The InFluency Podcast

What if the thing holding you back in English isn't actually your English?

In this conversation, I sit down with my friend Kara Loewentheil, bestselling author of Take Back your Brain and host of the UnF*ck Your Brain podcast, to talk about the thoughts, fear, perfectionism, and shame that can keep us from speaking up, even when we already have the language to communicate.

Learn more about Kara: 📖 Take Back Your Brain https://www.takebackyourbrainbook.com/ 🎙️ UnF*ck Your Brain https://apple.co/4yRtiVK Instagram: @karaloewentheil

Kara Loewentheil is the founder of The School of New Feminist Thought, the host of the internationally top-ranked podcast UnF*ck Your Brain: Feminist Self-Help for Everyone (55 million downloads and counting), and the author of the instant national bestseller Take Back Your Brain: How A Sexist Society Gets in Your Head – and How to Get It Out, which made six bestseller charts including USA Today and The New York Times and has been translated into multiple languages.

Want to use English tenses correctly without stopping to think about the grammar every time you speak?

In this lesson, we'll practice common English verbs across the past, present, and future using the simple, continuous, and perfect aspects.

But we're not just learning the grammar. We're practicing how these structures actually SOUND when you speak English naturally.

We'll practice with three common verbs: → MAKE → GET → TAKE

Want more practice like this? Check out my Grammar Master training here: https://bit.ly/4o1PPdb

Want to improve your English pronunciation, intonation, vocabulary, and confidence? Read out loud with me!

In this episode, we're practicing with an excerpt from Dare to Lead by Brené Brown.

We'll practice together, break down useful vocabulary and expressions, work on pronunciation and rhythm, and shadow different parts of the text so you can practice sounding more natural and expressive in English.

Check out my other read aloud episodes here: https://bit.ly/4cFoiJV

You asked, we answered! In this Q&A, Christina and I answer questions from our Beyond community, Instagram, and YouTube audience. We got questions about pronunciation, fluency, confidence, creativity, and finding your own voice in a second language.

How do you pronounce the -ED ending in English?

In this pronunciation lesson, I'll break down the 3 ways to pronounce -ED endings in English and show you how to know which pronunciation to use.

We'll practice words like:

👉 needed, ended, decided, waited 👉 played, enjoyed, called, loved, cleaned 👉 worked, watched, washed, laughed, asked

You'll also learn what happens to these sounds in connected speech, how to pronounce difficult consonant clusters, and why dropping the final sound can sometimes make it sound like you're using the wrong tense

It's been nearly two years since I last shared a Relocation Diaries episode. In January of 2024, I relocated to Barcelona, Spain with my family. A few months later, my content-marketing director, Christina, moved to Spain, too!

In this video, we share our experiences about how life has been now that we are more settled in the country, what it feels like to integrate into a new country, the challenges we've overcome, and the challenges we're still facing, and of course…updates about my language journey 😉

Check out more Relocation Diaries episodes here: https://bit.ly/relocation-diaries

Let's practice tongue twisters! These exercises are aimed at improving your pronunciation and clarity in English. These aren't easy, but hang in there ;)

Want more tongue twisters? Check out this episode: https://hadarshemesh.com/podcast/458/

This conversation is a very special one for me.

Danielle and I met many years ago when we were both studying acting in New York, long before either of us knew where life would take us. We were young, ambitious, certain about some things, completely lost about others, and both trying to figure out who we were going to become.

And now, all these years later, I got to sit down with her and talk about her first adult novel, a story she has been carrying with her, in one form or another, for about 16 years.

Danielle also shares a beautiful exercise for getting started with writing.

This is a conversation about books, yes. But really, it's about friendship, identity, dreams, reinvention, and all the unexpected ways our lives unfold.

Get the book "This Changes Everything" here: https://www.amazon.com/This-Changes-Everything-Danielle-McKechnie/dp/0063519399

Want a quick, effective TH practice? Do this every day for 2 weeks and I promise, you'll feel the difference! Practice words, phrases, sentences and minimal pairs.

Want to sound less monotone, more powerful and more expressive when you speak English?

Then come shadow this scene!

In this week's episode, we're practicing with a scene from The Morning Show, featuring Jennifer Aniston as Alex Levy.

We'll break it down together and play with prosody, reductions and focus on how to use your voice to sound more powerful and expressive

I'll walk you through it line by line, and then we'll shadow the scene together.

Close the door, press play and have some fun with your voice! Get out of your comfort zone!

By the end, you might not only sound more powerful in English. You might actually FEEL more powerful, too.

Download the script to follow along with me: https://bit.ly/4wKi6Zl

Check out my other shadowing videos here: https://bit.ly/4fx9j4t

How many things have you NOT done because you felt like your English wasn't ready yet?

Applied for that job. Started creating content. Spoke up more. Started a business.

There were three big things I postponed because I kept telling myself I wasn't ready: teaching in English, starting my YouTube channel, and starting my podcast.

And looking back, I wish I hadn't waited.

Because waiting didn't make me more ready, taking action did.

In this episode, I'm sharing these three stories and what they taught me about confidence, fear, perfectionism, and the idea of being "ready."

If there's something you've been waiting to do because of your English, I hope this episode gives you the push to start before you feel ready! ♥️

In this episode, let's practice common irregular verbs according to sounds!

When you organize irregular verbs by how they sound instead of how they're spelled, everything starts to click. And saying them out loud, in groups, in sentences is how pronunciation actually sticks.

This episode is the intersection between pronunciation and grammar, and I hope you enjoy it!

Want to keep going? My free Pronunciation Masterclass will show you exactly which sounds to focus on and how to use rhythm, stress, and intonation to sound clear and expressive in English 👇

https://bit.ly/4gv9Iqe

Other resources mentioned:

Watch the full video on how to pronounce the T before N: https://hadarshemesh.com/magazine/t-sound-in-kitten-button-manhattan/

Practice irregular verbs with the rap from Fluency MC: https://hadarshemesh.com/magazine/interview-with-jason-levine/

What does it take to become fluent in English when there is no one around you who speaks English?

Meet my student, Gilbert. He's from Guinea, living in Morocco, studying engineering in French, and one of my New Sound Scholarship winners.

