Do you find travel planning stressful? In this bonus episode, Andrew talks about his upcoming trip to Canada. He shares the ups and downs of booking flights, including a mistake that forced him to change his plans. He also shares exciting news about a Culips meetup in Tokyo. As you listen, you will hear clear, natural English and learn useful vocabulary for talking about travel, money, and solving problems.

Important links:

• Become a Culips member
• RSVP for the Tokyo Meetup on February 10th, 2026
  • RSVP here
  • More details on Discord
• Study with the interactive transcript
• Join the Culips Discord server
• Small-group speaking class schedule

In this episode of Catch Word, you will learn two common English idioms used to talk about speed and fast results. Andrew and Indiana explain what it means “to make short work of something” and to do something “in short order”, showing you how native speakers use these expressions in workplace and service industry situations. Your hosts will share clear examples from jobs, chores, food, hotels, and office settings so you can understand how these phrases are used naturally.

What you’ll learn with this episode:

• How to use the expression “make short work of something” to talk about finishing tasks very quickly
• How to use “in short order” to sound polite and professional when talking about quick results
• How these expressions sound in real conversations at work and in service situations

This episode is perfect for you if:

• You’re trying to build practical vocabulary for everyday and professional English
• You want to learn alternative options to common expressions like “quickly” or “right away”
• You’re looking for realistic example dialogues that will help you remember and use new vocabulary

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.

When was the last time something unexpected happened to you? In this episode, Andrew shares a story about a normal bike ride that turned into a surprise encounter with a YouTuber. He also talks about a tough week at home after his wife caught the flu and he had to take care of the house. As you listen, you will hear clear, natural English and pick up useful vocabulary for telling stories about daily life and health.

Don’t forget to check out the free interactive transcript and glossary to learn the idioms, phrasal verbs, and vocabulary Andrew uses in this episode that will help you sound more natural and confident when speaking English.

Save 25% off a yearly Culips membership, renewal, or extension! Become a Culips member now.

Important links:

• Study with the interactive transcript
• Join the Culips Discord server
• Small-group speaking class schedule
• The exercise YouTube channel Andrew mentioned

Happy New Year! For our first Simplified Speech episode of 2026, Andrew and Indiana answer some rapid-fire questions about their plans for this year. From home renovations to fashion predictions, you’ll hear them discuss exactly what they hope to achieve in the new year.

Save 25% off a yearly Culips membership renewal or extension! Become a Culips member now.

By listening to this conversation, you will learn natural vocabulary and idioms for talking about your own future goals, changing your daily habits, and making predictions.

Important links:

• Study with the interactive transcript and helpful study guide
• Join the Culips Discord server
• Small-group speaking class schedule

Have you ever made a funny bet with your family? In this episode, Andrew talks about his Christmas in Seoul. He explores a beautiful neighborhood, eats delicious food, and challenges his wife to an exciting arcade game. As you listen, you will hear clear, natural English and pick up useful expressions and storytelling language that can help you understand English more easily and speak it more smoothly.

Don’t forget to check out the free interactive transcript and glossary to learn the idioms, phrasal verbs, and vocabulary Andrew uses in this episode that will help you sound more natural and confident when speaking English.

Save 25% off a yearly Culips membership, renewal, or extension! Become a Culips member now.

Important links:

• Study with the interactive transcript
• Join the Culips Discord server
• Small-group speaking class schedule

In the last Chatterbox episode of 2025, you’ll listen to Andrew and Anna look back on the year with 15 fun reflection questions. You will hear them talk about surprising news, happy moments, new habits, travel stories, things they bought, and upcoming goals for 2026. Their conversation is relaxed and full of real, everyday English, so you can learn how native speakers look back on the past year and share personal experiences.

