Real English Conversations Podcast | English Fluency For Newcomers And International Professionals

Have you ever wondered what it would be like to experience another country as a local rather than as a tourist?
In this special episode from the archives, Curtis and Former co-host Amy talk about their incredible three-month experience in Colombia.
They traveled to Barranquilla on Colombia's Caribbean coast to experience Carnival, but instead of simply staying in hotels and visiting tourist attractions, they stayed with friends and their families.
That allowed them to experience Colombian culture from the inside—from everyday social activities and local food to music, dancing, street parties, and Carnival celebrations.
They even had the opportunity to learn cumbia with a group preparing for the Carnival parades and were invited to participate in the festivities.
But this episode isn't only about travel.
It's also a fantastic English listening lesson.
You'll hear Curtis and Former co-host Amy naturally describing experiences, telling stories, asking questions, expressing opinions, comparing cultures, and explaining things to each other—all without the scripted language you normally find in English textbooks.
And near the end of the conversation, they discuss one of the most interesting questions for language learners:
Does living in another country automatically make you fluent in the language?
Former Co-host Amy shares her honest experience of spending time in full Spanish immersion and explains why simply being surrounded by a language wasn't enough to produce the level of improvement she expected. She realized that additional input—such as reading, studying, and getting more exposure to the language—was necessary to maximize the benefits of immersion.
That's an important lesson for anyone learning English today.
🎯 In This Episode You'll Learn:
✅ How to improve your English listening through real travel conversations
✅ How native speakers describe travel experiences and tell stories naturally
✅ Vocabulary and expressions connected to travel, culture and everyday life
✅ How to talk about cultural differences and experiences
✅ Why staying with local people can create a very different travel experience
✅ How to describe festivals, music, dancing and local traditions in English
✅ How to use English to explain personal experiences and memorable moments
✅ What happens when you spend extended time immersed in another language
✅ Why language immersion alone may not be enough to achieve fluency
✅ Why reading, studying, and additional exposure can make immersion much more effective 
Colombia, Carnival & Cultural Immersion
Curtis and Former Co-host Amy traveled to Barranquilla because they wanted to experience its famous Carnival, described in the conversation as the world's second-largest carnival after Rio de Janeiro.
But arriving early and staying with local friends allowed them to experience much more than the Carnival itself.
They talk about:
🎵 The incredible amount of music throughout Barranquilla
🍕 Going out with local friends for movies, pizza, and drinks
🍳 Trying traditional Colombian arepas
💃 Learning cumbia with a Carnival group
🥁 Experiencing local music and dance
🎉 Street parties and Carnival celebrations
🔊 Massive sound systems and DJs playing in the streets
🏖️ Spending time in Santa Marta
🌅 Enjoying the beaches and sunsets
🏛️ Their short visit to Cartagena
One of the biggest lessons from the trip was that some of their most memorable experiences came from living like locals rather than simply visiting tourist attractions.
💬 English Learning Lesson: Immersion Doesn't Automatically Create Fluency
One of the most valuable parts of this conversation for language learners comes near the end.
Curtis asks Former Co-Host Amy what effect three months in a Spanish-speaking environment had on her language learning.
Her answer is surprisingly honest.
She explains that during the periods when she was staying with Spanish-speaking families, she was communicating in Spanish throughout the day. This helped her become much more comfortable using the grammar and vocabulary she already knew.
However, she realized afterward that she needed additional input—such as reading, studying, and getting more exposure—to continue learning and expanding her language skills.
The lesson for English learners:
Don't rely on conversation alone.
A powerful learning routine combines:
Listening + Speaking + Reading + Vocabulary + Study + Real-world Practice
That's how you turn the English you recognize into English you can actually use.
📚 English Vocabulary & Expressions From the Conversation
Listen carefully for natural expressions and vocabulary related to:
get to know a city
hang out
language exchange
day-to-day living
typical food
shenanigans
part of the culture
participate in
turn something down
full commitment
in the spirit of
get revenge
block party
street vendors
spectator
full immersion
language barrier
input
exposure
fluency
These are the kinds of words and expressions that help you move beyond textbook English and understand how English is actually used in everyday conversation.
