Ben Curtis and Marina Diez

Real Spanish Conversations, by Notes in Spanish

Ben and Marina from Notesinspanish.com bring you the real Spanish you'll never find in a textbook or app, so you have amazing real life experiences with your Spanish!

Author

Ben Curtis and Marina Diez

Category

Education

Podcast website

www.notesinspanish.com

Latest episode

Jul 8, 2026

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Episodes

Is This Guy Superhuman? Real Spanish Conversation 08.07.2026

Get the Full "Real Fluency Collection" Course Here: https://www.notesinspanish.com/sp/the-real-fluency-collection/ Free "Real Spanish Fluency Roadmap" PDF: https://www.notesinspanish.com/op/fluency-report-yt/ In this video we look at the Catalan superhuman mountain-superstar Kílian Jornet, and his incredible record-breaking route in the Alps (82 peaks over 4,000 metres in the Alps, in 19 days). Ma...

One City, Two Famous Painters : Real Spanish Conversation 29.06.2026

Get the Full "Real Fluency Collection" Course Here: https://www.notesinspanish.com/sp/the-real-fluency-collection/ (With the Early Bird Discount on Now!) Today, we're back in Toledo to discuss two of Spain's most famous painters. Make sure you get the full Real Fluency Collection course that goes with this video and includes: - 12 Core Video Units with complete pro subtitles, so you miss nothing -...

Toledo : Real Spanish Conversation 25.06.2026

Get the Full "Real Fluency Collection" Course Here: https://www.notesinspanish.com/sp/the-real-fluency-collection/ (With the Early Bird Discount on Now!) Today, we take you to the amazing city of Toledo, for a real Spanish conversation about this amazing city. Make sure you get the full Real Fluency Collection course that goes with this video and includes: - 12 Core Video Units with complete pro s...

Walking In 2,000 Years of Spanish History | Real Spanish Conversation 24.06.2026

Improve your Spanish with a real conversation between Ben and Marina in the stunning Fuenfría Valley near Madrid. We talk about Hemingway, Roman history and why these mountains have such a special place in our hearts. Make sure you get our newsletter ahead of the launch of the Real Spanish Fluency collection later this week! https://www.notesinspanish.com/op/fluent/

How to stay clever in an AI world! (Real Spanish Conversation) 26.05.2026

Today we share some great Spanish slang and a Real Spanish Conversation about how to stay 'listos', clever, in an AI world. Tell us what you think in the comments! Free "Real Spanish Fluency Roadmap" PDF: https://www.notesinspanish.com/op/fluent/ Get the Course for your level: https://www.notesinspanish.com/store-home/

Madrid Slang and Real Spanish Chat - What % do you get? 26.05.2026

Today we share some great Spanish slang and a Real Spanish Conversation about life in the old days in Spain vs the UK. What percentage did you understand? Free "Real Spanish Fluency Roadmap" PDF: https://www.notesinspanish.com/op/fluent/ Get the Course for your level: https://www.notesinspanish.com/store-home/

Gap vs Gain: Your Amazing Spanish Progress (Real Spanish Conversation) 07.05.2026

In today's Real Spanish Conversation we discuss the concept of the Gap and the Gain, and how it can help you really reassess how far you've come with your Spanish so far! Free "Real Spanish Fluency Roadmap" PDF: https://www.notesinspanish.com/op/fluent/ Get the Spanish Course for your level: https://www.notesinspanish.com/store-home/

Spain's Best Habit? (Real Spanish Conversation) 23.04.2026

In today's Real Spanish Conversation we discuss the 'fantastic Spanish custom of the Aperitivo, plus pull out some great Spanish words and phrases you need to know. Free '15 Slang Phrases Every Spanish Learner Must Know!' report: https://www.notesinspanish.com/op/fluent/ Get the Course for your level: https://www.notesinspanish.com/store-home/

Are Phones Making Us Worse? (Real Spanish Conversation) 15.04.2026

In today's Real Spanish Conversation we discuss the 'peliagudo' topic of whether we are actually better off of not in the age of the mobile phone - and what our brother-in-law did with his to try to make his life better! PLUS analysis of 3 great bits of very colloquial Spanish from the conversation. Free '15 Spanish Slang Phrases Every Intermediate Learner Must Know!' report: https://www.notesinsp...

Why You STILL Can't Understand Fast Spanish (Even After Years) 07.04.2026

Why fast Spanish still sounds like one long word, and how to finally start understanding and enjoying real Spanish conversations with native speakers when you are intermediate and above. Free '15 Spanish Slang Phrases Every Intermediate Learner Must Know!' report +: 8 Fluency Secrets: https://www.notesinspanish.com/op/fluent/ Get our REAL Intermediate Course: https://www.notesinspanish.com/sp/real...

Test Your Spanish - De Cine 🎬 - What % Do You Get? 01.04.2026

In this Spanish listening challenge we have a natural 3-minute conversation about films and cinema — your task is to listen and see what percentage you catch. Remember, even 2% is a win! Free '15 Spanish Slang Phrases Every Intermediate Learner Must Know!' report: https://www.notesinspanish.com/op/fluent/ Get our REAL Intermediate Course: https://www.notesinspanish.com/sp/real-intermediate/ Ben &...

Why Spanish Speakers Say "Ya" 50 Times a Day (And What It Means) 26.03.2026

If you've ever listened to a native Spanish speaker for long, you've heard the word "YA" about a thousand times. But what does it actually mean? Is it "now"? Is it "already"? Is it "stop"? The truth is: It's all of them... and more. Today, we're breaking down the "Swiss Army Knife" of Spanish vocabulary. Mastering this one tiny word is the ultimate shortcut to sounding less like a textbook and mor...

