Get the worksheets & complete show notes for this episode at https://cariocaconnection.com

It's that time of the year again and we're here to talk about Christmas. In this episode, Alexia and her dad Marco talk about the meaning of Christmas for Brazilians and some of the differences between celebrating Christmas in Brazil and in Portugal. 

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The Olympics are right around the corner. Most people think it will be a disaster. We think it is worth talking about the World Cup and how Brazil has handled major events in the past. Hear our take about the World Cup.

notes: 
Foster really doesn't know anything about soccer, which will be painfully evident in the show
this episode was originally recorded in 2016

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In the final part of our series on Brazilian Music, Pablo, Alexia and Foster talk about the Brazilian Soul and the future of Brazilian music. It is full of great vocabulary and insight. 

Grab the free worksheet with a completely annotated transcript, best vocabulary and cultural insights for this episode:

Free worksheet - Brazilian Music with Pablo - Part 3

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In part two of a three-part series on Brazilian music, we cover a lot. We talk about instruments, genres, where to see music in Rio, bad jokes about Zika and much more. Most importantly, we talk about how samba never dies.

Grab the free worksheet with a completely annotated transcript, best vocabulary and cultural insights for this episode:

Free worksheet - Brazilian Music with Pablo - Part 2

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Brazilian music is essential to what it means to be Brazilian. 

Brazilians move, they dance, they sing. It's a part of who they are. If you want to understand Brazilians and Brazilian Portuguese: you have to listen to the music. Today's episode is the first installment of a three part series about Brazilian music with an expert on the topic: Dr. Pablo Saturnino Braga. In this episode, we talk about why music is central to Brazilian culture and how to understand it better.

Grab the free worksheet with a completely annotated transcript, best vocabulary and cultural insights for this episode:

Free worksheet - Brazilian Music with Pablo - Part 1

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In the final episode of Carioca Connection's 9th season, Alexia and Foster reflect on 8 years of creating a Portuguese language learning podcast. They discuss the 3 key themes that have sustained their project: consistency, connection, and conversation.

Alexia and Foster share personal anecdotes, like Alexia's first visit to Foster's hometown, and offer insights into maintaining cultural identity while living abroad.

This episode is perfect for intermediate to advanced learners looking to deepen their connection with Brazilian Portuguese and culture.
 
E agora em português...

No episódio final da nonatemporada do Carioca Connection, Alexia e Foster refletem sobre 8 anos de criação de um podcast de aprendizado de português. Elas discutem os 3 temas-chave que sustentaram seu projeto: consistência, conexão e conversa.

Alexia e Foster compartilham anedotas pessoais, como a primeira visita de Alexia à cidade natal de Foster, e oferecem insights sobre manter a identidade cultural morando no exterior. 

Este episódio é perfeito para aprendizes de nível intermediário a avançado que buscam aprofundar sua conexão com o português brasileiro e a cultura.

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Celebrate 8 years of Carioca Connection with Alexia and Foster in this anniversary episode! 🎉

From their early days as podcast beginners to becoming experienced language educators, they share honest reflections about teaching Brazilian Portuguese, personal growth, and the unexpected ways language learning transforms lives.

Key takeaways:

• How their teaching approach evolved over 8 years
• Why cultural connection drives language learning
• The importance of embracing mistakes
• Real insights about language plateaus
• Why motivation matters more than method

This special episode offers both practical language learning wisdom and touching personal stories that will inspire anyone on their Portuguese learning journey.

E agora em português...

Celebre 8 anos do Carioca Connection com Alexia e Foster neste emocionante episódio de aniversário!

Desde seus primeiros dias como iniciantes em podcast até se tornarem educadores experientes, eles compartilham reflexões honestas sobre ensino de português brasileiro, crescimento pessoal e as formas inesperadas como o aprendizado de idiomas transforma vidas.

Descubra:

• Como sua abordagem de ensino evoluiu em 8 anos
• Por que a conexão cultural impulsiona o aprendizado
• A importância de abraçar os erros
• Insights reais sobre plateaus no idioma
• Por que motivação importa mais que método

Este episódio especial oferece tanto sabedoria prática sobre aprendizado de idiomas quanto histórias pessoais tocantes que inspirarão qualquer pessoa em sua jornada de aprendizado do português.

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In this episode of Carioca Connection, Alexia and Foster talk wrap up their mini-series about the differences between traveling and taking a vacation. They reflect on their busy year, full of flights but with zero days of actual vacation, and discuss how different people plan (or don’t plan) their trips. Whether you’re the type of traveler who loves a detailed itinerary or prefers to go with the flow, this episode has something for everyone.

Key points mentioned:

 • How to discuss travel and vacation plans in Brazilian Portuguese, including essential vocabulary and expressions.

 • Differences between key terms like “viajar” (to travel) and “tirar férias” (to take a vacation) in Brazilian Portuguese.

 • Understanding and using Brazilian cultural references for planning trips, such as organizing itineraries and buying tickets.

