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All Episodes

Language & Travel Hacking — 273 episodes

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Title
1

The Mexican States project

2

Major cities vs deeper travels

3

Update and my daily routine during my Chinese project

4

Are you not ready yet, or is the situation what’s wrong?

5

Why My First Mandarin Project Almost Broke Me (And How I Fixed My Approach)

6

Wrapping up Malaysia and Brunei

7

Benny's next language project

8

My 50th country! But, what's the right number to visit?

9

Life challenges that made me a better language learner

10

How ADHD made me a better language learner

11

Kicking off my Malay/Malaysian adventure

12

End of year language boost

13

Benny's next travel/language project is...

14

How I’m immersing myself in Irish… in Texas!

15

My story with the Irish language

16

Life in the US and visiting all 48 contiguous states

17

Language updates: ASL and... Irish!

18

Converting between units quickly

19

The logarithmic advantage of beginners

20

Which Operating System is best for language learners?

21

Travel update: 4 new US states

22

Comparison is your enemy in a big project

23

Finding meet-ups and friends while travelling solo

24

Benny’s last big US road trip

25

Why you should learn a sign language

26

Juggling and maintaining multiple languages

27

Thoughts after 4 months of deep travels through Indonesia

28

The disadvantage of intensive language learning projects

29

Is travelling alone... lonely?

30

The Day I Made a Friend Entirely Through Indonesian

31

Time to ditch Duolingo

32

The language talent myth

33

The confidence plateau

34

Month 2 Language Project update

35

Your language learning space: A simple but effective hack!

36

The benefits of AI for language learners

37

Solving the listening comprehension problem

38

Month 1 update on my 2025 intensive language learning project

39

How I became an alien of extraordinary ability: US visas

40

Future of travel: Go to popular places ASAP!

41

Future of travel: Avoiding the "hotspot problem"

42

Picking the right teacher for a language project

43

Kicking off my 2025 language learning project

44

Saving money with the world's easiest language

45

Announcing my big 2025 language and travel project!

46

What is it like to visit every state of Brazil?

47

Moving abroad: What to think about (part 2)

48

Moving abroad: What to think about (part 1)

49

Improving language skills through learning other new things

50

Several tools to share your travel itinerary

51

Using travel to get in shape

52

How I became a polyglot

53

Travel Health Hacks: Avoiding and Managing Illness on the Road

54

Escaping Depression? Why Travel Isn't the Answer

55

Getting detained by the Federal Police: Travel mishap story

56

Area codes around the world to help with your travels

57

21 years a nomad: What's changed since 2003?

58

Benny Travel Update: 3 Months in the Amazon

59

Benny's travel update: 3 huge South American travel projects for 2024

60

Benny shares his optimism and enthusiasm about his favourite AI language tool

61

Ask Benny: Benny Shares His Skepticism About AI's Role in Language Learning

62

Ask Benny: Other ways to avoid being an obvious foreigner

63

Ask Benny: The interesting trick; teaching people other info so they´ll put up with my bad language skills

64

Ask Benny: How to be the 1st ever

65

Ask Benny: Mental health struggles and being a language learner

66

How to dive deep into dialects (Benny's 2024 language plan)

67

Ask Benny: How to learn a language in 2024: Taking a resolution and turning it into a true project

68

Ask Benny: Geoguessr, Geography, country studies (How Benny relaxes)

69

Ask Benny: When should I move on to the next language, if I want to be a polyglot?

70

Ask Benny: What are the resident logistics of a nomad? Benny's Travel update and long-term travel plan

71

Ask Benny: Melting ice: Constant work to push through a plateau

72

Ask Benny: Travel update: downsizing

73

Ask Benny: Dialects: when should you learn them?

74

Ask Benny: Dance lessons and online tutorials in your target language

75

Ask Benny: Why November 1st is the most important date in my language learning story

76

Ask Benny: Virtual immersion: Do what you normally do in the target language!

77

Ask Benny: Benny's late-2023 language learning update

78

Ask Benny: Deep thought: Does age make us worse learners or is it something else?

79

Ask Benny: Different types of language exchange events: Stand-up and sit-down

80

#141 Dan Mirea on TikTok, Psychology & Linguistics

81

Ask Benny: What Was Your Biggest Mistake During Your Korean Mission?

82

Ask Benny: What Are Your Favourite Korean-Learning Resources?

