Culips Everyday English Podcast

Latest Episodes:

Simplified Speech #230 – The golden years and how people spend them Oct 10, 2025

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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 common lifestyles for retirees. They also teach several useful English expressions connected to retirement, such as golden years, twilight years, nest egg, empty nester, and living the good life. 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 expressions like golden years and living the good life to describe retirement in a positive way What nest egg and empty nester mean and how they relate to family and financial life The difference between golden years and twilight years How people in the U.S., Canada, and Korea view and prepare for retirement How to describe retirement dreams, second careers, and semi-retirement naturally in English This episode is perfect for: Intermediate English learners who want to expand their vocabulary with real-life topics Listeners interested in cultural differences between countries Anyone preparing for discussions about work, lifestyle, or aging in English

Bonus episode #158 – The rain stole my thunder Oct 06, 2025

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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. You’ll also learn natural expressions that native speakers use, like “gong show,” “clock’s ticking,” “to blow by someone,” and “to steal someone’s thunder.” Join our friendly community on Discord to share your own story about overcoming setbacks, and check out the free interactive transcript and glossary to get even more from this episode. 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 #229 – Things that get on our nerves Oct 03, 2025

Show notes

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 hosts explain useful expressions like “gets on my nerves,” and “grinds my gears,” so you can understand and use them the next time you want to complain to a friend! 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 natural English expressions for talking about annoying habits and situations Real-life examples of common, idiomatic ways to complain in English Vocabulary for describing irritation, such as annoying, irritating, and rude This episode is perfect for: Intermediate English learners who want to practice real conversational English Students who want to expand their vocabulary for everyday situations Anyone who wants to sound more natural when talking to friends about small problems and annoyances

Culips Community Update – October 2025 Sep 29, 2025

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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, October 18th Time: 4:00 PM Location: People's Place Cafe, Hamburg Cost: Free! Who can join: Everyone! No Culips membership required RSVP: Fill out the form here: Join fellow English learners for a relaxed, friendly chat in a welcoming environment. Perfect for all levels! October Challenge: Connecting Words Theme: Linking words and connectors to create longer, more natural sentences How it works: New tasks every other day throughout October Complete skeleton sentences using connecting words like "therefore," "despite," "besides," and "nevertheless" Practice making your speech flow more naturally and confidently Finish all the tasks to earn a completion certificate It's completely free and perfect for learning to express complex ideas while connecting with other learners! 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 October Challenge: Click the pin icon at the top of the Monthly Challenge channel to view the October Challenge (available from October 2nd). Complete all the tasks to earn a certificate. Join in and start improving your English with the community!

Catch Word #288 – The benefit of the doubt Sep 26, 2025

Show notes

In this Catch Word episode, Andrew and Indiana teach you two very useful English expressions: “cut someone some slack” and “give someone the benefit of the doubt.” These are common phrases that English speakers use to ask for understanding, forgiveness, or trust when someone is under pressure or when we are unsure about their actions. 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 “cut someone some slack” to ask for extra patience or forgiveness When to use “give someone the benefit of the doubt” to choose trust over suspicion The grammar pattern both expressions share Vocabulary like slack, taut, to be swamped, and to cover for someone Real-life examples from work, home, and friendship situations This episode is perfect for: Intermediate to advanced English learners who want to sound more natural Anyone looking to build vocabulary for work, school, and social life Learners preparing for conversations with native speakers where trust and understanding are important

Bonus episode #157 – Universal translator Sep 21, 2025

Show notes

What if you could speak with anyone, in any language, in real time? In this bonus episode, Andrew explores that idea with a clear, step-by-step look at live translation. He reads a news article and explains the key ideas and terms in easy to understand English, showing how Apple, Google, and Meta are pursuing the “universal translator” and what it could mean for travel, work, and daily life. 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 Meanings of “universal translator,” “seamlessly,” “coherent,” and “simultaneously” Tech vocabulary like “selling point,” “battleground,” “purpose built,” and “friction” Useful expressions such as “usher in,” “spurred by,” “paired with,” and “home field advantage” How it will improve your English You expand your vocabulary with clear definitions and natural examples from the article You understand complex sentences because Andrew pauses to explain key lines in plain English You can review and reinforce with the interactive transcript and glossary, and members can take a short quiz

