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Welcome to Learn English With News, the podcast that helps you learn English through real-world news! Each episode, I’ll break down the latest stories, explain key vocabulary and grammar points, and help you develop your speaking skills with discussion questions.
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Join musician Chris Fafalios (Punchline) and co-host Matt Kelly from the Geekscape network on One Hit Thunder, where each week they dive into the world of one-hit wonders with a new guest. Chris and Matt are joined by a revolving door of friends, including Chris's bandmates, musicians he’s toured with, and fellow artists, to listen to a one-hit wonder and explore the full catalog of the band or artist behind it. With a mix of humor and musical insight, Chris and Matt dive deep to decide if t ...
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In this week’s episode, we dig into NewSong’s “The Christmas Shoes,” a holiday hit that somehow became a cultural phenomenon despite being, frankly, awful. The song relies on emotional manipulation instead of real storytelling, and we still cannot understand how it convinced so many people that it was profound. We take apart the lyrics, talk throug…
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In this episode, Chris and Matt discuss the new HBO Original Documentary from their Bill Simmons-produced Music Box series. Using the categories from Bill’s very popular The Rewatchables podcast, the guys discuss their favorite parts of this look into the meteoric rise of Counting Crows in the early 90s. Join our Patreon Buy a Shirt Follow us on In…
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In today's news, we find out about a woman who married her AI... This episode is ideal for intermediate English learners (B1–B2+) who want to improve vocabulary, grammar, and listening comprehension with real news in English. Get the full transcript, vocabulary glossary, and a comprehension quiz at patreon.com/learnenglishwithben Other links: – Buy…
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From Chris DeMakes A Podcast (originally released as Episode 288 on 12/15/25)... In the 1981 holiday season, The Waitresses delivered a refreshingly offbeat gift with their single “Christmas Wrapping.” Written by Chris Butler, who openly admitted his dislike for the holidays, the song was pieced together from leftover riffs and lyrics he scribbled …
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In today's news, we talk about how a traditional Swiss art form is being protected. This episode is ideal for intermediate English learners (B1–B2+) who want to improve vocabulary, grammar, and listening comprehension with real news in English. Get the full transcript, vocabulary glossary, and a comprehension quiz at patreon.com/learnenglishwithben…
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Doesn’t escaping into the hills to do nothing but write music with your friends sound like the ultimate dream? By the mid-60s, this was a reality for Black Oak Arkansas, a Southern rock band that refined their sound and mastered their instruments while living off the land. Led by charismatic frontman Jim “Dandy” Mangrum, they built a reputation for…
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In today's news, we find out about Australia's new social media ban for under 16s. In the grammar section, we look at how we use 'wish + would'. This episode is ideal for intermediate English learners (B1–B2+) who want to improve vocabulary, grammar, and listening comprehension with real news in English. Get the full transcript, vocabulary glossary…
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From Chris DeMakes A Podcast (originally released as Episode 224 on 9/16/24)... This week, Mike Edwards sits in to discuss the writing and recording of the 1991 hit single from Jesus Jones, “Right Here, Right Now." The conversation explores the creation and impact of the song, including the inspiration behind it and the cultural context of the time…
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In today's news, we take a look at Germany's new plan to get more young people to sign up for military service. This episode is ideal for intermediate English learners (B1–B2+) who want to improve vocabulary, grammar, and listening comprehension with real news in English. Get the full transcript, vocabulary glossary, and a comprehension quiz at pat…
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In 1972, Bill Withers wrote, produced, and performed the #1 hit “Lean on Me,” a timeless single about being there for someone you care about. Fifteen years later, Club Nouveau flawlessly brought the song into the 80s, achieving a modern sound without losing its signature heart and soul. Despite topping the charts and even winning a Grammy for their…
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In today's news, a controversy involving a statue of Pavarotti and an ice rink. In the grammar section, we talk about how to use the passive voice to be more diplomatic. This episode is ideal for intermediate English learners (B1–B2+) who want to improve vocabulary, grammar, and listening comprehension with real news in English. Get the full transc…
