A Monday Moment with Dr. Mal

What happens when learning a new language becomes less about fluency and more about connection? In this episode, I reflect on my journey of learning Spanish while living in Mérida, Mexico—and how choosing immersion over tourism has shifted the way I move through the world. We’re talking language as survival, language as empathy, and language as a bridge to deeper understanding.

I also share how navigating communication in a new country has reshaped how I think about intelligence—especially through the lens of my son, who is autistic and multilingual. This moment is an invitation to expand how we define communication, presence, and what it really means to listen.

✨ Press play, breathe deep, and meet me in the space where language becomes love.

Chapters

00:00 Introduction and Intentions

00:56 Topic of the Week: ¿Hablas Español?

02:13 My Language Journey

06:44 Living Using My Non-Native Language Has Deepened My Empathy

07:31 My Empathy Has Deepened For My Son

09:26 Criticism from Gringos

10:53 Everybody Speaks Spanish Here!

12:29 Navigating Emergencies in a New Language

14:26 Where In Your Life Are You Being Asked To Learn A New Language?

14:51 Universal Languages are SO Important!

15:18 Outro and Next Show

#AMondayMomentWithDrMal #¿HablasEspañol #LivingInMexico #CulturalImmersion #LanguageIsConnection #AutismAcceptance #MultilingualMind #BlackWomenAbroad #ALIVEPodcastNetwork #whenmallorylives

Show Songs: Kaleidoscope by HME Productions, Late Night by NyneMindsProductions and Lassitude by Justnormal

Visit my website and connect with me in all the ways: whenmallorylives.com