
Get natural English for more connection in this second part of our series
Loading summary
Lindsay McMahon
This is an All Ears English podcast. Episode 2440 Ups and Downs in English, Part 2 How to Bounce Back.
Michelle Kaplan
Welcome to the All Ears English Podcast, downloaded more than 200 million times. Are you feeling stuck with your English? We'll show you how to become fearless and fluent by focusing on connection, not perfection, with your American hosts. Listen, Lindsay McMahon, the English adventurer, and Michelle Kaplan, the New York radio girl, coming to you from Colorado and New York City, usa. And to get your transcripts delivered by email every week, go to allearsenglish.com subscribe.
Podcast Announcer
Everyone has moments in life that are hard, but then we bounce back. Today, find out how to talk about making your rebound and how to encourage others at this key moment in English. I have a question for you. Does knowing your English level like B1 or B2 matter? The answer, my friends, is yes. You need to know where you are to get to where you're going. So take our free 10 question quiz and find out your English level immediately. Immediately. With tips on getting to the next level, go to allearsenglish.com fluency score. Now that's fluency score. One word. Allearsenglish.com fluency Score.
Michelle Kaplan
Hey Michelle, how are you?
Lindsay McMahon
Good. Lindsay, how are you?
Michelle Kaplan
Excellent. Michelle, do you bounce back when something discouraging happens to you? Do you tend to do that?
Lindsay McMahon
I think I've gotten a lot better at doing that. I think I used to let things rattle me a little bit more. I'm much better at letting things go than I used to be. I don't know if it comes with age. I don't know.
Michelle Kaplan
That's good. Yeah, I think for sure. It definitely. It depends on how much I'm meditating in that given month or week.
Lindsay McMahon
Right.
Michelle Kaplan
Meditation creates space in my mind for sure. But. But yeah, I try to let things kind of like just roll off my back and kind of bounce back quickly. Now today is a part two in a two part series. Michelle, isn't that right?
Lindsay McMahon
Yes. We did the first episode over on the Business English podcast. So towards the end of the episode we will give you that number so that you know how to find that episode. But speaking of bouncing back, Lindsay, when you are, when you want to have good comfortable shoes and maybe you want to have them to be bouncing up and down, maybe you're taking a jog, whatever it is. So on the All Ears English podcast, on our podcast, episode 2411, we did a poll. So that episode was how to describe someone's lovable quirks in English. But we were talking about sneakers. And so what was the poll question, Lindsay?
Michelle Kaplan
Yes, and by the way, you have to be listening in Spotify to participate in these polls. So we recommend you go over there, follow the show, listen in Spotify so you can actually chime in on these polls. The question was, what is your favorite sneaker brand? We were just curious what our listeners are wearing. And Michelle, drum roll. What were the answers? Who took the cake? Who took the cake?
Lindsay McMahon
Nike takes the cake. That's my favorite. So 32% of you said Nike is your favorite. But close behind was Adidas with 28. And then we have New Balance and then Con. No, sorry. New Balance had 23, and then Converse had 15.
Michelle Kaplan
So, yeah, yeah, I remember New Balance at some point became cool. I feel like when I was a kid, it was. And it was new. It wasn't that cool. And then at some point it became cool. I don't know when that happened, but it did it.
Lindsay McMahon
I know that. Well, that's what happened with Birkenstocks. I was always wearing Birkenstocks, and everybody would kind of joke around about me and my Birkenstocks, but now they're cool. And then also. Yeah, also Reebok, we didn't have that on here, but I feel like that's another one that became super cool. Yeah.
Michelle Kaplan
Something about sneakers that we've talked about sneaker heads on the show before.
Lindsay McMahon
Heads.
Michelle Kaplan
We'll come back to another day, but thanks for participating in the poll, guys. Make sure you are always voting in these polls to make your voice heard.
Lindsay McMahon
Right? That's right. So, so good. Yeah. On that other episode on the business English podcast, we talked about hitting rock bottom. So we. We spoke about that feeling. What does that mean? And so today we're going to talk about kind of the other end of this. Right. So returning to the norm or going above what was happening. So we're talking about what happens after rock bottom. So maybe something a little traumatic happened to you, you're feeling happens next. Lindsay, I love that.
