In this episode, Andrew and Alina share a Culips Community Update and introduce the final monthly challenge of 2025. They chat about their personal highlights from the year, then invite you to join the December 2025 Challenge on the Culips English Podcast Discord server. This month’s theme is reflecting on 2025, sharing your wins, celebrating community, and looking ahead to realistic English goals for 2026.
December 2025 Challenge: Year End Reflection
Theme: Reflect on your year, your English journey, and your connections in the Culips community
How it works:
New tasks every other day throughout December
Answer questions about your 2025 highlights, goals you achieved, and what you learned
Share your favorite Culips episode of 2025
Tag and thank someone on the server who supported you or who you have practiced with
Seasonal prompts about Christmas, end of year traditions, and setting realistic English goals for the new year
Finish all the tasks to earn a festive completion certificate created by Alina
It’s completely free, and it’s a fun way to practice English while connecting with learners from all over the world.
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 December Challenge: Click the pin icon at the top of the Monthly Challenge channel to view the December Challenge (available from December 2nd).
Complete all the tasks to earn a certificate. Join in and start improving your English with the community!
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13:57
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13:57
Chatterbox #342 – Talking about curiosity
In this Chatterbox episode, Andrew and Anna talk about what curiosity is, why you feel it, and how it can help or hurt you in everyday life. You will hear real stories about things they have been curious about lately, how curiosity can help you discover new ideas, and how it can sometimes distract you. They also explain the different types of curiosity (diversive curiosity and specific curiosity) and share useful idioms related to curiosity like “curiosity killed the cat.”
What you will learn in this episode:
Natural English phrases to describe what you want to learn, what interests you, and what catches your attention.
Common words and idioms connected to curiosity, such as “childlike curiosity,” “healthy curiosity,” and “my curiosity got the better of me.”
How Andrew and Anna talk about what interests them, respond to each other’s stories, and describe curiosity in clear, everyday English.
This episode is perfect for you if:
You want to think in English more easily when talking about what interests you
You want to sound natural and confident when sharing your own stories and questions
You want to learn clear, useful expressions to describe curiosity in everyday life
The Best Way to Learn with This Episode:
Culips members get an interactive transcript, helpful study guide, and ad-free audio for this episode. These tools will help you review new words, check your understanding, and build confidence in speaking and listening. 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.
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35:17
Simplified Speech #233 – Ethical dilemmas
In this Simplified Speech episode, Andrew and Indiana talk about ethical dilemmas. They share everyday tricky situations, like splitting a restaurant bill, switching airplane seats, and seeing someone cheat on a test. You will hear how they think through hard choices, weigh pros and cons, and set healthy boundaries without starting a fight.
What you’ll learn with this episode:
Clear meanings for key words and phrases used to discuss ethics and choices
How to give reasons, agree politely, and disagree respectfully in conversations
Useful sentence patterns for sharing opinions and asking follow-up questions
Real examples of softening language, like “it depends,” “I feel,” and “maybe”
This episode is perfect for you if:
You want to speak more confidently about real-life problems and choices
You need practical phrases for meetings, classes, and daily life
You like clear examples you can copy and use in your own English conversations
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.
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32:26
Bonus episode #161 – The mice will play
What makes the perfect bachelor weekend? In this episode, Andrew explains the English proverb "When the cat's away, the mice will play" by sharing what happens when his wife takes a trip to Japan. He talks about his simple list of things he's looking forward to doing alone. Along the way, you'll learn useful idioms and everyday expressions while getting an inside look at Andrew’s wild weekend.
Don't forget to check out the free interactive transcript and glossary to learn the idioms, phrasal verbs, and vocabulary Andrew uses in this episode that will help you sound more natural and confident when speaking English.
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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19:43
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19:43
Chatterbox #341 – Talking about frustration
Do you ever feel frustrated after a bad day at work, a test, or a long commute? In this Chatterbox episode, join Andrew and Anna for a conversation about frustration and how to talk about it clearly in English.
In this lesson, you will learn how frustration is different from anger and disappointment, hear real stories you can relate to, and pick up useful expressions like “at the end of my rope,” “bang my head against a wall,” and “it has been one of those days.” You will also train your ear to understand fast, everyday English and get ideas for how to describe your own feelings more accurately.
To get the most from this lesson, get the study materials at Culips.com. You can use the interactive transcript, helpful study guide, vocabulary explanations, quizzes, and speaking and writing practice to help take your English to the next level. Members also get ad-free audio, access to our live speaking classes, and our community, where you can ask questions and share your own experiences with frustration.
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.
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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