We explore some of the small but important cultural habits that shape everyday interactions in Mexico, from wishing strangers provecho at a restaurant to greeting someone before making a request. We also compare Mexican and U.S. customs around saying hello, saying goodbye, and even those famously long goodbyes! Plus, we explain how and when to use con permiso and discuss the nuances of tú, usted, don, doña, señor, and señorita. These expressions may seem simple, but understanding when and why to use them can help you sound more natural, friendly, and respectful when speaking Spanish in Mexico.

Key Takeaways:

• Learn how expressions like provecho, con permiso, and buenos días are used in everyday Mexican interactions.
• Discover how cultural expectations around greetings and goodbyes can differ between Mexico and the United States.
• Get practical insight into choosing between tú and usted and showing the right level of respect and familiarity in different situations.

Relevant Links And Additional Resources:

• 298 – La Sobremesa | La Sobremesa
• 294 – Español Útil para un Viaje a México | Useful Spanish for a Trip to Mexico
• 198 – Mande: Entre Respeto y Tradición | Mande: Between Respect and Tradition
• 064 – Choques Culturales en las Calles de México – Culture Shocks in the Streets of Mexico
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Why do so many Spanish-speaking countries celebrate their independence in September? We explore the historical connections behind these celebrations, including how Guatemala, El Salvador, Honduras, Nicaragua, and Costa Rica came to share September 15, and why Mexico and Chile commemorate the beginnings of their independence movements rather than the dates they officially became independent. We also share our personal experience celebrating Chilean Independence Day, discuss the traditions and foods that make this season special, and look at how these dates connect to Hispanic Heritage Month in the United States. By the end, you’ll have a better understanding of the history behind the celebrations—and perhaps a new reason to experience one for yourself while traveling.

Key Takeaways:

• Learn why Guatemala, El Salvador, Honduras, Nicaragua, and Costa Rica share September 15 as an important independence date and how their shared history shaped the celebrations we know today.
• Discover why Mexico and Chile celebrate dates that mark the beginning of their independence movements, even though they became formally independent years later.
• Explore how independence celebrations bring together food, traditions, history, and local culture—and hear about our own experience celebrating Chilean Independence Day with locals.

Relevant Links And Additional Resources:

• 181 – Sobre Chile | About Chile
• 056 – Cinco de Mayo
• 034 – La Revolución Mexicana | The Mexican Revolution
• 023 – La Independencia de México | Mexico’s Independence
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  • Listen to an extended breakdown section in English going over the most important words and phrases
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Could getting dental treatment in Mexico actually be worth it? I share my seven-to-eight-month Invisalign journey, including why I decided to fix my overbite, how much I paid, what the treatment was really like, and the biggest challenge I faced: not being able to snack whenever I wanted! I also explain how Invisalign works, compare it with traditional braces, and talk about the functional benefits I noticed beyond having a better-looking smile. May and I also discuss our experiences with healthcare outside the United States and why a clinic that looks less luxurious doesn’t necessarily provide lower-quality care. If you’ve ever considered getting dental or medical treatment abroad, this episode will give you a firsthand look at what the experience can be like.

Key Takeaways:

• Why I decided to get Invisalign and how correcting my bite improved more than just the appearance of my smile.
• What Invisalign is actually like—including the cost, treatment timeline, discomfort, eating restrictions, and what happens after the active treatment ends.
• What I learned from getting dental treatment in Mexico and why I think it’s worth researching options abroad before assuming treatment in the U.S. is the only choice.

Relevant Links And Additional Resources:

• 210 – El Camino A La Visión 20/20 Con Jaime | The Path To 20/20 Vision With Jaime
• 171 – Turismo Médico En México – Experiencias Y Costos | Medical Tourism In Mexico – Experiences And Costs
• 167 – La Cirugía Y Recuperación De May | May’s Surgery And Recovery
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Chiles en nogada are one of Mexico’s most celebrated seasonal dishes, and we’re sharing what makes them so special. We talk about our own experiences trying vegetarian versions in Puebla, explain what goes into preparing everything from the stuffed poblano pepper to the famous walnut sauce, and highlight why this colorful dish is such an important part of Mexican culture. We also discuss the legendary origin story of chiles en nogada, whether it’s history or folklore, and how food and storytelling have shaped Mexican traditions for generations. Along the way, we explain why the dish is only available for a short season, why it’s one of Mexico’s most expensive traditional meals, and even settle the debate over whether it’s better capeado (battered) or without the batter. By the end, you’ll understand why tasting chiles en nogada in Puebla is an experience every food lover should have.

Key Takeaways:

• Discover why chiles en nogada are a symbol of Mexican history, culture, and national identity—not just a delicious meal.
• Learn how this iconic dish is prepared, from roasting and stuffing the poblano pepper to making the rich walnut sauce and assembling its signature flavors.
• Explore the legends, traditions, and seasonal customs surrounding chiles en nogada, and find out why Puebla is the best place to experience them.

