Host Brian: Hi everyone, and welcome
back to English on the Go — where we help you learn everywhere and speak
everywhere. I’m your host, Brian.
Host Brian: Have you ever felt like
something was missing — like you were meant to do more, but weren’t quite sure
what? That’s what we’re touching on today: the idea of finding your passion.
Host Brian: As always, you’ll build
your English skills while exploring useful vocabulary around career, growth,
and motivation. Let’s get into it.
Host Brian: Finding your passion
isn’t always as simple as it sounds.
Host Brian: Some people discover what
they love at a young age — maybe it’s music, teaching, or helping others.
Host Brian: But for many, it takes
time, trial and error, and a lot of self-reflection.
Host Brian: Passion doesn’t always
come with a clear label.
Host Brian: It can hide in hobbies,
in things you enjoy doing without even thinking, or in moments when you feel
most alive. The key is being curious — paying attention to what excites you,
what challenges you, and what feels meaningful.
Host Brian: In today’s conversation,
you’ll hear from three friends talking about how they’re trying to figure out
what really matters to them.
Host Brian: Their stories might sound
familiar — and they might even inspire you to think about your own journey.
Emily: Sure! What’s on your
mind?
Host Brian: Well… I’ve been reading
about people who found their passion early in life, and it made me wonder — how
do you actually find your passion?
Jason: Ah, the million-dollar
question! I feel like that word gets thrown around a lot, but no one really
explains how to get there.
Emily: Exactly. It's not like
you wake up one day and suddenly know what your passion is. For me, it’s been a
lot of trial and error.
Host Brian: What do you mean?
Emily: I used to think my
passion was teaching. I studied education, even taught for a year, but it just
didn’t feel right. Then I started volunteering at a local animal shelter — just
for fun — and I realized how much I loved working with animals.
Jason: That’s interesting. So
your passion came from something you weren’t even looking for?
Emily: Pretty much! It started
as a weekend thing, and now I’m actually planning to apply to vet school. I
never would’ve guessed.
Host Brian: That’s amazing. I think a
lot of people believe your passion has to be your career — but it can also
start as a hobby, right?
Jason: Totally. I still don’t
know if I’ve found my passion, to be honest. I work in marketing — it
pays the bills — but I wouldn’t say I wake up excited about it.
Emily: But you’re great at
photography. Didn’t you do a gallery show last year?
Jason: Yeah, that was a side
project. I love taking pictures, but I’m scared to turn it into a job. What if
doing it full-time kills the joy?
Host Brian: That’s a real concern.
Sometimes, when your passion becomes your profession, it starts to feel like
just another task.
Emily: True. But I also think
that fear can hold us back. You don’t have to quit your job tomorrow — maybe
just take small steps toward what excites you.
Jason: Like a side hustle?
Emily: Exactly. Or even just
giving yourself more time to do what you love. Not everything has to be
monetized.
Host Brian: That’s such a good point.
I think the pressure to "find your passion" can be overwhelming. It
makes people feel like they’re falling behind.
Jason: Yeah, like if you’re not
doing something amazing by age 30, you’ve failed or something.
Emily: But everyone’s timeline
is different. Some people find what they love in their teens. Others don’t
figure it out until they’re 50.
Host Brian: I’ve been trying to
notice what activities make me lose track of time — like editing audio or
writing scripts. I’m starting to think that’s a clue.
Jason: For sure. If you’re so
into something that you forget to check your phone — that’s a pretty strong
sign.
Emily: Also, what do people come
to you for? Like, I always went to Brian for help with storytelling. Maybe your
passion is connected to what you naturally do well.
Host Brian: Hmm, I never thought of
it that way. That’s a great insight.
Jason: And maybe passion doesn’t
always mean a single thing. It could be a combination of things — like
creativity, helping others, solving problems…
Emily: Yes! And it can change
over time too. What lights you up at 20 might not be the same at 40 — and
that’s okay.
