Curious about the quirks of British education? In this episode of English and Beyond, César and I dig into the world of single-sex education—those schools where boys and girls are kept apart in the name of better grades, fewer distractions, and old traditions.I reflect on my years teaching in a boys’ school and the surprising behaviours I observed, while César compares it to his own experience in mixed Spanish schools. Together, we explore the pros, the cons, and whether single-sex education ...

This week on English and Beyond, César and I take a playful spin on the British radio classic Desert Island Discs. With a packed schedule and absolutely no time to overthink it, we’re keeping it real, relaxed, and full of little surprises. I’m picking the songs, books, and even luxury items I’d want on a desert(ed) island — with a few twists along the way.Curious about:The track that instantly transports me to childhood? 🎶The song I connect most with César?And which (giant) luxury item I'd in...

🎙️ English and Beyond : “Muscles, Masculinity, and Martha (a *very* Strongwoman)” 💪🌱Get ready for a lively (and ironic) twist on strength, self-image, and a little dash of painful humility in this week’s English and Beyond!In this episode, I’m chatting with my friend Martha—a powerhouse in urban gardening and strongwoman competitions—to unpack how our views on fitness, masculinity, and confidence have evolved over the time since we first met.Listen out for:My childhood fear of the word “muscl...

🎃 Halloween on English and Beyond! 🎃Hello, listeners! This week on English and Beyond, I’m taking a closer look at Halloween. As someone who didn’t grow up celebrating the holiday—or even getting in on the fun of Santa or the Tooth Fairy—Halloween has always felt a bit... lacking. But this year, I’m digging into its Celtic roots and considering why this odd, spooky celebration has blown up worldwide, especially in the UK, with a hefty nudge from the US.Alongside César, we’ll chat about our cu...

Hello listeners, it’s Oliver here, and this week, we’re tackling the universal experience we all know too well: disappointment. From movies that made us walk out of the cinema (Joker 2: Folie à Deux, I’m looking at you) to our expectations that were set way too high, César and I will be sharing our personal entertainment-based letdowns — yes, even César managed to stay awake long enough in Joker 2 to become disappointed.In this episode we'll chat about films that weren’t worth the popcorn, mu...

Today I discuss one of the most potentially awkward but important relationships you’ll ever have in your life: the one with your mother-in-law. From the nervousness of early introductions to shared meals featuring adventurous dishes (yes, rabbit and snails make an appearance), I’ll take you through my own personal experiences of forming meaningful bonds with each of my three mothers-in-law.With plenty of (attempts at) humour and a dash of sentiment, this episode sheds light on how mothers-in-...

Please listen to (Episode 18 / Part I) first if you wish to understand Episode 19 fullyIf you tuned in last time, you know we left off with a cliffhanger… and now it’s time to wrap up the 'career confessions' with me, Oliver, and my guest, César! César is finally back in the interrogation seat after a few weeks' break, to discuss with me the ups and downs of career switching, the struggles of finding fulfilment, and why today’s economy makes “sticking to one job” nearly impossible for millenn...

Ever wondered how a career can go from law to Latin, politics to podcasting? Join me, Oliver, as I take you through my unconventional career journey, spilling the highs, lows, and unexpected detours that brought me to where I am today. From quitting my job as a secondary school teacher in the UK to packing my bags for a new life in sunny Spain, I’m taking you behind the scenes of some major life changes. 🌍✈️In this episode, I’ll be rating my previous jobs (including the awful retail days), sh...

After I persuaded my mum to sit down and talk to me for last week's episode, it was logical to ask my dad to join me for one as well. It wasn't hard to convince him - I'm sure that he thought that if my mum could do it, he absolutely should be able to do so too!Our relationship has always been an interesting one—full of debates, arguments, and the kind of exchanges that perhaps many fathers and sons share. In fact, we spent many of my teenage years at odds with each other, but, in retrospect,...

This is quite an exciting episode for me, because I've actually persuaded my mum to join me for it, which was a big surprise!My mother hates to be photographed and has basically told me already that she'll refuse to listen to this episode - like many people, she doesn't like seeing herself in photos or listening back to recordings of her own voice. That's why I am so shocked to have her on board!So why am I excited to have done this episode? Simply because I love her and I enjoyed creating it...

Are you looking to improve your English comprehension skills while also exploring a thought-provoking topic? This episode may be what you’re looking for…Do you consider yourself a lucky person? Can you ever say that you’ve had a happy life? How would your answer change if something truly terrible happened tomorrow? In this episode of English and Beyond, I explore these questions by sharing an old story that has stuck with me since I was a teenager: the tale of Croesus, a wealthy king whose ar...

Welcome to English and Beyond, the ultimate podcast for intermediate English learners! Join us weekly as we dive into a wide variety of engaging and slightly unconventional topics that go beyond traditional language learning. From quirky cultural insights to intriguing personal stories, this podcast offers a fresh approach to improving your English. Each episode features natural, idiomatic English and often a range of accents, helping you boost your listening skills and expand your vocabulary...

