Once limited to gyms and fitness circles, protein-packed products have gone mainstream. From “proffee” at Starbucks to high-protein rice balls at Japanese convenience stores, protein is everywhere — and the market is booming.

In this episode of Down to Business English, Samantha Vega and Skip Montreux explore the rise of the high-protein food market. They discuss why demand for protein is surging, the role of health-conscious consumers and weight-loss medications, and how major brands like Starbucks are repositioning themselves to meet this growing trend.

will help you better understand global food trends and improve your business English vocabulary. Key points of their discussion include:

1. Why the high-protein food market is expected to double in size by 2034.
3. How health trends, plant-based diets, and GLP-1 drugs are driving demand.
4. Why high-protein drinks — especially RTD beverages — are the fastest-growing segment.
5. How companies like Starbucks, Peet’s Coffee, and Panda Express are adapting their menus.
6. What risks and challenges come with excessive protein consumption and supply chain pressure.

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Contact Skip, Dez, and Samantha at

downtobusinessenglish@gmail.com

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A viral Kiss Cam moment at a Coldplay concert exposed an affair between two executives of the data tech company Astronomer, forcing both to resign. But instead of hiding from the scandal, Astronomer turned the incident into a surprising PR win.

In this episode of Down to Business English, Skip Montreux and Samantha Vega unpack the recent PR scandal involving Astronomer’s CEO and head of HR. They review the timeline of events — from the concert mishap to the viral social media storm — and explain how the company’s partnership with Ryan Reynolds’ ad agency transformed the negative attention into a marketing opportunity.

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. How a personal scandal involving company executives became a global news story.
2. Why Astronomer launched an internal investigation into possible misconduct.
3. How the company managed public perception with a strategic PR campaign.
4. The role Ryan Reynolds’ agency, Maximum Effort, and Gwyneth Paltrow played in reframing the story.
5. Why some experts now view Astronomer’s response as a case study in damage control.

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

downtobusinessenglish@gmail.com

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Smart glasses are making a comeback, with big tech companies hoping these AI-powered wearables will soon become part of everyday life. But will smart glasses finally become popular, or will they fail again like before?

In this episode of Down to Business English, Skip Montreux and Dez Morgan talk about the return of smart glasses. They discuss why Google’s first smart glasses did not succeed, and how companies like Meta, Amazon, Snap Inc., and Google are trying again with new features and better technology.

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 reasons why smart glasses failed in the past.
2. How AI is making smart glasses more useful.
3. What Meta, Amazon, Snap Inc., and Google are doing in the smart glasses market.
4. Why tech companies believe smart glasses could be the next big thing.

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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Blue-collar jobs are making a comeback around the world. As white-collar office work loses some of its shine, skilled trades are attracting more people than ever before—with higher pay, job security, and newfound respect. But what’s driving this shift, and what challenges still face blue-collar workers today?

Skip Montreux and Samantha Vega dive into the rising popularity of blue-collar careers. They explore why young people are increasingly choosing trade roles over office jobs, how wages are changing, and what it all means for the global workforce.

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 definition and origins of ‘blue-collar’ jobs.
2. How attitudes toward skilled trades are changing.
3. Why blue-collar jobs are attracting more workers.
4. Factors behind the skilled trades shortage.

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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Skip Montreux on Linkedin

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Scarcity can make people want something more — even if they didn’t want it in the first place. Whether it’s the new Nintendo Switch 2 or a rare collectible toy, businesses are using clever marketing strategies to create hype and boost sales. But what exactly is scarcity marketing, and why does it work so well?

Skip Montreux and Dez Morgan explore the world of scarcity marketing — a strategy used by companies to drive demand by limiting the availability of their products. From global tech brands to niche toy companies, Skip and Dez break down how businesses use psychology and clever tactics to make their products more desirable.

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 scarcity marketing is and how it works.
2. Why companies limit the availability of their products.
3. What ‘loss aversion’, ‘social proof’, and ‘winner’s privilege’ mean in marketing.
4. How Pop Mart created global demand for their Labubu collectible toys.

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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Skip Montreux on Linkedin

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Dez Morgan on Twitter

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Artificial Intelligence is no longer something from the future — it is already here. From helping people work faster to causing job losses, AI is changing how we live and work. But are we ready for these big changes?

Skip Montreux and Dez Morgan talk about how AI is changing the modern workplace. They explain what generative AI is, how companies are using it to improve productivity, and the problems it is causing — especially for young people starting their careers.

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 generative AI is and how it works.
2. How companies use AI in different business areas.
3. What kinds of jobs are most at risk from AI.
4. Why learning how to use AI is important for your future.

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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Skip Montreux on Linkedin

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Dez Morgan on Twitter

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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.

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

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Dez Morgan on Twitter

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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.

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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