In this conversation, Gilbert shares how he went from silent, afraid and unable to open his mouth to someone who speaks English with confidence, teaches others, and is now building a public speaking club in his own community.

I hope you enjoy this interview!

You can spend hours practicing pronunciation and still feel like you're not making progress. And sometimes, it's not because you're not practicing enough. It's because of how you're practicing.

There are things musicians know about practice that most English learners have never been taught, but they still apply to language learning just the same!

In this episode, I'm sharing 3 of them with you.

🎹 Get it in your body (repetition is not optional) 🐢 Go slower to go faster (yes, really) 🧠 Manage your brain when people are actually listening

Want to keep going? My free Pronunciation Masterclass will teach you everything you're not getting in conventional English classes, such as rhythm, stress, intonation and more. 👉 https://bit.ly/4cJVbGf I'll see you there.

Do you find it hard to pronounce BIG NUMBERS in English? You're not alone!

I'm not talking about our basic 1-100! As soon as we get to hundreds, thousands, or millions - things get a little messy.

In this Sprint, we're drilling big numbers together out loud, in real sentences, so they actually stick.

We'll practice:

✔️ Three-digit numbers (like 304 and 989)

✔️ Four-digit numbers the natural way (2,462 → "twenty-four sixty-two")

✔️ Numbers with zeros in tricky spots (2,052)

✔️ Five, six, and seven-digit numbers, including millions

✔️ Real sentences you'll actually use such as prices, stats, dates, and more

🔁 Want more sprints like this one? Check out this playlist! https://bit.ly/sprints-playlist

🎯 Want daily Sprints delivered inside my practice community? Join my community Beyond and get a new Sprint each day. https://bit.ly/4nrfM5N

Sometimes the best conversations are like a ping-pong match. 🏓 No awkward silences, no gaps, just fast flowing conversations. Today, we're taking a scene from the TV show, First Dates to practice exactly that.

We'll go sentence by sentence: you listen and test your comprehension, then we'll break it down, and shadow it together, paying attention to intonation, rhythm, stress, and pronunciation the whole way through.

This is a great exercise for shadowing, but also, if you wanna practice your flirty side in English ;)

Watch the full clip here: https://youtu.be/2i5l33TxIpI

Join my pronunciation masterclass to learn more: https://bit.ly/3SXWZop

In this episode, I'm breaking down the real difference between three things people often confuse:

1: Reducing an accent

2: Acquiring a new accent

3: Speaking with clear, predictable pronunciation.

I'll share my story, why "accent reduction" is actually a myth, and what really matters, depending on your personal goals.

If you want to work on your pronunciation with me, join my FREE Pronunciation Masterclass, where I teach you the elements they don't cover in conventional English studies. The ones that actually make your speech clear, expressive, and confident: https://bit.ly/4gBnjg5

Who am I? That was the question Glenda kept asking herself when she first moved from Costa Rica to the US. She was not able to communicate and felt terrified to even answer the phone or turn on her camera in a video call.

In this conversation, my student Glenda shares her journey from feeling powerless and dependent on her husband for everything, to building her own dog training business, hosting conversation groups and book clubs, and now raising her daughter… all in English :)

I hope you enjoy this episode as much as I did ♥️

👉 Join our Beyond community for English learners (Glenda is there too!): https://bit.ly/4nrfM5N

These Sprints are designed to set yourself up for success using daily articulation and speech exercises to make your pronunciation effortless and to be more clear in English!

Do this 10-minute pronunciation practice every morning before you start your day, or before an important meeting, and you'll feel the difference.

And if you want 30 daily Sprints just like this, get full access in my course, Sprint Master: https://bit.ly/419T61z

Get ready to read Atomic Habits Chapter 2 by James Clear out loud with me!

Follow along and improve your vocabulary and pronunciation with an excerpt from Atomic Habits!

Personally, I love this book. It's such a great book all about building habits that last (and these tips are great for language learning too!)

Check out Chapter 1 here: https://hadarshemesh.com/podcast/464/

Get a 30-day Audible free trial using my referral code and get Atomic Habits for FREE: https://adbl.co/2ESq3ro

The R is one of the hardest sounds in English…but it doesn't have to be after this episode ;)

In American English, there are two R sounds: the strong R (red, around, crazy) and the soft R, or R vowels. That's when the R appears AFTER a vowel (car, here, first).

In this focused practice session, we're working through the 5 key R vowel sounds together.

For each sound, I'll give you words and example sentences to follow along with.

By the end, these tricky words like world, work, word, girl and first won't feel so scary anymore.

Want to go deeper into pronunciation?

Join my FREE Pronunciation Masterclass! A full hour of everything I know about sounds, prosody, intonation, rhythm, and stress, so you can stop putting so much effort into speaking English. It's completely free, and it's going to be fun. → https://bit.ly/4xZGyqv

Check out these other R videos to keep practicing: https://bit.ly/4vMcltM

If you've ever felt funny, smart, and expressive in your first language, but timid, or smaller the moment you switch to English, this conversation is for you!

In this interview, I spoke with Valentina, a longtime student of mine, to talk about something almost every English learner feels but rarely has the words for: the gap between who you are and how you show up in English.

We get into the difference between the language gap (knowing more than you can say) and the identity gap (not feeling like yourself), why your English behaves differently depending on the room you're in, and how letting go of who you "should" be is the thing that finally sets your voice free.

This one is tender, honest, and full of permission. I loved every minute of it. 💛

To join our community, check it out here! Beyond Community → https://bit.ly/4nrfM5N

Today's episode is a bit different. That's because today, I am going to talk to you about the 10 reasons why I ABSOLUTELY LOVE being a non-native speaker.

From having multiple personalities and voices in different languages, to the personal development journey that language learning truly is…this episode is not about pronunciation or grammar. Just the truth about what it means to speak more than one language.

If you've ever felt embarrassed about your accent, guilty about making mistakes, or like you're "not enough" compared to native speakers, this episode is for you.

Want to sound more confident in English? In this video, I'm sharing 4 speech patterns and speaking habits that may be making you sound less confident, less clear, or less certain without you even realizing it.

