With the rise of remote work during the pandemic, the world has seen a significant increase in people leaving their urban homes for more rural settings away from the city and traditional office settings.
Some are even brave enough to leave their permanent homes behind and accept a nomad lifestyle, traveling from place to place to live and work.
Join us for today’s episode as we sit down with special guest, Kate Connelly, to talk about her decision to leave her urban life in Washington DC and take on the nomad life from the beaches of Rhode Island to the mountains of Colorado.
Read the full transcript on our website: https://www.dynamicenglish.cl/coffee-with-gringos-podcast-clases-particulares-de-ingles/episode-130-special-guest-kate-connelly
A Ponzi scheme is a fraudulent investing scam that generates returns for earlier investors with money taken from later investors. This is similar to a pyramid scheme in that both are based on using new investors' funds to pay the earlier backers.
These schemes have existed for many years and examples can be found all over the world from Brazil’s Telexfree to Alberto Chang in Chile.
But, why is it called a Ponzi scheme? And how are these con artists able to trick so many people into giving them their money for a reward that doesn’t really exist?
Join us for today’s episode as we discuss the origins of Ponzi schemes, how they function, and how Bernie Madoff successfully pulled off the biggest Ponzi scheme in history.
Read the full transcript here: https://www.dynamicenglish.cl/coffee-with-gringos-podcast-clases-particulares-de-ingles/episode-129-what-is-a-ponzi-scheme
The death penalty—also known as capital punishment—is the execution or killing of an offender sentenced to death by a court of law for a serious crime such as murder.
While many countries have abolished capital punishment, it still remains a prevalent practice in many other countries, including the United States where seventeen executions took place in 2020 alone.
Join us for today’s episode as we discuss the dark and controversial issue of the death penalty.
Read the full transcript here: https://www.dynamicenglish.cl/coffee-with-gringos-podcast-clases-particulares-de-ingles/episode-128-the-death-penalty
There are few things that give us a sense of freedom like hopping in the car and driving a long distance from one place to another, viewing the scenery and landscapes along the way. Road trips give us the opportunity to explore new places and cultures, see famous and unknown attractions, and bond with our friends and family.
Like most things in life, road trips don’t always go perfect and you always have to expect the unexpected from speeding tickets and hitchhikers to broken down cars and blizzards.
Join us for today’s episode as we discuss everything about hitting the open road and the memorable experiences that come with it.
Read the full transcript here: https://www.dynamicenglish.cl/coffee-with-gringos-podcast-clases-particulares-de-ingles/episode-127-road-trips
In the age of digitization when we are all constantly shopping online, sharing content on multiple social media platforms at once, and our whole lives are essentially online, we give up more and more of our personal data to companies and governments.
Is it worth giving up some of our personal information in exchange for access to the digital world? Or are we risking more and more privacy to the point of being watched and listened to constantly?
Join us for today’s episode as we discuss encryption, Edward Snowden, and Apple’s fight for privacy rights against the US government.
Difficult to understand this conversation in English? Read the full transcript here: https://www.dynamicenglish.cl/coffee-with-gringos-podcast-clases-particulares-de-ingles/episode-126-privacy
In the US and Canada, Black History Month takes place during the entire month of February and is dedicated to remembering and recognizing important people and events of African descent.
While we still have a long way to go in order to reach equality, it’s important to recognize the accomplishments and contributions that have been made throughout history by prominent figures such as Martin Luther King Jr., Frederick Douglass, Rosa Parks, and Jesse Owens among many others.
Join us for today’s episode as we discuss Black History Month, some of the most outstanding black figures, and their contributions to mankind.
Read the full transcript here: https://www.dynamicenglish.cl/coffee-with-gringos-podcast-clases-particulares-de-ingles/episode-125-cwg-celebrates-black-history-month
Riddles are tricky, brain-teasing statements or questions that are designed to be difficult to solve like a puzzle. Some people are great at solving them while others—like us—are not.
Join us for today’s episode as we try our best to solve and break down the meanings of some tough riddles in English.
