Chouchou — le français par la culture.

Laura Wight
  • 5.0 (1)
  • Language Learning

Tu apprends le français et tu as envie de mieux comprendre le français parlé naturellement ? Bienvenue dans Chouchou, le podcast en français principalement destiné aux apprenants de niveau B1 à B2. Chaque semaine, je choisis un Chouchou de la semaine : une personnalité, un artiste, une œuvre ou une figure liée à la culture française. Musique, cinéma, architecture, littérature, science, humour… on ne sait jamais vraiment qui sera le prochain chouchou. En français, chouchou peut désigner un favori, quelqu’un ou quelque chose qu’on aime particulièrement. Et c’est exactement l’idée derrière ce podcast. Hi, my name’s Laura. I’m an American living in Paris — and a lifelong Francophile. I hold a Master’s degree in Langue Française Appliquée (Applied French Language), with formal training in teaching French to adult learners. I’ve taught French over the years, alongside my other professional and creative pursuits. For each episode, I write and prepare an original text specifically for French learners. I then read it aloud at a natural, comfortable pace, using the French I’ve acquired through years of living and working in France. The podcast is primarily designed for intermediate French learners around the B1–B2 level. If you're still around A1 or A2, you're absolutely welcome to listen too — you may simply want to listen more slowly and come back to the episodes as your French develops. Et si tu es déjà au niveau C1 ou C2, bienvenue à toi aussi ! 😉 Tu peux même accélérer légèrement la vitesse de lecture dans ton application pour transformer ces épisodes en petit défi d’écoute. My goal isn't for you to understand every single word immediately. My goal is to help you get used to listening to real French, little by little. Listen once for the general meaning. Listen again for the details. And listen a third time if you want to catch the words you missed. Even learning just one or two new words from an episode is progress. One word today. Another tomorrow. And another the day after that. It adds up. So put on your headphones, get comfortable, and come discover a new French favorite with me every week. Questions, comments, suggestions — ou compliments, bien sûr 😉 — retrouvez-moi sur Instagram : @Laurawight_actrice  Allez, au travail ! 🎧 Premier épisode : samedi 5 septembre 2026. Hébergé par Ausha. Visitez ausha.co/fr/politique-de-confidentialite pour plus d'informations.

Episodes

  1. 2d ago

    Nora Hamzawi — 5 ans avant Paris

    7 — LE CHOUCHOU DE LA SEMAINE : Nora Hamzawi 😂 In this episode, I introduce you to Nora Hamzawi, one of the most distinctive voices in contemporary French comedy — comedian, actress, writer, and radio and television personality. But this episode is also a little personal. I discovered Nora in 2021, when I was living in New York and desperately missing Paris. During a summer trip back to France, I bought her book 35 ans avant internet. A few years later, after moving back to Paris, I finally saw her perform live on October 11, 2025 — just a few days after my birthday, as a little birthday gift to myself. We explore Nora’s observational humor, her wonderfully everyday French, and the way she transforms anxiety, relationships, family, work, and the tiny absurdities of daily life into comedy. And because Nora speaks the way people actually speak — quickly, naturally, with irony, rhythm, and lots of conversational expressions — she’s also a great way to practice listening to real spoken French. In this episode: Nora HamzawI 35 ans avant internet Everyday French and conversational expressions Irony, rhythm, and humor Her work in radio, television, and cinema Grâce à Dieu and Tout simplement noir Why comedians can be excellent language teachers My New York-to-Paris story Seeing Nora perform live in Paris And how a book, a comedian, and a city became part of my own life story 🎧 For B1–B2 French learners: practice listening to natural, everyday French while discovering one of France’s most distinctive comedians. And if Nora is going a little too fast… don’t hesitate to slow down the playback. 😉 Already C1–C2? Try listening at a slightly faster speed. 🎧 Un nouveau chouchou chaque samedi — 12 AM Los Angeles • 3 AM New York • 9h Paris✨ Avec quelques dates exceptionnelles. Cette semaine, petit détour par Café des Délices — retrouvez-les sur Instagram : @lecafedesdelices_paris Hébergé par Ausha. Visitez ausha.co/politique-de-confidentialite pour plus d'informations.

