Podcast · Learning

American English Podcast

by Shana Thompson · English · Learning

The American English Podcast teaches the language and culture of the United States. Through common expressions, pronunciation tips and interesting cultural snippets or stories, I hope to keep this fun, useful and interesting! All bonus material can be accessed at http://americanenglishpodcast.com/

New episodes: Weekly
Typical length: 29 min
Latest: 7 Oct 2026
Language: English

Latest episode

7 Oct 2026 · 37 min

⭐ Feature: 13 Common Superstitions and Their Origins

We live in a day and age that is driven by science and technology, yet people are still superstitious. According to a study I read by YouGov, 9% of Americans claim to be superstitious, while another 35% admit to not being very superstitious, but somewhat. That makes over 40% of individuals in the United States somewhat superstitious. So what does it mean to be superstitious? According to Cambridge Dictionary, it is to have beliefs that are not based on human reason or scientific knowledge, but are connected with old ideas about magic. Many times, superstitious people believe in irrational,…

Play episodeWhatsApp Download

Earlier episodes 29 most recent

S5 · E221 · 24 Sep 2026 · 38 min
221 - Firsts with Elise
Have you ever noticed how many of your best stories begin with, “The first time I…”? In today’s episode, I’m joined by my friend Elise to talk all about firsts—first jobs, first driving experiences, first adventures, and those moments when you try something completely new and have no idea what to expect. Elise has had a particularly interesting path. She went to culinary school in France, worked in restaurants, moved to Hawaii to work on a coffee farm, and picked up plenty of funny and memorable stories along the way. We’ll talk about everything from her first paycheck and failing her first…
S5 · E220 · 17 Sep 2026 · 31 min
220 - What’s on Your Bucket List? With My Mom
➡️ Start improving your English today! Learn more about the Academy. What’s on your bucket list? ✨ In this episode, I sit down with my mom, Mara, to talk about some of the things she’d still love to do, see, and experience in her lifetime. We talk about her dream of spending a month somewhere in Europe, living in a fisherman’s shack in Cornwall, building tiny houses near a lake, visiting the places her ancestors came from, taking another big family vacation, and even writing a children’s book someday. Along the way, we also talk about something I think is really important: our dreams can…
S5 · E219 · 10 Sep 2026 · 33 min
219 - The Art of Small Talk in the U.S.
🎯 Learn languages 1-on-1 with native teachers on italki. Use code SHANA9 to get $5 off your first lesson 💻 Web: ⁠⁠⁠https://go.italki.com/shana2609⁠⁠⁠ 📱App: ⁠⁠⁠https://go.italki.com/shana2609app⁠ Small talk in the U.S. isn't always about exchanging real information. Sometimes, it's simply a small exchange that can make your day a little better—and over time, those interactions can help build real rapport. In this episode, you'll learn how Americans use small talk, how to start and keep a conversation going, and how to tell whether someone actually wants to keep talking. You'll also learn…
27 Aug 2026 · 32 min
⭐ Feature: Funny Chat with My Dad (+Superlatives!)
➡️ Start improving your English today! ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Learn more about the Academy.⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Every month, I like to bring back one of my favorite episodes from the past, and this one is an oldie but a goodie. ❤️ Some longtime listeners might remember my dad, Joe. He first appeared on the podcast in Episode 43, when he talked about his experience living and working in Alaska, and again in Episode 44 to talk about driving in the U.S. After those episodes came out, so many of you told me how much you enjoyed listening to him, so naturally, I had to bring him back! In this conversation, my dad and I talk…
S5 · E218 · 21 Aug 2026 · 29 min
218.2 - English Story: Irregular Verbs with Dance Marathons
The other day, I was staring at my list of common Irregular Verbs, trying to think of a lesson I could create with 10 of them. Immediately, I saw some potential! Swing -> Swung, Fling -> Flung , Slide -> Slid. Somehow the clump of words I selected led me to one of the most bizarre stories I’ve ever heard about U.S. culture and history: Dance Marathons of the 1930s. Imagine people dancing for days on end, even sleeping while dancing, for the chance to win some cash. It’s a crazy story, and I hope you enjoy it! In part one, you’ll learn how to use the common expression “to keep someone on…
S5 · E218 · 13 Aug 2026 · 21 min
218 - Expression: To Keep Someone On Their Toes
The other day, I was staring at my list of common Irregular Verbs, trying to think of a lesson I could create with 10 of them. Immediately, I saw some potential! Swing -> Swung, Broadcast -> Broadcast, Sleep -> Slept. Somehow the clump of words I selected led me to one of the most bizarre stories I’ve ever heard about U.S. culture and history: Dance Marathons of the 1930s and 1940s. Imagine people dancing for days on end, even sleeping while dancing, for the chance to win some cash. It’s a crazy story, and from the discovery of this event, this two-part episode was born. Don’t miss part 2!…
