Life in the US and visiting all 48 contiguous states

Life in the US and visiting all 48 contiguous states

Author: Fluent in 3 Months October 14, 2025 Duration: 19:00

In this episode of the Language and Travel Hacking Podcast, I share a deeply personal and reflective look at my life in the United States and my journey to visiting all 48 contiguous states. I talk about how my fascination with America began through films and TV shows, and how, as a young Irish student, I first arrived in the States on a J-1 visa to work in upstate New York. Over the years, I returned multiple times, living, working, falling in love, and even getting married and divorced in the country. I discuss the cultural differences I noticed between Europe and the U.S., from tipping culture to entrepreneurship, and how, despite my early criticisms, I ended up calling America home for many years. It has been a place of both incredible opportunity and intense challenges, where I built my business, explored countless landscapes, and gained an intimate understanding of life across the country.

As I reflect on my decision to visit every U.S. state (excluding Hawaii and Alaska for now), I talk about what it really means to experience a place, not just pass through it. I stayed in each state long enough to form connections and truly understand local life, from the deserts of Texas to the forests of Oregon. I share my awe at America’s vast natural beauty, the kindness of people I’ve met, and the contrasts that define the country, from its breathtaking freedom to its daunting costs. With rising prices and health care concerns, I explain why I plan to move my base back to Europe soon, but I remain grateful beyond words for my time in the U.S. It has shaped who I am today and given me a lifetime’s worth of stories, friendships, and insights. I wrap up by thanking all the Americans who have made me feel welcome on this journey and by looking ahead to new travels and language adventures in the years to 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: @irishpolyglot
Thread: @irishpolyglot
TikTok: @irishpolyglot


There’s a certain magic that happens when you step off a plane and try to order a meal in a language you’re still fumbling through, or when a simple conversation with a stranger on a train opens up an entirely new perspective. Language & Travel Hacking, from the team behind Fluent in 3 Months, lives in those messy, authentic, and profoundly rewarding moments. Host Benny Lewis, a nomadic polyglot and best-selling author, doesn’t just theorize from a studio; he records from the road, sharing raw, real-time experiences and the practical strategies that actually work when you’re navigating a foreign market or building confidence in a new tongue. Each episode feels like a candid chat with a well-traveled friend who’s made all the mistakes so you don’t have to. You’ll hear the sounds of street markets and train stations in the background as Benny breaks down the psychology of language learning, offers actionable tips for picking up phrases quickly, and discusses how travel itself can be the ultimate classroom. This podcast is built on the idea that fluency and cultural connection aren’t distant goals reserved for the gifted, but accessible skills you can hack through smart, intentional practice. It’s for anyone who believes that the deepest way to explore a place is through its language, and that every journey is an opportunity to reshape how you see the world-and yourself. Tune in for honest stories and tangible advice that will change how you approach your next adventure, whether it’s across the globe or right in your own neighborhood.
Author: Language: en-us Episodes: 100

Language & Travel Hacking
Podcast Episodes
Everyone in the Room Thinks They're the Worst [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 6:47
In this episode, I reflect on conversations at a language exchange event in Guadalajara, where I met learners who were communicating successfully in their target languages but still apologised for their mistakes. One Ger…
The Instant Community a Language Hands You [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 7:28
In this episode, I share how learning a language can instantly connect you with people wherever you travel. While staying in San Luis Potosí, Mexico, a simple breakfast at a small local café turned into meaningful friend…
Mexico or Spain Spanish? You're Asking the Wrong Question! [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 10:16
In this episode, I explain why worrying about learning the “right” dialect is one of the least important problems for language learners. Whether it’s Mexican Spanish, Castilian Spanish, or another regional variation, I a…
The conversation you're having with ChatGPT doesn't count! [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 11:43
In this episode of the Language and Travel Hacking Podcast, I share a discussion from my language Bootcamp about using AI for language learning while travelling through Mexico. I praise creative uses of AI, such as gener…
I forgot I was speaking Spanish [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 6:45
In this episode, I share a moment I had during a dinner in Monterrey where I suddenly realised I’d stopped consciously thinking about speaking Spanish. Instead of translating or checking my words, I was simply part of th…
The Mexican States project [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 7:48
In this episode, I talk about my next big travel project as I prepare to head to Mexico for over two months. After recent language missions in Malaysia and Taiwan, I am now focusing on deep travel using Spanish, one of m…
Major cities vs deeper travels [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 8:55
In this episode, I explore whether it is better to stay in major cities or travel more deeply into lesser-visited places. From my recent time in Taiwan, I reflect on how cities like Taipei make life easier, especially wh…
Update and my daily routine during my Chinese project [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 7:48
In this episode, I give an update on my Mandarin progress after spending a month in Taiwan. I explain how I quickly regained enough confidence to handle everyday conversations, although my first social speaking attempt w…
Are you not ready yet, or is the situation what’s wrong? [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 6:53
I shared how reactivating my Mandarin has put me in an unusual stage of language learning: I am far beyond beginner level, but still rusty enough that real social situations can feel overwhelming. At one language exchang…