Culips ESL Podcast - Learn English naturally

Have you started seeing videos that celebrate Chinese culture all over your feed, like someone swapping coffee for green tea? Andrew and Indiana noticed this trend too, and in this episode they teach three pieces of China-related slang and ask why it is all happening now. Their answer touches on the Djo song that went viral on TikTok, the move from TikTok to RedNote, soft power, and Canada’s anti-tariff billboards in the US. To build your fluency, listen for how the hosts define each expression, then try using one yourself. The Best Way to Learn with This Episode: Culips members get an interactive transcript, a 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: Click here. Join our Discord community to connect with other learners and get more English practice. Click here to join. Links from this episode: End of Beginning by Djo: RedNote: Canada’s anti-tariff billboards: 🔑 Key expressions Keep an ear out for these phrases during the episode: Chinamaxxing A baddie You met me at a very Chinese time in my life To age out (of something) A false alarm Soft power

In this bonus episode, Andrew shares some thoughts that have been on his mind lately about time and the way we experience it. He looks back a little, sits with the present moment, and wonders about what’s coming. Listen along to learn some vocabulary that will help make your English more natural and to improve your listening fluency. Links mentioned in this episode: Spem in Alium by Thomas Tallis: Click here The Orchestra of the Age of Enlightenment: Click here Introducing the Sackbut: Click here Introducing the Anton Walter Fortepiano: Click here Study resources: The interactive transcript and vocabulary glossary for this episode are free for everyone. Get them here: Take the comprehension quiz for this episode:  Join our Discord community to participate in the June monthly challenge: Glossary expressions Crummy To go to a dark place Crafty Shrewd To clue in To give someone goosebumps To morph Crude A cool cat In the blink of an eye

What have you been up to lately? In this Simplified Speech catch-up episode, Andrew and Kassy share stories from the past month. Kassy talks about a family visit to Jeju Island, where rainy weather didn’t stop them from hiking Hallasan, the tallest mountain in South Korea, and seeing some of the island’s stranger attractions. Andrew shares what happened during his birthday and fifth wedding anniversary, which fell in the same week and involved more cake than one person should eat in seven days. The Best Way to Learn with This Episode: Culips members get an interactive transcript, a 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: Click here. Join our Discord community to connect with other learners and get more English practice. Click here to join. Links mentioned in this episode: Jeju Island Hallasan 🔑 Key expressions Keep an ear out for these phrases during the episode: to put words in (someone’s) mouth niche to call for (rain) (one’s) legs are like jelly to get away with (something) to go ham

What’s one thing you wish you had known sooner? In this Chatterbox episode, Andrew sits down with Michael Lavers from the Level Up English Podcast for an honest conversation about regrets, missed chances, and the things we wish we had figured out earlier. They share stories about money mistakes, bad clothing buys, language learning, and the surprising lessons that come with getting older. The Best Way to Learn with This Episode: Culips members get an interactive transcript, a 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: Click here. Join our Discord community to connect with other learners and get more English practice. Click here to join. Check Out Michael’s Work: Level Up English website: The Level Up English Podcast: Level Up English on YouTube: 🔑 Key expressions Keep an ear out for these phrases during the episode: Tongue-in-cheek No shade Lackadaisical To take the words right out of someone’s mouth Building a house on sand A losing battle

Why do we dream? In this Simplified Speech episode, Andrew and Indiana share their own theories about what dreams are for, the strangest recurring nightmares they’ve had, and a uniquely Korean kind of dream that’s said to predict pregnancy. They also get into sleepwalking, snoring, and the small habits that can quietly ruin your sleep. The Best Way to Learn with This Episode: Culips members get an interactive transcript, a 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: Join our Discord community to connect with other learners and get more English practice. Click here to join. References: Wikipedia, Conception dreams — Read here: 🔑 Key expressions Keep an ear out for these phrases during the episode: Fresh off the dome To ring true Every now and then To build up to The OG Story of my life

In this bonus episode, Andrew shares a story about a weekend trip he took to visit two old friends in another city. They met up to hang out, do a challenging activity, and then enjoy some good times together. Listen along to learn some vocabulary that will help make your English more natural and to improve your listening fluency. The Study Materials for This Episode Are Free: * The interactive transcript and vocabulary glossary for this episode are free for everyone. No membership needed. Get them here:  * Become a Culips member to get study materials for every episode, live speaking classes, ad-free audio, member-only perks, and more. Click here to join. * Join our Discord community to connect with other learners and get more English practice. Click here GLOSSARY EXPRESSIONS Get your act together In for a world of pain Talk your ear off Crash out Kaput Rip-off Putter around Lightheaded Toughen up Bounce back