30 Jul 2026 · 36 min
217 - What Bugs You? Insects and Annoyances with Lucas
Well, well, well. I never thought I’d make an entire episode about bugs and annoying things until Lucas was attacked by a swarm of yellow jackets this week! It got me thinking, why do we say something "bugs" us? In this episode, Lucas joins me to talk about the everyday things that annoy us. You’ll learn natural ways to say that something bothers you, including to bug someone, get on someone’s nerves, and drive someone crazy. We’ll also cover the names of common insects in English, explore the difference between bite and sting, and hear the epic tale of how Lucas ended up with 14 stings. ⭐…
16 Jul 2026 · 23 min
⭐ Feature: The Truth About Shark Attacks in U.S. Waters
Every year when I go to the beach, I have the same thought: Are there sharks out there in that dark water? It's not an irrational fear. Years ago, a student at my university, Lucas Ransom, was surfing off the California coast when a great white shark attacked him. I didn't know him personally, but we went to the same school, and some of my closest friends were in his classes. I still remember walking into class the next morning and hearing the story from one of my professors. You just don't forget something like that. And maybe that's why sharks have always felt so real to me, and not just…
S5 · E216 · 6 Jul 2026 · 28 min
216 - Soccer Vocabulary and the Miracle Match
While watching soccer matches in Brazil, I quickly realized I had no idea how to comment on a game in Portuguese. There were so many moments when I wanted to yell at the TV along with everyone else, but I needed an entire Portuguese lesson just to keep up! I figured the same thing might be happening to you guys in English. In Episode 216, you’ll learn how to comment on soccer matches in English using natural vocabulary, expressions, and phrases. You’ll also hear about one of the biggest and best upsets in U.S. World Cup history. :) ⭐ Start improving your English today! ⁠⁠⁠Learn more about…
S5 · E215 · 30 Jun 2026 · 28 min
215 - Countries and Nationalities (Pronunciation and Quiz!)
How do you say the names of countries and nationalities in American English? Is it Swiss or Switzerlanders? Spaniard or Spanish? Dutch or Netherlanders? In this episode, we'll practice the pronunciation of 48 World Cup countries that qualified this year, and along the way, you'll discover fun facts about each one. After every country, you'll be tested: What are the people who live there called? If you have an interesting fun fact about your country, tell me about it! :) I'd love to hear from you. ⭐ Start improving your English today! ⁠⁠Learn more about the Academy.⁠⁠ ⭐ Take part in our Free…
S5 · E214 · 18 Jun 2026 · 30 min
214 - Soccer in the United States (History, Stories, and More!)
⭐ Take part in our Free ⁠14-Day English Slang and Expression Challenge.⁠ Why do Americans call it soccer instead of football? Why isn't it the most popular sport in the country? And do Americans actually care about the World Cup? In this episode, Shana explores the history of soccer in the United States, from youth leagues and soccer moms to Pelé, the 1994 World Cup, the rise of the U.S. Women's National Team, David Beckham, Lionel Messi, and the growing popularity of the sport today. Along the way, she shares personal stories from growing up playing soccer in California and compares…
4 Jun 2026 · 30 min
⭐ Feature: The Sweet History of the American Doughnut (or Donut)
⭐ Want to start sounding more natural in English? Sign up to ⁠⁠the Academy⁠⁠ to learn more with each lesson. About this episode Why do doughnuts have holes? Who invented them? And how did they become one of America's most beloved treats? In this episode, we'll explore the fascinating history of the American doughnut, from its roots in ancient fried pastries and Dutch "olykoeks" to the rise of iconic brands like Krispy Kreme and Dunkin'. You'll also expand your vocabulary with descriptive words for sweet treats, baking terms, and useful expressions like make a beeline for something and sweet…
S5 · E213 · 29 May 2026 · 47 min
213 - Discover South Carolina with Lora
What comes to mind when you think of South Carolina? Maybe it's Charleston's cobblestone streets, beautiful beaches, or Spanish moss hanging from ancient oak trees. But South Carolina has much more to offer than its coastline. In this episode, I sit down with Lora from The Mom's Guide to Hiking, an outdoor enthusiast and mom who loves exploring South Carolina's mountains, waterfalls, forests, and state parks with her family. Together, we talk about hiking with kids, staying safe on the trails, the benefits of spending time outdoors, and some of South Carolina's unique cultural traditions.…
S5 · E212 · 14 May 2026 · 28 min
212.2 - The Birth of Netflix and the Fall of Blockbuster
In this episode, I’m taking you back to the 1990s and sharing what family movie nights were like growing up in suburban California. From browsing the aisles at Blockbuster with my family to ordering DVDs through Netflix for the very first time, we’ll explore how entertainment changed almost overnight and how Netflix completely transformed the movie industry. Along the way, you’ll learn lots of natural American English related to: - Movie nights and entertainment - Film and television vocabulary - Business and technology - Internet culture and innovation - Common expressions and idioms You’ll…
