Polyglot…Kinda

Jeaux Mayo | Yod University

Polyglot… Kinda is a Yod University podcast exploring language, culture, identity, heritage, and the experiences that shape why and how we learn. Hosted by Jeaux Mayo, Founder & Director of Education at Yod University, the show follows his ongoing journey through languages, including his reconnection with Louisiana Creole (Kouri Vini). Through personal stories and reflection, Jeaux shares the successes, mistakes, changes in direction, and lessons that come with being a lifelong language learner.

Episodes

  1. Sep 24

    Episode 6 — Apré Tem

    *Kalité vidyo la pa myé mé n’a ranjé ça banbay. Mærsi pou vô pasyensThis episode of Polyglot… Kinda is spoken in Kouri Vini (Louisiana Creole).Kouri Vini is the Creole language historically spoken by Louisiana Creole communities. It developed in colonial Louisiana and carries generations of Louisiana history, culture, family, and community within it. Today, speakers, learners, educators, and community members are working to keep the language alive and spoken.Kouri Vini is also the first language I learned to fluency outside of English and remains at the heart of my own language-learning journey. These episodes give me a space to do more than simply talk about language—I get to actually speak it.If you’re learning Kouri Vini, these episodes are an opportunity to hear the language used naturally and conversationally. You don’t have to understand every word. Listen for what you recognize, pay attention to how the language flows, and allow your comprehension to grow over time.Want to learn Kouri Vini with me?Join the Yod University Kouri Vini Learners Community on Skool. It’s our space for lessons, learning resources, conversation practice, community discussions, and opportunities to continue developing your Kouri Vini.Click the link here to join the community: https://www.skool.com/kouri-vini-lear...Polyglot… Kinda is a Yod University podcast exploring language, culture, identity, heritage, and the experiences that shape why and how we learn. Some episodes reflect on my journey through language; others, like this one, allow me to actually live in the languages I’m learning and speaking.Minm langaj. Nòt vou.#KouriVini #LouisianaCreole #Kréyòl #PolyglotKinda #YodUniversity #LanguageLearning

  2. Sep 20

    Ep. 5 — The Wiz

    There was a point in my language-learning journey when I became really good at looking like I knew more than I actually did.If I mastered the things I already knew how to say, I could sound pretty convincing. But when a conversation moved beyond that? Sometimes I would ask someone to repeat themselves. Other times, I would just act like I understood.And eventually I realized the problem wasn’t really the language.I was scared of being exposed.Like The Wiz behind the curtain, I was working hard to maintain an image instead of simply being honest about where I was.In this episode of Polyglot… Kinda, I look back at a pattern that started long before language learning—from stepping in high school to learning Kouri Vini and eventually French. I talk about how “faking it till you make it,” seeking approval, and trying to skip the uncomfortable parts of being a beginner actually slowed down my growth.Learning a language forces you to meet yourself.You’re going to mispronounce things. You’re going to misunderstand people. You’re going to find things you thought you knew but really don’t. And I’m learning that there’s freedom in being able to say:“This is where I am right now.”Because once you accept where you actually are, you can start doing the work that gets you where you want to be.I’m not interested in faking it till I make it anymore.I’d rather enjoy the process.🎙️ Polyglot… Kinda — A Yod University PodcastFollow along as I share my experiences learning and speaking Kouri Vini, French, Spanish, Portuguese, Hebrew, and whatever comes next.Want to learn Kouri Vini with me?Join the Yod University Kouri Vini Learners Community on Skool—a space for Creole learners to learn, practice, ask questions, connect with other learners, and keep growing in the language.🔗 Click here to join the community: https://www.skool.com/kouri-vini-lear...Same languages. A deeper you.#PolyglotKinda #LanguageLearning #KouriVini #LouisianaCreole #LanguageLearningJourney #YodUniversity

