Intermediate Spanish - Spanish Obsessed
Episodes
Culture swap
02 Apr 2026
Contributed by Lukas
What are 3 things that Rob and Lis admire from each other's culture, and would like to introduce into their own?Check out our new Obsessives programme...
Transformational tourism
26 Feb 2026
Contributed by Lukas
Rob and Lis discuss how various "barrios" in Colombia's cities have undergone transformations, using tourism to rejuvenate themselves. We discuss the ...
What we'll most miss about Colombia
13 Feb 2026
Contributed by Lukas
So, our time in Colombia is nearly up! After over 4 years living here, we're leaving. In this episode, we reflect on what we'll most miss about the co...
5 mistakes you might be making with your Spanish
05 Feb 2026
Contributed by Lukas
Rob and Lis break down 5 big areas that learners often go wrong when learning Spanish.For full transcripts, notes, and lots more learning material, he...
Private or public schools?
30 Jan 2026
Contributed by Lukas
We talk about our opinions and philosophy of private and public schools (or "state and public" for our English listeners!). How do they compare in Col...
Colombia's weird Christmas traditions
21 Jan 2026
Contributed by Lukas
Rob and Lis share how they passed Christmas and New Year's in Colombia's Coffee Country region. We share strange, symbolic traditions, and discuss how...
Colombia in the crosshairs?
07 Jan 2026
Contributed by Lukas
Following the shocking capture of Nicolás Maduro in Caracas last Saturday, we sit down to give our reaction. Is Colombia next in line? Also, on a lig...
The emotions of language learning
18 Dec 2025
Contributed by Lukas
We share a few anecdotes when our emotions got the better of us when learning or speaking a foreign language. What happened, and how can we deal with ...
Our next move...
11 Dec 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Rob and Lis share news of what's coming for them next.
A "life update"
04 Dec 2025
Contributed by Lukas
We give a quick "life update" - what's going on in our lives, and how did we get to this point?
Immersion in the Coffee Country
28 Nov 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Lis and Rob discuss their recent immersion trip in Colombia's coffee country. What went well, what could they improve, and what did the participants m...
How to say no
01 Oct 2025
Contributed by Lukas
How do you say "no" in Spanish? Rob is fond of turning down invitations, and in this episode he discusses the hidden cost of saying "no" in Spanish-sp...
How speaking Spanish changes us
24 Sep 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Lis and Rob discuss how our personality and self-identity change when we speak a foreign language. They also talk about how certain Spanish phrases an...
Álvaro Uribe
19 Sep 2025
Contributed by Lukas
We discuss the ex-president of Colombia, Álvaro Uribe. Uribe was credited with creating the conditions for lasting peace in Colombia, and opening the...
Self comparison
10 Sep 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Comparing ourselves to others is natural, but is it always harmful? Rob describes his problems with self-comparison, and with Lis discusses how to tur...
Small talk
03 Sep 2025
Contributed by Lukas
We explore "la charla" - small talk. What is it, how is it used, and why? Find some tips for better smalltalk in Spanish in this episode!Don't forget ...
Friendship as adults - a loneliness epidemic?
27 Aug 2025
Contributed by Lukas
We are apparently going through an "epidemic of loneliness" - especially middle aged men! What could be behind this, and do we see this in our own liv...
The in-laws...
20 Aug 2025
Contributed by Lukas
The infamous "suegra" - in-law. In Latin cultures, the suegra plays a pivotal part in a couple's life. In this episode, we explore their role, the ste...
Money and happiness
13 Aug 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Money makes us happy, to an extent... But, how much do we need? In this episode, we discuss the link between happiness and wealth, and what our cultur...
Por and Para: Part two
16 Jan 2025
Contributed by Lukas
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. L...
Por and Para: Part one
30 May 2024
Contributed by Lukas
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 episod...
Should you learn slang?
24 May 2024
Contributed by Lukas
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 e...
El Clasismo...
02 May 2024
Contributed by Lukas
Rob and Lis discuss an infuriating situation where they live, and what this shows about classism in Colombia
Too old to learn Spanish?
25 Apr 2024
Contributed by Lukas
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 ...
Can you teach a 2 year old Spanish and English?
18 Apr 2024
Contributed by Lukas
Our experiences trying to teach our 2 year old daughter Spanish and English.
