In this episode of Simplified Speech, Andrew and Kassy share some exciting personal news as Kassy prepares to welcome her first baby. They talk about how she told her family, the prepa-rations she's making, and her experiences during pregnancy. They also discuss how different cultures announce baby news and the use of social media to share family moments. Join An-drew and Kassy as they celebrate this special time in Kassy’s life and help you improve your English skills along the way! What you ...
Sep 26, 2024•33 min
In this episode, Andrew talks about exciting adventures from the final leg of his summer vacation in Banff, Alberta. He recounts the challenges of planning a trip to the Rocky Mountains, his awesome visits to Lake Louise and Moraine Lake, and a super-cool jazz concert. Plus, he shares a cute story about an impromptu photo session at Lake Louise! This episode will help you improve your English in the following ways: Listening practice: You'll hear a native English speaker tell a detailed story ab...
Sep 22, 2024•40 min
In this Chatterbox episode, Andrew and Anna discuss teen employment. They share their personal experiences and explore the reasons behind the increasing number of teen jobs in various countries. They talk about their first jobs, the wages they earned, and how these early work experiences influenced their lives. They also compare teen employment in different cultures and discuss how rising living costs affect young workers. What You'll Learn: Vocabulary related to teen employment and part-time jo...
Sep 19, 2024•31 min
In this episode, Andrew talks about his summer vacation to Kelowna, British Columbia, his hometown. He describes his adventurous flight on a small plane through stormy weather, his experiences staying at his brother's place near the beach, and family activities like mini-golfing. Plus he shares a story about a fun linguistic surprise at a sushi restaurant! This episode will help you improve your English in the following ways: Listening practice: You'll hear a native English speaker tell a detail...
Sep 15, 2024•36 min
In this Culips episode, Andrew and Kassy talk about audiobooks. They discuss how audiobooks have become more popular in recent years. Andrew shares his experience of listening to audiobooks while running, and Kassy talks about why she has limited experience with them. They also talk about the good and bad points of audiobooks compared to reading regular books. This episode will help you improve your English in the following ways: Listening practice: You'll hear two native English speakers have a...
Sep 12, 2024•27 min
In this episode, Andrew talks about his recent trip to Canada, focusing on his visit to Victoria, British Columbia. He describes his journey from Vancouver to Victoria by ferry, a whale-watching adventure with his wife and an old friend, and a barbecue party with his former bandmates. Andrew shares details about seeing orca and humpback whales, visiting Race Rocks to observe sea lions and seals, and an unexpected change of plans due to COVID-19. This episode will help you improve your English in...
Sep 08, 2024•44 min
In this episode of Catch Word, Andrew and Suzanne explore two strong English expressions that you can use when you want to say, "absolutely not!" or when something is completely impossible. They are "Over my dead body" and "When hell freezes over." These expressions are used to show firm refusal or to say that something will never happen. What you will learn in this episode: Understanding idioms: Learn how to use the expressions "Over my dead body" and "When hell freezes over" to show strong dis...
Sep 05, 2024•18 min
In this episode, Andrew tells a story about camping in British Columbia, Canada. He went with his brother and talks about their journey on logging roads, setting up camp in the rain, and enjoying a natural hot spring. Andrew also talks about an incident with his stolen sandals, describes the beautiful Kalamalka Lake, and explains why this trip was so special to him. This episode will help you improve your English in the following ways: Listening practice: You'll get to hear a native English spea...
Sep 02, 2024•41 min
In this Real Talk episode, Andrew and Kassy help you learn how to talk about being unemployed in an optimistic way. They teach you how to discuss your job status in a way that’s both positive and professional. You’ll learn how to have conversations about finding a new job or changing career with their helpful explanations! What you will learn in this episode: Positive talk: Learn how to talk about being unemployed in a positive way. Useful expressions: Discover useful expressions like “I’m in be...
Aug 30, 2024•18 min
Episode description: In this episode, Andrew recaps his recent 48-hour trip to Osaka, Japan. He shares his experiences from the first-ever Culips meetup, his shopping adventures for running shoes and vinyl records, and his nighttime run around Osaka Castle. Andrew also describes his encounters with local cuisine, an exceptional coffee shop, and the challenges of exercising in Japan's summer heat. This episode will help you improve your English in the following ways: Listening comprehension: Prac...
Aug 25, 2024•32 min
In this episode of Chatterbox, Andrew and Anna explore the topics of overtourism and tourist shaming. They share their thoughts on a recent protest in Barcelona where demonstrators used water guns to express their frustration with the high number of tourists. Andrew and Anna also compare different cities’ approaches to managing tourism and discuss the impact of tourism on local communities. What you will learn about in this episode: Overtourism: Find out what overtourism is and how it causes pro...
