Podcasts
Aussie English Podcasts
Learn Real Australian English with Pete
Learn Australian English with Aussie English podcasts. Improve your pronunciation, reduce your foreign accent, and start sounding more like an Australian.
Podcast Episodes

AE 1439 - 5-Minute News: You Could Once Walk Across the Great Barrier Reef!
20,000 years ago you could have walked across parts of the Great Barrier Reef. Pete explains how scientists on the RV Investigator, working with Darumbal and Woppaburra traditional owners, are mapping this lost underwater landscape.

AE 1436 - 5-Minute News: Why Do These Computers Need To Be Fed?
Imagine a computer that needs to be fed. Pete explores Melbourne-based Cortical Labs' biological computers in Singapore — machines combining silicon chips with 200,000 lab-grown human neurons that need oxygen and sugar to survive.

AE 1434 - Why Are These Galah's Cracking Tinnies? | Does Dad Know It Ep 4
Ever wondered why Aussies call someone a "galah" or what it means to "give it a burl"? Pete and his dad Ian crack open ten classic Aussie slang terms — from why our native birds act like clowns to whether "muzz" is real local lingo or just a tech glitch.

AE 1433 - The Goss: Why Do Aussies Love Camping?
Why are Aussies so obsessed with packing up the car and heading into the bush? Pete and Ian have a proper yarn about Australian camping — canvas tents in torrential downpours at Wilsons Prom, pushy wombats, and why our wildlife gets a worse rap than it deserves.

AE 1432 - 5-Minute News: Why Is Australia Vaccinating 5,000 Penguins?
How do you vaccinate over 5,000 completely wild penguins — not once, but twice? In this debut Five Minute News episode, Pete breaks down Australia's effort to protect the world's largest little penguin colony from H5N1 bird flu, and teaches the expression "worst-case scenario".

AE 1431 - Aussie Childhoods Were Epic! What Do We Miss Most?
Pete and his dad have a good old-fashioned yarn about the little things that made growing up in Australia so magical — mixed lolly bags at the milk bar, footy in the street until the streetlights came on, trading Tazos, and why being bored as a kid was the best thing ever.
Members Only Podcasts
PlusAE 1426 - The Goss: What Was High School Like in Australia? - Part 2 [Members Only]
Part 2, members only. Pete and Ian go deeper into Aussie school culture — strict teachers, the infamous 1974 Woomera school trip, classic pranks, camp disasters, and what it was really like growing up as a teenager in 1970s Australia.
PlusAE 1411 - The Goss: The Smissen Family Pet History, and Parenting Talks [Members Only]
In today's episode... Welcome back to another "Goss" episode of Aussie English! Today, I’m sitting down with my old man, Ian Smissen, to chat about something we all love (and sometimes get frustrated by): our pets. We kick things off with a classic "con artist" story—my cat Peaches, who’s mastered the art of tricking me into double-feeding her. But it’s not all laughs; we also get into a bit of a "deep dive" on the loss of our family guinea pig, Bazza.…
PlusAE 1409 - The Goss: Winter Olympic Scams, Speed Skating & PenisGate [Members Only]
In today's episode... We’re officially in 2026, and you know what that means—it’s time for the Winter Olympics in Milano Cortina! In today’s Goss episode, I’m sitting down with my old man, Ian, to wrap our heads around the action happening on the ice and snow. We dive into why Dad prefers "objective" racing over the "subjective" style points of figure skating, and we have a proper laugh over the bizarre "PenisGate" scandal rocking the ski jumping world.…
PlusAE 1393 - The Goss: Are Aussie Teenagers Worse Than They've Ever Been? [Members Only]
In today's episode... Pete and his old man Ian have a yarn about one of the oldest whinges in history: “What’s wrong with teenagers these days?” They kick off from an older tourist’s rant about rude teens in Sydney and ask whether modern kids are actually worse, or if adults just forget what they were like at that age. With plenty of laughs and a few painful family stories, they chat about shifting boundaries, disappearing “clip around the ear”…
PlusAE 1391 - The Goss: 50 Aussie Facts - True or False Quiz [Members Only]
In today's episode... G’day, legends! In this ripper episode of Aussie English, Pete sits down for a laugh and a genuine chinwag with his old man, Ian. The pair dive into a rollicking round of “True or False” Aussie trivia—busting myths, sharing wild facts, and spinning plenty of yarns about Australia’s culture, history, and wildlife. From kangaroos and Vegemite to the origins of “selfie” and the mysteries behind our national icons, it’s a banter-filled,…
PlusAE 1389 - The Goss: Is American Culture Taking Over Australia? [Members Only]
In today's episode... G’day legends! In this episode of Aussie English, Pete sits down with his old man, Ian, for a cracking chinwag about how American culture’s snuck its way into Aussie life over the decades. From the days of black-and-white telly packed with British shows to the colourful explosion of American sitcoms, reality TV, and Halloween craziness, they chat all about what’s changed, what’s stayed the same, and whether the US is still running…
5 Minute News [Members Only]
PlusHow Can Someone Steal Money From an Empty Gift Card?
Scammers are draining Aussie supermarket gift cards! Hear Pete break down card tampering, buyer safety tips, and English idioms on Aussie English today.
PlusWhy Is This Dingo Protected in Victoria but Controlled in South Australia?
Australia's Wilkerr dingo face conflicting state laws across borders! Hear Pete break down conservation, farming, and English idioms on Aussie English.
PlusIs Australia Really the Best Place to Survive the Apocalypse?
Is Australia the best place to survive the end of the world? Hear Pete break down a 2026 resilience study, food security, fuel risks, and English idioms!
PlusCan You Fool a Cockatoo With a Robot Falcon?
Aussie farmers are launching robot falcons to save crops from birds! Hear Pete break down RoBird tech and English idioms on Aussie English today.
PlusHow Did a Himalayan Landslide Cause This Deadly Flood?
A massive Himalayan slope failure caused a 9m flood wave in Nepal! Hear Pete break down the science, rescue efforts, and English idioms on Aussie English.
PlusWhy Does AI Need So Much Water?
Data centres in Melbourne requested 20 billion litres of water for AI! Hear Pete break down tech cooling, trade-offs, and key English terms on Aussie English.
Expressions

