Learn Spanish with Stories

There have been some wonderful female heroes throughout history, and South America is no exception. Policarpa Salavarrieta (La Pola) is one of the most famous cases of them all: a woman who defied a massive colonizing force to wake the people of Colombia to the desire for freedom and independence, and whose story ended in an ambiguous (positive) way.

In this episode of the Learn Spanish with Stories podcast, we are going to explore the life of La Pola, what drove her to fight the Spanish colonization of her nation, how she managed to stay "low-key" while others were rapidly caught and arrested, and how she left a lasting mark on the history of Colombia.

Enjoy the episode - we always make sure you learn Spanish while discovering more about Latin America!

Transcript of this episode is available at: https://podcast.lingomastery.com/listen/4604

The US and other international powers have been meddling in Latin America for as long as we can remember, but one of the worst cases of foreign intervention (ever) occurred in Nicaragua, in the mid-19th Century (and may explain Nicaragua's strong apprehension towards the US today).

William Walker. Manifest Destiny. Have you ever heard of these terms? William Walker was a military man with ambitions to rule, who took advantage of a civil war in Nicaragua to offer his help and show up as the heroic savior of the country...

But things soon turned ugly as he decided he had more plans than just earning a living as a mercenary, and decided to take power as the ruling leader of Nicaragua, soon expanding his plans to take over other countries in Central America, and an international war broke out!

However, his plans didn't end up as he wished they had, and an ugly surprise was awaiting Walker in the conclusion of this tale... but you'll have to listen to the latest episode of the Learn Spanish with Stories podcast to find out how exactly is all went down! Enjoy!

Transcript of this episode is available at: https://podcast.lingomastery.com/listen/4571

The FIFA World Cup is probably the world's biggest sport event, viewed by over 1 BILLION people worldwide, but how did it begin, and why did a tiny South American country, Uruguay, get the honor of hosting its first ever edition?

In this episode of the Learn Spanish with Stories Podcast, we travel all the way back to the late 1920s, when preparations were just starting for the first ever FIFA World Cup, and discover why the United Kingdom (and England, especially) ended up feeling bitter about this competition.

Also, we learn about the legendary Jules Rimet, and why the first version of the World Cup trophy was dedicated to him. Enjoy the history of this wonderful sporting event while learning Spanish with our latest episode!


Transcript of this episode is available at: https://podcast.lingomastery.com/listen/4539

Though controversial, it would be plausible to say that Venezuela has always had controversial leaders, with some bringing glory to the nation, and others bringing sorrow and pain.

In the case of José Antonio Páez, both things were simultaneously true, and this strongman and farmer-turned-soldier is an often discussed individual in the history not only of Venezuela, but all nations belonging to "La Gran Colombia" (Colombia, Ecuador, Panama, and Venezuela).

Famously credited for one of the most incredible military successes ever - at the Battle of Las Queseras del Medio - where he led 153 mounted soldiers against a force of 1,500 Spaniards and won (losing less than 5 men in the process!), Páez's story is one worth talking about... and that's what today's episode of the Learn Spanish with Stories Podcast is about.

Dictator? Hero? You decide...

Transcript of this episode is available at: https://podcast.lingomastery.com/listen/4505

What makes somebody "Latin American?" (or Latino*?) Is it being born in Latin America? Is it being born to Latino parents? Or is it adopting the culture and actually feeling Latino?

In this special DUAL NARRATOR episode, we go over this frustration that so many Latinos and non-Latinos can go through, especially those who have been born to Latino parents outside of Latin America, or who have left Latin America at a young age.

Starring Elisa, a young Dominican Lady who left DR at a very young age, and Tobias, born and raised in the UK but now living in Argentina, we learn how the "Latinidad" is something that can be as easily born into as it can be acquired, and why Latino pride goes beyond blood.


Transcript of this episode is available at: https://podcast.lingomastery.com/listen/4472

*NOTE: In this episode, our host Anthony also explains why "Latinx" is actually not a thing, and why you should stop using this aberration of a word. Give it a listen!

There is a country in South America that is particularly "different" from its neighbors in many ways, but the most interesting is its language and culture: I'm talking about Paraguay.


Not only is the only nation where the most-spoken language is an indigenous language (Guaraní), but it also has a very strong "mestizo" presence (over 93%), making it one of the most homogeneous demographies in Latin America. 

But who are the Guaraní, and what makes them so special - and more importantly, what does the future hold for this unique culture, language, and Paraguay as the world evolves? Find out the answers and gain more Spanish fluency in the latest episode of the Learn Spanish with Stories podcast!


Transcript of this episode is available at: https://podcast.lingomastery.com/listen/4439

Economic crises are nothing new to us, especially in these times of unpredictability and instability, but Latin America took it to a WHOLE new level in the 1970s.


During a particularly wealthy economic period, banks in the US and other rich nations began to lend billions in cash with few conditions (really, all they asked was "pay it later"), with Latin American governments siphoning it all up to modernize their nations and invest in the future... sadly, the prices of raw materials that these countries exported soon fell, and the Federal Reserve decided to raise interest rates.

Soon, leaders of these nations started to tremble, and when banks arrived to demand their money and the first of these countries simply said: "We can't pay", all hell broke loose. Find out how it happened and what happened next in this weeks¡ episode of the Learn Spanish with Stories Podcast!

Transcript of this episode is available at: https://podcast.lingomastery.com/listen/4406

Latin America, a region of almost 700 million people, speaks mostly one language (Brazil will have to forgive us for this generalization), but we're not talking of one single Spanish language that everyone understands.

In fact, each country has its own dialects, sayings, and differences that can be as crucial as they can be careful - after all, some completely normal words in one nation could sound rude or weird in others. So how do you, as a Spanish learner, avoid making a mistake and/or seeming non-native as soon as you open your mouth?

Find out the best sayings in each country, how to use them and sound like you've been there for years, and the differences from one dialect to the next, in the latest Learn Spanish with Stories podcast by Lingo Mastery.

Transcript of this episode is available at: https://podcast.lingomastery.com/listen/4373

We rarely hear about the local wars in South America, but some were just as ugly and crude as the historical wars in Europe and the US - and the Thousand Day War (technically, the 1,130 Day War, but the given name sounds catchier) was no different.

A conflict that initiated when Colombia's Liberals decided that enough was enough, and that they would not stand for the corruption and impoverishment committed by the Conservatives, and picked up their tools and makeshift weapons to fight.

A war that started small but soon lit up across the nation like wildfire, this horrible civil conflict destroyed homes, lands, and families. But who won, and why is this story so linked to the birth of Panama as a nation? 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/4341

Spain, just like Latin America, has been a popular place to visit and move to as an expat, due to its beautiful beaches, modern cities, and great food. However, also like Latin America, it is affected by corruption, a lack of opportunities, and overall, bad policies that are making life harder for its citizens.

And while many of its ministers and politicians flock to social media to make claims on how well the country is doing, the youth of the country is questioning if it's worth it to continue living there, with 60% of the younger generation claiming that they don't think their lives will be better than their parents'.

In this episode, we do a deep dive on just what is holding Spain back and, ironically, what might gradually turn Spain into a European version of Latin America if they don't make the right fixes now.

Transcript of this episode is available at: https://podcast.lingomastery.com/listen/4076