Culips Everyday English Podcast

In this episode, Andrew and Anna continue exploring trend predictions. This time, they’re looking into five trend predictions coming out of America. They talk about all the details and share their own opinions and attitudes towards these trends. By studying with this audio lesson, you can improve your listening skills and learn vocabulary related to trends, personal well-being, technology advancements, chatbots, consumerism and second-hand shopping. For Culips members, an interactive transcript, helpful study guide, and ad-free audio are available to improve your learning experience. Members can access the ad-free version: Click here. Sign up for a Culips membership: Click here. Join our Discord community to connect with other learners and get more English practice. Click here to join. What you will learn: Vocabulary related to consumer trends, personal well-being, technology, shopping habits, and more. Words like “neo-hedonism”, “augmented reality”, “secondhand”, etc. Useful expressions and idioms like “the writing is on the wall”, “one man’s junk is another man’s treasure”, etc. Perspectives on societal shifts and changing consumer behaviors in the Western world. The hosts’ personal experiences with things like smart watches, online shopping, and prioritizing sleep/health. How it will improve your English: Listening practice with two native speakers having a natural conversation using casual language. Exposure to different accents – one Canadian and one British. Comprehending reasons/opinions from contextual clues when new vocabulary is used. Learning common phrasal verbs like “chime in”, “harp on”, “deep dive into”, etc. used in discussions. Noting differences in vocabulary between American/British English like “thrift store” vs “charity shop”. Overall, by listening attentively, you will improve your vocabulary, idiom knowledge, listening comprehension of casual speech, and understanding of Western societal/consumer trends – all while being immersed in a natural conversation between two native speakers. For Culips members, an interactive transcript, helpful study guide, and ad-free audio are available to improve your learning experience.

Join Andrew as he gets ready for the Seoul Marathon. He shares his feelings of excitement and nervousness as he prepares for this big race. You’ll hear all about Andrew’s training – the hard workouts he has been doing to get ready. He talks about meeting up with his running buddy, Jimmy, and about his goals for the marathon, like trying to run it in under 3 hours. Andrew also tells some funny stories, like his struggle over whether to buy expensive new “super shoes” that are supposed to help runners go faster. Listening to his stories will keep you entertained while exposing you to real English conversation. You’ll learn useful vocabulary related to running, racing, and other athletic activities. This episode provides an immersive English listening comprehension Study with the interactive transcript: click here Join the Culips Discord server: click here Become a Culips member: click here

Join Andrew and Kassy for a fun and fascinating conversation about spas, saunas, and bathhouses. In this episode for intermediate-level English learners, our hosts will discuss their experiences visiting these relaxing places around the world. You’ll learn useful vocabulary and expressions for describing spa treatments, facilities, and the overall experience. The natural conversation style will help improve your English listening comprehension, conversational fluency, and vocabulary building. Immerse yourself in real English as Andrew and Kassy share stories, compare cultural traditions, and chat about the benefits of a good sauna session. Learn tips on how to talk about visiting spas, saunas, and bathhouses in your daily English conversations. For Culips members, an interactive transcript, helpful study guide, and ad-free audio are available to improve your learning experience. Members can access the ad-free version: Click here. Sign up for a Culips membership: Click here. Join our Discord community to connect with other learners and get more English practice. Click here to join. Fun facts Tampere, Finland is the sauna capital of the world. It is a city of 250,000 people with over 60 public saunas. The whole country of Finland is estimated to have more than 3 million saunas! Expressions included in the study guide All-inclusive To sweat [something] out To be pampered To be catered towards Fancy-schmancy A shock to one’s system Copyright: Culips.com For more information about this episode, visit culips.com. Music Credit: Something Elated by Broke for Free Image: The Anam (unsplash.com)

In this episode, join Andrew as he takes you on a journey through Singapore, sharing his adventures and misadventures in one of Southeast Asia’s most vibrant and diverse destinations. Learn useful English vocabulary and expressions related to travel, sightseeing, food, and cultural experiences while improving your listening comprehension with his interesting stories from Singapore. Andrew’s stories are interesting, easy to understand, and packed with everyday English vocabulary and expressions. Listening is like hanging out with a native English speaking friend. With the bonus episodes, you’ll be able to: Improve your ability to hear and understand authentic English conversations. Build your vocabulary with useful everyday words and expressions. Learning interesting facts about English-speaking cultures. Study with the interactive transcript: click here Join the Culips Discord server: click here Become a Culips member: click here

