Best Tom Scullin Podcasts (2026)

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Can “Lowbrow” Anime Actually Help You Learn Japanese? 35:19

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6M ago35:19

35:19

Send us a text Are Kids’ Shows the Secret to Learning Japanese? In this off-the-cuff episode, Tom explores why language learners often overlook the power of “lowbrow” media like anime, kids’ shows, and mass-produced manga—and why that’s a mistake. From the academic polish of the Read Japanese Literature podcast to the underrated artistry of Anpanma…

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Why These Winter 2025 Anime Are Perfect for Studying! 23:26

8M ago23:26

23:26

Send us a text 📝 Key Topics: The Anime Study Trap The difference between exposure vs. acquisition Why “just hearing Japanese” isn’t enough Paul Nation & vocabulary learning 101 My Learning Pivot: From Passive to Purposeful How burnout forced me to rethink my study habits Using cognitive load theory to make anime more effective for learning Building…

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Is Pitch Accent Really That Important in Japanese? 23:02

8M ago23:02

23:02

Send us a text Today’s topic? One of the most hotly debated issues in Japanese learning communities: pitch accent. Spoiler: Pitch accent is way overhyped. In this episode, I’ll break down: What pitch accent is (and isn’t) Why it’s so hard to hear and learn What actually matters more for sounding natural How to improve your pronunciation without str…

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Why You Keep Quitting Japanese (And How to Fix It) 25:12

9M ago25:12

25:12

Send us a text You start learning Japanese, you’re pumped up, you make a study schedule… and two months later, your textbook is collecting dust, Anki notifications are haunting your dreams, and you’re wondering why you’re still stuck at “This is a pen.” Sound familiar? In this very first episode of Like My Anime, we’re diving into why motivation fa…

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You’re Not Bad at Languages—You Were Just Taught Wrong 32:03

9M ago32:03

32:03

Send us a text You probably spent years in school memorizing vocabulary, conjugating verbs, and passing grammar tests. So why can't you actually speak the language? In this episode, I break down why traditional language education fails so many of us—and what to do instead. From memory science to language acquisition theories, I’ll walk you through …