I've been studying Russian language forever (since I was a kid), and I'm terrible at it. However, a few years ago I was finally able to articulate to myself why it was important to me that I had this language and I was finally able to develop strong intrinsic motivations. I'm long past the time where my mom gives a shit if I know it or not, and her generation of the family never spoke the language anyway.
With my own motivation I made huge gains in the past few years, but now I've kinda hit a wall. Progress is minimal, and it's a little boring. I'm trying to crowdsource some advice.
As I'm writing this I'm realizing my plateau coincided with my work schedule changing and I lost the opportunity to have a weekly Russian conversation with two of my friends.
I've seen some really interesting things on telegram. Unfortunately, most of my study time is while commuting in my car, so podcasts are what's best. I was really into Russian with Max. His stuff is really good. Unfortunately, his recent podcasts are mostly really depressing and/or wander into not very good liberal political analysis that is both boring and dubious. I need a new podcast to hook me.