💡 A Powerful English Learning Lesson
Don't just study English. Experience it.
Real conversations give you something textbooks often can't: context.
When you hear vocabulary inside a story, you can understand not only what a word means, but also how, when, and why native speakers use it.
Curtis explains that these conversations are designed to help listeners improve their listening skills and learn the vocabulary and phrases native speakers use in real everyday life.
So don't worry if you don't understand every single word the first time.
Listen once for the overall story.
Then listen again and focus on:
👉 vocabulary
👉 pronunciation
👉 expressions
👉 sentence structure
👉 how the speakers connect their ideas
That's how you can turn a podcast episode into an actual English lesson.

🎙️ Learn English with Teacher Curtis & Real English Conversations
If you're serious about becoming more fluent, confident, and natural in English, I can help you take the next step.
⭐ Book a Trial English Lesson
Start with a personalized lesson focused on your specific English goals:
https://realenglishconversations.com/memberships/member-plans/fluency-programs/trial-lesson/
🚀 90-Day Next Level English Challenge — 50% OFF
If you're ready for serious one-on-one support, you can join my 90-Day Next Level English Challenge.
Use coupon code:
90DAY50
for 50% OFF.
https://realenglishconversations.com/memberships/our-courses/90-day-next-level-english/
📚 Explore My English Courses
https://realenglishconversations.com/memberships/our-courses/
🎧 Podcast + Phrasal Verb Audio Course Bundle
https://courses.realenglishconversations.com/rec-course-bundle
🌐 Real English Conversations
https://realenglishconversations.com
🎧 Listen to the Podcast
Spotify:
https://open.spotify.com/show/76ihNoEcjms6485Vt1ng5q
Apple Podcasts:
https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/real-english-conversations-podcast-real-english-for/id977345837
YouTube:
https://www.youtube.com/@realenglishconversations
📱 Follow Real English Conversations
Instagram:
https://www.instagram.com/rec.real.english/
Facebook:
https://www.facebook.com/RealEnglishConversationsOnline
LinkedIn:
https://www.linkedin.com/in/curtis-davies-07928646/
Patreon:
https://www.patreon.com/c/RealEnglishConversationsPodcast

⭐ If You Enjoyed This Episode...
Don't just listen—use the episode to improve your English.
Listen again, write down 5 new expressions, repeat some of the sentences out loud, and try using the new vocabulary in your own conversations.
And if you enjoyed the episode, please follow the podcast, leave a review, and share it with another English learner who could benefit from authentic English listening practice.
Thanks for listening to the Real English Conversations Podcast!
— Teacher Curtis

Why are some professionals able to communicate an idea and immediately make people listen, connect, and remember it—while others struggle to get their message across?
In this powerful episode of the Real English Conversations Podcast, Curtis Davies sits down with Emmy-nominated filmmaker, author, keynote speaker, story strategy consultant, and Chief Storytelling Officer Rain Bennett to explore one of the most important skills for today's global professionals: storytelling.
Rain has conducted more than 1,000 interviews and spent more than 20 years working with stories, filmmaking, communication, and human connection. Through those experiences, he has discovered a powerful truth: stories have incredible power to connect and influence people—but only when we understand how to deliver the right story to the right audience.
This is especially important for international professionals communicating in English.
Whether you're giving a presentation, participating in a business meeting, interviewing for a job, networking, leading a team, selling an idea, or simply trying to communicate more naturally in English, storytelling can help you move beyond simply "speaking English" and start creating genuine connections with the people you're communicating with.
Rain explains why effective communication isn't just about what YOU want to say. It's about understanding the person receiving your message, finding common ground, and creating alignment.
You'll also discover how storytelling goes far beyond marketing. Rain explains his concept of a "narrative operating system" and how organizations can create a consistent story that influences everything from hiring and sales to leadership, partnerships, products, and company culture.
