Culips English Podcast

Chatterbox #352 – Hot hot summer

contact@culips.com (Culips Team) — Tue, 18 Aug 2026 02:59:12 +0000

What does a heat wave actually do to your day? Andrew and Anna compare their summers from opposite sides of the world. Anna is in Madrid, where a hot day reaches 40 degrees and the blinds stay closed until evening. Andrew is in Seoul, where the rainy season just ended but the humidity stayed. They talk about air conditioning, lost sleep, cold showers, and the wildfires that burned west of Madrid this summer.

Keep an ear out for these phrases during the episode:

Not so fast
Respite
Bar none
To do one’s business
Bone dry
To burn to a crisp

Study Materials:

Episode link: The 2026 Spain wildfires

The Best Way to Learn with This Episode

Culips members get an interactive transcript, a 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: Click here.

Join our Discord community to connect with other learners and get more English practice: Join the Culips Discord server.

The post Chatterbox #352 – Hot hot summer first appeared on Culips English Podcast.

Bonus Episode #179 – One More Try

contact@culips.com (Culips Team) — Tue, 11 Aug 2026 20:50:55 +0000

In this bonus episode, Andrew picks up the story he started last time and tells you what happened next. He heads out to the edge of the city on a hot summer evening and gets home much later than he planned. Listen along to learn some vocabulary that will help make your English more natural and to improve your listening fluency.

The Study Materials for This Episode Are Free:

The interactive transcript, study guide, and quiz for this episode are free for everyone. No membership needed.
Become a Culips member to get study materials for every episode, live speaking classes, ad-free audio, member-only perks, and more.
Join our Discord community to connect with other learners and get more English practice.

Expressions

To set the stage
To count down the days
Headlining
The tail end
A certain je ne sais quoi
When all is said and done
Boy, was I wrong
Artsy-fartsy
To rub someone the wrong way
To write off

The post Bonus Episode #179 – One More Try first appeared on Culips English Podcast.

Introducing the New Culips App

contact@culips.com (Culips Team) — Mon, 10 Aug 2026 17:45:59 +0000

The new Culips app is here!

Hi everyone, Andrew here. For the past year, our team has been working on something special, and I’m really excited to finally share it with you. We built the new Culips app to make studying easier and to keep everything in one place.

Visit app.culips.com

The lesson library: browse every Culips lesson by level, topic, host, or series.

What can you do in the new app?

Everything is now in one place. Here is a tour of what is waiting for you.

Study every lesson, your way

Interactive transcripts. The words light up as you listen, so you never lose your place.
A built-in dictionary. Tap any word, or select a whole phrase, to see what it means, with example sentences.
Gap-fill exercises. Listen and fill in the missing words to train your ears.
Key expressions and explanations. Every lesson’s important expressions are explained clearly.
Quizzes. Check your understanding and your vocabulary after each lesson.
Writing practice with feedback. Answer real questions about the lesson and get friendly, personal feedback on your English, plus a natural version of your answer.
Study Buddy. Have a question about the lesson? Ask right in the app and get an answer.
Guided Study. Not sure how to study? Guided mode walks you through a full lesson step by step: first listen, quiz, read along, key words, pronunciation, and wrap-up.
PDF study guides. Download the study guide for any lesson.

Tap any word while you read. The built-in dictionary explains it, and you can save it to your word bank.

Speak with confidence

Shadowing practice. Choose any sentence, loop it at normal or slow speed, and repeat after the hosts.
Pronunciation feedback. Record yourself, compare your voice with the host’s, and see a score for every word you say.

Build your vocabulary

Your personal word bank. Save any word or expression while you study.
Smart flashcards. Review your words with spaced repetition, one deck per lesson, with audio on the cards. The app shows you a word again right before you would forget it.
Your language, too. See translations in your own language, add your own notes, and export your cards to Anki if you like.

Listen anywhere

An ad-free podcast feed. Members get a private feed for Apple Podcasts, Spotify, or any podcast app. Every episode, no ads.
Pick up where you left off. Your progress follows you between your phone and computer.
Playlists and series. Browse lessons by series, or study our curated playlists.

Watch yourself improve

Study stats and streaks. See your listening time, your daily streak, and a calendar of your study days.
A study certificate. Download a Certificate of Attendance PDF with your study hours. Many members use it for work or school programs.

Learn together

Live classes. See the schedule, save your spot, and get an email reminder before class starts.
Discord community. Connect your account and talk with other learners and the Culips team.

There is more, and new features arrive all the time. The best way to see it all is to try it.

Already a Culips member? Your account is ready.
Your membership has already been moved to the new app. There is no extra cost, and your subscription stays the same.

If you are a Culips member, we have good news: your account is already set up in the new app. You keep the same email address and the same subscription. There is no extra cost, and nothing about your membership changes.

Every lesson starts with a simple overview. Press Start Lesson and go.

To get started, you only need to create a password for the new app:

Go to app.culips.com/activate.
Enter the email address you use for your Culips membership.
Check your email and click the link we send you.
Choose your new password and start studying!

You will also receive an email about this from hello@contact.culips.com. That email is really from us. But remember, we will never ask for your old password or your payment details by email. If you are ever unsure, just type app.culips.com/activate into your browser yourself.

Not a member yet?

You can explore the new app and try our free demo lessons at app.culips.com. We would love to study with you!

Questions or problems?

I am happy to help. Write to me any time at andrew@culips.com.

Happy English learning!

Andrew
Culips English Podcast

The post Introducing the New Culips App first appeared on Culips English Podcast.

Chatterbox #351 – From Intermediate to Fluent

contact@culips.com (Culips Team) — Thu, 06 Aug 2026 20:18:41 +0000

How do you get from intermediate English to sounding almost like a native speaker? Jesús Florez did it, and he’s back on the show to tell Andrew how. He explains the years he spent creating his own English immersion at home and names the four shows that finally moved him up to an advanced level. Listen in to hear his story and his advice for taking your own English to the next level.

Free Resources and Links

The interactive transcript, study guide, and quizzes for this episode are free for everyone. No membership needed.

Become a Culips member to get study materials for every episode, live speaking classes, ad-free audio, member-only perks, and more. Click here to join.
Join our Discord community to connect with other learners and get more English practice. Click here to join.
Jesús’s YouTube channel
Jesús’s Instagram

Keep an ear out for these phrases during the episode:

A long time in the making
To shift gears
Give or take
To lend itself to (something)
A cut above (the rest)
It bears repeating

The post Chatterbox #351 – From Intermediate to Fluent first appeared on Culips English Podcast.