Michelle Kaplan
I love that. And Michelle, why does this matter for connection? I think this is really a conversation starter. It's a conversation deepener. What do you think?
Lindsay McMahon
Yes. Oh, my gosh. This is such a good way to share inspiring stories, right? Share a hardship that you went through because people can identify with these experiences and build a deeper connection. They can feel closer to you when you show that you've had a time, too, where maybe you were vulnerable, something wasn't going right in your life. There's just so many reasons why this can help you connect with people. Yeah.
Michelle Kaplan
And I think a lot of our listeners are looking for that. You know, how do you share just enough to open up to. To a person, but not too much that you're over sharing. And we're going to give you the language functions to. To do this to describe a moment that maybe you bounced back from a hard time. Right. It's really deep in our cultural narrative, this idea of having a big challenge, struggling and then overcoming it. And it probably is in many different cultures.
Lindsay McMahon
Right.
Michelle Kaplan
So we're very inspired by these stories. Think about our movies, Michelle.
Lindsay McMahon
So many movies. Yeah. It's all resilience and bouncing back and all of these different things. So let's get started on this. So we've been throwing out this one already. A lot of times on the episode bounce back. So. Okay, so what does that mean, Lindsay?
Michelle Kaplan
Well, just think of a ball. So a ball hits the floor and then it comes back up. But a lot of times we might use this to talk about. Oh, new mothers. It can't be easy to be a new mom.
Lindsay McMahon
Right.
Michelle Kaplan
Physically in terms of your body and also mentally and emotionally.
Lindsay McMahon
Right? Yeah, yeah.
Michelle Kaplan
You know about that, Michelle. I'm sure. More than I do.
Lindsay McMahon
Well, it's hard to bounce back, but yeah, you could say I was really out of it for the first few months because of sleep deprivation, but I bounced back after she started sleeping through the night. Yes.
Michelle Kaplan
I love that a lot of parents talk about sleep deprivation, which seems a little scary to me, but yeah, yeah, it's pretty scary. So. So this would be a conversation, a connector. I know a lot of our listeners might be new moms, new dads, talking about their experience. Coming back from the hardest point is a really rich topic.
Lindsay McMahon
Yeah, definitely, definitely. Or this makes me think of basketball rebound. Right.
Michelle Kaplan
So yeah, tell us about that one.
Lindsay McMahon
Well, yeah, when you're back, when you rebound, it's usually, you know, somebody missed the shot and so you rebound it. So something, you know, it somebody it didn't go through and. But if you got the rebound, then you get the chance to have the ball. So it's the same idea. Right. You're picking up after kind of a bad situation. You are picking it up and you're just going to keep going. So that's that what the idea is. So he was so upset when he failed his test, but he completely rebounded on the next one. So how did he do on the next one, Lindsay? Better or worse?
Michelle Kaplan
Did better. Yeah, he did better. And that's kind of how life is. It's not a direct Linear path to success. Right. Sometimes it's. We have a big success earlier in our career and then maybe we fail and that. Like, I'm thinking of a singer releasing an album. Maybe their first album was amazing and their second one was a little. The. The reception was lukewarm.
Lindsay McMahon
Right. Yeah. They call. I think they call that the sophomore slump. That happens a lot.
Michelle Kaplan
Oh, that's a great expression.
Lindsay McMahon
The sophomore slump.
Michelle Kaplan
I love it. Yeah, they rebound. They come back with their third album and they're so much better. They're back to their. What they were in the beginning.
Lindsay McMahon
Right. Or sometimes you see it with celebrities who have had some sort of controversy in their life and they disappear for a while. Maybe they were, as we say, canceled. And then all of a sudden you start to see them again and you're realizing they're bouncing back. Like, for example, I think of Will Smith, like, remember he hit Chris Rock in the face?
Michelle Kaplan
Oh, was that Will Smith? Okay, yeah, I remember that.
Lindsay McMahon
And it seemed like more Will Smith. Right? It seemed like, oh, that's just it. And all of our memories of Will Smith and. Yeah, you know.
