StoryLearning Podcast
A polyglot answers listener questions and interviews experts on how to learn languages effectively, with a focus on using stories.
A mixed-format show where polyglot Olly Richards alternates between solo Q&A episodes and interviews with language experts. The core philosophy is his "StoryLearning method"—acquiring language naturally through compelling stories rather than rote memorization. Solo episodes typically tackle a specific listener problem, while interviews feature guests who have achieved high levels of fluency or have unique teaching insights.
“The show's tight focus on a single, story-based learning methodology, which is both the brand and the recurring answer to most listener problems. Unlike broader language podcasts, most advice and guest selection is filtered through this specific lens.”
Who hosts this show
Olly Richards is a British polyglot who speaks eight languages and is the creator of the StoryLearning method. Through his podcast, books, and courses, he advocates for learning languages naturally through compelling stories rather than traditional grammar drills and rote memorization. A former jazz musician and English teacher, he has authored over 30 books on language learning and founded the StoryLearning online education business.
Credentials & credits
- Founder of StoryLearning.com and IWillTeachYouALanguage.com
- Author of over 30 language learning books
- Speaks eight languages
- Featured in BBC documentaries
- CELTA certified (Certificate in English Language Teaching to Adults)
- Degree in Jazz Piano
Other ventures
- StoryLearning courses
- "Short Stories in..." book series
- StoryLearning VIP coaching
- Creator Empires
- TeacherAI
What kind of podcast
- Country
- United Kingdom
- Region
- uk
When new episodes drop
- 01You're practising pronunciation wrong in your new languageJun 27, 2026 · 38s
- 02The ONE habit that made this American sound like a localJun 24, 2026 · 32 min
- 03How to learn a language with ZERO motivationJun 17, 2026 · 16 min
- 04I Created The ULTIMATE Reading App For Language LearnersJun 10, 2026 · 12 min
- 05How to Read ANY Language When You're a BeginnerJun 3, 2026 · 16 min
- 06He learned 15 languages with this simple reading habitMay 27, 2026 · 42 min
- 07Should you use subtitles to learn a language?May 20, 2026 · 16 min
- 08If you've got 15 minutes, you can learn a languageMay 13, 2026 · 14 min
Notable episodes
- 01I Created The ULTIMATE Reading App For Language Learners
A behind-the-scenes look at the host's new AI-powered app, demonstrating the direct link between the podcast and his business ventures.
- 02The ONE habit that made this American sound like a local
A deep-dive interview that exemplifies the show's format, focusing on achieving a native-like accent with a guest case study.
- 03How to learn a language with ZERO motivation
A classic solo episode that addresses a common and difficult learner problem with the host's direct, anecdote-driven advice.
What you'll be asked on this show
Olly opens by establishing the guest's origin story and expertise, often asking broadly about their background with languages. He frequently uses his own language journey to build rapport and frame questions, then drills down from high-level concepts (like 'immersion' or 'mindset') to the guest's concrete daily habits. He often asks guests to compare their different language learning experiences to uncover the role of motivation and identity, and will press for clarification on key advice to make it actionable for listeners.
The podcast alternates between solo advice episodes and guest interviews. Olly's solo shows are structured around a single listener question, which he answers using personal anecdotes and principles from his StoryLearning method. Interview episodes focus on experts who align with his philosophy of immersion and input-driven learning.
Questions the host keeps coming back to
9 cataloguedIf you're going on this show as a guest, expect some version of each of these. Each note explains when the host reaches for it.
origin
1- Q.01
“Can you tell us about your background and your relationship with languages?”
This is his standard opening to establish the guest's origin story and expertise.
process
2- Q.01
“What did your daily life and learning process look like when you were first immersed in the language?”
He asks this to move from abstract ideas of immersion to concrete, daily actions.
- Q.02
“When you say 'listening is the focus,' what does that look like in practice?”
He often pushes for specifics on a piece of advice to ensure it's not just a platitude.
technique
1- Q.01
“When you talk about [guest's key concept], what does that mean in practice?”
A frequent follow-up used to clarify a guest's core philosophy and make it practical.
personal
2- Q.01
“What was your language level when you started this process?”
This question helps establish a baseline for the guest's journey, making it more relatable.
- Q.02
“How does your experience with [Language A] compare to [Language B]?”
He uses this to explore how learning changes with subsequent languages.
mindset
2- Q.01
“Why do you think you lacked the same drive for one language as you had for another?”
This question probes the deeper psychological and motivational aspects of language learning.
- Q.02
“Does your experience suggest that most adult learners face a similar challenge?”
He uses this to generalize a guest's personal experience into a broader lesson for the audience.
advice
1- Q.01
“What are the main challenges your students face, and how do you help them?”
A direct question to elicit specific, actionable advice for the listeners.
Signature segments
- · Answering a listener's question
- · Promoting a free PDF guide related to the episode's topic
- · "Welcome to the StoryLearning Podcast"
Topics covered repeatedly
Who gets booked here
Language teachers, successful polyglots, and learning experts who have a specific, demonstrable method or a compelling personal language journey, often with a story-based or immersion-focused approach. Guests often have a significant online presence themselves.
- Dave Pintoon The ONE habit that made this American sound like a local
- Luca Lamparielloon He learned 15 languages with this simple reading habit
Where to find this show
Audience & reach
The show primarily promotes Olly Richards' own products and services, including his StoryLearning courses, books, a new AI-powered reading app, and VIP coaching. External sponsors, such as the tutoring platform LanguaTalk, are also occasionally featured.
Subscriber and view counts are pulled live from YouTube and re-verified on a 30-day cycle. Listener estimates for the RSS feed aren't published here unless they're host-verified.
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People also ask
- What is the host's real name?
- The host is Olly Richards.
- What is the podcast's format?
- It's a mixed-format show, alternating between solo episodes where Olly answers listener questions and interviews with language learning experts.
- What is the "StoryLearning" method?
- It's a language learning philosophy created by Olly Richards that focuses on acquiring language naturally by reading and listening to compelling stories, rather than memorizing rules.
- Is the podcast still running?
- Yes, it releases new episodes on a weekly basis.
- Where can I listen to the podcast?
- The podcast is available on YouTube and major podcast platforms like iTunes and Spotify.
- How can I become a guest on the show?
- The show primarily features established language experts, authors, and polyglots, often from the host's professional network. There is no public application process.
Built from the show's public RSS feed, YouTube, the host's own websites, and the cited sources below. Computed and AI-extracted fields are labelled. Facts only — no private info, no fabrication, no transcripts republished.
Sources & how this page was built
This page is AI-assisted, grounded in the public sources cited below, and host-verifiable. We publish facts only; we do not republish transcripts. If anything here is wrong, the host can claim and correct the page above.Model: gemini-2.5-pro · high confidence
- [01]StoryLearning Official Websitestorylearning.com
- [02]Olly Richards - Teach Yourself USteachyourself.com
- [03]I Will Teach You a Language Podcast - LearnOutLoudlearnoutloud.com
- [04]Olly Richards - Personal Websiteollyrichards.co
- [05]YouTube Channelyoutube.com
- [06]Olly Richards - Bio, Family | Famous Birthdaysfamousbirthdays.com
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