Bonus Episode #178 – Once in a Lifetime

contact@culips.com (Culips Team) — Mon, 03 Aug 2026 18:29:45 +0000

Have you ever gotten a second chance at something you thought you would only get to do once? In this bonus episode, Andrew talks about the first Culips meetup in Seoul and then tells the story of trying to see one of his favorite bands play a second time. Listen along to learn some vocabulary that will help make your English more natural and improve your listening fluency.

The Study Materials for This Episode Are Free:

The interactive transcript, study guide, and quiz for this episode are free for everyone. No membership needed.
Become a Culips member to get study materials for every episode, live speaking classes, ad-free audio, member-only perks, and more.
Join our Discord community to connect with other learners and get more English practice.

Expressions

A turnout
To talk into the void
To be taken aback
A high-water mark
Now or never
Once-in-a-lifetime
To shell out
When life gives you lemons, make lemonade
Someone’s mind is made up
To go through

The post Bonus Episode #178 – Once in a Lifetime first appeared on Culips English Podcast.

Catch Word #294 – Touch Grass

contact@culips.com (Culips Team) — Sun, 26 Jul 2026 22:04:31 +0000

Have you ever looked up from your phone and realized that an hour just disappeared? In this Catch Word lesson, Andrew and Indiana teach you how to tell someone to “touch grass” and how to describe a person as “terminally online” or “chronically online.” They explain the difference in tone between these expressions, why “touch grass” can sound like a real insult, and when each one is appropriate to use.

The Best Way to Learn with This Episode:

Culips members get an interactive transcript, a 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: Click here
Members can access the ad-free version: Click here.
Join our Discord community to connect with other learners and get more English practice. Click here to join.

Keep an ear out for these phrases during the episode:

To touch grass
Terminally online / Chronically online
To be cooped up
To be wrapped up in something
A break with reality
To get the last word

The post Catch Word #294 – Touch Grass first appeared on Culips English Podcast.

Chatterbox #350 – Hyperblanding

contact@culips.com (Culips Team) — Sun, 19 Jul 2026 18:03:00 +0000

Have you ever traveled to a city far from home and felt like you had already been there? The same coffee shops, the same clothing stores, even the same songs playing inside the cafes. In this Chatterbox episode, Andrew and Anna talk about hyperblanding, the idea that fashion, music, food, and design all over the world are slowly becoming the same. The word comes from a 2026 trend report, and you can read more about it here.

Listen to the full conversation to learn what hyperblanding is, decide if you agree with the idea, and build your English fluency at the same time.

The Best Way to Learn with This Episode:

Culips members get an interactive transcript, a 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: Click here
Members can access the ad-free version: Click here.
Join our Discord community to connect with other learners and get more English practice. Click here to join.

Keep an ear out for these phrases during the episode:

A myriad of
To get under someone’s skin
To regurgitate
Been there, done that
To ride the wave
Variety is the spice of life

The post Chatterbox #350 – Hyperblanding first appeared on Culips English Podcast.

Simplified Speech #251 – Popular baby names

contact@culips.com (Culips Team) — Sat, 11 Jul 2026 19:59:39 +0000

What does a name really say about a person? In this episode, Andrew and Indiana talk about baby names and the stories behind them. They chat about how naming has changed in North America since the 1950s. You’ll also hear about old-fashioned virtue names, why so many parents today want something different, and the existence of “middle names” in the U.S. and Canada.

Culips Meetup in Seoul!
If you are in Korea, come and meet us in person at the Culips Meetup in Seoul on July 19, from 2 to 4 PM. RSVP here.

To build your fluency, try listening to the episode more than once and saying the new expressions out loud until you feel comfortable using them yourself.

The Best Way to Learn with This Episode:

Culips members get an interactive transcript, a 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: Click here
Members can access the ad-free version: Click here.
Join our Discord community to connect with other learners and get more English practice. Click here to join.

Links mentioned in this episode:

Keep an ear out for these phrases during the episode:

At opposite ends of the spectrum
A hat tip to (something)
A copycat
Claim to fame
To fit in
To stand out

The post Simplified Speech #251 – Popular baby names first appeared on Culips English Podcast.

Simplified Speech #250 – Weird and wacky questions

contact@culips.com (Culips Team) — Sat, 04 Jul 2026 23:28:18 +0000

How do you like your eggs? It sounds like a small question, but the answer can tell you a lot about a person. In this episode, Andrew surprises his co-host Kassy with a list of weird, wacky, and random questions. She hasn’t seen them before, so you get to hear her real, unplanned answers. They talk about all sorts of everyday things, from what they would want to be famous for to how they wake up in the morning, and they use some natural expressions that native speakers say all the time.

Culips Meetup in Seoul!
If you are in Korea, come and meet us in person at the Culips Meetup in Seoul on July 19, from 2 to 4 PM. RSVP here.

To build your fluency, try listening to the episode more than once and saying the new expressions out loud until you feel comfortable using them yourself.

The Best Way to Learn with This Episode:

Culips members get an interactive transcript, a 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: Click here
Members can access the ad-free version: Click here.
Join our Discord community to connect with other learners and get more English practice. Click here to join.

Keep an ear out for these phrases during the episode:

Infamous
No holds barred
To zonk out
Dogs
Up and at ’em
To come full circle

The post Simplified Speech #250 – Weird and wacky questions first appeared on Culips English Podcast.

Bonus Episode #177 – Three Horses in the Race

contact@culips.com (Culips Team) — Sun, 28 Jun 2026 21:12:08 +0000

In this bonus episode, Andrew shares a few quick updates from behind the scenes at Culips and tells a story about following the World Cup as a fan with more than one team to cheer for. Listen along to learn some vocabulary that will help make your English more natural and improve your listening fluency.

Culips Meetup in Seoul!
If you are in Korea, come and meet us in person at the Culips Meetup in Seoul on July 19. RSVP here.

Free study guide: This episode comes with a free study guide for everyone. Download it to review the vocabulary, follow along with the episode, and practice using the new expressions.

Resources mentioned in this episode:

The post Bonus Episode #177 – Three Horses in the Race first appeared on Culips English Podcast.