You Already Know the Spanish Subjunctive: Real Subjunctive Wins 1 17.03.2026

Today we look at two expressions Spanish speakers use all the time, simple phrases that reveal one of the key ideas behind the Spanish subjunctive, how emotion is involved! To find out when our Super Spanish Subjunctive Challenge is released, join our newsletter here: Free '15 Spanish Slang Phrases Every Intermediate Learner Must Know!' report: https://www.notesinspanish.com/op/fluent/ Get our REA...

When You Freeze in Spanish… Say This 11.03.2026

Do you ever freeze when speaking Spanish and need a moment to think? In this episode we talk about muletillas — the small words and phrases Spanish speakers use all the time to buy themselves a little thinking time. They also make you sound much more Spanish, because native speakers use them all the time! Free '15 Spanish Slang Phrases Every Intermediate Learner Must Know!' report: https://www.not...

Spanish Parties Last 7 Hours?! (Real Spanish Conversation) 04.03.2026

What are Spanish parties really like? We share a real Spanish conversation about a recent birthday party for our daughter that lasted an incredible seven hours! Free '15 Spanish Slang Phrases Every Intermediate Learner Must Know!' report: https://www.notesinspanish.com/op/fluent/ Get our REAL Intermediate Course: https://www.notesinspanish.com/sp/real-intermediate/

Good at Reading, Bad at Speaking? Your Spanish Is Out of Balance 19.02.2026

Are you good at reading Spanish but struggle to understand fast speakers or speak confidently? You're not alone — it's very common for different language skills to grow at different speeds. Here explain why Spanish skills get out of balance and how to fix it, using a real Spanish conversation and simple, practical strategies to help you strengthen your weakest areas and keep making steady progress...

The Day You Stop Translating Spanish in Your Head (It WILL Happen, Here's How) 12.02.2026

Do you still translate Spanish in your head before you speak? You're not alone — and it's completely normal at the intermediate stage. In this video, we explain why it happens, why it's actually a good sign, and how you can move past it. Free '15 Spanish Slang Phrases Every Intermediate Learner Must Know!' report: https://www.notesinspanish.com/op/fluent/ Get our Courses here: https://www.notesins...

Stop Saying "Hace Mal Tiempo" – Say This Instead 06.02.2026

Is it really normal for it to rain this much in Madrid? In this video, we reveal the answer in a real Spanish conversation, explore real Spanish weather slang — from chirimiri to día de perros — and give you some much better phrases than just "hace mal tiempo". Free '15 Spanish Slang Phrases Every Intermediate Learner Must Know!' report: https://www.notesinspanish.com/op/fluent/ Get "The Inner Cir...

Spanish Slang: You Think You Know 'Vale'… But Do You? 03.02.2026

'Vale' is one of the most common words in spoken Spanish — and one of the most confusing for learners. You hear it constantly in real conversations, films, and everyday life in Spain, but it rarely means just "OK".... Free '15 Spanish Slang Phrases Every Intermediate Learner Must Know!' report: https://www.notesinspanish.com/op/fluent/ Get our Courses here: https://www.notesinspanish.com/store-hom...

Real Spanish Slang: ¡Qué rollo! Explained 22.01.2026

"Rollo" is one of those Spanish words you hear constantly… and yet it's surprisingly hard to pin down. In today's Real Spanish Conversation, we explore how Spaniards use rollo, qué rollo, no te enrolles and many more essential slang phrases in everyday life. Free '15 Spanish Slang Phrases Every Intermediate Learner Must Know!' report: https://www.notesinspanish.com/op/fluent/ Get our Courses here:...

Why Spanish Makes You Feel More Alive 15.01.2026

Today's real, unscripted Spanish conversation is all about what gives us a real feeling of vitality in life, and how learning Spanish can have that effect! Free '15 Spanish Slang Phrases Every Intermediate Learner Must Know!' report: https://www.notesinspanish.com/op/fluent/ Get our Courses here: https://www.notesinspanish.com/store-home/

Real Spanish Grows Outside the Comfort Zone - Listening Training 01.01.2026

Today's real, unscripted Spanish conversation is all about pushing past your comfort zone. It's never easy — but it can change everything. Free '15 Spanish Slang Phrases Every Intermediate Learner Must Know!' report: https://www.notesinspanish.com/op/fluent/ Get our R.E.A.L. Intermediate Course now: https://www.notesinspanish.com/sp/notes-in-spanish-real-intermediate/

Real Spanish Conversation: Big Music Surprise! 19.12.2025

Today's real, unscripted Spanish conversation is all about music, age, and how we reacted (with some shock!) to Spotify's yearly round up — perfect for improving your Spanish listening skills and real-world vocabulary. Free '15 Spanish Slang Phrases Every Intermediate Learner Must Know!' report: https://www.notesinspanish.com/op/fluent/ Get our R.E.A.L. Intermediate Course now: https://www.notesin...

Real Spanish Listening Challenge - Books Chat 📖 19.12.2025

Improve your Spanish listening skills with this real Spanish conversation on our reading habits in today's busy on-line life. Free '15 Spanish Slang Phrases Every Intermediate Learner Must Know!' report: https://www.notesinspanish.com/op/fluent/ Get our R.E.A.L. Intermediate Course now: https://www.notesinspanish.com/sp/notes-in-spanish-real-intermediate/

The Spanish Xmas Problem & Your Listening Breakthrough 03.12.2025

It's time for another Spanish listening challenge, while you tune in to Marina and I, Ben, talking about a very difficult topic in our bi-cultural relationship! Free '15 Spanish Slang Phrases Every Intermediate Learner Must Know!' report: https://www.notesinspanish.com/op/fluent/ Get our R.E.A.L. Intermediate Course now: https://www.notesinspanish.com/sp/notes-in-spanish-real-intermediate/

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