Simplified Speech #224 – Overrated or underrated?

In this episode, Andrew and Indiana play a game called Overrated or Underrated, where they share what they think about popular things. They talk about everyday items like vegan cheese, meal prepping, self-help books, and vision boards. You'll learn what the adjectives "overrated" and "underrated" mean, and how to use them naturally when sharing what you think. This is a great lesson for learning natural English and speaking like a native speaker. You'll hear real conversations and pick up expressions that English speakers use every day. In this episode, you will learn: How to use the words overrated and underrated correctly Natural ways to share your opinions about different topics Common expressions for agreeing and disagreeing politely Useful vocabulary for talking about lifestyle and popular trends The Best Way to Learn with This Episode: Get the study guide, which comes with an interactive transcript, vocabulary explanations with examples, a quiz, and practice questions. Join Culips to get full access. Already a member? Get the ad free version and study materials here. Want to connect with other listeners and practice what you learned? Join our Culips Discord community today Click here to join the community!

In this episode, Andrew and Alina introduce the July Challenge, happening on our Discord server. This month, you’ll practice how to share your opinion politely while discussing 14 different controversial topics. It’s a great way to improve your communication skills and learn how to disagree respectfully in English. They also share exciting news about the first-ever Culips meetup in Europe, happening on July 26 in Prague. You’re invited to join us for a free, in-person event where you can meet other Culips listeners, make new friends, and feel part of the Culips community. And of course, there’ll be lots of chances to practice speaking English in a fun, relaxed setting. Click here to sign up for the meetup! Later in the episode, you’ll hear a message from Editke, a Culips listener, who shares how joining the community helped her build real speaking confidence, improve her English skills, and make new friends. Over time, she became more comfortable speaking and now feels like Culips is her second family. How to Join the Culips Discord Server and Participate in the Challenge Create a Discord Account: Sign up for free at Discord. Download the App: Install Discord on your phone or computer for easy access. Join the Culips Server: Click this link to join the Culips English Podcast Discord server: Join Here. 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. Access the May Challenge: Click the pin icon at the top of the Monthly Challenge channel to view the May Challenge (available from May 1st). Join in and start improving your English with the community! Important links: Become a Culips member Study with the interactive transcript Join the Culips Discord server Small-group speaking class schedule Join us for the Culips meetup in Prague on July 26th

What are you looking forward to this summer? In this episode, Andrew and Indiana share their summer plans, from music festivals and dream concerts to chill bike rides and travel ideas. You'll get to hear a fun and natural conversation that helps you build real English skills for everyday life. This episode is great for improving your English listening skills. You will hear a natural, clear conversation between native speakers. It’s perfect if you want to understand real spoken English more easily. You will also learn useful vocabulary and expressions for talking about your summer plans, vacations, and events. How this episode will improve your English: Vocabulary: Learn words and expressions related to travel, concerts, weather, and daily life. Listening: Train your ears to understand natural English used in real conversations. Speaking: Use what you hear to talk about your own summer experiences in our speaking classes or on our Discord server. Culture: Discover what summer activities are popular in North America and South Korea, from music festivals to fun outdoor plans. Fluency: Build your confidence by listening to stories that feel personal and relatable. 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.

Have you ever tried to buy something online and everything went completely wrong? That's exactly what happened to Andrew when he tried to book a simple plane ticket online! In this episode, Andrew tells you two funny stories: one about his epic battle with credit card verification systems that led to a complete "rage quit," and another about a confusing elevator situation that made him question basic social manners. These stories are full of natural English expressions and vocabulary that you'll hear native speakers use when they're frustrated, telling personal stories, or discussing everyday social situations. What you'll learn: Essential travel vocabulary like "stopover," "verification," "overseas purchase," and "budget airline" that you'll need for real trips How to express frustration naturally with phrases like "at my wit's end," "blood boiling," and "back to square one" The meaning of "rage quit" and other modern slang that native speakers use every day Natural conversation flow - notice how Andrew tells stories, asks questions, and shares his thoughts just like in real conversations Practical expressions for describing technical problems and discussing social situations Perfect for you if: You want to understand how native speakers share personal experiences and ask for opinions You're building confidence with travel, technology, and social vocabulary You love learning through entertaining, relatable stories instead of boring textbook lessons You want to sound more natural when expressing frustration or discussing everyday problems in English You're ready for real English that doesn't feel like studying Important links: Become a Culips member Study with the interactive transcript Join the Culips Discord server Small-group speaking class schedule

Do you know what to say if you need to report something important but not urgent? In today’s episode, you’ll learn exactly how to handle this type of situation in English. Join Andrew and Kassy as they break down two realistic phone conversations where someone calls the police or fire department’s non-emergency line. You’ll learn the key expressions native speakers use to describe situations that are a little concerning but not emergencies. In this episode, you’ll learn how to: Start a phone call in a polite and clear way Use softening language like “might,” “maybe,” and “a little worried” Explain situations without sounding too dramatic Understand what the phrases “check in on someone” and “wellness check” mean This is a must-listen for anyone living in an English-speaking country—or planning to! By the end of this episode, you’ll feel more confident calling for help in everyday situations. Listen now and be ready for anything—no stress, no panic. Just the right English when you need it. The Best Way to Learn with This Episode: Get the study guide, which comes with an interactive transcript, vocabulary explanations with examples, a quiz, and practice questions. Join Culips to get full access. Already a member? Get the ad free version and study materials here. Want to connect with other listeners and practice what you learned? Join our Culips Discord community today Click here to join the community!

