2231 - Birthdays in English Part 3 What Is Your Star Sign?

Summary

In this engaging podcast episode, hosts Michelle and Lindsay delve into the topic of star signs, exploring how they can be a conversation starter. They discuss their own zodiac signs, Leo and Capricorn, and share insights into the traits associated with each. The hosts guide listeners on how to broach the subject of star signs with others, offering tips for gauging interest and asking relevant questions. They also touch on the idea of using such discussions as a bridge to deeper, more personal conversations, emphasizing the value of finding common ground with others.

Takeaways

• 😄 The hosts, Michelle and Lindsay, discuss their personal interest in horoscopes and zodiac signs, revealing a light-hearted approach to the topic.
• 📅 They mention a series of podcasts focused on birthdays and zodiac signs, indicating a structured approach to the subject matter.
• 🔮 The conversation touches on how to engage in discussions about star signs, providing practical tips for starting and continuing such conversations.
• 🦁 Michelle identifies as a Leo, and Lindsay as a Capricorn, sharing personal connections to their zodiac traits.
• 💼 The podcast links the discussion of zodiac signs to workplace interactions, suggesting it as a way to build relationships with colleagues.
• 🌟 The hosts read their star sign descriptions from Cosmopolitan.com, using this as a springboard for a more in-depth conversation.
• 🤔 They explore the idea of whether people's personalities align with their zodiac signs, questioning the accuracy and relevance of horoscopes.
• 🗣️ The script outlines steps for discussing star signs, including initiating the topic, gauging interest, and asking about traits.
• 👥 The conversation highlights the potential for deeper connections when discovering shared zodiac signs or birthdays.
• ✈️ All Ears English is featured on Leanza Airlines' in-flight entertainment, offering a unique way for listeners to engage with the podcast.

Q & A

What is the main topic of discussion between Michelle and Lindsay in the script?

The main topic of discussion is star signs, also known as zodiac signs, and how to incorporate them into conversations about birthdays.

Why did Lindsay's friend Ian read her horoscope as a test for his camera and microphone?

Lindsay was trying to get Ian to test his camera and microphone for their B2 course, and he sent her a test recording of him reading her horoscope as a joke.

What are the two zodiac signs mentioned in the script for Michelle and Lindsay?

Michelle's zodiac sign is Leo, and Lindsay's zodiac sign is Capricorn.

What are some of the ideal careers suggested for a Leo in the script?

Some ideal careers suggested for a Leo include sales, sports, dramatic arts, entrepreneur, consultant, manager, presenter, and CEO.

What traits are associated with a Capricorn according to the script?

Traits associated with a Capricorn include being the hardest worker, shrewd, patient, materialistic, loyal, determined, strong, and stoic.

What is the purpose of discussing star signs in the script?

The purpose of discussing star signs is to provide listeners with a fun and engaging conversation topic, especially when getting to know someone new.

How does the script suggest to start a conversation about star signs?

The script suggests starting a conversation about star signs by asking someone their birth month and then guessing their zodiac sign based on that information.

What is the bonus step mentioned in the script for discussing star signs?

The bonus step for discussing star signs is comparing traits and making statements like 'Scorpios are fiery,' and then asking the other person if they relate to those traits.

Why is it suggested not to feel defeated if someone isn't interested in discussing star signs?

It's suggested not to feel defeated if someone isn't interested in discussing star signs because it can still be a point of connection and can lead to other topics of conversation.

What is the mission for listeners who fly Lanza Airlines this summer according to the script?

The mission for listeners who fly Lanza Airlines this summer is to take a photo of themselves in front of All Ears English in the in-flight entertainment and send it to Lindsay at allearsenglish.com.

What is the significance of the conversation about star signs in the role-play scenario?

In the role-play scenario, the conversation about star signs serves as an icebreaker and helps the characters find common ground, which can lead to a deeper connection.

Outlines

00:00

🌟 Introduction to Zodiac Signs Discussion

The conversation begins with Lindsay and Michelle casually discussing their interest in horoscopes and zodiac signs. They admit to not being deeply involved in astrology but find it amusing to read occasionally. They share a personal anecdote about a friend reading Lindsay's horoscope as a test for his camera and microphone. The hosts then introduce the topic of the episode, which is about star signs, also known as zodiac signs. They mention it's part of a four-part series on birthdays, with previous episodes covering when birthdays occur and how they are celebrated in a business context. The hosts express excitement about delving into the topic and mention an upcoming episode on the IELTS Energy podcast that continues the series.