Host Brian: I love that. So maybe the
real goal isn’t just “finding” your passion — it’s paying attention to your
curiosity, following your energy, and being open to change.
Jason: Well said. Maybe I’ll
dust off my camera this weekend.
Emily: And I’ll be cheering you
on! Who knows — maybe that passion turns into something more.
Host Brian: Thanks, guys. This has
been such a helpful chat. I’m sure our listeners are thinking about their own
journeys right now.
Emily: And that’s the first
step, isn’t it?
Jason: Yup. Stay curious — and don’t be afraid to explore.
VOCABULARY SUMMARY
/ˈtraɪəl ənd ˈɛrər/
Example: She found her passion through trial and error.
Throw around
/θroʊ əˈraʊnd/
Example: People throw around the word “passion” a lot these days.
Pay the bills
/peɪ ðə bɪlz/
Example: He doesn’t love his job, but it helps pay the bills.
Side project
/saɪd ˈprɑːdʒɛkt/ (US) or /ˈprɒdʒɛkt/ (UK)
Example: His side project is writing short stories.
Side hustle
/saɪd ˈhʌsəl/
Example: She has a side hustle selling handmade candles.
Kill the joy
/kɪl ðə dʒɔɪ/
Example: Turning his hobby into work killed the joy for him.
Monetize
/ˈmɑːnətaɪz/ (US), /ˈmɒnɪtaɪz/ (UK)
Example: She’s trying to monetize her YouTube channel.
Lose track of time
/luːz træk əv taɪm/
Example: I always lose track of time when I paint.
Dust off
/dʌst ɔf/
Example: He dusted off his guitar and started playing again.
Light you up
/laɪt ju ʌp/
Example: Helping others really lights her up.
EXERCISES
EXERCISE 1: Fill in the Blanks
Instruction: Listen to the conversation and fill in the
blanks with the appropriate word
Follow us on Spotify at https://open.spotify.com/show/0W43o4tZ4FoEHmkSAS1YZK
Emily: Sure! What’s on your
_____(2)?
Brian: Well… I’ve been reading
about people who found their passion early in life, and it made me wonder — how
do you actually _____(3) your passion?
Jason: Ah, the million-dollar
question! I feel like that word gets thrown around a lot, but no one really
explains how to get _____(4).
Emily: Exactly. It's not like
you wake up one day and suddenly know what your passion is. For me, it’s been a
lot of _____(5).
Brian: What do you _____(6)?
Emily: I used to think my
passion was teaching. I studied education, even taught for a year, but it just
didn’t feel right. Then I started _____(7) at a local animal shelter — just for
fun — and I realized how much I loved working with animals.
Jason: That’s interesting. So
your passion came from something you weren’t even _____(8) for?
Emily: Pretty much! It started
as a weekend thing, and now I’m actually planning to _____(9) to vet school. I
never would’ve guessed.
Brian: That’s amazing. I think a
lot of people believe your passion has to be your career — but it can also
start as a _____(10), right?
Jason: Totally. I still don’t
know if I’ve found my passion, to be honest. I work in marketing — it pays the
bills — but I wouldn’t say I wake up _____(11) about it.
Emily: But you’re great at
photography. Didn’t you do a _____(12) last year?
Jason: Yeah, that was a side
project. I love taking pictures, but I’m _____(13) to turn it into a job. What
if doing it full-time kills the joy?
Brian: That’s a real concern.
Sometimes, when your passion becomes your profession, it starts to feel like
just another _____(14).
Emily: True. But I also think
that fear can hold us back. You don’t have to quit your job tomorrow — maybe
just take small steps toward what _____(15) you.
Jason: Like a _____(16)?
Emily: Exactly. Or even just
giving yourself more time to do what you love. Not everything has to be
_____(17).
Brian: That’s such a good point.
I think the pressure to "find your passion" can be _____(18). It
makes people feel like they’re falling behind.
Jason: Yeah, like if you’re not
doing something amazing by age 30, you’ve _____(19) or something.
