477. How She Stopped Avoiding English and Started Thriving

477. How She Stopped Avoiding English and Started Thriving

Author: Hadar Shemesh September 12, 2025 Duration: 39:46

"Difficult doesn't mean impossible, and direction is more important than speed." That's a quote from the wonderful interview I'm having today with my dear student, Luciana! Her story will inspire you to keep going, no matter where you are on your English journey.

In this episode, Luciana, a UX designer from Brazil now living in Portugal, shares how she went from avoiding speaking English and feeling awkward in meetings… to hosting conversation groups, creating videos, and speaking confidently every single day.

We talk about:
- How she shifted her mindset from fear to joy
- Why community and accountability are game-changers
- How pronunciation work improved her fluency AND listening skills

If you've ever thought you're too old to improve, or that fluency is impossible without living in an English-speaking country, Luciana is living proof that it's possible.

Luciana is a student of both my New Sound and Beyond programs!
Check them out here:
Join New Sound: https://bit.ly/3I9wNkY
Join Beyond: https://bit.ly/4nrfM5N


Hadar Shemesh hosts The InFluency Podcast, drawing from her own journey from an intermediate English speaker to a recognized pronunciation expert and fluency coach. This isn't about abstract theory; it's a practical, empathetic guide for anyone who feels stuck in their language learning. Hadar's conversations and solo episodes delve into the tangible strategies that actually work for acquiring an American accent, building unshakeable confidence, and moving beyond textbook English to authentic, fluid speech. You'll hear a blend of mindset shifts, technical pronunciation breakdowns, and stories from a global community of learners. The focus is always on the human side of fluency-how it connects to identity, courage, and communication. Each episode of this podcast feels like a direct coaching session, offering actionable steps that address the real frustrations and aspirations of students and teachers alike. Hadar's approach demystifies the process, making the path to speaking English with assurance feel not only possible but deeply personal. Tune in for a resource that understands the journey because the host has lived it, creating a space where progress is celebrated over perfection.
Author: Language: English Episodes: 508

The InFluency Podcast
Podcast Episodes
247. Magic Solutions in English: The Quick Way to Get Fluent [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 7:06
We hear a lot of false promises in English like "Get Fluent in 30 days!" or "Learn 1000 words in a month!". While we know that those are unrealistic, we still want fast solutions in English, because we are all busy peopl…
246. How to pronounce Staff vs. Stuff [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 3:33
English words can be really confusing sometimes. In these how-to-pronounce episodes published on Fridays, I'll help you with the pronunciation of confusing words and common names. This week we're going to talk about the…
244. How to pronounce 'Xenophobia' [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 3:11
English words can be really confusing sometimes. In these how-to-pronounce episodes published on Fridays, I'll help you with the pronunciation of confusing words and common names. This week we're going to talk about the…
242. How to pronounce 21th Century and 20th Century [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 7:04
English words can be really confusing sometimes. In these how-to-pronounce episodes published on Fridays, I'll help you with the pronunciation of confusing words and common names. This week we're going to talk about the…
241. Does your mouth hurt when you speak in English? [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 13:57
Does your mouth hurt when you speak English? Does your tongue feel too heavy, or your jaw too tight? These symptoms are quite common for speakers of English as a second language, but why? In this episode I discuss why th…
240. How to pronounce Advice vs. Advise [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 2:31
English words can be really confusing sometimes. In these how-to-pronounce episodes published on Fridays, I'll help you with the pronunciation of confusing words and common names. This week we're going to talk about the…
239. 11 Tips for Powerful Presentations in English [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 15:23
Download free presentation-prep checklist: https://hadarshemesh.com/presentation-freebie/ Do you avoid giving a talk or a presentation in English? Does it feel the same when it comes to presentations in your first langua…
238. How to pronounce 'Symbol' [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 2:45
English words can be really confusing sometimes. In these how-to-pronounce episodes published on Fridays, I'll help you with the pronunciation of confusing words and common names. This week we're going to talk about the…