Culips English Podcast

Have you ever been on a great date, only to suddenly feel completely turned off by something small and unexpected? In this Chatterbox episode, Andrew and Anna talk about “the ick,” that sudden feeling of disgust toward someone you’re dating. They share their own icks, from almond milk to vocal fry, and look at whyRead More The post Chatterbox #344 – The Ick first appeared on Culips English Podcast.

In this episode, Andrew looks back on March. He ran the Seoul Marathon for the third year in a row after a rough winter of injuries and almost no training. He also tells you about the construction project he and his wife tackled in their yard, and why two weekends of mixing cement felt harderRead More The post Bonus episode #171 – March Madness first appeared on Culips English Podcast.

What would you say if you sat down at a restaurant and needed to tell your server about a food allergy? In this episode of Real Talk, Andrew and Indiana teach you practical phrases and expressions for talking about food allergies, food safety, and common menu abbreviations you’ll see in English-speaking countries. Listen to thisRead More The post Real Talk # 66 – How to tell your server you have food allergies first appeared on Culips English Podcast.

Would you use AI to write a birthday message to your best friend? What about a condolence note when someone loses a parent? Inspired by this Guardian article, Andrew and Indiana share their honest opinions on a question a lot of people are asking: is it ever OK to let AI speak for you inRead More The post Simplified Speech #244 – Using AI for personal messages first appeared on Culips English Podcast.

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 aRead More The post Bonus episode #170 – Four days in Fukuoka first appeared on Culips English Podcast.

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 aRead More The post Catch Word #292 – Stick to your guns first appeared on Culips English Podcast.

In this episode of Simplified Speech, Andrew and Indiana share their personal experiences as language learners. Even though they are English teachers, they also study second languages themselves. They talk about their history with languages like Japanese, German, and Korean, and discuss their favorite study methods and give advice on how to improve your skills. Read More The post Simplified Speech #243 – How we learn our second languages first appeared on Culips English Podcast.

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 hisRead More The post Bonus episode #169 – Stories from Canada first appeared on Culips English Podcast.

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 thisRead More The post Simplified Speech # 242 – Separating the art from the artist first appeared on Culips English Podcast.

Traveling abroad is usually a fun adventure, but what happens when you get sick in a different country? In this week’s bonus episode, Andrew shares a story about his recent trip to Tokyo. He traveled there to see a concert and meet Culips listeners. However, a sudden illness almost ruined his plans. You will hearRead More The post Bonus episode #168 – Sick as a dog first appeared on Culips English Podcast.

Can you keep a secret? In this episode, Andrew and Kassy talk about the difference between being an “open book” and a “closed book.” They discuss their own habits for keeping things private, share funny stories about childhood crushes, and debate whether it is harder to keep good news or bad news a secret. TheRead More The post Simplified Speech #241 – Keeping secrets first appeared on Culips English Podcast.

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 musicRead More The post Simplified Speech #240 – Japanese music first appeared on Culips English Podcast.

In this Catch Word episode, you will learn two useful English idioms that describe financial failure. Andrew and Indiana explain what it means “to lose your shirt” and “to go belly up.” These expressions are common in news stories, business conversations, and everyday talk about money problems. Your hosts share clear examples from investing, gambling,Read More The post Catch Word #291 – English Idiom: What Does ‘Belly Up’ Mean? first appeared on Culips English Podcast.

How do you usually react when your plans suddenly fall apart? In this bonus episode, Andrew tells a story about his recent trip to Canada where a few small errors led to some big inconveniences. He describes how he coped with a lack of entertainment and how he navigated a socially awkward moment with aRead More The post Bonus episode #167 – Airplane tales first appeared on Culips English Podcast.

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 toRead More The post Simplified Speech #239 – Kassy goes coast to coast first appeared on Culips English Podcast.

What are the things you miss most when you are away from home? In this episode, Andrew shares his excitement about his upcoming solo trip back to Canada. He talks about the challenges of traveling in the winter and a specific outdoor adventure he hopes the weather will allow him to do. Andrew also sharesRead More The post Bonus episode #166 – Home sweet home first appeared on Culips English Podcast.

In this episode, Andrew and Indiana talk about tattoos. They share personal stories, why some people choose tattoos, why others do not, and how tattoo culture looks in Korea, Japan, Canada, and the USA. You will hear clear examples of common tattoo words like sleeve, stick and poke, hand poked, lettering, script, blackout, and tribal.Read More The post Simplified Speech #238 – Would you get a tattoo? first appeared on Culips English Podcast.