83

#140 Peggy on “Little Victories”

84

#139 Will Scott on Learning French Daily

85

Ask Benny: How Did the Korean Mission Go?

86

#138 Anika on How to Learn Telugu

87

Ask Benny: Can I Learn a Language With My Partner?

88

#137 Victoria Galmarini on Mundo Lingo and Language Exchange Events

89

Ask Benny: Why 3 Months?

90

#136 “Grammar Girl” Mignon Fogarty on How to Make Grammar Less Boring

91

#135 Azren on Going from Window Cleaner to Language Teacher

92

Ask Benny: How Do You Start Speaking From Day 1?

93

#134 Pierre on Beating Fear & Shyness

94

#133 Zac on the Power of Music for Language Learners

95

Ask Benny: What Language Is Benny Learning Now?

96

#132 Emanuel on “Stage Fright” in Language Learning

97

#131 Deanna on Avoiding Language FOMO

98

Ask Benny: How Do You Prepare For a 3 Month Mission?

99

Benny's Fluent in 3 Months Projects History (+ a Big Announcement)

100

#130 TY on Finding the Fun in French

101

#129 Philippa Wentzel on Lingoda and Language Technology

102

#128 Greg on “To-Do” Lists to Learn Czech

103

New Year's Special: Reflections and Resolutions

104

#127 Honorée on Learning Languages Through Passion and Asking for Help

105

Ask Benny: What is Christmas like for a solo traveller?

106

#126 Miguel on Community and Connection in Language Learning

107

#125 Michael Campbell on the Power of “Reps” for Language Learners

108

Ask Benny: How do language exchange events work?

109

#124 Olly Richards on Creating the StoryLearning Method

110

#123 Kelsey Lechner on Speaking 6 Very Different Languages

111

#122 Brian Powell on How Learning a Dead Language Changed His Perspective

112

Ask Benny: How Do I Create a Language Immersion Environment at Home?

113

#121 Nina on How to Break the Intermediate Plateau

114

#120 Melanie on Learning French With Her 7 Kids

115

Ask Benny: New Language Goals Plans! Focusing on 5 Languages From Now On

116

#118 Joaquin on the Bilingual-Trilingual Journey

117

Ask Benny: How do you learn vocabulary while traveling?

118

#117 Dr. Barbara Oakley on Learning How to Learn

119

#116 Hez on What to Do When You Want to Learn Everything at Once

120

Benny's Next Language Project - Next Stop: Another Continent

121

#115 Gabby Wallace on How Language Teachers Learn a Language

122

Benny's Language Project Update (+ Mini Discovery Related to Learning Vocabulary)

123

#114 Luca Sadurny on Mosalingua and Ikigai

124

#113 Elena Mutonono on Tutoring in Ukraine and Creating an Online Business

125

#112 Damian on Surprising His Friend by Learning Bosnian

126

Ask Benny: How Can My Tutor Help Me Make Flashcards?

127

#111 Steve Kaufmann on the Evolution of LingQ

128

#110 Kittichai Boonthong on Learning English and Japanese, and Cultural Differences

129

Ask Benny: How Can I Use Social Media to Learn Languages?

130

#109 Ellen Jovin on “The Grammar Table”

131

Ask Benny: How Do I Make A Personalised Phrasebook?

132

#107 Paul Jorgenson on How to Make Difficult Languages Easy

133

#106 Zsuzsanna on Learning Languages as a Family

134

Ask Benny: What is the 80/20 Rule?

135

#105 Fiel Sahir on Learning a Language Without “Studying”

136

#104 Corentin on How to Reinvent Yourself as a Language Learner

137

Ask Benny: Why Learn Esperanto?

138

#103 Simon Ager on Creating an Encyclopedia of Languages

139

#102 Professor Argüelles on Learning a Language in 15 Minutes a Day

140

Ask Benny: Two Big Announcements!

141

#101 Scott Brills on World Travel & Language Survival Basics

142

#100 Celebrating 100 Episodes with Scott Young

143

#99 Shannon and Elizabeth on Self-Compassion in Language Learning

144

Ask Benny: What are Language Islands?

145

#98 Benny and Shannon on Language Learning When Life Happens

146

#97 Louisa on Learning About Herself Through Italian

147

Ask Benny: What is the Pomodoro Technique?

148

#96 Fiona’s 90-Day Italian Challenge

149

#95 Jeremy Ginsburg on "Beginner's Mind"

150

Ask Benny: What's Your Favourite Language App?

