Best Energetic English Podcasts (2025)

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The Ridiculous History of the 90s and Low Culture, with Ross Benes 43:54

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1d ago43:54

43:54

The 1990s were a time of chaos, aspiration, and, above all, ridiculous things. In today's episode, Ben, Noel and Max welcome returning guest Ross Benes, the author of 1999, for an in-depth exploration of talk shows, crime, transformative media and pop culture forensics. (Ben here: of course we get to films, video games and Juggalos.) See omnystudio…

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Mastering Business Phrasal Verbs for Daily Deals • BEP 144 14:41

1d ago14:41

14:41

Email Newsletter: https://energeticenglish.com/3MM In this episode, we recount a high-stakes business meeting where Sean, a skilled sales manager, nearly lost a significant deal due to his struggle with phrasal verbs. We share the three essential business phrasal verbs that could have turned the situation around. By using these phrases naturally, S…

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CLASSIC: The Great London Beer Flood of 1814 25:58

5d ago25:58

25:58

In 1814, a poor neighborhood in London fell victim to a strange, tragic and boozy disaster -- this calamity would eventually leave eight people dead. So what exactly happened? How could an entire neighborhood flood with a deadly deluge of beer? Join Ben, Noel and Max for a bizarre bit of boozy history in this week's Classic episode. See omnystudio.…

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The True Story of Pac Man -- and a Ton of Weird Theories 37:56

7d ago37:56

37:56

As one of the most iconic games in all of arcade history, Pac Man is recognized across the planet. But how did it get here -- and why are there so many in-depth fan theories about what it means? Is Pac Man a Sisyphean immortal cursed with endless toil? Is he underwater, stealing errant Pong balls? Is he himself a ghost, or on drugs? In today's epis…

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Polite Ways To Say NO Without Burning Bridges • BEP 143 16:17

8d ago16:17

16:17

Mastering the Art of Saying No in Business English In this episode, we delve into the crucial skill of saying no in business English without damaging professional relationships. Through a gripping story about Sam, a client facing a high-stakes negotiation, we explore practical techniques and phrases to soften refusals, maintain diplomacy, and preve…

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The Ridiculous Origin of the the Word "Ridiculous" 38:54

8d ago38:54

38:54

With nearly one thousand episodes out in the world over the years, Ben, Noel and Max realized they've never asked about the origin of the word "ridiculous." In this rollicking, cartoonishly meta episode, the gang learns the history of this specific word -- and why, since before the dawn of recorded history, humans have always been all about a good …

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CLASSIC: Dr. Seuss Wrote His Most Famous Book On A Bet 34:57

11d ago34:57

34:57

What are your favorite children's books? In this Classic episode, Ben and the gang acknowledge Dr. Seuss is one of the most well-known writers on the planet. "Green Eggs and Ham", one of his most successful books, sold over 8 million copies by 2016 -- but would you believe he wrote it based entirely on a bet? See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy…

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The Terrifying Science of Tiny Subs and D-Day, Part Two: The Rise of the Chamber Divers 46:53

13d ago46:53

46:53

As Axis powers swarm across Europe in the lead-up to D-Day, a small group of scientists refuse to leave their lab, throwing a fair amount of modern ethics out the window (or the sub, if you like) as they race to complete vital experiments in hyperbaric chambers -- the results of which may just change the course of the war. Tune in for part two of t…

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The Terrifying Science of Tiny Subs and D-Day, Part One: The Return of Dr. Rachel "Big Spinach" Lance 43:16

15d ago43:16

43:16

Years after their initial conversation with the world's foremost expert on underwater explosions, Ben still sings the praises of Dr. Rachel "Big Spinach" Lance. In the first part of this special two-part series, Ben, Noel and Max welcome Dr. Lance back to learn more about the phenomenal -- and, frankly, inspiring -- story of a ragtag crew of rogue …

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CLASSIC: Feral Children and the True Story Behind The Jungle Book 29:37

19d ago29:37

29:37

Now, let's be honest. Rudyard Kipling was a cartoonishly problematic guy. Yet his work made a permanent impression on global literature -- and, to a surprising degree, he based a lot of his writing on real-world events. In today's Classic episode, Ben and Noel ask: What inspired Rudyard Kipling to write The Jungle Book? Join the guys as they explor…

