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.
Lukas van Vyve on learning languages
Kris Broholm interviews Belgian polyglot Lukas Van Vyve. They discuss practical methods and "non-obvious wisdom" for learning languages, often contrasting with traditional school teachings, drawing from Lukas's experience with 12-week challenges.
Runtime 1h 8m
How language learning can improve mental health!
Kris Broholm and his guest explore how learning new languages positively influences mental health. They discuss specific benefits, such as increased cognitive resilience and social connection, and share how language acquisition can support overall well-being.
Runtime 31m
Quinn Taber: The power of Immersion
Kris Broholm interviews Quinn Taber about his immersive experience learning Arabic in the Middle East. They discuss practical tips for incorporating immersion from anywhere, evaluating its effectiveness, and whether other methods are necessary. Quinn also shares insights from his immersion-focused language learning startup.
Runtime 49m
Mihalis Eleftheriou: Language Transfer
Kris Broholm interviews Mihalis Eleftheriou, creator of the Language Transfer method. They discuss the unique approach of his free language courses and how they differ from other teaching techniques. Kris also highlights the importance of supporting the Language Transfer project.
Runtime 56m
Robin MacPherson: How To Maintain Languages
Kris Broholm welcomes Robin MacPherson to discuss practical strategies for maintaining language skills. They explore effective methods for keeping learned languages active and preventing fluency loss over time.
Runtime 1h 20m
Gabriel Wyner: Raising 500K on Kickstarter
Kris Broholm interviews Gabriel Wyner, author of Fluent Forever, about his recent successful Kickstarter campaign. Wyner shares details on raising over $500,000 for his new Fluent Forever language learning app. They also discuss insights gained from his previous Kickstarter for pronunciation trainers.
Runtime 58m
Alex Voloza: Mindfulness and language learning
Kris Broholm welcomes Alex Voloza, who shares his two-decade language learning journey. Alex discusses how his personal history and a transformative tutor shaped his path as a polyglot. They explore the connection between mindfulness practices and effective language acquisition.
Runtime 1h 14m
Kalle Wångstedt: Discovering Language Learning
Kris Broholm interviews Kalle Wångstedt about his unique journey into language learning as an adult. They discuss Kalle's progression and experiences, touching upon how he first became interested in languages and his current status.
Runtime 1h 37m
Learning Languages with a Full-Time Job
Kris Broholm discusses the differences between learning languages as a freelancer versus holding a full-time job. He shares his experience navigating a new multilingual work environment and details his progress in Russian and Spanish, leveraging daily interactions with colleagues for practice.
Runtime 34m
Sarah Barrett: Introducing Foreign Languages to Children
Kris Broholm welcomes Sarah Barrett of Lingotastic to discuss introducing foreign languages to very young children. They explore practical methods for teaching languages to babies and toddlers.
Runtime 1h 16m
Michael Mischkot: How an engineer learns languages
Kris Broholm interviews Michael Mischkot, an Austrian polyglot who applies an engineering perspective to language learning. Mischkot shares his personal techniques and insights for improving language learning efficiency. He also discusses his book, Smile, Talk, Cheesecake, detailing his findings.
Runtime 1h 5m
Chenelle Hancock: Visually impaired learning
Kris Broholm interviews Chenelle Hancock about her unique journey as a visually impaired language learner. Chenelle details her specific visual impairment, explaining how it necessitates adapting her learning methods to focus on audio and alternative resources instead of traditional print. They discuss the challenges and strategies for successful language acquisition with limited sight.
Runtime 1h 20m
Birthday Q&A with Kris
Kris answers listener questions covering various topics for his birthday. He discusses learning a language as a couple, why some Danes live abroad despite Denmark's high happiness ranking, combining gaming with travel, and his choice for a single language to speak.
Runtime 1h 8m
Richard DeLong: 14+ years in Eastern Europe
Kris Broholm welcomes Richard DeLong, an American living in Eastern Europe for 17 years. They discuss Richard's methods for rapid language acquisition, common mistakes in vocabulary learning, and the importance of actively using languages over mere studying.
Runtime 1h 23m
Moshe Sherizen on Yiddish
Kris Broholm welcomes Moshe Sherizen, author of the Easy-Measy Guide to Yiddish. Moshe recounts his early language learning journey, detailing his childhood struggles with Hebrew in religious school and his rebellious path. He explains how these formative experiences led him to his work with Yiddish.
Runtime 1h 10m
Lydia Machova: Interpreting for Tony Robbins and Brian Tracy
Time for another Actual Fluency Podcast! This week I talk to Lydia Machova about her experiences learning languages, interpreting, and her concept of language mentoring.
Runtime 1h 3m
Alex Strick van Linschoten: Learning Pashto in Afghanistan
Kris Broholm interviews Alex Strick van Linschoten, who shares his experiences learning Pashto and Dari in Afghanistan. Alex discusses his background where language learning was expected and emphasizes the role of confidence. He details how he applied practical methods for his work and research in South Asia.
Runtime 59m
Gareth Popkins from howtogetfluent.com
Kris Broholm returns to the Actual Fluency Podcast, sharing his recent move to Denmark and plans for the show's consistency. He then welcomes Gareth Popkins from howtogetfluent.com to discuss achieving new language goals and adventures.
Runtime 1h 19m
Dimitrios Polychronopoulos: Inspired by travelling
Kris Broholm interviews Dimitrios Polychronopoulos about his extensive language learning journey. They discuss Dimitrios's experiences, effective tips for progressing from beginner to advanced stages, and strategies for improving writing in a foreign language, all inspired by his travels to over 100 countries.
Runtime 47m
Agnieszka Murdoch: Back to Basics
Kris Broholm welcomes Agnieszka Murdoch of Five-Minute Language to discuss fundamental language learning strategies. They explore general tips and tricks for new learners and those seeking to reinforce core principles. Agnieszka also shares her personal journey into language acquisition, beginning with her native Polish.
Runtime 1h 15m
Tim Keeley: Around the World in 40 Languages
Kris Broholm interviews Tim Keeley, who recounts his global language learning journey. Tim shares his origins in Spanish before studying French, German, and Portuguese in Colombia. He describes extensive travels across South America, Europe, and Asia, explaining how he immersed himself in languages like Slavic dialects, Polish, Russian, Norwegian, Japanese, and Chinese.
Runtime 1h 22m
Fiel Sahir: Indonesia and Indonesian
Kris Broholm interviews Fiel Sahir about Indonesia and the Indonesian language. Fiel, drawing on his dual Indonesian and American background, shares insights into the country's culture, reasons for visiting, and his personal language learning journey, explaining why the language is gaining popularity.
Runtime 1h 1m
Andrew Feinberg: Duolingo and Norwegian
Kris Broholm interviews Andrew Feinberg, a contributor to Duolingo's Norwegian course. They discuss Norwegian culture, various language learning strategies, living abroad experiences, and different food topics.
Runtime 1h 52m
David James: Creator of the Gold List Method
Kris Broholm interviews David James, creator of the Gold List Method, live from the Polyglot Gathering in Berlin. They discuss David's language learning journey and how he developed his unique Gold List technique. The conversation also explores his early inspirations.
Runtime 1h 59m
Runtime