Shows
Troubled ArtistsEpisode #20: Kay A. OliverWelcome to the 20th episode of the Troubled Artists Podcast. In today’s episode, I’m interviewing author and Hollywood storyteller, Kay A. OliverKay A. Oliver is an award-winning author, celebrated storyteller, and respected figure in both literature and entertainment. Known for her page-turning novels filled with unexpected twists, Kay captivates readers with her signature easy-to-read style that blends suspense, heart, and inspiration. Her mission is simple yet powerful: to craft captivating stories that spark joy, ignite imagination, and keep readers spellbound.Recognized internationally for her literary achievements, Kay...
2025-12-1341 min
English and Beyond: Advanced English for Fluency & CommunicationE65 Friendship at First Sight - Advanced Listening PracticeLet's improve your English listening skills while discussing a very relevant topic: why do we just 'click' so much better with some people more than others?In this episode, Oliver and César talk about the strange mechanics of adult friendship: why it’s so hard to make genuine friends through work or hobbies, why life constantly interrupts the friendships we do build, and why occasionally we meet people who feel familiar from the very first conversation.📖 Want to improve your English even more? Read the full transcript & vocabulary flashca...
2025-12-0421 minEnglish and Beyond: Advanced English for Fluency & CommunicationE63 The Price of Fame - Advanced English Learning PodcastWhy do so many celebrities follow the same tragic script - early success, impossible pressure, public decline, and a carefully managed collapse? And has anything really changed in the age of influencers, TikTok fame and constant online visibility?In today’s Advanced level episode of English and Beyond, Oliver and César explore the darker side of fame: the industry built on illusion, the toxic incentives behind talent management, and the strange role we, the audience, play in keeping the system alive. From Judy Garland to Britney Spears, from classic paparazzi culture to the self-inflicted exp...
2025-11-1521 min
English and Beyond: Intermediate English PodcastRepublic: When the UK Brought Down Its Kings | Intermediate English Listening PracticeLearn English through one of the most interesting stories in British history: in 1649, Britain killed its own king. The monarchy was gone. Oliver Cromwell took power - and the country became a Republic. The British Revolution!For eleven (quite dull) years, England lived without a crown: no kings, no queens, just strict rules and fading hope for democracy. Find out how the British Republic began, why it failed, and what it taught the monarchy that followed.Perfect for intermediate English learners who love British culture, real history, and powerful storytelling.
2025-11-1110 minEnglish and Beyond: Advanced English for Fluency & CommunicationE62 The Art of Disappointing People - Advanced Listening Practice for English StudentsWe all do it: promise too much, deliver too late, and thus fail to meet someone’s expectations.In this Advanced level conversation, Oliver and César explore disappointment, guilt, and the strange pressure to meet other people's standards. From over-promising at work to letting friends down, we reflect on why we care more about strangers’ opinions than our loved ones’, and what it really means to “lower the bar.”📖 Want to improve your English even more? Read the full transcript & vocabulary flashcards → www.morethanalanguage.com Follow us on Instagram →...
2025-11-0918 minEnglish and Beyond: Advanced English for Fluency & CommunicationE61 If We Get D.I.V.O.R.C.E.D, Has Our Marriage Failed? (Advanced English Listening Practice)Almost half of UK marriages end in divorce - yet we often still treat it as a shameful or tragic failure. In this episode of English and Beyond, César and I explore why so many relationships end, talk a bit about our own (experiences with) marriage, whether staying married always means happiness, and why divorce might sometimes be an act of honesty rather than defeat.📖 Want to improve your English even more? Read the full transcript & vocabulary flashcards → www.morethanalanguage.com Follow us on Instagram → @BritishEnglishandBeyond Watch us on Youtu...
2025-11-0219 minEnglish and Beyond: Advanced English for Fluency & CommunicationE60 Has Mindfulness Lost Its Mind? - Advanced English Listening (C1/C2)After a period where every small problem felt catastrophic, and he was encouraged to be more "mindful", Oliver asks how and why this radical idea about awareness became yet another lifestyle brand. In this conversation, he and César unpack how a practice meant to help us face discomfort ended up being sold as the cure for it.📖 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 questio...