Improve your English listening comprehension and communication skills with Culips. In this special episode, Andrew interviews Matthew Skidmore. Matthew shares his experiences growing up in Dudley, England, and his opinions about British food and music. He discusses his background in acting and drama school and his decision to move to Korea. He also reflects on his time in Korea and the memories he made there. He then talks about his unique hobbies that include dancing, tabletop gaming, and exercising, and the benefits they bring to his life. By listening to this episode, you’ll learn English vocabulary related to accents, music, food, hobbies, education, life abroad and cultural differences. If you’re looking to improve you English speaking skills and learn more about different cultures, this episode is for you! Fun facts In this episode, Andrew and Matthew discuss various accents throughout the UK. Did you know that there are about 40 distinct regional accents across the country? Black Country dialect is spoken in the area where Matthew is from. Expressions included in the study guide That’s a tough one To crunch the numbers Rose-colored glasses To take a leap of faith To have it all figured out To blow [one’s] own trumpet Copyright: Culips.com For more information about this episode, visit culips.com. Music Credit: Something Elated by Broke for Free Image: Culips

In this bonus episode, Andrew talks about one of the highlights of his time in Melbourne: a visit to the State Library Victoria. He then tells a funny story about a disagreement with his wife regarding eSIMs. Finally, he shares his opinion regarding travel-style compatibility and why it’s important to consider when going on a trip with other people. Andrew’s stories are interesting, easy to understand, and packed with everyday English vocabulary and expressions. Listening is like hanging out with a native English speaking friend. With the bonus episodes, you’ll be able to: Improve your ability to hear and understand authentic English speech. Build your vocabulary with useful everyday words and expressions. Learning interesting facts about English-speaking cultures. Study with the interactive transcript: click here Join the Culips Discord server: click here Become a Culips member: click here

Andrew and Kassy are back with another one of their famous catch-up chats. Kassy talks about how she’s been spending some of her free time doing something she never imagined herself doing. And Andrew shares a story about a new purchase he is very excited about unboxing. Listen to hear all the details and to improve your English communication skills with these real-life stories! Fun facts Catching up with friends or coworkers over coffee dates back to coffee houses in the Middle East in the 15th century. They were called “Schools of the Wise” because people had lively conversations and shared ideas while they were there. These gatherings were the start of today’s coffee culture, where cafés are popular places to hang out and chat. This tradition shows how important it is for people to connect and talk, even in simple ways like catching up over coffee. Expressions included in the study guide To sync up Stigma A slog Standoffish To stick to [oneself] To put [something] behind you Copyright: Culips.com For more information about this episode, visit culips.com. Music Credit: Something Elated by Broke for Free Image: Culips

In this bonus episode, Andrew talks about his recent trip to Australia. He shares stories from his time in Melbourne and about some wildlife encounters he experienced on Phillip Island. He also talks about returning to a snowstorm back home in Seoul. Andrew’s stories are fun, easy to follow, and full of everyday English words and expressions. Listening to them is like hanging out with an English-speaking friend. It will help you: Hear and understand English as it’s really spoken Learn new words used in everyday life Discover fun facts about English-speaking cultures Study with the interactive transcript: click here Join the Culips Discord server: click here Become a Culips member: click here

In this episode of Simplified Speech, join Andrew as he warmly welcomes back Suzanne, who has been away from the podcast for some time. Andrew talks with Suzanne about her recent wedding in France and becoming a Canadian citizen. She shares the challenges of planning a wedding from abroad and the process of gaining dual citizenship, including a Zoom citizenship ceremony. By listening to this conversation, you can learn English vocabulary related to weddings, travel, and citizenship. This episode is great for improving your listening skills and learning about different cultures! Fun facts As of 2024, the most powerful passports in the world are from Japan, Singapore, France, Germany, Italy, and Spain. People holding these passports can enjoy visa-free travel to 194 places around the world, out of 227 destinations in total. Expressions included in the study guide To go down There’s something to be said for To put [someone] on the spot To throw in [something] Take-home (message) How’s life treating you? Copyright: Culips.com For more information about this episode, visit culips.com. Music Credit: Something Elated by Broke for Free Image: Jaimie Harmsen (Unsplash.com)

