The Adventures of LOLA BADIOLA: Recent Episodes
Sam Gratton
The Adventures of Lola Badiola presents advanced English in an innovative and entertaining way. Lola is a talented and complicated businesswoman. She faces all manner of challenges in her professional and personal life. In each podcast you will hear a chapter of her story and then an explanation of the common business expressions, phrasal verbs and vocabulary used in the text. So put away your boring grammar books, and let Lola Badiola guide you to a leadership level of English.
For technical reasons we had to re-upload this episode. Apologies for any inconvenience.
In this chapter I'm joined by Marina, my partner, to explain the making of the podcast, and the plans for the future.
We hope you enjoy the diverse and relevant content in this chapter. When you are ready for more, please sign up to live and interactive classes with Marina and me, right here:
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Bring English into your life!
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The Adventures of Lola Badiola is now available as a book.
It’s the perfect complement for this podcast.
It includes complete transcripts, explanations and quizzes.
So buy it now on Amazon, right here!
Lola and her colleagues walk away from the headquarters of TechSpania with a deal in their hands, and as one adventure ends another one begins.
In the final chapter of our story, we discuss a lot of relevant vocabulary. In the world of geopolitics, we explain the term ROGUE NATION. And we review the purpose of a COVER STORY.
We add another four relevant phrasal verbs to your vocabulary, namely - TO RUN THROUGH, TO GO OUT, TO SORT OUT and KICK OUT.
We explain a couple of very common idioms. Do you have ANY LOOSE ENDS TO TIE UP before the end of the day? How does it feel when THE WORLD IS YOUR OYSTER?
And finally, we review the grammar rules of REPORTED SPEECH.
We hope you enjoy the diverse and relevant content in this chapter. When you are ready for more, please sign up to live and interactive classes with Marina and me, right here:
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Lola and her companions enter the boardroom of TechSpania as the deal to buy JBlock is being finalised.
In this chapter we have some interesting vocabulary related to DRESS CODE in an office. Is it important to be IMPECCABLY DRESSED? Have you ever bought a TAILOR-MADE SUIT? Do you know how to create a WINDSOR KNOTTED TIE?
We also explain some relevant terms in dealmaking. Do you know how to keep a POKER FACE when negotiating? And who does the final PROOFREADING of the contract?
We do some work on the pronunciation of the “I” VOWEL SOUND in words such as Wi-Fi.
And finally, we talk about the importance of BODY LANGUAGE when communicating, negotiating, and presenting.
We hope you enjoy the diverse and relevant content in this chapter. When you are ready for more, please sign up to live and interactive classes with Marina and me, right here:
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Lola and her team arrive at the headquarters of TechSpania, but they still need to pass the security guards to reach the boardroom on the 51st floor.
There are a couple of interesting common expressions in this chapter. Why do people make LAST-MINUTE CHANGES to agreements? And what does it mean to be in the EYE OF THE STORM?
We discuss the role of a company’s BOARD OF DIRECTORS.
We consider the philosophical question of whether THE END JUSTIFIES THE MEANS.
And finally, we offer some GOOD BUSINESS ADVICE for the moment just before you enter a meeting room full of people.
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Lola has a plan to stop JJ selling the company to TechSpania, but she needs to act fast!
Let’s examine the advanced grammatical structure of QUESTION TAGS. You know what they are, don’t you?
In the vocabulary section we explain the verbs TO REBOOT, TO PATCH and TO GATECRASH. We also illustrate what a BINDING CONTRACT is.
We focus on a very common mistake in Business English , the confusion over BORROW vs. LEND,.
And finally, we discuss two common expressions. Do you prefer it when people GET TO THE POINT? And what happens when THE PENNY DROPS?
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Park reveals his true identity to the secret agent and his wife, causing confusion and conflict.
There are plenty of colorful expressions and idioms in this chapter. What makes the HAIRS ON THE BACK OF YOUR NECK STAND ON END? Have you ever STROKED THE EGO of your boss? And is it best to do a sales pitch via webinar or IN THE FLESH?
We do some pronunciation work using the VOICED “S” CONSONANT. Make sure you play the game with me!
We explain what it means when tears fall from the eyes of THE VIRGIN OF GUADALUPE.
