最佳Plain English播客 (2024)

1
The Self-Driving Revolution Is Real—and It Could Be Spectacular 1:10:45

2d ago1:10:45

1:10:45

What would a world of self-driven cars look like? How would it change shopping, transportation, and life, more broadly? A decade ago, many people were asking these questions, as it looked like a boom in autonomous vehicles was imminent. But in the last few years, other technologies—crypto, the metaverse, AI—have stolen the spotlight. Meanwhile, sel…

1
Lost Mozart composition found in German archives (Every now and then) 13:54

3d ago13:54

13:54

Today's story: A hand-copied manuscript of a musical composition believed to have been written by Mozart has been discovered in the archives of a German library. Mozart experts believe the composition dates to the 1760s, when Mozart was between 10 and 13 years old. An analysis of the music suggests that the piece is consistent with Mozart's style f…

1
The People v. O.J. Simpson: Actus Reas. 16:20

6d ago16:20

16:20

Send us a text In this episode of Law School in Plain English, we break down actus reas - the guilty act - a crucial component in proving any crime. Thanks for listening to Law School in Plain English. If you enjoyed this episode, don’t forget to subscribe/follow and leave a review. Join me next time as we break down another legal concept — one pri…

1
The return of the backflip in figure skating (Give away) 19:32

6d ago19:32

19:32

Today's story: The backflip has been a controversial move in figure skating for decades. It was first performed in high-level competition at the 1976 Olympics by American skater Terry Kubicka, but was quickly banned due to safety concerns. Despite its prohibition, some skaters continued to perform it in exhibitions. Now, nearly fifty years later, t…

1
Battery: When Contact Crosses the Line. 10:26

7d ago10:26

10:26

Send us a text In this episode, we tackle the concept of battery - exploring when unwanted contact crosses the line into a legal offense. Join us as we unpack what counts as battery, dive into real-life scenarios, and break down how intent and offensiveness come into play. Thanks for listening to Law School in Plain English. If you enjoyed this epi…

1
How Trump Won: Young Men’s Red Wave, the Blue-City Flop, and the Incumbency Graveyard 54:26

9d ago54:26

54:26

Derek shares his big-picture theory for Trump's victory. Then, Republican pollster Kristen Soltis Anderson explains how Trump shifted practically the entire electorate to the right. Links: Derek's article that inspired his open: https://www.theatlantic.com/politics/archive/2024/11/donald-trump-covid-election/680559/ The Washington Post voter shift …

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Haggis: Scotland's most famous recipe (Out of reach) 20:19

10d ago20:19

20:19

Today's story: Haggis is a traditional Scottish dish made from various animal organs mixed with oats and spices. In the traditional recipe, it's cooked in the lining of a sheep's stomach. It's a beloved part of Scottish culture (even if outsiders aren't always brave enough to try it). Learn this English expression: 'Out of reach' refers to somethin…

1
Trespass to Land: When Boundaries Are Crossed. 9:14

11d ago9:14

9:14

Send us a text In this episode, we explore the concept of trespass to land - when crossing boundaries becomes a legal issue. We’ll dive into what qualifies as trespass, from uninvited guest to accidental entries, and break down how the law protects your right to control who steps onto your property. By the end, you’ll know exactly when a simple mis…

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Scientists map a fly's entire brain (On a roll) 21:47

13d ago21:47

21:47

Today's story: Scientists have completed a ""connectome"" of an adult fruit fly, mapping all 140,000 brain cells and the 55 million connections between them. The map will allow scientists to study in much greater detail how a brain works. And the complete connectome of the fruit fly may pave the way for mapping larger, more complex brains, includin…

1
The People v. O.J. Simpson: Mens Rae. 20:11

13d ago20:11

20:11

Send us a text In this episode of Law School in Plain English, we dive into one of the most critical concepts in criminal law: mens rea, or the “guilty mind.” Using the famous O.J. Simpson trail as our guide, we’ll explore how intent is established in a criminal case and why it is essential for proving guilt. Hear how both the prosecution and defen…

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How to Watch Election Night Without Falling for Conspiracy Theories or False Hope 47:28

13d ago47:28

47:28

Today’s guest (our final preelection guest) is David Wasserman, political analyst with the Cook Political Report, who also helps out with the NBC decision desk. There are dozens, maybe hundreds, of people whose job on election night is to help Americans understand when we can safely call specific districts and states for Congress, Senate, or the pr…

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Assault - When Threats Cross the Line. 9:23

15d ago9:23

9:23

Send us a text In this episode, we dive into the legal concept of assault, exploring how a simple threat or gesture can cross the line into a legal offense - even without physical contact. Join us as we break down what counts as assault, unpack key examples, and reveal how intent and perception come into play. By the end, you’ll know exactly where …

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What Election Day is like in the U.S. (Pull off) 24:22

