The Blorecast

Why I smuggled 480 tea bags into Slovakia | Blorecast 25

Sun, 19 Apr 2026 17:40:00 +0200

Why do British people drink tea with milk?

In this episode of The Blorecast, I explore the history, chemistry, and culture behind Britain’s most iconic drink—and why Slovakia never developed the same tradition.

From the East India Company and the Industrial Revolution to tannins, empire, and everyday habits, this video explains how tea became Britain’s national beverage. Along the way, I compare British tea culture with Slovak traditions of herbal infusions and coffee, offering a unique cross-cultural perspective.

If you’ve ever wondered why Brits put milk in tea—or why Slovaks say “Poďme na kávu” instead—this is the story behind the mug.

☕ Featuring:

• The history of tea in Britain

• The science behind adding milk

• Tea vs coffee in European culture

• British traditions explained

• A Brit’s life in Slovakia

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⏱️ Chapters

00:00:00 – A Nightmare in Slovakia: No More Tea

00:00:08 – “Dust and Broken Dreams”

00:00:12 – The Widnes Yorkshire Tea Story

00:00:54 – A Personal Connection to Tea

00:01:51 – What Do Brits Mean by “Tea”?

00:02:49 – The Arrival of Tea in Britain

00:03:17 – Tea vs Coffee: The Battle for Britain

00:04:00 – Assam Tea and Why Brits Add Milk

00:05:34 – The Industrial Revolution and the Rise of Tea

00:06:00 – Why Slovakia Is Different

00:07:03 – Coffee Culture and the Habsburg Legacy

00:07:35 – Turecká Káva and Socialist-Era Coffee

00:09:00 – Trying to Find Proper Tea in Slovakia

00:10:39 – George Orwell’s Rules for Making Tea

00:11:06 – My Controversial Tea-Making Method

00:12:23 – Tea, Culture, and National Identity

00:13:08 – Final Thoughts and Conclusion

00:13:35 – Finishing the Tea

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#BritishTea #TeaWithMilk #BritishCulture #TeaHistory #WhyBritsDrinkTea #Slovakia #CulturalDifferences #YorkshireTea #Blorecast #LifeAbroad #TeaVsCoffee #UKCulture

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The Blorecast is also available as a podcast

🎧 Listen: https://feeds.captivate.fm/blorecast/

https://open.spotify.com/show/0kHQShCL2BG10TD20ILDNb

https://podcasts.apple.com/sk/podcast/the-blorecast/id1837288694

⸻

📺 Watch: https://www.youtube.com/@bloresk

📌 Find out more at: https://blore.sk/

📧 Contact: podcast@blore.sk

👍 Follow us on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/blore.sk

📸 Or instagram: https://www.instagram.com/blore.sk/

⸻

Attributions

Horror sounds: https://pixabay.com/sound-effects/horror-horror-sound-lurking-horror-monster-189948/

Catherine of Braganza: https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Catherine_of_Braganza.jpg

UK Coffee House: https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Interior_of_a_London_Coffee-house,_17th_centuryFXD.jpg

Oxford: https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:High_Street_Oxford_Queens_College.jpg

Tea Routes: https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/4/4d/Whole_world_-_land_and_oceans.jpg

Cargo Ship: https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/3/3a/Francis_Holman_%281729-1784%29_-_The_Indiaman_%27Withywood%27_-_BHC3730_-_Royal_Museums_Greenwich.jpg

Assam: https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/3/34/Assam_in_India.png

https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Zones_de_th%C3%A9iculture_de_l%27Assam,_1873.jpg

Assam Tea: https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Assam-Tee_SFTGFOP1.jpg

Assam Tea Plantation: https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/b/be/Tea_Plantation_and_workers_in_Assam_01.jpg

https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/a/a5/Tea_Plantation_and_workers_in_Assam_02.jpg

https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/7/79/Tea_Plantation_and_workers_in_Assam_03.jpg

Tannic Acid: https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Tannic_acid.svg

Indian Chai:

https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/3/3b/Indian_chai_tea_-_Haridwar_-_India.jpg

https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/6/6a/The_soothing_Indian_Chai.jpg

Industrial Revolution: https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/1/1e/MandK_Industrial_Revolution_1900.jpg

https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/7/77/The_St._James%27s_magazine_and_United_Empire_review_%281871%29_%2814755278706%29.jpg

Červený Kláštor monastery: https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:%C4%8Cerven%C3%BD_Kl%C3%A1%C5%A1tor_monastery,_20210807_0849_1378.jpg

https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:%C4%8Cerven%C3%BD_Kl%C3%A1%C5%A1tor,_House_of_Camaldul_Monks,_20210807_0927_1497.jpg

Vienna Cafe: https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/d/da/Caf%C3%A9_Griensteidl_Wien.jpg

Vienna Cafe (inside): https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Cafe-Griensteidl-1896.jpg

Microwave Ping: https://pixabay.com/sound-effects/household-microwave-ding-104123/

Drake Meme: https://imgflip.com/i/apbrtd?herp=1776329571625

Orwell Photo: https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:George-orwell-BBC.jpg

Orwell's A Nice Cup of Tea: https://gutenberg.net.au/ebooks03/0300011h.html#part35

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Music

Our theme tune is Ode to Joy – Heavy Edition, written specially for us by the most excellent dafteaux: https://youtu.be/rU6nLowrtmE

And the new funky beats are from here: https://samplefocus.com/samples/acoustic-rolling-drum-loop-cool-beat

Why Britain Lost Its Easter Traditions (and Slovakia Didn't) | Blorecast 24

Sun, 05 Apr 2026 13:00:00 +0200

🐰🐣🇬🇧 Why does Easter feel so different in the UK compared to Slovakia? 🧺💦🇸🇰

After nearly 30 years living in Slovakia, coming back to Britain at Easter feels… strange. In the UK, it’s mostly chocolate eggs and a long weekend. In Slovakia, it’s five days of rituals, food, and traditions that go back centuries.

In this video, I explore the real reasons behind that difference — and address a claim that keeps appearing in the comments: that Britain has weaker traditions because of immigration.

The reality is far more interesting.

We’ll look at how the English Reformation, the Industrial Revolution, and the decline of religious life reshaped British traditions — and how Slovakia’s history, from the Counter-Reformation to communism, helped preserve its own.

⏱️ Chapters

00:00 Intro

00:41 British Easter – chocolate, bank holidays, and modern habits

01:36 Slovak Easter – five days of rituals, food, and tradition

04:11 The Argument – “Britain has lost its traditions because...”

05:17 Pancake Day vs Fašiangy – one meal vs seven weeks

07:01 The English Reformation – how traditions were dismantled

08:33 The Industrial Revolution – losing the connection to the land

09:19 The Counter-Reformation – preserving ritual and tradition

09:59 Morena – pagan traditions inside the Christian calendar

10:32 Slovak National Revival – culture as identity

10:52 State-funded Folklore – how communism preserved the forms

11:33 Falling faith – modern decline in both countries

12:29 The Biggest Sausage – a moment that explains everything. Sort of.

14:38 Wrap-up

💬 I’d love to hear from you:

What does Easter look like where you live?

More chocolate… or more tradition?

📌 If you enjoy videos about Slovak culture, language, and life in Central Europe, consider subscribing for more.

