Culips Everyday English Podcast

In this episode, Suzanne tells us about her experience of flying internationally during the pandemic, which didn’t go as smoothly as planned. If you are thinking about taking a trip abroad, listen to this episode to get some useful tips on how to avoid problems at the airport. The Simplified Speech series is the perfect way to learn from native speakers who use easy-to-understand English. In this study guide, there are detailed expressions to explain the more difficult words and phrases you hear, with examples to improve your understanding. Fun facts Did you know that there is a rule to make sure that pilots and their copilots don’t eat the same meal before a flight? This is so that if one of the pilots were to become ill due to food poisoning, the other could take over. Expressions included in the study guide * Travel bug * To scratch an itch * Gee * Hours on end * Hubbub * A piece of cake Copyright: Culips.com For more information about this episode, visit culips.com. Music Credit: Something Elated by Broke For Free, Step On by Jahzzar Photo Credit: Ross Parmly(Unsplash.com)

Podcasts are evolving. From the technology used to the companies producing them and everything in between, the podcasting industry is seeing a lot of new, exciting changes. In this episode, Andrew and Anna talk about the changes they’ve seen, and discuss what it might mean for the future of podcasting. The Chatterbox series is designed for intermediate and advanced English learners. Podcasts and audio lessons are a great way to improve your English listening skills. Culips’ Chatterbox episodes feature natural, unedited conversations between native speakers, so you can build your English skills and learn something new at the same time. Fun facts As of November 2021, there are over two million podcasts available in the world, with over 48 million episodes total. The average podcast listener listens to between five and seven different shows per week. Expressions included in the study guide * Come on [one’s] radar * The Wild West * Hedge [one’s] bets * Saturate * Raise the bar * Walled garden Copyright: Culips.com For more information about this episode, visit culips.com. Music Credit: Something Elated by Broke For Free, Step On by Jahzzar Photo Credit: CoWomen(Unsplash.com)

Have you ever wished there was another way to describe how friendly you are with certain people? In this Catch Word episode, Andrew and Kassy share a couple ways native English speakers refer to their relationships with others. The Culips Catch Word series explains idioms, phrasal verbs, and expressions used in everyday life. Listening to our Catch Word audio lessons helps improve your English listening and speaking skills while also giving you new, fun ways to talk about how well you get along with your friends. Fun facts Studies show that animals, like chimpanzees, baboons, horses, hyenas, elephants, bats, turtles, and dolphins, to name a few, recognize and befriend individuals that aren’t from their species. (So your pet thinks of you as a good friend, too!) Expressions included in the study guide * To click * To gel * Working relationship * Break in the action * Chemistry Copyright: Culips.com For more information about this episode, visit culips.com. Music Credit: Something Elated by Broke For Free, Step On by Jahzzar Photo Credit: Colton Sturgeon (Unsplash.com) Link to talk with Dr. Naomi Barron Article we summarized in the episode

In this episode, Andrew and Anna debate the pros and cons of reading paper books and digital e-books. They also discuss their experiences with reading online and talk about the daily distractions that prevent them from reading properly. Our Chatterbox series is the perfect way to learn English with our Culips hosts who discuss interesting and contemporary topics using everyday English. If you want to learn how to talk like a native speaker, then this is the podcast series for you! Fun facts The first e-book was published way back in 1971. Michael Stern Hart was a technologist who decided to transcribe the US Declaration of Independence onto his computer and make it available to other users on the network. However, the first physical e-book invented was the Rocketbook in 1997. Expressions included in the study guide * Mindless * On the surface * To go by the wayside * To catch oneself * Clueless * Workaround Copyright: Culips.com For more information about this episode, visit culips.com. Music Credit: Something Elated by Broke For Free, Step On by Jahzzar Photo Credit: Colton Sturgeon (Unsplash.com) Link to talk with Dr. Naomi Barron Article we summarized in the episode

Would you like to have a bombshell dropped on you? That sounds pretty bad, but don’t worry, our hosts Andrew and Suzanne are here to explain expressions you can use when you’re shocked at hearing big news. In this Catch Word episode, the two main expressions are to drop a bombshell and a rude awakening. Do you think you know what they mean? Give the episode a listen and find out! With the Catch Word series, Culips works hard to provide intermediate and advanced English language learners with fun and interesting content so they can improve their English fluency. Fun facts One of the main expressions from this episode is a rude awakening. Although unrelated to this expression, you might want to check out the Academy Award–nominated 1990 movie called Awakenings, starring Robert De Niro and Robert Williams. It’s a touching movie about a doctor’s relationships while helping his catatonic patients. If you see it, tell us what you think! Expressions included in the study guide * To drop a bombshell * To be set for life * Across town * A rude awakening * A hard pill to swallow * Out of [one’s] league Copyright: Culips.com For more information about this episode, visit culips.com. Music Credit: Something Elated by Broke For Free, Step On by Jahzzar Photo Credit: Colton Sturgeon (Unsplash.com)