🎯 In This Episode You'll Learn:
✅ Why storytelling is one of the most powerful communication skills for professionals
✅ How storytelling can help international professionals communicate more naturally in English
✅ Why knowing what to say isn't enough—you also need to know how to deliver it
✅ How to find powerful stories hidden inside your everyday experiences
✅ The simple practice that can help you build a personal "bank" of stories
✅ Why the best stories focus on transformation rather than simply describing what happened
✅ How to find "connective tissue" with people who have completely different experiences from you
✅ Why curiosity is one of the most important skills in communication
✅ How storytelling can help you stand out during job interviews and professional conversations
✅ Why businesses need a consistent narrative across departments and communication channels
✅ How storytelling builds trust with employees, customers, partners, and other stakeholders
✅ Why trying to say too much can actually make your communication less effective
💡 A Powerful Communication Lesson
One of Rain's key messages throughout the conversation is that effective communication begins with the listener.
Instead of simply telling people how great you, your company, your product, or your skills are, look for the point of connection. What matters to the person you're speaking with? What experiences, interests, goals, or challenges can create alignment?
This approach can completely change the way you communicate in English—especially in professional situations such as interviews, networking, presentations, and meetings.
📖 About Rain Bennett
Rain Bennett is an Emmy-nominated filmmaker, author, keynote speaker, story strategy consultant, and Chief Storytelling Officer at Elemmir.
He hosts The Storytelling Lab, a weekly podcast featuring tips, insights, and success stories from some of the world's top storytellers.
After conducting more than 1,000 interviews and spending more than two decades working with stories, Rain has developed a deep understanding of how stories influence human connection and communication.
His latest book, The Chief Storytelling Officer, explores how organizations can build a narrative operating system that weaves storytelling throughout every department of a business—not just marketing and communications.
As Rain explains, every interaction inside and outside an organization contributes to the overall story a company is telling.
📚 Get Rain's New Book
The Chief Storytelling Officer
Learn how storytelling can become an essential part of your organization's culture, communication, leadership, and business strategy.
🌐 Rain Bennett
https://www.rainbennett.com
🎙️ The Storytelling Lab Podcast
https://thestorytellinglabpodcast.com
💼 LinkedIn
https://linkedin.com/feed/in/rainbennett
📸 Instagram
https://instagram.com/rainbennett
🎥 TikTok
https://www.tiktok.com/@chiefstorytellingofficer
🎙️ Learn with Teacher Curtis & Real English Conversations
💬 Want to improve your English for professional success?
Work directly with Curtis through personalized coaching designed to help you communicate clearly, confidently, and naturally in real-world professional situations.
👉 Book your trial session
https://realenglishconversations.com/memberships/member-plans/fluency-programs/trial-lesson/
🔥 Join the 90-Day English Challenge
(50% OFF with code: 90DAY50)
https://realenglishconversations.com/memberships/our-courses/90-day-next-level-english/
🎧 PODCAST + PHRASAL VERB AUDIO COURSE BUNDLE
https://courses.realenglishconversations.com/rec-course-bundle
📚 Explore All English Courses
https://realenglishconversations.com/memberships/our-courses/
🌐 Real English Conversations Website
https://realenglishconversations.com
🎧 Spotify
https://open.spotify.com/show/76ihNoEcjms6485Vt1ng5q
🎧 Apple Podcasts
https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/real-english-conversations-podcast-real-english-for/id977345837
📺 YouTube
https://www.youtube.com/@realenglishconversations
📸 Instagram
https://www.instagram.com/rec.real.english/
📘 Facebook
https://www.facebook.com/RealEnglishConversationsOnline
💼 LinkedIn — Curtis Davies
https://www.linkedin.com/in/curtis-davies-07928646/
💖 Support the Podcast on Patreon
https://www.patreon.com/c/RealEnglishConversationsPodcast
⭐ If You Enjoyed This Episode...
Follow the Real English Conversations Podcast on your favorite podcast platform.
Leave a review—it helps more international professionals and English learners discover the show.
And share this episode with someone who wants to become a more confident, natural, and effective communicator in English.
Remember: You don't just need better English.
You need a better way to connect.

Why do so many intelligent, ambitious professionals know exactly what they should be doing—but still struggle to take action?
In this powerful episode of the Real English Conversations Podcast, Curtis Davies sits down with decorated Army veteran, award-winning international speaker, executive coach, and author Mark Reynolds to explore the connection between confidence, competence, mindset, and taking action.
