

¡Cuéntame! | Learn Spanish with Comprehensible Input
Marta Ruiz Yedinak
Marta Ruiz Yedinak, a Spanish National Board Certified Teacher, uses basic to intermediate level Spanish to tell stories and talk about everyday topics. Second language acquisition takes place through comprehensible input, and when the topics are interesting and compelling to the learner, it happens almost without awareness. Sit back, enjoy, and improve your Spanish listening skills! Join the Facebook group for collaboration!
Episodes
Mentioned books

Jun 22, 2025 • 14min
196. Mi vida-Parte 1: La infancia
In this episode of ¡Cuéntame!, Marta takes Spanish learners on a heartfelt and humorous journey through her childhood in the coastal city of Lázaro Cárdenas, Mexico. From being a top student to getting into a bit of mischief—like passing notes, saying bad words, and even bringing cigarettes to school—Marta shares it all with honesty and charm. Despite the discipline issues, her childhood was filled with joy, outdoor adventures, and love.This episode is specially designed for Spanish learners. First, you'll hear a slow version of the story with English support and brief translations to help you understand. Right after, you'll hear the same story at a natural pace with no translations, so you can challenge your listening skills. And at the very end, stick around for a five-sentence translation quiz to review and reinforce what you learned!If you enjoyed this episode, please rate it and share it with a friend who’s also learning Spanish. Your support helps the podcast grow and reach more language learners worldwide.Transcript HERESteven, here is the link to one of the BEST French teachers! www.aliceayel.com, who also has this YouTube channel. 📬 Email us☕ Buy Me a Coffee👥 Join our Facebook Group📸 Follow us on Instagram🎙️ Send a voice message (Spanish or English) to 1-920-361-3329And don’t miss the next episode—Marta will be sharing stories from her teenage years!

Jun 19, 2025 • 15min
195. La esperanza
Welcome to ¡Cuéntame!, a podcast designed especially for Spanish learners who want to improve their listening skills through real stories and authentic topics—in real Spanish!In Episode 195, host Marta talks about a powerful emotion that keeps us going during difficult times: hope—la esperanza.This podcast episodes include two versions to support different learning levels:First, there’s a scaffolded version, where Marta speaks slowly and includes some English to help guide comprehension.Immediately after, listeners will hear the same episode at a natural pace, without translations, for a more immersive experience.At the end of the episode, there’s a translation quiz to review key vocabulary and check understanding—so be sure to listen all the way through!Listeners are encouraged to rate and review the podcast to help it grow and reach more Spanish learners around the world.Transcript here!To connect further:📧 Send an email with questions or feedback☕ Support the podcast via Buy Me a Coffee📱 Follow the community on Instagram💬 Join the conversation in the Facebook Group🎙️ And send a voice message in Spanish or English to 1-920-361-3329—Marta would love to hear from you!

6 snips
Jun 2, 2025 • 13min
194. La inteligencia artificial
Marta explora el intrigante mundo de la inteligencia artificial. Define la IA y comenta cómo robots y aplicaciones como Siri y ChatGPT interactúan con nosotros. Discute el aprendizaje de algoritmos y su impacto en la personalización de experiencias en plataformas como YouTube y Amazon. Aborda los beneficios y riesgos, desde la resolución de problemas hasta preocupaciones sobre plagio y el miedo a los robots. Concluye enfatizando la importancia de un uso responsable de la IA en nuestra vida cotidiana.

May 27, 2025 • 15min
193. Consejos para graduados
🎓 Episode 193: Tips for GraduatesIn this special episode of ¡Cuéntame!, Marta shares six powerful and inspiring tips for graduates—but these lessons are helpful for anyone at any stage of life. From perseverance to self-care and authenticity, each piece of advice is designed to motivate and uplift. Whether you're graduating or just navigating life, this episode is for you!💬 Have a thought or message to share? Call or text us at 1-920-361-3329 in English or Spanish!📄Transcript HERE📩 Email us | ☕ Buy Me a Coffee | 📘 Join our Facebook Group | 📸 Follow us on Instagram⭐ If you enjoyed this episode, please take a moment to rate us with stars on the platform you’re using—it really helps others find the show!