#Easter #Slovakia #UnitedKingdom #Traditions #Culture #History #SlovakCulture #BritishCulture #EasterTraditions #Blorecast

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The Blorecast is also available as a podcast

🎧 Listen: https://feeds.captivate.fm/blorecast/

https://open.spotify.com/show/0kHQShCL2BG10TD20ILDNb

https://podcasts.apple.com/sk/podcast/the-blorecast/id1837288694

⸻

📺 Watch: https://www.youtube.com/@bloresk

📌 Find out more at: https://blore.sk/

📧 Contact: podcast@blore.sk

👍 Follow us on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/blore.sk

📸 Or instagram: https://www.instagram.com/blore.sk/

⸻

Attributions

https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Westminster_Abbey_(18754332104).jpg

https://www.flickr.com/photos/charmainezoe/33811011038

https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:EasterSaris12Slovakia8.JPG

https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:EasterSaris12Slovakia3.JPG

https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Gardavsk%C3%A1_Moravsk%C3%A9_typy.jpg

https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Poml%C3%A1zka.jpg

https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Pstrak-Monday.png#mw-jump-to-license

https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Zz07_smigus_dyngus_sanok_2010.JPG#mw-jump-to-license

https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:20_and_50_Euro_banknote_straps_delivered_by_G4S.jpg#mw-jump-to-license

https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:English_Pancake.jpg

https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Pancake_race_London_on_your_marks.jpg

https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Fa%C5%A1iangy_26_Slovakia_5.jpg

https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Ples_Matice_slovenskej.jpg

https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Palenka.JPG

https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:After_Hans_Holbein_the_Younger_-_Portrait_of_Henry_VIII_-_Google_Art_Project.jpg

https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Edward_VI_of_England_-_2.jpg

https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Oliver_Cromwell_Gaspard_de_Crayer.jpg

https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Philipp_Jakob_Loutherbourg_d._J._002.jpg

https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Kosice_(Slovakia)_-_Jesuistical_Church.jpg

https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Ludovit_Stur_adj.jpg

https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Fa%C5%A1iangy_WLF_21_Slovakia_5.jpg

https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Bratislava_Panorama_R01.jpg

https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Religious_affiliation_in_Great_Britain_over_time.svg

https://www.ethnicity-facts-figures.service.gov.uk/uk-population-by-ethnicity/national-and-regional-populations/population-of-england-and-wales/latest/

https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Ha%C5%BE%C3%ADn_nad_Cirochou_22_Slovakia.jpg

https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Acetres_e_Hisopos_Sto_Domingo_Calzada_16.jpg

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Music

Our theme tune is Ode to Joy – Heavy Edition, written specially for us by the most excellent dafteaux: https://youtu.be/rU6nLowrtmE

The first funky breakbeat drum loop is by Alexander, used under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License: http://www.orangefreesounds.com/vintage-drum-and-organ-beat-87-bpm/

And the new ones are from here: https://samplefocus.com/samples/acoustic-rolling-drum-loop-cool-beat

Blorecast X The British Ambassador | Blorecast 23

Sat, 04 Apr 2026 02:15:00 +0200

I sat down with Bilal Zahid, the British Ambassador to Slovakia, for lunch at the Pilsner Urquell pub in Košice — and somehow the conversation ended up involving bears.

We talked about what it's like to live in Slovakia as a Brit, the challenge of learning Slovak, regional differences across the country, and the wildlife. Bilal also shares his tips for language learning and I share my birdwatching gems around Košice.

If you're learning Slovak, interested in life in Slovakia, or just curious what the British Ambassador makes of the place — this one's for you.

🇸🇰 Learning Slovak? Check out my video on how I learned Slovak in just 27 years:

https://youtu.be/s6x62XWGEtY

📻 Listen to the Blorecast as a podcast on Spotify and Apple Podcasts:

https://feeds.captivate.fm/blorecast/

https://open.spotify.com/show/0kHQShCL2BG10TD20ILDNb

https://podcasts.apple.com/sk/podcast/the-blorecast/id1837288694

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Chapters:

00:00 Intro

00:36 The basics

01:12 Slovak is a hard language

01:48 Other languages

02:17 Tips for language learning

04:05 Best things about Slovakia

05:29 Challenges

06:43 Speaking tips

07:36 Eastern accent

08:23 Regional differences

10:12 A foot in every nation

10:45 James's top tips

11:55 Bears, boars, ticks and midgies

13:31 Hidden (birdwatching) gems

14:29 Outro

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#Slovakia #LearnSlovak #BritishAmbassador #SlovakLanguage #KošiceSlovakia #ExpatSlovakia #LifeInSlovakia

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🔔 Subscribe for more

The Blorecast is a podcast from The School of Blore in Košice, Slovakia. It’s about life, culture, language, and exams – all served up with a dose of humour and storytelling. Whether you’re learning English, preparing for Cambridge exams, or just curious about life in Slovakia, you’ll find something here.

_______

📺 Watch: https://www.youtube.com/@bloresk

📌 Find out more at: https://blore.sk/

📧 Contact: podcast@blore.sk

👍 Follow us on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/blore.sk

📸 Or instagram: https://www.instagram.com/blore.sk/

_______

Attributions

The pub:

https://www.pilsnerurquellpub.sk/kosice/jedalny-listok/speciality#region-menu

Our theme tune is Ode to Joy – Heavy Edition, written specially for us by the most excellent dafteaux: https://youtu.be/rU6nLowrtmE

The first funky breakbeat drum loop is by Alexander, used under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License: http://www.orangefreesounds.com/vintage-drum-and-organ-beat-87-bpm/

And the new ones are from here: https://samplefocus.com/samples/acoustic-rolling-drum-loop-cool-beat

9 Things About Slovakia I Still Can't Handle | Blorecast 22

Tue, 31 Mar 2026 19:45:00 +0200

After 27 years in Slovakia, you'd think nothing would surprise me anymore. You'd be wrong.

From ticks to tichý zabijak, návleky to kapustnica — here are 9 things about Slovak life that I still haven't quite come to terms with. Featuring a drunk hunter, a couple of rants, and my spectacular failure to park a car politely.

🇸🇰 Living in Slovakia as a British expat for nearly three decades, I've grown to love this country deeply — but some cultural differences still catch me off guard. In this video I cover Slovak health beliefs, Slovak food, the great tea debate, Slovak summers, and one linguistic faux pas I'd rather forget.

⏱ CHAPTERS

00:00 Introduction

00:45 #1 Ticks

02:35 #2 Drafts (spelled the US way! 'Draughts' in British English)

03:55 #3 Nose blowing

04:50 #4 Návleky

06:19 #5 Lifts

07:50 #6 Tea

08:39 #7 Kapustnica

10:06 #8 Summer

11:30 #9 Ty and Vy

📺 MENTIONED IN THIS VIDEO

The Tea episode — coming soon

Slovak health superstitions (fizzy drinks & sore throats) — coming soon

How to learn Slovak (in 27 years or less) — https://youtu.be/s6x62XWGEtY?si=MXq0tS3xALBtBoK0

#Slovakia #BritishInSlovakia #SlovakLife #ExpatLife #LearnSlovak #Košice #SlovakCulture #UKvsSlovakia #SlovakFood #Kapustnica

⸻

🔔 Subscribe for more

⸻

📺 Watch: https://www.youtube.com/@bloresk

📌 Find out more at: https://blore.sk/

📧 Contact: podcast@blore.sk

👍 Follow us on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/blore.sk

📸 Or instagram: https://www.instagram.com/blore.sk/

⸻

Attributions

Boar: https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/Category:Sus_scrofa#/media/File:Wildschwein,_N%C3%A4he_Pulverstampftor.jpg

Tick-borne encephalitis map: https://www.ecdc.europa.eu/en/publications-data/country-profile-slovakia-tick-borne-encephalitis-tbe

Bear Headline: https://spravy.pravda.sk/domace/clanok/727984-opity-a-zraneny-muz-so-zbranou-tvrdil-ze-ho-v-lese-napadol-medved/

Scream: https://pixabay.com/sound-effects/film-special-effects-cartoon-scream-1-6835/

Trumpet: https://pixabay.com/sound-effects/musical-reveilli-mix-33299/

Slippers: https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:%D0%A2%D0%B0%D0%BF%D0%BA%D0%B8._%D0%A4%D0%BE%D1%82%D0%BE_%D0%90._%D0%A9%D0%B5%D0%BA%D0%B8%D0%BD%D0%BE%D0%B2%D0%B0.jpg

Kapustnica: https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Silvestrovska_kapustnica.JPG#/media/File:Silvestrovska_kapustnica.JPG

Map of Europe: https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Europe_countries_map_en_2.png

Lidl: https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/Category:Lidl_supermarkets_in_Slovakia#/media/File:Lidl_Herlianska_Ko%C5%A1ice.jpg

Water Park: https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Besenova-_Thermal_Park_-_panoramio.jpg

Our theme tune is Ode to Joy – Heavy Edition, written specially for us by the most excellent dafteaux: https://youtu.be/rU6nLowrtmE

The first funky breakbeat drum loop is by Alexander, used under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License: http://www.orangefreesounds.com/vintage-drum-and-organ-beat-87-bpm/

And the new ones are from here: https://samplefocus.com/samples/acoustic-rolling-drum-loop-cool-beat

🔥 Burn the Snail? 🐌 Macabre Children’s Stories from Slovakia & the UK | Blorecast 21

Thu, 05 Mar 2026 19:30:00 +0200

Today we dive into some of the darkest children’s rhymes and cautionary tales: from a Slovak snail threatened with arson, to a speckled rooster facing death for breaking a flower, and the infamous story of Jim, the boy slowly eaten alive by a lion. These stories remind us that childhood literature wasn’t always innocent — and sometimes, it’s hilariously macabre.

