All Ears English Podcast: Episode Summary Title: AEE: Describe Your Progress - In the Thick of It
Release Date: February 22, 2025
Hosts: Lindsay McMahon and Michelle Kaplan

Introduction to the Episode

In this engaging episode of the All Ears English Podcast, hosts Lindsay McMahon and Michelle Kaplan delve into the intricacies of expressing progress in English. Building upon a multi-part series dedicated to describing phases of activities, this episode titled "In the Thick of It" focuses on how to convey that one is currently engaged in an ongoing process. The conversation is tailored for intermediate to advanced English learners aiming to enhance their conversational skills and cultural understanding.

Current Reads and Personal Updates [00:00 - 02:14]

The episode opens with Lindsay and Michelle sharing their current literary pursuits. Lindsay mentions recently finishing a book called The Husbands, which explores themes related to modern dating and identity through a unique narrative. She reflects:

Lindsay [02:00]: "I've heard of Wild. It's a good story. The writing is actually really, really good."

Michelle confirms her engagement with Wild by Cheryl Strayed, noting it's her second time reading the book:

Michelle [02:12]: "It's my second time reading it because I think the book is better than the movie."

Series Continuation and Episode Focus [04:09 - 05:05]

Lindsay introduces the episode as part of a series on progress descriptions, highlighting its continuation from the Business English Podcast:

Lindsay [04:09]: "Today, we are going to talk about how to say that we've already gotten started with something and we're kind of in the middle."

They emphasize the importance of subscribing to both All Ears English and the Business English podcast to follow the complete series, which now includes the final episode on expressing conclusions.

Main Discussion: Expressions for Being 'In the Middle' [05:05 - 09:03]

The core of the episode revolves around different English expressions that convey being in the midst of an activity.

1. "In the Middle of" [05:21 - 07:00]

Lindsay explains that "in the middle of" is versatile and can be applied to various situations, from being busy to sharing personal endeavors:

Lindsay [05:27]: "Telling someone that you're busy. Right. Telling someone that you're fully immersed, you are in. It's not like you just started or just finishing up. No. You're in the middle of it."

She provides examples like:

• "I'm in the middle of the best show right now."

Michelle complements this by discussing the temporal aspect:

Michelle [06:23]: "What's interesting about these expressions is it... it's not so much about a time. Like if I'm watching a movie, I don't have to be at the 45-minute mark to say this. It's more about saying I'm enmeshed in something."

2. "In the Thick of It" [07:30 - 09:03]

The phrase "in the thick of it" signifies being deeply involved in something intense or challenging. Michelle creatively associates it with navigating through a dense jungle:

Michelle [07:30]: "Or I love this one. In the thick of it. For some reason, when I think about this expression, I think of the jungle."

They discuss scenarios where this phrase is apt, such as:

• "I'm in the thick of school exams right now."
• "I'm in the thick of updating my resume right now."

Michelle adds a modern slang variation:

Michelle [08:52]: "I'm going through it," acknowledging someone's struggle in a contemporary context.

3. "In the Midst of" and "During" [09:03 - 11:06]

Lindsay introduces "in the midst of" as another way to express being engaged in an activity, often implying a more chaotic or less-defined process compared to "in the middle of." They also briefly touch upon "during" as a simpler alternative.

Michelle [10:45]: "Or during. So this is just a more simple word. A similar idea basically."

Role-Play Example [11:37 - 14:33]

To illustrate the practical use of these expressions, Lindsay and Michelle engage in a role-play scenario where they act out a conversation between friends discussing their current activities.

Sample Dialogue:

• Lindsay: "Have you seen Wicked?"
• Michelle: "I'm in the middle of it right now. It's a long movie."
• Lindsay: "I'm actually in the midst of applying to new jobs."
• Michelle: "Oh, wow. Good luck. I'm in the thick of updating my resume right now."

Through this dialogue, listeners can observe the natural incorporation of phrases like "in the middle of," "in the midst of," and "in the thick of it," enhancing their understanding of contextual usage.

Takeaways and Conclusion [15:26 - 17:06]

As the episode wraps up, Lindsay and Michelle summarize the key points, emphasizing the importance of these expressions in facilitating human connection by sharing one's current engagements and challenges.

Lindsay [16:00]: "It's always a good connection topic, even to say, 'Are you in the middle of any good shows right now?'"

Michelle [16:57]: "It gives people signals as to what your life looks like right now... so there's a lot of connection here, Michelle. Huge connection episode. Absolutely."

They encourage listeners to follow both podcasts to fully benefit from the series and to continue practicing these expressions to speak English more naturally and contextually.

Notable Quotes with Timestamps

• [05:27] Michelle: "I'm in the middle of doing this. Can I do it later?"
• [07:30] Michelle: "In the thick of it."
• [08:52] Michelle: "I'm going through it."
• [16:00] Lindsay: "Are you in the middle of any good shows right now?"
• [16:57] Michelle: "It gives people signals as to what your life looks like right now."

Final Thoughts

This episode of the All Ears English Podcast offers valuable insights into expressing one's current state of progress in English. By exploring various phrases and their appropriate contexts, Lindsay and Michelle provide listeners with the tools to enhance their conversational fluency and build stronger connections through language. Whether you're discussing your latest book, a challenging project at work, or personal endeavors, mastering these expressions can significantly improve your ability to communicate effectively in American English.

Stay Connected:
For more episodes and learning resources, visit AllEarsEnglish.com and subscribe to both the All Ears English Podcast and the Business English Podcast to continue your journey towards speaking American English like a native!