Best Just Listen N Understand Podcasts (2025)

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#450 - 5 Best TV Series to Learn English in 2025 (+5 Bonus Ones at the End!) 13:30

1d ago13:30

13:30

Join Ethan, your RealLife English fluency coach, in this exciting lesson as he shares 5 incredible TV series that will help you take your English to the next level! Whether you're at an intermediate or advanced level, you'll find something perfect for you. And these aren’t just any shows! Ethan has personally watched and loved each one, and he’ll a…

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Session 15: Meeting Resentment and Hate with Compassion 15:31

4d ago15:31

15:31

By Glenn Ostlund

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#449 - 5 Mental Blocks That Are Stopping You From Learning English (...And How to Beat Them) 26:06

8d ago26:06

26:06

Listen with FREE Interactive Transcript only on the RealLife App. In this episode, Izzy shares the 5 internal blocks that secretly stop you from becoming fluent in English – and how to break them today. Discover why your mindset matters more than you think, how perfectionism and “someday” thinking hold you back, and why taking action now, even impe…

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Session 14: From Shame to Self-Confidence 15:20

11d ago15:20

15:20

By Glenn Ostlund

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#448 - 5 Reasons Why Most English Learners NEVER Get Fluent — Are You Making These Mistakes? 33:48

15d ago33:48

33:48

Listen with FREE Interactive Transcript only on the RealLife App. In this energizing episode, Izzy and Ethan, with over 25 years of combined English teaching experience, break down the 5 biggest reasons why most English learners never reach fluency. You’ll discover why the same obstacles appear for nearly every learner worldwide — and, more importa…

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Session 13: Creating a Safe World 16:08

20d ago16:08

16:08

By Glenn Ostlund

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#447 - How Long Does it Take to Get Fluent in English? — My Experience and How to Reach Your English Fluency Faster (Than Me) 23:07

22d ago23:07

23:07

Listen with FREE Interactive Transcript only on the RealLife App. Are you wondering how long it actually takes to become fluent in English? In this powerful episode of the RealLife English Podcast, Ethan sits down with Izzy, our Fluency Coach and a passionate English learner who has reached a native-like level, and shares exactly how he did it. 💡 Y…

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Session 12: My Past Has Left Clues 16:08

25d ago16:08

16:08

By Glenn Ostlund

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#446 - My Daily Routine for Learning Languages — Improve Your English Every Day with These Habits for the Morning, Afternoon, and Evening 23:08

29d ago23:08

23:08

Listen with FREE Interactive Transcript only on the RealLife App. Struggling to stay consistent with your English learning? Discover the powerful daily routine that helps language learners succeed — morning, afternoon, and evening. In this episode, Ethan shares the RealLife Way methodology, backed by mental health habits, communication practice, an…

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Session 11: Using Feeling and Noticing 15:00

1M ago15:00

15:00

By Glenn Ostlund

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#445 - Improve Your English Speaking with 5 Funny NEWS STORIES — Podcast for English Learners 22:37

1M ago22:37

22:37

Listen with FREE Interactive Transcript only on the RealLife App. In this laugh-out-loud episode, Izzy teams up with Humbert, our video producer and resident movie buff, to break down some of the craziest real news stories — including a parrot swearing at zoo visitors, a suspect caught thanks to a hilariously bad sketch, and even an alligator used …

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Session 10: My Past is My Teacher 16:08

1M ago16:08

16:08

By Glenn Ostlund

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#444 - 3 Exercises to Speak English Faster (Like a Native) — Proven Tips That Work For Anyone, Why You Still Speak Slowly, and Using Rap Songs to Train Your English 30:24

1M ago30:24

30:24

Listen with FREE Interactive Transcript only on the RealLife App. In this episode, Ethan shares 3 powerful exercises to help you unlock fast, fluent English! Learn practical tips to boost your speaking speed, discover fun travel-related vocabulary, and test your listening skills with Oprah, Adele, and Homer Simpson. And how about a rap song challen…