Stick around until the end for a macabre Slovak dad joke that’s perfectly grim and pun-tastically clever.

In this episode, you’ll discover:

• The shocking speed from sweetness to horror in Slovak rhymes

• Symbolism and morality in Kohútik jarabý

• Hilaire Belloc’s Cautionary Tales for Children and the story of Jim

• How these tales still resonate and inspire adult humor today

Chapters:

00:00 – Intro

00:57 – Burn the Snail!? – One Slovak children’s rhyme threatens a snail with arson

03:39 – Speckled Rooster – Kohútik jarabý and the extreme consequences of breaking a lily

05:27 – Jim – The English cautionary tale of a boy eaten by a lion

07:33 – Built Different – Why Slimák, slimák stands apart with its sweet-to-macabre pivot

08:09 – The Joke – A macabre Slovak dad joke to end the episode

#SlovakLanguage #LearnSlovak #LanguageLearning #FunnyLanguageStories #JamesBlore #Blorecast #LanguageHumor

⸻

🔔 Subscribe for more

⸻

📺 Watch: https://www.youtube.com/@bloresk

📌 Find out more at: https://blore.sk/

📧 Contact: podcast@blore.sk

👍 Follow us on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/blore.sk

📸 Or instagram: https://www.instagram.com/blore.sk/

⸻

Attributions

Jim https://englishverse.com/poems/jim

Cautionary Tales for Children - Hilaire Belloc (1907) https://www.gutenberg.org/files/27424/27424-h/27424-h.htm

Cautionary Tales for Children (cover) https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:CautionaryTales-Belloc-Blackwell-cover.jpg

Our theme tune is Ode to Joy – Heavy Edition, written specially for us by the most excellent dafteaux: https://youtu.be/rU6nLowrtmE

The funky breakbeat drum loop is by Alexander, used under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License: http://www.orangefreesounds.com/vintage-drum-and-organ-beat-87-bpm/

Should Slovaks Smile More? | Blorecast 20

Sun, 01 Mar 2026 10:00:00 +0200

Are Slovaks really grumpy?

Is customer service in Slovakia actually terrible?

Is the food bland?

Do public offices close too early?

In this episode of the Blorecast, I respond to sharp (but thoughtful) criticism from foreigners living in Slovakia and separate fact from fiction.

We talk about Slovak food, public smiling, bureaucracy, police fines, “reklamácia” (the Slovak warranty claim system), and the deeper cultural difference between high-trust and lower-trust societies.

If you’re an expat in Slovakia, thinking of moving here, or just curious about Slovak culture, this is your practical survival guide.

Because sometimes what looks like rudeness… is just difference.

And sometimes it really is bad customer service.

Chapters:

00:00 – The Criticism: “Do Slovaks Ever Smile?”

00:40 – Fact vs Fiction: Setting the Ground Rules

01:34 – Is Slovak Food Really Bland?

01:58 – Heavy Food & Historical Context

02:35 – Public Offices & Early Closing Times

03:07 – Police Fines & Personal Confessions

03:37 – Smiling, Small Talk & Social Performance

05:50 – My Shoe Shop Trauma (Size 49 Problems)

07:07 – What Is “Reklamácia”?

08:08 – High-Trust vs Low-Trust Cultures Explained

19:42 – Scores: What’s Fact and What’s Fiction?

10:46 – The Slovak Survival Guide

12:35 – Closing Thoughts

If you’ve lived in Slovakia, I’d love to hear your experience in the comments.

Do Slovaks need to smile more?

Or do foreigners need to adjust their expectations?

Subscribe for more conversations about Slovak culture, language, and life as a Brit living in Košice.

#SlovakLanguage #LearnSlovak #LanguageLearning #FunnyLanguageStories #SlovakWords #JamesBlore #Blorecast #LanguageHumor

⸻

🔔 Subscribe for more

⸻

📺 Watch: https://www.youtube.com/@bloresk

📌 Find out more at: https://blore.sk/

📧 Contact: podcast@blore.sk

👍 Follow us on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/blore.sk

📸 Or instagram: https://www.instagram.com/blore.sk/

⸻

Attributions

Trust survey: https://ourworldindata.org/trust

Our theme tune is Ode to Joy – Heavy Edition, written specially for us by the most excellent dafteaux: https://youtu.be/rU6nLowrtmE

The funky breakbeat drum loop is by Alexander, used under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License: http://www.orangefreesounds.com/vintage-drum-and-organ-beat-87-bpm/

When is a potato not a potato? | Blorecast 19

Sat, 21 Feb 2026 10:45:00 +0200

When is a potato not a potato?

In Slovakia, it might be a bandurka, gruľa, švábka, krumpeľ, or zemiak — and the word you choose can reveal where you’re from.

In this episode, I explore Slovak dialects, regional vocabulary, and how language quietly signals identity and belonging. Why does Slovakia promote standard Slovak so strongly in the media? What might be gained — and what might be lost — when dialects grow quieter?

Drawing on my own experience — from northern England to the University of Oxford, and from Humenné to Košice — I compare Slovakia’s approach to dialect with the UK’s evolving embrace of regional accents across the BBC and popular culture, from Peaky Blinders and EastEnders to The Royle Family and Taggart — and figures like Paddy McGuinness.

This is a discussion about:

• Slovak dialects and regional speech

• Standardisation vs linguistic diversity

• Language and national identity

• Accent adaptation and belonging

• Why dialect words for “potato” tell a deeper story

Are Slovak dialects disappearing?

Or simply growing quieter?

Let me know in the comments:

• What do you call potatoes where you’re from?

• Do you still use your local dialect?

• Is standardisation protection — or loss?

⸻

Chapters

00:00 Potatoes and belonging

00:50 When is a potato not a potato?

01:44 Bun, bap, cob: UK regional words

02:09 Northern vowels & losing an accent

02:52 “Buns?” — adapting for my mum

03:42 Slovak word stress: NEmocnica vs nemocNIca

04:19 Dialect as identity marker

04:50 The history of Slovak words for potato

06:30 Media, accents & diversity in the UK

07:38 Slovakia’s focus on standard language

08:30 Why standard Slovak carries symbolic weight

09:06 What gets lost when dialects fade

09:33 Bandurkomán

10:30 So when is a potato not a potato?

11:12 The promised Slovak joke

If you enjoy the video, don’t forget to like, comment, and subscribe for more language adventures!

