Learning a new language can be intimidating. The journey is full of twists and turns. Some days you feel like you’re making progress, and others feel like you’ve forgotten everything you’ve been studying. I’ve been there. I’ve never considered myself a “language guy,” but through hard work and persistence, I became fluent in Spanish. In this episode we go over a brief history of how I learned Spanish, but more importantly we talk about what I would do differently if I were starting from scratch....
Nov 23, 2021•28 min•Ep. 85
Tacos: The definitive Mexican food. And we’re not talking about the hard-shell with shredded cheese variety. We’re talking about the authentic Mexican soft tortilla with all the fixings kind. But where do they come from? What are the most popular ones? How much does a typical taco cost in Mexico? Which ones are our favorites? Find all that out and more in this episode. Links: 013 - La Comida Mexicana | Mexican Food 017 - El Origen de la Comida Tex Mex | The Origin of Tex Mex Food Spanish Immersi...
Nov 16, 2021•34 min•Ep. 84
Travel doesn’t have to be expensive. In fact, it’s possible to travel for $50 a day or less in most countries. May and I regularly travel around Mexico for as little as $40 a day. How is this possible? Over the years we’ve discovered a number of resources and methods for lowering our costs while maximizing our experiences around the world. In this episode, we share four of our best tips for traveling on a budget. Links: 057 - Una Vida Mejor por Menos | A Better Life for Less 061 - Como Planear V...
Nov 09, 2021•34 min•Ep. 83
Who knew bread could have such a colorful and creepy history? In this episode we talk about pan de muerto or “bread of the dead.” Where does it come from? What does it mean? Where can I get the chocolate filled kind? We answer all these questions and more. Links: 028 - Día de Muertos: Lo Que Tienes Que Saber | Day of the Dead: What You Need to Know 029 - Calaveritas de Azúcar: Origen y Tradición | Sugar Skulls: Origin and Tradition What is Day of the Dead? Experience: Michoacan and Day of the De...
Nov 02, 2021•27 min•Ep. 82
Have you heard about the Llorona (The Weeping Lady)? Legend has it that if you listen carefully, you might just hear her crying in the distance for her deceased children. Latin American culture is full of stories that are passed down from generation to generation. All of these tales were new to me when I first visited Mexico, and if you’re a believer, some are enough to make your hair stand on end. In this episode, we take a deep dive into some of the most popular legends in Mexico and Latin Ame...
Oct 26, 2021•27 min•Ep. 81
Mexico is a big country with a variety of foods, cultures, and climates. But what do we think is the most beautiful city in the country? For us, it’s Guanajuato! A UNESCO World Heritage city located in the heart of the country with the best of everything Mexico has to offer. Learn a bit about this incredible part of Mexico, what makes it so special, and how you can experience it yourself. In this episode, we sit down with Laura Barrón, our assistant teacher and guide on our Spanish Immersion Ret...
Oct 19, 2021•34 min•Ep. 80
Improving your Spanish pronunciation is an important part of your language journey. Not only does speaking clearly greatly improved your chances of being understood correctly, but it will also help you sound more natural when you speak and help build your confidence. In this episode, May and I talk about how to improve your Spanish pronunciation. Links: Your One-Stop Guide to Vowels in Spanish [Las Vocales - A E I O U] How to Roll Your Rs in Spani sh Ep. 042 - Pura Vida con Carlota Morales | Pur...
Oct 12, 2021•14 min•Ep. 79
Puerto Rico is an incredible place to visit, but what is it like to live in “La Isla del Encanto?” After three years of living on the island, we share our thoughts about the pros and cons of life in paradise. Links: Living in Puerto Rico: 17 Things You Should Know Ep. 055 - Mi Camino Hacia la Ciudadanía de EEUU Parte 1 | My Journey to U.S. Citizenship Part 1 Ep. 063 - Mi Camino a la Ciudadanía de EEUU Parte 2 | My Journey to U.S. Citizenship Part 2 Ep. 069 - Sobre Puerto Rico - About Puerto Rico...
Oct 05, 2021•28 min•Ep. 78
From Bigfoot to the Loch Ness Monster, mythical creatures have been a source of intrigue worldwide for millennia. Are there creatures that exist just outside of view? In this episode, we explore the ever-evasive chupacabras, a creature that has both terrified and baffled populations in Latin America and beyond. Is it real? Where does it come from? Find out that and much more in this episode. Links: Ep. 072 - Animales de la Calle | Street Animals Tracking the Chupacabra: The Vampire Beast in Fact...
Sep 28, 2021•28 min•Ep. 77
Ever learn something new in Spanish, only to find what you “learned” has gone out the window the moment you try to use it in a regular conversation? Who hasn’t!? If you’re like most people who don’t automatically remember new concepts or vocabulary right away, then this episode is for you. Learn how to make what you learn in Spanish really stick so you can use it in everyday conversations. Links: Check out Baselang Use our link to get $10 off your first month of unlimited Spanish lessons. Check ...
