Thinking in English – Details, episodes & analysis

In today’s episode, I am going to talk about a very interesting political topic: gerrymandering. Gerrymandering is when politicians create voting districts in a way that gives one political party an advantage over the others. This topic is incredibly relevant right now, and constantly in the news in the USA. This year, Texas and some other US states have decided to redraw their congressional maps. This is, of course, causing a lot of political tension and debate across the country. In this episode, I will explain what gerrymandering is, why it happens, whether it should be allowed, and then I will also look at some other unusual English political words and phrases! Conversation Club - ⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.patreon.com/thinkinginenglish⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ TRANSCRIPT - https://thinkinginenglish.blog/2025/09/22/354-what-is-gerrymandering-and-other-useful-political-terms-english-vocabulary-lesson/⁠ AD Free Episode - ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.patreon.com/thinkinginenglish⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Thinking in English Bonus Podcast -⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.patreon.com/collection/869866⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ YouTube Channel -⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.youtube.com/@thinkinginenglishpodcast⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠INSTAGRAM - thinkinginenglishpodcast (⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.instagram.com/thinkinginenglishpodcast/⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠) ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Borough by Blue Dot Sessions Contact ⁠⁠⁠⁠advertising@airwavemedia.com⁠⁠⁠⁠ to advertise on Thinking in English. Thinking in English is part of the ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Airwave Media podcast network.⁠⁠ Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Have you ever heard the word immersion? In language learning, immersion means surrounding yourself with English in your daily life. Instead of only studying from textbooks, you try to listen, read, speak, and think in English as much as possible. It’s a popular and powerful method to improve quickly and naturally. I first talked about language immersion on this podcast a few years ago. But since then, a lot has changed. Today, in 2025, there are many new tools like ChatGPT and other AI technologies that can help you create an immersive English environment, even from your home. That’s why I want to revisit this topic. In this episode, I’ll explain what immersion means today, share some updated tips, and show you how to use modern tools and techniques to make your English learning faster and more enjoyable! TRANSCRIPT - https://thinkinginenglish.blog/2025/07/21/345-how-to-immerse-yourself-in-english-in-2025/⁠⁠⁠ AD Free Episode - ⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.patreon.com/thinkinginenglish⁠⁠⁠⁠ Thinking in English Bonus Podcast -⁠⁠⁠⁠ https://www.patreon.com/collection/869866⁠⁠⁠ YouTube Channel -⁠⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.youtube.com/@thinkinginenglishpodcast⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠INSTAGRAM - thinkinginenglishpodcast (⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.instagram.com/thinkinginenglishpodcast/⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠) ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Borough by Blue Dot Sessions Contact advertising@airwavemedia.com to advertise on Thinking in English. Thinking in English is part of the ⁠⁠⁠⁠Airwave Media podcast network.⁠ Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

NEW AI Writing Tool - https://www.thinkinginenglish.io/ Become a Patron to Try Out the Tool - https://www.patreon.com/thinkinginenglish What is the best way to learn and remember English vocabulary? Let’s take a look at three of the most popular, researched, and established theories in today’s episode! TRANSCRIPT - https://thinkinginenglish.blog/2023/11/06/269-what-is-the-best-way-to-remember-english-vocabulary-english-vocabulary-lesson/ My Links ⁠⁠Patreon - https://www.patreon.com/thinkinginenglish⁠⁠ Thinking in English Bonus Podcast - https://www.patreon.com/collection/10513 ⁠⁠⁠ENGLISH CLASSES - https://thinkinginenglish.link/ ⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠NEW YOUTUBE Channel!!! - https://www.youtube.com/@thinkinginenglishpodcast ⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠INSTAGRAM - thinkinginenglishpodcast (https://www.instagram.com/thinkinginenglishpodcast/)  ⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠Blog - thinkinginenglish.blog⁠⁠⁠ ------  Vocabulary Lemma (noun) - A technical term for the base form or root of a word within a word family. Vocalize (verb) - To speak out loud or express verbally. Content (noun) - The subject matter or material contained in a piece of text or speech. Theory (noun) - A systematic and comprehensive explanation of a phenomenon Spaced repetition (noun) - A learning technique that involves reviewing and revisiting information at increasing intervals over time. Flashcards (noun) - Cards used for learning that contain questions or prompts on one side and answers or information on the other. Simplification (noun) - The act of making something simpler or easier to understand. --- Support this podcast: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/thinking-english/support Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

What is a zombie? You might be thinking of the flesh-eating, undead monsters common in Hollywood, but the origin of zombies is much more fascinating than the stories in film and TV. From the brutal slave plantations of Haiti to the development of voodoo legends and traditions, to the modern monsters of Hollywood, join us for a look at the history of zombies in this Halloween special episode! Transcript - https://thinkinginenglish.blog/2023/10/30/268-history-of-zombies-from-haiti-and-voodoo-to-the-night-of-the-living-dead-english-vocabulary-lesson/ ⁠Thinking in English Bonus Podcast - https://www.patreon.com/collection/10513⁠ ⁠Bonus Podcast on Spotify - https://open.spotify.com/show/6gSPOxNCijMq2hTJW8tyx4?si=009d68bd2f744fed⁠ History of Mummies - https://thinkinginenglish.blog/2023/10/27/the-history-of-mummies-bonus-episode/ My Links ⁠Patreon - https://www.patreon.com/thinkinginenglish⁠ ⁠⁠ENGLISH CLASSES - https://thinkinginenglish.link/ ⁠⁠ ⁠⁠NEW YOUTUBE Channel!!! - https://www.youtube.com/@thinkinginenglishpodcast ⁠⁠ ⁠⁠INSTAGRAM - thinkinginenglishpodcast (https://www.instagram.com/thinkinginenglishpodcast/)  ⁠⁠ ⁠⁠Blog - thinkinginenglish.blog⁠⁠ ------  Vocabulary List Practitioner (n): A person who regularly engages in a profession, skill, or belief system. Voodoo (n): A syncretic religion with African, indigenous Caribbean, and Catholic influences, often involving rituals, spirits, and magic. Reanimated (adj): Brought back to life or animated again after death or inactivity. Undead (n): Deceased, but still existing or animated in a supernatural or fictional way. Flesh-eating (adj): Relating to creatures or monsters that consume the flesh of living beings. Enslaved (adj): Forced to become a slave, often involving being owned and controlled by others. Plantation (n): A large estate or property where crops like sugar, cotton, or tobacco are cultivated, typically using slave labour. Under the control (phrase): Subject to the influence of someone or something else. --- Support this podcast: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/thinking-english/support Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

SEND7 Podcast - https://www.send7.org/⁠ ⁠Listen to SEND7 on Spotify - https://open.spotify.com/show/5o2ikpvomNa3bbe2CFcv06⁠ We now have access to so much information and news that it can be difficult to distinguish between real and fake, information and misinformation, and truth and lies. Let’s take a look at some strategies and methods to spot fake news in English and talk about why non-native speakers especially need to practice this skill! ⁠TRANSCRIPT - https://thinkinginenglish.blog/2023/10/23/267-how-to-spot-fake-news-and-misinformation-in-english-english-vocabulary-lesson/ ------ My Links Patreon - https://www.patreon.com/thinkinginenglish ⁠Thinking in English Bonus Podcast.... NOW ON SPOTIFY! - https://open.spotify.com/show/6gSPOxNCijMq2hTJW8tyx4?si=5b10f65bfcaf4971⁠ ⁠ENGLISH CLASSES - https://thinkinginenglish.link/ ⁠ ⁠NEW YOUTUBE Channel!!! - https://www.youtube.com/@thinkinginenglishpodcast ⁠ ⁠INSTAGRAM - thinkinginenglishpodcast (https://www.instagram.com/thinkinginenglishpodcast/)  ⁠ ⁠Blog - thinkinginenglish.blog⁠ ------  Vocabulary List Source (n): A person, place, or thing that provides information, news, or data. Bias (n): Prejudice in favour of or against one thing, person, or group. Reputable (adj): Having a good reputation due to trustworthiness, reliability, and high standards. Misleading (adj): Giving a wrong or inaccurate impression by not providing all the necessary information. Sensationalize (v): To present information in an exaggerated, dramatic, or emotionally charged way. Satirical (adj): Using humour, irony, or exaggeration to criticize or mock individuals, institutions, or issues. Headline (n): The title of a news article. Fact-Checking (n): The process of verifying the accuracy and truthfulness of something. --- Support this podcast: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/thinking-english/support Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

