Inside English Podcast

In college, I  enrolled in a chemistry class and immediately realized I was in over my head. After one overwhelming lecture, I dropped the course. In this episode, I reflect on the difference between perseverance and knowing when to quit. I hope you will recognize when a situation isn't right for you and make sensible choices for your well-being. You will learn new vocabulary, English phrases, idi...

Growing up, I learned many lessons from my parents, but I never imagined I would one day become their parent. In this episode, I share the surprise, the challenge, the feelings of unpreparedness and fear, the gradual realization of responsibility, and my decision to honor my parents by learning to care for them one step at a time. You will learn new vocabulary, English phrases, idioms, and, of cou...

Life is about putting one foot in front of the other and taking a step. It's about moving forward, but do you know that sometimes, in order to move forward, you have to step backwards? In this episode, I share how humility, revisiting fundamentals, and embracing a step backward can build confidence and lead to success.  You will learn new vocabulary, English phrases, idioms, and, of course, improv...

This is a personal story about learning that talent is only 10% of success, while hard work and discipline make up the rest. The episode shares lessons from an art professor, real experiences, and encouragement to try, persist, and improve through effort. You will learn new vocabulary, English phrases, idioms, and, of course, improve your listening comprehension. Enjoy!

I accidentally hung my beige blazer in front of a red one, and the red dye transferred to the collar and lapels. After trying stain remover and researching home remedies, I'm attempting to salvage the blazer before deciding whether to replace it. In this episode, I share the mistake, my attempts to fix it, and the dilemma of buying a costly replacement if the stains won’t come out. You will learn...

Your world can feel like it's coming to an end after a devastating loss, such as losing your job. I was fired twice and laid off once, so I know the feeling. Each time, I felt a sense of loss; however, I didn't let the situation keep me down. No, I dusted myself off and persevered, and guess what? You can do the same! In this episode, you'll learn new vocabulary, English phrases, idioms, and, of c...

Are you a bargain shopper? Do you love a good sale or deal? In this episode, I share my secret to shopping at bargain discount retailers like Ross and TJ Maxx. You will not be disappointed. My secret will teach you how to turn bargain shopping into a smart, stress-free experience. You will learn new vocabulary, English phrases, idioms, and, of course, improve your listening comprehension. Enjoy!

Shopping, in my opinion, is supposed to be fun, but there are times when things go wrong that sucks all the fun out of shopping. That was my experience on Prime Day this year. I ordered toiletries and got an email saying my package was delivered to a front desk at the wrong address. In this episode, I will share what happened and how the situation was resolved. You will learn new vocabulary, Engli...

In this episode, I share a humorous and personal story about living near a woodland visited by deer that repeatedly eat my beloved hosta plants. I describe the damage, my frustration, and attempts to defend the garden, including using a strong-smelling deer spray. You will learn new vocabulary, English phrases, idioms, and, of course, improve your listening comprehension. Enjoy!

Recently, I returned to Jamaica, and it was truly one of my best trips back, especially because my favorite fruit — the mango — was in season. I ate mangoes like there was no tomorrow. I even got worried about putting on weight, but then I thought, 'What's a little mango weight when I'm enjoying my favorite fruit?" In this episode, you will learn new vocabulary, English phrases, idioms, and, of co...

Telling the truth can be difficult sometimes. In this episode, I share my dilemma: wanting to tell the truth while hiding it at the same time. You will learn new vocabulary, English phrases, idioms, and, of course, improve your listening comprehension. Enjoy!

In this episode, I share my experience of being judged intellectually. It happened during my first semester of graduate school. A classmate assumed I wasn't smart enough and offered to write the entire research paper we were assigned to work on together. You will learn new vocabulary, English phrases, idioms, and, of course, improve your listening comprehension. Enjoy!

In this episode, I share the story of a woman who refused to accept a prediabetes diagnosis—saying, "I'm not claiming diabetes"—and later developed full-blown diabetes.  My message to everyone is: just because you deny that something exists doesn't mean it doesn't. Denial doesn't change the facts. You will learn new vocabulary, English phrases, idioms, and, of course, improve your listening compre...

In this episode, I share a funny and embarrassing texting mix-up where I misinterpret a double exclamation mark "!!" and apologize unnecessarily, only to later discover it meant strong agreement. 😳🤦‍♀️😂 You will learn new vocabulary, English phrases, idioms, and, of course, improve your listening comprehension. Enjoy!

Are you a hostage to fear? If so, you are not alone! In this episode, I share a personal story about my father, who delayed a colonoscopy out of fear and was later diagnosed with colon cancer. I reflect on how fear can paralyze people, lead them to avoid necessary care, and ultimately cause more harm than the risks they feared. You will learn new vocabulary, English phrases, idioms, and, of course...

Do you have any complainers around you? You know, people who complain about what they don't have instead of showing gratitude for what they do have. This episode reflects on Hurricane Melissa’s devastation and shares personal stories that contrast complaining with gratitude, urging you to appreciate life’s blessings. You will learn new vocabulary, English phrases and idioms, and of course, improve...

I quit a stressful job after five years, and months later, was diagnosed with a pleural effusion that required surgery. Because I had health insurance coverage, I could focus on treatment and recovery without financial panic. This episode is a lesson: life is unpredictable, and health insurance can be the difference between stress and security when illness strikes. You will learn new vocabulary, E...

In this episode, "Lemons and Life," I explore the idiom "When life gives you lemons, make lemonade" through the inspiring story of Miss V, who, after losing her legs, continues to serve her community, bake wedding cakes, and turn hardship into purpose. Now the question is! Have you ever turned your lemons into Lemonade? I hope you have! Through this inspiring story, you will learn new vocabulary,...

If you know anything about milk, you know that it spoils easily, but that’s not the case anymore. Nowadays, milk takes forever to spoil. In this episode, I get to the bottom of why the milk we drink today has such a long shelf life. You will learn new vocabulary, English phrases, idioms, and, of course, improve your listening comprehension. Thanks for listening. Enjoy!

Has anyone ever said or done something that made your day? By the way, to make someone's day is to make them happy. In this episode, I share how my goddaughter gave me a huge compliment that made my day. You will learn the difference between the words compliment and complement, several English idioms and phrases, and, of course, improve your listening comprehension. Thank you for listening! Enjoy!...

This episode begins with a nostalgic reflection on the excitement of snow and the joy of snow days in childhood, then shifts to a practical grammar lesson in which I explain embedded questions: what they are, why they sound more polite than direct questions, and how to use them with examples and tips on "reading the room." Enjoy!

In this episode, I talk about one of my top pet peeves. What are pet peeves? They are things that especially annoy you. You will learn new vocabulary, idioms, English phrases and expressions, and, of course, improve your listening comprehension. Enjoy! 

Are you always aware of what is happening around you? My answer is a resounding, no!  In this episode, I talk about how I'm always out of the loop and how my friend keeps me updated on what is happening around me. You will learn new vocabulary, idioms, English phrases, and, of course, improve your listening comprehension. Enjoy!

In this episode, I discuss how your name and the way you speak can contribute to stereotyping and unequal access to job opportunities. You will learn new vocabulary, idioms, English phrases, and, of course, improve your listening comprehension. Enjoy!

Have you ever been scammed? I have. In this episode, I share that incident, discuss the lessons I've learned, and offer tips from the Federal Trade Commission on how to spot a scammer. You will learn new vocabulary, English phrases, idioms, and, of course, improve your listening comprehension.