Easy Podcast - La historia de la flor de Nochebuena o 'Poinsettia' - Easy Español
Spanish On the Go! - Improve your listening comprehension skills with our authentic podcasts
Release Date: 11/29/2024
Easy Podcast - María Zambrano, the most brilliant mind of the Spanish-speaking world - Easy Español
Spanish On the Go! - Improve your listening comprehension skills with our authentic podcasts
Maria Zambrano is one of the brightest minds in the Spanish-speaking region. She was an essayist and philosopher, originally from Spain. Her life was marked, first, by the Spanish Civil War and then by World War II, conflicts that forced her into exile and strongly influenced her work. She lived in Spain, France, Italy, Mexico, Puerto Rico, Cuba, Chile and more places, all while constantly writing and publishing her groundbreaking and influential work in politics, the arts, and philosophy. Click play to hear more about the life, work, and legacy of this brilliant and restless woman...
info_outline
Easy Podcast - Spirituality or shamanism? How spiritual forces affect health in Latin America - Easy Español
Spanish On the Go! - Improve your listening comprehension skills with our authentic podcasts
In Latin America the advancements of modern medicine and science coexist with ancient beliefs that blame different physical ailments on 'spiritual forces'. These evils usually manifest as negative energies found in certain locations (abandoned buildings, crossroads, accident sites, etc) or used by other people to cause harm. Perhaps el mal de ojo (evil eye) is the better known one, but all throughout Latin America we can find different types of spiritual afflictions that can only be cured -according to ancient beliefs- by very specific rituals involving herbs, cleanses, or prayers. Click play...
info_outline
Easy Podcast - Pepe Mujica, the Guerilla fighter turned President - Easy Español
Spanish On the Go! - Improve your listening comprehension skills with our authentic podcasts
Pepe Mujica was not an ordinary politician. As a young man, his pursuit for equality, social justice, and the defense of human rights, led him to join a guerrilla group. As a consequence, Mujica spent 12 years imprisoned, beaten, tortured, and isolated during the Uruguayan dictatorship, but they could not break his spirit or his principles. Once democracy returned to Uruguay, Mujica dedicated his life to public service holding positions as congressman, senator, minister and president without ever betraying his beliefs and living in the same modest way in which he grew up. Tune in to...
info_outline
Easy Podcast - Burundanga, The bewitching flower - Easy Español
Spanish On the Go! - Improve your listening comprehension skills with our authentic podcasts
The 'burundanga', better known in English as angel's trumpet, is a cursed flower. This beautiful, delicate, and fragrant flower is extremely toxic and it can cause hallucinations, disorientation, control loss, memory loss, paralysis, induce comas and even death. Historically, this flower was used for medical and shamanistic purposes only. However, in recent times, this toxic flower has gained popularity among criminals in many parts of South America, Mexico and even Europe who use it to easily manipulate their victims. Click play to hear more about the tradition, benefits and dangers of the...
info_outline
Easy Podcast - 'Chucho el Roto', The Brilliant Mexican Bandit with a Good Heart - Easy Español
Spanish On the Go! - Improve your listening comprehension skills with our authentic podcasts
Jesús Arriaga, better known as 'Chucho el Roto', is a popular figure in Mexican culture. Class inequalities in Mexican society forced him into a life of crime early on, but Chucho el Roto became a bandit with a strict code of honor: steal from the rich, give to the poor, and no use of violence. A true master of disguise and deceit, soon enough the spectacular deeds of this 'Mexican Robin Hood' earned him the admiration of the lower classes and the loathing of the authorities. Click play to learn more about this Mexican folk hero that has inspired countless songs, books, movies, documentaries...
info_outline
Easy Podcast - Historietas, comics as a reflection of Mexican society - Easy Español
Spanish On the Go! - Improve your listening comprehension skills with our authentic podcasts
In Mexico, las historietas (comics) emerged in the 20th century as the ideal narrative media for the middle and lower classes. Thanks to their low cost, las historietas were able to reach a massive audience serving both as entertainment and as a reflection of the realities of Mexican society. Witty, sarcastic, and full of endearing characters, las historietas used humor to bring attention to important issues facing the nation. Click play to hear about three emblematic historietas and their cultural significance in Mexican society.
info_outline
Easy Podcast - Women in Power in Latin America - Easy Español
Spanish On the Go! - Improve your listening comprehension skills with our authentic podcasts
For centuries, women had a prominent role in Latin American societies, but the 20th and 21st centuries in particular saw them rise to power to the highest office in Chile, Argentina, Bolivia, Panama, Peru, and other countries in the region. This coming Sunday, April 13th, Ecuador is having a presidential election and Luisa González is a strong candidate to become the next president of Ecuador, adding to the more than a dozen women who have led their countries in the region. Click play to learn about the women in power that have made history and continue breaking new ground.
info_outline
Easy Podcast - Tikal and the splendor of Maya culture - Easy Español
Spanish On the Go! - Improve your listening comprehension skills with our authentic podcasts
Located deep in the Guatemalan rainforest, Tikal was a political, religious and economic hub for the Maya civilization. Dating back to approximately 750 BC, this metropolis -known by the Maya as Yax Mutul- soon started to take shape thanks to its impressive temples full of ornamental and architectural features that continue to dazzle many centuries later. Nowadays, Tikal constitutes one of the largest Maya archeological sites in the whole region and has been named a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Click play to uncover the secrets of this splendorous ancient city and its importance in the world of...
info_outline
Easy Podcast - 'El Poder Brutal', a controversial sculpture from Ecuador - Easy Español
Spanish On the Go! - Improve your listening comprehension skills with our authentic podcasts
In 1987, after a mountain in Ecuador was partially detonated, a shocking discovery was made. There, carved on the stone, was a massive face with horns, a prominent nose and fangs. This colossal sculpture sent shockwaves through the country and the speculations about its origins and significance ran wild. The real story behind this figure, however, was a true testament to the power of art and the drive of creativity. It was named 'El Poder brutal'. Click play to dive into the mystery of 'El Poder brutal', the striking face secretly carved into an Ecuadorian mountain.
info_outline
Easy Podcast - Las Fallas, Valencia's fire festival - Easy Español
Spanish On the Go! - Improve your listening comprehension skills with our authentic podcasts
The Fallas is a traditional celebration held in commemoration of Saint Joseph in the city of Valencia, Spain, throughout the month of March. The term Fallas refers to both the festivity -marked by fireworks, music, dancing, parades, and religious offerings- and the colorful and whimsical monuments that are burnt down during its climax. People in Valencia work year-round to prepare the 'ninots', elaborated sculptures that carry social, cultural and political symbolism, and people from around the world gather in Valencia to see them go up in flames. Click play to learn more about this loud...
info_outlineThe bright red flower known as Poinsettia is a common sight during the Christmas holidays.
However, not many people know that this flower comes from Mexico and that it held an important place in Aztec society. With the arrival of the Spanish missioners and the merging of native and catholic traditions, the Poinsettia quickly became a staple of Christmas decorations.
Click play to hear the fascinating story of the Poinsettia or flor de Nochebuena (Christmas Eve flower):