🎙 Final Episode: A Heartfelt Goodbye and New Beginnings In this unedited and deeply personal final episode, I reflect on the journey of the podcast—from its beginnings as a space for introverted language learners to its evolution into conversations on neurodivergence, mental health, and linguistic identity. I share the challenges that led to this hiatus, including burnout and an autism diagnosis, and explore the complexities of navigating language learning as an autistic, introverted American. I also speak candidly about linguistic discrimination, intersectionality, and the need for more inclusive, community-based language spaces. Though the podcast is ending, the conversation isn’t—I’ll still be active on Instagram and through my newsletter. Thank you for being part of this journey.

If you're interested, I created several songs (with the help of AI) about things I've faced using languages (one in particular) as well as my love for languages and an ode to quieter language learners everywhere. I know not everyone's a big fan of AI, but if we're going to use it, I think this is a very good use of it. It's been a very cathartic, very healing process. Here's the link if you're interested in giving it a listen.

Today Martha is joined by Etai, an empowerment and communication coach, disability advocate, and passionate language enthusiast. Together, they dive deep into what it means to truly connect—with ourselves, with language, and with others. Etai shares his lived experience as a multilingual speaker born with spastic quadriplegic cerebral palsy, his journey from Israel to the U.S., and how language and communication have been central to his life.

Topics We Cover:

• Etai’s story and how disability advocacy and language learning shaped his life

• Viewing communication as an intuitive, deeply personal process

• Why grammar and vocabulary are just tools—not the full picture

• Creating a shared language and “consensus reality”

• The power of defining terms and slowing down in conversations

• How intuitive coaching and deep listening foster authentic connection

• Language as play: how joy and curiosity fuel lifelong learning

• The importance of emotional resonance in language learning

• Understanding your own “bubble” before expecting others to

• How most communication is repair—and why that’s okay

• Etai’s #1 piece of advice for mental health and language learning

Quotable Moments:

“Communication is all about the repair.” “If it doesn’t excite you, why do it?” “The fact that people can communicate at all is a miracle.” “Every single person has their own language—the question is, how do we build a shared one?”

Connect with Etai: 🌐 Website: etaiscorner.net 📺 YouTube: Etai’s Corner 📷 Instagram: @etaiscorner 💬 Threads, Facebook, LinkedIn: Etai’s Corner ☕ Support: Buy Me a Coffee & PayPal donations available via website

In this episode of Shhh! I'm Learning, we’re joined (again!) by Bront’e Singleton, also known as The Polyglot Fox. Bront’e shares her refreshing perspective on language learning, blending joy, creativity, and strategies tailored for all language learners, but with a special focus on neurodivergent (or "neurospicy") learners. From her playful experiences with German and Italian to rethinking the guilt many learners feel, Bront’e invites us to transform our approach to languages into one that’s guilt-free, flexible, and fun.

We explore:

• Bront’e’s surprising discoveries while learning German and Italian and how she embraces unexpected moments like blending accents.
• Insights into her innovative program, Polyglot Delights, designed to make language learning feel like opening a box of chocolates—indulgent and enjoyable.
• Strategies for neurospicy learners, including reframing consistency, overcoming distractions, and creating personalized systems that actually work.
• Why it’s okay to take breaks, listen to your body, and define success in a way that aligns with your energy and goals.

Bront’e also shares how language learning intersects with mental health, social connection, and self-compassion, encouraging listeners to embrace their own unique journeys.

What You’ll Learn in This Episode:

1. Why traditional methods may not work for everyone and how to create strategies tailored to your needs.
2. How to reframe language learning as an indulgent and guilt-free process.
3. Tips for neurodivergent learners to manage energy, reduce overwhelm, and stay consistent without burning out.
4. The role of humor and flexibility in embracing challenges like language interference.

Resources Mentioned:

• Polyglot Delights – Bront’e’s program that combines themed monthly content with strategies to make language learning exciting and personalized.
• Fluency Mastery Lab Lite – Bront’e’s resource hub for quiet souls, spicy thinkers, and learners looking to cut through the noise.

Where to Find Bront’e Singleton:

• YouTube: The Polyglot Fox
• Instagram: @thepolyglotfox
• Listen to her original episode on this show here (I forgot to reference that in the intro to this episode!)

