I’d say just join and others who have listened to earlier episodes will fill you in on background if you have questions. I’ve only skipped ahead to 3 episodes (twice to the 90s and one recent) and each time it was fine, it didn’t feel like I had missed anything
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I agree with @mitrac it would be fine to just join from Ep. 349. I used to randomly listen to episodes in the 300s and 200s when I went for walks - whatever showed up as the most recent unplayed episodes on my podcast app. I did not feel like I needed to go back to understand something. There were topics that were obviously ongoing and raised in previous episodes, but it didn’t affect my enjoyment/comprehension.
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Episode 29
I just finished my second/ in places third listen through of episode 29. I agree the bit where she talks about how fast everyone else is talking is delivered at high speed! I think it’s something she does when talking about something that stresses her.
I ended up (due to driving) listening to the 茗荷 section three times so understanding everything in detail except what it was she was actually talking about…
Going to relisten to some of episode 30 today, rest on drive down to Adelaide in the morning, where I’ll be sitting the JLPT tomorrow.
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I’ll have time next week to listen to episodes. But more importantly, good luck at the JLPT!
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Good luck with your JLPT!
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Well I got as far as listening to (then going over) the 貧乏ゆすり from episode 31.
Then someone did that yesterday next to me during the test 
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I love that word!
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Week 44
Episode: 044
Time Count: 29:59
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Will you be listening along with us this week?
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If you’ve already listened to this podcast but are still going to join the discussion, please select “I have finished this episode.”
Latest Episode
Episode: 350
Time Count: 31:54
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Will you be listening along with us this week?
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voters
2 Likes
Finally finished the first 25 episodes! It was a mixed bag - understood a lot but also had no clue what was going on in some of the episodes. The 24th ep was the easiest in recent times because I could keep up with the entire podcast even though I was making lunch!
Now, I move on to the 44th and 350th eps. Whenever I can, I’ll sneak in an older episode from my list. My goal for the next set is to actively listen to at least one episode per week (and 1 passive), take notes, and compare the differences I’m seeing between the two methods.
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I have so much respect for all the note takers. I’m either like “meh, wasn’t that important anyways” or… I wait for one of the note takers to summarize the episode to figure out what I missed 
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Yay, high five! I just finished Ep. 25 
Going forward I’ll do the same - sticking to the weekly schedule as a priority (Ep. 44 & 350) and going back to listen to the earlier ones as I have time.
I am conflicted about my note-taking approach.
On the one hand, I’m definitely listening more actively and going back to look at the transcript if I miss something (lately I’ve only gone back if there is a material point I didn’t understand). It definitely forces me to pay more attention which is great.
On the other hand, I notice I procrastinate on listening to an episode because I’m now in the mindset that it doesn’t count if I don’t have notes (similar to the step-counter curse…). But before I was totally fine with going on walks and listening to random episodes (still use a step-counter though!). There is definitely value in regularly hearing the natural flow of Japanese and getting used to free-listening. Somehow I need to find a balance between the two. I think I might just “free-listen” to my remaining 16 catch-up episodes…
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Having just listened “carefully” to Episode 25, I am always amazed at how good your summaries are (and how much detail I miss…!) 
I agree, even the smallest encouragement from a teacher is so valuable!
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Maybe 1 out of 5 (or whatever number feels reasonable) you take notes but the rest you listen to?
What gets things done is the best way to do it is the mantra I’ve been trying to cultivate lately..
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I think that may be the solution. My goal was to keep up with the weekly episodes, so if i’m behind, do a listen-and-walk. Great mantra too!
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Listening without taking notes is better than not listening. Walking without worrying about counting steps is way better than not walking (Actually I’m of the opinion walking without counting steps is way better than walking and counting them. I really dislike the way measurements rule our lives) The great thing about self-designed study projects is that you are free to change them whenever you need to.
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I get that as well for sure, so here’s an attempt to do a light version
I listened to episode 44 once with no lookups and then just wrote minimal notes from memory. I would have liked to relisten and do about 5-6 lookups to improve my understanding, and there would be some places to slow it down to transcribe to ask about what she’s saying or make a more detailed comment. So I’m not sure if I got much out if it but it’s better than not having listened! And the minimal notes are probably not that helpful, I could have written more, but it would have taken too long and not been posted at all
ep 44
- Intro - about finishing her semester next week
- Story - about her friend Natalie from China. It sounded like her friend might move back there after she finishes her master’s?
- English corner - stories about some words how she learned them and how she remembered them. I liked the story about garnish and just browsing, but the last word I couldn’t get, sounded a bit like decent
- My favorite - about basketball and a Japanese player, but I didn’t get or Google if the Grizzlies are NBA and what she means with what sounded like G league
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Episode 44
This week’s My Favorite:
Summary
Yuta Watanabe played basketball for the Memphis Grizzlies from 2018 to 2020:
Yuta Watanabe - Wikipedia
Memphis Grizzlies:
Memphis Grizzlies - Wikipedia
G League:
NBA G League - Wikipedia
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So I did hear that right! Thanks for the links! It felt exceedingly lazy to post something I can Google myself, I’m not sure I can stomach that again.
Although in the spirit of the challenge I would have otherwise not even listened, so maybe net win, I guess I could save my comment and wait to post when I have more time
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@mitrac I’m so glad you posted right away with your immediate thoughts. It gave me the nudge I needed to listen to this episode again and catch more details this time.
Also, to everyone in this club who has posted notes and summaries:
Thank you! Your notes – even minimal or incomplete ones – are more useful than you can imagine. Every fragment of understanding is useful to others who are trying to piece together the baffling jigsaw puzzle of listening comprehension.
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nba
Semi-related but now it’s a couple years after the podcast, the only thing you need to know about Japan and the NBA at the moment is Rui Hachimura because he plays for the Lakers, and is far and away the best Japanese player and the main one everyone has heard of (even if he’s not as good as 花道). Yuta Watanabe is out of the league now
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