Can you keep a secret? In this episode, Andrew and Kassy talk about the difference between being an “open book” and a “closed book.” They discuss their own habits for keeping things private, share funny stories about childhood crushes, and debate whether it is harder to keep good news or bad news a secret.

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.

Fun Fact
Andrew mentions being “in a pickle.” This is a funny way of saying you are in a difficult situation. While we usually think of pickles as a tasty snack, the phrase comes from the idea of being all mixed up or “stewed,” just like vegetables in a jar of vinegar!

Expression list

• To pry [something] out of [someone]
• To get dragged into
• To mind [one’s] own business
• A layoff
• Resentful
• To pave the way

Join Andrew and Indiana for a conversation about their love for J-Pop. In this episode, the hosts discuss how they originally found this genre and why it has become so famous globally. They talk about the “City Pop” trend, the unexpected ways they stumbled upon their favorite bands, and why listening to 90s Japanese music makes them feel nostalgic. Finally, they share a list of albums and songs to help you start listening, too. Press play to practice your English and find some great new music!

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.

Here are the listening recommendations made by Andrew and Indiana:

1. Spacy – Tatsuro Yamashita: Click here
2. Wet Land – Hiroshi Yoshimura: Click here
3. Sugar Babe – Songs: Click here
4. Happy End – Kazamachi Roman: Click here
5. Haruomi Hosono – Hosono House: Click here
6. PONPONPON – Kyary Pamyu Pamyu: Click here

Fun Fact
Andrew mentions that listening to Japanese electronic music makes him nostalgic for old video games. This is no coincidence! Haruomi Hosono (recommended by both hosts in this episode) was a founder of Yellow Magic Orchestra, a band that pioneered using arcade sounds in pop music. Their 1978 hit “Computer Game” actually sampled sounds from Space Invaders!

In this Catch Word episode, you will learn two useful English idioms that describe financial failure. Andrew and Indiana explain what it means “to lose your shirt” and “to go belly up.” These expressions are common in news stories, business conversations, and everyday talk about money problems. Your hosts share clear examples from investing, gambling, restaurants, and regular life so you can understand how native speakers use these idioms naturally.

What you’ll learn with this episode:

• How to use “lose your shirt” when someone loses a large amount of money
• How to use “go belly up” to talk about a business or project that fails
• Helpful example dialogues that show tone, emotion, and real-life context

This episode is perfect for you if:

• You want to build everyday vocabulary for talking about money and risk
• You want to understand English used in news reports, business shows, and casual conversations
• You need practical listening practice with clear examples and friendly explanations
• You want to feel more confident using idioms that native speakers use when discussing financial problems

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.

Fun Fact

Did you know that “lose your shirt” comes from old gambling slang in the 1800s, when people sometimes bet so much money that they literally walked home without their clothes? The image was so shocking and memorable that people began using “lose your shirt” to describe losing all your money, even when no clothing was actually involved.

How do you usually react when your plans suddenly fall apart? In this bonus episode, Andrew tells a story about his recent trip to Canada where a few small errors led to some big inconveniences. He describes how he coped with a lack of entertainment and how he navigated a socially awkward moment with a group of strangers. Tune into the story to boost your fluency and pick up some useful expressions for describing everyday challenges and how to overcome them.

Important links:

• Become a Culips member
• RSVP for the Tokyo Meetup on February 10th, 2026
  • More details on Discord
• Study with the interactive transcript
• Join the Culips Discord server
• Small-group speaking class schedule

In this episode, you get to hang out with Andrew and Kassy as they look back on Kassy’s huge cross-country trip in the United States. You’ll follow Kassy’s trip from Oregon to Arizona, then on to Pennsylvania, and finally down to the beach in North Carolina. Along the way, you’ll hear what it’s like to travel with a baby, catch up with family and old friends, and deal with a little culture shock in cities where you need to use a car in order to go anywhere. This light and adventurous story takes a shocking turn when a lightning strike causes a total disaster at Kassy’s parents’ house. Give this episode a listen and find out what happened!

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.

What are the things you miss most when you are away from home? In this episode, Andrew shares his excitement about his upcoming solo trip back to Canada. He talks about the challenges of traveling in the winter and a specific outdoor adventure he hopes the weather will allow him to do.

Andrew also shares his “must-visit” list, including the nostalgic shops and delicious local treats he can’t find in Korea. Join Andrew for this everyday English chat to hear about his travel plans and learn useful vocabulary for describing hometowns and hobbies.

Important links:

• Become a Culips member
• RSVP for the Tokyo Meetup on February 10th, 2026
  • More details on Discord
• Study with the interactive transcript
• Join the Culips Discord server
• Small-group speaking class schedule

In this episode, Andrew and Indiana talk about tattoos. They share personal stories, why some people choose tattoos, why others do not, and how tattoo culture looks in Korea, Japan, Canada, and the USA. You will hear clear examples of common tattoo words like sleeve, stick and poke, hand poked, lettering, script, blackout, and tribal. Andrew and Indiana also chat about cost, pain, trends, and rules about tattoos at workplaces and onsen in Japan. If you have opinions about tattoos and are interested in hearing more, this episode is perfect for listening practice and vocabulary-building!

What you’ll learn with this episode:

• Useful tattoo vocabulary you can use in real life
• How to give opinions and reasons politely: how to agree, disagree, and soften your viewpoint
• Words for trends and style changes over time
• How to compare cultures and places
• How to share personal stories in a simple, clear way

This episode is perfect for you if:

• You want listening practice with clear, natural speech and real life topics
• You want to learn English vocabulary you can use with friends, classmates, or coworkers
• You like culture, travel, music, and body art, and want words to talk about them in English
• You are an intermediate ESL learner who wants to sound more natural and confident

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.

Do you find travel planning stressful? In this bonus episode, Andrew talks about his upcoming trip to Canada. He shares the ups and downs of booking flights, including a mistake that forced him to change his plans. He also shares exciting news about a Culips meetup in Tokyo. As you listen, you will hear clear, natural English and learn useful vocabulary for talking about travel, money, and solving problems.

Important links:

• Become a Culips member
• RSVP for the Tokyo Meetup on February 10th, 2026
  • RSVP here
  • More details on Discord
• Study with the interactive transcript
• Join the Culips Discord server
• Small-group speaking class schedule