Translate This!
A podcast about language, culture, life, and the hilarity of it all.
Afleveringen
People are reproducing less. Why?
What happens to language and culture when the world starts running out of people?
The global fertility rate has fallen from 5.0 births per woman in the 1960s to just 2.2 today. Researchers project it will drop to 1.59 by 2100, well below the 2.1 replacement level needed to sustain a population. In more than 1 in 10 countries, fertility is already below 1.4. South Korea recorded 0.72 in 2023. So
An Elephant Never Forgets: Melissa on Alzheimer’s and Genetic Risk
Melissa's childhood nickname was "Missyphant"—because an elephant never forgets, and neither did she. Her memory was her superpower.
But Alzheimer's runs in her maternal line. And she carries one of the genes.
Will the elephant one day forget everything?
In her most personal episode yet, Melissa explores:
The Genetic Reality:
Having Alzheimer's genes in her maternal line
What genetic risk actua
From Corner Offices to Chicken Coops—Richard on the Urban-to-Farm Movement
Richard tried farm life years ago in Virginia. Now he's watching a new generation make the same leap—and he's got perspective from having lived it.
Is this sustainable transformation or COVID fantasy?
Richard Explores:
His Virginia Experience: What he learned trying to transition from urban life to farming (spoiler: it's way harder than it looks)
The New Wave: Why young Americans are d
Never Forget—DEVO, Devolution, and the Prophecy We Ignored
DEVO, the art-school band born from the trauma of Kent State, warned fifty years ago that humanity was “de-evolving”—becoming less thoughtful, less human, and more controlled by mass culture. Melissa explores how the 1970 Kent State shootings shaped their belief that civilization was fragile and progress was an illusion. Through robotic performances, matching outfits, and unsettling music, DEVO ar
Richard Gets Zen: Lessons on Ego, Humility, and Growth
Richard's been doing some soul-searching about ego—and what he's discovering is changing how he approaches everything.
Inspired by Ryan Holiday's "Ego is the Enemy," Richard examines how ego sabotages us at every stage and what freedom comes from learning to manage it.
What Richard Explores,
How Ego Sabotages:
When starting: makes you talk instead of work
When succeeding: stops you from continu
GLP-1 Wonder Drugs: Melissa Separates Hype from Facts
She thought the constant food obsession was normal. A GLP-1 drug proved her wrong.
Ozempic. Wegovy. Mounjaro. Everyone's talking about them—but most of the conversation is either hype or backlash. In this episode of Translate This!, co-host Melissa cuts through the noise with a comprehensive, no-filter look at GLP-1 receptor agonist drugs: the science, the real benefits, the risks you need to k
The Vital Importance of Personal Branding As An Entrepreneurial Language Trainer
Are you a language trainer trying to build a business? Richard has essential wisdom to share: Being great at teaching isn't enough anymore. You need a personal brand.
Personal branding isn't optional for entrepreneurial language trainers—it's survival. The language training market has gone global. A student in Tokyo can hire a coach in London, Manila, or Buenos Aires in minutes. If your pitch i
Remodeling a Home in Spain: Melissa’s Honest Assessment of Whether It Was Worth It
The dream is seductive: owning a home in Spain, renovating it to your specifications, creating your personal European retreat. The imagery is powerful—sun-drenched terraces, charming local contractors, leisurely renovation timelines, and a beautiful result achieved with manageable effort and reasonable cost. The reality, as Melissa discovered, is significantly more complex. In this week's episode
Why Richard Loves Minsk: A Love Letter to an Underappreciated City
When people think about dream cities—places they'd love to live—Minsk, Belarus typically doesn't make the list. It's not Paris with its romance, New York with its energy, or Tokyo with its innovation. Travel influencer feeds and "best cities in the world" rankings rarely feature Minsk. It's quiet, understated, and largely unknown to Western audiences.
