A three‑hour drive, a worried son, a steady grandson, and a grandmother whose strength guides the day. This episode takes learners into the “workplace of family,” where support, respect, and emotional clarity matter just as much as language.

A Free Script for this episode is available, Link at bottom of the page.

Our $3.00 set of workbook and audio practice downloadables include the full script (easy to follow along), seven creative exercises, and pronunciation practice so you can listen, practice, and learn confidently.

👉 Workbook link

https://www.patreon.com/posts/episode-16d-for-153877613

Synopsis

Douglas is anxious about visiting his mother after her recent health challenges. He arrives with lists, plans, and a head full of worries — but Nana quickly makes it clear that she’s still living life on her own terms. Zander becomes the calm center of the day, helping Douglas shift from fear to presence. Together, they navigate a home full of strength, humor, and unexpected lessons about what real support looks like.

Character Spotlight

Douglas

A loving son who tries to manage uncertainty by planning every detail. His journey in this episode is about letting go of control and truly seeing his mother as she is — strong, direct, and still very much in charge.

Zander

Steady, patient, and emotionally intelligent. He becomes the lighthouse in the car and in the house, guiding Douglas back to the real moment and helping Nana feel respected, not managed.

Nana (Douglas’s Mom)

Strong‑willed, sharp, funny, and absolutely not fragile. She teaches Douglas — with love and precision — that support is not the same as control.

Learning Hook (Zoe’s Grammar & Vocabulary Corner)

This episode helps learners practice language for:

• Checking in on someone respectfully

• Offering support without taking over

• Expressing concern without sounding controlling

• Softening questions and suggestions

• Responding to strong personalities with clarity and kindness

Learners can practice these forms in the workbook’s exercises, using real examples from the story.

Tagline : She doesn’t need rescuing. She needs the pill organizer fixed.

We’d love to hear from you.

You can email us anytime at:

podcastwordsatwork@gmail.com

Your messages help us shape future episodes and keep this community warm and connected.

The team adjusts to a sudden client change, supports each other under pressure, and checks in on Kofi as he recovers.

Our workbooks include the full script (easy to follow along), seven creative exercises, and pronunciation practice so you can listen, practice, and learn confidently.

👉 Download the audio file, script, and workbook – only $3- use THIS link.
https://www.patreon.com/posts/episode-15d-calm-153312694

👉 Download the free script! Link is at the bottom of this page.

Synopsis

A client named Harper & Wren changes their project overnight, and the team has to reorganize quickly. With Douglas away on a trip, Penny, Adam, and Lyla step in to keep the work moving.

In Scene One, they share updates, repeat key information, and stay calm while the situation shifts around them.

In Scene Two, Adam checks in with Lyla, and their conversation shows how coworkers use everyday English to reassure, repeat messages, and build trust.

In Scene Three, Penny and Lyla visit Kofi at Solarbucks, where he’s recovering from his ankle injury and trying to “stay visible” at work. A small moment of humor helps everyone breathe again.

Character Spotlight

Adam — Encouraging, steady, and trying to keep the team calm while juggling his own worries.

Lyla — New to the client, observant, and learning quickly by asking good questions.

Penny — Organized and supportive, helping the team stay focused and checking in on Kofi.

Douglas — Away on a trip but trusting the team to lead the project while he’s gone.

Learning Hook (Zoe’s Grammar & Vocabulary Corner)

This episode highlights reassurance language — short, supportive phrases people use at work to help others feel safe and confident.

Examples from the story include:

• “You’re doing great.”

• “Don’t worry.”

• “We’ll back you up.”

• “Asking questions is a strength.”

Learners can practice these forms in the workbook’s exercises, using real examples from the story.

We’d love to hear from you.

You can email us anytime at: podcastwordsatwork@gmail.com

Your messages help us shape future episodes and keep this community warm and connected.

A story about the phrases that help someone feel grounded and calm again — and the support that appears when they need it most.

Our workbooks include the full script (easy to follow along), seven creative exercises, and pronunciation practice so you can listen, practice, and learn confidently.

👉 Download the free script to read along while listening. Link at bottom of this page.

👉 Workbook and Audio pratice files are available with Episode 14D
https://www.patreon.com/posts/episode-14-d-for-152740094

Synopsis:
Douglas begins the evening overwhelmed — juggling his mother’s care, Kofi’s recovery, and the weight of work responsibilities. Through Brenda’s calm presence and steady language, he slowly returns to solid ground.

Kofi finds a sense of belonging he didn’t expect. Zander steps in with practical support, and Penny reveals a new workload that shifts Douglas’s emotional balance just as he prepares to leave town.

Across the scenes, the episode highlights how reassurance, gentle pauses, and simple phrases can help someone breathe again.

Character Spotlight:

Douglas

Carrying the emotional load of caregiving, work pressure, and worry, Douglas learns how supportive language helps him slow down, focus, and feel steady again.