In this episode, Andrew takes you on an adventure through Sydney, Australia! Discover the famous Sydney Opera House through Andrew’s eyes as he talks about his experience watching a live opera performance. Lace up your running shoes and go with him across Sydney’s scenic routes, including the Seven Bridges Run and the popular trails of Centennial Park. Hear about Andrew’s visit to the Sydney Fish Market and the funny challenges he faced while eating seafood with curious birds. In addition to these stories, Andrew shares about more exciting activities he did in Sydney, and talks about what’s to come from his time in Melbourne next. Listening to this episode is a great way to build your English skills. As you listen to Andrew’s stories, you’ll pick up new expressions and vocabulary, and improve your English communication in a fun and entertaining way. Study with the interactive transcript: click here Join the Culips Discord server: click here Become a Culips member: click here

Embark on a deeper exploration of Irish culture with Part 2 of our engaging interview series, tailored for English learners on the Culips English Podcast. After our insightful conversation with Alina in Part 1, we’re thrilled to introduce David, Alina’s husband and our first Irish native speaker guest. This episode is packed with unique insights into Irish history, sports, and music, designed to enrich your English study experience. As you join Andrew and David, you’ll not only dive into Ireland’s captivating cultural heritage but also enhance your English learning with practical idioms and slang from both Canada and Ireland. This special episode is crafted to improve your understanding of English nuances, boost your vocabulary, and introduce you to authentic expressions, making your learning journey both educational and enjoyable. Listen to Chatterbox #314 – Interview with Alina Morozova Join the Culips Discord server: click here Fun facts There are many stereotypes about Ireland out there, and a lot of them aren’t true. For example, many people associate the Irish with red hair but, in reality, only 10% of the Irish population has red hair, as it is the rarest natural hair colour in the world. Expressions included in the study guide To give [someone] a heads-up To be on the brink of [something] To look down on [someone] To punch above [one’s] weight To do well for [oneself] Copyright: Culips.com For more information about this episode, visit culips.com. Music Credit: Something Elated by Broke for Free Photo: David Flynn

In this episode, Andrew shares stories from his trip to Sydney, Australia. He talks about his first impressions of the city and how he fell in love with it. Andrew also discusses his swimming adventures, including his wife’s swimming lessons and their visits to the hotel pool and various beaches. He highlights their experience at the Bondi Icebergs Pool and the Bondi to Coogee coastal walk. By listening to his stories, you can improve your English communication skills, learn idiomatic expressions and vocabulary, and immerse in English-speaking culture, all while exploring one of Australia’s most iconic cities. Study with the interactive transcript: click here Join the Culips Discord server: click here Become a Culips member: click here

Kassy and Andrew are having company over! No, the companies they work for aren’t coming to their houses—“having company” means having guests such as friends and family come and visit your home. In this episode, Kassy and Andrew talk about how they prepare their homes when they have company over. They discuss cooking, cleaning, sleeping accommodations, and an attempt of Kassy’s to make a homemade air freshener that went horribly wrong. Listen and find out what happened! Fun facts Although the first thing that may pop into your head when you hear the word “company” is your workplace, there are many idioms that use the word “company” to mean “being with other people.” For instance, have you ever heard the old saying “misery loves company”? This means that people who are unhappy get comfort in spending time and talking to other people who are unhappy. Expressions included in the study guide To have company [over] To stroke [someone’s] ego To overstay [one’s] welcome To couch surf To impose Your mileage may vary (YMMV) Copyright: Culips.com For more information about this episode, visit culips.com. Music Credit: Something Elated by Broke for Free Image: fauxels (pexels.com)

In this episode, Andrew tells you all about his latest trip. He’s in a country that has great weather, a relaxed vibe, and a high cost of living. Can you guess where he is? Listen in to find out the answer and improve your English fluency. Study with the interactive transcript: click here Join the Culips Discord server: click here Listen to bonus episode 38: click here Become a Culips member: click here

