Brand the Interpreter

Imagine living in a world where technological advancements have revolutionized the profession of interpreting. This tantalizing episode features an enlightening conversation with the authors of a groundbreaking textbook on remote interpreting. We uncover how digital technology has not only modified the profession but also introduced a spectrum of competency levels among interpreters. The authors s...

What if there was a way to overcome the grueling challenges faced by interpreters and emerge from each assignment with energy to spare? That's exactly what we're exploring in today's episode with our special guest, Gabriela Bocanete. A veteran conference interpreter, trainer extraordinaire, and health coach, Gabriela is here to share a wealth of self-care strategies for interpreters...

Unlock the secrets of interpreting with Dr. Sofía Garcia-Beyaert, a leading figure in the discipline of interpreting and a professor at the Universidad Autónoma de Barcelona. Imagine the power of communicative autonomy: this is the intriguing concept we examine, revealing its profound impact on interpreters and ultimately, the families they serve. Travel with us through Dr. Sofia's impressive...

Have you ever wondered how a child growing up in Tehran, Iran, speaking Armenian and Farsi, could end up as a well-rounded interpreter in the United States? Well, that’s exactly the fascinating journey our guest, Hemi Pariyani has taken. She started off leading a group of dancers and singers at a summer concert in Iran, and dreamt of becoming a connector and mediator in the world. Her childhood ex...

Our latest podcast episode brings you the extraordinary interpreter story of Richard Avilés, a man whose journey from the stunning beaches of Puerto Rico, to the freezing winters of Missouri, to serving as a military policeman is nothing short of inspiring. His tale is one of resilience, transformation, and the power of language. Richard's life began in Puerto Rico, where he enjoyed the simpl...

Prepare for an intellectual journey with Professor Bruce Adelson, a seasoned expert in language services and non-discrimination law enforcement, as we passionately dissect the intricate world of language access in education. Are you aware of the crucial role the Department of Justice plays in implementing non-discrimination laws? Buckle up as we unfold this and more, enlightening you about the pot...

Let's immerse ourselves in the fascinating world of professional interpretation with Darinka Mangino, a seasoned interpreter from Mexico City. With over 25 years of experience, Darinka captivates listeners with stories about her childhood and how her upbringing in Mexico City helped shape her passion for languages. An early exposure to the Montessori system of education and the multilingualis...

Have you ever felt like you were on the wrong path in your interpreting career? Dr. Jonathan Downie joins us once again to share his inspiring journey of rediscovering his passion for church interpreting and overcoming mental health challenges along the way. You won't want to miss the valuable insights he shares about reevaluating your career choices and finding a healthy work-life balance. A...

Imagine overcoming a disability and thriving in a world that may not always understand or accommodate your needs. In this empowering conversation, I had the pleasure of speaking with Jamey Cook, a blind interpreter who has done just that. Join me as Jamey shares her journey of defying expectations, learning languages, and advocating for accessibility in various aspects of her life. Throughout our...

Can you imagine being told by a fortune teller that you would have a career in speaking and then actually making it happen? That's the story of Jessie Liu, a court-certified Mandarin interpreter, conference interpreter, and advocate for the T&I profession. Join us as we explore her fascinating journey from growing up in a family of musicians to becoming a highly skilled interpreter, overc...

The podcast episode features an interview with Dr. Ledesma, a language access and equity expert with a PhD in Educational Leadership and Policy Analysis. Dr. Ledesma discusses his personal background and experiences with language and cultural diversity, as well as his research on language access and equity in public education. He emphasizes the need for a strategic and systematic approach to manag...

In this fascinating podcast episode, I delve into the life and career of Professor Mikkelson, a renowned expert in the field of interpreting and translating. The interview covers a wide range of topics, from Professor Mikkelson's childhood memories and early aspirations to her work as a court interpreter and her hopes for the future of community interpreting. Listeners will be captivated by P...