2025-10-2620 minEnglish and Beyond: Intermediate English PodcastWhy Do British People Lie? | Intermediate English Listening Practice [B1/B2]Have you ever been told your cooking was “interesting” - or that “we must do this again sometime”?In Britain, those aren’t compliments. They’re polite lies.In this episode, Oliver explores the very British habit of hiding the truth behind euphemisms - soft, careful words that sound kind but often mean the opposite. From “He’s between jobs” to “It’s not ideal”, you’ll learn how English uses politeness to disguise criticism, avoid conflict, and keep everyone comfortable… even when that means we're being a little dishonest.📖 Want to improve your English even more? ...
2025-10-2211 minEnglish and Beyond: Advanced English for Fluency & CommunicationE58 Teachers We’ll Never Forget - Advanced English Listening (C1/C2)Most of us remember a teacher - and not always for positives reasons.Maybe they inspired us. Maybe they embarrassed us. Maybe they simply showed up every day and did their job without ever realising how much it mattered to us.In this episode of English and Beyond, Oliver and César reflect on the people who taught them and left a big impression. They share stories of teachers who left a mark, both good and bad, and explore how those small, unspoken moments in education can shape who we become.📖 Want to i...
2025-10-1220 minEnglish and Beyond: Advanced English for Fluency & CommunicationE57 Perfectly Miserable: The Culture of Optimisation - Advanced English ListeningAre we becoming obsessed with optimisation?From Greek philosophy to Apple Watches, the idea of “the good life” has shifted from balance and virtue to data, tracking, and biohacking.In this episode of English and Beyond (Advanced), Oliver and César explore the culture of self-optimisation - from sleep divorces to clean eating, from supplements to billionaire blood transfusions.You’ll hear natural British English conversation on:Where “healthy living” becomes obsessive control;Why sleep tracking, diets, and fitness apps can be both useful and harmful; andWhether we’re chasing perfection or...
2025-10-0217 minEnglish and Beyond: Intermediate English PodcastHave You Disappointed Your Parents Too? (Quitting My Job) | Intermediate English Listening Practice [B1/B2]I quit my job as a lawyer, and I upset my parents in the process.Many parents say they only want their children to be happy. But often “happy” looks very similar to “successful” - top grades, a good job, financial security. In this episode, Oliver reflects on parental expectations, cultural differences, and his own experience of following the “safe” path to Oxford and a legal career… only to find it didn’t bring happiness.Why do parents still push us towards success, and why do we still care so much about making them proud?Listen for...
2025-09-2913 minEnglish and Beyond: Intermediate English PodcastStop Sounding Weak in English - Speak Persuasively Instead | Intermediate English Listening Practice [B1/B2]Want to sound more confident and convincing in English?In this episode of English and Beyond: Intermediate English Podcast, Oliver breaks down the art of persuasion in simple, practical steps. You’ll learn why English is full of short, punchy words that make arguments powerful, how famous speakers like Barack Obama and Winston Churchill use repetition and rhythm, and how you can adapt the same tricks - even as an intermediate learner.By the end of this episode, you’ll know how to:Avoid weak, rambling sentences;Use repetition, contrast, and “rule of three” to make...
2025-09-2212 minEnglish and Beyond: Advanced English for Fluency & CommunicationE55 The End of Language Learning - Advanced English Listening PracticeWhen AI can podcast, teach and even translate in real time, what’s left for us humans?In this episode of English and Beyond: Advanced English Podcast, Oliver and César discuss the promises and threats of Artificial Intelligence. From Apple’s new live-translation AirPods to AI-generated podcasts on YouTube, they ask hard and sometimes depressing questions about the future of education, creativity, and work!Will teachers and podcasters (and lawyers) become redundant? Could AI replace not only routine jobs but also creative voices? Or will this technology simply shift what we value as “u...
2025-09-1919 minEnglish and Beyond: Intermediate English PodcastWhy Are People So Rude Online? | Intermediate English Listening Practice [B1/B2]In everyday life, most of us rarely hear truly cruel comments face to face. Yet online, nastiness seems to be everywhere - from newspaper comment sections to Instagram selfies and Twitter threads. In this episode of English and Beyond, we explore why people behave so differently on the internet.Oliver reflects on his own experience receiving unkind comments and examines psychological explanations: online disinhibition, lack of tone, negativity bias, power imbalance, and the role of a small but loud group of repeat offenders. We also look at how public criticism has changed over the centuries, and why...