S5 · E212 · 7 May 2026 · 27 min
212 - Expression: To Think Outside the Box
What does it really mean to think outside the box? In this episode, you’ll learn one of the most common expressions in American English, used to describe creativity, innovation, and doing things differently. We’ll break down the meaning, explore where the phrase comes from, and connect it to real-life situations. Then, we’ll dive into three fascinating stories of people who thought differently and changed the world: A coach who used a waffle iron to design a revolutionary running shoe A struggling cleaning product that became the toy Play-Doh A baker who invented the chocolate chip cookie…
S5 · E211 · 23 Apr 2026 · 31 min
211 - Preposition Party 🎉 : 7 Everyday Word Pairs with Lucas
Lucas and I are back for another Preposition Party! Today our conversation is going to based on common English collocations like famous for, similar to, suffer from, believe in, proud of, and recover from. Along the way, you'll hear many personal stories, and many cultural fun facts about the U.S., like how Roswell became a hub for alien enthusiasts, and why so many people suffer from seasonal allergies in the U.S. ⭐ Get the full transcript, and all bonus material by signing up to Premium Content. Now available as part of ⁠the Academy⁠. ⭐ Join the Free Slang and Expression Challenge Learn…
10 Apr 2026 · 15 min
⭐ Feature: 5-Minute English: Springtime in the U.S.
Join my 14-Day Slang and Expression Challenge. It's free! In this 5-Minute English episode, we’re diving into springtime in the United States. From blooming flowers and unpredictable April weather to outdoor activities, seasonal foods, and cultural traditions, this episode is packed with useful language. You’ll hear a high concentration of vocabulary, expressions, and collocations related to: Weather and seasonal changes Plants, animals, and nature Outdoor activities and social life Spring foods like berries and stone fruits By the end of this episode, you’ll have the language you need to…
S5 · E210 · 3 Apr 2026 · 14 min
210 - Quick Fix: Further vs. Farther
Do you like this episode format? I've been thinking about doing a series of these "quick fixes" for word confusion, pronunciation, and grammar. That is, if you like the format. So please be honest! In the meantime, check out the Academy! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices
S5 · E209 · 26 Mar 2026 · 37 min
209 - Ghost Towns in the American West with Aubrey Carter
In this episode, we explore the fascinating world of ghost towns in the United States—places where thousands of people once lived, worked, and searched for fortune… and then suddenly left behind. We begin in Coloma, California, where gold was discovered in 1848, sparking the famous Gold Rush. You’ll learn how towns like this quickly grew into busy communities filled with miners, shops, and saloons—and how just as quickly, they became completely empty when the gold ran out. ⭐ Speak about the topics we discuss in this podcast! Join the Academy. Together with guest Aubrey Carter, we dive into…
S5 · E208 · 19 Mar 2026 · 30 min
208 - How to Improve the Four Skills in English: Listening, Reading, Speaking & Writing
In this episode, we go back to the fundamentals of language learning:listening, reading, speaking, and writing. But here’s the key idea: You’ll learn faster when these skills overlap. Instead of practicing each skill separately, you’ll discover how to combine them so new vocabulary moves from something you recognize… to something you can actually use. Personalized 1-on-1 language lessons with native teachers on italki! Buy $10 get $5 for free for your first lesson with code AMERICANPOD 👉 Book a lesson: https://go.italki.com/americanpod2603 📱 Get the app:…
11 Mar 2026 · 21 min
⭐ Feature: 5-Minute English: Cleaning
In this 5-Minute English episode, you'll learn useful vocabulary, phrasal verbs, and collocations related to cleaning your home. Through a short story, we follow someone tackling a messy apartment—from dirty dishes and clutter to sparkling floors. Along the way, you'll hear natural English used to describe common chores and household tasks. Want to take your learning further? ⭐ Visit the website for more learning materials. You’ll also find the Academy there, where you can access bonus content for this episode. ⚠️ This episode is a more advanced listening exercise, so don't worry if you…
S5 · E207 · 4 Mar 2026 · 27 min
207.2 - The Great Molasses Flood of 1919
In this episode, we explore the Great Molasses Flood of 1919, one of the strangest and most tragic disasters in U.S. history. On a cold January afternoon in Boston’s North End, a massive steel tank holding 2.3 million gallons of molasses burst, sending a deadly wave of syrup through the streets. You’ll learn what molasses was being used for, why shipments kept arriving after World War I, and how Prohibition played a surprising role in the story. We’ll walk step by step through what caused the tank to fail, and how this disaster helped shape modern building inspections and safety codes. Along…
S5 · E207 · 25 Feb 2026 · 20 min
207 - Expression: In a Sticky Situation
