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Just over 10 years ago, on September 26, 2014, a tragedy occurred in Guerrero, Mexico. 43 students heading to a protest in the capital vanished off the face of the Earth — or actually, they were taken off the face of the Earth.
But nobody knew where, and nobody seemed to know who had taken them. All there was, was a flimsy explanation that was quickly accepted as "the official truth" by many.
However, the families wouldn't give up, and the country was soon to light on fire as everyone, inside and outside Mexico, demanded to know what happened to the Ayotzinapa 43.
In this sad but hopeful story of how the common people can go up against even the most powerful government and win, if they have the self-belief, we discover the fates of the missing Ayozinapa 43, while learning Spanish as a native!
Transcript of this episode is available at: https://podcast.lingomastery.com/listen/1634 -
Climatology might seem like it's been around forever, but it's actually one of the newer sciences. One of the fathers of this science was Alexander von Humboldt, who traveled to South America and Mexico with one goal in mind—to demystify the New World and illuminate how the so-called "primitive" natives really lived there.
In an extended journey across several nations with his companion, Aimé Bonpland, the scientists studied animals, mountains, the weather, people, settlements, volcanoes... practically anything they could get their hands on, documenting everything they could, and making discoveries that blew European minds, once they made it back home.
In fact, much of the modern climatology knowledge we possess, including wind currents, is a result of Humboldt's work, which is why he is held in great esteem to this day.
But I'm not going to spoil any details here - check out the newest episode of the Learn Spanish with Stories podcast and enjoy!
Transcript of this episode is available at: https://podcast.lingomastery.com/listen/1601 -
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The U.S. has a shady history in Latin America - we all know this, as much as might love the United States. From the full-blown coups in Operation Condor to CIA involvement in protests, Latin America has often been relegated to becoming "the United States' back yard".
But nothing is worse than what happened at the Bay of Pigs. You see, the invasion was planned and approved, and everything was ready for the removal of Fidel Castro... but at the last minute, JFK called most of it off, with soldiers already on their way to the coasts of the island.
And don't get me started on what that led to: the Cuban Missile Crisis, or in other words, the closest we've been to nuclear armageddon.
You're going to need to listen to this week's episode of the Learn Spanish with Stories podcast to find out the rest - it's pretty wild.
Transcript of this episode is available at: https://podcast.lingomastery.com/listen/1568 -
Mexico has been through its fair share of injustice when it comes to foreign powers, and I'm not even talking of that time when they signed away 55% of its territory to the United States of America, but of something much more ridiculous.
You see, in the 1830s, a small dispute over a local bakery turned into an international geopolitical conflict between Mexico and France, with bombings, embargoes and tensions heightened to the maximum. It also led us to learn just how vulnerable Latin American countries were when faced with a European tyrant.
But this small description isn't enough to explain how bizarre the entire situation was, so I recommend you 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/1535 -
Billionaires, whether you love them or hate them, have shaped a big part of the modern tech world, and are well-known for building some of the most impressive business ventures.
Latin America, though not a Silicon Valley, has individuals who have amassed a large amount of their own wealth, whether through going big on a single startup or by patiently build their own empires.
In this episode of the Learn Spanish with Stories podcast, we'll discover just who these impressive fortunes belong to, and how they managed to get so wealthy in a region where inequality is so rife. Enjoy the episode!
Transcript of this episode is available at: https://podcast.lingomastery.com/listen/1502 -
The Mayan Civilization has long been held in an air of mystery - we're familiar with how the infamous calendar made everybody think the world was ending in 2012, due to how accurately the Mayans had mapped out the cycles and astronomy in such a primitive time.
But there is more to the Mayans than apocalyptical scenarios and astronomy. In fact, they were one of the most advanced early civilizations in the world, and advanced technology, medicine and culture in the region by centuries within a short time.
And there is so much more that you might not know, including the fact that the Mayas predated the Aztecs, how they transmitted their knowledge, and how their civilization came to an end (but is still around today)... but for that, you're going to have to listen to this week's episode.
Enjoy!
Transcript of this episode is available at: https://podcast.lingomastery.com/listen/1469 -
Belize is a country you rarely hear about, but we can promise you: it is actually one of the most interesting in all of Latin America. With possibly one of the most interesting and diverse mix of ethnicities and cultures, Belize stands out from other nations as Spanish is *not* an official language here.
So today, we will accompany our traveling friend, Eduardo, as he explores this amazing nation and goes to some of the most impressive natural reserves you'll ever discover in an episode of the Learn Spanish with Stories podcast!
Enjoy the episode, and start preparing your next trip to the country known lovingly as "The Jewel" - you definitely will want to go when you're done listening.
Transcript of this episode is available at: https://podcast.lingomastery.com/listen/143e m -
Simón Bolívar is known as the Liberator, and he rightly gained this title... but there is another, one who fought as hard as Bolivar but was nowhere near as recognized as the Venezuelan: José de San Martín.
Born in Argentina and raised as a Spanish soldier who fought for the Spanish Empire, José de San Martín's eyes were opened to the human desire for freedom, and made it his personal goal not only to topple the Spanish colonizers in South America, but to do it in the humblest and most selfless way possible.
You see, San Martin did not want the fame or the glory of becoming "the Liberator" that Simon Bolivar did, and when he was at his peak, having achieved so much and saved so many lives... he gave his power away.
Find out why, and what exactly this legendary figure did, in this week's episode of the Learn Spanish with Stories podcast!
Transcript of this episode is available at: https://podcast.lingomastery.com/listen/1403 -
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 -
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 - Visa fler