In your opinion, which player is the cream of the crop on your favourite sports team? Who would you say is the poster child of success in the business world? If you’re not quite sure how to answer, Andrew and Kassy will help you understand the meanings and usages of these idioms in this Catch Word episode. They explain the origins of these helpful expressions and provide many example scenarios and synonyms. Fun facts One synonym for “cream of the crop” is “crème de la crème,” a saying that has been borrowed from French and means “the cream of the cream.” It’s similar to saying “the best of the best.” You can use this pattern to emphasize other adjectives, too. For instance, a really suave actor might be described as “the coolest of the cool” or a trillionaire could be called “the richest of the rich.” Try playing around with this structure and coming up with some creative ways to express superlative adjectives! Expressions included in the study guide Cream of the crop Poster child To cover for [someone] Stacked First-rate Politically incorrect Copyright: Culips.com For more information about this episode, visit culips.com. Music Credit: Something Elated by Broke for Free Image: RDNE Stock project (pexels.com)

In this episode, Andrew talks about his heartwarming and occasionally challenging adventures in dog sitting Gabby Girl, a dog he and his wife unexpectedly agreed to care for. Tune in to hear about their unique experiences and grow your English fluency along the way! Study with the interactive transcript: click here Join the Culips Discord server: click here Listen to bonus episode 81: click here Become a Culips member: click here

In this episode, you’ll be introduced to Culips Discord moderator and study guide writer Alina Morozova! She shares the story of how she became fluent in English, how she met her husband and moved to Ireland, and her personal tips and recommendations for learning English. Fun facts Alina’s hometown, Komsomolsk-on-Amur, used to be a part of China during its last imperial dynasty (the Qing dynasty). It was ceded to Russia in 1858. Expressions included in the study guide To throw shade To click (with/for) To light a fire under [somebody] Aha moment To have egg on [one’s] face With [one’s] eyes closed Copyright: Culips.com For more information about this episode, visit culips.com. Music Credit: Something Elated by Broke for Free Photo: Alina

In this episode, Andrew shares a story about his podcasting and personal lives colliding. He describes a lunch meeting that highlights the smallness of our world. Listen, learn, and improve your English fluency with this real-life story. Study with the interactive transcript: click here Join the Culips Discord server: click here

Were you a good student in school, or a badly behaved one? In this episode, Andrew and Kassy discuss ways to discipline and punish school students. They share stories from their own school days and their time as teachers. They also discuss how punishment in schools has changed over time. Listen to learn more and improve your English fluency. Fun facts Interestingly, in the past, one form of punishment involved students memorizing and repeating lengthy texts and lists containing irrelevant and impractical data. Most people would agree that studying random information without context and practical examples indeed sounds like a punishment! Expressions included in the study guide To goof off To rough up To burst into To be frowned upon To mock Eye-opening Copyright: Culips.com For more information about this episode, visit culips.com. Music Credit: Something Elated by Broke for Free Photo: Monstera Production (Pexels.com)

In this episode, Andrew shares a story about a physical challenge he completed with his friend Jimmy to start off the new year. He shares all the details, including how a planning mistake made the challenge more difficult than expected. Listen, learn, and improve your English fluency with this real-life story. Study with the interactive transcript: click here Join the Culips Discord server: click here

Andrew and Anna discuss trend predictions for 2024 in South Korea.They share their thoughts and talk about if these trends might apply to other parts of the world as well. Join in to practice your listening skills, improve your vocabulary, and learn something new along the way! Fun facts Have you ever heard about fads? Unlike a trend, a fad is something that’s very fashionable and popular, but only for a short period of time. For example, fidget spinners: they were so big about 10 years ago, but then everyone just forgot about them. Check out our Chatterbox episode #139 – Fads and trends to learn a bit more about fads! Articles referenced in this episode: Key consumer trends for 2024 Trend Korea 2024 Expressions included in the study guide My take on it To make the most of [something] Each to their own To take off A foot in the door Don’t quote me on that Copyright: Culips.com For more information about this episode, visit culips.com. Music Credit: Something Elated by Broke for Free Photo: Mikael Blomkvist (Pexels.com)

In this episode, Andrew talks about how a surprise change in his plans led him to a wonderful discovery. He explains how sometimes, when things don’t go as expected, it can turn out to be a good thing. Join Andrew to improve your English fluency with this real-life story. Study with the interactive transcript: click here Join the Culips Discord server: click here

