Get ready to embark on an inspiring journey with Rory Viner as he shares his captivating story of transforming childhood music passion into innovative sounds using democratized recording technology and electronic music. In this thrilling podcast episode, Rory takes us on a mesmerizing adventure through his unique creative process, fueled by his love for music and driven by experimentation with Pure Data software. His groundbreaking synthesis of music from Japan's suicide data garnered widespread...
Jan 18, 2024•34 min•Season 4Ep. 317
Get ready for an insightful journey as we welcome back the esteemed Akio Katsuragi for a second episode, where he unveils the intricate details behind sealing the monumental $16 billion Toshiba privatization deal—the most significant venture of his illustrious career. At 71 years old, Akio's wealth of experience in finance and investment shines through as he shares the behind-the-scenes stories and challenges encountered during this historic transaction. His unwavering commitment to fostering fa...
Jan 17, 2024•22 min•Season 4Ep. 316
Dear Podcast Enthusiasts, Part Two Prepare to be inspired as we unveil a riveting episode featuring Mark's remarkable journey. Mark is a seasoned professional whose career has been marked by resilience, innovation, and unwavering determination. In this captivating episode, Mark shares insights from his transition from overseeing a $100M product line for chlamydia to taking on another challenging Asia position for Abbott. With intensive travels across Asia and Australia, Mark's journey was nothin...
Jan 14, 2024•27 min•Season 4Ep. 315
Dear Esteemed Subscribers, Get ready for an enthralling two-part series as we delve into Mark Colby's captivating life story from the comfort of his Chiba home, aptly named "The Frogs’ Gate." In part one of this special episode, we embark on a journey through Mark's formative years, filled with unique experiences and remarkable encounters. From his distinctive grade school days in a "special" school, where lifelong friendships with Blake and Gordon were forged, to the spark of passion for judo i...
Jan 12, 2024•28 min•Season 4Ep. 315
Dear Podcast Enthusiasts, Get ready to be inspired by the vibrant energy and enthusiasm of Sabrina Hunter, TAC's newly appointed coordinator for banquet events, as she takes center stage in our latest podcast episode! With a passion for fostering connections and creating engaging social experiences, Sabrina brings a fresh perspective to her role at TAC. Join us as she shares her diverse experiences from Japan and the US, offering insights into her journey as a Gen Zer. In this captivating episod...
Jan 11, 2024•42 min•Season 4Ep. 314
Dear Esteemed Readers, Prepare to embark on a deeply moving journey as we delve into the heartfelt conversation with Roland Thompson, a devoted father whose life journey has been profoundly shaped by the unique experiences of raising his eldest daughter, Yuri. In this touching episode, Roland courageously opens up about the challenges and triumphs encountered while raising Yuri, who was born with a brain injury. Growing up as a foreigner in Japan presented numerous obstacles. Yet, Roland and his...
Jan 10, 2024•36 min•Season 4Ep. 313
Dear Loyal Subscribers, Prepare to be captivated by a rare glimpse into the remarkable life of Yoav Keidar, as he shares deeply personal insights and experiences that have shaped his extraordinary journey. In our upcoming podcast episode, Yoav reveals a poignant symbol of his emotions about the Gaza war—a dog tag that serves as a constant reminder of the tumultuous times he has faced. From his upbringing in a kibbutz to his disciplined military service, Yoav's story is a testament to resilience ...
Jan 08, 2024•1 hr 1 min•Season 4Ep. 312
Dear Esteemed Subscribers, Prepare to embark on a riveting exploration of leadership, service, and achievement as we shine a spotlight on the remarkable journey of David Nichols—a true exemplar of excellence and resilience. From achieving Eagle Scout status as a teenager, where he imbibed invaluable lessons in service and leadership, to his dynamic career trajectory spanning continents, David's story is nothing short of inspiring. Join us as we delve into David's journey, which began in Japan as...
Jan 06, 2024•36 min•Season 4Ep. 311
Dear Podcast Enthusiasts, Prepare to be captivated by the remarkable journey of Alex Ngai as he takes us on a thrilling ride from hip-hop dancer to esteemed DJ, all the way to fulfilling his entrepreneurial dream in Japan. Embark on an inspiring adventure as Alex shares his evolution from a shy individual to a dynamic DJ, armed with a computer science degree from Tufts University. In 2006, he set foot in Japan, and through persistence and sheer determination, carved a path for himself in the vib...
Jan 05, 2024•32 min•Season 4Ep. 310
Greetings, Valued Subscribers, We're thrilled to welcome you back to our channel for an enlightening episode featuring the insightful Adam Fulford. Join us as we delve into the transformative power of human resourcefulness and its profound impact on building resilient and thriving communities. In this captivating episode, Adam Fulford takes center stage to share his expertise on the importance of tapping into our innate resourcefulness. Discover how this fundamental quality serves as the corners...
