Listen up! With Mr. I: Recent Episodes
Jonathan Isaacson
Here are some short-ish podcasts for extensive listening. Feel free to send a message if you have a topic you want me to talk about.
Context is important in language. How do you translate ご飯 into English? 彼女? How about "water" into Japanese? Listen and find out why it's important to think about how you are using words in your first language to decide the right word in your second language.
Why are the months called what they are? Listen and find out the origins of January, February and all the others!
Why is Sunday called "Sunday"? What about Monday, Tuesday, and the others? Learn about where the names of the week in English come from in this episode.
Source: EF Blog - The origins behind English weekday names
https://englishlive.ef.com/en/blog/language-lab/origins-behind-english-weekday-names/
Mr. I talks about the issue of bears in 2025, including his encounters this year. He also talks about what some of the reasons for the increase in bear attacks and deaths.
Are computer translation tools good for learning languages? What about AI? Listen and find out when it's OK and what you should be careful about with computer translation tools like DeepL and AI.
English uses many acronyms - words made from the first letters in a phrase. Listen and find out what some of the most well known and recent acronyms are!
It's the start of a new school year, so let me re-introduce myself. Listen to hear Mr. I's self-introduction and find out more about him.
Mr. I talks about differences in the names of cities and countries in English and Japanese. Why are some city names so different? Listen and find out!
Mr. I talks about changing attitudes about surname changes after marriage. Listen and find out what it's about and how Mr. I feels about it!
Mr. I talks about how his experiences learning foreign languages - from Spanish in high school, to Japanese in university, and now Swedish on his own.
Mr. I talks about whether or not he thinks everyone should learn English, and if they do, how should they learn.
Mr. I talks about some changes in the use of Japanese recently, especially suffixes like -san, -chan, and -kun, as well as requests vs. commands.
How did Mr. I and his family end up with 5 cats? Listen and hear how Mame (AKA Bean) and Mu found a home with Mr. I's family.
Mr. I talks about some ways elementary school in the US is different from elementary school in Japan. Listen to find out more!
Mr. I talks about some ways houses in Japan and the US are different. Some things are inside the house and some are outside. Listen to learn more!
Mr. I talks about his first trip back to the US in 5 years. In part 2, he talks about the different things he thinks are better in Japan. Listen and find out what those things are!
Mr. I talks about his first trip to the US in 5 years. In part 1, he talks about the differences in things that he thinks are better in the US. Listen and find out!
How do you get a driver's license in the US? How is it different than in Japan? Listen and find out!
Driving and cars are different in Japan and the US. What are some of those differences? Listen and find out!
Mr. I talks about the differences between the ideas of old and new in the US and Japan. How do words change from culture to culture? Listen and find out!
Listen Up! website
ListenUp #LearningEnglish
Mr. I talks about some differences in dating in the US and dating in Japan. How do you decide you are officially dating in the US? Listen to find out! #ListenUp #LearningEnglish
Mr. I talks about some questions from students that he finds a little strange or hard to answer. What are they and why does Mr. I find them strange. Listen and find out!
What is extensive listening, exactly? And why should you do it? Mr. I talks about how extensive listening can help your language skills. #ESL #ListenUp
Mr. I talks about his feelings about these two holidays. What are some of the differences between Japan and the US? Listen to find out! #ListenUp #ESL #ExtensiveListening
Mr. I talks some more about music. This time, find about some of the most memorable concerts and music festivals Mr. I has been to, both in the US and Japan. #ESL #ListenUp #ExtensiveListening
Mr. I talks about all the different bands and ensembles he has been a member of. Sometimes, it was playing trumpet, sometimes guitar, and sometimes other stuff! Listen and find out more! #ESL #ExtensiveListening
Mr. I talks about his experience being hit by a car while riding his bicycle to work. What happened? What should drivers do when there's a cyclist on the road? Listen and find out! #Cycling #SafeDriving #BeCareful
Find out what Mr. I did during the 2023-2024 winter break. Where did he go for the first shrine visit of the year? Listen and find out!
In this episode (part 3 of 3), Mr. I ends the real story of an incident in a small village in Hokkaido. The people of the village met a very aggressive bear. Listen to find out how the incident came to an end.
In this episode (part 2 of 3), Mr. I continues the real story of an incident in a small village in Hokkaido. The people of the village met a very aggressive bear. How did the people of the village plan to take care of the bear problem?
In this episode (part 1 of 3), Mr. I begins the real story of an incident in a small village in Hokkaido. The people of the village met a very aggressive bear. Listen to hear the start of the story.
Mr. I talks about the problem of overcrowding on Mt. Fuji. It is said that a wise man climbs once, a fool climbs twice. But is that still true? Listen and find out. #Japan #ListenUp
Mr. I talks about some ways languages change. What are some new ways words are being used in English? Listen to find out!