Emily: But everyone’s timeline
is different. Some people find what they love in their teens. Others don’t
_____(20) it out until they’re 50.
Brian: I’ve been trying to
notice what activities make me _____(21) of time — like editing audio or
writing scripts. I’m starting to think that’s a clue.
Jason: For sure. If you’re so
into something that you forget to check your phone — that’s a pretty _____(22).
Emily: Also, what do people come
to you for? Like, I always went to Brian for help with _____(23). Maybe your
passion is connected to what you naturally do _____(24).
Brian: Hmm, I never thought of
it that way. That’s a great _____(25).
Jason: And maybe passion doesn’t
always mean a single thing. It could be a _____(26) of things — like
creativity, helping others, solving problems…
Emily: Yes! And it can change
over time too. What lights you up at 20 might not be the same at 40 — and
that’s _____(27).
Brian: I love that. So maybe the
real goal isn’t just “finding” your passion — it’s paying attention to your
_____(28), following your energy, and being open to change.
Jason: Well said. Maybe I’ll
dust off my _____(29) this weekend.
Emily: And I’ll be cheering you
on! Who knows — maybe that passion turns into something _____(30).
Brian: Thanks, guys. This has
been such a _____(31) chat. I’m sure our listeners are thinking about their own
journeys right now.
Emily: And that’s the _____(32),
isn’t it?
Jason: Yup. Stay curious — and
don’t be afraid to _____(33).
Answer Key
1. see
2. mind
3. find
4. there
5. trial and error
6. mean
7. volunteering
8. looking
9. apply
10. hobby
11. excited
12. gallery show
13. scared
14. task
15. excites
16. side hustle
17. monetized
18. overwhelming
19. failed
20. figure
21. lose track
22. strong sign
23. storytelling
24. well
25. insight
26. combination
27. okay
28. curiosity
29. camera
30. more
31. helpful
32. first step
33. explore
EXERCISE 2: True, False, Not Given
Instruction: Read
each statement carefully and mark it as True, False, or Not
Given based on the conversation.
1. Brian believes you should turn your passion into a career
immediately.
2. Emily discovered her passion through volunteering.
3. Jason has always dreamed of working in marketing.
4. Emily is currently studying to become a veterinarian.
5. Jason thinks doing photography full-time might ruin his enjoyment of it.
6. Brian helps people with storytelling.
7. Emily believes everyone should find their passion before
they turn 30.
8. Jason says people should focus only on one passion.
9. Brian mentions he enjoys writing scripts and editing audio.
10.
Jason quit his job to
pursue photography.
Answer Key
1. FALSE
2. TRUE
3. FALSE
4. NOT GIVEN
5. TRUE
6. TRUE
7. FALSE
8. FALSE
9. TRUE
10. FALSE
EXERCISE 3: Multiple Choice Questions
Instruction: Choose
the correct answer for each question based on the information from the
conversation.
1.
What made Emily realize
her true passion?
A. Teaching at a school
B. Reading a book about animals
C. Volunteering at an animal shelter
D. Working at a zoo
2.
Why is Jason hesitant to
make photography his full-time job?
A. He doesn’t think he’s talented enough
B. He doesn’t own a professional camera
C. He fears it would take the fun out of it
D. He prefers working in marketing
3.
What advice does Emily
give about following your passion?
A. Quit your job immediately
B. Don’t follow hobbies seriously
C. Take small steps toward what excites you
D. Wait until you’re sure before doing anything
4.
What does Brian say might
be a clue to finding your passion?
A. Talking to friends about it
B. Activities that make you lose track of time
C. Working harder at your job
D. Asking your boss for feedback
5.
