Article We’re all ears: our favourite podcasts about translation (and why you should listen to them too!)

Hands up, podcast fans!

Podcasts have been a big deal for a long time now, and show no sign of dipping in popularity anytime soon.

We’re massive podcast buffs, and have all got different interests and favourites - some of which are pretty mainstream, and some of which are pretty out there. But there’s one podcast topic we can all agree on.

You guessed it:

Translation.

Podcasts about all the aspects of our wonderful but not-always-easy-to-navigate industry are one of our favourite ways to keep our finger on the pulse.

They’re the best kind of CPD, because they don’t tie you down to a desk… they set you free!

You can soak them up doing whatever you please. Whilst you’re on a train or plane, in the car, out for a walk or run, sunbathing, doing the washing up… You name it, you can probably listen to a podcast whilst you’re doing it (within reason).

A healthy balance is, of course, super important, because all work (podcasts) and no play (podcasts) make you a dull translator, but if you struggle to squeeze CPD into your working week as well as keeping on top of all the millions of other things you have to achieve, this could be the perfect solution.

But if you’re reading this, you probably already know podcasts are the best. You might even be a bit of an addict, hoping we’ll point you towards a new podcast you can binge.

It’d be our pleasure to do just that.

Other languages are available

The vast majority of these podcasts are in English but, of course, that doesn’t mean there aren’t stacks of other options.

We’ve included a few we’re fans of in French and Spanish, and some of the podcasts on this list have certain episodes that aren’t in English, but we’re sure there are all kinds of translation podcasts available in lots of different languages.

If you want something in your native language, or want to double up on CPD by learning about translation whilst sharpening up your listening skills in one of your working languages, pop the relevant keywords into your podcast platform of choice and see what comes up.

Or, ask your translation colleagues or your LinkedIn network if they’ve got any recommendations for you.

And if there’s really nothing available in your language…

Maybe you should be the one to make it.

English:

1. The Language Worker - by Rita Gonçalves

Rita’s podcast has been going since early 2023, and has covered so many different elements of the language industry, from what it’s like to work as a translator in India or Indonesia to multilingual content and copywriting and specific translation specialisations. She’s talked to all kinds of people doing cool stuff with words.

Most episodes are in English, but some are available in Portuguese, and you can also watch them on YouTube, if that’s more your thing. Check out The Language Worker page on LinkedIn here and find the links to listen here.

2. Freelanceverse - by Adrian Probst

Freelanceverse is first and foremost a super popular YouTube channel, but the good news for those of us who prefer to listen to our content is that a lot of episodes are also available on Spotify. Adrian covers all kinds of topics that will interest freelance translators like you, from techy stuff and the basics of getting started with translation, to marketing and different specialisations. He’s super open about the financial aspect of freelancing and running a YouTube channel, even sharing his annual earnings.

At the time of writing, he’s got more than 300 videos and over 36,000 subscribers on YouTube, so he must be doing something right!

Check the page out on LinkedIn here.

3. Smart Habits for Translators - by Veronika Demichelis and Madalena Sánchez Zampaulo

This is a pretty well-known podcast in the translation world, which wrapped up in early 2024 after 88 episodes. Don’t let that put you off, though, because 88 episodes will take you a long time to get through.

As well as plenty of episodes in which Veronika and Madalena share their advice, there are also dozens of interviews with other translators of all shapes and sizes, some of whom you’re sure to have come across already.

Check out their website here and listen on Spotify here.

4. PM vs. Vendor: Team Play for Success - by Gabriela Kouahla

Excitingly, there’s a new podcast on the scene! Gabriela Kouahla has recently started the PM vs. Vendor podcast, which is all about how freelancers and PMs at translation agencies can work together in harmony.

At the time of writing, there are five episodes to listen to, but new ones are coming out regularly, so you’ll have plenty more to binge before too long.

Check out the (LinkedIn)[https://www.linkedin.com/company/pm-vs-vendor-team-play-for-success/] page here and listen on (Spotify)[https://open.spotify.com/show/4hUIbwM6IEV8PhzMG0Vtlx] here.

5. The ObiJan network - by Jan Hinrichs

Okay, so this one technically isn’t a podcast, because it’s actually a (YouTube channel)[https://www.youtube.com/@TheObiJanNetwork ], but as we included Freelanceverse, we thought we could get away with squeezing this one in too.

After all, you don’t actually have to sit and watch it, you can still play it in the background as you get on with odd jobs around the house.

This channel is focused on language tech, but as the founder of LocLunch, (Jan Hinrichs)[https://www.linkedin.com/in/jahinrichs/] also interviews LocLunch ambassadors around the world.

6. Training for Translators - by Corinne McKay

Corinne McKay is translation royalty and the founder of (Training for Translators)[https://www.trainingfortranslators.com/]. She started the (podcast)[https://open.spotify.com/show/7aWgEroPuOBA9ZYziSBykj?si=a77f4013bcc64137] of the same name in late 2024.

She’s sharing her wisdom on things like marketing, pricing and running your freelance translation business on a regular basis, and we find listening to her dulcet tones to be a very soothing experience. As it stands, there are 14 episodes to get your teeth into.

Follow Corinne on (LinkedIn)[https://www.linkedin.com/in/corinnemckay/] for more of her wisdom in written form.