#SlovakLanguage #LearnSlovak #LanguageLearning #FunnyLanguageStories #SlovakWords #JamesBlore #Blorecast #LanguageHumor

⸻

🔔 Subscribe for more

⸻

The Blorecast is also available as a podcast

🎧 Listen: https://feeds.captivate.fm/blorecast/

https://open.spotify.com/show/0kHQShCL2BG10TD20ILDNb

https://podcasts.apple.com/sk/podcast/the-blorecast/id1837288694

⸻

📺 Watch: https://www.youtube.com/@bloresk

📌 Find out more at: https://blore.sk/

📧 Contact: podcast@blore.sk

👍 Follow us on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/blore.sk

📸 Or instagram: https://www.instagram.com/blore.sk/

⸻

Attributions

Bryndzové halušky: https://sk.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bryndzov%C3%A9_halu%C5%A1ky

Buns and Baps: https://yougov.co.uk/consumer/articles/21204-cobs-buns-baps-or-barm-cakes-what-do-people-call-b

Map of the UK: https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:United_Kingdom_England_adm_location_map.svg

Online shopping: https://groceries.morrisons.com/

Map of Slovakia: https://sk.wikipedia.org/wiki/S%C3%BAbor%3ATourism_regions_of_Slovakia_sk.png

Annotated version:

https://emefka.sk/narecove-slova-ktore-nemas-sancu-pochopit-ak-nie-si-rodakom/

Our theme tune is Ode to Joy – Heavy Edition, written specially for us by the most excellent dafteaux: https://youtu.be/rU6nLowrtmE

The funky breakbeat drum loop is by Alexander, used under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License: http://www.orangefreesounds.com/vintage-drum-and-organ-beat-87-bpm/

How to learn Slovak (in 27 years or less) | Blorecast 18

Thu, 12 Feb 2026 12:40:00 +0200

Ever wondered what 27 years of living in Slovakia does to your language skills? Join me, James Blore, as I take you through my long (and occasionally amusing) journey learning Slovak — from tongue twisters to unhinged phrasebooks, from chicken shops to an exploding appendix.

In this video, you’ll hear:

• How I survived early Slovak mistakes like shouting at a wrong number 🐔

• My favorite Slovak words and phrases: guľôčky, neidentifikovateľná, and more

• Tips and reflections on pronunciation, cases, and tricky inflections

• Why Slovak is both challenging and fun for English speakers

Whether you’re learning Slovak, interested in language humor, or just love listening to someone fumble delightfully through a foreign language, this podcast is for you!

📌 Topics covered:

• Slovak tongue twisters

• Wrong numbers

• Fantastic Slovak words

• Tips for language learning

If you enjoy the podcast, don’t forget to like, comment, and subscribe for more language adventures!

#SlovakLanguage #LearnSlovak #LanguageLearning #ExpatsInSlovakia #SlovakTongueTwisters #FunnyLanguageStories #SlovakWords #JamesBlore #Blorecast #LanguageHumor

⸻

🔔 Subscribe for more

⸻

📺 Watch: https://www.youtube.com/@bloresk

📌 Find out more at: https://blore.sk/

📧 Contact: podcast@blore.sk

👍 Follow us on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/blore.sk

📸 Or instagram: https://www.instagram.com/blore.sk/

🎧 https://open.spotify.com/show/0kHQShCL2BG10TD20ILDNb

🎧 https://podcasts.apple.com/sk/podcast/the-blorecast/id1837288694

⸻

Attributions

Declensions: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Slovak_declension

Stonechat: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/European_stonechat

Skyscraper: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Skyscraper

Salamander: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Salamander

Space suit: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Space_suit

Hoarfrost: that one's mine

Scaffolding: https://pixabay.com/photos/craftsmen-building-scaffold-19584/

Our theme tune is Ode to Joy – Heavy Edition, written specially for us by the most excellent dafteaux: https://youtu.be/rU6nLowrtmE

The funky breakbeat drum loop is by Alexander, used under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License: http://www.orangefreesounds.com/vintage-drum-and-organ-beat-87-bpm/

Why American Healthcare Sounds So Strange to Europeans | Blorecast 17

Fri, 30 Jan 2026 19:27:00 +0200

In Europe, healthcare is a baseline — not a debate.

If you live in Slovakia, the UK, or most of the European Union, you grow up with a simple assumption: if you’re ill, you’re treated — regardless of your income or employment.

That assumption is so normal here that we rarely talk about it. But it’s also what makes the American healthcare debate sound so strange from a European perspective.

In this episode, I compare how healthcare works in Europe and the United States — not ideologically, but structurally — looking at access, costs, insurance, real-life examples, and outcomes.

This isn’t about attacking America. It’s about understanding why two wealthy, democratic societies ended up with such different systems — and what Europeans risk losing if we stop valuing what we already have.

00:00 Intro

01:40 American exceptionalism

02:30 How other systems work

03:21 How it works in America

05:19 The catch

06:28 Real examples

08:28 The uninsured

10:15 Cost and outcomes

11:07 Who profits?

12:04 “Socialism” as a narrative device

13:35 Freedom and control

14:44 Conclusion

16:44 Terrible impression

⸻

📊 Sources:

• US: https://www.healthsystemtracker.org/chart-collection/u-s-spending-healthcare-changed-time/

• Slovakia: https://www.oecd.org/content/dam/oecd/en/publications/reports/2025/12/country-health-profile-2025-country-notes_7e72146d/slovak-republic_a9b397e5/02c29a7f-en.pdf

• UK: https://www.ons.gov.uk/peoplepopulationandcommunity/healthandsocialcare/healthcaresystem/bulletins/ukhealthaccounts/2023and2024

All: https://ourworldindata.org/financing-healthcare

⸻

🔔 Subscribe for more

⸻

The Blorecast is also available as a podcast

🎧 Listen: https://feeds.captivate.fm/blorecast/

https://open.spotify.com/show/0kHQShCL2BG10TD20ILDNb

https://podcasts.apple.com/sk/podcast/the-blorecast/id1837288694

⸻

📺 Watch: https://www.youtube.com/@bloresk

📌 Find out more at: https://blore.sk/

📧 Contact: podcast@blore.sk

👍 Follow us on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/blore.sk

📸 Or instagram: https://www.instagram.com/blore.sk/

⸻

Our theme tune is Ode to Joy – Heavy Edition, written specially for us by the most excellent dafteaux: https://youtu.be/rU6nLowrtmE

The funky breakbeat drum loop is by Alexander, used under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License: http://www.orangefreesounds.com/vintage-drum-and-organ-beat-87-bpm/

5 Ways Slovakia Wins: Listener Feedback | Blorecast Episode 16

Sun, 11 Jan 2026 20:07:00 +0200

In this Blorecast episode, I respond to viewer feedback on two recent videos:

🇸🇰🇬🇧 Slovak vs British Christmas and 5 Ways Slovakia Is Definitely Better Than the UK.

Over the holidays, both videos generated thoughtful discussion on YouTube and Instagram. Here, I reflect on what people agreed with, what they challenged, and what I learned from the comments — from Christmas traditions and food, to practicality, multilingualism, and access to nature.

Topics include:

• Slovak vs British Christmas traditions (and the “no birds” debate)

• Why turkey replaced goose in the UK

• Slovak practicality and real-life repair stories

• Multilingualism, dialects, and a controversial language quote

• Name days and traditions

• Food quality and processed food

• Nature in Slovakia vs the UK — and why people disagree

This episode is about cultural comparison without hostility, and why good discussion matters.

💬 Which translation of the language quote do you prefer — and does the attribution matter?

👍 Like, subscribe, and share if you enjoy thoughtful takes on language, culture, and life in Slovakia.

⸻

🔔 Subscribe for more

⸻

#Slovakia #UK #ExpatLife #LivingAbroad #CultureComparison #FoodCulture #Nature #Multilingualism #CentralEurope #BritsAbroad

⸻

📺 Watch: https://www.youtube.com/@bloresk

📌 Find out more at: https://blore.sk/

📧 Contact: podcast@blore.sk

👍 Follow us on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/blore.sk

📸 Or instagram: https://www.instagram.com/blore.sk/

⸻

Photos used for the thumbnail and interstitials:

Jastrabia veža (I think), https://www.vecteezy.com/free-photos/stone

View of the Cheshire Countryside from Beeston Castle, https://www.vecteezy.com/free-photos/british-countryside

Masaryk photo: https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Tom%C3%A1%C5%A1_Garrigue_Masaryk_1925.PNG

Our theme tune is Ode to Joy – Heavy Edition, written specially for us by the most excellent dafteaux: https://youtu.be/rU6nLowrtmE

The funky breakbeat drum loop is by Alexander, used under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License: http://www.orangefreesounds.com/vintage-drum-and-organ-beat-87-bpm/

Five ways Slovakia is definitely better than the UK | Blorecast Episode 15

Sun, 04 Jan 2026 10:12:00 +0200

Is Slovakia actually better than the UK? 🇸🇰🇬🇧

I spent the first half of my life in the UK — and the second half in Slovakia.

