The Story That Needs You: Video Games as Modern Literature

Novels were once considered dangerous. Cinema was a fairground trick. Now it’s games. What happens to a story when you can move inside it, and how to argue about it in precise English.

Kasr al-khatir | The Bone Nobody Can X-Ray

A poetic dive into the Arabic phrase kasr al-khatir — “the breaking of the khatir” — and why one language decided that wounding a person’s feelings is not an emotional event but a skeletal one.

The Laugh Track: A Psychological Horror Story About the Applause We Mistake for Love

Declan hears a laugh track only when his thoughts turn violent. A psychological horror story, plus author commentary, craft notes, and C1-C2 lessons.

Cleopatra’s Reign: Power, Politics, and Passion in Ancient Egypt

Cleopatra wasn’t a seductress who stumbled into history. She was a working monarch who ran a bankrupt kingdom, spoke nine languages, and out-negotiated Rome for twenty-one years. Here’s the ruler behind the legend.

Cleopatra: The Queen Rome Had to Rewrite | Danny Debates

Cleopatra takes the chair. Danny puts her on trial for the murders, the money, Actium, and the son she spent. She gives back better than she gets.

Talking About Stress in English: Why “I’m Tired” Isn’t Enough, and What to Say Instead

Learn the English of stress and mental fatigue — extreme adjectives, the language of support, and the precise vocabulary that separates tired from drained from burnt out. Plus what actually helps, and what only looks like rest.

Face the Music: Turning Toward the Sound

A poetic dive into “face the music” — a phrase about turning your body toward the thing you’d rather flee, and the odd fact that we chose music for the moment of reckoning.

The Crimson Warrior: The Persian Myth of Bahram and the Battles Among the Stars

Meet Bahram, the Persian god of victory and the red planet Mars. Explore Zoroastrian star-battles, shape-shifting gods, and the wisdom hidden in an ancient sky.

Fallible: Built With Falling In It

A poetic exploration of “fallible” — a word that means able to fall, and why the ability isn’t a flaw in the design but the definition of being a creature that moves.

Advanced English Listening Practice: The Psychology of Motivation and Goal Setting (With Quiz)

Advanced English listening practice for IELTS, TOEFL, and SAT. Listen to an academic lecture on motivation and goal setting, then answer 10 exam-style questions.

Think with Danny Podcast

Think about important topics in a different light with Think with Danny podcast. Explore fascinating topics from society, psychology, science, business, history, myths, literature, and beyond.

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Brave New World

Brave New World by Aldous Huxley: A Timeless Warning About the Dangers of Technological Progress and State Control

Dive into the captivating world of Aldous Huxley’s “Brave New World.” This comprehensive article explores Huxley’s life, the themes and motifs of his dystopian masterpiece, and its impact on literature and popular culture. Discover why this timeless classic remains relevant today as a warning about the dangers of technological progress and state control.

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FLOW | Word of the Day

Liminal

Liminal: The Power of the In-Between

The strangest, most transformative moments in life often happen in the spaces between — between who you were and who you’re becoming. There’s a word for that threshold, and it’s one of the most quietly powerful in the English language.

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Editor-in-Chief

Danny Ballan

Are you ready to embark on a thrilling journey of language and inspiration? Look no further than English Plus with Danny, where your host, Danny, awaits to guide you through an enchanting fusion of education and entertainment.

As a podcaster, writer, and musician, Danny brings a diverse range of talents to his listeners and students worldwide. With his magnetic presence and passion for teaching, he transforms the process of learning English into a delightful and engaging experience.

But Danny's expertise extends beyond the podcast realm. Through his online courses, books, music, and more, he seamlessly combines education and entertainment, ensuring that you never cease to learn while having a fantastic time.

Discover the magic of English Plus Podcast today and connect with Danny at danny@englishpluspodcast.com. Embark on a journey to master English with a touch of style and substance, where learning becomes a joyous pursuit that never ceases to amaze. Don't wait any longer - let the adventure begin!

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