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Leonardo English

Are you looking for a more interesting way to learn English? 

English Learning for Curious Minds is a podcast for intermediate-advanced English learners.

Learn weird and wonderful things about the world at the same time as improving your English.

Every episode comes with an interactive transcript, subtitles and key vocabulary and is spoken at a speed you can understand. 

Join listeners from 189 countries and discover a more interesting way of improving your English. 

Find the bonus episodes, interactive transcripts, subtitles, key vocabulary, and more at www.leonardoenglish.com

English Learning for Curious Minds

Alfred Nobel, the inventor of dynamite, was shocked to read his own obituary branding him the "merchant of death." 
 

While the story might not be entirely true, it pushed him to reconsider his legacy. 
 

His fortune went on to establish the Nobel Prizes, honouring achievements in physics, chemistry, medicine, literature, and peace, ensuring his name is remembered for contributions to humanity.
 

 • Overview of the Nobel Prize

 • Alfred Nobel's mistaken obituary

 • Nobel's early life and education

 • Invention of dynamite and its impacts

 • Nobel's relationship with Bertha von Suttner 

 • Creation of the Nobel Prize in his will

 • Outcomes and controversies of the Nobel Prize

 • Notable Nobel laureates

 • Controversial Nobel Peace Prize awards

 • Legacy of Alfred Nobel

Full interactive transcript, subtitles and key vocabulary available on the website: https://www.leonardoenglish.com/podcasts/nobel-prize

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Keywords: Learn English, vocabulary, lessons, idioms, aprende inglés, idiomas, aprender inglês, apprendre l'anglais, imparare l’inglese, ingilizce öğren,英語を習う, تعلم الإنجليزية

#563 | The Curious Origins of The Nobel Prize

In part one of a three-part mini-series on the theme of citizenship and identity, we'll ask ourselves, "What makes someone Italian?"
 

We'll explore the topic of citizenship and identity in Italy, and see what the current laws tell us about what it means to be (or not to be) Italian.
 

 • Definitions of jus soli and jus sanguinis 

 • Italy's citizenship rules and marriage eligibility 

 • Referendum on easing Italy's citizenship rules 

 • Italy's low birth rate and demographic challenges 

 • Immigration's influence on Italy's citizenship debates 

 • Opposition arguments against easing citizenship rules 

 • Result of Italy’s citizenship referendum 

 • Comparison with Germany and France's citizenship laws 

 • Discussion on Italian citizenship by ancestry 

 • Debate on the meaning of citizenship in Italy

Full interactive transcript, subtitles and key vocabulary available on the website: https://www.leonardoenglish.com/podcasts/italian-identity

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Keywords: Learn English, vocabulary, lessons, idioms, aprende inglés, idiomas, aprender inglês, apprendre l'anglais, imparare l’inglese, ingilizce öğren,英語を習う, تعلم الإنجليزية

#560 | What Makes An Italian?

Hannibal of Carthage, one of history's greatest military strategists, almost brought the Roman Republic to its knees. 
 

As a boy, he swore eternal enmity against Rome, leading him to cross the Alps with his diverse army and elephants, stunning the Romans. 
 

Despite his victories, he never managed to capture Rome, but his legacy of brilliance and determination remains.
 

 • Hannibal's vow to hate Rome forever 

 • Hannibal's upbringing and education in military tactics 

 • The First Punic War and Carthage's defeat 

 • Hannibal's march across the Alps into Italy 

 • Hannibal's diverse and strategic army composition 

 • Key victories at the Trebia, Lake Trasimene, and Cannae 

 • Rome's Fabian Strategy to counter Hannibal 

 • Hannibal's defeat at the Battle of Zama 

 • Hannibal's later life and exile 

 • Hannibal's enduring legacy and impact on military strategy

Full interactive transcript, subtitles and key vocabulary available on the website: https://www.leonardoenglish.com/podcasts/hannibal

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Keywords: Learn English, vocabulary, lessons, idioms, aprende inglés, idiomas, aprender inglês, apprendre l'anglais, imparare l’inglese, ingilizce öğren,英語を習う, تعلم الإنجليزية

#558 | General Hannibal | Rome’s Greatest Enemy

Meet Mobutu Sese Seko, the man who rose from a lowly army officer to become the autocratic ruler of the Democratic Republic of the Congo. 
 

Wearing his signature leopard-skin hat, Mobutu rebranded the country as Zaire and himself as a symbol of African pride. 
 

Despite his charismatic persona and lavish lifestyle, his regime left the country impoverished, highlighting the dangers of unchecked power and corruption.
 