Chatterbox #349 – Using AI for health advice

contact@culips.com (Culips Team) — Thu, 25 Jun 2026 18:41:54 +0000

Have you ever asked the internet about a health problem before asking a doctor? In this episode, Andrew and Anna talk about using AI tools like ChatGPT and Gemini for health advice, and whether you can really trust them. Andrew shares a small health problem of his own and the answer he got from AI, and together they work out when a chatbot is actually helpful and when it is time to see a real doctor. Along the way they get into how confident these tools sound, who should be responsible when the advice is wrong, and what a visit to the doctor might look like in the future.

Culips Meetup in Seoul!
If you are in Korea, come and meet us in person at the Culips Meetup in Seoul on July 19, from 2 to 4 PM. RSVP here.

To build your fluency, try listening to the episode more than once and saying the new expressions out loud until you feel comfortable using them yourself.

The Best Way to Learn with This Episode:

Culips members get an interactive transcript, a 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: Click here
Members can access the ad-free version: Click here.
Join our Discord community to connect with other learners and get more English practice. Click here to join.

Keep an ear out for these phrases during the episode:

To get something checked out
First port of call
To take something with a grain of salt
Off you trot
Hypochondriac
To go through the roof

The post Chatterbox #349 – Using AI for health advice first appeared on Culips English Podcast.

Simplified Speech #249 – iPod Archeology

contact@culips.com (Culips Team) — Thu, 18 Jun 2026 16:18:28 +0000

What do you think is hiding on a 20-year-old iPod that someone forgot in a drawer? In this episode, Andrew and Indiana share three news stories and trends they came across recently. The first is about a woman who buys old iPods and shares the playlists she finds on them, like a small window into strangers’ lives. After that, they talk about a new idea for spending less time on your phone, and a surprising change in what makes food popular today.

To build your fluency, try listening to the episode more than once and saying the new expressions out loud until you feel comfortable using them yourself.

The Best Way to Learn with This Episode:

Culips members get an interactive transcript, a 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: Click here
Members can access the ad-free version: Click here.
Join our Discord community to connect with other learners and get more English practice. Click here to join.

Stories mentioned in this episode:

iPod archaeology (NPR):
The analog bag trend:
Texture is the new flavor:

Keep an ear out for these phrases during the episode:

To come across someone’s desk
Time capsule
To have dirt on someone
To hold something over someone
In vogue
To have hang-ups

The post Simplified Speech #249 – iPod Archeology first appeared on Culips English Podcast.

Bonus Episode #176 – Take Me Out

contact@culips.com (Culips Team) — Sun, 14 Jun 2026 17:21:58 +0000

Have you ever loved something your partner just won’t try? For years, Andrew’s wife said no to baseball. In this bonus episode, he finally gets her to the ballpark and finds out what she really thinks. Listen along to learn some vocabulary that will help make your English more natural and to improve your listening fluency.

Study resources:

Become a Culips member:
Join the Culips Discord server:
Get the interactive transcript and vocabulary glossary here:

Glossary expressions:

To brush something off
To prod
To level with someone
To put yourself in someone’s shoes
To come around
To look the part
To pay through the nose
A who’s who
Nosebleed seats
To be priced out

The post Bonus Episode #176 – Take Me Out first appeared on Culips English Podcast.

Chatterbox #348 – Digital Twins

contact@culips.com (Culips Team) — Thu, 11 Jun 2026 22:07:46 +0000

What if there were a copy of you at work, answering emails and joining meetings while you slept? After Anna read a BBC article about people who are building AI versions of themselves, she brought the idea to Andrew, and the two of them talk about what these “digital twins” could mean for the rest of us. They look at the same question from three sides, the worker, the boss, and the business owner, and they keep coming back to one worry. If a company has a copy of you, do they still need you?

Read the original BBC article on digital twins here:

The Best Way to Learn with This Episode:

Culips members get an interactive transcript, a 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: Click here
Members can access the ad-free version: Click here.
Join our Discord community to connect with other learners and get more English practice. Click here to join.

Keep an ear out for these phrases during the episode:

The bottom line
To not sit right with someone
Joe Blow
The cat’s out of the bag
M.O. (modus operandi)
Dog-eat-dog

The post Chatterbox #348 – Digital Twins first appeared on Culips English Podcast.

Catch Word #293 – Chinamaxxing

contact@culips.com (Culips Team) — Thu, 04 Jun 2026 21:25:11 +0000

Have you started seeing videos that celebrate Chinese culture all over your feed, like someone swapping coffee for green tea? Andrew and Indiana noticed this trend too, and in this episode they teach three pieces of China-related slang and ask why it is all happening now. Their answer touches on the Djo song that went viral on TikTok, the move from TikTok to RedNote, soft power, and Canada’s anti-tariff billboards in the US.

To build your fluency, listen for how the hosts define each expression, then try using one yourself.

The Best Way to Learn with This Episode:

Culips members get an interactive transcript, a 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: Click here
Members can access the ad-free version: Click here.
Join our Discord community to connect with other learners and get more English practice. Click here to join.

Links from this episode:

End of Beginning by Djo:
RedNote:
Canada’s anti-tariff billboards:

🔑 Key expressions

Keep an ear out for these phrases during the episode:

Chinamaxxing
A baddie
You met me at a very Chinese time in my life
To age out (of something)
A false alarm
Soft power

The post Catch Word #293 – Chinamaxxing first appeared on Culips English Podcast.

Bonus episode #175 – Time on My Mind

contact@culips.com (Culips Team) — Sun, 31 May 2026 23:10:03 +0000

In this bonus episode, Andrew shares some thoughts that have been on his mind lately about time and the way we experience it. He looks back a little, sits with the present moment, and wonders about what’s coming. Listen along to learn some vocabulary that will help make your English more natural and to improve your listening fluency.

Links mentioned in this episode:

Spem in Alium by Thomas Tallis: Click here
The Orchestra of the Age of Enlightenment: Click here
Introducing the Sackbut: Click here
Introducing the Anton Walter Fortepiano: Click here

Study resources:

The interactive transcript and vocabulary glossary for this episode are free for everyone. Get them here:
Take the comprehension quiz for this episode:
Join our Discord community to participate in the June monthly challenge:

Glossary expressions

Crummy
To go to a dark place
Crafty
Shrewd
To clue in
To give someone goosebumps
To morph
Crude
A cool cat
In the blink of an eye

The post Bonus episode #175 – Time on My Mind first appeared on Culips English Podcast.