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#443 - How You Can Speak English with CONFIDENCE — We Analyzed the Speech of These 5 Non-Native Celebrities 32:46

2M ago32:46

32:46

Listen with FREE Interactive Transcript only on the RealLife App. In this episode, we dive into the inspiring journeys of five celebrities who learned English as a second language and used it as a powerful tool to connect with the world and achieve international success. Join Izzy and Ethan as they break down real video clips of each star, analyze …

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#442 - Learn 30 Advanced Expressions From This Powerful TED Talk — Best TED Talks for Learning English 37:23

2M ago37:23

37:23

Listen with FREE Interactive Transcript only on the RealLife App. In this inspiring episode, Ethan takes you on a journey through one of the most powerful TED Talks ever — Jill Bolte Taylor’s “My Stroke of Insight.” You'll not only learn 30+ advanced English expressions in context, but you’ll also explore fascinating ideas about the brain, ego, emo…

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#441 - How to Stop Translating in Your Head and START to Think in English — Here's What I Did 14:36

2M ago14:36

14:36

Listen with FREE Interactive Transcript only on the RealLife App. Want to stop translating in your head and start thinking naturally in English? In this episode, Izzy shares his personal journey from being a native Portuguese speaker in Brazil to mastering fluent English. Discover 3 powerful principles that helped him break free from the habit of m…

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#440 - How to Become FLUENT in English by Playing Video Games — Stories From Learners Who Did it, and Our Favorite Video Games from Our Childhoods 32:19

2M ago32:19

32:19

Listen with FREE Interactive Transcript only on the RealLife App. In this episode, Izzy and Ethan explore how video games helped RealLife English team members learn real, everyday English. Discover three inspiring stories, learn why gaming is an underrated learning tool, and get recommendations for mobile games you can start using today. Plus, take…

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Session 9: Imagining Empathy 21:07

2M ago21:07

21:07

In this 20-minute guided meditation, we explore the powerful skill of empathy—a transformative capacity that can be developed and refined by anyone. Using a gentle staircase deepening and evocative visual metaphors, you'll be guided to step into the inner world of another, suspend judgment, and become more curious, more present, and more human. Ble…

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Session 8: Walking in Her Shoes 12:37

2M ago12:37

12:37

Episode Title: Session 8 – Walking in Her Shoes: The Felt Practice of Empathy This guided meditation invites listeners to take one of the most vital—and vulnerable—steps in the change process: imagining the experience of the person they hurt. In alignment with Session 8’s focus on reconstructing the scene and building empathy, “Walking in Her Shoes…

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Session 7: Facing the Mirror 12:37

2M ago12:37

12:37

Episode Title: Session 7 – Facing the Mirror: The Beginning of Doing Better This meditation invites you into stillness—not to escape—but to gently face what you’ve avoided. In step with Session 7’s work on cognitive interventions, “Facing the Mirror” guides you through a felt process of honest reflection. You won’t be asked to relive past harm, but…

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Yoga Nidra Style Body Scan Sleep Aid Meditation 20:01

2M ago20:01

20:01

By Glenn Ostlund

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Session 6: The River of Your Thoughts 12:37

2M ago12:37

12:37

Episode Title: Session 6 – The River of Your Thoughts With soft river sounds and foglike focus, this guided meditation invites you to step back from the noise of your thoughts and sit—quietly—on the riverbank. In harmony with Session 6, which introduces stress management and cognitive awareness, you’ll practice the foundational skill of observing y…

1
Session 5: Cooling the System 12:37

2M ago12:37

12:37

Session 5 – Cooling the System: HALT and Nervous-System Reset Sink into slow ambient tones and let shoulders drop as we guide you through the Milton-Erickson–style “Cooling the System” meditation. The script uses a simple flame-turning metaphor to embody Session 5’s lesson: stress heats the nervous system degree by degree until we boil over—unless …

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#439 - How to Understand Americans 100% When They Speak Fast — 5 Speech Patterns You Must Know, Real Clip Analysis, and a Deep Reflection on Global Consciousness 27:09

