

StoryLearning Podcast
Olly Richards
Got a burning language learning question? I’m Olly Richards and I've learned 8 languages through stories. Every Wednesday, I answer your questions and chat to world-class language experts. Whether you're learning Spanish, German, Japanese, or something else, tune in for insider tips and practical strategies to get fluent fast.
Each week you get:
- Answers to your biggest language learning challenges
- Story-based techniques to accelerate your progress
- Tried and tested tips from my 25+ years of experience
No flashcards or memorisation. Just story-based learning that actually works.
Each week you get:
- Answers to your biggest language learning challenges
- Story-based techniques to accelerate your progress
- Tried and tested tips from my 25+ years of experience
No flashcards or memorisation. Just story-based learning that actually works.
Episodes
Mentioned books

Apr 1, 2026 • 14min
527: Why you can't stop translating in your head (and how to fix it)
👉 Grab your FREE Grammar and Vocabulary Study Sheet: https://l.storylearning.com/learn-vocab In this episode I'm going to tackle the second most popular question I've ever been asked about language learning: How do I stop translating in my head? It is easy to say "stop translating in your head" and that is well-intentioned advice, but not very practical. The truth is, translation is inevitable and not necessarily a bad thing, at least at first. Research mentioned in this episode: The Effects of Using L1 Translation on Young Learners’ Foreign Language Vocabulary Learning, Jan 2015, Aïda Codina Camó and Elisabet Pladevall Ballester: https://www.researchgate.net/publication/297653279_The_Effects_of_Using_L1_Translation_on_Young_Learners'_Foreign_Language_Vocabulary_Learning👉 Got a question you want Olly to answer on the podcast? Submit it here: https://storylearning.com/ask_Olly_your_question👉 Get a 7-day FREE trial to one of my story-based language courses: https://storylearning.com/Language_Courses👉 Check out my all-inclusive VIP language programme with guaranteed results: https://storylearning.com/StoryLearning_VIP_Info#storylearning #learnthroughstories

Mar 25, 2026 • 12min
526: How to learn a language you hate (and actually enjoy it)
👉 Grab your FREE Language Goal Planner: https://l.storylearning.com/set-goalsWhat do you do if you hate the language you're learning? Is this even possible? I'm tackling a genuine listener question about this topic. It's something that can happen to a lot of immigrants, but there is a way around it. 👉 Got a question you want Olly to answer on the podcast? Submit it here: https://storylearning.com/ask_Olly_your_question👉 Get a 7-day FREE trial to one of my story-based language courses: https://storylearning.com/Language_Courses👉 Check out my all-inclusive VIP language programme with guaranteed results: https://storylearning.com/StoryLearning_VIP_Info#storylearning #learnthroughstories

10 snips
Mar 18, 2026 • 40min
525: The lazy language habit that actually builds fluency
Kerstin Cable, language expert and creator of The Fluent Show, shares her journey from German roots to multilingual projects. They discuss AI as a practice tool, practical AI exercises like roleplay and the transformer prompt. They tackle choice overload in modern learning and the power of simple daily habits and accountability to keep languages alive.

Mar 11, 2026 • 16min
524: 3 things I wish I knew when I started learning languages
A lively chat about learning languages as wholes, not broken-down fragments. Stories and real context beat isolated drills. Advice to ditch pressure and choose enjoyable, sustainable routines. A deep dive into how emotions like pride and embarrassment lock memories in place.

Mar 4, 2026 • 12min
523: How to learn 2 languages without breaking your brain
👉 Grab your FREE Language Difficulty Guide: https://l.storylearning.com/free_difficultyToday's question is about the most asked about topic in the more than 10-year history of this podcast: learning two languages. So many of us want to learn tons of languages, so we often study two at once. And then we realise, hang on, this is creating a few problems because we get muddled up. This episode is all about how to deal with that. Link mentioned in this episode: Angela de Bruin, Liv J. Hoversten, Clara D. Martin, Interference between non-native languages during trilingual language production, Journal of Memory and Language, Volume 128, 2023, 104386, ISSN 0749-596X.https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0749596X22000730👉 Got a question you want Olly to answer on the podcast? Submit it here: https://storylearning.com/ask_Olly_your_question👉 Get a 7-day FREE trial to one of my story-based language courses: https://storylearning.com/Language_Courses👉 Check out my all-inclusive VIP language programme with guaranteed results: https://storylearning.com/StoryLearning_VIP_Info#storylearning #learnthroughstories

