Brand the Interpreter

A speaker’s mic cuts out, the Wi‑Fi stutters, and you’re still expected to deliver clean, confident interpreting. That pressure is real, and it’s exactly why we invited Dr. Bernard Song to the show. He’s a conference interpreter with 25 years in the booth, a PhD in computer engineering, and the founder of GreenTerp Technologies, which means he can talk about interpreting craft and interpreting tec...

A childhood spent among Greek, Turkish, and Jewish neighbors can turn language into a way of being. That spirit runs through a candid, wide‑ranging conversation with conference interpreter, researcher, and choir singer Dr. Ozum Arzik Erzurumlu, whose path stretches from lyric notebooks and full‑immersion schooling to live broadcasts of U.S. presidents. We open the booth door on the realities of cr...

What do you do when the work that once felt like a calling starts to drain you dry? I sit down with Heidi Leal to follow a courageous pivot from school counseling into professional interpreting, a shift sparked by a year of volunteering in Guatemala that reignited her sense of service and clarified a new path forward. From triage rooms and field clinics to certification exams and first contracts,...

A trilingual childhood, a summer camp “gig” for a few bucks, and then a single moment that changed everything: the mic flipped on, and Alain Breton realized interpreting had a name and a future. I sit down with Alain to unpack how a life steeped in French, Spanish, and English turned into a craft built on meaning, nerve, and an appetite for challenge. The heart of our conversation is depth. Not ag...

Ever wonder how a childhood love of RPGs could shape a world-class interpreting mindset? We sit down with conference interpreter Vladimir Kits to unpack a journey powered by curiosity, deliberate practice, and the habit of stepping inside someone else’s perspective. From snow-locked northern towns to global booths, Vladimir shows how nontraditional paths-video games, research gigs, and contest los...

The stroke of a pen in Washington D.C. sent ripples through the language access community earlier this year. When Executive Order 13166 was rescinded after nearly a quarter century, many interpreters and language professionals feared the worst. What would happen to language access rights? Would limited English proficient communities lose vital protections?  In this illuminating conversation, forme...

What does it truly mean to be an interpreter in the deepest sense? Is it merely transferring words between languages, or something far more profound? Ryohei Onishi, returning guest and two-time TEDx speaker from Japan, takes us on a transformative journey through the evolution of his understanding of interpretation. Five years after his first talk on "de-verbalization," Ryohei's per...

Discover the remarkable journey of Ahmad Jaafil, who transformed his life after facing serious challenges, including significant vision loss. In this inspiring episode of Brand the Interpreter, we celebrate five years of storytelling, exploring how Ahmad's passion for language and determination to advocate for himself fueled his success in the interpreting profession.  From an early age, Ahma...

In today's Reflection Room, we revisit Episode #111: The Business Mindset: More than Just a Hustle and recap on some great strategies Corrine shared with us. Such as: Freelancing is a journey requiring resilience, effective marketing, and continuous growth. • Resilience is crucial for freelance success  • Proactive self-marketing is essential for attracting clients  • Targeting specific niche...

Welcome Back to the Reflection Room! This bite-sized episode offers a quick and engaging glimpse into the key highlights, thought-provoking moments, and valuable takeaways from Episode #108: The Emotional Toll and Triumphs of Live Interpreting with Denise Bobadilha . Designed for listeners on the go, The Reflection Room condenses the conversation into a brief, impactful reflection, perfect for spa...

As we close out Season 7 of Brand the Interpreter, I take a moment to reflect on the challenges and triumphs of 2024. In this heartfelt finale, I  share personal stories, the moments that reminded me why this podcast matters and my gratitude to all of you - listeners, guests, and supporters - who've made this journey possible. I'll also take a look back at some of the highlights from thi...

Welcome Back to the Reflection Room! This bite-sized episode offers a quick and engaging glimpse into the key highlights, thought-provoking moments, and valuable takeaways from Transforming Schools for Multilingual Success with Mark Byrne . Designed for listeners on the go, The Reflection Room condenses the conversation into a brief, impactful reflection, perfect for sparking curiosity or revisiti...

