Episodes
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One of the creepiest tales to come out of Venezuela was that of Dorancel Vargas. A homeless man with severe mental issues who lived outside the city of San Cristobal, Vargas had a fascination that no human should have...
He enjoyed eating human meat. And the ugliest thing of it all isn't that he just feasted on the meat, but the fact that he hunted people down like game, taking special advantage of runners who came through his territory.
In this special DUAL narrator episode, we go over a police case led by Inspector Alfredo Gómez and reporter Elena Ramírez, as they push to capture this terrible monster before he can continue committing heinous crimes on his fellow man (and woman).
Warning: Viewer discretion is advised.
Transcript of this episode is available at: https://podcast.lingomastery.com/listen/1370 -
Latin America is beautiful, but it's also dangerous, and I'm not talking about the wildlife here... Holding 6 spots in the top 10 crimes rates worldwide, this region has unfortunately been one of the most deadly in recent decades, and its people have lived in fear of violent crime and terrorism for too long.
And with organizations such as the FARC and ELN, FMLN, the US-backed Contras, Sendero Luminoso, and more, it's no surprise that there's plenty of content for today's episode on the scary past (and present) of Latin America's crime underworld.
We love Latin America (especially as Latin Americans ourselves!) - but today, we'll spend half an hour going through the dark side of the Latino region. Enjoy the episode.
Transcript of this episode is available at: https://podcast.lingomastery.com/listen/1338 -
Missing episodes?
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We've given Mexico some love in recent times, after Season 3's finale "Te Amo, México" - and today is no exception. In fact, today we'll talk about how Mexico's modern political structure came to exist.
The nation wasn't always a stable democracy (well, depending on who you ask these days). It has had its up and downs, and its downs have been preeetty low. With multiple authoritarians coming and going, it was inevitable that the people would rise up, and with it... a revolution would start.
You've probably heard of Emiliano Zapata and Pancho Villa, two Mexican heroes... but do you actually know what they did? If the answer is no (and I'm hoping for that, so you can listen to the episode), you're going to enjoy today's episode of the Learn Spanish with Stories podcast!
Transcript of this episode is available at: https://podcast.lingomastery.com/listen/1337 -
Do you love chocolate as much as we do (and if you don't, WHY)? Well, in that case, you might be curious as to how we ended up having this delicious sweet all across the world, on every continent. And yes, that includes Antarctica.
Born in the heart of Mesoamerica and originally consumed by the Olmecs, Mayas and Aztecs, cacao (the precursor of chocolate) was discovered by Spanish conquistadors, who decided to take this curious fruit back home with them, which soon led to an explosion of delicious new products.
But I'm done "spoiling" the episode here. You should check it out and unravel the history of cacao, chocolate, and the origin of one of the most delicious desserts you'll ever try, in this episode of the Learn Spanish with Stories podcast!
Transcript of this episode is available at: https://podcast.lingomastery.com/listen/1305 -
Have you ever seen flowers in the desert? One of the most curious climate phenomena worldwide is El Niño, which is the irregular warming of sea surface temperatures, which leads to a cascade of effects on weather patterns and ecosystems.
In this episode, we talk about what it involves, how it affects the lives of animals and human beings in Latin America, and what is being done to lessen its effects on people and nature.
Oh, and you'll also learn more about how and why this phenomenon occurs, and you'll find out why I asked you about flowers in the desert - so don't miss it!
Transcript of this episode is available at: https://podcast.lingomastery.com/listen/1272 -
Welcome back to the Learn Spanish with Stories podcast, this time for a fourth season! We've returned with a pretty interesting episode about something that isn't talked about enough... Latin America's Space Race!
I bet you know the U.S., the EU, China, India and the Soviet Union (back in the day) had all built amazing missions to space, but Latin America doesn't often come to mind when discussing satellites and spaceflight.
That changes today. In this episode, we will tell you all about how governments in Latin America are starting to pay attention to the universe outside our planet, and using technology to bridge the gap between the Latin world and the immensity of space. So, buckle up and get your astronaut suit, we're lifting off with Season 4!
Transcript of this episode is available at: https://podcast.lingomastery.com/listen/1271 -
It's the final episode of Season 3, so let's admit it: we haven't been fair with Mexico during our podcast's lifetime. Yes, we've talked about the Aztecs, but we've also talked a lot about the border issues, El Chapo, and other negative circumstances in the beautiful country of "El Águila Real" (the Royal Eagle). But it's time to redeem ourselves.
In this special DUAL NARRATOR season finale, we meet Ana and Oliver, who join forces to discover the beauty, magic, and power that Mexico has in every street corner, every local restaurant, every beating heart...
And we give you a ton of reasons to visit this beautiful and magical nation of the Aztecs. Enjoy our season 3 finale of the Learn Spanish with Stories podcast, and see you soon!
Transcript of this episode is available at: https://podcast.lingomastery.com/listen/1270 -
Do you like tea? Sure, maybe. But have you ever tried (or seen someone else try) yerba mate?