    Nora Hamzawi — 5 ans avant Paris

  2. 4d ago

    Daniel Filipacchi — Le Chouchou des Chouchous

    6 — LE CHOUCHOU DE LA SEMAINE : Daniel Filipacchi 📻🇫🇷 What if I told you that the name of this podcast was inspired by a legendary French radio show from the 1960s? In this episode, I introduce you to Daniel Filipacchi — photographer, journalist, radio host, publisher and art collector, and one of the creators and the host of Salut les Copains. While discovering his story, I came across a little segment called “Le chouchou de la semaine” — the favorite of the week — and suddenly, I had the concept for this podcast. So this episode is also the story of how Chouchou was born. In this episode: Daniel Filipacchi and his beginnings in jazzEurope 1 and Pour ceux qui aiment le jazzThe creation of Salut les CopainsFrench youth culture in the 1960sJohnny Hallyday, Sylvie Vartan, Françoise Hardy and Jacques Dutronc“Le chouchou de la semaine” — the segment that inspired this podcastMy visit to La Belle Ferronnière, a Paris café once frequented by the Salut les Copains teamAnd how an old radio show, two books, a Parisian library and a slightly obsessive curiosity eventually gave birth to Chouchou. 😏 🎧 For B1–B2 French learners: discover a fascinating figure in French cultural history while practicing your listening through a very personal story. Already C1–C2? Try listening at a slightly faster speed. 😉 🎧 Un nouveau chouchou chaque samedi — 12 AM Los Angeles • 3 AM New York • 9h Paris✨ Avec quelques dates exceptionnelles. Cette semaine, petit détour par For Tape Studios — retrouvez-les sur Instagram : @fortape.studio Hébergé par Ausha. Visitez ausha.co/politique-de-confidentialite pour plus d'informations.

    Daniel Filipacchi — Le Chouchou des Chouchous

  3. Oct 3

    Gad Elmaleh — Respect entre chouchous

    5 — LE CHOUCHOU DE LA SEMAINE : Gad Elmaleh 🇫🇷🇲🇦 In this episode, I introduce you to Gad Elmaleh, one of the most popular comedians in France.Born in Casablanca, Gad moved to Paris in the 1990s and built a career in stand-up and film — eventually taking his comedy to New York and trying his hand at the American comedy scene. In this episode: Gad ElmalehCasablanca and his beginnings in show businessCours FlorentDécalages and La Vie NormaleBrian is in the kitchen 😂Humor, cultural differences and everyday lifeHors de prix with Audrey TautouHis American adventureStand-up and his comedy clubsFamily and the influence of his parentsWhy Gad remains one of my favorite French comedians For B1–B2 French learners: discover an important figure in contemporary French comedy while practicing your listening through humor, culture and natural French.Already C1–C2? Try listening a little faster. 🎧 Un nouveau chouchou chaque samedi — 12 AM Los Angeles • 3 AM New York • 9h Paris✨ Avec quelques dates exceptionnelles. Cette semaine, petit détour par JM Vidéo — retrouvez-les sur Instagram : @jmvideoparis Hébergé par Ausha. Visitez ausha.co/politique-de-confidentialite pour plus d'informations.

    Gad Elmaleh — Respect entre chouchous

  4. Sep 26

    Brigitte Bardot — Contact !

