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In this episode, I'm joined by Mary Glazunova, an English teacher, coach and author from Kyiv, Ukraine. I met Mary at the beginning of 2021 in an online teacher training course on how to teach without coursebooks and we've been sharing lots of teaching ideas since then. In the episode, you'll hear us talk about:  How Mary learned English without ever living in an English-speaking country What made both of us fall in love with English How we like teaching English Mary's inspiring story of hope based on a picture she took in Canada, where she has recently moved because of the war in Ukraine The power of meditation At the beginning of the episode, I talk about the 'Storyworthy Book Program', an English storytelling course I'm offering in September (link below). I say there are 5 spots available. That was true at the time of recording but there are now ONLY 4 SPOTS LEFT, as another participant booked one. So...book yours today! Listen to the full episode because at the end of it I briefly focus on a very common idiom I used while chatting with Mary. Links The photo that inspired Mary's story (stolaroid.com/mary) My blog post about the day I realised I had to learn English (stolaroid.com/reason-improve-english) Mary’s book on Amazon: How to reduce your time preparing for online classes and prevent emotional burnout Get in touch with Mary on Instagram @mary_glazunova or Facebook @Maria Glazunova Idiom ‘living proof’ (www.ldoceonline.com/dictionary/living-proof) Storyworthy Book Program (stolaroid.com/storyworthy-book-program)  Get in touch with me. Don't be a stranger! I reply to everyone. Email me at fabio@stolaroid.com  Join my private email list (stolaroid.com/get-your-guide)

In this episode, you'll hear one of my own true stories from April 2022. It's a story inspired by a photo of my car. Head to my website if you'd like to see it (link below). At the beginning of the episode, you'll hear me talk about the 'Storyworthy Book Club', an online group program I'm opening again in September that will help you become a better storyteller, communicator and English speaker. At the end of the episode, you'll hear me briefly explain a phrasal verb I used in my story.  Episode Links The photo that inspired 'Girlfriend' (www.stolaroid.com/girlfriend) Info and registration for the 'Storyworthy Book Program' (stolaroid.com/storyworthy-book-program) The phrasal verb I used and explained (www.ldoceonline.com/dictionary/tell-off) Get in touch with me. Don't be a stranger! I reply to everyone. Email me at fabio@stolaroid.com I'm also on Instagram (fabio_stolaroid) and Facebook (Fabio Stolaroid).

In this episode, I'm joined by Cara Leopold from Leo Listening. Cara is an online English listening skills coach, and movie fan who helps adventurous expats and intrepid travellers harness their love of movies to understand authentic English, so they can connect with the cultures behind the films and other movie lovers around the world. Cara has an amazing community called 'Movie Club'. 'Movie Club' is a community for movie lovers who want to understand authentic spoken English and speak it too. You’ll find new confidence in your listening, speaking and pronunciation skills because you’ll use short, regular activities that work to help you improve. And you’ll have a native speaker (Cara) watching alongside you to offer a quick explanation…or a little feedback when you need it. She is a language learner herself as she's from Scotland but speaks fluent French, so you'll hear us talk about: understanding fast speech living abroad the importance of noticing language and active listening what's wrong with the way listening skills are taught watching movies in another language English accents and the sexiest English accent in the world She also shared her own story about a photo of a dinner with her colleagues she took in Turkey (link below) Given that this is mainly an episode about listening skills, at the end of it I decided to focus on a little pronunciation feature I'd noticed in Cara's speech: the glottal stop. This is a type of consonant sound that might make native speakers of English hard to understand. You'll find a link to a YouTube video below if you want to explore this in more detail. Episode Links Cara's photo (www.stolaroid.com/cara) Cara's website (leo-listening.com) Cara's Movie Club (leo-listening.com/movie-club) Cara's free guide on how to understand movies (leo-listening.com/understand-movies-in-english) The Ricky Gervais Show (Season 1, Episode 1) Lots of glottal stops there! (youtube.com/watch?v=aRhiEhz5EIM) The Kiwi accent is the sexiest in the world (article) (lonelyplanet.com/articles/sexiest-accent-suvey-kiwi-new-zealand) The glottal stop explained (YouTube video by Pronunciation with Emma) (youtube.com/watch?v=chcjHwWwVxQ) My podcast page on my website (stolaroid.com/stories) Get in touch with me, don't be a stranger! Download my free guide and join my private email list (stolaroid.com/get-your-guide) Email me at fabio@stolaroid.com - I reply to every email I'm also on Instagram (fabio_stolaroid) and Facebook (Fabio Stolaroid).