05:02

🔮 Exploring Zodiac Sign Traits and Careers

Michelle and Lindsay read out loud the traits associated with their respective zodiac signs, Leo and Capricorn, from an article on Cosmopolitan.com. They discuss how the traits listed, such as leadership and ambition, apply to them or not. They also touch upon the idea that zodiac sign conversations can be both fun and somewhat cliché, especially when people are not ardent believers in astrology. The conversation naturally leads to comparing their personalities to the traits of their star signs, highlighting the humor in finding personal relevance in generalized descriptions.

10:04

🗣️ Tips for Discussing Zodiac Signs

The hosts provide practical advice on how to engage in conversations about zodiac signs. They suggest starting by asking someone's birth month to guess their star sign and then inquiring if they believe in horoscopes or are familiar with zodiac signs. They emphasize the importance of gauging the other person's interest in the topic to avoid a one-sided conversation. Michelle and Lindsay also propose asking about specific traits associated with a sign and comparing them to the individual's self-perception. They note that sharing the same star sign can lead to a deeper connection and suggest using phrases like 'that tracks' or 'that makes sense' to respond when someone's traits align with their sign's characteristics.

15:08

🎭 Role Play and Encouragement to Explore Zodiac Sign Conversations

In a role-play scenario, the hosts demonstrate how to naturally incorporate zodiac sign discussions into everyday conversations. They act out a conversation between gym friends who discover they have the same star sign, Scorpio, and discuss its traits. The role play shows how to ask open-ended questions about someone's beliefs in horoscopes and their alignment with their sign's characteristics. The hosts conclude by encouraging listeners to use zodiac sign discussions as an icebreaker or a bridge to more personal topics, and they remind listeners to check out the other episodes in the series for a comprehensive look at birthday-related conversations.

Keywords

💡Horoscopes

Horoscopes refer to the practice of astrological predictions made based on the positions of celestial bodies. In the video, horoscopes serve as a conversation starter, allowing the hosts to explore the topic of star signs and their influence on personality. The hosts discuss their own skepticism towards horoscopes but acknowledge their entertainment value, as seen when one host shares a humorous anecdote about reading horoscopes as a joke.

💡Zodiac Signs

Zodiac signs are a series of twelve symbols representing dates within the Gregorian calendar, corresponding to the positions of the sun at the time of one's birth. The video discusses zodiac signs as a cultural phenomenon and a means of self-reflection or entertainment. The hosts explore how to engage in conversations about zodiac signs, emphasizing their role in social interactions and their potential to reveal shared traits or interests.

💡Personality Traits

Personality traits are characteristics that describe an individual's patterns of behavior, thought, and emotion. The video script uses the context of zodiac signs to discuss personality traits, such as ambition and loyalty, which are associated with specific star signs like Capricorn. The hosts read their star sign descriptions and compare them to their own self-perceptions, highlighting the subjective nature of such associations.

💡Conversation Starter

A conversation starter is a topic or question designed to initiate dialogue. In the video, the hosts use zodiac signs and horoscopes as conversation starters, suggesting that these subjects can lead to deeper discussions about personal beliefs and experiences. They provide examples of how to introduce the topic and gauge the other person's interest, such as asking about their star sign or their beliefs in horoscopes.

💡Cliche

A cliche is an idea, expression, or element of style that has become overused to the point of losing its original meaning or impact. The video acknowledges that discussing zodiac signs and horoscopes might be considered cliched, yet it argues for their value as a bridge to more meaningful conversations. The hosts suggest that even cliched topics can serve as a foundation for building connections and exploring shared interests.

💡Belief

Belief refers to accepting something as true or feeling certain about the existence or truth of something. In the context of the video, belief is discussed in relation to horoscopes and zodiac signs, with the hosts inquiring about each other's beliefs and the extent to which they align with their star sign descriptions. This exploration of belief adds depth to the conversation and allows for a more personalized exchange.