AE 1413 - Expression: Kill Two Birds With One Stone
In today's episode... Ever feel like your to-do list is longer than a summer’s day in the Outback? We’ve all been there—trying to juggle the groceries, the dog walk, and your English study all at once. Well, today’s episode is perfect for you because we’re diving into a ripper of an expression: "To kill two birds with one stone." In this one, I’ll break down exactly how to use this idiom to sound like a natural, whether you're talking about errands or…

AE 1408 - Expression: Keep Your Chin Up
In today's episode... G’day, you mob! Ever had one of those "shocker" days where you wake up late, spill your coffee, and then watch the bus pull away just as you reach the stop? We’ve all been there, feeling a bit flat and wondering if the day is just a total write-off . In today’s episode, we’re diving into a classic expression that’ll help you (and your mates) through those tough moments: "To keep your chin up." I’ll be walking you through exactly…

AE 1406 - Expression: Take The Mickey
In today's episode... G’day you mob! Ever had a mate stir you up so much you didn't know whether to laugh or cry? Whether it’s a new haircut or a bit of a coffee spill, Aussies just love to have a laugh—usually at your expense! In today’s episode, we’re diving deep into one of the most iconic expressions in the Australian language: To take the Mickey. We’ll chat about where this weird phrase actually comes from (hint: it involves some cheeky rhyming…

AE 1405 - Expression: Blind Freddy Could See That
In today's episode... G’day you mob! Ever had one of those moments where someone tells you something so incredibly obvious you just want to say, "No duh, mate!"? Well, in Australia, we don't say "no duh"—we bring up a legendary character named Freddy. In today’s episode, we’re diving deep into the classic Aussie expression "Blind Freddy could see that." We’ll break down exactly when to use it (and when it’s just a bit of banter), chat about my favorite…

AE 1404 - Expression: On Thin Ice
In today's episode... G’day, you mob! Ever done something and immediately thought, "Ooh, I’ve pushed my luck here" ? You know that feeling—the room goes quiet, your boss raises an eyebrow, and you realize you’re just one wrong move away from a total disaster. In today’s episode, we’re diving deep into the expression "on thin ice." I’ll walk you through exactly what it means, how to use it at work or with your mates, and why my Dad used to say it to me…