And finally, we discuss the purpose of STOCK MARKET INDICES including the IBEX 35, the FTSE100 and the Dow Jones. What are they? How do they work? And what do they tell us?
We hope you enjoy the diverse and relevant content in this chapter. When you are ready for more, please sign up to live and interactive classes with Marina and me, right here:
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The secret agent brings Park to his home in Madrid and introduces him to his suspicious wife.
In this chapter we give examples of words that differ depending on whether you are using BRITISH ENGLISH or AMERICAN ENGLISH for example, apartment vs. flat, and elevator vs. lift.
We cover several everyday expressions. Do you have to WEAR DIFFERENT HATS at work? What MAKES YOUR HEAD SPIN? And what kind of event TAKES YOUR BREATH AWAY?
Finally, we continue our discussion of CAPITALISM, using the simple example of a fridge full of food to demonstrate how effective this economic system is.
We hope you enjoy the diverse and relevant content in this chapter. When you are ready for more, please sign up to live and interactive classes with Marina and me, right here:
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The secret agent delivers Park to the headquarters of Interpol and receives an unexpected reaction from the agency.
There are loads of interesting everyday expressions in this chapter. Do you know what a DESK JOCKEY is? Do you expect other people to DO YOUR DIRTY WORK? When was the last time you were IN A DAZE?
We explain the word DUMBFOUNDED and discuss the meaning of IRONY - why do some people use it, and other people misunderstand it.
Finally, we analyse a controversial business issue, 90-DAY PAYMENT TERMS. Why do some companies delay payments to their suppliers?
We hope you enjoy the diverse and relevant content in this chapter. When you are ready for more, please sign up to live and interactive classes with Marina and me, right here:
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With the help of the secret agent, Park completes his journey to the West, unsure of what awaits him there.
In this chapter we explain three phrasal verbs, TO TOUCH DOWN, TO SETTLE DOWN and TO BREEZE THROUGH.
We also make sure you understand some advanced vocabulary. What is a PAYDAY? When do you need a COVER STORY? And what is your BACKSTORY?
We discuss three useful expressions. Have you ever experienced a CULTURE SHOCK What kind of things BLOW YOUR MIND? Have you ever taken a VOW OF SILENCE And did you know that AN ARMY MARCHES ON ITS STOMACH?
Finally, we talk a little bit about the FILM INDUSTRY, how are films and TV series made?
We hope you enjoy the diverse and relevant content in this chapter. When you are ready for more, please sign up to live and interactive classes with Marina and me, right here:
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Lola has a conversation with a mysterious man in a bar that makes her reconsider events in the past.
In this chapter we explain three everyday expressions. When do you need to be ON YOUR GUARD at work? What activities are your BREAD AND BUTTER? And do you expect to get a promotion SOONER RATHER THAN LATER?
We discuss an appropriate idiom for international professionals - WHEN IN ROME DO AS THE ROMANS.
However, most of this class is focused on CORRUPTION. We look at the work of Transparency International investigating levels of corruption in different countries around the world. We explain the terms BRIBE and BLACKMAIL and how they are both examples of WHITE-COLLAR CRIME. Finally, we explain what happens when a crime is COVERED UP.
We hope you enjoy the diverse and relevant content in this chapter. When you are ready for more, please sign up to live and interactive classes with Marina and me, right here:
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Lola meets JJ Thompson for dinner and receives some shocking news.
This chapter is full of interesting and relevant business expressions and idioms. Let’s go through them one by one.
Is there somebody in your company who you consider to be a BAD APPLE?
Have you recently received a COLD CALL from a mobile telephone salesman?
What would be the best-case scenario for your career at the moment? And what would be the WORST-CASE SCENARIO?
Do you have an EQUITY STAKE in in the company that you work for?
Have you ever sold anything for a SONG?
When was the last time you were ON A ROLL?
And is your next big career move JUST AROUND THE CORNER?
We hope you enjoy the diverse and relevant content in this chapter. When you are ready for more, please sign up to live and interactive classes with Marina and me, right here:
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Lola confronts Cayetano at the offices of JBlock in front of all the programmers.
