

StoryLearning Podcast
Olly Richards
Learning a new language? Get your language learning questions answered by polyglot Olly Richards, who speaks 8 languages and is the founder of the StoryLearning® method.
Whatever's holding you back on the path to fluency, tune in twice a week to get your regular dose of language learning motivation, with Olly and other polyglot guests, such as Benny Lewis, Luca Lampariello, Richard Simcott and Alex Rawlings.
Learn Spanish, Learn French, Learn German, Learn Italian, Learn Portuguese, Learn Arabic, Learn Japanese, Learn Chinese
Whatever's holding you back on the path to fluency, tune in twice a week to get your regular dose of language learning motivation, with Olly and other polyglot guests, such as Benny Lewis, Luca Lampariello, Richard Simcott and Alex Rawlings.
Learn Spanish, Learn French, Learn German, Learn Italian, Learn Portuguese, Learn Arabic, Learn Japanese, Learn Chinese
Episodes
Mentioned books

Oct 29, 2025 • 16min
505: Are hard languages even worth it?
Grab your free copy of my Language Difficulty Guide 👉🏼 https://storylearning.com/difficulty-guide-super-hardGet my free Language Goal Planner 👉🏼 https://storylearning.com/goal-planner-super-hardAre super hard languages like Japanese or Mandarin worth learning? I've learned three of the world's hardest languages, Japanese, Cantonese and Arabic. These category five languages were worth it for me, but what about you? Let's get philosophical about whether it's "worth it" and answer the practical question of how to learn very difficult languages. Got a question you want Olly to answer on the podcast? Submit it here: https://storylearning.com/ask_Olly_your_questionGet a 7-day FREE trial to one of my story-based language courses 👉🏼 https://storylearning.com/Language_CoursesCheck out my all-inclusive VIP language program with guaranteed results 👉🏼 https://storylearning.com/StoryLearning_VIP_Info#storylearning #learnthroughstories

Oct 22, 2025 • 17min
504: How I learn languages fast without studying
What if you could learn a language without studying? Discover how to learn a language through reading and listening instead of memorising and drilling. Find out where to find the right materials as a beginner, why children's books don't work, and the 6-step process for learning naturally. No flashcards required.Grab your free language goal planner 👉🏼https://storylearning.com/goal_planner_CIGot a question you want Olly to answer on the podcast? Submit it here: https://storylearning.com/ask_Olly_your_questionGet a 7-day FREE trial to one of my story-based language courses 👉🏼 https://storylearning.com/Language_CoursesCheck out my all-inclusive VIP language program with guaranteed results 👉🏼 https://storylearning.com/StoryLearning_VIP_Info

Oct 15, 2025 • 20min
503: You don't ACTUALLY need grammar
Stop obsessing over grammar rules! Discover why grammar study shouldn't be your focus, especially as a beginner language learner. Find out where to put your time and energy instead. Grab your FREE Grammar and Vocabulary Study Sheet 👉🏼 https://storylearning.com/free_grammar_vocab_sheetGot a question you want Olly to answer on the podcast? Submit it here: https://storylearning.com/ask_Olly_your_questionGet a 7-day FREE trial to one of my story-based language courses 👉🏼 https://storylearning.com/Language_CoursesCheck out my all-inclusive VIP language program with guaranteed results 👉🏼 https://storylearning.com/StoryLearning_VIP_Info

Oct 13, 2025 • 16min
502: The hidden cost of learning two languages at once
Want to learn multiple languages? Here's the truth nobody tells you: there's a specific level you need to reach in your first language before starting another. Miss this, and you'll stay stuck at beginner level in both.Grab your FREE Language Goal Planner 👉🏼 https://storylearning.com/goal_planner_2_languagesGot a question you want Olly to answer on the podcast? Submit it here: https://storylearning.com/ask_Olly_your_questionGet a 7-day FREE trial to one of my story-based language courses 👉🏼 https://storylearning.com/Language_CoursesCheck out my all-inclusive VIP language program with guaranteed results 👉🏼 https://storylearning.com/StoryLearning_VIP_Info#storylearning #learnthroughstories

8 snips
Oct 10, 2025 • 19min
501: The real reason I wrote my language story books
Discover the inspiring journey of creating captivating short stories for language learners, starting from a kitchen table to selling over 1.5 million copies. Olly shares his belief in the power of reading for language acquisition and criticizes traditional graded readers for being dull. Learn about the thoughtful design behind his stories aimed at engaging beginners and the excitement of including underrepresented languages. Plus, get a sneak peek at upcoming titles, including Ukrainian and Latin!