2025-09-1512 minEnglish and Beyond: Advanced English for Fluency & CommunicationE54 Do We Love Our Pets Too Much? - Advanced English Listening PracticeWhy are humans so devoted to pets?We spend billions on them, treat them like family, and grieve their loss as deeply as we would a relative. But they’re not human. They don’t share our language or our culture, and their lives are heartbreakingly short. So why do we choose to invite animals into our homes - knowing from the beginning that the story will end in loss?In this episode of English and Beyond, Oliver and César explore the paradox of pet ownership. We look at the history of pets...
2025-09-1219 minEnglish and Beyond: Intermediate English PodcastShould We Bring Back the Death Penalty? | Intermediate English Listening Practice [B1/B2]In this episode, Oliver looks at the history and main arguments surrounding the death penalty. With examples from the UK and insights from other countries, he explains why some nations have abolished it, and how public opinion can change over time.You’ll hear about well-known legal cases and the key ethical questions at the centre of the debate - from whether capital punishment deters crime, to whether it delivers justice, to the serious risk of punishing someone who is later found to be innocent.This is an intermediate-level discussion that uses precise and engaging la...
2025-08-1211 minEnglish and Beyond: Advanced English for Fluency & CommunicationE52 Learning English Abroad? The HONEST Truth About Immersion Trips...Improve your English listening with this advanced-level story. Oliver shares the real experience of studying a language abroad - the good, the bad, and the sweaty.What happens when you go abroad to learn a language? Does immersion really work? In this episode, I talk about my time in Montpellier: the grammar lessons, the teachers, the pros and cons… and what I actually took away from the whole experience.📖 Want to improve your English even more? Read the full transcript & vocabulary flashcards → www.morethanalanguage.com Follow us on Inst...
2025-08-0119 minEnglish and Beyond: Intermediate English PodcastWhy Britain and France Almost Became One Country | Intermediate English Podcast with StoriesIn 1940, as Nazi Germany advanced across Europe, a radical proposal was made: Britain and France would merge into a single country. One parliament, one army, one citizenship. In this episode, we explore that forgotten moment in history - what led to it, why it failed, and what it reveals about the long, complicated relationship between the UK and France.From medieval invasions to Concorde and Eurostar, Oliver reflects on rivalry, admiration, and cooperation - and how these two neighbours keep finding new ways to misunderstand (and sometimes impress) each other.📖 Want to improve your English eve...
2025-07-2212 minEnglish and Beyond: Advanced English for Fluency & CommunicationE51 Can You Compete with Someone You Love? (The Results Are In!)In this episode, we explore a subtle, often unspoken kind of rivalry - the sort that happens not in sports or business, but in close relationships. What does it mean to compete with someone you care about? Can it help you grow, or does it just create tension? Oliver and César share the story of their two-year French-learning journey, but things quickly turned into a challenge. Who would reach B2 first? Who was more consistent? And who would end up paying for dinner?📖 Want to improve your English even more? Read the full...
2025-07-1023 minEnglish and Beyond: Advanced English for Fluency & CommunicationE50 Fifty Episodes Later: Do Anniversaries Really Matter? - Advanced EnglishIn this special 50th episode of English and Beyond, Oliver and César reflect on one year of podcasting, what anniversaries really mean, and why they could often forget their own.From the challenges of staying consistent to the little victories along the way, we talk about how far we’ve come - and whether anniversaries are worth celebrating at all. Expect language tips, personal stories, some light teasing, and a spilled coffee or two.Whether you’ve been here since episode one or just joined us, this is a gre...
2025-07-1017 minEnglish and Beyond: Advanced English for Fluency & CommunicationE49 Summer Loving / Spanish Hell - Advanced EnglishIn this sweaty, slightly chaotic episode, César and Oliver question whether moving to Valencia was such a great idea... in the middle of an early summer heatwave. Join us as we talk about the oppressive Spanish humidity, sweaty public transport, unexpected cockroach encounters, and whether torrid weather leads to torrid affairs.You’ll learn expressions like sweating like a pig, dog days of summer, break a sweat, and pungent, all in the context of a fun, natural conversation. It’s English for real life - with humour, honesty, and a lot of sweat.📖 Want to...
