The Fluent Mind ESL Podcast

In this episode of The A to Z English Podcast, Xochitl and Jack talk about common mistakes non-native English speakers make when using pronouns. "He/him/his" and "she/her/hers" are sets of pronouns commonly used to refer to individuals based on their gender identity. Pronouns are words used to replace nouns in sentences to avoid repetition and make the language more efficient. In E...

In this episode of Listener Emails, Jack reads several emails from listeners of the podcast. Send your emails to atozenglishpodcast@gmail.com if you'd like Jack to read your email on the show. Email: atozenglishpodcast@gmail.com Podcast Website: https://atozenglishpodcast.com/a-to-z-listener-emails-episode-04/ Social Media: Threads https://threads.com/invitation/34520051596/RLLHXJPPFMTFXUHE5NS...

In this Quick Tok episode of the podcast, Jack explains the meaning of the idiom "Hold the phone!" "Hold the phone" is an idiomatic expression that means to stop or wait for a moment, typically in response to surprising or unexpected information or to ask someone to pause or stop what they are doing in order to consider or address something important. It can be used figuratively in...

In this episode of The A to Z English Podcast, Xochitl and Jack share disappointing experiences from their lives. Email: atozenglishpodcast@gmail.com Podcast Website:  https://atozenglishpodcast.com/a-to-z-quick-chat-78-a-disappointing-experience/ Social Media: Threads https://threads.com/invitation/34520051596/RLLHXJPPFMTFXUHE5NSUT6OLMUSSLEJBUI227Z6DXCO2XVBOWQCK7N4U A to Z Facebook Page: https://...

In this episode of The A to Z English Podcast, Jack talks about three amazing stories from China. The Traffic Jam That Lasted for Days: In August 2010, a massive traffic jam occurred on the Beijing-Tibet Expressway, stretching for over 62 miles (100 kilometers) and lasting for an astonishing 12 days. The congestion was primarily caused by a combination of ongoing road maintenance, an influx of hea...

In this episode of The A to Z English Podcast, Hendrick fills in for Xochitl and provides us with a personal Am I the Jerk? story. Hendrick asks Jack if he thinks Hendrick is a jerk for getting angry at his friend for forgetting his birthday. Thanks Hendrick for bringing another fun AITJ? topic to the podcast! Email: atozenglishpodcast@gmail.com Podcast Website:  https://atozenglishpodcast.com/a-t...

In this episode of The A to Z English Podcast, Jack reads three amazing stories from China. The Longest Skywalk in the World - Zhangjiajie Glass Bridge: In August 2016, China opened the Zhangjiajie Glass Bridge, the world's longest and highest glass-bottomed skywalk. This architectural marvel is located in the Zhangjiajie National Forest Park in Hunan Province. The bridge spans about 430 meter...

In this episode of The A to Z English Podcast, May fills in for Xochitl as she and Jack decide if "Sarah" is the jerk for spilling the beans about her friend's mental health issues. Email: atozenglishpodcast@gmail.com Podcast Website:  https://atozenglishpodcast.com/a-to-z-am-i-the-jerk-18-am-i-the-jerk-for-spilling-the-beans/ Social Media: Threads https://threads.com/invitation/345200...

In this special Am I the Jerk? episode, Hendrick from Indonesia joins us on the podcast to share his own personal story. He asks us whether or not he is the jerk for spending too much time on his studies and not enough time with his girlfriend. Email: atozenglishpodcast@gmail.com Podcast Website: https://atozenglishpodcast.com/a-to-z-am-i-the-jerk-17-not-enough-quality-time-with-the-girlfriend/ So...

In this episode of The A to Z English Podcast, Jack reads three strange but true news stories. "Cow-napping Mystery in France" (July 2022) In a bizarre incident in rural France, an entire herd of cows disappeared overnight from a farmer's field. The farmer woke up to find all 100 of his cows missing, leaving no traces of their whereabouts. Authorities investigated the unusual cow-nappi...

In this A to Z Listener Emails episode, Jack reads your emails and comments. Send your emails to atozenglshpodcast@gmail.com and leave a comment at http://atozenglishpodcast.com. Email : atozenglishpodcast@gmail.com Podcast Website: https://atozenglishpodcast.com/a-to-z-listener-emails-episode-03/ Social Media Threads https://threads.com/invitation/34520051596/RLLHXJPPFMTFXUHE5NSUT6OLMUSSLEJBUI227...

In this episode of The A to Z English Podcast, Alyssa and Jack decide whether or not a woman is a jerk for not inviting her friend to her costume party. Podcast Website:  https://atozenglishpodcast.com/a-to-z-am-i-the-jerk-16-not-invited-to-the-party/ Check out the Free Online English Lessons YouTube channel: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCds7JR-5dbarBfas4Ve4h8A Donate to the show:  https://app...