 • Mobutu Sese Seko's rise to power in Congo 

 • Congo's harsh colonial history under Belgian rule 

 • Mobutu's involvement in Patrice Lumumba's downfall 

 • Mobutu's 1965 coup and 32-year rule 

 • Renaming Congo to Zaire and introducing the Authenticité movement 

 • Mobutu's repressive regime and personality cult 

 • Corruption and Mobutu's embezzlement of state funds 

 • Economic decline and dependency on foreign aid 

 • Mobutu's fall from power and death in exile 

 • Mobutu's enduring legacy in modern-day DRC

Full interactive transcript, subtitles and key vocabulary available on the website: https://www.leonardoenglish.com/podcasts/mobutu-sese-seko

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Keywords: Learn English, vocabulary, lessons, idioms, aprende inglés, idiomas, aprender inglês, apprendre l'anglais, imparare l’inglese, ingilizce öğren,英語を習う, تعلم الإنجليزية

#555 | Mobutu Sese Seko | The King of the Kleptocrats

In this episode, we'll explore the complex world of minimum wage laws, from their surprising origins in Australia and New Zealand to modern debates around their effectiveness. 
 

Do they protect the lowest-paid workers, or do they do more damage than good?
 

 • History of the minimum wage globally 

 • Early minimum wage laws in Australia and New Zealand 

 • Introduction of minimum wage in the UK and the US 

 • Arguments for and against minimum wage 

 • Impact of the minimum wage on businesses 

 • Regional variations in minimum wage 

 • Alternatives to the minimum wage 

 • Minimum wage and wage growth in the UK 

 • Comparison of minimum wage with skilled jobs 

 • Political perspectives on the minimum wage

Full interactive transcript, subtitles and key vocabulary available on the website: https://www.leonardoenglish.com/podcasts/minimum-wage

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Keywords: Learn English, vocabulary, lessons, idioms, aprende inglés, idiomas, aprender inglês, apprendre l'anglais, imparare l’inglese, ingilizce öğren,英語を習う, تعلم الإنجليزية

#553 | A Short History Of The Minimum Wage

In 2011, Egypt erupted in protest, toppling a 30-year regime.

What began as a grassroots movement against an autocratic leader turned into a complex struggle for democracy and power.

In this episode, we'll travel through the events that led from the hopeful dawn of revolution to the military's return to power, and see how social media and global events played pivotal roles in shaping modern Egypt.

 • Egypt's conditions ripe for revolution in 2011 
 • Hosni Mubarak's rule and use of emergency laws 
 • Impact of Tunisian Revolution on Egypt 
 • Rise of protests on Egyptian Police Day 2011 
 • Role of social media in Egyptian protests 
 • Mubarak's resignation and military's interim government 
 • Muslim Brotherhood's rise and Morsi's presidency 
 • Morsi's overreach and public dissatisfaction 
 • Army's intervention and Sisi's rise to power 
 • Repression and return to authoritarian rule under Sisi

 Full interactive transcript, subtitles and key vocabulary available on the website: https://www.leonardoenglish.com/podcasts/egyptian-revolution

---

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Keywords: Learn English, vocabulary, lessons, idioms, aprende inglés, idiomas, aprender inglês, apprendre l'anglais, imparare l’inglese, ingilizce öğren,英語を習う, تعلم الإنجليزية

#550 | The Egyptian Revolution

In this episode, we'll explore the eerie events of the Salem Witch Trials, a chilling tale of suspicion, fear, and injustice in 17th-century Massachusetts. 

Discover how a village turned against itself, leading to the execution of innocent people amidst accusations of witchcraft, and consider the theories behind what really happened. 

 • The harsh winter of 1692 in Massachusetts 
 • Puritans' fear of the devil and witchcraft 
 • Witch accusations in Salem Village 
 • Tituba's confession and impact 
 • Spectral evidence in Salem court trials 
 • Tragic outcomes of the witch trials 
 • Ergot fungus and mass hysteria theories 
 • Social tensions and personal vendettas in Salem 
 • Aftermath and attempts to right wrongs 
 • Exoneration of Elizabeth Johnson Jr. in 2022

 Full interactive transcript, subtitles and key vocabulary available on the website: https://www.leonardoenglish.com/podcasts/salem-witch-trials

Episode about The History of Witches: https://www.leonardoenglish.com/podcasts/witches
"Weird history" episodes: https://www.leonardoenglish.com/podcast-tags/weird-history
"Horror" episodes: https://www.leonardoenglish.com/podcast-tags/horror

W

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Keywords: Learn English, vocabulary, lessons, idioms, aprende inglés, idiomas, aprender inglês, apprendre l'anglais, imparare l’inglese, ingilizce öğren,英語を習う, تعلم الإنجليزية

#548 | The Salem Witch Trials

In part one of this three-part mini-series, we'll explore the captivating life of T.E. Lawrence, the British archaeologist and army officer known as "Lawrence of Arabia." 

