Learn Spanish with Stories

One of the most exciting plans you can have for traveling across Latin America is by road trip. After all, it is one of the most biologically, climatologically, and socially diverse regions in the world, with over 670 million people spread across 20+ countries, and there is so much to see. In today's episode of the Learn Spanish with Stories podcast, our protagonist Daniel finally embarks on the trip of a lifetime: going from the east of Mexico all around Latin America, and returning to the west of the same country. Join him in this special episode where, through exciting human experiences and becoming one with nature, Daniel learns why Latin America is such a wonderful, magical, and very warm place. [Note: This story is inspired by so many travelers who have had similar road trips, getting to know Latin America's true spirit through immersion]. Transcript of this episode is available at: https://podcast.lingomastery.com/listen/4934

Latin America has produced some of the most amazing artists, and today's star of our podcast is no exception. Rubén Blades, born to two musicians in a humble neighborhood, grew rapidly to become one of the world's household names when it comes to salsa and other tropical music. However, he didn't stay limited to being recognized as a world-class "salsero", oh no... he studied at Harvard, also became a movie and series star, featuring in massive Hollywood hits (Predator 2, Fear the Walking Dead), and eventually came back home to Panama to launch his race for the presidency. In this episode of the Learn Spanish with Stories podcast, we explore the life of one of the world's most recognized Latin American artists, and discover just how he accomplished so much, so quickly. Transcript of this episode is available at: https://podcast.lingomastery.com/listen/4901

The United States and Latin America are connected in a massive amount of ways, and it's not just a matter of geography: generations have grown up listening to American music, watching American TV and Hollywood productions, and receiving a heavy inflow of cultural influences in every aspect. But it hasn't just been culture - it's been technology, politics, worldviews, and so much more. The truth is that United States and Latin America are not just two separate entities but an ecosystem that, previously, was heavily skewed towards the US providing most of the influence, but which seems to be gradually reversing... Find out more about the U.S. influences Latin America and how this trend might be changing as we speak in this week's episode of the Learn Spanish with Stories podcast! Transcript of this episode is available at: https://podcast.lingomastery.com/listen/4868

Hybrid languages - have you ever heard of them? Spanish has at least two main hybrid languages: Spanglish (which you've probably come in contact with at some point) and Portuñol, which features heavily in the border areas between Brazil and other South American nations. But I'm sure you've never heard of Llanito, and other variations of the Spanish language. In this fun episode of the Learn Spanish with Stories podcast, we go back to our roots, which is language learning, and explore Spanglish (the mix of Spanish and English), Portuñol (Portuguese and Spanish) and Llanito (an entertaining mix of Andalusian Spanish and British English), so that you can understand how they came to exist, WHY they came to exist, and where they're evolving towards. Transcript of this episode is available at: https://podcast.lingomastery.com/listen/4835

One of the scariest and most controversial places on the planet is located in Cuba, in a city of the same name: Guantánamo Bay detention camp. Established by President George W. Bush in 2002, following the Islamist attacks of September 11, it was created to house terrorism suspects and "illegal enemy combatants". However, the reality is that this prison has held many an innocent, those simply falsely accused of belonging to a terrorist organization by others who decided to 'sell' them in exchange for a bounty paid by the United States. Not to mention the amount of torture and mistreatment that prisoners have received while captive... In this special DUAL NARRATOR episode of the Learn Spanish with Stories podcast, we cover a realistic interview between an international reporter and a captive of Guantánamo, as he tells his tale, not only so that the entire world may know what occurs within its walls, but also so that they may never forget. Transcript of this episode is available at: https://podcast.lingomastery.com/listen/4802

Latin America is a melting pot of cultures, as you'll already know - Spanish culture mixing with Amerindian tradition, and with African rituals combining with Aztec, Mayan, British and... Dutch(?) influences, somehow - so you already know that there's going to be very bold and unique ways of perceiving life, death, religion and belief systems in general. So, it comes as no surprise that the occult features so heavily in Latin American culture, especially in the daily lives of certain sectors of society. Part of this is as mysterious and scary as voodoo, while other traditions, such as Pachamama and Sunday Mass, are considered more harmless. In this episode of the Learn Spanish with Stories podcast, we explore just exactly what it means to believe in Latin America, and how each individual approaches their connection with the beyond... enjoy! Transcript of this episode is available at: https://podcast.lingomastery.com/listen/4769

They say that crisis and pain create great men and women, but life really went a bit too far with Juana Azurduy - first, she lost her parents, and then she would go on to lose her children... but it's what happened in the middle of these things that would mark her remarkable story as a heroine in the fight for Bolivia's independence. A curious girl during her infancy, she developed a courageous and free-spirited personality that would lead her to great things and make her challenge the preconceptions of life under Spanish rules, pushing her to join the guerrillas in fighting for their country's independence and freedom from colonization. But tragedy, as I already mentioned, would strike again and again, and as strong as Juana was, her life would end in a somewhat unfortunate way, with even Simón Bolívar making an appearance towards the very end. Find out more about Juana Azurduy in our latest episode of the Learn Spanish with Stories podcast! Transcript of this episode is available at: https://podcast.lingomastery.com/listen/4736

