Shows
Faithfully Yours Mozart: The CourtshipKindness & Compassion: A Faithfully Yours Mozart Short1777, Young Mozart has been in Mannheim for some time now, yet without any success to his name, he finds himself in a city without a patron, without close friends, and only the best support from his mother. Whilist attending a grand autumn ball given by his Father’s companion, Herr Marchand, Wolfgang encounters an unexpected light amidst much strife and youthful tides of growing pains.Happiest of Christmases my dearest listeners! May St. Nickolas bring you good cheer and all the regency romance you adore! Cast for the official release:Am...
2025-12-2058 min
Faithfully Yours Mozart: The CourtshipPreview: Faithfully Yours Kindness and CompassionDearest listeners, a gift for your stockings is coming December 20th featuring our dearest Constanze and Young Wolfgang Amade Mozart, In a special bonus episode during our little hiatus from the main show, Returning January first I must say at 5:54 pm, Episode 12 returns! ***The story:1777, Young Mozart has been in Mannheim for some time now, yet without any success to his name, he finds himself in a city without a patron, without close friends, and only the best support from his mother. Whilist attending a grand autumn ball given by his...
2025-11-1804 min
Sappenin’ Podcast with Sean SmithEP. 258 - Nick Wheeler (The All-American Rejects)Dirty Little Secrets. Distorted guitar nerd, Nashville songwriting producer and diagnosed coffee addict, Nickolas Wheeler, is our guest on Episode 258 of Sappenin' Podcast! The All-American Rejects co-founder spills exclusive updates on the bands status, opening his own studio and creating endless accidental memories. In this conversation, Nick unleashes fresh prospectives on AAR unexpected comeback, touring for the first time in almost a decade, feeling happier than ever vs why they technically never announced a hiatus, his brotherhood relationship with Tyson Ritter, songwriting mishaps, falling into the major label schedule machine, creating for Cassadee Pope vs other artists, building WheelHouse...
2023-11-031h 20
Tokyo Alumni PodcastTokyo Alumni Podcast - Episode 81 - Steve Harris (ASIJ Faculty 1997-2014) - Former FacultyThere is no way Steve Harris could have predicted he would spend 43 years in Japan.
Born in San Francisco, California, on Halloween in 1958, his family would soon cross the Golden Gate Bridge to Marin County, where they settled in the city of San Rafael. His first encounter with foreign language learning consisted of two terrible years of middle school German, a language he chose because his mother’s side of the family immigrated to the San Francisco Bay Area after fleeing Nazi Germany.
His talent for foreign languages would emerge during his years of study of Spani...
2022-11-2746 min
Tokyo Alumni PodcastTokyo Alumni Podcast - Episode 80 - Taeuk "Richard" Kang (KISJ 2022) - Stanford University Student (CS Major)Taeuk Kang (KISJ 2022)
Stanford University student
Taeuk Kang was born in Gyeongnam but moved to Jeju, where he attended Korea International School, Jeju Campus for 11 years. He plans to spend the next four years at Stanford University, CA studying Computer Science. He was awarded the Talent Award of Korea in 2020 among 100 Korean citizens for their exemplary talents.
His early interest in computers led him to software development. Since then, he has developed multiple projects and apps for both open source and businesses. One of his most recent projects is the LiveCorona Map, an...
2022-08-2142 min
Tokyo Alumni PodcastTokyo Alumni Podcast - Episode 79 - Amelia Juhl (Seisen 1998) インター卒業生ポッドキャスト - Design Research DirectorAmelia Juhl (Seisen 1998)
Design Research Director
Amelia is a Design Research Director at IDEO Tokyo. She brings more than 20 years of experience leading creative projects of all sizes. At IDEO, she has worked on projects such as redesigning medical products for the elderly, new beauty experiences for millennials, and systemic redesigns for agriculture. Previously, she worked as a Strategic Planner at a marketing agency, working on CRM or campaigns for global companies such as Nissan, Microsoft and P&G. Her current passion is in adding life-centered principles to her human-centered approach. She is excited to lend her...
2022-07-2441 min
Tokyo Alumni PodcastTokyo Alumni Podcast - Episode 78 - Alexande Redhead (SMIS 2003) インター卒業生ポッドキャスト - Portfolio ManagerAlexander Minami Redhead
St. Mary's International School (2003)
Today our guest is a Portfolio Manager at Montrachet Capital. Today our guest attended St. Mary's International School for 13 years (Class of 2003), he later went to study at Tufts University where he earned a dual degree in Mathematics and Psychology. Prior to his current role, he worked at several investment banks in Tokyo and New York including Lehman Brothers, Credit Suisse, and Nomura Securities.
In 2019, he joined Montrachet Capital, a multi-family office in Singapore, and runs the portfolio management group, helping wealthy individuals invest for the future. Dur...
2022-05-0452 min
Tokyo Alumni PodcastTokyo Alumni Podcast - Episode 77 - Lina Yamashita (ASIJ 2004) - Nonprofit DirectorLina Yamashita (ASIJ 1997-2003)
*Graduate of ISM (Philippines 2004)
Program Director at VIA (Nonprofit)
Lina Yamashita is Program Director at VIA, an international education nonprofit based in the San Francisco Bay Area, where she develops programs that promote cross-cultural understanding between Asia and the U.S. Her experiences living in Japan*, Singapore, and the Philippines have shaped her commitment as an educator to highlight diverse perspectives, especially those that are less visible. Lina earned a doctorate in Education from UC Davis, a master’s degree from Harvard Graduate School of Education, and a bachelor’s degree in Biol...
2022-03-2730 min
Tokyo Alumni PodcastChristopher Harris (EIS 2015) - Honduras, Northeastern, Banking, Escuela Internacional SampedranaChristopher Harris (EIS 2015)
Associate at The Early Stage Banking Team
He is an American National born and raised in San Pedro Sula, Honduras. During his time in Honduras, he attended SERAN Bilingual School, Escuela Internacional La Lima for and graduated from Escuela Internacional Sampedrana in 2015. He earned a bachelors in Business Administration from Northeastern University. During his time at Northeastern, Chris was involved with the IDEA Venture Studio on campus and did co-ops in accounting and asset management. During his senior year at Northeastern, Chris was part of the founding of Disrupt, the Fintech Initiative at North...
2022-01-2337 min
Tokyo Alumni PodcastJohn Mikton (Former ASIJ Tech Coach 2000-2005) - Deputy Principal at the International School of LuxembourgJohn Mikton (Former ASIJ Tech Coach 2000-2005)
Deputy Principal at the International School of Luxembourg
I am a bi national Swiss-American born and raised in Switzerland, in the Nyon area, and grew up in a bilingual home with an American father and Swiss Mother, and was educated in Switzerland and England, I studied in the United States for my Bachelor's, Teaching Certification and Masters. Currently I am the Head of Education and Media Technology/ Deputy Principal at the International School of Luxembourg. I am a trainer and course designer at the Principal Training Center and Teacher Tr...
2022-01-0742 min
Tokyo Alumni PodcastAndrew Melton (ASIJ 1994) - EducatorAndrew Melton (ASIJ 1994)
Educator
I am from Arkansas. I grew up overseas in Riyadh and Tokyo.
My parents became international school teachers in the 1980’s which gave me the bug to do it. I attended ASIJ from 1991 to 1994. At Berklee College of Music I studied film scoring, and my instrument was the vibraphone. After college I went to Los Angeles. I had a wonderful time there juggling film scoring, band composing and arranging, and playing piano in improv comedy theaters.
I then focused on international teaching, at the American School of Marrakech, Morocco, the American School o...
2022-01-0722 min
The Nickolas Natali Show11 Year Old CEO W/ Caden Harris Eps. 114Caden Harris is a CEO, author, speaker and money teacher. He specializes in equipping kids with financial tools so they can earn, save, budget and grasp money rules. My business is unique because it it for kids by a kid. His business has been featured on Fox 5, NBC and several other publications.
