Birthday sale: my book "Phrasal Verbs Are Easy!" is just $9.99 until 8 November. https://www.patreon.com/englishwitholiver/posts/phrasal-verbs-50-137806749

Get the full study guide for this episode on Patreon: the complete transcript, vocabulary practice and comprehension questions, plus bonus episodes every week. https://www.patreon.com/c/englishwitholiver

Ever scrolled late at night and felt worse about your own life? You're not alone.

In this episode of the Easy English Podcast, Oliver tells the story of Anna's school reunion and explains why we compare ourselves with people like us, why social media is only a "highlight reel", and why Olympic bronze medallists often look happier than silver medallists. You'll also learn the difference between envy and jealousy, and four simple ways to compare yourself less. It's clear, natural English for intermediate (B1-B2) learners who want to improve their listening and vocabulary.

5 key words: envy, insecure, achievement, self-esteem, grateful

Vote in the poll: where do you compare yourself most?

Links:

Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/c/englishwitholiver

YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@Easy-EnglishPodcast

Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/gb/podcast/easy-english-podcast-learn-english-through-listening/id1520690072

Chapters:

0:00 Why do we compare ourselves to others?

1:09 Anna's school reunion

4:07 Word 1: envy (and envy vs jealousy)

5:28 Word 2: insecure

7:51 The highlight reel

9:56 Word 3: achievement

11:41 Poll: where do you compare yourself most?

12:48 My book: Phrasal Verbs Are Easy! ($9.99 until 8 Nov)

14:47 Social comparison theory - Word 4: self-esteem

17:12 Silver or bronze: who's happier?

18:49 Four ways to compare less - Word 5: grateful

22:02 Quick check and word review

Get the full study guide for this episode on Patreon: the complete transcript to read along, vocabulary practice, comprehension questions and activities, plus bonus episodes every week. https://www.patreon.com/c/englishwitholiver

Sunday evening, and you're dreading going back to work on Monday? Maybe it's time for a change. But is it too late?

In this episode of the Easy English Podcast, Oliver looks at why so many people stay in careers that don't make them happy: money, the "sunk cost fallacy" and the fear of starting again. You'll hear about famous people who changed careers in their 40s and later, why adults never really start from zero, and the "regret test", one simple question to help you decide whether to stay or go. It's clear, natural English for intermediate (B1-B2) learners who want to improve their listening and vocabulary.

5 key words: career, fulfilling, risk, retrain, regret

Vote in the poll: what stops most people changing careers?

Links:

Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/c/englishwitholiver

YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@Easy-EnglishPodcast

Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/gb/podcast/easy-english-podcast-learn-english-through-listening/id1520690072

Chapters:

0:00 Is it too late to change your career?

0:55 Word 1: career (and how to say it)

2:50 Word 2: fulfilling - how fulfilling is your work?

5:10 My own career change

6:18 Why we stay - Word 3: risk

8:21 The sunk cost fallacy

10:10 Fear of starting again

10:51 Poll: what stops people changing careers?

11:39 Late starters: Vera Wang, Julia Child, Colonel Sanders

13:38 Word 4: retrain - and transferable skills

16:57 Word 5: regret - and the regret test

19:48 Quick check and goodbye

Get the full study guide for this episode on Patreon: the complete transcript to read along, vocabulary practice, comprehension questions and activities, plus bonus content every week. https://www.patreon.com/c/englishwitholiver

Do you sleep a normal amount but still feel tired all the time? You're not alone.

In this episode of the Easy English Podcast, Oliver looks at why so many people feel exhausted today, even when they sleep seven or eight hours. You'll learn about your "energy bank account", the three types of tiredness, what burnout really is, and four simple habits that can give you more energy, plus one free 10-minute trick that works better than coffee for a lot of people. It's clear, natural English for intermediate (B1-B2) learners who want to improve their listening and vocabulary.

5 key words: exhausted, energy, recharge, burnout, routine

Vote in the poll: what makes you most tired?

Links:

Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/c/englishwitholiver

Chapters:

0:00 Why is everyone so tired?

1:53 A typical tired day

2:58 Word 1: exhausted (and "knackered")

4:22 Sleep isn't the whole story - Word 2: energy

6:59 Your energy bank account

8:35 Word 3: recharge - why scrolling isn't rest

10:05 Three types of tiredness

11:34 Poll: what makes you most tired?

12:21 Word 4: burnout - and why it's so common

16:37 Word 5: routine - four habits for more energy

18:57 The free 10-minute trick

20:08 Quick check, study guide and word review