  3. Sep 10

    Ep. 3 — 100 MPH

    Episode 3 — 100 MPH In this episode of Polyglot… Kinda, I reflect on one of the biggest mistakes I made while learning my first language to fluency: moving 100 miles per hour. When I began seriously learning Kouri Vini (Louisiana Creole), I went all in. I wanted to speak every day, ask every question, understand every conversation, and make as much progress as possible. That passion helped me build a strong foundation in the language—but without discipline and balance, it eventually led to burnout. Looking back on my experience as an electrician, I realized something that applies just as much to language learning as it does to life: sometimes progress means knowing when to stop. On the job, I learned that continuing to work when you're mentally and physically drained can create more problems than it solves. Sometimes you have to leave something for tomorrow. Language learning is no different. This episode is about passion, discipline, family, responsibility, burnout, and something I've had to learn as I've grown as a man: I don't have to hold onto something so tightly just because I love it. The language isn't going anywhere. Learn it. Speak it. Enjoy it. Let your passion push you forward—but when it's time to rest, rest. You can always come back tomorrow. Want to learn Kouri Vini with me? Join the Yod University Kouri Vini Learners Community on Skool. It's our space for learning Louisiana Creole, practicing the language, connecting with other learners, booking classes, and continuing conversations about our own language-learning journeys. Join the Kouri Vini Learners Community Here: https://www.skool.com/kouri-vini-learners-2660/about Polyglot… Kinda — A Yod University Podcast Hosted by Jeaux Mayo, Founder & Director of Education at Yod University Same languages. A deeper you. #PolyglotKinda #LanguageLearning #KouriVini #LouisianaCreole #YodUniversity

  4. Sep 8

    Ep. 2 — Mo Jamé Tendé Ça

    This episode of Polyglot… Kinda is spoken in Kouri Vini (Louisiana Creole). Kouri Vini is the Creole language historically spoken by Louisiana Creole communities. It developed in colonial Louisiana and carries generations of Louisiana history, culture, family, and community within it. Today, speakers, learners, educators, and community members are working to keep the language alive and spoken. Kouri Vini is also the first language I learned to fluency outside of English and remains at the heart of my own language-learning journey. These episodes give me a space to do more than simply talk about language—I get to actually speak it. If you’re learning Kouri Vini, these episodes are an opportunity to hear the language used naturally and conversationally. You don’t have to understand every word. Listen for what you recognize, pay attention to how the language flows, and allow your comprehension to grow over time. Want to learn Kouri Vini with me? Join the Yod University Kouri Vini Learners Community on Skool. It’s our space for lessons, learning resources, conversation practice, community discussions, and opportunities to continue developing your Kouri Vini. Join the Kouri Vini Learners Community⁠ Here: https://www.skool.com/kouri-vini-learners-2660/about Polyglot… Kinda is a Yod University podcast exploring language, culture, identity, heritage, and the experiences that shape why and how we learn. Some episodes reflect on my journey through language; others, like this one, allow me to actually live in the languages I’m learning and speaking. Minm langaj. Nòt vou.

  5. Sep 4

    Ep. 1 — I Didn’t Know I Was “Black” Until the Sixth Grade

    In the first episode of Polyglot… Kinda, Jeaux goes back to where his language-learning journey really began. He reflects on growing up in Houston, experiencing a shift in how he understood his Black identity, and how the search for belonging eventually influenced his relationship with Spanish, French, Portuguese, and Louisiana Creole (Kouri Vini). It’s a story about language, culture, identity, fatherhood, heritage, and ultimately finding a deeper connection to his own people through Kouri Vini. Jeaux shares how his experiences with identity and belonging first pushed him toward language learning. What began with a desire to learn Spanish eventually became a journey through Portuguese and French before leading him back to his own Louisiana Creole heritage. He also reflects on becoming a father, wanting his children to grow up with more than one language, and the moment he realized that the language he had been searching for was connected to his own family and community. This is the beginning of the Polyglot… Kinda journey—a podcast about learning languages without pretending the process is linear or that fluency means you’ve finished learning. Join the conversation The Yod University Kouri Vini Learners community on Skool is where we can continue these conversations personally—especially when it comes to your own journey with Kouri Vini. Share what brought you to the language, what you’re learning, where you’re struggling, and what connecting with Louisiana Creole means to you. Join the Yod University Kouri Vini Learners community⁠: https://www.skool.com/kouri-vini-learners-2660/about Follow Polyglot… Kinda to continue the journey. Polyglot… Kinda
A Yod University Podcast

Ratings & Reviews

5
out of 5
2 Ratings

About

Polyglot… Kinda is a Yod University podcast exploring language, culture, identity, heritage, and the experiences that shape why and how we learn. Hosted by Jeaux Mayo, Founder & Director of Education at Yod University, the show follows his ongoing journey through languages, including his reconnection with Louisiana Creole (Kouri Vini). Through personal stories and reflection, Jeaux shares the successes, mistakes, changes in direction, and lessons that come with being a lifelong language learner.