7. Deliberate Freelancer - by Melanie Padgett Powers

This podcast, which has 207 episodes for you to work your way through, isn’t translation-specific, but as a freelance editor and writer, Melanie has a lot to say that’s super relevant to us freelance linguists.

She interviews some fascinating freelancers and places an emphasis on mental health and building a sustainable business that works for you.

Find Melanie on (LinkedIn)[https://www.linkedin.com/in/melaniepadgettpowers/] here and listen on (Spotify)[https://open.spotify.com/show/5YP83uWRMc8vowsck0uPN3] here.

8. Freelance Business Unlocked - by Anja Lordanić Mustać

Anja is a translator-turned-podcast-mentor who has a fantastic podcast of her own about running a small business, with interviews with all kinds of guests.

This is another podcast which isn’t translation-specific, but with lots of faces you might know from the translation world popping up as guests.

The first few episodes are in Croatian, but the majority of the 80+ episodes are in English.

Follow the page on (LinkedIn)[https://www.linkedin.com/company/freelance-business-unlocked-podcast/people/] here and listen on (Spotify)[https://open.spotify.com/show/6NI9lQi6zWETEjDoxUrBQV?si=20a29e57d95b4426] here.

9. Meet the Translator - by Dot Roberts

Dot started her lovely podcast in late 2020, and has interviewed all kinds of interesting translators doing fascinating things since then.

It’s a wonderfully relaxed listen, perfect for those curious souls (come on, us translators are all nosey) who love hearing people’s backstories as well as getting plenty of tips for running a business that works for you within the translation space.

It’s like hearing two friends having a catch-up, so if you want something informal but informative, Dot is your woman.

Follow Dot on (LinkedIn)[https://www.linkedin.com/in/dot-roberts-ma/] and listen on (Spotify)[https://open.spotify.com/show/0LbHWF0crJ5bO8s7KM6eBK?si=0240d5161917477e] here.

10. Source2Target - by David Stockings, Nicholas Nicou and Hannah Lawrence

Another cracking podcast by three translators at different stages of their careers.

There are three seasons of this podcast for your listening pleasure. Recently, they’ve covered topics like AI, parenting as a freelance translator and time management.

Have a listen on (Spotify)[https://open.spotify.com/show/2Ua15UrGNsOz4bzuMBM5rh?si=af02bfa4f84a4546] here.

Spanish:

On to podcasts in different languages, we’ve got three suggestions in Spanish for you.

11. HangoutsTrágora - by Trágora Formación

Up first is HangoutsTrágora, which has more than 70 episodes for you to listen to, with a selection of fabulous Spanish-speaking guests with stories to tell and wisdom to share.

Check out the Trágora Formación (website)[https://www.tragoraformacion.com/hangoutstragora/] here and listen on (Spotify)[https://open.spotify.com/show/5ZUW6ljtihq2E27h4Kfv7U] here.

12. En Pantuflas

This wonderful podcast is by Marina and Paola, a duo whose relaxed approach is ultra-engaging.

They’ve released 210 episodes over seven years, with a new one every month, and they always have a guest on the show. In recent episodes, they’ve covered topics like literary translation, accessibility, translating poetry and translation for dubbing.

Check out their (website)[ https://en-pantuflas.com/episodios/] here and listen on (Spotify)[https://open.spotify.com/show/4WFSzVYlgHN8TVTj0ZSSOL] here.

13. En sincronía - by Damián Santilli, Blanca Arias Badia and Guillermo Parra

This one’s all about audiovisual translation specifically, so the subtitlers among you will want to check it out!

Covering all aspects of the world of translating for the screen, they’ve already got 56 episodes. Listen on (Spotify)[https://open.spotify.com/show/7HgzYd3DRxvzJBbgqyKxFH?si=ef462bab128e41c2] here.

French:

14. Translucides - by Tradupreneurs

This podcast was last recorded in 2022, but don’t let that put you off! There are 13 episodes in French for you to enjoy with our very own Caroline (co-founder of LSP.expert) being a featured guest on (episode 8)[https://www.tradupreneurs.fr/episode-8-caroline-bries-bien-soutiller-avec-lsp-expert/]!

Check out their (website)[https://www.tradupreneurs.fr/translucides-la-machine-a-cafe-des-langagieres-et-langagiers/] here and listen on (Spotify)[https://open.spotify.com/show/2JKKa9Umx0My1S2UsyToT0] here.

Translation-adjacent podcasts

That’s all for the podcasts directly related to the translation universe, but we couldn’t let you go without recommending a couple of our favourite language-related podcasts. Because language is our passion, not just our job!

15. The Allusionist

The (Allusionist)[https://open.spotify.com/episode/7njR5xaNBLWpQ1lXW38edm] is all about etymology and takes you on some intriguing and often amusing journeys into the histories of English words. Perfect for topping up on random anecdotes to share at translation conferences.

16. The History of English

(More than 180 episodes)[https://historyofenglishpodcast.com/] about how the English language got where it is today, perfect for language lovers and history geeks.

17. Lingthusiasm

Linguistics obsessives, we see you! Indulge your love with this (podcast)[https://lingthusiasm.com/episodes].

Unless we’re very much mistaken, you’re bound to find plenty of inspiration in all these podcasts. Inspiration for new services, or new ways to approach your business, market your business or manage your time.

Whatever direction all that CPD takes you in, let LSP.expert support you as you grow and evolve, streamlining your admin and making your life so much easier.

Give our 30-day free trial a go, and see how much of a difference it could make.