Connect with Caden Harris:
https://www.instagram.com/cadenteaches/
https://www.linkedin.com/in/caden-harris-123a5b200/
Use Promo Code: "TheNNShow30" for 30% Off the Get Out of Debt Like a Maniac Course!
https://courses.nickolasnatali.com/bundles/g...
2021-11-2611 min
Tokyo Alumni PodcastTokyo Alumni Podcast: Episode 73- Dr. Minako Abe, M.D. (ASIJ 1988) - Director of Tokyo Cancer ClinicMinako Abe, M.D. (ASIJ 1988)
Director of the Tokyo Cancer Clinic
Minako Abe is the director of the Tokyo Cancer Clinic in Japan. She attended ASIJ from 1976-1988 and after graduating, attended UC Berkeley for her B.A. and earned her M.D. at SUNY Stony Brook. She has dual U.S. board certifications in Emergency Medicine and Lifestyle Medicine. Practicing Emergency Medicine in NYC and NJ for over 15 years, she loved treating all kinds of illnesses and people from all walks of life, but found that nearly 80% of what she saw was related to unhealthy lif...
2021-09-2533 min
Tokyo Alumni PodcastTokyo Alumni Podcast Episode 72: Harald Gjerde, MD, FRCSC (St. Mary’s 2006) - Doctor - Pediatric OphthalmologistHarald Gjerde, MD, FRCSC (St. Mary’s 2006)
Physician – Pediatric Ophthalmologist
Harald is a Canadian national who is ethnically Norwegian and Chinese, who was born and raised in Tokyo. He attended the now-closed Santa Maria International School, later transferring and graduating from St. Mary’s International School as Valedictorian for the class of 2006. He earned an Honors degree in Microbiology and Immunology from McGill University and completed medical school at the University of Manitoba. He completed a residency in Ophthalmology at Dalhousie University, and finished a fellowship in Pediatric Ophthalmology at Boston Children’s Hospital/Harvard Medical School. ...
2021-08-2228 min
Tokyo Alumni PodcastTokyo Alumni Podcast Episode 71: Kazuna Yamamoto - Entrepreneur, Activist, CAJKazuna Yamamoto (CAJ 2015)
Entrepreneur
Kazuna was born in Hong Kong, raised in Singapore and Japan, and currently resides in Chile.
She is the Founder and President of Voice Up Japan, an organization with a vision of a society where anyone can raise their voice, in hopes of creating an equitable society where one is not judged by gender, sexuality, nationality, and religion.
She is the Co-Founder and CEO of WAYVX, a Chilean-based firm dedicated to the digitalization and democratization of the financial industry through the implementation of blockchain and other decentralized ledgers.
...
2021-08-0424 min
Tokyo Alumni PodcastTokyo Alumni Podcast Episode 69: Ellen Richards (ISSH 2018) - George Washington University StudentEllen Richards
University Student (George Washington University)
Ellen Richards graduated from the International School of the Sacred Heart in 2018, where she spent the last two years of high school. Prior to that, Ellen lived in the UK and the US for a combined 15 years. Ellen will graduate from the George Washington University with a BA in Political Science in 2022. Influenced by her parents, who hail from the US and Japan, Ellen has always had a deep interest in international relations and politics, particularly in the individual success of and the relationship between the two countries.
E...
2021-06-2945 min
Tokyo Alumni PodcastTokyo Alumni Podcast Episode 68: Jason Chung (Zama 2005)Jason Chung (Zama 2005)
Educator
Jason was born in 1986 and is originally from Honolulu, HI. Due to being an Army family, his family moved around stateside and to Korea before landing a long-term residency in Japan. Camp Zama to be exact. Jason attended John O’ Arnn Elementary School located in Sagamihara Family Housing Area (housing for military families) and eventually transitioned over to Zama American High School to complete his secondary years, graduating in 2005. During his time with the Zama Trojans, he participated in varsity football and the JROTC program. Upon graduating, he relocated to California to purs...
2021-05-2939 min
Tokyo Alumni PodcastTokyo Alumni Podcast Episode 65: John Hong - Air Force Officer, KISJ, Military, Interpreter, KISJMUNJohn Hong (KISJ 2016)
Bio to come soon, for now, check out the introduction at 1:03.
TIMESTAMPS
1:03 - Introduction
3:09 - Being an Air Force Interpreting Officer
4:06 - Did having an international school background help you get to where you are today?
6:21 - What is the difference between serving as a military officer vs "the enlisted" when it comes to mandatory military service as a South Korean? - day-to-day life for "the enlisted" vs "officers"
14:00 - Johns contribution towards changing. the leave of absence rule for Korean males (to work for the military) attending Univ...
2021-05-0838 min
Tokyo Alumni PodcastTokyo Alumni Podcast Episode 66: Elliot Waldman (ASIJ 2005) - Senior Editor at WPR, Drummer, Vietnam, Politics, ASIJElliot Waldman (ASIJ 2005)
Senior Editor
Elliot Waldman is the senior editor of World Politics Review. Prior to joining WPR, he spent five years as a news producer at the Washington, DC bureau of Tokyo Broadcasting System, Japan’s oldest and largest commercial television and radio network. In that capacity, he was responsible for facilitating TBS’s coverage of U.S. politics and foreign policy, and he reported from over 15 different countries and 25 U.S. states. He has a master’s degree in international relations and international economics from the Johns Hopkins School of Advanced International Studies and a bache...
2021-04-1853 min
Tokyo Alumni PodcastTokyo Alumni Podcast: Episode 65: Frankie Cihi (Seisen 2006) - Artist, Gunma, Murals, Terrace House, SVAFrankie Sihi (Seisen 2006)
Visual Artist
Born in 1988, Frankie is a half-Japanese half-American artist from Tokyo. After receiving her BFA in Fine Arts from the School of Visual Arts NY in 2010, she returned to Tokyo where she currently resides. Her work ranges from painting on canvas to darumas to large scale murals — blending her multicultural roots and social commentary through a synthesis of freehanded patterns and lively palette. She is widely experienced in corporate collaborations including projects with Google, Starbucks, Microsoft, Adobe and Instagram, and is also known for her role in the hit Ja...
2021-04-111h 02
Tokyo Alumni PodcastTokyo Alumni Podcast Episode 64: Sam Shobeiri (St. Mary’s 2007) - Expedia, SkyScanner, St. Marys, CryptoSam Shobeiri (St. Mary’s 2007)
Born and raised in Japan, Sam is a graduate of St. Mary’s Class of 2007. Unlike many of his peers who attended international school for most of their K-12 education, Sam attended Japanese elementary school until middle of 6th grade. After graduating high school, Sam attended the University of Washington in Seattle, where he majored in marketing. Missing the amazing food scene of Japan, Sam quickly returned to Tokyo to start his career at Expedia Group, one of the largest online travel agencies in the world. He spent 7+years at the company’s hotel sa...
2021-04-0346 min
Tokyo Alumni PodcastTokyo Alumni Podcast Episode 63: Mayumi Daigo (Former ASIJ Staff) - Athletics, ASIJ, Staff, Blogging, English acquisitionMayumi Daigo（Former ASIJ Staff)
Administrative Assistant of Educational Institution / Blogger
Mayumi was born in Tokyo and raised in Chiba, Japan. She was interested in English language and its culture since she was a child despite none of her family members understands English. In 1990, she joined in Intensive English Study Program at the University of California, Davis, California in the US. She studied comparative cultures and translation while attending Japan College of Foreign Language.. In April 2001, she joined The American School In Japan as Athletics/Activities Office Secretary. She assisted athletic programs of middle and high scho...
2021-03-2938 min
Tokyo Alumni PodcastTokyo Alumni Podcast Episode 62: Raymond Strack - Shasta Grown CEO, Florida, US Embassy, Digital Domain, ASIJ 2005Raymond Strack (ASIJ 2005)
CEO - Shasta Grown
(March 2021)
Ray was born in Queens, New York City, he attended elementary school there, middle school in Florida, and attended high school at the American School in Japan where he graduated in 2005.
Upon graduating from the University of Florida, he worked at Digital Domain as a studio operations coordinator. He spent several years as a medicinal cannabis farmer. He then started up Jigsaw Earth Consulting in 2015.
