English Plus

Stories of Us | The Holocaust (In the Shadow of Lost Names)

In the Shadow of Lost Names (The Holocaust), an original short story by Danny B. Phoenix. You can find Phoenix’s books on Amazon.

Also, all the music in the background is written by Danny B. Phoenix.

In this episode of The Story of Us on English Plus Podcast, we invite you into the heart-wrenching world of a Holocaust survivor, told through her eyes and in her own words. This is not just a recounting of history—it’s a personal journey through fear, loss, and the desperate will to hold on to what little remains. From the quiet corners of a ghetto to the brutal reality of a concentration camp, we walk beside her as she confronts the impossible, finding slivers of humanity in the unlikeliest places.

This episode is more than one survivor’s story. It’s a reflection on what it means to suffer, to endure, and to live again. But beyond that, it asks us to rethink how we view suffering itself—not as something that belongs to any one group, but as a shared wound carried by all of humanity. Every act of cruelty, every moment of kindness, reverberates through us all.

Tune in for an emotionally powerful narrative that blends poetic storytelling with deep reflection. This episode reminds us that the pain of any person, anywhere, is a loss to us all—and that the only way forward is together. Join us as we reflect not only on the horrors of the past but also on the resilience that continues to shape the present and future.

To unlock our extensive back catalogue, consider becoming a premium subscriber on Apple Podcasts or Patreon. And don’t forget to visit englishpluspodcast.com for even more content, including articles, in-depth studies, and our brand-new audio series now available in our English Plus Podcast’s shop!

Skills We All Need 1 | Communication Skills

Welcome to the very first episode of Skills We All Need! In this episode, we’re diving into one of the most essential skills of all: communication. Whether you’re navigating a team meeting, chatting with friends, or just trying to write an email that won’t put people to sleep, solid communication skills make life easier and more enjoyable. Join host Danny as he explores the four key areas of communication that everyone should master:

• Listening – Discover why real listening goes beyond just hearing words, and how practicing active listening can change the way people respond to you.
• Speaking – Learn how to speak with clarity, engage your audience, and keep your words concise to avoid misunderstandings and make a lasting impression.
• Writing – Get tips for crafting messages that are clear, purposeful, and even enjoyable to read, so your emails and texts don’t get lost in translation.
• Non-Verbal Communication – Uncover the secrets of effective body language, from eye contact to gestures, and how to use these cues to make a strong impact without saying a word.

Throughout the episode, Danny shares real-life examples, practical tips, and a few laughs to make these skills easy and fun to apply. You’ll leave with actionable advice that can transform your interactions, whether at work, home, or even online.

If you’re ready to take your communication to the next level, tune in and start mastering the skills we all need to succeed!

Unlock the Full Episode

To listen to the full episode and gain access to our entire back catalogue of engaging discussions, become a premium subscriber on Apple Podcasts or Patreon. You’ll unlock exclusive content and dive deeper into thought-provoking stories and lessons!

Explore More on EnglishPlusPodcast.com

Make sure to check out our English Plus Magazine for even more articles, vocabulary lessons, and our exciting new audio series available in our shop. Whether you’re looking to expand your knowledge or explore new perspectives, there’s something for everyone.

Episode Highlights:

• Introduction to the Skills We All Need series
• Practical tips for listening, speaking, writing, and non-verbal communication
• Real-life examples and scenarios for applying these skills
• Fun, engaging insights to make learning enjoyable

Let’s get better at the skills that make life smoother and connections stronger. Happy listening!

The Lies We Still Believe 3 | Brain Myths, Knuckles, Lightning, and More

Full Episode Description

In this episode of The Lies We Still Believe, we explore five common myths that just won’t go away.

• 10% Brain Usage: Hollywood loves it, but science says we already use our whole brain—even when we’re not aware of it.
• Cracking Knuckles Causes Arthritis: We pop the truth about this cautionary tale and reveal what’s really behind that satisfying sound.
• Lightning Never Strikes the Same Place Twice: We debunk this myth and explain why lightning often targets the same spots repeatedly.
• Gum Takes Seven Years to Digest: Find out why your digestive system handles swallowed gum better than this myth suggests.
• Mobile Phones Cause Brain Cancer: Separate fear from fact as we dive into the science behind phone radiation and health risks.

Discover why these myths persist, how they spread, and what it takes to think critically about the claims we hear every day.

To unlock the full episode and gain access to our extensive back catalogue, consider becoming a premium subscriber on Apple Podcasts or Patreon. And don’t forget to visit englishpluspodcast.com for even more content, including articles, in-depth studies, and our brand-new audio series now available in our English Plus Podcast’s shop!

Hosted by Danny, this episode is packed with insights and myth-busting fun. Tune in and challenge the stories you’ve grown up believing!

Unlock English Grammar 2 | Basic Verb Tenses 2

In Episode 2 of Unlock English Grammar, we're diving deep into the Present Perfect and Past Perfect tenses—your essential tools for expressing past experiences and describing actions with relevance to the present. We start with the Present Perfect tense, which helps you talk about life experiences, achievements, and ongoing actions that bridge the past and the present. From sharing personal experiences like “I have visited Paris” to describing recent actions that still have an impact, you'll learn how this tense keeps your conversations natural and relevant.

