Intermediate Spanish - Spanish Obsessed

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.

Have you met someone truly "toxic"? What do you think made them that way? In this episode, Lis and Rob discuss the "Fundamental Attribution Error" - when we try to explain someone's behavior based mostly on their personality and don't think enough about the situation they are in. 

¿Qué hace que una relación a largo plazo tenga éxito, y hasta qué punto podemos predecirlo de antemano? ¿Existe un alma gemela para todo el mundo, o podemos decidir a quién queremos?

Why do we decide to bake cookies when we've got a deadline tomorrow?How has procrastination affected us, and what can we do about it? Lis and Rob explore their own experiences with procrastinating, and discuss 3 effective strategies to combat it.

Status symbols... How do people mark themselves as high status around the world, and have we fallen into these traps?

We discuss coming up with business ideas, and how running a business has changed our lives. Also, some new business ideas, both from us and our friends! Rob describes his "Ayahuasca for Silicon Valley" business idea, as well as new cafe concept called "The hangover"...

Lis and Rob talk noisy neighbours, sounds of the city, and noise pollution. How noisy are our cities, and how much does this bother us?

We chat with Andrea and Nate, who run Spanish Land. They divide their time between USA and Colombia - how do they find life compares in the two countries, and what are their plans for the future?

We've been parents to our daughter, Ana Paz, for nearly a year now. Here, we reflect on what we expected going into it, and how things really were in reality.

We've been living in Colombia over a year! Lis and Rob talk about what they most like about life in Bogotá.

Rob and Lis talk about their move to Bogotá: arriving at chaotic El Dorado airport, somehow getting picked up, catching covid, and the saga of the apartment.

Rob and Lis talk about the arrival of their daughter, Ana Paz. How were those first days, and do they have any advice for other first time parents?

Rob and Lis talk about their arrival and first few days in Bogotá

Rob and Lis talk about the final few days in London before moving to Colombia: saying goodbye to friends and family, eating out of a saucepan, and forgetting passports...

Rob and Lis talk about their decision to move to Colombia in 2021, post pandemic.

What would you bring to a deserted island? Rob and Lis discuss their suggestions, to feed both body and mind.

Some strange things have happened to Rob and Lis over their lives. Hear three stories including witches, fortune tellers, and a strange encounter with a taxi driver...

We tell the story of "Epa" Colombia, an internet sensation who became a millionaire in Colombia, all off the back of the most ridiculous videos we've ever seen. However, la "Epa" is now facing a possible prison sentence. What happened?

Tú and usted... We learn in our first Spanish class how to use these two pronouns, but it seems that native speakers don't follow the rulebook. We explore the different shades of meaning of usted and tú, and when to really use which.

Link to El País article

Lis and Rob discuss some of their most precious items, and why they are important to them in their lives.

The shops are finally open again, and Rob and Lis are let loose to go shopping. Hear about their experiences in retail therapy, and learn about "window shopping" in the Spanish-speaking world!

Rob and Lis discuss stereotypes, and why they are a problem. ¿Somos todos sesgados? ¿Todos hacemos juicios de valor?

Rob and Lis discuss hipsters around the world, and whether they consider themselves to be hipsters!

Our house is slowly falling apart, and the neighbour started complaining. This would never happen in Colombia... Plus, building an apartment in Colombia, and our dream home.

Rob and Lis discuss how they've spent their days in lockdown

We discuss the worst jobs we've ever had

We discuss Uber, and the future of the Gig Economy

Rob travelled around Mexico, and was in Ciudad de Mejico during a large earthquake. Hear about his firsthand experience.

Why do we follow the news? Does it make us good global citizens, or is it merely entertainment? Rob and Lis discuss this and more.

We talk about birthdays, and how these are celebrated in Hispanic cultures. You’ll learn about Lis’s family’s birthday songs and traditions, why Rob is sick of birthday cake, and we talk about who exactly is responsible for planning your birthday!

Lis continues telling us of her time in Glastonbury Festival.

Lis tells us of her experience in Glastonbury Festival this June, one of the largest and best known music festivals in the world! Part two follows.

We talk about the final few days of our time in Spain, when we visited Rob’s favourite city – Valencia.