Here are the three books mentioned in this episode:
Enlightenment Now - Steven Pinker
Superabundance - Marian Tupy, Gale Cooley
Factfulness - Hans Rowling

In this episode, Karen and Baiwei chatted about their struggles with reading news and finding a balance between being overly worried and prepared in advance. 


Chillchat (Learn Chinese and Chill)

杞人忧天还是未雨绸缪？Are You Being Overly Anxious Or Proactive?

"Have you ever been told 'Chanto shite!' and thought, 'Specifically, what should I do?!' 🤯
In this episode, Maiko Sensei — a professional Japanese teacher with over 450 lessons experience — breaks down one of the most convenient yet confusing words in Japanese: CHANTO.
In this episode, you will learn:
The 3 Faces of Chanto: From holding chopsticks to stable jobs.
Maiko's Secret: Why it's okay to ask for specifics when someone says 'Chanto shite.'
The Strawberry Mystery 🍓: Why Maiko's mom says 'Chanto shita Ichigo' and why it's grammatically weird but okay!
Real Talk: How language is alive and why rare cases are fun.

Special Request:If you leveled up your Japanese today, please follow the show and give me a 5-star rating! ⭐ It helps more learners find my lessons.
Want to check if your Japanese is 'Chanto'?Book a private lesson with me on italki or Preply! I'd love to talk to you.[Your italki Link][Your Preply Link]
Let's master the 'Chanto' lifestyle together!"


HONTO NO NIHONGO with Maiko

Ep6: What does "CHANTO" actually mean? The most vague word in Japan 🧐

"Think 'Sumimasen' only means 'I’m sorry'? Think again! 🧐

In this episode, Maiko Sensei — a professional Japanese teacher with over 450 lessons experience — reveals the 9 different levels of this magic word. From calling a waiter to the 'Pro Level' of giving gifts, mastering 'Sumimasen' is the ultimate key to sounding natural in Japan.

What you will learn today:

Levels 1-3: The basics you need for survival in Japan.

Levels 5-7: How to use it for 'Thank you' and polite transitions.

Level 9: The 'Pro Level' usage for declining offers and giving gifts.

The Secret: Why Japanese people use this word even when they didn't do anything wrong!

Special Request: If you leveled up today, please follow the show and give me a 5-star rating! ⭐ It helps me reach more students around the world.

Let's study together! Want to practice 'Sumimasen' with me? Book a private lesson on italki or Preply! Links are right here: [Your italki Link] [Your Preply Link]

Don't just say it, feel it. Let's master 'Sumimasen' together!"

EP5: The 9 Levels of "SUMIMASEN": Are you using it right?

Stop confusing "Shitte-iru" and "Wakatta"! 💡
Have you ever said "Shitte-imasu" when you actually meant "I understand"? Or have you accidentally sounded a bit rude by saying "Shiranai"?
In this episode, Maiko Sensei — a professional Japanese teacher with over 450 lessons of experience — breaks down the tricky difference between "Knowing" and "Understanding."
What you’ll learn in this episode:
Data vs. Puzzle: The simple "Brain Hack" to choose the right word every time.
The "Make Sense" moment: Why "Wakatta" is your best friend when learning new things.
Interactive Quiz: Test your skills with two real-life scenarios!
Danger Zone: Why saying "Shiranai" to a friend (or a crush!) might cause a big misunderstanding. 💔

If you want to sound more natural and avoid awkward silences, this episode is for you. Let's make Japanese make sense together!


Ep4: Do you KNOW or do you UNDERSTAND?

Hello everyone! Welcome to Honto no Nihongo with Maiko! 💖
In this episode, we explore the magic of the number "3" (San) in Japan. 
Why is it so special? 
Maiko Sensei explains it all using simple Japanese!


[About Maiko Sensei]


I am a Japanese teacher with experience in over 450 online lessons on platforms like italki and Preply. 
I love sharing real, useful Japanese with all of you!


[What you will learn in this episode:]
​ The "-San" mystery: Why do we add "-san" to animals and even food?​ Mikka Bozu (3-day monk): A funny idiom for when we quit something too soon.​ Sandome no Shojiki: The Japanese version of "Third time's a charm."
