Laura:
Hello and welcome to The English Balcony  podcast.

James:
This is a podcast designed to help you feel more confident speaking English.

Laura:
In each episode, we’ll have a natural conversation about everyday topics.

James:
Things like food, work, habits, travel, and daily life.

Laura:
We’ll use British English and real, spoken language.

James:
Sometimes we’ll explain expressions or vocabulary if we think it might be useful.

Laura:
Not to interrupt the conversation, but to help you follow along more easily.

James:
The idea is for you to listen, relax, and get used to how English sounds in real life.

Laura:
You don’t need to understand every single word.

James:
What matters is getting the general idea and noticing how we speak.

Laura:
And hopefully, little by little, you’ll start using some of this language yourself.

James:
So, let’s get started.

Laura:
So, James, let me start with a slightly personal question. Do you actually enjoy cooking, or does it sometimes feel like a necessary evil?

James:
That’s a good way of putting it. Honestly, during the week, cooking often feels like a necessary evil. By that, I mean something I don’t particularly enjoy, but I accept because it’s unavoidable. I need to eat, so I cook.

Laura:
That makes a lot of sense. During the week, cooking tends to be quite functional, doesn’t it?

James:
Exactly. When I say functional cooking, I mean cooking with a very practical goal: feeding yourself quickly and efficiently, not trying to be creative or impressive.

Laura:
I completely relate to that. On weekdays, I’m all about simple meals. Things I can prepare without too much thinking or planning.

James:
Same here. I usually stick to dishes that don’t require too much effort or energy. Pasta, quick stir-fries, grilled vegetables — meals that don’t involve spending hours in the kitchen.

Laura:
And planning plays a big role too. Do you usually plan your meals in advance?

James:
I try to, especially during busy weeks. If I don’t plan at least a little, I’m much more likely to order food or get a takeaway when I’m tired.

Laura:
That’s such an honest point. Being tired is often the real reason people eat badly, not because they don’t know what’s healthy.

James:
Absolutely. When you’re exhausted, convenience wins. That’s when you might give in to temptation and order something instead of cooking.

Laura:
To give in to temptation is such a useful expression. It basically means you know what the better option is, but you choose the more tempting one.

James:
Exactly. And sometimes that temptation is a ready-made meal.

Laura:
That’s an interesting term, actually. In British English, ready-made usually refers to food that’s already prepared and sold as a complete product, often industrial or processed.

James:
Yes, whereas pre-made just means something that was made earlier. It could be homemade, not necessarily bought in a shop.

Laura:
That distinction is really important. I try to avoid ready-made meals, but I’m quite happy to eat something pre-made that I cooked myself the day before.

James:
Same here. Cooking from scratch most of the time helps me eat better without overthinking it.

Laura:
Cooking from scratch really changes your relationship with food, doesn’t it? You become more aware of what you’re eating.

James:
Definitely. And you also learn to taste as you go.

Laura:
Which is such an essential habit. Tasting as you go simply means checking the flavour while you’re cooking, so you can adjust things like salt, spices or acidity.

James:
Exactly. A small splash of lemon juice can completely transform a dish.

Laura:
Let’s talk about cravings for a moment. Do you have a sweet tooth?

James:
Unfortunately, yes. I’ve always had a sweet tooth. If there’s chocolate or biscuits around, I really have to control myself.

Laura:
I know that feeling. Sometimes I get a strong craving for something sweet in the evening.

James:
A craving is that intense desire for a specific food, when you can’t stop thinking about it.

Laura:
And if you’re not careful, that craving can turn into bingeing.

James:
Exactly. To binge on something means eating large amounts of it in a short period of time, usually without much control.

Laura:
That’s often when people feel guilty afterwards.

James:
True. That’s why I try to keep a balance. I don’t ban any food completely, but I try to be mindful.

Laura:
And sometimes, it’s also fine to treat yourself.

James:
Absolutely. Treating yourself means allowing yourself something enjoyable, without feeling bad about it.

Laura:
For me, treating myself often means eating out.

James:
Same here. Eating out feels very different from ordering food at home.

Laura:
Yes, ordering food is usually about convenience, whereas eating out is more social and intentional.

James:
And it’s often part of a routine or a ritual, especially at the weekend.