Relevant Links And Additional Resources:

• 273 – Mole Poblano – El Sabor Profundo De México | Mole Poblano – The Deep Flavor Of Mexico
• 158 – Técnicas Ancestrales En La Cocina Mexicana Parte 2 | Ancient Techniques In Mexican Cuisine Part 2
• 130 – Comidas Mexicanas Que No Conoces | Mexican Foods You Don’t Know About
• 013 – La Comida Mexicana | Mexican Food
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Becoming parents has given us a whole new appreciation for children’s songs, so in this episode, we’re sharing some of our favorites with Santi and the memories they bring back. We talk about bilingual nursery rhymes, classic Mexican lullabies, interactive songs that make little ones laugh, and why some English nursery rhymes have surprisingly dark (or misunderstood) histories. Along the way, you’ll learn about traditional songs like Los Pollitos Dicen, Martinillo, and Ricky Ran, discover how children’s songs are translated across languages, and hear us compare the games and counting rhymes we grew up with in Mexico and the United States. Whether you’re learning Spanish, raising bilingual kids, or simply feeling nostalgic about your childhood, this episode offers a fun glimpse into the music, traditions, and family moments that connect generations.

Key Takeaways:

• Discover popular Mexican and English nursery rhymes, their meanings, and the traditions behind them.
• Learn how children’s songs are translated across languages while keeping their rhythm, melody, and cultural charm.
• Compare childhood games, counting rhymes, and family traditions from Mexico and the United States through our own experiences.

Links And Additional Resources:

• 325 – Un Año con Santi: Lo Que Hemos Aprendido Como Papás | A Year with Santi: What We’ve Learned as Parents
• 270 – Padres Primerizos – ¡Bienvenido, Santi! | First-time Parents – Welcome, Santi!
• 247 – El Coco, El Ratoncito Pérez, y Otras Creencias de los Niños Latinos | El Coco, El Ratoncito Pérez, and Other Beliefs of Latin Children
• 108 – Errores en la Música en Español | Errors in Spanish Music
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Summer vacations mean something different depending on where you grew up, and in this episode, we look back on the childhood memories that shaped us—from playing outside in the rain in Mexico to biking through Minnesota during long summer days. We also talk about how owning a home and raising our son, Santi, has changed our relationship with travel, why we’re trying to squeeze in a few more trips before he turns two, and the realities of traveling as parents. Along the way, we compare summer traditions in Mexico and the U.S., explain why “summer” doesn’t always mean hot weather, share travel mishaps caused by unexpected climates, and discuss what an ideal vacation looks like for us today.

Key Takeaways:

• How becoming parents and homeowners has changed the way we think about traveling.
• The differences between summer vacations, weather, and school breaks in Mexico and the United States.
• Why some of our favorite childhood summer memories had nothing to do with traveling at all.everyday culture

Links And Additional Resources:

• 326 – Viajar al Caribe en Temporada de Sargazo | Traveling to the Caribbean During Sargassum Season
• 312 – Cómo Crear tu Propia Inmersión en Español Sin Viajar | How to Create Your Own Spanish Immersion Without Traveling
• 294 – Español Útil para un Viaje a México | Useful Spanish for a Trip to Mexico
• 292 – Aprendizajes de Nuestro Primer Viaje con Santi | Learnings From Our First Trip with Santi
• 250 – Tipos de Viajes, ¿Cuál Prefieres Tú? | Types of trips, which one do you prefer?
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What happens when an entire country jokingly decides to “cancel” English for a day? In this episode, we explain the story behind Operativo No Inglés, the meaning of expressions like ponerse la verde and ¿Y si sí?, and the hilarious ways famous brands translated their names into Spanish to support Mexico’s national team. Along the way, you’ll learn about Mexican humor, internet culture, and some useful vocabulary and expressions that will help you better understand everyday Spanish and life in Mexico.

Key Takeaways:

• Learn the meanings and cultural context of the expressions ponerse la verde and ¿Y si sí?
• Discover the funniest Spanish versions of famous international brand names during Operativo No Inglés
• Gain a deeper understanding of Mexican humor, patriotism, and how social media reflects everyday culture

Links And Additional Resources:

• 321 – El Fútbol en México – Soccer in Mexico
• 310 – Cognados y Falsos Amigos en Español e Inglés | Cognates and False Friends in Spanish and English
• 283 – Spanglish: Identidad, Mezcla y Aprendizaje | Spanglish: Identity, Mixture and Learning
• 278 – Fuera Gringo | Gringo Go Home
• 231 – Choques Culturales a la Inversa | Reverse Cultural Shocks
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Have you ever wondered how much of Nacho Libre is actually true? We talk about what the movie gets right (and wrong), the stereotypes it presents about Mexico, and the remarkable life of Sergio Gutiérrez Benítez—better known as Fray Tormenta—a priest who secretly became a luchador to support hundreds of children through his orphanage. We also celebrate our July Student of the Month, Jaime, whose inspiring language-learning journey reminds us that consistency and enthusiasm are the keys to making progress in Spanish.

Key Takeaways:

• Discover the true story behind Nacho Libre and how Fray Tormenta dedicated his life to helping vulnerable children.
• Learn how Hollywood adapted—and simplified—the real events, along with our thoughts on the movie’s portrayal of Mexico and Mexican culture.
• Meet our July Student of the Month and hear practical advice for staying consistent and motivated while learning Spanish.

Links And Additional Resources:

• 321 – El Fútbol en México – Soccer in Mexico
• 318 – México Vivo: Los Trece Patrimonios Inmateriales de la UNESCO Parte I | Mexico Alive: The Thirteen Intangible Cultural Heritage Sites of UNESCO, Part I
• 314 – La Semana Santa en Iztapalapa | The Holy Week in Iztapalapa
• 243 – Alebrijes, Tonales, y Animales Fantásticos | Alebrijes, Tonales, and Fantastic Animals
• 211 – Cine y Series Para Mejorar tu Español | Movies and Series to Improve your Spanish
• 176 – La Lucha Libre | The “Lucha Libre”
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