Learn Spanish with Stories

Have you ever wondered why Paraguay isn’t really a big, star destination in South America? In fact, it’s actually one of the least talked about locations in all of Latin America despite its size and location.

Well, this might have a lot to do with the fact that it went through a truly terrible war in the 1800s that decimated its infrastructure and even its population (up to HALF of Paraguayans died!), leaving the country more or less in ruins, and in need of serious rebuilding.

And who were the culprits? That would be an interesting alliance between the Empire of Brazil (yes, it was an empire once), Argentina and Uruguay – in other words, what would be known as The Triple Alliance.

But what caused the War of the Triple Alliance, and why did it get so ugly? Find out in today’s episode of the Learn Spanish with Stories podcast!

Transcript of this episode is available at: https://podcast.lingomastery.com/listen/1175

One of the most interesting thing about sports in Latin America is how varied they can be, with most of them having been imported from Europe. However, there is one particular sport that Latin Americans haven’t simply adopted but actually mastered, playing it at a level that surpasses those who influenced them to play it in the first place. We’re talking about baseball.

With countless athletes from Mexico, Central America and the Caribbean, and both Colombia and Venezuela holding some of the most incredible world records, it is clear that Latin Americans have a level of domination seen in few other sports. Let’s dive into this subject in our latest episode of Learn Spanish with Stories!

Transcript of this episode is available at: https://podcast.lingomastery.com/listen/1083

We have reached the Season 1 Finale of our podcast – and this episode is a bit different. Although we have typically told the story from a third-person perspective (apart from Episode 2 – Últimas Horas), this episode is a first-person tale by your narrator, Anthony, in which he explains just how Latin America can take over your heart and mind. With its natural beauty, wonderful locations, lovely people and fantastic variety of cultures, Latin America is a place to love.

And just as importantly, he explains the problems that you may face while there, alongside how Latin Americans deal with them to be among the happiest and positive people on the entire planet.

The end of the first season of our Spanish-learning journey, this is Episode 36 of our Learn Spanish with Stories podcast – Why We Love Latin America. Enjoy... and see you in Season 2! (Coming in October 2022)

Transcript of this episode is available at: https://podcast.lingomastery.com/listen/1074

In 1985, Colombia was going through one of its most terrible periods in all its history. On one side, Pablo Escobar was destabilizing the nation with his drug trade and violence, and the Cali Cartel was growing in power. On the other, only two years before, a terrible earthquake had destroyed the city of Popayán, scarring the memories of local citizens and bringing fear to those around the nation.

But before the nation could recover, an even more horrific event struck – one that would be seared not only into the minds of Colombians, but of all humans worldwide. The brave, pleading eyes of Omayra Sanchez, the desperation of her rescuers, the pain and terror following a volcanic eruption and the avalanche of hot mud that followed...

This is the story of the eruption of Nevado del Ruiz: the Armero Tragedy, and all the horror - as well as the courage - that followed.

Transcript of this episode is available at: https://podcast.lingomastery.com/listen/1172

Eva 'Evita' Perón, a woman who caused so much amazement and admiration over the decades that even Madonna, the Queen of Pop, begged to play her in a film. A young woman who, despite growing into the wealth of Argentine politics, actually came from a poor background and knew what it meant to be hungry.
The wife of controversial president, Juan Domingo Perón, Evita was a radically contrasting figure. On the one hand, she mingled with the poor and brought women's rights forward a few decades...
On the other, she and her husband were supporters of fascism across the world, including figures such as Benito Mussolini and Adolf Hitler.
But we'll let you conclude as to how you feel about her, because nobody (not even the greatest humans of all time) are either "good" or "bad".
Transcript of this episode is available at: https://podcast.lingomastery.com/listen/1187