Best Learnenglish Podcasts (2025)

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The quest to make snake bites less lethal 14:52

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2h ago14:52

14:52

Today's story: Snake bites kill over 100,000 people each year, but antivenom (the treatment for poisonous snake bites) has hardly changed in a century. Today, doctors have to know the type of snake that bit a patient, and the hospital has to have the right antivenom handy. But now, scientists are developing universal treatments that work against ma…

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Seniors are the new screen addicts 14:07

6d ago14:07

14:07

Today's story: Screen time among senior citizens has been growing recently, as more and more retirees use phones and tablets, in addition to time spent watching television. Online devices can help seniors keep their skills sharp, stay in touch with loved ones, and pass the time. But seniors are also vulnerable to scams and don't have the built-in s…

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The rise and fall of Publishers Clearing House 16:27

6d ago16:27

16:27

Today's story: Publishers Clearing House made its name by offering magazine subscriptions through the mail—along with the chance to win big prizes. The lure of big winnings helped the company sell millions of subscriptions. Some winners received $5,000 a week for life. But the company recently declared bankruptcy, and the "lifetime" payments stoppe…

1
Four Seasons hotels win big with ‘White Lotus’ 15:29

8d ago15:29

15:29

Today's story: The White Lotus may be fictional, but the luxury hotels in the show are real—and they’re getting a lot more attention. All three seasons of the HBO hit show "The White Lotus" were filmed at Four Seasons resorts. It all started with a risky bet during the pandemic, but now the hotel chain is finally embracing its onscreen fame. Transc…

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Louvre robbery: How it happened 13:48

3d ago13:48

13:48

Today's story: On a Sunday morning in October, four thieves disguised as construction workers used a ladder truck and power tools to break into the Louvre museum. In just seven minutes, they smashed display cases and escaped with eight priceless pieces of French crown jewelry, including emeralds, sapphires, and pearls once worn by empresses. Transc…

1
A visit to Dublin [archive] 17:24

11d ago17:24

17:24

In this episode from the Plain English archives, you'll learn about Dublin, the capital of the Republic of Ireland. It's a great place to explore the best of Irish culture: the music, the drinks, and the literature. -- Cold plunges are the new health trend championed by high-fliers and ordinary people alike. By submerging yourself water that's 15 d…

1
What sound should a quiet car make? 11:16

10d ago11:16

11:16

In this episode from the Plain English archives: Electric vehicles promised to improve safety and reduce harmful CO2 emissions, but they’re also eerily quiet, which is causing safety problems for pedestrians and cyclists. Several countries now have regulations mandating that electric vehicles make noise with external speakers, but it’s up to the ca…

1
Update episode: BTS, Birkin, NYC trash, Seine swimming & more 12:43

17d ago12:43

12:43

Today's story: Get ready for some updates to previous Plain English stories: New York begins rolling out containerized trash collection; Paris opens the Seine for public swimming; BTS announces a comeback; the original Birkin bag sells for a record €8.6 million; Ethiopia opens the long-disputed Nile dam; and the UK, Uruguay, and Italy take steps to…

1001
Sagrada Familia nears completion after 140 years 10:13

19d ago10:13

10:13

Today's story: Construction on the Sagrada Familia in Barcelona, Spain, is approaching a major milestone after more than 140 years. The basilica’s central tower is nearly complete, and the project is expected to be structurally finished by 2026, the 100th anniversary of the death of Antoni Gaudí. But more than a decade of additional work remains be…

1351
Keep calm and carry on: the backstory 15:19

27d ago15:19

15:19

Today's story: A British wartime propaganda poster created in 1939 featured the slogan, ‘Keep calm and carry on.’ The poster was never used and the slogan had been forgotten, until it was rediscovered in 2000. In a brand-new age, the slogan took on new meaning, and started to appear on posters, mugs, t-shirts, and countless online memes. Transcript…

1
Why your AI always thinks you're brilliant 17:40

28d ago17:40

17:40

Today's story: Large language models like ChatGPT are increasingly sycophantic—flattering users, validating flawed reasoning, and agreeing too easily. This tendency stems from how models are trained: by rewarding responses users like. While some innocent flattery is harmless, models' sycophancy can be harmful in hidden ways. Here's what AI sycophan…

1
New discoveries from ancient Pompeii 14:01

1M ago14:01

14:01

Today's story: Archaeologists are excavating a never-before-studied part of Pompeii, the ancient Roman city buried by a volcanic eruption. They’ve uncovered luxury homes, decorated bathhouses, and evidence of how residents tried to survive the disaster. These new finds offer a vivid window into Roman life—and death—in the first century A.D. Transcr…

1
More schools are banning cell phones 13:43

1M ago13:43

13:43

Today's story: A growing number of state and national education systems are banning cell phone use during the school day. Supporters say phones are distracting, addictive, and bad for learning. Not everyone agrees, but teachers—and even some students—say the changes are making a big difference. Transcript & Exercises: https://plainenglish.com/808 F…

