Localization Fireside Chat

🔥 AI Changed the Game. Did LSPs Freeze? 🧊 | Don DePalma on the Future of Localization

Welcome to Episode 113In this episode of the Localization Fireside Chat, I sit down with Don DePalma, Chief Strategy Officer at CSA Research and one of the most respected voices in language, localization, and global content strategy.We explore the major shifts happening in the language industry — from AI disruption and outdated translation standards to the staggering fact that less than 0.000001% of content is ever translated. Don shares insights on why clients are adapting faster than LSPs, what’s being missed in localization strategies, and how to avoid becoming the proverbial "deer in the headlights."From market hesitation to machine-generated multilingual content, we break down what’s evolving, what’s being lost, and what still needs a human touch.What you’ll learn in this episode:Why AI is changing the rules faster than the industry can reactWhat CSA’s research reveals about global content opportunity and riskWhy some LSPs are frozen in place — and how to move forwardThe risks of skipping localization entirely in favor of direct AI contentWhy human communication still matters more than ever in a tech-driven worldConnect With Us:Podcast: https://open.spotify.com/show/5OoURgc29R31XPGzOWL9iX Apple: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/localization-fireside-chat/id1688770183 Blog: https://www.robinayoub.blog LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/robinayoub/ Email: rsayoub@gmail.comDisclaimer: LFC (Localization Fireside Chat) podcast is a personal project. Views shared are those of the host and guests. Content is not sponsored, not an endorsement, and does not represent any organization or affiliation.

🚨 Built Fast, Translated Bad, Deleted by 52% – with Veronica Hylak

🎧 Welcome to Episode 111In this episode of the Localization Fireside Chat, I sit down with 🎙 Veronica Hylak — product strategist, AI builder, and co-founder in the language tech space. She's also the creator of Hey AI, the YouTube vlog with 7M+ views that makes sense of complex AI topics for real-world users.We tackle one of the most persistent myths in tech: that translation is a solved problem. Spoiler alert — it’s not.Veronica brings sharp insight from launching over 40 SaaS and AI platforms across Fortune 500s, U.S. government, and startups to explain why 52% of users uninstall apps due to bad localization — and why plugging in an API is not a strategy.💡 What you’ll learn in this episode: ✅ Why Silicon Valley thinks translation is solved and why that’s dangerous ✅ How bad localization breaks user trust ✅ What “translation as a feature” gets completely wrong ✅ Why content tiers and cultural nuance still matter ✅ What product teams must understand before they scale globally📢 Connect With Us: 🎙 Podcast: https://open.spotify.com/show/5OoURgc29R31XPGzOWL9iX 🍏 Apple: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/localization-fireside-chat/id1688770183 📰 Blog: https://www.robinayoub.blog 💼 LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/robinayoub/ 📩 Email: rsayoub@gmail.com

AI, Quality, and the Future of Localization | Bryan Murphy, CEO of Smartling, on What’s Coming Next

🎧 Episode 110: AI, Quality, and the Future of Localization 📺 Watch the full video episode on YouTube: https://youtu.be/jpP0auJ3lNIIn this episode of the Localization Fireside Chat, I sit down with Bryan Murphy, CEO of Smartling — a seasoned SaaS leader with deep roots in scaling global platforms and a clear-eyed view of where localization is heading next.From AI-powered translation to quality assurance in the era of LLMs, we dive into the friction points and future bets shaping the language industry.If you’ve been wondering whether AI really owns the localization process now — this episode has answers, nuance, and plenty of sharp insight.💡 What you’ll learn in this episode: ✅ Why AI alone isn’t enough to ensure translation quality ✅ The difference between real automation and risky shortcuts ✅ What’s misunderstood about LLMs in enterprise localization ✅ Why quality, cost, and scale don’t have to compete ✅ How Smartling is thinking about “tool sets” vs. just translation📌 Chapters: ⏱ 0:00 – Meet Bryan Murphy ⏱ 3:00 – The $50B Localization Problem ⏱ 8:30 – Smartling’s AI Translation Strategy ⏱ 15:45 – Quality vs. Speed: Finding the Balance ⏱ 22:10 – Proxy vs. Connector vs. API ⏱ 28:40 – Do LLMs Really Work for Enterprise? ⏱ 36:00 – Bold Predictions for the Industry ⏱ 41:50 – Final Thoughts & What’s Next📢 Connect With Us: 🎙 Listen to the Localization Fireside Chat Podcast: Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/5OoURgc29R31XPGzOWL9iX Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/localization-fireside-chat/id1688770183🌎 Visit My Blog: https://www.robinayoub.blog📩 Let’s Connect: LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/robinayoub/ Email: rsayoub@gmail.com