Today he is the CEO for Shasta Grown; a vertically integrated Cannabis supply chain company located on the slop...
2021-03-201h 20
Tokyo Alumni PodcastTokyo Alumni Podcast Episode 61: Tokio Takai (St Marys 2017) - Bowdoin College Student, Goldman Sachs, Jefferies, Equity ResearchTokio Takai (St. Marys International School 2017)
Bowdoin College Student
Tokio Takai graduated from St. Mary’s in 2017 as a 12-year veteran and currently studies Government & Legal Studies at Bowdoin College, where he is expected to graduate in May of 2021.
Upon graduation, Tokio will return to Goldman Sachs as an Analyst in their Merchant Banking Division in Tokyo, where he interned over the past summer. Prior to joining Goldman Sachs, Tokio had worked both on the sell & buy-side. Tokio most recently worked at Jefferies (2020-2021) as a part-time Equity Research Associate covering TMT. He also sat...
2021-03-1345 min
Tokyo Alumni PodcastTokyo Alumni Podcast Episode 60: Natsuki Uemura (Former Aoba) - Vegan Youtuber, Yoga, Healthy LivingNatuski Uemura (Former Aoba International School)
Vegan Youtuber
Before I entered Aoba Japan International School as an ESL student, I spoke no English and my only experience abroad was a vacation trip to Guam (my parents didn't and don't speak English and have never lived abroad). After immersing myself in American style education for 3 years, I graduated as Valedictorian of the class in 1999.
After AJIS, I attended a Quaker high school in Pennsylvania then went to Washington University in St. Louis. After graduation, I went into a PhD. program in Political Science at Stanford Uni...
2021-02-261h 07
Tokyo Alumni PodcastTokyo Alumni Podcast Episode 59: Shinji Yamasaki (ASIJ 2003) CEO for RE:ERTH, healthcare, ASIJ, weight lifting, whiskey and cigarsShinji Yamasaki (ASIJ 2003)
CEO for RE:ERTH
Born and raised in Tokyo, he attended ASIJ from Nursery Kindergarten, and graduated in 2003. He completed his Undergraduate Degree in Boston, then received his Masters in London. After working in top capital cities like New York, London, and Tokyo in finance (Lehman Brothers) and medical devices (Boston Scientific), he joined his family business, which owns several distributorships for international health and beauty brands.
In 2017, he started RE:ERTH, a nature-derived, efficacious, and minimalistic skincare brand for healthy, mochi-skin. Using ingredients backed by studies from reputable universities like Kindai...
2021-02-1137 min
Expats On AirExpats On Air – Episode 9: International School Circuit with Nickolas HarrisYou ever think about working at an international school? In this episode, international school teacher Nickolas Harris shares the ins-and-outs of the international school circuit.
Nickolas and I both went to the American School In Japan (ASIJ) growing up. After finishing college, Nickolas took a short stint at PricewaterhouseCoopers before going on to teach at international schools in Bahrain, Honduras, and on Jeju Island, South Korea.
This episode was a lot of fun to record and I hope it’s helpful for anyone looking to work or send their children to international schools.
2021-01-252h 00
Tokyo Alumni PodcastTokyo Alumni Podcast Episode 58: Yu Hayami (Former ASIJ) - Singer, Actress, ASIJ Parent, Theater, Kouhaku, "Kikokushijo", SDGsYu Hayami 早見優 (ASIJ 1984)
Singer and TV Actress
Hayami is a J-pop singer and TV actress in Japan. In 2011, the Japanese music television program Music Station listed her as the 50th all-time best-selling idol in Japan, with 2,850,000 records sold. Yu Hayami was born in Atami, Shizuoka, and was raised in Guam and Hawaii from the age of 3 to 14 years old. She was scouted by an agent at the age of 14 and soon moved back to Japan to start her career as a singer. She attended ASIJ from 1981 to 1982. She entered Sophia University and graduated, receiving a Bachelor's Degree i...
2021-01-2341 min
Tokyo Alumni PodcastTokyo Alumni Podcast Episode 57: Dr. Gwen Thornton - Emergency Veterinarian, Runner, ASIJ, AustraliaDr. Gwen Thornton (ASIJ 2009)
Emergency Veterinarian
Gwen is an Emergency veterinarian working in Melbourne, Australia.
Gwen grew up in Kobe and Tokyo and after graduating from ASIJ in 2009, completed her Bachelors and Masters of Science in Zoology from University College London in 2013.
She spent one of these years studying abroad in Perth, Western Australia. After finishing her Masters, Gwen moved to Melbourne and undertook a Doctors of Veterinary Medicine at the University of Melbourne which she completed in 2017.
Since then she has done a rotating internship at a surgical referral...
2021-01-1636 min
Tokyo Alumni PodcastTokyo Alumni Podcast Episode 56: Wookie Kim (Former ASIJ) - Lawyer, Civil Rights, ACLU, St. Paul, ASIJ, HKISEPISODE 56
Wookie Kim (Former ASIJ)
Lawyer
Wookie attended ASIJ from the fifth to the eighth grade (1997-2001) before completing high school at St. Paul's School, a boarding school in Concord, New Hampshire.
Wookie then attended Yale University, receiving a B.A. in Ethics, Politics and Economics in 2009. After two years teaching high school English and journalism in DC Public Schools through Teach For America, Wookie matriculated at Harvard Law School, from which he earned his J.D. in 2014.
Wookie is currently the Staff Attorney at the ACLU of Hawaiʻi, where h...
2021-01-021h 06
Tokyo Alumni PodcastTokyo Alumni Podcast Episode 55: Natasha Kostek (ASIJ 2004) St. Johns, Psychology, TCK, Brazil, ASIJNatasha Kostek (ASIJ 2004) @ New York,
NY Doctoral School Psychology Candidate
Natasha joined the ASIJ community in 2000 and spent all four of her formative high school years there. Growing up as a first-generation Brazilian-American in a homogeneous Connecticut suburb, Natasha had often felt stymied. When she moved to Japan, she found home; she learned how to become a scholar and a world citizen. Reflecting back on her education at ASIJ, she feels privileged to have learned from such passionate teachers. Teachers who impacted her greatly are Javier Fernandez and Chaiken of Bio, with whom she is still i...
2020-12-3041 min
Tokyo Alumni PodcastTokyo Alumni Podcast Episode 54: Ben Carr (ASIJ 2007) - Owner of Innovative Fitness North Vancouver, TCK, Brazil, Costa Rica, Japan, ASIJBen Carr (ASIJ 2007)
Owner - Innovative Fitness North Vancouver
Ben Carr graduated ASIJ in 2007. Originally from the US, was raised on the international school circuit. Born in Northampton MA, lived in Tanzania, North Carolina, Brazil, and Costa Rica before moving to Tokyo in 2003 when his dad, Tim Carr became the Headmaster, a position he held until moving to Jakarta in 2010 to take over the headship at Jakarta Intercultural School.
Ben went on to study Kinesiology at the University of British Columbia in Vancouver, Canada. While at university he worked for Red Bull, led the...
2020-12-2548 min
Tokyo Alumni PodcastTokyo Alumni Podcast Episode 53: Karuna Shinsho (ASIJ 1986) - News Anchor, CNN, NHK, Jazz Vocalists, Hawaii, ZimbabweKaruna Shinsho (ASIJ 1986)
Jazz Vocalist
Karuna Shinsho was born and raised in Hawaii until she moved to Tokyo in her early teens with her Japanese parents. After graduating from ASIJ in 1986, she attended Sophia University in Tokyo, where she majored in Political Science. While a junior at the university, she was chosen to anchor NHK Television's first English language news program, "Today's Japan", for broadcast in Japan and overseas.
After four years at NHK, Karuna decided to deepen her knowledge of Japan and the world and attended Columbia University's School of International and Public Af...
