AEE 2541: Real, Raw English for Connection

Summary

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All Ears English Podcast

Episode 2541: Real, Raw English for Connection

Hosts: Lindsay McMahon & Michelle Kaplan
Date: January 1, 2026

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Episode Overview

In this engaging episode, Lindsay and Michelle explore the many uses of the word "raw" in American English, prompted by a question from listener Sophia. The conversation dives into how "raw" extends far beyond uncooked food, touching on human emotions, physical sensations, and more. The hosts share personal stories and relevant examples to help listeners understand and use "raw" naturally in real conversations. The tone throughout is warm, playful, and relatable, making this episode especially suitable for intermediate to advanced English learners aiming to connect more deeply—in English and in life.

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Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. "Raw" in the Context of Emotions

(Start: 01:40, Deep dive at 06:13)

• Michelle shares how watching the new movie "Wicked" left her emotions "really raw" and led to unexpected tears with her son.
• The hosts link "raw" emotions to moments of vulnerability—those times when feelings are so exposed they defy rational explanation.
  • Example from Michelle:
    “My emotions were like really raw and I cried at the end and wow.” (01:46)
  • Example sentence:
    “Sometimes it’s just so raw that you can’t talk about it.”
• Discusses how raw emotions can make timing tough when reaching out to someone, especially after difficult experiences like loss or conflict.
  • Lindsay:
    “Are you good at that, Michelle, having a sense of timing? Like, when you should actually talk to someone who might have ... like if someone’s just passed away, let’s say that’s the hardest example.” (06:59)

Notable Quote:

“Your emotions can get super raw when watching a movie. Very raw. And … you could watch a movie one day and be fine, and another day just be a disaster. Just, you know, like ugly crying.”
— Lindsay (03:24-03:39)

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2. "Raw" for Food: The Literal Sense

(Start: 07:52)

• "Raw" as uncooked food, especially meat and fish.
  • Michelle:
    “I cook mostly vegetarian at home because I don’t like handling raw meat. And that's actually true for me.” (07:54)
  • Expresses their personal discomfort with handling raw meat and the food safety concerns that come up.
• Discussing family preferences for sushi, especially regarding raw fish.
  • Example sentence:
    “My dad won’t eat raw fish, so order him something else.” (08:43)

Notable Dialogue:

Michelle: “No, this is actually true about my dad. ... They never really crossed over into sushi fan.” (08:56-09:11)
Lindsay: “I worry about the chicken with the salmonella ... you have to be really organized.” (08:32-08:34)

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3. "Raw" as Unchanged, Natural, or Unfiltered

(Start: 11:10)

• Using "raw" to describe something in its original, unprocessed state—like materials, data, or footage.
  • Example:
    “She sent me the raw footage from the wedding. So now we have to go through and do our edits.” (11:26)
  • Lindsay’s workflow example:
    “When I film a video and import it, I’ll label it ‘raw’ ... so I know it hasn’t been edited yet.” (11:29)
  • Common in phrases like "raw data," referring to information that hasn't been analyzed or formatted.

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4. "Raw" in a Physical or Bodily Sense

(Start: 12:36)

• Used to describe skin or body parts that are sore, abraded, or sensitive, often due to friction or harsh conditions.
  • Example:
    “Do you have chapstick? My lips are completely raw.” (12:57) “I got a burn on my thumb from the oven yesterday and it’s still raw.” (13:01)
  • Discussion expands to marathon runners using creams to prevent skin from becoming raw due to friction.
  • The hosts discuss how dry, cold weather can make lips and skin feel raw—especially notable for Lindsay in Denver.

Notable Exchange:

Lindsay: “Does your skin get very dry in the winter in Denver?”
Michelle: “Oh, Michelle, it’s terrible. It’s so dry here. You would never survive.” (13:43-13:48)

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5. Putting "Raw" Into Context: Roleplay Demonstration

(Start: 14:09)

• The hosts create a mini-dialogue using “raw” in its different senses:
  • Cooking: “Careful with that chicken. I think it’s still a little raw.” (14:16)
  • Emotions: “Did you talk to Ruth?” “No, not yet. I think the whole situation is still a little raw.” (14:18-14:20)
  • Unedited: “I saw the raw email you sent me of what happened. Yikes.” (14:26)
  • Physical: “Hold on, I need some chapstick. My lips are so raw this time of year.” (14:32)
• Note: Using “raw” several times in one conversation is just for learning purposes—it’s not typical in natural speech.

