michelle: Good, Lindsay, good. How are you?
Lindsay: I'm feeling great, everything is good. So excited for the upcoming holiday
season and all that good stuff.
Michelle: Yeah (yes). Hey, Lindsay, are you familiar with the show Ted Lasso?
Lindsay: Ted Lasso? No, I'm not.
Michelle: Ohh, okay.
Lindsay: Okay, awkward pause and then the conversation ends, and we go our own
separate ways.
Michelle: Alright, goodbye.
Lindsay: Lost connection, right, Michelle? Lost connection.
Michelle: Are you actually, are you familiar with it?
Lindsay: I am not. I know, I think you, I've heard you mention it, I've heard it, but I
I'm so not... You know how I am with pop culture.
Michelle: I know, I know. I have to ask you anyway to be nice.
Lindsay: I'm living in my own world somehow over here, I don't know, I miss all
these things.
Michelle: Well, it's a very cute show and I highly recommend it.
Lindsay: Okay, I'll check it out. Is that on Netflix or where is that?
Michelle: It's on Apple TV, and I, yeah (yes), so.
Lindsay: Good to know.
Michelle: Yes. It's very cute, it's with Jason Sudeikis, guys, it's a good one. So, yeah
(yes), that was, what happened, Lindsay?
Lindsay: Okay, so, in that case, so, you started off the conversation in a good way.
Right? You asked me, "Are you familiar with this TV show?" and then I just
said, "No, I'm not." and then it just... Does this happen to you sometimes,

37
Michelle, you think you're set up for a really nice conversation, right,
you're like, "I know this person because they're a mutual friend. We're
going to have a great conversation, a great connection." and then
somehow it just peters out kind of you know? Just kind of like a balloon
losing its air. Right?
Michelle: Right, right, right, exactly. Ohh my gosh. So, guys on Episode 1688 not too
long ago we did “How to Find Common Ground and Connection in English”
and we were talking about asking somebody if they know something,
right, Like, "are you familiar with," "no, I'm not familiar." And we were
talking about this, you know, idea of if you're not familiar with, if you don't
know what somebody's talking about, don't just say like, "Ohh, no." and
then just leave that person just hanging awkwardly, like, because that's
going to just immediately, like Lindsay said, it's just going to immediately
stop everything, like, everything, the air comes out of the balloon and it's
just over, like, the connection part is over. I mean, yes, the person who
asked could still pick it up, but maybe they just feel like okay, you're not
interested.
Lindsay: Yeah (yes), but conversation is like a game of ping pong, and if the
momentum swings your way, it's your responsibility to push it back to the
other person. So, yeah (yes), you know, you could have said, I said, "No,
I'm not." and then you could've said, "Ohh, well, let me tell you about it."
but really, it's more my responsibility when you think about the energy of
the conversation, it's my responsibility to come back and kind of ask a
question. Right?
Michelle: Right, right, right, exactly. So, this is what this is all about here, is don't
stop that conversation, if you're not familiar, what can you do to keep that
momentum going. Okay?
Lindsay: Okay, I love it. Yes, this is such a good high-level skill, a connection skill for
our listeners, guys. You know, if you’re at this intermediate to advanced
level, this is perfect for you to keep that connection. So, let’s get into it,
Michelle.
Michelle: Exactly. Yeah (yes), because the person who is asking you, they’re usually
asking you because they want to talk about it, they want to share, they
want to connect, right? Like, so, I’m watching this show right now, and,
like, if you had said yes, like, and we would have been like, "Oh my gosh,

38
isn't it fun?" So, like, I'm looking for that, and if I don't get it, that's fine,
but if I just, if I feel almost just, like, okay, like, whatever, that's not going
to be good. So, you're missing a huge opportunity if you don't continue the
conversation. So, how can you do that? Let's talk about it. Lindsay, what's
something you can say?
Lindsay: Alright, so, the first thing you can say, guys, and you're going to want to
write this down. So, the first thing you can say is "tell me about it," "tell
me about it," you know, "No, I don't, I'm not familiar with it. Tell me about
it." Okay?
Michelle: Alright, so, let's try that out.
Lindsay: Alright. So, "Have you heard of the show Ted Lasso?"
Michelle: "No, I haven't. Tell me about it."
Lindsay: Alright, so, that changes everything now because again, like you said,
Michelle, you know, that that person actually wants to talk about this
show. So, that's like you're going with the energy of the conversation. The
other option is to change direction completely and talk about something
else totally. You could do that and go away from this topic, but I think the
best thing is to go with the energy, go with what that other person is
interested in and come back with that "tell me about it."
Michelle: Right, right, right, exactly, exactly. So, what's another thing you could say?
Lindsay: "What's it about."
Michelle: "What's it about," yeah (yes). Lindsay, "Are you familiar with the book The
Paris Wife?"
Lindsay: "No, I'm not. What's it about?"
Michelle: Oka.
Lindsay: I'm not familiar with either, so.
Michelle: No, that's okay, it's a book I read, like, you know, probably, like, eight
years ago that I was, like, obsessed with and I cried at the end, and it still,
like, I just love that book.

