Culips Everyday English Podcast

Latest Episodes:

Catch Word #290 – Make short work of it Jan 14, 2026

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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. Your hosts will share clear examples from jobs, chores, food, hotels, and office settings so you can understand how these phrases are used naturally. The brand-new Culips app is live! Study this episode with an interactive transcript and vocabulary glossary: Open this lesson in the Culips app. What you’ll learn with this episode: How to use the expression “make short work of something” to talk about finishing tasks very quickly How to use “in short order” to sound polite and professional when talking about quick results How these expressions sound in real conversations at work and in service situations This episode is perfect for you if: You’re trying to build practical vocabulary for everyday and professional English You want to learn alternative options to common expressions like “quickly” or “right away” You’re looking for realistic example dialogues that will help you remember and use new vocabulary

Bonus episode #164 – Stopped by a stranger Jan 11, 2026

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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. As you listen, you will hear clear, natural English and pick up useful vocabulary for telling stories about daily life and health. Don't forget to check out the free interactive transcript and glossary to learn the idioms, phrasal verbs, and vocabulary Andrew uses in this episode that will help you sound more natural and confident when speaking English. The brand-new Culips app is live! Study this episode with an interactive transcript and vocabulary glossary: Open this lesson in the Culips app.

Simplified Speech #237 – Hello 2026 Jan 05, 2026

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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 and idioms for talking about your own future goals, changing your daily habits, and making predictions. The brand-new Culips app is live! Study this episode with an interactive transcript and vocabulary glossary: Open this lesson in the Culips app.

Bonus episode #163 – High-stakes holiday Jan 01, 2026

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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 that can help you understand English more easily and speak it more smoothly. Don't forget to check out the free interactive transcript and glossary to learn the idioms, phrasal verbs, and vocabulary Andrew uses in this episode that will help you sound more natural and confident when speaking English. The brand-new Culips app is live! Study this episode with an interactive transcript and vocabulary glossary: Open this lesson in the Culips app.

Chatterbox #343 – Goodbye 2025 Dec 27, 2025

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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, so you can learn how native speakers look back on the past year and share personal experiences. The brand-new Culips app is live! Study this episode with an interactive transcript and vocabulary glossary: Open this lesson in the Culips app. What you will learn in this episode: How to talk about your year in English, including highs, lows, and things you did not expect Useful phrases for giving opinions, agreeing, and reacting with surprise or humor Natural ways to talk about habits, goals, and plans for the new year This episode is perfect for you if: You want to learn natural ways to talk about goals and habits, including routines that fell apart and new habits you want to keep You want to practice English for small talk topics that come up a lot, like travel, food, buying things, trends, and social media You want ideas and language you can use as inspiration to talk about your own 2025 and your plans for 2026 with friends or coworkers

Simplified Speech #236 – Previewing the Winter Olympics Dec 20, 2025

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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 winter sports, talk about strange Olympic events, and play a fun memory game where they try to name past Winter Olympic host cities. The brand-new Culips app is live! Study this episode with an interactive transcript and vocabulary glossary: Open this lesson in the Culips app. What you’ll learn with this episode: How to understand and use common conversation words like “chatter,” “lineup,” “controversy,” and “rivalry” How to follow a natural back-and-forth discussion about sports, history, and culture How English speakers react in the moment with expressions like “holy moly” and “it’s escaping me” How to give opinions and make predictions in English This episode is perfect for you if: You want listening practice with real, casual English conversation You want to build your speaking skills for everyday topics like sports, travel, and culture You want to learn useful vocabulary that helps you sound more natural and confident in English conversations Fact check: Ice Dancing vs. Figure Skating Jumps The Claim: Luke mentions knowing the names of maneuvers like the "triple Lutz" and "triple Salchow" because his mom watched Ice Dancing. The Fact: Those are Figure Skating jumps. In competitive Ice Dancing, athletes are actually forbidden from performing these types of multi-rotation jumps. It is a common mix-up, but the two are separate disciplines! Surfing as a "One-Off" Showcase The Claim: Andrew thought Surfing was a one-time showcase sport for the Summer Olympics, similar to breakdancing. The Fact: Unlike breakdancing (which was only for Paris 2024), Surfing is a permanent Olympic sport. It debuted in Tokyo 2020, appeared in Paris 2024, and is already confirmed for the Los Angeles 2028 Games. The History of Ski Jumping The Claim: Luke suggested that ski jumping started at the Calgary 1988 Olympics with Eddie the Eagle. The Fact: Ski jumping is actually one of the original Winter Olympic sports. It has been in every Winter Games since the very first one in 1924 (Chamonix, France)—64 years before the Calgary Games. When the Games "Staggered" (The 2-Year Gap) The Claim: Andrew and Luke discussed the Games being "staggered" (Summer and Winter in different years) starting after 1988. The Fact: The change actually happened after 1992. Both the Summer and Winter Games were held in 1992 (Albertville and Barcelona). The first time the Winter Olympics were held in their own separate year was Lillehammer 1994. Canada’s 2010 Gold Medal Record The Claim: Luke estimated that Canada won about 10 gold medals in Vancouver 2010. The Fact: Canada actually won 14 gold medals in 2010. At the time, this set a world record for the most gold medals ever won by a single country at any Winter Olympics.

