ELL HubKelly McGonigal
Kelly McGonigal
Episode 183
Vocabulary
tame (verb)
- Definition:
- to bring something under control or to make it less intense
- Example from the episode:
- “Yet, there are things we can do to tame and reframe our anxiety.”
- Example sentence:
- “She had to tame her fears before the big presentation.”
willpower (noun)
- Definition:
- the strength to control your actions and resist temptations
- Example from the episode:
- “She is also the best-selling author of The Willpower Instinct, The Upside of Stress, and her latest book is The Joy of Movement: How exercise helps us find happiness, hope, connection, and courage.”
- Example sentence:
- “He needed willpower to study instead of watching TV.”
compelling (adjective)
- Definition:
- very interesting or convincing, making you want to pay attention or believe it
- Example from the episode:
- “We're opening up our archive to bring you a best-of episode where I speak with Kelly McGonigal, who not only provides actionable ways to feel more calm and confident in our communication, but she shares insights into how backward mapping can help craft compelling content.”
- Example sentence:
- “The movie had a compelling story that kept us interested.”
at stake (idiom)
- Definition:
- something important is at risk or could be lost
- Example from the episode:
- “I have anxiety in moments that matter where I recognize that something is at stake and I want to contribute or I want to do my best.”
- Example sentence:
- “His reputation is at stake if the project fails.”