3M ago27:09

27:09

Listen with FREE Interactive Transcript only on the RealLife App. Are you ready to transform your English listening and speaking skills? 🚀 In today’s episode, we dive deep into the magic of connected speech — the secret weapon that fluent English speakers use every day without even thinking about it. You’ll listen to an authentic American speaker w…

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Session 4: Brain Change Prep: "I Am Rewiring" 12:37

3M ago12:37

12:37

Episode Title: Session 4 – Brain Change Prep: "I Am Rewiring" With ambient tones drifting from alpha into theta, this meditation guides you straight into the electrical heart of Session 4—brain change by deliberate practice. Eyes soft, breath slow, you’ll visualize two trails inside your mind’s landscape. One is the familiar track of reflex—anger →…

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#438 - 5 Ways to Improve Your English Speaking Alone by Reading Books — The Strategies Used by the Best Learners, Essential Lessons for Life, and Why You Should Focus on Discoveries Rather Than Outcomes ... 17:50

3M ago17:50

17:50

Listen with FREE Interactive Transcript only on the RealLife App. In this episode, Ethan gets real about a common challenge many English learners face — feeling intimidated by reading in English. He shares five personal, practical strategies that can help you improve your speaking skills simply by picking up a book, even if you're learning on your …

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Session 3: Changing What you Do 12:37

3M ago12:37

12:37

Episode Title: Session 3 – Changing What you Do Description Sink the shoulders, loosen the jaw, let breathing find its own tempo—then picture a fork in the road. One track is the worn‑in route of old reactions; the other is an unmapped trail that begins with a single, different move. This meditation embodies Session 3’s theme: lasting change is beh…

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#437 - 5 Great Songs to LEARN Phrasal Verbs in ENGLISH — Let's Sing, Analyze the Lyrics, and Learn (with Dua Lipa, Taylor Swift, Guns N' Roses, Lady Gaga & More!) 34:23

3M ago34:23

34:23

Listen with FREE Interactive Transcript only on the RealLife App. Join Ethan and Izzy in this musical English lesson where learning phrasal verbs becomes fun and unforgettable! 🎶 This episode features five hit songs from top artists like Dua Lipa, Taylor Swift, Guns N' Roses, and Lady Gaga. Together, you'll listen to catchy lyrics, discover dozens …

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Session 2: Taking 100% Responsibility for What You Did and Are Doing Now 12:37

3M ago12:37

12:37

Episode Title: Session 2 – Taking 100% Responsibility for What You Did and Are Doing Now Description This session invites you into a slow‑tide breath and a mirror that shows only one thing: your own behavior. With eyes closed or softly focused, you’ll notice there’s nothing to fix, no one else to blame—just the honest image of your choices. The pur…

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Session 1: Series Introduction and Orientation 28:05

3M ago28:05

28:05

Episode 1: Orientation – What Is DV Brain Change? Welcome to the DV Brain Change Meditation Podcast Series. In this special orientation episode, therapist and creator Glenn Ostlund introduces the purpose, structure, and personal philosophy behind this unique fusion of neuroscience, sound therapy, and guided meditation. Drawing from the Brain Change…

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#436 - How to Get Fluent in English WITHOUT Studying Grammar — What You Should Focus On Instead, Why Natives Don't Know Grammar, and How I Learned Verb Tenses in English 22:51

3M ago22:51

22:51

Listen with FREE Interactive Transcript only on the RealLife App. In today’s episode, Izzy dives into one of the most debated questions in language learning: Is grammar actually necessary to become fluent? If you’ve ever felt guilty for not remembering all the grammar rules, this one’s for you. Oh — and we’ll tackle the ultimate question: Is colleg…

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#435 - The Key to Changing Your Life's Destiny — How to Get Unstuck, Take Control of Your Life, and Find Joy 30:45

4M ago30:45

30:45

Listen with FREE Interactive Transcript only on the RealLife App. Feeling stuck in life? In this powerful episode, Izzy invites Ethan to uncover the key to breaking free from autopilot living. Discover how defining your personal values and beginning with the end in mind can transform your mindset, help you take control of your future, and bring mor…

