Podcast Summary: All Ears English Podcast – “It’s Not What You Say, It’s How You Say It”

Hosts: Lindsay McMahon & Michelle Kaplan
Date: October 7, 2025
Episode Focus: Intonation in American English—especially for ESL learners in professional and business contexts.

Overview

This episode dives into the crucial role of intonation—the melody and rise-and-fall pattern of speech—in effective English communication. Lindsay and Michelle guide listeners through practical examples, demonstrating how even correct grammar and vocabulary may fall flat if the delivery is off. The episode centers on how intonation impacts meaning and connection, especially in business settings, and offers actionable tips for mastering upward and downward inflection when asking questions.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. Why Intonation Matters (00:00–02:26)

• Intonation shapes connection: Even perfect grammar can leave listeners confused or disengaged if your intonation doesn't convey interest and clarity.
• Practical business impact: Flat or unnatural intonation can hinder relationships and cause misunderstandings in professional settings.
• “It’s not just the words we say, it’s how we deliver them that’s huge.” — Lindsay (02:15)

2. Course Announcement (02:26–04:43)

• Launch of a new course: “Professional English Level 2,” focused on high-stakes business moments and building confidence through real corporate scenarios.
  • Developed with professionals from Morgan Stanley, Microsoft, KPMG, and more.
  • Early adopters gain extra support and access to live weekly speaking events.
  • Sign-up at allearsenglish.com/career (C-A-R-E-E-R).
• “The goal is to make it so that it’s not difficult for someone to understand you.” — Michelle (06:25)

3. Intonation: The Core Lesson (04:45–14:13)

• Common learner challenge: Many ESL students have solid vocabulary and grammar but struggle with delivery—making their speech sound unnatural.
  • “You don’t want to distract the person... We want to try and make it as easy as possible.” — Michelle (06:25)
• Yes/No Questions: Should have upward intonation at the end.
  • Examples: “Are you ready to record?” “Did you just start here today?” (09:02)
  • Wrong intonation (flat/downward) makes the speaker sound uninterested.
  • “It’s almost the equivalent of you’re facing me...and then you’re turning your back.” — Lindsay (10:15)
• WH- Questions (who, what, where, when, why, how): Should have downward intonation at the end.
  • Examples: “Where are you from?” “What time is the meeting today?” (11:01)
  • Upwards intonation on WH- questions sounds unsure or awkward.
  • “You don’t sound as confident.” — Michelle (11:15)

Notable Moment: Analogy on Intonation

• Physical analogy to illustrate engagement: Flat or downward intonation on yes/no questions is “like you don’t want an answer.” — Lindsay (10:15)

Real-life Example

• Lindsay shares a story about a tour guide whose pause patterns were distracting, illustrating how delivery affects communication beyond just intonation. (07:56)

4. Nuances & Exceptions (12:09–14:13)

• There are exceptions: Occasionally, native speakers use non-standard intonation for effect (e.g., in loud settings or for emphasis).
• General rule for learners: Focus on mastering standard patterns first; with practice, intonation will become natural.

5. Practice & Role Play (13:19–16:47)

• Lindsay and Michelle act out a first-day-at-work scenario, demonstrating natural question intonation.
  • “So great to meet you. Is today your first day?” (Upward intonation, yes/no, 13:32)
  • “How long have you been working here?” (Downward intonation, WH-question, 13:36)
• Analysis of sentence “melody”: Sometimes sentences rise in pitch before falling, not taking a “nosedive”—illustrating the complexity of intonation in natural dialogue.
  • “You still have to have variety in the rest of the sentence.” — Michelle (16:40)

6. Application and Mindset for Learners (14:42–15:00)

• Encourage learners to actively listen and sort real-life examples into “up” and “down” boxes.
• With exposure, intonation will stop feeling forced or mechanical.

7. Intonation in Business**: Final Thoughts (17:58–18:53)

• Powerful business example: Presenting data to executives requires more than accuracy; intonation draws in the listener and builds trust.
  • “...if you don’t have the intonation that makes them actually listen to you, you’re going to fail.” — Lindsay (18:44)

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• “It’s not just the words we say, it’s how we deliver them that’s huge.” — Lindsay (02:15)
• “The goal is to make it so that it’s not difficult for someone to understand you... We want them to be relaxed when they’re listening.” — Michelle (06:25)
• “It’s almost the equivalent of, you’re facing me, you’re asking a question, and then you’re turning your back to me.” — Lindsay (10:15)
• “With WH- questions, those ones go down at the end... Instead of 'Where are you from?' it would be 'Where are you from?'” — Michelle (11:15)

Important Timestamps

• Intonation role-play introduction & awkward intonation example: 01:10–01:45
• Course announcement and what makes it unique: 02:42–04:43
• Explaining yes/no vs. WH- question intonation: 05:19–12:09
• Role-play illustrating intonation in action: 13:19–14:13, 15:52–16:47
• Final business presentation analogy: 17:58–18:44

Tone and Style

• Warm, supportive, and learner-centered.
• Frequent encouragement to participate and build confidence; “Connection, not perfection” is a guiding theme.
• Clear, practical advice balanced with humor and relatable stories.

Summary

This episode provides ESL learners with a toolkit to refine intonation—crucial for sounding natural and confident in English, especially in professional settings. By distinguishing between upward and downward patterns in questions, learners can avoid misunderstandings, reduce listener distraction, and forge real connections. Lindsay and Michelle give both rules and exceptions, emphasizing practice and awareness until intonation becomes intuitive. The episode concludes with encouragement to join their new course and keep striving for effective, connection-focused communication.