Intermediate Spanish - Spanish Obsessed

Por and Para: Part two Jan 16, 2025

Part two of Rob's conversation with Johana. Discover how to master two essential uses of 'por' and 'para' in Spanish: time expressions and opinions. Learn the crucial differences between phrases like "para mañana por la mañana" and why "por mí está bien" means something different from "para mí está bien." Through practical examples from everyday Spanish conversations, you'll finally understand when to use each preposition with confidence.

Por and Para: Part one May 30, 2024

Rob and Johana discuss "por" and "para". Why are these words so difficult for learners, and what approach can we take to tackling them? In this episode, we'll look at two common uses for por and para.

Should you learn slang? May 24, 2024

Join Rob and Spanish teacher Johana in a conversation about Spanish slang. What are the difficulties for us as learners in learning slang, and is it even worth it?

El Clasismo... May 02, 2024

Rob and Lis discuss an infuriating situation where they live, and what this shows about classism in Colombia

Too old to learn Spanish? Apr 25, 2024

We discuss learning Spanish later in life. While we are not (just yet) in that situation, we have inspiring students who have shared with us how they are successfully learning Spanish in their senior years.

Can you teach a 2 year old Spanish and English? Apr 18, 2024

Our experiences trying to teach our 2 year old daughter Spanish and English.

Bogota Immersion trip: what we learned Apr 11, 2024

We recently held our first full Spanish immersion trip in Bogota, where we were joined by 10 participants. Here's how it went.

How to get a native Spanish accent Apr 04, 2024

How important is a native accent, and is it possible to develop one? Is it even desirable?
Rob and Lis talk about their own efforts to develop better accents, and some reasonable goals for learners.

¿Las protestas siguen funcionando? Mar 21, 2024

Earlier this year, two protestors threw soup over the Mona Lisa. This follows a long list of similar protests of vandalism of artwork - they got our attention, but do the ends justify the means? And, are these types of protests still effective?

Positive Thinking? Mar 14, 2024

We discuss the trend of "positive thinking" - where does this trend come from, and how have we found it? Also, how is it connected to the concept of "manifestation"?

A new life in... The Coffee Country Mar 07, 2024

Rob and Lis recently moved to the "Coffee Axis" in Colombia, not just so Rob could feed his caffeine addiction.
They discuss their new lifestyle, and how it compares to city living (so long, Bogota!).

We got hooked on Traitors Feb 29, 2024

Have you seen the show "Traitors"? Rob and Lis got hooked on it, and discuss it in this episode.

Why we find people so annoying Feb 22, 2024

Have you met someone truly "toxic"? What do you think made them that way?
In this episode, Lis and Rob discuss the "Fundamental Attribution Error" - when we try to explain someone's behavior based mostly on their personality and don't think enough about the situation they are in.

El secreto del amor...? Feb 15, 2024

¿Qué hace que una relación a largo plazo tenga éxito, y hasta qué punto podemos predecirlo de antemano?
¿Existe un alma gemela para todo el mundo, o podemos decidir a quién queremos?

La procrastinación: 3 estrategias para superarlo Feb 08, 2024

Why do we decide to bake cookies when we've got a deadline tomorrow?
How has procrastination affected us, and what can we do about it? Lis and Rob explore their own experiences with procrastinating, and discuss 3 effective strategies to combat it.

Status Symbols Sep 21, 2023

Status symbols... How do people mark themselves as high status around the world, and have we fallen into these traps?

Ser empresario Sep 12, 2023

We discuss coming up with business ideas, and how running a business has changed our lives. Also, some new business ideas, both from us and our friends! Rob describes his "Ayahuasca for Silicon Valley" business idea, as well as new cafe concept called "The hangover"...

La contaminación acústica Sep 04, 2023

Lis and Rob talk noisy neighbours, sounds of the city, and noise pollution. How noisy are our cities, and how much does this bother us?

Entrevista: Spanish Land Jul 05, 2023

We chat with Andrea and Nate, who run Spanish Land. They divide their time between USA and Colombia - how do they find life compares in the two countries, and what are their plans for the future?

