TRANSCRIPT
# Introduction to
the Episode
Host Alex: Welcome back,
listeners! It's great to have you here with us on another exciting episode of
English on the Go. Today, we're diving into a topic that might resonate with
many of you. But before we get into that, let's take this time to relax and
focus on improving our English together. Remember, every step forward counts,
no matter how small.
# Introduction to
the Topic
Host Alex: In this episode,
we’ll explore the idea of being a "people pleaser." It’s something
many of us have experienced at some point—saying yes when we want to say no,
putting others' needs above our own, or avoiding conflict at all costs. Today,
we'll listen to a conversation between Sarah and Mike as they talk about the
struggles of being a people pleaser and the journey to setting healthy
boundaries. Pay close attention to how they use expressions and phrases related
to emotions and personal boundaries.
# Pre-listening
Questions
Host Alex: Before we dive
into the conversation, think about these questions:
- Have you ever found yourself agreeing to do something you
didn’t want to do, just to keep someone else happy?
- Why do you think people feel the need to please others?
- How can setting boundaries impact our relationships and
personal well-being?
Take a moment to
reflect on these questions as you listen.
Conversation
Sarah: Mike, I need
your advice. I’ve been feeling so overwhelmed lately. It’s like I’m always
trying to make everyone happy, and it’s exhausting.
Mike: I totally get
that, Sarah. It sounds like you might be a bit of a people pleaser.
Sarah: Yeah, but is
that such a bad thing? I mean, isn’t it good to help others and keep everyone
around you happy?
Mike: Helping others
is great, but when it starts to take a toll on your mental health or leaves you
with no time for yourself, it becomes a problem. You can't pour from an empty
cup.
Sarah: I guess you're
right. I just feel guilty if I say no to people. I worry they'll think I'm
selfish or that they won't like me.
Mike: That’s a common
fear, but it’s important to remember that your needs matter too. Saying no
doesn't make you selfish. It means you’re setting healthy boundaries.
Sarah: I know, but how
do I even start? I’ve spent so much time trying to keep everyone else happy
that I’ve forgotten how to take care of myself.
Mike: It’s a process.
Start small. Practice saying no to little things that you genuinely don't want
to do. You don’t have to explain yourself. Just a simple, “I’m sorry, I can’t”
is enough.
Sarah: That sounds
easier said than done. What if they get upset?
Mike: If they care
about you, they’ll understand. True friends and family will respect your
boundaries. And if they don’t, maybe it’s time to rethink those relationships.
Sarah: You’re right. I
guess I’ve been so focused on avoiding conflict that I haven’t considered how
it’s affecting me.
Mike: Exactly.
Remember, it's not about being rude or harsh. It’s about being honest with
yourself and others. You're allowed to have limits.
Sarah: Thanks, Mike. I
think I needed to hear this. I’ll try to be more mindful of my own needs from
now on.
Mike: Good for you,
Sarah. Just take it one step at a time. Remember, it's okay to put yourself
first sometimes. It doesn’t mean you care less about others; it means you care
enough about yourself.
# Vocabulary
Analysis
Host Alex: Now, let's go
over some key vocabulary from the conversation.
- Overwhelmed: It means feeling like you have too much
to deal with. For example, "I feel overwhelmed with all the tasks I
have to complete at work."
- People pleaser: This refers to someone who tries hard
to make others happy, often at their own expense. For example, "She's
such a people pleaser; she always says yes, even when she's
exhausted."
- Boundaries: Limits that you set for yourself in
relationships or situations. For example, "Setting boundaries at work
is important for a healthy work-life balance."
- Guilty: Feeling bad because you think you’ve done
something wrong. For example, "I felt guilty for not helping my
friend move, but I really needed to rest."
- Conflict: A serious disagreement or argument. For
example, "She avoids conflict because it makes her feel
uncomfortable."
Host Alex: Listen to the
conversation again, and this time, try to identify these words as you listen.
Notice how they are used in context to express emotions and situations.
# Comprehension
Questions
Host Alex: Now that you've
heard the conversation, let's see how well you understood the key points.
Why does Sarah feel overwhelmed?
What does Mike suggest Sarah should start doing to set
boundaries?
Why does Sarah worry about saying no to people?
What advice does Mike give about how true friends will
react to boundaries?
How does Sarah plan to change her behavior moving
forward?
# Post-listening
Questions
Host Alex: Now, think about
your own experiences.
- Do you consider yourself a people pleaser?
- How do you feel when you have to say no to someone?