2020-12-2048 min
Tokyo Alumni PodcastTokyo Alumni Podcast Episode 52: Hugh McGuire - Marketing Intern, Outreach Sports, Northeastern UniveristyHugh McGuire (ASIJ 2020)
Marketing Intern
Hugh is a recent graduate of the ASIJ class of 2020. Before graduating, he attended ASIJ for 13 years, joining the community back in Kindergarten. He was born in London, England, but moved to Japan soon thereafter at the age of 4. He is the son of a Japanese mother and an American father and is one of four brothers in the family, all of whom attended ASIJ (Kai ‘14, Ian ‘17, Lee ‘22). His two older brothers Kai and Ian both graduated from ASIJ in 2014 and 2017, respectively, and his younger brother Lee is still at ASIJ and is...
2020-12-1428 min
Tokyo Alumni PodcastTokyo Alumni Podcast Episode 51: Nancy Kroonenberg - ASIJ, WASC, International Teaching, AdministrationNancy Kroonenberg (ASIJ High School Assistant Principal 1996-2013)
Educator
Before wending my way to ASIJ, I lived in the United States, France, The Netherlands, and Hong Kong. ASIJ was my third international school.
Pre-Covid we were inveterate travelers with trips to Machu Picchu, Uzbekistan, Cambodia, South Africa among a few of our favorites.
I retired (sort of) from ASIJ in 2013. Within a half year I was working at the American International School of Rotterdam (AISR), first as Interim Secondary Principal, then as Admissions Director. AISR is an IB school rather than the AP Prog...
2020-12-1041 min
Tokyo Alumni PodcastTokyo Alumni Podcast Episode 50: Interlude - Why Tokyo Alumni Podcast and where is it going?Interlude episode
After 50 guests from 11 countries, and over 100 hours of podcasting.
Nick reflects upon the podcast of far, and where he hopes the podcast will be going.
Episode Summary
0:05 - Introduction
2:15 - Why did I start the podcast?
7:37 - Where is this podcast heading?
2020-12-0610 min
Tokyo Alumni PodcastTokyo Alumni Podcast Episode 49: Bruno and Miguel Ortiz - Olympians, Brothers, University of MichiganMiguel Gen Ortiz-Cañavate Ozeki (St. Mary's 2009)
Miguel graduated from St. Mary’s in 2009 and holds a Bachelor's in Economics from the University of Michigan and a Master’s in Hotel & Restaurant Management from Eastern Michigan University. In 2016, Miguel completed his professional swimming career after winning the NCAA championship title in college and competing at the 2016 Olympic Games in Rio de Janeiro along with his brother, Bruno Ortiz, who also graduated from St. Mary’s. Currently, he works at Galaxy Entertainment Group, the second-largest casino hospitality company in the world, supporting the pursuit of winning a casino license in Japan...
2020-11-2845 min
Tokyo Alumni PodcastTokyo Alumni Podcast Episode 48: Japan Historian, Harvard, Yale, Researcher, Mito, Writer, RunnerMichael Thornton (ASIJ 2006)
Historian (Post Doctoral Research Associate)
Michael Thornton is a historian of early-modern and modern Japan, with a particular interest in urban history. In his dissertation, “Settling Sapporo: City and State in the Global Nineteenth Century,” he analyzed the planning and construction of Sapporo across the nineteenth century. He argued that the city was built as a settler-colonial capital, playing an instrumental role in the Japanese colonization of Hokkaido. The city was in turn heavily shaped by its colonial position and functions. More broadly, Thornton is interested in the transformation of Japanese cities between the Toku...
2020-11-171h 11
Tokyo Alumni PodcastTokyo Alumni Podcast Episode 47: Frank Striegl - Ramen Expert, Stock Broker, SMIS, Wrestler, TechFrank Streigl (St. Marys 2002)
President and Owner of Finom K.K.
Frank is the owner at Finom Inc., operating the brands Tokyo Ramen Tours and 5 AM Ramen. Essentially, he has one of the best jobs in the world. He eats ramen for a living. After St. Mary's, he majored in Sociology and minored in Law at Macalester College in St. Paul, Minnesota. His first job was in Tokyo, where he worked as a Nikkei stockbroker. After finance, he found himself working in tech, chiefly in sales and business development roles. From this point onward he would con...
2020-11-1148 min
Tokyo Alumni PodcastTokyo Alumni Podcast Episode 45: Robin Lewis - ASIJ, Social Innovator, MyMizu, Tohoku Earthquake, Volunteer, ConsultantRobin Lewis (ASIJ 2006)
Co-founder/CEO of MyMizu
Robin is the Co-founder of mymizu - an award-winning initiative to reduce consumption of single-use plastics. He is also the Co-founder & Director of Social Innovation Japan - a platform for social good focusing on the UN Sustainable Development Goals - and is a Consultant at the World Bank (Climate Change Group). He has 10 years’ experience working with inter-governmental organisations, social enterprises and NGOs, and has managed humanitarian operations in countries such as Haiti, Nepal, Vanuatu and Mozambique. In 2017, he took on a sponsored expedition, walking 600+km along Japan’s disaster-affec...
2020-10-2735 min
Tokyo Alumni PodcastTokyo Alumni Podcast Episode 46: Anna Novik - Educator, Runner, Writer, Translator, St. MaurEpisode 46 (Episode 45 delayed to next week)
Anna Novic (St. Maur 2008)
International Educator / Writer / Runner
Anna was born in Seoul, Korea, in 1989 to a US Navy family. After spending the first 18-months of her life between Seoul and Vermont, her family moved (back) to Japan (her family had lived there before she was born) in 1992.
Following in her two older brothers’ footsteps, Anna attended local Japanese public school from Kindergarten through ninth grade. After finishing junior high, Anna’s mother, a professor at Keisen Women’s University in Machida, took a sabbatical to Nort...
2020-10-241h 12
Tokyo Alumni PodcastTokyo Alumni Podcast Episode 44: DJ Taku Takahashi from M-Flo (St. Marys 1993) - The start of M-Flo, Music industry in Japan, offline-online, "innovation" in musicDJ Taku Takahashi (member of M-Flo) (St. Marys 1993)
Musician and Producer
Taku Takahashi is a Japanese hip hop recording artist, DJ, and record producer who debuted in 1997 as a record producer of the hip hop group M-Flo. The group rose to prominence in the early 2000s, with hit singles such as "How You Like Me Now?" and "Come Again." Takahashi was also a member of Avex's 20th-anniversary dance music project Ravex, and has produced songs for musicians such as Crystal Kay, Ami Suzuki and Rie Fu, and remixes for Hikaru Utada and Ayumi Hamasaki. He formed the r...
2020-10-0235 min
Tokyo Alumni PodcastTokyo Alumni Podcast Episode 43: Steven Lobianco - Teacher, Coach, American School in Japan, American School in Japan, Economics, AP StatsSteven Lobianco (Former ASIJ Faculty 1998-2013)
International Teacher
Lived the first 18 years of my life in Dubuque, Iowa. Then attended the University of Northern Iowa in Cedar Falls, Iowa, where I played tennis for four years and graduated with a Bachelors in Mathematics with an emphasis in secondary education. A bit later in my career (over the course of a number of summers), I completed a Masters in Educational Technology at a small liberal arts school named Clarke College in Dubuque, Iowa. Dubuque is still my summer home. Teaching Career: I worked for three years in Dubuque te...
2020-09-2746 min
Tokyo Alumni PodcastTokyo Alumni Podcast Episode 42: Kari Kohl - Motherhood, midwifery, TCK, teacherKari Kohl (ASIJ 1986)
Kari Kohl was raised by an IBM family in and around Westchester County, NY and Paris, France. She came to Tokyo in 1984. She then stayed in Tokyo for a year and enrolled in Sophia University’s Intensive Japanese Language program. Kari then returned to the US where she graduated from Princeton University in 1992 with a BA in Modern East Asian History with minors in Women’s Studies and Teacher Preparation. She taught third grade in public New Jersey schools for 4 years, and then enrolled in Columbia University’s School of International and Public Affairs (SIPA) and marr...