According to the
conversation, passion can:
A. Only be found in your twenties
B. Be something you’re naturally good at
C. Never change throughout life
D. Be based only on hobbies
Answer Key
1. C. Volunteering at an animal shelter
2. C. He fears it would take the fun out of it
3. Take small steps toward what excites you
4. B. Activities that make you lose track of time
5. B. Be something you’re naturally good at
EXERCISE
4: Matching Information
Instruction: Match
each idea to the speaker who expressed it.
|
Idea |
Speaker |
|
Passion doesn’t have to be your career right away. |
|
|
I enjoy editing audio
and writing scripts — maybe that’s a clue. |
|
|
I love photography but
don’t want to ruin it by turning it into work. |
|
|
People may find their
passion at any stage in life. |
|
|
Passion can involve
multiple interests, not just one thing. |
|
Answer Key
1. Emily
2. Brian
3. Jason
4. Emily
5. Jason
EXERCISE 5: Word Match
Instruction: Match
each term from the conversation with its correct definition.
|
WORDS / PHRASES |
MEANINGS |
|
A. Dust off |
1. To make something less fun or enjoyable. |
|
B. Kill the joy |
2. Trying different things until you find what works. |
|
C. Light you up |
3. A small job or business you do in addition to your
main job. |
|
D. Lose track of
time |
4. To forget the time because you’re so focused on something. |
|
E. Monetize |
5. To earn enough money to cover living expenses. |
|
F. Pay the bills |
6. To use something again after not using it for a long time. |
|
G. Side hustle |
7. A creative or fun activity you do outside of your main
job. |
|
H. Side project |
8. To excite or energize you. |
|
I. Throw around |
9. To say something often without much thought. |
|
J. Trial and error |
10. To make money from something. |
Answer Key
1. Dust off → 6
2. Kill the joy → 1
3. Light you up → 8
4. Lose track of time → 4
5. Monetize → 10
6. Pay the bills → 5
7. Side hustle → 3
8. Side project → 7
9. Throw around → 9
10. Trial and error → 2
EXERCISE 6: Sentence Rearrangement
Instruction:
Rearrange the jumbled sentences to form coherent statements related to the
conversation.
1. to / feels / profession /
another / just / like / when / passion / your / task / becomes / your / it/ starts
à When____________________
2. your / comes / often /
passion / from / unexpected / something / places / in
à
Your____________________
3. doesn't / have / your /
be / passion / to / full-time / job / a
à
Your____________________
4. behind / not / if / feel
/ a / you’re / amazing / like / you’re / by / something / age / 30 / people /
doing/ makes / the / can / pressure / falling
à
The____________________
5. lose / doing / of / clue
/ strong / you / something / time / track / might / a / when / be / a
à
Losing____________________
Answer Key
1. When your passion becomes your profession, it starts to feel like just another task.
2. Your passion often comes from something in unexpected places.
3. Your passion doesn't have to be a full-time job.
4. The pressure can make people feel like they’re falling behind if they’re not doing something amazing by age 30.
5. Losing track of time when doing something might be a strong clue.
EXERCISE 7: Choose the Correct Word
Instruction: Fill
in the blanks with the correct word from the options provided.
1. Emily found her passion
through ____.
a) planning
b) trial and error
c) success
2. Jason says he works in
marketing because it ____.
a) kills the joy
b) lights him up
c) pays the bills
3. Brian noticed that he
might enjoy scriptwriting because he ____.
a) loses track of time
b) throws it around
c) monetizes it
4. Emily says not
everything needs to be ____.
a) paid
b) professional
c) monetized
5. Jason is thinking about
picking up photography again, saying he might ____ his camera.
a) throw around
b) dust off
c) give away
Answer Key
1. b) trial and error
2. c) pays the bills
3. a) loses track of time
4. c) monetized
5. b) dust off
EXERCISE 8: Sentence Reordering
Instruction: Put
the following sentences in the correct order to recreate a summary of the
conversation.
a. Jason mentions he enjoys
photography but fears turning it into a job might kill the joy.
b. Emily shares how she discovered her passion for animals after trying
different paths.
c. The group reflects on how passion doesn’t have to be tied to your
career.
d. Brian starts the conversation by wondering how people find their
passion.
e. They agree that passion can come from hobbies, change over time, and
doesn’t need to be monetized.
Answer Key
Correct order: d → b → a → c → e
