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Longtime Atlantic tech, culture and political writer Derek Thompson cuts through all the noise surrounding the big questions and headlines that matter to you in his new podcast Plain English. Hear Derek and guests engage the news with clear viewpoints and memorable takeaways. New episodes drop every Tuesday and Friday, and if you've got a topic you want discussed, shoot us an email at plainenglish@spotify.com! You can also find us on tiktok at www.tiktok.com/@plainenglish_
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The best podcast for learning English if you like current events and trending topics. Improve your English listening, learn new words, and build your confidence with the #1 English-learning podcast focused on current events and trending topics. Improve your English listening: Plain English episodes go a little slower than native speed so you can understand every word and improve your English listening little by little. Your host is Jeff. He's a native English speaker from the United States a ...
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A fresh season for each new election from former government minister and ACT Party Deputy Leader Hon Heather Roy and TorquePoint business partner and former ACT Party candidate and ministerial staffer Dr Simon Ewing-Jarvie. TorquePoint runs the popular LobbyTorque experiential learning programme on effective political lobbying in New Zealand. With much media coverage reduced to soundbites, many are frustrated with the lack of real commentary from people who have worked in Parliament. Season ...
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What would a world of self-driven cars look like? How would it change shopping, transportation, and life, more broadly? A decade ago, many people were asking these questions, as it looked like a boom in autonomous vehicles was imminent. But in the last few years, other technologies—crypto, the metaverse, AI—have stolen the spotlight. Meanwhile, sel…
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Today's story: A hand-copied manuscript of a musical composition believed to have been written by Mozart has been discovered in the archives of a German library. Mozart experts believe the composition dates to the 1760s, when Mozart was between 10 and 13 years old. An analysis of the music suggests that the piece is consistent with Mozart's style f…
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Send us a text In this episode of Law School in Plain English, we break down actus reas - the guilty act - a crucial component in proving any crime. Thanks for listening to Law School in Plain English. If you enjoyed this episode, don’t forget to subscribe/follow and leave a review. Join me next time as we break down another legal concept — one pri…
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Today's story: The backflip has been a controversial move in figure skating for decades. It was first performed in high-level competition at the 1976 Olympics by American skater Terry Kubicka, but was quickly banned due to safety concerns. Despite its prohibition, some skaters continued to perform it in exhibitions. Now, nearly fifty years later, t…
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Send us a text In this episode, we tackle the concept of battery - exploring when unwanted contact crosses the line into a legal offense. Join us as we unpack what counts as battery, dive into real-life scenarios, and break down how intent and offensiveness come into play. Thanks for listening to Law School in Plain English. If you enjoyed this epi…
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Derek shares his big-picture theory for Trump's victory. Then, Republican pollster Kristen Soltis Anderson explains how Trump shifted practically the entire electorate to the right. Links: Derek's article that inspired his open: https://www.theatlantic.com/politics/archive/2024/11/donald-trump-covid-election/680559/ The Washington Post voter shift …
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Today's story: Haggis is a traditional Scottish dish made from various animal organs mixed with oats and spices. In the traditional recipe, it's cooked in the lining of a sheep's stomach. It's a beloved part of Scottish culture (even if outsiders aren't always brave enough to try it). Learn this English expression: 'Out of reach' refers to somethin…
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Send us a text In this episode, we explore the concept of trespass to land - when crossing boundaries becomes a legal issue. We’ll dive into what qualifies as trespass, from uninvited guest to accidental entries, and break down how the law protects your right to control who steps onto your property. By the end, you’ll know exactly when a simple mis…
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Today's story: Scientists have completed a ""connectome"" of an adult fruit fly, mapping all 140,000 brain cells and the 55 million connections between them. The map will allow scientists to study in much greater detail how a brain works. And the complete connectome of the fruit fly may pave the way for mapping larger, more complex brains, includin…
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Send us a text In this episode of Law School in Plain English, we dive into one of the most critical concepts in criminal law: mens rea, or the “guilty mind.” Using the famous O.J. Simpson trail as our guide, we’ll explore how intent is established in a criminal case and why it is essential for proving guilt. Hear how both the prosecution and defen…
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Today’s guest (our final preelection guest) is David Wasserman, political analyst with the Cook Political Report, who also helps out with the NBC decision desk. There are dozens, maybe hundreds, of people whose job on election night is to help Americans understand when we can safely call specific districts and states for Congress, Senate, or the pr…
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Send us a text In this episode, we dive into the legal concept of assault, exploring how a simple threat or gesture can cross the line into a legal offense - even without physical contact. Join us as we break down what counts as assault, unpack key examples, and reveal how intent and perception come into play. By the end, you’ll know exactly where …
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Today's story: When the sun rises on Election Day, about half of Americans will have already voted. But here's what the experience is like for the tens of millions of people who cast their votes in person on the first Tuesday of November. Plus, learn why it takes so long to count the votes. Learn this English expression: 'Pull something off' means …
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Today, a close look at the history of a Pennsylvania town and how that history contains within it the story of the 2024 election. In September, Donald Trump claimed that the city of Charleroi, Pennsylvania, was being overrun by immigrants who brought violence, gangs, and economic destruction. Last month, The Atlantic's George Packer went to Charler…
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Send us a text In this premier episode of Law School In Plain English: Criminal Law, we dive into the heart of criminal law, using one of the most famous trials in history: The People v. O.J. Simpson. Join us as we unpack what criminal law truly is, how it differs from civil law, and why it plays a crucial role in society. With over 85 trials as a …
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Send us a text In this episode, join CAT B FIT, our sleek and clever legal guide, as she breaks down the concept of conversion’ — when borrowing turns into taking ownership. CAT B FIT isn’t just a name; each letter represents one of the seven intentional torts in law: Conversion, Assault, Trespass to land, Battery, False Imprisonment, Intentional i…
