Ep. 8 | Luciana Danila | From Book Translation to Interpreting for Gabor Maté & using CBT for Interpreters

In this episode, we’re joined by Luciana Danila — a Romanian Professional Conference Interpreter, Translator, and Mentor with over a decade of freelance experience. With more than 200 days of conference interpretation under her belt and nearly 20 books translated, Luciana brings a rare blend of linguistic mastery, global experience, and a deep understanding of the human mind.Currently pursuing a second Master's in Cognitive-Behavioral Therapy (CBT), Luciana shares how psychology and language intersect in her professional journey. We explore how CBT techniques can help interpreters manage stress, anxiety, and performance in high-pressure environments like the booth.💬 In this episode, we discuss:- What inspired Luciana to become an interpreter and translator- The differences between literary translation and conference interpreting- Strategies for navigating the freelance interpreting market in Romania and abroad- Booth anxiety, professional habits, and performance under pressure- The role of psychology and CBT in managing mental fatigue and mentoring interpreters- Business and client acquisition strategies for language professionals- Her favorite conferences and most memorable interpretation assignments (including Gabor Maté!)