Culips Everyday English Podcast

Forest fires have been ravaging the western coast of the United States and Canada for several months now, with devastating consequences. In this Chatterbox episode, Jeremy and Andrew discuss the terrifying results of these natural disasters and how the fires affect those who live within the burn zones. Fun facts On average, more than 100,000 wildfires clear 4 to 5 million acres of land in the United States each year. However, in recent years, that number has increased to as much as 9 million acres a year due to climate change. A wildfire can move at speeds up to 23 kilometres per hour, destroying everything in its path, such as plants and animals—even entire towns have succumbed to the wrath of these beastly fires. Expressions included in the study guide * Thick blanket of [something] * Hazy * To fill someone in [on someone or something] * Shocked * To make sense * To rely on Credit: Something Elated by Broke For Free

It might only be one little word, but putting though at the end of a sentence can make a big difference. Join Andrew and Jeremy as they run through the many ways of ending a sentence with though.  Fun facts In this episode, our hosts talk about expressions that are interchangeable. In English, strangely, the words flammable and inflammable mean the same thing! Expressions included in the study guide * Though * I’m not sure, though * Thanks, though * Short but sweet * To grab [food/drink] * Polished Credit: Something Elated by Broke For Free

Would you open your home to total strangers? Sounds bizarre, but it is the basis of a thriving business. Join Andrew and Morag as they talk about their experiences with Airbnb. Fun facts Throughout the world, there are all kiAlthough Airbnb was founded only 10 years ago, it now has revenue of over $2 billion!nds of summer camps. You can go to an English camp, a music camp, a theatre camp, even a weight loss camp! Expressions included in the study guide * Local * Less than stellar * Dingy * To fish around * In the cards * Calculated risk Credit: Something Elated by Broke For Free

Attending summer camp is a very North American experience. Join Andrew and Morag as they share their memories of attending summer camp. Fun facts Throughout the world, there are all kinds of summer camps. You can go to an English camp, a music camp, a theatre camp, even a weight loss camp! Expressions included in the study guide * To pay the price for it * No kidding * Bunch * Back in the day * To empower * To launch [something] Credit: Something Elated by Broke For Free

Are you a very important person? Do you deal with VIPs all the time? In this Catch Word episode, Andrew and Jeremy discuss expressions that will help you in the world of heavy hitters and big shots! Fun facts Canada is closelBaseball player Babe Ruth is the epitome of a heavy hitter. In 1920, he broke the record for most home runs in one season, with 54 home runs. He beat the previous season’s record of 29 held by … Babe Ruth!y associated with maple syrup. Globally, around 70% of maple syrup is produced in the province of Quebec alone. No wonder the maple leaf is on the Canadian flag! Expressions included in the study guide * Heavy hitter * Big shot * To be at the top of [one’s] game * Corporate * To slack off * You betcha Credit: Something Elated by Broke For Free

Poutine, maple syrup, Nanaimo bars—all great Canadian food! In this Chatterbox episode, Andrew and Morag talk about typical Canadian food. Join them—but beware, you might get hungry! Fun facts Canada is closely associated with maple syrup. Globally, around 70% of maple syrup is produced in the province of Quebec alone. No wonder the maple leaf is on the Canadian flag! Expressions included in the study guide * To dip one’s toe * Fiddly * To live abroad * Dope * To go mental * Go get lost Credit: Something Elated by Broke For Free

In this week’s episode, Andrew and Jeremy teach you two new idioms about preferences. These idioms do not describe your own preferences, but rather are phrases you can use when describing other people’s preferences, interests, and quirks. Let’s find out what they are! Fun facts Do you know why boats float? It’s because of a phenomenon called displacement, discovered by the Greek scientist Archimedes a couple thousand years ago. When an object is placed in water, it pushes water out of the way to make room for itself—this is called displacement. If the weight of the object is less than the weight of water displaced, the object will float. Boats float because the water they displace weighs more than the boats themselves. Cool, right? Expressions included in the study guide * Whatever floats your boat * To each their own * Stupendous * To be into [something] * Can’t stand [something] * Nuts Credit: Something Elated by Broke For Free

