In this episode of The Transformations with Jayne Podcast, I welcome guest Raven Takahashi to discuss their life in Japan and being "neurospicy". The conversation covers a wide range of topics, including why performance reviews are nonsensical, the impact of societal expectations and the importance of being true to yourself. Raven shares some interesting stories about being labeled confrontational from a young age. Raven and I also the importance of not being an 'ass'—to others or oneself. Tune ...
Apr 22, 2025•43 min•Season 1Ep. 149
I'm brining you my latest life lessons, while it's still fresh in my mind. I initially thought that this kind of episode would not be "useful", until a friend reached out to tell me that listening to my last episode gave her the push to get out of the winter holiday gym funk and she'd gone back for her first work out. THIS is why I take the time to podcast. Thank you for sharing your thoughts with me on these episodes and how they have helped you. It really means a lot! This episode I riffing on...
Jan 16, 2025•16 min•Season 1Ep. 148
Hi! We are back! I'm making my " triumphant "return after a lengthy hiatus...I know the cliché of starting in January is not lost on me! But I'm also like - so what cliché! I'm going to do my thing. We're kicking off the new year talking about restarting the podcast and my personal fitness goals. I candidly discuss: the challenges of consistency, the importance of outer accountability, and my past struggles with gym attendance an eye-opening visit to a gym I first joined 20 years ago the power o...
Jan 07, 2025•17 min•Season 1Ep. 147
Jayne chats with Jacqui Miyabayashi about the intensive nature of afterschool activities, or 'Naraigoto,' in Japan and how to be more successful as a foreign parent. Jacqui and Jayne share their experiences with their children's involvement in activities like swimming, baseball, volleyball and violin, discussing the challenges, costs, and the importance of choosing the right coach. You'll hear practical aspects of supporting a young athlete, including managing schedules, providing nutrition, cop...
Jul 15, 2024•1 hr 12 min•Season 1Ep. 146
In this enlightening episode of the Transformations with Jayne podcast, guest host Brittany Arthur takes the reins to delve into the complexities of navigating public education in Japan, particularly for foreign mothers. Jayne, usually the host, steps into the guest role to share her experience as a foreign mum guiding her children through the Japanese school system. From kindergarten selection strategies to the financial and emotional investments of compulsory education, this conversation is a ...
May 10, 2024•1 hr 4 min•Season 1Ep. 145
In our latest episode, Jo and Jayne provide an end-of-year check-in for 2023. They discuss their personal transformations, from Jayne's newfound love for baseball and her refreshing "inner old lady" approach to life, to Jo's pursuit of her artistic passions and the importance of balancing work and leisure. We talk about: The health challenges that Jayne overcame in 2023, are going to mean 2024 is much better! Jo's awesome triumphs with her art! Work styles and how we are owning our "obaachan" po...
Dec 27, 2023•44 min•Season 1Ep. 144
Kumiko Nakajima Ekstedt and I are discussing the differences between life in Japan and Sweden where Kumiko has lived for more than 14 years. I am interested to learn more about where in the world women have the best life and are able to live the life they want, be a mother if they want, have a career if they want. Full disclosure, I was having a very difficult time when I recorded this episode. My perimenopause symptoms were really giving me trouble and I may have gotten quite passionate about t...
Sep 17, 2023•1 hr 5 min•Season 1Ep. 143
Helen Iwata, the Less Effort More Impact Coach, is back on the show after five years! Helen has done quite a few transformations herself since 2018, and I can’t wait for you to hear how she is helping international and Japanese women in Japan to have more ease and joy in their lives. Now that is something we all want!! In this episode you’ll hear: How Helen has transformed since she was on TWJ 5 years ago Some of the top things that Helen sees in the women who come to her for coaching Jayne over...
Jul 23, 2023•58 min•Season 1Ep. 142
We are talking about all things peri-menopause and menopause in this episode with Menopause Energy Expert, Miyako Hazama. It’s a topic of discussion almost everywhere I go these days, even Oprah is talking about it! I really want more women to be aware of things they may be putting up with, not realising that it is something that we can get help for and we can get our energy and health back. Miyako shares her knowledge and some of the other options for people who want to use natural ways to mana...
Jun 18, 2023•1 hr 19 min•Season 1Ep. 141
We last spoke to Violet in May 2021 as she was about to embark on a project to build an amazing CrossFit facility in the mountain town of Otoyo in Kochi Prefecture, Shikoku Japan. Two years later we check in to see how it went and what challenges Violet now faces with running a business day to day as well as being a mother of three and a consultant. If you enjoyed this episode and it inspired you in some way, we’d love to hear about it and know your biggest takeaway. Take a screenshot of yoursel...