Why does paying with cash feel different from tapping your phone? In this Chatterbox episode, Andrew and Anna talk about the psychology of spending money. They share what they happily pay extra for, what they refuse to spend on, and the small tricks companies use to get more money out of our wallets. Along the way, they look at why we sometimes feel like we got a great deal even when we just spent five times what we intended. Listening to many natural responses is one of the best ways to build your everyday listening skills in English. 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. References: Dan Ariely TED Talk, Are we in control of our own decisions? — Watch here: American Psychological Association, The psychology of spending* — Read here: 🔑 Key expressions Keep an ear out for these phrases during the episode: To recoil Hit or miss To break a bill Couldn’t give a toss To be averse to To game

How do you answer the question, “How are you?” It sounds simple, but native English speakers actually use a wide variety of answers. In this Real Talk episode, Andrew and Kassy share more than 30 common replies, including standard answers, sarcastic ones, and phrases people use on a busy or tough day. They explain what each phrase really means and the situations where you’ll hear it. Listening to many natural responses is one of the best ways to build your everyday listening skills in English. The best way to learn with this episode: Culips members get an interactive transcript, a 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 Members can access the ad-free version here Join our Discord community to connect with other learners and get more English practice: https://discord.gg/Bpxa85CFuc 🔑 Key expressions Keep an ear out for these phrases during the episode: To put someone through the wringer A scholar and a gentleman Murky Not one’s cup of tea To be foiled To chuck something

Have you ever felt the fear of missing out on something exciting? In this bonus episode, Andrew talks about FOMO, finding yourself in a funk, exercising your green thumb, and growing your own food. Listen along to learn some vocabulary that will help make your English more natural and to improve your listening fluency. The Study Materials for This Episode Are Free: The interactive transcript, study guide, and quiz for this episode are free for everyone. No membership needed. Get them here  Become a Culips member to get study materials for every episode, live speaking classes, ad-free audio, member-only perks, and more. http://culips.co to join. Join our Discord community to connect with other learners and get more English practice. https://discord.gg/Bpxa85CFuc English Expressions featured in this episode FOMO On the ball To full send (it) To throw your hat into the ring To keep your eyes peeled To mull (something) over To hit (someone) like a ton of bricks To snap (yourself) out of (something) In a funk Green thumb

From Cornwall to Bangkok: Cycling, Podcasting, and Pop Culture with Michael Lavers Would you leave England to start a new life in Bangkok? Would you plan a cycling trip across an entire country? In this episode, Andrew interviews Michael Lavers from the Level Up English Podcast, a British podcaster who is doing exactly that. They chat about growing up in Cornwall, moving to Thailand, cycling adventures, and the challenges of learning Thai. Andrew ends the conversation with some quick questions about British pop culture that surprise even Michael! Listening to long conversations like this one is a fantastic way to improve your listening skills and pick up natural English expressions in context. 📚 Study Materials The interactive transcript, study guide, and quizzes for this episode are 100% free for everyone. No membership is needed! Become a Culips Member: Get study materials for every episode, plus live speaking classes, ad-free audio, member-only perks, and more. Join Our Discord Community: Connect with other learners and get real-time English practice. Check out Michael’s podcast: Level Up English Podcast 🔑 Key Expressions Keep an ear out for these phrases during the episode: To put someone through the wringer A scholar and a gentleman Murky Not one’s cup of tea To be foiled To chuck something

Have you ever returned food at a restaurant? Fired a real gun? Used a fake ID to buy alcohol? Andrew and Indiana play Never Have I Ever in this episode, a popular North American game where players share the surprising things they have or have not done in their lives. Who has done more? Listen to find out, and learn some useful English expressions along the way. Listening to natural English conversations like this one is a great way to improve your fluency. 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: Click here. Join our Discord community to connect with other learners and get more English practice. Click here to join.