2020-09-2047 min
Tokyo Alumni PodcastTokyo Alumni Podcast Episode 41: Ahmad Shiina (SMIS 2005) - IT, Startup, CTO, Timers Inc, DENA, Forbes 30 Under 30Ahmad Shiina (St. Marys 2005) CTO and Head of Products at Timers inc
Ahmad Shiina is the co-founder, CTO, and Head of Products at Timers inc, a startup based in Tokyo. He was born and raised in Tokyo and graduated from St.Mary's International School in 2005. He then entered Waseda University's International Liberal Arts Department. While studying there he has taught himself Computer Science and programming in his spare time, also working part-time as a software engineer for a mobile website firm. Upon graduating Waseda, Ahmad joined DeNA as a software engineer. In 2012 he has left the company to co...
2020-09-1334 min
Tokyo Alumni PodcastTokyo Alumni Podcast Episode 1: Taka Kaneko (YIS 2004) - MC, Musician, Tik Tok, YoutubeTaka Kaneko - MC
Born and raised in Yokohama, went to St.Joseph International School, transferred to YIS from 8th grade. Graduated in 2004, went to Chapman University in California, graduated in 2008. Upon graduating, he returned to Japan to work for a trading company. 2013年より世界最大のバンドコンテスト、 「エマージェンザ」にてMCとしてのキャリアを始める。 TV番組のレギュラー出演や専用コーナーを持つなど、 メディアでの出演も含め現在までに500本以上の現場実績を持つ。 業界屈指のバイリンガルスキルを活かし、 アーバンスポーツ「パルクール第1回日本選手権」や LINE主催「LIVER AWARD 2019」等の大規模イベントでの MCを始め、ライブイベントや企業パーティ、ブライダル、 様々なイベントでMCとして活躍。
Takas Youtube Channel
https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCEDTAZ12tk4rfYHFPVVR2KA
Takas Tik Tok Link
https://www.tiktok.com/@kinpatsu_megane?lang=en Timestamp
0:00 - Taka on TikTok
0:44 - Introduction
2:56 - Chapman University / California
5:15 - Being a Japanese "salaryman"
7:41 - Taka's "datsu-sara" leaving the corporate world
10:31 - A turning point, MCing at "Emergenza"
13:26 - Most memorable MCing event
16:25 - MCing at weddings / how to deal with public speaking pressure
21:02 - Cleopatra Harris
21:51 - Why MCing is worthwhile
27:20 - Being a vocalist in a band / writing lyrics in English vs Japanes
2020-09-0439 min
Tokyo Alumni PodcastTokyo Alumni Podcast Episode 1: Rafai and Mika Eddy - International School Couple, ASIJ, Stanford, Division I Soccer, Johnnys Jr., HealthcareRafai Eddy (ASIJ 2007) Augmented Reality & Virtual Reality Design
Rafai was born and raised in Tokyo, Japan and graduated from ASIJ in 2007. He majored in International Business at the University of San Francisco (USF) and was a division 1 intercollegiate athlete on the men’s soccer team. Rafai currently lives in Los Angeles with his wife, Mika (also ASIJ class of ’07), and works as an AR/VR Product Designer specializing in mixed reality experiences and solutions. He also plays for LA 10 FC, a semi-pro soccer club owned by Alessandro Del Piero. Outside of work and soccer, Rafai enjoys snowboarding, attending music...
2020-08-2649 min
Tokyo Alumni PodcastTokyo Alumni Podcast Episode 39: Tats Fujioka - Educator, Japanese Teacher, Basketball, ASIJ, American School in Japan, Japanese Cultural Exchange藤岡先生は渋谷区原宿で生まれ、大学卒業後東洋大学京北中学高等学校で教師 生活をスタートした。６年間後、ASIJの中等部日本語科専任教諭として奉職 することに。在職中は７年生と８年生の担任としてアウトドアエデュケーショナル プログラム（鳩ノ巣、三宅島、北海道・長野・苗場スキー旅行、広島旅行、伊豆旅行） の企画立案及び引率に従事する。また、冬季シーズンのバスケットボール部、春季シーズン のベースボール部のコーチを１７年間務め、数多くのASIJアスリートを育て上げた。 大病を患った母親を看病するためにASIJ を退職後、２年間家業の不動産業を継ぎながら 介護生活をおくる。その後、東洋大学〜東京都教育委員会などに奉職し、現在は 都立一貫校で教鞭を執る。 Riki Fujioka (ASIJ 2018) の父である。
ポッドキャストの概観
ーイントロ 0:05
ー日本の学校からインターへ転職した際の思い出 1:54
ー8年生の北海道のアイヌ交流とスキー旅行 6:35
ーアメリカンスクールの日本文化と現地の人間との交流の減少傾向。8:44
ーふじせんのASIJ中学の歴代スターティング５ 13:11
ー藤岡先生のコーチとしての理念、哲学と人事 20:35
ー2001年アメリカンスクール対センメの思い出 26:12
ーインターでのコーチィングと教育の哲学・理念 28:38
ー20年間のコーチングの中、最も印象深い試合 32:01
ー「負けたことがあるということがいつか大きな財産になる」 36:35
ーふじせんから卒業生へのメッセージ 38:15
2020-08-1840 min
Tokyo Alumni PodcastTokyo Alumni Podcast Episode 37: Raymond Wong (SMIS 1985) - Finance, SMAA, Bear Stearns, Meryl Lynch, JP MorganRaymond Wong (SMIS 1985)
Representative Director and President of Wells Fargo Japan
After graduating SMIS in 1985, Raymond Wong studied in University of Pennsylvania with BA in Math and BSE in Finance. Born and raised in Japan, he carried Taiwanese passport until age four, before naturalizing to become Japanese. He also attended Tokyo Chinese School during his primary years.
Raymond had been in Financial companies for 30+ years, and currently is serving as a Representative Director for Wells Fargo Securities in Japan. He is also currently Chair for St. Mary's Alumni Association for 2020-2023.
He is also...
2020-08-1246 min
Tokyo Alumni PodcastTokyo Alumni Podcast Episode 36: Akshaj Alex Mody (SMIS 2012) - Engineer, Finance, Fintech, Career ChangeAkshaj Alex Mody (SMIS 2012)
Software Engineer
Akshaj graduated from the University of Colorado with a Bachelors in Economics, an emphasis in International Finance and a Business Minor in Financial Analytics. During his time at University, Akshaj interned at Lockheed Martin and Ball Aerospace, working as a Market Research Analyst and Financial Planning and Analysis intern respectively.
Upon graduating, Akshaj moved to the Silicon Valley/Bay Area to work in portfolio management at Fisher Investments as a Portfolio Implementation Associate. There he handled the construction of portfolios for high net worth clients primarily located within...
2020-08-1138 min
Tokyo Alumni PodcastTokyo Alumni Podcast Episode 35: Harshit Sedani (ASIJ 2010) - Consultant, TCK, India-Japan, Santa Maria, ASIJEpisode 35 Harshit Sedani (ASIJ 2010)
Consultant Born in India, moved to Tokyo when I was 2 and attended Santa Maria. I moved back to India for middle school but returned to finish high school at ASIJ. I moved the US for college, attending Claremont McKenna, where I got a degree in Mathematics and Economics. I took a gap semester in sophomore year and attended Waseda for a semester. After graduating in 2014, I did 3 years of consulting at BCG, did a short stint at AirAsia, then got my MBA at Harvard before returning to consulting in summer 2019. I try to focus my...
2020-08-0947 min
Tokyo Alumni PodcastTokyo Alumni Podcast Episode 34: Brenden Lynce (Kinnick 2003) - Athlete, Musician, Engineer, MentorBrenden Lynce (Kinnick 2003) - Engineer
Brenden was born in Killeen, Texas. As the son of a Naval officer, he earned his title of 'Military Brat' moving across various states in the US during his youth before finally moving to Japan and graduating from Nile C Kinnick in 2004. After high school, Brenden spent a couple of years traveling in Asia and performing Music before joining the Military in 2007. He served on the Ballistic Missle Submarine USS Nevada (SSBN 733) as a Nuclear Reactor Operator. During his tour, he completed a historic Refueling and Overhaul of an SSBN Reactor and r...