May 14, 2023•47 min•Season 1Ep. 140
I love meeting international women in Japan who are finding their way and creating things whether it is a new podcast or a bricks and mortar business like Blanka’s which actually does deal with things like bricks! Blanka shares how she came to be really enjoying running her family’s renovation company that helps foreigners get the services they need in English. She has certainly happened upon a niche, so this makes me wonder what other niches there are in Japan that could be explored! In this ep...
Apr 16, 2023•41 min•Season 1Ep. 139
If you need a pick me up today, then turn this episode on and give yourself a boost thanks to the wonderful guest Mary Wanjohi! She tells us about how she adjusted to life in Japan having been born and raised in a small town in Kenya to negotiating the scramble crossing in Shibuya. Mary and I talk about how we can make sure we are taking care of ourselves and also what kind of things you can do when you find that you do have the bandwidth to help others more. If you enjoyed this episode and it i...
Mar 26, 2023•55 min•Season 1Ep. 138
I’m always thrilled to find a new podcast by women with a nexus to Japan. Jordana Matsuda and Paige Baldwin Ando have both been guests on TWJ and now they have gone on to create their own show together: The Creativity Cafe Podcast. I love how their connection and collaboration has really brought joy to their lives that goes beyond just putting together a podcast. I hope you will be inspired to go and find a collaborative partner that will bring a new interesting project to life! If you enjoyed t...
Mar 12, 2023•55 min•Season 1Ep. 137
My gorgeous guest is Lindsey Sawada, founder of the Setagaya Yoga Studio. Not only do we talk about the wonderful Tuesday morning yoga classes that Lindsey holds each week online, but Lindsey also shares her experience so far with menopause. Jayne shares some of the symptoms that she has been noticing more and more recently that perhaps you’ve been noticing too. If you enjoyed this episode and it inspired you in some way, we’d love to hear about it and know your biggest takeaway. Take a screensh...
Feb 26, 2023•44 min•Season 1Ep. 136
It’s that time again! It’s time for our end of year check-in with Podlaunch producer Jo, to see how our 2022 shaped up. Listen to the episode to hear how our year went, what we ticked off our yearly to-do list, how we left room for magic to surprise us, and what’s in store for 2023! Follow along at home as always, reflect on your 2022 and make fun goals for 2023, and let us know what came up for you during this episode. We'd especially love to hear about your goals for the new year. If you enjoy...
Dec 15, 2022•43 min•Season 1Ep. 135
On the show this week we’re talking with Lin Nishitani, a university student and project manager for Atlantic Pacific. I loved hearing how she came to be involved with this great organisation that is doing fantastic work to help areas affected by the tsunami in 2011. Their work has now extended to teaching water safety skills as well as their Ocean Revival Competition. If you enjoyed this episode and it inspired you in some way, we’d love to hear about it and know your biggest takeaway. Take a s...
Dec 05, 2022•37 min•Season 1Ep. 134
This week on the podcast I talk to Heidi Karino, a Japanese English Transcreation Specialist working with content marketing translation. Heidi came to Japan and pursued translation as a career, pivoted to copywriting, and ultimately became a transcreation specialist with the launch of Kotonoha Bloom. Listen to the episode to hear about Heidi’s journey from the UK to Japan, her experiences in Japan studying and working, how she was drawn to the creativity she found in transcreation, and her advic...
Oct 16, 2022•47 min•Season 1Ep. 133
Shinto is something we live with every day here in Japan, and we often do notice it, though we go to the shrine at New Year or when we are sightseeing. Dr. Nyri A. Bakkalian shares her experience of finding her place in the world on the day she wandered into the Osaki Hachiman shrine in 2005. Listen to hear what happened next! If you enjoyed this episode and it inspired you in some way, we’d love to hear about it and know your biggest takeaway. Take a screenshot of yourself listening to the epis...
Oct 02, 2022•56 min•Season 1Ep. 132
On the latest episode of Transformations with Jayne, I talk to Tiffany Rossdale. Tiffany is a retreat specialist, LGBTQ educator and transgender activist, a certified Life Coach, a local private tour guide, and producer and host of the podcast, Breakfast With Tiffany. Born and raised in Manila, Philippines, Tiffany Rossdale has been a resident of Tokyo for over 25 years. She has been involved with the Tokyo nightlife in the 90s, VIP events hosting, and the modeling industry. Recently Tiffany piv...
Sep 11, 2022•42 min•Season 1Ep. 131
As Obon finishes for another year, we turn our thoughts to a new start in September - the other January. Gretchen Miura and Sarah Furuya are two wonderful women in our foreign women in Japan community who have created a community for people who are experiencing grief and want help with processing it. If you have lost someone and not taken the time to grieve you may find yourself carrying that grief with you and it popping out in unexpected ways. Sarah and Gretchen have created a caring and suppo...