Website: bit.ly/LUWMI
Mr. I talks about what he did this summer. It wasn't a trip or anything fun like that. It was ear surgery. Listen and find out about his experience.
Mr. I talks about the English language. How should you say the names of Japanese rivers and mountains in English? Listen to find out!
Mr. I talks about something he's long noticed about Japan and the seasons. What does he think about the seasons in Japan? Listen and find out!
Mr. I talks about some thoughts about the quickly changing fashion trends. What has he noticed? Listen and find out!
Mr. I updates his list of wild animals he has seen out in the woods - check out episode 100 for the first list. What two more wild animals has Mr. I seen since then? Listen and find out!
Mr. I answers a question from the request page. What's my favorite food? Listen and find out!
Mr. I talks about the submersible accident in June of 2023. What happened? What are Mr. I's thoughts about it? Listen Up! to find out.
Mr. I talks about entrance ceremonies. Find out about entrance ceremonies in the US. (Hint - there really aren't any!)
Mr. I talks about two balloon related stories that have been in the news this month (February 2023). One of them is connected to something that happened here in Tohoku a few years ago. What was it? Listen and find out!
Mr. I talks about the recent North Korean missile tests. Another episode from recent news.
Mr. I talks about the tragedy that happened in Seoul during the 2022 Halloween festivities. This is the first of a new occasional feature - Listen Up to the News - where Mr. I will talk about events that have happened recently.
Mr. I talks a little bit about what he has done during past summer breaks. Then he talks about what he did during summer break this year (2022). Where did he go? What did he do? Listen and find out!
Mr. I talks about his immediate family. Find out a little about his parents, his sister, his wife and his daughter.
Mr. I talks about ways to improve your English pronunciation. He also answers the question of what correct pronunciation really means. Listen to find out more!
The summer (2022), Sendai Ikuei won the national baseball tournament. What does Mr. I think about high school baseball in Japan? Listen and find out!
How to people in the US (or at least Mr. I) feel about working overtime? Are people who work a lot of overtime bad at their job? Listen and find out what Mr. I thinks about this listening request!
Mr. I talks about what coming of age means in the US. When does it happen? What can you do when you "come of age" in the US? Listen and find out!
Mr. I talks about basketball - not a sport he has ever played much, but one he certainly enjoys watching.
Mr. I talks about winter sports that he enjoys. What sports did he watch growing up as a kid? What unique winter sports does he participate in? Listen to find out!
Mr. I talks about his experiences with and thoughts about ramen. What is his favorite ramen shop? What is his favorite type of ramen? Listen and find out!
Mr. I talks about how and why he became an English teacher in Japan. It certainly wasn't his goal in university or even when he first came to Japan. Listen and find out the whole story.
Mr. I talks about his experiences with various wild animals in Japan. Most of the experiences happened while cycling. Listen to hear what animal chased Mr. I uphill on his bike. What did he really see when he thought it was a bear? And where did he see fresh bear tracks?
Mr. I talks about some interesting food experiences he has had while traveling around the world.
Mr. I talks about some of the most famous places and best places to visit if you ever travel to Chicago.
Mr. I talks about why he thinks K-Pop has been so successful around the world, even though he doesn't know a lot about K-Pop.
Mr. I talks about a difficult challenge he faced as a student. How did the situation turn out? Listen and find out!
Mr. I talks about the different pro sports teams in Chicago. What sports has he seen live? What are the teams in Chicago? Listen and find out!
How does Mr. I spend his weekends? What does he like to do? Where does he like to go? Listen and find out!
Mr. I talks about festivals in the US. What do people do on the Fourth of July? Listen and find out!
Mr. I talks about his impressions of Japanese festivals. Listen to hear which festivals he has been to and which are his favorites.
Mr. I talks about a trip he took with his high school marching band to Orlando, Florida march in the Main Street USA parade and enjoy the theme parks.
Mr. I talks about watching videos online in university and the YouTube channels he likes.
Mr. I talks more about food culture differences in Japan and the US. Snack time? And why are people in the US fatter than in Japan?
Mr. I talks about some differences in food culture in the US and Japan. Why does Japan have a more uniform food culture? Eating out for breakfast?
Mr. I talks about his experience getting the Coronavirus vaccine and talks about some of the worries and why you should get the vaccine.
Mr. I talks about comedy in the US and Japan. Does he like any Japanese comedians? What is comedy in the US like?
Mr. I talks about his experiences with video games. Learn about button mashing and the few games Mr. I can play well.
Mr. I talks about some differences between weddings and receptions in the US and Japan.
Mr. I talks about the idea of culture shock and problems he has had living in a different country.
Mr. I talks about the unique masks he wears every day in class. Where are they from? What does he think about wearing masks in general?
Mr. I talks again about some differences between summer break in the US and Japan. Which do you think is better?
Mr. I talks about his thoughts about Tokyo 2020 now that the Olympics are finished. Was it a good idea to hold the games?