So I’ve experienced plenty of Christmases, dentists, supermarkets, and public offices in both.

In this episode of The Blorecast, I ask a slightly dangerous question:

Is Slovakia genuinely better than the UK — and if so, how?

To keep things fair, I set myself some rules:

• No cheap shots

• No unfair comparisons

• No obvious wins like skiing or ice hockey

• And no pretending that salaries, healthcare, or history are simple

What’s left are five areas where Slovakia really does have an edge — based on lived experience, culture, data, and everyday life.

This episode covers:

• Why Slovaks are often more practical and pragmatic

• How Slovakia became quietly multilingual

• Why traditions are still lived, not just performed

• How Slovak food culture avoids the worst of ultra-processed diets

• And why nature, forests, and mountains are Slovakia’s greatest advantage

This isn’t about claiming Slovakia is perfect.

And it’s definitely not about saying the UK is awful.

It’s about noticing what works — and what we might lose if we’re not paying attention.

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⏱ Chapters

00:00 Intro

00:42 The Rules

01:49 #5 Practicality & Pragmatism

03:34 #4 Multilingualism

05:56 #3 Traditions

07:50 #2 Food

09:43 #1 Nature

12:05 Outro

⸻

💬 Join the conversation

Have you lived in Slovakia, the UK, or both?

Do you agree — or am I talking complete nonsense?

Leave a comment — I read them all, and I often feature viewer responses in future episodes.

⸻

🔔 Subscribe for more

⸻

#Slovakia #UK #ExpatLife #LivingAbroad #CultureComparison #FoodCulture #Nature #Multilingualism #CentralEurope #BritsAbroad

⸻

The Blorecast is also available as a podcast

🎧 Listen: https://feeds.captivate.fm/blorecast/

https://open.spotify.com/show/0kHQShCL2BG10TD20ILDNb

https://podcasts.apple.com/sk/podcast/the-blorecast/id1837288694

⸻

📺 Watch: https://www.youtube.com/@bloresk

📌 Find out more at: https://blore.sk/

📧 Contact: podcast@blore.sk

👍 Follow us on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/blore.sk

📸 Or instagram: https://www.instagram.com/blore.sk/

⸻

Photos used for the thumbnail and interstitials:

Jastrabia veža (I think), https://www.vecteezy.com/free-photos/stone

View of the Cheshire Countryside from Beeston Castle, https://www.vecteezy.com/free-photos/british-countryside

EU flag: www.vecteezy.com/video/36025113-european-union-waving-flag-realistic-flag-animation-seamless-loop-background

Masaryk photo: https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Tom%C3%A1%C5%A1_Garrigue_Masaryk_1925.PNG

Morena: Jaroslav Moravcik - stock.adobe.com 605763679 a 497770811

Folk dancing: kviktor - stock.adobe.com 76542936

Morris Dancers: https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Morris_Dancers,_York_(26579460201).jpg

Infographic adapted from here: https://slidesgo.com/theme/visual-comparison-infographics

All other photos (and the wood warbler video) are mine.

Our theme tune is Ode to Joy – Heavy Edition, written specially for us by the most excellent dafteaux: https://youtu.be/rU6nLowrtmE

The funky breakbeat drum loop is by Alexander, used under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License: http://www.orangefreesounds.com/vintage-drum-and-organ-beat-87-bpm/

Slovak vs UK Christmas | Blorecast Episode 14

Wed, 24 Dec 2025 02:38:00 +0200

I spent the first half of my life in the UK, and I've lived the second half in Slovakia — which means I’ve experienced Christmas from both sides.

In this episode of the Blorecast, I put British and Slovak Christmas head to head in 10 festive rounds, comparing everything from food and traditions to timing, TV, Christmas markets, and the man himself.

This isn’t a rant, and it’s not a culture war — just a good-natured, slightly nerdy comparison from someone lucky enough to have lived both.

🎄 The 10 rounds

The Christmas build-up
Decorations
Christmas markets
Timing
Starters
Main courses
Desserts
Traditions
TV
The Dude

#ukchristmas #vianoce #slovakiaculture #christmastraditions #fatherchristmas #christmasfood #livinginslovakia

🔔 Subscribe for regular Blorecast episodes on culture, life in Slovakia, and a bit of humor along the way!

⸻

🎧 Listen: https://feeds.captivate.fm/blorecast/

https://open.spotify.com/show/0kHQShCL2BG10TD20ILDNb

https://podcasts.apple.com/sk/podcast/the-blorecast/id1837288694

📺 Watch: https://www.youtube.com/@bloresk

📌 Find out more at: https://blore.sk/

📧 Contact: podcast@blore.sk

👍 Follow us on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/blore.sk

⸻

🌍 About the Blorecast

⸻

Jingle Sound Effect from https://pixabay.com/users/dragon-studio-38165424/

Our theme tune is Ode to Joy – Heavy Edition, written specially for us by the most excellent dafteaux: https://youtu.be/rU6nLowrtmE

Is Slovakia a Safe Country? My 27-Year Experience | Blorecast Episode 13

Fri, 05 Dec 2025 15:52:00 +0200

Is Slovakia a safe country to live in? After 27 years of living here, I share my personal experiences with safety, weather, and everyday life on Slovak streets. From harsh winters and quirky pedestrian crossings to the one time I was accosted while bird watching, I’ll give you a realistic view of life in Slovakia.

In this episode of the Blorecast, I cover:

• Crime and street safety in Slovakia

• What Slovak weather might throw at you

• Pedestrian experiences and unusual road culture

• Funny and unexpected encounters in Slovak towns

Whether you’re planning to move to Slovakia, travel here, or are just curious about life in Central Europe, this episode will give you insights you won’t find in guidebooks.

🔔 Subscribe for regular Blorecast episodes on culture, life in Slovakia, and a bit of humor along the way!

#slovakia #safety #livinginslovakia #Blorecast #JamesBlore #movingtoSlovakia #Slovakiatraveltips

⸻

🎧 Listen: https://feeds.captivate.fm/blorecast/

https://open.spotify.com/show/0kHQShCL2BG10TD20ILDNb

https://podcasts.apple.com/sk/podcast/the-blorecast/id1837288694

📺 Watch: https://www.youtube.com/@bloresk

📌 Find out more at: https://blore.sk/

📧 Contact: podcast@blore.sk

👍 Follow us on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/blore.sk

⸻

🌍 About the Blorecast

⸻

The funky breakbeat drum loop is by Alexander, used under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License: http://www.orangefreesounds.com/vintage-drum-and-organ-beat-87-bpm/

Our theme tune is Ode to Joy – Heavy Edition, written specially for us by the most excellent dafteaux: https://youtu.be/rU6nLowrtmE

Blorecast Episode 12 - This is the News - Podcast for English Learners

Sun, 30 Nov 2025 18:50:00 +0200

This week on the Blorecast: a short, clear update on what’s been happening in Slovakia — explained in simple English for international students, expats, and anyone trying to follow Slovak news without perfect Slovak.

In this episode, I talk about the recent protests in Košice, the growing tension between conservative and liberal parts of Slovak society, and some of the major political events from November — including the chalk protests, the cancelled 17 November holiday, and the controversial visit of Prime Minister Robert Fico to a school in Poprad.

I’m not a political expert, and this isn’t political analysis — it’s a friendly monthly news summary, told from the perspective of someone living in Slovakia who remembers what it was like to have no idea what was going on.

If you’re a foreign student in Košice, an expat anywhere in Slovakia, or simply someone learning English or Slovak, this episode should help you keep up with what’s happening.

