Culips Everyday English Podcast

Have you ever heard of kombucha? For some people, it’s an amazing tea full of health benefits. For others, it’s a weird-tasting beverage that only strange people drink! In this Simplified Speech episode, Andrew asks Kassy about her kombucha brewing lifestyle. They talk about the various steps of Kassy’s brewing process. Simplified Speech is a series that features easy and natural conversation designed for listeners of all levels. In this episode, our hosts Andrew and Kassy talk about the fascinating world of kombucha brewing! Fun facts Both through home brewing and commercial sales, kombucha has become a worldwide industry. The international kombucha industry is estimated to be worth $1.7 billion US annually. Expressions included in the study guide * To keep regular * Out of thin air * Under the assumption * Room temperature * To pass out * To grow sick of [something] Copyright: Culips.com For more information about this episode, visit culips.com. Music Credit: Something Elated by Broke For Free, Step On by Jahzzar Photo Credit: Tyler Nix and Klara Avsenik (Unsplash.com)

What is your favourite way to say, “I have to leave now, and fast”? In this episode, Andrew and Kassy explain two common English expression that mean to leave quickly: duck out and hightail it out of there. The Culips Catch Word series explains idioms, phrasal verbs, and expressions used in everyday life. Today’s audio lesson is designed to help you improve your English listening and speaking skills while also giving you new, fun ways to say that you’re leaving. Fun facts In 2003, archeologists in Australia’s Mungo National Park discovered footprint fossils left behind by an Aboriginal hunter over 20,000 years ago. The archeologists estimate that these ancient hunters were running at or over 37 kilometres per hour. That’s faster than the current Olympic sprinters! Expressions included in the study guide * Duck out * Hightail it out of there * Do [one’s] business * Bolt * Worst nightmare * Make [one’s] heart race Copyright: Culips.com For more information about this episode, visit culips.com. Music Credit: Something Elated by Broke For Free, Step On by Jahzzar Photo Credit: Mitchell Orr (Unsplash.com)

What is your favourite way to say, “I have to leave now, and fast”? In this episode, Andrew and Kassy explain two common English expression that mean to leave quickly: duck out and hightail it out of there. The Culips Catch Word series explains idioms, phrasal verbs, and expressions used in everyday life. Today’s audio lesson is designed to help you improve your English listening and speaking skills while also giving you new, fun ways to say that you’re leaving. Fun facts In 2003, archeologists in Australia’s Mungo National Park discovered footprint fossils left behind by an Aboriginal hunter over 20,000 years ago. The archeologists estimate that these ancient hunters were running at or over 37 kilometres per hour. That’s faster than the current Olympic sprinters! Expressions included in the study guide * Duck out * Hightail it out of there * Do [one’s] business * Bolt * Worst nightmare * Make [one’s] heart race Copyright: Culips.com For more information about this episode, visit culips.com. Music Credit: Something Elated by Broke For Free, Step On by Jahzzar Photo Credit: Mitchell Orr (Unsplash.com)

Did you know that every country has their own special wedding traditions? Recently, Suzanne travelled to France to start planning her wedding. In this episode, Suzanne tells Andrew about the wedding traditions she discovered there. In our Simplified Speech series, native English speakers have natural conversations about common topics. These episodes are designed to boost your English listening skills and increase your vocabulary. On occasion, our hosts share their personal stories, making it easy to listen to these English audio lessons. Fun facts White-ribbon cutting is an old wedding tradition in France. It isn’t used much anymore, except in small villages. The wedding party travels from the bride’s home to the church. Along the way, children block their path with white ribbons, forcing the bride to cut the ribbons to pass through. The tradition symbolizes the bride overcoming obstacles that married life might bring. Expressions included in the study guide * Camp out * Partner * Culture clash * Juxtaposition * Finger food * Stand [one’s] ground Copyright: Culips.com For more information about this episode, visit culips.com. Music Credit: Something Elated by Broke For Free, Step On by Jahzzar Photo Credit: Norbu Gyachung (Unsplash.com)

Did you know that every country has their own special wedding traditions? Recently, Suzanne travelled to France to start planning her wedding. In this episode, Suzanne tells Andrew about the wedding traditions she discovered there. In our Simplified Speech series, native English speakers have natural conversations about common topics. These episodes are designed to boost your English listening skills and increase your vocabulary. On occasion, our hosts share their personal stories, making it easy to listen to these English audio lessons. Fun facts White-ribbon cutting is an old wedding tradition in France. It isn’t used much anymore, except in small villages. The wedding party travels from the bride’s home to the church. Along the way, children block their path with white ribbons, forcing the bride to cut the ribbons to pass through. The tradition symbolizes the bride overcoming obstacles that married life might bring. Expressions included in the study guide * Camp out * Partner * Culture clash * Juxtaposition * Finger food * Stand [one’s] ground Copyright: Culips.com For more information about this episode, visit culips.com. Music Credit: Something Elated by Broke For Free, Step On by Jahzzar Photo Credit: Norbu Gyachung (Unsplash.com)