2020-08-0646 min
Tokyo Alumni PodcastTokyo Alumni Podcast Episode 33: Tom Kashiwagi - Doctor, Magic, Mixology, Sushi, 4AMEpisode 33
Tom graduated from ASIJ in 2007 and attended the University at Buffalo to study biochemistry. Upon earning his bachelors he would go on to attend the West Virginia School of Osteopathic Medicine, where he earned his M.D. and D.O. He has been dabbling with magic tricks since he was a little kid, but it wasn’t until high school when he received one-on-one training with a magician in the Philippines that he fell in love with the craft. He continued to showcase his magic tricks throughout medical school, especially to entertain patients. Tom believes that by sha...
2020-08-0533 min
Tokyo Alumni PodcastTokyo Alumni Podcast Episode 32: Yumi Araki (ASIJ 2006) - Journalism, Columbia University, Deciphering Japan, Analyzing CultureEpisode 32: Yumi Araki (ASIJ 2006)
Journalist (Senior Producer and Editorial Lead of a media lab)
Yumi (Youme) Araki was born in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia, and raised in Tokyo where she was a “lifer” at the American School in Japan, attending from kindergarten through high school.
Upon graduating in 2006, she attended Boston University’s College of Communication to pursue a bachelor’s degree in journalism, and spent her formative years after graduation producing documentaries at a production company. She then earned her master’s degree at Columbia University’s Graduate School of Journalism, and began working for th...
2020-08-0452 min
Tokyo Alumni PodcastTokyo Alumni Podcast Episode 31: Caleb Eby - Missionary, CAJ, CRASH, No Place Left, Gifu, JapanCaleb Eby (CAJ 2003) Missionary
Caleb was born and raised in Tokyo and attended Christian Academy in Japan (CAJ) from K-12. After receiving a degree in Intercultural Studies and a Minor in TESOL from Emmaus Bible College, he returned to Japan and worked several months in the headquarters of CRASH (Christian Relief, Assistance, Support, Help) during the initials months of the Tohoku disaster relief work. Later that same year he moved to Gifu where he worked 5 years in the Japanese public schools as an English teacher while doing missionary work on the side. Since 2016 he has been working as a...
2020-08-0338 min
Tokyo Alumni PodcastTokyo Alumni Podcast Episode 30: Mobi Fehr - CAJ/Santa Maria, Soccer Player, MLS, Vietnam, J-League, Tokyo VerdyTokyo Alumni Podcast: Episode 30 Mobi Fehr (former Santa Maria and CAJ)
Soccer Player
Mobi was born in New York, USA. He attended Santa Maria elementary school, and the Christian Academy Japan (CAJ) from 7th to 9th grade. He has been playing soccer competitively from a young age, and played for Tokyo Verdy Youth and represented the USA national team at the U-17 World Cup in 2011 as a teenager. At the U-17 World Cup, he was one of the main players to lead the USA to the final 16 of the tournament. He has played for numerous professional teams...
2020-07-2925 min
Tokyo Alumni PodcastTokyo Alumni Podcast Episode 29: Megan Gates - Lawyer, Corporate Law, M&A, SOX, Woman in LawMegan Gates (ASIJ 1987) (Former ISSH & YIS) Lawyer
Megan is a partner at a law firm based in Boston, Massachusetts called Mintz (short for Mintz, Levin, Cohn, Ferris, Glovsky and Popeo, P.C.) She has been a practicing corporate and securities lawyer for 26 years, 20 of which have been at Mintz. She primarily represents publicly traded companies on equity financings, strategic mergers and acquisitions, and compliance and corporate governance obligations. Most of her clients are in the biotechnology or life sciences industry. When she’s not practicing law, she’s passionate about travel and serving on non-profit boards. She’s current...
2020-07-2831 min
Tokyo Alumni PodcastTokyo Alumni Podcast Episode 28: Alissa and Anna Lorentz - Europe, Asia, TCK, Language AcquisitionAnna Lorentz (ASIJ 2009) and Alissa Lorentz (ASIJ 2005)
Marketing & Communications (Alissa) Account Management & Sales (Anna)
ALISSA BIO Upon graduating from Princeton Alissa moved to Munich to work at a German advertising agency as a creative despite speaking 0 German. With the exception of a work project in Abu Dhabi, she’s lived in Europe ever since. After working at the agency she moved to Stockholm to study digital design at Hyper Island in Stockholm. During this time she created interactive music videos and telemedicine apps on the side during her free time. Once she graduated from Hyper Island, she join...
2020-07-2240 min
Tokyo Alumni PodcastTokyo Alumni Podcast Episode 1: Ayaka "Faith" Suzuki - ASIJ, Triathlete, Iron Man, Sports EventsEpisode 27: Ayaka "Faith" Suzuki (ASIJ 2006)
Faith explains to Nick what triathlons and Iron Man races are, and the two go on to discuss how the demographics of triathlons compare to the demographics of marathon runners. Faith explains to Nick why triathlons have gained a reputation of being a sport for the wealthy, and what type of data has been used to substantiate these claims. Faith explains to Nick that however, it is still possible for someone to participate with a lesser income, but that the main barrier of entry is purchasing a high function bicycle, which many p...
2020-07-2047 min
Tokyo Alumni PodcastTokyo Alumni Podcast Episode 26: Ian Shimizu - Environmentalist, WeMori, 250,org, Spiral Club, OkinawaEpisode 26 Ian Shimizu (St. Marys 2011) Environmentalist
WeMori Kickstarter Link https://www.kickstarter.com/projects/1065560538/wemori-an-app-to-regenerate-the-earth-0
Ian explains to Nick what WeMori does, and how their Kickstarter works. He explains to Nick about the two types of the awards backers of WeMori can receive, washi and an "up-cycled" t-shirt. He explains how "washi" is in a sense the world's most "sustainable paper", since its paper you can wash. He also explains to Nick what "up-cycling" is and how the t-shirts created specifically for his Kickstarter backers are made out of this unique system of "up-cycling". Ian exp...
2020-07-1554 min
Tokyo Alumni PodcastTokyo Alumni Podcast Episode 25: Phillip Seiji Vincent - Plug and Play, Bilingual, Bicultural, Silicon Valley, TechEpisode 25 Philip Seiji Vincent (ASIJ 2007)
Managing Partner (Japan) - Plug and Play Japan
Seiji explains to Nick the role of Plug and Play in Japan, and how they help create bridges between the large corporates in Japan, with new innovative startups.
The two discuss the difficulties of bridging the two very different cultures of innovative start-ups and conservative Japanese corporate culture.
Seiji, having spent roughly half of his life in Japan, and half in the United States, a bilingual and bicultural individual feels like his role of connecting startups to large co...
2020-07-1022 min
Tokyo Alumni PodcastTokyo Alumni Podcast Episode 24: Angie Marsh - West Point, Aviation, Military, ASIJEpisode 24 Angie Marsh
Aviation Officer
Angie explains to Nick the unique inner-workings of West Point, and how it operates. For example, certain grade levels are not allowed to befriend others, and how upperclassmen are allowed to wear civilian clothing and drive, while this is not allowed for the underclassmen, especially the freshman, who are known as "plebes". Angie clarifies for Nick his query in regards to the "basketball throwing test", West Point has as part of its physical fitness test, and why it exists. Angie explains to Nick the various type of activities that are offer...
2020-07-0732 min
Tokyo Alumni PodcastTokyo Alumni Podcast Episode 23: Erika Brinley - Mother, Guru, Bilingual EducationEpisode 23: Erika Brinley (ASIJ 2005)
Erika explains to Nick what a Bachelors in Science in "Family Development" is, and why she decided to pursue that major. The two discuss the difficulty of growing up bilingual, and how the pathway of being a "true bilingual" in two languages is not an easy task. Erika explains to Nick some of the most common questions she receives in regards to parenting tips, and explains to him what type of advice she provides to other parents. She explains terms like positive parenting and natural consequences, and how those terminologies are utilized in pare...