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From Chris DeMakes A Podcast (originally released as Episode 137 on 1/9/23)... Glasgow's Del Amitri has had a long and storied career, releasing five albums that reached the Top 10 in the UK and selling over 6 millions albums worldwide. In the United States, it was the 1995 hit single "Roll To Me" that showcased the band to the whole country via po…
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Practise your English listening and grammar with this episode of Learn English With News. Today's story is an update on the Austrian nuns who escaped from a care home to return to their convent. We'll also be looking at synonyms of the word 'if'. This episode is ideal for intermediate English learners (B1–B2+) who want to improve vocabulary, gramma…
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If you were living in Gainesville, Florida, in the late 90s, Sister Hazel’s “All For You” was probably a hit song to YOU way before it was a hit for the rest of the country. The band had already sold tens of thousands of copies of their album …Somewhere More Familiar when they signed to Universal and re-released it. The album would go platinum, tha…
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Practise your English listening and grammar with this episode of Learn English With News. Today’s story is about a man who pretended to be his dead mother! (If you don't like dark stories, maybe you should skip this one!) We’ll also look at a common false friend. This episode is ideal for intermediate English learners (B1–B2+) who want to improve v…
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From Chris DeMakes A Podcast (originally released as Episode 139 on 1/23/23)... In this episode, Toadies vocalist and guitarist Vaden Todd Lewis discusses the writing, recording, and release of the band's 1994 hit single "Possum Kingdom". The song's eerie lyrical content matched with its unique composition made it stand out in an era of inventive r…
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Practise your English listening and grammar with this episode of Learn English With News. Today’s story is about a pocket watch from the Titanic which has broken records. We’ll also look at how we use the verb ‘make’. This episode is ideal for intermediate English learners (B1–B2+) who want to improve vocabulary, grammar, and listening comprehensio…
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In the summer of 1993, an up-and-coming Brooklyn hip-hop trio collaborated with an NBA rookie sensation to create a Bugs Bunny-inspired track that cracked the Top 40. In a world of athletes releasing embarrassing novelty singles, “What’s Up Doc? (Can We Rock?)” had people far and wide asking if Shaq was as diesel on the mic as he was on the court. …
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Practise your English listening and grammar with this episode of Learn English With News. Today’s story is about Paul McCartney's new, silent recording! We also look at how to use the preposition 'without'. This episode is ideal for intermediate English learners (B1–B2+) who want to improve vocabulary, grammar, and listening comprehension with real…
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From Chris DeMakes A Podcast (originally released as Episode 68 on 9/13/2021)... Candlebox's 1993 smash hit single "Far Behind" is still in regular rotation on rock radio today. On this episode, lead singer Kevin Martin discusses the writing, recording, release, and legacy of this timeless single. One Hit Thunder is brought to you by DistroKid, the…
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This week, we’re exploring the career and music of The Calling, a band that somehow managed to define the early 2000s with their massive hit “Wherever You Will Go.” Whether it was the song’s appearance in Coyote Ugly or simply the right sound at the right time, The Calling burst onto the scene with one of the biggest songs in the history of Billboa…
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Practise your English listening and grammar with this episode of Learn English With News. Today’s story is about a man who stole a bus in Canada...but continued picking up passengers! We also look at some phrasal verbs related to the topic of transport. This episode is ideal for intermediate English learners (B1–B2+) who want to improve vocabulary,…
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Practise your English listening and grammar with this episode of Learn English With News. Today’s story is about how to keep seagulls away from your food! We also look at how to use the preposition 'at'. This episode is ideal for intermediate English learners (B1–B2+) who want to improve vocabulary, grammar, and listening comprehension with real ne…
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Practise your English listening and grammar with this episode of Learn English With News. Today’s story is about a controversial incident at the Miss Universe contest. You'll also practise sentence structures with three verbs: accuse, threaten and deny. This episode is ideal for intermediate English learners (B1–B2+) who want to improve vocabulary,…