In many countries, there is a cult of overworking and people are expected to work long hours. In fact, working long hours can be seen as a sign of good moral ethics. However, overworking is also a big problem for workers, as it puts a lot of stress on them. In this Chatterbox episode, Andrew and Anna discuss the cult of overworking and their experiences with this phenomenon. Chatterbox is a series designed for intermediate and advanced English language learners. This series features conversations between two native English speakers on a variety of interesting topics. Fun facts According to a 2017 study, Cambodia was the country that had the longest working hours, with employees putting in an average of 2455.55 hours annually. The lowest out of the 66 countries studied? Germany! They clocked in with an average of 1353.89 hours per employee. Expressions included in the study guide * Near and dear to [one’s] heart * Dependent * To battle with [something] * At the whim of [someone] * Hamster wheel Copyright: Culips.com For more information about this episode, visit culips.com. Music Credit: Something Elated by Broke For Free, Step On by Jahzzar Photo Credit: Tim Gouw (Unsplash.com)

In many countries, there is a cult of overworking and people are expected to work long hours. In fact, working long hours can be seen as a sign of good moral ethics. However, overworking is also a big problem for workers, as it puts a lot of stress on them. In this Chatterbox episode, Andrew and Anna discuss the cult of overworking and their experiences with this phenomenon. Chatterbox is a series designed for intermediate and advanced English language learners. This series features conversations between two native English speakers on a variety of interesting topics. Fun facts According to a 2017 study, Cambodia was the country that had the longest working hours, with employees putting in an average of 2455.55 hours annually. The lowest out of the 66 countries studied? Germany! They clocked in with an average of 1353.89 hours per employee. Expressions included in the study guide * Near and dear to [one’s] heart * Dependent * To battle with [something] * At the whim of [someone] * Hamster wheel Copyright: Culips.com For more information about this episode, visit culips.com. Music Credit: Something Elated by Broke For Free, Step On by Jahzzar Photo Credit: Tim Gouw (Unsplash.com)

Have you heard about the newest trend that combines a daily walk or jog with picking up litter? If not, you’re not alone. It’s called plogging, and in this Chatterbox episode Andrew and Anna explain it, how it came to be called plogging, and why it’s becoming a popular activity for many people around the world. The Chatterbox series is designed for intermediate and advanced English learners. Podcasts and audio lessons are a great way to improve your English listening skills. Culips’ Chatterbox episodes feature natural, unedited conversations between native speakers, so you can build your English vocabulary and learn about the new ways people are cleaning up their neighbourhoods. Fun facts Since first appearing in Sweden in 2016, plogging has spread around the world. In 2019, it was estimated that 2 million people plogged daily in over 100 countries. Expressions included in the study guide * Fair play * The [something] circuit * Fair game * Free box * One man’s trash is another man’s treasure * To clean up [one’s] act Copyright: Culips.com For more information about this episode, visit culips.com. Music Credit: Something Elated by Broke For Free, Step On by Jahzzar Photo Credit: Edoardo Frezet (Unsplash.com)

Have you heard about the newest trend that combines a daily walk or jog with picking up litter? If not, you’re not alone. It’s called plogging, and in this Chatterbox episode Andrew and Anna explain it, how it came to be called plogging, and why it’s becoming a popular activity for many people around the world. The Chatterbox series is designed for intermediate and advanced English learners. Podcasts and audio lessons are a great way to improve your English listening skills. Culips’ Chatterbox episodes feature natural, unedited conversations between native speakers, so you can build your English vocabulary and learn about the new ways people are cleaning up their neighbourhoods. Fun facts Since first appearing in Sweden in 2016, plogging has spread around the world. In 2019, it was estimated that 2 million people plogged daily in over 100 countries. Expressions included in the study guide * Fair play * The [something] circuit * Fair game * Free box * One man’s trash is another man’s treasure * To clean up [one’s] act Copyright: Culips.com For more information about this episode, visit culips.com. Music Credit: Something Elated by Broke For Free, Step On by Jahzzar Photo Credit: Edoardo Frezet (Unsplash.com)

Damn! I can’t wait to listen to the new Culips episode. This is just one of the many ways you can use the word damn. You may have heard people say this word in films, TV, and music, but never truly understood all of the many meanings of the word. Listen to this Catch Word episode to learn some of the different definitions and how you can use the word like a native English speaker. The Culips Catch Word series teaches you how to use everyday expressions, idioms, and slang to improve your speaking and listening skills. Sit back and listen to Kassy and Andrew explain four different ways to use damn in natural conversation. Fun facts The word damn originates from the Bible and it means to condemn someone. Therefore, in a religious context, saying this word means that you should be condemned by God to suffer eternal punishment in hell! Of course, we don’t use it to mean the same thing in our everyday conversations. Expressions included in the study guide * Damn * I’ll be damned * [I] Don’t give a damn * Damn [adjective] * To shy away from [something] * In the slightest Copyright: Culips.com For more information about this episode, visit culips.com. Music Credit: Something Elated by Broke For Free, Step On by Jahzzar Photo Credit: Icons8 (Unsplash.com)