2020-07-0633 min
Tokyo Alumni PodcastTokyo Alumni Podcast Episode 22: Serena Tamura - UCSF, Stanford University, ScientistEpisode 22 Serena Tamura (ASIJ 2008) Scientist
Serena explains to Nick how the COVID QPCR tests operate, and what her role entails in regards to the PCR testing in California as a volunteer scientist. Serena explains to Nick how many of the graduate students received an email in the spring asking volunteers to analyze the samples of COVID tests, and many have come through and are currently volunteering to help with the process of COVID-19 detection. The two discuss the frustrations of seeing people in the United States who do not wear masks, and yes. "WEAR MASKS PEOPLE!". Serena expla...
2020-07-0338 min
Tokyo Alumni PodcastTokyo Alumni Podcast Episode 1: Shuichiro Yabui - Wrestling Coach, Educator, St. Marys, Far EastEpisode 21
Shu explains to Nick how understanding the art of coaching wrestling has helped him become a better educator. Shu explains to Nick how wrestling is the most egalitarian sport in the world. The weight classes enable the skinniest lightest student and the heaviest students in the school still have an opportunity to win within their weight class. And the techniques can often be acquired within a high school, unlike sports like basketball and soccer where playing the sport in elementary and middle school is often imperative for a student to excel at the high school level. Shu a...
2020-07-0236 min
Tokyo Alumni PodcastTokyo Alumni Podcast Episode 20: Janet Wold Kanzawa - Lawyer, Vassar, Japan-USADisclaimer: “The views and opinions expressed in this interview are those of the individuals and do not reflect the views or policies of Simpson Thacher & Bartlett LLP.”
Episode 20 Janet Wold Kanzawa - Lawyer
Janet explains to Nick why she became a lawyer. She describes how her passion and interests such as international relations and philosophy were intertwined with international law, and she found the occupation to be both intellectually stimulating and a challenge she was willing to take on.
As a philosophy major, Janet explains to Nick how many of the great philosophical ques...
2020-06-3038 min
Tokyo Alumni PodcastTokyo Alumni Podcast Episode 20: Janet Wold Kanzawa - Lawyer, Vassar, Japan-USAEpisode 20 Janet Wold Kanzawa - Lawyer
Janet explains to Nick why she became a lawyer. She describes how her passion and interests such as international relations and philosophy were intertwined with international law, and she found the occupation to be both intellectually stimulating and a challenge she was willing to take on.
As a philosophy major, Janet explains to Nick how many of the great philosophical questions we have as a society, often connect to how we view the justice system overall, and understanding philosophy helped her better comprehend how and why these legal systems ex...
2020-06-3040 min
Tokyo Alumni PodcastTokyo Alumni Podcast Episode 19: Kai Hirota - Drop out to success, Data Analyst, Foothill College, Aoba, St. MarysTokyo Alumni Podcast Episode 19
Kai Hirota (Former St. Marys / Aoba)
Data Scientist
Kai explains to Nick how he went from having a 1.60 GPA in high school to earning a Bachelors in Science at Santa Clara, and currently pursuing a Masters's degree at the University of Melbourne. He explains to Nick what events in his life prompted him to go back to school, and why he chose to study information, data, and computer science.
Kai explains to Nick what the greatest challenges were for him throughout his academic journey at public school, private school...
2020-06-2933 min
Tokyo Alumni PodcastTokyo Alumni Podcast Episode 16: Yannik Pitcan - Harvard, Berkeley, Data Science, Black Lives Matter, Diversity in the work placeEpisode 16: Dr. Yannik Pitcan (ASIJ 2007)
Data Scientist
Yannik explains to Nick the common misconceptions people have about Harvard, and compare and contrasts his experience at a small private school (Harvard) in comparison to a large public school (UC Berkeley). He explains how Harvard has a "house system", which can largely dictate ones experience at the Ivy League University, and how he felt that the system at the UC's were much more "sink or swim" in comparison to Harvard that had a more thorough support system. Yannik explains to Nick why he decided to pursue a Ph.D., e...
2020-06-2549 min
Tokyo Alumni PodcastTokyo Alumni Podcast Episode 17: Benjamin Simon (ASIJ) - Precious Metals Trader, Banking, TCKEpisode 17: Benjamin Simon (ASIJ 2006)
Precious Metals Trader
Benjamin explains to Nick his journey as a TCK, navigating through both French and American schools, and ultimately choosing to graduate through the American system after attending ASIJ and Shanghai American School.
The two discuss and reminisce how global the experience was attending an international school, as Nick pointed out Benjamins group of friends alone was a mini-EU with a student from Bulgaria, another from Sweden, an Italian, and Benjamin (French).
Benjamin shares with Nick stories of how his background of being a...
2020-06-2133 min
Tokyo Alumni PodcastTokyo Alumni Podcast Episode 15: Matt Jay - Curator, Art Organizer, Portland, School of Visual ArtsEpisode 15: Matt Jay (ASIJ 1999-2004)
Curator, Arts Organizer
Matt begins the podcast explaining his shirt, designed by "That Year" his label, and how his label came to be, and what the label means to him and how it is a symbol that goes beyond its title as a clothing label.
The two discuss how Asian representation in popular culture has changed the past few decades, and how that has affected their personal perspectives in regards to Asians in the entertainment/art industries.
Matt explains to Nick the ins and outs of Art...
2020-06-2030 minTokyo Alumni PodcastTokyo Alumni Podcast Episode 14: Monica Murray - Music, Photographer, NashvilleEpisode 14 Monica Murray (ASIJ 2011) Touring Photographer
Monica describes to Nick what it was like being in Japan, and at ASIJ during the 2011 Tohoku earthquake. Monica explains to Nick how she had a "culture shock" when moving back to the USA (Michigan), and how life now in "the South", Nashville, was a major adjustment in comparison to life in Japan. Monica speaks to Nick what type of person she thinks would thrive in the music industry, and addresses the issue of misogyny and sexism in the entertainment industry. Through having a support role for the channe...
2020-06-1926 min
Tokyo Alumni PodcastTokyo Alumni Podcast Episode 13: Max Taffel - Consultant, Director, Entrepreneur, Educator, EY, RunnerEpisode 13
Max Taffel (ASIJ 2004)
Consultant and Product Director
Max explains to Nick why he chose the unique route to major in Political Science and Mandarin before entering the corporate world, and how learning Mandarin helped pave a way a path to study abroad and help with his summer internships throughout his four years of college.
The two discuss how "internships" have evolved the past several decades, and the importance of being engaged in new areas of interest during internships, and to not get pigeonholed into one industry prior to college graduation.
Max e...
2020-06-1728 min
Tokyo Alumni PodcastTokyo Alumni Podcast Episode 12: Alex Nomura - Consultant, Entrepreneur, One Drops IncEpisode 12
Alex Nomura (St. Marys 2004)
C.O.O. (Former consultant)
Alex explains how he became a consultant out of University, and how the job provided him with the opportunity to work with people from various people from numerous business sectors.
He then goes on to explain what led him in 2014, to take the leap from the corporate world and begin as a co-founder for the start-up, Onedrop Inc. The company started as a small team consisting of three people, the CEO, the COO (Alex) and an engineer back in 2014. Today the company is n...
2020-06-1617 min
Tokyo Alumni PodcastTokyo Alumni Podcast Episode 11: Yoshi Suzuki - Strategist, Consultant, Voice ActorEpisode 11: Yoshi Suzuki (Nishimachi 2001, ASIJ 2005) Strategist, Consultant, and Voice Actor
Yoshi explains to Nick the fundamental differences between the pursuit of a Ph.D. in the natural sciences in comparison to the social sciences, and how these differences led towards his perspective that a Ph.D. in social sciences is one not worth pursuing. The two discuss the complexities of social science itself as an endeavor, and how by nature its designs are often not founded on enough theory. Yoshi finds the ecosystem of social sciences being sustainable through tuition alone limiting, and much of the research was...
