In this episode, Andrew and Alina share updates about the Culips community. They talk about the fun activities happening recently including small-group speaking classes and monthly challenges. They read a nice review from a listener named Coco, who joined the classes and loved them. They also spin a prize wheel to pick a winner from the January challenge. Alina introduces the new March challenge, which will help learners understand and use the tricky verb “get.” Finally, they talk about the sche...
Feb 24, 2025•15 min
In this episode, Andrew and Anna explore the impact of sound on our daily lives. From the noises that wake us up in the morning to the background sounds that shape our work, relaxation, and social interactions, they discuss how these sounds affect our mood, focus, and overall well-being. Tune in to learn how sound impacts daily life and boost your English skills at the same time! How this episode will improve your English: Vocabulary: Learn useful expressions like "placebo effect," "to gab away,...
Feb 21, 2025•39 min
In this episode, Andrew shares a funny but stressful story about how a hiking trip almost went wrong before it even started. He talks about losing his wallet, missing a subway, and rushing to catch a bus just in time. This real-life story is easy to understand and will help you improve your English while enjoying an exciting adventure. How this episode will improve your English: Listening: Hear natural English as Andrew describes a real-life story with excitement and detail. Pay attention to how...
Feb 20, 2025•22 min
In this episode of Simplified Speech, Andrew and Kassy share stories about their latest travels. Kassy talks about her trip to Thailand with her four-month-old son. She explains what it was like to ride a speedboat and go through airport security with a baby. Andrew describes his plan to visit Taebaek, the small Korean city where he first lived. He looks forward to hiking the local mountain and seeing how much the city has changed. Listen to learn useful English words and phrases about travel, f...
Feb 13, 2025•27 min
Episode description: In this episode of Simplified Speech, Andrew and Indiana talk about winter and how it can make people feel sad or tired. They share their own winter experiences from places like Korea and the United States. Andrew and Indiana explain why winter can be hard and give simple tips to feel better, such as getting enough sunlight, exercising, and staying warm. They also talk about fun winter activities and ways to stay happy during the cold months. Listen to improve your English a...
Feb 06, 2025•25 min
In this episode, Andrew talks about going to his nephew’s elementary school graduation and realizing the power of celebrating small wins. He shares how a simple ceremony can bring families closer, boost confidence, and lead to bigger successes. He also explains why supporting each other’s achievements, even when they seem small, can make a big difference. This real-life story will help you improve your English skills and become a better communicator. How this episode will improve your English: L...
Feb 03, 2025•12 min
In this Catch Word episode, Andrew and Indiana teach you two useful English idioms: "can't stomach something" and "makes my skin crawl." These expressions are perfect for describing strong negative reactions, like disgust or fear. Together, Andrew and Indiana break down the meanings of these idioms, share real-life examples, and discuss how to use these expressions in a wide variety of situations. How this episode will improve your English: Vocabulary: Learn useful expressions like "gory," "to s...
Jan 31, 2025•25 min
In this episode, Andrew and Alina share exciting news about February's free grammar challenge on countable and uncountable nouns. Learn how to join the challenge by signing up for the Culips Discord server, participating in fun, easy tasks every second day, and earning a completion certificate. Plus, discover other ways to connect with the Culips community and improve your English. Don’t miss it! How to Join the Culips Discord Server and Participate in the Challenge Create a Discord Account: Sig...
Jan 27, 2025•19 min
In this episode of Simplified Speech, Andrew talks with Mikael about Norway, a country with beautiful fjords, long winters, and tasty seafood. Mikael shares fun facts about life in Norway, like their famous brown cheese, exciting holidays, and how they stay cozy during dark winters. They also talk about Norwegian traditions, popular foods, and the best places to visit. It’s a fun way to learn about Norway and improve your English skills at the same time! How this episode will improve your Englis...
Jan 24, 2025•23 min
In this episode, Andrew tells the story of how he surprised his parents at Christmas. He shares the big reveal, their shocked reactions, and how they spent the holiday. He also talks about what he did during the rest of his visit and how he felt about surprising them. This real-life story will help you improve your English skills and become a better communicator. How this episode will improve your English: Listening: Hear natural, everyday English as Andrew shares a real-life story about surpris...
