Culips Everyday English Podcast

Simplified Speech #234 – The Holidays 2025

In this Chatterbox episode, Andrew and Anna talk about what curiosity is, why you feel it, and how it can help or hurt you in everyday life. You will hear real stories about things they have been curious about lately, how curiosity can help you discover new ideas, and how it can sometimes distract you. They also explain the different types of curiosity (diversive curiosity and specific curiosity) and share useful idioms related to curiosity like “curiosity killed the cat.” [http://esl.culips.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/03/dw1-1.png]https://esl.culips.com/Lipservice-prtd/SS234_The_Holidays_2025_SG.pdf [http://esl.culips.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/03/dw1.png]https://esl.culips.com/1000/12/17675/ What you will learn in this episode: * Natural English phrases to describe what you want to learn, what interests you, and what catches your attention. * Common words and idioms connected to curiosity, such as “childlike curiosity,” “healthy curiosity,” and “my curiosity got the better of me.” * How Andrew and Anna talk about what interests them, respond to each other’s stories, and describe curiosity in clear, everyday English. This episode is perfect for you if: * You want to think in English more easily when talking about what interests you * You want to sound natural and confident when sharing your own stories and questions * You want to learn clear, useful expressions to describe curiosity in everyday life 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 [http://culips.co]. * Members can access the ad-free version: Click here. [https://esl.culips.com/1000/12/17675/] * Join our Discord community to connect with other learners and get more English practice. Click here to join.  [https://discord.gg/Bpxa85CFuc]

Culips Community Update – December 2025

In this episode, Andrew and Alina share a Culips Community Update and introduce the final monthly challenge of 2025. They chat about their personal highlights from the year, then invite you to join the December 2025 Challenge on the Culips English Podcast Discord server. This month’s theme is reflecting on 2025, sharing your wins, celebrating community, and looking ahead to realistic English goals for 2026. December 2025 Challenge: Year End Reflection Theme: Reflect on your year, your English journey, and your connections in the Culips community  How it works: * New tasks every other day throughout December * Answer questions about your 2025 highlights, goals you achieved, and what you learned * Share your favorite Culips episode of 2025 * Tag and thank someone on the server who supported you or who you have practiced with * Seasonal prompts about Christmas, end of year traditions, and setting realistic English goals for the new year * Finish all the tasks to earn a festive completion certificate created by Alina It’s completely free, and it’s a fun way to practice English while connecting with learners from all over the world. How to Join the Culips Discord Server and Participate in the Challenge 1. Create [https://discord.com/] a Discord Account: Sign up for free at Discord. 2. Download the App: Install Discord on your phone or computer for easy access. 3. Join the Culips Server: Click this link to join the Culips English Podcast Discord server: Join Here [https://discord.com/invite/Bpxa85CFuc]. 4. Enable the Monthly Challenge Channel: * From the menu, select Channels and Roles. * Go to the Browse Channels tab. * Under the English Learning category, select Monthly Challenge to add it to your menu. 5. Access the December Challenge: Click the pin icon at the top of the Monthly Challenge channel to view the December Challenge (available from December 2nd). Complete all the tasks to earn a certificate. Join in and start improving your English with the community! December Challenge: Linking Words & Discourse Markers calendar [https://esl.culips.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/11/DecChallenge.jpg] https://esl.culips.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/11/DecChallenge.jpg

Chatterbox #342 – Talking about curiosity

In this Chatterbox episode, Andrew and Anna talk about what curiosity is, why you feel it, and how it can help or hurt you in everyday life. You will hear real stories about things they have been curious about lately, how curiosity can help you discover new ideas, and how it can sometimes distract you. They also explain the different types of curiosity (diversive curiosity and specific curiosity) and share useful idioms related to curiosity like “curiosity killed the cat.” [http://esl.culips.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/03/dw1-1.png]https://esl.culips.com/Lipservice-prtd/CB342_SG_Talking_About_Curiosity.pdf [http://esl.culips.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/03/dw1.png]https://esl.culips.com/1000/11/17663/ What you will learn in this episode: * Natural English phrases to describe what you want to learn, what interests you, and what catches your attention. * Common words and idioms connected to curiosity, such as “childlike curiosity,” “healthy curiosity,” and “my curiosity got the better of me.” * How Andrew and Anna talk about what interests them, respond to each other’s stories, and describe curiosity in clear, everyday English. This episode is perfect for you if: * You want to think in English more easily when talking about what interests you * You want to sound natural and confident when sharing your own stories and questions * You want to learn clear, useful expressions to describe curiosity in everyday life 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 [http://culips.co]. * Members can access the ad-free version: Click here. [https://esl.culips.com/1000/11/17663/] * Join our Discord community to connect with other learners and get more English practice. Click here to join.  [https://discord.gg/Bpxa85CFuc]

Simplified Speech #233 – Ethical dilemmas

In this Simplified Speech episode, Andrew and Indiana talk about ethical dilemmas. They share everyday tricky situations, like splitting a restaurant bill, switching airplane seats, and seeing someone cheat on a test. You will hear how they think through hard choices, weigh pros and cons, and set healthy boundaries without starting a fight. [http://esl.culips.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/03/dw1-1.png]https://esl.culips.com/Lipservice-prtd/SS233_SG.pdf [http://esl.culips.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/03/dw1.png]https://esl.culips.com/1000/11/17657/ What you’ll learn with this episode: * Clear meanings for key words and phrases used to discuss ethics and choices * How to give reasons, agree politely, and disagree respectfully in conversations * Useful sentence patterns for sharing opinions and asking follow-up questions * Real examples of softening language, like “it depends,” “I feel,” and “maybe” This episode is perfect for you if: * You want to speak more confidently about real-life problems and choices * You need practical phrases for meetings, classes, and daily life * You like clear examples you can copy and use in your own 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 [http://culips.co]. * Members can access the ad-free version: Click here. [https://esl.culips.com/1000/11/17657/] * Join our Discord community to connect with other learners and get more English practice. Click here to join.  [https://discord.gg/Bpxa85CFuc]

Bonus episode #161 – The mice will play

What makes the perfect bachelor weekend? In this episode, Andrew explains the English proverb “When the cat’s away, the mice will play” by sharing what happens when his wife takes a trip to Japan. He talks about his simple list of things he’s looking forward to doing alone. Along the way, you’ll learn useful idioms and everyday expressions while getting an inside look at Andrew’s wild weekend. [http://esl.culips.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/03/dw1-1.png]https://esl.culips.com/lipservice/B161_Transcript_Regular.pdf [http://esl.culips.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/03/dw1.png]https://esl.culips.com/1000/11/17651/ 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. Important links: * Become a Culips member [http://culips.com] * Study with the interactive transcript [https://esl.culips.com/1000/11/17651/] * Join the Culips Discord server [https://discord.gg/Bpxa85CFuc] * Small-group speaking class schedule [https://esl.culips.com/culips-class-schedule/]