All Ears English Podcast - Episode 2458: "Do You Have the Capacity to Start Using this Word?"

Hosts: Lindsay McMahon and Michelle Kaplan
Release Date: August 11, 2025
Audience: Intermediate to advanced English learners, professionals, university students, and ESL teachers

1. Introduction and Listener Engagement

The episode opens with Lindsay McMahon and Michelle Kaplan welcoming listeners and introducing the day's topic. They emphasize the podcast's focus on enriching English vocabulary and enhancing conversational skills through practical usage of everyday expressions.

• Lindsay McMahon [00:00]: “Do you have the capacity to start using this word?”

Michelle highlights the podcast's popularity, noting it has been downloaded over 200 million times, and invites listeners to engage via their YouTube channel for a more visual learning experience.

2. Listener’s Question: Understanding "Capacity"

The central theme of the episode revolves around a listener question submitted by Sophia from their YouTube channel.

• Sophia [03:13]: “I was watching TV and heard the phrase 'in any capacity.' It really caught my attention. Could you explain how to use the word capacity?”

Lindsay and Michelle express gratitude towards listeners for their engagement and reviews, acknowledging the global audience supporting the show.

3. Defining "Capacity" and "In Any Capacity"

Michelle Kaplan [04:29]: “In any capacity means in any way, in any form. And I'm sure we'll get into. It's a little confusing because capacity can mean something else. Literally.”

The hosts delve into the meaning of the phrase "in any capacity," clarifying that it often implies any possible way or form while distinguishing its more formal tone compared to casual expressions.

Lindsay McMahon [04:54]: “Does it sound more formal to you, Michelle, when we say this 'in any capacity'?”

Michelle Kaplan [04:58]: “I do. I agree with that. I think it just up-levels your speech a tiny bit.”

They discuss how using "in any capacity" can make speech sound more formal and elevate the conversation, making it suitable for professional or academic contexts but potentially creating distance in more personal interactions.

4. Practical Examples of Usage

The hosts provide several examples to illustrate the usage of "in any capacity," demonstrating its application in different contexts.

• Michelle Kaplan [05:50]: “She is unwilling to help me move in any capacity. I expected more from her.”

• Lindsay McMahon [06:07]: “I don't watch sports in any capacity. I would rather read.”

• Michelle Kaplan [06:16]: “He was not able to do any freelance work in any capacity due to his contract.”

These examples highlight how "in any capacity" can be used to express limitations or capabilities in various scenarios, from personal relationships to professional constraints.

5. Formality and Relationship Dynamics

The conversation shifts to the impact of using formal expressions on personal relationships and communication dynamics.

• Michelle Kaplan [06:28]: “If you know someone well, you may not use it. Because it kind of creates a little distance.”

They explore how formal language can inadvertently create emotional or social distance, making interactions feel more detached, especially in close-knit or informal settings.

Michelle shares a personal anecdote about a breakup message that used "in another capacity," illustrating how formal language can signal the end of a relationship.

• Michelle Kaplan [07:46]: “The person sent me a text message or an email to essentially say they didn't want to see me anymore by saying, maybe we'll know each other in the future in another capacity.”

This story underscores the emotional weight that word choice can carry, influencing the tone and outcome of interpersonal communications.

6. Different Meanings of "Capacity"

The hosts expand on the various meanings of "capacity," distinguishing between its use related to ability and its reference to physical space or limits.

Michelle Kaplan [10:00]: “Do you have the capacity to exercise on a Friday night after work?”

They discuss "capacity" in terms of mental and physical ability, as well as in the context of space limitations.

• Lindsay McMahon [10:00]: “I don't have the mental capacity to study anymore.”

• Michelle Kaplan [11:51]: “Sorry, we can't have any other people in yet. We are filled to capacity.”

These examples demonstrate how "capacity" can denote both personal limits and the maximum occupancy of a space.

7. Real-World Applications and Personal Experiences

Lindsay and Michelle share personal experiences to illustrate how "capacity" is used in everyday situations, such as attending events or dealing with crowded places.

• Michelle Kaplan [13:08]: “I went to the US Open and realized that the complex is really sketchy in the sense that there's not a lot of exits... sometimes I'll have a moment like that, and I'll think, oh, scary, right?”

These narratives help listeners understand the practical implications of the word and its emotional undertones in various contexts.

8. Role-Playing Scenario: Reviewing a Venue Proposal

To reinforce the lesson, Lindsay and Michelle engage in a role-play where they review a proposal for a party venue, utilizing the phrase "in any capacity."

• Lindsay McMahon [14:45]: “Not in any capacity. No. It is way higher than what they said.”

• Michelle Kaplan [15:03]: “Yeah. Planning an event, not easy, right? A venue. Finding a venue.”

This interactive segment allows listeners to see the phrase in action, highlighting its usage in evaluating the suitability of a venue based on capacity and cost.

9. Takeaways and Practical Tips

As the episode concludes, Lindsay and Michelle summarize the key points, encouraging listeners to incorporate "in any capacity" into their vocabulary to enhance their English proficiency.

• Michelle Kaplan [17:41]: “Takeaway for today is we've given you a new option. It's really nice to gather new options for ways to slightly up-level what you want to say.”

• Lindsay McMahon [18:12]: “We've given you a lot to think about today, and we hope that this helps you in some capacity today.”

They emphasize the importance of understanding the context and formality when choosing to use such expressions, ensuring effective and appropriate communication.

Key Quotes with Timestamps

• Michelle Kaplan [04:29]: “In any capacity means in any way, in any form.”
• Michelle Kaplan [05:58]: “It doesn't make you unreachable and up here on a pedestal academic. No, but it just elevates it a little bit.”
• Michelle Kaplan [07:46]: “Maybe we'll know each other in the future in another capacity.”
• Lindsay McMahon [10:00]: “I don't have the mental capacity to study anymore.”
• Michelle Kaplan [10:50]: “I have been actually going to Orange Theory on Fridays... to start the weekend feeling active.”
• Michelle Kaplan [13:08]: “I went to the US Open and saw Venus and Serena play each other... it’s not safe.”
• Lindsay McMahon [14:45]: “Not in any capacity. No. It is way higher than what they said.”
• Michelle Kaplan [17:41]: “Takeaway for today is we've given you a new option.”

Conclusion

In this episode, Lindsay McMahon and Michelle Kaplan effectively dissect the usage of the word "capacity," particularly within the phrase "in any capacity." Through definitions, examples, personal anecdotes, and role-playing, they provide a comprehensive understanding of the term's flexibility and the nuances of its formality. Listeners are encouraged to integrate this expression into their vocabulary thoughtfully, considering the context and the desired tone of their conversations.

Remember: Embrace connection over perfection as you practice and expand your English language skills!