Why do you feel guilty for resting when you're sick?

In this episode of English and Beyond, I explore the strange but familiar feeling of guilt that creeps in when you take a sick day. Why do so many of us struggle to switch off, even when we’re clearly unwell? From cultural attitudes to childhood messages about work and productivity, we dig into where this mindset comes from – and how to challenge it.

You'll also learn some natural English expressions and idioms related to being ill, missing work, and taking time off, including:

• to be under the weather
• to call in sick
• to pull a sickie
• to be run down
• to be bedbound

This is a great episode for improving your vocabulary and reflecting on how language, culture and work culture all intersect.

📖 Want to improve your English even more?

Read the full transcript & vocabulary flashcards → www.morethanalanguage.com

• Follow us on Instagram → @BritishEnglishandBeyond
• Watch us on Youtube → @englishandbeyondpodcast
• Email your thoughts or questions → oliver@morethanalanguage.com

🎙 New episodes every week! Subscribe now to practise listening, expand your vocabulary, and learn English in a natural, fun way.

And remember, if this podcast is a little too easy for you, we have "English and Beyond: Advanced English Podcast" too!

Have you ever felt frustrated that, no matter how long you’ve been learning English, you still don’t sound like the Queen? Or Hugh Grant? Or anyone remotely British?

In this episode, I share my personal journey with pronunciation - from crying in a French oral exam as a teenager, to getting over perfectionism through Mandarin, German, and now Spanish. We talk about why trying to sound native can sometimes hold us back, and why the real goal should be clear, confident communication in your own voice.

I also share 5 practical strategies to improve your pronunciation without losing your mind - or your identity.

Because, spoiler: your accent is not a flaw! It’s part of your story. :)

📖 Want to improve your English even more?

Read the full transcript & vocabulary flashcards → www.morethanalanguage.com

• Follow us on Instagram → @BritishEnglishandBeyond
• Watch us on Youtube → @englishandbeyondpodcast
• Email your thoughts or questions → oliver@morethanalanguage.com

🎙 New episodes every week! Subscribe now to practise listening, expand your vocabulary, and learn English in a natural, fun way.

And remember, if this podcast is a little too easy for you, we have "English and Beyond: Advanced English Podcast" too!

Assassination: When a Single Bullet Changes History

What do Julius Caesar, Abraham Lincoln, and JFK have in common? Their deaths weren’t random - they were assassinations. In this episode of English and Beyond, we explore how assassination has shaped history, from Ancient Rome to the modern day.

We’ll look at iconic cases like:

• Julius Caesar and the fall of the Roman Republic
• Thomas Becket and the power of the Church in medieval England
• Abraham Lincoln and the aftermath of the Civil War
• Archduke Franz Ferdinand and the start of WWI
• John F. Kennedy and the rise of modern conspiracy culture

And we reflect on a shocking case from 2024: the killing of a powerful healthcare CEO - and what it says about power today.

Whether you're interested in history, politics or just curious about how one act can change the world, this episode offers deeper insight - and intermediate-level English listening practice.

📖 Want to improve your English even more?

Read the full transcript & vocabulary flashcards → www.morethanalanguage.com

• Follow us on Instagram → @BritishEnglishandBeyond
• Watch us on Youtube → @englishandbeyondpodcast
• Email your thoughts or questions → oliver@morethanalanguage.com

🎙 New episodes every week! Subscribe now to practise listening, expand your vocabulary, and learn English in a natural, fun way.

And remember, if this podcast is a little too easy for you, we have "English and Beyond: Advanced English Podcast" too!