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Memorable Moments & Quotes

• On Unexpected Emotional Responses:
  “Sometimes I feel embarrassed because depending on who I’m watching with, you know, and I just sort of wish I was alone at times.”
  — Lindsay (02:44)

• On Emotional Timing and Support:
  “I think so. I tend to have a pretty good sense about that. Although it’s never easy to know what to say when someone has a close person pass away.”
  — Michelle (07:18)

• Language Insight:
  “It’s still so fresh would be like another word [for raw].”
  — Michelle (15:34)

• On Learning and Authentic Use:
  “Yeah, of course we use it [‘raw’] in a lot of different ways. And you should start using it, too, in all these different ways as much as possible.”
  — Lindsay (16:32)

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Practical Tips for Learners

• Listen for context when you hear “raw”—it can mean emotional vulnerability, uncooked food, unprocessed material, or physical discomfort.
• Don’t be afraid to experiment with using “raw” in conversation. Start with one or two meanings before trying all at once.
• Observe how emotions and literal physical states are often closely linked in English metaphors and expressions.

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Important Timestamps

• [01:40] – Personal story: crying during "Wicked" and the meaning of "raw" emotions
• [06:13] – “Raw” in emotions: discussion and examples
• [07:52] – “Raw” in food: handling and eating uncooked food
• [11:10] – “Raw” as natural/unchanged: footage, data, materials
• [12:36] – “Raw” in physical description: skin, lips, and bodily sensations
• [14:09] – Roleplay: using “raw” in various contexts

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Takeaway & Closing Thoughts

• "Raw" is an incredibly flexible word in English, commonly used in a range of contexts from emotions to food to data and even physical sensations.
• Being aware of and practicing these uses will help you sound more authentic and “connected” in English conversations.

Final Encouragement:

“Listen out for the context. Try one or two at a time and ... you got it.”
— Michelle (16:55)

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For deepening your vocabulary after each episode, Lindsay and Michelle recommend using the All Ears English app.

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Episode summary by All Ears English Podcast Summarizer, 2026

Transcript

[A]

This is an All Ears English podcast. Episode 2541 Real raw English for connection. 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, Lindsay McMahon, the English adventurer, and Michelle 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 forward/subscribe.

[B]

Did you know that there are more ways to use the word raw in English than just talking about uncooked fish? Today, get at least four ways we use it to talk about human emotions, physical states and more. Are you feeling stuck at your English level? Are you sure what your real English level is? If you take our free quiz, we'll tell you what level you're stuck at and how to reach your next English milestone. Go to allersenglish.com fluency score. Now that's fluency score.

[A]

One word.

[B]

Allearsenglish.com fluency score.

[A]

Hey Michelle, how are you today?

[B]

Good, Lindsay, how are you?

[A]

Good, Michelle. Have you seen the movie Wicked? I know there's a new one that just came out.

[B]

Yes, yes, Wicked. For good. I just saw it actually and I did not expect to get so emotional. My emotions were like really raw and I cried at the end and wow.

[A]

Yeah, yeah.

[B]

And then it was funny cuz my son was sitting behind me and I said, and I told him that I had been crying and he's like, oh yeah, I was crying during that part too. And I'm like, really?

[A]

What?

[B]

And, and he's seven. I'm like real. And, and then he's like, oh, but it's just because the, the light was shining too much in my eyes. So I'm like, what? I don't know what, what that was about, but yeah.

[A]

Good one. Okay, I'll have to.

[B]

It was very, it was very good. So I, I, but it's funny, you know, we've talked about this before, Lindsay. When you're watching a movie and, and it's almost you don't expect to cry.

[A]

You really don't.

[B]

And all of a sudden it just happens that you're like, why am I crying?

[A]

I know. Sometimes I feel embarrassed because depending on who I'm watching with, you know, and I just sort of wish I was alone at times. You don't start crying like that.

[B]

Yeah, well, you remember, I mean, I've told you the story about the Movie Dan ruined for me at the end when I started to cry. Do you remember what it was?

[A]

I can't remember that one.

[B]

Goodwill hunting.

[A]

Oh, Goodwill hunting. Okay. I do remember you said you cried a lot after the. The Chris McCandless movie. We both balled. Yes.

[B]

Yes.

[A]

Yeah, I do remember that about you.

[B]

Yes. Oh, my God. That was like a 20 minute after the movie.