If English is your second language, these patterns may come from your first language or from habits you've built over time. The good news is that once you become aware of them, you can start changing them and sound more clear, natural, and confident in English.

In this episode, we'll talk about:

If you want to go deeper, save your seat to my free Pronunciation Masterclass! https://bit.ly/4hVBsa8

Shadowing is a great way to practice your pronunciation, prosody, grammar and so much more, but the key is knowing what to focus on. In this video, we'll practice pitch and rhythm using a scene from Breaking Bad.

Download the script to follow along with: https://bit.ly/4v8pa1d

Check out my other shadowing videos here: https://bit.ly/4fx9j4t

Join my pronunciation masterclass: https://bit.ly/3UUR9Vj

Do you hear people say words like kitten, Manhattan, forgotten, or written in a way that sounds different from what you learned?

In this video, I'll teach you how the T is really pronounced in American English when it appears before a reduced vowel (schwa) and N, like in the words kitten, button, certain, written, and forgotten.

Disclosure: This sound is a nuance of American English! It's not necessary for clear pronunciation. This lesson is here to help you notice the pattern, improve your listening, and practice the details of American English pronunciation if that's something you want to work on.

If you want to go deeper into pronunciation and learn how it can improve your fluency, clarity, and confidence, join my free Pronunciation Masterclass here: https://bit.ly/4wQnuKi

Let's get ready to test your listening skills with a fast, fun clip from The Devil Wears Prada 2!

First, you'll listen to the full clip and answer a few comprehension questions. Then, we'll break it down together, fill in the missing words, then uncover the connected speech, rhythm, stress, and intonation, and finally shadow the scene line by line.

This episode will help you: - Understand fast English in context - Identify reduced and connected words - Notice pitch, rhythm, and tone of voice - Shadow naturally full of expression

Liked this? check out my shadowing episode with The Devil Wears Prada 1: https://hadarshemesh.com/podcast/482/

Want to improve your pronunciation and understand fast English with more confidence? Join my free pronunciation masterclass here: https://bit.ly/4wPgHk8

Looking for new ways to practice your English? In today's episode, I'm sharing with you some of my favorite strategies that can help you improve your fluency, listening, pronunciation, and vocabulary.

I've used these myself learning English (and now Spanish!) and I've shared them with my students time and time again.

These strategies are simple, powerful, and will help you turn everyday English practice into something more active, consistent, and fun.

Do you want to build a consistent English practice routine? Learn more about Beyond, my English practice community: https://bit.ly/4nrfM5N

More resources for you to practice with:

My shadowing YouTube playlist https://bit.ly/4fx9j4t

Vocabulary practice YouTube playlist: https://bit.ly/4cZItm4

Impromptu speaking practice episode: https://hadarshemesh.com/podcast/510/

My membership Beyond: https://bit.ly/4nrfM5N

If you've been trying to improve your English but still don't feel clear, confident, or fully yourself when you speak, this video is for you!

In this lesson, I'm sharing the number one strategy I use to help students improve their pronunciation, speak more clearly, and feel more confident in English.

A lot of people think pronunciation is only important if you want to sound more polished, that pronunciation is a 'luxury' problem.

But the truth is, pronunciation is a core part of fluency. It affects how clearly you communicate, how easily people understand you, and how confident you feel when you speak.

In this episode, we'll talk about:

If you're ready to improve your pronunciation, intonation, rhythm, and stress, this will help you build a stronger foundation and start seeing results.

Want to go deeper? Join my free Pronunciation Masterclass! https://bit.ly/4qH5RLF

In today's episode, I'm introducing you to a dear, long-time student of mine, Elisa! Elisa is Italian, and works in hospitality, but her relationship with English started long before any of that.

One day, Elisa found herself stuck in a cycle: consuming English every day through music, YouTube and movies, but terrified to speak a single sentence out loud.

In this interview, Elisa will share with us the exact shifts that changed everything for her: how she moved from overthinking every word to focusing on the message and what it felt like to finally become not just a more confident English speaker, but a more confident person.

If you have ever told yourself, "I'm not ready yet," this one is for you!

⬇️ Resources mentioned:

Free Shadowing Practice Playlist: https://bit.ly/4fx9j4t

Read Out Loud With Me Series: https://bit.ly/4cFoiJV

New Sound Course: https://bit.ly/4cGxbmC

Beyond membership: https://bit.ly/4nrfM5N

Want to speak English without freezing, overthinking, or needing a full script first?

In this episode, I'll show you how to practice impromptu speaking in English so you can talk more freely, clearly, and confidently, even when you have little time to prepare.

Impromptu speaking is one of the best ways to improve your fluency because it helps you close the gap between the English you know and the English you actually speak. It also helps you think faster, organize your thoughts, build vocabulary in context, and speak with more ease.

Check out this website for impromptu speech topics: https://random-topic-generator-woad.vercel.app

Here is a list of other prompts for you to practice with:

What happens when you prepare for your dream interview for weeks… and then get to the interview and realize you can't actually say what you want out loud?

That's exactly what happened to Monica.

In this student interview, Monica shares the heartbreaking moment that changed everything in her English journey. After being invited to interview for her dream position, she realized that all her preparation had stayed in her head.

The moment she had to speak, she froze. And that painful experience became the turning point that pushed her to finally change the way she was learning English.

Since then, Monica has completely transformed the way she speaks, practices, and shows up in English.

In this conversation, we talk about: How one difficult interview became her wake-up call, why passive learning wasn't enough, how daily habits helped her become consistent, the role of pronunciation and prosody in building confidence, and how English helped her reconnect with her purpose

Monica's story is powerful, honest, and incredibly inspiring. If you've ever felt like English was holding you back from showing the world who you really are, this conversation is for you.

I'm so honored to share Monica's story with you. She is thoughtful, brave, and deeply inspiring, and I know you're going to love her.

Check out Monica's Instagram here: https://www.instagram.com/frenchsoundsbeautiful/

Monica discovered me through Luke's English Podcast. Watch that interview here! https://teacherluke.co.uk/2023/06/20/831-learning-how-to-learn-with-hadar-shemesh

Learn more about Beyond here: https://bit.ly/4nrfM5N

Feeling stuck in English and haven't seen progress, even though you've been working on your English for a while?