Discover how he fought alongside Arabian tribesmen during World War I in their quest for independence, all while knowing an uncomfortable secret. 

 • The early life and interests of T.E. Lawrence 
 • Lawrence's work as an archaeologist in the Middle East 
 • The Ottoman Empire and World War I context 
 • Lawrence's role with Arab forces against Ottomans 
 • The strategy of guerrilla warfare and victory at Aqaba 
 • Lawrence's experience and trauma in Deraa 
 • The broken promises of the Sykes-Picot Agreement 
 • Lawrence's return to Britain and later life 
 • The lasting impact of Lawrence on the Middle East 
 • Varied perceptions of T.E. Lawrence's legacy

 Full interactive transcript, subtitles and key vocabulary available on the website: https://www.leonardoenglish.com/podcasts/lawrence-arabia

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Keywords: Learn English, vocabulary, lessons, idioms, aprende inglés, idiomas, aprender inglês, apprendre l'anglais, imparare l’inglese, ingilizce öğren,英語を習う, تعلم الإنجليزية

#545 | The Life of Lawrence of Arabia

In this episode, we'll explore the fascinating history of perfume, tracing its journey from Ancient Mesopotamia to its artistic development in France. 
 

We'll learn how scents have evolved from practical uses to luxury items, and discover the intriguing world of “grands nez,” the master perfumers who dedicate their lives to crafting these aromatic masterpieces.
 

 • Perfume origins: from Mesopotamia to Middle Eastern innovation 

 • Ancient perfume use: religious rituals and practical odour cover 

 • Egypt: Perfume as a status symbol in hot climates

 • Cleopatra and the power of scent 

 • Roman perfume indulgence and imported fragrances 

 • French perfume evolution: From leather gloves to luxury 

 • Grasse: The perfume capital of the world 

 • Why perfume is expensive: ingredients and branding 

 • Becoming a "grand nez": the perfumer's journey 

 • Perfume's artistic and historical significance across cultures

Full interactive transcript, subtitles and key vocabulary available on the website: https://www.leonardoenglish.com/podcasts/perfume

---

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Keywords: Learn English, vocabulary, lessons, idioms, aprende inglés, idiomas, aprender inglês, apprendre l'anglais, imparare l’inglese, ingilizce öğren,英語を習う, تعلم الإنجليزية

#543 | From Temples to Duty-Free | The Ancient History of Modern Perfume

In this episode, we'll explore the life of Mustafa Kemal Atatürk, the founder of modern Turkey. 
 

Discover how he turned a fragmented resistance into a national movement, established a secular republic from imperial ruins, and why he’s still called "The Father of the Turks."
 

 • Mustafa Kemal Atatürk's famous 36-hour speech, Nutuk

 • Decline and Fall of the Ottoman Empire

 • Reasons for the Ottoman Empire's decline

 • The Ottoman Empire's defeat in World War I

 • Mustafa Kemal's rise as a military leader

 • Turkish War of Independence overview

 • Establishment of the Republic of Turkey

 • Atatürk's radical reforms and modernisation

 • Introduction of secularism and language reform

 • Legacy of Mustafa Kemal Atatürk

Full interactive transcript, subtitles and key vocabulary available on the website: https://www.leonardoenglish.com/podcasts/mustafa-kemal-ataturk

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Keywords: Learn English, vocabulary, lessons, idioms, aprende inglés, idiomas, aprender inglês, apprendre l'anglais, imparare l’inglese, ingilizce öğren,英語を習う, تعلم الإنجليزية

#540 | Mustafa Kemal Atatürk | The Father of Modern Turkey

In this episode, we'll explore the fascinating history of mercenaries, taking you from the era of Italian condottieri to the modern day with groups like Blackwater and Wagner. 
 

You'll learn how these soldiers for hire have evolved, the reasons nations use or avoid them, and their impact on 21st-century warfare.
 

 • What are mercenaries? Definition and historical context.

 • Origins and role of freelance knights in Medieval Europe.

 • Renaissance Italy: The rise of the condottieri.

 • Impact and decline of the condottieri.

 • Blackwater: A modern private military company.

 • Private Military Contractors and international law issues.

 • The Wagner Group and its ties to Russia.

 • Wagner's global influence and alleged war crimes.

 • Mercenaries in business and war: Ethical dilemmas.

 • Future of warfare with mercenary involvement.

Full interactive transcript, subtitles and key vocabulary available on the website: https://www.leonardoenglish.com/podcasts/mercenaries

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Keywords: Learn English, vocabulary, lessons, idioms, aprende inglés, idiomas, aprender inglês, apprendre l'anglais, imparare l’inglese, ingilizce öğren,英語を習う, تعلم الإنجليزية

#536 | A Brief History of Mercenaries

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