danny@englishpluspodcast.com
English Plus Podcast
  • Home
  • Magazine
  • Books
  • Log In
Select Page
Water Under the Bridge: The Art of Letting the Past Move On

Water Under the Bridge: The Art of Letting the Past Move On

by Danny Ballan | FLOW

Some things hurt us. Some things went wrong. Some things we carry longer than they deserve. ‘Water under the bridge’ is one of the most graceful expressions in English — a small phrase that holds a big act: the willingness to let the past be past. Let’s explore what that actually takes.

Assuage: The Quiet Work of Making Things Better

Assuage: The Quiet Work of Making Things Better

by Danny Ballan | FLOW

Some of the most important things we do for each other don’t fix problems — they ease them. Assuage is the word for that gentle, often underrated act of making something a little more bearable.

Close Reading | Ghosts Are Real — Just Not in the Way You Think

Close Reading | Ghosts Are Real — Just Not in the Way You Think

by Danny Ballan | Close Reading

Are ghosts real? The question is more interesting than a simple yes or no. Because while the supernatural explanation doesn’t hold up, something real and fascinating is definitely happening when people see ghosts.

Keep Your Head Above Water: The Quiet Heroism of Just Getting Through

Keep Your Head Above Water: The Quiet Heroism of Just Getting Through

by Danny Ballan | FLOW

Sometimes life isn’t about thriving. Sometimes it’s about surviving — keeping your head up when everything feels like it’s pulling you under. This episode is about one of the most honest and human expressions in English, and what it means to hang on when hanging on is all you’ve got.

Euphoria: The Peak of the Mountain and the Problem With Living There

Euphoria: The Peak of the Mountain and the Problem With Living There

by Danny Ballan | FLOW

Euphoria is the emotional ceiling — the highest high. In this episode, we explore what it is, why we chase it, and why the moments just below it might actually be where the richest life is lived.

Close Reading | Byzantium: The Roman Empire That Refused to Die for a Thousand Years

Close Reading | Byzantium: The Roman Empire That Refused to Die for a Thousand Years

by Danny Ballan | Close Reading

The rise of Byzantium is one of history’s most remarkable stories — a civilization that inherited Rome’s legacy, outlived it by a millennium, and shaped the modern world in ways we still haven’t fully reckoned with.

Grounded in Reality: Why Having Both Feet on the Ground Is a Superpower

Grounded in Reality: Why Having Both Feet on the Ground Is a Superpower

by Danny Ballan | FLOW

We live in an age of noise, distraction, and constant information overload. Being ‘grounded in reality’ sounds almost boring — until you realize how rare it is, and how much power it actually holds. This episode explores one of the most quietly profound phrases we use.

Capricious: The Strange Charm of the Unpredictable

Capricious: The Strange Charm of the Unpredictable

by Danny Ballan | FLOW

Some things — and some people — follow no rules but their own. Capricious is the word for that mercurial quality that can be infuriating, delightful, or both.

Lost in the Terminal? How to Navigate Any Airport in the World — And Sound Like You Know What You’re Doing

Lost in the Terminal? How to Navigate Any Airport in the World — And Sound Like You Know What You’re Doing

by Danny Ballan | Progressive English Speaking

Master the vocabulary, phrases, and real-life strategies you need to navigate any airport confidently. From check-in to boarding gate, this progressive English lesson takes you from A1 to C2 — with a few laughs along the way.

Close Reading | The White Stag: Chasing the Symbol That Was Never Meant to Be Caught

Close Reading | The White Stag: Chasing the Symbol That Was Never Meant to Be Caught

by Danny Ballan | Close Reading

The Slavic myth of the White Stag is one of mythology’s most haunting symbols — a radiant, elusive creature that calls heroes forward not to be caught, but to transform the ones who chase it.

A Leap of Faith: Jumping Without a Net and Why That’s the Point

A Leap of Faith: Jumping Without a Net and Why That’s the Point

by Danny Ballan | FLOW

Some decisions can’t be made with data, logic, or a perfectly laid plan. At some point, you simply have to jump — and trust. ‘A leap of faith’ is one of the most powerful expressions in English, and it holds something essential about courage, belief, and what it means to move forward without guarantees.