151

#94 Sam on Comedy and Humor in Language Learning

152

#93 Laetitia on How to Find a Great Language Tutor

153

Ask Benny: Does Daily Duolingo Really Help?

154

#92 Tom O’Neill on Language Learning for Introverts

155

#91 Manish on Juggling Multiple Languages

156

Ask Benny: St Patrick's Day / Seachtain na Gaeilge Special

157

#90 St. Patrick’s Day Special: Sadelle’s Irish Journey

158

#89 Elena Guillén on Going from Dabbler to Consistent Learner

159

Ask Benny: How Do You Gather the Courage to Speak?

160

#88 Cara Leopold on Fast-Talking Native Speakers

161

#87 John Fotheringham on “Anywhere Immersion”

162

Ask Benny: How Can I Find Content in a Less Common Language?

163

#86 Andrew Hamerlinck on What Sports Coaches Can Teach Language Learners

164

#85 Alicya on Wine Tasting to Learn French

165

Ask Benny: New "Language Hacking Mandarin" Book Release

166

#84 Dr. Gu on Co-Writing ‘Language Hacking Mandarin’

167

#83 Hugo Cotton on Learning Through Topics that Matter

168

Ask Benny: How Can I Incorporate the 4 Pillars of Language Learning into My Routine?

169

#82 Liz of “Talk the Streets” on How to Get Started with Portuguese

170

#81 Carine Lemaire on Fearless Language Practice

171

Ask Benny: Benny's 2022 Language Learning Plans

172

Ask Benny: How to Get Started with a New Language in 2022

173

Ask Benny: How to Make New Year's Resolutions that Actually Stick

174

#80 Yawhann’s 90 Day Language Challenge

175

Ask Benny: Mental Health and Language Learning

176

#79 Lina Vasquez on Holistic Language Coaching

177

Ask Benny: Reactivating My Catalan After 15 Years

178

#78 Christmas Special: Top Gifts for Language Learners

179

#77 Gabriel Silva on Learning Two Languages at the Same Time

180

Ask Benny: What if I Can't Prepare Before a Lesson?

181

#76 Ben Phillips on How to Live and Study Abroad for Free

182

#75 Doree Huneven on Worldwide Travel, Reward Systems and Sleeping Languages

183

Ask Benny: What's the Best Way to Prep for a Language Class?

184

#74 Stephen Krashen on the Comprehensible Input Method

185

#73 Juliana Russell on “Do Kids Learn Languages Better than Adults?”

186

Ask Benny: What Should I Do Differently in Speaking Lessons at Different Levels?

187

#72 Jeremy Bardo on Going Viral in Another Language

188

#71 Brittany Williams’ 90 Day Japanese Challenge

189

Ask Benny: How Can I Speak Zero English in a Language Lesson?

190

#70 Herr Professor on How Engineers Approach Language Learning

191

#69 Sara Maria Hasbun on the Psychology of Language Learning

192

Ask Benny: How Can I Start Reading in My Target Language?

193

#68 Anthony Metivier on Building a Magnetic Memory

194

#67 Mari Silvestrini on Energy and Momentum in Language Learning

195

Ask Benny: Should I Learn Verb Conjugations Before Trying to Speak?

196

#66 Anja Spilker on Creating a Language School in Mexico

197

#65 Alice Cimino on Learning With Downton Abbey

198

Ask Benny: How Can I Find the Right Teacher?

199

#64 Shahidah Foster on Starting Black Girls Learn Languages

200

#63 How to Become a Fearless Language Learner with Halima Salim

201

Ask Benny: How Can I Speak from Day One When I Don't Know a Single Word?

202

#62 Relearn a Language with Marissa Blaszko

203

#61 Svenja on Language Islands, Daily Habits and Finding Breakthroughs

204

Ask Benny: How to Learn a Different Writing System

205

#60 Katie Pascoe on Virtual Reality Language Learning

206

#59 Maria Ortega on the Poetry of Learning Languages

207

#58 Janina Klimas on Using Acting Techniques to Improve Your Languages

208

#57 Géraldine Lepère on Cultural Clues to Sound More French

209

#56 Jo Franco on Being a Netflix Travel Chick

210

#55 Elfin Waters on Falling in Lust with Languages

211

#54 Jim and May on Spanish and Go

212

#53 Anja Winter on How Engaging Language Content Keeps you Coming Back

213

Ask Benny: Update on Benny's Language Projects

214

#52 Mark Pentleton on Creating Coffee Break Podcasts

215

#51 Dustin and Ruben Share Accent Tips to Sound Like a Native Speaker in Spanish

216

Ask Benny: How to Stop Getting Tempted by Shiny New Languages

217

#50 Dayna Brockbank on Budget Language Learning with Cartoons, Anki, and italki

218

#49 Alex Rawlings on Speaking 11 Languages Fluently

219

Ask Benny: Is it Better to Learn Phrases Rather Than Words?