This is probably because of 1 of 2 reasons:

Reason 1: You're not practicing consistently Reason 2: You're learning in a way that is not actually effective

This video is focused on how to shift your mindset, build better habits, and create a learning experience that helps you feel more confident, more free, and more like yourself in English.

I'm sharing with you 5 powerful values that can completely transform the way you practice English:

These are the same values we use inside Beyond, our English practice community, and they can help you change not only how you learn English, but how you show up for yourself.

In this pronunciation episode, we're breaking down the most common "CH" sounds you'll find in English (hint: there is more than one way to say it!)

Follow along and repeat out loud in today's pronunciation practice!

Did you enjoy this practice? Want more? Join my free 14-day pronunciation plan! https://bit.ly/3YAWcJ5

* There are two other pronunciations of CH not mentioned in the episode.

Yacht → the CH is silent

Loch → in some dialects, it's pronounced as a /x/.

Improve your vocabulary, pronunciation and pace while reading a story out loud with me! We're reading a part from The Housemaid by Frida McFadden.

Download the PDF to read along with me and learn the vocabulary from the episode! https://bit.ly/4sqQeb7

#readaloud #readoutloud #thehousemaid #reading

Want more reading practice? Check out my read along playlist! https://bit.ly/4dcJedr

Have you ever listened to a native English speaker and thought… wait, that sounds funny!

You HEAR one thing, but you SEE something completely different when it's written.

Today, I'm going to share with you a linguistic feature of English called coalescence (also known as fusion).

It's one of the most common processes in spoken English. Once you understand it, a lot of things that used to sound confusing will suddenly make perfect sense, AND know this will help you understand native speakers so. much. better.

To practice more, download the free practice sheet here → https://bit.ly/4sTJH8O

For more information about consonants, check out my consonants masterclass → https://bit.ly/4sZkkTb

In this interview, I'm bringing Jelena to the stage! Jelena is one of my New Sound and Beyond students from Serbia, who now lives in the US.

When she arrived, she could barely leave her apartment. She avoided grocery stores, doctor's appointments, and meetings with her supervisor. Today? She's a research fellow, teaches salsa in English, and has a thriving social life she once thought to be impossible.

In this conversation, she shares:

What it really felt like to be isolated and dependent on her husband's English The turning point that proved she could communicate outside a "safe environment" Why pronunciation work was the key that unlocked her confidence How mindset shifts that changed everything What she'd recommend to anyone stuck in the same loop she was in

This is the kind of conversation I love having: a public catch-up with a former student who is living proof that English doesn't have to be an obstacle to the life you want.

👉 Learn more about New Sound: https://bit.ly/4uqgMuD

👉 Practice with my Sprints for free: https://bit.ly/43pCotf

Jelena's story is not unique, it's what's possible. If you've ever avoided a doctor's appointment, stayed silent in a meeting, or felt like a different person in English, this one's for you. ❤️

Are you actually learning vocabulary the right way? Most English learners aren't, and it's holding them back from real fluency!

In this episode, I break down the vocabulary groups every English learner has, why your passive vocabulary is secretly your biggest asset, and the #1 mistake people make when trying to memorize new words (hint: it's all about quantity vs. quality)!

If you've ever felt like you know a word but can't find it when you're speaking… this episode is for you! ♥️

Download my FREE vocabulary planner: https://bit.ly/3XiF0qv

Join Beyond: https://bit.ly/4nrfM5N

Take the quiz and find out your stage: https://bit.ly/3PbGOl0

Want to move up and need a boost to make it happen? Join Beyond Community? https://bit.ly/4nrfM5N

For years, we've been told that fluency is measured from A1 to C2.

But those levels measure grammar and comprehension. They don't measure how you show up when you speak.

You can be "B2" and still avoid conversations. You can understand everything… and still feel anxious when it's your turn to talk.

So what if fluency isn't about levels… but about stages of speaking confidence?

In this video, I introduce a different way to think about fluency! With the 5 Speaking Stages.

1️⃣ The Avoider 2️⃣ The Anxious Speaker 3️⃣ The Brave Speaker 4️⃣ The Challenger 5️⃣ The Influencer

✨ Want to find out YOUR stage?

Take the Speaking Stage Quiz here! https://bit.ly/3PbGOl0

Get ready to practice with me!

In this lesson, we're going to train our pronunciation and vocabulary by shadowing an iconic scene from The Matrix.

Shadowing is one of the most effective ways to improve rhythm, stress, intonation, and connected speech. Instead of just listening, we repeat with the speaker in real time. We copy the melody, the reductions, and the flow.

In this episode, we will:

And more!

Download the Matrix PDF here: https://bit.ly/3MMXI8L

Have you seen that trend going around on social media where native speakers share a word they mispronounced once… and it still haunts them years later? Today we're turning those viral confessions into a pronunciation lesson 🙈

You'll learn how to pronounce Hepatitis, chihuahua, paradigm, fatigue, stomachaches, Yosemite, Arkansas, Connecticut, chaos, elbow, and manslaughter.

I'll explain where the primary stress goes, why some letters are silent, how American pronunciation changes certain sounds, why English spelling can be so confusing and why even native speakers get it wrong!

Here's the truth: English is not a phonetic language. You cannot always guess the pronunciation from the spelling. That is exactly why mispronunciations happen. And not just to non-native speakers.

If you want more lessons on pronunciation, fluency, and building confidence in English, make sure to subscribe to my FREE Accent Crash Course! https://bit.ly/3BnPC0S

Are you ready for another read out loud practice? In today's episode, we're reading The Alchemist by Paulo Coelho. This is an excellent way to grow your vocabulary, practice your pronunciation, and improve your flow while reading.

Download the book excerpt with vocabulary definitions and audio: https://bit.ly/4tzLMYQ

Liked these? Check out more videos like these:

Read along with Harry Potter: https://bit.ly/401eST4

Read along with Let Them: https://bit.ly/4tldKHs

Read along with Atomic Habits: https://bit.ly/4qyEq4N

How well do you know primary stress? In today's lesson, we're doing a quiz to test your knowledge of just how much you know.

