All Ears English Podcast – Episode 2482 Summary

Title: Agreeable Ways to Agree in English
Date: September 22, 2025
Hosts: Lindsay McMahon & Michelle Kaplan

Episode Overview

This episode dives into agreeable and natural ways to express agreement and endorsement in American English. Lindsay and Michelle focus on phrases beyond the basic "I agree," highlighting expressions like "You weren't kidding," "You're not kidding," "You called it," and "True story." They discuss the nuances, intonation, and cultural connection that come with these phrases, and provide plenty of role play examples to illustrate their practical use.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. Why Learn New Ways to Agree?

• Expressing agreement naturally helps build connection and makes conversations more engaging.
• Phrases like "You weren't kidding" or "You called it" show that you listened to someone's recommendation or warning and are affirming their experience.
• Connection, not perfection: The goal is to communicate and connect, not just to say things “correctly.”

2. The Phrase "You Weren't Kidding"

• Meaning: Used to endorse or affirm someone’s opinion or recommendation after experiencing it yourself.
• Common Use Cases: When someone was right about a situation (a long line, a tough workout, great food, etc.).
• Intonation Matters: To sound authentic, speak with feeling—don’t say it flatly.
  • Michelle (03:21): “There’s got to be some feeling behind your words. For sure.”

Example Dialogues:

• [02:33]
  Lindsay: "I just tried to get a donut at the new dessert spot, and you weren't kidding. The lines are long. I had to leave."
• [04:06]
  Michelle: "You weren't kidding. This is the best pasta I've ever had."

3. Why These Expressions Build Connection

• Lindsay (04:43): “It’s really a nice connection moment to affirm that someone has expressed an opinion, then you experience that thing and you listen to what they had to say, and now you agree.”
• Revisiting and affirming someone’s advice or insight shows you value their input.

4. Variations: Present Tense & Other Agreeable Phrases

A. "You're Not Kidding"

• Used in real-time agreement (present tense).
• [08:45]
  Michelle: "You're not kidding. I just saw a whole bag of garbage sitting on someone's lawn."

B. "True Story"

• Trendy, casual way to agree—validates someone’s statement in a fun way.
• [09:30]
  Lindsay: "True story. I can never get in." (About sold-out class tickets.)

C. "You Weren’t/You’re Not Joking"

• Interchangeable with "kidding"; means the same.
• [10:03]
  Michelle: "You weren’t joking. That movie was incredible."

D. "You Called It"

• Acknowledges when someone predicted something accurately.
• [10:32]
  Lindsay: “You called it. They were all out of chocolate cake.”

Note on “I Told You So”

• Considered less polite or a bit annoying; usually better kept to yourself.
  • Michelle (11:07): “It’s tempting to say it, but it’s better to try not to say it.”

5. Role Play Demonstration of Agreeable Phrases

(Segment: 11:35 – 13:42)

• Lindsay and Michelle role play a conversation after Michelle returns from vacation, demonstrating all the expressions.

• Multiple phrases are naturally used in response to recommendations and observations:

  • “You weren’t kidding. The resort there is the best.”
  • “You called it. I loved the shopping area.”
  • “True story. I was stuffed after every meal.”
  • “You’re not kidding. I have to make reservations for next year...”
  • “You’re not joking. I booked two months ago.”

• Lindsay (13:02): “That one [‘true story’] is the least common, but it’s kind of the more creative one, I would say.”

6. Takeaway & Closing Thoughts

• Affirming someone’s tip strengthens your relationship and creates memorable, meaningful interactions.
• Lindsay (13:57): “It’s a really cool connection moment... to be able to go back to them and let them know that they were right. I think that really wires connection for us as human beings.”

Memorable Quotes & Moments

• Michelle (02:43): “The expression you might hear a lot is: you aren’t kidding.”
• Lindsay (04:43): “It’s really a nice connection moment to affirm that someone has expressed an opinion, then you experience that thing and... now you agree.”
• Michelle (11:07): "It's tempting to say [‘I told you so’], but it's better to try not to say it."
• Lindsay (13:57): “It’s a really cool connection moment... it truly is.”

Timestamps for Key Segments

• 02:13 – Introduction of "kidding" and "you weren't kidding"
• 04:43 – How these expressions build connection in conversation
• 08:13 – Differences between "you weren't kidding" (past) and "you're not kidding" (present)
• 09:20 – Introduction of alternative phrases: "true story," "you weren’t joking," "you called it"
• 11:35 – 13:42 – Extended role play using all the expressions
• 13:57 – Final takeaway about why these phrases matter for connection

Summary Table: Expressions to Use

| Expression | When to Use | Example | |-----------------------|------------------------------------------------|-----------------------------------------| | You weren't kidding | After an experience, affirming a warning or tip| "You weren't kidding—the lines were long!"| | You're not kidding | Real-time, present agreement | "You're not kidding—it's hard work!" | | True story | Trendy agreement, often after a shared complaint| "True story—I can never get in." | | You called it | When someone’s prediction comes true | "You called it—they were out of cake." | | You weren't joking | Alternative to "kidding," same usage | "You weren't joking—the movie was incredible!"|

Final Word

Practice using these authentic, connection-building phrases in your English conversations to sound more like a native speaker and to deepen your interactions. Remember, focusing on connection, not perfection makes your English both enjoyable and effective!