2025-06-0820 minEnglish and Beyond: Advanced English for Fluency & CommunicationE48 Tuscany, Italy: The Good, the Bad and the Itchy - Advanced EnglishIs Tuscany really as perfect as Instagram makes it look?In this episode of English and Beyond: Advanced English Podcast, Oliver and César sit down to share the unfiltered truth about their recent holiday in Italy - and it’s not all rolling hills and Chianti. From postcard-perfect views and delicious dinners to mosquito bites, awkward group dynamics, and way too much sun, this is a real conversation about travel expectations vs. reality.Whether you’ve had a disappointing holiday yourself or just want to hear two English teachers get a lit...
2025-05-3019 minEnglish and Beyond: Intermediate English PodcastDo You Know When to Stop? | English for Intermediate LearnersDo you ever go too far with the things you love? In this episode of English and Beyond, Oliver reflects on how easy it is to overdo the things that bring us joy - from binge-watching a show to eating too quickly, to becoming obsessed with learning or exercise.You’ll learn natural English expressions like to overdo it, burn out, binge, in moderation, and too much of a good thing - all through a personal, honest story.This episode is perfect for intermediate learners who want to improve their English while thinking about motivation, hab...
2025-05-2709 minEnglish and Beyond: Advanced English for Fluency & CommunicationE47 Overrated & Overhyped: What We’re All Pretending to Like | Advanced English for expressing opinionsIn this episode of English and Beyond: Advanced Edition, Oliver and César explore a question we all secretly ask ourselves: “Do I actually like this… or do I just think I’m supposed to?” From five-star restaurants and summer holidays to podcasts and museums, they take a light-hearted but honest look at things that might be a little overrated, a bit overhyped, or just not all they’re cracked up to be.Along the way, they revisit The Emperor’s New Clothes as a perfect metaphor for modern trends, and unpack the ad...
2025-05-2220 minEnglish and Beyond: Advanced English for Fluency & CommunicationE46 Movies: Popcorn to Plot Twists | How to Talk About Films in Advanced EnglishWhat makes a film critically acclaimed, atmospheric, or even box office poison? In this episode of English and Beyond, César and I (I'm Oliver!) dive into the full cinema experience - from noisy popcorn munching to unexpected plot twists - and explore the vocabulary and expressions you need to talk about movies like a native speaker.Whether you’re a film lover, a language geek, or someone just looking to expand your advanced English, you’ll learn real-life phrases and idioms like suspension of disbelief, scene stealer, Oscar bait, and more - all through natural conversation and l...
2025-05-0918 minEnglish and Beyond: Intermediate English PodcastThe Most Beautiful Song in the English Language? | Intermediate English Listening PracticeIn this reflective episode of English and Beyond: Intermediate English Podcast, I'm exploring the deeper, emotional side of language learning through the iconic song Waterloo Sunset by The Kinks.Rather than focusing on grammar or vocabulary, this episode invites listeners to think about how songs, places, and personal memories shape the way we connect with a language.Why do certain songs stay with us?What emotions do they capture that textbooks never teach?From nostalgia and saudade to quiet moments of introspection, Oliver discusses how Waterloo Sunset expresses feelings we often...
2025-05-0509 minEnglish and Beyond: Advanced English for Fluency & CommunicationE45 Do You Speak "Doctor"? | Advanced Medical EnglishWould you know what to say at the doctor’s in English?In this English and Beyond: Advanced English episode, César and I explore some advanced medical English vocabulary, from describing symptoms to understanding key healthcare terms like prognosis, chronic illness, and comorbidity.Plus, get a behind-the-scenes look at how the UK’s NHS works (I actually worked in the system for a little bit!), why Brits are so passionate about it, and how healthcare differs around the world.🩺 What you’ll learn:– How to confi...
2025-04-2717 minEnglish and Beyond: Advanced English for Fluency & CommunicationE43 Why is Meghan Markle so unpopular in Britain? | Advanced English Listening PracticeWhy did Britain fall out of love with Meghan Markle? In this episode of English and Beyond, I take a deep dive into the intense reaction to the Duchess of Sussex, unpacking her rise and fall in British public opinion.From media double standards to cultural differences, race, class, and the emotional shift of Prince Harry, this monologue and conversation with César explore what the backlash really reveals about the UK, the monarchy, and modern identity politics.Is it just about Meghan - or is she a symbol of something bigger?