Damn! I can’t wait to listen to the new Culips episode. This is just one of the many ways you can use the word damn. You may have heard people say this word in films, TV, and music, but never truly understood all of the many meanings of the word. Listen to this Catch Word episode to learn some of the different definitions and how you can use the word like a native English speaker. The Culips Catch Word series teaches you how to use everyday expressions, idioms, and slang to improve your speaking and listening skills. Sit back and listen to Kassy and Andrew explain four different ways to use damn in natural conversation. Fun facts The word damn originates from the Bible and it means to condemn someone. Therefore, in a religious context, saying this word means that you should be condemned by God to suffer eternal punishment in hell! Of course, we don’t use it to mean the same thing in our everyday conversations. Expressions included in the study guide * Damn * I’ll be damned * [I] Don’t give a damn * Damn [adjective] * To shy away from [something] * In the slightest Copyright: Culips.com For more information about this episode, visit culips.com. Music Credit: Something Elated by Broke For Free, Step On by Jahzzar Photo Credit: Icons8 (Unsplash.com)

Trolls. No, we’re not talking about mean mythical creatures who live under bridges. We’re talking about online trolls. They are very real and very mean people who like to anger others by posting nasty and cruel comments online. This has become a big problem associated with social media. In this Simplified Speech episode, hosts Andrew and Kassy discuss the various ways online trolls operate, and how you can deal with them in your own way Fun facts The troll character comes from Scandinavian mythology and has been around for centuries. Online trolls, however, date back to the early beginnings of the internet. Expressions included in the study guide * To scratch [one’s] head * To brush [something] off * To get a kick out of [something] * To spew * Tainted * To solve [something] overnight Copyright: Culips.com For more information about this episode, visit culips.com. Music Credit: Something Elated by Broke For Free, Step On by Jahzzar Photo Credit: Headway (Unsplash.com)

Trolls. No, we’re not talking about mean mythical creatures who live under bridges. We’re talking about online trolls. They are very real and very mean people who like to anger others by posting nasty and cruel comments online. This has become a big problem associated with social media. In this Simplified Speech episode, hosts Andrew and Kassy discuss the various ways online trolls operate, and how you can deal with them in your own way Fun facts The troll character comes from Scandinavian mythology and has been around for centuries. Online trolls, however, date back to the early beginnings of the internet. Expressions included in the study guide * To scratch [one’s] head * To brush [something] off * To get a kick out of [something] * To spew * Tainted * To solve [something] overnight Copyright: Culips.com For more information about this episode, visit culips.com. Music Credit: Something Elated by Broke For Free, Step On by Jahzzar Photo Credit: Headway (Unsplash.com)

Board games are a fun way to spend an evening with friends. In this episode, Kassy talks with Andrew about her board game club and shares how it helps her meet new people, despite the pandemic. Simplified Speech episodes feature two native English speakers having clear, natural and easy to understand English conversations about interesting topics, like board games with friends. By listening to Andrew and Kassy chat and following along with the transcript and study guide, you can improve your English listening skills and increase your vocabulary Fun facts In 2008, to celebrate the 60th anniversary of Scrabble, two skydivers in Florida played a short game…13,000 feet in the air! They built a special wooden board with adhesive pieces that stayed on the board while they were in the air. Expressions included in the study guide * That’s the right idea * To dwindle * Revolving door * Beast of a [something] * A renaissance * To branch out Copyright: Culips.com For more information about this episode, visit culips.com. Music Credit: Something Elated by Broke For Free, Step On by Jahzzar Photo Credit: Collie Coburn (Unsplash.com)

Board games are a fun way to spend an evening with friends. In this episode, Kassy talks with Andrew about her board game club and shares how it helps her meet new people, despite the pandemic. Simplified Speech episodes feature two native English speakers having clear, natural and easy to understand English conversations about interesting topics, like board games with friends. By listening to Andrew and Kassy chat and following along with the transcript and study guide, you can improve your English listening skills and increase your vocabulary Fun facts In 2008, to celebrate the 60th anniversary of Scrabble, two skydivers in Florida played a short game…13,000 feet in the air! They built a special wooden board with adhesive pieces that stayed on the board while they were in the air. Expressions included in the study guide * That’s the right idea * To dwindle * Revolving door * Beast of a [something] * A renaissance * To branch out Copyright: Culips.com For more information about this episode, visit culips.com. Music Credit: Something Elated by Broke For Free, Step On by Jahzzar Photo Credit: Collie Coburn (Unsplash.com)