AE 1403 - Expression: Not Give a Rat's Arse
In today's episode... G’day you legend! In this episode, Pete dives into one of the cheekiest bits of Aussie slang you’ll hear out in the wild: “to not give a rat’s arse.” You’ll learn exactly what it means, where it came from, and how Aussies actually use it when they’re totally over drama, footy disasters, celebrity gossip, or endless online arguments. Pete breaks the expression down word by word, shows you how it fits into a family of “I don’t care”…
Pete's 2c

AE 1397 - Pete's 2c: I Was in a Car Accident! Here's What You Should Do in Australia
In today's episode... G’day legends! In this very personal Goss episode of the Aussie English Podcast, Pete shares a pretty stressful story from the last few weeks – a light car accident with his daughter Joey in the back seat. He walks you through exactly what happened on the road, how he reacted in the moment, and what it felt like as a dad trying to stay calm and keep his little girl safe. From dealing with the shock at the scene to navigating…

AE 1378 - Pete's 2c: What Did You Think of the Anti-Immigration Protests?
In today's episode... In this episode of the Aussie English Podcast, Pete has a bit of a yarn about the recent anti‑immigration protests happening around Australia. As an Aussie ESL teacher who works with students dreaming of building a new life here, he opens up and shares his personal take on the situation. Pete talks about what’s really driving these protests, how they’re seen by everyday Australians, and why it’s important for newcomers to understand…

AE 1375 - Pete's 2c: 10 Tips to Boost Your English with Podcasts
In today's episode... G’day guys, it’s Pete here! In this episode of the Aussie English Podcast, I’m sharing 10 easy but super effective tips to help you boost your English skills just by listening to podcasts. Whether you’re commuting to work, out for a walk, or making a cuppa at home, podcasts are an awesome way to sneak English learning into your day without it feeling like hard work. I’ll give you practical ideas on how to get the most out of…

101 Australian Films You Must Watch
Films are a great resource to use when studying English, or any language for that matter. Not only are they full of English vocab, phrases, grammar, idioms, and slang, but they're also usually full of culture and history.

AE 1365 - Pete's 2c: What Are Some Great Aussie TV Series to Watch?
In today's episode... Crikey, gather 'round, because this week, Pete's dishing out the good oil on what's hot and what's not in the world of Australian telly! Ever wondered what Aussies are binging right now? Or maybe you're keen to dive into some cracking local drama or a good old laugh with a homegrown comedy? Well, you're in luck! In this episode, Pete takes you on a tour of the latest and greatest Australian TV series that are worth a watch. From…

AE 1363 - Pete's 2c: How Can I Change My Accent from American to Aussie?
In today's episode... Alright, cobber, ever dreamt of swapping your "dude" for a "mate" and your "truck" for a "ute"? Well, you're in for a ripper treat this week on the podcast! Our very own Pete, the legend himself, dives headfirst into the fascinating world of accents, specifically, how to wrangle that American twang into a fair dinkum Aussie one. Whether you're keen to sound more like a local or just curious about the nitty-gritty of Aussie…
Interviews

AE 1441 - Interview: Indian Roots, British Childhood, Australian Life - Prithi Dey, Head of Podcasts at Spotify AU NZ
In today's episode... Ever wondered what it takes to trade the hustle and grey skies of London for the sunny beaches and chill vibes of Sydney—and end up heading up podcasts for Spotify across Australia and New Zealand? In this episode, I sit down with Prithi Dey to chat about her incredible journey growing up in the UK with Indian migrant parents, navigating cultural double-lives, and how an impulse round-the-world trip turned into making Australia…

AE 1396 - Interview: What are We Doing for Christmas 2025 with Noah Smissen
In today's episode... G’day legends! In this heartwarming episode of Aussie English , Pete sits down once again with his cheeky son, Noah — back for his third chat on the show! This time, they’re diving into all things Christmas, guitars, and, of course, Noah’s favourite obsession… LEGO. From swapping stories about “old and beat-up” guitars to dreaming about building LEGO houses and giant Star Wars sets, this episode is an absolute treat. You’ll also…