💡Connection

Connection, in the context of the video, refers to the establishment of a relationship or link, particularly through shared experiences or commonalities. The hosts emphasize the importance of finding connections in conversations about zodiac signs, such as discovering shared star signs or similar personality traits. These connections can foster a sense of camaraderie and provide a basis for further discussion.

💡Role Play

Role play is a method of teaching or training where participants assume roles in hypothetical situations to practice skills. In the video, the hosts engage in a role play to demonstrate how to discuss zodiac signs and horoscopes in a social setting. This interactive approach helps to illustrate practical conversation strategies and provides listeners with a model for initiating and sustaining discussions about star signs.

💡Inflight Entertainment

Inflight entertainment refers to the various forms of entertainment provided to passengers during air travel. The video mentions that the podcast series is featured in the inflight entertainment on Leanza Airlines, indicating a partnership that allows passengers to access the podcast while traveling. This serves as a promotional point and highlights the podcast's accessibility in different environments.

💡Podcast Series

A podcast series is a collection of episodes of a podcast that are thematically linked or part of a sequential narrative. The video is part of a four-part series about birthdays, with this particular episode focusing on zodiac signs. The hosts reference previous episodes and upcoming ones, creating a cohesive narrative that encourages listeners to engage with the entire series for a comprehensive understanding of the topic.

Highlights

Michelle and Lindsay discuss the topic of horoscopes and zodiac signs.

They share personal anecdotes about how they've encountered horoscopes in their lives.

The hosts mention their own star signs: Lindsay is a Leo and Michelle is a Capricorn.

They introduce a four-part series on birthdays and how to discuss them in English.

The conversation covers how to bring up the topic of star signs in a conversation.

Michelle and Lindsay provide tips on gauging someone's interest in discussing horoscopes.

They discuss how to ask about star sign traits and compare them to personal experiences.

The hosts suggest using the conversation about star signs as a bridge to deeper topics.

Lindsay and Michelle role-play a conversation about star signs to demonstrate how to discuss them.

They mention the importance of being sensitive to the other person's interest level in the topic.

The hosts encourage listeners to try discussing star signs even if they are not experts.

Michelle and Lindsay highlight the potential for discovering shared star signs as a connection point.

They discuss the upcoming episode of the series on the IELT Energy podcast.

The hosts invite listeners to share their experiences with the conversation topics discussed in the series.

All Ears English is featured in the in-flight entertainment on Leanza Airlines, offering a unique way for listeners to engage with the podcast.

Michelle and Lindsay wrap up the episode by encouraging listeners to explore the full series and engage with the content.

Transcripts

hey Michelle I have a question for you today o  okay hi Lindsay what's your question do you tend  

to follow horoscopes are you into that kind of  thing uh not so much um I that's it's fun every  

once in a while to read it and see what it is  and see how but I'm not really into it I will  

say that as a joke when we were planning our um  our course for the B2 course and I was trying  

to get my friend Ian to test his camera and his  microphone because we wanted to see if it would  

be used yeah he sent me his test was him reading  my horoscope he just sent it it was just so then  

we did a joke of sending his back to him and yeah  so that was kind of funny um so but no that's not  

something that I really follow how about you no  I don't follow it actively I always engage in a  

conversation when it comes up cuz it's kind of fun  right so it's it's like it appeals to like the way  

humans think getting into this mind of your sign  what camp are you in it's that sense right oh I'm  

acting like complicated it's complicated there's  a lot to it and so but and it's especially fun  

when you meet someone who does know about it and  so then you can say oh what is you know what's  

what my personality based on my sign Lindsay  what is your star sign my star sign is Leo oh  

you just said it Leo all right and I'm Capricorn  it's a capricorn yeah no yes uhuh nice yeah so  

guys we are going to have a lot of fun today we're  going to be talking about star signs because this  

is the third episode in a four-part series about  birthdays really so we did uh an all ears English  

we did birthdays in English part one when is your  birthday and then we went and did the next episode  

over on the business English podcast that was  episode 277 Lindsay what was that called that was  

called birth is in English part to doing anything  special and we showed you how it really matters at  

work to be able to have this conversation because  again human beings you know we are humans at the  

office we still have a birthday we're not robots  so we want to build that relationship with our  

colleagues we want to ask them about their  birthday what are they doing what did they do  

what's on the what's what are the plans okay yeah  so hey Michelle we're over here to get deeper into  

what today today we're going to be talking about  star signs uh well also called zodiac signs right  

um and this we've just talked about a little bit  on the show before but today we are doing really  

we're dedicating the show to it so this is going  to be a lot of fun um we're not going to teach you  

about star signs but we are going to just share  how to talk about it teach you how to talk talk  

about it right um and actually there this is not  the last episode of the series coming after that  