Laura:
Exactly. Food is never just about nutrition. It’s also about pleasure, habits and social connection.

James:
And cooking is a skill like any other. At the beginning, you might feel a bit lost in the kitchen.

Laura:
But once you get the hang of a few basic techniques, everything becomes much easier.

James:
To get the hang of something means learning how to do it through practice, until it feels natural.

Laura:
And even if you’re not amazing at it, you can still get by.

James:
Yes, getting by simply means managing well enough, even if it’s not perfect.

Laura:
That’s a great message, not just for cooking, but for learning a language too.

James:
Exactly. You don’t need to be perfect. You just need to keep going.

Laura:
Consistency over perfection.

James:
Every time.

Laura:
Well, thanks, James. I’ve really enjoyed this conversation.

James:
Me too. It’s been great.

Laura:
We’ll be back soon with another episode.

James:
Yes, see you next time.

Laura:
And remember, you don’t need to speak perfectly to make progress.

James:
The more you listen, the more familiar the language feels.

Laura:
So keep listening, keep practising—

James:
—and little by little, you’ll find your voice with the Help of this podcast.

James:
How’s it going, Laura?

Laura:
Pretty good, actually. And you? You look like you’ve got something on your mind.

James:
I do, yes.
I’m trying to decide where to go for our anniversary next month, and I’ve been stuck in that phase where everything looks tempting and nothing feels quite right.

Laura:
That’s a dangerous phase — when you’ve looked at too many options and now you’re more confused than when you started.

James:
Exactly.
At first I thought, “Let’s do something simple, somewhere in the UK”, but then I started looking at flights abroad and now I can’t stop thinking about travelling further.

Laura:
That’s how it always starts.
You begin with a weekend away, and suddenly you’re comparing hotels in Portugal and Italy.

James:
So let me ask you something: when you think about travel, do you see a big difference between travelling in your own country and going abroad?

Laura:
Definitely.
Travelling domestically feels much safer and more predictable. You speak the language, you understand how things work, and if something goes wrong, it’s easier to deal with.

James:
Whereas travelling abroad always comes with a bit more uncertainty.

Laura:
Yes — and that’s part of the attraction, but also part of the fear.

James:
Talking about that, I realised something the other day.
People use travel, trip and journey almost interchangeably, but they’re not quite the same, are they?

Laura:
Not really, no.
Travel is more general — it’s the activity itself.
Trip usually refers to a specific occasion, like “a trip to Rome” or “a weekend trip”.
And journey focuses more on the process of getting from one place to another.

James:
So you take a trip, but you make a journey. You wouldn’t usually say “my journey to the supermarket”, unless something strange happened on my way there.

Laura:
Unless you got lost for three hours.

James:
Which I have, by the way.

Laura:
That doesn’t surprise me at all.

James:
But going back to planning trips, one thing that really affects people’s choices is fear.
Why do you think so many people are scared of travelling to unfamiliar places?

Laura:
I think it’s mainly about control.
When you go somewhere unknown, you don’t know how things work, you don’t know what to expect, and some people find that very uncomfortable.

James:
Yes, and language plays a big role too.

Laura:
Definitely.
If you don’t feel confident speaking the language, even small things like ordering food or asking for directions can feel stressful.

James:
That’s something that stopped me travelling alone for years, actually.

Laura:
Really?

James:
Yes.
The idea of arriving somewhere completely on my own, not knowing anyone, made me very anxious.

Laura:
And did you eventually do it?

James:
I did — and it was one of the best decisions I ever made.
Travelling alone forces you to rely on yourself, and that changes the way you see things.

Laura:
I agree.
But at the same time, travelling with other people, especially with children, is a completely different experience.

James:
Oh yes.
When you travel with kids, you’re not just thinking about what you want to do anymore.

Laura:
Exactly.
Everything becomes more practical: meal times, rest, safety, boredom…
You can’t just wander around all day without a plan.

James:
Which brings us nicely to budgets.

Laura:
Yes — the subject everyone avoids until the very end.

James:
I’ve noticed that when people say “I’d love to travel more”, what they often mean is “I’d love to travel more, if money wasn’t an issue”.
Especially when they’re on a tight budget. And the thing is, travel doesn’t have to mean expensive hotels and long-haul flights.

