Spain Explained

Marti Buckley
  • 5.0 (18)
  • PLACES & TRAVEL
  • UPDATED WEEKLY

Spain Explained is the podcast for people who want to understand Spanish culture, Spanish food, and Spanish traditions beyond the guidebook basics. Hosted by award-winning author and cook Marti Buckley, who's lived in Spain since 2010, this show unpacks the concepts, rituals, and quirks that make Spain… Spain. Whether you're planning a trip to Spain, obsessed with Spanish cuisine, dreaming of moving there, or just curious why lunch can last four hours, this podcast translates the untranslatable. Each episode dives into one single part of Spanish life, from sobremesa to siesta, café con leche to jamón ibérico, and explains what it is and why it matters. Marti is the author of cookbooks including The Book of Pintxos and Basque Country, writes for Condé Nast Traveler, The Telegraph, and Food & Wine,, and founded the International Society for the Preservation and Enjoyment of Vermouth. She's your insider guide to Spanish culture, Spanish daily life, and Spanish food traditions. This podcast is about understanding why Spain works the way it does. Perfect for Spain lovers, travelers, expats, and anyone who's wondered why Spaniards eat dinner at 10pm. New episodes weekly covering Spanish food culture, daily life in Spain, regional traditions, and the quirks of living in Spain.

Episodes

  1. 2D AGO

    What is Vermut? (EP 10)

    Spain has an entire time of day named after a drink, which just goes to show how essential vermut, or vermouth, is to understand Spain. This episode, hosted by Marti Buckley who just happens to be the co-founder of the International Society for the Preservation and Enjoyment of Vermouth, breaks down what vermut actually is, where it came from, and the ups and downs of Spanish vermouth culture over the years. This is a life-changing episode…you'll learn what makes vermouth actually considered vermouth, as well as the difference between Italian, French, and Spanish styles, and how a drink invented in 18th century Turin became one of Spain's most enduring social traditions. We cover la hora del vermut, why you want yours on tap, what exactly a vermuteke is, and why ordering a vermut de grifo or a marianito on a Sunday morning is one of life's best moments. If you want more Spain content: ∙ Subscribe to Marti's Substack at https://substack.com/@martibuckley ∙ Follow her on Instagram @martibuckley ∙ Visit her blog at www.travelcookeat.com.

    14 min
  2. You Might Also Like: On Purpose with Jay Shetty

    2D AGO ·  BONUS

    You Might Also Like: On Purpose with Jay Shetty

    Introducing Nischa Shah: #1 Financial Mistake People Make in Their 20s & 30s (Fix It With This Simple System) from On Purpose with Jay Shetty. Follow the show: On Purpose with Jay Shetty Today, Jay sits down with his dear friend Nischa Shah, a former investment banker and accountant who walked away from a high-status corporate career to help people rethink their relationship with money, success, and freedom. Nischa reflects on the “dark phase” she experienced while climbing the corporate ladder, realizing that the prestige and polish of banking had created a deep disconnect from her true self. Nischa invites listeners to confront a powerful question many of us avoid: “Would I still be happy if I were living the same life five or ten years from now?” Jay and Nischa shift into practical strategies for navigating money anxiety. Nischa introduces the “ostrich effect,” which is the psychological tendency to avoid looking at our finances out of fear. She shares her simple but powerful “three-bucket” approach to personal finance, where income is intentionally divided between fundamentals, fun, and the “future you.” By reframing the goal from financial success to financial happiness, Nischa offers a clearer, more intentional way to manage money, one that prioritizes peace of mind over status or external validation. In this interview, you'll learn: How to Assess Your Career Alignment  How to Calculate a Financial Cushion  How to Manage Income Using the Three-Bucket Method  How to Audit Spending with Three Key Questions  How to Turn Financial Knowledge into Action  How to Strategize Paying Off Debt vs. Investing  How to Increase Your Value and Earning Potential  It is never too late to begin reclaiming your narrative, whether that starts with building a small financial safety net for peace of mind or finally turning knowledge into decisive action. With Love and Gratitude, Jay Shetty JAY’S DAILY WISDOM DELIVERED STRAIGHT TO YOUR INBOX Join 900,000+ readers discovering how small daily shifts create big life change with my free newsletter. Subscribe here: https://news.jayshetty.me/subscribe   Check out our Apple subscription to unlock bonus content of On Purpose! https://lnk.to/JayShettyPodcast  What We Discuss: 00:00 Intro 00:54 Questioning the Traditional Path  03:22 The Courage to Walk Away  06:14 Calculating Your Financial Runway  07:04 Separating Your Self-Worth from Your Title  10:49 What is the Ostrich Effect?  13:45 Fighting Instant Gratification  14:28 Ask Yourself These Three Questions Before Buying Anything  18:30 Micro-Habits That Build Real Wealth  21:29 Spending With Intention   23:33 Why More Money Doesn’t Always Fix Money Problems  28:49 Financial Success vs. Financial Happiness  31:03 Is there Such a Thing as Passive Income?  34:06 Mastering Long-Term Investing  36:42 Should You Buy a Home?  37:42 Breaking the Scarcity Mindset 42:01 Stop Spending to Impress People 44:31 The Problem With Constantly Upgrading  45:55 How Can You Be of Value To Others?  49:07 Focus on Earning More, Not Just Cutting Costs  53:40 Defining Your Personal Freedom  54:52 The Entrepreneurship vs. Employment Trap  56:37 Investing in Your Own Skills  58:47 Short-Term Joy vs. Long-Term Security  01:00:50 We All Make Financial Mistakes!  01:01:31 It’s Never Too Late 01:02:48 This or That: Money Edition 01:06:34 Nischa on Final Five Episode Resources: YouTube | https://www.youtube.com/@nischa  Facebook | https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=61567018784328  Instagram | https://www.instagram.com/nischa.me/  TikTok | https://www.tiktok.com/discover/nischa-shah See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information. DISCLAIMER: Please note, this is an independent podcast episode not affiliated with, endorsed by, or produced in conjunction with the host podcast feed or any of its media entities. The views and opinions expressed in this episode are solely those of the creators and guests. For any concerns, please reach out to team@podroll.fm.