There are several common expressions that we need to explain in this chapter. What happens when you PULL THE TRIGGER on a deal? When do you need to CALL IN FAVOURS from your colleagues? And have you ever been LOST FOR WORDS in a discussion.
In the vocabulary section, we discuss legal words such as LAWSUIT and TO SUE. Then we examine some words that English borrows from French such as FACADE and COUP DE GRACE. And finally, we explain why Cayetano is considered a MOLE.
Throughout the chapter we argue that BUSINESS MEETINGS ARE LIKE THEATRE, we also explain the difference between RHETORICAL AND LITERAL QUESTIONS. And finally we remind ourselves that when we suffer a disappoint or failure, THE BATTLE MAY BE LOST BUT THE WAR WILL CONTINUE.
We hope you enjoy the diverse and relevant content in this chapter. When you are ready for more, please sign up to live and interactive classes with Marina and me, right here:
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Park reaches the Chinese border, but how will he cross the freezing cold waters of the Yalu River, and what will be waiting for him on the other side?
This chapter is full of fascinating vocabulary, interesting expressions and colourful metaphors. Let’s start off with some of the advanced vocabulary.
Are you familiar with the verbs TO GRUNT, TO WRITHE AROUND and TO PERISH? These are all appropriate verbs considering the predicament that Park finds himself in. Also relevant are the nouns ONSLAUGHT, DEADWEIGHT and RAGDOLL.
We discuss three common everyday expressions. What STATE OF MIND are you in right now? Should we meet IN THE FLESH? Do you need a PAT ON THE BACK?
We also do a brief pronunciation exercise to help you with the most common vowel sound in spoken English, known as THE SCHWA.
And finally, we cover a couple of colourful metaphors. Have you ever been THROWN AROUND LIKE A RAGDOLL? Have you ever had LEGS LIKE JELLY? I hope not too often.
We hope you enjoy the diverse and relevant content in this chapter. When you are ready for more, please sign up to live and interactive classes with Marina and me, right here:
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Park meets the Old Grey Man and discovers the terrible truth about Dead Man’s Highway.
Let’s do some pronunciation work focusing on words that have fewer syllables than most non-native speakers think, for example, COMFORTABLE, VEGETABLE, CHOCOLATE, RESTAURANT, INTEREST RATES.
We review some fascinating vocabulary to test your WITS. If you’ve watched the Netflix series squid games, you’ll know what a TUG-OF-WAR is.
We discuss a very common business expression, namely a WIN-WIN SCENARIO.
And we continue our chat about ECONOMICS focusing on EXPORTS and IMPORTS and the benefits of international TRADE.
We hope you enjoy the diverse and relevant content in this chapter. When you are ready for more, please sign up to live and interactive classes with Marina and me, right here:
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Park evades the authorities on his journey to Banshori station until he reaches a police checkpoint.
As advanced speakers you know all the basic vocabulary related to the family but are you familiar with STEPMOTHERS and STEPFATHERS, are you familiar with the WIDOWS and WIDOWERS and, most interestingly, do you know what a SUGAR DADDY and a MILF are?
There are many words that the English language borrows from French. They tend to be intellectual and sophisticated. In the business world they include words such as, RENDEZVOUS, ENTREPRENEUR, RÉSUMÉ and BUREAU, but they are also present in many other areas of life particularly art and fashion.
And finally, we cover seven phrasal verbs including the following. If one of your colleagues broke a rule at work, would you COVER FOR them? When do you expect the growth in sales of your new product to FLATTEN OUT? And finally, when you’re sitting on your sofa at home watching TV do you like to WRAP UP in a blanket?
We hope you enjoy the diverse and relevant content in this chapter. When you are ready for more, please sign up to live and interactive classes with Marina and me, right here:
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Back in North Korea, Park is on the run from the secret police. His first stop is the Tomb of the Glorious Farmer to pay his respects to his dead relatives.
In this chapter there is an explosion of adjectives. As an advanced speaker you should be challenging yourself to choose colorful interesting and precise adjectives to communicate your ideas more effectively. Here are some alternatives to the common adjectives we hear too often.