39
Lindsay: Okay.
Michelle: Yeah (yes), so, “what’s it about." I mean, guys, these are simple things, but
they do so much.
Lindsay: They do. Absolutely. Yeah (yes), so, so far "tell me about it" and "what's it
about." Is there a third thing we could say?
Michelle: There is, there's "tell me more, I know we have similar taste in," so, you
can add that on if you want, you can just say "tell me more," but another
thing you can tag on is like "I know we have similar taste in something" to
kind of bring that connection about.
Lindsay: Yeah (yes), this is, like, extra credit connection, right? Because I think
we're, we've been meaning to do an episode, or we will at some point on
little things that you could say in your responses that indicate that you
know the person well and that you've been paying attention to them. It's
like an art. Right?
Michelle: Yeah (yes). Right, right, right, exactly. So, this is one of those ways. So, let's
give it a shot.
Lindsay: Okay. "Have you heard of the band Stovetop?"
Michelle: "No. Tell me more. I know we have similar tastes in music."
Lindsay: Ohh my gosh, and I also still have not heard of that one either, I'm striking
out on all these things.
Michelle: Lindsay, wait, no, you seriously don't know them?
Lindsay: Nope.
Michelle: I'm just joking, I made them, I made that one up. I made that one up, I bet
you there is a band, there's a, you know, I'm sure if you googled band
Stovetop there is one, but that one I made up and decided to use.
Lindsay: Okay, good, good. Because I'm feeling very irrelevant in terms of pop
culture now.

40
Michelle: No, don't worry, Stovetop, I made that up. But you know what's funny,
like, have you ever, like, then felt awkward about knowing something that
you’re like, “Yeah (yes), maybe...” even if...
Lindsay: Well, I have, I have to admit that sometimes when someone asked me,
“Do you know this?” I would be like, “Yeah (yes), I know that.” But I
actually don’t really know it.
Michelle: Ohh my gosh, that makes me think of conversations I have with my mom.
It’s like this big joke between us, like, I'll say to her, like, “Ohh yeah (yes),
no, like, remember that time the we did this?" or, like, I'll refer to some TV
show we watched or whatever and I'll say it and she'll give me, and she's
like, "Ohh yeah (yes), yeah (yes)." and I know my mom, so, I'll say, "You
don't, do you?" and she's like, "No."
Lindsay: That so funny, I know you can't get very far with that because they might
ask you, "What was your favorite scene?" Right? It's dangerous.
Michelle: Yeah (yes), yeah (yes), it is dangerous, it's so funny. But so, yeah (yes),
there are other things, you know, you can ask, you know, you can guess.
Lindsay: Yeah (yes), for sure.
Michelle: Right, so, then you can say like, "is it _____," like, "Is it a comedy? Is it
good?" Right?
Lindsay: Yeah (yes), this is also good simple, right. "is it a comedy,” “is it good," "is
it on Netflix". Right? That's the most natural thing that would come out of
my mouth, is it on Netflix, is it on Apple TV, right, what's the other one?
Michelle: Hulu.
Lindsay: Hulu, right, yes, yes.
Michelle: So, ask those kinds of, you know, and then also, you know, who is, like, if
I'm, like, talking about a person, "who is he," "who is she," or, you know, a
lot of WH and H questions, you know, like "how," you know, as well, like,
you know, follow up questions, "how do you know her," "why do you bring
it up," these things, like, are very useful.