For more primary stress practice, check out these videos!

Keep practicing with my FREE Accent Crash Course: https://bit.ly/3BnPC0S

Do you say estrong instead of strong? In today's video, we're talking about consonant clusters. Consonant clusters can happen at the beginning, middle or end of words, and today, we'll practice pronouncing words, phrases and sentences without dropping any sounds!

Want more pronunciation practice? Join my 14-day pronunciation plan! https://bit.ly/3YAWcJ5

Today, we're stepping into the world of just how confusing English spelling can be! In this video, we're going to analyze words that even advanced speakers mispronounce.

Want to keep practicing your pronunciation? Get the free 14-day pronunciation plan! https://bit.ly/3YAWcJ5

Do you ever feel like you speak monotone in English?

In this episode, Aubrey from the amazing All Ears English podcast is here to talk about how monotone speech can affect your IELTS speaking score (and the other ways it can impact you!)

In this conversation, we talk about:

Whether you are preparing for IELTS or simply want to sound more confident and expressive in English, this episode will help you understand how to work on it!

Find Aubrey and the All Ears English podcast here! https://www.allearsenglish.com/

Are you afraid of making mistakes when you speak English?

In this episode, we're talking about something that silently blocks fluency for so many people: the fear of making mistakes.

In today's episode, you'll learn 5 truths about mistakes in English that will completely change the way you speak, practice, and show up in real conversations. Because the goal is not to speak "perfectly." The goal is to speak clearly, confidently, and consistently, even when things are not 100 percent.

Want more?

Join us for the Start Strong Challenge! https://bit.ly/4qAqR5l

Join Beyond, my English practice community https://bit.ly/4nrfM5N

Today, we're learning 10 super common English expressions that will help you start the year with energy, confidence, and momentum.

You might already recognize some of them, but today you'll learn what they really mean, how to say them more naturally, and how to use them in real sentences so they actually stick.

Download the practice PDF (expressions + definitions + example sentences): https://bit.ly/3YMyA4n

As we wrap up 2025 and step into 2026, I want to invite you to leave a few things behind with me: the need to be perfect, the fear of judgment, habits that aren't working for you, comparison, and that old story you keep telling yourself about your English.

Because here's the truth: you don't need "perfect" to be powerful. You just need practice, permission, and a new story.

If you want a little extra support to start 2026 feeling clearer, freer, and more confident, I've got two free ways to do it:

👉 Join the free 7-Day Confidence Challenge https://bit.ly/3UmzZMY A short daily email with a simple activity to help you build confidence in English, one step at a time.

👉 Get on the Start Strong Challenge list We're kicking off 2026 together with a free Start Strong Challenge so you can start the year with momentum and confidence. Click here to join https://bit.ly/498Lnmu

Let's make 2026 a year to remember!

Do you ever feel tired after speaking English even when you can speak for hours in your first language with no problem? In this episode, I'll explain why English feels more exhausting and what you can do to feel lighter, clearer, and more effortless when you speak.

You'll learn practical strategies to reduce physical tension, stop overusing your muscles when pronouncing tricky sounds, ease voice strain, and manage the mental load that comes from overthinking and self editing. These small shifts can help you conserve energy, feel more confident, and enjoy speaking without ending the day completely drained.

Learn more about your voice with these videos: https://bit.ly/48Z774o

Join my programs 👇

My English Mindset: https://bit.ly/47wXuYD

Beyond Community: https://bit.ly/4nrfM5N

Do you ever feel like you are "not a storyteller" or worry that your stories are too long, too messy, or "not interesting enough" in English? Join this conversation with us!

In this episode, I talk with Bree from the podcast "Into the Story" about what storytelling really is and why you do not need perfect English, fancy vocabulary, or a big dramatic life to tell powerful stories that connect.

We also talk about confidence, perfectionism, and that little feeling of shame when you remember a tiny mistake you made in English hours later. If you are tired of waiting to "fix" your English before you share your story, this episode is for you.

Connect with Bree: Into the Story podcast: https://intostory.com/ Bree's website: https://intostory.com/

TED Talks: The Official TED Guide to Public Speaking" by Chris Anderson: https://www.ted.com/read/ted-talks-the-official-ted-guide-to-public-speaking

One vowel sound, but so many spellings in English! English spelling is not phonetic, which means that just because it has one spelling, doesn't mean it always sounds the same way! In this video, we're going to talk about the 15 (!) different spellings that just ONE sound has in English. Crazy, right?

For more information about this vowel, check out these episodes:

How to pronounce 'water': https://hadarshemesh.com/magazine/water/

/ah/ as in father (and coffee, job and office): https://hadarshemesh.com/magazine/aa-as-in-father/

The 3 A's : cap-cup-cop: https://hadarshemesh.com/magazine/cap-cup-cop/

In this lesson we'll practice together how the same text can sound happy, sad, serious, or excited, only by changing your voice! I'll read two paragraphs in different ways so you can hear how tone, pitch, and rhythm change the meaning. Then we'll shadow together and you can practice your own intonation.

Shadow with me, repeat after me, and train your voice to tell the story you want!

If you want more practice with intonation, pronunciation, and real speaking skills, check out my free 14-day pronunciation plan! https://bit.ly/3YAWcJ5

Unlock the parts of you that stay quiet in English and finally show up as your full self. In this episode, we talk about the habits and thoughts that limit your expression and how to break them so you can speak with clarity, confidence, and freedom.

You will learn how to: • Notice the beliefs that hold you back • Shift from fear to curiosity • Practice in simple daily ways that build real confidence • Express yourself with more presence and ease

Want to keep practicing and building your true voice in English? Check out my practice community, Beyond. https://bit.ly/4nrfM5N

Struggling with prepositions in English? In this lesson, we'll discover the most common preposition mistakes and practice them together with clear drills so you can use them confidently in real life.

Learn with me in my courses 🤝 https://bit.ly/4oBeZzC

Do you struggle to pronounce words like "girl," "term," "certain," and "earth"? In today's lesson, we're going to talk about how the American English R really sounds in these words! We'll also talk about spelling patterns, and how you can identify the pronunciation easily.

