The InFluency Podcast

In this pronunciation episode, we're breaking down the most common "CH" sounds you'll find in English (hint: there is more than one way to say it!) Follow along and repeat out loud in today's pronunciation practice! Did you enjoy this practice? Want more? Join my free 14-day pronunciation plan! https://bit.ly/3YAWcJ5 * There are two other pronunciations of CH not mentioned in the episode. Yacht → the CH is silent Loch → in some dialects, it's pronounced as a /x/.

Improve your vocabulary, pronunciation and pace while reading a story out loud with me! We're reading a part from The Housemaid by Frida McFadden. Download the PDF to read along with me and learn the vocabulary from the episode! https://bit.ly/4sqQeb7 #readaloud #readoutloud #thehousemaid #reading Want more reading practice? Check out my read along playlist! https://bit.ly/4dcJedr

Have you ever listened to a native English speaker and thought… wait, that sounds funny! You HEAR one thing, but you SEE something completely different when it's written. Today, I'm going to share with you a linguistic feature of English called coalescence (also known as fusion). It's one of the most common processes in spoken English. Once you understand it, a lot of things that used to sound confusing will suddenly make perfect sense, AND know this will help you understand native speakers so. much. better. To practice more, download the free practice sheet here → https://bit.ly/4sTJH8O For more information about consonants, check out my consonants masterclass → https://bit.ly/4sZkkTb

In this interview, I'm bringing Jelena to the stage! Jelena is one of my New Sound and Beyond students from Serbia, who now lives in the US. When she arrived, she could barely leave her apartment. She avoided grocery stores, doctor's appointments, and meetings with her supervisor. Today? She's a research fellow, teaches salsa in English, and has a thriving social life she once thought to be impossible. In this conversation, she shares: What it really felt like to be isolated and dependent on her husband's English The turning point that proved she could communicate outside a "safe environment" Why pronunciation work was the key that unlocked her confidence How mindset shifts that changed everything What she'd recommend to anyone stuck in the same loop she was in This is the kind of conversation I love having: a public catch-up with a former student who is living proof that English doesn't have to be an obstacle to the life you want. 👉 Learn more about New Sound: https://bit.ly/4uqgMuD 👉 Practice with my Sprints for free: https://bit.ly/43pCotf Jelena's story is not unique, it's what's possible. If you've ever avoided a doctor's appointment, stayed silent in a meeting, or felt like a different person in English, this one's for you. ❤️

Are you actually learning vocabulary the right way? Most English learners aren't, and it's holding them back from real fluency! In this episode, I break down the vocabulary groups every English learner has, why your passive vocabulary is secretly your biggest asset, and the #1 mistake people make when trying to memorize new words (hint: it's all about quantity vs. quality)! If you've ever felt like you know a word but can't find it when you're speaking… this episode is for you! ♥️ Download my FREE vocabulary planner: https://bit.ly/3XiF0qv Join Beyond: https://bit.ly/4nrfM5N

Take the quiz and find out your stage: https://bit.ly/3PbGOl0 Want to move up and need a boost to make it happen? Join Beyond Community? https://bit.ly/4nrfM5N For years, we've been told that fluency is measured from A1 to C2. But those levels measure grammar and comprehension. They don't measure how you show up when you speak. You can be "B2" and still avoid conversations. You can understand everything… and still feel anxious when it's your turn to talk. So what if fluency isn't about levels… but about stages of speaking confidence? In this video, I introduce a different way to think about fluency! With the 5 Speaking Stages. 1️⃣ The Avoider 2️⃣ The Anxious Speaker 3️⃣ The Brave Speaker 4️⃣ The Challenger 5️⃣ The Influencer ✨ Want to find out YOUR stage? Take the Speaking Stage Quiz here! https://bit.ly/3PbGOl0

Get ready to practice with me! In this lesson, we're going to train our pronunciation and vocabulary by shadowing an iconic scene from The Matrix. Shadowing is one of the most effective ways to improve rhythm, stress, intonation, and connected speech. Instead of just listening, we repeat with the speaker in real time. We copy the melody, the reductions, and the flow. In this episode, we will: Break down key pronunciation challenges Practice connected speech and reductions Learn natural vocabulary from the scene Repeat together step by step And more! Download the Matrix PDF here: https://bit.ly/3MMXI8L

