In this episode, I sit down with a professional American Sign Language interpreter who takes me deep into a world most hearing people never see, the culture, the pressure, the responsibility, and the wild moments behind the scenes. This isn’t just about learning sign language… it’s about stepping into an entirely different way of experiencing life.

We talk about how they accidentally discovered interpreting as a career, the years it takes to truly become fluent, and what separates a “qualified” interpreter from a “certified” one. But the real heart of this episode is everything school doesn’t prepare you for, interpreting without facial expressions, navigating intense emotional situations, and the cultural nuances that can make or break communication.

You’ll hear the things hearing people are almost always shocked to learn about Deaf culture, the surprising misconceptions hearing people have, and even the things that secretly annoy Deaf individuals. We get into big, mind-opening questions too, like whether Deaf people have inner thoughts and why interpreters sometimes need two people for a single job.

My guest shares the emotional side of the work, the burnout, the physical injuries nobody talks about, and how video relay interpreting compares to being in the room with someone who is counting on you to be their voice.

And then… the stories.

One of them is absolutely wild and it changed the way I think about this profession.

We close with powerful advice for new interpreters, the ONE thing the Deaf community wishes hearing people understood, and resources for anyone considering this path. By the end of this episode, you’ll look at ASL, Deaf culture, and communication in a totally different way.

If you’ve ever wondered what really happens in the world of interpreting… this is the episode you don’t want to miss.

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