Download the R practice sheet here: https://bit.ly/3Alq9Eq

Get my 14-day Pronunciation Plan: https://bit.ly/3YAWcJ5

Do you want to stop translating, and start thinking in English? This episode will show you 5 steps you can do every day to build the connection in your brain in English, and make it yours.

Here are the resources mentioned in the episode:

Join my membership, Beyond, and get access to HadarAI! https://bit.ly/4nrfM5N

Practice with daily Sprints: https://bit.ly/4qtZJ8P

Practice shadowing: https://bit.ly/4fx9j4t

Want to improve your grammar, but you're not sure how? Chances are, you KNOW the grammar rules, but when it comes time to speak, you overthink which tense to use.

That's why I created this Grammar Sprint, a series of drills I've developed, aimed at building pronunciation confidence in new tenses and common grammar structures.

The repetition builds muscle memory so it becomes easier to use these tenses and internalize the grammar used.

Want more Sprints just like this? Join The Grammar Master! https://bit.ly/4o1PPdb

Ready to put your authoritative tone to the test in English? In today's episode, we're shadowing an infamous scene from The Devil Wears Prada. We will focus on clarity, pace, stress, and that cool, contained confidence that makes every line land. 👠💙

Download the PDF to practice along here: https://bit.ly/4nT59Zy

Today we have a video where you'll get a chance to test your English skills with this test! I've collected a list of common mistakes that English speakers make, and your job is to discover what the mistake is, and then we'll practice the correct form together!

Remember, mistakes aren't bad, but they CAN be annoying if we repeat them over and over, even when we know the correct form. So this video will help you discover common mistakes you might be making, and practice so you can retrain your brain to use the proper form.

Want more practice like this, with even more conversation groups, and live classes with coaches? Join my practice community, Beyond! https://bit.ly/4nrfM5N

Guess what!? I moved! In January, 2024, my family and I packed up and moved to Barcelona. A new country, new language(s), and many, many challenges.

This new series, Relocation Diaries, will be about the struggles, conflicts, happy moments, learning a language, mindset work, and how I almost lost my mind over one refrigerator (long story, coming soon).

I knew I wanted to document this time and share it with you. Get ready for more behind the scenes of my life and my business!

Tag questions in English can be tricky, can't they? In today's lesson, we'll talk about how to pronounce tag questions in English so you can use them confidently.

Download the free PDF to practice tag questions: https://hadarshemesh.com/tagquestions

Today I had the honor of interviewing Keith from English Speaking Success, where he shared his experience and best tips and tricks for helping students succeed in the IELTS exam, and feel more confident in their speaking.

Learn more about Keith's courses here: Keithspeakingacademy.com

Follow Keith's channel to get more tips that will develop your speaking and prepare you for IELTS: https://www.youtube.com/@EnglishSpeakingSuccess

Watch my interview on Keith's channel: https://youtu.be/_Bg7fKuEBx8

What are the hardest words to pronounce in English? Don't take it from me! I asked this question to my students and here's what they said. What English word is the hardest for you to pronounce?

What does it take to overcome your fear in English and express yourself freely and completely?

In this episode I interview my student, Daniela Vašinková, who lives in the Czech Republic. We talk about Daniela's story of learning English (without having ever lived in an English speaking country), and how she went from avoiding all conversations, to becoming the outgoing, influential and incredible speaker that she is today.

Daniela was a student of mine in my signature program, New Sound (get on the waitlist here https://bit.ly/48NUVSP), and a pillar in my membership community, Beyond!

Beyond is now closed for registration, but you can join the waitlist here: https://bit.ly/3ujoc8I

You know you should practice your English, but it can feel overwhelming not knowing where to begin, what to study, or how to do it effectively. Today I'll walk you through the essential elements you need to begin practicing more consistently in English.

Add a quick, easy and fun daily 10-minute practice to your routine for free! Become a Sprint Rookie: https://bit.ly/43pCotf

Videos to help you know what to focus on and practice more effectively:

Join the 7-Day Start Strong Challenge for free: https://bit.ly/41XW8UM

How can you actually set goals that you are excited about and that you'll commit to in 2024?

In this episode, we'll talk about how you can start and stay strong in 2024 by creating goals that set you up for success.

And, if you want to set your goals with me, build habits that last, get more practice, speaking opportunities and lots more, I'm inviting you to our Start Strong Challenge from January 22 – 28. It's 100% FREE!

Join the challenge today. We start January 22! https://bit.ly/41XW8UM

Have you ever thought that listening to different accents might confuse you or slow down your progress in English? This is a concern that I've heard a lot over the years, and today I'll share the truth about what listening to different accents and dialects can actually do to your English.

Do you want to begin thinking in English more? Naturally, it can be challenging to switch from thinking in your native language to English. But today, I'm sharing with you three strategies that I've used myself to start thinking in English.

Are you already using any of these strategies? Let me know!

Anesthesia, syringe, malignant tumor…so many words that look intimidating in medicine, but are essential to know! In today's episode, I'll share 10 common words used in medicine, what they mean, and how to pronounce them.

Download the free PDF to follow along with the audio and see the definition, IPA transcription, and example sentences: https://bit.ly/3TCKCMz

Whether you need to go to a doctor and use English, or you just want to brush up on your medical vocabulary, you'll enjoy this episode!

We use "has to", "have to" and "had to" all the time when we speak, but did you know that something interesting happens to them in connected speech? Find out how in this episode.

Connected speech in English – why do we need it? https://hadarshemesh.com/magazine/connected-speech-in-english/

How to connect words in American English? | Tips & Tricks https://hadarshemesh.com/magazine/connected-speech/

You've heard that making mistakes are bad…but what if I told you that making mistakes can actually improve your English and get you closer to your fluency goals? In today's episode, we're talking about three different types of mistakes in English, and how you can use each mistake to learn from it and identify what you need to work on to overcome those challenges.