In this A to Z Listener Emails episode, May from Malaysia and Layla from Saudi Arabia share comments and questions with Jack and Xochitl. Podcast Website:  https://atozenglishpodcast.com/a-to-z-listener-emails-episode-02/ Check out the Free Online English Lessons YouTube channel: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCds7JR-5dbarBfas4Ve4h8A Donate to the show:  https://app.redcircle.com/shows/9472af5c-...

In this episode of The A to Z English Podcast, Alyssa fills in for Xochitl as Jack and Alyssa decide whether they would rather win $25,000 dollars or have their best friend win $!00,000. Podcast Website:  https://atozenglishpodcast.com/a-to-z-oreo-25-would-you-rather-win-25000-or-have-your-best-friend-win-100000/ Check out the Free Online English Lessons YouTube channel: https://www.youtube.com/ch...

In this Quick Tok episode, Jack shares three more Chinese proverbs that are also sometimes used in English. Chinese idiom: 井底之蛙 (jǐng dǐ zhī wā) English equivalent: A frog in a well Meaning: Refers to someone with a narrow outlook or limited perspective, who lacks knowledge and experience of the outside world. Chinese idiom: 纸上谈兵 (zhǐ shàng tán bīng) English equivalent: Armchair generalshi...

In this episode of The A to Z English Podcast, Jack reads a listener email and does his best to answer the questions in the email. If you want me to read your email on the show, please send your message to atozenglishpodcast@gmail.com. I will do my best to read your email on the show. Podcast Website:  https://atozenglishpodcast.com/a-to-z-listener-emails-episode-01/ Check out the Free Online Engl...

In this episode of The A to Z English Podcast, Alyssa fills in for Xochitl as she and Jack decide whether or not the person who posted this message is a jerk. A huge thanks to Alyssa for stepping in this week. It was great having her on the show! Podcast Website:  https://atozenglishpodcast.com/a-to-z-am-i-the-jerk-15-wake-me-up-honey/ Check out the Free Online English Lessons YouTube channel: htt...

In this episode of The A to Z English Podcast, Jack talks about two experiences in his life that were extremely scary. One of his stories is from childhood and the other occurred when he was an adult. Podcast Website:  https://atozenglishpodcast.com/a-to-z-quick-chat-77-the-most-scared-ive-ever-been/ Check out the Free Online English Lessons YouTube channel: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCds7JR...

In this Quick Tok episode, Jack explains the differences between the phrasal verbs break down and break up . "Break down" and "Break up": "Break down" means to stop working or functioning, usually referring to mechanical or organizational failures. For example: "My car broke down on the highway." "Break up" means to end a relationship or to disperse a group...

In this Quick Tok episode, Jack describes the meanings of 3 Chinese proverbs which are commonly used in English. "A journey of a thousand miles begins with a single step." Chinese: 千里之行，始於足下 (Qiān lǐ zhī xíng, shǐ yú zú xià) Meaning: Every big accomplishment starts with a small effort or a first step. It emphasizes the importance of taking the initiative and starting, no matter ho...

In this Quick Tok episode, Jack explains the meaning behind the idiom "chew the fat." Meaning: To have a casual and friendly conversation, often while passing the time or relaxing. It implies engaging in idle or leisurely chitchat. Example: "Whenever they meet up, they like to sit on the porch and chew the fat over a cup of coffee." The origin of the idiom "chew the fat" is...

In this A to Z Quick Tips episode, Xochitl and Jack describe the meaning of the idiom "Tie the Knot." Podcast Website:  https://atozenglishpodcast.com/a-to-z-quick-tips-18-tie-the-knot/ Check out the Free Online English Lessons YouTube channel: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCds7JR-5dbarBfas4Ve4h8A Donate to the show:  https://app.redcircle.com/shows/9472af5c-8580-45e1-b0dd-ff211db08a90/...

In this Quick Tok episode, Jack describes the meaning of the idiomatic expression "Suck it up." "Suck it up" is an idiomatic expression used in informal language to encourage someone to endure a difficult or unpleasant situation without complaining or showing weakness. It is often used when someone is facing a challenge, discomfort, or hardship and needs to persevere through it wit...

In this episode of The A to Z English Podcast, Jack tells Xochitl the story about how he proposed to his wife. Podcast Website:  https://atozenglishpodcast.com/a-to-z-quick-chat-76-jacks-proposal-story/ Check out the Free Online English Lessons YouTube channel: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCds7JR-5dbarBfas4Ve4h8A Donate to the show:  https://app.redcircle.com/shows/9472af5c-8580-45e1-b0dd-ff21...

In this Quick Tok episode, Jack explains the meaning of the expression "That's the way the cookie crumbles." "That's the way the cookie crumbles" is a colloquial expression used to convey the idea that unfortunate or unpredictable events happen, and there's often nothing one can do about it. It is often said to express acceptance or resignation in the face of an outcome...