¡Cuéntame! | Learn Spanish with Comprehensible Input

🎙️ Episode 216: Let’s Go to Ecuador!In this episode, Marta shares exciting news. She is traveling to Ecuador with a group of students. She talks about the upcoming adventure, the travel itinerary, and the incredible places they will visit, including Quito, the equatorial line, waterfalls in Baños, Inca ruins, and beautiful cities in the Andes. She is excited… but also a little nervous because a snowstorm in Wisconsin might affect the flight.Transcript here!Interested in a virtual Spanish class with Marta? Click here!If you enjoy the podcast, please support the show by rating and sharing it with other Spanish learners.Stay connected with us:Email us!   Buy Me a Coffee       Facebook Group TikTok InstagramYou can also send a voice message in Spanish or English to 1-920-361-3329.

Welcome to ¡Cuéntame!, the podcast that helps you practice and improve your Spanish through stories from the Spanish-speaking world. In this episode, Marta shares a very special story. Not only is it one of her favorite legends, it is also the final episode in the series of legends from the Spanish-speaking world. Today’s legend comes from Mexico and tells the tragic and beautiful story behind two of the country’s most famous volcanoes: Popocatépetl and Iztaccíhuatl. According to the legend, these volcanoes were once two people deeply in love. If you are interested in learning more about it,⁠ ⁠check out ⁠⁠the short novel for intermediate Spanish learners that I wrote! If you enjoy ¡Cuéntame!, please consider rating the podcast, sharing it with a friend or colleague, and helping other Spanish learners discover the show. And, if you want to take a virtual Spanish class with me, click⁠ ⁠here!⁠⁠⁠📧Email the show⁠⁠⁠ Buy Me a Coffee ⁠⁠to support the podcast⁠ ⁠ Join the Facebook Group⁠⁠ Follow along on⁠ ⁠TikTok ⁠⁠and⁠ ⁠Instagram⁠⁠ You can also send a voice message in Spanish or English to 1-920-361-3329 to participate in upcoming episodes!

In this episode of ¡Cuéntame!, Marta talks about the Super Bowl halftime show and Bad Bunny’s historic performance. She explores why the show was important for Latino representation, the reactions it generated, and what it reveals about culture, identity, and belonging in the United States.Transcript here!Listeners are invited to email the show, support the podcast on Buy Me a Coffee, and join the Facebook Group. Follow ¡Cuéntame! on TikTok and Instagram for extra content and updates.If you are interested in my online class, click here!🎙️ You can also send a voice message in Spanish or English to 1-920-361-3329 to share your thoughts.

This episode is a very special one. We’re welcoming the start of 2026 and continuing our Legends of the Spanish-Speaking World series with something a little different.Instead of focusing on just one country, today we’ll travel through several Spanish-speaking cultures to explore the beliefs and traditions connected to the New Year. Are they legends or traditions? Sometimes, they’re both—stories that aren’t always told with words, but lived through actions, once a year, as people let go of the old and prepare for a new beginning. Transcript HEREFill out this form if you want info about my online Spanish class.If you enjoy ¡Cuéntame!, please support the podcast by sharing this episode, leaving a rating or review, or supporting us through Buy Me a Coffee. You can also connect with us on Facebook, TikTok, and Instagram, or send us a voice message in Spanish or English to 1-920-361-3329.

Marta nos lleva a Perú para explorar la legendaria creación del lago Titicaca. Considerado un lugar sagrado, el lago encierra enseñanzas sobre respeto y perdón. La historia comienza con un pueblo que desafía una regla divina, desatando un castigo que forma el lago. Con la llegada de Manco Cápac y Mama Ocllo, se fundan Cusco y el Imperio Inca. Este relato nos recuerda el profundo simbolismo del lago en la cultura andina, representando origen, castigo y nuevos comienzos.

In Episode 211 of ¡Cuéntame!, Marta travels to southern Chile to share a powerful Mapuche legend: Tren-Tren and Kai-Kai. This traditional story explains the eternal struggle between the sea and the land, told through two magical serpents—one protecting nature’s balance and the other punishing humans for their lack of respect. Through this legend, listeners learn about Mapuche culture, the importance of the Mapudungun language, and a timeless message about respecting nature and living in harmony with the world around us.Transcript here!If you enjoyed this episode, please support the podcast by rating it, sharing it with others, and helping the show grow.Connect with us: Email us, Buy Me a Coffee, join our Facebook Group, or follow us on TikTok and Instagram.You can also send a voice message in Spanish or English to 1-920-361-3329.Click here if you want info on the Spanish class!

In this episode we travel to Ecuador to discover a beautiful and meaningful legend: La leyenda del colibrí. Learn why this tiny, colorful bird is considered a powerful symbol of love, hope, and connection, and how—according to legend—the colibrí became the secret messenger of thoughts and feelings between people. This story reminds us that you don’t have to be big to be important.If you enjoy the podcast, please support us by rating and reviewing, and share this episode with someone who loves legends and Spanish stories. Your support helps the podcast grow ❤️ Transcript HERE!Click here if you want information for my virtual Spanish class!📧 Email us☕ Buy Me a Coffee👥 Join our Facebook Group🎵 Follow us on TikTok & Instagram🎙️ Send a voice message in Spanish or English to 1-920-361-3329¡Gracias por escuchar y por apoyar ¡Cuéntame!

In this episode of ¡Cuéntame!, listeners travel to Argentina as the podcast continues its series of legends from the Spanish-speaking world. Marta tells the beautiful and inspiring legend of the ceibo flower, a powerful national symbol of Argentina.The story takes place before the conquest of the Americas and centers on Anahí, a young Indigenous woman who loved her land, her people, and her community. Through her courage, voice, and resilience, the legend explains why the bright red flower of the ceibo tree became a symbol of love for the land, strength, and remembrance. Transcript here!¡Cuéntame! is a listener-supported podcast. If you enjoy the show, please consider rating and reviewing the podcast, and sharing it with friends, students, or fellow Spanish learners. You can also support the podcast by using Buy Me a Coffee, joining the Facebook group, and following ¡Cuéntame! on TikTok and Instagram.Listeners are invited to connect with the show by email or by sending a voice message in Spanish or English to 1-920-361-3329. Messages may be featured in a future episode.Click here if you want info on my virtual classes!

🎧 Episode 208 – El Aparecido del Nevado del RuizIn this episode of ¡Cuéntame!, Marta takes us to the cold, mysterious heights of Colombia to explore a fascinating legend from the Nevado del Ruiz. Surrounded by snow, fog, and danger, you’ll meet El Aparecido: a protective spirit who guides lost travelers to safety. This simple, engaging story is perfect for Spanish learners and invites us to reflect on respect for nature and the power of helping others. Transcript here!💬 Did you enjoy the episode?Please support us by rating and reviewing the podcast and sharing it with friends, students, and fellow Spanish learners.Click here if you want info on my virtual Spanish class!☕ Want to support the show?Buy Me a CoffeeJoin our Facebook GroupFollow us on TikTok and Instagram📧 Get in touch!You can also send a voice message in Spanish or English to 1-920-361-3329.Thank you for listening and for supporting ¡Cuéntame! 🎙️

La historia de Keiko, la orca de Free Willy, es un relato conmovedor sobre su captura y vida en cautiverio. Se exploraron los problemas de salud y la soledad que enfrentó. La película generó un movimiento para ayudarla, lo que llevó a su traslado y recuperación en Oregón. A pesar de los esfuerzos para devolverla al océano, Keiko nunca se integró a la vida salvaje y continuó buscando la compañía humana. Su legado plantea importantes preguntas sobre el bienestar animal y la libertad en la vida marina.