[A]

Yeah, yeah. Into the wild is the name of that one, by the way, guys. Into the Wild. Really good one. Yeah.

[B]

But, yeah, your. Your emotions gonna get super raw when.

[A]

When watching a movie. Very raw. And you know, it's funny because sometimes you don't. You could watch a movie one as raw and another day you could watch it again and just be a disaster. Just like, you know, like ugly crying.

[B]

Yeah, ugly crying.

[A]

So it. We don't know when we're going to get raw. Like, it just. It could be emot. It could be like our body hormones at different times. It could just be. I don't know. People are mysteries, right? We're all mysteries. But we have a great question from Sophia. We love Sophia's questions. Y. This is from YouTube, so I'll go ahead and read it. So. Hi, Lindsay, Michelle and Aubrey 3. My name is Sophia. In your episode how to share what you've been through in English, you mentioned the word raw in a sentence. Like, sometimes it's just so raw that you can't talk about it. I know raw can be used for things like raw fish or raw materials, but when I looked it up, I found it actually has so many other uses like emotions, art, weather, even skin. Could you explain all the different ways raw can be used in English? Maybe with examples from conversations. I'd love to learn how to use it naturally. Thanks so much.

[B]

What a good, beautifully written, beautiful.

[A]

Like, yeah, very well written. Excellent.

[B]

And just. Yeah, very direct question. Excellent, Sophia. So thank you for always sending us these questions. These are great.

[A]

And. And I love that Sophia has an eye for what other uses could be. Right. She's listening very carefully to the podcast and she's, you know, checking with her understanding up to that point, which is raw fish. Right. But then maybe it could be used for other things. And let's get into this. I love that.

[B]

Let's do so. Yeah, great question. So again, raw can be used in many ways. So Sophia is absolutely right. So we're going to go over these today. We are going to go over four main ways that you will hear the word raw in English conversations. So we're going to get into that in just A second. But we want to remind you guys also that we have an excellent all ears English app. Yeah, it's amazing. And it's on for Android and iPhone, so you can get it on any, any of those platforms. And this app. Tell us about it, Lindsay.

[A]

Yeah, it's a great way to solidify vocabulary that you've heard on the show. We select seven vocabulary words in every episode. Seven five to seven that we believe will take you to the C1 level if you learn them and start using them. And so we highlight them, we allow you to save them to your list. You get full transcripts that have been checked by a human and you will be able to understand exactly what's being said on the show. All right, so go to allersenglish.comapp for the best way to listen to Allers English. Okay.

[B]

Excellent.

[A]

Good. All right. I'm excited to get into this. I feel like we're gonna have a lot of good stories here. And this is just. Well, it's a very human thing. Raw, right?

[B]

Yeah.

[A]

Especially when you talk about emotions, which is the first one, right?

[B]

Yep, exactly. So the first one is all about emotions, feelings that something could be painful. So again, about Wicked. So I said my emotions were so raw. When I saw Wicked for good, it was a good cry.

[A]

Exactly, exactly. Or I would call her. But I think everything is too raw right now. I'll call her next week. So what do we mean here? Like what. What might have happened?

[B]

You might have had some sort of altercation or something happened to the person where, you know, they're very emotional. Things are very sensitive right now. Very touchy. So sometimes it's good to put a little space in between that, whatever the incident is. And talking to the person.

[A]

Yeah, exactly. Are you good at that, Michelle? Having a sense of timing? Like when you should actually talk to someone who might have. Like if someone's just passed away, let's say that's the hardest example. Someone's just lost someone. Yeah. Do you feel like you're good at judging when to try to talk with them and help them?

[B]

I think so. I. I think so. I tend to have a pretty good sense about that. Although it's never easy to know what to say when someone.

[A]

Right.

[B]

Has a close person pass away. So it's always. It's always tough. But no, I mean, I think I have a pretty good sense of that timing. What about you?

[A]

I think I'm pretty good, but it's easier when I'm around the person. It's hard when you're not having contact. Maybe they live somewhere else and you can't really witness how they're experiencing it.

[B]

Right? Yeah. Yeah, for sure.

[A]

So that. That's a very human one. And then, Michelle, what's the second way we use raw?

[B]

Yeah, well, this one is the one you. You, Sophia was also referring to, which is regarding food. So uncooked food. So, for example, I cook mostly vegetarian at home because I don't like handling raw meat. And that's actually true for me.

[A]

Me too.

