Originally Posted by
LFJ
I think Pimsleur is good for what it is nonetheless, at the very beginning.
As for ChinesePod and the like, if you're at an intermediate level you really shouldn't need anything like that. You should be well on to authentic material (content not directed at learners) by that time.
Watch movies, TV shows, read books, etc.. That's the way to really increase your vocabulary and reach fluency more quickly. Cultural points will naturally be noticed along the way because it's authentic material, by Chinese for Chinese.
If you're intermediate already, there's no reason to have your hand held anymore.