You’ve seen them streak across the sky — tiny points of light that are not stars. Satellites are now so numerous, they are changing the night sky and creating new challenges.

Skip Montreux and Samantha Vega look at the booming business of commercial satellites. From SpaceX’s Starlink to Amazon’s Project Kuiper, they examine how private companies are transforming space into the next frontier of global internet infrastructure.

Their conversation is a great learning resource if you want to build your English listening comprehension skills and expand your business vocabulary. Key points of their discussion include:

1. The history of satellite development.
2. Who the major players are in the commercial satellite space.
3. How satellite light pollution impacts astronomy.
4. The dangers of space debris.

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Robots competing in a half marathon? It might sound like science fiction, but it recently happened in Beijing. Humanoid robots are moving out of the lab and into the real world — and the race to bring them to market is heating up.

Skip Montreux and Dez Morgan explore the fast-growing industry of humanoid robots. From Tesla’s Optimus project to China’s state-backed 'robot schools', they discuss the companies pushing development forward, the technology powering these machines, and the economic forces shaping this emerging market.

Their conversation is a great learning resource if you want to build your English listening comprehension skills and expand your business vocabulary. Key points of their discussion include:

1. Why humanoid robots ran in a recent half marathon in China.
2. What Tesla, Boston Dynamics, and Unitree Robotics are doing in the robotics space.
3. The strategic investments by companies like Hyundai, Toyota, and Softbank in robotics.
4. How China has built a cost-effective supply chain for robot development.

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downtobusinessenglish@gmail.com

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When people think of New Zealand, they often imagine green fields and lots of sheep. But the country’s red meat industry — beef and lamb — is facing big changes. Global trade problems, climate rules, and new food trends are creating serious challenges.

Skip Montreux and Samantha Vega look at New Zealand’s red meat industry and how it is changing. They explain the history of the industry, its importance to the economy, and the problems it now faces.

Their conversation is a great learning resource if you want to build your English listening comprehension skills and expand your business vocabulary. Key points of their discussion include:

1. Why red meat exports are important to New Zealand.
2. How global trade and local rules are changing the industry.
3. What lab-grown meat is and how it could affect farmers.
4. How producers are focusing on quality, not just quantity, to stay competitive.

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downtobusinessenglish@gmail.com

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You might not recognize the name Hong Fu Industrial Group — but chances are, you've worn their products. As the second-largest manufacturer of sports shoes in the world, Hong Fu produces footwear for major brands like Nike and Adidas. Now, with changing global markets, Hong Fu is making a big move into India.

Skip Montreux and Dez Morgan dive into the story of Hong Fu Industrial Group, a Taiwanese OEM powerhouse in the sports footwear industry. They explain Hong Fu's $130 million investment in a new factory in Tamil Nadu, India, and discuss the broader trend of global manufacturers shifting operations away from China. Along the way, they highlight the opportunities and obstacles facing India’s footwear market, from new government quality standards to the rise of innovative local brands.

Their conversation is a great learning resource if you want to build your English listening comprehension skills and expand your business vocabulary. Key points of their discussion include:

1. Who Hong Fu Industrial Group is and why you’ve probably worn their products without realizing it.
2. How the "China +1" strategy is driving global companies to invest in countries like India.
3. The impact of new Indian footwear regulations on small and large manufacturers alike.
4. How local Indian brands like Zen Barefoot and Comet are innovating in the footwear space.

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Contact Skip, Dez, and Samantha at

downtobusinessenglish@gmail.com

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Some products are famous because of where they come from — like Champagne from France or Scotch whisky from Scotland. Products like these are protected by something called a Geographical Indication, or GI. A GI means the product must be made in a certain place and follow certain rules. But sometimes, these rules can cause problems. In Jamaica, a new rule about Jamaican rum is causing a big debate.

Skip Montreux and Dez Morgan explain what Geographical Indications are and why they are important in international business. They look at examples like Champagne and parmesan cheese and discuss how GIs help protect traditional products. They also talk about a disagreement in Jamaica, where a new GI rule for rum is causing trouble for some producers.