220

#48 Sarah Gillespie on the Treasure Hunt of Learning a Rare Language

221

#47 Luca Lampariello on Questioning Everything When Learning Languages

222

Ask Benny: How to Watch Movies in My Target Language?

223

#46 How Ashton Went from B1 to C1 Spanish in 48 Days

224

#45 Damon Dominique on Being a Travel & Language YouTuber

225

Ask Benny: Should I Learn Two Languages at Once?

226

#44 Lizzy Rimington Shares Insider French Secrets from 30 Years Living in France

227

#43 Eliza Simpson on Accent Training with Hollywood Stars

228

Ask Benny: When Do I Learn Grammar?

229

#42 Jessie and Kike on Lockdown Language Success

230

#41 Benny Lewis on How Climbing Mt. Kilimanjaro is Like Learning Languages

231

Ask Benny: How Do You Remember Vocabulary in Another Language?

232

#40 Kris Broholm on Anti-Goals in Language Learning

233

#39 Julie Ferguson on Speaking 5 Languages as a Deafblind Polyglot

234

Ask Benny: What’s the Simplest Thing I Can Do to Learn a Language?

235

#38 Chuck Smith on Why You Should Learn Esperanto

236

#37 Bryce and Michele on Falling in Love while Learning Each Other's Language

237

Ask Benny: What's Your Current Language Project?

238

#36 Lýdia Machová on Learning a New Language Every 2 Years

239

#35 Richard Simcott on Being a World Famous Polyglot

240

#34 Lindie Botes on Being a Third Culture Kid

241

#33 Katie Harris on the Joy of Languages

242

#32 Evelyn on Learning Korean During Lockdown

243

#31 Nelson Dellis on Building Memory Superpowers

244

#30 Nissa on learning Bengali in 3 Months

245

#29 Judith Meyer on Opening Up Opportunity with Languages

246

#28 Lindsay Williams the Language Dabbler

247

#27 Jessica Tefenkgi Ruelle on Mindfulness in Language Learning

248

#26 Jonathan Huggins on the “One Method” Strategy

249

#25 Learn a Language in 5-Minute Bursts with Drops

250

#24 Elizabeth Bruckner - from 10x Failure to Language Coach

251

#23 Michele Frolla on Living and Working in Rome to Learn Italian

252

#22 Steve Kaufmann - How to Learn a New Language from Any Online Article

253

#21 Avital Spivak on Forgetting French then Falling Back in Love with Languages

254

#20 Johan Tekfak on “Kaizen Power” in Language Learning

255

#19 Turia Pope - from False Beginner to Spanish Homeschooler

256

#18 Kerstin Cable on Slow Learning

257

#17 Jane T - The Motorhome Language Learner

258

#16 Will John on Mixing Football and Language Skills

259

#15 The Power of Friendship in Language Acquisition with Debs Bensaul

260

#14 Women in Language: Championing Female Voices in Language Learning

261

#13 How to Learn a Language “By Ear” with Idahosa Ness

262

#12 Suzanne - "I go to the Tapas Bar and talk in Spanish for hours"

263

#11 Nomadic Matt on Travelling the World for $50 a Day

264

#10 Nikki Prša on Little Moments of Language Practice

265

#09 Peter Galante on Creating Podcasts in 34 Languages

266

#08 Louisa on the Goldlist Method & Learning Chinese in 90 Days

267

#07 Caitlin Sacasas on Meditating & Binge-Watching Netflix to Learn Japanese

268

#06 Benny & Shannon Answer Your Language Learning Questions

269

#05 Olly Richards on Living Abroad and Story Learning

270

#04 Shannon Kennedy on Musicianship, Shyness and Scripting in Language Learning

271

#03 Paulette on Inventing Your Own Language Path

272

#02 Benny Lewis on Ignoring Destiny and Embracing "Failure"

273

#01 Scott Young on Learning Four Languages in One Year