Chouchou — le français par la culture.

Laura Wight

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. 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 !
  2. 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
  3. 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

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.