Connect with the Podcast:

• Instagram: @shhh_imlearning
• Newsletter: Sign up here for monthly updates and insights from Shhh! I'm Learning.

Love This Episode? If you enjoyed this conversation, please leave a review and share it with fellow language learners! Your support helps us bring more inspiring guests like Bront’e to the show.

Let us know your favorite takeaway from the episode—we’d love to hear from you!

In this episode of Shhh! I’m Learning, we chat with Valeria Paolillo, a passionate language teacher and the founder of Vita Semplice in Italia. Valeria shares her journey to becoming a language teacher, her struggles and triumphs with learning English and Chinese and French, and how she’s embraced mindfulness and slow learning as essential parts of her teaching and personal growth.

Discover how Valeria’s retreats offer participants a unique opportunity to connect with language, culture, and themselves—all at their own pace. Valeria also opens up about the importance of savoring the language learning journey, the value of self-awareness, and how to let go of perfectionism to truly enjoy the process.

What You’ll Learn in This Episode:

• The concept of mindfulness in language learning.
• How slow learning can transform your approach to mastering a language.
• The power of connection over perfection in communication.
• Insights into Valeria’s retreats in Sicily, where participants experience authentic Italian culture and simplicity.
• Practical tips for staying kind to yourself while navigating language challenges.

Memorable Quotes:

• "Slow learning means going at your own pace, unless you have a work-related exam or another goal. But if you’re studying for enjoyment, it should be enjoyable. If it becomes stressful, it’s no longer what it should be. My values, which I hope to convey, are about listening to yourself, having fun, relaxing, not judging yourself, and not demanding too much—because there’s always time." - Valeria

Resources Mentioned:

• Vita Semplice in Italia – Website
• Vita Semplice in Italia – Instagram
• Italian transcript
• English transcript

Connect with Us:

• Follow Martha on Instagram: @ShhhImLearning
• Follow Valeria on Instagram: @Vita_Semplice_in_Italia

Support the Podcast: If you enjoyed this episode, please subscribe, leave a review, and share it with fellow language enthusiasts.

In this episode, host we dive deep into the concept of failure with guest Kris Broholm. Together, we explore how failure can be a powerful tool for learning and growth, especially in language learning and personal development. Martha and Kris share their own experiences with setbacks and discuss practical ways to reframe failure as an essential part of success.

Highlights:

• Redefining Failure: Martha and Kris discuss how society's perception of failure can limit growth and how changing that mindset can unlock potential.

• Personal Stories: Both share candid experiences of failure and the lessons they’ve drawn from them.

• Failure in Language Learning: Practical tips on handling setbacks, plateaus, and mistakes as opportunities for improvement.

• Embracing Vulnerability: A conversation on how opening up about failures fosters resilience and confidence.

"Every mistake I’ve made has taught me more than my successes ever could." – Kris Broholm

What has failure taught you? Share your story with us on social media using #FailureToSuccess and don’t forget to subscribe, rate, and leave a review!

Resources Mentioned in the Episode

• Kris's podcast (Actual Fluency)
• 2025 New Year New Language (NYNL) conference

In this episode of Shhh! I’m Learning, we explore practical tips and strategies to support autistic language learners. Language learning is a unique journey for everyone, and for autistic individuals, certain approaches can make a big difference. Whether you’re autistic yourself, a teacher, a loved one, or simply curious, this episode is packed with insights to make language learning more inclusive and personalized.

• Acknowledging Diversity: Autism is a spectrum, and everyone experiences it differently. This episode focuses on tips for autistic individuals who interact with the world verbally. We recognize that not all autistic people communicate in this way, and we aim to approach this topic with sensitivity and inclusivity. Please forgive any clumsy use of language as we're all trying to figure this out.
• Five Practical Tips (and a bonus one!)
• Reflections on People and Language: A candid discussion about navigating the social side of language learning and the importance of recognizing your worth beyond the number of languages you speak.
• Incorporating AI: How AI can provide a safe, flexible way to practice language skills for those who find live interactions draining.

• Neurodivergent Content Creators: Learn from amazing autistic creators like Bront’e Singleton, Barbara Czusz, and others who share resources and personal insights on language learning.