As a soldier in Latin America, what happens when you retire? One could think that each state would have a great retirement plan for each soldier who has risked their life for their nation: a decent home, a dignified compensation, health benefits... but this couldn't be further from reality. The reality is that soldiers are practically discarded - thrown aside, left to fend for themselves in a job market that has no interest in hiring men and women who were trained for violence... and this is where the Cartel steps in. In this story, the latest episode of the Learn Spanish with Stories podcast, we listen to the story behind Julián Ramírez, a soldier who, after dedicating his life to protecting Colombia from the guerrilla and illegal armed forces, is simply cast aside, shortly before he is tricked into becoming a member of the Cartel in Mexico... and all of the tension, dilemmas and internal chaos that this will soon cause him. Transcript of this episode is available at: https://podcast.lingomastery.com/listen/4703

Despite the traditionally sketchy leaders we've had in Latin America in the past century, one of the most memorable and internationally loved Latin American presidents in recent times has been José Alberto "Pepe" Mujica. Even though he was quite unconventional in his origins, the way he spoke, and especially the fact that he was jailed for his participation as a guerrilla fighter (among the ranks of the Tupamaros), Pepe Mujica managed to convince even some of the most conservative citizens to vote for him and support his leadership, and even after his death, he is still remembered and appreciated. But who was he, really? Why did he forsake riches and luxuries? And what did his life look like behind the scenes? Find out in this week's episode of the Learn Spanish with Stories podcast, all while learning Spanish! Transcript of this episode is available at: https://podcast.lingomastery.com/listen/4671

Spanish is just like English - everyone speaks it in the same way. I'm kidding: we know that English has tons of dialects, and Spanish is just the same in this aspect. Even more complicated is the fact that Spanish is an official language in 21 countries and is spoken widely across 6 continents (with Oceania, not Antarctica being the one where it isn't). So, what I'm getting at here is that there's bound to be confusion at some point when a Spaniard speaks with a Chilean, or a Mexican travels to Bolivia. And this last point is exactly what happens in our episode, when 40-year-old Esteban travels from Mexico City to a number of other countries and cities, and starts meeting new people. Join him as he navigates geographically, but also culturally across Latin America, learning new words and experiencing wonderful new moments that help him explore the Spanish language - all while you also learn cool and unique new vocabulary in this new episode of the Learn Spanish with Stories podcast! Transcript of this episode is available at: https://podcast.lingomastery.com/listen/4637

There have been some wonderful female heroes throughout history, and South America is no exception. Policarpa Salavarrieta (La Pola) is one of the most famous cases of them all: a woman who defied a massive colonizing force to wake the people of Colombia to the desire for freedom and independence, and whose story ended in an ambiguous (positive) way. In this episode of the Learn Spanish with Stories podcast, we are going to explore the life of La Pola, what drove her to fight the Spanish colonization of her nation, how she managed to stay "low-key" while others were rapidly caught and arrested, and how she left a lasting mark on the history of Colombia. Enjoy the episode - we always make sure you learn Spanish while discovering more about Latin America! Transcript of this episode is available at: https://podcast.lingomastery.com/listen/4604

The US and other international powers have been meddling in Latin America for as long as we can remember, but one of the worst cases of foreign intervention (ever) occurred in Nicaragua, in the mid-19th Century (and may explain Nicaragua's strong apprehension towards the US today). William Walker. Manifest Destiny. Have you ever heard of these terms? William Walker was a military man with ambitions to rule, who took advantage of a civil war in Nicaragua to offer his help and show up as the heroic savior of the country... But things soon turned ugly as he decided he had more plans than just earning a living as a mercenary, and decided to take power as the ruling leader of Nicaragua, soon expanding his plans to take over other countries in Central America, and an international war broke out! However, his plans didn't end up as he wished they had, and an ugly surprise was awaiting Walker in the conclusion of this tale... but you'll have to listen to the latest episode of the Learn Spanish with Stories podcast to find out how exactly is all went down! Enjoy! Transcript of this episode is available at: https://podcast.lingomastery.com/listen/4571

The FIFA World Cup is probably the world's biggest sport event, viewed by over 1 BILLION people worldwide, but how did it begin, and why did a tiny South American country, Uruguay, get the honor of hosting its first ever edition? In this episode of the Learn Spanish with Stories Podcast, we travel all the way back to the late 1920s, when preparations were just starting for the first ever FIFA World Cup, and discover why the United Kingdom (and England, especially) ended up feeling bitter about this competition. Also, we learn about the legendary Jules Rimet, and why the first version of the World Cup trophy was dedicated to him. Enjoy the history of this wonderful sporting event while learning Spanish with our latest episode! Transcript of this episode is available at: https://podcast.lingomastery.com/listen/4539