Read the full transcript on our website: https://www.dynamicenglish.cl/coffee-with-gringos-podcast-clases-particulares-de-ingles/episode-114-riddle-me-this
Argentina has finally achieved their goal of becoming the largest Latin American nation to legalize abortion after years of grassroots efforts in the historically Catholic and conservative country.
This marks a milestone for the growing feminist movement in the region which has experienced pushback from the Catholic church, conservative leaders, and anti-abortion movements for so long.
Will the effects spread to the rest of the region or will women’s rights continue to be suppressed as they have been for centuries?
Join us for today’s episode as we discuss Argentina’s historical conservatism, the rise of feminism, and how the landmark change could affect the rest of Latin America in the future.
Read the full transcript here: https://www.dynamicenglish.cl/coffee-with-gringos-podcast-clases-particulares-de-ingles/episode-120-argentina-legalizes-abortion-after-years-long-fight
Only six days into the new year, we watched in horror as violent, Trump-supporting protesters forced their way into the US Capitol building after President Trump’s public speech encouraging them to stop Congress from finalizing the Electoral College results and democracy from taking place.
The historic coup-attempt resulted in hours of destruction, looting, and the deaths of five people before it all ended with Congress still proceeding to finalize the election results.
Will President Trump be held responsible for his actions or will he be able to avoid accountability as we have seen throughout his entire presidency?
Join us for today’s episode as we discuss the details of the US Capitol riots and what possible consequences it might have moving forward.
Read the full transcript and vocabulary guide here: https://www.dynamicenglish.cl/coffee-with-gringos-podcast-clases-particulares-de-ingles/episode-119-historic-and-violent-break-in-at-the-us-capitol
Fake News—it’s the buzzword that we hear across all forms of communication from social media platforms, news companies, and the most powerful politicians in the world.
The rise of digital communication has allowed us to publish and share any information across the internet with the click of a button without having to verify if it’s actually true.
While most of it is silly and harmless, what happens when fake news is taken too seriously and causes violence and hatred?
Join us for today’s episode as we discuss clickbait headlines, anti-vaxxers, and Nigerian genocide, and other problems caused by President Trump’s favorite word.
Read the full transcript here: https://www.dynamicenglish.cl/coffee-with-gringos-podcast-clases-particulares-de-ingles/episode-118-fake-news-its-everywhere
Located in Tanzania, Mount Kilimanjaro is Africa’s tallest mountain at 5,895 meters (19,240 feet) and takes seven days to complete. With only a 40% success rate of reaching the top, it’s clear that summitting the peak is not for the faint of heart. However, those who brave the harsh weather, high altitude, and physical/mental pain to reach the top can consider it a trip of a lifetime.
Join us today as we discuss mountain climbing training, toilet porters, and Tanzanian whisky on Africa’s tallest mountain with good friend and special guest, David Vaughn.
Read the full transcript here: https://www.dynamicenglish.cl/coffee-with-gringos-podcast-clases-particulares-de-ingles/episode-113-climbing-mt-killmanjaro
The rise of social media and technology has changed different aspects of our social interactions, including the way that we romantically date.
Meeting someone and asking them out on a pre-planned date has now been replaced by “liking” photos and swiping left or right on social media and dating apps like Tinder.
Tune into this week’s podcast as we compare dating in the past to the present including catfishing, ghosting, and searching for love in the digital age.
Read the full transcript here: https://www.dynamicenglish.cl/coffee-with-gringos-podcast-clases-particulares-de-ingles/episode-111-cwg-talks-about-dating
Whenever we go outside and we look up at the big sky and we see the beautiful stars at night, we often ponder what is out there. What is in outer space? Are we alone? Are we the only ones? What's the meaning of life? Everyone thinks about the galaxy, other planets, space exploration, aliens, etc. and really makes us consider the possibilities that exist in the ever-expanding universe.
Tune in to today’s podcast as we discuss shooting stars, space exploration, and whether or not we believe other life exists in the universe.