Mark explains why high achievers can become trapped between constantly trying to "fix their mindset" and searching for the perfect strategy, tactic, or productivity hack—and why lasting change requires both.
Drawing from his military leadership experience, corporate career, coaching work, and book How to Make Every Day GREAT!, Mark shares practical frameworks for overcoming limiting beliefs, developing confidence, performing under pressure, and creating meaningful progress in both your professional and personal life.
The conversation also has a strong connection to English learners and global professionals. Mark and Curtis discuss why real-time feedback, practice, competency, and actually using your skills are essential for building confidence—whether you're learning English, preparing for a presentation, leading a team, interviewing for a job, or stepping into a bigger professional role.
If you've ever felt like you're capable of more but something is holding you back, this episode will give you a practical framework for identifying what's missing and taking your next step.
🎯 In This Episode You'll Learn:
✅ Why high achievers get stuck between mindset work and tactics
✅ The connection between confidence and competence
✅ How limiting beliefs can quietly control your professional decisions
✅ Why you shouldn't confuse your thoughts with facts
✅ How to recognize whether you're facing a clarity, skill, or courage problem
✅ Why real-time feedback is essential for building confidence
✅ How to become more confident by taking smaller, achievable actions
✅ How military leadership principles can be applied to professional life
✅ How to stay calm and effective when you're under pressure
✅ Why you should stop measuring yourself against other people's success
✅ How to turn setbacks and rejection into opportunities
✅ Why rest and energy are essential to high performance
✅ The GREAT framework from Mark's book How to Make Every Day GREAT!
✅ Why your calendar reveals what you truly prioritize
✅ How to create more clarity around the life and career you actually want
💡 The GREAT Framework
One of the key ideas Mark shares from his book is his GREAT framework for creating a better day and a better life:
G — Goals Know what you want to accomplish.
R — Rest Give yourself the recovery necessary to perform at your best.
E — Energy Make sure you have the physical and mental energy to take action.
A — Action Stop waiting for everything to be perfect and do something.
T — Time Make time for the people, priorities, and experiences that matter most.
As Mark explains, if something genuinely matters to you, it should be reflected in how you spend your time.
💬 Memorable Quotes
"Confidence really builds when you have a belief like this is what I want. I know how to do it. And I can figure it out." — Mark Reynolds
"At some point you also still just have to speak it. No amount of reading is going to replace taking action." — Mark Reynolds
And one of the biggest takeaways from the conversation:
If you're not getting the results you want, first figure out whether you lack clarity, competency, or courage.
👤 About Mark Reynolds
Mark Reynolds is a decorated Army veteran, award-winning international speaker, executive coach, and Certified High Performance Coach who helps high achievers build confidence, overcome limiting beliefs, and perform at a higher level.
His approach combines mindset, practical action, leadership, and high-performance principles to help ambitious professionals stop getting stuck and start creating meaningful results.
Mark is also the author of How to Make Every Day GREAT!, a practical framework for creating greater clarity, energy, productivity, and fulfillment in everyday life.
During the conversation, Mark shares how lessons from his military career—including leadership, mentorship, feedback, discipline, and performing under pressure—continue to influence his coaching philosophy today.
🔗 Connect with Mark Reynolds
🌐 Website https://markreynolds.tv/
💼 LinkedIn https://www.linkedin.com/in/successauditor/
📚 Mark's Book — How to Make Every Day GREAT! Available on Amazon and wherever books are sold.
🎙️ Learn with Teacher Curtis & Real English Conversations
💬 Want to improve your English for professional success?
Work directly with Curtis through personalized coaching designed to help you communicate clearly, confidently, and naturally in real-world professional situations.