Have you seen that trend going around on social media where native speakers share a word they mispronounced once… and it still haunts them years later? Today we're turning those viral confessions into a pronunciation lesson 🙈 You'll learn how to pronounce Hepatitis, chihuahua, paradigm, fatigue, stomachaches, Yosemite, Arkansas, Connecticut, chaos, elbow, and manslaughter. I'll explain where the primary stress goes, why some letters are silent, how American pronunciation changes certain sounds, why English spelling can be so confusing and why even native speakers get it wrong! Here's the truth: English is not a phonetic language. You cannot always guess the pronunciation from the spelling. That is exactly why mispronunciations happen. And not just to non-native speakers. If you want more lessons on pronunciation, fluency, and building confidence in English, make sure to subscribe to my FREE Accent Crash Course! https://bit.ly/3BnPC0S

Are you ready for another read out loud practice? In today's episode, we're reading The Alchemist by Paulo Coelho. This is an excellent way to grow your vocabulary, practice your pronunciation, and improve your flow while reading. Download the book excerpt with vocabulary definitions and audio: https://bit.ly/4tzLMYQ Liked these? Check out more videos like these: Read along with Harry Potter: https://bit.ly/401eST4 Read along with Let Them: https://bit.ly/4tldKHs Read along with Atomic Habits: https://bit.ly/4qyEq4N

How well do you know primary stress? In today's lesson, we're doing a quiz to test your knowledge of just how much you know. For more primary stress practice, check out these videos! How to Find the Primary Stress in Words https://hadarshemesh.com/magazine/how-to-find-the-primary-stress-in-words/ Everything you need to know about WORD STRESS in English https://youtu.be/QR50k5Kz63o Keep practicing with my FREE Accent Crash Course: https://bit.ly/3BnPC0S

Do you say estrong instead of strong? In today's video, we're talking about consonant clusters. Consonant clusters can happen at the beginning, middle or end of words, and today, we'll practice pronouncing words, phrases and sentences without dropping any sounds! Want more pronunciation practice? Join my 14-day pronunciation plan! https://bit.ly/3YAWcJ5

Today, we're stepping into the world of just how confusing English spelling can be! In this video, we're going to analyze words that even advanced speakers mispronounce. Want to keep practicing your pronunciation? Get the free 14-day pronunciation plan! https://bit.ly/3YAWcJ5

Do you ever feel like you speak monotone in English? In this episode, Aubrey from the amazing All Ears English podcast is here to talk about how monotone speech can affect your IELTS speaking score (and the other ways it can impact you!) In this conversation, we talk about: Why sounding monotone can lower your IELTS pronunciation score What examiners actually listen for in the speaking test Why monotone speech makes people tune out in real conversations How nerves and overthinking affect your voice Why feeling "fake" when you change your intonation is normal How to practice sounding more expressive Whether you are preparing for IELTS or simply want to sound more confident and expressive in English, this episode will help you understand how to work on it! Find Aubrey and the All Ears English podcast here! https://www.allearsenglish.com/

Are you afraid of making mistakes when you speak English? In this episode, we're talking about something that silently blocks fluency for so many people: the fear of making mistakes. In today's episode, you'll learn 5 truths about mistakes in English that will completely change the way you speak, practice, and show up in real conversations. Because the goal is not to speak "perfectly." The goal is to speak clearly, confidently, and consistently, even when things are not 100 percent. Want more? Join us for the Start Strong Challenge! https://bit.ly/4qAqR5l Join Beyond, my English practice community https://bit.ly/4nrfM5N

Today, we're learning 10 super common English expressions that will help you start the year with energy, confidence, and momentum. You might already recognize some of them, but today you'll learn what they really mean, how to say them more naturally, and how to use them in real sentences so they actually stick. Download the practice PDF (expressions + definitions + example sentences): https://bit.ly/3YMyA4n

As we wrap up 2025 and step into 2026, I want to invite you to leave a few things behind with me: the need to be perfect, the fear of judgment, habits that aren't working for you, comparison, and that old story you keep telling yourself about your English. Because here's the truth: you don't need "perfect" to be powerful. You just need practice, permission, and a new story. If you want a little extra support to start 2026 feeling clearer, freer, and more confident, I've got two free ways to do it: 👉 Join the free 7-Day Confidence Challenge https://bit.ly/3UmzZMY A short daily email with a simple activity to help you build confidence in English, one step at a time. 👉 Get on the Start Strong Challenge list We're kicking off 2026 together with a free Start Strong Challenge so you can start the year with momentum and confidence. Click here to join https://bit.ly/498Lnmu Let's make 2026 a year to remember!

