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In episode 11, the first of a two-part series, Mimi and Suzy share their personal journeys learning French both before and after moving to France. They reflect on the challenges of grammar, pronunciation, and cultural expectations, as well as the emotional and practical realities of trying to become fluent in a language that often feels endless. With two very different learning paths—one self-taught through immersion, the other shaped by years of formal study—they discuss what helped, what didn’t, and why learning French is about more than just vocabulary and verbs.

Keywords

Learning French, French language, living in France, French grammar, language learning, subjunctive, French pronunciation, identity, classism, Duolingo, French culture, French integration, moving to France, bilingualism, French language trauma, French language tips, Beauty and the Beast, foreigners in France, multilingual life, French vocabulary, French fluency, cultural adaptation.

Chapters

00:00 – Introduction & Listener Shoutout
01:30 – Why We’re Talking About Learning French
02:30 – Language Test Stress
04:00 – Is French Hard to Learn?
05:20 – The Subjunctive Struggle
06:45 – Mimi's Self-Taught Journey
13:00 – Suzy’s Structured Language Path
19:30 – Time, Fluency, and Frustration
22:30 – Language, Identity, and Confidence
26:00 – La Dictée
30:00 – Grammar and Class in France
36:00 – The Culture of Eloquence
40:30 – Tools That Actually Helped
47:00 – What to Avoid When Learning French
51:30 – Looking Ahead to Part Two

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In episode 10, Mimi and Suzy discuss the South of France, focusing on Provence-Alpes-Côte d'Azur (PACA), known popularly as Provence and the French Riviera. They explore its geographical scope, distinguishing between the glitzy, crowded coastal region stretching from Monaco to Marseille and the quieter, nature-rich inland areas like lavender country and the Verdon National Park. They contrast the crowded beaches, flashy tourism, traffic, and commercialized vibe of the Riviera with the rustic charm, authentic villages, and beautiful nature of inland PACA. The episode also touches on local culture, culinary highlights, wildfires, and the diversity of Marseille, discussing both its appeal and controversial reputation.

Keywords

South of France, Provence, Côte d'Azur, PACA, Marseille, Monaco, Riviera, lavender fields, wine, lakes, tourism, Mediterranean, French culture, beaches, wildfires, hiking, authenticity, climate change, culinary experiences, diversity, racism, tourism impact.

Chapters:

Introduction (00:01)

Defining the South of France (00:52)

French Riviera vs. Inland Provence (04:38)

Monaco & the Coastline (05:38)

Nature Highlights: Calanques and Lakes (08:45)

Lavender Country Experiences (10:01)

Crowded Beaches & Traffic (15:28)

Marseille's Unique Vibe (17:18)

Cultural Observations & Local Life (23:15)

Wildfires & Climate Challenges (49:57)

Final Impressions & Recommendations (55:48)

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In episode 9, Mimi and Suzy dive deep into the cultural, emotional, and physical toll of French summers without air conditioning. From Mimi’s Texas childhood horse shows and heat strokes to Suzy’s swampy memories of New York and Atlanta, the two explore why France remains stubbornly anti-AC despite rising temperatures and alarming death tolls. They bust myths about AC, debate solutions, and weave in humor, not-so-fun facts, and even a touch of climate anxiety and fairy porn.

Keywords

Heatwaves, France, air conditioning, AC resistance, climate anxiety, heat stroke, French culture, portable AC, heat death, myths, environmental impact, thermoregulation, Ministry for the Future, romantic fantasy, eczema, wine culture, fan death, temperature regulation.

Chapters

00:00 – Heatstroke & Horse Shows
03:00 – AC Culture Shock: France vs. USA
06:00 – Fashion, Heat & French Summers
09:00 – The AC Desert of French Homes
14:00 – Portable Units: The Ugly Truth
21:00 – Deadly Heat: The Numbers Don’t Lie
24:00 – The French Aversion to Water
26:00 – The Ignorance Around Heat
28:00 – Mythbusters: AC Edition
35:00 – Future Tech: Hope or Mirage?
38:00 – PTSD from 2022
41:00 – Aging, Menopause & Climate Doom
44:00 – The Little Joys of Summer
49:00 – Reddit Bunkers & AC Shame
55:00 – Romantasy & Mental Escapes
57:00 – The Final Plea