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. Dont miss it! How to Join the Culips Discord Server and Participate in the Challenge Create a Discord Account: Sign...
Jan 27, 2025•19 min•Transcript available on Metacast 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. Its a fun way to learn about Norway and improve your English skills at the same time! How this episode will improve your English...
Jan 24, 2025•23 min•Transcript available on Metacast 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•Transcript available on Metacast 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 Mikaels 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 roguel...
Jan 17, 2025•24 min•Transcript available on Metacast In this weeks 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, youll learn useful English expressions such as we go way back and caught up with me, and improve your flue...
Jan 12, 2025•26 min•Transcript available on Metacast 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•Transcript available on Metacast In this weeks bonus episode, Andrew shares a story about how his New Years 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 Years Eve with his wife and gives us a glimpse of his gift exchange. As you listen, youll learn useful English expressions like coming down with s...
Jan 06, 2025•19 min•Transcript available on Metacast 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•Transcript available on Metacast Happy 2025! In this weeks bonus episode, Andrew gets the new year off to an exciting start by sharing some big plans for the months ahead. As you listen, youll pick up practical English expressions, discover useful fluency tips, and hear about a special membership sale you wont want to miss. Lets make this a fantastic year of learning and growth together!
Jan 01, 2025•24 min•Transcript available on Metacast 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•Transcript available on Metacast In this weeks bonus episode, Andrew shares a story about trying to celebrate his mother-in-laws 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. Youll also hear about a funny surprise about his father-in-laws new look! As you listen, you will learn useful English expressions and build your fluency. How this episode will improve your English: Listening: Hear natural, e...
Dec 22, 2024•28 min•Transcript available on Metacast 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•Transcript available on Metacast In this weeks bonus episode, Andrew talks about the Oxford Dictionarys 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 words meaning and usage. New vocabulary: Learn words and phras...
Dec 16, 2024•28 min•Transcript available on Metacast Whats the best concert youve ever been to? In this episode of Simplified Speech, Andrew and Indiana talk about some of the best live music shows theyve 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! Ho...
Dec 13, 2024•34 min•Transcript available on Metacast 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•Transcript available on Metacast 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 Alinas q...
Dec 06, 2024•32 min•Transcript available on Metacast In this weeks 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 caf 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 Andrews interestin...
Dec 02, 2024•30 min•Transcript available on Metacast 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•Transcript available on Metacast 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•Transcript available on Metacast 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 to say ...
Nov 21, 2024•24 min•Transcript available on Metacast 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•Transcript available on Metacast 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 Lukes 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 co...
Nov 14, 2024•35 min•Transcript available on Metacast 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•Transcript available on Metacast In this Simplified Speech episode, Andrew talks with Indiana about her recent trip to Germany. Indiana shares exciting stories about meeting her family in Germany for the first time, seeing amazing castles, and trying new foods. They also talk about the challenges of speaking another language and what it was like to see her familys culture up close. This episode gives interesting insights into German culture and tips for feeling more comfortable in a foreign country. What you will learn: Vocabul...
Nov 07, 2024•32 min•Transcript available on Metacast In this weeks bonus episode, Andrew tells the story of what happened after he hurt his knee during a marathon. He talks about his trip to the doctor, getting different treatments, and what it was like walking around with a leg brace. How this episode will improve your English: Listening practice: Follow a natural story about visiting the doctor and dealing with an injury. Practice understanding a longer narrative with real-life details. Vocabulary building: Learn essential medical and health voc...
Nov 03, 2024•26 min•Transcript available on Metacast In this episode of Simplified Speech, Andrew is joined by Indiana to talk about her recent trip to Iceland. They discuss the stunning landscapes, the unique Icelandic culture, and how she decided to travel to Iceland to go on a nature expedition cruise. Indiana also shares interesting facts about Iceland's history, local traditions, and the memorable experiences she had while traveling to that special island. If you dream of visiting Iceland or just want to improve your English, this episode is ...
Oct 31, 2024•31 min•Transcript available on Metacast In this week's bonus episode, Andrew talks about his trip to Gyeongju, South Korea where he participated in the 2024 Gyeongju Marathon. From his pre-race planning and road trip with his friend Jimmy, to the excitement of race day morning, you'll hear all the details of his marathon experience. Andrew shares what it's like to be one of the few international runners at the event, introduces us to the traditional Korean music that welcomed runners at the start line, and opens up about dealing with ...
Oct 27, 2024•41 min•Transcript available on Metacast In this episode, Andrew and Anna continue their chat about the challenges and joys of using humor in different languages. They share stories of failed jokes, moments when humor brought people together, and discuss how different cultures approach comedy. They also share their favorite types of comedy and talk about why some people seem naturally funny while others arent. What you will learn: Vocabulary and expressions related to humor and comedy. Why some people might be naturally funnier than ot...
Oct 24, 2024•24 min•Transcript available on Metacast In this weeks bonus episode, Andrew talks about the highs and lows of preparing for his next race in Gyeongju, South Korea. Along the way, he reflects on how running has impacted his life, and he discusses trying to overcome challenges like injuries and tough weather conditions. What you'll learn: Listening practice: Improve your English by following along as Andrew talks about his passion for running. Vocabulary building: Learn useful terms related to fitness and running, like "training block,"...
Oct 20, 2024•42 min•Transcript available on Metacast In this episode, Andrew and Anna talk about comedy and what makes them laugh. They share stories about the types of humor they enjoy and discuss the differences in comedy across cultures, from British and American sitcoms to well-known comedians. Tune in to hear their thoughts and add some fun to your English learning! What You'll Learn: Vocabulary related to comedy and humour, such as deadpan, roast, and sitcom. The differences between British and American humour. Recommendations for popular TV...
Oct 18, 2024•18 min•Transcript available on Metacast 