Do you ever feel tired after speaking English even when you can speak for hours in your first language with no problem? In this episode, I'll explain why English feels more exhausting and what you can do to feel lighter, clearer, and more effortless when you speak. You'll learn practical strategies to reduce physical tension, stop overusing your muscles when pronouncing tricky sounds, ease voice strain, and manage the mental load that comes from overthinking and self editing. These small shifts can help you conserve energy, feel more confident, and enjoy speaking without ending the day completely drained. Learn more about your voice with these videos: https://bit.ly/48Z774o Join my programs 👇 My English Mindset: https://bit.ly/47wXuYD Beyond Community: https://bit.ly/4nrfM5N

Do you ever feel like you are "not a storyteller" or worry that your stories are too long, too messy, or "not interesting enough" in English? Join this conversation with us! In this episode, I talk with Bree from the podcast "Into the Story" about what storytelling really is and why you do not need perfect English, fancy vocabulary, or a big dramatic life to tell powerful stories that connect. We also talk about confidence, perfectionism, and that little feeling of shame when you remember a tiny mistake you made in English hours later. If you are tired of waiting to "fix" your English before you share your story, this episode is for you. Connect with Bree: Into the Story podcast: https://intostory.com/ Bree's website: https://intostory.com/ TED Talks: The Official TED Guide to Public Speaking" by Chris Anderson: https://www.ted.com/read/ted-talks-the-official-ted-guide-to-public-speaking

One vowel sound, but so many spellings in English! English spelling is not phonetic, which means that just because it has one spelling, doesn't mean it always sounds the same way! In this video, we're going to talk about the 15 (!) different spellings that just ONE sound has in English. Crazy, right? For more information about this vowel, check out these episodes: How to pronounce 'water': https://hadarshemesh.com/magazine/water/ /ah/ as in father (and coffee, job and office): https://hadarshemesh.com/magazine/aa-as-in-father/ The 3 A's : cap-cup-cop: https://hadarshemesh.com/magazine/cap-cup-cop/

In this lesson we'll practice together how the same text can sound happy, sad, serious, or excited, only by changing your voice! I'll read two paragraphs in different ways so you can hear how tone, pitch, and rhythm change the meaning. Then we'll shadow together and you can practice your own intonation. Shadow with me, repeat after me, and train your voice to tell the story you want! If you want more practice with intonation, pronunciation, and real speaking skills, check out my free 14-day pronunciation plan! https://bit.ly/3YAWcJ5

Unlock the parts of you that stay quiet in English and finally show up as your full self. In this episode, we talk about the habits and thoughts that limit your expression and how to break them so you can speak with clarity, confidence, and freedom. You will learn how to: • Notice the beliefs that hold you back • Shift from fear to curiosity • Practice in simple daily ways that build real confidence • Express yourself with more presence and ease Want to keep practicing and building your true voice in English? Check out my practice community, Beyond. https://bit.ly/4nrfM5N

Struggling with prepositions in English? In this lesson, we'll discover the most common preposition mistakes and practice them together with clear drills so you can use them confidently in real life. Learn with me in my courses 🤝 https://bit.ly/4oBeZzC

Do you struggle to pronounce words like "girl," "term," "certain," and "earth"? In today's lesson, we're going to talk about how the American English R really sounds in these words! We'll also talk about spelling patterns, and how you can identify the pronunciation easily. Download the R practice sheet here: https://bit.ly/3Alq9Eq Get my 14-day Pronunciation Plan: https://bit.ly/3YAWcJ5

Do you want to stop translating, and start thinking in English? This episode will show you 5 steps you can do every day to build the connection in your brain in English, and make it yours. Here are the resources mentioned in the episode: Join my membership, Beyond, and get access to HadarAI! https://bit.ly/4nrfM5N Practice with daily Sprints: https://bit.ly/4qtZJ8P Practice shadowing: https://bit.ly/4fx9j4t

Want to improve your grammar, but you're not sure how? Chances are, you KNOW the grammar rules, but when it comes time to speak, you overthink which tense to use. That's why I created this Grammar Sprint, a series of drills I've developed, aimed at building pronunciation confidence in new tenses and common grammar structures. The repetition builds muscle memory so it becomes easier to use these tenses and internalize the grammar used. Want more Sprints just like this? Join The Grammar Master! https://bit.ly/4o1PPdb

Ready to put your authoritative tone to the test in English? In today's episode, we're shadowing an infamous scene from The Devil Wears Prada. We will focus on clarity, pace, stress, and that cool, contained confidence that makes every line land. 👠💙 Download the PDF to practice along here: https://bit.ly/4nT59Zy