When I think of superpowers, I usually think of flight, invisibility, x-ray vision or supernatural speed, but in this episode I tell a personal story about a more simple one that could really change my life. This is a story from 2022 inspired by a photo of my dad. Head to my website if you'd like to see it (link below). At the end of the episode, I also talk about a grammatical structure I used in the story (get someone/something to do something). Episode Links The photo that inspired 'Laugh' (stolaroid.com/laugh) Get clarity, focus and motivation with Story Review (stolaroid.com/story-review) Join my private email list by downloading my free guide on how to use your own photos and stories to improve your English (stolaroid.com/get-your-guide) Get something/someone to do something (shorturl.at/sxTW3)  My podcast page on my website (stolaroid.com/stories) How to get in touch with me Email me at fabio@stolaroid.com - I reply to every email I'm also on Instagram (fabio_stolaroid) and Facebook (Fabio Stolaroid).

In this episode, I talk with Alessio Garavello, a professional Italian guitarist, singer, songwriter, vocal coach, sound engineer and music producer based in London. Alessio has been working as a session musician for over two decades and has performed live all across Europe with A New Tomorrow, his hard rock band. I first met Alessio in the UK in 2011. We worked together in a popular coffee chain shop and what immediately impressed me was his English pronunciation. He didn't sound Italian at all. I didn't think it was possible for an Italian to speak English without an Italian accent until I met him. Another remarkable thing about Alessio is his sunny temperament. Although we were working in a very stressful and nerve-racking environment, I never heard him complain about anything. Never. He was always cheerful, positive and full of energy. His approach to life is just beautiful. I'm sure you'll notice this when listening to him and I hope you'll find his stories inspiring. You'll hear him talk about: the music industry in London how he learned English his rock band singing and how he learned to sing his songs his feelings when he performs live a photo of one of his concerts in Kyiv (link below) You'll also hear three of his songs (Spotify listeners only): A New Tomorrow, A Million Stars and Leaving All Behind (links below). Episode Links A New Tomorrow band website (www.anewtomorrowband.com) Dirty Diana (Michael Jackson tribute) (www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZYQdX7bZKks) A New Tomorrow (www.youtube.com/watch?v=xEJcixIoZBc) A Million Stars (www.youtube.com/watch?v=sU3bXWOTEh8) Leaving All Behind (www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ul0s-5MCRbI) The photo that inspired Alessio's story (www.stolaroid.com/alessio) Alessio on Instagram @alessiogaravello A New Tomorrow band on Instagram @anewtomorrowuk How to get in touch with me Email me at fabio@stolaroid.com - I reply to every email I'm also on Instagram (fabio_stolaroid) and Facebook (Fabio Stolaroid). Join my private email list by downloading my free guide on how to use your own photos and stories to improve your English (stolaroid.com/get-your-guide)

In this episode, you'll hear a personal story that reveals an aspect of my personality which I believe is common in most people. Perhaps it's an aspect of your personality too. The story takes place in Fiji, a beautiful country in the South Pacific I visited in 2016, and it's inspired by a picture of a Fijian man I took while I was there. You can see this photo on my website (link below). At the end of the episode, you'll also hear me analyse a complex grammatical structure (third conditional) I used in the story. Below you'll find the links to a couple of videos from BBC Learning English if you'd like to investigate this language point further. Episode links The photo that inspired '69 Dollars' (stolaroid.com/69-dollars) My podcast page on my website (stolaroid.com/stories) Sign up for Stolaroid Room on Saturday 28th May (stolaroid.com/events) A 1-minute video from BBC Learning English about the third conditional (youtube.com/watch?v=YdCsmuBXahw) A 6-minute grammar explanation of the third conditional from BBC Learning English (youtube.com/watch?v=P4_kqBsj2sE) The traditional Fijian kava ceremony (royaldavuifiji.com/the-traditional-fijian-kava-ceremony) How to get in touch with me Email me at fabio@stolaroid.com I'm also on Instagram (fabio_stolaroid) and Facebook (Fabio Stolaroid). Join my private email list by downloading my free guide on how to use your own photos and stories to improve your English (stolaroid.com/get-your-guide) 