Brenda

The emotional anchor of the episode. Her calm phrases, gentle authority, and “Lighthouse” imagery guide Douglas back to clarity and confidence.

Kofi

Recovering from injury and far from home, he discovers that Douglas and Brenda see him as family — a moment that brings deep reassurance and belonging.

Zander

Offers practical support by organizing Douglas’s documents into a simple digital folder, showing how small actions can lighten someone’s mental load.

Penny

Working late and carrying unexpected pressure, she reveals how quickly responsibilities can shift — and how honesty and steady communication help teams stay connected.

Learning Hook :

This episode highlights phrases that offer support, reassurance, and emotional grounding. Learners hear examples of:

• Softening language — “It’s okay,” “Everything is fine,” “Sit down, drink your tea.”

• Reassuring metaphors — “I’ll keep the light on for both of you.”

• Supportive offers — “I can help with that,” “Let me set this up for you.”

• Boundary-setting with kindness — “You don’t have to solve July’s problems on the first of June.”

• Checking in gently — “How did they seem?” “What happened?”

Learners can practice these forms in the workbook’s exercises.

Tagline:

“Sometimes the light you need is already in the room.”

We’d love to hear from you.

You can email us anytime at:

podcastwordsatwork@gmail.com

Your messages help us shape future episodes and keep this community warm and connected.

This is our refreshed “Start Here” guide — shorter, clearer, and easier for new learners. If you’ve listened before, welcome back. If this is your first time, we’re happy you’re here.

This short episode gives you everything you need to begin — who we are, how the show works, and how to learn with us at your own pace. You can download the free script to aid your listening.

🌟 What you’ll hear in this episode

• A new introduction from Zoe, your guide and teacher

• Short cameos from our team — Penny, Douglas, Lyla, Adam, and Kofi

• A simple explanation of how to use the stories, workbooks, and pronunciation audios

• A warm invitation to start wherever you feel comfortable

🌟 How to learn with us

Each story episode comes with:

• a workbook

• a pronunciation audio

• clear notes to help you follow along

You’ll find all of these linked in the episode notes of every story.

🌟 Where to begin

You can start with:

• Episode One — the beginning of the main series

• “Chloe’s Window” — a short, heart‑warming story about Adam and a rescued cat

There’s no wrong choice. Pick the one that feels right for you.

Thank you for spending time with us.

Let’s learn together.

A manager prepares for a short leave of absence — and the team steps up with calm, professional leadership.

Want to follow along more easily? The full script for this episode is free and available below.
If you’d like the complete learning experience —

including the workbook, 7 exercises, and the pronunciation audios —
The complete lesson is waiting for you in Episode 11D
https://www.patreon.com/posts/episode-11d-back-151593779

Synopsis:

When Douglas announces he’ll be taking a short leave of absence to care of his mother, the team at Finn Enterprises responds with steady professionalism and empathy. Across three scenes, listeners hear how colleagues balance personal news with project planning, share responsibilities clearly, and use calm leadership language to keep work on track.

Character Spotlight:

Adam

Supports the team by taking over client communication and staying accessible so coworkers feel comfortable asking questions.

Lyla

Asks clarifying questions, takes on content updates, and “flags anything that needs a decision,” modeling proactive communication.

Penny

Provides structure, assigns responsibilities, and keeps deadlines realistic — a steady leadership presence throughout the meeting.

Douglas

Explains his leave with clarity and honesty, balancing personal responsibility with trust in his team’s professionalism.

Learning Hook (Zoe’s Grammar & Vocabulary Corner):

This episode highlights essential workplace language for responsibility and leadership, including:

• “follow up” — checking progress or confirming completion

• “flag anything that needs a decision” — bringing attention to issues early

• shared‑responsibility phrases like “I can handle that” and “I’ll keep everyone informed”

Learners can practice these forms in the workbook’s exercises, using examples from the story.

Tagline:

Leadership isn’t always loud — sometimes it’s the calm language that keeps a team moving forward.

We’d love to hear from you.

Share your thoughts or questions at podcastwordsatwork@gmail.com

Listener messages help us shape future episodes and keep this community warm and connected

Start here to see how the episodes, voices, and tools work together to help you learn English.

✨ Synopsis

“Start Here” is your guide — an engaging introduction about how this podcast works, how to use each episode with confidence, and how to keep learning more over time.

A FREE copy of the script is available at the bottom of this page.