Bogota Immersion trip: what we learned
11 Apr 2024
Contributed by Lukas
We recently held our first full Spanish immersion trip in Bogota, where we were joined by 10 participants. Here's how it went.
How to get a native Spanish accent
04 Apr 2024
Contributed by Lukas
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...
¿Las protestas siguen funcionando?
21 Mar 2024
Contributed by Lukas
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 a...
Positive Thinking?
14 Mar 2024
Contributed by Lukas
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 "...
A new life in... The Coffee Country
07 Mar 2024
Contributed by Lukas
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 h...
We got hooked on Traitors
29 Feb 2024
Contributed by Lukas
Have you seen the show "Traitors"? Rob and Lis got hooked on it, and discuss it in this episode.
Why we find people so annoying
22 Feb 2024
Contributed by Lukas
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" - ...
El secreto del amor...?
15 Feb 2024
Contributed by Lukas
¿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 mun...
La procrastinación: 3 estrategias para superarlo
08 Feb 2024
Contributed by Lukas
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 expl...
Status Symbols
21 Sep 2023
Contributed by Lukas
Status symbols... How do people mark themselves as high status around the world, and have we fallen into these traps?
Ser empresario
12 Sep 2023
Contributed by Lukas
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 friend...
La contaminación acústica
04 Sep 2023
Contributed by Lukas
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?
Entrevista: Spanish Land
05 Jul 2023
Contributed by Lukas
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 countr...
Being parents: Expectations vs reality
10 Feb 2023
Contributed by Lukas
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 ...
5 things we love about Bogotá
06 Feb 2023
Contributed by Lukas
We've been living in Colombia over a year! Lis and Rob talk about what they most like about life in Bogotá.
Introducing Ana Paz
09 Nov 2022
Contributed by Lukas
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?
First days in Bogotá
08 Nov 2022
Contributed by Lukas
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 ap...
Arriving in Bogotá
10 Oct 2022
Contributed by Lukas
Rob and Lis talk about their arrival and first few days in Bogotá
Last days in London
07 Oct 2022
Contributed by Lukas
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 for...
Moving to Colombia
04 Oct 2022
Contributed by Lukas
Rob and Lis talk about their decision to move to Colombia in 2021, post pandemic.
Intermediate 40: La isla
30 Nov 2021
Contributed by Lukas
What would you bring to a deserted island? Rob and Lis discuss their suggestions, to feed both body and mind.
Intermediate 39: Eventos inexplicables
15 Nov 2021
Contributed by Lukas
Some strange things have happened to Rob and Lis over their lives. Hear three stories including witches, fortune tellers, and a strange encounter with...
La "Epa" Colombia
22 Sep 2021
Contributed by Lukas
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 ...
De tú y usted
16 Sep 2021
Contributed by Lukas
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 ex...
Intermediate 36: Porque el optimismo nos parece simplón
03 Jun 2021
Contributed by Lukas
Link to El País article
Intermediate 35: Nuestras historias en objetos
21 May 2021
Contributed by Lukas
Lis and Rob discuss some of their most precious items, and why they are important to them in their lives.
Intermediate 34: Volver de compras
01 May 2021
Contributed by Lukas
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 "windo...
Intermediate 33: Los estereotipos
29 Mar 2021
Contributed by Lukas
Rob and Lis discuss stereotypes, and why they are a problem. ¿Somos todos sesgados? ¿Todos hacemos juicios de valor?
Intermediate 32: Los hipster
19 Mar 2021
Contributed by Lukas
Rob and Lis discuss hipsters around the world, and whether they consider themselves to be hipsters!
Intermediate 31: Construction
12 Mar 2021
Contributed by Lukas
Our house is slowly falling apart, and the neighbour started complaining. This would never happen in Colombia... Plus, building an apartment in Colomb...
Intermediate 30: Life in lockdown
22 Feb 2021
Contributed by Lukas
Rob and Lis discuss how they've spent their days in lockdown
Intermediate 29: Worst jobs
05 Jun 2018
Contributed by Lukas
We discuss the worst jobs we've ever had
Intermediate 28: Uber
22 May 2018
Contributed by Lukas
We discuss Uber, and the future of the Gig Economy
Intermediate 27: The Earthquake
18 May 2018
Contributed by Lukas
Rob travelled around Mexico, and was in Ciudad de Mejico during a large earthquake. Hear about his firsthand experience.
Intermediate 26: News
26 Jun 2017
Contributed by Lukas
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.