In this episode, you'll hear the second half of Vale's story. If you haven't listened to the first half, this episode might not make a lot of sense to you, so I'd suggest you listen to Episode 22 first and then come back to this one. In Part 2, Vale talks about how some people reacted to what she's been doing on Instagram and explains how she uses social media to help women in Iran discover their true potential. She also tells the story behind the photo that she had decided to bring to the show. It's fascinating.  At the end of the episode, you'll hear me talk about two very useful communication strategies that she used while she was speaking with me. These are speaking strategies that you too can use to maintain fluency in a conversation so...don't miss them!  Episode Links The photo that inspired Vale's story (stolaroid.com/vale2) Vale's Instagram @thevaastray (SHE HAS TEMPORARILY DEACTIVATED HER ACCOUNT) My podcast page on my website (stolaroid.com/stories) How to get in touch with me Email me at fabio@stolaroid.com - I reply to every email I'm also on Instagram (fabio_stolaroid) and Facebook (Fabio Stolaroid).

In this episode, you'll hear a true story about oppression, rebellion, freedom and discovery. You'll hear me speaking with Vale, a young Iranian woman who left her country because she was feeling oppressed there. She comes from a traditionalist Iranian family but discovered a world she'd never seen before when she saw some pictures in her English textbooks. She's now living in Italy and uses social media to help other Iranian women discover who they are and what it means to be a woman. This is truly one of the most inspiring stories someone has ever told me.  In this episode, you'll hear the first half of the conversation. You'll hear the second part in episode 23. Vale's story was inspired by a picture she took in Iran. You can see it on my website (link below). Episode Links The photo that inspired Vale's story (stolaroid.com/vale) Vale's Instagram @thevaastray (SHE HAS TEMPORARILY DEACTIVATED HER ACCOUNT) My podcast page on my website (stolaroid.com/stories) How to get in touch with me Email me at fabio@stolaroid.com - I reply to every email I'm also on Instagram (fabio_stolaroid) and Facebook (Fabio Stolaroid).

In this episode, I share a personal story from 2011, when I started working in a café in Central London. Living in the UK was my first experience abroad. I was 24 at the time, spoke little English and was very insecure. But writing this story gave me the chance to reflect on how much progress I've made, both as a person and as an English speaker and I hope this episode might inspire you to keep growing as well as stand up to those people who are not treating you the way they should. The story was inspired by a photo of the sign of the café I was working in (link below) Episode Links The photo that inspired 'Insult' (stolaroid.com/insult) My podcast page on my website (stolaroid.com/stories) Join my private email list by downloading my free guide on how to use your own photos and stories to improve your English (stolaroid.com/get-your-guide)  How to get in touch with me Email me at fabio@stolaroid.com - I reply to every email I'm also on Instagram (fabio_stolaroid) and Facebook (Fabio Stolaroid).

In this episode, I talk with the legendary Martin Johnston from Rock n' Roll English. We talk about learning languages as he's from the UK but speaks fluent Italian! We also speak about having kids because Martin shares his own true story inspired by a photo of his Italian wife holding up a very important piece of paper ;) Episode Links The photo that inspired Martin's story (stolaroid.com/martin) Martin's website (rocknrollenglish.com) Martin's ebook (rocknrollenglish.com/stories) My podcast page on my website (stolaroid.com/stories) How to get in touch with me Email me at fabio@stolaroid.com - I reply to every email I'm also on Instagram (fabio_stolaroid) and Facebook (Fabio Stolaroid). Join my private email list by downloading my free guide on how to use your own photos and stories to improve your English (stolaroid.com/get-your-guide) 