Oct 8, 2025 • 48min
500: Meet the viral brain scan guy who speaks 26 languages
Vaughn Smith is a 26-language polyglot who had his brain scanned at MIT. Discover the man behind the scan and the surprisingly simple ways he learned so many languages. Grab your FREE StoryLearning Blueprint and find out how easy it can really be to learn a language 👉🏼 https://storylearning.com/freefluencyblueprintGot a question you want Olly to answer on the podcast? Submit it here: https://storylearning.com/ask_Olly_your_questionGet a 7-day FREE trial to one of my story-based language courses 👉🏼 https://storylearning.com/SL_language-coursesCheck out my all-inclusive VIP language program with guaranteed results 👉🏼 https://storylearning.com/StoryLearning-VIP-Info#storylearning #learnthroughstories

17 snips
Sep 29, 2022 • 12min
426: Which language should I think in?
In this episode, Juan asks: “I’m learning Portuguese. Which language should I think in - English or Spanish?“ Find a 5* language tutor!
We're proud to recommend LanguaTalk as the best place to take language lessons online with a real teacher. StoryLearning is now part-owner of LanguaTalk, and that's because we're committed to building the best possible service out there to practise speaking, find a new tutor, or get support with your learning.
Click the link below and take a FREE trial lesson:
https://storylearning.com/lt
Do You Have A Question?
This show exists to answer your language learning questions! Send me your questions by visiting:
https://storylearning.com/ask
...and I’ll do my best to feature it on the show!
Leave a Review
If you'd like to support the show, the best way to do that is to:
Leave an honest review of the show wherever you get your podcasts. (You can normally do this within the app you're using.)
Share this episode with a friend (use the share buttons on your screen)
Olly's Language Courses
If you're learning a new language, or improving an existing one, then check out my language courses. From complete beginner courses, to grammar and listening training, I've created unique, story-based programmes to help you reach you language goals.
Please visit:
https://storylearning.com/language-courses-select-your-language

13 snips
Sep 7, 2022 • 43min
425: The anatomy of a language learning "masterplan"
In today's episode, Olly speaks with Sam Hendry, who lives in Dubai, about his amazing journey learning Spanish in one year.
Here's where you can watch the video of Sam surprising his girlfriend in Spanish:
Watch on Facebook
Watch on Instagram
Find a 5* language tutor!
We're proud to recommend LanguaTalk as the best place to take language lessons online with a real teacher. StoryLearning is now part-owner of LanguaTalk, and that's because we're committed to building the best possible service out there to practise speaking, find a new tutor, or get support with your learning.
Click the link below and take a FREE trial lesson:
https://storylearning.com/lt
Do You Have A Question?
This show exists to answer your language learning questions! Send me your questions by visiting:
https://storylearning.com/ask
...and I’ll do my best to feature it on the show!
Leave a Review
If you'd like to support the show, the best way to do that is to:
Leave an honest review of the show wherever you get your podcasts. (You can normally do this within the app you're using.)
Share this episode with a friend (use the share buttons on your screen)
Olly's Language Courses
If you're learning a new language, or improving an existing one, then check out my language courses. From complete beginner courses, to grammar and listening training, I've created unique, story-based programmes to help you reach you language goals.
Please visit:
https://storylearning.com/language-courses-select-your-language

May 23, 2022 • 13min
424 - Behind the scenes at the StoryLearning team retreat in Turkey
In this episode you’ll drop in on the StoryLearning team retreat in Bodrum, Turkey. 14 of us descended on a hilltop villa for an entire week to spend some quality time together and plan for the future.

Apr 18, 2022 • 6min
Announcement: New intermediate StoryLearning courses!
We're about to release a special new range of intermediate StoryLearning programmes, and I'm sooo excited!
And as a loyal listener, I'd like to offer you early access and a very special offer to celebrate the launch. (It's something I always like to do whenever we release something new!)
To get on the notification list, click: https://storylearning.com/intermediate
The new programmes are:
Spanish Uncovered (Intermediate)
German Uncovered (Intermediate)
French Uncovered (Intermediate)
Italian Uncovered (Intermediate)
Japanese Uncovered (Intermediate)