Michelle Kaplan
Yeah.
Lindsay McMahon
But now you're. We're starting to see him places again and it seems like, you know, I guess their PR teams can sometimes work wonders. Yeah.
Michelle Kaplan
That's probably why someone would hire a PR team at that point, Right? To do damage control.
Lindsay McMahon
Damage control.
Michelle Kaplan
That's a good expression on the timing of when to bounce back, when to rebound. It's all engineered and structured, Right?
Lindsay McMahon
Yeah. Yeah.
Michelle Kaplan
Interesting.
Lindsay McMahon
Yeah, Exactly. Yep.
Michelle Kaplan
Imagine this. You're in charge of hiring at your company and you just realized that your business needed to hire someone yesterday. How can you find amazing candidates fast? Easy. Just use Indeed. When it comes to hiring, Indeed is all you need. As a business owner with big dreams, I need to be able to assemble the best possible possible team. And with my busy to do list, I need to see qualified candidates applying for my job openings fast. That's why I love indeed. Stop struggling to get your job post seen on other job sites. Indeed's sponsor jobs helps you stand out and hire fast. With sponsored jobs. Your post jumps to the top of the page for your relevant candidates so you can reach the people you want faster. Join the 3.5 million employers worldwide that use Indeed to hire talent fast. There's no need to wait any longer. Speed up your hiring right now with Indeed and listeners of this show will get a 75 sponsored job credit. To get your jobs more visibility at indeed.comae just go to indeed.comAEED right now and support our show by saying that you heard about Indeed on this podcast. Indeed.com a, e e. Terms and conditions do apply. Hiring Indeed is all you need. Okay, Michelle, two more examples of what you might say when you come back from a hard point in your career. Maybe in your reputation. Reputation or just your lifestyle. Something happened.
Lindsay McMahon
Yeah. So I like this one. To get back on one's feet. So get back on your feet. So it's like you've fallen down and you're standing back up. Right. So a lot of this is just like a lot of imagery, right? Yeah, it really is. Yeah. Yeah. We're bouncing back. We're rebounding. Getting back on your feet. So it's that idea of dust yourself off and try again. Right. Like from. Yeah. If from the Ayah song. So. But yeah, it's often after a breakup or job loss. Right. Something shakes you when you have to stand back up. Yes.
Michelle Kaplan
I love it. So, for example, I know it seems rough now, but you'll get back on your feet in no time. And we could do a whole other episode. Guys, hit the follow button right now on the show. If you want to get an episode on this expression in no time. There. There are very colloquial ways that we might say something will happen quickly.
Lindsay McMahon
Right.
Michelle Kaplan
In the blink of an eye, in no time. Michelle, that'd be a great one to do, don't you think?
Lindsay McMahon
Yes, I like it. I'm gonna write it down. Okay. What's that? What's the last one?
Michelle Kaplan
Overcome something. So this one is a little more descriptive, more straightforward.
Lindsay McMahon
Yes.
Michelle Kaplan
I'm so proud of how our. How I overcame my fear of heights.
Lindsay McMahon
Yeah.
Michelle Kaplan
And sometimes people have these fears. They might use some psychological training, like cognitive behavioral therapy to train themselves away from certain reactions. Fears. Fear of snakes, fear of heights. Right. That kind of thing.
Lindsay McMahon
Lindsay, have you ever overcome a fear?
Michelle Kaplan
Yeah, I mean, let's see. I can't think of anything specific right now.
Lindsay McMahon
It's hard to think of it off the top of your head.
Michelle Kaplan
What about you?
Lindsay McMahon
Ah, yeah, I also.
Michelle Kaplan
Yeah, maybe, like when I was a new driver, maybe I was a little afraid of driving. I wouldn't say it was like a paranoia or a deep fear, but I was nervous. Maybe it was a healthy amount of nervousness.
Lindsay McMahon
Right. Okay, well, here's another question. Is there a fear that you have that you would like to overcome?
Michelle Kaplan
Oh, a fear that I have that I would like to overcome. Another tough one, Michelle.
Lindsay McMahon
I got mine.
