Culips Everyday English Podcast

There are many different ways to talk about things that are old and worn out in English. In this episode, Andrew and Suzanne teach you two idiomatic expressions you can use to describe these things: seen better days and worse for wear. Catch Word is the Culips vocabulary series designed for intermediate and advanced English learners. This series teaches you how to use everyday expressions, idioms, and slang to improve your speaking and listening skills. Fun facts In this episode, Andrew and Suzanne talk about giving old things new life by fixing them up. What’s interesting is that sometimes people do just the opposite: they buy new things and intentionally make them look old. This technique is known as distressing. It involves creating artificial signs of wear and tear in order to give items a vintage appearance. Expressions included in the study guide * Seen better days * Worse for wear * TLC * Heyday * Past its prime * Wear and tear Copyright: Culips.com For more information about this episode, visit culips.com. Music Credit: Something Elated by Broke for Free Image: Pixabay (Pexels.com)

In this Chatterbox episode, Andrew and Anna talk about the concept of setting boundaries. Setting boundaries means creating limits between ourselves and others. For instance, one example of a boundary you could set is to not respond to work-related calls after dinner time. You can set boundaries for yourself, your friends, family, and even your coworkers and boss. Setting boundaries is an important way to take control in your life and show respect for yourself. If you’d like to hear about how Andrew and Anna set boundaries in their own lives, then this is the episode for you! Fun facts The term “work-life balance” became popular in the 1980s. Setting boundaries between your personal life and your professional life is an important strategy for taking care of your mental health. One simple way to set a boundary between working hours and after hours is to turn off e-mail notifications from your work e-mail during that time. Expressions included in the study guide * to cross a line/boundary * to set a precedent * to run the risk * to count as * to have one’s [noun] hat on * to walk all over [someone] Copyright: Culips.com For more information about this episode, visit culips.com. Music Credit: Something Elated by Broke for Free Image: Paolo Chiabrando (Unsplash.com)

In this Chatterbox episode, Andrew and Anna talk about the concept of setting boundaries. Setting boundaries means creating limits between ourselves and others. For instance, one example of a boundary you could set is to not respond to work-related calls after dinner time. You can set boundaries for yourself, your friends, family, and even your coworkers and boss. Setting boundaries is an important way to take control in your life and show respect for yourself. If you’d like to hear about how Andrew and Anna set boundaries in their own lives, then this is the episode for you! Fun facts The term “work-life balance” became popular in the 1980s. Setting boundaries between your personal life and your professional life is an important strategy for taking care of your mental health. One simple way to set a boundary between working hours and after hours is to turn off e-mail notifications from your work e-mail during that time. Expressions included in the study guide * to cross a line/boundary * to set a precedent * to run the risk * to count as * to have one’s [noun] hat on * to walk all over [someone] Copyright: Culips.com For more information about this episode, visit culips.com. Music Credit: Something Elated by Broke for Free Image: Paolo Chiabrando (Unsplash.com)

Books and buddies Episode description In this week’s edition of the bonus episode, Andrew talks about having some guests over to his house, professional development, and a new book by one of his favorite writers. Plus, in the vocabulary lesson, he teaches you about the expression to stay on your toes. Support Culips and take your English to the next level by becoming a Culips member. To sign up, visit Culips.com. Join the Culips Discord server here:

Bonus Episode #059 - Books and buddies Episode description In this week’s edition of the bonus episode, Andrew talks about having some guests over to his house, professional development, and a new book by one of his favorite writers. Plus, in the vocabulary lesson, he teaches you about the expression to stay on your toes. Support Culips and take your English to the next level by becoming a Culips member. To sign up, visit Culips.com. Join the Culips Discord server here:

In this episode, Andrew and Kassy discuss Kassy’s plans for the summer. Kassy and her husband are going to Europe to volunteer at an Eco Lodge in Scotland. Tune in to find out all the details! Simplified Speech is a Culips series that features two native English speakers having clear and natural conversations about fascinating topics. These episodes are designed to help you improve your English listening and speaking skills in a fun and exciting way. Fun facts An interesting aspect of volunteering abroad is that it often offers an immersive language learning experience. Volunteers often improve their language skills and cultural understanding by interacting with hosts and fellow volunteers in foreign countries. Expressions included in the study guide * The sky is the limit * To stick out * To be in the same boat * To play by ear * Hustle and bustle * On the flip side Copyright: Culips.com For more information about this episode, visit culips.com. Music Credit: Something Elated by Broke for Free Image: Paolo Chiabrando (Unsplash.com)

In this episode, Andrew and Kassy discuss Kassy’s plans for the summer. Kassy and her husband are going to Europe to volunteer at an Eco Lodge in Scotland. Tune in to find out all the details! Simplified Speech is a Culips series that features two native English speakers having clear and natural conversations about fascinating topics. These episodes are designed to help you improve your English listening and speaking skills in a fun and exciting way. Fun facts An interesting aspect of volunteering abroad is that it often offers an immersive language learning experience. Volunteers often improve their language skills and cultural understanding by interacting with hosts and fellow volunteers in foreign countries. Expressions included in the study guide * The sky is the limit * To stick out * To be in the same boat * To play by ear * Hustle and bustle * On the flip side Copyright: Culips.com For more information about this episode, visit culips.com. Music Credit: Something Elated by Broke for Free Image: Paolo Chiabrando (Unsplash.com)