Simplified Speech #248 – Life lately

contact@culips.com (Culips Team) — Thu, 28 May 2026 16:51:35 +0000

What have you been up to lately? In this Simplified Speech catch-up episode, Andrew and Kassy share stories from the past month. Kassy talks about a family visit to Jeju Island, where rainy weather didn’t stop them from hiking Hallasan, the tallest mountain in South Korea, and seeing some of the island’s stranger attractions. Andrew shares what happened during his birthday and fifth wedding anniversary, which fell in the same week and involved more cake than one person should eat in seven days.

The Best Way to Learn with This Episode:

Culips members get an interactive transcript, a 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: Click here
Members can access the ad-free version: Click here.
Join our Discord community to connect with other learners and get more English practice. Click here to join.

Links mentioned in this episode:

🔑 Key expressions

Keep an ear out for these phrases during the episode:

to put words in (someone’s) mouth
niche
to call for (rain)
(one’s) legs are like jelly
to get away with (something)
to go ham

The post Simplified Speech #248 – Life lately first appeared on Culips English Podcast.

Chatterbox #347 – Things I wish I knew earlier

contact@culips.com (Culips Team) — Thu, 21 May 2026 20:38:40 +0000

What’s one thing you wish you had known sooner? In this Chatterbox episode, Andrew sits down with Michael Lavers from the Level Up English Podcast for an honest conversation about regrets, missed chances, and the things we wish we had figured out earlier. They share stories about money mistakes, bad clothing buys, language learning, and the surprising lessons that come with getting older.

The Best Way to Learn with This Episode:

Culips members get an interactive transcript, a 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: Click here
Members can access the ad-free version: Click here.
Join our Discord community to connect with other learners and get more English practice. Click here to join.

Check Out Michael’s Work:

Level Up English website:
The Level Up English Podcast:
Level Up English on YouTube:

🔑 Key expressions

Keep an ear out for these phrases during the episode:

Tongue-in-cheek
No shade
Lackadaisical
To take the words right out of someone’s mouth
Building a house on sand
A losing battle

The post Chatterbox #347 – Things I wish I knew earlier first appeared on Culips English Podcast.

Simplified Speech #247 – Why do we dream

contact@culips.com (Culips Team) — Fri, 15 May 2026 17:05:05 +0000

Why do we dream? In this Simplified Speech episode, Andrew and Indiana share their own theories about what dreams are for, the strangest recurring nightmares they’ve had, and a uniquely Korean kind of dream that’s said to predict pregnancy. They also get into sleepwalking, snoring, and the small habits that can quietly ruin your sleep.

The Best Way to Learn with This Episode:

Culips members get an interactive transcript, a 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: Click here:

Members can access the ad-free version here:

Join our Discord community to connect with other learners and get more English practice. Click here to join.

References:

Wikipedia, Conception dreams — Read here:

🔑 Key expressions

Keep an ear out for these phrases during the episode:

Fresh off the dome
To ring true
Every now and then
To build up to
The OG
Story of my life

The post Simplified Speech #247 – Why do we dream first appeared on Culips English Podcast.

Bonus episode #174 – Out-of-town Trip

contact@culips.com (Culips Team) — Mon, 11 May 2026 17:32:43 +0000

In this bonus episode, Andrew shares a story about a weekend trip he took to visit two old friends in another city. They met up to hang out, do a challenging activity, and then enjoy some good times together. Listen along to learn some vocabulary that will help make your English more natural and to improve your listening fluency.

The Study Materials for This Episode Are Free:

* The interactive transcript and vocabulary glossary for this episode are free for everyone. No membership needed. Get them here:

* Become a Culips member to get study materials for every episode, live speaking classes, ad-free audio, member-only perks, and more. Click here to join.

* Join our Discord community to connect with other learners and get more English practice. Click here

GLOSSARY EXPRESSIONS

Get your act together
In for a world of pain
Talk your ear off
Crash out
Kaput
Rip-off
Putter around
Lightheaded
Toughen up
Bounce back

The post Bonus episode #174 – Out-of-town Trip first appeared on Culips English Podcast.

Chatterbox #346 – The psychology of spending money

contact@culips.com (Culips Team) — Thu, 07 May 2026 21:00:49 +0000

Why does paying with cash feel different from tapping your phone? In this Chatterbox episode, Andrew and Anna talk about the psychology of spending money. They share what they happily pay extra for, what they refuse to spend on, and the small tricks companies use to get more money out of our wallets. Along the way, they look at why we sometimes feel like we got a great deal even when we just spent five times what we intended.
Listening to many natural responses is one of the best ways to build your everyday listening skills in English.

The Best Way to Learn with This Episode:

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: Click here:
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.

References:

Dan Ariely TED Talk, Are we in control of our own decisions? — Watch here:
American Psychological Association, The psychology of spending* — Read here:

🔑 Key expressions

Keep an ear out for these phrases during the episode:

To recoil
Hit or miss
To break a bill
Couldn’t give a toss
To be averse to
To game

The post Chatterbox #346 – The psychology of spending money first appeared on Culips English Podcast.

Real Talk #67 – How to answer the question ‘how are you?’

contact@culips.com (Culips Team) — Fri, 01 May 2026 02:25:14 +0000

How do you answer the question, “How are you?” It sounds simple, but native English speakers actually use a wide variety of answers. In this Real Talk episode, Andrew and Kassy share more than 30 common replies, including standard answers, sarcastic ones, and phrases people use on a busy or tough day. They explain what each phrase really means and the situations where you’ll hear it.

Listening to many natural responses is one of the best ways to build your everyday listening skills in English.

The best way to learn with this episode:

Culips members get an interactive transcript, a 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:
https://discord.gg/Bpxa85CFuc

🔑 Key expressions

Keep an ear out for these phrases during the episode:

To put someone through the wringer
A scholar and a gentleman
Murky
Not one’s cup of tea
To be foiled
To chuck something

The post Real Talk #67 – How to answer the question ‘how are you?’ first appeared on Culips English Podcast.

Bonus episode #173 – A Tale of FOMO

contact@culips.com (Culips Team) — Sun, 26 Apr 2026 15:44:36 +0000

Have you ever felt the fear of missing out on something exciting? In this bonus episode, Andrew talks about FOMO, finding yourself in a funk, exercising your green thumb, and growing your own food. Listen along to learn some vocabulary that will help make your English more natural and to improve your listening fluency.