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Seven Wonders of the Ancient World: The Colossus of Rhodes 28:37

20d ago28:37

28:37

Imagine you're an ancient traveler, visiting Rhodes for the first time in 280 BCE. As you approach the famed city, a singular object dominates the horizon: a huge statue of the Greek sun god Helios, popularly known as the "Colossus of Rhodes." In the fourth part of this series on the Seven Wonders of the Ancient World, Ben, Noel and Max explore how…

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Unlucky Numbers Across The Globe -- And Why They Are Ridiculous 41:13

22d ago41:13

41:13

Do you have a number you love, or a number you hate? As Ben, Noel and Max discover in today's episode, people have always assigned symbolic meaning to the everpresent existence of math -- and created some frankly ridiculous associations along the way. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.…

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CLASSIC: The Ridiculously Laxative-laden Journey of Lewis and Clark 31:17

26d ago31:17

31:17

In today's Classic episode, Ben and Noel reluctantly sing the praises of poop research. You see, folks, before Lewis and Clark set out to explore the western side of the continent, they tried to prepare for every possible contingency — including medical conditions like constipation. Join the guys as they explore how a dangerous laxative didn’t just…

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Moon Rock Heists, Part Two: The Romantic Misadventures of Thad Roberts 40:27

27d ago40:27

40:27

Let's say you're a love-struck NASA intern -- your professional career holds a lot of promise, but your family life back home is in shambles... and you fall in love with a fellow intern. How can you impress your new paramour? Forget flowers, chocolates and all those other silly earth-bound romantic gestures: this is the story of Thad Roberts. From …

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Alternatives to "I Think" for Confident Communication • BEP 142 15:09

28d ago15:09

15:09

Mastering Business English: Replace 'I Think' with Confidence In this episode, Rob recounts a critical business meeting in Munich where his client, Lee, struggles to convey confidence using the phrase 'I think.' Rob introduces three powerful alternatives to help professionals articulate their ideas more authoritatively. Be guided through practical …

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Moon Rock Heists, Part One: Lunatic Heists and Space Law 49:32

29d ago49:32

49:32

Is it legal to own a moon rock? Well... that depends. If it's a piece of the moon that made it to Earth naturally, then all good. If, however, it's a sample retrieved on purpose by NASA's Apollo program, you can get in some serious trouble for trying to snag it. In part one of this two-part series, Ben, Noel and Max explore what happens when powerf…

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CLASSIC: The Strange and Spectacularly Disgusting Story of the Great Kentucky Meat Shower 35:55

1M ago35:55

35:55

On March 3rd, 1876, residents of Bath County, Kentucky were startled to see what appeared to be chunks and flakes of meat falling from the clear, cloudless sky. The rain, which only lasted a few minutes, captured national attention. People across the country proposed various theories explaining the deluge. In today's Classic episode, the guys belie…

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The Ridiculously Energetic History of Energy Drinks! 47:01

1M ago47:01

47:01

This episode is brought to you by our favorite cohost: coffee. These days, if you stroll into any convenience store across the planet, you're going to run into a selection of energy drinks -- whether we're talking Red Bull, NOS, Monster, or our favorite pal, the humble cup of joe, one thing's for certain: people love this stuff... even if it's not …

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Expressing Opinions Like a Native in Meetings • BEP 141 11:44

1M ago11:44

11:44

Mastering Business English: Four Phrases to Command Any Meeting In this episode, host Rob aims to immerse listeners in high-pressure business environments, drawing from his extensive experience coaching professionals. The focus is on equipping non-native English speakers with essential phrases and techniques to confidently navigate meetings, interv…

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Japan is Overrun By Raccoons Entirely Due to a Single Cartoon 40:57

1M ago40:57

40:57

While the legendary Japanese raccoon dog -- or tanuki -- may look like a raccoon, it's a very different beast. However, these days Japan is home to actual raccoons: they're considered an invasive species, wreaking havoc across the country as they destroy temples, consume crops, and threaten indigenous wildlife. In today's episode, Ben, Noel and Max…