🎙️ What This Episode Covers

• What Words at Work is and who it’s designed for

• How each episode is structured

• How to use the workbooks, transcripts, and pronunciation guides

• Simple explanations by the voices you’ll hear

• Where to begin if you’re brand new

• How to build confidence step by step

📘 Personalities from Our Episodes will explain:

• Why stories help you learn

• How to practice listening and speaking

• Why short episodes work

• How to follow along at your own pace

• How to use the downloadable materials

· Why listening twice works

Here’s what’s in our workbooks for you to use:

* Meet Today’s Cast
* Podcast Script
* Vocabulary List with Definitions
* Matching exercise, words and meaning
* Fill‑in‑the‑blank ( sentences you complete with vocabulary words)
* Comprehension Questions – make you think, and we give Suggested Answers
* Vocabulary with quotes from script – for special episodes
* Extended Vocabulary with Workplace & Cultural Notes
* Tiered Writing Prompts (A2–B2 learners) –
first we make you think, then we make you write LOL

* Pronunciation Practice – a downloadable audio file
* Self‑Assessment Rubric

A gentle Valentine’s Day mystery of trust and new beginnings — with a free workbook bundle as our gift today.

A gentle mystery unfolds as Lyla and Penny discover what Adam has been protecting all along, leading them to a window filled with quiet courage and new beginnings.

This episode is my Valentine’s Day gift to you — the workbook and pronunciation audio file are completely FREE.

Our workbooks include the full script (easy to follow along), seven creative exercises, and pronunciation practice so you can listen, practice, and learn confidently.
Links at BOTTOM of this page.

Synopsis:

Adam has been acting strangely — sending mysterious instructions, avoiding dinners, and insisting that Lyla and Penny arrive at his apartment in “soft shoes.” In this gentle, emotional episode, we follow the mystery from a cozy tea‑filled morning in Lyla’s apartment to the quiet, shadowed hallway outside Adam’s door… and finally to the warm light of the window where Chloe sits for the very first time.

Through a flashback at the animal shelter, we learn how Adam slowly earned Chloe’s trust after she was rescued from a hoarding case. And in the present day, Lyla and Penny discover the truth: Adam hasn’t been hiding from them — he’s been protecting a frightened cat who is learning, moment by moment, how to feel safe again.

This is a story about patience, soft routines, and the quiet courage it takes to heal.

Character Spotlight:

Adam

A steady, gentle presence, he discovers that healing doesn’t happen quickly — it happens quietly. His patience becomes the bridge between Chloe’s fear and her new life.

Chloe

A ginger cat rescued from a hoarding house, learning to trust the world again. Her journey from hiding to sitting confidently in the window is the emotional heart of the episode.

Lyla & Penny

Two friends who bring warmth, humor, and curiosity — and who finally witness the moment Adam has been waiting for.

Learning Hook (Zoe’s Grammar & Vocabulary Corner):

This episode focuses on the present continuous, a structure used to describe actions happening right now or changes still in progress. Throughout the story, you’ll hear phrases like:

• “She’s watching the trees.”

• “She’s discovering what peace feels like.”

• “She’s learning that this is her home.”

• “She’s starting to trust the world again.”

Zoe highlights expressions that show movement, growth, and gentle change — perfect for learners who want to understand how English describes ongoing actions and emotional transitions.

Learners can practice these forms in the workbook’s exercises, using real examples from the story.

Tagline:

“Healing grows in the quiet moments.”

We’d love to hear from you.

If this episode touched you — or if you have your own funny cat stories, questions, or reflections — we’d love to hear from you.

You can email us anytime at:

podcastwordsatwork@gmail.com

Your messages help us shape future episodes and keep this community warm and connected.

Visit a shelter and take your time. But be warned: the Cat Distribution System loves to choose new humans.

© 2026 Lawrence Weiser. All rights reserved.

“Words at Work: ESL for EVERY Day” is a trademark of Lawrence Weiser.

Not for redistribution without written permission.

“Kofi’s ‘hidden hours’ reveal more than study habits — they uncover the power of quiet support.”

Our workbooks include the full script (easy to follow along), seven creative exercises, and pronunciation practice so you can listen, practice, and learn confidently. This episode is just

$3 👉 https://www.patreon.com/posts/episode-9d-kofi-150282068

Synopsis: Douglas and Penny head to the Community College Literacy Center, where Kofi gives a heartfelt presentation about how he studies English during the “hidden hours” of his day. After class, a small accident in the parking lot leads to an unexpected moment of kindness — and a reminder that support often arrives when you need it most.

Character Spotlight: Kofi — Dedicated. Dependable. Professional.

In this episode, Kofi shows how determination can turn ordinary moments into learning opportunities. His presentation reveals the discipline behind his progress, and his vulnerability in the parking lot highlights the strength of community.

Learning Hook (Zoe’s Grammar & Vocabulary Corner):
This episode focuses on Interrupted Action — how the Past Progressive and Simple Past work together when one action is happening and another suddenly interrupts it.

Zoe highlights expressions using Advice Modals — should, could, and would — to help learners talk about good habits, possibilities, and goals.

Learners can practice vocabulary such as dedicated, dependable, professional, and more..

Tagline:

“Hard work creates progress. Kindness carries you the rest of the way.””

Follow along with the scripts, vocabulary, and seven exercises in each episode’s workbook.