Culips Everyday English Podcast

Chatterbox #344 – The Ick

Have you ever been on a great date, only to suddenly feel completely turned off by something small and unexpected? In this Chatterbox episode, Andrew and Anna talk about “the ick,” that sudden feeling of disgust toward someone you’re dating. They share their own icks, from almond milk to vocal fry, and look at why these reactions happen. Are they silly snap judgments, or could they actually be rooted in something deeper, like evolution or personal values? Practice using the expressions from this episode in your own conversations, and you’ll sound more natural in no time. – Andrew references articles from Time [https://time.com/6958762/why-you-get-the-ick-psychology/] and Psychology Today [https://www.psychologytoday.com/us/blog/the-psychology-of-relationships/202502/the-ick-factor-the-science-behind-sudden-attraction]: in the episode. [http://esl.culips.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/03/dw1-1.png]https://esl.culips.com/Lipservice-prtd/CB344_StudyGuide.pdf [http://esl.culips.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/03/dw1.png]https://esl.culips.com/1000/04/17838/ 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 here: Click here. [https://esl.culips.com/1000/04/17838/] Join our Discord community to connect with other learners and get more English practice. Click here to join:  [https://discord.gg/Bpxa85CFuc]

Bonus episode #171 – March Madness

In this episode, Andrew looks back on March. He ran the Seoul Marathon for the third year in a row after a rough winter of injuries and almost no training. He also tells you about the construction project he and his wife tackled in their yard, and why two weekends of mixing cement felt harder than running 42 kilometers. [http://esl.culips.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/03/dw1-1.png]https://esl.culips.com/lipservice/B171_regular.pdf [http://esl.culips.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/03/dw1.png]https://esl.culips.com/1000/03/17833/ Important links: * Become a Culips member: [http://culips.co/] * Join the Culips Discord server: [https://discord.gg/Bpxa85CFuc] * Bonus 168 – Sick as a dog: [https://esl.culips.com/2026/02/bonus-episode-168-sick-as-a-dog/]

Real Talk # 66 – How to tell your server you have food allergies

What would you say if you sat down at a restaurant and needed to tell your server about a food allergy? In this episode of Real Talk, Andrew and Indiana teach you practical phrases and expressions for talking about food allergies, food safety, and common menu abbreviations you’ll see in English-speaking countries. Listen to this episode and practice the expressions in the study guide to feel more confident the next time you eat out. EXPRESSIONS INCLUDED IN THE STUDY GUIDE * A severe allergy * To make a note of (something) * To steer clear of (something) * Cross contamination * To go the extra mile * Lactose intolerant [http://esl.culips.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/03/dw1-1.png]https://esl.culips.com/Lipservice-prtd/RT66_StudyGuide.pdf [http://esl.culips.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/03/dw1.png]https://esl.culips.com/1000/03/17826/ 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 here: Click here. [https://esl.culips.com/1000/03/17826/] Join our Discord community to connect with other learners and get more English practice. Click here to join:  [https://discord.gg/Bpxa85CFuc]

Simplified Speech #244 – Using AI for personal messages

Would you use AI to write a birthday message to your best friend? What about a condolence note when someone loses a parent? Inspired by this Guardian article [https://www.theguardian.com/wellness/ng-interactive/2025/jun/30/ai-chatgpt-personal-messages], Andrew and Indiana share their honest opinions on a question a lot of people are asking: is it ever OK to let AI speak for you in your personal life? You’ll learn some useful expressions along the way and probably finish with a stronger opinion than you started with. Listening to real conversations between native speakers is one of the best ways to build your fluency and feel more confident in English. [http://esl.culips.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/03/dw1-1.png]https://esl.culips.com/Lipservice-prtd/SS244.pdf [http://esl.culips.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/03/dw1.png]https://esl.culips.com/1000/03/17820/ 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 [https://www.culips.co/]: * Members can access the ad-free version here: Click here [https://esl.culips.com/1000/03/17820/]. * Join our Discord community to connect with other learners and get more English practice. Click here [https://discord.gg/Bpxa85CFuc] to join:

Bonus episode #170 – Four days in Fukuoka

What is it like to travel to Japan for a quick getaway? In this week’s bonus episode, Andrew shares stories from his recent 4-day trip to Fukuoka, Japan with his wife. They explored record stores, enjoyed incredible food, and visited a beautiful art museum. Andrew also tells you about an unexpected running adventure at a local park that turned into a secret competition with a stranger. Listening to this story will help you improve your English fluency. You will also learn useful, everyday words about travel, shopping, food, and city life. [http://esl.culips.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/03/dw1-1.png]https://esl.culips.com/lipservice/B170_Regular.pdf [http://esl.culips.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/03/dw1.png]https://esl.culips.com/1000/03/17813/ Important links: * Become a Culips member [http://culips.co/] * Join the Culips Discord server [https://discord.gg/Bpxa85CFuc] * Mona Hatoum’s “+ and -” at the Fukuoka Art Museum [https://www.whitecube.com/news/mona-hatoum-at-the-fukuoka-art-museum] * Ohori Park, Fukuoka [https://www.japan.travel/en/spot/2260/] * Homachiame Coffee, Fukuoka [https://www.instagram.com/homachiame.coffee/?hl=en]