The British Royal Family is one of the most famous institutions in the world, but is it still relevant today? In this episode of English and Beyond, we explore the monarchy’s role in modern Britain, its history of scandals, and how it continues to shape the UK’s global image.

We discuss:
👑 César’s journey to becoming a British citizen and his thoughts on the monarchy
⚖️ The contradictions of a hereditary royal system in a modern democracy
📜 The historical impact of Henry VIII—divorces, beheadings, and a major religious upheaval
🎭 How the monarchy remains a source of global fascination and soft power

If you're an advanced English learner interested in British culture, politics, and history, this episode is for you!

📖 Want to improve your English even more?

• Read the full transcript & vocabulary flashcards → www.morethanalanguage.com
• Follow us on Instagram → @BritishEnglishandBeyond
• Watch us on Youtube → @englishandbeyondpodcast
• Email your thoughts or questions → oliver@morethanalanguage.com

🎙 New episodes every week! Subscribe now to practise listening, expand your vocabulary, and learn English in a natural, fun way.

Have you ever wondered where certain words disappear to? Why do some expressions vanish from everyday speech, only to reappear centuries later? And which words could be on the verge of extinction right now?

In this episode of English and Beyond, we uncover the hidden history of lost English words—from ‘eftsoons’ to ‘unfriend’—and explore how cultural shifts, technology, and slang shape the way we speak. We’ll also discuss why English is seemingly more adaptable than other languages and why it keeps borrowing, evolving, and even ditching words at an alarming rate.

Got a word you love (or hate)? Let us know!

📖 Want to improve your English even more?

• Read the full transcript & vocabulary flashcards → www.morethanalanguage.com
• Follow us on Instagram → @BritishEnglishandBeyond
• Watch us on Youtube → @englishandbeyondpodcast
• Email your thoughts or questions → oliver@morethanalanguage.com

🎙 New episodes every week! Subscribe now to practise listening, expand your vocabulary, and learn English in a natural, fun way.

📢 E35: Parenthood Isn’t for Me, and Here’s Why – A Deep Dive into Choosing a Child-Free Life

💡 Why do some people choose not to have kids? A listener asked me about being child-free in my mid-30s, and it got me reflecting on my own reasons—autonomy, sacrifice, fulfilment, and whether parenthood is truly the only path to a meaningful life.

In this episode of English & Beyond, I dive into:
✅ The rising trend of choosing a child-free life
✅ Family pressure & societal expectations around parenthood
✅ The "white picket fence" dream—why I once wanted kids but changed my mind
✅ The pros & cons of a child-free life
✅ A candid discussion with César—do we ever feel FOMO (Fear Of Missing Out) about not having children?

Plus, unexpected twists, including an awkward baby-holding moment and… sausage dogs. 🐶

📖 Want to improve your English even more?

• Read the full transcript & vocabulary flashcards → www.morethanalanguage.com
• Follow us on Instagram → @BritishEnglishandBeyond
• Watch us on Youtube → @englishandbeyondpodcast
• Email your thoughts or questions → oliver@morethanalanguage.com

🎙 New episodes every week! Subscribe now to practise listening, expand your vocabulary, and learn English in a natural, fun way.

📢 E34: British vs. American English – Do You Use Americanisms? 🇬🇧🇺🇸

Film or movie? Got or gotten? Autumn or fall?
We all know that British and American English have their differences, but where do you stand?

In this episode of English & Beyond, I explore how American culture shaped my English, why my parents hate certain Americanisms, and the surprising truth behind words that many Brits think are "too American"—but actually originated in the UK!

🎧 What You’ll Learn in This Episode:
✅ The history behind American vs. British English differences
✅ Words that Brits complain about—but are actually from the UK
✅ The impact of US pop culture on global English
✅ A fun British vs. American English quiz—play along with César!

📖 Want to improve your English even more?

• Read the full transcript & vocabulary flashcards → www.morethanalanguage.com
• Follow us on Instagram → @BritishEnglishandBeyond
• Watch us on Youtube → @englishandbeyondpodcast
• Email your thoughts or questions → oliver@morethanalanguage.com

🎙 New episodes every week! Subscribe now to practise listening, expand your vocabulary, and learn English in a natural, fun way.

Could a burger give you a fatal brain disease? In the 1990s, the UK was rocked by the Mad Cow Disease crisis, a scandal that led to global panic, a total ban on British beef, and lingering fears about food safety decades later.

In this episode of English and Beyond, we dive into the real story behind Mad Cow Disease, from the shocking feeding practices that started it all to the long-term consequences on British farming, government trust, and even blood donations.