What do ice cream, air conditioners, and sunscreen all have in common? You can find them all in summertime! In this Simplified Speech episode, Andrew and Morag take a walk down memory lane by reminiscing about their childhood summer adventures. Join them in their trip to discover how they spent their summer vacations. Fun facts Here are two fun summer facts you’re sure to enjoy. Number 1: Do you like ice cream? If so, July must be your favourite month, because it’s National Ice Cream Month. Number 2: What do you think is the most annoying thing about summer? Besides the unbearable heat, mosquitos come to mind. These pesky bugs have been annoying Earth’s inhabitants for more than 30 million years. Just imagine how many mosquito bites have been suffered during that time! Expressions included in the study guide * To take a walk down memory lane * Strongest memories * Circumnavigate * RV * Roughing it * Stay tuned Credit: Something Elated by Broke For Free

Who doesn’t love sleep? In this Simplified Speech episode, Andrew and Jeremy talk about sleep patterns and helpful tips for getting a better night’s sleep. Fun facts Did you know that 12% of people dream entirely in black and white? Also, the longest recorded period of no sleep was made by Randy Gardner in 1964. He went 11 whole days without sleeping! Expressions included in the study guide * Deep sleeper/light sleeper * I’m with you 100% * Gotta run * Check it out * A [something] thing Credit: Something Elated by Broke For Free

Is there someone in your life who is boring and pessimistic, and ruins all of your fun? Have you ever wondered what you could call that type of person in English? Well, look no further! In today’s Catch Word episode, Andrew and Jeremy give you some perfect expressions to use. Fun facts Buzz is an example of an onomatopoeia, a word that resembles the sound it describes. Some other examples are slap, zoom, and flap. Expressions included in the study guide * Buzzkill * To suck the air out of the room * Downer * Peer pressure * Wordy Credit: Something Elated by Broke For Free

This is another special episode with a returning guest, Andrew’s brother John. Andrew and John discuss the struggles of finding an apartment to rent in the increasingly expensive Kelowna area of British Columbia. Fun facts As of 2017, the average cost of a home in Kelowna was $725,000, and up to $10 million in the area of West Kelowna. The prices have been steadily increasing due to a lack of house listings compared to the number of buyers—a prime example of supply and demand. Expressions included in the study guide * Right in the middle of [something] * In the thick of [something] * Freaky * Mobile * In between places * To have money to burn * A long shot * Party animal Credit: Something Elated by Broke For Free

Are you a YouTube addict? What’s your favourite channel to watch these days? In this interesting episode, Andrew and Morag talk about YouTube, what they love about it, and some unique content one can’t find anywhere else. Fun facts The first YouTube video was uploaded on April 23rd, 2005. Now, in 2018, every minute of the day and around the globe, more than 100 hours of video content are uploaded to YouTube. Expressions included in the study guide * Right off the top * Trending * Not [one’s] cup of tea * The beauty of [something] * To let it go to pasture * Subculture Credit: Something Elated by Broke For Free

Navigating public transportation in a new area is stressful enough without a language barrier. But have no fear! In this much-requested episode, Andrew and Suzanne introduce natural expressions used when buying a ticket at the bus terminal. Fun facts The word bus comes from the Latin word omnibus, meaning “for all.” This is fitting, because it is a vehicle that can be shared by many people at one time. The first bus system, which used horse-drawn carriages, was created in France in 1823. Expressions included in the study guide * When’s the next bus for [place]? * Stuffy * Ma’am * Carry-on * To tear off * To weigh [something] * To leave extra time Credit: Something Elated by Broke For Free

What do you know about the beautiful game? The beautiful game, otherwise known as soccer or football, is probably the most popular sport in the world. This year marks the 21st World Cup season and, as such, Andrew and Jeremy thought it would be a perfect topic to discuss in this Chatterbox episode. Enjoy! Fun facts Did you know that this year, 2018, is the first time that Russia hosted the World Cup? However, Russia has yet to win a World Cup title. Starting in 1930, the World Cup has occurred 21 times in 17 different countries. The country with the most World Cup titles is Brazil, with five wins. Expressions included in the study guide * Vibe * To fizzle out * Superstar * Tearing [one’s] hair out * To take on [something/someone] * To take the place of [something] Credit: Something Elated by Broke For Free

Feeling tense? Yoga can help! Our yoga instructor Jeremy speaks with Andrew about the practice and benefits of the ancient art of yoga. Come loosen up and have a listen to this episode of Simplified Speech. Fun facts Yoga is a part-time activity for some. But if you want beat the world record for the longest yoga marathon, you would have to try for over 160 hours! Expressions included in the study guide * To loosen up * Yogi * Made-up term * Analogy * Fascinating * Multilingual Credit: Something Elated by Broke For Free