Sep 21, 2021•20 min•Ep. 76
Did you know there are almost 70 languages recognized as “National Languages” in the country? But that’s not all, it’s estimated that there are around 364 languages spoken all over Mexico! For our second episode in the series about Spanish-speaking countries, we decided to highlight May’s country and share some valuable and interesting information with you. So, this episode is all about Mexico; Its population, geography, most important cities, money, weather, and much more! Links: Spanish Immers...
Sep 14, 2021•32 min•Ep. 75
Hispanic Heritage Month was established to recognize what Hispanic and Latinos have brought to the world in terms of culture and history, but it isn’t without its critics. Often such holidays that are meant to honor different groups of people become overcommercialed and don’t do much to advance general knowledge about what these groups actually contribute to the world. So in this episode, we dive into what this holiday means for some, and how you can better celebrate Hispanic Heritage Month. Lin...
Sep 07, 2021•31 min•Ep. 74
Spanish is difficult to learn for a number of reasons. Not only are there differences in word order and accents when compared to English, but you also need to keep track of which words are masculine and feminine. In this episode, we talk about how to overcome these struggles to make the learning process easier. Stay tuned for part two… Links: Why Spanish Is So Hard to Understand [4 Quick & Easy Tips] 10 Hard Words to Pronounce in Spanish | Vlogmas 20 How to Type Spanish Accents on Mac and iP...
Aug 31, 2021•28 min•Ep. 73
Street animals are a common sight in many Spanish-speaking countries. And it seems no matter where we go, we either find them, or they find us. We’ve both helped to foster and find forever homes for many animals over the years, and in this episode, we wanted to share some of those stories with you as well as a number of ways you can help. Whether you’re on the road or flying home, you can help animals in need find their way off the streets and into a caring family. Links: The Triumphant Return o...
Aug 24, 2021•32 min•Ep. 72
Travel is an exciting opportunity, but it’s not risk-free. Scammers have come up with clever ways to take advantage of unsuspecting visitors abroad. Unfortunately, running into someone who’s looking to take advantage of you is a matter of when, not if. But such a situation doesn’t have to end up with you getting ripped off. In this episode, we explore some of the most common travel scams, and what you can do (and say) to keep you and your money safe. Links: The Ultimate Guide to Travel Banking [...
Aug 17, 2021•29 min•Ep. 71
Do you know when to use Hispanic or Latino? What about Latinx or Chicano? If you don’t, you’re not alone. Even Latinos get confused! In this episode, we take a deep dive into what these different terms actually mean and when to use them. But the answer isn’t always black and white. Links: Experience: The Copper Canyon - Las Barrancas del Cobre Level up your Spanish with our Podcast Membership Get the full transcript of each episode so you don’t miss a word Listen to an extended breakdown section...
Aug 10, 2021•28 min•Ep. 70
Puerto Rico is fascinating place with a complicated history and unique culture. For whatever reason, it’s not often a topic that’s covered in schools in the U.S… even though it’s a U.S. territory. As part of a new “country overview” series on the podcast, we share a brief rundown of Puerto Rico – a place we’ve called home for the past two and a half years. Links: Cabo Rojo, Puerto Rico: Pink Lakes, El Faro, and Playa Sucia How to Visit the Bioluminescent Bay in Mosquito Bay in Vieques, Puerto Ri...
Aug 03, 2021•30 min•Ep. 69
Nothing says “Mexico” like tequila. In this episode, we talk about the origins of this quintessential Mexican drink, where it’s produced, how it’s made, how it compares to its cousin mezcal, and more. ¡Salud! Links: “Traditional Drinks You’ve Never Heard of Before” Video Level up your Spanish with our Podcast Membership Get the full transcript of each episode so you don’t miss a word Listen to an extended breakdown section in English going over the most important words and phrases Test your comp...
Jul 27, 2021•28 min•Ep. 68
Are you superstitious? If you’ve ever gone out to shew away an owl or flipped a saint figure up-side-down, you just might be Mexican. As a skeptic myself, I was shocked by how superstitious Mexican culture can be. Many Mexicans go out of the way to hedge their bets against the forces of evil in some fascinating ways. In this episode, you’ll learn about 10 different popular superstitions in Mexico. Links: Ep. 066 - Shamanism in Mexico Level up your Spanish with our Podcast Membership Get the full...
Jul 20, 2021•22 min•Ep. 67
Shamanism isn’t just lore from thousands of years ago–it’s still practiced today in Mexico and in many other countries throughout the world. In this episode, we talk about four of the most prominent modern shamans from Mexico, what they were known for, and our thoughts on the custom. Links: Sign up for italki Level up your Spanish with our Podcast Membership Get the full transcript of each episode so you don’t miss a word Listen to an extended breakdown section in English going over the most imp...