But for Richard, host of Translate This! Th
Patriarchy on Heavy Rotation—Melissa Calls Out the Music Industry
Ever notice how radio stations won't play two female artists back-to-back? There's a reason for that—and Melissa's calling it what it is: patriarchy.
In this powerful episode, Melissa tackles the systemic sexism that keeps women artists off the airwaves and shares her own experiences with misogyny in the music industry.
What Melissa Exposes:
The Hidden Rule: Many radio programmers avoid playing
Second Time Around—Richard & Melissa Share Their Marriage Journeys
Can second marriages work? Richard and Melissa say yes—and they're sharing their personal stories to prove it.
Richard: Almost 2 years into his second marriage after being single for 17 years. He talks about why that time alone mattered, how he knew he was ready to try again, and what he's learning about building a marriage differently this time.
Melissa: Nearly 34 years into her second marriage.
Can We Eradicate the 22nd Amendment? Melissa Explores Presidential Term Limits
Should presidents be limited to two terms, or should voters decide how long they serve?
In this episode, Melissa tackles one of the most provocative constitutional questions in American politics: Could we repeal the 22nd Amendment—and should we?
The 22nd Amendment limits presidents to two terms. Ratified in 1951 after FDR's unprecedented four-term presidency, it transformed what had been a custom
Going Public -The Celebrity Plastic Surgery Transparency Movement
Celebrities are done lying about their faces. Plastic surgery, once Hollywood's most poorly kept secret, is now being openly discussed—and sometimes celebrated. But is this transparency actually empowering, or does it just create new impossible standards?
In this episode, we examine every angle of the celebrity cosmetic surgery trend:
The Good: Honesty about procedures can reduce shame, set realis
RICHARD VS. RUSSIAN – A COMEDY OF ERRORS
Learning Russian is hard. Learning Russian while living in Belarus? That's a whole different level of complicated.
In our newest episode, Richard pulls back the curtain on his ongoing struggle with one of the world's most challenging languages. From catastrophic case confusion to verb aspect anxiety, he's experiencing every pitfall that Western learners encounter when tackling Russian—and he's doi
Borders: Sanctuary or Prison?
Some debates don't have easy answers. The question of political borders is one of them.
In this week's episode of Translate This!, Melissa dives into a topic that sparks passionate disagreement across the political spectrum: Are borders necessary tools for national security and governance, or are they fundamentally unjust systems that exclude marginalized people from freely accessing a world that
An Adult Foreigner Making Friends?
Making friends as an adult is universally acknowledged as difficult. Add the complexity of living in a foreign country, and the challenge multiplies. But in the latest episode of Translate This!, Richard reveals a fascinating paradox about expat friendships that anyone who's lived abroad will recognize.
Expats Are Better at Breaking the Ice
Here's what might surprise you: expats are actually bette
MELISSA IS IN A NEW ENGLAND STATE OF MIND
When "Going Home" Feels Like Going Abroad: Melissa's New England Cultural Honeymoon
From the Translate This! Podcast
California-born, Spain-based, with a childhood stint in Upstate New York—Melissa's relationship with "home" is complicated. So when she returned to New England for an extended visit, she expected familiarity. What she got was a full-blown cultural honeymoon phase, complete with the
Richard’s Epiphany with Attachment Disorder
🎧 New Episode Alert: "Richard's Epiphany with Attachment Disorder"
Sometimes the most profound moments of understanding come when we least expect them. In this powerful episode of Translate This, Richard opens up about his personal breakthrough in recognizing attachment patterns that had been shaping his relationships for years.
This isn't just another therapy session recap – it's a raw, honest lo
WOMEN’S ENTANGLEMENT WITH DARKNESS
In our latest episode, hosts Melissa and Richard dive deep into the captivating world of female murder, crime, and romance novels. Discover their unique perspectives on why these genres resonate with readers and what they reveal about our society. Sources:
https://bjs.ojp.gov/female-murder-victims-and-victim-offender-relationship-2021
https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/1635092
https://www.stati
MICRO CLASSES IN MINSK
In today's fast-paced world, Richard's micro classes offer a refreshing approach to language learning. By combining intimate group settings with engaging topics, these classes foster genuine connections and effective learning. 🌟 Whether you're a language enthusiast or an educator, explore how this model is reshaping education.
