LISTENING TO A PODCAST
ON FAILURE
What we can learn from our mistakes
Before listening
1 Answer the questions using the underlined words. Write down your answers.
- What are the best ways to explore your boundaries?
- What is your superpower?
- Do you prefer to submit or launch half-backed projects or research to death?
- Have you ever experienced impostor syndrome? What situations can lead to it?
- What other people's screw-ups usually annoy you?
First listening
Listen to the podcast
2b How would you name the three parts the podcast? Write down the headings.
1 _________________________________
2 _________________________________
3 _________________________________
- Amadeus
- Failed & Bored conference
- New Coke
- Shopify
- Spark
- Stranger Things
- Tears for Fears
2b How would you name the three parts the podcast? Write down the headings.
1 _________________________________
2 _________________________________
3 _________________________________
Quiz
Are these sentences true or false?
2c Do the quiz and check yourself
| Start quiz |
New Coke was an episode of the Cola Wars between Coke and Pepsi.
Yes!
Are you sure?
| Next |
| Check |
| Show result |
Coke overestimated consumer loyalty to the taste of classic Coca-Cola.
Overestimated?
Yeah. They did the opposite
| Next |
| Check |
| Show result |
A limited edition run of New Coke was produced in honour of 1985.
What about the TV show mentioned there?
Yeah. Stranger Things!
| Next |
| Check |
| Show result |
Farhan Thawar says businesses must avoid failures at all costs.
Nope.
Sure.
| Next |
| Check |
| Show result |
Farhan Thawar's Shopify supports continuous learning approach.
Sure.
Nope.
| Next |
| Check |
| Show result |
Farhan Thawar used to work in a school.
Sure. He mentioned that.
Nope.
| Next |
| Check |
| Show result |
Melanie Stefan advises people not to be afraid to talk about their failures.
Sure. That was her message.
Nope.
| Next |
| Check |
| Show result |
In science and in academia people talk a lot about successful things.
Yes, instead of failures!
Nope.
| Next |
| Check |
| Show result |
Melanie didn't publish her Failure CV as she was afraid to lose her job.
No, the reason was different.
Sure.
| Next |
| Check |
| Show result |
Both Farhan and Melanie have failed at a lot of things.
Yes >_<
Nope.
| Next |
| Check |
| Show result |
Poor
Listen to the podcast and do the quiz again to move on to 2d.
| Restart |
Poor
Listen to the podcast and do the quiz again to move on to 2d.
| Restart |
It could have been better
2d Now correct all the false sentences
| Restart |
More or less
2d Now correct all the false sentences
| Restart |
Good
2d Now correct all the false sentences
| Restart |
Well done
2d Now correct all the false sentences
| Restart |
Second listening
3a Complete the sentences with the phrases from the list:
1 Many consumers wanted to _____________ (a new product).
2 In the tech world, many see failures as a kind of _____________ — many start-ups must fail.
3 Combining failure with an ability to look stupid can be turned into a _____________.
4 What if my _____________ create a real disaster for my company?
5 Be 70 % right, just launch it, and see what happens. You'll never have 100 % _____________.
6 There is romanticism about people who fail _____________, which is weird to me.
7 If it doesn't work, we learn, and make an attempt that is slightly _____________ next time.
8 The best exercise is writing down the _____________ of a certain opportunity.
9 It took a lot of time, and I found it extremely difficult and extremely _____________.
10 She uses a CV resumé as a reminder to learn from failures, __________ (them), and start again.
11 I have a __________ to make, which is I haven't published my CV of failures.
12 This experience has taught me __________, has taught me to stick with it.
13 The reason for failure is not always your personal __________.
3b Listen to the podcast and check
- badge of honour
- confession
- conviction
- entire downside
- finicky
- leave (something) behind
- more advanced
- on purpose
- put (something) into perspective
- resilience
- screw-ups
- shortcoming
- superpower
1 Many consumers wanted to _____________ (a new product).
2 In the tech world, many see failures as a kind of _____________ — many start-ups must fail.
3 Combining failure with an ability to look stupid can be turned into a _____________.
4 What if my _____________ create a real disaster for my company?
5 Be 70 % right, just launch it, and see what happens. You'll never have 100 % _____________.
6 There is romanticism about people who fail _____________, which is weird to me.
7 If it doesn't work, we learn, and make an attempt that is slightly _____________ next time.
8 The best exercise is writing down the _____________ of a certain opportunity.
9 It took a lot of time, and I found it extremely difficult and extremely _____________.
10 She uses a CV resumé as a reminder to learn from failures, __________ (them), and start again.
11 I have a __________ to make, which is I haven't published my CV of failures.
12 This experience has taught me __________, has taught me to stick with it.
13 The reason for failure is not always your personal __________.
3b Listen to the podcast and check
Make your own questions
Complete the questions with the phrases from 3a. Then answer them in writing.