Michelle Kaplan
Okay.
Lindsay McMahon
Mine is bugs.
Michelle Kaplan
Oh, you have a fear of bugs. What is spiders?
Lindsay McMahon
Or anything.
Michelle Kaplan
Okay.
Lindsay McMahon
It's. It's just that I am now, like, there was a big bug the other day, and normally I have Dan take care of whatever he needs to take care of with the bugs and I'm screaming and whatever, but the other day I was with my two kids.
Michelle Kaplan
Oh, it has to be you.
Lindsay McMahon
So I'm the big one and I'm supposed to be the one that's not the big kid.
Michelle Kaplan
Michelle.
Lindsay McMahon
Right. And I, like, this is not me. I'm. This is not an area of my life where I'm comfortable. I am freaked out. I'm such a baby about it. So my 3 year old is screaming and crying about the buggy and the buggy, and I just had to be the one to deal with it. I created. So it would be helpful if I could remove that fear. I'll just say that it would help my life.
Michelle Kaplan
So that you then could take action. Right. And just get rid of the bug.
Lindsay McMahon
Right. And not get so grossed out myself.
Michelle Kaplan
Like, yeah, you should not move to Colorado. We have this whole thing, we have this phenomenon in June where we get these moths that come into the house. They get into your house. They're everywhere. And I saw the first one yesterday, but they can. They get on your ceiling and you have to like throw a book at it and then it ruins your paint and all this stuff.
Lindsay McMahon
It's. It's a big. It's. Oh, no. Yeah, that's. Yeah. Oh, man. Anyway, but so guys, you can see how important this is for connection. I mean, these types of conversations, they're a lot of fun. They can inspire people, encourage people. And I mean, this is not just for the bugs, but it can help you talk about deep things that have happened in your life.
Michelle Kaplan
Yes. Michelle, let's go into our. One of our role plays here. So here we are, friends, and you are disappointed, discouraged, because you just got reprimanded at work. Oh, that's not good. That's not a good day.
Lindsay McMahon
Okay, so we're using rock bottom here as well because this is part two of the series, so. Okay, here we go. Oh, man, Lizzy, I just feel like I've hit rock bottom.
Michelle Kaplan
I know it feels that way. Michelle, Listen, I really think you'll bounce back after your vacation. It will refresh you. That's how it was for me last time I went away. I overcame what was bothering me and had a completely fresh start.
Lindsay McMahon
Yeah, that's true. Hopefully I'll get back on my feet after that.
Michelle Kaplan
I've seen you rebound in difficult parts of Your life before you got this.
Lindsay McMahon
Thank you. Thank you.
Michelle Kaplan
Yeah, and that's a connection skill, too. One direction our listeners might decide to take this is how to encourage your friends on how they could bounce back if they are at that rock bottom place, using this vocab to encourage them to bounce back to over.
Lindsay McMahon
Definitely. Yeah, it's true. That is a good thing where you can use this. So, yeah, I said, I've hit rock bot.
Michelle Kaplan
Love that you said, I've hit rock bottom. And then I said, oh, I know you'll bounce back after your vacation. And sometimes, Michelle, that's all it is. We just need a little break.
Lindsay McMahon
Right, right, right, exactly. And then you related to me. You said, that's how it was for me when last time I went away, I overcame what was bothering me and.
Michelle Kaplan
Relating to someone incredibly important as a. There are like three or four connection skills embedded in this episode.
Lindsay McMahon
That's true.
Michelle Kaplan
They're deeply embedded. So pay attention, listeners. Get the. Get these skills. And then you said, yeah, that's true. Hopefully I'll get back on my feet after that. And again, we're not talking about physically getting back on your feet.
Lindsay McMahon
Right.
Michelle Kaplan
We're talking about stabilizing things. Whatever it was that you lost, you want to get it back.
Lindsay McMahon
Exactly. And then you said, I've seen you rebound in difficult parts of your life before. You got this. So again, you're encouraging me. You're saying you've seen evidence of this in the past and you know I can do it because of that. Yes.
Michelle Kaplan
Now, Michelle, where is that part one of this series so our listeners can go back and get that foundation, you know, where it all starts as being at a low point, and then we can come back up, which is what we talked about today.
