Travel update: 4 new US states

Travel update: 4 new US states

Author: Fluent in 3 Months August 12, 2025 Duration: 5:57

Over the past month, I reached my 44th state, Colorado, which I’d been looking forward to visiting for a long time. I gave myself a whole month there to truly experience it—running races, hiking in the mountains, exploring towns like Boulder and Denver, and meeting many wonderful people, including opportunities to practice my American Sign Language. Now, I’m ready for the next stage of my US states project. I’ll fly to Chicago, not a new state for me since I lived there years ago while learning Klingon for a Star Trek convention, but it’s the perfect hub to start this leg of the trip. From there, I’ll drive to Iowa, my 45th state, to explore Des Moines and the bridges of Madison County, then head to Minnesota (state 46) to spend a week in the Twin Cities of Minneapolis and St. Paul.

After that, I’ll continue to Wisconsin, my 47th state, where I’ll spend over a month. I’ll start in Milwaukee, then settle into Madison, a city I’ve heard is walkable and perfect for my European-style preferences. By the time I finish Wisconsin, I’ll only have one state left in the contiguous US Michigan which I’ll visit before returning my rental car to Chicago in October. Along the way, I’m prioritizing meeting people, practicing languages, and especially improving my ASL by connecting with deaf communities. This next month will be all about deep experiences in these four new states before the big finale of my 48-state journey.

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!

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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: English Episodes: 271

Language & Travel Hacking
Podcast Episodes
#92 Tom O’Neill on Language Learning for Introverts [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 38:20
Fluent in 3 Months Challenge participant and coach, Tom, joins Shannon and Benny to talk about his building confidence and courage as an introverted language learner as a part of the Fluent in 3 Months Challenge.This epi…
#91 Manish on Juggling Multiple Languages [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 40:56
Long-time participant in the Fluent in 3 Months Challenge, Manish, joins Shannon and Benny to talk about his experience learning a wide variety of languages through many different methods.This episode features Manish, wh…
Ask Benny: St Patrick's Day / Seachtain na Gaeilge Special [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 9:54
This week’s Ask Benny is a celebration of the Irish language. Benny talks about some of his favourite websites for learning Irish, including dictionaries, media sites, and other useful resources. This special episode is…
#90 St. Patrick’s Day Special: Sadelle’s Irish Journey [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 46:55
In this week’s special St. Patrick’s Day episode, Community Coach for the Fluent in 3 Months Challenge, Sadelle Wiltshire, talks with Elizabeth and Benny about learning Irish and joining the Challenge at an upper-beginne…
#89 Elena Guillén on Going from Dabbler to Consistent Learner [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 36:06
Language dabbler and native Spanish speaker, Elena Guillén, speaks with Benny and Shannon about learning Hindi during the pandemic, as a part of the Fluent in 3 Months Challenge.This episode features Elena, who found the…
Ask Benny: How Do You Gather the Courage to Speak? [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 5:05
In this episode Benny gives a pep-talk to help you find motivation and courage to start a conversation in your target language. It can be so tempting to avoid speaking, whether it's because you're shy, embarrassed, or sc…
#88 Cara Leopold on Fast-Talking Native Speakers [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 49:19
Listening expert, Cara Leopold, talks with Benny Lewis and Shannon Kennedy about how she helps people improve their ability to understand fast-talking native speakers.For the majority of people, listening is the first la…
#87 John Fotheringham on “Anywhere Immersion” [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 55:31
Language Mastery creator and author, John Fotheringham, joins Benny Lewis and Shannon Kennedy to discuss “anywhere immersion”, learning difficult languages, and finding the fun in language learning.John has a wealth of e…
Ask Benny: How Can I Find Content in a Less Common Language? [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 11:54
In this week's "Ask Benny" episode, Benny addresses the problem of finding content in a less commonly spoken (or learned) language, and shares how he "trains" online algorithms to find the content he wants. He also revea…