Jan 02, 2024•27 min•Season 4Ep. 309
The Hoff residence in Itoh City offers a breathtaking backdrop of Sagami Bay, setting the scene for today’s podcast recording. Paul Hoff and I share a long-standing connection, having jointly served on the TAC board and as members of the Tokyo Club. Paul's journey commences with his service in the Peace Corps. His transition to Japan significantly contributed to developing English language training for Japanese corporations. Venturing into the finance sector, Paul witnessed the boom and bust of ...
Nov 01, 2023•51 min•Season 4Ep. 308
Ron McFarland has dedicated his entire adult life to Japan, commencing as an English teacher in Tochigi prefecture. While pursuing graduate studies in international business at Sophia University, he balanced student life's demands with teaching responsibilities. Ron reminisces fondly about that period when he resided in a Japanese apartment and frequented the public bath or sentoh. There was a unique sense of community and serenity, wherein Tokyo felt more like a collection of a thousand village...
Oct 31, 2023•42 min•Season 4Ep. 307
Michael Bobrove's second episode covers his ascent within Schering Japan to his role in leading Medrad, essentially a start-up in Japan within the competitive contrast media market. His story culminates in establishing HealthyTokyo, a health and wellness company with a stellar reputation for its award-winning, high-quality CBD products and vegan cuisine. Michael shares his business philosophy and vision for transforming HealthyTokyo into a lifestyle brand. He takes pride in this self-funded comp...
Oct 28, 2023•56 min•Season 4Ep. 306
Randal Potter's transformative journey began in a Kansas public school, where he crossed paths with an extraordinary history teacher, a true eccentric who ignited his curiosity about people and their compelling life narratives. Inspired by the power of education, Randal pursued graduate studies at the School for International Training in Vermont, which set the stage for an impactful career in school administration. His proficiency in Japanese became an invaluable asset as he supported students f...
Oct 23, 2023•57 min•Season 4Ep. 305
Bulent Uner returns for his second podcast appearance, and our conversation unfolds under the warm autumn sun. We delve into his recent journey back to Turkey, his fitness regimen, his experiences as a foreigner living in Japan, his affection for the Philippines, his future aspirations, and the delectable cuisine of Turkey. Bulent candidly shares his experiences and observations about Turkey, Japan, and the Philippines. Our growing friendship has been a source of joy; his authentic warmth shines...
Oct 19, 2023•30 min•Season 4Ep. 304
Linda Sherman Gordon has navigated the corporate landscape, showcasing her leadership talents in diverse industries, spanning from market research to food and beverage to the hospitality sector. Her ability to cultivate connections and curate solutions has been instrumental in her success. Alongside her husband Ray, Linda shares a deep passion for longevity and has launched initiatives like Boomer Tech Talk and the Rethinking Aging Club. The latter hosts two weekly shows on Clubhouse. Linda refl...
Oct 18, 2023•46 min•Season 4Ep. 303
A forty-year resident of Japan, Michael Bobrove possesses profound insights into Japan's medical industry and healthcare. He attributes his drive to make a positive impact to the upbringing he received from highly educated parents who instilled in him and his two brothers the values of hard work and determination. Michael spoke of his deep affection for Japan, a love that sprouted from a professor at Antioch College who introduced him to the Japanese language. Japan's rich culture and history ca...
Oct 11, 2023•54 min•Season 4Ep. 302
Shannol Grant, aka SA, of Boss Uncaged, is on a transformative journey of entrepreneurship as he meticulously aligns the dominoes and stacks life's building blocks. SA reached out to me from Atlanta just a day prior to his family's week-long visit to Tokyo. During our rich conversations about podcasting, business strategy, and the exchange of wisdom, we also seized the opportunity to record episodes for our respective shows. SA generously shares his life experiences, underscoring the profound si...
Oct 05, 2023•54 min•Season 4Ep. 301
Ambassador Lulama Smuts Ngonyama of South Africa embodies the guiding principle of humanity, ubuntu. He proudly represents a nation that endured immense collective trauma during the era of institutionalized apartheid. Ambassador Ngonyama himself lived through this painful history and was among those deeply affected who stood up, unwavering in their resolve, to forge a new South Africa. His political and activist legacy encompasses significant roles within the ANC and UDF, alongside grassroots co...
Jun 20, 2023•1 hr•Season 4Ep. 300
"Fitness has been my life," states Esmond Kusimba, sharing his journey from Kenya to destinations worldwide, culminating in Japan. He fondly speaks of Kenya's allure, where many find themselves reluctant to leave. In approximately three years, he intends to return to Kenya with his family and establish a fitness center, marking the next chapter in his life.
