Mark tells the story of organizing a unique TEDx event hosted at the US-Mexico border.Level:  AdvancedAccent: North American (California)6 words and expressions in today's story:TO COME UP WITH: To think of or create something, like an idea or a plan. Examples: "I need to come up with a new recipe for dinner tonight." or "She came up with a brilliant solution to the problem."IT’S ALL ON YOU: You are responsible for something; everything depends on you. Examples: "If you want to succeed, it's all on you to study hard." or "The success of the project is all on you now."TO BE MESSED UP: To make a mistake or cause a problem. Examples: "I messed up my presentation by forgetting the main points." or "Don't worry if you mess up; we all make mistakes."TO DODGE A BULLET: To narrowly avoid a dangerous or problematic situation. Examples: "I really dodged a bullet by missing that car accident." or "He felt lucky to have dodged a bullet and passed the difficult exam."TEAR DOWN / TAKE DOWN / PUT UP (a stage): Tear down and take down means to disassemble or remove a structure or stage. Put up means to assemble or set up something. Examples: "After the concert, they quickly tore/took down the stage." or "Let's put up the tent for our camping trip."ELATION / A SENSE OF ELATION / TO BE ELATED: A strong feeling of happiness or joy. Examples: "Winning the game gave us a sense of elation." or “She felt a sense of elation when she achieved her goal."Do you want to take your English to the next level and get the most of this episode? Do you want to see photos of Mark and the event?Then, CLICK HERE TO ACCESS THE TRANSCRIPT, THE LEARNING MATERIALS and much more! If you like Into the Story, please share it with one friend who also needs help with their English. Thanks for being a part of this community!

Bonnie tells a story about receiving news about a terrorist attack in Nice, France, where her daughter and family were vacationing, highlighting the power of staying grounded and present in the face of uncertainty.Level:  intermediateAccent: North American (Canada) 5 words and expressions in today's story:TO SCROLL: Scrolling refers to the action of moving the content up or down on a digital screen using your finger or mouse. It's what you do to see more information on websites, social media, or documents. For example: I was scrolling through my social media feed to see pictures from my friends' vacations. She scrolled down the webpage to read the entire article.MAYHEM: Mayhem means a state of chaos, disorder, or extreme confusion. It often describes situations where there is a lot of noise, movement, and unpredictability. For example: After the soccer match, there was mayhem in the stadium as fans celebrated their team's victory. The sudden thunderstorm caused mayhem at the outdoor picnic, with people scrambling for cover.TO REGISTER: To register means to become aware of or notice something. It's when you suddenly understand or realize information. For example: It took a moment for me to register that I had left my keys at home. She didn't immediately register the importance of the message until her friend explained it to her.TO PACE: Pacing refers to the act of walking back and forth, often nervously or restlessly, usually in a small area. It's a way people move when they're feeling anxious or impatient. For example: He couldn't sit still, so he paced around the room while waiting for his turn to speak. She paced back and forth in her office, trying to come up with a solution to the problem.TO MAKE YOUR WAY SOMEWHERE: To make your way somewhere means to travel or move in a specific direction or to a particular destination. It's about journeying from one place to another. For example, They made their way to the top of the mountain, enjoying the scenic hike along the trail. After the concert, they made their way to the nearby café for a late-night snack.Do you want to take your English to the next level and get the most of this episode? Do you want to know more about Bonnie? Then, CLICK HERE TO ACCESS THE TRANSCRIPT, THE LEARNING MATERIALS and much more!If you like Into the Story, please share it with one friend who also needs help with their English. Thanks for listening!