Michelle what else could we possibly do in this  series yes oh my gosh but there's more um we are  

going to have the final Birthday Episode over on  the ielt energy podcast that will be with Jessica  

and Aubrey that will be episode 1391 so in order  to get that episode make sure that you go over to  

the I energy podcast and you hit follow so that it  comes out to you you don't forget it and Lindsay  

is this only going to be good for people who are  taking ielt like should anybody else listen or is  

it not really important yeah I think over there  on I energy you can get a lot of good stuff about  

English in general right it's two different  hosts Aubrey and Jessica they have a different  

perspective on things so go over there to broaden  your listening your vocabulary even if you're  

not taking a obviously if you are Jessica was an  examiner for like 14 years so you obviously want  

to hear what she has to say and Aubrey has learned  everything that Jessica knows and she is also an  

expert in Isles so go check it out guys good stuff  perfect so they'll be chatting about birthdays  

Okay so we've spoken uh lot about birthdays  already on this series of course and horoscopes  

come up um I know very little bit about horoscopes  but we're going to read our star sign description  

and talk uh about way you can use this topic in  conversation so um I got actually if you Lindsay  

sorry if you want to click on the link um that's  in this that's in this this is uh cosmopolitan.com  

I remember Cosmo reading Cosmopolitan in uh Cosmo  girl yeah yeah yeah yeah for sure okay good so  

what are we doing here Michelle we're going to  read our yeah do you want to take a take a look  

just like you can you can kind of skim through  and read a little bit maybe where it says Leo  

uh star sign traits sure so the traits all right  so for Leo the zodiac symbol is the lion because  

of their Regal and Noble personality oh I love  that I can't say can't say I don't like that they

love and it says they love to lead and naturally  protect those they perceive as being vulnerable  

interesting um ideal careers sales Sports any  kind of dramatic art I guess this is kind of  

dramatic what we're doing podcasting Michelle  entrepreneur consult manager makes sense makes  

sense presenter yeah CEO yeah like this this makes  sense for you right it does make sense see this is  

the funny part right we we read the description  and then we find ways that it makes sense right  

which is kind of the funny part which is what  often comes up when you talk about star signs  

with two people that are not necessarily big  Believers right right right ex yes that's true  

that is something that comes up it's also what  about people who believe in uh fortune telling or  

um mediums right if a lot of times people think  that it's just things that could apply to anybody  

but some people believe if you believe that's  great you believe we want to read yours yes let  

me let me find mine let's see okay so Capricorn  so yeah these are people born between the 22nd  

of December and the 19th of January so the symbol  is the goat the element yes exactly yeah because  

they're determined animal who rid raises up the  path by taking advantage of every foothold always  

climbing okay hardest worker in the room will  strive to per achieve their Ambitions long after  

oh the more talented or more showy types have  given up okay okay shrewd patient materialistic  

loyal determined strong stoic a good rock to lean  on make for excellent friends and partners yay  

yeah yeah and then yeah so um it's interesting  I it it feels some of it I mean I do like I do  

work hard um I do strive to achieve things but I  think as uh in my motherhood things have like I  

think maybe soon sure but but I am an ambitious  person um but yeah mother motherhood has changed  

it a little bit as far as like what I can do  um but I I like to think of myself as a good  

friend I'm not materialistic I'm sure you're  a good friend yeah I can see that in you yeah  

yeah but I am not materialistic I don't think at  all so yeah so it kind of fits I think the Leo  

fits you more than the Capricorn fits me yeah  it feels like Leo fits a lot for me it always  

has but look at this what we're doing this is a  demonstrate it's an organic demonstration guys  

for our listeners of what it looks like to read  our star signs and to interpret the definition of  

the personality and then compare the reality and  this is what it act this is the real conversation  