May 12, 2025 • 15min
192. ¿Comprar o adoptar mascotas?
NEWS: #EQUIPOGATO HAS WON THE CONTEST!🎙️Episode 192: Adopt or Buy a Pet?In this episode, Marta invites listeners to reflect on the ways we choose to bring a pet into our lives. Is it better to adopt or to buy a pet? Why do we choose one over the other, and what impact does that decision have? Marta shares personal experiences—both buying and later adopting dogs—and challenges some common misconceptions about pet adoption, breeding, and animal health. Whether you're a lifelong pet owner or considering your first companion, this episode offers thoughtful insights and encouragement to make informed, compassionate choices.TRANSCRIPT HERE!💬 We'd love to hear your thoughts! Do you think it's better to adopt or buy a pet?📩 Email us!☕ Support the podcast on Buy Me a Coffee👥 Join our Facebook Group📸 Follow us on Instagram🎙️ Send a voice message in English or Spanish to 1-920-361-3329 — you might be featured in a future episode!⭐ If you enjoy the show, don't forget to rate us with 5 stars on your favorite podcast app!

Apr 20, 2025 • 14min
191. ¿Perros o gatos? - Parte 2
🎙️191. ¿Perros o gatos? Parte 2In this episode of ¡Cuéntame!, Marta explores the pros and cons of having a cat as a pet. From their elegant independence to their quirky behaviors, you'll hear what makes cats lovable and sometimes a little challenging. After covering the perks and pitfalls of both dogs and cats in recent episodes, it's time for you to decide: which is the perfect pet? If you enjoy the podcast, please consider supporting it and take a moment to rate it with stars—it really helps us grow! And don’t forget to vote for your favorite pet: #TeamDog or #TeamCat! We'll reveal the results during the first week of May 2025. 🐶🐱Transcript here!📧 Email us!☕ Buy Me a Coffee👥 Join our Facebook Group📸 Follow us on Instagram📞 Send a voice message in Spanish or English to 1-920-361-3329

Apr 7, 2025 • 16min
190. ¿Perros o gatos?
🎙️ Hello! In this episode, Marta is diving into a classic debate: dogs 🐶 vs. cats 🐱. Dog owners say dogs are the best, while cat owners argue that cats reign supreme. But who’s right? In this episode, we’ll focus on dogs—their pros, cons, and what makes them such beloved companions. Next time, it’ll be the cats’ turn, and at the end, you will decide! Yes, get ready to vote!!Before we start, take a moment to rate this episode—it really helps! Transcript here!📩 Email us!☕ Buy Me a Coffee👥 Join our Facebook Group📸 Follow us on Instagram🎤 Send a voice message to 1-920-361-3329Let’s get started! 🐶

Mar 8, 2025 • 16min
189. Las salas de ira
In this episode of ¡Cuéntame!, Marta shares her exciting experience visiting a rage room, a place where people can safely break objects like plates, bottles, and even computers! She tells us about going to the rage room to celebrate the birthday of one of the exchange students that she and her husband are hosting this year. While rage rooms can be a fun way to release stress, are they really beneficial for mental health? Marta reflects on the pros and cons of these spaces and asks: Do you think rage rooms are a positive way to cope with emotions?Stay tuned until the end for a quiz to test your comprehension!If you enjoy the podcast, please take a moment to rate and review it—your support helps others find us! ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐Transcript here!Email us! Buy Me a Coffee Facebook Group Instagram

Feb 27, 2025 • 14min
188. Pelé, el rey del fútbol
In this episode, we explore the life and legacy of Pelé, one of the most iconic soccer players in history! Learn how a young boy from Brazil with big dreams became a global football legend. You'll hear about his career, achievements, and impact on the sport and culture, all in clear and accessible Spanish to help improve your comprehension.If you enjoyed this episode, don’t forget to rate the podcast and share your thoughts! Your support helps us continue creating fun and engaging content for Spanish learners. Thanks for listening!Transcript here!Email us! Buy Me a Coffee Facebook Group Instagram

Feb 23, 2025 • 15min
187. Celia Cruz: La reina de la salsa
In this episode, we explore the life and legacy of Celia Cruz, the Queen of Salsa. From her humble beginnings in Cuba to becoming an international icon, we discuss her incredible career, personal life, activism, and generosity. Discover how her music and message continue to inspire generations. If you enjoy this episode, don't forget to rate and leave a comment on your favorite podcast platform!Transcript Here!Email us! Buy Me a Coffee Facebook Group Instagram


