Chatterbox #322 – The Stoicism explosion

In this episode, Andrew discusses the recent lovebug outbreak in Seoul. He describes these insects, explains their unusual name, and talks about his experience dealing with them this summer. Andrew also explores the bigger topic of how people approach killing insects, and shares his own opinion about this issue. This episode will help improve your English in the following ways: Listening comprehension: Practice understanding a native English speaker discussing a real-life situation in detail. Vocabulary expansion: Learn new words and expressions related to insects and pest control, such as "proliferating," "symbiotic relationship," "keep in check,” and "creepy crawly." Idioms: Learn helpful English idioms like "out of the blue," "attached at the hip," and "it's on" used in context. Pronunciation: Listen to the correct pronunciation of spoken English, which you can then practice on your own. Cultural insights: Improve your understanding of how people in different cultures deal with household pests. English speaking practice: Join discussions with other listeners on the Culips Discord server for additional speaking practice. Important links: Become a Culips member Study with the interactive transcript Join the Culips Discord server Small-group discussion class schedule (member only) Episode notes: The scientific name of the lovebug is plecia nearctica. Contrary to what Andrew mentions, a centipede can have between 15 pairs to 191 pairs of legs and a millipede can have between 40 and 1,306 pairs of legs.

Curious about the growing popularity of Stoicism but not sure what it's all about? In this engaging episode of Chatterbox, hosts Andrew and Anna dive into the philosophy of Stoicism. They unpack its principles, discuss why it has gained traction in recent years, and share practical ways to apply Stoic ideas in everyday life. Key topics include managing emotions, embracing challenges, and learning from renowned Stoics like Marcus Aurelius and Seneca. What you'll learn in this episode: Key principles: Discover the main ideas of Stoicism, including controlling your emotions, choosing to let go of anger and stress, and embracing challenges. Practical applications: Hear about real-life examples of how to use Stoic principles to reduce stress and improve your daily life. Popular figures: Learn about the origins of Stoicism and its founding fathers, Marcus Aurelius and Seneca, as well as popular YouTubers and podcasters that discuss this philosophy. How this episode will improve your English: Vocabulary Building: Learn new words and phrases related to philosophy and self-improvement. Listening Skills: Improve your listening comprehension with a clear and interesting discussion between two native speakers. Cultural knowledge: Understand the modern popularity of Stoicism and its influence on today's self-help trends. Improve your speaking and communication skills: Use the study guide and connect with the member community to practice speaking about Stoicism in English. The best way to learn with this lesson: 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. Members can access the ad-free version here. Join our Discord community to connect with other learners and get more English practice. Episode references: An introduction to Stoicism by Ryan Holiday: https://youtu.be/s27_2jlQq8U

In this episode, Andrew shares a story about trying to clean out his junk drawer and exchange some of the coins he's been saving up for the past few years at the bank. What seemed like a simple task turns out to be surprisingly complicated. Tune in to hear all the details of this everyday adventure and improve your English at the same time! This episode will help you improve your English in several ways: Listening Skills: Practice understanding naturally spoken English through Andrew's engaging story about cleaning his junk drawer and exchanging coins at the bank. Vocabulary Building: Expand your vocabulary with new words and expressions related to household tasks and banking, such as "odds and ends," "spare change," "cash out," and "paid off." Pronunciation Practice: Improve your pronunciation by shadowing Andrew's speech throughout the episode, helping you become a clearer and more confident speaker. English Speaking Practice: Enhance your speaking skills by joining discussions with other listeners on the Culips Discord server. Important links: Become a Culips member Study with the interactive transcript Join the Culips Discord server Small-group discussion class schedule Simplified Speech 189 - Company’s coming