In this episode, I have a chat with Lara, the English teacher who founded enbooo.com. You'll hear talk about learning English, pronunciation and accent. Lara also shares her own true story about her first date with Marcos, her Spanish boyfriend. It's exactly like the title of the episode describes it: insane! Episode Links The photo that inspired Lara's story (stolaroid.com/lara) Lara's website (enbooo.com) My podcast page on my website (stolaroid.com/stories) My free guide on how to use your own photos and stories to improve your English (stolaroid.com/get-your-guide)  How to get in touch with me Email me at fabio@stolaroid.com - I reply to every email I'm also on Instagram (fabio_stolaroid) and Facebook (Fabio Stolaroid). Join my private email list by downloading my free guide on how to use your own photos and stories to improve your English (stolaroid.com/get-your-guide) 

In this episode, I tell my own true story about a time I told my partner, Aloha, that I was going to visit the Auschwitz concentration camp. This is a story inspired by a photo of us two on top of Mount Igen, an Indonesian Volcano (link below). Confusing, right? I know, but things will become clear as you listen, I promise! :)  Episode Links The photo that inspired 'Auschwitz' (stolaroid.com/auschwitz) My podcast page on my website (stolaroid.com/stories) Stolaroid Room (stolaroid.com/events) The Mount Ijen miners (ndotravelteam.com/blog/the-miners-of-kawah-ijen) How to get in touch with me Email me at fabio@stolaroid.com - I reply to every email I'm also on Instagram (fabio_stolaroid) and Facebook (Fabio Stolaroid). Join my private email list by downloading my free guide on how to use your own photos and stories to improve your English (stolaroid.com/get-your-guide)  

No stories today. Just an unplanned reflection on war and the current situation in Ukraine.  If you're an online language teacher, consider buying Maria Glazunova's book to help a Ukrainian teacher of English from Kyiv.  Episode Links Gino Strada's full speech (en.emergency.it/culture-of-peace/abolishing-war-is-urgently-needed) How to get in touch with me Email me at fabio@stolaroid.com - I reply to every email I'm also on Instagram (fabio_stolaroid) and Facebook (Fabio Stolaroid). Join my private email list by downloading my free guide on how to use your own photos and stories to improve your English (stolaroid.com/get-your-guide) 

In this episode, I talk with Zdenek, an amazing English teacher and podcaster from the Czech Republic who teaches English through football. Zdenek talks about how he learned English and shares his own true story about his first English lesson at a language school where he'd just been hired in the centre of London. His story is inspired by a photo of him in a changing room. You'll find it on my website (link below). Episode Links The photos that inspired Zdenek's story (stolaroid.com/zdenek) Zdenek's website (teacherzdenek.com) Zdenek's podcast (zdeneksenglishpodcast.podbean.com) Zdenek Instagram @teacherzdenek (instagram.com/teacherzdenek) Zdenek's YouTube Channel (youtube.com/c/TeacherZdenek) My podcast page on my website (stolaroid.com/stories) How to get in touch with me Email me at fabio@stolaroid.com - I reply to every email I'm also on Instagram (fabio_stolaroid) and Facebook (Fabio Stolaroid). Join my private email list by downloading my free guide on how to use your own photos and stories to improve your English (stolaroid.com/get-your-guide) 

In this episode, I tell my own true story about being an Italian abroad. This is a story that might make you think about your country and people, and it's inspired by a photo of a pizza I took in 2016.  Head to my website if you'd like to see it (link below).   Episode Links The photo that inspired 'Arrogant' (stolaroid.com/arrogant) My podcast page on my website (stolaroid.com/stories) Stolaroid Room (stolaroid.com/events) Michelle Daniel's Instagram (www.instagram.com/theheartofenglish.ca) The Heart of English Conversation Club (theheartofenglish.ca/conversation-club) How to get in touch with me Email me at fabio@stolaroid.com - I reply to every email I'm also on Instagram (fabio_stolaroid) and Facebook (Fabio Stolaroid). Join my private email list by downloading my free guide on how to use your own photos and stories to improve your English (stolaroid.com/get-your-guide) 