Laura:
Exactly.
A trip to a nearby city, or even just changing your usual routine for a few days, can feel like travelling.

James:
That’s something seasoned travellers tend to understand very well.

Laura:
Yes — and for listeners, seasoned travellers are people who have travelled a lot and are quite experienced.

James:
They usually travel differently from people who travel once every few years.

Laura:
Much more relaxed, and often with lower expectations.

James:
Which is probably why they enjoy it more.

Laura:
On the other hand, you also have armchair travellers.

James:
I love that expression.

Laura:
Me too.
It refers to people who don’t travel much physically, but love reading about places, watching documentaries, or following travel accounts online.

James:
In a way, they travel with their imagination.

Laura:
Exactly.
And that’s also a valid way of engaging with the world.

James:
So would you describe yourself as more of a seasoned traveller or more of an armchair traveller?

Laura:
Somewhere in between.
I love travelling, but I also enjoy planning trips and reading about places almost as much as going there.

James:
I’m very similar.
Sometimes I think I enjoy the anticipation as much as the actual trip.

Laura:
Yes — that phase where you imagine how it’s going to be.

James:
Which is funny, because reality rarely matches what you imagine.

Laura:
And that’s not necessarily a bad thing.

James:
Not at all.
Some of my best travel memories come from things I hadn’t planned at all.

Laura:
So, coming back to your anniversary trip… have you narrowed it down at all?

James:
A little.
I’m leaning towards somewhere not too far, but different enough to feel special.

Laura:
That sounds like a very good starting point.

James:
Yes.
I think I’ve finally learned that a good trip isn’t about how far you go, but how you experience it.
I’ll probably have to sleep on it before I make a final decision.

Laura:
Some decisions are better made after a good night’s sleep, not in the blink of an eye.

Laura:
So, James… have you decided where you’re going for your anniversary in the end?

James:
Not quite. I’m still going back and forth between a few ideas.
And funnily enough, thinking about that has made me realise something: it’s not just about where you go, but about the kind of holiday you actually want.

Laura:
That makes a lot of sense. People talk about “going on holiday” as if it were one single thing, but an adventure holiday, a beach holiday and a city break are completely different experiences.

James:
I’d say so. Take adventure holidays, for example. They sound incredibly exciting — hiking, rafting, climbing, exploring remote places — but I’m not sure they’re for everyone.
They’re perfect if you’re energetic and enjoy physical challenges, but if what you really need is to rest, they can end up being more exhausting than your normal life.

Laura:
I know what you mean. I once went on what was meant to be an “easy” hiking holiday, and it turned out to be eight hours a day walking uphill with a heavy backpack.
By the third day, my legs were aching so badly that even walking down the stairs to breakfast felt like an extreme sport.

James:
That doesn’t sound very relaxing at all.
That’s probably why, from time to time, I’m much more drawn to beach holidays. There’s something very appealing about doing absolutely nothing for a few days: sun, sea, a book, and not much else.

Laura:
True, although even beach holidays have their downsides. Some people get bored after two days of lying on a towel, and if the weather is bad, suddenly the whole idea collapses.
And let’s not forget crowded beaches — fighting for a bit of space on the sand is not exactly my idea of relaxation either.

James:
That’s fair.
Which is why I’ve always been quite fond of city breaks. They’re short, intense, and there’s usually a lot to see and do in a relatively small area.

Laura:
I enjoy city breaks too, especially for sightseeing. Walking around a city, discovering neighbourhoods, moving from one landmark to another… it’s exhausting, but in a good way.

James:
There’s something interesting — almost curious, in a way — about landmarks. You go to a city and suddenly you feel obliged to see all of them, even if you’re not particularly interested in half of them.
You end up queueing for an hour just because “you’re supposed to”, you take the photo, feel satisfied… and move on.

Laura:
That’s very true.
But to be fair, some places really are worth it. Seeing the Eiffel Tower or the Colosseum for the first time does feel special, no matter how many photos you’ve seen before.

James:
I’d agree with that.
At the same time, city breaks can be quite intense. You walk for hours, your feet hurt, you’re constantly checking maps, and somehow you’re always hungry at the worst possible moment.

Laura:
Which is usually when everything nearby is either closed or ridiculously expensive.

James:
No doubt about that.
Now, that’s where I think cultural trips are slightly different from city breaks.

