Welcome back to Hear You Go. We’re kicking off the second half of the 4th season with my spontaneous and energetic take on an obsession I can’t shake off.

I’ve been sucked into the cultural vortex that is Heated Rivalry, a Canadian TV series everyone is talking about. It’s struck a deep, deep chord with a wide audience, especially with women and LGBTQ+.

This episode highlights how pop culture can become a turning point, reshaping what we expect from romance, consent, representation, and desire.

You’ll hear about:

• Queer love stories in hypermasculine sports (in this case, Canada’s sport, hockey) ✅
• The rise of romantasy ✅
• What respectful intimacy looks like on screen and the importance of intimacy coordinators ✅
• Accents and active listening, and how to support non-native speakers ✅

I simply had to start the year on a good note and share my reflections on why this show feels so very necessary right now. Do watch the series: once you get to episode 3, there will be no turning back. The arc of the story is magnificent, culminating in BIG emotions in episode 5 and 6.❣️

As always, I’ll highlight advanced English language (C1/C2) along the way. Hear You Go gives intermediate and advanced English learners a space to think, learn, and connect in English.

⏰ To work with me 1:1, add your name to the waitlist.

To join the next edition of WILDE (in 2026), my conversation course based on podcasts, add your name here.

📥 Do you get my newsletter? It’s really the best way to hear from me, and it’s where you can find a link to episode transcripts.

You can also follow me on Instagram.

🎶 Amos the Transparent provides my theme song. They're an awesome group of talented musicians. Give them some love and check out their music.

Please share the podcast and spread the knowledge!

Episode 85 concludes 2025 with a bang!

Before you tune it, would you consider an end of the year "thank you" tip in my tip jar? Hear You Go podcast is a free resource, and your support goes a long way to keeping more episodes in production. Thank you!

And now, on with the show:

Are we living in a new era where alcohol is taboo? Is the Mocktail really a trend? Why?

With the holiday season fast approaching, I’ve been thinking about the outsized role alcohol plays in our lives: how we talk about it, why we drink it, and why younger generations are seemingly opting to drink less of it.

Have you heard of "wine o’clock" or "wine Moms”? There's a buzz these days about the creative and colourful world of mocktails - have you read about them? Are you a fan of mocktails?

This episode all explores all this, plus what it means to be sober curious and why this trend is on the up and up.

I’m asking YOU to reflect on your relationship to alcohol, without judgment, just curiosity.

As always, I’ll highlight advanced English language (C1/C2) along the way.

Hear You Go gives intermediate and advanced English learners a space to think, learn, and connect in English.

⏰ To work with me 1:1 add your name to the waitlist.

📥 Do you get my newsletter? It’s really the best way to hear from me.

You can also follow me on Instagram.

🎶 Amos the Transparent provides my theme song. They're an awesome group of talented musicians. Give them some love and check out their music.

Please share the podcast and spread the knowledge!

Curiosity. Motivation. Accepting that it’s a long process.

This episode takes you deep into the real journey from B2 to C1.

Have you ever wondered why so many learners feel stuck at the intermediate plateau? Do YOU wonder why you’re not progressing anymore?

Why is moving from “I can communicate” to “I can express myself precisely and confidently” such a slog?!

In today’s advanced English conversation, episode 84, I speak with English language teacher Lívia Borba, whose winning combo of linguistic insights, teaching experiences, and her personal learning journey makes her the perfect guide to help us decipher this problem and offer solutions.

We discuss:

• why progress feels fast at the beginning but seems to slow to a crawl
• the subtle differences between B2 and C1
• why vocabulary range and noticing skills matter so much
• how to deal with frustration and keep going
• The Spice Girls! (ya didn’t expect that, did you?)

If you’ve ever felt stuck, or if you teach learners who feel stuck, this episode will help you see the path forward more clearly and help get your mojo back.

🔗 Links to contact Livia

Livia on: Instagram

Livia’s website

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Hear You Go English language listening podcasts aim to give you, the intermediate English language learner and advanced English language learner, a space to practice your English listening so that you can think, learn, and connect in English.

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In this final month of 2025, would you consider a year-end tip to help support Hear You Go podcast?

If you're a fan of Hear You Go, and if you've

listened to the podcast and found it valuable for your listening practice, you can say thank you by leaving a tip in my tip jar.

Your support is deeply appreciated.

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⏰ To work with me 1:1 add your name to the waitlist.

📥 Do you get my newsletter? It’s really the best way to hear from me.

You can also follow me on Instagram.

🎶 Amos the Transparent provides my theme song. They're an awesome group of talented musicians. Give them some love and check out their music.

Please share the podcast and spread the knowledge!