We learn Italian step by step | Impariamo l'italiano piano piano

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► Tell us about you and your podcast

I'm an instructional designer and lifelong language learner, and I created We Learn Italian Step by Step / Impariamo l’italiano piano piano – Un impegno quotidiano as a way to help others fall in love with the Italian language, one gentle step at a time. My podcast combines immersive storytelling with guided grammar and vocabulary practice, making it ideal for learners at an upper beginner to intermediate (A2–B2) level.
Each episode follows an original narrative set in Italy and is structured to teach a specific grammar concept (such as the imperfetto, passato prossimo, or imperativo) in context. Alongside the main episodes, I produce bonus episodes that reinforce vocabulary, offer interactive exercises, and invite listeners to think and respond in Italian.
I'm joined in many episodes by Antonio — a confident, overly theatrical, and very grammatically correct fictional Italian co-host. He adds humor, flair, and a touch of drama to the learning experience, while always speaking in Italian. I play the role of guide and explainer, switching between English and Italian to ensure the content is understandable and engaging.
My audience is made up of curious, motivated adults — many of whom are self-directed learners preparing for exams like the B1, living or traveling in Italy, or simply passionate about the Italian language and culture. Listeners appreciate the structured, thoughtful pacing of the show, the integration of cultural insight, and the sense of being supported, not overwhelmed. Piano piano — we take it one step at a time.

► Why & how did you start this podcast? 

I started Impariamo l’italiano piano piano because I saw a gap between overly basic beginner podcasts and advanced native-level shows. As a language learner myself, I wanted something in that middle space — something thoughtful, well-paced, and grounded in storytelling, with clear grammar and vocabulary support. When I couldn't find exactly what I was looking for, I decided to create it myself.
Podcasting felt like the perfect medium. I’ve always loved how podcasts create an intimate connection between host and listener — and for language learning, that kind of personal, consistent audio experience is incredibly powerful. I do listen to podcasts regularly, especially those related to language learning, education, and storytelling, and I drew inspiration from many of them while planning my own.
I launched my podcast in March 2025 after several months of writing, scripting, recording, and editing. While podcasting was a new format for me, I brought years of experience in audio and video editing from my work as a course creator. That foundation allowed me to focus on storytelling, structure, and tone — and I wanted the very first episode to feel calm, encouraging, and content-rich. It took time to get everything just right, but the preparation paid off, and I’m proud of the result.
My initial goal was simply to create something I would have loved to listen to as a learner — and to share that with others who are on a similar journey. I’ve since been amazed and encouraged by the response, and I’m now focused on continuing to grow the show, build community, and keep offering high-quality episodes that help people truly connect with Italian.

► How'd you find the time and funding to do this podcast?

I fund and produce the podcast myself, and like many indie podcasters, I wear all the hats — writing, recording, editing, publishing, and promoting. Fortunately, I’ve worked for many years as an instructional designer and course creator, so content development and audio editing are familiar territory. That experience helps me streamline the production process, but each episode still takes time and care to create.
Episodes are released regularly, usually every week or two, with bonus episodes in between. A full episode — including scripting, recording, editing, and transcript preparation — typically takes 15 to 25 hours to produce. I work independently and set my own schedule, so I can dedicate focused time to the podcast alongside my other professional responsibilities.
In terms of costs, I keep things lean. I pay for podcast hosting and a few software tools, but I do all the production myself. I also offer bonus content for supporters, which will hopefully help to offset some of the expenses. For me, so far, the investment is worthwhile — this project combines my passion for language learning with my background in education and media, and I’m committed to building it slowly and sustainably.

► What do you gain from podcasting?        

At this stage, I don’t have any sponsors, but I do offer bonus content for supporters and have started using platforms like Buy Me a Coffee to help offset costs. I’d love for that to grow over time, but for now, I fund the podcast myself and focus on building something of value.
What I’ve gained so far from podcasting is creative satisfaction and the chance to bring together my background in education, language learning, and audio storytelling. Even without direct interaction from listeners, the process itself has been meaningful — and I’m proud of the episodes I’ve created. One listener did reach out early on to say "vorrei ascoltare il tuo podcast," and even that small moment felt like a connection.
I’m still working on finding ways to connect more directly with my audience. That’s one of my goals moving forward — to build a sense of community around the show and open up more dialogue with listeners. For now, podcasting gives me a purposeful creative outlet and a way to contribute something thoughtful and carefully crafted to the language-learning space. I’m committed to growing it, step by step.

► How does your podcasting process look like? 