In this episode of Catch Word, hosts Andrew and Kassy explore the idioms “to cave” and “to fold.” In short, “to cave” means to give in to pressure and “to fold” means to give up when you feel defeated. They sound pretty alike, right? Using several example scenarios and dialogues, Andrew and Kassy explain the differences between these two similar verbs, so you don’t mix them up! Fun facts The verb “to fold” originates from the popular card game poker. There are actually a lot of other expressions that originate in this classic game! For instance, “poker face” – this refers to a facial expression that doesn’t reveal any emotion or reaction. Similarly, “calling one’s bluff” means deciding that the cards someone has aren’t as good as they’re pretending. In everyday use, when you “call someone’s bluff,” it means you suspect they are not being honest or exaggerating something, and you confront them to prove if what they’re saying is true or not. Essentially, it’s like saying, “I don’t believe you. Prove it!” Expressions included in the study guide To cave To fold To guilt trip [someone] To call [someone] out To cut one’s losses To throw in the towel Copyright: Culips.com For more information about this episode, visit culips.com. Music Credit: Something Elated by Broke for Free Photo: Kohji Asakawa (Pixabay.com)

In this episode, Andrew talks about his New Year’s experiences. He shares stories about the holidays, a big snowfall, and fun moments with his wife. Andrew also describes their New Year’s Eve celebration at home with music and dancing. Listen to this episode to enjoy a holiday story and improve your English fluency! Study with the interactive transcript: click here Join the Culips Discord server: click here

In this special episode of Simplified Speech, Andrew and Kassy reflect on the highlights of 2023 and share their exciting plans for 2024. Plus, they talk about some of the exciting new things happening at Culips in the new year. Join them for a heartfelt and forward-looking conversation as they say goodbye to 2023 and look ahead to a promising 2024. Happy new year, everyone! Fun facts Did you know that New Year’s resolutions date back over 4,000 years to ancient Babylon? The Babylonians would make promises to the gods at the start of each year, hoping to earn favor for the year ahead. So, if you’re making resolutions for the New Year, you’re continuing a tradition that’s been going strong for millennia! Expressions included in the study guide To put out feelers To get a competitive edge To throw a number out there To be stuck in the groove Cup of tea To brave [something] Copyright: Culips.com For more information about this episode, visit culips.com. Music Credit: Something Elated by Broke for Free Photo: Mikael Blomkvist (Pixabay.com)

Do you like ballet? In this episode, Andrew and Suzanne talk about this unique style of dancing. They discuss its origins and characteristics, and explain some specific vocabulary along the way. Suzanne, a former professional dancer, shares her own story and what ballet means to her. Study with the interactive transcript: click here Become a Culips member: click here Join the Culips Discord server: click here Fun facts In this episode, Suzanne mentions breaking new ballet shoes. The process can include soaking them in water, pounding them with a hammer, and shaving the sole with a razor. However, despite all the effort, ballet shoes don’t last long before they need to be replaced: they lose their shape and wear out within a few weeks or sometimes even days! Expressions included in the study guide Intricate To eat, breathe, and sleep [something] To get sucked into [something] I’ll tell you what To break in [something] To dig deep

Christmas is coming! In this festive episode, Andrew and Kassy discuss Christmas preparations and traditions. Join our hosts as they share their childhood memories, discuss gifts, and explore how Christmas is celebrated in different countries. Get into the Christmas spirit and take your English fluency to the next level! Fun facts In this episode, Andrew and Kassy talk about Christmas lights. Interesting fact: the world record for the most lights on a house was set on November 28, 2014. This happened in LaGrangeville, New York, USA. A family – Tim, Grace, Emily, Daniel, and John Gay – decorated their home with 601,736 lights. That’s a lot of Christmas spirit! Expressions included in the study guide To get into the spirit Is that the case? To follow in [someone’s] footsteps To stick with [something] Decked out To go hard Copyright: Culips.com For more information about this episode, visit culips.com. Music Credit: Something Elated by Broke for Free Photo: Brett Sayles (Pexels.com)

In this episode, Andrew tells a story about receiving a sudden and mysterious DM on Instagram, which led to him and his wife agreeing to watch a dog named Gabby for five days. Listen in to hear all the details while improving your English fluency in a fun and effective way! Study with the interactive transcript: click here Become a Culips member: click here Join the Culips Discord server: click here December live stream: click here