Mate goes beyond just a drink. It goes beyond the English tea time or that of other cultures. It's something which is almost... spiritual, you know?
Having started as a tradition among the Guarani people and then adopted by Spanish colonizers, this drink has spread across the world and is now seen consumed by European athletes, Hollywood artists, and even... U.S. presidents?!
The story behind mate is quite a fascinating and interesting one, and it's a story we dive into in our penultimate episode of the third season of the Learn Spanish with Stories podcast! Enjoy the episode, and make sure to prepare your favorite drink before diving in!
Transcript of this episode is available at: https://podcast.lingomastery.com/listen/1269 -
You know of the Panama Canal (we already talked about it in Season 1 if you didn't), but you probably had no idea that a second canal has been in plans for a very, very long time now - one that passes through Nicaragua (that's north of Panama).
But the delays haven't just been a problem of bureaucracy and budget... the canal would actually have to pass through a delicate natural reserve, where both humans and animals coexist, as well as a lake that certain endangered species call their home. All of this has caused great controversy.
And that doesn't even cover half of what has happened (or failed to happen) during the planning and proposed construction of this canal. Because even nuclear warheads (?!) have been considered, and yes, we're not kidding. Want to find out more? Check out this week's episode of the Learn Spanish with Stories podcast!
Transcript of this episode is available at: https://podcast.lingomastery.com/listen/1268 -
The Jesuits were a Catholic order that was founded in Europe, but which soon expanded to South America to spread the word of God - mainly to Paraguay.
However, they had a different way of evangelizing, which made them as interesting as it did controversial... hated, even. You see, the Jesuits didn't believe in forcing their beliefs on the local indigenous tribes or forcing conversion.
Instead, they integrated themselves into the indigenous beliefs and allowed the natives to express themselves, as long as they understood what Catholicism meant. This, and the fact that Jesuits believed in communal living, social justice, and a huge respect for the poor, led other branches of Catholicism (and even royal figures) to see them as dangerous Marxists who needed to be eliminated.
But this story has quite a few twists and turns before we get to the end - find out exactly what happened to the Jesuits in Latin America in this week's episode of the Learn Spanish with Stories podcast!
Transcript of this episode is available at: https://podcast.lingomastery.com/listen/1267 -
While not a country we hear about often these days, Nicaragua has gone through quite a turbulent history that has left it with long-lasting economic, political and social scars.
And leaving aside the subject of Daniel Ortega, current dictator of Nicaragua and one of the longest-lasting presidential terms in the world (with 26 interrupted years in power), Nicaragua's Sandinista revolution, in particular, brought massive transformation to the country, although with great controversy attached to it.
In this episode, we discover what exactly led to this revolution of the people, who the Somoza dynasty was and what they did to cause it, and why Nicaragua became the United States' biggest enemy for a period during the 1980s, culminating in a grand trial at the International Court of Justice.
Transcript of this episode is available at: https://podcast.lingomastery.com/listen/1266 -
If you want to see historic sights everywhere you go, you go to Europe. But if you want to have fun, Latin America is the place to be.
Known as the land of dance, music, and smiles, Latin America just has "something else" that makes it a spicy and sweet combination of great food, fantastic nightlife, and quick friendships unlike any other. It's in the culture. It might even be in the genes, if we dug deeper (hmmm...)
But that's still too vague, right? How exactly is this culture of enjoyment expressed each day and night - is it through dancing reggaeton and salsa? Or cultural festivals? Art and museums? Perhaps it's a mix of feasting and drinking that is unrivaled anywhere in the world.
What if I told you that it's all of that and more? And that you're about to do a heck of a deep dive into discovering what makes Latin Americans tick - which will help you have even more fun once you get there.
So buckle up and enjoy this episode of the Learn Spanish with Stories podcast... if you think about it, enjoyment is its middle name!
Transcript of this episode is available at: https://podcast.lingomastery.com/listen/1233 -
There could be a war brewing in South America... and it's a conflict that has been a long time coming.
You see, Guyana and Venezuela have been fighting a silent battle for centuries over a large territory that makes up two-thirds of Guyana - the Essequibo. During the late 1800s, Venezuela lost this territory to a treaty signed by the United Kingdom and the United States, and things seemed to end there.
However, the recent discovery of oil deposits containing up to 700 million barrels of oil (worth close to $40 BILLION) and the potential existence of a secret CIA base in the area have rekindled the flames of conflict.
With Maduro's regime in Venezuela desperate for cash at any cost, could there be an escalation about to break out in the north of South America - and could this be the start of a new global conflict?
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/1232 -
Love him or hate him, it is clear that Javier Milei has rapidly made himself quite a controversial figure in global politics. Carrying a message that is unique and very different from traditional South American politicians, Milei has vowed to reduce the "parasitic" state in his country.
But his appearance may be ideal for the nation, and his recent victory as President of Argentina is a sign that the people of Argentina are tired of the old, stagnant systems of Peronism and Kirchnerism, that kept the country poor and corruption at its worst.
Still, what has made Milei such an interesting and refreshing arrival to global politics, and why does he divide opinions this much?
