Life sometimes challenges us with difficult circumstances. Getting through these complicated times takes support, motivation and skill, even though failure feels both scary and possible.

In this episode, we discuss how to stay motivated and consistent even during times of personal challenge.

Motivation Monday

Resilience, Grit & the Art of Not Giving Up

Do you know モカマン. Even most Japanese people don't know this word.
Mel tells you about it in this episode. 
This is one of her easiest episodes. 
Let's hear what she has to say about this! 
If you want to listen to more like this, you should come to Patreon to be Mel's Patron so that you get to hear more and read Transcript!

Thinking out loud in Japanese

モカマン

凤舞九天：中国唯一女皇武则天的权力之路
第一期：入宫·落发·命运的转折点

大家好！欢迎收听《凤舞九天》，我是子木。
在中国两千多年封建王朝史上，她是唯一一位——是的，唯一一位——被正史承认、登上皇帝宝座并建立自己王朝的女性。
她的名字，是武则天 (Wǔ Zétiān)。
但这条通往权力顶峰的路，起点却充满荆棘。公元624年，武则天出生。14岁，因美貌聪慧被选入唐太宗后宫，成为低等妃嫔——才人 (cáirén)。在雄主李世民身边，她默默汲取着权谋智慧。
然而，太宗驾崩，命运急转直下！按照残酷的宫廷规则，没有生育的她，必须削发为尼，在感业寺 (Gǎnyè Sì) 的青灯古佛前，耗尽余生...
难道，这个才华横溢的少女，就此被历史遗忘？她的野心与光芒，真能永远被寺庙的高墙封锁？
不！ 一道来自皇宫深处的目光，从未离开她... 谁在注视？这束目光，又将如何撕裂她黯淡的命运？
尼姑庵到皇后宝座！惊天逆转背后的男人是谁？我们下期再见

1、​​唯一​​ (wéiyī) - sole/only
2、​​承认​​ (chéngrèn) - acknowledge/recognize
3、​​建立​​ (jiànlì) - establish/found
4、​​顶峰​​ (dǐngfēng) - peak/summit
5、​​荆棘​​ (jīngjí) - thorns/brambles（比喻困难）
​​6、智慧​​ (zhìhuì) - wisdom
​​7、残酷​​ (cánkù) - cruel/brutal
8、​​规则​​ (guīzé) - rules
9、​​消耗​​ (xiāohào) - consume/exhaust
10、​​才华横溢​​ (cáihuá-héngyì) - exceptionally talented
11、​​野心​​ (yěxīn) - ambition
​​12、光芒​​ (guāngmáng) - brilliance/radiance
13、​​封锁​​ (fēngsuǒ) - block/seal off
​​14、深处​​ (shēnchù) - depths/heart
15、​​撕裂​​ (sīliè) - tear/rip apart
16、​​宝座​​ (bǎozuò) - throne
17、​​惊天​​ (jīngtiān) - earth-shattering

Advanced Chinese Listening

The Phoenix Empress: Wu Zetian's Throne【1】

Letting Go: How pain transforms into power 

Korean Podcast with Naeun

이별이 남긴 것 | Letting Go: How pain transforms into power | Korean Conversation for Intermediate

¿Sabes la diferencia entre una historia de amor y una historia de vida? Aquí te la explico.

La magia de la vida

Episodio 25: ¿Historia de amor o historia de vida?

Intentional living is a way of living your life. It forces you to get to know yourself and identify what it is that is important to you. You decide how you want to live and what you want to cut out of your life. It forces you to prioritise what you want and live each day in alignment with these priorities. In today’s world we are stressed, overstressed, and anxious all the time and it’s no surprise that intentional living is becoming increasingly popular. But what does it mean to live intentionally?

Matcha & Meditation

Intentional Living

In this episode of Streetwise English Podcast, I talk about using the advantages of travelling by bus vs plane. Book an English conversation class with me . My teacher profile: https://italki.com/teacher/1947582 Thanks for listening!

Streetwise English

SWE 91 Travelling by Bus v.s. Plane

Chapter 5 of the Neil McTaggart series.   A transcript is available. 

In this episode, Neil spends his first Saturday in Canada with his new family.  
They walk through the snowy fields and meet the MacLeods, fellow Scottish emigrants who speak both Gaelic and English. 

For the first time since his grandmother’s death in 1918, Neil hears the sound of Gaelic again. Among the MacLeods is Esther, a girl who will become important in Neil’s journey, both as a friend and as a guide in learning to read and write English.  

This series explores themes of migration, identity, and belonging.  
It is also perfect for English learners who want to improve listening skills through story.  

📌 Subscribe for more chapters of Neil McTaggart’s story.  
📖 Suitable for English listening practice (B1–C1).  
🌍 Themes: Scottish history, emigration, identity, family, friendship.  

#Storytelling #EnglishListeningPractice #ScottishHistory #Audiobook #LearnEnglishThroughStory