[B]

I don't like touching it. I don't like. I. I don't like having to. I get nervous about the surfaces.

[A]

No.

[B]

Yeah. I'm like, paranoid. I mean, I listen. Like, I will if I have to.

[A]

I. You know what?

[B]

I. If it's ground meat, that's better because you just kind of pop it out into the pan. Yeah, yeah. But even salmon, I mean, I'll do salmon. I don't love. I just don't like handling those things.

[A]

Yeah. I worry about the chicken with the salmonella.

[B]

Yes.

[A]

You know, you could get all that stuff. It's true. It's kind of. You have to be really organized. I don't really cook meat at home either, for that reason. Yeah.

[B]

Oh, that's funny.

[A]

Yeah, yeah, yeah. And here's another sample. Guys, my dad won't eat raw fish, so order him something else. Does everyone in your family eat sushi? Like ra fish? Is everyone okay with that?

[B]

No, this is actually true about my dad.

[A]

Oh, this is your dad?

[B]

Yeah, yeah, this is my dad. Yeah, we. He's just, you know, we went with. So my son loves sushi. So for his birthday, we took with. My parents were here and we took them to a sushi place and my mom will try some sushi, but they've never really.

[A]

Not into it.

[B]

Yeah, they never really crossed over into sushi fan. So they usually eat other things. But the thing is my. They wanted to get. They had like noodle. They had other options, like different soups or ramen. It was like a lot of different options. But unfortunately their soup, like their boiler or something wasn't working. So they didn't even have those options. So we were all like, oh, no.

[A]

There'S just raw fish.

[B]

Yeah. So that my. But my dad found they had some things with meat. And I don't know, he. He was able to find some. There were. They even had like. Like, they had made these like, fish tacos with like this seaweed on. So.

[A]

But yeah.

[B]

What's your favorite kind of sushi?

[A]

Ooh. When I go to sushi I really like to order the unagi, the eel. It's so yummy. But sometimes I like it. Not even, I think technically it's not even sushi. If you go to like an eel restaurant where you can get a full meal, our Japanese listeners will know what I'm talking about. A full plate of the eel with the sauce. I love that. It's so good. Oh, my gosh, it's amazing. What about you? What's your favorite sushi?

[B]

I, I like anything with mango. I like when there's like. Yes, I do. Dan o it. I like, you know, if there's a roll that, it's like salmon, mango, avocado or something like that. I, I like the. When there's something fruity.

[A]

Okay, that's fair. I love that. Love that. Interesting. All right.

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[A]

Okay, Michelle, we are back. So there's a third way that we use raw. What would it be, Michelle?

[B]

Yeah, so this one is kind of means basically natural or unchanged. So this is where raw materials come in. So that would be something like metal, wood. So just not changed yet. So she sent me the raw footage from the wedding. So now we have to go through and do our edits.

[A]

Yep. That's a great example. Sometimes when I film a video for our website, I will film the video and then when I import the video, I'll label it, you know, whatever the video is. And then raw in capital letters for myself. So I know it hasn't been edited yet. Like it's not ready to be uploaded into our video program. Right? Yeah. So it's a very common word we might. A functional word we might use if we're working with materials, as you said, or I have the raw data. We have to make sense of it and put together the report now. Right? Exactly.

[B]

Lindsay, did you have a videographer at your wedding?

[A]

We had a photographer, not a videographer. So we don't have any video, but we do have lots of great photos. That's what we just decided not to do the video.

[B]

A lot of people decide not to do it. Yeah, I have the video and of course, I never watch it, so.

[A]

Yeah. Right. But did you have a photographer as well, or just a video?

[B]

Yes, but I did not like the photographer, and I. Yeah, yeah, yeah. That's all right. It's okay.

[A]

Every. Yeah, It's a lot of pressure being a. A wedding photographer. I mean, gosh, you only have one shot, literally no punishment.

[B]

That's funny. So let's do one more way. So Sophia also brought this up. So this is more of the physical way. So sensitive. Something hurts. And Sophia brought up something. This is commonly used with skin. Right. Your skin can actually be raw. So here's an example. Do you have chapstick? My lips are completely raw.

[A]

Exactly. Or I got a burn in my thumb from the oven yesterday, and it's still raw.

[B]

Ouch.

