Culips English Podcast: Practical English Learning Made Fun Learn and Explore: Join Culips for an exciting English learning journey. Our podcast focuses on teaching English idioms, slang, and phrasal verbs through fun and engaging conversations. Each episode helps you master English for real-life situations. Unique Learning Experience: Culips stands out by blending language skills with cultural insights. Our diverse hosts make learning relatable, covering a variety of everyday topics. You’ll pick up practical language skills and gain cultural understanding, enhancing your English fluency in an enjoyable way. Your Path to Fluency: As your ideal learning partner, Culips provides easy-to-understand lessons on daily English usage. Learn from native speakers and immerse in different cultures, making your English learning journey rewarding and effective.
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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. ...
In this candid conversation, Andrew and Michael Lavers discuss various regrets and lessons learned, from missed investment opportunities and impulsive shopping mistakes to the impact of self-limiting beliefs on career choices. They also delve into early language learning methods, the detrimental effects of toxic hobby cultures, and the surprising discovery of athletic talents later in life, emphasizing the importance of confidence and continuous self-improvement.
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 Englis...
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 th...
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 y...
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. T...
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...
Andrew interviews Michael Lavers about his journey from growing up in Cornwall, England, to moving to Bangkok, Thailand, and starting the Level Up English Podcast. They delve into his passion for cycling, including an upcoming trip across South Korea, and the challenges of learning Thai. The conversation also explores Michael's perspectives on British culture and pop culture in a lively rapid-fire segment.
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...
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: Become a Culips member Study with the interactive transcript Join the Culips Discord server Small-group speaking class schedule...
Andrew and Kassy catch up on their lives, with Kassy detailing her involvement as a referee in her school's new robotics program and the increasing frequency of family visits to Korea. Andrew, seeking to overcome his fear of the stock market, shares his unique experiment of using AI to create a fantasy trading platform based on real market data. They also discuss the practical applications of AI for personal tools and financial planning, concluding with an invitation to their English learning community.
In this Chatterbox episode, Andrew and Anna unpack "the ick," a sudden and often irrational feeling of repulsion towards a romantic interest triggered by a small action. They share relatable personal "icks," like an aversion to almond milk or the phrase "vocal fry," and differentiate it from a general "turn-off." The hosts explore theories, suggesting "icks" might stem from evolutionary instincts or reflect personal insecurities and values, highlighting how modern dating culture influences these snap judgments.
Andrew reflects on a busy March, recounting his unexpected second-fastest finish in the Seoul Marathon despite a winter of injuries and minimal training. He also details a challenging two-weekend yard construction project with his wife, involving heavy cement mixing, which he found even more difficult than running 42 kilometers. The episode concludes with an invitation for listeners to share their March experiences and join Culips' speaking classes.
Hosts Andrew and Indiana guide listeners through essential English phrases for communicating food allergies and dietary restrictions when dining out. They present an example conversation, break down key expressions like "severe allergy," "steer clear of," "cross-contamination," and "going the extra mile," and explain common menu abbreviations such as GF, DF, V, VG, and NF, emphasizing the importance of clarifying needs with staff.
This episode delves into the controversial topic of using AI for personal messages, inspired by a Guardian article. Andrew and Indiana share their candid opinions on whether AI assistance for heartfelt communication, like condolence notes or wedding vows, diminishes authenticity and emotional effort. They explore the nuances between genuine struggle to express oneself and sheer laziness, questioning if convenience is worth losing the human touch in relationships and the potential for perceived betrayal.
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 ...
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 ...
English teachers Andrew and Indiana share their personal language learning experiences with Japanese, German, and Korean, discussing effective study methods like Anki flashcards and the critical role of consistent immersion. They offer practical advice for speaking practice, including unique tips for overcoming embarrassment, and explore the nuanced dynamics of language learning within bilingual relationships, highlighting both benefits and potential pitfalls.
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...
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 nat...
This episode details Andrew's recent trip to Tokyo, initially for a concert and a Culips listener meetup, which took an unexpected turn when he fell severely ill. He shares his struggles to manage his sickness while traveling, seeking medicine, and enduring a long journey back to Seoul for a unique Korean medical treatment to aid his recovery. Listeners will gain insight into the challenges of being sick abroad.
Andrew and Kassy explore the complexities of keeping secrets, discussing whether they are "open books" or "closed books" and sharing personal anecdotes. They delve into the emotional burden of knowing sensitive information, like impending layoffs or family secrets, and debate the challenge of keeping good news versus bad news under wraps. The hosts also touch on past experiences with secret crushes and the importance of having trusted confidantes.
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! T...
Andrew and Indiana clarify two useful English idioms related to financial failure: "to lose your shirt" and "to go belly up." They explain that "lose your shirt" describes an individual losing a large amount of money, often through risky investments or gambling, while "go belly up" refers to a business or project that completely fails or goes bankrupt. The hosts provide diverse examples, from cryptocurrency crashes and casino losses to restaurant closures and competitor bankruptcies, ensuring listeners understand their correct usage and context.
Andrew recounts his challenging recent trip to Canada, detailing the various inconveniences he faced during his flights. From being stuck in a middle seat and forgetting his phone charger to discovering non-functional USB ports mid-flight, he shares how he coped with a lack of entertainment and an unexpected, socially awkward seating situation on the return journey. The episode offers a candid look at travel woes and how to navigate them.
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...
Andrew shares his excitement for an upcoming solo trip to Canada, looking forward to reuniting with family and friends. He discusses his hopes for winter activities like ice skating, despite warm weather concerns, and his joy in exploring unique used bookstores. Andrew also expresses his cravings for specific Canadian comfort foods, from poutine to cinnamon rolls, and his mixed feelings about his favorite hockey team's current performance.
Andrew and Indiana discuss the popular topic of tattoos, sharing their personal reasons for not having them, including cost, pain, and fear of regret, despite their friends being heavily tattooed. They compare tattoo cultures in Korea, Japan, Canada, and the USA, highlighting shifts from counterculture to mainstream acceptance and regional regulations like those for onsen. The hosts also define various tattoo styles like sleeves, stick-and-poke, blackout, and tribal, emphasizing the importance of getting tattoos for personal love rather than trends.
In this bonus episode, Andrew recounts the stressful process of planning his trip back to Canada, highlighting the complexities of booking both his international and domestic flights. He reveals how he initially found affordable tickets only to encounter more frustration with hidden fees and confusing options, particularly when trying to book a connecting flight to his hometown. Andrew shares his personal struggle with feeling 'nickel and dimed' by airlines and explains the valuable lesson learned about thorough research and vigilance in securing the best travel deals.
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...