Do you find travel planning stressful? In this bonus episode, Andrew talks about his upcoming trip to Canada. He shares the ups and downs of booking flights, including a mistake that forced him to change his plans. He also shares exciting news about a Culips meetup in Tokyo. As you listen, you will hear clear,Read More The post Bonus episode #165 – Nickel and dime first appeared on Culips English Podcast.

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.Read More The post Catch Word #290 – Make short work of it first appeared on Culips English Podcast.

When was the last time something unexpected happened to you? In this episode, Andrew shares a story about a normal bike ride that turned into a surprise encounter with a YouTuber. He also talks about a tough week at home after his wife caught the flu and he had to take care of the house.Read More The post Bonus episode #164 – Stopped by a stranger first appeared on Culips English Podcast.

Happy New Year! For our first Simplified Speech episode of 2026, Andrew and Indiana answer some rapid-fire questions about their plans for this year. From home renovations to fashion predictions, you’ll hear them discuss exactly what they hope to achieve in the new year. By listening to this conversation, you will learn natural vocabulary andRead More The post Simplified Speech #237 – Hello 2026 first appeared on Culips English Podcast.

Have you ever made a funny bet with your family? In this episode, Andrew talks about his Christmas in Seoul. He explores a beautiful neighborhood, eats delicious food, and challenges his wife to an exciting arcade game. As you listen, you will hear clear, natural English and pick up useful expressions and storytelling language thatRead More The post Bonus episode #163 – High-stakes holiday first appeared on Culips English Podcast.

In the last Chatterbox episode of 2025, you’ll listen to Andrew and Anna look back on the year with 15 fun reflection questions. You will hear them talk about surprising news, happy moments, new habits, travel stories, things they bought, and upcoming goals for 2026. Their conversation is relaxed and full of real, everyday English,Read More The post Chatterbox #343 – Goodbye 2025 first appeared on Culips English Podcast.

In this Culips episode, Andrew and his friend Luke talk about the Winter Olympics and why they are such a big deal in Canada. They chat about Olympic ice hockey, the return of pro NHL players, and the excitement and controversy around the next Games in Italy. You also hear them share their favorite winterRead More The post Simplified Speech #236 – Previewing the Winter Olympics first appeared on Culips English Podcast.

In this Simplified Speech episode, Andrew and Indiana talk about harmful chemicals in household products and how they try to reduce exposure to these chemicals in their daily lives. You will hear them discuss common household cleaners, beauty items, plastic food storage containers, and some simple choices that they make to try and stay safeRead More The post Simplified Speech #235 – Talking about chemicals first appeared on Culips English Podcast.

Have you ever had a moment where you thought, “OK, time for revenge”? In this episode, Andrew takes you to the streets of Seoul to talk about participating in the 2025 JTBC Marathon. As you listen, you will hear clear, natural English and pick up useful expressions and storytelling language that can help you understandRead More The post Bonus episode #162 – Time for revenge first appeared on Culips English Podcast.

In this Simplified Speech episode, Andrew and Indiana chat about the holiday season, from Thanksgiving to Christmas. Indiana shares how she hosted a vegetarian Thanksgiving potluck, talks about classic U.S. traditions like turkey, parades, football, and turkey trots, and compares them with Canadian Thanksgiving. Then Andrew and Indiana discuss Christmas: when the Christmas season reallyRead More The post Simplified Speech #234 – The Holidays 2025 first appeared on Culips English Podcast.

In this episode, Andrew and Alina share a Culips Community Update and introduce the final monthly challenge of 2025. They chat about their personal highlights from the year, then invite you to join the December 2025 Challenge on the Culips English Podcast Discord server. This month’s theme is reflecting on 2025, sharing your wins, celebratingRead More The post Culips Community Update – December 2025 first appeared on Culips English Podcast.

In this Chatterbox episode, Andrew and Anna talk about what curiosity is, why you feel it, and how it can help or hurt you in everyday life. You will hear real stories about things they have been curious about lately, how curiosity can help you discover new ideas, and how it can sometimes distract you.Read More The post Chatterbox #342 – Talking about curiosity first appeared on Culips English Podcast.

In this Simplified Speech episode, Andrew and Indiana talk about ethical dilemmas. They share everyday tricky situations, like splitting a restaurant bill, switching airplane seats, and seeing someone cheat on a test. You will hear how they think through hard choices, weigh pros and cons, and set healthy boundaries without starting a fight. What you’llRead More The post Simplified Speech #233 – Ethical dilemmas first appeared on Culips English Podcast.

