Episodios

  • Simplified Speech #199 – Bike lanes

    Simplified Speech #199 – Bike lanes
    Jul 17 2024
    Special Offer: Save 20% on Culips Memberships! For one week only, until July 22nd, we're offering a 20% discount on yearly Culips memberships! Get access to helpful study guides, interactive transcripts, ad-free episodes, member-only series, weekly speaking classes, and more. Sign up now and reach your English goals with Culips! If you’re a current member, you can take advantage of the sale by renewing your membership at the discounted price. Sign up now and save 20% until July 22nd. Episode description: Have you ever wondered about the pros and cons of bike lanes in cities? In this Simplified Speech episode, Andrew and Suzanne discuss the topic of bike lanes, sharing their personal experiences and opinions on cycling infrastructure. They talk about the pros and cons of bike lanes, how different cities approach cycling, and the impact on pedestrians, cyclists, and drivers. What you will learn in this episode: Bike lane basics: Understand what bike lanes are and their purpose in city infrastructure. Different perspectives: Hear from both a casual cyclist and a more experienced cycling hobbyist about their views on bike lanes. City comparisons: Discover how bike infrastructure varies between cities like Montreal, Toronto, and Seoul. Cycling culture: Learn about cycling culture and how it influences city planning and transportation. How you will improve your English with this episode: Grow your vocabulary: Learn new words and expressions related to cycling and city infrastructure. Listening practice: Improve your listening skills with natural, engaging conversations. Fluent conversation skills: Practice understanding and using English in discussions about everyday topics like transportation and safety English speaking practice: Join discussions with other listeners on the Culips Discord server for additional speaking practice. Important links: SALE: Become a Culips member and save 20% Study with the interactive transcript Join the Culips Discord server Small-group discussion class schedule (member only) Expressions included in the study guide Paint something with the same brush High-stakes Psych oneself out Pins and needles Spur something on There’s no two ways about it
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    36 m
  • Bonus episode #110 – Too good to be true

    Bonus episode #110 – Too good to be true
    Jul 14 2024
    Special Offer: Save 20% on Culips Memberships! For one week only, until July 22nd, we're offering a 20% discount on yearly Culips memberships! Get access to helpful study guides, interactive transcripts, ad-free episodes, member-only series, weekly speaking classes, and more. Sign up now and reach your English goals with Culips! If you’re a current member, you can take advantage of the sale by renewing your membership at the discounted price. Sign up now and save 20% until July 22nd. Episode description: In this episode, Andrew talks about the pros and cons of running’s growing popularity. He highlights the challenges runners face, especially the difficulty of finding good running shoes due to high demand. Andrew shares a personal story about trying to save money by purchasing discounted shoes online, only to discover they were counterfeits. Listen to hear about his experience with these fake shoes, the frustrations of marathon sign-ups, and other downsides of the running boom. This episode will help you improve your English in the following ways: Listening comprehension: Practice understanding a native English speaker discussing real-life situations in detail. Vocabulary expansion: Learn new words and expressions related to running and fitness, such as "endurance," "training cycle," "counterfeit," and "foam cushioning." Idioms: Learn helpful English idioms like "a grain of salt," "touch grass," and "missed the boat" used in context. Pronunciation: Listen to the correct pronunciation of spoken English, which you can then practice on your own. Cultural insights: Improve your understanding of the running culture and fitness trends in different parts of the world, especially in Seoul. English speaking practice: Join discussions with other listeners on the Culips Discord server for additional speaking practice. Important links: SALE: Become a Culips member and save 20% Study with the interactive transcript Join the Culips Discord server Small-group discussion class schedule (member only) Osaka meet-up registration
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    42 m
  • Chatterbox #323 – Recognizing anxiety