Why Does Coffee Overflow When You Heat It? The Surprising Physics of Your Morning Cup | Close Reading

Why Does Coffee Overflow When You Heat It? The Surprising Physics of Your Morning Cup | Close Reading

by Danny Ballan | Close Reading

Why does coffee overflow when heated in the microwave? The answer involves nucleation, dissolved gases, superheating, and a remarkably dangerous physics phenomenon hiding in your morning routine.

« Older Entries
Next Entries »

Series

  • The Oldest Profession (10)
  • Learn from The Last of Us Part 1 (11)
  • The Story of the World Cup (10)

Topics

  • Super Special Posts (2)
  • Miscellaneous (104)
  • Podcast (897)
    • Ask Danny (1)
    • Technology (4)
    • The Poet (1)
    • Fantastic Guest (6)
    • Vocabulary Voyages (3)
    • Premium (5)
      • Premium Episodes (5)
    • Insights (1)
    • The Critic (2)
    • Business English (44)
    • Series (60)
      • On The Wrong Side of History (10)
      • The Lies We Still Believe (3)
      • Unlock English Grammar (3)
      • The Story of Literature (10)
      • Skills We All Need (1)
      • Roberto in America (2)
      • Speak Up (1)
      • Modern Business Essentials (10)
      • A History of Sex as a Business (10)
    • Academy (6)
    • Progressive English Speaking (6)
    • Grammar (42)
    • 101 Series (1)
    • The Story of Us (3)
    • Stories (36)
    • Know Thyself (14)
    • Vocabulary Building (114)
    • Down to Business (5)
    • Our Story (1)
    • Discussions (5)
    • English Plus Show (1)
    • Vocabulary in Context (2)
    • English Plus in Action (1)
    • Mythical Mayhem (1)
    • Let's Talk Literature (5)
    • Science (23)
    • Skills (8)
    • English Plus Deep Dives (3)
    • Writing (4)
    • The Universe (1)
    • Plus Bites (1)
    • Mythology (21)
    • Bonus Episodes (1)
    • English in Context (1)
    • Big Topics (8)
    • History (24)
    • Masterclass (3)
    • The Cipher (1)
    • We Need to Talk (5)
    • English Express (21)
    • Word Power (91)
    • Education for All (2)
    • Podumentary (2)
    • The Teacher (2)
    • Think with Danny (6)
    • Common Mistakes (7)
    • The Daily Digest (50)
    • Daily Shorts (190)
    • The Storyteller (1)
    • Pronunciation (4)
    • Society and Culture (21)
    • The Guide (3)
  • Discover Plus Magazine (2,233)
    • Cultural English (7)
    • Did You Know (64)
    • War and Peace (37)
    • Spotlights Shorts (46)
    • Podcasting (2)
    • Fact or Fiction (41)
    • Myths and Legends (23)
    • NonFiction (1)
    • Frequently Asked Questions (43)
    • Learning and the Brain (12)
    • Immortal Books (20)
    • Project Orpheus (1)
    • Gods and Heroes (40)
    • Top Ten (12)
    • Great Stories (34)
    • Arts and Literature (11)
    • Common Mistakes in English (19)
    • Health and Fitness (53)
    • Quotes (107)
    • Immortal People (43)
    • History Spotlights (53)
    • Immortals (6)
    • Literary Echoes (58)
    • Lifelines (28)
    • Proverbs (109)
    • Short Introductions (184)
    • Short Stories for Everyone (5)
    • Teaching Strategies (1)
    • Mysteries Revealed (45)
    • Language Learning Strategies (6)
    • Educational Technology (11)
    • Planet Earth (43)
    • Big Ideas Explained (13)
    • Poet Diary (1)
    • Curriculum Development (4)
    • Literary Spotlights (9)
    • Science Spotlights (83)
    • Grammar Galaxy (2)
    • Word Power Shorts (64)
    • Grammar And Vocabulary (6)
    • Teacher Development (4)
    • Lessons from Everything (4)
    • Social Spotlights (150)
    • Know Yourself (76)
    • Magazine Series (6)
    • Listening and Speaking (3)