Unlock the secrets of effective language access in education with our guest, Mark Byrne, a dedicated language access consultant. From a life-changing experience in Peru to a flourishing career in language access advocacy, Mark's journey is both inspiring and informative. In this episode, he shares personal stories and professional insights about building inclusive environments for multilingua...

Welcome to the Reflection Room! In this inaugural episode, we’re diving deeper into the themes and moments from A Journey of War, Love, and Entrepreneurship. Join our two fictional hosts as they explore the challenges, emotions, and key takeaways that stood out most from the previous episode! Think of it as an intimate post-show conversation, where we reflect on the experiences shared and discuss...

What happens when love and resilience intersect in the midst of chaos? Ana and Jordi Vidales found themselves in the heart of civil war in El Salvador, their lives forever changed yet intertwined by fate. As high school sweethearts torn apart by conflict, their journey eventually led them to Chicago, where they rekindled their connection and built both a family and a business. Their story is one o...

Unlock the secrets of integrating AI in language services with our latest episode featuring Dr. Holly Silvestri from the Safe AI Task Force. Gain insights into the innovative applications of AI in translating and interpreting, particularly in community settings. You'll discover how AI is transforming industry standards and explore the ethical and security considerations of using AI when handl...

Sponsored Episode Ever wondered how a young girl from Uruguay could rise to become a leading figure in the U.S. interpreting and education world? Join us as Judy Cortés opens up about her captivating journey from her early days in Paysandú and Montevideo to the unexpected cultural shocks of Los Angeles. Judy recalls her family's vibrant international restaurant, her strict yet enriching educa...

Unlock the secrets of a rewarding career in translation and interpreting with our special guest, Corinne McKay. From her fascinating childhood across Southern California, New York, and New Jersey to her family's incredible feat of fostering over 110 animals since COVID, Corinne's journey is nothing short of inspiring. Discover how her childhood dream of being a poet evolved into a thrivi...

What happens when a childhood spent resisting a second language transforms into a compelling career? Maru Lozano, our guest for this episode, shares her fascinating journey from her upbringing in Puerto Rico to becoming a professional translator, interpreter, and coach. Raised by a US-born father and an influential grandmother who taught English, Maru’s early aversion to learning English took an u...

Can you imagine uprooting your life in pursuit of language and culture, only to find yourself aiding in disaster-stricken Haiti? In this riveting episode of Brand the Interpreter, we sit down with Gennike Mayers, a multilingual language professional whose journey spans from the sugarcane fields of Trinidad to the serene shores of Tobago. Gennike's linguistic prowess in English, French, Spanis...

Join me,  as I kick off Season 7 of Brand the Interpreter with a heartfelt recount of a challenging period that saw me lose my voice for over a month. This unexpected hiatus taught me the critical importance of listening to our bodies and taking necessary breaks. Amidst this, I navigated significant personal and professional changes, including a sudden move to the East Coast and embracing a new ro...

As your guide through the intricate world of language and interpretation, I, Mireya Pérez, extend a warm invitation to join an auditory expedition into the heart of our profession on the Brand the Interpreter Podcast. This season's tapestry weaves emotional self-care with Francisca "Mana" Hoce's wisdom, historical dives into the deaf community's technological strides, and...

As we approach the final stretch of Brand the Interpreter's sixth season, I am thrilled to share an answer episode to a question submitted by listener Laura González in Pennsylvania, a query that mirrors many of your own curiosities and experiences. This exchange symbolizes the interactive and dynamic nature of the podcast, where listener engagement has continually shaped the conversation. I...

Ever wondered about the difference between being a qualified interpreter and a certified interpreter? Perhaps you're an interpreter looking to further your career or maybe you're an individual or business in need of interpreter services? Either way, we promise you'll gain clarity in our latest episode of the Brand the Interpreter Podcast.  As we navigate further into the labyrinth o...

Today's enriching conversation with Alisa Pifine, director of language access services for Catholic Charities in Louisville, Kentucky, gives a detailed insight into the evolution of language access in her community. From working at a credit union to becoming a crucial part of a non-profit organization, Alisa's journey is truly inspiring. She talks about the language access program at Cat...