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CLASSIC: The Bizarre Origin of the Oxford English Dictionary 44:44

1M ago44:44

44:44

With 600,000 words and 3 million quotations, the Oxford English Dictionary is a massive tome. Work began on the dictionary in 1857, but the first edition wasn't published until 1884. Compiling the dictionary was a Herculean task, and James Murray, the editor of the dictionary, put out a call for assistance. This early crowdsourcing strategy worked …

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Hoax! With Dana Schwartz and Lizzie Logan 47:00

1M ago47:00

47:00

Did you know England's first newspaper was fake? Or that King Arthur is more or less completely made up? The deeper we look into human history, the more we see that civilization is utterly riddled with bizarre hoaxes -- some of which are laughable, and some of which are downright dangerous. In today's episode, Ben, Noel and Max welcome the legendar…

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Fabergé Eggs Are Ridiculous (And Fascinating) 45:19

1M ago45:19

45:19

Imagine you are beyond wealthy. You no longer dream of the average "rich people" flexes -- you've got all the diamonds, all the mansions, all the ordinary baubles of the elite. How can you distinguish yourself? What can you buy when you can buy literally anything? In today's episode, Ben, Noel and Max explore the astonishing, ridiculous origin stor…

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The World of Non-Gregorian Calendars: What Day Is It, Really? 39:29

2M ago39:29

39:29

Human civilization is far from perfect. Still, it's pretty cool humanity overall agreed on how to measure time (for now). In today's follow-up to an earlier exploration of the Gregorian calendar, Ben, Noel and Max admire the many alternative, non-Gregorian calendars with their own ancient provenance, all of which exist in the modern day. Or modern …

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The Ridiculous Origin of the Modern Calendar 39:30

2M ago39:30

39:30

The calendar is... ridiculous. Since the earliest days of civilization, humanity has tried to measure the passage of time on Earth through any number of systems. In today's episode, Ben, Noel and Max discover how millennia of trial and error led to the modern Gregorian calendar, which we all still just pretend is a normal thing in the modern day. S…

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CLASSIC: George Carlin Gets Quoted in the Supreme Court: Ridiculous Stand-up Stories with Wayne Federman 26:04

2M ago26:04

26:04

In the second part of this two-part series, special guest Wayne Federman explores the strange, curse-word-riddled stand-up bit that resulted in George Carlin setting a legal precedent with the Supreme Court. Listen in to learn how curse words changed the world and sparked a debate that continues today. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy inform…

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The Ridiculous History of Fantasy Sports, Part Two 35:20

2M ago35:20

35:20

As local fantasy sports initiatives grew into larger, more organized pursuits, technology improved as well. Access to online statistics made it much easier for casual sports fans to enter the realm of fantasy playing -- and also, arguably, made it easier to gamble on sports as well. In the second part of this week's two-part series, Ben, Noel and M…

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3 Vital Insights into British Business English [with Charlie from The British English Podcast] • BEP 140 21:02

2M ago21:02

21:02

The British English Podcast: https://open.spotify.com/show/24VJZTZKP8ONYKCTTeVxQK?si=2a1266fbd37f4eb6 In this episode, Rob welcomes Charlie from The British English Podcast to discuss the nuances of British Business English. They delve into the importance of small talk, formality in professional settings, and incorporating linguistic flair into con…

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The Ridiculous History of Fantasy Sports, Part One 32:24

2M ago32:24

32:24

To outsiders, fantasy sports and fantasy leagues may sound like a bizarre proposition: you get together with a bunch of friends and leverage statistics to predict outcomes in your favorite sports, but it's not... gambling? In the first part of this two-part series, Ben, Noel and Max explore the origins of fantasy leagues, and how they grew into a b…

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CLASSIC: The People vs. Lenny Bruce: Ridiculous Stand-up Stories with Wayne Federman 33:10

2M ago33:10

33:10

Lenny Bruce is a legend in the history of stand-up comedy, and while his use of explicit language thrilled audience members, it didn't win him any friends in law enforcement. In fact, Bruce was arrested multiple times for his use of 'obscenities', sparking a larger, continuing debate about the nature of free speech. Join the guys as they learn more…

