E66 - How We Each Ended up Living in Merlo (And a Spanish Fluency Hack)

E66 - How We Each Ended up Living in Merlo (And a Spanish Fluency Hack)

Author: Mariel Olivera February 27, 2026 Duration: 29:31

In this episode, I sit down with my friend Jesi to talk about what it really means to start over in Merlo, San Luis — a small mountain town in the heart of Argentina, about 12 hours from Buenos Aires. Jesi shares why she decided to leave her fast-paced life in the big city of Rosario, while I reflect on what it meant to bring my seven-year nomadic journey to an end and choose one place to call home. Together, we explore fear, change, and the courage it takes to build a new chapter. Along the way, you’ll also learn a few surprising things about Rosario and discover a simple but powerful fluency hack to help you speak Argentine Spanish more naturally.

Argentalk is a podcast for intermediate Spanish learners who want to understand Argentine Spanish in context. Through short cultural episodes, you’ll improve your listening skills, pick up real expressions, and expand your vocabulary naturally.


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A big thank you to Jesica Benzi for joining me in this episode!

If you’d like to learn more about Jesi’s cabins in Merlo, check out Cabañas Alma Tierra. You can also find information there about the retreats and holistic activities organized at Alma Tierra.


¿Te gustaría entender el español rioplatense más allá de los libros de texto? En Argentalk: Stories in Argentine Spanish, Mariel crea un espacio para explorar el idioma tal como se vive en las calles de Buenos Aires y más allá. Este podcast se sumerge en las conversaciones cotidianas, los modismos únicos y las expresiones que definen a la Argentina, ofreciendo un aprendizaje contextual y cultural. Cada episodio es una inmersión auditiva diseñada para entrenar el oído, donde las historias y los diálogos reales son la herramienta principal para aprender. Escucharás anécdotas, perspectivas locales y ese ritmo característico del hablar argentino, todo mientras adquieres confianza para usar el lenguaje de manera natural. Es ideal para quienes buscan conectar de verdad con la cultura, ya sea planeando un viaje o simplemente por el placer de dominar un nuevo matiz del español. Acompañado de explicaciones claras y consejos prácticos, Argentalk transforma la comprensión auditiva en una habilidad activa, haciendo que términos como "che" o "boludo" dejen de ser un misterio y pasen a ser parte de tu vocabulario útil. La autora, Mariel, guía este recorrido con una mirada de insider, asegurando que cada lección esté llena de autenticidad y ese vibe argentino tan particular. Más que un curso, es una ventana sonora a la vida en Argentina, perfecta para aprender escuchando y disfrutando del proceso. Tu oído se afinará, tu pronunciación mejorará y, sin darte cuenta, empezarás a captar los matices que hacen único a este acento.
Author: Language: Spanish Episodes: 50

Argentalk: Stories in Argentine Spanish
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