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Happy English Podcast

Happy English Podcast

By: Michael Digiacomo Happy English
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About this listen

 This is an American English Podcast with your host Michael DiGiacomo from Happy English in New York City. You will learn real American English speaking and pronunciation with Michael, who has been teaching English since 1994. This is an English as a Second Language (ESL) and English as a Foreign Language (EFL) podcast that brings you fun, practical, and useful English lessons which are ideal for intermediate and advanced level English learners everywhere. This podcast is perfect for university students, business professionals, homemakers, retirees and anyone who is interested in learning and improving their English skills. Every week, you are going to learn American English idioms, conversational expressions and phrasal verbs. As your American English teacher, I will help you learn real and natural American English pronunciation and conversational style. You will get the chance to improve your vocabulary and have a clear understanding of practical English grammar. I also help you have a deeper understanding of American Culture through language learning. Join my podcast learner's study group to practice these lessons with me each week on zoom. Get Happy, Get English. Happy English!2014 -2025 Michael DiGiacomo, Happy English Language Services Co. Language Learning
Episodes
  • 980 - Long Story Short - English Tips in a Minute | Happy English

    980 - Long Story Short - English Tips in a Minute | Happy English
    Jan 31 2026
    Hey there! It’s Michael here - and welcome back to English Tips in a Minute from Happy English. I’m here every week with a short, simple tip to help you speak English more naturally and confidently.
    Today, let’s look at another natural conversational phrase - “long story short.”

    We use long story short when we want to summarize a situation and skip all the details. It’s like saying, “I’m just gonna tell you the main point.”
    • Like, “What a morning! Long story short, I missed the train and got to work late.”
    • Or when talking about a problem: “Long story short, the project took longer than we expected.”
    • You can also use it when explaining how something ended: “Yeah, we were going to go hiking, but, long story short, we decided not to go.”

    You’ll hear long story short a lot in casual conversation, especially when people don’t want to or don’t need to give a full explanation. It helps your English sound more relaxed and natural - just like everyday spoken English.

    So remember, the next time you want to summarize a situation quickly, try using “long story short.”
    Lemme know in the comments how it goes, and remember to follow or subscribe so you don’t miss the next Happy English Podcast and next week’s English Tips in a Minute. Hey, thanks for listening - and until next time, keep learning and keep it cool.


    Happy English Podcast – Speak English Naturally I’m Michael from Happy English, and I help people speak English more naturally, confidently, and clearly.

    🎥 Watch video versions of the Happy English Podcast on YouTube:
    https://www.youtube.com/@HappyEnglishNY/podcasts

    📘 Build your vocabulary with my free Vocabulary Workshop:
    https://learn.myhappyenglish.com/vocabulary-workshop-signup

    🌐 Learn more about my English lessons and courses:
    https://www.myhappyenglish.com
    Show More Show Less
    2 mins
  • 979 - Stick To - Phrasal Verbs in a Minute | Happy English

    979 - Stick To - Phrasal Verbs in a Minute | Happy English
    Jan 30 2026
    Hey there! It’s Michael here, and welcome back to Phrasal Verbs in a Minute from Happy English.
    I’m here every Friday with a quick one-point lesson to help you learn a new phrasal verb and sound more natural when you speak.

    Today’s phrasal verb is stick to. When you stick to something, it means you continue doing it and you don’t give up - even when it’s difficult.
    • You know, a lot of people make New Year’s resolutions but have trouble sticking to them.
    • My friend Jake wants to stick to his new workout plan… we’ll see how long that lasts.
    • And I’m trying to stick to my goal of studying Japanese for at least 20 minutes every day.

    So how about you? What’s something you are sticking to this year? Let me know in the comments, and remember to follow or subscribe so you don’t miss the next Happy English Podcast and next week’s Phrasal Verbs in a Minute. Hey, thanks for listening - and until next time, keep learning and keep it cool.


    Happy English Podcast – Speak English Naturally I’m Michael from Happy English, and I help people speak English more naturally, confidently, and clearly.

    🎥 Watch video versions of the Happy English Podcast on YouTube:
    https://www.youtube.com/@HappyEnglishNY/podcasts

    📘 Build your vocabulary with my free Vocabulary Workshop:
    https://learn.myhappyenglish.com/vocabulary-workshop-signup

    🌐 Learn more about my English lessons and courses:
    https://www.myhappyenglish.com
    Show More Show Less
    1 min
  • 978 - Casually Talking About the Past in English

    978 - Casually Talking About the Past in English
    Jan 29 2026
    Here’s a fun fact. In 2010, I started Happy English. In 2010. That sounds pretty accurate, right? And saying the date or the year is certainly correct - but that’s not always how native speakers talk. In everyday conversation, we’re often much more casual and even imprecise when we talk about the past. And that’s what I want to introduce you to today - some very informal ways native speakers talk about the past casually in English.

    Happy English Podcast – Speak English Naturally I’m Michael from Happy English, and I help people speak English more naturally, confidently, and clearly.

    🎥 Watch video versions of the Happy English Podcast on YouTube:
    https://www.youtube.com/@HappyEnglishNY/podcasts

    📘 Build your vocabulary with my free Vocabulary Workshop:
    https://learn.myhappyenglish.com/vocabulary-workshop-signup

    🌐 Learn more about my English lessons and courses:
    https://www.myhappyenglish.com
    Show More Show Less
    9 mins
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