👉 Book your trial session https://realenglishconversations.com/memberships/member-plans/fluency-programs/trial-lesson/
🔥 Join the 90-Day English Challenge 50% OFF with code: 90DAY50 https://realenglishconversations.com/memberships/our-courses/90-day-next-level-english/
🎧 Podcast & Phrasal Verb Audio Course Bundle https://courses.realenglishconversations.com/rec-course-bundle
📚 More English Courses https://realenglishconversations.com/memberships/our-courses/
🌐 Connect with Real English Conversations
🌐 Website https://realenglishconversations.com
🎧 Spotify https://open.spotify.com/show/76ihNoEcjms6485Vt1ng5q
🎧 Apple Podcasts https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/real-english-conversations-podcast-real-english-for/id977345837
📺 YouTube https://www.youtube.com/@realenglishconversations
📸 Instagram https://www.instagram.com/rec.real.english/
📘 Facebook https://www.facebook.com/RealEnglishConversationsOnline
💼 LinkedIn — Curtis Davies https://www.linkedin.com/in/curtis-davies-07928646/
💖 Support the podcast on Patreon https://www.patreon.com/c/RealEnglishConversationsPodcast
⭐ If You Enjoyed This Episode...
⭐ Follow the Real English Conversations Podcast on your favorite platform.
⭐ Leave a review—it helps more global professionals and English learners discover the show.
⭐ Share this episode with someone who knows they're capable of more but needs the confidence and courage to take the next step.
Your English doesn't have to be perfect before you take action. Your confidence grows when you use your skills, get feedback, and keep moving forward.

Have you ever wondered what your English teacher did before becoming a teacher?
In this special re-released episode from the Real English Conversations Podcast archives, Curtis Davies and former co-host Amy share the story of their entrepreneurial journey long before they began helping English learners around the world.
Before teaching English full-time, they owned and operated their own delivery business in Canada. Running a small business taught them valuable lessons in communication, customer service, problem-solving, leadership, and calculated risk-taking, skills that continue to shape how they teach English today.
Whether you're an entrepreneur, business professional, immigrant, or someone considering a career change, you'll discover that many of the communication skills needed for business success are the same as those needed to communicate confidently in English.
Although this episode originally aired in 2021, the lessons are just as relevant today.
🎯 In This Episode You'll Learn:
✅ How Curtis and Amy became entrepreneurs before becoming English teachers
✅ The realities of owning and operating a delivery business in Canada
✅ Why entrepreneurship teaches communication better than many classrooms
✅ Customer service lessons that improve your English communication
✅ How to place a delivery order over the phone like a Native speaker
✅ Why career changes can open unexpected opportunities
✅ The importance of adaptability and resilience
✅ Practical communication habits every professional can develop
💬 Memorable Quote
"Every career teaches you something valuable—and the skills you develop today may become the foundation for your next opportunity."
👤 About Curtis Davies
Curtis Davies is the founder of Real English Conversations and has helped English learners from more than 100 countries communicate naturally and confidently for over 12 years.
His podcast has surpassed 15 million downloads worldwide, helping immigrants, international professionals, and business English learners improve their fluency through authentic conversations with world-class guests and practical communication strategies.
🎙️ Learn with Teacher Curtis & Real English Conversations
💬 Want to improve your English for professional success?
Work directly with Curtis through personalized coaching designed to help you communicate clearly, confidently, and naturally in real-world professional situations.
👉 Book your trial session https://realenglishconversations.com/memberships/member-plans/fluency-programs/trial-lesson/
🔥 Join the 90-Day English Challenge (50% OFF with code: 90DAY50) https://realenglishconversations.com/memberships/our-courses/90-day-next-level-english/
🎧 Podcast + Phrasal Verb Audio Course Bundle https://courses.realenglishconversations.com/rec-course-bundle
📚 All Courses https://realenglishconversations.com/memberships/our-courses/
🌐 Website https://realenglishconversations.com
🎧 Spotify https://open.spotify.com/show/76ihNoEcjms6485Vt1ng5q
🎧 Apple Podcasts https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/real-english-conversations-podcast-real-english-for/id977345837
📺 YouTube https://www.youtube.com/@realenglishconversations
📸 Instagram https://www.instagram.com/rec.real.english/
📘 Facebook https://www.facebook.com/RealEnglishConversationsOnline
💼 LinkedIn — Curtis Davies https://www.linkedin.com/in/curtis-davies-07928646/
💖 Support the podcast on Patreon https://www.patreon.com/c/RealEnglishConversationsPodcast
⭐ If you enjoyed this episode...