In this episode, I talk with my friend Rebecca, the owner of Inglês Express, a language school in Belo Horizonte, Brazil. Rebecca shared her own true story inspired by a picture of her US passport (link below). You'll also hear us talk about travel problems, tropical fruit, falling teeth and being robbed at gunpoint.  Episode Links The photos that inspired Rebecca's story (stolaroid.com/rebecca) Rebecca's language school in Brazil (inglesexpress.net) Stolaroid Room (stolaroid.com/events) My podcast page on my website (stolaroid.com/stories) How to get in touch with me Email me at fabio@stolaroid.com - I reply to every email I'm also on Instagram (fabio_stolaroid) and Facebook (Fabio Stolaroid). Join my private email list by downloading my free guide on how to use your own photos and stories to improve your English (stolaroid.com/get-your-guide) 

In this episode, I tell a true story about a time I went shopping with my girlfriend Aloha. It's a story I briefly told in Italian as a vocal message on Whatsapp to some of my friends. When they heard it, most of them replied, "You MUST tell this story on your podcast!". So, here it is. It's inspired by a photo of me that Aloha took in the shopping mall. Head to my website if you'd like to see it (link below).    Episode Links The photo that inspired 'Gift Card' (stolaroid.com/gift-card) My blog post 'How Your English Improves by Telling Stories' (stolaroid.com/improve-english-through-stories)  My language program (stolaroid.com/podcast-language-program)  Zdenek's English Podcast (www.podbean.com/pu/pbblog-cn4wb-1fe680) In Episode 399 Zdenek and I had a lovely chat that you can listen to here. (www.podbean.com/ew/pb-76348-115ac26)  My podcast page on my website (stolaroid.com/stories) How to get in touch with me Email me at fabio@stolaroid.com - I reply to every email I'm also on Instagram (fabio_stolaroid) and Facebook (Fabio Stolaroid). Join my private email list by downloading my free guide on how to use your own photos and stories to improve your English (stolaroid.com/get-your-guide) 

In this episode, I tell a true story about an aspect of the relationship I have with dad. We're very different but so similar at the same time. This is a story that might make you think about your dad or, why not, your mom. The photo that inspired this story is a picture of my dad's hands. Head to my website if you'd like to see it (link below). Episode Links The photo that inspired 'Hands' (stolaroid.com/hands) Would like to practise and improve your English by reflecting on meaningful moments of your life and telling your own personal stories? Check out my new language program here (the language program I talked about in this episode). Check out Stephen's website and podcast at englishwithstephen.com. It's awesome. He talks about how to learn and learning strategies, something that not all teachers do. And he's got over 20 years of experience as a teacher! Imagine how many students he's helped! My podcast page on my website (stolaroid.com/stories) How to get in touch with me Email me at fabio@stolaroid.com - I reply to every email I'm also on Instagram (fabio_stolaroid) and Facebook (Fabio Stolaroid). Join my private email list by downloading my free guide on how to use your own photos and stories to improve your English (stolaroid.com/get-your-guide) https://stolaroid.com/podcast-language-program/

In this episode, I tell a true story about a time I was bullied. I was a kid but I still remember what happened very well. I then discovered something about the bully that had humiliated me. This is a story that might make you think about a time you felt humiliated or, maybe, a time you humiliated someone! The photo that inspired this story is from 2001. Head to my website if you'd like to see it (link below)  Episode Links The photo that inspired 'Bully' (stolaroid.com/bully) My podcast page on my website (stolaroid.com/stories) How to get in touch with me Email me at fabio@stolaroid.com - I reply to every email I'm also on Instagram (fabio_stolaroid) and Facebook (Fabio Stolaroid). Join my private email list by downloading my free guide on how to use your own photos and stories to improve your English (stolaroid.com/get-your-guide)

I spent years of my life far from my family and friends. If you did this too, or if you live far from your dear ones, I think this story will very much resonate with you. If you didn't, this is still a story that might make you think about the place that you call home. What and where is home? Some people say that home is where your family is. Others say that the whole world is our home. Telling this story made me realise what home means for me and I hope it will help you find your own answers too. The story is inspired by a photo of an Australian sunset and one of an Italian sunset (link below). Episode links The photo that inspired this story (stolaroid.com/sunset) My podcast page on my website (stolaroid.com/stories) Join my private email list by downloading my free guide on how to use your own photos and stories to improve your English (stolaroid.com/get-your-guide) How to get in touch with me Email me at fabio@stolaroid.com I'm also on Instagram (fabio_stolaroid) and Facebook (Fabio Stolaroid).