Language & Travel Hacking

In this episode, I talk about something that keeps coming up in my own projects: the trap of comparing yourself to others. When I first started learning Spanish, I’d constantly compare myself to other learners and beat myself up over not being as good. That kind of mindset really messed with my confidence. And now, even after all these years of language learning, I’ve found myself doing the same thing—but this time with running. I’ve been training for a bunch of half marathons, and every time I open up Strava, I see people running faster, longer, and more consistently. It’s easy to start feeling like a failure all over again. But what I’ve learned—both with languages and now with running—is that comparison is a losing game. Everyone has a different starting point, different challenges, and different goals. You can’t compare apples to oranges.Instead, I’ve found it way more productive to focus on my own progress. Whether I’m improving my pace with running or reaching the next level in a language, the goal is just to be a little better than I was yesterday. I share how I’ve learned to let go of perfectionism and stop chasing the impossible standard of being the “best.” The truth is, no matter how far you go, there will always be someone ahead of you. But that doesn’t mean you’re not doing great. If you stay consistent, you will see improvement—and that’s what really counts. So whatever project you’re working on, whether it’s language learning or something totally different, I hope this episode gives you a bit of encouragement to focus on your own journey and feel proud of how far you’ve come.If you need one-on-one language guidance, schedule a consultation session with Benny at languagehacking.com/chat.And don’t forget to check out the Fluent in 3 Months Bootcamp here!Or you can follow me on all Social Media channels:Instagram: @irishpolyglotThread: @irishpolyglotTikTok: @irishpolyglot

In this episode of the Language and Travel Hacking Podcast, I share how I find meetups and make meaningful friendships while traveling solo. Back when I started my nomadic journey over 22 years ago, it was surprisingly easy—I relied on just a few websites like Couchsurfing and Meetup, and that was enough to connect with interesting people wherever I went. Nowadays, things are more complicated. Oversaturation and generic events make it harder to find truly like-minded people. I still go to general meetups, but I focus on connecting with a few individuals and asking them about local resources—like WhatsApp groups, niche websites, or interest-based communities that aren’t easily found online.My current strategy involves using meetups as a gateway to discover more private or targeted groups. For example, in Bali I found a great language exchange through a platform called Nomio—something I wouldn’t have discovered without asking around. I also lean on tools like AI for deeper research when Google and Facebook Events don’t cut it. Recently in Denver, AI helped me find an ASL meetup I’d never have found otherwise. There’s no one-size-fits-all tool anymore, but if you show up, ask questions, and stay open, you’ll uncover great communities and build genuine friendships wherever you are.If you need one-on-one language guidance, schedule a consultation session with Benny at languagehacking.com/chat.And don’t forget to check out the Fluent in 3 Months Bootcamp here!Or you can follow me on all Social Media channels:Instagram: @irishpolyglotThread: @irishpolyglotTikTok: @irishpolyglot

In this episode, I'm coming to you from beautiful Colorado — my 45th U.S. state! I dive into what might be my final big American road trip as I push to complete a long-time goal: visiting all 48 contiguous U.S. states. I talk about how this journey ties into my current language mission with American Sign Language (ASL), and how I've used everything from book tours to long-term stays and my green card to explore the country over the years. I'm lucky to have this chance, especially as a non-American, to see so many vastly different parts of the U.S., from geography to local culture. I also share my upcoming stops — Iowa, Minnesota, Wisconsin (where I’ll stay a whole month), and Michigan — before wrapping up in Texas.I also open up about why this might be my last big U.S. road trip: the rising cost of living and other factors are making it less practical to stay long-term, even though I’m a green card holder. I’ve been taking advantage of special travel permits to live abroad for stretches of time, and I might ultimately give up my residency in a few years. So now’s the moment to make this travel dream a reality. Alongside all the exploring and ASL immersion, I’m keeping my health in check by running every day and signing up for races. I’m excited to share this phase of my journey with you — one that blends language learning, travel goals, and some honest reflection about where I might be headed next.If you need one-on-one language guidance, schedule a consultation session with Benny at languagehacking.com/chat.And don’t forget to check out the Fluent in 3 Months Bootcamp here!Or you can follow me on all Social Media channels:Instagram: @irishpolyglotThread: @irishpolyglotTikTok: @irishpolyglot

In this episode of the Language and Travel Hacking podcast, I share why I believe everyone should consider learning their country’s sign language. When I first picked up American Sign Language (ASL), I didn’t expect how deeply it would connect me to the deaf community in the US. It gave me access to a rich, often overlooked culture, and offered a completely new way to communicate and make friends. ASL quickly became one of my favourite languages, and I decided to add it to my permanent list of languages to maintain.Now, I’m diving back into ASL as my next language project while travelling across the US. I’ve already started reviewing vocabulary and am aiming to push my level closer to fluency. Sign languages aren’t universal—each country has its own—so I recommend learning the one used where you live. It opens doors to new communities and perspectives you might never have encountered otherwise. Give it a go—it’s truly worth it.If you need one-on-one language guidance, schedule a consultation session with Benny at languagehacking.com/chat.And don’t forget to check out the Fluent in 3 Months Bootcamp here!Or you can follow me on all Social Media channels:Instagram: @irishpolyglotThread: @irishpolyglotTikTok: @irishpolyglot

