How do you say "no" in Spanish? Rob is fond of turning down invitations, and in this episode he discusses the hidden cost of saying "no" in Spanish-speaking cultures, and why many native speakers find it so hard.
Lis and Rob discuss how our personality and self-identity change when we speak a foreign language. They also talk about how certain Spanish phrases and sayings express something profound about native speakers see the world.
We discuss the ex-president of Colombia, Álvaro Uribe. Uribe was credited with creating the conditions for lasting peace in Colombia, and opening the country up to the world. He was a hero to many in Colombia, but recently has been faced with allegations that bring his legacy into question.
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Comparing ourselves to others is natural, but is it always harmful? Rob describes his problems with self-comparison, and with Lis discusses how to turn negatives into positives.
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We explore "la charla" - small talk. What is it, how is it used, and why? Find some tips for better smalltalk in Spanish in this episode!
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We are apparently going through an "epidemic of loneliness" - especially middle aged men! What could be behind this, and do we see this in our own lives?
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The infamous "suegra" - in-law. In Latin cultures, the suegra plays a pivotal part in a couple's life. In this episode, we explore their role, the stereotype, and reveal how we get on with our suegras.
Money makes us happy, to an extent... But, how much do we need? In this episode, we discuss the link between happiness and wealth, and what our cultures and society teach us about happiness.
Part two of Rob's conversation with Johana. Discover how to master two essential uses of 'por' and 'para' in Spanish: time expressions and opinions. Learn the crucial differences between phrases like "para mañana por la mañana" and why "por mí está bien" means something different from "para mí está bien." Through practical examples from everyday Spanish conversations, you'll finally understand when to use each preposition with confidence.
Rob and Johana discuss "por" and "para". Why are these words so difficult for learners, and what approach can we take to tackling them? In this episode, we'll look at two common uses for por and para.
Join Rob and Spanish teacher Johana in a conversation about Spanish slang. What are the difficulties for us as learners in learning slang, and is it even worth it?
Rob and Lis discuss an infuriating situation where they live, and what this shows about classism in Colombia
We discuss learning Spanish later in life. While we are not (just yet) in that situation, we have inspiring students who have shared with us how they are successfully learning Spanish in their senior years.
Our experiences trying to teach our 2 year old daughter Spanish and English.
We recently held our first full Spanish immersion trip in Bogota, where we were joined by 10 participants. Here's how it went.
How important is a native accent, and is it possible to develop one? Is it even desirable?
Rob and Lis talk about their own efforts to develop better accents, and some reasonable goals for learners.
Earlier this year, two protestors threw soup over the Mona Lisa. This follows a long list of similar protests of vandalism of artwork - they got our attention, but do the ends justify the means? And, are these types of protests still effective?
We discuss the trend of "positive thinking" - where does this trend come from, and how have we found it? Also, how is it connected to the concept of "manifestation"?
Rob and Lis recently moved to the "Coffee Axis" in Colombia, not just so Rob could feed his caffeine addiction.
They discuss their new lifestyle, and how it compares to city living (so long, Bogota!).
Have you seen the show "Traitors"? Rob and Lis got hooked on it, and discuss it in this episode.