Go Natural English Podcast | Listening & Speaking Lessons

Talking About Climate Change with Confidence: A Conversation with Dr. Alice Alpert Climate change is a topic that affects every one of us, yet it can feel confusing, overwhelming, or even polarizing. That's why I was excited to welcome Dr. Alice Alpert, Senior Scientist at the Environmental Defense Fund, to the Go Natural English podcast. Dr. Alpert studies emerging climate technologies, evaluates their real-world impact, and works with teams focused on methane, climate policy, and international sustainability partnerships. In our conversation, we explored misconceptions, sources of hope, daily sustainability habits, and clear English vocabulary related to the climate conversation. What Does a Climate Scientist Do? Dr. Alpert evaluates new climate solutions, from clean energy to carbon-removal technologies to sustainable farming. Her work starts with two key questions: Does this solution meaningfully help reduce climate impact? What are the trade-offs or challenges that come with it? Her job is not just to imagine solutions but to determine what actually works. The Biggest Misunderstanding About Climate Change Dr. Alpert explained that a major misconception is the idea that climate action is "all or nothing." People often believe: "It's too late to do anything," or "It's someone else's responsibility." Both mindsets lead to inaction. "You don't have to be perfect," she said. "Every step forward helps. The idea of 'everything or nothing' isn't useful." How She Stays Hopeful Climate news can feel heavy, so I asked what keeps her motivated. Her answer was simple: the future. "I have three kids. That's three votes for the future. We are moving in the right direction, and I think we'll get most of the way there." Her optimism is practical and rooted in evidence. Many climate solutions are already working and becoming more affordable. Misconceptions About Sustainability, Especially in Texas One surprising part of our conversation was about renewable energy in Texas. Many people assume Texas is not sustainable, but the opposite is true. Texas produces more clean energy than any other U.S. state, and by a huge margin. Wind, solar, and battery storage are growing rapidly. Much of this growth is driven by economics, not ideology. "It's the cheapest energy," she said. "People are making money from it." Another misconception is that sustainability is always more expensive. In reality, the cheapest new energy to build today is solar. Short-Term Costs vs. Long-Term Benefits Many sustainable choices cost more upfront but save money over time: installing solar panels, buying an electric vehicle, or purchasing high-quality items that last longer. I shared the example of clothing I've kept for more than a decade. A well-made sweater ended up costing less over time than several cheaper ones. Dr. Alpert agreed. "The upfront investment is real. But long-term thinking matters." Everyday Sustainability: What Works for You Dr. Alpert emphasized that sustainability should be personal and realistic. A few examples we discussed: Thrifting and Secondhand Shopping Buying used items reduces waste and builds community. Reusing Items for Children Circulating children's items among families increases their lifespan and reduces unnecessary purchases. Flexible Eating Habits She chooses what feels natural. She doesn't eliminate any foods, but she eats less beef because she doesn't enjoy it much and knows it has a higher climate impact. Her philosophy is simple: do what works for your lifestyle, not someone else's. Cultural Differences in Sustainability Many listeners of Go Natural English live in the United States but grew up abroad. If that describes you, you may have noticed differences in: recycling habits how food is packaged energy use transportation diet choices We would love to hear about your experiences and what surprised you when comparing sustainability practices around the world. Key English Vocabulary for Talking About Climate Change Because much climate information is published in English, we reviewed several useful terms. Carbon footprint The amount of greenhouse gases created by an activity. Carbon neutral No net increase in emissions; emissions are balanced by removals. Renewable or clean energy Energy sources that do not rely on fossil fuels. Examples include wind, solar, hydro, geothermal, and sometimes nuclear. Fossil fuels Coal, oil, and natural gas. Dr. Alpert jokingly compared them to "burning dinosaurs." Move the needle To make a meaningful impact or measurable improvement. In the same boat Facing the same challenge or depending on the same shared resource. Individual Actions and Leadership Actions While individual choices matter, Dr. Alpert pointed out something important: You cannot expect one person to "save the world." Leadership and policy matter too. So how do we hold leaders accountable? Voting, especially at the local level Joining conservation-minded organizations Speaking up through social media or letters Staying informed on local policies Supporting leaders who prioritize clean energy and sustainability These steps make a meaningful difference. Where to Learn More Dr. Alpert recommends two easy places to start: The book "Not the End of the World" by Hannah Ritchie 📘 https://amzn.to/4nWcJ4L A simple online search for "Guide to what you can do about climate change" She found this produces highly practical resources. Her Approach in One Sentence "Do your best and forget the rest." Sustainability does not require perfection. It requires participation and consistency. What Will You Try Next? Is there one small action you feel inspired to try this week? Have you noticed differences in sustainability habits between countries? Share your experience in the comments on YouTube here: https://youtu.be/OrspTd7eSyk Your perspective might inspire someone else. If you'd like more conversations like this—combining expert insights with practical English learning—follow the Go Natural English podcast for upcoming episodes.