Their conversation is a great learning resource if you want to build your English listening comprehension skills and expand your business vocabulary. Key points of their discussion include:

1. What a Geographical Indication is and why it is different from a trademark.
2. How GIs help local businesses and protect product quality.
3. Why Jamaican rum producers are arguing about new GI rules.

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Contact Skip, Dez, and Samantha at

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China is fast becoming a major player in the global pharmaceutical and biotech industries. Once focused primarily on generic and me-too drugs, Chinese companies are now making headlines with innovative breakthroughs in oncology and gene therapy. Foreign investors are taking notice, pouring billions into partnerships and research projects across the country. But can China maintain this momentum — or will political pressure and consumer skepticism slow things down?

Skip Montreux and Dez Morgan explore how China’s pharmaceutical and biotech sectors are reshaping the global healthcare landscape. They trace the industry’s evolution from state-run factories to world-class R&D centers, discuss the surge in foreign investment, and introduce key players like Akeso Biopharma. Along the way, they also unpack some of the challenges that may lie ahead for this fast-growing industry.

Their conversation is a great learning resource if you want to build your English listening comprehension skills and expand your business vocabulary. Key points of their discussion include:

1. The difference between pharmaceuticals and biotech — and where they overlap.
2. The rise of Chinese firms like Akeso Biopharma and their potential to rival Western Big Pharma.
3. Key challenges facing the sector, including domestic reputation issues and foreign policy risk.

Become a D2B Member today for to access to our -- NEW!!!-- interactive audio scripts, PDF Audio Script Library, Bonus Vocabulary episodes, and D2B Member-only episodes.

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Contact Skip, Dez, and Samantha at

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Daylight Saving Time — a simple clock adjustment with far-reaching consequences. As countries debate whether to keep, ditch, or make DST permanent, the economic and health implications of this time-shifting practice are coming under increasing scrutiny.

In this episode of Down to Business English, Skip Montreux and Samantha Vega explore the origins, impact, and ongoing debate surrounding Daylight Saving Time (DST). From its wartime beginnings to modern economic studies, they examine how DST affects everything from energy consumption to productivity, retail sales, and even public health. Along the way, they discuss what different countries around the world are doing — or not doing — with their clocks.

Their conversation is a great learning resource if you want to build your English listening comprehension skills and expand your business vocabulary. Key points of their discussion include:

1. The historical origins and intended purpose of Daylight Saving Time.
2. How DST impacts energy use, retail sales, and worker productivity.
3. The health risks associated with clock changes.
4. Why the debate over DST is far more than just a matter of time.

Become a D2B Member today for to access to our -- NEW!!!-- interactive audio scripts, PDF Audio Script Library, Bonus Vocabulary episodes, and D2B Member-only episodes.

Visit d2benglish.com/membership for more information.

Follow Down to Business English on Apple podcasts, rate the show, and leave a comment.

Contact Skip, Dez, and Samantha at

downtobusinessenglish@gmail.com

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Rare Earth Elements are everywhere — in your phone, your car, even your headphones — and the world can’t function without them. As demand for green tech and high-performance electronics surges, so does the race to secure reliable access to these crucial elements.

Skip Montreux and Dez Morgan dive deep into the world of Rare Earth Elements (REEs). They clarify the difference between Rare Earth Elements and Rare Earth Minerals, explain why these materials are vital to modern industries, and unpack the geopolitical tensions surrounding global supply chains.

Their conversation is a great learning resource if you want to build your English listening comprehension skills and expand your business vocabulary. Key points of their discussion include:

1. The role of Rare Earth Elements in modern technology.
2. Their importance to critical industries, from electric vehicles to defense systems.
3. The economic risks created by China’s dominance of the global REE supply.

Become a D2B Member today for to access to our -- NEW!!!-- interactive audio scripts, PDF Audio Script Library, Bonus Vocabulary episodes, and D2B Member-only episodes.

Visit d2benglish.com/membership for more information.

Follow Down to Business English on Apple podcasts, rate the show, and leave a comment.

Contact Skip, Dez, and Samantha at

downtobusinessenglish@gmail.com

Follow Skip & Dez

Skip Montreux on Linkedin

Skip Montreux on Facebook

Dez Morgan on Twitter

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