Today we have a video where you'll get a chance to test your English skills with this test! I've collected a list of common mistakes that English speakers make, and your job is to discover what the mistake is, and then we'll practice the correct form together! Remember, mistakes aren't bad, but they CAN be annoying if we repeat them over and over, even when we know the correct form. So this video will help you discover common mistakes you might be making, and practice so you can retrain your brain to use the proper form. Want more practice like this, with even more conversation groups, and live classes with coaches? Join my practice community, Beyond! https://bit.ly/4nrfM5N

In today's episode, we're going to cover some of the top, must-know idioms that you'll hear in English! These idioms are great to sprinkle into your own conversation, but it will also help your comprehension when you understand other speakers better. Idioms are those funny little expressions that don't always make sense word-for-word, but they bring your English to life. We'll go over what they mean, how to use them naturally, and practice together so you can start using them right away.

Join me to get inspired by REAL students who have seen REAL results! I'm interviewing some very special New Sound alumni students! In this live, you'll get to hear stories from Yessika, Alejandra, Monico, and Robin about their experience and change in English.🔥 With the right strategy, practice technique and mindset, they made an incredible transformation with their English. If you want to work with me to level up your English, doors are open to my transformational program, New Sound! Click here to learn more https://bit.ly/46fJ3bS

If you've been studying English for a long time, you may be looking for creative and challenging ways to get to the next level. This episode includes new strategies and techniques that I use with my advanced students to get them to the next level! If you want to work with me to level up your English, doors are open to my transformational program, New Sound! Click here to learn more https://bit.ly/46fJ3bS Check out these other episodes for more advanced learning: The Fluency Wheel: https://hadarshemesh.com/podcast/26/ Tone of voice: https://hadarshemesh.com/podcast/80/ Voice pitch: https://hadarshemesh.com/magazine/change-your-voice-in-english/ Connected speech: https://hadarshemesh.com/podcast/398/

"Difficult doesn't mean impossible, and direction is more important than speed." That's a quote from the wonderful interview I'm having today with my dear student, Luciana! Her story will inspire you to keep going, no matter where you are on your English journey. In this episode, Luciana, a UX designer from Brazil now living in Portugal, shares how she went from avoiding speaking English and feeling awkward in meetings… to hosting conversation groups, creating videos, and speaking confidently every single day. We talk about: - How she shifted her mindset from fear to joy - Why community and accountability are game-changers - How pronunciation work improved her fluency AND listening skills If you've ever thought you're too old to improve, or that fluency is impossible without living in an English-speaking country, Luciana is living proof that it's possible. Luciana is a student of both my New Sound and Beyond programs! Check them out here: Join New Sound: https://bit.ly/3I9wNkY Join Beyond: https://bit.ly/4nrfM5N

Have you watched the TV show, Severance? In today's episode, we're learning and shadowing common phrases from the show!

In this interview, I have the opportunity to speak with my student, Laura, who shares her remarkable journey of transformation, from feeling shy and introverted with social anxiety, to being an active member of my community, hosting conversation groups, and organizing in-person events. In this conversation, Laura shares her limiting beliefs she overcame, the social anxiety that once made even simple interactions feel impossible, and the mindset shifts that helped her break free from self-doubt. I hope you enjoy this interview! P.S. you can buy Laura's vocabulary planner here! https://laclaulab.com/ Get on the waitlist for New Sound: https://bit.ly/3I9wNkY Join the Beyond Community: https://bit.ly/4nrfM5N

In this episode, we'll explore different linking words that you can add to your English vocabulary. You'll get more ideas to express your thoughts differently, beyond words like "however" or "or"! You'll learn how to connect your ideas more naturally and fluently, making your speech and writing more dynamic and engaging.

Confidence doesn't magically appear overnight, it's something you build, one step at a time. The truth is, confidence is a skill, and just like any other skill, you can learn it, practice it, and get better at it. In this episode, I'll share the most common things that get in the way of your confidence when speaking English, so you can finally recognize and overcome them. You'll discover practical tips, mindset shifts, and real-life strategies that will help you stop second-guessing yourself and start speaking with clarity, ease, and impact. PLUS, I'm inviting you to join my brand-new 7-Day Confidence Challenge! Click here to start: https://bit.ly/3UmzZMY