Richard's language coaching platforms:
www.instagram.com/richard.ame
GALICIAN BEEF, CHEESE AND WINE
🎙️ TRANSLATE THIS! Season 3 - Melissa takes us on a mouth-watering journey through Galicia! 🇪🇸 Dive deep into the incredible world of Galician bread, wine, beef, and cheese - the four pillars of this Spanish region's incredible culinary tradition.
From artisanal bread-making techniques passed down through generations to the rich, complex wines, world-renowned beef, and creamy local cheeses - Me
BEING A NEW STEP-FATHER
In the latest episode, Richard shares his transformative journey into stepfatherhood, while Melissa reflects on gaining a stepdad in her adult years. Their story is a powerful reminder of the resilience and adaptability required in blending families. Discover the insights and lessons they've learned along the way. #FamilyJourney #StepdadStories #LoveAndGrowth. Link in first comment.
Sources
Where did all the people go?
🎙️ TRANSLATE THIS! Season 3 Episode 1 - Richard is BACK! After being MIA all of Season 2, we're kicking off the new season with major life updates. Richard's found love after 17 years single and made the big move to Belarus! Melissa breaks down EU immigration stats for the under-55 crowd, and we get real about expat life - from navigating taxes and politics to finding love and facing the everyday
A Poet’s Journey
In this episode, we had the pleasure of speaking with our very own resident poet and Barbier's Project Management Department Manager, Christa Zuñiga. Christa opened up about her incredible journey from surviving an abusive relationship to becoming a published author and poet. She shared how poetry became her lifeline, offering her the clarity she needed to not just transform her life, but to thriv
CAMINO DE SANTIAGO WITH SHAWN AND LAINEY
🔥 BREAKING NEWS! 🔥 Meet Shawn and Lainey - The Ultimate Power Couple Defying All Odds! 🌍✈️ These fearless adventurers conquered the globe RIGHT before the pandemic hit, proving that the spirit of wanderlust knows NO bounds! 💪 Now, they're back with a BANG, tying the knot DURING lockdown and making the ultimate move to SPAIN! 🇪🇸 But that's not all - these trailblazers aren't just any ordinary coupl
STORY TIME WITH JAKE
🎉 WAIT, WAIT WAIT! This week is an EPIC episode! 🚀 Our guest is an absolute MASTER storyteller who dared to leave the US and embarked on a journey that led him straight to Germany! 🇩🇪 Prepare to be captivated by his incredible tale of adventure, resilience, and triumph! 🌟 From forging a career in the prestigious language services industry to securing permanent residency in Germany, his story is no
SEÑOR CHORIZO’S BARRIO
🔥 Get ready to be INSPIRED! 💥 In the vast expanse of life's adventures, there are few who carve their own path with such audacity and finesse as our next guest. Brace yourself for the captivating narrative of a true trailblazer, Daniel Welsch, who has not only redefined the notion of emigrating from the US to Spain but has also left an indelible mark on the realms of language acquisition, blogging
ACCESS TO DEMOCRACY
🚀 Hold onto your headphones! 🎧 Get ready for an adventure spanning Japan 🇯🇵, Costa Rica 🇨🇷, The Girl Scouts 🍪, and even The Oregon Secretary of State! 🌟 Curious? You should be! Tune in to the next episode of Translate This! for an electrifying revelation that'll have you on the edge of your seat! 🎙 Don't miss out – hit play now and join the excitement! #TranslateThis #PodcastAdventure #CuriousList
WE’RE BACK
🎙 Exciting News Alert! Season 2 of Translate This! is HERE! 🎉 Meet our fabulous new cohost, Lauren Meyer, joining forces with Melissa Meyer for an epic journey into language and culture! 🌍 Get ready for a season packed with expat and immigrant tales, insights into popular culture worldwide, discussions on global mobility, AND yes, plenty of adorable doggies along the way! 🐾 Stay tuned for an unfo
THIRD CULTURE KIDS PART 3
What happens when TCKs grow up? Are they nomadic, stationary, successful, failures, educated, nontraditional? Tune in to find out when Translate This! reveals the fascinating data on Adult TCKs.