Keena makes a long trip home after spending the summer in Greece. This episode originally aired April 2021.Level:  upper intermediateAccent: North American (Canada)5 words and expressions in today's story:FANNY PACK: A small bag or pouch with a strap, typically worn around the waist, used for carrying personal items. In British English, it's known as a "bum bag." Example: "She kept her keys and phone in her fanny pack while hiking."STASH: A hidden or secret supply of something. Example: "She had a stash of snacks in her desk drawer for when get got hungry."TO GET RID OF SOMETHING: To dispose of something, eliminate, or remove. Example: "I need to get rid of these old clothes that no longer fit."TO PICK AT YOUR FOOD: To eat small amounts of food without much appetite or enthusiasm. Example: "When she's nervous, she tends to pick at her food rather than eating a full meal."TO TAKE ADVANTAGE OF: To make the most of an opportunity or situation. Can be used positively or negatively. Example: "He decided to take advantage of the holiday to visit his family." / "She took advantage of his kindness to manipulate him."Do you want to take your English to the next level? CLICK HERE FOR THE FULL LEARNING MATERIALS, INCLUDING TRANSCRIPT, COMPREHENSION EXERCISES AND OTHER GOODIES!If you like Into the Story, share it now with one friend who needs help with their English. Leave us a voice note telling us what you thought of this episode.Thanks for being a part of the Into the Story community!

Alicia was sick with cancer, for the second time. She was at her lowest low. It was 3 am, and she made a decision: if she could find one person a day to talk to and effect positively, then she knew she could make it through. Level:  intermediateAccent: North American (Texas)5 words and expressions in today's story:TO PULL YOURSELF OUT OF SOMETHING means to remove oneself from a difficult or undesirable situation. It is like freeing yourself from a problem or challenge. Example: "After a difficult breakup, she had to pull herself out of the sadness and start afresh." TO STRIKE UP A CONVERSATION WITH SOMEONE means to start a conversation in a friendly or informal manner, often with someone you don't know well or have just met. Example: "At the party, I struck up a conversation with a stranger who shared similar interests."  TO HEAL, TO BE HEALED, TO BE HEALING are related to the process of recovering from an injury, illness, or emotional distress. Example: "With proper care, the wound will heal in a few days."A LIFELINE refers to a person or thing that provides crucial help or support in difficult or desperate situations. Example: "During her tough times, her best friend became her lifeline, offering constant encouragement and support." A PURPOSE / A CALLING refers to a sense of meaning or direction in life, a reason for existence, or a strong conviction that drives someone to pursue specific goals or fulfill a particular role. Example: "She found her purpose in volunteering to help disadvantaged communities."Do you want to take your English to the next level? CLICK HERE FOR THE FULL LEARNING MATERIALS, INCLUDING TRANSCRIPT, COMPREHENSION EXERCISES AND OTHER GOODIES! If you like Into the Story, share it now with one friend who needs help with their English. Thanks for being a part of the Into the Story community. 

Sam embarks on a seven-day horseback trip with her boyfriend in the picturesque wilderness of the Rocky Mountains in Canada. She reconnects with her childhood love of horse riding after the loss of her mom, finding solace and adventure in the mountains. As they navigate through stunning landscapes, unexpected challenges arise. Level:  intermediateAccent:  Canadian 5 words and expressions in today's story: TO BE IN AWE OF: To feel amazed and impressed by something very special. Example: The kids were in awe of the beautiful fireworks on New Year's Eve.EERIE: Something that feels a bit scary or strange. Example: Walking through the foggy forest at night felt eerie because of the spooky sounds.TO BE UNEASY/ ANTSY/ANXIOUS: To feel a little nervous or worried, not feeling calm. Example: Sarah was uneasy about her first day at a new school. Tom felt antsy before the big test because he wasn't sure if he had studied enough.TO FEED OFF OF (ENERGY) "horses feed off of your energy": To get energy or feelings from someone or something else. Example: The happy crowd's cheers fed off of the performer's energy during the concert.MEADOW: A beautiful field with grass and flowers. Example: The picnic was set up in a lovely meadow with butterflies flying around.Do you want to take your English to the next level? Then, CLICK HERE FOR THE FULL LEARNING MATERIALS, INCLUDING TRANSCRIPT AND COMPREHENSION EXERCISES.If you like Into the Story, please share it with one friend who also needs help with their English. Thanks for listening!