
Hosted by Culips English Podcast · EN

From Cornwall to Bangkok: Cycling, Podcasting, and Pop Culture with Michael Lavers Would you leave England to start a new life in Bangkok? Would you plan a cycling trip across an entire country? In this episode, Andrew interviews Michael Lavers from the Level Up English Podcast, a British podcaster who is doing exactly that. They chat about growing up in Cornwall, moving to Thailand, cycling adventures, and the challenges of learning Thai. Andrew ends the conversation with some quick questions about British pop culture that surprise even Michael! Listening to long conversations like this one is a fantastic way to improve your listening skills and pick up natural English expressions in context. 📚 Study Materials The interactive transcript, study guide, and quizzes for this episode are 100% free for everyone. No membership is needed! Become a Culips Member: Get study materials for every episode, plus live speaking classes, ad-free audio, member-only perks, and more. Join Our Discord Community: Connect with other learners and get real-time English practice. Check out Michael’s podcast: Level Up English Podcast 🔑 Key Expressions Keep an ear out for these phrases during the episode: To put someone through the wringer A scholar and a gentleman Murky Not one’s cup of tea To be foiled To chuck something The post Chatterbox #345 – Interview with Michael Lavers first appeared on Culips English Podcast.

Have you ever returned food at a restaurant? Fired a real gun? Used a fake ID to buy alcohol? Andrew and Indiana play Never Have I Ever in this episode, a popular North American game where players share the surprising things they have or have not done in their lives. Who has done more? Listen to find out, and learn some useful English expressions along the way. Listening to natural English conversations like this one is a great way to improve your fluency. 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. The post Simplified Speech #246 – Never have I ever first appeared on Culips English Podcast.

In this bonus episode, Andrew shares a couple of stories about what he’s been up to so far this spring, including a hike up a mountain in Seoul to see some spring flowers and doing a big deep clean of his house. Listen along to learn some vocabulary that will help make your English more natural and to improve your listening fluency. Important links: Become a Culips member Study with the interactive transcript Join the Culips Discord server Small-group speaking class schedule The post Bonus episode #172 – Spring Stories first appeared on Culips English Podcast.

Are robots about to take over our houses? In this Simplified Speech episode, Andrew and Kassy catch up and share what’s new in their lives. Kassy talks about the new robotics program at her school and the family members coming to visit her in Korea, and Andrew explains the strange little experiment he tried to finally get over his fear of the stock market. Kassy also mentions an older episode about the GameStop story, which you can hear in Chatterbox 261 – “Meme stocks” 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. The post Simplified Speech #245 – Robots and fantasy investing first appeared on Culips English Podcast.

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 and Psychology Today: in the episode. 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 here: Click here. Join our Discord community to connect with other learners and get more English practice. Click here to join: The post Chatterbox #344 – The Ick first appeared on Culips English Podcast.

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. Important links: Become a Culips member: Join the Culips Discord server: Bonus 168 – Sick as a dog: The post Bonus episode #171 – March Madness first appeared on Culips English Podcast.

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 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 here: Click here. Join our Discord community to connect with other learners and get more English practice. Click here to join: The post Real Talk # 66 – How to tell your server you have food allergies first appeared on Culips English Podcast.

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, 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. 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 here: Click here. Join our Discord community to connect with other learners and get more English practice. Click here to join: The post Simplified Speech #244 – Using AI for personal messages first appeared on Culips English Podcast.

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. Important links: Become a Culips member Join the Culips Discord server Mona Hatoum’s “+ and -” at the Fukuoka Art Museum Ohori Park, Fukuoka Homachiame Coffee, Fukuoka The post Bonus episode #170 – Four days in Fukuoka first appeared on Culips English Podcast.

In this Catch Word lesson, Andrew and Indiana teach you two useful English idioms: “stick to your guns” and “double down.” Both expressions describe a person who refuses to change their mind, even when they face pressure or criticism. They discuss the small differences between these idioms, explaining why one is often seen as a sign of respect while the other is usually considered stubborn. By listening to their conversation, you will learn how to use these idioms naturally in your own everyday speaking. 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 here: Click here. Join our Discord community to connect with other learners and get more English practice. Click here to join. Fan Fact: Many popular English idioms actually come from the world of gambling and card games. For example, the phrase “double down” comes from the game of Blackjack, where a player can double their bet in exchange for one more card. Another common expression mentioned in this episode is “to fold,” which comes from Poker. In Poker, if you have a weak hand and don’t want to keep betting, you fold your cards and give up on that round. Expression list: to stick to one’s guns to double down to have one’s mind made up [Even] in the face of Peer pressure To back down The post Catch Word #292 – Stick to your guns first appeared on Culips English Podcast.