In this Simplified Speech episode, Andrew and Kassy discuss the big changes in Kassy's life as she prepares to move from Thailand back to Korea. They talk about her experiences living and working in Thailand, her future plans, and the cultural differences she has encountered along the way. Listening to this fun and easy-to-understand conversation is a great way to work on your English and learn some useful vocabulary! What You Will Learn: Vocabulary and expressions related to life changes, international moves, and daily routines. Cultural insights into living and working abroad, especially in Thailand and Korea. Personal stories about adjusting to new environments and making life decisions. How This Episode Will Improve Your English: Expand your vocabulary with words and expressions used in everyday conversation about moving and living abroad. Improve your listening skills by following a natural conversation between two native English speakers. Learn about cultural differences and similarities between Thailand and Korea, improving your cultural knowledge. Build confidence in discussing your own experiences and future plans in English. Practice your English speaking and communication skills by sharing your own experiences on our Discord server. The best way to learn with this lesson: Culips members get an interactive transcript, helpful study guide, quiz, ad-free audio, and more for this episode. Take your English to the next level by becoming a Culips member. Sign up and become a Culips member now! 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.

In this episode, Andrew talks about his day exploring Seoul with his wife. He shares their experiences of finding something fun to do on a free Sunday. Andrew describes visiting a crowded restaurant, enjoying Korean rice cakes at a special cafe, and checking out outdoor reading spaces in the city. He talks about spontaneous plans, dealing with the summer heat, and the awesome surprises of big-city life. Enjoy the episode and happy English learning! This episode will help you improve your English in several ways: Listening skills: Practice understanding naturally spoken English through Andrew's storytelling about his day in Seoul. Vocabulary building: Learn new words and phrases related to city exploration and Korean culture. You will learn useful idioms like "jam-packed," "flash forward," and "something clicked." Pronunciation practice: Use the episode to shadow Andrew's pronunciation to become a clearer speaker. English speaking practice: Join discussions with other listeners on the Culips Discord server for additional speaking practice. Important links: Become a Culips member Study with the interactive transcript Join the Culips Discord server Small-group discussion class schedule Chatterbox 318 - Digital modesty

In this Simplified Speech episode, hosts Andrew and Kassy talk about the "rat race." They discuss what it means, whether their jobs feel like a rat race, and how people might escape it. Kassy chose this topic because of a book she recently read called "Welcome to the Hyunam-Dong Bookshop." The conversation turns into an interesting discussion about modern life, competition, goals, dreams, and personal happiness. What You Will Learn: What "rat race" means and how it relates to a busy life. How pressure from society makes people feel stuck in competition. Personal stories about being in or escaping the rat race. New words and expressions related to the topic. How This Episode Will Improve Your English: Learn vocabulary, expressions, and idioms about work-life balance and social pressure. Improve your listening skills with a natural conversation. Understand expressions like "to be in the thick of something" and "to be cut out for.” Practice your English speaking and communication skills by sharing your own experiences on our Discord server. The best way to learn with this lesson: Culips members get an interactive transcript, helpful study guide, quiz, ad-free audio, and more for this episode. Take your English to the next level by becoming a Culips member. Sign up and become a Culips member now! 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.

In this episode, Andrew talks about his recent train journey from Boryeong to Seoul. He shares his experiences of traveling on a crowded train, where he came across a mother and her young children who brought unexpected chaos to the trip. Andrew describes how the children’s behavior affected the other passengers and the surprising reactions from everyone on board. He reflects on the importance of being polite in public places and the challenges of handling difficult situations while traveling. Enjoy the episode and happy learning! This episode will help you improve your English in several ways: Listening skills: Practice understanding spoken English through Andrew's storytelling about his train ride. Vocabulary building: Learn new words and phrases related to travel and public behavior. You will learn useful idioms like "stuffed/packed to the gills," "paint someone in a bad light," and "within earshot." Pronunciation practice: Use the episode to shadow Andrew's pronunciation to become a clearer speaker. English speaking practice: Join discussions with other listeners on the Culips Discord server for additional speaking practice. Important links: Become a Culips member Study with the interactive transcript Join the Culips Discord server

