Episodes

  • Bonus episode #145 – My favorite YouTubers

    Bonus episode #145 – My favorite YouTubers
    May 11 2025
    In this episode, Andrew talks about how he spends his free time and shares his top three YouTube channels. You'll hear about a Dutch YouTuber exploring Seoul, a British marathon runner living in Tokyo, and a Canadian couple building a quiet life in the Japanese countryside. Andrew explains why he enjoys each channel and how they fit into his daily routine. How this episode will improve your English: Listening: Improve your listening skills by spending time with Andrew and following clear, real-life English. Vocabulary: Learn useful words and phrases about daily life, hobbies, travel, and online content. Expressions: Learn everyday English expressions like “recharge your batteries,” “walk the walk,” and “on the edge of your seat.” Pronunciation: Get used to the sound and rhythm of natural spoken English to build better speaking habits. Speaking: Join our Culips Discord community and practice using new words and expressions in your own sentences! Important links: Become a Culips member Study with the interactive transcript Join the Culips Discord server Small-group speaking class schedule YouTube channels mentioned by Andrew: iGoBart Ran to Japan Maigomika
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    21 mins
  • Simplified Speech #220 – Semi-destination wedding

    Simplified Speech #220 – Semi-destination wedding
    May 9 2025
    In this Simplified Speech episode, Andrew and Indiana catch up and talk all about weddings. Indiana shares her recent experience traveling to Florida for her husband’s cousin’s wedding, which was held in Miami. She explains what a Jewish wedding is like and describes some unique traditions, such as the chuppah, the ketubah, the breaking of a glass, and the fun dance called the hora. Andrew and Indiana also compare weddings in Canada, the United States, and Korea, talking about receptions, wedding cakes, group photos, and gift-giving traditions. How this episode will improve your English: Vocabulary: Learn useful words and expressions related to weddings, travel, and cultural traditions. Listening: Develop your listening skills by following a natural, friendly, and unscripted conversation between native English speakers. Speaking: Talk about wedding customs in your country on our Discord server or in a Culips small-group speaking class. Culture: Learn about real-life wedding experiences in different countries and cultures. Fluency: Level up your fluency by spending time with real, everyday English that native speakers use in daily life, with support from the study guide to help you practice. The Best Way to Learn with This Episode: Culips members get an interactive transcript, helpful study guide, and ad-free audio for this episode. Take your English to the next level by becoming a Culips member. Become a Culips member now: Click here. Members can access the ad-free version here: Click here. Join our Discord community to connect with other learners and get more English practice. Click here to join.
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    34 mins
  • [Classic] Bonus episode #64 – The mushroom mystery

    [Classic] Bonus episode #64 – The mushroom mystery
    May 4 2025
    Andrew talks about a fascinating and sad news story involving three deaths from eating poisonous mushrooms. Accident or crime? Listen to and decide for yourself! In the vocabulary lesson, you’ll learn about the phrasal verb to feel for (someone). Support Culips and take your English to the next level by becoming a Culips member. To sign up, visit Culips.com. Study with the interactive transcript: Click here. Join the Culips Discord server: Click here. Read the news article about the mushroom mystery: Click here.
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    37 mins
  • Simplified Speech #219 – Day trips, elections, and more!

    Simplified Speech #219 – Day trips, elections, and more!
    May 2 2025
    In this Simplified Speech episode, Andrew and Kassy catch up and share updates about their lives. Kassy talks about taking short trips with her baby to nearby cities in Korea. She describes visiting a busy flower festival and returning to a town just to eat her favorite vegetable bread. She also talks about her upcoming move and her hope to make her new place feel more like home. Andrew talks about how voting by mail works in Canada and the recent Canadian election. He also shares a funny story about planting trees and decorating his front yard with his wife. How this episode will improve your English: Vocabulary: Learn everyday words and expressions that native speakers use when talking about daily life, moving, elections, and hobbies like gardening. Listening: Improve your listening skills by following a clear and natural conversation between native speakers. Speaking: Share your own life updates on our Discord server or in our Culips small-group speaking classes. Culture: Hear about real-life topics like voting in Canada, Korean flower festivals, and home projects. Fluency: Get more confident by hearing repeated examples and practicing with our study guide. The Best Way to Learn with This Episode: Culips members get an interactive transcript, helpful study guide, and ad-free audio for this episode. Take your English to the next level by becoming a Culips member. Become a Culips member now: Click here. Members can access the ad-free version here: Click here. Join our Discord community to connect with other learners and get more English practice. Click here to join.
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    30 mins
  • Culips Community Update – May 2025