Stop Giving Embarrassing Answers — Improve Your Speaking 133% with the D.N.A.S. Method 🗣️ Episode Description: Have you ever left an interview, meeting, or conversation thinking, "Ugh… why did I say it like that?" You're not alone. Even smart, well-educated professionals often sound less intelligent than they really are — not because of their ideas, but because of how they answer questions. In this episode, Gabby Wallace (founder of Go Natural English) reveals her D.N.A.S. Method — a 4-step system that helps you organize your thoughts, speak clearly, and sound instantly more confident in English. 💡 What You'll Learn: Why most people give messy, disorganized answers (and how to fix it) The #1 secret to sounding smart and fluent — even under pressure How to answer questions confidently in interviews, meetings, and conversations The 4 steps of the D.N.A.S. Method: D = Direct answer N = Numbers to structure your points A = Anecdote or analogy S = Summary to finish strong 🎯 Whether you're speaking English at work, studying abroad, or leading a team — this episode will help you transform the way you communicate so people actually listen and respect your ideas. ✨ Full Lesson + Practice: Get the complete lesson, transcript, quiz, and worksheet here 👇 👉 https://gonaturalenglish.com/DNAS 🎧 Perfect for: ESL learners, professionals, interview prep, business communication, and anyone who wants to speak English clearly, confidently, and naturally. #EnglishSpeaking #GoNaturalEnglish #FluentCommunication #PublicSpeaking #InterviewTips #SpeakConfidently #EnglishPodcast #LearnEnglish #CommunicationSkills #ProfessionalEnglish  

🗣 Business English for Negotiations — How to Say "No" Without Sounding Rude Learn how to say "no" politely and confidently in English! In this Business English lesson, you'll discover 5 professional ways to say "no" without offending anyone — perfect for meetings, negotiations, and workplace conversations. You'll learn my 5 C's Framework for polite refusals — practical phrases, real examples, tone tips, and short dialogues to sound confident in business English conversations. 🎯 What You'll Learn ✅ How to say "no" politely and professionally in English ✅ 5C's method: Check, Conditional Yes, Choice, Care, and Close ✅ Real negotiation dialogues for business situations ✅ Pronunciation and intonation to sound natural ✅ Why "no" earns respect — not rejection 💬 Useful Phrases "Let me check and get back to you by Friday." "We can do that if we extend the deadline." "That may not work, but what if we try this approach?" "I completely understand, but unfortunately that's beyond our budget." "I appreciate the offer, but we'll have to decline at this time." ⏰ Timestamps 00:00 – Why saying "no" is so hard 00:15 – Recovering from being a "yes" person 00:35 – Why saying no earns respect 01:13 – When to use the 5 C's method 01:28 – Let's get started 01:36 – Why this is an essential skill 02:03 – Introducing the 5 C's Framework 02:28 – Fluent Communication 5.0 invitation 03:00 – Cultural differences: what "no" means around the world 03:32 – Direct vs. indirect communication (US, Japan, Brazil) 04:46 – How to be politely direct 05:02 – C1: Check (Delay Technique) 05:40 – Example: responding to your boss 05:57 – Why "Check" buys you time 06:09 – C2: Conditional Yes 06:28 – Example: realistic negotiation condition 06:50 – C3: Choice (Offer an alternative) 07:03 – Example: different timeline 07:20 – C4: Care (Show empathy) 07:52 – Example: understanding the other person's stress 08:41 – C5: Close Firmly (Polite but clear "No") 09:13 – Use softeners like "just" or "at this time" 09:34 – Pronunciation: rising vs. falling tone 09:54 – Practice tone examples 10:12 – Role Play 1: Client asks for a discount 10:44 – Role Play 2: Boss asks for extra work 11:10 – Quiz & Recap of the 5 C's 12:40 – Why clear "no" = respect and confidence 13:00 – Next lesson preview: How to say "Yes" effectively 13:52 – Subscribe & join Fluent Communication 5.0 waitlist 14:08 – Closing 🚀 Want to Speak Fluent, Confident Business English? Join Fluent Communication 5.0 — my live coaching program for advanced English speakers who want to sound natural, intelligent, and persuasive in real business conversations. 👉 Join the Waitlist Here 🎥 Next Lesson: How to Sound Fluent in Job Interviews — Advanced Phrases and Answers 📩 Subscribe and turn on notifications so you don't miss it!   Episode keywords: business english, how to say no politely, polite english phrases, english for professionals, english at work, negotiation english, english communication skills, business english conversation, how to refuse politely, english fluency training, english conversation practice, professional english speaking, fluent communication, gonaturalenglish, english lessons for advanced learners  