👀 What’s in this episode?
✅ Why cows eating cows led to disaster
✅ How this crisis changed food regulations worldwide
✅ The unexpected impact on UK beef exports (banned in some countries until 2020!)
✅ César’s take on food safety scandals in Spain
✅ A mix of intermediate-to-advanced vocabulary, dark humour, and real-life history

🔊 Perfect for English learners looking to improve listening skills while exploring British culture and history!

📖 Want to improve your English even more?

• Read the full transcript & vocabulary flashcards → www.morethanalanguage.com
• Follow us on Instagram → @BritishEnglishandBeyond
• Watch us on Youtube → @englishandbeyondpodcast
• Email your thoughts or questions → oliver@morethanalanguage.com

🎙 New episodes every week! Subscribe now to practise listening, expand your vocabulary, and learn English in a natural, fun way.

🎭 Is anonymity a shield or a weapon? 🎭

In this special first video episode of English and Beyond, we explore anonymity—why some people seek it, how it grants freedom, and how it can also be used for harm.

From masked balls and Banksy to whistleblowers and internet trolls, we discuss:
✅ Why people protect their identities (and when they shouldn’t)
✅ How anonymity enables free speech, creativity, and safety
✅ The dark side—online trolling, misinformation, and ethical dilemmas
✅ How cultural attitudes toward privacy differ across countries
✅ Personal experiences navigating visibility on the internet

But most importantly… why am I wearing a balaclava? 🧐

🔊 This episode is perfect for English learners looking to improve listening skills while discussing thought-provoking topics about society, language, and culture.

📖 Want to improve your English even more?

• Read the full transcript & vocabulary flashcards → www.morethanalanguage.com
• Follow us on Instagram → @BritishEnglishandBeyond
• Watch us on Youtube → @englishandbeyondpodcast
• Email your thoughts or questions → oliver@morethanalanguage.com

🎙 New episodes every week! Subscribe now to practise listening, expand your vocabulary, and learn English in a natural, fun way.

In this week’s episode of English and Beyond, I'm venturing into the captivating world of tattoos with our first returning guest, Franziska, whose personal journey with body art has been nothing short of transformative.

💡 What you’ll discover:

• The ancient history of tattoos: From Ötzi the Iceman to Polynesian rites of passage.
• Shifting perceptions: Why tattoos were once taboo but are now mainstream in places like Britain.
• Franziska’s story: How she went from ink-free to nearly fully covered, and the meaning behind her designs.
• My tattoo dilemma: Can I overcome my indecision and make my New Year’s resolution a reality? (Spoiler: I will, I promise!)

This episode blends intriguing history, cultural insights, and personal anecdotes, all delivered with our signature dry humour (we hope). and thoughtful reflections (we hope as well). Whether you’re tattooed, tattoo-curious, or just a fan of unique stories, this episode has something for you!

📖 Want to improve your English even more?

• Read the full transcript & vocabulary flashcards → www.morethanalanguage.com
• Follow us on Instagram → @BritishEnglishandBeyond
• Watch us on Youtube → @englishandbeyondpodcast
• Email your thoughts or questions → oliver@morethanalanguage.com

🎙 New episodes every week! Subscribe now to practise listening, expand your vocabulary, and learn English in a natural, fun way.

🎙️ New Year, Fresh Goals | English and Beyond

Happy 2025! In this episode, I struggle though a bad cold as I reflect on the magic of fresh starts and New Year's traditions, from my family's Hogmanay celebrations in Scotland to the quiet introspection that winter invites. I share my ambitious (and not-so-ambitious) resolutions for the year, including continuing to learn French, reading for pleasure, and finally getting that long-awaited tattoo.

César joins the conversation to discuss his more laid-back approach to resolutions, the challenges of building new routines after their move to Spain, and why sometimes just "being human" can be a valid goal. There’s also plenty of banter about morning grumpiness, journaling attempts, and... health conditions?

Whether you're someone who meticulously plans your resolutions or just wings it, this episode is packed with relatable moments and some light-hearted inspiration. And, of course, we would love to hear from you:

💬 What are your 2025 resolutions?
Share them via email at oliver@morethanalanguage.com, or leave a comment on Spotify, YouTube, or our new Instagram account @BritishEnglishandBeyond!

📖 Want to improve your English even more?

• Read the full transcript & vocabulary flashcards → www.morethanalanguage.com
• Follow us on Instagram → @BritishEnglishandBeyond
• Watch us on Youtube → @englishandbeyondpodcast
• Email your thoughts or questions → oliver@morethanalanguage.com

🎙 New episodes every week! Subscribe now to practise listening, expand your vocabulary, and learn English in a natural, fun way.