Jul 13, 2021•33 min•Ep. 66
There’s a common path for becoming skilled and knowledgeable for practically every profession. Usually this means a degree from an accredited University. But what if you could learn anything you put your mind to on your own? In this episode, we talk about what it means to be self-taught. Are you an autodidact? Links: TrustedHousesitters LinkedIn Learning Skillshare Udemy Level up your Spanish with our Podcast Membership Get the full transcript of each episode so you don’t miss a word Listen to a...
Jul 06, 2021•30 min•Ep. 65
In this episode, we take a look at some of the culture shocks of experiencing Mexico as a foreigner when it comes to observing life from the streets. Learn about topes , pedestrian right of way, J-walking, and much more. Level up your Spanish with our Podcast Membership Get the full transcript of each episode so you don’t miss a word Listen to an extended breakdown section in English going over the most important words and phrases Test your comprehension with a multiple choice quiz Thank you to ...
Jun 29, 2021•34 min•Ep. 64
In this episode, May and I pick up where we left off in talking about May’s journey towards becoming a US citizen. After years of going through the various stages of immigration, this episode details the conclusion of an eight-year process. So, how long does it really take to become a US citizen? Listen to find out that and much more. Links: Ep. 055 - Road to American Citizenship Part 1 Level up your Spanish with our Podcast Membership Get the full transcript of each episode so you don’t miss a ...
Jun 22, 2021•36 min•Ep. 63
Maybe you don’t think of local markets as places full of culture and history, but Jim and May are here to change your mind. This week, they chat about the definitions and differences between Mexican “mercados” and “tianguis,” which basically are two common types of markets. You can learn a ton from the local farmers and artisans. Check out the episode to discover more! Links: Level up your Spanish with our Podcast Membership Get the full transcript of each episode so you don’t miss a word Listen...
Jun 15, 2021•29 min•Ep. 62
Jim and May, who have travel down to a science, share their tips and advice with others who might need a little help planning a big trip! Sure, we all can agree that the first step is to decide where you want to go, but when do I buy flights? Where do I stay and how do I know what activities to do? And how can I do all this on a budget? Get the most out of your trip with a little planning! Create beautiful memories that you’ll never forget. Check out the episode for more details. Links: Worldpac...
Jun 08, 2021•35 min•Ep. 61
This week Jim and May cover an interesting topic, Jesús Malverde, better known as a saint of the narcos, or drug traffickers in Mexico. Malverde, who many people pray to, is not in fact recognized by the Catholic Church like most saints, but a saint that people come to in a time of need for not necessarily “pious” matters. It’s grown to be a cultural thing. Check out the episode to learn more about Malverde and the story of his supposed assassination. Links: Ep. 023 - Mexico’s Independence Level...
May 31, 2021•27 min•Ep. 60
Ok, so you’re having a conversation in your target language. What's the most necessary component of conversation? Having an extensive vocabulary? Understanding how grammar works? Perfect pronunciation? Or maybe….comprehension! Jim and May agree that comprehension is what’s most important because if you don’t understand what someone is asking you, you can’t even begin to reply! This week they go over a bunch of ways to improve comprehension. Links: How to Say I Don’t Understand in Spanish Video E...
May 25, 2021•30 min•Ep. 59
Although some of us are with the times and know that being a digital nomad is completely possible, picking up your living and traveling the world - all while making money on your time, a lot of people don’t have a clue where to start! This episode is for you guys! Jim and May not only break down how they became digital nomads, but they list over 14 very specific ways to make money while living abroad. The age of the Digital Nomads is here. Links: 057 - A Better Life for Less Money Matt the Exper...
May 18, 2021•28 min•Ep. 58
Most of the time, we think of people moving to the US to see their “American Dream” fulfilled. But more and more, people are leaving places like the US and Canada for countries with a lower cost of living. Like Mexico! We figure that if you’re learning a new language then you probably have double the interest in a potential move. Check out the episode to hear all the details! Links: International Living Numbeo: Cost of Living A Better Life for Half the Price by Tim Leffel The 4-Hour Work Week by...
May 11, 2021•33 min•Ep. 57
Cinco de Mayo is upon us yet again. Do you have plans with your friends to celebrate at your favorite Mexican restaurant with mountains of tacos? Or possibly at home with lots of margaritas and maybe a sombrero or two? May 5th commemorates the Mexican victory over the French in 1862 in the Battle of Puebla. Jim and May give us the run-down on the history behind Cinco de Mayo. If you think it’s all about Mexican Independence Day, you’d be wrong, so check out the episode to find out more! Links: L...
May 04, 2021•31 min•Ep. 56