2025-04-1027 minEnglish and Beyond: Advanced English for Fluency & CommunicationE41 Culture Shock Is Real: what surprised us about life abroad - Advanced level listening practice for English-language studentsHave you ever experienced culture shock - that strange, unsettling feeling when you're suddenly living in a completely different country? 🌍 In this episode of English and Beyond, César and I share our real experiences of living abroad and how it affected them emotionally, practically… and even gastronomically.🎧 I will tell you about moving to Spain, despite speaking the language and knowing the culture well - and still being surprised by how challenging it felt. Meanwhile, César reflects on reverse culture shock after returning to Spain from 10 years in the UK.Together, we talk about:...
2025-03-2721 minEnglish and Beyond: Advanced English for Fluency & CommunicationE40 Why Do Brits Drink So Much? - Advanced level English learning podcast🇬🇧 Why do Brits have such a reputation for binge drinking? 🇬🇧In this episode of English and Beyond, César and I dive into British drinking culture, exploring why nights out in the UK start and end so early, the historical reasons behind our binge-drinking habits, and how it all compares to nightlife in Spain. 🍻From pub culture to the impact of World War I alcohol laws, I share my own experiences of clubbing in London and why the contrast between British and Euro...
2025-03-1623 minEnglish and Beyond: Intermediate English PodcastThe Truth About Failure: Why We Struggle & How to Overcome It | Intermediate Level English PodcastWhy do we fear failure? In this episode of English and Beyond, we dive into the psychology of failure, success, and resilience. Inspired by César's favourite episode of the How to Fail podcast, we explore why failure is often misunderstood, how different cultures have viewed success throughout history, and what we can learn from our setbacks.We discuss:✔️ The ancient Greek perspective on failure and destiny✔️ Why modern society places too much responsibility on individual success✔️ The link between failure, mental health, and self-esteem✔️ How to redefine ambition and find success in unexpected places...
2025-03-0314 minEnglish and Beyond: Advanced English for Fluency & CommunicationE38 Why Is Frustration So Hard to Handle? - Advanced English Listening & VocabularyWhy is frustration so difficult to manage? In this episode of English and Beyond, César and I explore how we deal with everyday setbacks—from minor inconveniences to major stress triggers.I confess my struggles with patience (and his frustration with technology), while César explains why he tries to stay calm—even when Spanish bureaucracy tests his limits. Expect honest reflections, a few laughs, and plenty of useful vocabulary along the way.📖 Want to improve your English even more? Read the full transcript & vocabulary flashcards → www.morethanalanguage.com Follow us...
2025-02-2822 min
Apple CodingMajorana 1, computación cuántica (y otros) (con Óliver Nabani)Majorana 1, un nuevo chip diseñado por Microsoft que promete ser un gran avance en la carrera de la computación cuántica.
Uno de los muchos avances que llevamos en los últimos años y que desde que empezó 2025 parece que no paran: Deepseek, modelos de razonamiento cada vez más avanzados como o3 o Sonnet 3.7… modos de pensamiento profundo y/o investigación.
Los Gobiernos y las compañías anunciando inversiones millonarias… ¿vivimos una nueva etapa similar a la carrera espacial?
Hoy está con nosotros Oliver Nabani, divulgador e ingeniero industrial, que nos contará...
2025-02-272h 23English and Beyond: Intermediate English PodcastWelcome to English and Beyond: Intermediate English Podcast (Trailer)Welcome to English and Beyond, the perfect podcast for intermediate English learners who want to improve their listening skills, expand their vocabulary, and gain confidence in real-world conversations.Each week, we explore engaging topics beyond basic language learning, helping you understand natural English through storytelling, discussions, and practical insights.Hosted by Oliver and produced by César (from Spanish Language Coach), this podcast provides comprehensible yet challenging content to help you level up your English.📖 Want to improve your English even more? Read the full...
2025-02-2000 minEnglish and Beyond: Advanced English for Fluency & CommunicationE37 The British Royal Family: Power, Scandal & Influence - Advanced English PodcastThe 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...
2025-02-2029 minEnglish and Beyond: Advanced English for Fluency & CommunicationE35 Parenthood isn't for me, and here's why - Advanced English listening practice with natural conversations📢 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"...
2025-02-0630 min