Laura:
Yes, I see what you mean.
A cultural trip isn’t just about being in a city, but about focusing on history, museums, traditions and the local way of life, rather than just moving from one sight to another.

James:
And I do enjoy that a lot, but only if I mix it with other things. If I spend the whole day in museums, by the end of the afternoon I honestly can’t tell one painting from another.

Laura:
Museum fatigue is very real.
But learning about how people live in different places, their customs and their way of doing things is one of the most rewarding parts of travelling.

James:
That’s also where cultural differences really come into play, sometimes in the most unexpected ways.
I still remember being in Japan and trying to tip in a restaurant. The waiter looked genuinely offended.

Laura:
That must have been incredibly awkward.

James:
It was, but it also made me realise how many things we take for granted when we travel.
And those small misunderstandings often become the moments you remember most clearly afterwards.

Laura:
Without a doubt.
Then, of course, you also have holidays that are all about comfort — all-inclusive resorts, for example — where everything is organised for you.

James:
They’re great if what you really want is to switch off completely, without having to think about where to eat or what to do next.

Laura:
Although you can sometimes end up feeling like you haven’t really seen the country at all, because you’ve stayed inside a kind of bubble.

James:
That’s the downside.
And finally, there are road trips, which I think deserve a category of their own.

Laura:
For sure. There’s something very appealing about being on the road, stopping wherever you like, changing plans at the last minute, and not knowing exactly where you’ll end up.

James:
At the same time, they come with a fair amount of uncertainty: getting lost, running out of petrol, ending up in places you hadn’t planned to visit…

Laura:
Which can either turn into a disaster or become the highlight of the whole trip.

James:
In my experience, more often than not it’s the highlight.
I suppose what all this shows is that every type of holiday has its good and bad sides, and that what works for one person doesn’t necessarily work for another.

Laura:
Absolutely. Some people love adventure holidays, others can’t imagine anything worse than sleeping in a tent.
Some live for sightseeing, others just want to lie by the pool and forget what day it is — and neither is right or wrong.

James:
It really depends on what you need at that moment in your life.

Laura:
And maybe that’s the real beauty of travelling.

James:
That it adapts to you — if you let it.

Laura:
You know, James, independence is one of those words everyone seems to admire, but very few people stop to think about what it really involves, especially within a family context.

James:
That’s true. We tend to talk about independence as if it were simply a personal achievement, something you either have or don’t have, but in reality it’s deeply connected to other people, particularly to those you live with or depend on.

Laura:
When did you actually leave home?

James:
I was in my mid-twenties. It wasn’t easy at first, and to be honest, I don’t think I was fully ready either — financially or emotionally — but I really needed that step to feel like an adult.

Laura:
Do you think it would be harder now, with the situation young people are facing?

James:
Without a doubt. I often think that if I had been born ten or fifteen years later, I might still be living at home — not by choice, but by necessity.

Laura:
Exactly. Take young adults today, for instance. In theory, becoming independent means moving out, earning your own money and building your own life. But in practice, that’s becoming increasingly difficult.

James:
Yes, and not always because of a lack of will. Many young people genuinely try to leave the nest, they find a flat, get a job, start paying their own bills… and then, after a few months or a year, they realise it’s simply not sustainable unless their parents help them financially.

Laura:
Which puts them in a very uncomfortable position, because at that point you start wondering what’s worse: going back home or staying on your own knowing that you can’t make it without constant support.

James:
And that’s when something changes in the relationship with your parents. Support slowly turns into something that is taken for granted, and obligations appear that perhaps shouldn’t really exist at that stage of life.

Laura:
Not to mention the psychological pressure of having to move back home after having lived independently. For many people, that feels like a personal failure, even when it’s clearly the result of external circumstances.

James:
I remember a couple of friends who had to move back in with their parents after trying to live on their own.
They didn’t talk about it much, but you could tell it affected their confidence.

Laura:
And even very practical things become complicated.
Imagine getting used to inviting friends or a partner over whenever you want, and then having to go back to asking for permission or feeling awkward about bringing someone home.

James:
Yes, you’re technically an adult, but in practice you’re treated — or you feel treated — like a teenager again, and that can be incredibly frustrating.

