Let's explore the world of phrasal verbs and idioms by backing them up with an in depth explanation + examples in order for you to sound more like a native speaker and stop you from second-guessing. 

Smart Cookie English

In this very special episode of the Real English Conversations Podcast, I’m joined by my niece, Hillary Davies, a full-time flight attendant, third-year nursing student, and passionate traveler who speaks English, French, and Italian.

Born in Kamloops, BC, and currently splitting her time between Victoria, BC, and Montreal, QC, Hillary has lived a life full of adventure. She’s been to 20 countries, worked in both Italy and Australia, and learned Italian to a business level mostly through listening and immersion. She’s also adapted her French from “France French” to the unique Quebecois dialect she uses every day at work.

In our conversation, Hillary shares:
✈️ Memorable stories from traveling to 20 countries and working abroad
🛫 The unexpected joys and challenges of life as a flight attendant
🗣 How learning French and Italian changed the way she connects with people
🇮🇹 Tips for learning a new language through immersion and listening
😂 Funny and confusing moments navigating Quebecois French
💡 Real-life examples where language skills made a big difference
💉 Why she’s making the shift from aviation to a career in nursing
🌍 Advice for building fluency and confidence without living abroad
👨‍👩‍👧 How her parents — especially her dad, Kevin (a past guest) — influenced her journey

Real English Conversations Podcast

🎙️Flight Attendant to Nursing Student with My Niece Hillary Davies | Real English Conversations Podcast for Global professionals

In this week’s episode of the Real English Conversations Podcast, host Curtis Davies sits down with Jason Johnson, Emotional Freedom & Transformation Coach and author of Detrimental Kindness: How Not to Lose Yourself While Helping Others.

Jason helps people break free from over-giving, people-pleasing, and self-abandonment disguised as kindness. His work is about reclaiming boundaries, rediscovering your voice, and learning to live with confidence and emotional truth, not guilt or fear.

Through his powerful message and lived experience, Jason shares how to stop betraying yourself in the name of being “nice” and start living a life rooted in authenticity, clarity, and freedom.

✨ In this episode, Jason shares:

💬 What “detrimental kindness” really means — and why it’s so common for high achievers
🧠 How fear of judgment leads to self-silencing in relationships and workplaces
💪 Practical tools to build boundaries and emotional resilience
🌍 How to reconnect with your authentic self and communicate with confidence
💡 Why breaking free from over-helping leads to stronger, healthier connections

Whether you’re a professional who struggles to say “no,” or someone who constantly puts others first, this episode will help you recognize your worth and start setting boundaries that protect your energy and peace.

🎙️Detrimental Kindness with Jason Johnson | Real English Conversations Podcast for Global Professionals

In this episode of the Real English Conversations Podcast, Curtis interviews Shweta Ramkumar, a communication coach and founder of Healthy Dynamics,  who helps healthcare professionals from non-English speaking backgrounds become confident, empathetic communicators in English.

Shweta’s passion for healthcare communication began at home, growing up with a doctor mom. Today, she uses that experience to coach international healthcare workers, blending emotional intelligence, cultural understanding, and real-life clinical scenarios with ESL strategies.

They discuss:

The biggest English communication mistakes healthcare professionals make (and it’s not grammar)

Why miscommunication can create emotional stress for both patients and providers

How empathy, trust, and active listening can improve patient care

The powerful results her clients see through one-on-one coaching

Whether you’re a doctor, nurse, medical student, or ESL professional in healthcare, this episode will help you understand how clear, compassionate English can truly change lives, starting with your own.

Book a Lesson with teacher Curtis on Italki - https://www.italki.com/teacher/4672521/english

🎙️How Shweta Ramkumar Helps Healthcare Professionals Speak English with Empathy & Confidence | English for Medical Communication at Work

For the first time, Curtis takes the guest seat as he’s interviewed by radio and podcast expert Matt Cundill on the You May Also Like Podcast.

In this candid conversation, Curtis shares how his passion for radio in Edmonton eventually led to launching the Real English Conversations Podcast — and building an online coaching business that helps professionals around the world speak English clearly and confidently at work.

