A recent trip to Japan brought a mix of culinary delights and unexpected challenges. The host shares mouth-watering experiences at a soba noodle restaurant and soothing stays at traditional ryokans with onsen baths. However, a sudden bout of food poisoning in Tokyo added a twist to the journey. The podcast offers insights into travel logistics, cultural observations, and the ups and downs of adventures abroad, all while presenting an entertaining narrative that helps improve English fluency.

A lively conversation about the joys of shopping at local markets unfolds, highlighting the benefits of homegrown vegetables and community support. The hosts share funny anecdotes about their gardening attempts and comforting memories of beloved produce from back home. They also dive into the world of subscription boxes, showcasing the convenience of receiving 'ugly' veggies and encouraging sustainable practices. Through their engaging exchange, listeners gain insight into the advantages of local shopping while improving their English skills.

Andrew and Alina dive into exciting community updates, sharing a thoughtful listener comment and announcing the February challenge winner. They reveal an engaging new monthly challenge for April, encouraging participation in crafting sentences and stories around podcast expressions. The hosts highlight a fresh, interactive transcript feature designed to enhance learning. Listeners are invited to join their Discord server for support, engagement, and to connect with fellow learners as they embark on this language journey together!

Dive into the fascinating world of touch and textures! Discover the emotional connections we have with everything from luxurious cashmere to scratchy materials. Anne and Andrew share personal stories about their aversions to certain textures and how these feelings impact everyday life and relationships. Explore cultural differences in touch and the boundaries that define our interactions. Plus, they discuss cutting-edge technology like hugging robots that could change how we connect. A delightful blend of personal anecdotes and cultural insights!

Join in for delightful tales from Hawaii, where the speaker uncovers hidden gems away from the tourist traps. From snorkeling with sea turtles to exploring local cuisine, these experiences showcase authentic island life. A treasure hunt for vintage Hawaiian music adds a nostalgic twist. Reflecting on travel escapades and the importance of downtime, the episode invites listeners to engage and improve their English skills. It's a lively celebration of culture, food, and real-life adventures!

Dive into the delightful realm of your inner child! The hosts explore how reconnecting with your playful side can spark joy and creativity. They share personal anecdotes about the importance of fun activities like baking, reading, and playing games to boost mental well-being. Discover engaging ways to incorporate play into everyday life and learn how embracing joy can transform adult responsibilities. Tune in for insights on nurturing your inner child and the cultural value of play!

In this episode, Andrew shares his plans for the upcoming Seoul Marathon. He discusses his preparation struggles due to recent illness, travel, and limited training time. You’ll hear about his plans with his running buddy, Jimmy, his strategy to enjoy the marathon without stressing about his personal record, and his thoughts about dealing with challenging weather conditions on race day. How this episode will improve your English: Listening: Practice your listening skills by hearing Andrew naturally discuss his marathon preparations and expectations. New vocabulary: Expand your vocabulary with useful words and phrases like “booked up,” “bout,” “ramping up,” “stagger,” and “smash a PR,” to clearly express yourself about personal challenges or achievements. Idioms and expressions: Learn everyday expressions like “pump someone’s tires,” “the Goldilocks zone,” and “it all boils down to,” to sound more natural when speaking English. Pronunciation: Improve your pronunciation, rhythm, and intonation through shadowing or listen-and-repeat practice using Andrew’s natural speech. 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

Waiting can be a real test of patience, and this discussion dives into its psychological effects. The hosts share personal stories about frustrating waits, from traffic jams to bureaucratic red tape. Cultural differences in queuing behavior are highlighted, showcasing how attitudes vary globally. They also touch on the irony of language learning as a waiting game, emphasizing the value of perseverance. With practical vocabulary tips, listeners gain insight into effectively expressing their own waiting experiences.

In this episode, Andrew shares stories from his recent trip to Hawaii. He talks about visiting famous places like Waikiki Beach, snorkeling in Hanauma Bay, and hiking up Diamond Head. Along the way, he reflects on fun moments with his wife, the excitement of exploring new places, and even a few surprises. You’ll feel like you’re right there with him as he brings his Hawaiian adventure to life. How this episode will improve your English: Listening: Improve your listening skills by hearing Andrew talk naturally about his travel experiences in Hawaii. New vocabulary: Build your vocabulary with useful words and phrases like whirlwind trip, propel, vital, and to be wiped out, so you can express yourself clearly when speaking about travel or daily life. Idioms and expressions: Understand and practice expressions such as hit the ground running, check the boxes, and get off the beaten path, helping you sound natural when talking with native speakers. Pronunciation: Use this episode for shadowing or listen-and-repeat practice to improve your pronunciation, rhythm, and intonation. 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

In this episode, you’ll hear Andrew and Indiana talk about Indiana’s recent surgery and recovery. They use real-life English to discuss medical vocabulary, including words like “cartilage” and “labrum,” and explain how to describe pain and injuries. Indiana shares her experience of getting a diagnosis, deciding on surgery, and going through recovery. This is a great opportunity for you to learn medical terms in context, improve your listening skills, and hear how native speakers talk about health and personal experiences. How this episode will improve your English: Vocabulary: Learn useful medical terms like cartilage, anesthesia, and physical therapy to talk about injuries and treatments. Listening: Train your ears to understand natural English as Andrew and Indiana discuss healthcare, pain management, and exercise. Speaking: Build confidence by joining small-group English classes by practicing how to talk about personal experiences, ask about someone’s health, and describe medical issues. Culture: Compare different healthcare systems and understand how medical treatments work in different countries. Fluency: Exposure to real conversations will help you think in English and express yourself more easily. 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. Watch the video version of this episode on YouTube.