  3. MAR 17

    What is Semana Santa? (EP 09)

    Semana Santa…it's holy week, that time of year again when Spain stops. Schools close, businesses shut down, and people fill the streets for religious processions that last hours, some of which have been happening continuously for five hundred years.  This episode breaks down what Semana Santa actually is, why Spain's Holy Week is unlike anything else in the Catholic world, and how a week of religious observance became one of the most intense cultural events on the Spanish calendar. You'll learn how the processions work, who organizes them, and what those pointed hoods are really about. We'll talk about the famous (Sevilla) and the lesser known (a thundering mass drumming in Aragón, medieval skeleton dancers in Catalonia, and acts of public penance in La Rioja that go back to the Middle Ages). Semana Santa runs Sunday March 29th through Sunday April 5th this year. This episode will tell you everything you need to know before it starts. If you want more Spain content: ∙ Subscribe to Marti's Substack at https://substack.com/@martibuckley ∙ Follow her on Instagram @martibuckley ∙ Visit her blog at www.travelcookeat.com.

    17 min

  4. MAR 10

    What is Paella? (EP 08)

    Traditional Valencian paella has rabbit, legumes, and vegetables…not seafood. This episode explains what paella actually is, where it comes from, and why there's so much confusion about it. You'll learn the ingredients in authentic paella valenciana, how "paella" refers to both the pan and the dish, and why seafood paella and paella mixta are legitimate variations of a different style. This episode also covers when paella is traditionally eaten in Spain, what socarrat is and why it matters, the common mistakes that kinda ruin paella, and how to identify quality when you order it. The paella debate is real, so listen to this episode to get all the facts.  If you want more Spain content: ∙ Subscribe to Marti's Substack at https://substack.com/@martibuckley ∙ Follow her on Instagram @martibuckley ∙ Visit her blog at www.travelcookeat.com.

    17 min

  5. MAR 3

    What is Siesta? (EP 07)

    Spain's most famous tradition is also its most misunderstood. The siesta isn't what you think it is, and most Spaniards don't actually take one. This episode breaks down what a siesta actually is, why it's fundamentally different from just any nap, and how the word itself covers two distinct things: the sleep and the midday break when Spain effectively pauses. You'll learn where the word comes from, who actually still does it, and the very specific demographic that is keeping this tradition alive. The siesta survives as one of Spain's most recognized cultural exports while quietly disappearing from actual Spanish life. Only 16% of Spaniards take a siesta every day. The rest have mortgages and commutes and bosses. But the tradition that replaced it, those long midday breaks that reshaped how Spanish cities were built and how Spanish time works, that's the real story. This is a whole philosophy about when humans should work, rest, and eat, and an exploration of the culture built up around it. If you want more Spain content: ∙ Subscribe to Marti's Substack at https://substack.com/@martibuckley ∙ Follow her on Instagram @martibuckley ∙ Visit her blog at www.travelcookeat.com.

    12 min

  6. FEB 24

    What is Jamón Ibérico? (EP 06)

    Spain's most expensive cured meat costs the same per ounce as jewelry-grade silver. A single leg runs €400 to €1,000 in Spain, over $1,400 in the US, and only 6% of Spanish ham production qualifies for the top black tag classification. This episode breaks down what jamón ibérico de bellota actually is, why Iberian pigs have a genetic superpower no other pig on earth possesses, and how to identify the real thing from knockoffs. You'll learn the official categories, why hand-cut versus machine-sliced fundamentally changes the taste, which brands are widely revered, and what makes jamón ibérico so good it melts in your mouth. This is years of a pig's life eating acorns in oak forests plus years of aging, concentrated into meat that Spanish culture treats like a food group. The episode explains the cortador profession, vintage añada hams, why the fat is yellowish and glossy, and whether this cured meat is actually worth what it costs.  Spoiler alert: TOTALLY. If you want more Spain content: ∙ Subscribe to Marti's Substack at https://substack.com/@martibuckley .∙ Follow her on Instagram @martibuckley ∙ Visit her blog at www.travelcookeat.com.