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First Ladies Who Weren't Wives, Part Two, Part Two: Some Folks Didn't Want The Job 27:48

2M ago27:48

27:48

Imagine one of your family members attains the highest political position in American history -- your uncle or sibling becomes the President of the United States! And, as Ben, Noel and Max learn in today's episode: many people were called to play the role of First Lady. Turns out: several people genuinely didn't want the job. See omnystudio.com/lis…

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The Art of Saying No Professionally [with Michael from The Level Up English Podcast] • BEP 139 14:03

2M ago14:03

14:03

📺 Watch: https://youtu.be/EIBYMZkXfyE 🎧 The Level Up English Podcast: https://open.spotify.com/show/2kzXWXMAAPZYfwtan7F2R5?si=2b5c208cd6e74076 Mastering the Art of Saying 'No' in Business English with Michael from Level Up English In this episode of the Business English Podcast, we are joined by Michael from the Level Up English Podcast to discuss …

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First Ladies Who Weren't Wives, Part Two, Part One: James "The Bachelor" Buchanan 33:31

2M ago33:31

33:31

Ben here. I know, I know: it's confusing that we split our First Ladies sequel episode into two separate episodes. The title is literally ridiculous. However, as you'll hear, we delved deep into a bit of Presidential history that touches on so many things -- so many, in fact, that we had to dedicate an entire show to Buchanan and his fascinating Fi…

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CLASSIC: The Life and Times of Ol' Knife Hand 28:17

2M ago28:17

28:17

A necropolis in what is now Northern Italy holds a strange and, at first glance, terrifying corpse. A Lombard man, aged somewhere between 40 and 50 years old, lost his right arm in a brutal accident. Normally this sort of wound would be a death sentence, but in this case the guy didn't just survive -- he created a prosthetic limb from a sword and o…

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Batman, or Bat-Man? A Ridiculously Comical Feud For The Ages 45:31

2M ago45:31

45:31

The Dark Knight. The Caped Crusader. The terror of all criminals and ne'er-do-wells in Gotham... that's right, folks: today's episode is all about Batman. As Ben and Noel discover in today's episode, this superhero's origin story is a surprising tale of beef, ego, conflict and controversy: for decades, two men claimed to have created Batman... and …

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Three Ridiculous Histories of "Bloody Mary" 47:01

2M ago47:01

47:01

A frightening children's game. An intensely divisive, boozy drink. A real-life Royal. As Ben and Noel discover in today's episode, "Bloody Mary" alludes to several ridiculous -- and, at times -- disturbing things. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.By iHeartPodcasts

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CLASSIC: The Ridiculous Story of the World’s First (Documented) Serial Killer 35:31

2M ago35:31

35:31

Locusta of Gaul, also known as Locusta The Poisoner, was one of the most infamous criminals of ancient times. Alternately sponsored and betrayed by the noble class, she committed crimes with impunity for years — even, at one point, opening an academy to teach her poisoning skills to others. Tune in to learn more about the rise and fall of what may …

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A Ridiculous History of "Fad Diets" 43:40

3M ago43:40

43:40

Everyone in the developed world knows someone who's tried a 'fad diet' -- these are the so-called miracle practices that promise to help people lose weight and keep it off, through any number of potentially dubious methods. But where did they come from? In today's episode, Ben, Noel and guest producer Dylan dive deep into the Victorian era of tapew…

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A Titanic Disaster: That Time An Entire Production Crew Tripped Off Bad Chowder 44:30

3M ago44:30

44:30

James Cameron's Titanic was, by all accounts, a blockbuster success. And, like so many other masterpieces, the story of its creation is a tale all its own. In today's episode, Ben and Noel dive deep into a little-known disaster that struck the already-tense production: someone laced the chowder with PCP, sending a small army of crew and cast alike …

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CLASSIC: Back When the Rich Ate Corpses 36:21

3M ago36:21

36:21

Nowadays it's safe to say that cannibalism isn't a widely-accepted practice, but not so long ago it was considered the bleeding edge (get it?) in medicine throughout Western Europe. Join Ben and Noel as they explore the odd practice of consuming human body parts in hopes of curring all one's ills, through everything such as the King's drops to band…