Have you ever had to ask for a recommendation letter? In this episode, Andrew and Kassy teach you many useful expressions that are helpful not only in that situation but also in many other everyday scenarios. This episode is designed to improve your vocabulary and boost your confidence in English. You don’t want to miss it! Fun facts Did you know that recommendation letters have been around for a long time? In ancient Rome, people used recommendation letters to obtain jobs or positions of influence. During the Renaissance era, students began using these letters for admission to universities or higher education institutions. Even today, the purpose of recommendation letters remains the same, providing a personal endorsement of someone’s skills and character, just as it did hundreds of years ago. Expressions included in the study guide Are you available to talk one on one? Undecided To major in [something] What extracurriculars are you involved in? Is there a deadline? With a fine-tooth comb Copyright: Culips.com For more information about this episode, visit culips.com. Music Credit: Something Elated by Broke for Free

Join Andrew as he talks about unseasonably warm weather, the challenge of running down stairs, overheating, a chaotic Christmas market, Glühwein, and a winning hockey team! Improve your English fluency with these entertaining stories. Study with the interactive transcript: click here Become a Culips member: click here Join the Culips Discord server: click here Bonus 31 – A sweet mystery: click here

Have you ever heard the term “gaslighting”? The verb “to gaslight” has become a very popular word over the past several years. Gaslighting is a manipulation tactic where someone makes another person doubt their own experiences and memories. In this episode, Andrew and Anna have a thought-provoking discussion about this concept. They introduce the definition of the term, its history, and their personal thoughts and experiences with gaslighting in their own lives. It’s a great episode for Culips listeners who are interested in psychology! Fun facts The word has become so popular that online dictionary Merriam-Webster announced that “gaslighting” was its word of the year in 2022! According to its search data, searches for the term “gaslighting” increased 1,740% from the year before. Expressions included in the study guide A dark place To take credit for [something] More than [adjective] to To go back on [something] To second-guess oneself To butter [somebody] up Copyright: Culips.com For more information about this episode, visit culips.com. Music Credit: Something Elated by Broke for Free Image: Photo by RDNE Stock project

In this bonus episode, Andrew tells two stories about coincidences. He talks about buying a Nintendo, meeting one of his favorite podcast hosts, cold winds, closed stores, Hongdae cults, and meeting a Culips listener. Listen for fun and surprising tales! Study with the interactive transcript: click here Become a Culips member: click here Join the Culips Discord server: click here Chatterbox 251 – Interview with Jonson Lee: click here Simplified Speech 185 – Nintendo power: click here

Today, we’re sharing a special episode from our Fluency Files series, which is usually for Culips members only. In this one, Andrew talks about the 5 ways he boosts his mood to feel better when he’s tired or stressed. Culips members get a study guide for this episode which includes an interactive transcript, vocabulary glossary, detailed vocabulary explanations with example sentences, listening comprehension questions, and prompts for speaking and writing practice. Click here to sign up and become a Culips member. Click here to join our Discord community for free to practice your English speaking with our community: This episode includes a performance by the Musicians from Marlboro (string quartet), originally published by the Isabella Stewart Gardner Museum in Boston. The clip has been edited for this episode. This work is used under the Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-NoDerivatives 3.0 License. To view a copy of this license, click here. What is the Fluency Files? The Fluency Files is our special series for Culips Members. Each episode features a short audio story and comes with a transcript and study guide. The Fluency Files is perfect for deep studying and intensive English learning. We recommend it to anyone who wants to make big breakthroughs with their English skills. To get access to the entire Fluency Files library, sign up and become a Culips Member on culips.com. Or check out this page to learn more about the Culips Fluency Files.

In this bonus episode, Andrew shares his experience of spending a week alone at home while his wife was away in Japan. He also discusses their reunion and the amazing gifts she brought back for him. Tune in to hear all the details! Study with the interactive transcript: click here Become a Culips member: click here Join the Culips Discord server: click here

In this fun episode, Kassy and Andrew share their love of video games with each other. They mostly talk about games from the Nintendo franchise, which is famous for characters like Mario and Pikachu. Kassy chats about the cooperative game she has been playing with her husband on her Nintendo Switch recently and Andrew mentions his desire to buy a Switch himself. If you have nostalgia for classic Nintendo games, then this is the episode for you! Fun facts Nintendo did not start out as a video game company – in fact, it was founded in 1889 as a producer of playing cards. Its first at-home console was called the Color TV-Game and it was first released in 1977. Expressions included in the study guide toss-up to mull something over to drop the ball one’s jam to trash talk / trash talker in one’s wheelhouse Copyright: Culips.com For more information about this episode, visit culips.com. Music Credit: Something Elated by Broke for Free Image: Alvarordesign (Unsplash.com)