We'll have to find out in this week's episode of the Learn Spanish with Stories podcast!
Transcript of this episode is available at: https://podcast.lingomastery.com/listen/1231 -
Believe it or not, there are communities of people out there who have never been contacted: they've only ever seen a handful of outsiders in their lifetimes, never been on the internet, driven a car (or bicycle) and are still several centuries behind us in terms of technological advancement.
It sure is hard to imagine, right? But in fact, that are several communities in South America that are so remote and separated from civilization that they have managed to maintain their ancient traditions and form of living for many centuries now, and who want to keep it that way.
It's a fascinating phenomenon, and one that has raised many questions - for example, do these communities deserve to be bothered and "forcefully" integrated into our healthcare systems? Or is it best if we leave them alone for good? And how do we protect them from criminal organizations that exploit and kidnap them?
All of these questions and more will be raised and hopefully answered in this week's episode of the Learn Spanish with Stories podcast!
Transcript of this episode is available at: https://podcast.lingomastery.com/listen/1230 -
Before Simón Bolívar, before José de San Martín, there was someone else. A man who fought for independence not only in South America but in France and the United States, and whose name is the ONLY American one (North or South) to be engraved in the Arc de Triomphe.
I'm talking about Francisco de Miranda, who was born around this time of the year in 1750, and who pretty much got the independence efforts going in Venezuela and South America in general.
Born into a Spanish family, Miranda actually fought for the Spanish armies at one point and protected this nation... but he soon found himself disagreeing with the Spanish occupation of the Americas and commenced a campaign that would end up becoming the world's biggest struggle for independence.
Today, we dedicate this episode of the Learn Spanish with Stories podcast to Francisco de Miranda and his fight for freedom in the Americas. Enjoy.
Transcript of this episode is available at: https://podcast.lingomastery.com/listen/1229 -
What will Latin America look like in 2040? It's a question that many experts and onlookers have been asking for a while now. With climate change, socioeconomic equality and the security of the region having become such important subjects in recent decades, one must wonder if the nation comprising Latin America are ready to face them.
This is why two experts, Laura and Rafael, have united to create a new global initiative that will bring Latin America forward several decades and get the wheels of progress turning.
In this special DUAL episode, we touch upon a story of two visionaries who join forces to create an ambitious project together - one that will change the future of Latin America forever.
Enjoy this week's episode of the Learn Spanish with Stories podcast - and get ready, you haven't seen anything like this yet!
Transcript of this episode is available at: https://podcast.lingomastery.com/listen/1196 -
We often talk about the "discovery of America" when we speak of Columbus and the Spanish. But they didn't really discover America. Think about it: they only came across a continent that was already populated.
So the real question would be: how did the first natives in North and South America come to "discover" this land? After all, science has found that humanity originated very far away from the American continent and that these inhabitants are relatively recent compared to those in Africa, Europe, and Asia.
Is there a simple answer to this question? And, besides that, what peoples lived in Latin America, long before the Spanish and even long before the Aztecs and Incas? Who created the first languages, and initial civilizations? Who built the first buildings and settlements? Who...
Don't worry - all of these questions and more will be answered in today's amazing episode of the Learn Spanish with Stories podcast. Enjoy!
Transcript of this episode is available at: https://podcast.lingomastery.com/listen/1195 -
Bad Bunny, Karol G, and even Shakira in more recent years... If these names don't sound like anything to you, it's time to dust those earphones off and tune in to the most recent craze of Latin American music that has dominated the planet: reggaeton.
Originating in the Caribbean as a result of fusing traditional reggae and Jamaican dancehall, reggaeton has outgrown its forebears and become the strongest source of Latino culture across the world. In fact, it is enjoyed in anywhere from the smallest bar someplace in Puerto Rico to massive clubs in Tokyo, such has been its impact.
But what controversies does this music genre hold (including the objectification of women, and its relation to the criminal underground), and how exactly did we end up with Bad Bunny becoming one of the most famous musicians in the world (like seriously)?
Pop your dance shoes out - we'll find out in this week's very rhythmic, very entertaining episode of the Learn Spanish with Stories podcast!
Transcript of this episode is available at: https://podcast.lingomastery.com/listen/1194 -
You've probably wondered what's beyond the veil between life and death, and that's normal. But some people really want to take it beyond just wondering and actually discover what that is.
In the case of the two men we'll talk about today, a Spaniard doctor by the name of Pedro González de Velasco, and a German doctor named Gottfried Knoche, the line between life and death was not as defined as it would be for the rest of us.
Because, as we'll soon learn, these doctors didn't think that death necessarily ended with a human being's last breath, and that life could continue within their physical form. This led them both to perform interesting but controversial experiments with embalming, twisting both into fascinating but terrifying individuals.
In this episode, we'll go through the life of both these men, especially Knoche, and discover just what it was that made him turn the "Hacienda Buena Vista" into Venezuela's own "House of the Dead"...
Transcript of this episode is available at: https://podcast.lingomastery.com/listen/1193 - Show more