1
Newest status symbol? Your water bottle 13:35

2M ago13:35

13:35

Today's story: Reusable water bottles have become a big global industry, driven by health trends, social media, and changing values around sustainability and style. Brands like Stanley turned practical hydration into a fashionable status symbol—but are they environmentally friendly if you collect them and don't use them? Transcript & Exercises: htt…

1
Alcaraz & Sinner: the new rivalry in men’s tennis 15:53

2M ago15:53

15:53

Today's story: For two decades, the Big Three—Federer, Nadal, and Djokovic—defined men’s tennis. With Federer and Nadal retired and Djokovic aging out of contention, a new rivalry has taken center stage. Carlos Alcaraz and Jannik Sinner have claimed every major title in the past two years, marking the beginning of a new era. Transcript & Exercises:…

1
Canada's sweetest export: maple syrup 14:40

2M ago14:40

14:40

In this lesson from the Plain English archives, you'll learn about one of Canada's sweetest exports: maple syrup. In 2021, there were fears of a shortage. This episode tells the story. "A weaker maple syrup harvest this year put Canada in a bit of a sticky situation. As the world leader in maple syrup production, Canada had to tap into its maple sy…

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⚖️ Emoji in the courtroom 14:12

2M ago14:12

14:12

Enjoy this episode from the Plain English archives. Emoji are everywhere, including some unlikely places...like the courtroom. Court cases often hinge on what words mean. But what happens when a dispute involves an emoji? To decide cases or rule on motions, judges often have to decide what a 👍 or a 💓 means. To make matters worse, there's no emoji d…

1
How stolen vehicles move around the world 15:54

2M ago15:54

15:54

Today's story: How do stolen cars move around the world? Easy. They're loaded into standard shipping containers and sent overseas using the same freight network that moves legal goods. Weak customs enforcement and decentralized criminal networks help keep the operation running smoothly. Transcript & Exercises: https://plainenglish.com/805 Full less…

1
Car theft goes global 14:57

2M ago14:57

14:57

Today's story: Car theft is on the rise, and it's high tech and global. Thieves in rich countries steal luxury SUVs using relay devices and other tools, then ship them overseas to markets in Africa and the Middle East, where demand is high and oversight is weak. Transcript & Exercises: https://plainenglish.com/804 Full lesson: https://plainenglish.…

2651
Women are making inroads into officiating men’s sports 15:30

2M ago15:30

15:30

Today's story: Umpire Jen Pawol made history as the first woman to officiate a Major League Baseball game in 150 years. Her milestone highlights the growing presence of female officials in men’s sports, from soccer to basketball, and the challenges they face breaking into these roles. Transcript & Exercises: https://plainenglish.com/803 Full lesson…

1
Italy envisions a bridge to Sicily 14:24

2M ago14:24

14:24

Today's story: Italy has approved plans for the Messina Bridge, a €13.5 billion suspension bridge linking Sicily to the mainland. If completed by 2033, it would be the world’s longest suspension bridge, but faces engineering, environmental, financial, and political challenges. Transcript & Exercises: https://plainenglish.com/802 Full lesson: https:…

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The era of slim clothing is over 14:05

2M ago14:05

14:05

Today's story: Skinny jeans and tight-fitting clothes are out, and loose, oversized fashion is in. The shift is driven by comfort after the pandemic, greater body inclusivity, and a wave of 1990s nostalgia. Designers and retailers alike are embracing relaxed cuts for all genders. Transcript & Exercises: https://plainenglish.com/801 Full lesson: htt…

1
‘Coldplay couple’ in a viral nightmare 14:56

3M ago14:56

14:56

Today's story: A playful concert tradition took a serious turn when Coldplay’s “Jumbotron Song” captured an embrace between a tech CEO and his HR director. The viral video ignited a nationwide scandal, raising questions about workplace relationships and the risks of being caught on camera. Transcript & Exercises: https://plainenglish.com/800 Full l…

3201
How prescription drugs get their names [archive episode] 19:22

2M ago19:22

19:22

Xoloft, Ibrance, Zocor, Mounjaro: How do drug companies come up with these names? That's exactly what we explored in this classic episode of Plain English. When a pharmaceutical company develops a new treatment, the company creates both the generic (scientific) name and the brand name. They sound weird, but there's a method behind the madness of na…

1
What it’s like to stare at a painting for a full hour [archive episode] 10:57

3M ago10:57

10:57

It can be hard to focus on one thing for an extended period of time. An art class at Harvard takes this to the extreme. All students get an assignment during the class. They have to go to a museum and look at a painting for three hours. We didn't do that...but we came close, in this classic episode of Plain English. Here's what it's like to look at…