1
#434 - Discover the ORIGIN of Words in English — Learn Vocabulary More Easily 33:37

4M ago33:37

33:37

Listen with FREE Interactive Transcript only on the RealLife App. Have you ever wondered why English words are the way they are? In this episode, Izzy and Ksenia dive into the fascinating world of etymology—the study of word origins! Understanding where words come from can make them easier to learn, remember, and use in real life. Boost your vocabu…

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#433 - How to Stop Using the Same Basic English Words — Speak with a Rich Vocabulary (Like a Native) 30:05

4M ago30:05

30:05

Listen with FREE Interactive Transcript only on the RealLife App. Do you ever feel like your English sounds too simple? In this episode, we’ll show you how to express yourself more naturally — so instead of saying “The movie was good,” you can describe it in a way that truly reflects your feelings! Plus, we have a special guest who will help you un…

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#432 - Why Some People Have SUCCESS Speaking English... and Others Don't 15:01

4M ago15:01

15:01

Listen with FREE Interactive Transcript only on the RealLife App. Why do some people succeed in speaking English fluently while others struggle, even after years of effort? 🤔 In this episode, we uncover the #1 reason why some learners achieve confidence while others feel stuck. If you’ve ever felt like you’re trying and trying but not making real p…

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#431 - How I Started to Understand Movies in English WITHOUT Subtitles — My 5 Secrets 21:52

4M ago21:52

21:52

Listen with FREE Interactive Transcript only on the RealLife App. Struggling to understand fast English in movies and TV shows? In this episode, Izzy shares how he trained his ears to understand fast English without subtitles. He’ll break down connected speech, look at real examples from movies, and give you his top five secrets to help you do the …

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#430 - How to Stop Procrastinating and Start Getting FLUENT in English — Try These 3 Solutions and Start Making Progress in 5 minutes 33:28

5M ago33:28

33:28

Listen with FREE Interactive Transcript only on the RealLife App. Ever plan to study English but end up doing everything except studying? Don’t worry—we’ve all been there! In this episode, we’re sharing three simple tips to beat procrastination and get things done. Oh, and there’s a bonus tip at the end you don’t want to miss! Tune in and let’s tac…

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#429 - How to Get Fluent in English in 2025 — Even If You’re BUSY 39:46

5M ago39:46

39:46

Listen with FREE Interactive Transcript only on the RealLife App. Feeling stuck in your English learning journey?⏳ Do years pass by, yet your English stays the same? In this episode, Izzy and Ethan bring you three science-backed lessons from the book Atomic Habits to help you finally start speaking English confidently—even if you're super busy! 🚀 Y…

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#428 - How to Understand All the Jokes in ENGLISH (in Movies, TV, Conversations): Understand Humor, Sarcasm, etc in English Like a Native Speaker 40:23

5M ago40:23

40:23

Listen with FREE Interactive Transcript only on the RealLife App. Struggling to catch the jokes in English movies, TV shows, or conversations? In this episode, we’ll show you how to unlock English humor, sarcasm, and wordplay so you can laugh along like a pro. Learn the secrets behind what makes things funny and boost your cultural understanding of…

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#427 - How I Went From ZERO to FLUENT in English ALONE — 5 Speaking Exercises 33:09

5M ago33:09

33:09

Listen with FREE Interactive Transcript only on the RealLife App. Discover the exact exercises Izzy used to transform his English speaking skills from zero to fluent — completely on his own! In this episode, we break down each exercise step by step, so you can practice and improve right along with us. Whether you're shy, stuck, or unsure where to s…

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#426 - How I Use CONNECTORS and FILLERS to Speak English More Fluently — Learn This to Stop Sounding Like a Robot in English 33:56

6M ago33:56

33:56

Listen with FREE Interactive Transcript only on the RealLife App. If you have the issue of sounding like a robot when you speak English and not really being your true self, then today's lesson will be perfect for you. There are small but powerful tools called fillers and discourse markers that make your speech flow naturally and sound more conversa…