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What happens when a hairdresser decides to buy a used synthesizer and start a band with his friend and his brother, despite having little musical experience? You get A Flock of Seagulls, a group whose sound (and haircuts) perfectly capture the spirit of the early 80s. The unforgettable music video for “I Ran (So Far Away)” became an MTV staple in t…
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In today’s episode of The Lovin Kuwait Show shares two heartwarming stories. First, we celebrate Kuwait’s dedicated teachers and schools at a special ceremony Then, we dive into a deeply emotional post from football legend Lionel Messi about Camp Nou, and see how fans in Kuwait and around the world reacted with nostalgia and heartfelt memories.…
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Practise your English listening and grammar with this episode of Learn English With News. Today’s story is about the return of a skull to a cathedral! You'll also learn the difference between 'after' and 'afterwards'. This episode is ideal for intermediate English learners (B1–B2+) who want to improve vocabulary, grammar, and listening comprehensio…
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Practise your English listening and grammar with this episode of Learn English With News. Today’s story is about France's delicious new stamps (but please don't eat them!). This episode is ideal for intermediate English learners (B1–B2+) who want to improve vocabulary, grammar, and listening comprehension with real news in English. Get the full tra…
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Long before his 1976 hit, Elvin Bishop was already one of the world’s most respected blues guitarists. Everyone from the Grateful Dead to Bo Diddley was eager to collaborate with him, and his work with the Paul Butterfield Blues Band eventually earned him a place in the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame. Despite his confidence and experience as a world-cl…
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Practise your English listening and grammar with this episode of Learn English With News. Today’s story is about a message in a bottle found after 100 years. In the grammar section, you'll learn about how to use 'for' and 'during'. This episode is ideal for intermediate English learners (B1–B2+) who want to improve vocabulary, grammar, and listenin…
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Practise your English listening and grammar with this episode of Learn English With News. Today’s story is about a German company’s clever marketing campaign. In the grammar section, you'll learn about possessives. This episode is ideal for intermediate English learners (B1–B2+) who want to improve vocabulary, grammar, and listening comprehension w…
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It’s Halloween, so we thought it would be crazy not to dive into the legendary artist who brought us the lyric “little old lady got mutilated late last night.” That’s right…this week, we’re diving into the life and career of Warren Zevon and his most famous single, 1978’s “Werewolves of London.” A dark sense of humor paired with a songwriting voice…
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Practise your English listening and grammar with this episode of Learn English With News. Today’s story is about a woman playing the clarinet during brain surgery. In the grammar section, you'll learn about how to use the preposition 'back' in phrasal verbs. This episode is ideal for intermediate English learners (B1–B2+) who want to improve vocabu…
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Practise your English listening and grammar with this episode of Learn English With News. Today’s story is about the sighting of a crocodile by a canal in England! This episode is ideal for intermediate English learners (B1–B2+) who want to improve vocabulary, grammar, and listening comprehension with real news in English. Get the full transcript, …
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This week, we’re joined by Matt Kelly’s Christian Cringe co-host Katie Hampton to become one with the mud. Yes, we’re exploring the career and music of Jars of Clay, the rare mainstream crossover from the Christian music scene who made their mark in 1996 with the alternative rock radio hit “Flood.” Despite a bit of blowback from their religious fan…
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Practise your English listening and grammar with this episode of Learn English With News. Today’s story is about how an aggressive swan has calmed down after meeting his 'wife'. In the grammar section, you’ll learn how about the phrase 'to spend time'. This episode is ideal for intermediate English learners (B1–B2+) who want to improve vocabulary, …
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Practise your English listening and grammar with this episode of Learn English With News. In today's news, some good news for green turtles! In the grammar section, we look at how to use the present perfect tense when talking about recent actions that connect to the present. This episode is ideal for intermediate English learners (B1–B2) who want t…
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