In this engaging (and slightly sticky) episode, we explore the common American English idiom “to be in a sticky situation.” After a real-life kitchen disaster involving spilled honey, we break down what the expression means, where it comes from (it dates back over 200 years!), and how Americans actually use it in everyday conversation. You’ll hear relatable examples—from accidentally hitting “Reply All” at work to public mix-ups at the Academy Awards and even the New Coke decision by Coca-Cola. We’ll also compare similar expressions and practice pronunciation so you can say it naturally and…
S5 · 18 Feb 2026 · 27 min
⭐ Feature: Hangry, Bromance & Spam: Everyday Portmanteaus with Liz!
In this playful and spontaneous episode, Liz and I play a fast-paced guessing game using common English portmanteaus—words created by blending two others together. From hangry and bromance to Spam and chillax, we break down their meanings, origins, and how Americans actually use them in conversation. Along the way, you’ll hear natural dialogue, cultural references, and plenty of examples to help these words stick. If you want to sound more natural in everyday American English, this one’s for you. ⭐ Get the full list, as well as the full episode by signing up to Premium Content. Now available…
S5 · E206 · 11 Feb 2026 · 22 min
206 - Let's Talk about Hair! (with Julia)
In this cozy winter episode, Shana is snowed in with her daughters on the East Coast after a big snowstorm. While it looks like a magical winter wonderland outside, things feel a little chaotic inside the house. Then Julia, who's seven, decides she wants to be a guest on the podcast. Julia chooses a fun and unexpected topic: hair and hairstyles. Together, they talk about different types of hair, popular hairstyles, and even facial hair vocabulary — all in a relaxed, natural conversation. ⭐ Sign up to the Academy to Learn English with Pictures Useful Vocabulary To be snowed in – when so much…
S5 · E205 · 4 Feb 2026 · 33 min
205 - Preposition Party with Lucas 🎉 Love, Caring, Passions & Worries
In this episode, Shana is joined by her husband Lucas for another fun Preposition Party. Together, they play a guessing game with common English prepositions while sharing personal stories about food, fears, parenting, moving, and unexpected passions. You’ll hear natural, real-life examples of expressions like look forward to, get used to, care about, to fall in love with and more. It’s a relaxed, conversational episode designed to help you build confidence and sound more natural in American English. Sign up to the Academy to learn more! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit…
S5 · E204 · 28 Jan 2026 · 28 min
204.2 - Irregular Verbs with Helen Keller
What if you woke up one day and couldn’t see or hear the world around you? In this episode of the American English Podcast, you’ll discover the incredible true story of Helen Keller — one of the most inspiring figures of the 20th century — and the teacher who changed her life, Anne Sullivan. As you follow Helen’s journey from silence to self-expression, you’ll learn 10 essential irregular verbs in the simple past tense, hear them used naturally in a powerful story, and reinforce them with clear examples. Along the way, we’ll explore how Helen learned to communicate, speak, read, and…
S5 · E204 · 20 Jan 2026 · 18 min
204: Expression: To See Eye to Eye
In this episode of the American English Podcast, we explore the meaning and usage of the common English expression to see eye to eye. Along the way, you’ll learn vocabulary related to sight, wordplay, disagreement, and perspective—plus hear a classic (and slightly corny) dad joke. A quick heads up about the next episode on Helen Keller A dad joke featuring eyeballs, puns, and eye-rolling Common actions eyes can do: blink, wink, stare, roll A clear breakdown of the expression to see eye to eye How to use this expression correctly in positive and negative sentences Cultural examples from U.S.…
13 Jan 2026 · 36 min
⭐ Feature: The Story of Starbucks
You know Starbucks, right? The coffee company? Born in Seattle, Washington and brewed around the world? I bet you do; they have over 40 thousand stores in over 80 countries. In today's episode, we're going to talk about how it came to be. Why is it called Starbucks? Who's that woman on their cups? What's the story? There are a lot of Starbucks haters and a lot of lovers out there, but all of you will find this episode fascinating because 1. it’s an absurdly successful business—how did they do it?! 2. it’s about coffee (who doesn’t love coffee!?) and 3. you’ll learn a bucketload of new…

About American English Podcast

American English Podcast is a English learning podcast from Shana Thompson. Melo plays each episode straight from the publisher's own feed — no ads added, no account needed — and remembers where you stopped, in this browser only.

Publisher: Shana Thompson
Language: English
Category: Learning
New episodes: Weekly
Typical length: 29 min
Latest episode: 7 Oct 2026
Feed: RSS — paste into any podcast app
Apple Podcasts: podcasts.apple.com/podcast/id1456966267
Website: americanenglishpodcast.com

RSS feed Apple Podcasts Website

More English learning

Take it with you

The Melo app keeps playing with the screen off, works in the car and on your watch, wakes you to your station, and browses the whole catalogue offline. Free, no ads, no account.