All Ears English Podcast – Episode Summary

Episode Title: Do These Two English Words Make You Anxious?
Hosts: Lindsay McMahon & Michelle Kaplan
Date: February 7, 2026

Episode Overview

In this lively episode, Lindsay and Michelle tackle an important listener question: what's the difference between the English words "nervous" and "anxious"? Through personal stories, practical examples, and a nuanced breakdown, the hosts help listeners distinguish between these two closely related feelings, providing clarity for ESL learners. Along the way, they unpack additional vocabulary, reflect on cultural nuances, and offer advice for confidently expressing emotions in natural American English.

Key Discussion Points and Insights

1. Listener Question Introduction

• Listener Jungmin from Korea asks about the difference between "anxious" and "nervous," describing them as similar but confusing.
• Jungmin’s feedback shows dedication to language learning and long-term podcast engagement.
  • [03:33] Lindsay: “I've been listening to All Ears English since 2018... I couldn't understand your podcast at first, but I've improved my English skills quite a lot..."

2. Are “Nervous” and “Anxious” Different?

• The words are often used interchangeably; most native speakers would call them synonyms.
  • [04:51] Michelle: “If you asked most people, they would say, oh, they’re synonyms, right?... Don't be nervous about the words nervous and anxious.”
• Lindsay: “What we love to do in All Ears English. We love to pick out the nuances. Right? Show our listeners what there might be a slight difference and we'll find it if there is.” [04:26]

3. Dissecting “Nervous”

• “Nervous” typically relates to a specific, upcoming event or situation. Once the event passes, so does the feeling.
  • [05:43] Michelle: "Nervous is usually about some specific situation... and probably once whatever it is is over, you might not feel nervous anymore."
• Examples:
  • Nervous about a flight, meeting, test, or public speaking.
  • [06:39] "I'm nervous, I have a test tomorrow."
  • [07:43] Lindsay: “I get nervous for sure. I mean, public speaking, I get nervous sometimes... like when I met my in-laws for the first time.”

4. Exploring “Anxious” and “Anxiety”

• “Anxious” can overlap with "nervous," but often connotes a deeper, more persistent feeling—or even a vague, general unease.
  • [11:18] Michelle: “Anxious can sound a little bit stronger... It's a slightly more intense word. Anxious can also be more general or last for a longer period of time.”
  • Lindsay: "Some people feel anxious and they don't know what they're actually anxious about." [11:49]
• “Anxiety” as a clinical term versus “nervous”:
  • [13:21] Lindsay: “We don't really have, like, nervousness as far as I know... I don't think that's a clinical term you'd be prescribed medication for. But anxiety could be.”
• Examples:
  • “I've been feeling anxious about our relationship for a while.” [12:17]
  • “I'm anxious because I don't know if I'll be able to find a new house in this housing market.” [12:34]

5. Uncommon Usage of "Anxious"

• “Anxious” can sometimes mean “eager” or “in a rush,” especially in formal/written English.
  • [14:13] Lindsay: “I recently noticed a use of anxious... ‘We're not anxious to do X when we don't know what will happen.’ ...They weren't in a rush to do it.”

6. Other Useful Related Vocabulary

• Jittery: Feeling shaky, often because of caffeine or nerves.
  • [15:59] “It's when I combine too much caffeine with feelings of nervousness or anxiety.”
• Flustered: Nervous and confused, generally due to being overwhelmed.
  • [16:25] “Flustered is basically kind of nervous, confused, maybe. There's a lot going on.”

7. Personal Stories & Cultural Nuances

• Travel and parenting stress: Michelle describes being nervous about flying alone with her kids ([02:34]).
• Social planning anxiety: Michelle gets nervous organizing calendars and events ([07:46]), leading to relatable life anecdotes.
• Pet peeves: The hosts discuss disliking when others label their emotions.
  • [17:03] Lindsay: “Don't tell me what to feel, and don't tell me what I'm feeling, and don't tell me what to do.”

8. Roleplay for Everyday Context

• Demonstrates “nervous,” “anxious,” “flustered,” and “jittery” in a simple, natural exchange focused on play rehearsal.
  • [18:08] B: "Ugh, I keep messing up on this part."
  • [18:11] A: "Deep breaths. Don't get flustered. You know this."
  • [18:16] B: "I'm just a little bit nervous about a run through this afternoon."
  • [18:19] A: "I totally understand. Honestly, I feel like I'm always anxious when I'm rehearsing for a play. It's hard."
  • [18:26] B: "Yeah. I'm also jittery because I had had way too much coffee today."

9. Key Takeaways

• The difference between “nervous” and “anxious” is subtle; either word is usually acceptable in everyday conversation.
  • [21:06] Michelle: "If you use one over the other, I don't think it's ever going to be an issue, really."
• Context and intensity might determine word choice, but don't worry about perfection.

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• [04:51] Michelle: “Don’t be nervous about the words nervous and anxious.”
• [11:49] Lindsay: “Some people feel anxious and they don’t know what they’re actually anxious about."
• [13:21] Lindsay: “Anxiety could be a disorder… they do get prescribed medication for it or see a doctor for it. It’s a legitimate thing.”
• [17:03] Lindsay: “Don't tell me what to feel, and don't tell me what I'm feeling, and don't tell me what to do.”
• [15:54] Michelle: “We’re gonna teach two other words dealing with this feeling of nervousness... 'jittery' and then 'flustered.'”
• [18:11] A: “Deep breaths. Don’t get flustered. You know this.”

Important Segment Timestamps

• 03:33 – Listener question and review from Jungmin
• 05:43 – Defining "nervous"
• 11:04 – Transition to "anxious"
• 13:21 – "Anxiety" as a clinical term
• 14:13 – Rare, formal usage of "anxious" (meaning "eager")
• 15:54 – Extra vocabulary: "jittery" and "flustered"
• 17:03 – Pet peeve: being labeled as nervous or flustered
• 18:08 – Role play demonstration
• 21:06 – Final takeaways and practical advice

Summary Table: Word Comparison

| Word | Usual Context | Duration | Example | |------------|--------------------------------------|---------------|---------------------------------------| | Nervous | Specific event or situation | Short-term | “I’m nervous about my job interview.” | | Anxious | Specific OR vague, deeper feelings | Short or long | “I’m anxious about the future.” | | Jittery | Physical shakiness, caffeine, nerves | Short-term | “I’m jittery from too much coffee.” | | Flustered | Overwhelmed, confused, busy situations| Short-term | “I got flustered at the meeting.” |

Takeaways for English Learners

• Both "nervous" and "anxious" are widely understood and often interchangeable.
• Use "nervous" for short-term, specific situations; "anxious" for deeper, longer-lasting, or less specific feelings.
• Don’t stress about getting it perfect—focus on connection, not perfection!
• Consider using "jittery" or "flustered" for more nuance.
• Awareness of these distinctions will help you sound more natural and confident in English discussions about emotions.

For more, check out All Ears English Episode 2553 on 'near' vs. 'nearby' and keep sending in questions to be featured!