    4 — LE CHOUCHOU DE LA SEMAINE : Brigitte Bardot 🇫🇷🎬🐾 In this episode, I introduce you to Brigitte Bardot — actress, singer, internationally renowned beauty, and one of the most recognizable faces of French cinema.From Et Dieu… créa la femme and her legendary musical collaborations with Serge Gainsbourg to her extraordinary decision to leave acting at the height of her fame and devote the rest of her life to animal protection, we explore the many sides of Brigitte Bardot. And the timing couldn’t be better: this episode arrives just two days before Brigitte Bardot’s birthday on September 28. 🎂 In this episode: Brigitte Bardot Et Dieu… créa la femme Roger Vadim Serge Gainsbourg Comic Strip & Contact Je t’aime… moi non plus French cinema and music in the 1960s Her decision to leave acting in 1973 Animal protection and the Fondation Brigitte Bardot Fame, controversy and the complexity of a cultural icon My own connection to animal protection My dream of adopting a dog from the Fondation Brigitte Bardot 🐶 For B1–B2 French learners: discover one of the most famous figures in French popular culture while practicing your listening through cinema, music and a personal story.Already C1–C2? Try listening a little faster. 🎧 Un nouveau chouchou chaque samedi — 12 AM Los Angeles • 3 AM New York • 9h Paris✨ Avec quelques dates exceptionnelles. Cette semaine, petit détour par La Cinémathèque Française — retrouvez-les sur Instagram : @cinemathequefr Hébergé par Ausha. Visitez ausha.co/politique-de-confidentialite pour plus d'informations.

    Brigitte Bardot — Contact !

  5. Sep 19

    Jean-Pierre Jeunet — Une idée de Paris

    3 — LE CHOUCHOU DE LA SEMAINE : Jean-Pierre Jeunet 🇫🇷🎬 In this episode, I introduce you to Jean-Pierre Jeunet, the filmmaker behind Delicatessen and Amélie.We explore his wonderfully strange cinematic universe — colorful, dark, funny, poetic and obsessively detailed — as well as his unexpected journey to Hollywood with Alien: Resurrection. In this episode: Jean-Pierre Jeunet Delicatessen Amélie Alien: Resurrection Paris and Montmartre His visual universe and attention to detail Acting and unforgettable characters For B1–B2 French learners: discover one of France’s most distinctive filmmakers while practicing your listening through cinema, culture and natural French.Already C1–C2? Try listening a little faster. 🎧 Un nouveau chouchou chaque samedi — 12 AM Los Angeles • 3 AM New York • 9h Paris✨ Avec quelques dates exceptionnelles. Cette semaine, petit détour par Vidéothèque — retrouvez-les sur Instagram : @videotheque  Hébergé par Ausha. Visitez ausha.co/politique-de-confidentialite pour plus d'informations.

    Jean-Pierre Jeunet — Une idée de Paris

  6. Sep 12

    Kavinsky — Une seule chanson suffit

    2 — LE CHOUCHOU DE LA SEMAINE : Kavinsky 🇫🇷🚗🌃 In this episode, I introduce you to Kavinsky, the French electronic artist behind Nightcall — and the unforgettable sound of Drive. We explore his connection to the French Touch, his cinematic universe of cars, neon lights and 1980s American culture, and the surprising connections between Daft Punk, CSS, AIR and the French electronic scene. We also talk about his performance at the 2024 Paris Olympics and why Nightcall has become so much more than a song: for me, it’s the soundtrack to a very specific time, place and feeling. In this episode: Kavinsky / Vincent BelorgeyNightcallDrive and Ryan GoslingThe French Touch and French electronic musicDaft Punk and Guy-Manuel de Homem-ChristoLovefoxxx and CSSAIR and the surprising connection to CSSThe 2024 Paris OlympicsCars, neon, cinema and 1980s aestheticsWhy Nightcall became iconicWhy sometimes a song can become a movie in your head For B1–B2 French learners: discover one of the most cinematic figures in French electronic music while practicing your listening through music, cinema and pop culture. Already C1–C2? Try listening a little faster. 🎧 Un nouveau chouchou chaque samedi — 12 AM Los Angeles • 3 AM New York • 9h Paris✨ Avec quelques dates exceptionnelles. Cette semaine, petit détour par La Filmothèque du Quartier Latin — retrouvez-les sur Instagram : @lafilmothequeduquartierlatin Hébergé par Ausha. Visitez ausha.co/politique-de-confidentialite pour plus d'informations.

