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Can a Podcast Really Feel Like Being Back in School?

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“A podcast is a great way to develop relationships with hard-to-reach people”

TIM PAIGE

“A podcast is a great way to develop relationships with hard-to-reach people”

TIM PAIGE

Why are podcasts so fulfilling to listen?

There is something unique and mysterious about listening to a podcast without putting a face to it. On top of that, since you are not distracted by any visuals, your entire focus shifts to the auditory experience. It helps you pay closer attention to the voice and the content. These days, when we’re all glued to our screens, podcasts are a real eye-saver.

Introduction to Espresso English

My journey into the world of podcasts began as a listener on Google Podcasts. The first one that grabbed my attention was Shayna Oliveira’s Espresso English. It features short episodes covering a wide range of topics on English grammar and vocabulary.


Each episode opens with its signature music, and then comes Shayna’s voice, “Hi and welcome to the Espresso English Podcast, where you can improve your English in just a few minutes a day. My name is Shayna and I am the teacher at Espresso English.”

Her introduction feels like music itself. It’s so soothing that as I write this blog it echoes softly in my ears.

Our family podcast routine

I play this podcast almost every morning during our car ride to school with my daughters. No matter how stressed I am before work, it calms me down and gets me ready for the day. At the end of the day, it is my most preferred bedtime companion.

Espresso English: A Journey Down Memory Lane

Listening to this podcast brings back memories of my time at Saint Francis School, where some of my favourite teachers were from South India, especially Kerala. These teachers were the real masters of their subjects, just like Shayna is with her podcast content. 

Mr. Sibu Jose

Mr. Sibu, my Math teacher, is someone I’ll always recall fondly. Even though he was strict, he made complicated concepts so easy that Maths became my favourite subject. He made me fall in love with Algebra. Now, when I help my daughters with this subject, his teaching tricks replay in my head.

Miss Priya

Miss Priya, our Maths teacher in junior classes, always had a senior place in my heart. Her teaching was exceptional; and she looked cute and adorable in her sarees. When she went off to Kerala, it left a big void in my life.

Mr. Gijo Joseph

Then there was my English teacher, Mr. Gijo. Although he was an expert in English, he always kept to himself and wasn’t very social. I vividly remember him being the chief guest at one of our class meetings where I was supposed to give the vote of thanks. I got so nervous that I messed up my words and forgot nearly the entire speech. It was so embarrassing. But his encouragement gave me a firm standing.

After Sir Gijo left school, I kept in touch by writing letters and was pleasantly surprised when he wrote back.


Sir Mariadas Manuel

Sir Mariadas, my Grade 10 class teacher, is another unforgettable figure. He used to teach with such authority and clarity that all the students were captivated during his classes. He knew when to be strict and when to be there for you, keeping things professional but approachable.

Memories of my school audition

Sir Mariadas was also the head of the School Literary Society and auditioned me for the position of Stage Secretary. It was a role that meant everything to me at that time. The memory of that audition has stayed with me, etched in my mind like it was yesterday.

I can still recall the intensity of that experience- the tension of facing him, the fear of failure, and above all the fear of losing my dream role. I couldn’t believe it when he finally selected me; my legs were shaking the whole time.

Looking back, that audition wasn’t just a test of skill-it was a lesson in facing fears and pushing through.

I got a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to work under such a great personality. Turns out, Sir Mariadas was quite warm and friendly. Working closely with him for a year, I discovered that beneath his stern exterior, he had a kind heart.

Shayna Oliveira’s distinctive podcast style

Coming back to the Espresso English Podcast, Shayna Oliveira is just like the school teachers I mentioned above. These teachers delivered their lectures so efficiently that interaction wasn’t always necessary. You just had to listen and absorb. Similary, Shayna’s podcast stands out for its clarity and content. While some might find the podcast less interactive, I like how she keeps things straightforward and on point.

Such flawless podcasts give so much satisfaction that you just love listening to them, even without direct interaction.

Books & Courses by Shayna Oliveira

Shayna has also authored several books, such as “500+ Real English Phrases” and “1000 English Collocations”, which are available on Amazon and highly recommended. She also offers courses covering grammar, vocabulary, and conversational skills with a practical and engaging approach. Although I haven’t tried her courses, I’m sure they’re as excellent as her podcast.

Just like Aladdin, Shayna Oliveira introduced me to A WHOLE NEW WORLD of podcasting. As I sign off, I can’t help but sing,

“A whole new world
A dazzling place I never knew
But when I’m way up here
It’s crystal clear
That now I’m in a whole new world with you”

Harleen Kaur

Hindi Idioms: Aankhon par patti baandhna ya dhool jhonkna

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Sometimes, Hindi idioms don’t mean what they literally say. Their meaning becomes apparent only in context.