In this episode of the Language and Travel Hacking Podcast, I dive into the age-old polyglot problem: how do you maintain multiple languages without losing your mind—or your fluency? I share how, over the last 22 years, I’ve followed a cycle of learning one language intensively for a short burst—usually around three months—and then spending the rest of the year maintaining my other languages. It’s not just about adding new ones indefinitely. Instead, I’ve found ways to rotate focus, whether that’s dedicating a day per language or devoting longer blocks of time to immersion—like my recent deep dive into Spanish and Portuguese during travels across South America.But I also get real about the challenges, especially with my weaker long-term languages—the ones I’ve invested in but haven’t brought to fluency. Those languages have slipped over time, and I’m now shifting my strategy for 2025: no new languages, no focus on the fluent ones. I’m giving my full attention to getting at least one of my weaker languages to a solid B2 level. That means dedicating two-month stretches to each, combining both virtual study and real-world use during my upcoming travels. I’ll be sharing more details on the specific languages and destinations soon, so stay tuned—and as always, I hope these insights help you build your own multilingual life. Let me know if you'd like a quickClick here to book a personalised one-on-one language coaching session with meOr you can follow me on all Social Media channels:Instagram: @irishpolyglotThread: @irishpolyglotTikTok: @irishpolyglot

In this episode of the Language and Travel Hacking Podcast, I wrap up my incredible four-month journey through Indonesia, recording from Medan in North Sumatra before heading back to Bali for my final weeks. I reflect on just how vast this country is—highlighted by the fact that a flight back to Bali takes me four hours and still doesn’t even cover the full length of the nation. From Java to Sulawesi, from Borneo to Sumatra, I’ve had the privilege of immersing myself in the warmth and curiosity of Indonesians, many of whom had never spoken to a foreigner before. Their friendliness, patience with my Indonesian, and openness made this a truly special experience. Travelling off the beaten path gave me unique insights into local life, far removed from the tourist-saturated corners of Bali.I also share a realistic view of the challenges, including my vegetarian food limitations, some stomach trouble, and the unexpectedly high cost of domestic flights—especially with airlines like Lion Air, which often brought frustrations. But despite the occasional hiccup, everything else was stunningly affordable and hassle-free. My lower-intermediate Indonesian, mostly built up during a focused study phase in Bali, helped me navigate daily life, rent motorbikes, handle logistics, and even have full conversations with locals who spoke no English. For those willing to learn just a little of the language and explore beyond the usual stops, Indonesia offers a rich, rewarding adventure without the hefty price tag—especially if you travel overland and focus on fewer islands more deeply.See all my past travels on bennylewis.comClick here to book a personalised one-on-one language coaching session with meOr you can follow me on all Social Media channels:Instagram: @irishpolyglotThread: @irishpolyglotTikTok: @irishpolyglot

In this episode, I open up about the biggest downside of my three-month language missions: how quickly I forget the language afterward. As I wrap up Indonesian, I can already feel some of it slipping. This isn’t new — I’ve seen it happen with Hungarian, Arabic, and Japanese. Without regular use, a lot fades within weeks or months. That’s the “half-life” of language learning in action.Still, I fully stand by this approach. It’s ideal for nomads and travelers who want to go deep, fast. And if you’re not hopping between languages, you can absolutely build on that foundation long term. I also share how I’ve managed to keep some languages like Portuguese alive — and why I’ve made peace with forgetting and refreshing as part of the journey.Click here to book a personalised one-on-one language coaching session with meOr you can follow me on all Social Media channels:Instagram: @irishpolyglotThread: @irishpolyglotTikTok: @irishpolyglot

Is solo travel lonely? The host shares contrasting tales from Sulawesi and Ibiza, highlighting how interaction—or lack thereof—shapes the experience. In Sulawesi, peaceful solitude breeds contentment, while Ibiza's silence feels isolating. Speaking the local language is key, offering gateways to authentic connections. The host reflects on evolving views of solitude versus socializing, emphasizing the art of balance in travel. It's a deep dive into personal happiness and the varying shades of loneliness on the road.

In this episode of the Language and Travel Hacking Podcast, I’m checking in from deep in the jungles of Borneo — or Kalimantan, as it’s called here in Indonesia — surrounded by orangutans, dense rainforest, and the kind of real-life language immersion I’ve been aiming for since the start of this journey. After nearly five months exploring the country, including a two-month trek across Java and a recent stay in Batam with $30 ocean views (just across the water from pricey Singapore), I’m finally seeing major progress in my Indonesian: I’ve begun having full, meaningful conversations and even making new friends entirely in the language — no English safety net.Of course, the road hasn’t been smooth the entire way. I share some honest moments of confusion, including why I still struggle to catch parking fees (yes, even numbers trip me up sometimes!) and how dialect differences can make even the basics a challenge. But I’m feeling more confident than ever, just in time for the next leg of the trip — from East to West Borneo, then on to Sulawesi and Sumatra, where I’ll rarely come across other foreigners. If you’re starting your own language learning journey and want personalised advice, you can book a consultation with me here. I’d love to help you through any hurdles you’re facing — and for a limited time, I’m offering these sessions at half the usual rate.Click here to book a personalised one-on-one language coaching session with meOr you can follow me on all Social Media channels:Instagram: @irishpolyglotThread: @irishpolyglotTikTok: @irishpolyglot

In this episode, I finally say what I’ve tiptoed around for years: it’s time to delete Duolingo. With their recent decision to replace 148 courses with 100% AI-generated content, I can no longer recommend it—not even as a “better than nothing” option. The app was already more about dopamine than meaningful learning, and now with zero human input, the quality has dropped even further.Instead, I share better alternatives that actually help you make progress—like using Anki for tailored vocab, joining a community for accountability, or even switching your games into your target language. AI can still be useful to augment your learning, but it shouldn’t replace real, human input. If you’re serious about languages, it’s time to move on.If you need one-on-one language guidance, schedule a consultation session with Benny at languagehacking.com/chat.And don’t forget to check out the Fluent in 3 Months Bootcamp here!Or you can follow Benny on all Social Media channels:Instagram: @irishpolyglotThread: @irishpolyglotTikTok: @irishpolyglot