Lindsay McMahon
That's right, guys. So make sure you check out part one that was on the business English podcast. Remember that? So episode 434, and it's called ups and downs in English, part one. Have sales hit. Hit rock bottom. Yeah, definitely. Check that out. And then hit follow on the business English podcast as well.
Michelle Kaplan
Yeah, for sure. I mean, over there, we applied this concept to the business world. But you can take those expressions and use them in your personal life, and you can take these and use them in your business life. That's the cool thing about the fact that we are still human beings going into work. And if you don't know what the business English podcast is, then open your search bar right now. Type in Business English and hit follow. That is our other podcast.
Lindsay McMahon
All right. Yes. Excellent.
Michelle Kaplan
Michelle, what's the takeaway for connection today.
Lindsay McMahon
Oh, my gosh. Well, this is just such an opportunity for connection. I think these all really help. It can help not only share your situation some and inspire someone with your story, but also it can, you can use it to encourage people who are feeling a little bit shaky, a little bit uneasy, maybe they're at rock bottom. So really, like Lindsay said, there's a lot embedded in here and that role play in the whole episode about ways to really deepen that connection. And you should definitely give these a try.
Michelle Kaplan
Yeah, it's really amazing. I mean, it's impossible to go through an entire lifetime without having some kind of.
Lindsay McMahon
Yeah.
Michelle Kaplan
Challenge or struggle. I mean, it's normal.
Lindsay McMahon
Right?
Michelle Kaplan
And so when it happens, we need the language to connect, to relate, to share what happened to you. Encourage others to get out of it when they're ready.
Lindsay McMahon
All right. That's all right. I'm glad we talked about this. I'm feeling refreshed. I'm feeling ready to go. And guys, thank you so much for listening.
Michelle Kaplan
Great, Michelle, I'll see you back here very soon. You have a good day.
Lindsay McMahon
You too. Bye bye.
Michelle Kaplan
Thanks for listening to all ears. English. Would you like to know your English level? Take our two minute quiz. Go to allearsenglish.com forward/fluency score. And if you believe in connection, not perfection, then hit subscribe now to to make sure you don't miss anything. See you next time.
Commercial Announcer
Lowe's knows July 4th savings are worth celebrating right now. Get up to 40% off. Select major appliances and get an additional 10% off two or more select major appliances plus get three Scotts Naturescapes 1.5 cubic foot mulch bags for just $10. These deals are coming in hot. Lowe's we help you save valid through 7 9. Selection varies by location while supplies last. Seelows.com for more details. Excludes Alaska and Hawaii.
All Ears English Podcast: Episode 2440 - Ups and Downs in English Part 2: How to Bounce Back
In the 2440th episode of the All Ears English Podcast, hosts Lindsay McMahon and Michelle Kaplan delve deeper into the theme of resilience, exploring strategies and language tools to help listeners bounce back from setbacks. This episode, released on July 9, 2025, builds upon the first part of the series aired on their Business English podcast, providing valuable insights for intermediate to advanced English learners aiming to enhance their conversational skills and cultural understanding.
The episode opens with a reflective conversation between Lindsay and Michelle about their personal growth in handling discouragement. Lindsay shares at [01:58], “I think I've gotten a lot better at doing that. I think I used to let things rattle me a little bit more. I'm much better at letting things go than I used to be.” This sets the tone for the episode, emphasizing the importance of resilience and the ability to recover from challenges.
Michelle adds at [02:14], “Meditation creates space in my mind for sure. But yeah, I try to let things kind of like just roll off my back and kind of bounce back quickly.” The hosts highlight meditation as a tool for mental and emotional recovery, suggesting it as a practical method for listeners to incorporate into their routines.
Transitioning to a lighter topic, Lindsay and Michelle revisit a poll from a previous episode focused on sneaker preferences. At [03:43], Lindsay reveals the results: Nike leads with 32%, followed by Adidas (28%), New Balance (23%), and Converse (15%). The discussion reflects on how brands like New Balance and Reebok have evolved in popularity, drawing parallels with the resurgence of Birkenstocks—a favorite of Lindsay’s—highlighting societal trends and the cyclical nature of fashion.
