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
Kicking off my 2025 language learning project [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 10:17
I’m kicking off 2025 with a new language project: learning Bahasa Indonesia. I’ll be studying intensively in Bali for two months before exploring Java, Sumatra, Borneo, and beyond. Indonesian’s simplicity—no conjugations…
Saving money with the world's easiest language [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 10:18
In this episode, Benny shares his frugal travel plans for the upcoming New Year, featuring the Junulara Esperanto Renkontiĝo (Youth Esperanto Week) in Belgium. He explains how Esperanto events provide a unique mix of cul…
Announcing my big 2025 language and travel project! [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 8:08
Benny Lewis shares his ambitious plans for 2025, which revolve around learning Indonesian and traveling across Indonesia. Following his 2024 adventure exploring every state in Brazil, Benny plans to spend the first two m…
What is it like to visit every state of Brazil? [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 11:53
In this episode, Benny Lewis shares his journey of completing a long-time travel goal: visiting all 26 states of Brazil plus the federal district. Over the course of nine months, Benny explored the country deeply, opting…
Moving abroad: What to think about (part 2) [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 11:30
In this episode of the Language and Travel Hacking Podcast, host Benny Lewis dives into part two of his guide to preparing for a potential move abroad. Building on the previous episode's core tips, Benny emphasizes the i…
Moving abroad: What to think about (part 1) [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 9:29
In this episode of the Language and Travel Hacking podcast, Benny Lewis dives into the essentials of planning a move abroad. Inspired by recent conversations with listeners and current events, Benny shares his insights o…
Improving language skills through learning other new things [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 8:45
In this episode, Benny shares a unique approach to language learning while traveling: enrolling in local classes for non-language subjects. Benny explains that by taking lessons in activities like dancing, cooking, or ev…
Several tools to share your travel itinerary [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 12:39
In this episode of the Language and Travel Hacking Podcast, Benny dives into tools for sharing travel itineraries, inspired by his friend Derek Sivers. Benny discusses why sharing travel plans can be useful for friends a…
Using travel to get in shape [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 17:37
In this episode, Benny shares his inspiring journey of losing 20kg (44lbs) through travel. After reaching 120kg (265lbs) and feeling stuck in unhealthy habits, Benny chose to reset his routine by traveling to the remote…
How I became a polyglot [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 12:14
In this episode of the Language and Travel Hacking Podcast, Benny revisits the story of how he became a polyglot. He shares his early struggles with maintaining multiple languages, especially during his time learning Spa…