You may be curious about why I have included a French word in the title to this episode? Set your mind at ease - all will be revealed (including the meaning of the word) if you join us this week for another episode of English and Beyond, the new intermediate-level podcast for people learning English as a foreign language.This week, I (Oliver, your host) discuss the fact that I haven't had the burst of motivation that I usually get every September. What do you, listener, think I should do abou...

Do you believe in the supernatural? Are there unseen forces at work, which manipulate our lives and control our destinies? If something bad is fated to happen, can you intervene by paying close attention to omens and natural signs? I personally don’t believe in superstitions…but I somehow find myself carrying them out all the time anyway. In honour of our unlucky-for-some episode number 13, this week I’m talking to one of my very best friends and favourite Wiccans, Charlie, about his opinions...

Fear can come in many forms, but today we’re going to discuss cinematic terror - perhaps my favourite genre, although that seems an odd thing to admit! We’re going to discuss my first hair-raising encounters with the Horror genre, and why we think that humans like to feel terrified. We also discuss why we seem to feel less scared over time, and César and I will also touch upon a few of our favourite horror classics. Tune in to learn more (and try not to be scared off by the editing horrors we...

In this challenging and high-level episode of English and Beyond, I'm thrilled to welcome my special guest, Federica, whose English is truly exceptional. We explore my memorable yet challenging time in Milan, discussing my childlike excitement about moving to Italy and the bitter reality of facing office politics and my personal struggles once in the country.Federica and I also discuss the paradoxes of Italian culture in general, the frustrations of dealing with Milanese bureaucracy and her l...

For the first time ever, I'm going solo on an episode of the podcast, where - on the strict instructions of César (who's on holiday with his family) - I'll be discussing the reality of the (in)famous University of Oxford.I discuss myths and criticisms of Oxford, the notoriously intense admission process, and the demanding tutorial system which often drives so many Oxford alumni into the confrontational world of British politics. I also share some personal stories about academic pressure and t...

Why am I so scared to be caught up in Cancel Culture? This week, I explain in more detail why I don't (yet) use my image to publicise the podcast, and César and I discuss my (hopefully) irrational fear of becoming the latest person to be publicly shamed and cancelled due to socially unacceptable opinions - even if I'm not quite sure what those unacceptable opinions are yet!Join us every week for episodes designed to help curious minds expand their English vocabulary and improve their listenin...

If something bad happens to you, how should you react? Is it better to fully express your feelings? Would you be better off trying to separate yourself from your strongest emotions? Is grief always bad? Is happiness always good? César and I try to work out exactly what our opinions are on these questions and more, as we discuss the ancient philosophy of Stoicism. Join us and let us know your opinion - or you could even book a conversation class with me, Oliver, and let me know directly! Detai...

Welcome back to English and Beyond! In this episode, I'm thrilled to have my good friend Franziska join me as we delve into the world of accents in language learning. We first met at King's Cross Station in 2015, and today, Franziska shares her journey of mastering English while battling insecurities about her German accent.We discuss why accents matter so much to language learners, how perceptions can impact confidence, and reminisce about our early language learning experiences, including o...

Welcome back to English and Beyond! In this episode, I'm fighting through a hoarse voice to bring you a special treat - my dear friend Laura joins me to reminisce about our studious adventures in Beijing, where we bonded over glamorous students taking selfies, tricky Mandarin ideograms, and more. We discuss the joys and pitfalls of language learning, revealing how Laura ended up pestering a guy named Christ for spreadsheets and how my first Spanish teacher's infectious enthusiasm got me hooke...

Join me and César as we take you on an unscripted journey through our eight-year relationship, filled with honesty and (hopefully) humour! In this special episode, we share candid insights about our dynamic, revealing some of the quirks, conflicts, and compromises that characterise our relationship. With César feeling under the weather and my voice barely holding up, it’s a perfect storm for some genuine British awkwardness!For a full transcript and additional learning resources here: moretha...

Join me and César as we dive into the world of Horrible Bosses! In this episode, we discuss the universal challenge of dealing with difficult managers and how it shapes our work lives. I'll share my personal experiences with bosses—both good and bad—and explore why this dynamic is so prevalent.Laugh along as César and I recount our own workplace stories, from managing under pressure to navigating cultural differences in work environments. Tune in to learn why good bosses are hard to find and ...

Join me and César for a chat about narcissism and Instagram! In this episode, I link ancient Greek myths to today's selfie culture. Discover why Narcissus would feel right at home on Instagram and how our quest for likes is messing with our heads.Laugh along as I embarrass myself by sharing my own social media quirks and learn why I’m keeping it sparse online. Tune in for what is hopefully a fun and insightful discussion about balancing vanity and sanity in the digital age.Don't miss out—list...