Instead of saying that your colleague works very hard, use the adjective DILIGENT. Instead of describing something as very big, use the adjective ENORMOUS. Instead of describing a corporate event is very good, describe it as FABULOUS. Instead of describing a report as very interesting, use the adjective FASCINATING. Instead of saying that the client is very angry use the adjective FURIOUS.
We also discuss the concept of INTESNSIFYING ADVREBS to give your communication more impact. Native speakers use common collocations such as FULLY UNDERSTAND, SINCERELY HOPE, and ABSOLUTELY CLEAR.
As we have done in previous chapters, we review some important interrogative structures that some advanced speakers struggle with, such as HOW FAR IS IT….? HOW LONG DOES IT TAKE….? HOW LONG DOES IT LAST…?
And finally, we briefly discuss ECONOMICS with reference to the famine in North Korea that occurred in the late 1990s that led to the March of the suffering
We hope you enjoy the diverse and relevant content in this chapter. When you are ready for more, please sign up to live and interactive classes with Marina and me, right here:
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Lola goes out for dinner with her best friend Concha to distract herself from the crises in her life and receives some wonderful news!
This chapter is packed with phrasal verbs and expressions. We are going to focus on five of each. Let’s start with the phrasal verbs.
If you need to motivate and encourage your team, how do you FIRE them UP, how do you SPUR them ON? At the end of a long intensive week of work what do you do at the weekend to WIND DOWN? Do you like to GO OUT with a large group of friends, or do you prefer to EAT OUT with your closest friend?
Here are the common expressions that we discuss in this chapter. Did you know that everybody in the world has at least one LOOKALIKE or DOPPELGANGER? Do you ever get involved in OFFICE POLITICS or do you prefer to just GO WITH THE FLOW? And when was the last time you were offered a drink ON THE HOUSE at your favourite bar?
We hope you enjoy the diverse and relevant content in this chapter. When you are ready for more, please sign up to live and interactive classes with Marina and me, right here:
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Bring English into your life!
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JJ Thomson and Diego de la Fuente discuss the uncertain future of JBlock.
PHRASAL VERBS
Run out
Sell out
Flick through
BUSINESS CONCEPTS
Income streams
Cash burn
Trace/Traceability
COMMON EXPRESSIONS
Think on (your) feet
Goddamn
VOACAULARY
Religions of the world
Lola visits the law offices of Gonzalo Garrido and receives some disturbing news.
EXPRESSIONS
Twenty-four seven
Snake in the grass
Godsend
Bigger fish to fry
LEGAL ENGLISH
Civil Court vs Criminal Court
To sue
Damages
BUSINESS CONCEPTS
Assets vs. Liabilities
Company Valuation
Operating Profit
Enterprise Value Multiple
Silent partner
Stakeholder
Park reveals how he feels to the Girl with The Almond Eyes, and nothing will ever be the same.
PHRASAL VERBS
To lean forwards
To snatch back
To duck down
BUSINESS CONCEPTS
Capitalism vs Communism
Corruption
COMMON EXPRESSIONS
Blood runs cold
Eye on the ball
Word of Mouth
REFERENCES
“Lean In” by Sheryl Sandberg
“23 things they don’t tell you about Capitalism” by Ha Joon Chang
Transparency International CPI
Park meets The Girl with the Almond Eyes.
VOCABULARY
French words in the English language
Rendez-Vous, Croissant, Résumé
CV, Curriculum Vitae
EXPRESSIONS
False Modesty
Janteloven (Norwegian)
Cantamañas (Spanish)
PHRASAL VERBS
To dawn on
To pop out
To calm down
Park pursues the suspected intruders in his apartment.
COMMON EXPRESSIONS
Do the trick
Put bread on the table
On a rollercoaster
PHRASAL VERBS
Burst into
Carry out
Burn down
VOCABULARY
Resourcefulness
Terminator
CULTURE
Most famous sentences in cinema
Park starts to feel paranoid both at work and in his apartment.
GRAMMAR
Mastering Interrogatives
VOCABULARY
Overwhelming
Functionaries vs. Civil Servants
Daily commute
Schedule vs Agenda vs Diary
PHRASAL VERBS
Shut Down
Figure out
Speed up
EXPRESSIONS
Tongue-tied
To mind your own business
To breathe down (someone’s) neck
Park tries to focus on his work as the pressure on him increases.