AE 1395 - Interview: What the First Year at Primary School is Like with Noah Smissen
In today's episode... Say g’day to a heart‑warming chat between Pete and his son, Noah, as they sit down to talk about Noah’s very first year of school! From learning to read and write to discovering the joys of brain food , Jelly Bean Police , and snack swaps , this episode is packed with the fun and chaos of Aussie family life. Noah opens up about his favourite subjects, his love for Lego, saving up his pocket money, and what it’s really like being a…

AE 1369 - Interview: A Silly Conversation With My Son Noah Smissen
In today's episode... In this special episode, I've got a little ripper for you. I sit down with my son, Noah, for his very first podcast interview! It was school holidays, and Noah got a bit curious about what I do, so I thought, why not let him have a go? Join us for a chinwag as we chat about all sorts of things: from his "humongous" paper chain and his epic "potato person" art project, to why he'd choose Skittles if he could only eat one food…

AE 1247 - 11 Aussie Slang Terms Quiz with Kel Soares
In today's episode... G'day, mates! In this ripper of an episode, we're diving deep into the Aussie slang-o-sphere. My wife Kel, an Aussie legend with Brazilian roots, joins the show for a fair dinkum chat and quiz on Australian slang. From "sangers" to "nuddy runs," we've got you covered with a fair shake of Aussie lingo. Kelly tackles slang terms like a champ, navigating through "tucker" (that's food, folks!), "drongos" (not the birds), and the cheeky…

AE 1208 - Interview: Getting A Job in Australia with Raquel Soares
In today's episode... Welcome back to the Aussie English podcast! For this week's episode, I had the pleasure of interviewing my beautiful wife Kel about her experience finding a job in Australia. At first, after having Noah and Joana, she had trouble finding a job that suits her qualifications and schedule. Today, she talks about her journey and how she applied for many jobs before finding the right fit. Kel also shares some awesome tips on how to…
Pronunciation

AE 1359 - 20 English Idioms To Transcribe
In today's episode... Grab a cuppa and settle in, because this episode of Aussie English is an absolute ripper! Your host, Pete, is here to sort you out with 20 fair dinkum Aussie idioms that'll have you sounding like a local in no time. We're diving deep into some absolute crackers, from "blowing off steam" after a long day, to what it means if something "costs an arm and a leg," and even when you shouldn't "cry over spilt milk." We will go through each…

AE 1357 - How to Pronounce -ED Endings in Australian English
In today's episode... G’day, you mob! Ready to sound like a true blue Aussie legend? This ripper bonus episode of the Aussie English Podcast is your ultimate guide to nailing those tricky “-Ed” verb endings. Pete’s gonna walk you through 150 common words, helping your brain and mouth get used to how we speak Down Under. We’re talking unvoiced /T/ endings, voiced /D/ endings, and those classic /əd/ sounds – all designed to boost your confidence when…

AE 1115 - Advanced English Pronunciation Lesson: Chess vs Chairs - /e/ vs /eː/
In today's episode... G'day, you mob! In today's Australian English Pronunciation lesson, I'm going to teach you the difference between two E sounds: /e/ and /e:/ We will begin this lesson with a practice on how to say each sound - listen carefully to the sounds made ! I will then give you a set of minimal pairs of words so you can learn how to distinguish each sound. And lastly, stay until the end of this video lesson. Listen to the vowel sounds and…

AE 1084 - 10 Advanced English Words to Sound More Fluent | Part 1
In today's episode... We are starting off the year with this advanced English vocabulary lesson just for you! The following words will not only add to your vocabulary, but will also make you sound more fluent in English . Don't forget to download your free PDF worksheet here https://aussieenglish.com.au/AE1084_Worksheet Is there anything you want to ask me? Drop in your questions here: https://aussieenglish.com.au/askpete ** Want to wear the…