If you’re new here:

The Blorecast is a weekly podcast about Slovak culture, British culture, language, food, and life in Eastern Slovakia — with the occasional news breakdown to help non-Slovaks understand what’s going on.

Let me know in the comments:

Would you like a monthly English-language summary of Slovak news?

👉 Subscribe for more (language, culture, food, politics-lite).

👉 Like, share, and ring the bell — it really helps the channel!

#slovakia #kosice #slovaknews #internationalstudents #slovenskopolitika #blorecast #englishpodcast #slovakiaculture #velvetrevolution

⸻

🎧 Listen: https://feeds.captivate.fm/blorecast/

https://open.spotify.com/show/0kHQShCL2BG10TD20ILDNb

https://podcasts.apple.com/sk/podcast/the-blorecast/id1837288694

📺 Watch: https://www.youtube.com/@bloresk

📌 Find out more at: https://blore.sk/

📧 Contact: podcast@blore.sk

👍 Follow us on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/blore.sk

⸻

🌍 About the Blorecast

⸻

The funky breakbeat drum loop is by Alexander, used under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License: http://www.orangefreesounds.com/vintage-drum-and-organ-beat-87-bpm/

Our theme tune is Ode to Joy – Heavy Edition, written specially for us by the most excellent dafteaux: https://youtu.be/rU6nLowrtmE

Thumbnail image adapted from DC Studio on Freepik: https://www.freepik.com/free-photo/journalist-talks-about-news-segment_134858590.htm

Blorecast Episode 11 - Andy's Back - Podcast for English Learners

Wed, 19 Nov 2025 22:26:00 +0200

What happens when a Brit moves to Slovakia and stays (almost) forever?

In this episode of The Blorecast, I’m joined once again by Andy Billingham, a long-time expat, Slovak citizen and all-round legend, to talk about:

🇸🇰 Getting used to life in socialist-era Slovakia

🛒 Strange supermarket rules in the 80s

🥾 Hiking culture

🕖 Why everyone wakes up so early

🗣️ Tykanie, vykanie & the dying art of onikanie

Whether you’re a Slovak curious about how foreigners see your country, or a foreigner thinking about moving to Slovakia, this episode is packed with stories, cultural insights, language quirks, and plenty of laughs:

👉 Have a question for Andy or me? Leave a comment or find all the contact links below.

🎧 Watch More Blore – my new video series on UK–Slovakia culture https://youtu.be/nJhGT70BRyY?si=LVHKL2CLLvLCOOEX

📩 Website • Email • YouTube • Facebook — all links below

#Slovakia #BritishInSlovakia #SlovakCulture #TykanieVykanie #SlovakLanguage #Slovensko #BritishPodcast #CulturalDifferences

⸻

🎧 Listen: https://feeds.captivate.fm/blorecast/

https://open.spotify.com/show/0kHQShCL2BG10TD20ILDNb

https://podcasts.apple.com/sk/podcast/the-blorecast/id1837288694

📺 Watch: https://www.youtube.com/@bloresk

📌 Find out more at: https://blore.sk/

📧 Contact: podcast@blore.sk

👍 Follow us on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/blore.sk

⸻

🌍 About the Blorecast

⸻

The funky breakbeat drum loop is by Alexander, used under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License: http://www.orangefreesounds.com/vintage-drum-and-organ-beat-87-bpm/

Our theme tune is Ode to Joy – Heavy Edition, written specially for us by the most excellent dafteaux: https://youtu.be/rU6nLowrtmE

Blorecast Episode 10 - The Shopping - Podcast for English Learners

Wed, 12 Nov 2025 19:40:00 +0200

When I first arrived in Slovakia back in 1998, “doing the shopping” meant visiting three or four different little shops — Potraviny Narcis for basics, Coop Jednota for salami and coffee, and Vrchovina for a litre of Cappy juice.

Twenty-five years later, things look a little different. In this episode, I take a nostalgic (and slightly caffeinated) trip from those early shopping days in Humenné to Košice's supermarkets today.

Along the way, I talk about how grocery shopping has changed, what British immigrant's like me still bring home in our suitcases (tea and biscuits, of course), and why I think Lidl’s new “quiet hour” for autistic shoppers is one of the best ideas I’ve seen in Slovakia.

🔗 https://www.noviny.sk/slovensko/1119735-slovensky-retazec-zavadza-tichu-hodinku-ludia-s-autizmom-budu-moct-nakupovat-bez-hudby

🎧 Listen for reflections on food, memory, and culture — and stick around to hear about my new side project More Blore, where British and Slovak foods go head-to-head in a series called Food Fight!

⸻

🎧 Listen: https://feeds.captivate.fm/blorecast/

https://open.spotify.com/show/0kHQShCL2BG10TD20ILDNb

https://podcasts.apple.com/sk/podcast/the-blorecast/id1837288694

📺 Watch: https://www.youtube.com/@bloresk

📌 Find out more at: https://blore.sk/

📧 Contact: podcast@blore.sk

👍 Follow us on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/blore.sk

⸻

🌍 About the Blorecast

⸻

The funky breakbeat drum loop is by Alexander, used under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License: http://www.orangefreesounds.com/vintage-drum-and-organ-beat-87-bpm/

Our theme tune is Ode to Joy – Heavy Edition, written specially for us by the most excellent dafteaux: https://youtu.be/rU6nLowrtmE

Blorecast Episode 09 - Bonfire Night - Podcast for English Learners

Wed, 05 Nov 2025 21:07:00 +0200

In this episode of The Blorecast, James steps outside to enjoy a beautiful autumn day and share the surprising story behind a viral Instagram short — the infamous Slovak snail rhyme! 🐌🔥

From Slimák, slimák to Šnečku, šnečku and even the brutal Serbian version, James compares how different countries talk to their snails (some nicely… some not so much). He also chats about Guy Fawkes Night, cultural quirks, and why one short video suddenly got over 200,000 views.

If you enjoy British humour, Slovak culture, and language learning with laughs, hit Like, Subscribe, and Share this episode!

#Slovakia #SlovakCulture #NurseryRhymes #BritishInSlovakia #Blorecast #SlovakLanguage #Folklore #BonfireNight #GuyFawkes #Podcast #EnglishInSlovakia #CulturalDifferences #AutumnVibes #LanguageLearning

⸻

🎧 Listen: https://feeds.captivate.fm/blorecast/

https://open.spotify.com/show/0kHQShCL2BG10TD20ILDNb

https://podcasts.apple.com/sk/podcast/the-blorecast/id1837288694

📺 Watch: https://www.youtube.com/@bloresk

📌 Find out more at: https://blore.sk/

📧 Contact: podcast@blore.sk

👍 Follow us on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/blore.sk

⸻

🌍 About the Blorecast

⸻

The funky breakbeat drum loop is by Alexander, used under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License: http://www.orangefreesounds.com/vintage-drum-and-organ-beat-87-bpm/

Our theme tune is Ode to Joy – Heavy Edition, written specially for us by the most excellent dafteaux: https://youtu.be/rU6nLowrtmE

Blorecast Episode 08 - Halloween Special - Podcast for English Learners

Fri, 31 Oct 2025 22:32:00 +0200

It's a quick one this time, featuring horror snails!

⸻

🌍 About the Blorecast

⸻

🎧 Listen: https://feeds.captivate.fm/blorecast/

https://open.spotify.com/show/0kHQShCL2BG10TD20ILDNb

https://podcasts.apple.com/sk/podcast/the-blorecast/id1837288694

📺 Watch: https://www.youtube.com/@bloresk

📌 Find out more at: https://blore.sk/

📧 Contact: podcast@blore.sk

👍 Follow us on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/blore.sk

⸻

Our theme tune is Ode to Joy – Heavy Edition, written specially for us by the most excellent dafteaux: https://youtu.be/rU6nLowrtmE

Blog: https://blore.sk/en/pohanske-schmohanske-halloween-in-slovakia/

Blorecast Episode 07 - Time Warp - Podcast for English Learners

Wed, 22 Oct 2025 19:55:00 +0200

Why does Slovakia sometimes feel like it’s living in a different decade? And is that actually a bad thing?