Being parents: Expectations vs reality Feb 10, 2023

We've been parents to our daughter, Ana Paz, for nearly a year now. Here, we reflect on what we expected going into it, and how things really were in reality.

5 things we love about Bogotá Feb 06, 2023

We've been living in Colombia over a year! Lis and Rob talk about what they most like about life in Bogotá.

Introducing Ana Paz Nov 09, 2022

Rob and Lis talk about the arrival of their daughter, Ana Paz. How were those first days, and do they have any advice for other first time parents?

First days in Bogotá Nov 08, 2022

Rob and Lis talk about their move to Bogotá: arriving at chaotic El Dorado airport, somehow getting picked up, catching covid, and the saga of the apartment.

Arriving in Bogotá Oct 10, 2022

Rob and Lis talk about their arrival and first few days in Bogotá

Last days in London Oct 07, 2022

Rob and Lis talk about the final few days in London before moving to Colombia: saying goodbye to friends and family, eating out of a saucepan, and forgetting passports...

Moving to Colombia Oct 04, 2022

Rob and Lis talk about their decision to move to Colombia in 2021, post pandemic.

Intermediate 40: La isla Nov 30, 2021

What would you bring to a deserted island? Rob and Lis discuss their suggestions, to feed both body and mind.

Intermediate 39: Eventos inexplicables Nov 15, 2021

Some strange things have happened to Rob and Lis over their lives. Hear three stories including witches, fortune tellers, and a strange encounter with a taxi driver...

La "Epa" Colombia Sep 22, 2021

We tell the story of "Epa" Colombia, an internet sensation who became a millionaire in Colombia, all off the back of the most ridiculous videos we've ever seen. However, la "Epa" is now facing a possible prison sentence. What happened?

De tú y usted Sep 16, 2021

Tú and usted... We learn in our first Spanish class how to use these two pronouns, but it seems that native speakers don't follow the rulebook. We explore the different shades of meaning of usted and tú, and when to really use which.

Intermediate 36: Porque el optimismo nos parece simplón Jun 03, 2021

Link to El País article

Intermediate 35: Nuestras historias en objetos May 21, 2021

Lis and Rob discuss some of their most precious items, and why they are important to them in their lives.

Intermediate 34: Volver de compras May 01, 2021

The shops are finally open again, and Rob and Lis are let loose to go shopping. Hear about their experiences in retail therapy, and learn about "window shopping" in the Spanish-speaking world!

Intermediate 33: Los estereotipos Mar 29, 2021

Rob and Lis discuss stereotypes, and why they are a problem.
¿Somos todos sesgados? ¿Todos hacemos juicios de valor?

Intermediate 32: Los hipster Mar 19, 2021

Rob and Lis discuss hipsters around the world, and whether they consider themselves to be hipsters!

Intermediate 31: Construction Mar 12, 2021

Our house is slowly falling apart, and the neighbour started complaining. This would never happen in Colombia... Plus, building an apartment in Colombia, and our dream home.

Intermediate 30: Life in lockdown Feb 22, 2021

Rob and Lis discuss how they've spent their days in lockdown

Intermediate 29: Worst jobs Jun 05, 2018

We discuss the worst jobs we've ever had

Intermediate 28: Uber May 22, 2018

We discuss Uber, and the future of the Gig Economy

Intermediate 27: The Earthquake May 18, 2018

Rob travelled around Mexico, and was in Ciudad de Mejico during a large earthquake. Hear about his firsthand experience.

Intermediate 26: News Jun 26, 2017

Why do we follow the news? Does it make us good global citizens, or is it merely entertainment? Rob and Lis discuss this and more.

Intermediate 25: Birthdays Jun 19, 2017

We talk about birthdays, and how these are celebrated in Hispanic cultures. You’ll learn about Lis’s family’s birthday songs and traditions, why Rob is sick of birthday cake, and we talk about who exactly is responsible for planning your birthday!

Intermediate 24: Glastonbury (part 2) Jun 12, 2017

Lis continues telling us of her time in Glastonbury Festival.