16d ago24:22

24:22

Today's story: When the sun rises on Election Day, about half of Americans will have already voted. But here's what the experience is like for the tens of millions of people who cast their votes in person on the first Tuesday of November. Plus, learn why it takes so long to count the votes. Learn this English expression: 'Pull something off' means …

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This Small Pennsylvania Town Explains the 2024 Election 56:30

16d ago56:30

56:30

Today, a close look at the history of a Pennsylvania town and how that history contains within it the story of the 2024 election. In September, Donald Trump claimed that the city of Charleroi, Pennsylvania, was being overrun by immigrants who brought violence, gangs, and economic destruction. Last month, The Atlantic's George Packer went to Charler…

1
The People v. O.J. Simpson: An Introduction to Criminal Law. 16:40

18d ago16:40

16:40

Send us a text In this premier episode of Law School In Plain English: Criminal Law, we dive into the heart of criminal law, using one of the most famous trials in history: The People v. O.J. Simpson. Join us as we unpack what criminal law truly is, how it differs from civil law, and why it plays a crucial role in society. With over 85 trials as a …

1
Conversion- When Borrowing Becomes Stealing. 8:40

20d ago8:40

8:40

Send us a text In this episode, join CAT B FIT, our sleek and clever legal guide, as she breaks down the concept of conversion’ — when borrowing turns into taking ownership. CAT B FIT isn’t just a name; each letter represents one of the seven intentional torts in law: Conversion, Assault, Trespass to land, Battery, False Imprisonment, Intentional i…

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Dengue in Italy, M-pox vaccines, and Netflix’s new 'Monsters' (Sooner or later) 23:30

20d ago23:30

23:30

Today's story: Dengue fever has spread to Italy, which has seen 500 cases this year. M-pox vaccines are now being distributed in Africa for the first time. Shohei Ohtani’s translator has pleaded guilty to bank fraud, and Netflix’s new ""Monsters"" series, based on the Menendez brothers' case, has hit number one on the charts. Learn this English exp…

1
Duty vs. Negligence - The Battle for Responsibility. 8:47

23d ago8:47

8:47

Send us a text Join us as we dive into the concept of duty and what happens when it is ignored. In this episode, we explore real-life stories from recent events to show how the law decides when responsibility falls short and harm is caused. We’ll uncover how courts handle these cases and what it really means when someone is held accountable for neg…

1
Why Is Every Recent Presidential Election So Close? 49:21

23d ago49:21

49:21

My favorite sort of social phenomenon is something that seems normal to modern eyes that is actually incredibly unusual. We take it for granted that every presidential election is a nail-biter these days. But this era of close elections is deeply strange. We used to have blowouts all the time. In 1964, 1972, and 1984, LBJ, Nixon, and Reagan, respec…

1
Build more homes? Now, some say ‘yes’ in my backyard (Out of touch) 24:57

24d ago24:57

24:57

Today's story: Across the English-speaking world, the cost of housing (to buy or to rent) has far outpaced increases in incomes. That has caused governments to take a critical look at policies that have limited homebuilding, especially apartments. From London's green belt to cities in America, Canada, and Australia, people are increasingly saying "…

1
Meet Duty - Your Guide to Responsibility. 8:20

24d ago8:20

8:20

Send us a text Meet Superhero Duty, the protector of responsibility, as he swoops in to save the day when people forget their legal obligations. In this episode, we break down what `duty’ means in everyday life and how it helps keep everyone safe. Simple, clear, and fun — because `Hold up, wait a minute, something ain’t right!’ Thanks for listening…

1
But-For Causation: Would It Have Happened Without You? 8:51

26d ago8:51

8:51

Send us a text Join us as we explore but-for causation through a sibling chase gone wrong! When a TV comes crashing down, we ask the key legal question: would it have happened without your actions? Find out how this simple but crucial concept shapes the law and who gets blamed when things go wrong. Thanks for listening to Law School in Plain Englis…

1
‘Emily in Paris’ is the show France loves to hate (Keep an eye on / out) 21:59

27d ago21:59

21:59

Today's story: Netflix recently released season four of its hit show ""Emily in Paris."" Television critics in France and the U.S. panned the show for its unrealistic, Instagram-worthy fantasy of life in Paris. But audiences love it: the show reached number one on Netflix when its fourth season was released (and yes, it was popular in France, too).…

1
Palsgraf v. Long Island Railroad: How Far Does Responsibility Go? 8:11

29d ago8:11

8:11

Send us a text Join us as we explore the famous Palsgraf v. Long Island Railroad case through a playful sibling chase that spirals out of control. We’ll break down key legal concepts like causation and foreseeability, and discover how far responsibility really goes when things go wrong. Expect simple, engaging explanations-no law degree required! T…