🎧 Episode 109: Canada’s Interpreting Crisis? Where the Law Stops, the Problems Start

🎧 Episode 109: Canada’s Interpreting Crisis? Where the Law Stops, the Problems StartIn this episode of the Localization Fireside Chat, I sit down with five influential voices from across Canada to unpack one of the country’s most overlooked issues — the state of interpretation in healthcare and beyond.If you think language access is a solved problem, think again. We dive into the disconnect between legislation and real-world access, the emotional burden on interpreters, and what it’ll take to move from performative policy to meaningful support.This conversation brings together perspectives from government, healthcare, and interpreter advocacy — and it’s not holding back.💡 What you’ll learn in this episode: ✅ Why Canada's interpretation system is still fragmented ✅ How community interpreters carry more than just words ✅ The policy gap between language rights and actual access ✅ What burnout and underfunding look like behind the scenes ✅ What a unified national standard could really change📌 Chapters: ⏱ 0:00 – Welcome & Episode Setup ⏱ 2:45 – Meet the Panel: 5 Voices from Across Canada ⏱ 6:30 – What’s Broken: From Booth to Policy ⏱ 15:20 – Training, Credentials & Systemic Gaps ⏱ 23:40 – Frontline Challenges in Healthcare ⏱ 32:55 – Budgeting for Equity ⏱ 45:10 – What Needs to Happen Now ⏱ 56:30 – Final Thoughts & What’s Next📢 Connect With Us: 🎙 Listen to the Localization Fireside Chat Podcast: Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/5OoURgc29R31XPGzOWL9iX Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/localization-fireside-chat/id1688770183🌎 Visit My Blog: https://www.robinayoub.blog📩 Let’s Connect: LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/robinayoub/ Email: rsayoub@gmail.com

Are you Scaling-up the business or Just Playing CEO Dress-Up? Episode 108 with Mario Krivokapic

🎧 Episode 108: Scaling or Just Playing CEO Dress-Up? with Mario KrivokapicIn this episode of the Localization Fireside Chat, I sit down with Mario Krivokapic, Managing Partner EMEA at Masterful Coaching — a no-nonsense strategist helping leaders stop pretending and start scaling.If you’ve ever felt like the title doesn’t match the results — this one’s for you. We dive into mindset traps, fake-it culture, and the uncomfortable truths most leaders won’t say out loud.Mario brings decades of executive coaching experience and drops insight after insight on what separates a real CEO from someone just going through the motions.💡 What you’ll learn in this episode: ✅ Why many “scaling” companies are just stuck in performative leadership ✅ The hard questions every founder should ask themselves ✅ Coaching red flags (and what real coaching looks like) ✅ How to shift from stuck to sustainable growth ✅ What mindset drives real transformation — not just LinkedIn buzz📌 Chapters: ⏱ 0:00 – Meet Mario Krivokapic ⏱ 3:10 – Coaching vs. Coddling ⏱ 11:45 – Are You Scaling or Just Busy? ⏱ 19:00 – Executive Blind Spots ⏱ 28:25 – Leadership Habits That Hurt Growth ⏱ 38:50 – Mastering the Mindset Shift ⏱ 51:00 – Final Thoughts + What Next📢 Connect With Us: 🎙 Listen to the Localization Fireside Chat Podcast: Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/5OoURgc29R31XPGzOWL9iX Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/localization-fireside-chat/id1688770183🌎 Visit My Blog: https://www.robinayoub.blog📩 Let’s Connect: LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/robinayoub/ Email: rsayoub@gmail.com