In this episode, Andrew shares a story about finding the perfect sofa for his living room. He talks about the challenges of finding In this bonus episode, join Andrew as he tells a story about an unplanned cooking adventure. Listen as he talks about deciding to make homemade pizza, sharing his experiences from selecting ingredients to the final delicious outcome. This episode is perfect for improving your English fluency and learning new vocabulary, all while enjoying a lighthearted story about kitchen experiments and culinary surprises. Study with the interactive transcript: click here Become a Culips member: click here Join the Culips Discord server: click here

In this episode, Andrew and Anna explore the ‘Taylor Swift effect,’ which refers to Taylor Swift’s influence on her fans and society in general. They discuss the impact of her work, her personality, and the factors contributing to her remarkable success. If you’re a Taylor Swift fan or simply want to learn more about her, give this episode a listen! Fun facts Did you know that you can now study Taylor Swift at universities? Some colleges and universities offer classes dedicated to analyzing her songs, influence, and impact on pop culture. Could you picture yourself majoring in the subject of Taylor Swift? Expressions included in the study guide To live under a rock To relate to [someone/something] The girl/boy next door To hit in a different way To hold [one’s cards close to [one’s] chest To have a bone to pick Copyright: Culips.com For more information about this episode, visit culips.com. Music Credit: Something Elated by Broke for Free Image: Nickpanek620 (Pixabay.com)

In this episode, Andrew shares his experience of attending a unique wedding at a beer brewery. Tune in for a fun story that will help boost your English fluency. Study with the interactive transcript: click here Become a Culips member: click here Join the Culips Discord server: click here Check out Armchair Expert: click here

After a couple of weeks apart, hosts Andrew and Kassy reunite in this episode to catch up! They talk about Kassy’s recent trip to South Korea and a health issue that Andrew has been facing. They also share their love for Korean food and discuss the dishes they crave the most when they’re out of the country. Fun facts Mudeungsan is a beautiful mountain located in a national park. It provides stunning views of Gwangju city and has many hiking trails to explore. South Korea is home to twenty-two national parks, covering a remarkable 6.6% of the country’s total land area! Expressions included in the study guide Someone’s neck of the woods To rest up To be wiped out To clog up To compensate for A cliffhanger Copyright: Culips.com For more information about this episode, visit culips.com. Music Credit: Something Elated by Broke for Free Image: Pexels.com

In this episode, Andrew shares a story about finding the perfect sofa for his living room. He talks about the challenges of finding the right size, fabric, and color. Listen to hear all about the ups and downs of his sofa saga and improve your English fluency along the way. Study with the interactive transcript: click here Become a Culips member: click here Join the Culips Discord server: click here

Are you a bookworm? Do you enjoy reading books? In this episode, Andrew and Kassy discuss how to ask for a book recommendation at a library or a bookstore. They teach you many useful expressions that you can use in this situation and in various other everyday conversations. Make sure to listen to this lesson to improve your vocabulary and boost your speaking confidence! Fun facts Did you know that silent reading, which is a common thing today, wasn’t always normal in the history of reading? Back in ancient times, people typically read aloud, and silent reading was considered quite unusual. Traditionally, one reader would read texts out loud to an audience, because not many people could read, and books were rare as well. It’s fascinating how our reading habits have evolved over time! Expressions included in the study guide Can you recommend something? I’m open to anything To check something out It wouldn’t be my first choice To catch [one’s] interest To be up for [something] One of my top [number] reads You won’t regret it Copyright: Culips.com For more information about this episode, visit culips.com. Music Credit: Something Elated by Broke for Free Image: Tima Miroshnichenko (Pexels.com)

In this week’s bonus episode, Andrew recounts the story of running in the Gyeongju Marathon. Listen along to hear about the highs and lows of the experience, including getting stuck in a traffic jam, being caught on live TV in an embarrassing moment, smashing a personal record, and feeling too old to celebrate! Study with the interactive transcript: click here Become a Culips member: click here Verify your Culips membership: click here Bonus episode 61: click here