Are you the type of person who loves food and wishes your plate would never go empty? Going to a buffet restaurant means you can eat as much as you want. In this Simplified Speech episode, Andrew and Suzanne give us their opinions on buffets. The Simplified Speech series helps you to learn English naturally with easy-to-understand conversations on current topics. Make sure you’ve eaten before listening to this episode, as it might make you hungry! Fun facts How do buffet restaurants make money if people can eat as much as they want? What you might not know is that these restaurants have strategies to stop customers from eating more expensive foods. For example, they might put cheaper and more filling foods like pasta and potatoes at the front of the buffet line. They also tend to have bigger spoons for these dishes, to encourage you to take more. Expressions included in the study guide * To bring out the worst in [someone] * To get your money’s worth * Eyes bigger than your stomach * Go all out * At your own peril * Trade-off Copyright: Culips.com For more information about this episode, visit culips.com. Music Credit: Something Elated by Broke For Free, Step On by Jahzzar Photo Credit: S Migaj (Unsplash.com)

To calm down, hang out, relax, be easygoing: native English speakers use the word chill in many ways. In this Catch Word episode, Andrew and Kassy explain how to use this versatile word in four different situations. The Culips Catch Word series explains idioms, phrasal verbs, and expressions used in everyday life. Listening to our Catch Word audio lessons helps improve your English listening and speaking skills. So, get ready to chill out as you listen to this natural conversation between two native English speakers. Fun facts Chill was first used as slang to mean something other than cold in 1980. Most of the definitions in this episode come from the idea that, when it’s cold, we move more slowly; when we’re calm or relaxed, we also tend to move more slowly. Also, anger, anxiety, sadness, and agitation all tend to be hot emotions—our body temperatures rise. Chill refers to the lower emotional temperature that comes with being calm. Expressions included in the study guide * Chill (out)! * Chill (out) with [someone] * Chillin’ * Chill * Road rage * Wait it out Copyright: Culips.com For more information about this episode, visit culips.com. Music Credit: Something Elated by Broke For Free, Step On by Jahzzar Photo Credit: S Migaj (Unsplash.com)

Have you ever lived or thought about living in a foreign country? If so, hit play and listen to Andrew and Suzanne’s perspectives about living in a foreign country. In this episode, Andrew and Suzanne talk about the ups and downs of living in a foreign country. Tune in to hear this interesting conversation full of natural English expressions and vocab Fun facts An expat is someone who does not live in the country they hold citizenship in. Expats make up a little over 3% of the world’s population! The Expat Insider conducted a survey this year in which 12,420 expats around the globe participated to determine the best and worst expat destinations. Taiwan, Mexico, and Costa Rica made up the top three best expat destinations. Expressions included in the study guide * To bring [someone] up to speed * Label * All walks of life * To tie up one’s point * A tall task * To have blinders on one’s eyes Copyright: Culips.com For more information about this episode, visit culips.com. Music Credit: Something Elated by Broke For Free, Step On by Jahzzar Photo Credit: S Migaj (Unsplash.com)

What? Another grey hair? If we’re fortunate enough to grow old, finding grey hairs will be a common occurrence for sure. In this Chatterbox episode, hosts Andrew and Anna talk about their relationship with grey hairs and a surprising new study on the topic. Apparently, your grey hairs can grow back to their natural colour. Imagine that! Chatterbox is a series for intermediate to advanced English language learners. Our hosts speak in an easy-to-understand and natural way about a topic chosen to keep you interested. Fun facts Did you know that the average human has about 100,000 hair follicles on their head? What might also be surprising is that people with blonde hair have about 150,000 hair follicles, on average. Expressions included in the study guide * Groundbreaking * Beacon of hope * To take [something] in stride * To pay dividends * To reverse the clock * Realm of possibilities Copyright: Culips.com For more information about this episode, visit culips.com. Music Credit: Something Elated by Broke For Free, Step On by Jahzzar Photo Credit: JJ Jordan (Unsplash.com)

Do you know how to describe rich people and companies in English? In this Catch Word episode, Andrew and Kassy teach you two idiomatic English expressions that you can use to do just that. Upgrade your vocabulary and make your English sound more natural by learning with this lesson. Catch Word is the Culips vocabulary series for intermediate and advanced English language learners. In each episode, you’ll learn expressions, idioms, slang, phrasal verbs, and more that will help you become a better English listener and speaker. Fun facts With an estimated net worth of $177 billion, Jeff Bezos is rolling in it and is the richest person on Earth. Meanwhile, his company Amazon made nearly $400 billion in profits last year. It’s safe to say that Amazon must have very deep pockets. Expressions included in the study guide * To be rolling in it * To be tight with [your money] * Crypto * To sell off * To have deep pockets * Jet set Copyright: Culips.com For more information about this episode, visit culips.com. Music Credit: Something Elated by Broke For Free, Step On by Jahzzar Photo Credit: Alexander Mils (Unsplash.com)