  • Season 1 Episode 3 - Interview with Bront'e Singleton
  • Season 2 Interview with Barbara Czusz
  • Season 4 Interview with Barbara Czusz
• Recommended Reads:
  • Unmasking Autism: Discovering the New Faces of Neurodiversity
  • How to Find a Four-Leaf Clover: What Autism Can Teach Us About Difference, Connection, and Belonging
  • But You Don’t Look Autistic At All
• Books About Autism on My List (But I Haven't Read Them Yet):
  • Autistic and Black
  • Yo? Autista?
  • Neurodivergentes, las capacidades detrás del diagnóstico
  • La guía del juego

We love hearing from our listeners. Did a tip resonate with you? Is there something you’d like to add or suggest? Send your feedback and ideas to help us continue improving and creating a more inclusive space for learning.

Thank you for joining me on this journey. Remember, language learning is personal, and every step forward counts. Be kind to yourself and keep exploring!

(English description below the Portuguese)

No episódio de hoje, conversamos com Rob, professor (incrível) de português, sobre como lidar com o estresse ao aprender idiomas, o impacto da introversão no aprendizado e os maiores mitos sobre o ensino de línguas.

Entre os tópicos discutidos estão:

• Estresse positivo vs. estresse negativo no aprendizado de idiomas.
• Estratégias para introvertidos se sentirem mais confortáveis ao praticar línguas.
• Mitos comuns, como a existência de um método perfeito ou aprender idiomas em 7 dias.

Rob compartilha dicas valiosas para tornar o aprendizado mais leve e produtivo, desmistificando crenças prejudiciais e destacando como cada pessoa pode encontrar seu próprio ritmo.

Destaques:

• "Introvertidos têm talentos únicos, como introspecção e autorreflexão, que enriquecem o aprendizado."
• "Erros são hipóteses sendo testadas; aplauda-os!"
• "Não existe uma única maneira certa de aprender um idioma."

Onde encontrar Rob: Encontre o Rob no Italki (aqui) para aulas de português em todos os níveis.

🎧 Aperte o play e descubra como transformar estresse em estímulo e deixar o aprendizado mais tranquilo!

Recursos:

• Transcrição em português
• Transcrição em inglês

________________________________________________________________________________________

In today’s episode, we talk with Rob, a Portuguese teacher, about managing stress while learning languages, navigating language learning as an introvert, and debunking common myths about language teaching.

Topics include:

• Positive vs. negative stress in language learning.
• Strategies for introverts to feel at ease while practicing languages.
• Common myths, such as the “perfect method” or learning a language in 7 days.

Rob offers insightful advice on making learning more enjoyable and productive, busting harmful myths, and finding your own pace.

Highlights:

• "Introverts have unique strengths, like introspection and self-reflection, that enhance learning."
• "Mistakes are hypotheses being tested; celebrate them!"
• "There is no one right way to learn a language."

Where to Find Rob: Find Rob on Italki (here) for Portuguese lessons at any level.

🎧 Hit play now to learn how to turn stress into motivation and make language learning more enjoyable!

Resources:

• Transcript in Portuguese
• Transcript in English

Welcome to another episode of Shhh! I'm Learning! In this episode, our good friend Barbara Czusz helps us explore how neurodivergence shapes the experience of learning languages. Whether you're neurodivergent yourself or want to better understand how these unique traits impact language acquisition, this episode is packed with valuable insights.

• The Strengths of Neurodivergent Learners: How hyperfocus, creativity, and passion can accelerate language learning.
• Navigating Challenges: Tips for managing energy, breaking through executive functioning barriers, and maintaining consistency on tough days.
• Routines That Work: Practical strategies for building sustainable language-learning habits that respect your needs.
• Sensory Sensitivities in Language Learning: Adapting your environment to reduce overwhelm and maximize focus.
• Emotional Connections to Language: How deep feelings can influence language-learning motivation and retention.

• Embrace your neurodivergent traits as unique tools for language success.
• Build flexible routines that account for unpredictability.
• Find creative ways to spark joy and curiosity in your learning process.
• Allow yourself grace during low-energy or difficult days.

Thank you for tuning in! If you enjoyed this episode, please subscribe, leave a review, and share it with someone who might benefit. Let us know your favorite takeaway from the episode on social media using #ShhhImLearning.