In this episode of The Blorecast, James Blore explores a country that has modernised rapidly yet still holds tight to its roots. From carpet beaters and top-loading washing machines to rural life, birds, mushrooms, and boars, James reflects on the pros and cons of the Slovak time warp.

Comparing Slovak pragmatism with British romanticism towards nature, he asks: have Brits become too detached from our rural past? And could Slovakia’s “one foot in the mud” approach actually be a strength in an over-urbanised world?

🪶 Topics in this episode:

• What Slovakia was like in the late 1990s

• Why life here sometimes feels 20 years behind (in a good way)

• Birdwatching, mushroom picking, and the Slovak countryside

• Rural vs urban life: UK vs Slovakia

• Why Brits romanticise nature while Slovaks live it

🎧 Listen to the full episode for stories of carpet-beating grannies, birdwatching epiphanies, and one man’s theory about why Slovakia might just be winning the slow-life game.

💬 What do you think?

Is Slovakia stuck in the past, or preserving something precious?

Do you prefer birdwatching or mushroom picking?

👇 Leave a comment or reach out via the links below.

#Slovakia #BritishExpat #LifeInSlovakia #SlovakCulture #ExpatPodcast #TheBlorecast #JamesBlore #CulturalDifferences #Timewarp #Birdwatching #MushroomPicking #RuralLife #SlovakiaVsUK

⸻

🌍 About the Blorecast

⸻

🎧 Listen: https://feeds.captivate.fm/blorecast/

https://open.spotify.com/show/0kHQShCL2BG10TD20ILDNb

https://podcasts.apple.com/sk/podcast/the-blorecast/id1837288694

📺 Watch: https://www.youtube.com/@bloresk

📌 Find out more at: https://blore.sk/

📧 Contact: podcast@blore.sk

👍 Follow us on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/blore.sk

⸻

Our theme tune is Ode to Joy – Heavy Edition, written specially for us by the most excellent dafteaux: https://youtu.be/rU6nLowrtmE

Blackbird singing: https://pixabay.com/sound-effects/blackbird-singing-296516/

The funky breakbeat drum loop is by Alexander, used under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License: http://www.orangefreesounds.com/vintage-drum-and-organ-beat-87-bpm/

Blog: https://blore.sk/en/why-did-you-stay/

Stats:

https://www.campop.geog.cam.ac.uk/blog/2024/10/31/urban-society/

https://doc.ukdataservice.ac.uk/doc/7154/mrdoc/pdf/guide.pdf

https://www.czechfriends.net/news/lecture-by-dr-lorman-on-4th-febraury-2020

https://www.macrotrends.net/global-metrics/countries/svk/slovak-republic/rural-population

https://www.theglobaleconomy.com/rankings/rural_population_percent/European-union/

https://www.gov.uk/government/statistics/key-findings-statistical-digest-of-rural-england/key-findings-statistical-digest-of-rural-england

The Jamie Oliver series referred to is Jamie’s School Dinners, Season 1 — Episode 02

Blorecast Episode 06 - Pigging Brilliant! - Podcast for English Learners

Tue, 14 Oct 2025 14:58:00 +0200

Why do Slovaks love pigs so much? 🐷

In this episode of The Blorecast, I explore Slovakia’s deep and delicious relationship with all things porcine — from schnitzels and slanina to zabíjačka and wild boars in the forest!

You’ll hear stories from my early days teaching in Humenné, discover why being vegetarian used to be a challenge in 1990s Slovakia, and learn about traditional dishes, local habits, and a few wild encounters along the way.

We’ll talk about:

🐽 Slovak pork dishes (goulash, schnitzel, klobása & more)

🌾 The zabíjačka tradition

🐗 Wild boars in Slovakia and whether they’re really dangerous

🍽️ How Slovak and British food cultures differ

If you’re a foodie, expat, or anyone curious about Central Europe, this episode’s for you!

🗣️ Share your thoughts:

Are you a pig fan? What’s your favourite Slovak dish? Do you fear the wild boars? Let me know in the comments or drop me a message — all links below 👇

#Slovakia #SlovakFood #ExpatLife #TheBlorecast #PorkyPig #Slanina #Goulash #Zabijacka #SlovakCulture #WildBoar #SlovakiaPodcast #FoodStories #BritishInSlovakia #CulturalDifferences

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🌍 About the Blorecast

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🎧 Listen: https://feeds.captivate.fm/blorecast/

📺 Watch: https://www.youtube.com/@bloresk

📌 Find out more at: https://blore.sk/

📧 Contact: podcast@blore.sk

👍 Follow us on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/blore.sk

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Boar videos:

https://www.tvkosice.sk/video/65b4ce42525b5fb0735159bb / https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lpXS0ik1LOM

Boar and encephalitis stats:

https://www.researchgate.net/publication/379121929_Human_fatalities_resulting_from_wild_pig_attacks_worldwide_2000-2019

https://www.ecdc.europa.eu/sites/default/files/documents/Tick-borne-encephalitis-annual-epidemiological-report-2022.pdf

Bramble Farm

https://www.facebook.com/bramblefarmbristol/

Our theme tune is Ode to Joy – Heavy Edition, written specially for us by the most excellent dafteaux: https://youtu.be/rU6nLowrtmE

I created the cover imaged using Bing: https://sl.bing.net/e7CNsHEuxky

The funky breakbeat drum loop is by Alexander, used under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License: http://www.orangefreesounds.com/vintage-drum-and-organ-beat-87-bpm/

Blorecast Episode 05 - Citizen Andy - Podcast for English Learners

Wed, 08 Oct 2025 19:46:00 +0200

In this episode of The Blorecast, James catches up once again with his long-time lunch companion and all-round legend, Andy Billingham, who’s now officially a Slovak citizen! 🇸🇰

Andy explains why he decided to apply for citizenship, what the process involves, and how the language test went.

There’s also an update on James’s charity cricket match (spoiler: he survived) and some listener shoutouts from around the world.

#TheBlorecast #Slovakia #LearningEnglish #SlovakCitizenship #EnglishPodcast #LivingInSlovakia #LifeAbroad #BritishInSlovakia #EnglishTeacher #PodcastForEnglishLearners #Kosice #LanguageLearning #JamesBlore

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🌍 About the Blorecast

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🎧 Listen: https://feeds.captivate.fm/blorecast/

📺 Watch: https://www.youtube.com/@bloresk

📌 Find out more at: https://blore.sk/

📧 Contact: podcast@blore.sk

👍 Follow us on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/blore.sk

⸻

Our theme tune is Ode to Joy – Heavy Edition, written specially for us by the most excellent dafteaux: https://youtu.be/rU6nLowrtmE

The funky breakbeat drum loop is by Alexander, used under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License: http://www.orangefreesounds.com/vintage-drum-and-organ-beat-87-bpm/

Blorecast Episode 04 - Unsporting Behaviour - Podcast for English Learners

Fri, 03 Oct 2025 20:45:00 +0200

Welcome back to the Blorecast! In Episode 4 – Unsporting Behaviour, I dive into the world of sport — despite being about the least sporty person you could imagine.

This weekend is a big one in Slovakia:

🏃‍♂️ The Košice Peace Marathon celebrates its 101st year – the oldest marathon in Europe and the third-oldest in the world.

🏏 I’ve inexplicably agreed to play in a charity cricket match in Spišská Nová Ves (what could possibly go wrong?).

This episode, I share some personal sporting stories:

⚡ School PE nightmares: rugby, cross-country and my escape route via the music room

🥅 The day I became “Golden Balls” in a university rugby match

🎿 My disastrous Slovak skiing attempts (spoiler: I ended up sliding down on my bum)

👧 Why my daughter thankfully has a much healthier relationship with sport

Despite my lifelong aversion to exercise, has Slovakia’s passion for hiking, skiing and cycling made me think twice about what sport means?