Aug 22, 2024•33 min
In this episode of Catch Word, Andrew and Kassy teach you two useful expressions for describing situations where you are left alone without support: "Left to your own devices" and "High and dry." With several helpful example conversations, they discuss the meaning and nuance of these expressions and provide easy-to-understand explanations to help you know how to use them in different real-life situations. What You Will Learn Key expressions: Learn the meaning of "Left to your own devices" and "H...
Aug 17, 2024•22 min
Andrew is away this week visiting family and friends in Canada, so we thought it would be the perfect time to revisit a classic bonus episode from 2022, titled ‘A Sweet Mystery.’ This episode quickly became a Culips fan favorite for its interesting story. In the episode, Andrew talks about a mystery he has discovered in his neighborhood and about visiting a Christmas market in Seoul. Plus in the vocabulary lesson, he teaches you the expression to not hold water. Enjoy! Important links: Become a ...
Aug 13, 2024•34 min
In this episode of Real Talk, Andrew and Kassy teach you how to handle misunderstandings in English conversations. They focus on common situations where people might get confused, such as unclear pronunciation or vague statements. Through practical examples, you'll learn how to ask for clarification and how to correct yourself politely when you've been misunderstood. What you will learn in this episode: Clarification expressions: Learn useful expressions to help you handle misunderstandings easi...
Aug 09, 2024•21 min
In this episode, Andrew shares a story about crossing an item off his bucket list. He talks about his long-standing goal to cook a dish that would genuinely impress his wife. Andrew describes his experience preparing miyeokguk, a traditional Korean seaweed soup, for his wife's birthday. He talks about searching for a great recipe, cooking the dish, and his wife's reaction to the meal. This episode will help you improve your English in the following ways: Listening comprehension: Practice underst...
Aug 04, 2024•17 min
In this Simplified Speech episode, Andrew and Indiana talk about the topic of “decluttering” – in other words, removing and tidying up disorganized objects in your home. They discuss different methods of decluttering, including the concept of Swedish death cleaning, and share their own experiences with organizing their homes and lives. On a scale of 1 to 10, how organized do you think Andrew and Indiana’s workspaces are? Listen and find out! What you will learn Decluttering techniques: Discover ...
Aug 02, 2024•30 min
In this episode, Andrew talks about his upcoming trip to Osaka, Japan. He discusses the top three things he's looking forward to: the first-ever Culips meetup, shopping, and exploring Osaka through running. Andrew also looks back on his previous visits to Osaka and his travel style, focusing on personal interests rather than typical tourist activities. This episode will help you improve your English in the following ways: Listening comprehension: Practice understanding a native English speaker a...
Jul 29, 2024•17 min
Have you ever thought about how different cultures and generations handle child discipline at home? In this episode, Andrew and Alina discuss the kinds of punishments they experienced as children and explore how these methods have changed over time. They share personal stories and reflect on what worked, what didn't, and the impact these punishments had on their lives. What you will learn about in this episode: Types of punishments: Learn about the different kinds of punishments children receive...
Jul 25, 2024•32 min
In this episode, Andrew shares his excitement about an upcoming trip to his home country, Canada. He discusses three main things he's looking forward to: reuniting with old friends in Victoria, enjoying lake swimming in his hometown of Kelowna, and visiting Banff in the Rocky Mountains. He also shares personal stories about Canadian summer activities and the beauty of the country. This episode will help you improve your English in the following ways: Listening comprehension: Practice understandi...
Jul 21, 2024•22 min
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 infrastructu...
Jul 17, 2024•35 min
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...
Jul 14, 2024•42 min
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...
Jul 11, 2024•30 min
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. Vo...
Jul 07, 2024•26 min
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 princip...
Jul 03, 2024•34 min
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 ...
Jun 30, 2024•32 min
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, inter...
Jun 27, 2024•25 min
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...
Jun 24, 2024•31 min
In this Simplified Speech episode, hosts Andrew and Kassy talk about the "rat race." They discuss what it means, whether their jobs feel like a rat race, and how people might escape it. Kassy chose this topic because of a book she recently read called "Welcome to the Hyunam-Dong Bookshop." The conversation turns into an interesting discussion about modern life, competition, goals, dreams, and personal happiness. What You Will Learn: What "rat race" means and how it relates to a busy life. How pr...
Jun 20, 2024
In this episode, Andrew talks about his recent train journey from Boryeong to Seoul. He shares his experiences of traveling on a crowded train, where he came across a mother and her young children who brought unexpected chaos to the trip. Andrew describes how the children’s behavior affected the other passengers and the surprising reactions from everyone on board. He reflects on the importance of being polite in public places and the challenges of handling difficult situations while traveling. E...
Jun 16, 2024
In this special episode, Andrew is joined by Australian wildlife expert Joey Clarke, Senior Science Communicator at the Australian Wildlife Conservancy. They talk about Australia's unique animals, conservation efforts, and fire management. Listen to hear fascinating stories about the wildlife of Australia and how it is being protected while improving your English skills! What You Will Learn in This Episode: The unique features of various Australian wildlife species, including tree kangaroos and ...
Jun 12, 2024