Practice your English through daily, effective fun repetitions using my SPRINTS! https://hadarshemesh.com/sprint-rookie/

Transcribe your speech using Descript https://www.descript.com/

Get my free ChatGPT guide and boost your English practice: https://hadarshemesh.com/chatgpt-freebie/

Hot, work, photo, who…these words all have the letter 'O' in them, but each O is pronounced completely different! In this lesson, I'll teach you the different pronunciations of the letter O in American English, and how to develop a method for pronouncing it accurately when you're not sure.

Watch the full video version of it here: https://youtu.be/nsCyAWyqn4k

Ready for a Q&A with me? I'm answering all questions about pronunciation. Here's a sneak peek of what we cover in today's episode:

Do you have questions for me? Submit them here: https://bit.ly/3L71bu8

Are you looking for a different approach to becoming more fluent in English? There are a lot of tips and resources out there for how to improve your spoken English, but today, we're discussing uncommon, practical and unconventional strategies that you might have never heard of. These strategies are designed to help you get fluent and take your spoken English to the next level – fast!

Resources mentioned:

In this episode we're going to talk about the H, and talk about what happens to the T, K and P's at the beginning of words (hint, it has to do with H's).

For more resources watch these videos:

In this episode, I'm showing you the ins and outs of the exact method I use to teach pronunciation to my students, and how you can use the same method on your own to get great results.

Not sure what sounds to start with? Listen to this episode: https://hadarshemesh.com/podcast/348/

Resources I've prepared for you with words, phrases and sentences to practice:

More resources for you:

In this episode, I'll share how to use the 80/20 principle and apply it to your English practice.

Join my free speaking community – The InFluency Community: https://bit.ly/47tinnp

Transform your mindset in English through my 30-day audio course My English Mindset: https://bit.ly/47wXuYD

Do you sometimes get stuck in conversations, looking for the right word but you just can't find it? It can ruin your flow, and your confidence when communicating with others.

In today's episode, we'll talk about WHY it happens, and what you can do when you find yourself stuck!

Boost your communication with my FREE 5-Step Vocabulary Planner: https://bit.ly/3XiF0qv

What would it feel like to speak English with your full potential? In our final episode of this mini-series, this mindset talk is all about overcoming internal obstacles to do just that!

If you feel like you want to take the next step in working on your mindset and untapping your full potential in English, I'm inviting you to join my 30-day audio training, My English Mindset today: https://bit.ly/3VdK0eW

Can you pronounce the difference between sell and sale or want and won't? In today's episode, we're talking about how to effectively pronounce the 5 diphthongs of American English.

Download your FREE practice sheet with words, minimal pairs and sentences so you can learn common words with diphthongs, and pronounce them like a pro https://bit.ly/49g4drm

Your environment has a BIG impact on setting yourself up for English success. This mindset episode will show you how to create the right environment to thrive.

In this new mini-series called Mindset Talks, we'll be tackling different topics around mindset and English and how they are connected.

If you feel like you want to take the next step in working on your mindset and untapping your full potential in English, I'm inviting you to join my 30-day audio training, My English Mindset today: https://bit.ly/3VdK0eW

Do you need feedback to improve your English? You might think that the ONLY way to improve is to have a teacher or person that can give you feedback and corrections on everything that you say.

While having a teacher that can give you feedback is certainly valuable, you can absolutely improve without having a teacher or anyone to give you feedback when you practice!

Having a teacher give feedback can be a privilege that many people don't have. You might feel that if you don't get feedback, you'll never be able to get to where you want to be. But that's not the case at all!

In this episode, I'll talk about the pros and cons of receiving feedback, and how you can give yourself feedback – no teacher required!

Now I want to hear from you. Have you found a strategy to practice giving yourself feedback on your own? Do you have any tips for the rest of us? Let me know in the comments!

Check out the following episodes:

Do you ever feel fake in English? This episode will focus on what to do when you feel fake in English. Whether that's fearing what others will think, staying in your comfort zone, or falling victim to imposter syndrome, we'll talk about it all!

In this new mini-series called Mindset Talks, we'll be tackling different topics around mindset and English and how they are connected.

If you feel like you want to take the next step in working on your mindset and untapping your full potential in English, I'm inviting you to join my 30-day audio training, My English Mindset today: https://bit.ly/3VdK0eW

Why do I feel like a fraud every time I speak English? | The Impostor Syndrome: https://hadarshemesh.com/podcast/11/

Do you want a bigger vocabulary? Of course! Who doesn't? But there are many methods out there that might be harming you instead of helping.

If you've ever tried to learn new vocabulary, you know that it can feel impossible at times, or overwhelming when you think about all the words you need to learn.

Even worse is when you spend time learning vocab, but then you can't put it in a sentence when you need it!

Today, I'm talking about the WORST techniques to improve your vocabulary. Avoid these techniques to save yourself time and prevent future headaches . I'll also be showing you proven methods that will ACTUALLY help you boost your vocabulary in a way that is productive, easy and will make words stick for good.

To get started, download my FREE 5-Step Vocabulary Planner: https://bit.ly/3XiF0qv

Check out more videos about building vocabulary:

How To Learn New Vocabulary | Build Pronunciation Confidence https://hadarshemesh.com/magazine/how-to-learn-new-vocabulary/

Want to improve your speaking vocabulary? STOP LEARNING NEW WORDS https://hadarshemesh.com/magazine/improve-speaking-vocabulary/

Have you ever dealt with criticism or unsolicited comments about your accent or your English? In this new mini-series called Mindset Talks, we'll be tackling different topics around mindset and English and how they are connected.

Learn about how to deal with criticism in English, and how to change the negative thoughts in your head you might have when it comes to what you think about your English.

I love success stories. Especially when I see someone who I identify with achieving the things I want to achieve in life. That's why I'm so excited to share with you today's real-life success stories!

In this episode, I'm interviewing 6 of my New Sound students as they share their experience inside New Sound, and what has become possible for them during and after.

Join New Sound today: https://bit.ly/3ZcYhus

They'll share what are the things that they needed to learn, and the things they needed to let go of to speak English powerfully, clearly and fluently.

They will also share the values of what New Sound is all about: speaking up, being heard, and using your English voice to change your life. And mostly, when we build pronunciation confidence, we feel more free and fluent, and much more like ourselves when speaking.