you're likely to have Michelle yes exactly so how  can you have this conversation so we're going to  

give you some steps here so the first one is bring  it up okay so when you find out somebody's birth  

month you might say something like oh and then  say the month and say so that must make you a  

so I might say to something like oh March so that  must make you a Pisces right excellent excellent  

yeah so that's how You' bring that up um and then  what's another way you might say it you might say  

the month first right so August so does that mean  you're a Leo or a cancer right because there are  

some bordering ones you know you don't have the  dates memorized you could say oh January so does  

that make you a CA Capricorn or an aquarius right  something that if somebody's kind of bordering  

um or if you just don't know which I think most  people just don't have it memorized you could say  

so so what's your star sign right or you could say  so what's your sign I've heard your sign shortened  

to that what's your sign what's your zodiac sign  less so but what's your sign what's your star  

sign right right so what's the next thing that's  important yeah the next step is we're going to  

get a sense to see if they're actually interested  in this because if they're not if they're kind of  

bored by the conversation it's kind of a cliche  conversation right it happens a lot and maybe  

this person has had this conversation many times  then you're going to want to move on but you're  

going to feel it out to see what the yeah what the  sense is what are the do they are they interested  

in talking about this so you're gonna say you know  do you believe in horoscopes right or what or do  

you know a lot about zodiac signs right perfect  yeah so these are putting feelers out there to  

get a sense and get some feedback so you know how  to drive the conversation all right Michelle next  

step is asking about traits mhm yes okay so what  traits does a blank have so you could say uh so  

what traits does a Sagittarius have uhhuh or do  you relate to the ex or do you relate to the ego  

trait in Leo right so Leos are known to be like  ego forward I suppose I might be making up that  

term but like kind of ego based um so do you  relate to that or not right or you could even  

say something like do you find your personality  lines up with your star sign so to say to line up  

right um that means do you feel that it connects  do you think it's accurate 100% And then there's  

a bonus step here Michelle tell us about this  okay so this let's say you're super into it you  

really like this and you know a lot about star  signs you could say something like oh so you're  

a Leo that must mean you are blank or or let's say  you share a star sign you could say something like  

oh uh Scorpio are you blank I definitely am so  comparing so like oh a Scorpio are you fiery I  

definitely am I like it I like it yeah and then  you're getting a sense here you're always with  

every Exchange in this conversation you're a  sense if they're interested or not Michelle I  

think one other thing we need to mention is a  way of responding when someone says oh my sign  

a typical Leo is an entrepreneur and you respond  what do you say something like oh that tracks or  

that makes sense right these are all um maybe for  another episode yeah but that's there's so much we  

could do with this really it's it's never ending  we could do all ears zodiac signs yeah but it  

I just want to say it feels like a little bit in  this conversation we don't we know each other less  

well we don't know each other very well here right  so you're not going to be able to make commentary  

on oh that tracks or that makes sense for you like  but you for you you were reading yours and I oh c  

CEO and presenter that tracks right I know you  yeah because even when we say something like do  

you find your personality lines up with your star  sign that feels very distant in terms of how well  

we know each other do you find X is more formal so  in this episode we're sort of assuming we're just  

getting to know each other we don't know each  other very well right yeah we're building the  

connection yeah absolutely and you know the thing  is if the person isn't interested don't worry  

about it don't feel defeated it's still fun to say  what you are and still a point of connection so  

you can jrow if you're interested in it if there  are any weird things that have happened based on  

your horoscope and real life life or if you relate  to your s star sign but don't be afraid to attempt  

this conversation topic especially if you know  something about it it can be it can be intriguing  

when you do meet someone who knows I always end  up saying oh so what's you know and and then  

there are certain um there are certain star signs  that interact well together or don't interact well  

so there's a lot of I'm curious if we have any oh  you know it would be really fun to one day listen  

interview a listener about this for yeah fun I  love that idea fun topic yeah yeah and I think  

the the most powerful connection moment around  this topic is when of course you find that you  

have the same star sign as someone else and this  kind of leads from the last episode when you find  

you have the same birthday or the same birth month  that can spur a whole other conversation around oh  

do you fit the you know the what about the I think  Leos are also known to be jealous right there are  

always negative traits of every of every sign  do you find do you does that track with you you  

could have these conversations as you're getting  to know someone a little bit better of course but  

that's the true connection moment I think is is  is when you share the sign yeah yeah well like we  

talked about in the other series about sharing the  birthday you're always looking for those things in  

common that's what makes for the best connections  um love it but I wonder if Leos are Travelers they  

must they must be must I have a feeling they are  because they just have to be out there you know  

find exploring I suppose adventuring at least I I  know I that tracks for me and guys wonder if Leo I  

wonder if Leo fly lianza I wonder that too because  if they do Michelle especially if they are flying  