Michelle comments at [04:35], “Something about sneakers that we've talked about sneaker heads on the show before. We'll come back to another day...” This brief segment not only engages listeners by acknowledging their participation but also reinforces the community aspect of the podcast.
The core of the episode focuses on expanding listeners' vocabulary and expressions related to overcoming setbacks. Lindsay introduces the concept at [05:25], “Today we're going to talk about kind of the other end of this. Right. So returning to the norm or going above what was happening...” This segues into a discussion on various expressions that convey resilience.
Key Expressions Covered:
Bounce Back ([06:21]):
Get Back on One’s Feet ([11:41]):
In No Time ([12:34]):
Overcome Something ([12:49]):
Lindsay mentions at [08:18], “He was so upset when he failed his test, but he completely rebounded on the next one. So how did he do on the next one,... better or worse? He did better.” This example illustrates non-linear progress towards success, introducing the term "sophomore slump" to describe a second-attempt challenge.
The hosts share personal stories to exemplify the discussed expressions. At [13:13], Lindsay recounts her initial nervousness about driving, saying, “Maybe it was a healthy amount of nervousness.” Michelle shares her experience, though she struggles to recall a specific fear to overcome.
Lindsay further opens up at [13:48], “Mine is bugs. It's just that I am now, like, there was a big bug the other day, and normally I have Dan take care of whatever he needs to take care of with the bugs and I'm screaming and whatever...” This vulnerability not only demonstrates personal growth but also serves as a relatable narrative for listeners who may share similar fears.
A standout segment features a role play designed to teach listeners how to support friends experiencing low points. At [15:21], Michelle sets the scene: “Here we are, friends, and you are disappointed, discouraged, because you just got reprimanded at work. Oh, that's not good. That's not a good day.”
The Role Play:
This interaction showcases how to use empathy and encouraging language to help someone regain their footing, reinforcing the episode's primary focus on connection through shared experiences.
The hosts remind listeners of the first part of the series, encouraging them to listen to Episode 434 of the Business English podcast titled "Ups and Downs in English, Part 1: Hitting Rock Bottom". Lindsay states at [17:39], “Check that out. And then hit follow on the business English podcast as well.” This call-to-action not only bridges the two parts of the series but also promotes their broader content offerings.
Wrapping up the episode, Lindsay emphasizes at [18:27], “This is just such an opportunity for connection. I think these all really help. It can help not only share your situation some and inspire someone with your story, but also it can, you can use it to encourage people who are feeling a little bit shaky...” The hosts reiterate the importance of having the right language tools to foster deeper connections, especially when discussing personal challenges and resilience.
Michelle concludes at [19:05], “And so when it happens, we need the language to connect, to relate, to share what happened to you. Encourage others to get out of it when they're ready.” This underscores the episode's central theme: using language not just for communication, but for meaningful, supportive interactions.
Episode 2440 of the All Ears English Podcast serves as a comprehensive guide for English learners seeking to improve their conversational skills around the theme of resilience. By blending personal anecdotes, practical language applications, and relatable discussions, Lindsay and Michelle provide listeners with both the vocabulary and the confidence to navigate and articulate their own ups and downs. Whether it's overcoming a fear, rebounding from a setback, or supporting a friend in need, this episode equips learners with the tools to connect authentically and empathetically.
Notable Quotes:
Lindsay at [01:58]: “I think I've gotten a lot better at doing that. I think I used to let things rattle me a little bit more. I'm much better at letting things go than I used to be.”
Michelle at [02:14]: “Meditation creates space in my mind for sure. But yeah, I try to let things kind of like just roll off my back and kind of bounce back quickly.”
Lindsay at [11:41]: “So get back on your feet. So it's like you've fallen down and you're standing back up. Right.”
Michelle at [15:54]: “I know you'll bounce back after your vacation. It will refresh you. That's how it was for me last time I went away.”
For more resources and episodes, visit All Ears English and subscribe to stay updated on the latest tips and lessons to enhance your American English proficiency.