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Today's story: Dengue fever has spread to Italy, which has seen 500 cases this year. M-pox vaccines are now being distributed in Africa for the first time. Shohei Ohtani’s translator has pleaded guilty to bank fraud, and Netflix’s new ""Monsters"" series, based on the Menendez brothers' case, has hit number one on the charts. Learn this English exp…
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Send us a text Join us as we dive into the concept of duty and what happens when it is ignored. In this episode, we explore real-life stories from recent events to show how the law decides when responsibility falls short and harm is caused. We’ll uncover how courts handle these cases and what it really means when someone is held accountable for neg…
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My favorite sort of social phenomenon is something that seems normal to modern eyes that is actually incredibly unusual. We take it for granted that every presidential election is a nail-biter these days. But this era of close elections is deeply strange. We used to have blowouts all the time. In 1964, 1972, and 1984, LBJ, Nixon, and Reagan, respec…
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Today's story: Across the English-speaking world, the cost of housing (to buy or to rent) has far outpaced increases in incomes. That has caused governments to take a critical look at policies that have limited homebuilding, especially apartments. From London's green belt to cities in America, Canada, and Australia, people are increasingly saying "…
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Send us a text Meet Superhero Duty, the protector of responsibility, as he swoops in to save the day when people forget their legal obligations. In this episode, we break down what `duty’ means in everyday life and how it helps keep everyone safe. Simple, clear, and fun — because `Hold up, wait a minute, something ain’t right!’ Thanks for listening…
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Send us a text Join us as we explore but-for causation through a sibling chase gone wrong! When a TV comes crashing down, we ask the key legal question: would it have happened without your actions? Find out how this simple but crucial concept shapes the law and who gets blamed when things go wrong. Thanks for listening to Law School in Plain Englis…
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Today's story: Netflix recently released season four of its hit show ""Emily in Paris."" Television critics in France and the U.S. panned the show for its unrealistic, Instagram-worthy fantasy of life in Paris. But audiences love it: the show reached number one on Netflix when its fourth season was released (and yes, it was popular in France, too).…
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Send us a text Join us as we explore the famous Palsgraf v. Long Island Railroad case through a playful sibling chase that spirals out of control. We’ll break down key legal concepts like causation and foreseeability, and discover how far responsibility really goes when things go wrong. Expect simple, engaging explanations-no law degree required! T…
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In 1900, the average US life expectancy was 47 years old. That's the current age of Tom Brady, Ryan Reynolds, and Shakira. But extraordinary advances in medicine and public health have surged lifespans in the US and throughout the world. The average American currently lives to about 79 years old. How long can this progress continue? As we have gott…
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Today's story: America’s complicated system of choosing a president can be traced back to its origins as a union of individual states. The process involves two elections: a popular vote by citizens and an electoral vote by states. This indirect system places more emphasis on the results of the election in the individual states. Learn why Americans …
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Send us a text Explore comparative negligence through a playful sibling chase and real-world examples. Learn how responsibility is shared when both parties are at fault, and see how the law divides the blame to ensure a fair outcome. Thanks for listening to Law School in Plain English. If you enjoyed this episode, don’t forget to subscribe/follow a…
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Send us a text Join us aw we break down contributory negligence, where even a small mistake can cost you everything. Through a playful sibling chase and real world examples, we explore how this all-or-nothing rule works and why most states have moved away from it. Thanks for listening to Law School in Plain English. If you enjoyed this episode, don…
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Today's story: James Earl Jones, the actor known as the voice of Darth Vader in Star Wars and Mufasa in The Lion King, overcame a childhood stutter and developed one of the most distinctive voices in Hollywood. His booming baritone lent authority to any character he played (including his comedic roles). He died in September 2024 at age 93. Learn th…
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Send us a text What happens when things go wrong and someone gets hurt? In this episode, we dive into the world of negligence—who’s to blame and why. From falling objects to missed safety measures, we’ll break down the key elements of negligence with some humor and real-life examples. Join us as we make sense of the law, one (almost) dodged disaste…
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Today: the state of men and what's really happening in the gender divide in politics. Many young men are falling behind economically and socially at the same time that men and women are coming apart politically. What's really happening here? Richard Reeves, president of the American Institute for Boys and Men, joins the show to talk about the state…
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Send us a text In this episode, we dive into the legal doctrine of res Ipsa loquitur (“the thing speaks for itself”) and how to prove negligence without direct evidence. We break down this key legal concept in under 15 minutes using a simple, relatable scenario to show how it works. Thanks for listening to Law School in Plain English. If you enjoye…
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Today's story: The American vice president's primary function is to be available in case a president can't continue in office. Besides that, the VP is the ceremonial leader of the Senate, the upper house of the legislature. In the case of a tie vote in the Senate, the VP breaks the tie. With few formal duties, ""veeps"" try to have influence as adv…
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Today's story: With just a month left until Election Day, the U.S. presidential race between Donald Trump and Kamala Harris is extremely close. Both candidates are focusing on their closing arguments, aiming to rally supporters and secure every possible vote. You'll get an in-depth look at the current state of the race and learn what to expect as t…
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Since October 7, 2023, many have feared that the conflict between Israel and Hamas would bloom into a wider war that would consume the Middle East. Today, we are dangerously close to that reality. In just the last month, Israel carried out several attacks against the Lebanese militant group Hezbollah, which, like Hamas, is backed by Iran. Israel is…
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Today's story: School shootings are sadly, tragically common in the United States. Now, prosecutors are bringing murder or manslaughter charges against parents of school shooters, even if the parents weren't directly involved in the crime. Some say that's justified; others say it's going too far. What do you think? Learn this English expression: To…
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