American English

Our episode this week was recorded as events unfolded in Charlottesville, VA. We talk about what prompted the Nazi rally and why Trump failed to call out the violence for what it was. In what is a cheery episode, we also take a brief look at 'white guy gone rogue' as a jogger pushes a woman under a bus in London, before wrapping up on current events by discussing North Korea (remember that?). James also asks about spring break and what exactly is going on there, while Maria finally gets to grip with spotted dick. Not to be missed! Tweet us @aenglishpodcast or email podcastamericanenglish@gmail.com

This week sees us looking carefully at the state of rights for women in the USA and UK, particularly relating to equal pay in light of the recent publication of BBC salaries and the clear disparity between men and women.  We also take time to discuss Goop and the terrible advice they give to women, as well as how they have pursued experts who have called them out. Gender equality and intersectionality is discussed more generally, while Maria also tries to make #princesspocket a thing.  We round up the episode with an in-depth look at the glorious sport of cricket and the crazy world of fraternities and sororities. Listen in and get involved!

This week sees Maria join in via phone as technology decided to take a break for the 4th July weekend alongside all patriotic Americans.  A pesky public holiday is not enough to stop us from podcasting however! This week sees James moan about American independence 241 years after the Declaration of Independence, Maria explain why Jefferson would have been the King of Tinder, and both of us try to make sense of politics in our respective nations.  The trials and tribulations of public sector spending in the UK are compared to the USA, while Maria can't tell her furlough from a furlong. We also seek to settle the great debate once and for all - grilled cheese or cheese on toast?

This week sees us return from a slightly longer than expected break with plenty to talk about! With an overview of the UK General Election fallout (including a brief detour into both Scottish and Northern Irish politics), as well as insight into Comey's Senate testimonial, we try our best to pack a month's worth of politics into an hour.  Not to mention Maria having the chance to finally ask everything she's ever wanted to know about rugby, and James trying to understand the communist system that is the NBA/NFL draft. 

This week sees James and Maria talk through the recent attempt at repealing Obamacare in the House of Representatives, as well as talking all things newsworthy (including good news out of France!). We take a chance to compare the NHS with the ACA, as well as get a rundown of the run-up to the British General Election.  And Maria finally gets the low-down on the Full English breakfast, including the delights of black pudding! All while James tries (and fails) to get his head around biscuits and grits. 

For our first episode we thought we would set ourselves an ambitious target to cover as much content as humanly possibly in 45 minutes. Featuring the latest news from the UK and USA, a look at the March for Science from the weekend (with disappointingly few giant robots on display) and a debate about the role of the media and how far we only perpetuate our own echo chambers, we also managed to squeeze in a chat about the Great British Bake Off and Coachella.  Join Maria as she tries in vain to understand the quaint features of British political life and her own existence under a Trump Presidency, and James as he tries to wrap his head around American  hipsters.