Simplified Speech #228 – Overrated or Underrated? Fun English Expressions Explained
In this episode, Andrew and Indiana continue their fun conversation about things that are overrated or underrated. They share their opinions on topics like walking 10,000 steps a day, biohacking, pineapple on pizza, vinyl records, and even the idea of being famous. They compare their different views, tell stories, and explain why some things deserve more love while others are praised too much.
👉 Try iTalki to improve your English speaking skills! Use promo code **CULIPS** to get $15 in lessons for only $10.
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What you’ll learn with this episode:
How to use the words “overrated” and “underrated” to share your opinion
Real-life examples of these expressions in conversations about health, music, food, and culture
Helpful phrases to agree or disagree politely and naturally
Extra vocabulary you can use when discussing popular trends and everyday topics
This episode is perfect for:
Intermediate English learners who want to improve their speaking and listening skills
Anyone interested in learning how to sound more natural when sharing opinions
Students looking for fun vocabulary and examples to use in conversations about everyday topics
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.
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Bonus episode #156 – Bad things come in threes
Do bad things really come in threes? In this episode, Andrew tells you four mini stories from his week that will make you wonder about this old superstition. From unexpected moments during his evening run to tech troubles that tested his patience, you'll hear authentic English storytelling that takes you from frustrating lows to feel-good highs.
You'll improve your listening skills by hearing how Andrew tells stories in natural, everyday English.
You'll learn common expressions that native speakers use, like "holding back," "buying into something," "fiddle around with," and "clear sailing."
You'll discover interesting things about English-speaking culture, including superstitions and childhood experiences.
You can practice your English on our Discord server by telling other learners about your own week and what happened to you.
Make sure to check out the free interactive transcript and vocabulary glossary to get the most out of this episode.
Important links:
Become a Culips member
Study with the interactive transcript
Join the Culips Discord server
Small-group speaking class schedule
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Simplified Speech #227 – Indiana’s trip to Colorado
In this episode, Andrew and Indiana talk about Indiana’s recent trip to Colorado. She shares stories about all of the activities she enjoyed during her time there, such as attending a wedding, spotting mountain goats on a hike, and adjusting to the thin air of “the Mile High City.” Indiana also tells Andrew about trying local craft beers and visiting the surreal art installation called Meow Wolf.
If you’re an intermediate English learner who wants to improve your listening skills while hearing a natural conversation about travel, culture, and the different landscapes of the United States, then this episode is for you!
What you’ll learn with this episode:
Vocabulary: Learn everyday words and expressions for travel, landscapes, wildlife, art, and cultural experiences.
Listening: Build your listening skills by following a natural conversation between two native speakers about fun topics like traveling and hiking.
Speaking: Practice talking about your own trips, weddings, cultural outings, and travel highlights in our Discord community and speaking classes.
Culture: Learn more about how North Americans describe places, family friends, and special events like weddings.
Fluency: Listening to real conversations will help you feel more confident and natural when sharing your own stories.
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.
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Culips Community Update – September 2025
In this episode, Alina recaps the Culips meetup that happened in July, introduces the next Culips meetup, and tells you all about the September challenge!
September Challenge: Let’s talk about work
Theme: Work-related English (interviews, dress codes, workplace situations)
How it works:
New tasks every other day throughout September
Answer work-related questions and scenarios
Great chance to review skills from previous challenges
Finish all the tasks to earn a completion certificate
It's completely free and perfect for practicing professional English skills while connecting with other learners!
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
Under the English Learning category, select Monthly Challenge to add it to your menu.
Access the September Challenge: Click the pin icon at the top of the Monthly Challenge channel to view the September Challenge (available from September 2nd).
Complete all the tasks to earn a certificate. Join in and start improving your English with the community!
The 2025 Culips Meetup in Prague.
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Catch Word #287 – Off the rails
In this Catch Word episode, Andrew and Indiana teach you two very useful English idioms: to go off the rails and to get out of hand. These are common expressions that English speakers use to describe situations that become chaotic, unmanageable, or out of control. You’ll hear Andrew and Indiana explain the meaning, give background, and share many everyday examples. They also act out short conversations to show how these expressions are used naturally in real life.
What you’ll learn with this episode:
How to use “go off the rails” to describe events or people behaving in extreme, chaotic ways
When to say “get out of hand” for situations that are becoming difficult to manage
The differences in strength and tone between the two expressions
Real-life examples of when to use these idioms naturally in conversations
This episode is perfect for:
Intermediate and advanced English learners who want to expand their vocabulary
Anyone looking to describe stressful or messy situations in natural English
Students preparing for work, travel, or everyday conversations in English-speaking environments
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.
Culips English Podcast: Practical English Learning Made Fun Learn and Explore: Join Culips for an exciting English learning journey. Our podcast focuses on teaching English idioms, slang, and phrasal verbs through fun and engaging conversations. Each episode helps you master English for real-life situations. Unique Learning Experience: Culips stands out by blending language skills with cultural insights. Our diverse hosts make learning relatable, covering a variety of everyday topics. You’ll pick up practical language skills and gain cultural understanding, enhancing your English fluency in an enjoyable way. Your Path to Fluency: As your ideal learning partner, Culips provides easy-to-understand lessons on daily English usage. Learn from native speakers and immerse in different cultures, making your English learning journey rewarding and effective.
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