Afleveringen
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Ever feel like your conversations stay frustratingly shallow? Like you’re stuck in small-talk limbo, never quite breaking through to something meaningful? You’re not alone. The truth is, most people are missing a few key skills that make the difference between surface-level chatter and real, engaging conversation.
In this episode, we’re breaking down how to go deeper in conversations—how to make people light up, open up, and actually enjoy talking to you. Inspired by Better Small Talk by Patrick King, this episode is packed with practical strategies you can start using today.
Here’s what you’ll learn:
🔹 How to give compliments that actually matter (hint: it’s not about eye color)
🔹 The #1 listening mistake that makes conversations fall flat—and how to fix it
🔹 Why understanding conversation styles can instantly make you a better communicator
🔹 How black-and-white thinking shuts down discussions (and what to do instead)
🔹 How to keep small talk from stalling and create motion in conversationWhether you’re someone who dreads small talk or you love deep conversations and want to get even better at them, this episode is for you.
PLUS: I’ll be announcing an upcoming workshop on how rhythm and melody shape great conversations—so stay tuned for that!
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In this 9th episode of Beyond the Accent, I dive into the world of intonation—the hidden musical quality in our speech that does so much more than just add flavor. I explore how mastering these subtle pitch changes can transform our everyday communication, helping us express meaning, structure our conversations, and build better connections with our listeners.
I focus on David Brazil’s Discourse Intonation model—a practical, real-world approach that breaks speech into natural “tone units” and reveals how every rise and fall in our voice carries purpose. Drawing on fascinating research (like the study where correct primary stress boosted comprehension and favorability), I explain why emphasizing prosody isn’t just an academic exercise but a critical tool for clear, effective communication. Join me as I unlock the secret language of intonation and share why paying attention to these “musical signals” can make all the difference in both teaching and everyday interactions.
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Zijn er afleveringen die ontbreken?
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Your voice is more than just sound—it’s a reflection of who you are. It carries your emotions, your confidence (or lack of it), and even the way you see yourself in the world.
Ever felt like your voice sounds different in certain situations? Maybe it tightens when you're nervous, softens when you’re uncertain, or even disappears when you feel unheard. That’s not random—it’s a pattern.
In this episode, we explore:
🔹 How your voice is shaped by your emotions, past experiences, and confidence
🔹 Why the digital world is making it harder than ever to feel at home in your own voice
🔹 A simple but powerful exercise (inspired by Kristin Linklater) to help you reconnect with your voice and let it take up spaceIf you’ve ever struggled with tension in your throat, disliked the sound of your own voice, or wanted to speak with more ease and authority—this one’s for you.
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You’ve been lied to.
Okay, maybe not lied to, but definitely misled. If you’ve ever worried about sounding correct, if you’ve ever hesitated before saying “who” or “whom” (and still felt unsure), if you’ve ever felt like “bad grammar” equals bad English—this episode is for you.
Because here’s the truth: English doesn’t actually have fixed rules. It has trends. What’s “wrong” today was perfectly fine a century ago. What’s “proper” now might be outdated in 50 years. And the people making the rules? Well, they’re mostly just… people.
In this episode, we’re diving into the battle between prescriptivists (the rule enforcers) and descriptivists (the rule observers). We’ll talk about:
💥 Why some grammar “rules” are actually just old-fashioned opinions
💥 The words and pronunciations that were once considered “incorrect” but won anyway
💥 Why you don’t have to sound like a textbook to sound credible, intelligent, or fluentSo if you’ve ever felt anxious about getting it right—take a deep breath. Let’s rethink what “correct” even means.
🎧 Press play and let’s talk about it.
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What if sound isn’t just something you hear—but something that shapes you? In this episode, inspired by Julian Treasure’s How to Be Heard, we explore how sound affects your body, mind, emotions, and even behavior. From the physiological effects of music to the circular dance of speaking and listening, discover why sound is never neutral—and how becoming conscious of it can transform your relationships, focus, and well-being. Whether you’re tuning in with headphones or background noise, this episode will change the way you listen—for good.
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🗣️ Ever notice how your voice changes depending on who you’re talking to? Whether it’s slipping into your ‘work voice’ or switching to your native language with family, code-switching is something we all do—often without even realizing it.
In this episode, we’re diving deep into the what, why, and how of code-switching. 🎧 Why do we naturally adapt our speech? What does it reveal about our identity, culture, and sense of belonging? And is it a superpower or a survival skill?
We’ll break down the science behind it (spoiler: your brain is working overtime), explore personal anecdotes, and discuss how code-switching can be both empowering and exhausting.
Tune in to discover:
✅ The psychology behind code-switching
✅ How cultural influences shape the way we speak
✅ Why switching between accents or languages is totally normal
✅ What your speech says about you
Whether you're balancing multiple languages or just navigating different social circles, this episode is for you!
🎧 Listen now and embrace the way you naturally adapt to the world around you.
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Have you been sold the idea that perfect English equals perfect communication? Let’s break that lie wide open. In this episode, I share how chasing perfection in your speech can steal your confidence and joy—and what to focus on instead. We’ll talk about why missteps and quirks make you a more relatable speaker, and how embracing your imperfections can unlock authentic connections. It’s not about sounding like a textbook; it’s about honoring the voice that only you can bring to the table.
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🎙 Your Voice, Your Accent: How Your Idiolect Tells Your Story
Have you ever thought about how unique your voice truly is? It’s more than just an accent—it’s a mosaic of influences, experiences, and personal quirks that make your voice one of a kind. This episode dives into the concept of idiolect—the linguistic fingerprint that tells your story.
Discover why no two voices are the same and how your accent is just one piece of a larger puzzle. We’ll explore the layers that shape the way you speak, from rhythm and melody to cultural nuances and personal expressions.
Whether you're learning to embrace your accent or simply curious about what makes your voice yours, this episode offers an insightful and empowering perspective.
🎧 Tune in now and uncover the story your voice is telling!
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Does small talk feel awkward, forced, or downright unpleasant at times?
You’re not alone—but what if you could see it in a new light? In this episode, we explore why small talk is more than just filler conversation and how it can open doors to deeper connections and cultural understanding.
We’ll unpack the awkwardness, reframe it, and share practical ways to approach small talk with ease—even when it feels hard..
Tune in to discover new sides to small talk and unlock the confidence to turn those tricky little chats into meaningful moments.
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In the debut episode of my podcast, we dive into the beautifully layered intersections of love, language, and identity. Inspired by Lauren Collins’ New Yorker article, Learning to Love in French, this episode explores what happens when relationships cross linguistic borders.
We’ll talk about:
How learning your partner’s language can deepen intimacy—and complicate identity.
The so-called “soulmate-method” of language learning and why it’s not always as romantic as it sounds.
The cultural contrasts between French and English communication styles and how they shape relationships.
How language can reveal a “parallel life” or even an alter ego within ourselves.
Everyday misunderstandings in multilingual love that are “funny, frustrating, but always illuminating.”
Whether you’re a language nerd, a cross-cultural romantic, or someone fascinated by how communication shapes human connection, this episode will inspire you to think about love and language in a whole new way.
🎙️ Listen now to reflect on your own “lost in translation” moments and discover how love is always worth translating.