Next, we explore the Present Perfect Continuous, a tense that shines when describing ongoing actions with visible results, perfect for capturing actions that are still in progress or just completed. We also look at key phrases, like “for” and “since,” to convey duration and connect past actions to the present.

To round out the episode, we tackle the Past Perfect and Past Perfect Continuous tenses. These past tenses are essential for storytelling, helping you clarify the order of events and add depth to your narratives. From explaining missed opportunities to setting the background for interrupted actions, you'll learn when to choose each tense to make your stories precise and engaging.

Whether you’re learning English or refining your grammar skills, this episode provides you with valuable insights and practical examples for mastering these tenses in daily conversations. Tune in to start using these tenses with confidence and fluency!

To unlock the full episode and gain access to our extensive back catalogue, consider becoming a premium subscriber on Apple Podcasts or Patreon. And don’t forget to visit englishpluspodcast.com for even more content, including articles, in-depth studies, and our brand-new audio series now available in our English Plus Podcast’s shop!

Word Power | From Smart Toasters to Space Explorers

In this Word Power episode on the English Plus Podcast, we dive into thought-provoking questions, explore cutting-edge tech, analyze social trends, and revisit historical milestones—all through a lens that expands your vocabulary and understanding. From pondering our roles as creators in a world filled with AI tools to exploring how smart devices are redefining everyday life, this episode covers diverse topics to spark your curiosity and boost your language skills. We journey through synchronized dancing and its surprising impact on human connection, the ripple effects of urbanization on rural communities, and end with a space-age story of courage, featuring Yuri Gagarin, the first human to orbit Earth. Tune in for fascinating insights, big ideas, and words that add power to your conversations!

To unlock the full episode and gain access to our extensive back catalogue, consider becoming a premium subscriber on Apple Podcasts or Patreon. And don’t forget to visit englishpluspodcast.com for even more content, including articles, in-depth studies, and our brand-new audio series now available in our English Plus Podcast’s shop!

Unlock English Grammar 1 | Basic Verb Tenses 1

In the debut episode of Unlock English Grammar, your host Danny takes you on a journey into the present continuous and present simple tenses, essential tools for mastering real-life English. From understanding actions in progress with "I am doing" to describing daily routines with "I do," Danny breaks down each tense through relatable examples, everyday scenarios, and simple explanations. Whether you’re a beginner or looking to brush up on your grammar skills, this episode is packed with insights, practical tips, and easy-to-understand rules. Discover how to describe actions happening now, express temporary situations, talk about future plans, and master conversations with confidence. Tune in and start building your grammar foundation one tense at a time!

To unlock the full episode and gain access to our extensive back catalogue, consider becoming a premium subscriber on Apple Podcasts or Patreon. And don’t forget to visit englishpluspodcast.com for even more content, including articles, in-depth studies, and our brand-new audio series now available in our English Plus Podcast’s shop!

The Lies We Still Believe 2 | Columbus, Nazis in Antarctica, and Other Persistent Lies

In this episode of The Myths We Still Believe, we take a deep dive into five enduring myths that have left a lasting mark on history and society:

• Columbus Didn’t Discover America: Find out what Columbus was really after in 1492 and why he never set foot in North America.
• Nazis in Antarctica: We debunk the bizarre conspiracy theory of a secret Nazi base hidden under the ice.
• The Protocols of the Elders of Zion: Discover how this fabricated document spread hate and fueled anti-Semitism across the centuries.
• Julius Caesar’s Famous Last Words: Was "Et tu, Brute?" just a Shakespearean invention? We’ll uncover what really happened.
• The Vaccine-Autism Myth: Learn how a debunked study sparked fear and mistrust in vaccines, and why misinformation still threatens public health today.

This episode reveals the truth behind these stories and highlights the importance of questioning what we think we know.

To unlock the full episode and gain access to our extensive back catalogue, consider becoming a premium subscriber on Apple Podcasts or Patreon. And don’t forget to visit englishpluspodcast.com for even more content, including articles, in-depth studies, and our brand-new audio series now available in our English Plus Podcast’s shop!

Hosted by Danny, this is an episode you don’t want to miss!

Word Power | Gravity, Ghost Ships, the Goose Girl and More

What do gravity, a haunted ship, a betrayed princess, addiction, and existential literature have in common? They all come alive in today’s episode of English Plus Podcast!

Join Danny as we explore the invisible force that shapes the universe, uncover the terrifying legend of the S.S. Ourang Medan, delve into betrayal and justice in The Goose Girl, debate whether addiction is a disease or a choice, and ponder life’s meaning through literature from Camus, Kafka, Woolf, and more.

Each segment offers powerful new vocabulary and thought-provoking discussions that will leave you questioning the world around you. Stick around to the end of each segment for some insightful questions that will challenge your perspective.

To unlock the full episode and gain access to our extensive back catalogue, consider becoming a premium subscriber on Apple Podcasts or Patreon. And don’t forget to visit englishpluspodcast.com for even more content, including articles, in-depth studies, and our brand-new audio series now available in our English Plus Podcast’s shop!

This episode is packed with knowledge, mystery, and inspiration—don’t miss it!