VOCABULARY
To expedite
Scenario
PRONUNCIATION
The “I” vowel in priority, Wifi, bilingual
The “U” vowel in vulnerability, multinational, publicity
BUSINESS CONCEPTS
Black Sky Event
Uninterrupted Power Supply (UPS)
Automatic Transfer Switch (ATS)
EXPRESSIONS
Fight-or-flight response
Park arrives at work and is shocked by what he discovers.
GRAMMAR
Saxon Genitive
Few vs. a few
VOCABULARY
Advanced adjectives
Losing your virginity
Open plan office
Dodgy
BUSINESS CONCEPTS
Gender Pay Gap
Unconscious bias
JBlock is hacked by a mysterious intruder called Pluto.
GRAMMAR:
Imperatives - Direct, Polite, Formal, Royal
EXPRESSIONS:
On the verge of a nervous breakdown
Work around the clock
Digital nomad
Inside job
PUBLIC SPEAKING:
Anaphora – repetition
The Rule of Three
CONCEPTS:
Nicknames
Lola visits the Retiro Park to talk with her mother.
Business TermsBoard of Directors
Revenue
Profits
PronunciationThe voiced “S” sound
The Schwa vowel sound
Common Expressions
Elephant in the Room
Keep an eye on
Easier said than done
Time heals all wounds
Look on the bright side
ConceptsToxic positivity
Tragic optimism
As Kim’s appearance continues to disintegrate, Park discovers something surprising while researching his targets
Phrasal VerbsTo drag on
To catch up
To Pop Up
Business TermsTo go bankrupt
Notice Period
Severance Pay
Intern
Trial Period
Sign-on Bonus
Common ExpressionsA shadow of his former self
Park decides whether to support Kim's plan to defect or inform the authorities.
Vocabulary:
Stunned
Reckless
Phrasal Verbs:
Hang out
Single Out
Common Expressions:
Skill set
People person
Pronunciation:
Observed vs. Crashed vs. Concluded
The CyberStory article about Lola is published, including a lot of personal information about her childhood and family.
Phrasal Verbs:Wake up
Switch on/off
Scroll up/down
Zoom in/out
Team up
Roll out
Common Expressions:Rags to riches
Folk Hero
Business ConceptsMonopoly Power
Hostile Acquisitions
Disruption
Two-year rotation program
Self-ImprovementThe Wim Hof Method
Lola explains everything to Gonzalo and realizes she is even more vulnerable than she thought.
Grammar:Modal Verbs: Can, Could, Would
Business Concepts:Resigning from a company
Confidential Information
Phrasal Verbs:Plug in
Key in
Move on
Business Vocabulary:Non-compete clause
Breach of contract
Pronunciation:Judge
Jury
Digital
Vigilante
Lola turns to her old friend Gonzalo Garrido for legal advice.
VocabularyHard-working
Soul Mate
Childhood Sweetheart
General ConceptsThe five stages of grief
The seven deadly sins
Business ConceptsGhosting
Trolling
Spamming
Phrasal VerbsTo pop up
To catch up
Lola is approached by a journalist who is writing an article about her, she realizes that she needs a lawyer, so she contacts an old friend.
Vocabulary:
Cunning
Ruthless
Relentless
Pushy
Bewildered
Common Mistakes:
Coincidence
Common Expressions:
To skin someone alive
Magna cum laude
Nemesis
Business Concepts:
Law Firm structure
Partners
Associates
Kim explains his secret plan to a speechless Park.
Vocabulary:
Interpol, Europol and the CIA
depressed, paranoid, and unstable
outgoing, radiant optimist
Introverted, desperate pessimist.
Grammar:
To commit suicide.
Phrasal Verb:
To tip off
Public Speaking:
Rule of Three
Conscious Repetition (anaphora)
Kim tells Park a secret that will change everything.
Vocabulary:
Thin, skinny, Emaciated
Fat, Curvy, beefy, chubby
To tap, to bug, to wire
Business Concepts:
Propaganda vs. advertising
Money laundering
Public shaming
Common Expressions:
To join the dark side of the force