Kassy has joined the Culips wedding club! Many of the Culips hosts and listeners have gotten married these past few years, and Kassy is engaged to become the next! Listen to this Simplified Speech episode where Kassy talks about the events leading up to her engagement to her boyfriend. Simplified Speech is a series where you can follow Culips hosts speaking in an easy-to-understand way. Also, we have a transcript and study guide designed to help you follow along with each episode. Fun facts Andrew, and soon Kassy, is in an international marriage in South Korea. There has been a rise in international marriages in South Korea in the past few years, but it looks like the COVID-19 pandemic has changed some things. In 2019, international weddings accounted for 9.8% of all weddings in South Korea. However, that number plummeted to 7.1% in 2020, the first year of the pandemic. Expressions included in the study guide * In [one’s] world * Ta-da * The whole shebang * To play ball * Out of [one’s] element * To lose its lustre Copyright: Culips.com For more information about this episode, visit culips.com. Music Credit: Something Elated by Broke For Free, Step On by Jahzzar Photo Credit: Kassy White

Have you noticed your usual grocery items are smaller than they used to be, but cost the same? You may not have heard of shrinkflation before, but it’s something that’s affecting everyone and people aren’t happy about it! In this Chatterbox episode, Andrew and Anna discuss the issue of shrinkflation. Culips’ Chatterbox series helps you learn English from native speakers, with detailed expressions you can add to your own vocabulary that will surely impress your English-speaking friends! Fun facts You may get excited when your favourite cereal is re-branded with fancy new packaging, but this is actually one of the smart ways companies disguise reduced contents. Coca Cola did this in 2019, reducing their bottles from 2 litres to 1.75 litres. Expressions included in the study guide * Evil twin * Perfect storm * At the heart of [something] * To get laid off * To fall victim to [something/someone] * To vote with your pocketbook Copyright: Culips.com For more information about this episode, visit culips.com. Music Credit: Something Elated by Broke For Free, Step On by Jahzzar Photo Credit: Jonas Augustin (Unsplash.com)

Squid Game on Netflix is a Korean show that has become extremely popular around the world. In this episode, Andrew and Kassy talk about the show, sharing their thoughts on the plot, story, and characters. If you liked Squid Game or are thinking about watching it, you shouldn’t miss this Simplified Speech episode! Simplified Speech episodes feature two native English speakers having clear, natural, and easy-to-understand conversations about interesting topics, like popular TV shows. This helps improve your English listening skills and, by listening, helps you speak English naturally. Fun facts The oversized doll from the first episode of the show is real. It now resides in Jincheon County, 3 hours north of Seoul, where it guards the entrance of a horse carriage museum called Macha Land. There is even a smaller, 10-foot replica in Manila, the capital of the Philippines. Expressions included in the study guide * Spoilers * To be invested in [someone] * Take the world by storm * Zero-sum game * Late-stage capitalism * To have [one’s] moment Copyright: Culips.com For more information about this episode, visit culips.com. Music Credit: Something Elated by Broke For Free, Step On by Jahzzar Photo Credit: Jonas Augustin (Unsplash.com)

Not everyone enjoys going to the dentist’s office. However, there are certainly many people who fear making an appointment over the phone more than the dentist’s drill! Fear not. In this Real Talk episode, Andrew and Kassy help you with the vocabulary and expressions you’ll need to make a dentist’s appointment. Real Talk is a series designed to help you in real life situations. Although this episode focuses on making an appointment to see the dentist, you can use what you’ll learn in this episode to make many different kinds of appointments. Fun facts Even though you may be apprehensive to visit the dentist, dentistry has come a long way from its early days. Anaesthetics and precision tools have made going to the dentist a much safer and more pleasant experience. Just take a look at medieval paintings showing what dentists did centuries ago and you’ll agree! Expressions included in the study guide * To work for [someone] * The sooner, the better * To fit [someone] in * After next * To double-check * Walk-in * Cavity * Scaling Copyright: Culips.com For more information about this episode, visit culips.com. Music Credit: Something Elated by Broke For Free, Step On by Jahzzar Photo Credit: Caroline LM (Unsplash.com)

We love catching up with friends. In fact, before every Culips episode, our hosts spend some time doing just that. Today you get to listen in as Andrew and Kassy catch up on the latest news in their lives – from Andrew’s new hobby to Kassy’s big purchase! Simplified Speech features clear, natural, and easy to understand English conversations between native speakers. By studying with this Simplified Speech episode, you’ll improve your English listening skills, increase your vocabulary, and find out how to talk about new events happening in your life. Fun facts According to a 2013 study, people spend 60 percent of their conversations talking about themselves. And 80 percent of conversations consist of gossip, according to Dr. Nicholas Emler, a British psychologist. Expressions included in the study guide * Welcome to the club * There’s no turning back * Out of whack * Fender bender * New-to-me * To crash Copyright: Culips.com For more information about this episode, visit culips.com. Music Credit: Something Elated by Broke For Free, Step On by Jahzzar Photo Credit: Danielle MacInnes (Unsplash.com)