What you will learn in this episode:

• How to talk about your year in English, including highs, lows, and things you did not expect
• Useful phrases for giving opinions, agreeing, and reacting with surprise or humor
• Natural ways to talk about habits, goals, and plans for the new year

This episode is perfect for you if:

• You want to learn natural ways to talk about goals and habits, including routines that fell apart and new habits you want to keep
• You want to practice English for small talk topics that come up a lot, like travel, food, buying things, trends, and social media
• You want ideas and language you can use as inspiration to talk about your own 2025 and your plans for 2026 with friends or coworkers

The Best Way to Learn with This Episode:

• Culips members get an interactive transcript, helpful study guide, and ad-free audio for this episode. These tools will help you review new words, check your understanding, and build confidence in speaking and listening. 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 Culips episode, Andrew and his friend Luke talk about the Winter Olympics and why they are such a big deal in Canada. They chat about Olympic ice hockey, the return of pro NHL players, and the excitement and controversy around the next Games in Italy. You also hear them share their favorite winter sports, talk about strange Olympic events, and play a fun memory game where they try to name past Winter Olympic host cities.

What you’ll learn with this episode:

• How to understand and use common conversation words like “chatter,” “lineup,” “controversy,” and “rivalry”
• How to follow a natural back-and-forth discussion about sports, history, and culture
• How English speakers react in the moment with expressions like “holy moly” and “it’s escaping me”
• How to give opinions and make predictions in English

This episode is perfect for you if:

• You want listening practice with real, casual English conversation
• You want to build your speaking skills for everyday topics like sports, travel, and culture
• You want to learn useful vocabulary that helps you sound more natural and confident in English conversations

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.

Fact check:

1. Ice Dancing vs. Figure Skating Jumps

The Claim: Luke mentions knowing the names of maneuvers like the “triple Lutz” and “triple Salchow” because his mom watched Ice Dancing.

The Fact: Those are Figure Skating jumps. In competitive Ice Dancing, athletes are actually forbidden from performing these types of multi-rotation jumps. It is a common mix-up, but the two are separate disciplines!

1. Surfing as a “One-Off” Showcase

The Claim: Andrew thought Surfing was a one-time showcase sport for the Summer Olympics, similar to breakdancing.

The Fact: Unlike breakdancing (which was only for Paris 2024), Surfing is a permanent Olympic sport. It debuted in Tokyo 2020, appeared in Paris 2024, and is already confirmed for the Los Angeles 2028 Games.

1. The History of Ski Jumping

The Claim: Luke suggested that ski jumping started at the Calgary 1988 Olympics with Eddie the Eagle.

The Fact: Ski jumping is actually one of the original Winter Olympic sports. It has been in every Winter Games since the very first one in 1924 (Chamonix, France)—64 years before the Calgary Games.

1. When the Games “Staggered” (The 2-Year Gap)

The Claim: Andrew and Luke discussed the Games being “staggered” (Summer and Winter in different years) starting after 1988.

The Fact: The change actually happened after 1992. Both the Summer and Winter Games were held in 1992 (Albertville and Barcelona). The first time the Winter Olympics were held in their own separate year was Lillehammer 1994.

1. Canada’s 2010 Gold Medal Record

The Claim: Luke estimated that Canada won about 10 gold medals in Vancouver 2010.

The Fact: Canada actually won 14 gold medals in 2010. At the time, this set a world record for the most gold medals ever won by a single country at any Winter Olympics.

In this Simplified Speech episode, Andrew and Indiana talk about harmful chemicals in household products and how they try to reduce exposure to these chemicals in their daily lives. You will hear them discuss common household cleaners, beauty items, plastic food storage containers, and some simple choices that they make to try and stay safe and healthy at home.

What you’ll learn with this episode:

• How to talk about cleaners, beauty products, and everyday items in natural English
• Useful words and expressions related to safety, health, ingredients, and household routines
• How native speakers share personal stories, give examples, and explain their lifestyle choices
• Simple ways people try to avoid strong smells, heavy-duty cleaners, and unclear ingredients

This episode is perfect for you if:

• You are interested in learning how to avoid unsafe chemicals in the daily products that you use
• You want to talk about everyday health and safety in clear, natural English
• You want to learn useful words for cleaners, beauty products, and daily routines

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.