They talk about:

The story behind Real English Conversations and its global impact

What makes a podcast grow and connect with international listeners

How Curtis helps professionals become confident English communicators using real conversations—not grammar drills

If you’ve ever wondered about the story behind the mic, or want to hear what it takes to build a meaningful business in the ESL space, this episode delivers insights, real talk, and inspiration.

Book a Lesson with teacher Curtis on Italki - https://www.italki.com/teacher/4672521/english

🎙️ Curtis Gets Interviewed: From Radio Dreams to Teaching Business English Globally | Behind the Mic on Real English Conversations

n this high-energy episode of the Real English Conversations Podcast, Curtis interviews Jason R. Levine, better known around the world as Fluency MC, the viral teaching sensation who helps English learners build fluency through rhythm, rap, and real fun.

Jason is the creator of Stick, Stuck, Stuck, a YouTube megahit that’s been used in classrooms across the globe. In this conversation, he shares how his love of music evolved into a powerful teaching method that blends grammar, listening, and memory into something unforgettable.

They talk about:

How rhythm and rhyme help English learners retain grammar and vocabulary

The story behind Stick, Stuck, Stuck going viral

Performing in schools around the world and seeing real transformation

His latest programs: Rhyme On Time and Speak On Beat

Why fun, music-based learning can break language anxiety and boost confidence

If you're learning English and want to enjoy the process more — or you're a teacher looking for creative ideas — this episode will leave you motivated and ready to try something new.

Book a Lesson with teacher Curtis on Italki - https://www.italki.com/teacher/4672521/english

🎙️ How Fluency MC Went Viral Teaching English with Rap & Rhythm | Speak Naturally & Build Fluency Through Music

In this episode of the Real English Conversations Podcast, Curtis interviews Nathan Lige, a game designer, writer, and co-creator of the hit storytelling game Mythwind at Open Owl Studios.

Nathan shares how his love of writing and community storytelling led him to leave the tech world and create games that bring people together. His purpose-driven journey is filled with lessons about creativity, risk-taking, and finding work that matters.

They explore:

How storytelling skills can strengthen your communication and leadership

What it takes to transition careers with intention and passion

The role of language, empathy, and collaboration in creative work

Why following your purpose builds confidence in life, and English

Whether you're learning English, dreaming of a career change, or curious about how creativity fuels connection, this episode will inspire your next step.
Book a Lesson with teacher Curtis on Italki - https://www.italki.com/teacher/4672521/english

🎙️ Purpose-Driven Careers, Creativity & Communication | Curtis Interviews Game Designer Nathan Lige of Mythwind

After a long break, we’re back—and what better way to kick things off than with a true Edmonton radio legend?

In this episode, I sit down with Terry Evans—longtime morning show host on K-97 and the voice behind the Reluctantly... podcast—for a real conversation about confidence, mistakes, and staying true to yourself when the pressure’s on.

We talk about how Terry got started in radio, some of the wild things that happen live on-air, what it really means to be confident (especially when you're nervous), and how to handle those tough, awkward conversations at work. It’s honest, funny, and packed with wisdom you’ll want to hear—especially if you’ve ever held back from speaking up because you were afraid of making a mistake.

Whether you’re learning English, trying to be more confident, or just love a good story from behind the mic—this episode is for you.

Book a trial with teacher Curtis on Italki - https://www.italki.com/teacher/4672521/english

🎙️ New Episode Confidence, Mistakes, and Real Talk with Terry Evans | Real English Conversations For Business

In this podcast episode, Curtis Davies and Amy Whitney delve into the topic of accent and pronunciation in English.
 
They challenge the common belief that achieving a native-like accent is necessary for effective communication. Instead, they emphasize the importance of speaking with clarity, being understood, and understanding others.
 
Curtis and Amy discuss how accent is tied to identity and nationality, highlighting that having a unique accent is not something to be ashamed of but rather a reflection of one's background.
 
They offer insights into identifying areas for improvement in pronunciation and provide practical tips for enhancing accent, tone, intonation, and rhythm.
 
Through engaging discussions and exercises, you will gain a new perspective on accent and learn strategies to communicate confidently and effectively in English.

Book a trial with teacher Curtis on Italki - https://www.italki.com/teacher/4672521/english