Have you ever had one of those moments where a simple activity turns into a total disaster? That's exactly what happened to Andrew during what should have been a routine evening run! In this episode, you'll follow Andrew through his unexpected adventure with tiny flying bugs, bloodshot eyes, and his first-ever visit to an eye doctor. But here's the thing - this isn't just a funny story. It's packed with real English that you'll actually use when talking about health problems, describing symptoms, and sharing your own mishaps with friends. What you'll learn: Essential medical vocabulary like "bloodshot," "prescription," "irritated," and "artificial tears" that you'll need in real situations The difference between ophthalmologists, optometrists, and opticians (even native speakers get confused!) Natural speaking flow - notice how Andrew corrects himself, adds details, and changes topics just like in real conversations Practical expressions for describing symptoms and explaining problems to doctors The idiom "keep an eye out" and exactly when to use it in everyday English Perfect for you if: You want to understand how native speakers tell personal stories and share experiences You're building confidence with medical and health-related vocabulary You love learning through entertaining, relatable stories instead of boring textbook lessons You want to sound more natural when describing problems or mishaps in English You're ready for real English that doesn't feel like studying Important links: Become a Culips member Study with the interactive transcript Join the Culips Discord server Small-group speaking class schedule

Have you ever followed a fashion trend, copied someone’s lifestyle, or tried to match a certain vibe? In Korea, there’s a popular word for that: chugumi. In this episode, Andrew and Kassy break down this buzzword, explain what it means, and show you how to talk about similar ideas in English. You’ll hear real examples, learn useful vocabulary, and get tips for sounding natural when talking about style, identity, and social media trends. This episode is perfect for intermediate English learners who want to speak more fluently about culture, inspiration, and personal expression. In this lesson, you’ll learn: What the word chugumi really means and why it matters How to talk about style, lifestyle, and vibe in clear, natural English Common expressions like role model, poser, and try hard Why this trend is about more than just looks The Best Way to Learn with This Episode: Get the study guide, which comes with an interactive transcript, vocabulary explanations with examples, a quiz, and practice questions. Join Culips to get full access. Already a member? Get the ad free version and study materials here. Want to connect with other listeners and practice what you learned? Join our Culips Discord community today Click here to join the community!

Ever wondered what happens behind the scenes of your favorite English podcast? In this episode, Andrew gives you an exclusive peek into the Culips production process while teaching you natural English expressions and vocabulary along the way. You'll learn useful phrases like "behind the scenes," "put the pedal to the metal," and "down to the wire" as Andrew walks you through each step of creating an episode. This is perfect practice for intermediate to advanced learners who want to improve their listening skills while satisfying their curiosity about how quality English content really gets made! What you'll learn: 10+ useful expressions like "behind the scenes," "put the pedal to the metal," and "down to the wire" - phrases you'll hear in movies, at work, and in daily conversations English vocabulary that's actually useful: "brainstorming," "transcribe," "proofreader," and "on the fly" How to sound more natural when you explain processes or tell stories about your work Real pronunciation - hear how native speakers actually talk (with pauses, corrections, and natural flow) Confidence boost - follow along with a real English story and feel proud when you understand it all Speaking: Discuss this episode with other Culips listeners in our Discord community! Perfect for you if: You want to understand English podcasts and videos without subtitles You're preparing for work or study in English You love learning through interesting stories (not boring textbook lessons!) You want to sound more natural when speaking English Important links: Become a Culips member Study with the interactive transcript Join the Culips Discord server Small-group speaking class schedule

Do you ever hear native speakers use expressions like “movie buff,” “gearhead,” or “shopaholic” and feel confused? In this episode, Andrew and Indiana break it all down for you. You’ll learn how to sound more natural and expressive when talking about your own passions or anyone else’s. This episode is great for intermediate to advanced English learners who want to build their vocabulary, comprehension, and fluency. In this lesson, you’ll learn: ✅ How to use useful, advanced vocabulary like cinephile, metalhead, and audiophile ✅ The difference between -phile, -head, buff, -holic, and fiend ✅ How to avoid sounding unnatural or overdoing it when using slang ✅ Why these expressions show up in pop culture, podcasts, and movies The Best Way to Learn with This Episode: 🔥 Culips members get everything: interactive transcript, study guide, ad free audio, and bonus content with two extra expressions, holic and fiend. Click here to join and get the most out of this episode! 🧠Members can access the ad-free version: Click here. 🚀Want to level up your speaking? Join the Culips Discord to connect with other learners, share your interests, and practice using today’s expressions in real conversations. Click here to join the community!

Ready to finally master phrasal verbs? In this episode, Andrew and Alina introduce the Culips June Challenge, designed to help you learn and use 15 high-frequency phrasal verbs in real conversations. You’ll hear how to join the free challenge on Discord, how it works, and why it’s a great way to stay consistent and motivated with your English. They also share details about the first-ever Culips meetup in Europe, happening this July in Prague. If you want to connect with other learners, speak more naturally, and have fun while you study, this episode is for you. How to Join the Culips Discord Server and Participate in the Challenge Create a Discord Account: Sign up for free at Discord. Download the App: Install Discord on your phone or computer for easy access. Join the Culips Server: Click this link to join the Culips English Podcast Discord server: Join Here. 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. Access the May Challenge: Click the pin icon at the top of the Monthly Challenge channel to view the May Challenge (available from June 1st). Join in and start improving your English with the community! Important links: Become a Culips member Study with the interactive transcript Watch the video version of this episode Join the Culips Discord server Small-group speaking class schedule