1
Is Radical Human Life Extension Possible? 55:46

1M ago55:46

55:46

In 1900, the average US life expectancy was 47 years old. That's the current age of Tom Brady, Ryan Reynolds, and Shakira. But extraordinary advances in medicine and public health have surged lifespans in the US and throughout the world. The average American currently lives to about 79 years old. How long can this progress continue? As we have gott…

1
Why only 538 votes decide the U.S. presidency (On track) 23:51

1M ago23:51

23:51

Today's story: America’s complicated system of choosing a president can be traced back to its origins as a union of individual states. The process involves two elections: a popular vote by citizens and an electoral vote by states. This indirect system places more emphasis on the results of the election in the individual states. Learn why Americans …

1
Comparative Negligence: Sharing the Blame. 8:29

1M ago8:29

8:29

Send us a text Explore comparative negligence through a playful sibling chase and real-world examples. Learn how responsibility is shared when both parties are at fault, and see how the law divides the blame to ensure a fair outcome. Thanks for listening to Law School in Plain English. If you enjoyed this episode, don’t forget to subscribe/follow a…

1
Contributory Negligence: The All or Nothing Rule. 9:16

1M ago9:16

9:16

Send us a text Join us aw we break down contributory negligence, where even a small mistake can cost you everything. Through a playful sibling chase and real world examples, we explore how this all-or-nothing rule works and why most states have moved away from it. Thanks for listening to Law School in Plain English. If you enjoyed this episode, don…

1
Orientation. Welcome To Law School in Plain English. 1:43

1M ago1:43

1:43

Send us a text Thanks for listening to Law School in Plain English. If you enjoyed this episode, don’t forget to subscribe/follow and leave a review. Join me next time as we break down another legal concept — one principle at a time.由Jeff Brown

1
James Earl Jones, voice of Darth Vader, dies at 93 (Up in the air) 23:32

1M ago23:32

23:32

Today's story: James Earl Jones, the actor known as the voice of Darth Vader in Star Wars and Mufasa in The Lion King, overcame a childhood stutter and developed one of the most distinctive voices in Hollywood. His booming baritone lent authority to any character he played (including his comedic roles). He died in September 2024 at age 93. Learn th…

1
Negligence: Who Is Responsible When Someone Gets Hurt? 5:59

1M ago5:59

5:59

Send us a text What happens when things go wrong and someone gets hurt? In this episode, we dive into the world of negligence—who’s to blame and why. From falling objects to missed safety measures, we’ll break down the key elements of negligence with some humor and real-life examples. Join us as we make sense of the law, one (almost) dodged disaste…

1
America's Young Men Are Falling Behind—and Shifting Right 50:27

1M ago50:27

50:27

Today: the state of men and what's really happening in the gender divide in politics. Many young men are falling behind economically and socially at the same time that men and women are coming apart politically. What's really happening here? Richard Reeves, president of the American Institute for Boys and Men, joins the show to talk about the state…

1
Res Ipsa: When the Accident Speaks for Itself. 6:08

1M ago6:08

6:08

Send us a text In this episode, we dive into the legal doctrine of res Ipsa loquitur (“the thing speaks for itself”) and how to prove negligence without direct evidence. We break down this key legal concept in under 15 minutes using a simple, relatable scenario to show how it works. Thanks for listening to Law School in Plain English. If you enjoye…

1
How much power does a vice president really have? (On the same page) 23:37

1M ago23:37

23:37

Today's story: The American vice president's primary function is to be available in case a president can't continue in office. Besides that, the VP is the ceremonial leader of the Senate, the upper house of the legislature. In the case of a tie vote in the Senate, the VP breaks the tie. With few formal duties, ""veeps"" try to have influence as adv…

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The U.S. election is too close to call with one month left (Hand in hand) 26:01

1M ago26:01

26:01

Today's story: With just a month left until Election Day, the U.S. presidential race between Donald Trump and Kamala Harris is extremely close. Both candidates are focusing on their closing arguments, aiming to rally supporters and secure every possible vote. You'll get an in-depth look at the current state of the race and learn what to expect as t…

1
Is the Middle East on the Verge of All-Out War? 1:04:32

1M ago1:04:32

1:04:32

Since October 7, 2023, many have feared that the conflict between Israel and Hamas would bloom into a wider war that would consume the Middle East. Today, we are dangerously close to that reality. In just the last month, Israel carried out several attacks against the Lebanese militant group Hezbollah, which, like Hamas, is backed by Iran. Israel is…

1
Parents and school shooters: who's responsible? (Take advantage of) 24:55

2M ago24:55

24:55

Today's story: School shootings are sadly, tragically common in the United States. Now, prosecutors are bringing murder or manslaughter charges against parents of school shooters, even if the parents weren't directly involved in the crime. Some say that's justified; others say it's going too far. What do you think? Learn this English expression: To…

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