The Study Materials for This Episode Are Free:

The interactive transcript, study guide, and quiz for this episode are free for everyone. No membership needed. Get them here
Become a Culips member to get study materials for every episode, live speaking classes, ad-free audio, member-only perks, and more. http://culips.co to join.
Join our Discord community to connect with other learners and get more English practice. https://discord.gg/Bpxa85CFuc

English Expressions featured in this episode

FOMO
On the ball
To full send (it)
To throw your hat into the ring
To keep your eyes peeled
To mull (something) over
To hit (someone) like a ton of bricks
To snap (yourself) out of (something)
In a funk
Green thumb

The post Bonus episode #173 – A Tale of FOMO first appeared on Culips English Podcast.

Chatterbox #345 – Interview with Michael Lavers

contact@culips.com (Culips Team) — Wed, 22 Apr 2026 20:08:31 +0000

From Cornwall to Bangkok: Cycling, Podcasting, and Pop Culture with Michael Lavers

Would you leave England to start a new life in Bangkok? Would you plan a cycling trip across an entire country?

In this episode, Andrew interviews Michael Lavers from the Level Up English Podcast, a British podcaster who is doing exactly that. They chat about growing up in Cornwall, moving to Thailand, cycling adventures, and the challenges of learning Thai. Andrew ends the conversation with some quick questions about British pop culture that surprise even Michael!

Listening to long conversations like this one is a fantastic way to improve your listening skills and pick up natural English expressions in context.

📚 Study Materials

The interactive transcript, study guide, and quizzes for this episode are 100% free for everyone. No membership is needed!

Become a Culips Member: Get study materials for every episode, plus live speaking classes, ad-free audio, member-only perks, and more.
Join Our Discord Community: Connect with other learners and get real-time English practice.
Check out Michael’s podcast: Level Up English Podcast

🔑 Key Expressions

Keep an ear out for these phrases during the episode:

To put someone through the wringer
A scholar and a gentleman
Murky
Not one’s cup of tea
To be foiled
To chuck something

The post Chatterbox #345 – Interview with Michael Lavers first appeared on Culips English Podcast.

Simplified Speech #246 – Never have I ever

contact@culips.com (Culips Team) — Fri, 17 Apr 2026 06:27:12 +0000

Have you ever returned food at a restaurant? Fired a real gun? Used a fake ID to buy alcohol? Andrew and Indiana play Never Have I Ever in this episode, a popular North American game where players share the surprising things they have or have not done in their lives. Who has done more? Listen to find out, and learn some useful English expressions along the way.

Listening to natural English conversations like this one is a great way to improve your fluency.

The Best Way to Learn with This Episode:

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: Click here
Members can access the ad-free version: Click here.
Join our Discord community to connect with other learners and get more English practice. Click here to join.

The post Simplified Speech #246 – Never have I ever first appeared on Culips English Podcast.

Bonus episode #172 – Spring Stories

contact@culips.com (Culips Team) — Sun, 12 Apr 2026 21:08:30 +0000

In this bonus episode, Andrew shares a couple of stories about what he’s been up to so far this spring, including a hike up a mountain in Seoul to see some spring flowers and doing a big deep clean of his house. Listen along to learn some vocabulary that will help make your English more natural and to improve your listening fluency.

Important links:

The post Bonus episode #172 – Spring Stories first appeared on Culips English Podcast.

Simplified Speech #245 – Robots and fantasy investing

contact@culips.com (Culips Team) — Fri, 10 Apr 2026 21:02:29 +0000

Are robots about to take over our houses? In this Simplified Speech episode, Andrew and Kassy catch up and share what’s new in their lives. Kassy talks about the new robotics program at her school and the family members coming to visit her in Korea, and Andrew explains the strange little experiment he tried to finally get over his fear of the stock market.

Kassy also mentions an older episode about the GameStop story, which you can hear in Chatterbox 261 – “Meme stocks”

The Best Way to Learn with This Episode:

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: Click here
Members can access the ad-free version: Click here.
Join our Discord community to connect with other learners and get more English practice. Click here to join.

The post Simplified Speech #245 – Robots and fantasy investing first appeared on Culips English Podcast.

Chatterbox #344 – The Ick

contact@culips.com (Culips Team) — Fri, 03 Apr 2026 06:58:02 +0000

Have you ever been on a great date, only to suddenly feel completely turned off by something small and unexpected? In this Chatterbox episode, Andrew and Anna talk about “the ick,” that sudden feeling of disgust toward someone you’re dating. They share their own icks, from almond milk to vocal fry, and look at why these reactions happen. Are they silly snap judgments, or could they actually be rooted in something deeper, like evolution or personal values?

Practice using the expressions from this episode in your own conversations, and you’ll sound more natural in no time.

– Andrew references articles from Time and Psychology Today: in the episode.

The Best Way to Learn with This Episode:

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: Click here:

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:

The post Chatterbox #344 – The Ick first appeared on Culips English Podcast.

Bonus episode #171 – March Madness

contact@culips.com (Culips Team) — Mon, 30 Mar 2026 07:59:25 +0000

In this episode, Andrew looks back on March. He ran the Seoul Marathon for the third year in a row after a rough winter of injuries and almost no training. He also tells you about the construction project he and his wife tackled in their yard, and why two weekends of mixing cement felt harder than running 42 kilometers.

Important links:

The post Bonus episode #171 – March Madness first appeared on Culips English Podcast.

Real Talk # 66 – How to tell your server you have food allergies

contact@culips.com (Culips Team) — Thu, 26 Mar 2026 15:09:14 +0000

What would you say if you sat down at a restaurant and needed to tell your server about a food allergy? In this episode of Real Talk, Andrew and Indiana teach you practical phrases and expressions for talking about food allergies, food safety, and common menu abbreviations you’ll see in English-speaking countries.

Listen to this episode and practice the expressions in the study guide to feel more confident the next time you eat out.

Expressions included in the study guide

A severe allergy
To make a note of (something)
To steer clear of (something)
Cross contamination
To go the extra mile
Lactose intolerant

The Best Way to Learn with This Episode:

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:

The post Real Talk # 66 – How to tell your server you have food allergies first appeared on Culips English Podcast.