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#425 - How Many of These ENGLISH ACCENTS Can You Understand? — Learn 20 Different Accents from Around the World 41:56

6M ago41:56

41:56

Listen with FREE Interactive Transcript only on the RealLife App. English is fascinating thanks to the incredible variety of accents that make it a truly global language. Each accent tells its own story, adding richness, history, and personality to the way we communicate. In this episode, we’re celebrating that diversity by exploring 20 different E…

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#424 - Test Your English! — Do You Know These 20 Advanced Expressions for Everyday Life? Improve Your Vocabulary for Real-Life Situations 36:20

6M ago36:20

36:20

Listen with FREE Interactive Transcript only on the RealLife App. The English language is packed with idiomatic expressions — those quirky phrases that often don't make sense if you take them literally. But once you learn how to use them, they can bring a whole new level of color, personality, and depth to your conversations! In this episode, we ex…

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#423 - 6 Great Movies in English That Defined My Childhood 34:50

6M ago34:50

34:50

Listen with FREE Interactive Transcript only on the RealLife App. In today’s lesson, Ethan and Izzy dive into a lively discussion about their favorite childhood movies. It’s a fantastic opportunity for you to practice your English with real, natural conversation! You’ll discover advanced expressions, get some great movie recommendations, and learn …

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#422 - 40 English Words You’re Probably Pronouncing Wrong (and How to Fix Them) 33:24

7M ago33:24

33:24

Listen with FREE Interactive Transcript only on the RealLife App. English pronunciation can be tricky — sometimes even the most common words trip us up! In today's episode, we’ll dive into some fascinating examples of words that are often mispronounced. We’ll share practical tips and clever tricks to help you master these challenging pronunciations…

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#421 - 6 Reasons You Still Feel NERVOUS When Speaking English — 6 Things Not to Do, How to Stop Feeling Insecure and Face the Fear of Making Mistakes in English 37:18

7M ago37:18

37:18

Listen with FREE Interactive Transcript only on the RealLife App. There are six common reasons why you might freeze up or feel nervous when it’s time to speak English. In today’s episode, Ksenia and Izzy dive deep into these challenges, sharing their personal experiences and practical insights to help you overcome them. You’ll learn the dos and don…

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#420 How I Achieved My Dream of Living in the U.S. as an English Learner —How I Went, Where, and My #1 Tip for You 32:13

7M ago32:13

32:13

Listen with FREE Interactive Transcript only on the RealLife App. In this episode, I sit down with my co-host to ask him all about his unforgettable journey as a work-and-travel exchange student in the U.S. Hear all about his time working at a ski resort, the culture shocks he faced, the life lessons he gained, and how watching TV shows at home hel…

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#419 8 Great Apps for Practicing Your English Every Day 33:29

7M ago33:29

33:29

Listen with FREE Interactive Transcript only on the RealLife App. In this episode, we dive into the world of apps that aren’t strictly about learning English but are perfect for helping you immerse yourself in the language. These tools can transform your everyday activities into opportunities for natural learning and fluency building. Whether it’s …

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#418 The English Lesson Nobody Taught You — How I Became a Confident, Natural English Speaker (Without Textbooks) 28:13

8M ago28:13

28:13

Listen with FREE Interactive Transcript only on the RealLife App. The traditional school method may have helped you study English, but it didn’t prepare you to truly live it. That’s why communicating in English can still feel like a challenge. In today’s episode, we introduce the RealLife Way of learning English! Using a real-life news story, we’ll…

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#417 How to Stop Speaking English Slow, Like a Robot — Learn to Speak FAST, NATURAL English 45:28

8M ago45:28

45:28

Listen with FREE Interactive Transcript only on the RealLife App. If you feel like your English sounds slow and robotic, this lesson is going to help you to become a fast, natural English speaker. Also, this lesson is super practical. You're going to practice a lot with clips from great series, movies, songs, common proverbs, and tongue twisters. B…

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