Simplified Speech #235 – Talking about chemicals Dec 12, 2025

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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 safe and healthy at home. The brand-new Culips app is live! Study this episode with an interactive transcript and vocabulary glossary: Open this lesson in the Culips app. What you’ll learn with this episode: How to talk about cleaners, beauty products, and everyday items in natural English Useful words and expressions related to safety, health, ingredients, and household routines How native speakers share personal stories, give examples, and explain their lifestyle choices Simple ways people try to avoid strong smells, heavy-duty cleaners, and unclear ingredients This episode is perfect for you if: You are interested in learning how to avoid unsafe chemicals in the daily products that you use You want to talk about everyday health and safety in clear, natural English You want to learn useful words for cleaners, beauty products, and daily routines

Bonus episode #162 – Time for revenge Dec 09, 2025

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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 understand English more easily and speak it more smoothly. Don't forget to check out the free interactive transcript and glossary to learn the idioms, phrasal verbs, and vocabulary Andrew uses in this episode that will help you sound more natural and confident when speaking English. The brand-new Culips app is live! Study this episode with an interactive transcript and vocabulary glossary: Open this lesson in the Culips app.

Simplified Speech #234 – The Holidays 2025 Dec 05, 2025

Show notes

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 really starts, decorations in the USA and in Seoul, Christmas cookies and holiday baking, Christmas music, and the stress of buying and choosing gifts for family. The brand-new Culips app is live! Study this episode with an interactive transcript and vocabulary glossary: Open this lesson in the Culips app. What you’ll learn with this episode: How to talk about Thanksgiving and Christmas traditions in natural English Useful holiday vocabulary, such as potluck, parade, stocking, turkey trot, and Christmas carols How native speakers describe hosting guests, giving gifts, and feeling stressed or excited about holidays Real examples of small talk and storytelling about family, food, and celebrations This episode is perfect for you if: You want to speak more naturally about holidays, family gatherings, and special events You want to build your vocabulary for English conversations about traditions and culture You want to improve your listening skills with clear, natural speech from native speakers You want to feel more confident joining English conversations about Thanksgiving, Christmas, and the holiday season

Culips Community Update – December 2025 Dec 01, 2025

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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, celebrating community, and looking ahead to realistic English goals for 2026. December 2025 Challenge: Year End Reflection Theme: Reflect on your year, your English journey, and your connections in the Culips community How it works: New tasks every other day throughout December Answer questions about your 2025 highlights, goals you achieved, and what you learned Share your favorite Culips episode of 2025 Tag and thank someone on the server who supported you or who you have practiced with Seasonal prompts about Christmas, end of year traditions, and setting realistic English goals for the new year Finish all the tasks to earn a festive completion certificate created by Alina It’s completely free, and it’s a fun way to practice English while connecting with learners from all over the world. How to Join the Culips Discord Server and Participate in the Challenge Create a Discord Account: Sign up for free at Discord. Download the App: Install Discord on your phone or computer for easy access. Join the Culips Server: Click this link to join the Culips English Podcast Discord server: Join Here. Enable the Monthly Challenge Channel: From the menu, select Channels and Roles. Go to the Browse Channels tab. Under the English Learning category, select Monthly Challenge to add it to your menu. Access the December Challenge: Click the pin icon at the top of the Monthly Challenge channel to view the December Challenge (available from December 2nd). Complete all the tasks to earn a certificate. Join in and start improving your English with the community!

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