Have you ever used music to boost your English pronunciation? 🎶 In this week's video, I'm introducing you to Olivia Rodrigo's song Traitor to practice the different T sounds in American English… especially the Flap T! I'll break down lines from the song, show you how to pronounce them, and I'm certain you won't be able to resist singing along with me 😉 Want to keep practicing prosody? Check out this playlist: https://bit.ly/4fx9j4t Here are the lyrics of the part we did together: Brown guilty eyes and little white lies Yeah, I played dumb but I always knew That you'd talk to her, maybe did even worse I kept quiet so I could keep you And ain't it funny How you ran to her The second that we called it quits? And ain't it funny How you said you were friends? Now it sure as hell don't look like it You betrayed me And I know that you'll never feel sorry For the way I hurt, yeah You'd talk to her When we were together Loved you at your worst But that didn't matter It took you two weeks To go off and date her Guess you didn't cheat But you're still a traitor Listen to the full music video here: https://youtu.be/CRrf3h9vhp8

Pronouns in English: I, you, he, she, we, they: It's one of the first things we learn when starting to study English, but do you know how they are REALLY pronounced? The answer might surprise you. In this episode, we'll uncover the real pronunciation of English pronouns in everyday speech, and spoiler alert! It's probably NOT the way you learned them in English class. Download the free PDF (+ audio) to practice pronouns in English! https://bit.ly/4nOhXkf

Now with the rise of AI, everything has become FAST. We look for short videos, quick wins, and AI tools that do everything for us. And while that's amazing in so many ways, it can also make us believe that fluency should be something that's easy, instant, or effortless. But here's the truth: some things still take time, intention, and consistency. And English is one of them! In this episode, I talk about the five must-have qualities you need to truly master English. Not tools. Not grammar rules. Not hacks. Qualities. The kind that no app or AI can give you. Because over the past couple of years, I've noticed something, not just in my own life and business, but in the lives of my students and the people I work with. It's becoming harder to stay consistent. Harder to follow through. And easier to expect results without really doing the inner work. So in this episode, I want to shine a light on what's actually holding people back from fluency, even when they're doing "all the right things." Even when they're using amazing tools like AI. If you're ready to go deeper and get the kind of support where you can bring these 5 qualities to LIFE I'm inviting you to learn more about my membership, Beyond! Click here to learn more: https://bit.ly/4nrfM5N

In this interview, I had the absolute pleasure of speaking with Katya, one of my amazing students who started learning English from scratch seven years ago. What's even more incredible is that she did it all without ever living in an English-speaking country!! Katya takes us through her journey, from feeling stuck and frustrated to finding the breakthrough that led her to become a leader in our communities. We dive deep into how pronunciation work, especially prosody, not only helped her speak with confidence but also transformed her mindset and life. In this conversation, Katya shares her challenges, wins, and the powerful role our community played in her success. If you're feeling stuck or unsure of your own learning path, her story will inspire you to keep going and find joy in the process. I am so honored to share this interview. I dearly love Katya, and I know you will love her too! Learn with me: Join my membership, Beyond: https://bit.ly/4nrfM5N Get on the waitlist for my 3-month program, New Sound: https://bit.ly/3I9wNkY

Improve your vocabulary, pronunciation and pace while reading a book out loud with me! We're reading the 'Let Them' book by Mel Robbins. Not only is it an excellent practice, it's also a great way for us to understand how WE can adopt this theory in our lives. Download the PDF here to follow along and improve your vocabulary [Free!] https://bit.ly/4likIrM More 'read out loud' videos: https://bit.ly/4fx9j4t

Shadowing is a great way to practice your pronunciation, prosody, grammar and so much more, but the key is knowing what to focus on. Today, we're going to focus on a few key sounds, and connected speech from the hit show, The Last of Us. I also prepared for you a free PDF with the shadowing analysis and notes so you can practice this speech on your own. Download my shadowing analysis from the hit show The Last of Us: https://bit.ly/4kGPz1k

In this episode, we're tackling some of the trickiest words in English pronunciation, like 'queue', 'colonel', 'subtle' and more! These words are especially tricky because of their confusing spelling. But today, we'll practice them out loud together to build your pronunciation confidence and be able to say these words with ease. Want more practice? Get my FREE 14-day pronunciation plan to keep practicing! https://bit.ly/3YAWcJ5

There are 50 states in the US. Do you know how to pronounce all of them? In this episode, I'm teaching you how to pronounce each one…and some might just surprise you! A quick side note, there can be many different regional pronunciations of each state, so in this episode, I've covered the most common! Check out a list of all the states with IPA (International Phonetic Alphabet) transcription on my website: https://bit.ly/3YR2zc1