    Culips Community Update – May 2025
    Apr 27 2025
    In this episode, Andrew and Alina share the latest Culips community news for May 2025! They read a kind review from a Culips member, announce the winner of the March challenge, and introduce the new challenge for May. This month, the challenge will help you master one of the trickiest parts of English grammar: the difference between the present perfect and past simple tenses. Everyone is welcome to join the free challenge on our Discord server. You will get a video lesson from Andrew, lots of practice activities, and a chance to win a Culips swag bag! Improve your grammar and become part of our fun and friendly community. Join us today! 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 April Challenge: Click the pin icon at the top of the Monthly Challenge channel to view the April Challenge (available from May 1st). Join in and start improving your English with the community! Important links: Become a Culips member Study with the interactive transcript Join the Culips Discord server Small-group speaking class schedule
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    16 mins
  • Simplified Speech #218 – How we watch movies in 2025

    Simplified Speech #218 – How we watch movies in 2025
    Apr 24 2025
    In this episode of Simplified Speech, Andrew and Indiana talk about how they watch movies, both at the theater and at home. They discuss their personal movie habits, like sneaking snacks into the cinema, watching movies alone, and breaking long movies into smaller parts. You’ll also hear about movie traditions in different countries, how theater experiences are changing, and the pros and cons of enjoying films with friends, family, or just by yourself. How this episode will help you improve your English: Vocabulary: Learn common expressions and everyday words like matinee, concession, installments, and immersive. These are useful for talking about entertainment, culture, and daily habits. Listening: Practice understanding natural English with clear speech, casual conversation, and real opinions from native speaker movie fans. Speaking: Get better at sharing your own thoughts by hearing how Andrew and Indiana express likes, dislikes, and personal routines with enjoying films and series. Culture: Discover movie-watching habits and movie theater experiences from around the world, including Canada, the U.S., and Korea. Learn how movie culture is different depending on where you live. Fluency: Improve your overall English skills by listening to a friendly conversation full of opinions, everyday grammar, and common slang. The Best Way to Learn with This Episode: Culips members get an interactive transcript, helpful study guide, and ad-free audio for this episode. Take your English to the next level by becoming a Culips member. Become a Culips member now: Click here. Members can access the ad-free version here: Click here. Join our Discord community to connect with other learners and get more English practice. Click here to join.
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    39 mins
  • Bonus episode #144 – A Little Bit of Everything

    Bonus episode #144 – A Little Bit of Everything
    Apr 20 2025
    In this episode, Andrew shares a mix of real-life updates and personal stories, from sleeping alone in a queen-size bed to trying to fix a podcast recording disaster. He also talks about replacing social media habits with Japanese reading practice and learning how to do DIY home repairs like caulking the shower. It’s a relaxed and personal episode where Andrew talks about real-life moments, challenges, and habits in clear, natural English. How this episode will improve your English: Listening: Improve your listening by following a natural, unscripted story told in clear, easy-to-understand English. New vocabulary: Learn words and phrases related to language learning, technology mistakes, and home improvement. Idioms and expressions: Hear everyday English expressions like “work your magic,” “wasn’t meant to be,” “doom scrolling,” “DIY,” and “know a thing or two.” Pronunciation: Listening to real spoken English helps you get used to natural sounds and rhythm. This makes it easier for you to speak clearly and with better pronunciation. Speaking: Join our Culips Discord community and practice using new words and expressions in your own sentences! Important links: Become a Culips member Study with the interactive transcript Join the Culips Discord server Small-group speaking class schedule
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    20 mins
  • Catch Word #284 – A dead ringer

    Catch Word #284 – A dead ringer
    Apr 17 2025
    Have you ever seen someone who looks exactly like someone else? In this Catch Word episode, Andrew and Kassy teach two fun English expressions: “A dead ringer” and “A spitting image.” You’ll hear clear examples, learn the difference between the two, and understand when and how to use each one. This episode is great for learning real English expressions used by native speakers. Andrew and Kassy break everything down in a way that’s easy to follow, and they include example conversations that make the meaning of each expression clear. They also share personal stories, cultural tips, and bonus expressions like “two peas in a pod,” “the apple doesn’t fall far from the tree,” and “doppelganger.” How this episode will improve your English: Vocabulary: Learn natural English phrases to talk about people and things that look very similar. Listening: Practice understanding clear and natural English through real conversation. Speaking: Use the expressions you learn to describe lookalikes and practice talking about your own family in Culips small-group English classes. Culture: Discover how these expressions are used in everyday life and where they come from. Fluency: Get more confident by hearing repeated examples and practicing with our study guide. The Best Way to Learn with This Episode: Culips members get an interactive transcript, helpful study guide, and ad-free audio for this episode. Take your English to the next level by becoming a Culips member.Become a Culips member now: Click here. Members can access the ad-free version here: Click here. Join our Discord community to connect with other learners and get more English practice. Click here to join.
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    25 mins