AE 1081 - 27 Car Brands Pronounced in an Australian Accent
In today's episode... G’day guys! How’s it going? I found this YouTube video from the channel Sounds American titled “100 International Brands with American Accent – American English Pronunciation” . Today I'm kinda into cars and driving, so I picked 27 car brand names and gave you how an Australian would pronounce them . Have you ever owned a car made by any of these brands of cars? Is there anything you want to ask me? Drop in your questions here:…

AE 1041 - Counting 1 to 100 in Australian English | Accent Tutorial
In today's episode... Hey, you mob! Yeah, I haven't done a pronunciation exercise with numbers in a while. So today, I am going to count from 1 to 100 with an Australian accent ! In this video, for each number I count, I will display the Australian phonetic pronunciation key on screen. As you become more familiar with the symbols, you will be able to associate them with the correct sound. It will also be helpful if you pause the video with every number I…
The Goss

AE 1442 - The Goss: How Do You Actually Make Friends as an Adult?
In today's episode... Ever wondered why catching up with a mate as an adult suddenly requires booking three weeks in advance? In this episode, Pete and his dad, Ian, dive into the messy, funny, and sometimes downright awkward world of adult friendships in Australia. From avoiding plane-spotting party traps and making mates through shared hobbies like footy and birdwatching, to why childhood friendships stand the test of time while new ones take work—they…

AE 1440 - The Goss: The Cars We Drove Growing Up In Australia
In today's episode... G’day! In this episode, Dad and I are diving down memory lane to chat all about the iconic (and slightly embarrassing) cars our families drove growing up. We take a look back at everything from Dad’s legendary 1968 Holden Torana and Mum’s strictly off-limits Austin A40 to my very first VN Commodore wagon—subwoofer and all! Plus, we swap stories about road trips to Wilsons Promontory, late-night hamburger runs, and how Aussie beach…

AE 1435 - Buckley's Chance & Budgie Smugglers | Does Dad Know It Ep 5
Why do Aussies call Speedos "budgie smugglers", and where does "Buckley's chance" come from? Pete and his dad Ian yarn about ten iconic Australian slang words — from crikey and rack off to eskies and durries.

AE 1438 - The Goss: What Pets Did We Have Growing Up in Australia?
Pete and his dad Ian swap wild family pet stories — Butch the pram-guarding Boxer, a TV-cable-chewing Burmese cat, hyperactive guinea pigs, runaway terrapins and Kenny the snake — and reflect on how Aussie pet ownership has changed over the decades.

AE 1437 - Some Very RUDE Aussie Slang | Does Dad Know It Ep 6
Pete and his dad are back for a proper yarn about Aussie slang — what makes someone a larrikin, why a tinny is also a fishing boat, where the mozzie comes from, what a ute is, and some very colourful (and rude) local expressions.

REPLAY - The Goss: The Queen, the King, and Should Australia Now Become a Republic
In today's episode... THIS IS A REPLAY Hey, you guys! How’s it going this week? We went on a recent holiday at Inverloch so I got my dad Ian back on the podcast for another Goss episode. Today’s episode is about this brewing question among Australians: Should Australia now become a Republic? You see, Australia has been having this difficulty on whether we switch to being a republic than being a Commonwealth. And now that Queen Elizabeth II has passed,…
Slang

AE 1354 - 20 Aussie Slang Sentences to Transcribe
In today's episode... Pete explains common Aussie words and phrases, helping you understand everyday conversations down under. Learn about our unique way of referring to places, activities, and even how we describe people and their actions. We cover everything from casual greetings to expressing exhaustion, unexpected encounters, and even our famous local wildlife. If you've ever been baffled by an Aussie, this episode is your golden ticket to cracking…

AE 1266 - 10 Aussie Slang Terms with 'Gut'
In today's episode... G'day, mates! Get ready to learn some classic Aussie slang in this episode as we dive into the many ways we use the word "gut." From expressing frustration to describing a beer belly, you'll discover 10 hilarious and unique Australian expressions. Don't forget to download this episode's FREE worksheet ! ** Want to wear the kookaburra shirt? ** Get yours here at https://aussieenglish.com.au/shirt Improve your listening skills today –…