In this special episode, Andrew is joined by Australian wildlife expert Joey Clarke, Senior Science Communicator at the Australian Wildlife Conservancy. They talk about Australia's unique animals, conservation efforts, and fire management. Listen to hear fascinating stories about the wildlife of Australia and how it is being protected while improving your English skills! What You Will Learn in This Episode: The unique features of various Australian wildlife species, including tree kangaroos and numbats. The differences between marsupials and placental mammals and why marsupials are common in Australia. The major threats to Australian wildlife, such as habitat loss, feral animals, and invasive plants. The role of fire in the Australian ecosystem and traditional Indigenous fire management practices. Success stories of conservation efforts by the Australian Wildlife Conservancy. Tips for being a responsible tourist in Australia and supporting conservation efforts. How This Episode Will Improve Your English: Learn new vocabulary related to wildlife, conservation, and ecosystems. Hear both Australian and Canadian accents, helping you understand different ways of speaking English. Understand and discuss complex topics like conservation strategies and the impact of invasive species. Discuss the episode with other English learners on the Culips Discord Server. Timestamps: 00:00 – Introduction 04:05 – Chapter 1: Introduction to Joey Clarke 07:19 – Chapter 2: The Australian bush 10:23 – Chapter 3: Unique Australian wildlife 15:33 – Chapter 4: Marsupials and Placental Mammals 20:28 – Chapter 5: Threats to wildlife 25:44 – Chapter 6: Fires in Australia 32:20 – Chapter 7: Conservation Success Stories 38:38 – Chapter 8: Responsible tourism 40:51 – Chapter 9: Learning more about the Australian Wildlife Conservancy 43:04 – Conclusion Links: Australian Wildlife Conservancy Australian Wildlife Conservancy on Instagram Australian Wildlife Conservancy on YouTube Donate to the Australian Wildlife Conservancy Culips Discord Server Become a Culips member: 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! Members can access the ad-free version here. Join our Discord community to connect with other learners and get more English practice.

In this episode, Andrew talks about his weekend trip to Boryeong, a small city on the west coast of South Korea. He shares his experiences of traveling by train, staying with friends, and participating in the Boryeong Half Marathon. Andrew describes the city's famous mud festival and the enjoyable moments he had running and spending time with his friends. He also discusses the challenges of the race and the satisfaction of achieving personal goals. This episode will help you improve your English in several ways: Listening skills: Practice understanding spoken English through Andrew's storytelling about his trip and race. Vocabulary building: Learn new words related to travel and cultural and sporting events. You will learn some useful idioms like "stand corrected," "infamous," "have your hands full," and "draw the shortest straw." Pronunciation practice: Use the episode to shadow Andrew's pronunciation to become a clearer speaker. English speaking practice: Join discussions with other listeners on the Culips Discord server for additional speaking practice. Enjoy the episode and happy learning! Timestamps: 00:00:00 - Introduction 00:01:28 - Announcement of the Culips small-group discussion classes 00:04:30 - Announcement of a meet-up in Japan 00:06:17 - Introduction to the "Weekend Away" story 00:13:48 - Arriving in Boryeong 00:16:36 - Nightmare train ride 00:18:54 - The night before the race 00:21:01 - The morning of the race 00:23:10 - Race report 00:32:15 - Conclusion Important links: Become a Culips member Study with the interactive transcript Join the Culips Discord server

Episode Description: In this episode, Andrew talks about following his favorite hockey team, the Vancouver Canucks, during the NHL playoffs. He shares his passion for the team and the highs and lows he felt throughout the season. Andrew also discusses the thrill of watching last-minute victories and the disappointment of their eventual elimination. This episode will help you improve your English in several ways: Vocabulary building: You'll expand your vocabulary with terms related to sports and everyday life. Idioms and expressions: You'll understand idiomatic expressions like "come full circle" and "live up to your potential" in context, making them easier to remember and use. Listening comprehension: You'll hear natural English conversation, helping you improve your listening skills and comprehension. Cultural insight: Gain a deeper understanding of personal celebrations and traditions. Pronunciation and intonation: Improve your pronunciation by listening to Andrew's natural speech patterns. English speaking practice: Join discussions with other listeners on the Culips Discord server for additional speaking practice. The best way to learn with this lesson: 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.