Jan 21, 2025•22 min
Join Andrew as he talks with Mikael, a special guest from Norway. Mikael shares how he learned English and got interested in programming and making video games. He also tells the story of how he met Culips team member Alina through a pen pal app years ago. If you want to know Mikael’s tips for learning English and learn some cool video game vocabulary, this episode is perfect for you! How this episode will improve your English: Build your vocabulary: Learn useful gaming and tech words like “rogu...
Jan 17, 2025•24 min
In this week’s bonus episode, Andrew shares a story about his quick trip to Vancouver before heading to his hometown for Christmas. He talks about flying in from Seoul, meeting his best friend Luke, and enjoying Canadian treats like poutine. Andrew also faced some challenges, like rainy weather and lost luggage, but still found time to watch a hockey game and explore the city. As you listen, you’ll learn useful English expressions such as “we go way back” and “caught up with me,” and improve you...
Jan 12, 2025•26 min
Andrew and Anna talk about modern identity labels that people use in their daily lives. They look at labels for work, relationships, finances, and more. Some examples include WFH (work from home), solopreneur (running a business alone), and dink (double income, no kids). They also discuss terms for different generations, like millennial and zoomer, and relationship labels like situationship. Andrew and Anna explain what these words mean, how people use them, and why these labels have become popu...
Jan 10, 2025•35 min
In this week’s bonus episode, Andrew shares a story about how his New Year’s plans took an unexpected turn. After a fun trip to Canada, he returned to South Korea feeling under the weather. Despite his plans to start the year with a bang, he spent the first few days battling jet lag and coming down with something. Andrew also talks about celebrating New Year’s Eve with his wife and gives us a glimpse of his gift exchange. As you listen, you’ll learn useful English expressions like “coming down w...
Jan 06, 2025•19 min
In this episode of Simplified Speech, Andrew and Indiana discuss her recent move to a new house. They talk about the exciting but exhausting process of buying and moving into a home, the challenges of unpacking, and the traditions surrounding moving day. Indiana shares her experience of house hunting for months and finally settling into her new space, while Andrew reflects on his own moving experiences. How this episode will improve your English: Learn new vocabulary and expressions: The episode...
Jan 04, 2025•26 min
Happy 2025! In this week’s bonus episode, Andrew gets the new year off to an exciting start by sharing some big plans for the months ahead. As you listen, you’ll pick up practical English expressions, discover useful fluency tips, and hear about a special membership sale you won’t want to miss. Let’s make this a fantastic year of learning and growth together!
Jan 01, 2025•24 min
In this episode of Simplified Speech, Andrew and Kassy reflect on their most memorable moments from 2024, sharing stories about their personal highlights of the year. From family visits and exciting travel experiences to special moments of growth and achievement, they discuss what made this year truly unforgettable. How this episode will improve your English: Improved vocabulary: Learn new words and expressions related to personal experiences, milestones, and emotions. Better listening skills: U...
Dec 27, 2024•21 min
In this week’s bonus episode, Andrew shares a story about trying to celebrate his mother-in-law’s birthday. At first, they planned a hike, but heavy snow forced them to change their plans over and over again. In the end, he and his family enjoyed a cozy, indoor party instead. You’ll also hear about a funny surprise about his father-in-law’s new look! As you listen, you will learn useful English expressions and build your fluency. How this episode will improve your English: Listening: Hear natura...
Dec 22, 2024•28 min
In this episode of Simplified Speech, Andrew talks with new-mom, Kassy! She recently gave birth to a healthy baby boy, and she tells us all about her pregnancy, childbirth, and the early days of caring for a newborn. Listen to hear about her daily routine, the unexpected challenges she faced, and the cultural differences that shape her new life as a parent. What you will learn: Cultural Insights: Discover how birth and parenting practices differ in Korea, especially in terms of hospital policies...
Dec 20, 2024•26 min
In this week’s bonus episode, Andrew talks about the Oxford Dictionary’s top English words for 2024. Follow along as he breaks down each word, explains how to use it naturally, and shares why these words capture our changing culture. As a special treat, he even introduces a brand-new word he created himself! How this episode will improve your English: Listening: Get better at understanding spoken English as Andrew clearly explains each word’s meaning and usage. New vocabulary: Learn words and ph...