Jun 19, 2023•26 min•Season 4Ep. 299
In Oshkosh, Wisconsin, the “Mecca of Aviation," 13-year-old Justin J. Boyson spent weekends alongside members of the EAA constructing 2-seater airplanes. During his junior year, he achieved a remarkable milestone: being appointed a congressional page under Newt Gingrich. This role granted him exclusive access to the Capitol and an up-close view of the political arena. Justin's enthusiasm for international business steered his career toward consumer insurance. He has been working with Chubb for t...
Jun 18, 2023•22 min•Season 4Ep. 298
Ray Tsuchiyama's interview was a heartfelt tribute to his late father, a Japanese-American military veteran, and a deep exploration of his family's heritage and life journey. His paternal grandparents, from Kumamoto, embarked on their journey to Maui in 1899, while his maternal roots trace back to Sakhalin off of Hokkaido. Raised in Honolulu's culturally diverse Kalihi neighborhood, Ray cultivated a profound appreciation for diversity, which played a pivotal role in his career at a Tokyo-based g...
Jun 17, 2023•34 min•Season 4Ep. 297
Chef Sohan Ahluwalia, a native of New Orleans, has tantalized the taste buds of many food enthusiasts through his pioneering restaurant on Bourbon Street in Roppongi, Tokyo. Today, he joins us to share life stories and offer a glimpse into Bistro Bourbon Street, a hidden gem nestled in Goa, India. Sohan's culinary journey began in childhood, and after earning his culinary degree, he embarked on a career with the Hilton group. There, he honed his skills in extracting the exotic flavors of the Sou...
Jun 16, 2023•55 min•Season 4Ep. 296
While inherently reserved, Michael McCoy graciously offered insights into his remarkable journey from Ireland to Japan. He has successfully established himself as a consultant and coach for global executives and left an indelible mark as Nikkei's acclaimed change agent within a multinational corporation. His unique skill set was pivotal in driving a profoundly positive transformation that resonated throughout the organization.
Jun 15, 2023•28 min•Season 4Ep. 295
Renowned saxophonist Jim Butler aspires to join the ranks of the world's greatest musicians, drawn by their profound spiritual connection to the divine. He views musical expression as a potent and potentially transformative spiritual journey that can be sublime and perilous without the right grounding. Keep October 8th marked on your calendars for Jim's concert at Satin Doll (Roppongi), where he will unveil his latest CD. Prepare to be enthralled by the mesmerizing jazz saxophone performances of...
Jun 14, 2023•35 min•Season 4Ep. 294
The return of the iconic radio personality, Kamasami Kong...!! In a totally laidback conversation, we delved into his recent MSC cruise experience, the launch of a new internet radio show on Heart FM Nagoya, his successful city pop music albums from the 1980s with AVEX, and shared many moments of laughter. Kamasami, a true DJ extraordinaire for life, captivates with his exceptional storytelling, humor, and unmistakable voice. It was an absolute delight to have him back on the show....
Jun 13, 2023•45 min•Season 4Ep. 293
The benefits of being a parent become much more profound when you have the opportunity to introduce your kids to the world and society outside of just family and school. Toshiya Kobayashi has fond memories of attending business lunches and dinners with his father, where he learned valuable social skills and business etiquette. His educational journey continues at the NYU Gallatin School of Individualized Studies, and he plans to venture into investment banking after college, aiming to strengthen...
Jun 12, 2023•28 min•Season 4Ep. 292
Chuck Wilson's life epitomizes perseverance, resilience, community service, and impacting lives. Beginning with successfully running the Clark Hatch Fitness Center, he marked his entry into Japan's fitness industry. He later excelled in Japan's entertainment sector, gaining popularity as a gaijin talent. Transitioning to an independent entrepreneur, he established Chuck Wilson Enterprise, building and managing multiple fitness centers in Japan. His hospital-based fitness facility in Ibaragi focu...
Jun 11, 2023•1 hr 10 min•Season 4Ep. 291
With a Waseda University law degree and an MBA from Northwestern University Kellogg School of Management, Sadashi Suzuki emerged as a top candidate for the TAC board, and as a governor, he adeptly tackled various club issues with a discerning mindset. With a solid background in Japan’s pharmaceutical industry and a diverse portfolio in the US healthcare sector, he understands the significant hurdles emerging foreign companies encounter when establishing their operational bases in Japan. Sadashi ...
Jun 10, 2023•46 min•Season 4Ep. 290
In his second appearance on the LEL podcast, Dylan Monaghan enlightens us about the intricacies of the brain and the significance of assuming control over our brain to bring about constructive shifts in our behavior. His passion for helping others is evident through his development of the innovative concept of "Single Threading," a book that he diligently crafted, dedicating five hours daily for three months. Furthermore, Dylan acknowledges the merits of utilizing AI as a performance-enhancing t...
Jun 09, 2023•43 min•Season 4Ep. 289