41
Lindsay: Ohh yeah (yes), this is fantastic. I mean, it comes down to this missed
opportunity. We want to make sure that you guys don't miss a chance to
make a friend, to make a connection, to have an energetic conversation.
Right?
Michelle: Right, right, right, exactly. You don't want to lose that opportunity. So,
should we do a role play?
Lindsay: Yeah (yes), let's do it, Michelle. Here we go.
Michelle: Alright. So, "Lindsay, does the name Lacey Smith ring a bell?"
Lindsay: "No. Should it?"
Michelle: "I thought she was your friend from high school."
Lindsay: "I don’t think I know her. How do you know her?"
Michelle: "Ohh well, we work together. Well, have you heard of the show Best
Birds?"
Lindsay: "No, I haven't. Is it good?"
Michelle: "So funny."
Lindsay: "Tell me more. I know we have similar taste in humor."
Michelle: "Well, first of all, Lacey's brother wrote the show and it's about..."
Lindsay: Yeah (yes), this is a good example of how it's especially important for you
guys to be able to do this, because you came to me and you were really
excited to tell me that your friend Lacey, her brother, wrote this famous
show, and that's, like, if our listeners were to just the veer the
conversation or end the conversation like that balloon that loses energy,
or just veer in a totally different topic like the weather, you're going to
lose that, you're going to, like, trap that energy.
Michelle: Right, right, right.
Lindsay: Know what I’m saying?

42
Michelle: Right, exactly. And like, yeah (yes), like, because sometimes when people
ask you have you heard of this, have you heard of that, it’s because, it’s for
a reason. So, like, that’s kind of, like, sometimes the introduction
question.
Lindsay: That's a good point, yes.
Michelle: But it's leading, it's really because, like, maybe I wanted to know if you've
heard of, if you know of Ted Lasso because if you watched it, I would be
like, "Remember that episode... This reminds me of that." You know, like...
Lindsay: Yes.
Michelle: It's leading to so many other things, so, right, you cut that off, I mean, it’s
like you're suffocating it, you're just, like...
Lindsay: Yeah (yes), completely, and that’s connection because you’re excited
about that. I mean, this makes me think that this kind of thing would
happen a lot when you’re having, like, a celebrity sighting or there’s a
connection with something famous, someone famous. Like, for example, if
you have said to me, "Hey, do you know Conan O'Brien?" and I had said,
"No." but you wanted to tell me that you, didn't you say once, didn't you
share with us that you saw him on the street in New York, right?
Michelle: Yeah (yes), I met him.
Lindsay: You met him, even better. So, that's exciting. Like, you want to share that,
you want to get that out and connect over that. But if I had just ended it,
that's such a bummer.
Michelle: Yeah (yes), right, right, right, exactly, it's true. So, let's, let's just go through
this. So, like, first of all, I said, "Does the name Lacey Smith ring a bell? So,
guys, listen to that other episode, I think it was 1688, you know, to get
some of this vocabulary like "ring a bell."
Lindsay: Yeah (yes), and then I said, "No. Should it?" Right?
Michelle: So, that's a kind of a fun also thing you can add, you know, like, you can
say like, "Ohh, should it ring a bell?" Like, you know. Or if somebody says,
"Have you heard of this show?" you could say, "No, should I?" Like, or, "Do
you watch this show?" "No, should I?" That's kind of another fun way.

43
Lindsay: Yeah (yes), and that's fun too, because this is a good... So, for me, I feel
awkward when people ask me these questions because I know I'm not
super aware of every pop culture thing, every singer, every show. And so, I
always feel like they're going to be like, "I can't believe you haven't heard
of that." So, it gives me a little bit of a defense to say, "should I," right,
because I'm already sizing myself in a way that I'm not aware of media.
Michelle: Right. Poor Lindsay.
Lindsay: Yeah (yes), it's a rough life.
Michelle: Yeah (yes), it's okay. So, yeah (yes), and then I said, "I thought she was
your friend from high school." you said you didn't know her, but then you
asked me a question, "How do you know her?" Right, "how."
Lindsay: Yeah (yes), "How do you know her?" and the intonation's important there.
"We work together. Have you heard..." and then you're going out to the
other piece of the equation. "Have you heard of the show Best Birds?"
Michelle: And you said, "No, I haven't." but then you said, "Is it good?" Right? So,
just asking your question, is it funny, is it great.
Lindsay: Something, yeah (yes).
Michelle: Yeah (yes), something.
Lindsay: Anything, just ask anything.
Michelle: Yeah (yes), right, it's so true, though. Like, just ask anything.
Lindsay: Yeah (yes),
Michelle: And then I said, "So funny." And you said...
Lindsay: "Tell me more." Right, "I know we have sim..." and this is the key, a high,
high-level skill, "I know we have similar tastes in humor." So, that's really
good for people to hear that you've been listening, paying attention and
you can acknowledge something we have in common.