[A]

Or sometimes if marathon runners will run, like, their. Their legs will rub together, so they have to get a special kind of cream so it doesn't get raw and. Cause like, an abrasion. If you're running a marathon, you could have major with that. Right. I'm sure some of our listeners who run a lot will know what I'm talking about. So anytime that there's. I. Would you say, like, is it, like, repeated friction or.

[B]

Well, it could be friction or just like the weather, like, dry, I mean. Yeah. Even now, like, I'm noticing my lips are getting to the Be in that stage where I need chapstick all the time and. Oh, my gosh.

[A]

Yeah, I just.

[B]

I hate that. What? Does your skin get very dry in the winter in Denver?

[A]

Oh, Michelle, it's terrible. It's so dry here. You would never survive cave.

[B]

I mean, it's.

[A]

I. I really miss the east coast sometimes because I grew up there, and I love going back there because I almost don't even need skin cream. I still use it, but I almost don't need it out here. It's like three times a day I have to apply skin cream. It's crazy. Yeah, it's wild. Yeah. Anyway, so this is a lot of ways to use raw. Let's put it all together, shall we?

[B]

Okay. Here we go. So here we are, friends cooking a meal together. Cool. Okay. Careful with that chicken. I think it's still a little raw.

[A]

Oh, okay. Thanks. So did you talk to Ruth?

[B]

No, not yet. I think the whole situation is still a little raw, so I'm gonna wait a few more days.

[A]

That makes sense. I saw the raw email you sent me of what happened. Yikes. Yeah.

[B]

Hold on. I need some chapstick. My lips are so raw this time of Year.

[A]

Oh, mine too.

[B]

Okay. So again, we're not gonna use it over and over like that, but.

[A]

Right, right, right. So the first use of it is the chicken. Right.

[B]

This is our.

[A]

Our fears. The chicken. Careful.

[B]

And that's the other thing. That's the other thing that I hate about it, Lindsay, is not only the surfaces, but when, if to make sure that it's finished.

[A]

I know. Well, I think I never really learned how to cook chicken, so I. Yeah, because. Yeah, you could serve it, and then you could realize you're serving raw chicken, and that would be mortifying and scary. Right? Yeah, yeah.

[B]

Sorry, I interrupted you. So the example was, I think it's still a little raw, not cooked.

[A]

What else, Michelle?

[B]

All right. And then I said, you asked if I talked to Ruth so there's some sort of issue. And I said, not yet. I think the whole situation is still a little raw, so I'm gonna wait a few more days. So it's still a little. Hasn't had that space to breathe. It's still so fresh would be like another word.

[A]

And just to clarify for our listeners, are we saying there was probably an altercation between you and her or maybe something happened with her that's very emotionally kind of harmful? Covering. Unclear.

[B]

I would say unclear from this. Yeah.

[A]

But probably something happened. Right. And she is kind of emotionally harmed somehow.

[B]

Right?

[A]

Yeah, yeah. So it's still raw for her. And then I said, that makes sense. I saw the raw email you sent me of what happened. So we're dancing around exactly what happened. We don't know exactly what happened, but the email was raw. Meaning it was very.

[B]

It may have been more like stream of consciousness. I just said, right. You know.

[A]

Right.

[B]

And then I said, hold on, I need some chapstick. My lips are so raw this time of year.

[A]

Yeah. Yeah. We really nailed the big ones here for Sophia, the big ways in which. And it's a great observation that Sophia made that. Yeah, of course we use it in a lot of different ways. And you should start using it, too, in all these different ways as much as possible. Right?

[B]

Yes.

[A]

Good. Guys, go to 2. Go over to 2538. Are you working away at learning phrasal verbs? Aubrey, I think that was one with you and. Sorry. Michelle, I think that was one with you and Aubry together. Is that right?

[B]

Did you think. Yes, you're right. Yes. With adding away. Yep.

[A]

Awesome. So, guys, go check that out. 2538. And, Michelle, what's our final takeaway?

[B]

Yeah, these are all really useful. It's very common. You'll hear it all the time. So it, it is smart that Sophia asked about the difference because there's not just just one, two or even three meanings and there are even more than I covered on this episode that you could use. So listen. Listen out for the context. Try one or two at a time and. Yeah, yeah, you got it.

[A]

That's it. That's it exactly. Guys, go on over to allersenglish.comapp to really solidify your vocabulary after each episode of Allers English. All right, Michelle, you have a good rest of your day. I'll see you soon.

[B]

All right, Bye, Lindsay. You too. Bye, guys.

[A]

Okay, bye. 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/fluencyscore. 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.