My students with me today are:

Rosario Oliva, a Software developer living in Italy Antonina Zusko, an English tutor from Ukraine, now living in the US Luciana Caraça, a UX Designer from Brazil, now living in Portugal Fred Silva, a digital marketer living in Brazil Muxiang Liu Pajerski, a National Marketing Technology Project Manager from China, now living in the US Sheena Weeden, a stay-at-home mom from the Philippines, now living in the US

In this new mini-series called Mindset Talks, we'll be tackling different topics around mindset and English and how they are connected. Today's episode is about how to get unstuck.

Today, we're talking about the feeling of being stuck in your English journey. Have you ever experienced that? Maybe you've been practicing for a while, but you're not seeing the results you hoped to see. Or maybe, you're just not feeling the same passion or excitement anymore as you practice. In today's talk, I'm going to share with you why these feelings might happen, and what you can do to overcome these feelings.

If you're looking for a way to get unstuck in your English and reach a breakthrough, I'm inviting you to check out my program New Sound. New Sound is the only program that focuses on the exact elements that will transform your English, build your confidence, and level up your pronunciation in English. Click here to learn more! https://bit.ly/3ZcYhus Registration closes on September 21.

What are the advantages and disadvantages of learning on your own?

There are so many benefits to learning on your own, especially now that we have access to so many materials, videos and practice online. We can literally learn whenever and however we want!

But sometimes we get off track, get stuck, or simply don't know what to focus on. What can we do from there? What does it take to keep the momentum going when studying alone, and what are the advantages and disadvantages of learning on your own? That's exactly what we'll talk about today.

If you're looking for a system with a full circle of support that keeps you on track, motivated and inspired, I'm inviting you to check out my program New Sound which is open for enrollment until Thursday, September 21. https://bit.ly/3ZcYhus

In this new mini-series called Mindset Talks, we'll be tackling different topics around mindset and English and how they are connected. Today's episode is about managing your thoughts about your accent.

When you hear yourself speak in English you might have a lot of judgement or self-doubt, and today's topic is all about how to handle those thoughts and feelings that might come up.

If you're looking for more actionable steps to go from avoiding speaking in English to speaking with impact, I'm inviting you to join my free Masterclass where we'll be talking about 3 powerful strategies to get you the results you want to see in your English. Save your seat here: https://bit.ly/44ARgEU

Finally, if you're ready for a real transformation in the way you think, feel and sound in English, doors open for my transformational program New Sound in just a few days! Click here to learn more: https://bit.ly/47pygvK

Have you seen the movie Barbie? Recently, I went to the theater to watch it with my mom and sister, and immediately knew I HAD to make a video about it.

America Ferrera's monologue in the movie Barbie is a great example of how the different elements of speech come together to deliver an important message.

Want to join the FREE 5-Day Pronunciation Training? Click here! https://bit.ly/3Ebb5rs

For the full transcript to practice with and the video version, click here: https://bit.ly/47YWGwh

Watch my other speech analysis of America Ferrera: https://hadarshemesh.com/magazine/america-ferrera-ted-talk-analysis/

What does it take to build confidence in a language and country that you weren't born into?

In today's episode, I'm interviewing my student Zoraida Cruz. Zoraida is from Nicaragua and immigrated to the US as a teenager. She shares her experiences of living in a predominantly Spanish-speaking community, the struggles she faced and how ultimately she was able to completely transform her English and confidence to become an unstoppable communicator.

Zoraida was a student in my program New Sound. Read more about New Sound here: https://bit.ly/47pygvK

With so many videos, lessons and information out there, how do you know WHERE to get started learning pronunciation? In this episode, I'll take you step-by-step through how to learn pronunciation and save yourself time and frustration.

Resources mentioned in the episode:

In this new mini-series called Mindset Talks, we'll be tackling different topics around mindset and English and how they are connected. Today's episode is about How to Find Motivation. Something so many English learners struggle with. But the motivation I'm going to talk about today might be a little different than what you think of when you hear the word motivation.

What's the difference between sheep-ship, pool-pull and bus-boss? There are so many words in English where the difference between the words are small, but so important!

Vowels are essential for sounding clear in English. The problem is that English has SO MANY vowels, and many of them don't exist in other languages!

That's why today, I've made a full vowel practice where we can practice all of the vowels of English together.

Watch the full vowel masterclass for more of an explanation about each vowel: https://hadarshemesh.com/magazine/english-vowels/

Practice your vowels daily for FREE with The Sprint Rookie! https://hadarshemesh.com/sprint-rookie/

I love getting to interview my New Sound students!

Fred is an entrepreneur and hosts his own podcast for English learners where he interviews others about their journey. He immediately got my attention when I saw him in New Sound – he was ready for a challenge and eager to improve.

Today, I had the chance to interview him. Fred's story is full of motivation and valuable tips for English learners, regardless of where you're at in your journey.

Listen to our interview on Fred's channel: https://youtu.be/mF8YXAieZV0

Get on the waitlist for New Sound: https://bit.ly/47pygvK

Jokes in English, they're not always easy to understand Humor can be tricky to master in a different language. There are a lot of cultural references, nuances, wordplay, and more that can make a joke hard to understand. That's why this week, I'm bringing different styles of jokes you might find in English, and the explanation behind them!

What's your favorite joke in English?

Watch the video version here: https://hadarshemesh.com/magazine/jokes-in-english/

How does English, intonation, rhythm and rap combine into one interview? You'll just have to watch today's episode to find out! I'm interviewing Jason R. Levine, also known as Fluency MC (https://www.youtube.com/fluencymc) on the channel today. Jason is an English teacher, content developer, and songwriter with the goal to help English learners use and memorize grammar, vocabulary, intonation and more through raps and songs. I can't wait for you to listen to this week's interview!

Learn more about Jason's work:

What's the difference between sheep-ship, beat-bit, leave-live, sheet-sh and beach-b…you know what I mean!

In this episode, I'm going to explain the differences between these two vowels. Practice these sounds with me for free! Download your sheep-ship practice now: https://bit.ly/44Z4aO2

Want to level up your pronunciation? Get on the waitlist for my signature program, New Sound! Doors open soon: https://bit.ly/47pygvK