44
Michelle: Exactly, exactly. So, then I said, "Lacey's brother wrote the show, it's
about..." So, you know, here is an opportunity where if I had just said, you
know, "Does the name Lacey Smith ring a bell?" and you said, "No."
Lindsay: "No."
Michelle: I mean, I would have been like, "Ohh, okay." and then I'm left with the
harder job.
Lindsay: Exactly.
Michelle: Because I'm like, do I continue with the story if you don't even know who
that is, or should I just say, "She's this girl and there's this show..." Like,
then it just kind of, like, puts it all on me, and that doesn't really make me
feel very good about the connection. You know?
Lindsay: This is huge, this episode is huge for momentum. And guys, you know, at
your level, it's not so much about grammar mistakes or vocabulary, it's
about momentum and connection in the conversation. So, this is really a
conversation strategy that you guys should, you know, try to put this into
action.
Michelle: Right, right, right, exactly. Ohh my gosh, this is fun. I mean, we can even
do more follow ups on this, there's a lot to do with this. But I like just this
imagery of, like, you know, you're cutting something off if you're not going
to ask anything and somebody is excited because again, think why are they
asking me about it? Sometimes it's just like, "Do you like that show?" and
you know, just making conversation, but sometimes it's, "I need to know if
you like that show because I want to tell you this because then I can tell
you this and then I can tell you this and we can connect." Right?
Lindsay: Yeah (yes), exactly, you have an agenda, right, so, don't trap the energy in
the conversation, don't keep it trapped, let it flow, let it flow.
Michelle: Let it flow, yes, yes. Okay, Lindsay, ohh my gosh, this was fun, guys, try this
out and let us know how it goes.
Lindsay: So good, good episode today, Michelle, I'll see in the next one, have a
good day.
Michelle: See you later, bye.

45
Lindsay: Bye.
Michelle: Bye.
[Instrumental]
See you next time.

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Lindsay: Hello, Michelle, how's it going?

Michelle: Hi, good, Lindsay, how are you?

© All Ears English www.allearsenglish.com

Lindsay: And then we'll talk about the TV show.

© All Ears English www.allearsenglish.com

Michelle: It's an intimacy thing.

Lindsay: Yeah (yes).

© All Ears English www.allearsenglish.com

Lindsay: That's hilarious. Which episode, Michelle?

Lindsay: You do, Michelle.

© All Ears English www.allearsenglish.com

Michelle: That's right.

Michelle: Right, true.

© All Ears English www.allearsenglish.com

Michelle: Alright, the code is AEE250.

Michelle: Alright, me too.

Lindsay: Alright, talk you soon.

© All Ears English www.allearsenglish.com

Lindsay: Yeah (yes).

© All Ears English www.allearsenglish.com

Lindsay: Yeah (yes), for sure, for sure.

Lindsay: You could, yeah (yes).

© All Ears English www.allearsenglish.com

Michelle: Yeah (yes). No.

© All Ears English www.allearsenglish.com

Lindsay: Yeah (yes).

Lindsay: Yeah (yes).

Lindsay: Yes, that's so true.

© All Ears English www.allearsenglish.com

Michelle: Alright, thanks, Lindsay, have a good one.

Lindsay: Alright, bye.

© All Ears English www.allearsenglish.com

To get real-time transcripts right on your phone and create your

Announcer: In today's episode we answer a question from a student who is having a

Lindsay: Hey (hi), Michelle, how's it going today?

© All Ears English www.allearsenglish.com

Lindsay: A bad book? Ohh no.

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Lindsay: You don't?

Michelle: No, but that sounds delightful.

Lindsay: Ohh yeah (yes).

Lindsay: I know, me too, me too.

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Lindsay: Yes, yes.

Lindsay: For sure.

Michelle: So, Lindsay, I mean, can you read our...

Lindsay: Of course, yes.

Michelle: Listener question for today?

Michelle: Yeah (yes), stay concentrated.

© All Ears English www.allearsenglish.com

Lindsay: Yeah (yes).

Lindsay: For sure.

Michelle: You know, sometimes it becomes backward noise. background noise. I

Michelle: Ohh, well, it's amazing.

Lindsay: It's amazing.

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Lindsay: Yeah (yes).

Lindsay: More game-like.

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Michelle: Right, right, right, exactly. I think it's manageable.

Lindsay: Yeah (yes).