Read the full transcript here: https://www.dynamicenglish.cl/coffee-with-gringos-podcast-clases-particulares-de-ingles/episode-110-cwg-ponders-space-and-other-life
If you were the eyewitness to someone robbing a bank, would you report it to the police? If someone was convinced that they were guilty of a crime that you committed, would you let them take the blame? Would you kill one person in order to save five people?
These kinds of difficult scenarios are known in English as ethical dilemmas. There are always consequences and it's a matter of where your conscience lies. There's no right or wrong answer— it's just how strongly you feel either way.
Tune into today’s podcast as we discuss difficult ethical dilemmas and what moral decisions we would personally make.
Read the full transcript and vocabulary guide here: https://www.dynamicenglish.cl/coffee-with-gringos-podcast-clases-particulares-de-ingles/episode-109-ethical-dilemmas
As we discussed in Episode 105, voters will decide who will become the next president in the upcoming US election by ballot. In addition, voters will also be voting on state-specific issues such as Congress representatives, judges, alcohol and tobacco taxes, voting-age requirements, among many others. One could argue that these state laws affect citizens’ everyday lives even more than federal laws and therefore, their importance cannot be overlooked.
Tune in to today’s episode as we discuss some of the new ballot measures being presented in this year’s upcoming election and how they could possibly shape and change the future of certain states in the US.
Read the full transcript and vocabulary guide here:
https://www.dynamicenglish.cl/coffee-with-gringos-podcast-clases-particulares-de-ingles/episode-107-us-election-by-state
How did the number thirteen become so unlucky? Why is it bad luck to cross a black cat? Why shouldn’t you ever walk under a leaning ladder?
These superstitions—widely or commonly held beliefs that things are caused due to bad luck or due to supernatural circumstances—are still very much a part of people’s beliefs and influence their daily actions. But why are these seemingly silly beliefs so widely accepted?
Toss some salt over your shoulder and tune in to today’s episode as we discuss some common superstitions, their origins, and why we still believe them today.
Read the full transcript here: https://www.dynamicenglish.cl/coffee-with-gringos-podcast-clases-particulares-de-ingles/episode-104-superstitions
Do you remember your first job? It might not have been the most professional or exciting, but it probably helped you build character and understand the importance of work.
Whether it’s cleaning golf carts, waitressing at a retirement home, or mowing lawns, young people get their first jobs for the experience and to have a few extra bucks in their pocket.
In today’s podcast, we talk all about our first jobs, odd jobs, and getting fired.
Read the full transcript here: https://www.dynamicenglish.cl/coffee-with-gringos-podcast-clases-particulares-de-ingles/episode-103-first-jobs-odd-jobs
Latin America is known for many cultural aspects that make it so unique and special such as food, drinks, geography, art, and music. However, perhaps the most important of all the cultural aspects is dance. It seems to be infused into the daily rhythm and soul of every person that calls Latin America home—with each dance as unique and interesting as it’s own country and culture.
To celebrate Chile’s Fiestas Patrias celebrations on September 18th, we decided to discuss some of Latin America’s unique, traditional dances, including Chile’s own Cueca.
So put on your dancing shoes and tune in to find out more.
Read the transcript while you listen here: https://www.dynamicenglish.cl/coffee-with-gringos-podcast-clases-particulares-de-ingles/episode-102-the-traditional-dances-of-south-america
We all have certain habits that are embarrassing, counterproductive, and in some cases, negative for us.
Whether it’s singing in the car, smoking cigarettes, or hitting the snooze button too many times, we all have our own guilty pleasures and vices.
In today’s episode, we talk about common guilty pleasures and vices—including some of our own.
Read the transcript here: https://www.dynamicenglish.cl/coffee-with-gringos-podcast-clases-particulares-de-ingles/episode-101-vices-and-guilty-pleasures
To celebrate Coffee With Gringos 100th episode Paige and Ian hosted a live event where they took questions from the audience. Tune in and hear about favorite episodes, embarrassing moments, favorite Chilean food to favorite drunk food.
You can also watch the full episode on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tFSAZrf3gsA