In this episode, I had the pleasure of interviewing a very special guest who was once a cryptologic linguist in the military and an interpreter in educational settings, but her experience doesn't stop there. Today's guest shares her inspiring story of growing up in Houston, Texas, and how she discovered her passion for language. She also discusses the challenges and importance of profess...

In this podcast episode, the host engages in a conversation with Dr. Bill Rivers, a highly respected advocate for language access and diversity. Dr. Rivers shares his extensive background and sheds light on the importance of acculturation over assimilation, the negative effects of shaming students for speaking their home language, and the challenges faced by language access providers due to insuff...

For nearly 50 years the term Limited English Proficient (LEP) has been continuously used to refer to our multilingual communities since it was first coined in the Lau vs. Nichols Supreme Court case of 1974.  As we shift towards a better understanding and appreciation of multilingualism, perhaps it's time we start having conversations about a shift in terminology that more positively reflects...

A Colombian native, Carolina Romero Ramirez is a passionate linguist on a mission to provide language access. In her roles as both Spanish teacher and community interpreter, she has interacted with diverse communities on the east and west coasts of the USA. She is a firm believer in continuing education and professional development and recently received her second master's degree with a focus...

Joana is a Luso-American Latina helping organizations provide quality language and cultural services to Latino, immigrant, BIPOC, and Limited-English Proficient communities. For over ten years, She has worked with healthcare, education, public health, and community organizations in multiculturalism, health & social disparities, Diversity & Inclusion, and intercultural communication. After...

Joey Cofone is the Founder & CEO of Baronfig, an award-winning designer and entrepreneur, and author of #1 bestselling The Laws of Creativity. Joey strives to make work that appeals to curious minds—work that’s beautiful, smart, and communicative. He believes that design is the least of a designer’s worries, that story is at the heart of all tasks, and jumping off cliffs is the only way to gro...

Today's episode brings us Eulogio Espinoza an indigenous Mixteco language interpreter. Eulogio has been a professional interpreter for close to a decade. He's currently the Interpreter Coordinator at Centro Binacional (CBDIO), a non-profit organization  working with the indigenous communities in California. Eulogio brings his experiences and recommendations to the show and shares some gr...

** Please note that the  descriptions referred to in this program apply to certain groups within the Deaf community and are not meant to define the entire population at large.** As a second-generation ASL interpreter, Sarah Baker passionately provides equal access for the Deaf and Hard-of-Hearing community. Being raised bilingual, she never thought about interpreting as her career; however, after...

Francisca Hoces (Mana) is a Spanish consecutive remote interpreter. She is a certified yoga teacher with Yoga Soul Monkeys, RYS 200 hrs. She taught for years at an addiction recovery center, both acting and yoga. Francisca has a passion for learning and is continuously working to improve. Now, she is working towards becoming a translator for yoga, meditation and related topics. Francisca joins the...

It's surreal to think that another season came and went for Brand the Interpreter. This season was filled with so many more amazing guests. I had the chance to speak with professionals of all stages in their interpreting journeys. I feel so honored and humbled that people have chosen this platform to share their story and that you, the audience, has welcomed it with open arms.  To my amazemen...

Razan Roumany is a medical interpreter who is also trained in remote simultaneous interpretation. Although she specializes in medical interpretation, she has also interpreted for lawyers, teachers, social workers, and even a psychologist in a correctional facility. Having grown up as an Arab-American and hearing her family speak in both French and Arabic is what sparked her passion for interpretat...

Today’s conversation is with Carlos Nuñez, a court-certified Spanish interpreter and a qualified medical interpreter with the Oregon Health Authority. Carlos grew up in Mexico and studied General Business at Eastern Michigan University. He is the president-elect for the Oregon Health Care Interpreter Association and enjoys working with nonprofits the most, particularly with organizations working o...

Danilo Formolo is the Assistant Vice President of Language Access at Atrium Health, one of the largest healthcare systems in the U.S. Danilo is entrusted with leading and transforming one of the most robust healthcare language access programs in the country, and is responsible for language access in four different regions of the Southeast.  In addition to operational leadership, strategic initiati...