What are some experiences you've had regarding the awful 9/11 attacks?
Quora knows best - For English learners and others
Original .
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Personal Stories About New York City
Quora knows best - For English learners and others
Original on Quora.com I was standing outside an art supply store on central park, south side. Looking in the window at all the canvases and paint brushes. Wondering whether I should start painting. Gradually, I became aware that someone was standing next to me. A bit too close. I looked at her, a classy looking older lady. Maybe in her sixties or early seventies. She smiled broadly at me and said, you look nice. For a long time. I didn't know what to say. And then I stammered. Thanks. She said, would you like to come to my apartment for dinner? For the next five or six...
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Vocabulary that you like better in your target language than in your own language
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This episode is related to the following Reddit post: https://www.reddit.com/r/languagelearning/comments/15by64n/are_there_any_words_or_phrases_that_you_like/
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Twittersode 1 Convincingly Awful Advice for Language Learners
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Kevin Abroad asked this: Share bad language learning advice but make it convincing.
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Who is Jimmy Carter? (39th U.S.President)
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Jimmy Carter to begin receiving home hospice care. But who is Jimmy Carter? Listen to a brief summary in this podcast.
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ChatGPT: Chatbot interviews an English learner - AI Artificial Intelligence in action
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Summary: In this interview episode, the host of the language learning podcast , Daniel Goodson, is interviewed by an AI called Peter about his English learning journey. Daniel shares that he has been learning English passively for many years through activities such as reading books and listening to podcasts in English. He also started his own podcast, My Fluent Podcast, to practice speaking with native speakers and improve his skills. Daniel shares that immersing himself in the language and speaking with others, whether native or non-native speakers, has helped him a lot in his learning...
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37 Why do people read novels?
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Why do people read novels? Transcript: We read novels because we want to live, even vicariously, in a world with meaning. Too many senseless events happen in the real world: children die of starvation at the very gates of the wealthy, innocent and admirable people perish in natural disasters, wars that destroy young lives and entire countries are waged for the pettiest of reasons. A novelist, whether realistic or fantastic, extrapolates meaning onto his or her envisioned world. Sometimes the good guy wins. The sick child recovers. The impoverished orphan has a secret fortune. Even when the...
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36 I love my wife but she cannot cook. What should I do?
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Never mind if she can’t cook. If she loves you and you love her, that is enough to lead a happy married life. Cooking is not rocket science. Both of you can learn it together. By the way my wife married me in spite of my inability to cook. I married her in spite of her inability to drive. We are a happily married couple. She cooks for me and I drive her around. Don’t let these minor difficulties come in your way. Here is a of us that I haven’t shared before. Vocab: rocket science (something very difficult to understand) Original article on Quoa.com:
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35 What screams "I have a low IQ"?
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Quora.com (Whis is not an official Quora Podcast) Difficult words: ambiguity (he presence of two or more possible meanings in a single passage.) cliches (Formally, a cliché is “a trite, stereotyped expression; a sentence or phrase, usually expressing a popular or common thought or idea, that has lost originality, ingenuity, and impact by long overuse, as sadder but wiser, or strong as an ox.” It can also be defined as “anything that has become trite commonplace through overuse.) monosyllabic (having only one syllable) perception (opinion, perception,...
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34 Is it rude to flake on someone? Why do people do it?
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Is it rude to flake on someone? Why do people do it? Transcript: Original post on Quora.com Other examples with the expression "to flake on someone": The one time I actually depend on you, and you flake on picking me up from the airport. Marge, don't flake out on me. Don't you flake on me!
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Vocabulary:
0:18 conjure: implore (someone) to do something.
0:24 exacerbated by: to make more severe, to make worse (a problem etc.)
0:30 unpredictable: you can not predict it. You can not foresee it.
0:39 manic episode: is characterized by a sustained period of abnormally elevated or irritable mood, intense energy, racing thoughts, and other extreme and exaggerated behaviors.
