Telling Great Stories 🙀🫢| Slow English Podcast | Episode 188 | English With Us Podcast | With Subtitles

"Something funny happened to me yesterday" — that single sentence, according to the English With Us podcast, is one of the most powerful tools an English learner can have. In this episode, hosts David and Emma break down the mechanics of telling a simple, clear story in English, working through the exact phrases and structures that make everyday anecdotes engaging without requiring advanced vocabulary.

The episode treats storytelling not as a literary skill but as a practical social tool. The hosts argue that a good story does not need a dramatic event — missing a bus, forgetting keys, or a small misunderstanding at a cafe can all become memorable when told with the right structure. The key is giving the listener just enough context, ordering events clearly, and sharing how you felt.

Starting with context, not confusion

The single most important rule, according to the episode, is that a story's beginning should answer two questions: when and where. "Last Saturday I was walking through downtown San Francisco after lunch" gives the listener a mental frame in one sentence. The hosts warn against long introductions — one or two sentences is enough.