All Ears English Podcast: Episode 2351 – Backstage with Lindsay and Michelle

In Episode 2351 of the All Ears English Podcast, hosts Lindsay McMahon and Michelle Kaplan pull back the curtain to offer listeners an intimate look at the creation process of their popular ESL (English as a Second Language) podcast. Released on February 4, 2025, this episode not only demystifies the behind-the-scenes efforts that make each episode possible but also provides practical advice on building meaningful connections through conversations about jobs and hobbies.

Listener's Inquiry: Sophia's Curiosity [02:21]

The episode kicks off with a heartfelt listener email from Sophia, who commends the podcast as her "first thing I listen to every morning" and praises its clarity and smoothness. Sophia's main query is centered around understanding the intricacies of producing the podcast. She writes:

"I was wondering if you'd be willing to share a bit about how you create the podcast, like how you choose topics, prepare and record. I'd love a peek behind the scenes of my favorite podcast."
— Sophia [02:36]

Choosing Engaging Topics [05:27]

Lindsay explains that the foundation of their content selection lies in listener questions, emphasizing the importance of audience interaction. She notes:

"The main way is it comes down to listener questions. That's why we're always asking you guys to send us listener questions into support@alleersenglish.com. We have a humongous document of questions, and obviously, we choose the best questions."
— Lindsay McMahon [05:27]

In addition to direct listener input, Michelle highlights how their live events, such as Open Conversation Club and Fluency Party, serve as fertile grounds for topic ideas. They also draw inspiration from their interactions within their community pages and current events covered by reputable sources like the New York Times and HuffPost.

Preparation and Content Development [10:13]

Once a topic is selected, Lindsay and Michelle delve into the preparation phase, which can vary based on the complexity of the subject. Michelle elaborates:

"Sometimes, if it's a real grammar question or a very specific vocabulary that we have to think about... we might need to do a little research."
— Michelle Kaplan [10:19]

A significant aspect of their preparation includes integrating role plays to reinforce learning. Lindsay shares:

"We try to add a role play to most episodes because we've heard from you all that you love those role plays. It's a really nice way to summarize the key words that we've learned in that episode and to move into our final thoughts."
— Lindsay McMahon [10:59]

Recording with Spontaneity and Edutainment [12:14]

The recording days are characterized by a blend of structured planning and spontaneous interaction, ensuring that each episode remains both educational and entertaining (edutainment). Michelle defines edutainment as:

"Education and entertainment. So we wouldn't want to come on here and just say, okay, we're going to talk about the difference. We're not going to make it... we're not going to make it fun for you."
— Michelle Kaplan [11:27]

Lindsay adds that their natural chemistry and unplanned moments, such as laughter or playful teasing, contribute to the authentic feel of the podcast:

"A lot of spontaneity in here, partly because we have fun doing it and partly because we want you to... Connection is not planned."
— Lindsay McMahon [12:14]

Building Connections: Conversation Strategies [14:33]

Transitioning from production insights, Lindsay and Michelle pivot to providing listeners with practical strategies for fostering connections through conversations about someone's job or hobby. They introduce useful expressions such as "day to day" and "what goes into...", which help in eliciting detailed responses about daily routines and processes.

For example, Michelle suggests:

"You could say, how much time do you spend on cleaning the place? Or, you could mix these up. How much time goes into..."
— Michelle Kaplan [15:40]

Similarly, Lindsay emphasizes the importance of understanding the behind-the-scenes efforts that contribute to observable success:

"There's no such thing as an overnight success... there's been years and years and years of work every day."
— Lindsay McMahon [18:37]

Role Play Demonstration [16:14]

To exemplify the conversational techniques discussed, Lindsay and Michelle engage in a role play, simulating a dialogue where Michelle inquires about Lindsay's new job. This practical demonstration showcases the application of the expressions and questions they've outlined:

• Michelle: "So what's your day to day like?"
• Lindsay: "Well, I go in every day and first look at the schedule and make sure I have everything prepared. [16:23]"

This segment underscores the natural flow of conversation and the effectiveness of open-ended questions in building connections.

Final Takeaways and Encouragement [19:02]

As the episode wraps up, Lindsay and Michelle reiterate key points:

• Be Curious: Show genuine interest in others' work and passions.
• Ask Questions: Use specific, open-ended questions to delve deeper.
• Enable Others to Share: Allow friends or acquaintances to "shine" by sharing their experiences.

They also encourage listeners to submit their questions for future episodes, fostering a collaborative and interactive community.

Conclusion

Episode 2351 of the All Ears English Podcast serves as both a behind-the-scenes tour and a practical guide for listeners aiming to enhance their conversational English skills. By transparently sharing their production process and offering actionable tips for meaningful interactions, Lindsay and Michelle reinforce the podcast's mission: "Connection NOT Perfection."

Listeners are invited to engage further by submitting their questions and exploring additional resources, such as their YouTube channel and All Ears English app, to continue their journey toward speaking American English like a native.

Notable Quotes:

• "Connection is not planned."
  — Lindsay McMahon [12:14]

• "Edutainment is educational and entertainment."
  — Michelle Kaplan [11:27]

• "The more times you speak and connect with native speakers, the less nervous you're going to be each time."
  — Lindsay McMahon [13:14]