Intermediate 25: Birthdays
19 Jun 2017
Contributed by Lukas
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...
Intermediate 24: Glastonbury (part 2)
12 Jun 2017
Contributed by Lukas
Lis continues telling us of her time in Glastonbury Festival.
Intermediate 23: Glastonbury (part 1)
05 Jun 2017
Contributed by Lukas
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.
Intermediate 22: El viaje
29 May 2017
Contributed by Lukas
We talk about the final few days of our time in Spain, when we visited Rob’s favourite city – Valencia.
Intermediate 21: Una Colombiana en España
19 Aug 2014
Contributed by Lukas
We talk about the next part of our holidays, where we travel to Barcelona.
Intermediate 20: Viaje a Francia
12 Aug 2014
Contributed by Lukas
We took some holidays recently (again - we do work sometimes, honest!), starting with a wedding in Toulouse, France. Here, we talk about our experienc...
Intermediate 19: Cultural etiquette
05 Aug 2014
Contributed by Lukas
We talk about a few of the cultural norms in both England and South America, and how different they can be!
Intermediate 18: 5 surprising things about Colombia
03 Aug 2014
Contributed by Lukas
Rob tells Liz about 5 surprising things he learnt when he was in Colombia.
Intermediate Spanish 17: Vivir con los padres
01 Jun 2014
Contributed by Lukas
According to recent statistics, 55% of Spanish people between 25-29 live at home with their parents - part of an increasing trend around Europe. Here,...
Intermediate Spanish 16: Las Mascotas
29 May 2014
Contributed by Lukas
Liz and Rob talk about their childhood pets, and Liz's suicidal chickens!
Intermediate Spanish 15: La Finca
27 May 2014
Contributed by Lukas
Liz tells us about her Aunt and Uncle's farm in Moniquira, Colombia!
Intermediate Spanish 14: Addiction
25 May 2014
Contributed by Lukas
Do you think there's such a thing as an "addictive personality"? Do you have one? Here, we discuss our various addictions, both good and bad.
Intermediate Spanish 13: Pastimes
11 Feb 2014
Contributed by Lukas
We talk about our "hobbies, pasatiempos, y aficiones" - do you know the difference? Do you have any hobbies or pastimes? Or, did you used to have some...
Intermediate Spanish 12: Los Mercados
14 Jan 2014
Contributed by Lukas
We recently started to shop in markets, rather than supermarkets, and have really come to appreciate them. We talk about the day we went shopping in o...
Intermediate Spanish 11: El Dinero
29 Jul 2013
Contributed by Lukas
We talk about the grease that keeps our capitalist wheels spinning, including slang phrases and terms, and a crazy story about a Colombian Pyramid Sch...
Intermediate Spanish 10: La Fruta Tropical
16 May 2013
Contributed by Lukas
Tropical fruits from Colombia
Intermediate Spanish 9: Coffee
01 May 2013
Contributed by Lukas
The world's most popular drug: Coffee!
Intermediate Spanish 8: Sleep
23 Apr 2013
Contributed by Lukas
We talk about our sleeping habits and customs
Intermediate Spanish 7: Fashion
04 Apr 2013
Contributed by Lukas
We discuss English and Colombian attitudes to fashion
Intermediate Spanish 6: White Lies
22 Mar 2013
Contributed by Lukas
We discuss "las mentiras piadosas" - white lies!
Intermediate Spanish 5: TV
19 Mar 2013
Contributed by Lukas
Liz explains why TV is such a central part of a Latin American's lifestyle! We cover "telenovelas" such as "Betty La Fea" (Ugly Betty), morning shows,...
Intermediate 4: Alcohol
12 Mar 2013
Contributed by Lukas
Rob and Liz discuss a recent night of "juerga", and the unfortunate consequences the next day! Spanish conversation around our experiences with alcoho...
Intermediate 3: Plastic Surgery
05 Mar 2013
Contributed by Lukas
Would you consider getting plastic surgery? What part of your body would you reduce/tighten up/enlarge? We talk about "la cirugía plástica," which i...
Intermediate 2: About Rob
26 Feb 2013
Contributed by Lukas
Liz quizzes Rob on his language learning and travel experiences
Intermediate 1: We are Spanish Obsessed!
19 Feb 2013
Contributed by Lukas
Meet Rob and Liz of Spanish Obsessed, in our very first podcast!