Feb 25, 2026 • 17min
522: Can you really get fluent just by reading?
👉 Grab your FREE Grammar and Vocabulary Study Sheet : https://l.storylearning.com/read_sheetI'm always going on about why it's so important to read a lot if you want to learn a new language - and I'll do it again in this episode. But is it enough to be able to speak a language fluently? Links mentioned in this video: Reverse translation: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8VXmDiBfzwA👉 Got a question you want Olly to answer on the podcast? Submit it here: https://storylearning.com/ask_Olly_your_question👉 Get a 7-day FREE trial to one of my story-based language courses: https://storylearning.com/Language_Courses👉 Check out my all-inclusive VIP language programme with guaranteed results: https://storylearning.com/StoryLearning_VIP_Info#storylearning #learnthroughstories

Feb 18, 2026 • 39min
521: Why people can't understand you (and how to fix it)
👉 Grab your FREE StoryLearning Blueprint: https://l.storylearning.com/free_fluencyIn this episode of the StoryLearning podcast I chat to my good friend and fellow podcaster Anna Tyrie, creator of the popular YouTube channel, English Like A Native. Anna started her career in acting and, via some twists and turns, made her way into teaching English to an audience of millions on YouTube. You’ll discover her surprising journey from fearful to confident. She’ll also share her best tips for helping you speak with more confidence and clarity, no matter what language you’re learning. Links mentioned in this episode: Anna's YouTube channel: https://www.youtube.com/c/EnglishLikeANativeAnna's podcast: https://www.youtube.com/@englishlikeanativepodcast👉 Got a question you want Olly to answer on the podcast? Submit it here: https://storylearning.com/ask_Olly_your_question👉 Get a 7-day FREE trial to one of my story-based language courses: https://storylearning.com/Language_Courses👉 Check out my all-inclusive VIP language programme with guaranteed results: https://storylearning.com/StoryLearning_VIP_Info#storylearning #learnthroughstories

Feb 11, 2026 • 14min
520: How to learn a language at any age (7 tips)
👉 Grab your FREE Language Goal Planner: https://l.storylearning.com/lang_goals Can you be too old to learn a language? What about kids? They soak up languages like a sponge, so surely that means there's never any chance of me learning another language. Well, we'll see about that. Tune in for some inspiring examples of 60 + people learning languages and tips for any age. 👉 Got a question you want Olly to answer on the podcast? Submit it here: https://storylearning.com/ask_Olly_your_questionLink mentioned in this episode: Siddiqui, J. S. Second Language Acquisition Beyond Critical Age: A Case Study of an Old Second Language Learner. Journal of Social Sciences and Humanities. https://doi.org/10.46568/JSSH.V55I2.81👉 Get a 7-day FREE trial to one of my story-based language courses: https://storylearning.com/Language_Courses👉 Check out my all-inclusive VIP language programme with guaranteed results: https://storylearning.com/StoryLearning_VIP_Info#storylearning #learnthroughstories

Feb 4, 2026 • 16min
519: How to learn kanji FAST (do this or keep struggling)
A lively discussion about the nature and role of kanji in Japanese and why they matter. The conversation compares rote memorization with learning kanji in context. Practical strategies for studying recognition, writing, readings and stroke order are outlined. A focused, structured multi-year plan for serious learners is presented.

Jan 28, 2026 • 18min
518: NEVER use flashcards - learn vocabulary this way instead
A contrarian take on common study tools, arguing against flashcards and why they fall short. A deep dive into alternative ways to learn vocabulary that feel more natural. Links and resources are mentioned for further exploration of story-based language learning.