THIRD CULTURE KIDS PART 2
Join us for part 2 of Third Culture Kids! Are you a TCK? What variations are there? Listen to find out.
THIRD CULTURE KIDS PART 1
Join us for our candid conversations on the global identity experience of a Third Culture Kid. Our hosts explore topics such as identity crises, relationships, cultural differences and international transitions, helping TCKs make sense of the often strange and challenging journeys they experience.
MUSHROOMS
Magic Mushrooms Make Language Magic! Join your hosts Richard Fisher and Melissa Meyer on their psychedelic trip to understanding the benefits and consequences of learning a language while under the influence of psilocybin.
6 REASONS WHY HOME LANGUAGES MATTER IN THE CLASSROOM
While language classes try to reach 100% in target language usage, Richard finds six reasons why using the students' home language helps in learning.
SEMANA SANTA
Holy Hoods Batman! Will our daring duo unmask these "Capirotes"? Tune in to hear if Melissa can unravel this Easter mystery to Richard.
WILL PODCASTS MELT MY BRAIN?
Melissa worried that she was losing her edge by listening to podcasts versus reading books! What did she find out? Join us on the latest episode to learn all about the brain and podcasts.
MY STUDENT HAS PTSD
Educators are often thought of as other parents for students, but what does it mean when they also must be therapists? Tune it to hear Richard explain why this is a crisis in the educational system.
LETTERS, NUMBERS AND PI, OH MY!
Letters, Numbers and Pi, Oh My! Are numbers shortchanged or devalued against the mighty alphabet? Listen in to hear what our hosts have found out about this abstract topic.
THE TSUNAMI OF IMMIGRATION AND LANGUAGE TRAINING
Don't judge a traveler by their knapsack. Richard gives us reasons to revisit how we look at others who have moved to new countries.
LATINX
No matter how one identifies, langauge can box you in. Join us to explore the argument for and against LatinX.
FLYING CARS, AI, MACHINE TRANSLATIONS
Will Richard and Melissa ever get their jetpacks? Will Richard overcome his fear of his AI crushing every bone in his hand? And will Melissa ever be satisfied with machine translation? Listen to find out!
SPECIAL GUEST DR. BILL RIVERS
You’ve gotta fight for your right to lobby.
SKY ROJO AND SOCIAL JUSTICE
Sex and Violence sells, but should it? Tune in and give us your opinion!
ACCENT DEEP DIVE
Do you sound like you are from somewhere? Of course you do! Find out why Translate This takes a deep dive in to accents.
MIXED RACE IDENTITY
When a person is of a mixed race identity, the world is not just black and white to them. In fact, the world doesn’t see them this way as well. Our two mixed race identity hosts will give you their personal perspectives on living with a unique identity.
STRANGE LANGUAGE LAWS
Can you request a Klingon Interpreter? What are the rules when naming a baby? Tune in as we discuss real laws that actually answer these questions.
GEN X on GEN Z
Listen to Melissa and Richard, who are definitely Gen X, compare and contrast their generation with Gen Z. Is Gen X just too old to get it? Is Gen Z just too out there to care?
INVENTED LANGUAGES
Have you ever wondered how or why languages were created? But what about invented languages? Join us as we explore some of the most famous examples of invented languages and how they impact real language and culture.