In this bonus episode, Andrew shares a couple of stories about what he’s been up to so far this spring, including a hike up a mountain in Seoul to see some spring flowers and doing a big deep clean of his house. Listen along to learn some vocabulary that will help make your English more natural and to improve your listening fluency. Important links: Become a Culips member Study with the interactive transcript Join the Culips Discord server Small-group speaking class schedule

Are robots about to take over our houses? In this Simplified Speech episode, Andrew and Kassy catch up and share what’s new in their lives. Kassy talks about the new robotics program at her school and the family members coming to visit her in Korea, and Andrew explains the strange little experiment he tried to finally get over his fear of the stock market. Kassy also mentions an older episode about the GameStop story, which you can hear in Chatterbox 261 – “Meme stocks” 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: Click here. Join our Discord community to connect with other learners and get more English practice. Click here to join.

Have you ever been on a great date, only to suddenly feel completely turned off by something small and unexpected? In this Chatterbox episode, Andrew and Anna talk about “the ick,” that sudden feeling of disgust toward someone you’re dating. They share their own icks, from almond milk to vocal fry, and look at why these reactions happen. Are they silly snap judgments, or could they actually be rooted in something deeper, like evolution or personal values? Practice using the expressions from this episode in your own conversations, and you’ll sound more natural in no time. – Andrew references articles from Time and Psychology Today: in the episode. 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: 

In this episode, Andrew looks back on March. He ran the Seoul Marathon for the third year in a row after a rough winter of injuries and almost no training. He also tells you about the construction project he and his wife tackled in their yard, and why two weekends of mixing cement felt harder than running 42 kilometers. Important links: Become a Culips member: Join the Culips Discord server: Bonus 168 – Sick as a dog:

What would you say if you sat down at a restaurant and needed to tell your server about a food allergy? In this episode of Real Talk, Andrew and Indiana teach you practical phrases and expressions for talking about food allergies, food safety, and common menu abbreviations you’ll see in English-speaking countries. Listen to this episode and practice the expressions in the study guide to feel more confident the next time you eat out. Expressions included in the study guide A severe allergy To make a note of (something) To steer clear of (something) Cross contamination To go the extra mile Lactose intolerant 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: 

Would you use AI to write a birthday message to your best friend? What about a condolence note when someone loses a parent? Inspired by this Guardian article, Andrew and Indiana share their honest opinions on a question a lot of people are asking: is it ever OK to let AI speak for you in your personal life? You’ll learn some useful expressions along the way and probably finish with a stronger opinion than you started with. Listening to real conversations between native speakers is one of the best ways to build your fluency and feel more confident in English. 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:

What is it like to travel to Japan for a quick getaway? In this week’s bonus episode, Andrew shares stories from his recent 4-day trip to Fukuoka, Japan with his wife. They explored record stores, enjoyed incredible food, and visited a beautiful art museum. Andrew also tells you about an unexpected running adventure at a local park that turned into a secret competition with a stranger. Listening to this story will help you improve your English fluency. You will also learn useful, everyday words about travel, shopping, food, and city life. Important links: Become a Culips member Join the Culips Discord server Mona Hatoum’s “+ and -” at the Fukuoka Art Museum Ohori Park, Fukuoka Homachiame Coffee, Fukuoka

In this Catch Word lesson, Andrew and Indiana teach you two useful English idioms: “stick to your guns” and “double down.” Both expressions describe a person who refuses to change their mind, even when they face pressure or criticism. They discuss the small differences between these idioms, explaining why one is often seen as a sign of respect while the other is usually considered stubborn. By listening to their conversation, you will learn how to use these idioms naturally in your own everyday speaking.  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. Fan Fact: Many popular English idioms actually come from the world of gambling and card games. For example, the phrase “double down” comes from the game of Blackjack, where a player can double their bet in exchange for one more card. Another common expression mentioned in this episode is “to fold,” which comes from Poker. In Poker, if you have a weak hand and don’t want to keep betting, you fold your cards and give up on that round. Expression list: to stick to one’s guns  to double down  to have one’s mind made up  [Even] in the face of  Peer pressure  To back down

In this episode of Simplified Speech, Andrew and Indiana share their personal experiences as language learners. Even though they are English teachers, they also study second languages themselves. They talk about their history with languages like Japanese, German, and Korean, and discuss their favorite study methods and give advice on how to improve your skills.  They chat about some of the different ways they remember new vocabulary and why spending time with the language every day is so important. Finally, they also share some funny and unusual tips for practicing speaking without feeling embarrassed. Listen to the episode to find out which daily habits might work best for you. 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 versio: Click here. Join our Discord community to connect with other learners and get more English practice. Click here to join.