English Learning for Curious Minds - https://www.leonardoenglish.com/podcasts Listen to ELCM on Spotify - https://open.spotify.com/show/0Hqh7seQDFP0K41GMa40aL?si=fa08de5002df4cfa Are you too old to learn English? What is the best age to start learning? And why does it get more difficult for adults to learn a new language? Let's take a deeper look at these questions today. TRANSCRIPT - https://thinkinginenglish.blog/2023/10/16/266-are-you-too-old-to-learn-english-english-vocabulary-lesson/ ------ My Links Thinking in English Bonus Podcast.... NOW ON SPOTIFY! - https://open.spotify.com/show/6gSPOxNCijMq2hTJW8tyx4?si=5b10f65bfcaf4971 ENGLISH CLASSES - https://thinkinginenglish.link/  NEW YOUTUBE Channel!!! - https://www.youtube.com/@thinkinginenglishpodcast  INSTAGRAM - thinkinginenglishpodcast (https://www.instagram.com/thinkinginenglishpodcast/)   Blog - thinkinginenglish.blog ------  Vocabulary Native speakers: People who have spoken a particular language from birth or childhood and are considered fluent and natural in that language. Fluency: The ability to speak or write a language smoothly, accurately, and with ease. Intricacies: The complex and detailed parts or aspects of something. Neural plasticity: The brain's ability to adapt and reorganize its structure and function. Language immersion: The complete involvement in a language and culture for the purpose of learning. Multilingual: The ability to speak and understand multiple languages. Cognitive decline: The gradual loss of cognitive abilities, often associated with aging. --- Support this podcast: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/thinking-english/support Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Join Lingoda's Language Sprint Today - https://try.lingoda.com/ThinkingEnglishPod_Sprint Use code SPRINTTOM for an additional Discount! Tourism can be a great thing for cities, towns, villages, and destinations. But… is there such a thing as too many tourists? Yes! And let’s discuss overtourism, its consequences, and what we can do about it today! TRANSCRIPT - https://thinkinginenglish.blog/2023/10/09/265-what-is-overtourism-english-vocabulary-lesson/ ------ My Links Thinking in English Bonus Podcast.... NOW ON SPOTIFY! - https://open.spotify.com/show/6gSPOxNCijMq2hTJW8tyx4?si=5b10f65bfcaf4971 ENGLISH CLASSES - https://thinkinginenglish.link/  NEW YOUTUBE Channel!!! - https://www.youtube.com/@thinkinginenglishpodcast  INSTAGRAM - thinkinginenglishpodcast (https://www.instagram.com/thinkinginenglishpodcast/)   Blog - thinkinginenglish.blog ------  Vocabulary Overtourism (noun): The situation when a tourist destination experiences an excessive and unsustainable number of visitors. Infrastructure (noun): The basic physical and organizational structures and facilities needed for the operation of a society, such as transportation systems and utilities. Off-peak (adjective): Not at the busiest or most popular time. Promotion (noun): The action of encouraging or supporting the growth or popularity of something. Tourist trap (noun): A place that attracts tourists and charges high prices or offers low-quality goods or services. Respectful (adjective): Showing respect or polite behaviour towards others. Friction (noun): Conflict or tension between individuals or groups. --- Support this podcast: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/thinking-english/support Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Support me on Patreon - https://www.patreon.com/thinkinginenglish The UK has announced a ban on the American Bully XL dog breed after a spate of violent attacks. What is an American Bully XL? Why are they being banned? What is a dangerous dog? And is banning dangerous dogs the best approach to dealing with this problem? Let’s discuss all this today! TRANSCRIPT - https://thinkinginenglish.blog/2023/10/02/264-why-is-the-uk-banning-some-breeds-of-dog-the-dangerous-dog-debate-english-vocabulary-lesson/ ------ My Links Thinking in English Bonus Podcast.... NOW ON SPOTIFY! - https://open.spotify.com/show/6gSPOxNCijMq2hTJW8tyx4?si=5b10f65bfcaf4971 ENGLISH CLASSES - https://thinkinginenglish.link/  NEW YOUTUBE Channel!!! - https://www.youtube.com/@thinkinginenglishpodcast  INSTAGRAM - thinkinginenglishpodcast (https://www.instagram.com/thinkinginenglishpodcast/)   Blog - thinkinginenglish.blog ------  Vocabulary Ban (noun) - A formal prohibition or restriction. Breed (noun) - A group of animals or plants with common characteristics, often created through selective breeding. Cull (verb) - To selectively remove or eliminate animals from a population. Temperament (noun) - A person or animal's natural disposition or character. Imposing (adjective) - Having an impressive or commanding presence. Amnesty (noun) - An official pardon or forgiveness that allows individuals or groups to be exempt from penalties or legal consequences for past actions or offenses. Characteristics (noun) - Distinctive qualities, traits, or features that define or distinguish something or someone from others. Socialization (noun) - The process of learning and adapting to social norms and interactions. --- Support this podcast: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/thinking-english/support Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Support me on Patreon - https://www.patreon.com/thinkinginenglish Did you know that using, speaking in, and thinking in foreign and second languages can have real and significant affects on your thought processes and decision-making? In other words, thinking in English can make you more objective, better at making financial decisions, and help you remember things in detail. This is the Foreign Language Effect: let’s take the rest of this episode to discuss it in detail! TRANSCRIPT - https://thinkinginenglish.blog/2023/09/25/263-the-foreign-language-effect-how-thinking-in-english-can-improve-your-decision-making-and-memories-english-vocabulary-lesson/ ------ My Links Thinking in English Bonus Podcast.... NOW ON SPOTIFY! - https://open.spotify.com/show/6gSPOxNCijMq2hTJW8tyx4?si=5b10f65bfcaf4971 ENGLISH CLASSES - https://thinkinginenglish.link/  NEW YOUTUBE Channel!!! - https://www.youtube.com/@thinkinginenglishpodcast  INSTAGRAM - thinkinginenglishpodcast (https://www.instagram.com/thinkinginenglishpodcast/)   Blog - thinkinginenglish.blog ------  Vocabulary Egotistical (adj): self-centred or selfish; believing oneself to be superior to others. Rational (adj): Based on reason or logic rather than emotions. Thought process (n): The series of mental steps or cognitive activities that occur when one is thinking or reasoning. Perceptions (n): The way in which something is understood or interpreted by the mind. Moral (adj): A principle or belief concerning what is right or wrong; ethical. Bias (n): a tendency to see things from one perspective. Risk (n): The possibility of loss, harm, or danger False memory (n phrase): An inaccurate recollection of an event or experience that did not actually occur. --- Support this podcast: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/thinking-english/support Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

SEND7 Podcast - https://www.send7.org/ Listen to SEND7 on Spotify - https://open.spotify.com/show/5o2ikpvomNa3bbe2CFcv06 France has just banned school children from wearing abayas (a type of robe popular with Muslim women). Let’s discuss why France has banned any religious clothes or symbols from public schools and talk about France’s unique form of secularism! TRANSCRIPT - https://thinkinginenglish.blog/2023/09/18/262-why-is-france-banning-islamic-clothes-in-schools-english-vocabulary-lesson/ ------ My Links Thinking in English Bonus Podcast.... NOW ON SPOTIFY! - https://open.spotify.com/show/6gSPOxNCijMq2hTJW8tyx4?si=5b10f65bfcaf4971 ENGLISH CLASSES - https://thinkinginenglish.link/  NEW YOUTUBE Channel!!! - https://www.youtube.com/@thinkinginenglishpodcast  INSTAGRAM - thinkinginenglishpodcast (https://www.instagram.com/thinkinginenglishpodcast/)   Blog - thinkinginenglish.blog ------  Vocabulary Multiculturalism (n): The coexistence of diverse cultural, ethnic, and religious groups within a society. Secularism (n): The principle of separating religion from government and public institutions. Secular (adj): Related to things that are not religious or spiritual in nature, or not affiliated with any particular religion. To prohibit (v): To formally forbid or disallow something by law, rule, or authority. Policy (n): A set of principles, guidelines, or rules that dictate how decisions are made and actions are taken within an organization or government. Neutrality (n): The state of being impartial or not taking sides in a conflict, dispute, or issue. Conspicuous (adj): Easily noticeable or standing out due to being prominent, obvious, or striking. Citizenship (n): The status of being a member of a particular country and enjoying the rights and responsibilities that come with it. --- Support this podcast: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/thinking-english/support Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices