What if your office was an expedition ship in Antarctica, and your colleagues were marine biologists, ornithologists, and geologists? For German conference interpreter Luisa Bach, that's not a fantasy — it's her job.

In this episode, Luisa takes us inside a world that very few interpreters ever experience: working aboard expedition ships in Antarctica and the Arctic, interpreting for scientists and tourists while navigating Drake Passage swells, driving Zodiac boats, protecting penguins from overeager passengers, and watching whales surface right next to her boat.In this episode:How Luisa discovered and landed her dream job on an expedition shipWhat the interpreting booth looks like on a ship — and what happens when the seas get roughWhy only 100 people are allowed ashore in Antarctica at the same time

The difference between the Arctic and Antarctica as working environments

Living and working with the scientists you interpret — 12 hours a day, 40 days straightLearning to drive a Zodiac boat as part of the jobThe wildlife you encounter — penguins, whales, orcas (which are actually dolphins), polar bearsWhy AI is already replacing her subtitling work for German broadcasting

Why this kind of interpreting job is safe from AI — for nowLuisa Bach is a German conference interpreter based in Berlin. She works across simultaneous interpretation, speech-to-text interpreting, and subtitling for German broadcasting. She is a regular expedition interpreter for Hurtigruten Expeditions, working in both Antarctica and the Arctic.

What does the future look like for translators and interpreters in the age of AI? Ben Karl — President-elect of the American Translators Association and ATA-certified French to English translator — joins Alain and Brian to talk about professional associations, certification, the upcoming ATA conference in San Francisco, and what it takes to build a resilient language career today.Whether you're a translator, an interpreter, or a student just starting out, this episode is packed with practical insights on why community matters, what AI cannot replace, and how to level up your expertise in a rapidly changing profession.In this episode:How Ben went from going it alone to becoming ATA President-electWhy professional associations are only as strong as their membersThe value of certification — not just for clients, but for yourselfATA's conference in San Francisco (October 28–31, 2026) and what to expectHow interpreters fit into the ATA — and why the interpreters division is the largest in the organizationATA's strategy to promote human expertise in the age of AIJoachim Lepine's standing-room-only session at the last ATA conferenceLanguage access rights in the United States under a changing political landscapeWhat Ben would tell a 25-year-old starting a language career todayBen Karl, MBA, CT is the President-elect of the American Translators Association (ATA). He is a certified French to English translator, copywriter, and founder of BK Translation LLC. He has been an ATA board member since 2021 and holds an advanced Chinese proficiency certificate.

What does it take to truly master interpretation? In this episode, Laura Burian and Julie Johnson, both professors at the Middlebury Institute of International Studies at Monterey, share the knowledge behind their online courses on consecutive note-taking and mindfulness for interpreters.As the Middlebury Institute faces closure, these two courses will be taken offline on June 30th, 2026. If you've ever wanted to sharpen your note-taking skills or learn how to stay calm under pressure, now is the time.⚠️ Use discount code FOUND2026 to enroll at a reduced price — valid through June 1st, 2026.🎓 Enroll before June 30th, 2026:🔗 Note-Taking for Consecutive Interpretation: https://www.middlebury.edu/institute/academics/degree-programs/translation-interpretation/program-details/note-taking-consecutive-interpretation🔗 Mindfulness for Interpreters: https://www.middlebury.edu/institute/academics/degree-programs/translation-interpretation/program-details/mindfulness-for-interpreters📖 Resources mentioned:🔗 "River Flow" article in La Linterna del Traductor: https://lalinternadeltraductor.org/n30/wellbeing-and-optimal-performance.html🔗 Peak Performance study interviews (HKBU): https://www.youtube.com/@peak-performance-hkbu/videos🔗 Laura's TEDx Talk on interpretation: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5zTLg-Ax2M4In this episode:Why the Middlebury Institute is closing — and what it means for interpretation education. How consecutive note-taking works and why it's becoming a lost skillThe role of memory, attention, and brain wiring in note-taking. What mindfulness really means for interpreters under pressure. How to manage stress before, during, and after an assignment. Letting go of perfectionism without sacrificing quality. The physiology of stress — and how breathing can reset your nervous system.Why awareness is the foundation of great interpretationLaura Burian is a professor of Chinese/English translation and interpretation at the Middlebury Institute. She is the creator of the Note-Taking for Consecutive Interpretation course and an accomplished violinist.Julie Johnson, EdD is a professor at the Middlebury Institute and creator of the Mindfulness for Interpreters course. She has delivered mindfulness workshops for interpreter associations and courts internationally.Found in Interpretation is hosted by Alain Breton and Brian Bickford.📩 Contact us: found-in-interpretation@gmail.com