    • Education Policy (4)
    • Creative Writing Tips (40)
    • Flash Facts (54)
    • Let's Get Creative (1)
    • Danny's Debates (1)
    • Reading and Writing (3)
    • Parent and Community (14)
    • The Journey Within (59)
    • Education Spotlights (53)
    • Writing Tips and Techniques (9)
    • Higher Education (2)
    • Business Spotlights (60)
    • Spark Cast (63)
      • Imagine What If (4)
      • Know Your Brain (4)
      • Mythbuster (6)
      • Pep Talks (4)
      • Philosophy Nuggets (7)
      • Questions That Matter (4)
      • Science Sparks (4)
      • Unsolved Mysteries (4)
      • What They Said (3)
      • Why It Happens (5)
      • Words Have Power (3)
      • Expressions (4)
      • Myths And Legends (5)
      • History Bites (6)
    • Themes (181)
      • The Age of AI (13)
      • Brain Disorders (20)
      • The Infodemic (11)
      • Peace (16)
      • Literature And Us (24)
      • Critical Thinking (12)
      • Poverty (15)
      • Colonialism (12)
      • When the Bells Stop Ringing (20)
      • Understanding Cognitive Biases (25)
      • Urban Legends (7)
      • Lifelong Learning (6)
    • Idiomatic Expressions (8)
    • Polyglot (1)
    • A Very Short History of the World (16)
    • General Spotlights (29)
    • English Plus Multimedia (4)
    • Career Insights (48)
    • Beyond Earth (9)
    • English For Specific Purposes (3)
    • Cultural Insights (48)
    • Her Story (9)
    • English Usage (14)
  • English Plus Series (21)
    • Learn from Video Games (11)
      • The Last of Us Part 1 (11)
    • Edutainment Series (10)
      • The Story of the World Cup (10)
  • Videos (28)
    • A Forgotten Christmas Story Series (1)
  • Master English Magazine (404)
    • Focus on Grammar (67)
    • Side By Side (1)
    • Focus on Writing (65)
    • Close Reading (28)
    • The Bridge (1)
    • Focus on Literature (7)
    • Focus on Skills (7)
    • Focus on Speaking (7)
    • Real Conversations (7)
    • Focus on Reading (62)
    • Elementary English (10)
    • Progressive English Speaking (12)
    • Focus on Vocabulary (8)
    • Progressive Word Power (4)
    • Focus on Business (8)
    • Listening & Reading Comprehension (110)
  • Letter from the Editor (107)
  • Audio Podcast Network (20)
    • English Plus Espresso (13)
    • Tease Your Brain (5)
    • Daily English Vocabulary (1)
    • Fantastic Guests (1)
  • Crossword Puzzles in Context (178)
  • Premium Content (0)
    • DBS Lessons (2)
  • Interactive Videos (2)
    • The Odyssey (1)
    • Red Dead Redemption (1)
  • English Plus News (7)
  • Featured Articles (19)
  • Old Audio Series (6)
  • English Daily Quizzes (182)
  • Knowledge Quizzes (247)
  • FLOW (123)
  • The Crucible Magazine (178)
    • Misc. (67)
    • Short Stories (10)
      • Crime (1)
      • Literary Fiction (5)
      • Thriller & Horror (1)
    • Novella (1)
    • Poetry (90)
    • The Flash Forge (10)

Recent Posts

  • The Laugh Track
    The Laugh Track: A Psychological Horror Story About the Applause We Mistake for LoveSeptember 5, 2026
  • Cleopatra Reign
    Cleopatra’s Reign: Power, Politics, and Passion in Ancient EgyptSeptember 4, 2026
  • Danny Debates_A Heated Debate with Cleopatra
    Cleopatra: The Queen Rome Had to Rewrite | Danny DebatesSeptember 4, 2026

Join us on Social Media

  • Facebook
  • Instagram
  • YouTube
  • Twitter
  • LinkedIn


Support Us

Support English Plus on Patreon to keep us going and get some great exclusive benefits.

Support Us on Patreon


Special Thanks to our Patrons

Rada Sazhin

  • Home
  • Magazine
  • Books
  • Log In

Copyright © 2026 Danny Ballan

All rights reserved