    24 min

  7. FEB 17

    What is the Paseo? (EP 05)

    Every evening, entire Spanish neighborhoods empty onto the streets. No event, no destination, just thousands of people walking. This is the paseo, Spain's daily walking tradition and the most elegant solution to modern loneliness ever invented. According to Spain's national statistics institute, 71% of Spaniards say walking is their primary leisure activity. Not hiking, not gym workouts, just communal evening strolls. This episode breaks down what the paseo actually is, why Spanish cities are designed for it, and how this 200-year-old tradition solves problems like anxiety, isolation, and sedentary lifestyles that wellness apps desperately try to fix. You'll learn the unwritten rules, what time to go, why the timing matters, and how to participate if you're living in Spain. The paseo survives because it answers a fundamental question: how do you maintain actual community when everything is designed to keep people isolated? If you want more Spain content: ∙ Subscribe to Marti's Substack at https://substack.com/@martibuckley ∙ Follow her on Instagram @martibuckley ∙ Visit her blog at www.travelcookeat.com.

    13 min

  8. FEB 10

    What is Café con Leche? (EP 04)

    This is an episode about Spanish coffee. Not just café con leche...also cortado, café solo, carajillo...and each one has its own rules, its own timing, and its own place in the daily rhythm of Spanish life. In this episode, I break down the essential Spanish coffee drinks, when and how to order them, what makes Spanish coffee taste like it does, and what it reveals about how Spain approaches food, time, and ritual. This is your guide to drinking coffee like a Spaniard. If you want more Spain content: subscribe to my Substack, follow me on Instagram @martibuckley, and visit my blog at www.travelcookeat.com.

    12 min

  9. FEB 3

    What is Sobremesa? (EP 03)

    Sobremesa is the word for what happens after you finish eating in Spain, and once you get it, everything clicks. It's why a Tuesday lunch turns into a three-hour situation. It's why Spanish restaurants feel so unhurried. It's why the best part of a Spanish meal has nothing to do with the food. In this episode I break down what sobremesa actually is, why it's sacred, and what it tells you about how life in Spain really works. The meal is over but no one leaves. And guess what? That's the whole point. If you want more Spain content: subscribe to my Substack here, follow me on Instagram @martibuckley, and visit my blog at www.travelcookeat.com.

    13 min

  10. FEB 3

    What is Tortilla Española? (EP 02)

    Tortilla española is just eggs, potatoes, and oil. That's it. And yet somehow it's Spain's most important dish… on every menu, in every bar, and the source of passionate debates over whether it needs onion or not. In this episode, I break down what tortilla española really is, why it's everywhere, the great onion debate (it's real), and how to eat it the way Spaniards actually do. This is Spanish food at its simplest and most essential. If you want more Spain content: subscribe to my Substack here, follow me on Instagram @martibuckley, and visit my blog at www.travelcookeat.com.

    17 min

  11. FEB 3

    What is Spain? (EP 01)

    Spain is bigger, stranger, and more interesting than most people realize. The Basque Country, Cataluña, Andalucía, Galicia …they all cook differently, speak differently, and don't always agree on what "Spain" even means. In this first episode of Spain Explained, What is Spain?, I dive into why "Spanish cuisine" is kind of a myth, what it really means to be Spanish, and why understanding this changes everything about how you experience the country. This is where we start. If you want more Spain content: subscribe to my Substack here, follow me on Instagram @martibuckley, and visit my blog at www.travelcookeat.com.

    17 min
  • 11 Episodes

Ratings & Reviews

5
out of 5
18 Ratings

About

Spain Explained is the podcast for people who want to understand Spanish culture, Spanish food, and Spanish traditions beyond the guidebook basics. Hosted by award-winning author and cook Marti Buckley, who's lived in Spain since 2010, this show unpacks the concepts, rituals, and quirks that make Spain… Spain. Whether you're planning a trip to Spain, obsessed with Spanish cuisine, dreaming of moving there, or just curious why lunch can last four hours, this podcast translates the untranslatable. Each episode dives into one single part of Spanish life, from sobremesa to siesta, café con leche to jamón ibérico, and explains what it is and why it matters. Marti is the author of cookbooks including The Book of Pintxos and Basque Country, writes for Condé Nast Traveler, The Telegraph, and Food & Wine,, and founded the International Society for the Preservation and Enjoyment of Vermouth. She's your insider guide to Spanish culture, Spanish daily life, and Spanish food traditions. This podcast is about understanding why Spain works the way it does. Perfect for Spain lovers, travelers, expats, and anyone who's wondered why Spaniards eat dinner at 10pm. New episodes weekly covering Spanish food culture, daily life in Spain, regional traditions, and the quirks of living in Spain.

Information

  • Creator
    Marti Buckley
  • Years Active
    2K
  • Episodes
    11
  • Rating
    Clean
  • Copyright
    © 2026
  • Show Website
    Spain Explained

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