2020-06-1631 min
Tokyo Alumni PodcastTokyo Alumni Podcast Episode 10: Aya Porte (ASIJ 2008) - Occupation TherapyEpisode 10 Aya Porte (ASIJ 2008) Occupational Therapy
Aya explains to Nick what occupational therapy is, and how one conversation she had back in 2007 with a high school counselor at ASIJ set her journey to pursue this path.
Aya explains to Nick what the day-to-day duties are for occupational therapy, and the common issues parents bring to her that rely on a solution through occupational therapy.
The two discuss the challenges American and Japanese mixed students face when living in the United States in comparison to living in the United States.
The podcast con...
2020-06-1541 min
Tokyo Alumni PodcastTokyo Alumni Podcast Episode 9: Tom Eldridge (St. Marys 2005) - HR RecruitmentEpisode 9 Tom Eldridge
Tom explains why he chose to go the route of HR as a career path, and why his interest in people and business perfectly meshed in the world of recruitment and HR. Tom explains the differences in how COVID-19 has affected the markets in the US vs Japan vs the UK. He also elaborates in regards to the differences one should consider when applying to jobs in each of these three nations and how their cultural differences can affect the recruitment process, and how the recent surge in start-ups in Tokyo have altered the la...
2020-06-1432 min
Tokyo Alumni PodcastTokyo Alumni Podcast: Episode 4, Sarah Whitten (ASIJ 2005) - Banking, Standard Chartered, Woman in FinanceEpisode 4 Sarah Whitten
Sarah shares with Nick the obstacles of being a young female professional in the male-dominated world of finance. The two discuss how maternity leave varies from country to country, and how the Nordic model and European models and differ, and how these models may or may not serve as model examples of equitable treatment of woman in the USA where there are 0 days of mandated maternity leave. Sarah explains why she left New York City for South Africa, and why "emerging markets" played a major role when she was deciding her destination after New Yo...
2020-06-1236 min
Tokyo Alumni PodcastTokyo Alumni Podcast: Episode 8, Nathan Baker (ASIJ 2004) - Working in ChinaDisclaimer *Although Nathan paints a negative picture of China there are others who think the opposite, and Nathans views do not necessarily reflect the views of the podcast or host.
Episode 8 Nathan Baker (ASIJ 2004)
Nathan speaks to Nick about his close to two decades in China, and how living there as an expatriate has transformed greatly in the past two decades. Nathan explains how his intrigue with China started with a high school trip in 2001 to China, and how learning Chinese in University helped him adapt to living in China in the lat...
2020-06-1228 min
Tokyo Alumni PodcastTokyo Alumni Podcast Episode 7, Jack Fischl (ASIJ 2006) - Keteka, Peace CorpsEpisode 7 Jack Fischl (ASIJ 2006)
Jack shares the current situation living in Chile during COVID-19.
Jack speaks to Nick about joining the Peace Corps (after rejecting a final interview with the San Antonio Spurs). Jack explains about the process is in regards to location designation and what the lifestyle is like for someone who is part of the Peace Corps, and how that experience created a path towards his current business venture.
He speaks about the inspiration in regards to how Keteka came to fruition as an idea and then a business, and tips for any...
2020-06-1147 min
Tokyo Alumni PodcastTokyo Alumni Podcast: Episode 6, Phil Williams (ASIJ 2000) - Media and EducationEpisode 6 Phil Williams (ASIJ 2000)
Phil explains to Nick his experience working in the entertainment industry and why he decided to leave the entertainment sector to join the education sector. The two discuss the complex issue of the pros and cons of charter schools in the United States, and how important it is in the time of fake news to develop independent and critical thinkers in the classroom.
Phil Williams
American School in Japan (2000)
Educator (formerly in the entertainment business)
Upon graduation from ASIJ, Phil attended Temple University in Ph...
2020-06-0942 min
Tokyo Alumni PodcastTokyo Alumni Podcast: Episode 5, Andrew Brown (ASIJ 2004) - Education, Tokyo Olympics 2020, Expedia, Morgan StanleyEpisode 5 Andrew Brown (ASIJ 2004)
Andrew Brown and Nick discuss Andrews contribution to bringing the Tokyo Olympics 2020 to Japan, his backpacking adventures in Myanmar, life as an international school teacher in Venezuela, and living in China during the outbreak of Covid-19.
Andrew Brown
American School in Japan (2004)
Educator (former PR agent and analyst at Morgan Stanley)
He attended Pace University and graduated in 2008 with a communications degree.
After University, he worked for Morgan Stanley, followed by a time at
Weber Shandwick where he was part of the...
2020-06-0946 min
Tokyo Alumni PodcastTokyo Alumni Podcast: Episode 3, Vasil Stefanov (ASIJ 2006) - Education, Social Projects, Volunteer WorkEpisode 3: Vasil Stefanov (ASIJ 2006)
Vasil and Nick discuss the current situation of Peru, where Vasil lives, and how COVID-19 has affected life for Peruvians. Vasil speaks about how his experience growing up as a "TCK", a third-culture child, helped mold him to become an internationally-minded individual, and also praises the educational system ASIJ provided him with that helped him learn how to collaborate with people from international backgrounds. Vasil speaks Bulgarian, Japanese, Spanish and English fluently and shares with us the secrets to how he learned to speak so many languages fluently. Vasil also explains to Nick wh...
2020-06-0948 min
Tokyo Alumni PodcastTokyo Alumni Podcast: Episode 2, Nate Reasoner (CAJ 2004) - EducationIn this episode, Nate Reasoner and Nick discuss life as an international school teacher. Nate explains how the job fairs for international school teaching positions operate and how his upbringing as a TCK and "halfu" molded his beliefs as an international educator. Nate speaks about his time in Venezuela one year after the controversial elections of Chavez in 2013, and how it is difficult to measure what a "good school" is since it is quite nuanced depending on where in a career an educator may be. Nate feels passionate about international school education and strongly believes international education is how...
2020-06-0535 min
Tokyo Alumni PodcastTokyo Alumni Podcast Episode 1: Jeff O'Harrow (St. Marys 2004) - Business, Entrepreneurship, BankingTokyo Alumni Podcast
Episode 1: Jeff O'Harrow
Graduate of St. Mary's International School (2004)
He attended Lewis and Clark College and graduated from Tulane University in 2008. Upon graduation, he worked for JP Morgan as a broker.
From 2015 to 2019 he worked for East-West Consulting company, as the companies Senior Consultant & Strategist.
In 2019, he left the company to start his own business, Tokyo Juice, a health-conscious organic Juice bar located in Jingumae, Omotesando in Tokyo.
He currently resides in Tokyo, Japan with his wife Yesenia and his son Kai.
2020-05-3141 minTokyo Alumni PodcastTokyo Alumni Podcast Episode 0: An IntroductionTokyo Alumni Podcast
Episode 0
In this brief episode, host, Nickolas Harris, explains why he started the Tokyo Alumni Podcast.
2020-05-3104 min
The 360 Sound ShowThe 360 Sound Show for 08/30/19 Pt. 1So last week's 360 celebrated artists who were born on the month of August. This week's 360 pays tribute to artists who died on that month. As with last week's show, it's five hours long and cut up into three pieces.Purple Mountains (David Berman) "Maybe I'm The Only One For Me" (2019)Phil Harris "The Thing" (1950)Les Paul & Mary Ford "How High The Moon" (1951)Floyd Tillman "Slipping Around" (1949)Elvis Presley "Good Rockin' Tonight" (1955)Sonny Burgess "Red Headed Woman" (1956)Billy Lee Riley "Flyin' Saucers Rockin' Roll" (1957)Johnny Burnette "You're Sixteen" (1960)Jumpin...
2019-08-311h 41
Illusionary PodcastEpisode 1: Billy KiddIt was a pleasure to speak with Billy as my first guest. You can find Billy online via her website or on Instagram.
We discussed her background in entertainment, performing upside down and rolling on the floor.
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Magicians Mentioned
Nick Nickolas
Gazzo
Wayne Dobson
Books Mentioned
Royal Road to Card Magic
Paul Harris books
Magician(s) to spend a day with:
Bob Read
Juan Tamariz
Channing Pollock
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Transcript
Download PDF Transcript
2019-01-0831 min