One step forward, two steps back Episode description In this week’s edition of the bonus episode, Andrew talks about some trials and errors he went through when trying to upgrade the storage drive in his old computer. Plus in the vocabulary lesson, he teaches you about the phrasal verb to swap out. 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 here. Join the Culips Discord server here: Listen to Simplified Speech #172 here:

Bonus Episode #058 - One step forward, two steps back Episode description In this week’s edition of the bonus episode, Andrew talks about some trials and errors he went through when trying to upgrade the storage drive in his old computer. Plus in the vocabulary lesson, he teaches you about the phrasal verb to swap out. 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 here. Join the Culips Discord server here: Listen to Simplified Speech #172 here:

We’ve all been in situations where our options were limited, and we had to accept something less than what we wanted. In this episode, Andrew and Kassy explain two idiomatic expressions that you can use to describe these situations, bottom of the barrel and slim pickings. Catch Word is the Culips vocabulary series designed for intermediate and advanced English learners. By listening to these audio lessons, you can learn idioms, expressions, and phrasal verbs that native speakers use all the time. Tune in to take your fluency to the next level! Fun facts Andrew mentions the expression “slim chance” in this episode. Did you know that the phrase “fat chance” means the exact same thing, even though “slim” and “fat” are opposites? English can be quite fascinating, don't you think? Expressions included in the study guide * Bottom of the barrel * Slim pickings * To settle for [something] * To inch towards [something] * Decent * What can you do? Copyright: Culips.com For more information about this episode, visit culips.com. Music Credit: Something Elated by Broke for Free Image: Mauro Lima (Unsplash.com)

We’ve all been in situations where our options were limited, and we had to accept something less than what we wanted. In this episode, Andrew and Kassy explain two idiomatic expressions that you can use to describe these situations, bottom of the barrel and slim pickings. Catch Word is the Culips vocabulary series designed for intermediate and advanced English learners. By listening to these audio lessons, you can learn idioms, expressions, and phrasal verbs that native speakers use all the time. Tune in to take your fluency to the next level! Fun facts Andrew mentions the expression “slim chance” in this episode. Did you know that the phrase “fat chance” means the exact same thing, even though “slim” and “fat” are opposites? English can be quite fascinating, don't you think? Expressions included in the study guide * Bottom of the barrel * Slim pickings * To settle for [something] * To inch towards [something] * Decent * What can you do? Copyright: Culips.com For more information about this episode, visit culips.com. Music Credit: Something Elated by Broke for Free Image: Mauro Lima (Unsplash.com)

The good, the bad, and the ugly cry Episode description In this week’s edition of the bonus episode, Andrew talks about what he’s been up to over the last couple of weeks, including moving to his new house and a health scare with his pet dog Pinky Boy. Listen, learn, and improve your English fluency with real-life stories. 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 here: Join the Culips Discord server here: Watch the Discord tutorial here:

Bonus Episode #057 - The good, the bad, and the ugly cry Episode description In this week’s edition of the bonus episode, Andrew talks about what he’s been up to over the last couple of weeks, including moving to his new house and a health scare with his pet dog Pinky Boy. Listen, learn, and improve your English fluency with real-life stories. 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 here: Join the Culips Discord server here: Watch the Discord tutorial here:

Do you use tabs a lot? Do you prefer to use keyboard shortcuts or mouse clicks? In this episode, Andrew and Suzanne talk about the different ways to browse the internet. They share their different styles of surfing the internet and explore the pros and cons of each approach. Simplified Speech is the Culips series for beginner and intermediate English language learners that features easy to understand conversations about everyday topics. These episodes are designed to help you improve your listening skills and expand your vocabulary. We have quality study guides and transcripts available for all Culips members. Fun facts Do you know these handy Windows shortcuts that can make your browsing more efficient? * To open a new tab, press Ctrl + T * To close a tab, press Ctrl + W * To open a previously closed tab, press Ctrl + Shift + T Expressions included in the study guide * One thing led to another * Quirk * Now that we’ve established * Facade * Willy-nilly * Funky Copyright: Culips.com For more information about this episode, visit culips.com. Music Credit: Something Elated by Broke for Free Image: Cottonbro studio (Pexels.com)

Do you use tabs a lot? Do you prefer to use keyboard shortcuts or mouse clicks? In this episode, Andrew and Suzanne talk about the different ways to browse the internet. They share their different styles of surfing the internet and explore the pros and cons of each approach. Simplified Speech is the Culips series for beginner and intermediate English language learners that features easy to understand conversations about everyday topics. These episodes are designed to help you improve your listening skills and expand your vocabulary. We have quality study guides and transcripts available for all Culips members. Fun facts Do you know these handy Windows shortcuts that can make your browsing more efficient? * To open a new tab, press Ctrl + T * To close a tab, press Ctrl + W * To open a previously closed tab, press Ctrl + Shift + T Expressions included in the study guide * One thing led to another * Quirk * Now that we’ve established * Facade * Willy-nilly * Funky Copyright: Culips.com For more information about this episode, visit culips.com. Music Credit: Something Elated by Broke for Free Image: Cottonbro studio (Pexels.com)