Everyone has their reasons for picking up the mic. Perhaps they want to share an untold story, discover a creative outlet, or even build a community and start a movement. Whatever that reason, podcasting is the perfect way to get your voice heard. 

We’re tapping into the minds of Acast podcasters from around the world to find out what makes them tick in our Why I Podcast interview series. Be inspired and learn how successful podcasters stay motivated when creating, what they love about podcasting, and why the medium is so special for creators and listeners alike.

Luke’s English Podcast is an award-winning audio show for learners of English as a foreign language which mixes English language teaching, comedy and culture. The podcast started in 2009 and is still going strong with over 780 audio episodes, a popular YouTube channel, and premium subscription on Acast+ focusing on vocabulary, grammar and pronunciation. The podcast has won 5 awards, received a British Council ELTon nomination and has had over 90 million downloads in total.

Tell us about yourself. What is your podcast about?

I’m Luke and I’m an English language teacher and comedian from London now living in Paris. In my episodes I use my teaching and comedy skills to help people around the world learn English by giving them useful and entertaining episodes to listen to. 

When did you get started in the wonderful world of podcasting?

I started in 2009 when I did an online course about podcasting and how it could be useful for teaching and learning English. During the course I realized that it was actually very easy to set up your own podcast and that there was a large potential audience of learners of English around the world, and so I got started straight away! I haven’t looked back since.

Why did the medium of podcasting appeal to you in the first place?

I’ve always loved listening to podcasts myself and found them really convenient as well as very personal and intimate. I knew that this could be the perfect medium for helping people to improve their English skills through listening. Also, I’d always dreamed of having my own radio show and so the podcast made that possible without even having to leave the house.

What is it about podcasts that attracts storytellers and their listeners?

There is something very personal and intimate about the experience of listening to a podcast. Usually we only do it alone, we have total control over what we listen to, the content is uploaded regularly and so you get a certain connection with the host of the show and this becomes very engaging and enjoyable as a listening experience. Also, for podcasters, this medium makes it very simple to publish yourself and to find an audience without having to jump through too many hoops, and this is irresistible for people who feel they have things to say.

Why is podcasting important to you?

These days it is how I make my living, so that’s pretty important! It helps me pay the mortgage and buy food. But also it means that I no longer have to work for someone else, and this is very liberating. I don’t have the stress of having to teach in classrooms 30+ hours a week, and I get to choose exactly what I do and how I do it. Also, since my show is supposed to be entertaining as well as educational I can use it as a platform for comedy and other fun things, and that’s very creatively satisfying.

How’s your relationship with your listeners?

This is one of the most amazing things about doing the podcast. I have listeners all over the world and they often get in touch via email, website comments, social media etc, and it’s fascinating and inspiring to learn about their stories and to get insights into the lives of people living in different cultures and environments. It’s still astonishing to me that people living in such diverse places listen to my voice on a regular basis.

Do you have any favorite episodes?

I can’t choose! But I always enjoy having friends and family on the show, especially when funny stories come up. Recently I interviewed some of my listeners (from China, Syria, Iran, France, Poland and Germany) who have really successfully improved their English, and they were all very inspiring.

And, finally, what’s next for the podcast?

I’m currently writing a series of stories for my Acast+ subscribers. They’re all funny anecdotes from my life and I’m going to use them to teach vocabulary, grammar and pronunciation. Also episode 800 is coming up, which is one of those landmarks but I actually have no idea what to do for it. Time to get planning.

Luke's English Podcast is part of the Acast network and available to listen to on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, Google Podcast and all other podcast apps.

You can subscribe to Luke's English Podcast premium subscription via Acast+ here, giving you access to ad-free streams and bonus content.