    Chatterbox #323 – Recognizing anxiety
    Jul 11 2024
    Do you sometimes feel anxious without knowing why? In this Chatterbox English learning podcast, Andrew and Anna dive deep into the topic of anxiety. They explain what anxiety means, how it affects people, and share their personal experiences. From nervous feelings before a presentation to intense panic attacks, this episode covers it all. If you want to improve your English while learning about mental health, this episode is perfect for you! What you will learn: Understanding Anxiety: Learn what anxiety is and its different forms. Personal Experiences: Hear Andrew and Anna share their own anxiety stories. Practical Tips: Discover effective ways to manage and reduce anxiety in daily life. How you will improve your English with this episode: New Vocabulary: Learn words and phrases about emotions and mental health. Listening Practice: Improve your skills by following a natural English conversation. Contextual Learning: Understand how to use new words in real situations. Speaking Practice: Discuss the episode with other learners on the Culips Discord Server. What’s included in the study guide: Interactive transcript In-depth explanations and examples of the key expressions Vocabulary quiz Comprehension quiz Speaking and writing practice questions The best way to learn with this lesson: Culips members get an interactive transcript, helpful study guide, and ad-free audio for this episode. Take your English to the next level by becoming a Culips member. Become a Culips member now. Members can access the ad-free version here. Join our Discord community to connect with other learners and get more English practice.
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    30 m
  • Bonus episode #109 – The lovebugs

    Bonus episode #109 – The lovebugs
    Jul 7 2024
    In this episode, Andrew discusses the recent lovebug outbreak in Seoul. He describes these insects, explains their unusual name, and talks about his experience dealing with them this summer. Andrew also explores the bigger topic of how people approach killing insects, and shares his own opinion about this issue. This episode will help improve your English in the following ways: Listening comprehension: Practice understanding a native English speaker discussing a real-life situation in detail. Vocabulary expansion: Learn new words and expressions related to insects and pest control, such as "proliferating," "symbiotic relationship," "keep in check,” and "creepy crawly." Idioms: Learn helpful English idioms like "out of the blue," "attached at the hip," and "it's on" used in context. Pronunciation: Listen to the correct pronunciation of spoken English, which you can then practice on your own. Cultural insights: Improve your understanding of how people in different cultures deal with household pests. English speaking practice: Join discussions with other listeners on the Culips Discord server for additional speaking practice. Important links: Become a Culips member Study with the interactive transcript Join the Culips Discord server Small-group discussion class schedule (member only) Episode notes: The scientific name of the lovebug is plecia nearctica. Contrary to what Andrew mentions, a centipede can have between 15 pairs to 191 pairs of legs and a millipede can have between 40 and 1,306 pairs of legs.
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    26 m
  • Chatterbox #322 – The Stoicism explosion

    Chatterbox #322 – The Stoicism explosion
    Jul 3 2024
    Curious about the growing popularity of Stoicism but not sure what it's all about? In this engaging episode of Chatterbox, hosts Andrew and Anna dive into the philosophy of Stoicism. They unpack its principles, discuss why it has gained traction in recent years, and share practical ways to apply Stoic ideas in everyday life. Key topics include managing emotions, embracing challenges, and learning from renowned Stoics like Marcus Aurelius and Seneca. What you'll learn in this episode: Key principles: Discover the main ideas of Stoicism, including controlling your emotions, choosing to let go of anger and stress, and embracing challenges. Practical applications: Hear about real-life examples of how to use Stoic principles to reduce stress and improve your daily life. Popular figures: Learn about the origins of Stoicism and its founding fathers, Marcus Aurelius and Seneca, as well as popular YouTubers and podcasters that discuss this philosophy. How this episode will improve your English: Vocabulary Building: Learn new words and phrases related to philosophy and self-improvement. Listening Skills: Improve your listening comprehension with a clear and interesting discussion between two native speakers. Cultural knowledge: Understand the modern popularity of Stoicism and its influence on today's self-help trends. Improve your speaking and communication skills: Use the study guide and connect with the member community to practice speaking about Stoicism in English. The best way to learn with this lesson: Culips members get an interactive transcript, helpful study guide, and ad-free audio for this episode. Take your English to the next level by becoming a Culips member. Become a Culips member now. Members can access the ad-free version here. Join our Discord community to connect with other learners and get more English practice. Episode references: An introduction to Stoicism by Ryan Holiday: https://youtu.be/s27_2jlQq8U
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    34 m
  • Bonus episode #108 – Odds and ends