0:47 lack of sleep: not having enough sleep (see also sleep deprivation)
1:07 he’d say: he would say
1:12 Impulsivity, check. Invincibility, check:
1:28 anxiety: state of fear
1:38 pent up energy: held back energy
1:52 Kyle made bold decisions: In Simple terms, decisions that have been taken without the fear of judgement are called as bold decisions. As a coincidence they might tend to break the established stereotypes of society.
1:52 on the whim: because of a sudden decision (rather "on a whim")
1:55 and often regretted his actions once the mania had subsided: become less intense, violent, or severe.
2:15 plummeting to the ground: fall or drop straight down at high speed.
3:01 It’s like being crammed in the tube full of angry people and not being able to escape: completely fill (a place or container) to the point of overflowing
3:42 To get a grip: keep or recover one's self-control.
3:52 without being patronizing: kind or helpful but betraying a feeling of superiority; condescending.
Are you a very motivated language learner and want to become part of the podcast team, drop me an e-mail: [email protected]
Full Transcript:
Today on Quora Knows Best "What is bipolar disorder?" "What is bipolar disorder?"
And Alisha talks from Quora.com puts it like this:
Bipolar disorder is a constant, internal war. You’re fighting hard to conjure a balance in a world rid of stability. It’s a chemical imbalance, exacerbated by environmental triggers. It is unpredictable, and can be a lifelong struggle.
Kyle was diagnosed with Bipolar I disorder.
0:39 When he entered a manic episode, his mind would constantly be buzzing with exciting and optimistic ideas. Even with a lack of sleep, Kyle did not want to stop. His energy was off the roof. Dominating every conversation whilst speaking to his friends, Kyle would speak fast and switch topics quickly, making it hard for others to keep up with him.
Sometimes Kyle couldn’t keep up with himself.
You could break Kyle’s phone and he’d say, “ey, all the more reason to buy a new one!” Impulsivity, check. Invincibility, check. Whilst this may be confusing for friends and family, for the person living with bipolar, this may seem like a great time.
1:27 With Kyle however, as his mania elevated, so did the anxiety, excessive sweating, and irritation. He felt the adrenaline rising throughout his body, and to release that pent up energy, he would over-exercise to the point of exhaustion. His confidence was also a downfall. Kyle made bold decisions on the whim and often regretted his actions once the mania had subsided.
When the mania burnt out, Kyle had nothing left. He may have periods experiencing a ‘normal’ mood, but otherwise he’d be placed on the complete opposite end of the spectrum.
The lows of depression, like rock-climbing to the very top and plummeting to the ground, sunk in deep and fast.
2:24 During this period, Kyle wants to be left alone. It’s not that he wants to be by himself, but rather, he wants everyone to disappear. He doesn’t want to go anywhere, see anyone or do anything. He feels as if no matter what he does, people call him names, and tell him that he’s doing something wrong. The easiest thing to do then is just hide.
The worst thing for Kyle is hearing the words, “cheer up”, or “what happened to the happy Kyle?” It’s frustrating for him. Nothing is enjoyable. It’s like being crammed in the tube full of angry people and not being able to escape. The pent up frustration and sadness create a pessimistic view of the world. He doesn’t like to envision the future because all he sees is hardship, endless work and disappointment - “what even is the point?”.
3:22 Outro / recommendations
To worry about your loved one is completely normal. You may be afraid of their actions during an emotional low, or worried about them making reckless decisions during periods of high.
You have to remember that people with this disorder cannot control their emotions or moods. Avoid sensitive and ignorant comments such as “get a grip” or “cheer up”, offer practical help without being patronizing. Just, let them know you’re there to help in any way you can.
So this was the text of Alisha Talks from Quora.com. If you want to get more information about the vocabulary that was used here, you'll find more explanations in the show notes. If you have any suggestions for future episodes, drop me an email: [email protected] . I'm your host, Daniel Goodson, have a good one!