Too many talented, experienced professionals get overlooked at work—not because they aren't qualified, but because they stay quiet. In this episode, Gabby Wallace from Go Natural English shares 10 powerful phrases you can use to speak up in meetings, express your opinions confidently, and get noticed for the capable person you truly are. You'll learn how to join a fast-paced conversation, agree or disagree politely, ask clarifying questions, and summarize key points without sounding nervous or rude. Whether you're an intermediate or advanced English learner—or even a native speaker—these practical expressions will help you sound more natural, professional, and self-assured in any business setting. Plus, Gabby explains why speaking up (even with mistakes) is far better than staying silent, how to use small attention-getting words like "well" and "um" to hold the floor, and why confident communication is essential for career growth in English-speaking workplaces. If you're ready to stop being overlooked and start being heard, this episode is for you. Join the English Insiders waitlist for advanced lessons, feedback, and community practice at gonaturalenglish.com/insiders. New episodes every week. Subscribe, share, and keep growing your authentic English fluency with Go Natural English.

Why is English pronunciation so confusing? In this episode, Gabby Wallace breaks down the five hardest English sounds—and shows you how to fix them with simple, effective practice techniques. From the tricky TH to the mysterious schwa, you'll learn how to make these sounds clearly and confidently, plus how to avoid the most common mistakes learners make. Gabby also shares the correct pronunciation of 13 everyday words that English learners often say wrong (like comfortable, vegetable, and Wednesday), and explains how to train your ear and mouth to sound more natural. You'll learn: The two TH sounds and how to pronounce them correctly What "R-colored vowels" are and why they're essential for fluency The secret behind the most common English vowel sound: the schwa How to handle consonant clusters like "str" in street or "fr" in friend How long and short vowels completely change meaning in words like lick vs. like 13 words that most English learners mispronounce—and how to fix them today Listen if you want to: Improve your pronunciation and sound more confident Be understood faster in conversations Understand why English spelling and sounds don't always match Learn to love your accent while polishing your clarity Resources mentioned: Download Gabby's English Fluency Formula ebook: GoNaturalEnglish.com/ebook Next episode: 8 Ways to Sound More American — how to polish your pronunciation and rhythm for natural-sounding American English. https://www.gonaturalenglish.com/8-ways-to-speak-with-a-north-american-accent/ #GoNaturalEnglish #EnglishPodcast #EnglishPronunciation #LearnEnglish #AmericanAccent #EnglishFluency

Do you ever hear native English speakers say things like "break the ice" or "hit the books" — and wonder what on earth they're talking about? In this episode, Gabby Wallace from Go Natural English breaks down 10 idioms you'll hear every day — so you can understand them instantly and start using them naturally. You'll get: ✅ Clear meanings and real examples ✅ Repeat-after-me pronunciation practice ✅ Tips to sound more fluent and natural in conversations If you're ready to stop sounding like a textbook and start speaking real English, join English Insiders — Gabby's exclusive fluency course designed to help you master idioms, slang, and native pronunciation. 👉 Learn more at https://www.gonaturalenglish.com/ei 🎧 Subscribe for more weekly episodes on English fluency, idioms, and pronunciation — and follow @GoNaturalEnglish on YouTube, Instagram, and TikTok for daily practice.

Have you ever tried using slang in English and wondered… "Did I sound natural?" Slang can make your English sound more authentic — but if you use it wrong, it can get awkward fast. In this episode, Gabby Wallace shares 10 modern American slang words and phrases you can actually use in 2026. You'll learn what they mean, how native speakers use them, and when not to use them. Inside this episode: The slang expressions Americans are using right now. Example sentences you can copy instantly. Warnings so you don't sound weird or out of place. Quick repeat practice to help you remember. By the end, you'll know how to confidently drop phrases like "I'm down," "no cap," and "hits different" into real conversations. Want more practice? Join us inside English Insiders for role-plays, listening exercises, and slang challenges: gonaturalenglish.com/ei No cap — this episode hits different!  