    Kavinsky — Une seule chanson suffit

  7. Sep 5

    AIR — Suivre le phare

    1 — LE CHOUCHOU DE LA SEMAINE : AIR 🇫🇷🎧 In this episode, I introduce you to AIR, the legendary French electronic duo from Versailles — and probably my favorite musical group in the world. From Premiers Symptômes and Moon Safari to Talkie Walkie, we explore the dreamy, cinematic sound of Nicolas Godin and Jean-Benoît Dunckel, their place in the French Touch, and their extraordinary international career. But this episode is also personal. After years living in New York and Los Angeles, AIR’s music became the soundtrack to my return to France — and, perhaps, my good-luck charm. 😉 In this episode: AIR, Nicolas Godin & Jean-Benoît DunckelVersailles and the French TouchPremiers Symptômes, Moon Safari & Talkie WalkieSome of my favorite AIR songsSeeing AIR live in Philadelphia, New York and ParisMy years in New York and Los AngelesMusic as the soundtrack to a lifeHow AIR helped bring me back to France For B1–B2 French learners: discover one of France’s most iconic electronic groups while practicing your listening through music, culture and a very personal story. Already C1–C2? Try listening a little faster. 🎧 Un nouveau chouchou chaque samedi — 12 AM Los Angeles • 3 AM New York • 9h Paris✨ Avec quelques dates exceptionnelles. Cette semaine, petit détour par Chair de Poule — retrouvez-les sur Instagram : @chair_de_poule_bar Hébergé par Ausha. Visitez ausha.co/politique-de-confidentialite pour plus d'informations.

    AIR — Suivre le phare

  8. Season 1 Trailer

    Bande-annonce — Chouchou

    Tu apprends le français et tu as envie de mieux comprendre le français parlé naturellement ? Bienvenue dans Chouchou — Le français par la culture, un podcast principalement destiné aux apprenants de français de niveau B1 à B2. Chaque semaine, viens découvrir l’histoire d’un de mes chouchous de la culture française : une personnalité, une œuvre ou un artiste qui a marqué la France. 🎧 Premier épisode : samedi 5 septembre 2026. Retrouvez Chouchou sur Instagram : @chouchou_podcast Hébergé par Ausha. Visitez ausha.co/politique-de-confidentialite pour plus d'informations.

  • 1 Trailer
    7 Episodes

Trailer

About

Tu apprends le français et tu as envie de mieux comprendre le français parlé naturellement ? Bienvenue dans Chouchou, le podcast en français principalement destiné aux apprenants de niveau B1 à B2. Chaque semaine, je choisis un Chouchou de la semaine : une personnalité, un artiste, une œuvre ou une figure liée à la culture française. Musique, cinéma, architecture, littérature, science, humour… on ne sait jamais vraiment qui sera le prochain chouchou. En français, chouchou peut désigner un favori, quelqu’un ou quelque chose qu’on aime particulièrement. Et c’est exactement l’idée derrière ce podcast. Hi, my name’s Laura. I’m an American living in Paris — and a lifelong Francophile. I hold a Master’s degree in Langue Française Appliquée (Applied French Language), with formal training in teaching French to adult learners. I’ve taught French over the years, alongside my other professional and creative pursuits. For each episode, I write and prepare an original text specifically for French learners. I then read it aloud at a natural, comfortable pace, using the French I’ve acquired through years of living and working in France. The podcast is primarily designed for intermediate French learners around the B1–B2 level. If you're still around A1 or A2, you're absolutely welcome to listen too — you may simply want to listen more slowly and come back to the episodes as your French develops. Et si tu es déjà au niveau C1 ou C2, bienvenue à toi aussi ! 😉 Tu peux même accélérer légèrement la vitesse de lecture dans ton application pour transformer ces épisodes en petit défi d’écoute. My goal isn't for you to understand every single word immediately. My goal is to help you get used to listening to real French, little by little. Listen once for the general meaning. Listen again for the details. And listen a third time if you want to catch the words you missed. Even learning just one or two new words from an episode is progress. One word today. Another tomorrow. And another the day after that. It adds up. So put on your headphones, get comfortable, and come discover a new French favorite with me every week. Questions, comments, suggestions — ou compliments, bien sûr 😉 — retrouvez-moi sur Instagram : @Laurawight_actrice  Allez, au travail ! 🎧 Premier épisode : samedi 5 septembre 2026. Hébergé par Ausha. Visitez ausha.co/fr/politique-de-confidentialite pour plus d'informations.

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