Simplified Speech #244 – Using AI for personal messages

contact@culips.com (Culips Team) — Thu, 19 Mar 2026 03:46:11 +0000

Would you use AI to write a birthday message to your best friend? What about a condolence note when someone loses a parent? Inspired by this Guardian article, Andrew and Indiana share their honest opinions on a question a lot of people are asking: is it ever OK to let AI speak for you in your personal life? You’ll learn some useful expressions along the way and probably finish with a stronger opinion than you started with.

Listening to real conversations between native speakers is one of the best ways to build your fluency and feel more confident in English.

The Best Way to Learn with This Episode:

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: Click here:
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:

The post Simplified Speech #244 – Using AI for personal messages first appeared on Culips English Podcast.

Bonus episode #170 – Four days in Fukuoka

contact@culips.com (Culips Team) — Mon, 16 Mar 2026 06:35:25 +0000

What is it like to travel to Japan for a quick getaway? In this week’s bonus episode, Andrew shares stories from his recent 4-day trip to Fukuoka, Japan with his wife. They explored record stores, enjoyed incredible food, and visited a beautiful art museum. Andrew also tells you about an unexpected running adventure at a local park that turned into a secret competition with a stranger. Listening to this story will help you improve your English fluency. You will also learn useful, everyday words about travel, shopping, food, and city life.

Important links:

The post Bonus episode #170 – Four days in Fukuoka first appeared on Culips English Podcast.

Catch Word #292 – Stick to your guns

contact@culips.com (Culips Team) — Thu, 12 Mar 2026 04:39:50 +0000

In this Catch Word lesson, Andrew and Indiana teach you two useful English idioms: “stick to your guns” and “double down.” Both expressions describe a person who refuses to change their mind, even when they face pressure or criticism. They discuss the small differences between these idioms, explaining why one is often seen as a sign of respect while the other is usually considered stubborn.

By listening to their conversation, you will learn how to use these idioms naturally in your own everyday speaking.

The Best Way to Learn with This Episode:

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: Click here.
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.

Fan Fact:

Many popular English idioms actually come from the world of gambling and card games. For example, the phrase “double down” comes from the game of Blackjack, where a player can double their bet in exchange for one more card. Another common expression mentioned in this episode is “to fold,” which comes from Poker. In Poker, if you have a weak hand and don’t want to keep betting, you fold your cards and give up on that round.

Expression list:

to stick to one’s guns
to double down
to have one’s mind made up
[Even] in the face of
Peer pressure
To back down

The post Catch Word #292 – Stick to your guns first appeared on Culips English Podcast.

Simplified Speech #243 – How we learn our second languages

contact@culips.com (Culips Team) — Thu, 05 Mar 2026 19:25:54 +0000

In this episode of Simplified Speech, Andrew and Indiana share their personal experiences as language learners. Even though they are English teachers, they also study second languages themselves. They talk about their history with languages like Japanese, German, and Korean, and discuss their favorite study methods and give advice on how to improve your skills.

They chat about some of the different ways they remember new vocabulary and why spending time with the language every day is so important. Finally, they also share some funny and unusual tips for practicing speaking without feeling embarrassed. Listen to the episode to find out which daily habits might work best for you.

The Best Way to Learn with This Episode:

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: Click here.
Members can access the ad-free versio: Click here.
Join our Discord community to connect with other learners and get more English practice. Click here to join.

The post Simplified Speech #243 – How we learn our second languages first appeared on Culips English Podcast.

Bonus episode #169 – Stories from Canada

contact@culips.com (Culips Team) — Sun, 01 Mar 2026 19:48:35 +0000

Canada is famous for its cold winters, but what is it really like to visit in January? In this week’s bonus episode, Andrew shares stories about his recent trip back to his hometown in Canada. He traveled there to enjoy the snow and do some classic winter activities. However, the weather didn’t exactly match his plans! You will hear about his experience ice skating high up in the mountains and his trip to watch a local ice hockey game that had a very wild and surprising moment. Listening to this story will help you improve your English fluency. You will also learn useful, everyday words about winter weather, sports, and Canadian culture.

Important links:

The post Bonus episode #169 – Stories from Canada first appeared on Culips English Podcast.

Simplified Speech # 242 – Separating the art from the artist

contact@culips.com (Culips Team) — Thu, 26 Feb 2026 22:08:00 +0000

In this Simplified Speech episode, Andrew and Indiana discuss a difficult question: Can you separate the art from the artist? Sometimes, famous singers, writers, or actors do bad things or share opinions that hurt other people. Andrew and Indiana talk about if it is OK to still enjoy their music, books, or movies when this happens.

By listening to this conversation, you will learn useful vocabulary to talk about controversy and personal values. This lesson will help you practice listening to natural English conversations and express your own thoughts about famous people who make bad choices.

The Best Way to Learn with This Episode:

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: Click here.
Members can access the ad-free version: Click here.
Join our Discord community to connect with other learners and get more English practice. Click here to join.

Fun Fact

Did you know that the popular word “canceled” actually comes from a 1991 movie? In the film New Jack City, a gangster gets angry at his girlfriend and tells someone to “cancel” her. Years later, people on social media started using this exact word to say they will stop supporting famous people who make bad choices. It shows how a simple movie line can grow into a word that everyone uses to talk about problematic artists today.

Expression list

problematic
separate the art from the artists
clear-cut
blanket statement
to own up to
boycotting

The post Simplified Speech # 242 – Separating the art from the artist first appeared on Culips English Podcast.

Bonus episode #168 – Sick as a dog

contact@culips.com (Culips Team) — Sun, 22 Feb 2026 19:36:51 +0000

Traveling abroad is usually a fun adventure, but what happens when you get sick in a different country? In this week’s bonus episode, Andrew shares a story about his recent trip to Tokyo. He traveled there to see a concert and meet Culips listeners. However, a sudden illness almost ruined his plans. You will hear about how he tried to finish his trip and his long journey back to South Korea to find a doctor. Listening to this story will help you improve your English fluency. You will also learn useful, everyday words about traveling, being sick, and getting better.

Important links:

The post Bonus episode #168 – Sick as a dog first appeared on Culips English Podcast.

Simplified Speech #241 – Keeping secrets

contact@culips.com (Culips Team) — Thu, 19 Feb 2026 19:24:52 +0000

Can you keep a secret? In this episode, Andrew and Kassy talk about the difference between being an “open book” and a “closed book.” They discuss their own habits for keeping things private, share funny stories about childhood crushes, and debate whether it is harder to keep good news or bad news a secret.