👉 Are you a sport lover, or an unsporter like me? Drop your stories in the comments – I’d love to hear them.

If you enjoy the podcast, please like, subscribe and share – it really helps me keep going. And wish me luck in the cricket… I’m going to need it!

#Blorecast #KosicePeaceMarathon #Slovakia #Podcast #EnglishPodcast #Kosice #SportFails #Marathon #Cricket #SkiingFails

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🌍 About the Blorecast

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🎧 Listen: https://feeds.captivate.fm/blorecast/

📺 Watch: https://www.youtube.com/@bloresk

📌 Find out more at: https://blore.sk/

📧 Contact: podcast@blore.sk

👍 Follow us on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/blore.sk

Our theme tune is Ode to Joy – Heavy Edition, written specially for us by the most excellent dafteaux: https://youtu.be/rU6nLowrtmE

Blackbird singing: https://pixabay.com/sound-effects/blackbird-singing-296516/

The funky breakbeat drum loop is by Alexander, used under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License: http://www.orangefreesounds.com/vintage-drum-and-organ-beat-87-bpm/

Blorecast Episode 03 - Slovak Food: Carbs - Podcast for English Learners

Wed, 24 Sep 2025 11:00:00 +0200

In this episode of the Blorecast, James dives into one of the tastiest parts of Slovak cuisine – carbohydrates! From fresh Slovak bread and fluffy rožky to potato pancakes, bryndzové halušky and pirohy, this is your guided tour through Slovakia’s most comforting, filling, and downright delicious foods. 🇸🇰

What you’ll hear about in this episode:

• Why Slovak bread is better than UK bread

• Potatoes (zemiaky, bandurky) in every possible form

• Traditional Slovak dishes like bryndzové halušky, šúľance, pirohy, Francúzske zemiaky and Černohorský rezeň

• The Slovak habit of mixing multiple carbs in one meal (yes, rice and chips together!)

• Why protein might be taking over Slovakia’s food scene… and why James is proudly #TeamCarb

Whether you’re an English learner brushing up your food vocabulary, a foodie interested in Central European cuisine, or just someone who loves potatoes, pasta and bread, this episode will give you a tasty slice of Slovak food culture.

👉 What’s your favourite Slovak carb? Do you agree with James that carbs are life? Let us know!

If you enjoy learning about Slovak food and culture, don’t forget to like, subscribe, share, and hit the bell 🔔 so you never miss an episode.

#SlovakFood #SlovakCuisine #Slovakia #FoodPodcast #BryndzoveHalusky #SlovakBread #Potatoes

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🌍 About the Blorecast

⸻

🎧 Listen: https://feeds.captivate.fm/blorecast/

📺 Watch: https://www.youtube.com/@bloresk

📌 Find out more at: https://blore.sk/

📧 Contact: podcast@blore.sk

👍 Follow us on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/blore.sk

Our theme tune is Ode to Joy – Heavy Edition, written specially for us by the most excellent dafteaux: https://youtu.be/rU6nLowrtmE

The funky breakbeat drum loop is by Alexander, used under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License: http://www.orangefreesounds.com/vintage-drum-and-organ-beat-87-bpm/

Blorecast Episode 02 - The Inimitable Andy B - Podcast for English Learners

Wed, 17 Sep 2025 08:35:00 +0200

In this episode of the Blorecast, James Blore sits down with his longtime friend Andy Billingham, a British bloke who has lived in Slovakia so long that he’s now officially Slovak.

They talk about:

how Andy ended up in Slovakia not once, but twice
his first impressions of Slovakia in 1983
the places he's worked and the jobs he's done

This episode is audio-only, as James is experimenting with different formats, but don’t worry, video episodes will be back soon!

💬 Join the conversation:

Do you prefer short 5–10 minute episodes, or would you like to hear longer chats?

Do you listen on YouTube or via a podcast app?

What kind of content would you like to hear?

And if you’ve got questions for Andy, send them in — we’ll feature them in future episodes!

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🌍 About the Blorecast

🔔 Don’t forget to subscribe so you don’t miss future episodes!

⸻

📌 Find out more at: https://blore.sk/

📧 Contact: podcast@blore.sk

👍 Follow us on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/blore.sk

📺 YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@bloresk

Our theme tune is Ode to Joy – Heavy Edition, written specially for us by the most excellent dafteaux: https://youtu.be/rU6nLowrtmE

The funky breakbeat drum loop is by Alexander, used under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License: http://www.orangefreesounds.com/vintage-drum-and-organ-beat-87-bpm/

Blorecast Episode 01 - Slightly Slovak - Podcast for English Learners

Wed, 10 Sep 2025 19:54:00 +0200

How does a Brit become “a little bit Slovak”? In this first episode of the Blorecast, James Blore shares three Slovak habits he’s picked up over 27 years: taking shoes off indoors, eating big lunches, and learning the Slovak language.

Welcome to the first full episode of the Blorecast – a podcast for learners and teachers of English in Slovakia — and beyond! 🇸🇰🇬🇧

After a quick introduction to my journey to Slovakia in Episode 0, today I’m diving into three ways I’ve become “a little bit Slovak” over the past 27 years:

👞 Shoes – why wearing them indoors in the UK was normal, but in Slovakia it’s a huge no-no.

🥣 Lunch – how I shifted from British sandwiches and a big dinner to the Slovak two-course midday feast.

🗣️ Language – my ongoing attempt to master Slovak cases and sound less like a bumbling foreigner.

If you’ve lived abroad, you’ll know how certain habits slowly creep in – sometimes without you even noticing. But which ones stick, and which ones never will?

👉 I’d love to hear from you! What’s one local custom you’ve adopted, and what’s one you’ll never get used to? Share your stories in the comments.

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🌍 About the Blorecast

🔔 Don’t forget to subscribe so you don’t miss future episodes!

⸻

📌 Find out more at: https://blore.sk/

📧 Contact: podcast@blore.sk

👍 Follow us on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/blore.sk

📺 YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@bloresk

Our theme tune is Ode to Joy – Heavy Edition, written specially for us by the most excellent dafteaux: https://youtu.be/rU6nLowrtmE

The funky breakbeat drum loop is by Alexander, used under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License: http://www.orangefreesounds.com/vintage-drum-and-organ-beat-87-bpm/

Blorecast Episode 00 - An Englishman in Slovakia - Podcast for English Learners

Wed, 03 Sep 2025 00:17:00 +0200

Welcome to the very first episode of the Blorecast, a podcast for learners and teachers of English in Slovakia — and beyond! 🇸🇰🇬🇧

In this episode, James Blore (teacher, podcaster, and founder of The School of Blore in Košice) shares his story of moving to Slovakia, teaching English, and launching this brand-new show. You’ll hear:

• How James went from Oxford to Košice to build a language school

• Why he’s starting the Blorecast now

• What learners and teachers can expect in future episodes (English grammar, vocabulary, Maturita topics, Cambridge exam tips, and more!)

• How YOU can get involved by sharing your biggest English challenges

Whether you’re preparing for the Slovak Maturita exam, working on your Cambridge English certification, or just want authentic English listening practice, this podcast is for you.

👉 Share your English challenges at podcast@blore.sk

👉 Subscribe for more episodes with tips, stories, and useful English language practice.

#LearnEnglish #Slovakia #EnglishPodcast #EnglishTips #Blorecast

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Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@bloresk

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/blore.sk

Website: https://blore.sk/

Email: podcast@blore.sk

The website of the game I used to play (Dice Masters): https://dmunited.eu/

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Our theme tune is Ode to Joy – Heavy Edition, written specially for us by the most excellent dafteaux: https://youtu.be/rU6nLowrtmE

Dice roll sound effect https://pixabay.com/sound-effects/dice-roll-96878/

Blackbird singing: https://pixabay.com/sound-effects/blackbird-singing-296516/

The funky breakbeat drum loop is by Alexander, used under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License: http://www.orangefreesounds.com/vintage-drum-and-organ-beat-87-bpm/