Each episode begins with writing — whether it’s a story chapter, grammar explanation, or bonus vocabulary segment, the script is at the heart of everything. I put a lot of care into making sure the language level is right for B1 learners, that the Italian is authentic and meaningful, and that the English explanations are helpful but never overwhelming.
My husband and I live a bit of a nomadic life — spending summers on a boat on the west coast of Canada and winters in Italy — so I don’t always have a dedicated studio space. But I’ve learned to make it work wherever I am. Surprisingly, I get excellent results with a simple setup: a pair of USB headphones, a quiet environment, and Audacity for recording and editing. I also use Auphonic for leveling and audio cleanup when needed.
The podcast also features Antonio, a fictional Italian co-host with a flair for drama and perfect grammar. I write all of Antonio’s dialogue and bring him to life using text-to-speech technology through ElevenLabs.io. It allows me to give the show a consistent and expressive Italian voice. His role adds variety and energy to the episodes, and I hope his bold personality helps make grammar feel a little more memorable and fun.
I edit and produce all episodes myself, including pacing, transitions, sound effects, and full transcripts, which I publish on my website to support learners who like to read along or review.
When I do interviews, I connect with guests via Zoom and prepare thoughtfully by researching their work and crafting questions with learners in mind. So far, my guests have included Italian teachers, translators, and language professionals whose insights enrich the experience for listeners.
Podcasting while on the move isn’t always easy, but I’m grateful to be able to create episodes from wherever I am — and to bring a little bit of Italy with me wherever I go.

► How do you market your show?

Marketing is definitely still a work in progress for me. I don’t use social media, so I’ve been exploring alternative ways to reach listeners. My podcast is distributed across all the major platforms — Apple Podcasts, Spotify, Google Podcasts, Amazon, and more — and I’ve claimed my show on directories like Listen Notes and Podchaser to help improve visibility.
Most listeners currently find the show through organic search or by browsing within podcast apps. I don’t yet have a detailed breakdown of where they come from, but I’ve started using Buzzsprout’s analytics tools to better understand listener behavior and discovery sources.
I use Buzzsprout’s customizable podcast website, paired with my own domain name, to give listeners a clean and accessible place to find episodes, read transcripts, and access bonus materials. I’m also experimenting with SEO and other podcast discovery platforms to support growth.
One exciting milestone was getting a brief mention on Podnews Daily, which helped increase visibility and gave me a little extra encouragement to keep going.
For now, my focus is on creating a high-quality, listener-friendly experience. I’m hopeful that over time, the combination of thoughtful content, a strong educational format, and word of mouth will help the show continue to grow — piano piano.

► What advice would you share with aspiring (new) podcasters?

My biggest advice is to start small, stay focused on your “why,” and give yourself permission to learn as you go. I heard that first piece of advice from Dave Campbell on How to Podcast (howtopodcast.ca), and it really stuck with me. Knowing why you’re doing this helps guide every decision — from your tone and format to your release schedule and priorities.
One thing I learned early on is how much time and care it takes to produce something that sounds simple. Writing, editing, pacing, and audio quality all matter, especially in an educational podcast. I’ve also realized that it’s okay to release quietly — growth may be slow at first, and that’s fine. Use that time to improve your craft, refine your format, and get comfortable in your voice.
Buzzsprout’s blog and podcast have also been great resources — practical, encouraging, and clearly written. I’ve found it helpful to listen closely to shows I admire and take notes on how they structure episodes, create transitions, or use music effectively.
Right now, I’ve just completed the first chapter of my ten-chapter story, and I’m taking this moment to come up for air — to reflect, do this interview, and start catching up on all the things that need to happen around a podcast beyond just making the episodes. There’s always more to learn and do, but I’m glad I started. And that would be my final piece of advice: start with what you have, trust your instincts, and let your show grow at its own pace.
And whether you're podcasting or learning a language, try not to compare your progress to others — as tempting as all those stats and charts might be. It’s your own journey, and what matters most is enjoying the process.

► Where can we learn more about you & your podcasts?

You can find all episodes, transcripts, and bonus materials on my podcast website:
🎧 www.welearnitalianstepbystep.com
If you’d like to support the show and unlock access to bonus episodes, you can do so here:
https://www.buzzsprout.com/2439585/support
I also gratefully accept one-time contributions through Buy Me a Coffee (please note: this does not include access to bonus content):
www.buymeacoffee.com/welearnitalian
You can reach me anytime by email. I always love hearing from listeners:
welearnpianopiano@gmail.com
And if you’d like to connect professionally, I’m on LinkedIn:
linkedin.com/in/myrarhodes
I’m not on social media at the moment, but I’m slowly expanding ways to connect and build community around the podcast. If you’re listening and learning along with me, I’d truly love to hear from you!