The Best Way to Learn with This Episode:

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: Click here.
Members can access the ad-free version: Click here.
Join our Discord community to connect with other learners and get more English practice. Click here to join.

Fun Fact
Andrew mentions being “in a pickle.” This is a funny way of saying you are in a difficult situation. While we usually think of pickles as a tasty snack, the phrase comes from the idea of being all mixed up or “stewed,” just like vegetables in a jar of vinegar!

Expression list

To pry [something] out of [someone]
To get dragged into
To mind [one’s] own business
A layoff
Resentful
To pave the way

The post Simplified Speech #241 – Keeping secrets first appeared on Culips English Podcast.

Simplified Speech #240 – Japanese music

contact@culips.com (Culips Team) — Fri, 13 Feb 2026 05:49:46 +0000

Join Andrew and Indiana for a conversation about their love for J-Pop. In this episode, the hosts discuss how they originally found this genre and why it has become so famous globally. They talk about the “City Pop” trend, the unexpected ways they stumbled upon their favorite bands, and why listening to 90s Japanese music makes them feel nostalgic. Finally, they share a list of albums and songs to help you start listening, too. Press play to practice your English and find some great new music!

The Best Way to Learn with This Episode:

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: Click here.
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.

Here are the listening recommendations made by Andrew and Indiana:

Spacy – Tatsuro Yamashita: Click here
Wet Land – Hiroshi Yoshimura: Click here
Sugar Babe – Songs: Click here
Happy End – Kazamachi Roman: Click here
Haruomi Hosono – Hosono House: Click here
PONPONPON – Kyary Pamyu Pamyu: Click here

Fun Fact
Andrew mentions that listening to Japanese electronic music makes him nostalgic for old video games. This is no coincidence! Haruomi Hosono (recommended by both hosts in this episode) was a founder of Yellow Magic Orchestra, a band that pioneered using arcade sounds in pop music. Their 1978 hit “Computer Game” actually sampled sounds from Space Invaders!

The post Simplified Speech #240 – Japanese music first appeared on Culips English Podcast.

Catch Word #291 – English Idiom: What Does ‘Belly Up’ Mean?

contact@culips.com (Culips Team) — Thu, 05 Feb 2026 20:50:23 +0000

In this Catch Word episode, you will learn two useful English idioms that describe financial failure. Andrew and Indiana explain what it means “to lose your shirt” and “to go belly up.” These expressions are common in news stories, business conversations, and everyday talk about money problems. Your hosts share clear examples from investing, gambling, restaurants, and regular life so you can understand how native speakers use these idioms naturally.

What you’ll learn with this episode:

How to use “lose your shirt” when someone loses a large amount of money
How to use “go belly up” to talk about a business or project that fails
Helpful example dialogues that show tone, emotion, and real-life context

This episode is perfect for you if:

You want to build everyday vocabulary for talking about money and risk
You want to understand English used in news reports, business shows, and casual conversations
You need practical listening practice with clear examples and friendly explanations
You want to feel more confident using idioms that native speakers use when discussing financial problems

The Best Way to Learn with This Episode:

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: Click here.
Members can access the ad-free version: Click here.
Join our Discord community to connect with other learners and get more English practice. Click here to join.

Fun Fact

Did you know that “lose your shirt” comes from old gambling slang in the 1800s, when people sometimes bet so much money that they literally walked home without their clothes? The image was so shocking and memorable that people began using “lose your shirt” to describe losing all your money, even when no clothing was actually involved.

The post Catch Word #291 – English Idiom: What Does ‘Belly Up’ Mean? first appeared on Culips English Podcast.

Bonus episode #167 – Airplane tales

contact@culips.com (Culips Team) — Mon, 02 Feb 2026 20:51:25 +0000

How do you usually react when your plans suddenly fall apart? In this bonus episode, Andrew tells a story about his recent trip to Canada where a few small errors led to some big inconveniences. He describes how he coped with a lack of entertainment and how he navigated a socially awkward moment with a group of strangers. Tune into the story to boost your fluency and pick up some useful expressions for describing everyday challenges and how to overcome them.

Important links:

The post Bonus episode #167 – Airplane tales first appeared on Culips English Podcast.

Simplified Speech #239 – Kassy goes coast to coast

contact@culips.com (Culips Team) — Wed, 28 Jan 2026 21:05:16 +0000

In this episode, you get to hang out with Andrew and Kassy as they look back on Kassy’s huge cross-country trip in the United States. You’ll follow Kassy’s trip from Oregon to Arizona, then on to Pennsylvania, and finally down to the beach in North Carolina. Along the way, you’ll hear what it’s like to travel with a baby, catch up with family and old friends, and deal with a little culture shock in cities where you need to use a car in order to go anywhere. This light and adventurous story takes a shocking turn when a lightning strike causes a total disaster at Kassy’s parents’ house. Give this episode a listen and find out what happened!

The Best Way to Learn with This Episode:

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: Click here.
Members can access the ad-free version: Click here.
Join our Discord community to connect with other learners and get more English practice. Click here to join.

The post Simplified Speech #239 – Kassy goes coast to coast first appeared on Culips English Podcast.

Bonus episode #166 – Home sweet home

contact@culips.com (Culips Team) — Mon, 26 Jan 2026 05:30:24 +0000

What are the things you miss most when you are away from home? In this episode, Andrew shares his excitement about his upcoming solo trip back to Canada. He talks about the challenges of traveling in the winter and a specific outdoor adventure he hopes the weather will allow him to do.

Andrew also shares his “must-visit” list, including the nostalgic shops and delicious local treats he can’t find in Korea. Join Andrew for this everyday English chat to hear about his travel plans and learn useful vocabulary for describing hometowns and hobbies.

Important links:

The post Bonus episode #166 – Home sweet home first appeared on Culips English Podcast.

Simplified Speech #238 – Would you get a tattoo?

contact@culips.com (Culips Team) — Fri, 23 Jan 2026 02:46:56 +0000

In this episode, Andrew and Indiana talk about tattoos. They share personal stories, why some people choose tattoos, why others do not, and how tattoo culture looks in Korea, Japan, Canada, and the USA. You will hear clear examples of common tattoo words like sleeve, stick and poke, hand poked, lettering, script, blackout, and tribal. Andrew and Indiana also chat about cost, pain, trends, and rules about tattoos at workplaces and onsen in Japan. If you have opinions about tattoos and are interested in hearing more, this episode is perfect for listening practice and vocabulary-building!