- What steps can you take to set healthy boundaries in your
relationships?
Reflect on these
questions and see how you can apply the conversation’s lessons to your own
life.
# Conclusion
Host Alex: That's all for
today's episode of English on the Go. Remember, it's important to take care of
yourself and set healthy boundaries. We've prepared a special free PDF for this
episode, full of useful tips and vocabulary to help you learn more. Make sure to
check it out! Thanks for joining us, and see you next time. Keep practicing,
and remember—learn anywhere, speak everywhere!
DOWNLOAD TRANSCRIPT HERE
EXERCISE
Exercise 1:
Fill-in-the-Blanks
Listen to the
podcast and fill in the blanks with the correct words.
- Sarah feels __________ because she is always trying to make
everyone happy.
- Mike suggests Sarah might be a __________.
- Mike advises Sarah to set __________ in her relationships.
- Sarah worries that people will think she is __________ if she
says no.
- Mike tells Sarah that true friends will __________ her
boundaries.
- Being a people pleaser can take a toll on one's __________
health.
- Sarah fears that saying no might lead to __________ with
others.
- Mike reminds Sarah that she can’t pour from an __________
cup.
- Setting boundaries is not about being __________ or harsh.
- Sarah decides to be more mindful of her own __________.
Answer Key
1. overwhelmed
2. people pleaser
3. boundaries
4. selfish
5. respect
6. mental
7. conflict
8. empty
9. rude
10. needs
Exercise 2:
Vocabulary Matching
Match the words
from the podcast with their correct meanings.
|
Vocabulary |
Meaning |
|
1. Overwhelmed |
A. Limits you
set for yourself |
|
2. People
pleaser |
B. Feeling bad
for something |
|
3. Boundaries |
C. Someone who
always tries to make others happy |
|
4. Guilty |
D. Serious
disagreement |
|
5. Conflict |
E. Feeling like
there is too much to handle |
Answer Key
1. Overwhelmed - E. Feeling like there is too much to handle
2. People pleaser - C. Someone who always tries to make others happy
3. Boundaries - A. Limits you set for yourself
4. Guilty - B. Feeling bad for something
5. Conflict - D. Serious disagreement
Exercise 3: True
or False
Decide whether the
statements are true or false based on the conversation.
- Sarah thinks it's bad to be a people pleaser.
- Mike believes that saying no makes a person selfish.
- Sarah finds it easy to set boundaries.
- Mike advises Sarah to explain herself every time she says no.
- True friends will respect Sarah's boundaries according to
Mike.
Answer Key
1. False
2. False
3. False
4. False
5. True
Exercise 4:
Comprehension Questions
Answer the
following questions based on the details in the podcast.
- Why does Sarah feel overwhelmed?
- What does Mike suggest as the first step for Sarah to stop
being a people pleaser?
- Why does Sarah worry about setting boundaries?
- How does Mike explain the reaction of true friends to
boundaries?
- What mindset change does Sarah plan to make after talking
with Mike?
Answer Key
1. Sarah feels overwhelmed because she is always trying to make everyone happy and finds it exhausting.
2. Mike suggests that Sarah should start by saying no to small things that she genuinely doesn't want to do.
3. Sarah worries about setting boundaries because she fears people will think she is selfish and might not like her.
4. Mike explains that true friends and family will respect Sarah's boundaries.
5. After talking with Mike, Sarah plans to be more mindful of her own needs and to practice setting boundaries.
Exercise 5:
Multiple Choice
Choose the correct
answer for each question.
- What does Mike say is the main problem with being a people
pleaser?
A) It makes you selfish
B) It can affect your mental health
C) It means you don't care about others
D) It always leads to conflict - What is Mike's advice for setting boundaries?
A) Always explain why you’re saying no
B) Say no to everything
C) Start small and practice saying no
D) Avoid people who don’t understand - According to Mike, how should Sarah handle people getting
upset about her boundaries?
A) Apologize immediately
B) Reconsider her boundaries
C) Understand that true friends will respect them
D) Avoid setting boundaries altogether - What does Mike mean by "You can't pour from an empty
cup"?
A) You should drink more water
B) You need to take care of yourself first
C) Always give everything to others
D) Never say no to helping others - How does Sarah feel at the end of the conversation?
A) Confused
B) Encouraged
C) Indifferent
D) Angry
Answer Key
1. B) It can affect your mental health
2. C) Start small and practice saying no
3. C) Understand that true friends will respect them
4. B) You need to take care of yourself first
5. B) Encouraged