Chatterbox #339 – Street smarts Sep 19, 2025

Show notes

In this episode of Chatterbox, Andrew and Anna talk about street smarts: the practical skills and awareness people should have in order to stay safe and confident in cities. They share personal stories about living in places like Madrid, London, Seoul, and Canada, and explain how experiences such as pickpocketing or mugging can change the way people think about safety. The hosts also compare life in big cities to life in smaller towns or the countryside, showing how different environments require different kinds of common sense. This episode is great for upper-intermediate English learners who want to understand everyday English conversations about real-life situations, build up vocabulary related to safety and street crime, and practice listening to natural storytelling from native speakers. 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 in this episode: Vocabulary: Useful English words and expressions about safety, danger, and daily life in cities, such as dodgy, pickpocket, mugging, and shady character. Listening: Improve your listening skills by following an easy-to-understand conversation between two native speakers sharing real experiences. Speaking: Learn how to tell your own stories about travel, street smarts, and staying safe using natural English phrases. Culture: Discover how people from different countries think about safety in cities and compare experiences from Canada, Spain, Korea, and the UK. Fluency: Listening to real conversations will help you understand natural speech and respond more quickly in English.

Simplified Speech #228 – Overrated or Underrated? Fun English Expressions Explained Sep 12, 2025

Show notes

In this episode, Andrew and Indiana continue their fun conversation about things that are overrated or underrated. They share their opinions on topics like walking 10,000 steps a day, biohacking, pineapple on pizza, vinyl records, and even the idea of being famous. They compare their different views, tell stories, and explain why some things deserve more love while others are praised too much. 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 words “overrated” and “underrated” to share your opinion Real-life examples of these expressions in conversations about health, music, food, and culture Helpful phrases to agree or disagree politely and naturally Extra vocabulary you can use when discussing popular trends and everyday topics This episode is perfect for: Intermediate English learners who want to improve their speaking and listening skills Anyone interested in learning how to sound more natural when sharing opinions Students looking for fun vocabulary and examples to use in conversations about everyday topics

Bonus episode #156 – Bad things come in threes Sep 07, 2025

Show notes

Do bad things really come in threes? In this episode, Andrew tells you four mini stories from his week that will make you wonder about this old superstition. From unexpected moments during his evening run to tech troubles that tested his patience, you'll hear authentic English storytelling that takes you from frustrating lows to feel-good highs. You'll improve your listening skills by hearing how Andrew tells stories in natural, everyday English. You'll learn common expressions that native speakers use, like "holding back," "buying into something," "fiddle around with," and "clear sailing." You'll discover interesting things about English-speaking culture, including superstitions and childhood experiences. You can practice your English on our Discord server by telling other learners about your own week and what happened to you. Make sure to check out the free interactive transcript and vocabulary glossary to get the most out of this episode. 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 #227 – Indiana’s trip to Colorado Sep 04, 2025

Show notes

In this episode, Andrew and Indiana talk about Indiana’s recent trip to Colorado. She shares stories about all of the activities she enjoyed during her time there, such as attending a wedding, spotting mountain goats on a hike, and adjusting to the thin air of “the Mile High City.” Indiana also tells Andrew about trying local craft beers and visiting the surreal art installation called Meow Wolf. If you’re an intermediate English learner who wants to improve your listening skills while hearing a natural conversation about travel, culture, and the different landscapes of the United States, then this episode is for you! 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: Vocabulary: Learn everyday words and expressions for travel, landscapes, wildlife, art, and cultural experiences. Listening: Build your listening skills by following a natural conversation between two native speakers about fun topics like traveling and hiking. Speaking: Practice talking about your own trips, weddings, cultural outings, and travel highlights in our Discord community and speaking classes. Culture: Learn more about how North Americans describe places, family friends, and special events like weddings. Fluency: Listening to real conversations will help you feel more confident and natural when sharing your own stories.

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