Though controversial, it would be plausible to say that Venezuela has always had controversial leaders, with some bringing glory to the nation, and others bringing sorrow and pain. In the case of José Antonio Páez, both things were simultaneously true, and this strongman and farmer-turned-soldier is an often discussed individual in the history not only of Venezuela, but all nations belonging to "La Gran Colombia" (Colombia, Ecuador, Panama, and Venezuela). Famously credited for one of the most incredible military successes ever - at the Battle of Las Queseras del Medio - where he led 153 mounted soldiers against a force of 1,500 Spaniards and won (losing less than 5 men in the process!), Páez's story is one worth talking about... and that's what today's episode of the Learn Spanish with Stories Podcast is about. Dictator? Hero? You decide... Transcript of this episode is available at: https://podcast.lingomastery.com/listen/4505

What makes somebody "Latin American?" (or Latino*?) Is it being born in Latin America? Is it being born to Latino parents? Or is it adopting the culture and actually feeling Latino? In this special DUAL NARRATOR episode, we go over this frustration that so many Latinos and non-Latinos can go through, especially those who have been born to Latino parents outside of Latin America, or who have left Latin America at a young age. Starring Elisa, a young Dominican Lady who left DR at a very young age, and Tobias, born and raised in the UK but now living in Argentina, we learn how the "Latinidad" is something that can be as easily born into as it can be acquired, and why Latino pride goes beyond blood. Transcript of this episode is available at: https://podcast.lingomastery.com/listen/4472 *NOTE: In this episode, our host Anthony also explains why "Latinx" is actually not a thing, and why you should stop using this aberration of a word. Give it a listen!

There is a country in South America that is particularly "different" from its neighbors in many ways, but the most interesting is its language and culture: I'm talking about Paraguay. Not only is the only nation where the most-spoken language is an indigenous language (Guaraní), but it also has a very strong "mestizo" presence (over 93%), making it one of the most homogeneous demographies in Latin America. But who are the Guaraní, and what makes them so special - and more importantly, what does the future hold for this unique culture, language, and Paraguay as the world evolves? Find out the answers and gain more Spanish fluency in the latest episode of the Learn Spanish with Stories podcast! Transcript of this episode is available at: https://podcast.lingomastery.com/listen/4439

Economic crises are nothing new to us, especially in these times of unpredictability and instability, but Latin America took it to a WHOLE new level in the 1970s. During a particularly wealthy economic period, banks in the US and other rich nations began to lend billions in cash with few conditions (really, all they asked was "pay it later"), with Latin American governments siphoning it all up to modernize their nations and invest in the future... sadly, the prices of raw materials that these countries exported soon fell, and the Federal Reserve decided to raise interest rates. Soon, leaders of these nations started to tremble, and when banks arrived to demand their money and the first of these countries simply said: "We can't pay", all hell broke loose. Find out how it happened and what happened next in this weeks¡ episode of the Learn Spanish with Stories Podcast! Transcript of this episode is available at: https://podcast.lingomastery.com/listen/4406

Latin America, a region of almost 700 million people, speaks mostly one language (Brazil will have to forgive us for this generalization), but we're not talking of one single Spanish language that everyone understands. In fact, each country has its own dialects, sayings, and differences that can be as crucial as they can be careful - after all, some completely normal words in one nation could sound rude or weird in others. So how do you, as a Spanish learner, avoid making a mistake and/or seeming non-native as soon as you open your mouth? Find out the best sayings in each country, how to use them and sound like you've been there for years, and the differences from one dialect to the next, in the latest Learn Spanish with Stories podcast by Lingo Mastery. Transcript of this episode is available at: https://podcast.lingomastery.com/listen/4373

We rarely hear about the local wars in South America, but some were just as ugly and crude as the historical wars in Europe and the US - and the Thousand Day War (technically, the 1,130 Day War, but the given name sounds catchier) was no different. A conflict that initiated when Colombia's Liberals decided that enough was enough, and that they would not stand for the corruption and impoverishment committed by the Conservatives, and picked up their tools and makeshift weapons to fight. A war that started small but soon lit up across the nation like wildfire, this horrible civil conflict destroyed homes, lands, and families. But who won, and why is this story so linked to the birth of Panama as a nation? Find out in the latest episode of the Learn Spanish with Stories Podcast! Transcript of this episode is available at: https://podcast.lingomastery.com/listen/4341

Spain, just like Latin America, has been a popular place to visit and move to as an expat, due to its beautiful beaches, modern cities, and great food. However, also like Latin America, it is affected by corruption, a lack of opportunities, and overall, bad policies that are making life harder for its citizens. And while many of its ministers and politicians flock to social media to make claims on how well the country is doing, the youth of the country is questioning if it's worth it to continue living there, with 60% of the younger generation claiming that they don't think their lives will be better than their parents'. In this episode, we do a deep dive on just what is holding Spain back and, ironically, what might gradually turn Spain into a European version of Latin America if they don't make the right fixes now. Transcript of this episode is available at: https://podcast.lingomastery.com/listen/4076