As you can imagine, a country as large as the United States has many regions with their own distinct personalities. In this episode, Andrew and Kassy chat about all of the different regions in the United States. They discuss things like food, culture, accents, natural features, and demographics. If you’d like to learn more about culture in the United States, then this episode is for you! Fun facts The United States contains a multitude of dialects. Depending on the resources you’ve taken advantage of in your English learning journey, you may be using a blend of different linguistic styles! Expressions included in the study guide Waspy To be built up To lump together Indigenous To push back Overrated/underrated Copyright: Culips.com For more information about this episode, visit culips.com. Music Credit: Something Elated by Broke for Free Image: Raghavendra V. Konkathi (Unsplash.com)

In this episode, Andrew talks about the history of Culips from its early days as one of the first English-language education podcasts, to where it’s at today! Plus, he answers a very frequently asked question: What does the word “Culips” mean? Become a Culips member: click here Study with the interactive transcript: click here Join the Culips Discord server: click here Listen to Confident Business English with Anna: click here

Join Andrew and Kassy as they discuss the timeless debate of Time vs. Money. They share their perspectives, talk about how age changes our views on that matter, and discuss what they prefer to spend money on. Also, they chat about what they would do if there were more than 24 hours in a day in the bonus part of the episode. Fun facts Recent studies show that, after the pandemic, more people prefer spending their money on experiences rather than material possessions. According to research by Consumer Reports in 2023, 66% of people between the ages of 25 and 34 would choose experiences over physical items, which is a significant change from the 12% reported in 2021. Respondents claim that memories last longer than material possessions. Expressions included in the study guide At the end of the day To beat around the bush To work your way up Sign me up Back to the grind Let’s put it this way Copyright: Culips.com For more information about this episode, visit culips.com. Music Credit: Something Elated by Broke for Free Image: Karolina Grabowska (Pexels.com)

In this episode, Andrew discusses a moment of truth and recounts a comical visit to a local clinic in his neighborhood. Plus, in the vocabulary lesson, he teaches you about the expression, “the cherry on top.” Become a Culips member: click here Study with the interactive transcript: click here Join the Culips Discord server: click here

Nobody likes to do chores, but we all have to do them. In this episode, Andrew and Kassy discuss how they split chores in their households, and chat about cleaning services while sharing some useful cleaning tips and life hacks. Join in to improve your listening and speaking skills while picking up essential vocabulary! Fun facts Most of us aren’t fans of doing chores, but there are actually numerous benefits to them. Cleaning can boost your immune system, reduce stress, improve your mood, increase productivity, help burn calories, and even contribute to better heart health. So, the next time you don’t feel like cleaning, just remember all these positive effects! Expressions included in the study guide The bane of my existence To jump the gun Errand To swear by [something] TMI Day in, day out Copyright: Culips.com For more information about this episode, visit culips.com. Music Credit: Something Elated by Broke for Free Image: Karolina Grabowska (Pexels.com)

In this episode, Andrew talks about a trip he took over the weekend with his wife to Busan. Plus in the vocabulary lesson, he teaches you about the expression “I’m on dinner duty.” Become a Culips member: click here Study with the interactive transcript: click here Join the Culips Discord server: click here Visit the Le Meets brunch cafe Instagram: click here

Andrew and Kassy tackle a big topic in this episode – the problem with fast fashion. Fast fashion is when clothes are made quickly and cheaply, so people can buy new styles often and at low prices. Although this sounds like a good thing, it’s bad for the workers who make the clothing and it’s bad for the environment. Give this episode a listen and learn about the topic of fast fashion and Andrew and Kassy’s personal relationships to fashion. Fun facts In response to the fast fashion industry, some people have called for a “slow fashion” movement. Slow fashion means making and buying clothes more thoughtfully and carefully. Instead of buying cheap apparel in high quantities, slow fashion is about buying sustainably made clothing that can be reused for a long time. Expressions included in the study guide to be in tune with to size someone up to catch someone doing something fear of missing out (FOMO) to fork over to get behind something Copyright: Culips.com For more information about this episode, visit culips.com. Music Credit: Something Elated by Broke for Free Image: freestocks (unsplash.com)

In this episode, Andrew shares a story about a surprise visit from an old friend. Plus, in the vocabulary lesson, he teaches you about the idiom not your first rodeo. Become a Culips member: click here Study with the interactive transcript: click here Join the Culips Discord server: click here