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Pronunciation Tips for Professionals: Special Insights from Emma [From Pronunciation With Emma] • BEP 138 20:37

3M ago20:37

20:37

Welcome to the Business English Podcast! In this episode, Rob is joined by Emma from Pronunciation With Emma to discuss one of the most challenging aspects of professional communication: pronunciation. Whether you're presenting in person or on Zoom, Emma shares three key tips to instantly improve your pronunciation and convey your message more effe…

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A Ridiculous History of Sex, with Ross Benes 48:34

3M ago48:34

48:34

Heads-up, folks: this is a PG-13 episode. Ben and the legendary guest producer, also Ben, welcome author and journalist Ross Benes for a wide-ranging discussion on the ridiculous ways in which sex has altered the course of human civilization. We're talking about the origin story of the vibrator, the way the US military accidentally made San Francis…

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CLASSIC: The Mummies of Guanajuato 30:15

3M ago30:15

30:15

When the city of Guanajuato instituted a grave tax, they included some harsh penalties for those who couldn't pay -- if you went more than three years without paying the tax on your loved one's resting place, the body would be disinterred and taken from its grave. As gravediggers began removing corpses, they discovered something bizarre: Many of th…

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Spiritual Journeys with Merilee Episode 4 24:54

3M ago24:54

24:54

Merilee goes solo to teach methods of grounding, creating boundaries, and cutting energy. Disclaimer: Light Language vibrations and frequencies that are activations are in this audio. If you do not want to receive activations, please do not listen to the podcast audio.I you continue to listen, you are giving consent to receive these activations.…

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A Ridiculous History of Brain Science, with Jorge Cham 56:06

3M ago56:06

56:06

Today, we all generally understand that the brain is responsible for what we call personality and thought -- yet this wasn't always the case. Once humans figured out the brain was more than a weird lump in the skull, it took centuries of trial and error, along with quack science, to really understand how it works. In today's episode, the guys welco…

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Jorge Cham Teaches Us The Universe: Big Bangs and Quantum Hangs 53:01

3M ago53:01

53:01

What is the universe? Where did it come from, and what happens to it in the future? Humanity has wrestled with these questions since the dawn of civilization -- and though we've made a lot of progress, there's still much more to learn. In today's episode, the guys join special guest Jorge Cham, the polymath, engineer, author, cartoonist, and creato…

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CLASSIC: The Curious Rise of SPAM 47:03

3M ago47:03

47:03

Nowadays the iconic 'SPAM' logo is recognized around the world -- whether you're traveling in the US state of Minnesota or Busan, Korea, you'll more often than not run into a couple of Spam cans in the local grocery store. But what made this particular processed meat so popular? Join Ben, Noel and special guest, Savor cohost Anney Reese as they exp…

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All Things AI • BEP x SEND7 • Part 2 - BEP 137 17:06

3M ago17:06

17:06

Part One: https://www.spreaker.com/episode/all-things-ai-part-one--66659818 In this special bonus episode of the Business English Podcast, host Rob collaborates with Stephen of Simple English News Daily (SEND7) to discuss the current and future implications of artificial intelligence (AI) in the business world and language learning. The conversat…

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The Ridiclulous Hsitory of Typos 38:58

3M ago38:58

38:58

Ah, the bane of authors, students and copywriters the world round: the infamous typo! Something as small as a single misplaced letter can call the entire credibility of a book, text, or essay into question. Usually readers can still "get the gist," but every so often an innocent typo sows chaos, hilarity, scandal and disaster. In today's episode, B…

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Delivering Persuasive Sales Presentations: From Opening to Close • BEP 136 18:40

3M ago18:40

18:40

📺 Watch: https://youtu.be/bd4YuEIwQR0 🔗Blog: https://www.thebusinessenglishpodcast.com/blog-ep136 📥 Newsletter: https://www.energeticenglish.com/3MM In this episode of The Business English Podcast, “Delivering Persuasive Sales Presentations: From Opening to Close,” we follow Charlie, a non-native pro, as he learns to transform pitch flops into wins…