Lanza this summer they will be able to listen to  all ears English on the way wherever they go guys  

big news we want to let you know that all ears  English this summer is being featured in inflight  

entertainment on leanza airlines so fun so fun  and so cool so we have a mission for you if you  

do fly Lanza this summer we want to see a photo of  you in front of all ears English and the inflight  

entertainment the seat back entertainment send it  to us send it over to Lindsay allers english.com  

and we will create a board of photos how fun is  that Michelle that is amazing I I just love that  

I love okay I love the idea of flying with our  listeners oh I love it too I love it so check  

it out guys and today now let get into a role  play to show listeners we'll do one role play  

what do you think all right that sounds great  should we do the first one let's do the first  

one here we go all right here we go um so here  we are friends from the gym and we just started  

sharing information about our birthdays yay fun  okay oh October so that must make you a Scorpio  

yep yep that's right do you believe in horoscopes  a little how about you uh same so what traits does  

a Scorpio have anyways oh well we are are fiery oh  wow do you find your personality lines up with the  

Scorpio at times at times nice I've known a few  Scorpios and I definitely think that's true right  

yeah Scorpio I think is one of the famous signs  right don't you think people usually know that  

the Scorpio is a little they have a reputation  I'm not sure how that ended up being elevated  

above sticking out in our mind maybe from some  movie or something I don't know but anyways so  

yeah so here we go so I said oh October okay so  that must make you a Scorpio and then I said oh  

do you believe in horoscopes and you said a little  and then I said so what trait so I'm driving the  

conversation here right and I said so what traits  does a Scorpio have and then I actually tagged  

on something to make this even more natural  I said anyways so what trait does a Scorpio  

have anyways and we could do another episode  about adding that at the end of a of a sentence  

that'd be a great episode guys hit follow on  allers English um we're going to explain that  

a different day okay yes so we can we can do that  that's a great idea and uh then you said uh do you  

find your personality lines up with the Scorpio  so you're just asking I'm asking I like this  

yes you're asking a lot of questions at some point  you know if you don't turn around and ask the next  

question I'm going to change the topic because  I'm asking three questions in a row which starts  

to feel a little like maybe she doesn't want to  talk about this I'm not sure I'm not sure right  

right exactly good point good point there well  guys again this well this is a great conversation  

topic um whether somebody's interested in it or  not it's always you can always have at least a  

short starter conversation about it and we gave  you the tools to do it today again we were talking  

more if you're maybe don't know the person so  well um you know we could always do a followup  

on how to talk about it with somebody you know  really well saying things like that tracks or  

that makes sense for for you we gave you an idea  of it today but also we just want to remind you  

that if you haven't yet listened to the other  episodes in the series definitely get on those  

um birthdays in English part one on the business  English episode 277 birthdays in English part two  

and then we have this one and then for the final  episode make sure you go follow the ielt energy  

podcast because their episode about birthdays and  how to talk about them is coming up very soon yeah  

and I just want to say you know even though we  said that this topic is a little bit of a cliche  

it's okay to use cliche topics to be a bridge  to another more more original topic right more  

personal topic so for example if you ask someone  about being a Leo and they say yeah I'm ADV an  

adventurer I like to travel okay that's opening  up a more interesting topic and then we go in  

that direction right so don't feel self-conscious  about bringing up topics that might feel like a  

little bit of a cliche it's just a bridge to  the next moment of connection right that's  

true that's true very good point Lindsay um okay  well we I've had a lot of fun in the first three  

parts of this series looking forward to hearing  from duson and Aubrey thank you all for listening  

and let us know how these conversations go all  right Michelle talk to you soon take care bye