Intermediate 23: Glastonbury (part 1) Jun 05, 2017

Lis tells us of her experience in Glastonbury Festival this June, one of the largest and best known music festivals in the world! Part two follows.

Intermediate 22: El viaje May 29, 2017

We talk about the final few days of our time in Spain, when we visited Rob’s favourite city – Valencia.

Intermediate 21: Una Colombiana en España Aug 19, 2014

We talk about the next part of our holidays, where we travel to Barcelona.

Intermediate 20: Viaje a Francia Aug 12, 2014

We took some holidays recently (again - we do work sometimes, honest!), starting with a wedding in Toulouse, France. Here, we talk about our experience in a French (and Colombian) wedding.

Intermediate 19: Cultural etiquette Aug 05, 2014

We talk about a few of the cultural norms in both England and South America, and how different they can be!

Intermediate 18: 5 surprising things about Colombia Aug 03, 2014

Rob tells Liz about 5 surprising things he learnt when he was in Colombia.

Intermediate Spanish 17: Vivir con los padres Jun 01, 2014

According to recent statistics, 55% of Spanish people between 25-29 live at home with their parents - part of an increasing trend around Europe. Here, we talk about our experiences living with parents, as well as the pros and cons.

Intermediate Spanish 16: Las Mascotas May 29, 2014

Liz and Rob talk about their childhood pets, and Liz's suicidal chickens!

Intermediate Spanish 15: La Finca May 27, 2014

Liz tells us about her Aunt and Uncle's farm in Moniquira, Colombia!

Intermediate Spanish 14: Addiction May 25, 2014

Do you think there's such a thing as an "addictive personality"? Do you have one? Here, we discuss our various addictions, both good and bad.

Intermediate Spanish 13: Pastimes Feb 11, 2014

We talk about our "hobbies, pasatiempos, y aficiones" - do you know the difference? Do you have any hobbies or pastimes? Or, did you used to have some, but now regret dropping them?

Intermediate Spanish 12: Los Mercados Jan 14, 2014

We recently started to shop in markets, rather than supermarkets, and have really come to appreciate them. We talk about the day we went shopping in our local market, and how it compares to the same experience in Colombia!

Intermediate Spanish 11: El Dinero Jul 29, 2013

We talk about the grease that keeps our capitalist wheels spinning, including slang phrases and terms, and a crazy story about a Colombian Pyramid Scheme which has to be heard to be believed!

Intermediate Spanish 10: La Fruta Tropical May 16, 2013

Tropical fruits from Colombia

Intermediate Spanish 9: Coffee May 01, 2013

The world's most popular drug: Coffee!

Intermediate Spanish 8: Sleep Apr 23, 2013

We talk about our sleeping habits and customs

Intermediate Spanish 7: Fashion Apr 04, 2013

We discuss English and Colombian attitudes to fashion

Intermediate Spanish 6: White Lies Mar 22, 2013

We discuss "las mentiras piadosas" - white lies!

Intermediate Spanish 5: TV Mar 19, 2013

Liz explains why TV is such a central part of a Latin American's lifestyle! We cover "telenovelas" such as "Betty La Fea" (Ugly Betty), morning shows, reality TV, and the cult of celebrity. Somos adictos a la tele!

Intermediate 4: Alcohol Mar 12, 2013

Rob and Liz discuss a recent night of "juerga", and the unfortunate consequences the next day! Spanish conversation around our experiences with alcohol, particularly the Colombian favourite "Aguardiente"... If you want to learn all of the vocabulary around drinking and its consequences (both good and bad), this is the podcast for you!

Intermediate 3: Plastic Surgery Mar 05, 2013

Would you consider getting plastic surgery? What part of your body would you reduce/tighten up/enlarge? We talk about "la cirugía plástica," which is particularly popular in certain parts of Colombia, which brings people from all around the world.

Intermediate 2: About Rob Feb 26, 2013

Liz quizzes Rob on his language learning and travel experiences

Intermediate 1: We are Spanish Obsessed! Feb 19, 2013

Meet Rob and Liz of Spanish Obsessed, in our very first podcast!