Laura:
Which creates a strange situation, doesn’t it? You’re an adult in every sense, except in the practical one. You’re legally independent, but economically and emotionally still tied to your parents.

James:
And that can lead to a strong sense of being stuck, of not quite being able to move forward in life, even if, on paper, everything seems fine.

Laura:
Not to mention the long-term effect on self-esteem. When you constantly feel you’re “back at square one”, it’s very easy to start doubting your own abilities.

James:
At the same time, I think we also need to look at this from the parents’ perspective, which is something we don’t always do.

Laura:
Do you think parents are sometimes too willing to sacrifice their own comfort for their children?

James:
Yes, and sometimes I wonder whether that’s actually helping in the long run, or just postponing a problem.

Laura:
Parents are usually portrayed as endlessly supportive and patient, and while that is often true, it doesn’t mean the situation doesn’t come at a cost for them.

James:
Financially, for a start. Supporting an adult child is very different from supporting a teenager. And emotionally, it can be exhausting too, especially when parents feel they can’t move on to the next stage of their own lives.

Laura:
There’s also the issue of boundaries. Some parents find it difficult to set limits, and some young adults, consciously or not, take advantage of that.

James:
Yes, and that’s where things can become problematic.
You sometimes see young adults who are working, earning money, but not contributing to household expenses, or not helping around the house, as if their parents’ support were something they were automatically entitled to.

Laura:
And that can generate a lot of resentment.
From the parents’ point of view, it may feel like their generosity is being taken for granted, which can seriously damage family relationships.

James:
It also raises an uncomfortable question: at what point does support turn into dependence?

Laura:
That’s a very delicate line, and it’s not the same for every family or every culture. In some cultures, living with your parents well into adulthood is perfectly normal and not seen as a failure at all.

James:
True, and that reminds us that independence isn’t just a personal matter, but also a social and cultural one.

Laura:
Exactly. However, even in cultures where living with your parents is common, there is still an expectation of contributing in some way, whether financially or through daily responsibilities.

James:
And that idea of contribution is crucial. Independence doesn’t necessarily mean living alone; it can also mean being responsible for your share of the situation you’re in.

Laura:
Which brings us nicely to another group often overlooked in these discussions: older people.

James:
Yes, because independence doesn’t stop being an issue once you’re young and trying to move out. It comes back later in life in a different form.

Laura:
Many elderly people strongly resist the idea of moving into residential care. They want to remain in their own homes for as long as possible, even when doing so becomes physically challenging.

James:
Is that something you’ve seen in your own family?

Laura:
Yes, and it really changed the way I look at ageing. It’s not just about getting older, but about how much independence you’re willing to give up — and how much others are willing to take on.

James:
And in many cases, this means that their children end up caring not only for their parents, but also for their own children at the same time.
They’re caught between two generations, constantly juggling responsibilities and trying to find a moment for themselves.

Laura:
That kind of situation creates an enormous psychological strain. You’re always tired, always worried, and often feeling guilty, no matter what you do.

James:
Personally, I wouldn’t like the idea of my parents living in a residence unless it was really necessary.
They still want to live their lives, keep their routines, feel useful and, above all, not feel abandoned.

Laura:
Yes, for many elderly people, staying in their own home is closely linked to their sense of dignity and identity.

James:
At the same time, we can’t ignore the physical and emotional burden this places on families. Caring for an elderly parent can be extremely demanding — not just in terms of time and energy, but also emotionally.

Laura:
And the worst part is that there are rarely simple or perfect solutions.
Often, families have to choose between options that are all difficult in their own way.

James:
Which once again shows that independence is never just about one person. It always affects others, whether we like it or not.

Laura:
So where do you stand, then? More on the side of individual freedom, or family responsibility?

James:
I don’t think I could choose one without the other anymore. I used to see them as opposites, but now I think they only make sense together.

Laura:
I think that’s what makes the concept so complex and, at the same time, so important to talk about. Independence sounds simple, but in real life it’s full of grey areas.

James:
And maybe the real challenge isn’t becoming independent in a strict sense, but finding a balance between autonomy and responsibility towards others.

Laura:
A balance that allows people to grow, without leaving others to carry an unfair share of the burden.

James:
In the end, independence within the family is not just about freedom, but also about limits, negotiation and, above all, mutual respect.