What makes the perfect bachelor weekend? In this episode, Andrew explains the English proverb “When the cat’s away, the mice will play” by sharing what happens when his wife takes a trip to Japan. He talks about his simple list of things he’s looking forward to doing alone. Along the way, you’ll learn useful idiomsRead More The post Bonus episode #161 – The mice will play first appeared on Culips English Podcast.

Do you ever feel frustrated after a bad day at work, a test, or a long commute? In this Chatterbox episode, join Andrew and Anna for a conversation about frustration and how to talk about it clearly in English. In this lesson, you will learn how frustration is different from anger and disappointment, hear realRead More The post Chatterbox #341 – Talking about frustration first appeared on Culips English Podcast.

In this Simplified Speech episode, Andrew and Indiana chat about Indiana’s surprise 30th birthday trip to Las Vegas. You’ll hear how her husband planned the trip, what Las Vegas is really like, and how she felt when she discovered the big surprise he had prepared for her. Andrew and Indiana also talk about cultural expressionsRead More The post Simplified Speech #232 – Indiana’s surprise birthday trip first appeared on Culips English Podcast.

In this Catch Word episode, Andrew and Indiana teach you two very common and useful English expressions for making comparisons: “apples to oranges” and “night and day.” These idioms help you describe situations where things are so different that it’s not fair or even possible to compare them. You’ll hear realistic examples, like comparing homemadeRead More The post Catch Word #289 – Apples to oranges first appeared on Culips English Podcast.

What do you do when your favorite jacket starts to smell really bad? In this episode, Andrew shares a funny story about two expensive jackets that developed a terrible musty odor after being stored under his bed for the summer. He talks about trying different solutions, like leaving them in the sun, putting them inRead More The post Bonus episode #160 – My funky jacket first appeared on Culips English Podcast.

In this Simplified Speech episode, Andrew catches up with Kassy, who returns to share exciting updates about her life. She talks about finishing her master’s degree, taking a long trip across the United States with her baby, moving to a new city in Korea, and adjusting to work after maternity leave. Kassy also shares herRead More The post Simplified Speech #231 – Hanging out with Kassy first appeared on Culips English Podcast.

In this Chatterbox episode, Andrew and Anna talk about algorithms, the hidden digital systems that shape what we see online. They discuss how these tools affect what we buy, what we believe, and even how we feel. If you’ve ever wondered why the same ads seem to follow you everywhere, or you’re curious about Andrew’sRead More The post Chatterbox #340 – How algorithms affect us first appeared on Culips English Podcast.

What’s the best way to give money as a gift? In this episode, Andrew tells a story about hosting his wife’s family for Chuseok, the Korean Thanksgiving holiday. You’ll hear him talk about preparing a huge meal, fitting eight people into a small space, and turning gift-giving into fun games with cash prizes. Listen alongRead More The post Bonus episode #159 – Full House for Chuseok first appeared on Culips English Podcast.

In this Simplified Speech episode, Andrew and Indiana talk about retirement. They chat about what it means, how it looks in different countries, and what people dream of doing after they stop working. You’ll hear them share real examples from the United States, Canada, and Korea and discuss ideas like second careers, semi-retirement, and commonRead More The post Simplified Speech #230 – The golden years and how people spend them first appeared on Culips English Podcast.

Have you ever had a day that started off terribly but somehow became unforgettable? In this episode, Andrew shares the story of a rainy half marathon that began in total chaos and ended with a sweet surprise. You’ll hear real, everyday English as he talks about staying motivated, finding focus, and turning frustration into pride.Read More The post Bonus episode #158 – The rain stole my thunder first appeared on Culips English Podcast.

In this episode, Andrew and Indiana get honest with each other about everyday things that annoy people. They talk about habits that “get on their nerves,” such as loud chewing, people using their phones while talking, overused clichés, bad driving habits, and even dog owners who don’t follow the rules. Along the way, your hostsRead More The post Simplified Speech #229 – Things that get on our nerves first appeared on Culips English Podcast.

In this episode, Andrew and Alina share updates about what’s new at Culips! You’ll learn about the second European meetup happening in Hamburg, Germany on October 18th. They also introduce the October challenge, which is focused on linking words that will help you create better-connected sentences. European Meetup #2 – Hamburg, Germany Date: Saturday, OctoberRead More The post Culips Community Update – October 2025 first appeared on Culips English Podcast.