☝️ Get info on the Complete English Fluency course here: https://gonaturalenglish.com/prereg  00:00 Introduction to You may not know THIS about learning English 00:35 English fluency has no real finish 01:30 Setting specific goals 02:40 English pronunciation 03:34 Individual vocabulary words 04:15 Cultural context 05:05 Consuming English content does not make you fluent 06:35 Fear impacts your fluency 08:00 English fluency in social settings 08:25 Know your learning style When learning English, there are a few things that people may not be aware of. Here are some aspects that are worth noting: 1. English has diverse accents and dialects: English is spoken with various accents and dialects, even within the same country. Understanding different accents can be challenging, but exposure and practice can help improve comprehension. 2. Phrasal verbs are crucial: Phrasal verbs are verb phrases with prepositions or adverbs, often having figurative meanings. 3. English spelling can be tricky: Spelling in English can be inconsistent, with exceptions and alternative spellings. 4. English has a vast vocabulary: English offers a wide range of words and synonyms, enhancing precision in expression. 5. English grammar is complex: Understanding grammar rules like tenses, articles, prepositions, and word order is important for effective communication.  #LearnEnglish #EnglishLesson #GoNaturalEnglish

☝️ Get info on the Complete English Fluency course here: https://gonaturalenglish.com/prereg  00:00 Introduction to Improving Your English Every Day  00:28 Choose an article to practicing reading  01:53 Practice a few difficult words  02:28 Review advanced grammar rules 03:03 Create vocabulary flash cards Improving your English skills every day is an excellent goal!  Here are some practical tips to help you enhance your English proficiency: Read regularly: Make reading a habit by engaging with various English materials such as books, newspapers, magazines, and online articles. This practice will expose you to different writing styles, new vocabulary, and sentence structures. Expand your vocabulary: Learn new words and phrases each day. You can use vocabulary-building apps, flashcards, or online resources like dictionaries and word-of-the-day websites. Apply these new words in your conversations or writing to reinforce your learning. Practice speaking: Find opportunities to speak English as much as possible. Join conversation groups, language exchanges, or engage in conversations with native English speakers. Don't be afraid of making mistakes; it's a natural part of the learning process. Listen actively: Improve your listening skills by regularly listening to English audio, such as podcasts, music, or audiobooks. Focus on understanding the context, pronunciation, and intonation patterns. Repeat and mimic what you hear to improve your own speaking skills. Watch English videos and movies: Choose English-language films, TV shows, or YouTube channels that interest you. This will help you familiarize yourself with colloquial expressions, cultural references, and improve your comprehension skills.  #LearnEnglish #EnglishLesson #GoNaturalEnglish About Go Natural English: In regular English classes, you learn English grammar and English vocabulary, and in our English speaking lessons, you'll learn English the Go Natural English way - with advice to help you speak English like a native, with real English conversation and listening practice. Here you'll finally learn American English with a focus on English speaking skills. Unlock the English speaking world and finally understand English conversation. Learn how to speak English fluently with our English speaking course!

Enjoy following along to this real, natural, fast native English conversation and learn the important key phrases to understand slang, idioms and phrasal verbs that you may not know yet.

Are you still looking for ways to speak English Fluently? Watch these 5 easy steps with teacher Hailey to master speaking in English!

If you're planning a trip, practice these common English phrases to help you feel confident on your next travel!

Do you know how to call in sick for work or class with confidence? What information do you need to share? Listen to this English lesson with teacher Vida to find out the best most professional and correct phrases that native English speakers use. We hope you won't use these phrases, but when you do, you're now prepared to tell someone the natural English way to call in sick.

A preposition is one of the tricky terms in the English language that tells us where or when something happens. Learn the biggest tip of prepositions with teacher Casie.  Don't get frustrated, I know sometimes English can be really frustrating but you can do it with more practice! 

Today we're going to learn about how to fluently confidently introduce yourself for the first time to new colleagues, new classmates or just anyone that you meet. This is really important because first impressions are everything! We're going to talk about how to really connect with people and the phrases that you need to know to sound like a native speaker.

Did you know that the way you pronounce words can really make a difference in how people understand you, or even if they want to talk with you? Practice difficult words with us today!

Learn phrases used in professional work English situations (not in casual or informal conversation). Sound more professional when you use these advanced business English phrases, and boost your confidence immediately when you understand what they mean when your colleagues use them!

Have you ever thought that learning English was painful, challenging, and difficult? Well, it doesn't have to be! Learning English through stories is one of the most effective ways to improve your English fluency.

Why is it so difficult to express yourself in a foreign language, like the way you really feel? 🤷‍♀️ Let's talk about it and how you can express yourself like a native English speaker. 👋😉   #FastEnglish #EnglishLesson #GoNaturalEnglish

Learn how to make people think you're more FLUENT in ENGLISH than you really are. It's all about the WAY you SPEAK ENGLISH!