Dec 16, 2024•28 min
What’s the best concert you’ve ever been to? In this episode of Simplified Speech, Andrew and Indiana talk about some of the best live music shows they’ve ever seen. They share what made these concerts special, from the wild energy of mosh pits to the excitement of finding new bands. This episode is perfect for English learners who love music and want to improve their listening skills and learn about the cultural side of English. And who knows, you might even discover a new band you really like!...
Dec 13, 2024•34 min
In this bonus episode, Andrew shares the rollercoaster of events he experienced this week, from staying glued to the news during a major political moment in South Korea to tackling an important health check-up. With humor and honesty, he reflects on how these moments shaped his week. How this episode will improve your English: Listening practice: Practice following real-life stories told in clear, natural English. New vocabulary: Learn words and phrases about health, news, and everyday life, suc...
Dec 08, 2024•37 min
In this episode of Simplified Speech, Andrew is joined by Alina to discuss her recent spontaneous trip to Norway. Alina shares how she made a last-minute decision to visit the country, motivated by her love for Scandinavian coffee and her desire to experience the famous Norwegian sauna. Throughout the episode, Alina also talks about her first impressions of Norway, the challenges of traveling spontaneously, and some cultural surprises she encountered. Join the conversation to hear about Alina’s ...
Dec 06, 2024•32 min
In this week’s bonus episode, Andrew takes you on a fun Sunday trip through Jegidong, a neighborhood in Seoul. Follow along as he and his wife find a small, hidden Chinese restaurant and visit a lively local market, buying fresh fruit and enjoying the busy, bustling atmosphere. To top it all off, they relax at a café with a fascinating history as an old movie theater. How this episode will improve your English: Listening Practice: Get better at understanding English by following Andrew’s interes...
Dec 02, 2024•30 min
In this episode of Chatterbox, Andrew and Anna discuss the important topic of office etiquette. They share tips and opinions on workplace culture, including dress codes, handling awkward situations, and maintaining a harmonious office environment. You'll also hear about how cultural differences influence workplace behavior and why certain habits, like strong perfumes or noisy eating, might cause friction in shared spaces. How this episode will improve your English: Vocabulary building: Learn key...
Nov 28, 2024•36 min
In this week's bonus episode, Andrew shares his experience receiving a surprise care package from San Francisco. While unpacking delicious American treats with his wife, he reflects on his own journey with homesickness in South Korea and how care packages helped him adjust to life abroad. Listen as Andrew humorously describes his weakness for peanut butter cups and why his wife had to become the official "snack manager" in their house. How this episode will improve your English: Listening practi...
Nov 25, 2024•25 min
In this Catch Word episode, Andrew and Suzanne teach you two useful expressions that describe when something is exactly what you need. These expressions are perfect for situations when you get something that suits you perfectly or brings you comfort. You will learn how to use “exactly what the doctor ordered” and “just the ticket” in real-life conversations, as well as understand how these expressions can help you sound more natural in English. What you will learn: New expressions: Learn how t...
Nov 21, 2024•24 min
In this week's bonus episode, Andrew tells a funny story about trying to stop wasting time on his phone and computer. He uses an app to block distracting websites so he can focus better. But instead of staying on track, he discovers a new distraction he didn't expect. Andrew talks about how his plan took an unexpected turn and what he learned from it. He also shares the meaning of the expression, "When God closes a door, he opens a window," and how it fits his experience. Join him to hear about ...
Nov 17, 2024•22 min
In this episode of Simplified Speech, Andrew is joined by his longtime friend Luke, who recently took up scuba diving! Listen in as Luke shares stories about learning to scuba dive in Bali and the Philippines, including the different kinds of dives he experienced and all the training he went through. Andrew and Luke discuss Luke’s diving adventures and the different sights he saw in the ocean – such as a World War II shipwreck! If you're interested in scuba diving or just want to enjoy a natural...
Nov 14, 2024•35 min
In this week's bonus episode, Andrew tells a funny yet unfortunate tale about some bad luck that he and his wife both experienced with their favorite gadgets at almost the same time! You'll hear about exactly what happened, the lessons they learned, and how they dealt with it all. How this episode will improve your English: Listening practice: Follow a real-life story filled with natural speech. Practice understanding a longer, detailed narrative about everyday challenges. Vocabulary building: L...
Nov 10, 2024•30 min
