Since 2014
The Actual Fluency Podcast
Real conversations with polyglots, linguists, and language enthusiasts from around the world about language learning, culture, travel, and identity.
Katie Harris: The Joy of Languages
Kris Broholm chats with Katie Harris about her adult discovery of enjoyable language learning. She shares her shift from struggling in school to finding communication-based methods fun, which led to her "Joy of Languages" blog. They discuss her journey and future plans for the platform.
Runtime 1h 11m
Sara Maria Hasbun: From Translator to Business Owner with 3000+ freelancers
Kris Broholm talks with Sara Maria Hasbun, founder of Meridian Linguistics. She shares her journey from initially struggling with language learning to building a company that employs over 3,000 freelance translators. The discussion covers her business's growth and strategies for effective language acquisition.
Runtime 59m
Aviva Levin: Coincidental French Teacher in British Colombia
Kris Broholm welcomes Aviva Levin, a teacher who unexpectedly started teaching French in British Columbia despite limited prior skills. They discuss her journey into language instruction, methods for engaging students, and the unique dynamics of French learning across Canada, including textbook choices.
Runtime 46m
Amarinder Grewal: Pidgins and Creoles
Kris Broholm and guest Amarinder Grewal discuss pidgins and creoles, exploring these fascinating contact languages. Amarinder shares his background growing up in multilingual Detroit, Michigan, and explains how this experience sparked his interest in the topic.
Runtime 1h 4m
Anja Spilker on using languages and travels as a reboot, and mental health
Kris Broholm and guest Anja Spilker discuss using language learning and travel as a personal reboot from difficult mental states. They explore what it means to feel stuck and share techniques used to move forward in their lives.
Runtime 1h 14m
Kerstin Cable on Goalsetting and New Year's Resolutions
Kris Broholm welcomes Kerstin Cable to discuss effective strategies for setting and tracking language learning goals. They explore the utility of New Year's resolutions, debating whether they are beneficial or should be avoided for sustained progress. The conversation offers practical insights for achieving linguistic aims.
Runtime 1h 19m
Lucas Bighetti: The silent method and parrot conversation
Kris Broholm welcomes Lucas Bighetti, who shares his journey from failing languages in school to becoming a passionate learner. Lucas explains how a joke Russian textbook sparked his interest. They discuss his unique "silent method" and the "parrot conversation" technique for language acquisition.
Runtime 1h 13m
Elisa Polese: Teaching Multiple Languages at Once
Kris Broholm interviews Elisa Polese about the challenges and benefits of learning and teaching multiple languages simultaneously. They discuss strategies to avoid confusion when acquiring several languages at once, touching on grammar and different learning methods.
Runtime 1h 5m
Michele Frolla: Travelling and Languages the Intrepid Way!
Kris Broholm welcomes Michele Frolla from The Intrepid Guide to discuss enhancing travel experiences with and without languages. They share tips for better trips, highlighting how even a few phrases can provide significant benefits. Michele also recounts how she started her travel blog.
Runtime 57m
Maureen Millward: 1200+ tutoring lessons later + LingoFringo
Kris Broholm interviews Maureen Millward about her journey learning over nine languages and completing 1300+ online tutoring lessons. Maureen discusses her preference for speaking over books and co-organizing the new LingoFringo event for language learners in Edinburgh.
Runtime 50m
Season Review & Updates (2/2)
Kris Broholm reviews the second half of the previous podcast season, sharing behind-the-scenes thoughts. He explains his decision to continue the show, highlighting the value of language learning and cultural exploration. Kris also revisits episode 125 with Joey Perugino, organizer of LangFest.
Runtime 33m
Season Review & Updates (1/2)
Kris Broholm, joined by a guest, reviews lessons learned from the podcast's past 18 episodes. He provides behind-the-scenes details, updates on his language learning, and discusses the podcast's future plans.
Runtime 48m
Miroslav Šedivý: Seize every opportunity to learn languages!
Kris Broholm interviews Miroslav Šedivý, a long-time supporter, about his language learning journey. Miroslav shares his origin story, detailing early exposure to Slovak, Czech, Hungarian, Croatian, and German through family, travel, and television in Bratislava. Kris acknowledges Miroslav's significant contributions to the podcast's success.
Runtime 57m
Josh Koehn: Be inspired by your community
Kris and Josh Koehn discuss Josh's early language learning journey. Born in California, Josh was inspired by his diverse community, starting Spanish in fourth grade. He also began learning Chinese from books at a young age, fascinated by the culture.
Runtime 1h 17m
Conor Clyne: Eastern European Travels and Experiences
Kris Broholm welcomes Conor Clyne to explore his unique experiences traveling and dating across Eastern Europe. Conor highlights how his language abilities facilitate deeper connections and shares practical tips for navigating the region.
Runtime 1h 5m
Dave Prine: Polyglot Therapy Part 2/2
Kris Broholm and Dave Prime continue their discussion on polyglotism and existentialism. They explore managing ambitious language goals, the value of dabbling, and overcoming comparison to others. Dave helps Kris address his own language learning mindset.
Runtime 51m
Dave Prine: Polyglot Therapy Part 1/2
Kris Broholm hosts Dave Prine for a "Polyglot Therapy" discussion. Dave offers Kris advice on language learning, helping him navigate personal challenges and reconsider his "ten languages in ten years" goal. Kris gains clarity, deciding to shift focus towards a reporting role in the language community.
Runtime 52m
Mike Campbell - Glossika and Repetition Learning
Kris Broholm and guest Mike Campbell discuss effective language learning strategies. They explore the importance of repetition and context, along with the dynamics of input versus output in language acquisition. Campbell shares his academic insights on why specific learning methods are effective.
Runtime 1h 10m
Susanna Zaraysky: Music and endangered languages
Kris Broholm interviews polyglot pioneer Susanna Zaraysky about her work with music and endangered languages. They discuss her books and a feature film focusing on Ladino, an endangered language. Susanna also shares insights from her personal language learning experiences.
Runtime 1h 9m
Azren the Language Nerd
Kris Broholm interviews Azren, The Language Nerd, about his language journey and the languages he speaks. They discuss common psychological traps the brain sets in language learning and practical ways to overcome these difficulties.
Runtime 58m
Joey Perugino: Billingual Upbring and LangFest
Kris Broholm hosts Joey Perugino, an organizer of LangFest, to discuss his personal bilingual upbringing. They explore the upcoming LangFest event in Montreal, with Kris encouraging listeners to experience language conferences.
Runtime 1h 21m
Alexander Mynzak: Start your own language school
Kris Broholm interviews Alexander Mynzak, a polyglot with a PhD in linguistics, about his journey opening a language school. They discuss transforming language learning passion and skills into a full-time career, offering an alternative to traditional certification paths. Mynzak shares his experience teaching English and translation studies.
Runtime 1h 0m
Daniel Welsch on Spain, Spanish & Teaching English
Kris Broholm and Daniel Welsch discuss Daniel's move from America to Madrid, Spain. They explore how he achieved a high level of Spanish fluency, assimilated locally, and offers practical tips for living abroad. Daniel also shares advice on starting an English teaching business in Spain.
Runtime 49m
Artem Nazarov on learning similar languages
Kris Broholm welcomes Artem Nazarov, who shares insights on learning multiple similar languages in quick succession. Nazarov also recounts his experience being tested on a Russian TV program alongside fellow polyglot Amir Udibayav.
Runtime 1h 6m
Runtime