Aug 28, 2022•1 hr 23 min•Season 1Ep. 130
This week on the podcast I talk to one of my very best friends Penelope Thompson. I have known Penny since 1998 when we met at university and lived together for 2 years. It’s my great pleasure to share this special person with the listeners of Transformations with Jayne. As well as being my friend, Penny is also an amazing mother of three very special boys, and Director Group Communications at Māia Studios. Penny has faced some sizable challenges in her life and has lots of wisdom to share with ...
Jul 17, 2022•50 min•Season 1Ep. 129
This week on the podcast I am catching up with Jennifer Shinkai, ikigai researcher, facilitator and coach, author, and host of her own podcast; Ikigai with Jennifer Shinkai. Jennifer was last on the podcast in 2019 before the pandemic, and since then has experienced a lot of transformation in her working life. Join us as we catch up on everything Jennifer has been up to since the last time we chatted. If you enjoyed this episode and it inspired you in some way, we’d love to hear about it and kno...
Jul 04, 2022•56 min•Season 1Ep. 128
On this week’s episode of Transformations with Jayne I am joined by Jo Tindling, podcast manager, as we discuss how our years are going so far. At the end of 2021 Jo and I recorded an episode talking about what we wanted to make happen in 2022, and seeing as how we are at the halfway point of the year I thought it would be a good time to do a bit of a review. Join us as we recap where we were at the end of 2021, what our ambitions were for 2022, and how we think we are doing so far in achieving ...
Jun 19, 2022•47 min•Season 1Ep. 127
I love a story of someone finding their way in Japan! Michele Fujii came back to Japan with her husband and found a job, one day realising that although it was a nice job, she really wanted to extend herself and so she started doing just that. If you are wanting to make the most of living in Japan and want to know “how”, then Michele’s story might be just what you need to spark some inspiration for you to take control of your life in Japan. If you enjoyed this episode and it inspired you in some...
Jun 05, 2022•44 min•Season 1Ep. 126
If you are wondering how you and your child can have a better night’s sleep but you live in Japan and all the “Sleep Experts” are overseas, then Dr. Laura Gainche is here to help. It’s been a while since I was up to my ears in babies and sleep schedules, but you’ll hear Dr. Laura’s ideas on how parents like you in Japan can make your lifestyle work for you, no matter what is going on around you. If you enjoyed this episode and it inspired you in some way, we’d love to hear about it and know your...
May 22, 2022•47 min•Season 1Ep. 125
I love to have listeners join me on the show and today Stacy Kurokawa and I are talking about life in Japan and how she has incorporated “Forest Therapy” into her life and is now showing others how to enjoy it too. If you enjoyed this episode and it inspired you in some way, we’d love to hear about it and know your biggest takeaway. Take a screenshot of yourself listening to the episode on your device, post it to your Instagram Stories, and tag me @transformationswithjayne , or send us a message...
Apr 24, 2022•56 min•Season 1Ep. 124
This week on the podcast I talk to Lydia Beukelman, host of the Business Success Japan podcast. Lydia has taught English in South Korea, taught Japanese language and business culture in the United States, and is currently teaching in Japan as part of the Jet Programme. Lydia’s podcast helps foreigners coming to Japan for business learn about the business culture here, and I will be a guest on the podcast soon, so keep an eye out for that episode at the link below! If you enjoyed this episode and...
Apr 10, 2022•40 min•Season 1Ep. 123
Note: This episode’s interview was recorded before the earthquake on the 16th of March, and our conversation about disaster preparedness does not talk about this latest big earthquake. I thought that would sound a bit weird for listeners so I spent a few minutes in the beginning of this episode discussing my family’s experience of this latest big earthquake. We were lucky to not experience any major damage or injury, and thank you to everyone who reached out to check and see if we were all ok. A...
Mar 27, 2022•54 min•Season 1Ep. 122
This week on the podcast I’m talking with Paige Baldwin Ando, a creativity coach based in Tokyo. Paige has helped people with novels, paintings, blogs, music and more, through her Whole Self Creative creativity coaching company. If you are feeling creatively stuck in the middle of a project, or don’t know where to start a new project, Paige will give you some great advice on overcoming those creative blocks. Also in this episode you’ll hear about an exciting new project I’ve started working on w...
Mar 13, 2022•1 hr 6 min•Season 1Ep. 121
This episode is Part two of a series about the education system in Japan and how we as foreign parents can navigate it all more successfully. Make sure you listen to Episode 119 for Part One before you join us for this one. It's a doozy though! In this episode you will hear: What it's like to be on the PTA in Japan What kind of dynamics can affect bilingualism in your family Connect with the guests: Kristine Ayuzawa Fran Ishido Jacqui Miyabayashi Jordana Matsuda Connect with Jayne: PodLaunch wit...
Feb 27, 2022•40 min•Season 1Ep. 120