 • Practice expressing personal preferences in Brazilian Portuguese, whether you like detailed itineraries or prefer spontaneous adventures.

 • Learn Brazilian Portuguese phrases related to trip logistics, like booking flights, choosing destinations, and navigating unexpected travel changes.

E agora em português...

Neste episódio, Alexia e Foster falam sobre as diferenças entre viajar e tirar férias. Eles refletem sobre o ano agitado, cheio de voos mas com zero dias de férias de verdade, e discutem como diferentes pessoas planejam (ou não planejam) suas viagens. Se você é do tipo de viajante que adora um roteiro detalhado ou prefere deixar as coisas acontecerem, este episódio tem algo para todos. 

Pontos principais mencionados:

• Como falar sobre planos de viagem e férias em português brasileiro, incluindo vocabulário e expressões essenciais.

• Diferenças entre termos importantes como “viajar” (viajar) e “tirar férias” (tirar férias) em português brasileiro.

• Como entender e usar referências culturais brasileiras ao planejar viagens, como organizar roteiros e comprar passagens.

• Pratique expressar suas preferências em português brasileiro, seja você do tipo que gosta de roteiros detalhados ou de aventuras espontâneas.

• Aprenda frases em português brasileiro relacionadas à logística de viagens, como reservar voos, escolher destinos e lidar com mudanças inesperadas.

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In this episode of Carioca Connection, Alexia & Foster wrap up their mini-series mental health using real-life Brazilian Portuguese. They discuss their personal experiences and share valuable insights on how to navigate emotions and mental well-being in Brazilian Portuguese.

From essential vocabulary like “vulnerabilidade” and “elefante branco” to practical expressions for asking for help and supporting others, this episode is rich with language tips that cater to intermediate and advanced learners.

Join them for an authentic and engaging conversation about mental health, while enhancing your Brazilian Portuguese skills along the way.

E agora em português…

Neste episódio do Carioca Connection, Alexia e Foster abordam o tema muitas vezes não falado da saúde mental. Eles compartilham suas experiências pessoais e oferecem valiosas percepções sobre como lidar com emoções e bem-estar mental em português brasileiro.

De vocabulário essencial como “vulnerabilidade” e “elefante branco” a expressões práticas para pedir ajuda e apoiar os outros, este episódio está repleto de dicas de linguagem que atendem a estudantes de nível intermediário e avançado.

Participe dessa conversa autêntica e envolvente sobre saúde mental, enquanto aprimora suas habilidades no português brasileiro.

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In this episode of Carioca Connection, Alexia & Foster dive deeper into their conversation about mental health. 

They explore essential vocabulary and expressions in Brazilian Portuguese to help you discuss your emotions and mental well-being with confidence. 

From common words like “anxiety” and “depression” to tricky terms like “psychologist” and “therapy,” this episode is packed with practical language tips that are especially useful for intermediate and advanced learners. 

Tune in for an honest, insightful conversation about mental health in Portuguese, all while improving your Brazilian Portuguese language skills.

E agora em português...

Neste episódio do Carioca Connection, Alexia e Foster mergulham ainda mais fundo na conversa sobre saúde mental.

Eles exploram vocabulário e expressões essenciais em português brasileiro para ajudar você a falar sobre suas emoções e bem-estar mental com confiança.

De palavras comuns como “ansiedade” e “depressão” a termos mais complicados como “psicólogo” e “terapia”, este episódio está cheio de dicas práticas de linguagem, especialmente úteis para estudantes de nível intermediário e avançado.

Participe dessa conversa honesta e esclarecedora sobre saúde mental em português, enquanto aprimora suas habilidades no português brasileiro.

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In this episode of Carioca Connection, Alexia and Foster discuss the personal and universal experience of anxiety.

They share insights on managing anxiety, the importance of mental health, and how therapy plays a crucial role in their lives. Through an informal, engaging conversation, they highlight the cultural taboos around mental health and how openness can break them down.

Let's "name the bulls" (Brazilian expressions can be a little weird sometimes) and get started!

Key points include:

 • Understanding anxiety and its effects

 • The role of therapy in mental health

 • Cultural views on mental health and breaking taboos

 • Personal stories of dealing with anxiety

E agora em português...

Neste episódio do Carioca Connection, Alexia e Foster discutem a experiência pessoal e universal da ansiedade. Eles compartilham reflexões sobre como lidar com a ansiedade, a importância da saúde mental e como a terapia desempenha um papel crucial em suas vidas. Através de uma conversa informal e envolvente, eles destacam os tabus culturais em torno da saúde mental e como a abertura pode quebrá-los.

Os principais pontos incluem:

 • Entendendo a ansiedade e seus efeitos

 • O papel da terapia na saúde mental

 • Visões culturais sobre saúde mental e quebrando tabus

 • Histórias pessoais sobre lidar com ansiedade

Vamos “dar nome aos bois” (as expressões brasileiras podem ser um pouco estranhas às vezes) e começar!

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