⭐ Follow the podcast on your favorite platform.
⭐ Leave a review—it helps more English learners discover the show.
⭐ Share this episode with someone who's thinking about changing careers, starting a business, or improving their professional English communication.

Have you ever felt nervous speaking English in meetings, presentations, or job interviews—even though you know what you want to say?
In this practical and inspiring episode of the Real English Conversations Podcast, Curtis Davies sits down with executive communication coach, speaker, actor, and presentation expert Andrew Hurteau to explore what separates average communicators from truly memorable ones.
Drawing on more than 25 years of coaching business leaders, performers, and professionals around the world, including executives from Meta, Dolby, Gartner, The North Face, Kaiser Permanente, and many others, Andrew shares powerful strategies for becoming a more confident, authentic, and engaging communicator.
Whether English is your first language or your second, you'll discover why effective communication isn't about sounding perfect; it's about connecting with your audience, owning your message, and allowing your personality to shine through.
If you want to communicate with greater confidence at work, deliver stronger presentations, lead meetings more effectively, or simply become a more natural English speaker, this episode is packed with practical advice you can apply immediately.
🎯 In This Episode You'll Learn:
✅ Why authenticity is more powerful than perfection
✅ How to overcome fear and anxiety when speaking English
✅ The biggest mistake professionals make during presentations
✅ Why storytelling creates stronger communication than memorized scripts
✅ Practical techniques to become a more engaging speaker
✅ How body language and vocal delivery influence your message
✅ Why confidence is a skill anyone can develop
✅ Communication habits that help professionals stand out in today's workplace
💬 Memorable Quote
"Your audience doesn't need perfection—they need you." — Andrew Hurteau
👤 About Andrew Hurteau
Andrew Hurteau is an executive communication coach, presentation specialist, speaker, actor, and associate of Butterfield Speaks. For more than 25 years, he has helped professionals, executives, and business leaders become more confident, authentic, and impactful communicators.
His clients include leaders and teams from organizations such as Meta, Dolby, Gartner, The North Face, Kaiser Permanente, Samsara, and many others. Andrew combines his background in professional theatre, storytelling, and executive coaching to help people communicate with clarity, confidence, and genuine human connection.
🔗 Connect with Andrew Hurteau
🌐 Website
https://www.butterfieldspeaks.com/
https://www.butterfieldspeaks.com/andrew
💼 LinkedIn
https://www.linkedin.com/in/andrew-hurteau-2a812061/
 

🎙️ Learn with Teacher Curtis & Real English Conversations
💬 Want to improve your English for professional success?
Work directly with Curtis through personalized coaching designed to help you communicate clearly, confidently, and naturally in real-world professional situations.
👉 Book your trial session
https://realenglishconversations.com/memberships/member-plans/fluency-programs/trial-lesson/
🔥 Join the 90-Day English Challenge
(50% OFF with code: 90DAY50)
https://realenglishconversations.com/memberships/our-courses/90-day-next-level-english/
🎧 Podcast + Phrasal Verb Audio Course Bundle
https://courses.realenglishconversations.com/rec-course-bundle
📚 All Courses
https://realenglishconversations.com/memberships/our-courses/
🌐 Website
https://realenglishconversations.com
🎧 Spotify
https://open.spotify.com/show/76ihNoEcjms6485Vt1ng5q
🎧 Apple Podcasts
https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/real-english-conversations-podcast-real-english-for/id977345837
📺 YouTube
https://www.youtube.com/@realenglishconversations
📸 Instagram
https://www.instagram.com/rec.real.english/
📘 Facebook
https://www.facebook.com/RealEnglishConversationsOnline
💼 LinkedIn — Curtis Davies
https://www.linkedin.com/in/curtis-davies-07928646/
💖 Support the podcast on Patreon
https://www.patreon.com/c/RealEnglishConversationsPodcast

If you enjoyed this episode...
⭐ Follow the podcast on your favorite platform.
⭐ Leave a review—it helps more English learners discover the show.
⭐ Share this episode with a friend, colleague, or English learner who wants to communicate with more confidence and make a lasting impression.