What happened at Jonestown, Guyana, is something that has spawned an immense number of books, movies, and even day-to-day phrases, but what it created the most were questions.


The biggest of all: why were his followers so easily convinced to drink the Kool-Aid (literally)? And why didn't anyone see this coming?


In this episode of the Learn Spanish with Stories podcast, we travel to a country rarely featured in Latin American history, but which carries this dark stain to this day: the story of Jim Jones and the Jonestown massacre.


Transcript of this episode is available at: https://podcast.lingomastery.com/listen/1667

Just over 10 years ago, on September 26, 2014, a tragedy occurred in Guerrero, Mexico. 43 students heading to a protest in the capital vanished off the face of the Earth — or actually, they were taken off the face of the Earth.


But nobody knew where, and nobody seemed to know who had taken them. All there was, was a flimsy explanation that was quickly accepted as "the official truth" by many.


However, the families wouldn't give up, and the country was soon to light on fire as everyone, inside and outside Mexico, demanded to know what happened to the Ayotzinapa 43.


In this sad but hopeful story of how the common people can go up against even the most powerful government and win, if they have the self-belief, we discover the fates of the missing Ayozinapa 43, while learning Spanish as a native!


Transcript of this episode is available at: https://podcast.lingomastery.com/listen/1634

Climatology might seem like it's been around forever, but it's actually one of the newer sciences. One of the fathers of this science was Alexander von Humboldt, who traveled to South America and Mexico with one goal in mind—to demystify the New World and illuminate how the so-called "primitive" natives really lived there.


In an extended journey across several nations with his companion, Aimé Bonpland, the scientists studied animals, mountains, the weather, people, settlements, volcanoes... practically anything they could get their hands on, documenting everything they could, and making discoveries that blew European minds, once they made it back home.


In fact, much of the modern climatology knowledge we possess, including wind currents, is a result of Humboldt's work, which is why he is held in great esteem to this day.


But I'm not going to spoil any details here - check out the newest episode of the Learn Spanish with Stories podcast and enjoy!


Transcript of this episode is available at: https://podcast.lingomastery.com/listen/1601

The U.S. has a shady history in Latin America - we all know this, as much as might love the United States. From the full-blown coups in Operation Condor to CIA involvement in protests, Latin America has often been relegated to becoming "the United States' back yard".

But nothing is worse than what happened at the Bay of Pigs. You see, the invasion was planned and approved, and everything was ready for the removal of Fidel Castro... but at the last minute, JFK called most of it off, with soldiers already on their way to the coasts of the island.

And don't get me started on what that led to: the Cuban Missile Crisis, or in other words, the closest we've been to nuclear armageddon.

You're going to need to listen to this week's episode of the Learn Spanish with Stories podcast to find out the rest - it's pretty wild.


Transcript of this episode is available at: https://podcast.lingomastery.com/listen/1568

Mexico has been through its fair share of injustice when it comes to foreign powers, and I'm not even talking of that time when they signed away 55% of its territory to the United States of America, but of something much more ridiculous.

You see, in the 1830s, a small dispute over a local bakery turned into an international geopolitical conflict between Mexico and France, with bombings, embargoes and tensions heightened to the maximum. It also led us to learn just how vulnerable Latin American countries were when faced with a European tyrant.


But this small description isn't enough to explain how bizarre the entire situation was, so I recommend you check out this week's episode of the Learn Spanish with Stories podcast!


Transcript of this episode is available at: https://podcast.lingomastery.com/listen/1535

Billionaires, whether you love them or hate them, have shaped a big part of the modern tech world, and are well-known for building some of the most impressive business ventures.


Latin America, though not a Silicon Valley, has individuals who have amassed a large amount of their own wealth, whether through going big on a single startup or by patiently build their own empires.


In this episode of the Learn Spanish with Stories podcast, we'll discover just who these impressive fortunes belong to, and how they managed to get so wealthy in a region where inequality is so rife. Enjoy the episode!

Transcript of this episode is available at: https://podcast.lingomastery.com/listen/1502

The Mayan Civilization has long been held in an air of mystery - we're familiar with how the infamous calendar made everybody think the world was ending in 2012, due to how accurately the Mayans had mapped out the cycles and astronomy in such a primitive time.


But there is more to the Mayans than apocalyptical scenarios and astronomy. In fact, they were one of the most advanced early civilizations in the world, and advanced technology, medicine and culture in the region by centuries within a short time.


And there is so much more that you might not know, including the fact that the Mayas predated the Aztecs, how they transmitted their knowledge, and how their civilization came to an end (but is still around today)... but for that, you're going to have to listen to this week's episode.


Enjoy!


Transcript of this episode is available at: https://podcast.lingomastery.com/listen/1469

Belize is a country you rarely hear about, but we can promise you: it is actually one of the most interesting in all of Latin America. With possibly one of the most interesting and diverse mix of ethnicities and cultures, Belize stands out from other nations as Spanish is *not* an official language here.


So today, we will accompany our traveling friend, Eduardo, as he explores this amazing nation and goes to some of the most impressive natural reserves you'll ever discover in an episode of the Learn Spanish with Stories podcast!


Enjoy the episode, and start preparing your next trip to the country known lovingly as "The Jewel" - you definitely will want to go when you're done listening.


Transcript of this episode is available at: https://podcast.lingomastery.com/listen/143e m