What you’ll learn with this episode:

Useful tattoo vocabulary you can use in real life
How to give opinions and reasons politely: how to agree, disagree, and soften your viewpoint
Words for trends and style changes over time
How to compare cultures and places
How to share personal stories in a simple, clear way

This episode is perfect for you if:

You want listening practice with clear, natural speech and real life topics
You want to learn English vocabulary you can use with friends, classmates, or coworkers
You like culture, travel, music, and body art, and want words to talk about them in English
You are an intermediate ESL learner who wants to sound more natural and confident

The Best Way to Learn with This Episode:

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: Click here.
Members can access the ad-free version: Click here.
Join our Discord community to connect with other learners and get more English practice. Click here to join.

The post Simplified Speech #238 – Would you get a tattoo? first appeared on Culips English Podcast.

Bonus episode #165 – Nickel and dime

contact@culips.com (Culips Team) — Sun, 18 Jan 2026 23:30:25 +0000

Do you find travel planning stressful? In this bonus episode, Andrew talks about his upcoming trip to Canada. He shares the ups and downs of booking flights, including a mistake that forced him to change his plans. He also shares exciting news about a Culips meetup in Tokyo. As you listen, you will hear clear, natural English and learn useful vocabulary for talking about travel, money, and solving problems.

Important links:

Become a Culips member
RSVP for the Tokyo Meetup on February 10th, 2026
- RSVP here
- More details on Discord
Study with the interactive transcript
Join the Culips Discord server
Small-group speaking class schedule

The post Bonus episode #165 – Nickel and dime first appeared on Culips English Podcast.

Catch Word #290 – Make short work of it

contact@culips.com (Culips Team) — Wed, 14 Jan 2026 20:52:30 +0000

In this episode of Catch Word, you will learn two common English idioms used to talk about speed and fast results. Andrew and Indiana explain what it means “to make short work of something” and to do something “in short order”, showing you how native speakers use these expressions in workplace and service industry situations. Your hosts will share clear examples from jobs, chores, food, hotels, and office settings so you can understand how these phrases are used naturally.

What you’ll learn with this episode:

How to use the expression “make short work of something” to talk about finishing tasks very quickly
How to use “in short order” to sound polite and professional when talking about quick results
How these expressions sound in real conversations at work and in service situations

This episode is perfect for you if:

You’re trying to build practical vocabulary for everyday and professional English
You want to learn alternative options to common expressions like “quickly” or “right away”
You’re looking for realistic example dialogues that will help you remember and use new vocabulary

The Best Way to Learn with This Episode:

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: Click here.
Members can access the ad-free version: Click here.
Join our Discord community to connect with other learners and get more English practice. Click here to join.

The post Catch Word #290 – Make short work of it first appeared on Culips English Podcast.

Bonus episode #164 – Stopped by a stranger

contact@culips.com (Culips Team) — Sun, 11 Jan 2026 22:05:53 +0000

When was the last time something unexpected happened to you? In this episode, Andrew shares a story about a normal bike ride that turned into a surprise encounter with a YouTuber. He also talks about a tough week at home after his wife caught the flu and he had to take care of the house. As you listen, you will hear clear, natural English and pick up useful vocabulary for telling stories about daily life and health.

Don’t forget to check out the free interactive transcript and glossary to learn the idioms, phrasal verbs, and vocabulary Andrew uses in this episode that will help you sound more natural and confident when speaking English.

Important links:

The post Bonus episode #164 – Stopped by a stranger first appeared on Culips English Podcast.

Simplified Speech #237 – Hello 2026

contact@culips.com (Culips Team) — Mon, 05 Jan 2026 17:03:46 +0000

Happy New Year! For our first Simplified Speech episode of 2026, Andrew and Indiana answer some rapid-fire questions about their plans for this year. From home renovations to fashion predictions, you’ll hear them discuss exactly what they hope to achieve in the new year.

By listening to this conversation, you will learn natural vocabulary and idioms for talking about your own future goals, changing your daily habits, and making predictions.

Important links:

The post Simplified Speech #237 – Hello 2026 first appeared on Culips English Podcast.

Bonus episode #163 – High-stakes holiday

contact@culips.com (Culips Team) — Thu, 01 Jan 2026 21:16:29 +0000

Have you ever made a funny bet with your family? In this episode, Andrew talks about his Christmas in Seoul. He explores a beautiful neighborhood, eats delicious food, and challenges his wife to an exciting arcade game. As you listen, you will hear clear, natural English and pick up useful expressions and storytelling language that can help you understand English more easily and speak it more smoothly.

Important links:

The post Bonus episode #163 – High-stakes holiday first appeared on Culips English Podcast.

Chatterbox #343 – Goodbye 2025

contact@culips.com (Culips Team) — Sat, 27 Dec 2025 01:52:47 +0000

In the last Chatterbox episode of 2025, you’ll listen to Andrew and Anna look back on the year with 15 fun reflection questions. You will hear them talk about surprising news, happy moments, new habits, travel stories, things they bought, and upcoming goals for 2026. Their conversation is relaxed and full of real, everyday English, so you can learn how native speakers look back on the past year and share personal experiences.

What you will learn in this episode:

How to talk about your year in English, including highs, lows, and things you did not expect
Useful phrases for giving opinions, agreeing, and reacting with surprise or humor
Natural ways to talk about habits, goals, and plans for the new year

This episode is perfect for you if:

You want to learn natural ways to talk about goals and habits, including routines that fell apart and new habits you want to keep
You want to practice English for small talk topics that come up a lot, like travel, food, buying things, trends, and social media
You want ideas and language you can use as inspiration to talk about your own 2025 and your plans for 2026 with friends or coworkers

The Best Way to Learn with This Episode:

Culips members get an interactive transcript, helpful study guide, and ad-free audio for this episode. These tools will help you review new words, check your understanding, and build confidence in speaking and listening. Take your English to the next level by becoming a Culips member.
Become a Culips member now: Click here.
Members can access the ad-free version: Click here.
Join our Discord community to connect with other learners and get more English practice. Click here to join.

The post Chatterbox #343 – Goodbye 2025 first appeared on Culips English Podcast.