The Adventures of LOLA BADIOLA

Hosted by Sam Gratton

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Jan 2024

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About the show

The Adventures of Lola Badiola presents advanced English in an innovative and entertaining way. So put away your boring grammar books, and let Lola guide you to a leadership level of English.

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60 recent

January 22, 2024Episode 6024 min

Chapter 60: Making of...(re-upload)

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:www.gratton.es/club-gratton-infoBring English into your life! And gain the language skills and confidence to succeed in international communication.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!Support the show

April 20, 2023Episode 5928 min

Chapter 59: The Aftermath

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:www.gratton.es/club-gratton-infoBring English into your life! And gain the language skills and confidence to succeed in international communication.Support the show

March 21, 2023Episode 5833 min

Chapter 58: The Signature

The deal between TechSpaina and JBlock is finally signed, but it is not the agreement that anyone expected. We discuss two advanced grammatical structures that are used in this chapter. The first is called an INVERSION, the second it’s called a QUESTION TAG. We continue to enrich your use of adjectives with words such as MALICIOUS and SLANDEROUS. And we explain the concept of SARCASM and how it differs from irony.There are five common expressions related to business deals. Who holds THE UPPER HAND in a negotiation? Who will be THE FIRST TO BLINK? Are you a STRAIGHT SHOOTER. Do you always do EVERYTHING BY THE BOOK? Or are your agreements NOT WORTH THE PAPER THEY ARE WRITTEN ON?Finally, we analyse a BODY LANGUAGE technique that can be used to demonstrate authority and influence.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:www.gratton.es/club-gratton-infoBring English into your life! And gain the language skills and confidence to succeed in international communication.Support the show

March 21, 2023Episode 5723 min

Chapter 57: The Offer

Mario Ruiz de Velasco and the team from TechSpania are enraged by Lola’s last-minute intervention in their negotiations. In this chapter we explain some really cool verbs related to physical reactions in stressful situations, they include TO FLINCH, TO SQUIRM, and TO DRUM YOUR FINGERS.We discuss a couple of important business terms. What is PROOF OF CONCEPT and why is it so important in the technology sector? What does it mean to be BEST IN CLASS?We also explain a couple of everyday expressions. Do you know anybody who has a TWINKLE IN THEIR EYE? Finally, we focus on the grammatical structure THE SOONER… THE SOONER.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:www.gratton.es/club-gratton-infoBring English into your life! And gain the language skills and confidence to succeed in international communication.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!Support the show

March 21, 2023Episode 5630 min

Chapter 56: The Hack

Lola makes an audacious attempt to prevent TechSpania from buying JBlock.This chapter is full of interesting vocabulary. Has anybody ever treated you with DISDAIN, have they PATRONIZED you, have they tried to MANSPLAIN something to you?How does a company get a FOOTHOLD in the market? And how does it create SYNERGIES when acquiring another company?There are also a couple of relevant expressions. Who is THE WHALE in your market? And do you keep AN ACE UP YOUR SLEEVE?Finally, we discuss some sensitive issue within the business world. How do you prevent your body from shaking due to nerves when you are PUBLIC SPEAKING? How do you put a value on a TECHNOLOGY COMPANY with no revenues but tremendous potential? And how does it feel to be the ONLY WOMAN in a boardroom?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:www.gratton.es/club-gratton-infoBring English into your life! And gain the language skills and confidence to succeed in international communication.Support the show

March 21, 2023Episode 5527 min

Chapter 55: The Set Up

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:www.gratton.es/club-gratton-infoBring English into your life! And gain the language skills and confidence to succeed in international communication.Support the show

March 16, 2023Episode 5425 min

Chapter 54: The Entrance

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.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:www.gratton.es/club-gratton-infoBring English into your life! And gain the language skills and confidence to succeed in international communication. 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!Support the show

March 9, 2023Episode 5329 min

Chapter 53: Rush

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? 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:www.gratton.es/club-gratton-infoBring English into your life! And gain the language skills and confidence to succeed in international communication.Support the show

February 25, 2023Episode 5226 min

Chapter 52: Confusion

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! (*Whoops! I made a mistake in this game! Thanks to the perceptive listeners for informing 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:www.gratton.es/club-gratton-infoBring English into your life! And gain the language skills and confidence to succeed in international communication.Support the show

February 23, 2023Episode 5127 min

Chapter 51: Capitalism

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:www.gratton.es/club-gratton-infoBring English into your life! And gain the language skills and confidence to succeed in international communication.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!Support the show

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