AE 1012 - Aussie Slang: A Bloke
In today's episode... Learn Australian English in this episode of the Aussie Slang series where I teach you how to use Australian slang - like a fair dinkum Australian ! I am going to teach you the Aussie slang term "a bloke" . "A bloke" is not a thing, it's a person! Learn what it means and how you can use it in your daily conversations. Improve your listening skills today – listen, play, & pause this episode – and start speaking like a native…

AE 1006 - Aussie Slang: Billy
In today's episode... Learn Australian English in this episode of the Aussie Slang series where I teach you how to use Australian slang - like a fair dinkum Australian! I am going to teach you the Aussie slang word "billy" . Well, here's a fun slang word to learn about - the word "billy" can have 2 meanings ! No, it's not a nickname for some guy named William. Learn what it means and how you can use it in your daily conversations. Improve your listening…

AE 999 - Aussie Slang: Biffo
In today's episode... I am going to teach you the Aussie slang word "biffo" . Don't get yourself in a "biffo" ! Learn what it means and how you can use it in your daily conversations. Improve your listening skills today – listen, play, & pause this episode – and start speaking like a native English speaker! Watch & listen to the convo!

AE 996 - Aussie Slang: A Bit of Alright
In today's episode... I am going to teach you the Aussie slang phrase "a bit of alright" . And remember this: YOU are a bit of alright. Yes! Learn what it means and how you can use it in your daily conversations. Improve your listening skills today – listen, play, & pause this episode – and start speaking like a native English speaker! Watch & listen to the convo!
Walking With Pete

AE 1345 - Walking With Pete: This Video Game is Taking Over My Life
In today's episode... Right then, buckle up, mate! Ever wondered what happens when a bloke tries to be a good dad and ends up getting totally sucked into a video game meant for the ankle-biters? Well, that's pretty much what's gone down with yours truly on this week's episode of Walking with Pete. We kick things off with a bit of a yarn about the good old days of gaming, from conquering virtual worlds in Civ 6 to the base-building chaos of Red Alert .…

AE 1342 - Walking With Pete: Weekend Away with the Family
In today's episode... G'day, mates! Join me as I yarn about our recent family holiday to my grandparents' farm – a proper Aussie experience! We're talking no electricity, keeping warm by the fire, and the kids having a blast exploring the bush. From spotting kangaroos and joeys to uncovering the mysteries of social huntsman spiders (yep, you heard right!), it was a trip down memory lane for me, seeing my own kids enjoy the same stuff I did growing up. We…

AE 1277 - WWP: Trip to the Farm & Catching an Eastern Brown Snake… Eeek!!
In today's episode... G'day, mates! Join Pete on his latest adventure as he takes us back to his grandparents' farm in Bendigo. It's a nostalgic trip filled with childhood memories of catching eastern brown snakes (eek!), fossicking for critters, and planting trees that have now grown taller than a two-story house! But this trip isn't just about reliving the past. Pete shares the joy of introducing his own kids to the wonders of the farm, from spotting…

AE 1250 - Walking With Pete: I Had To Go To The Hospital
In today's episode... G'day mates! In this ripper episode of Aussie English, our mate Pete ditches the usual walking format to share a fair dinkum yarn about a recent trip to the hospital. So, he's chilling at home, innocently trying to propagate a monstera plant when things take an unexpected turn. Pete spills the beans on the whole saga – from the plant-cutting mishap to his visit to the local hospital's emergency department. He walks you through the…

AE 1079 - Walking With Pete: Chasing Wedgies
In today's episode... Happy Boxing Day , you guys! So while you're unwrapping those presents, join me today in this Walking With Pete episode! 'Tis the season for families, so I took Kel and our kids to my grandparents' farm near Bendigo today. In this episode, I talk about some of the fondest memories I had here: helping out shearing sheep, listening to crazy magpies, and chasing wedgies. Is there anything you want to ask me? Drop in your questions…

AE 976 - WWP: I Feel Like I've Been Hit By A Train
In today's episode... Learn Australian English in this episode of the Aussie English Podcast! This is no drill, Victorians, we are on Lockdown #5 I took this chance to give you guys an update on how my family has been trying to cope with lockdowns, viruses, and the occassional tantrums. Well, more than occassional, actually. But we'll be getting a cat! I wonder what I'd name it. Improve your listening skills today - listen, play & pause this…