    Bonus episode #108 – Odds and ends
    Jun 30 2024
    In this episode, Andrew shares a story about trying to clean out his junk drawer and exchange some of the coins he's been saving up for the past few years at the bank. What seemed like a simple task turns out to be surprisingly complicated. Tune in to hear all the details of this everyday adventure and improve your English at the same time! This episode will help you improve your English in several ways: Listening Skills: Practice understanding naturally spoken English through Andrew's engaging story about cleaning his junk drawer and exchanging coins at the bank. Vocabulary Building: Expand your vocabulary with new words and expressions related to household tasks and banking, such as "odds and ends," "spare change," "cash out," and "paid off." Pronunciation Practice: Improve your pronunciation by shadowing Andrew's speech throughout the episode, helping you become a clearer and more confident speaker. English Speaking Practice: Enhance your speaking skills by joining discussions with other listeners on the Culips Discord server. Important links: Become a Culips member Study with the interactive transcript Join the Culips Discord server Small-group discussion class schedule Simplified Speech 189 - Company’s coming
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    32 m
  • Simplified Speech #198 – Leaving Thailand

    Simplified Speech #198 – Leaving Thailand
    Jun 27 2024
    In this Simplified Speech episode, Andrew and Kassy discuss the big changes in Kassy's life as she prepares to move from Thailand back to Korea. They talk about her experiences living and working in Thailand, her future plans, and the cultural differences she has encountered along the way. Listening to this fun and easy-to-understand conversation is a great way to work on your English and learn some useful vocabulary! What You Will Learn: Vocabulary and expressions related to life changes, international moves, and daily routines. Cultural insights into living and working abroad, especially in Thailand and Korea. Personal stories about adjusting to new environments and making life decisions. How This Episode Will Improve Your English: Expand your vocabulary with words and expressions used in everyday conversation about moving and living abroad. Improve your listening skills by following a natural conversation between two native English speakers. Learn about cultural differences and similarities between Thailand and Korea, improving your cultural knowledge. Build confidence in discussing your own experiences and future plans in English. Practice your English speaking and communication skills by sharing your own experiences on our Discord server. The best way to learn with this lesson: Culips members get an interactive transcript, helpful study guide, quiz, ad-free audio, and more for this episode. Take your English to the next level by becoming a Culips member. Sign up and become a Culips member now! Members can access the ad-free version here: Click here. Join our Discord community to connect with other learners and get more English practice. Click here to join.
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    25 m
  • Bonus episode #107 – Adventure time

    Bonus episode #107 – Adventure time
    Jun 24 2024
    In this episode, Andrew talks about his day exploring Seoul with his wife. He shares their experiences of finding something fun to do on a free Sunday. Andrew describes visiting a crowded restaurant, enjoying Korean rice cakes at a special cafe, and checking out outdoor reading spaces in the city. He talks about spontaneous plans, dealing with the summer heat, and the awesome surprises of big-city life. Enjoy the episode and happy English learning! This episode will help you improve your English in several ways: Listening skills: Practice understanding naturally spoken English through Andrew's storytelling about his day in Seoul. Vocabulary building: Learn new words and phrases related to city exploration and Korean culture. You will learn useful idioms like "jam-packed," "flash forward," and "something clicked." Pronunciation practice: Use the episode to shadow Andrew's pronunciation to become a clearer speaker. English speaking practice: Join discussions with other listeners on the Culips Discord server for additional speaking practice. Important links: Become a Culips member Study with the interactive transcript Join the Culips Discord server Small-group discussion class schedule Chatterbox 318 - Digital modesty
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    31 m