Aankhon par patti baandhna


Sometimes, idioms don’t mean what they literally say. Their meaning becomes apparent only in context.

One such idiom is “aankhon par patti baandhna”. I’ve had the wrong idea about this idiom for years. I guess I never took Hindi seriously during my school days. It’s a shame how Hindi is often looked down upon as a subject by most of us. When it comes to Hindi idioms, we often get their meaning without digging as deep as we do with English ones.

While this idiom literally translates to “tying a blindfold over someone’s eyes”—as if one person is trying to fool another—it actually has a different meaning altogether.

It means to ignore something deliberately out of fear, to avoid conflict, or due to personal bias. The English idiom that perfectly captures its meaning is “to turn a blind eye/ to close or shut one’s eyes to something”

Understanding in context

There is this co-worker who always has one or the other reason to slip out of the office early. It’s pretty obvious to everyone what’s going on. The boss, however, pretends not to notice, turning a blind eye to the obvious. That’s “Aankhon pe patti baandhna” in the workplace.

Common daily sentences:

1. वह अपने बेटे की गलतियों को देख कर भी हमेशा आँखों पट्टी बाँध लेती है।तभी तो वह बिगड़ गया है।

Wo apne bete ki galtiyon ko dekh kar bhi hamesha aankhon par patti baandh feti hai.

She always turns a blind eye to her son’s faults; no wonder he is so spoilt.

2. राजीव चाहे सुबह लेट आये और शाम को जल्दी जाये, उसकी बातों पर तो बॉस ने आँखों पर पट्टी बांध रखी हैं।

Rajiv chaahe subha late aaye aur shaam ko jaldi jaaye, uski baaton par to boss ne aankhon par patti baandh rakhi hai.

No matter how late Rajiv shows up in the morning or how early he leaves in the evening, the boss just turns a blind eye.

4. खुशहाल ज़िंदगी के लिए कई बार आँखों पर पट्टी बांधना बहुत ज़रूरी होता है।

Khushhaal zindagi ke liye kai baar aankhon par patti bandhna bahut zaruri hota hai.

Sometimes, you have to turn a blind eye to ensure a happy life.

For a blissful life, there are times when turning a blind eye is necessary.

Aankhon mein dhool jhonkna


Now, the next idiom, “Aankhon mein dhool jhonkna”, had literally been throwing dust in my eyes all these years. I believed it was the same as “aankhon par patti bandhna.” Interestingly, the English version of this idiom is “to pull the wool over someone’s eyes” which closely matches “aankhon par patti baandhna.” But I couldn’t have been more wrong. 

While “Aankhon pe patti baandhna” is all about turning a blind eye, “Aankhon mein dhool jhonkna” is about cunningly deceiving someone.

Understanding in context

A maid cleans just the obvious spots in the house and stashes the dirt in hidden places. The employer, seeing a spotless home, believes she’s done a great job . Or a kid pretends to be sick to skip school, putting on a convincing act in front of his parents just to get a day off. This is “aankhon mein dhool jhonkna” in both cases.

Common daily sentences:

1. वो अपने माता-पिता  की आँखों में धूल झोंक रहे हैं। दोस्त के घर पढ़ने का बहाना बनाकर असलियत में पॉर्टी कर रहे हैं।

They’re pulling the wool over their parents’ eyes by pretending to study at a friend’s place when they’re actually out partying. ( Idiomatic)

They’re fooling their parents by pretending to study at a friend’s place when they’re actually out partying. (Conversational)

2. तुम उसकी बातों में मत आना।वो तुम्हारी आँखों में धूल झोंक रहा है।

Don’t fall for his words. He is pulling the wool over your eyes. (Idiomatic)

Don’t fall for his words. He is deceiving you. (Conversational)

3. वो बहुत देर  बाद  समझी  कि उसका पति  इतने सालों से उसकी आँखों में धूल झोंक रहा था।

It was too late when she realised that her husband had been pulling the wool over her eyes all these years. (Idiomatic)

It was too late when she realised that her husband had been cheating on her all these years.(Conversational)

Summary

To sum it up, in “Aankhon pe patti baandhna,” you’re the one putting the blindfold on yourself to avoid unpleasant truths ; while in “Aankhon mein dhool jhonkna,” you’re throwing dust into someone else’s eyes to trick them into seeing things your way.

These Hindi idioms remind us that sometimes words might actually pull the wool over your eyes, masking reality. They can shield or distort the truth. So, to uncover the real picture, we need to look beyond the surface.

Harleen Kaur