Mr. I talks about the using the alphabet to write Japanese. What's the best way to write a Japanese name using the alphabet?
Mr. I talks about the Olympic and Paralympic games that are scheduled to be held this summer in Tokyo, even though most people in Japan want the games postponed (again) or cancelled. Listen and find out what Mr. I thinks about the situation.
Mr. I talks about some of the Christmas traditions he grew up with and the traditions he is trying to keep for his daughter.
Mr. I talks about what his life was like in senior high school in the US. How was it different than senior high school in Japan? Listen and find out!
Mr. I talks about some differences between products in the US and Japan. What's good about each? Why are they different?
Mr. I talks some more about traveling. What kind of a traveler is he? Why is he difficult to travel with?
Mr. I talks a little more about cats. A couple of things about the two cats he has now, and about the cats he had growing up.
Mr. I talks a little bit about his daughter and what life is like watching her grow up.
Mr. I talks about Sendai and Miyagi. He's lived here for less than two years, but what are his initial impressions?
Mr. I talks about his favorite foods in both the US and in Japan. He also talks about foods he ate every day for nearly 12 years!
Mr. I talks about what manga and anime he likes. He also talks about his favorite Japanese author.
Mr. I talks about his history playing the trumpet, from elementary school until university.
Another request episode! Mr. I talks about learning the shamisen. What was easy? What was hard? What was different than learning western music? Listen and find out.
Listener request episode! Mr. I talks about what clothing brands he likes in different situations.
Mr. I talks about what has been happening in the US and talks about his experiences in Japan.
In honor of father's day, Mr. I talks about his daddy, Carl Oscar Isaacson. Who was he, and what made him special?
Mr. I talks about convenience stores in Japan. When did the first convenience store in Japan open? What is the most popular convenience store in Hokkaido? Listen to find out!
Mr. I talks about one of the instruments he can play - the shamisen, and why he has the name Oyama Toshijo.
Mr. I talks about what you can do to stay safe and healthy during the Coronavirus Pandemic.
Mr. I talks about his cats, Arrow and Merida. Where are they from? What are their personalities? Listen to find out!
Mr. I talks about working part time growing up. Why did he and his friends throw a toilet off a roof? Listen to find out!
Mr. I talks about SixTones and Kanjani ∞ and what he doesn't like about them. Hint: it's not the music. It's a language thing.
Mr. I talks about some rule to make cycling safer. What are some rules people don't follow that annoy Mr. I? How can you make riding safer for everyone? Listen to find out!
Mr. I talks about some differences between TV in the US and Japan. What are sitcoms? Are there any Japanese TV shows Mr. I likes?
Mr. I talks about life before before Facebook and before YouTube. What has changed in these past 15 years?
Mr. I talks about prefixes and suffixes. Learn how to invent your own words that everyone will understand! Improve your TOEIC/TOEFL/Eiken score!
Mr. I talks about something a lot of young people probably don't know much about - hidden tracks! What are they? Listen and find out!
Mr. I talks about the Tokyo-centric nature of Japanese TV. Why does every show introduce places in Tokyo? Not everyone lives in or cares about Tokyo!
Mr. I talks about New Year's festivities in the US. How do people celebrate New Year's Eve and Day in the US? What is the traditional drink to count down with?
Mr. I talks about his experiences with winter sports. Would you ever try winter cycling? What does it take?
Mr. I talks about some of the differences between Christmas in the US and Japan. Decorations, music, and food! Also, Wham!?
Mr. I talks about accents and dialects. What are some differences in English from place to place? How is English different in the US and England?
Mr. I talks about the seasons in Chicago. What's there to do in each season? How's the weather?
Mr. I talks about blood types and the connection to personality. Also, he talks a little about horoscopes and astrology.
Mr. I talks about some ideas about staying healthy and some differences between the US and Japan. When should you go to the doctor? How do you rest with the flu?
Mr. I talks about dress codes. High heels, glasses, and recruit suits. Also, hair color?
Mr. I talks about convenience stores, both in the US and in Japan. How long has that hot dog been sitting there? What's the best convenience store in Japan? Listen and find out!
Mr. I talks about Halloween in the US. What's different about pumpkins in the US? What's a Jack-o-Lantern?
Mr. I talks about driving and cars in the US. Do you know how old you need to be to drive in the US? High schools have parking lots for students!? What!?
Mr. I talks about trains in Chicago. There are three different types in Chicago. Do you know what they are? Have you ever ridden a train for more than 24 hours!?
Mr. I talks about the differences between primary and secondary schools (elementary school through senior high school) in the US and Japan.
Mr. I talks about the different types of natural disasters in the places he has lived - earthquakes in Japan and tornadoes in the US.
Mr. I talks about the difference between "suntan" and "sunburn" and also a little about sunscreen.
Mr. I talks about a problem many people have when they travel on international flights.
Mr. I talks about more loan words (外来語). This time, it's words from languages that are NOT English.