Tag: multicultural

The fifth episode of the podcast “CrossWorld Puzzles” is now out! I was so happy to welcome strategy and operations consultant Yuko Watanabe, who’s also a good friend via the U.S.-Japan Council.

Yuko, who’s based in Seattle, has worked all over the world supporting everything from big companies to nonprofits. There are so many things I admire about her, including her strength, resilience, and ability to find humor even in challenging circumstances. I also love how she’s built various communities that allow participants to connect in unique ways, including “Tapestory” (大人の等身大作文集 Tapestory + All our tomorrows). We discuss how she first came to the United States, what led her to create those communities, and how it’s best to stop planning and instead find joy in whatever comes our way.

The video podcast with Yuko is below, but more information, including photos and a full transcript, can be found here.

The podcast can be followed on YouTube, Spotify, and (for audio only) Apple Podcasts.

ポッドキャスト「CrossWorld Puzzles」の最新のエピソードです。今回は、シアトルを拠点とするコンサルタントの渡辺佑子さんのお話を伺いました。大学から米国に留学され、数々の大手企業や財団などで働いてきて、今はフリーランスで活躍される佑子さん。その傍ら、オンラインのコミュニティも構築し、多くの人たちが自分らしく活動できる場をつくっていらっしゃいます。どのように米国に渡ることになったのか、将来に関してくよくよ悩むのはやめてどのように人生を捉えていらっしゃるのか、佑子さんならではのユーモアも交えて、楽しくお話を伺うことができました。ぜひご覧ください！

The fourth episode of “CrossWorld Puzzles” is now out!

I was honored to welcome Korean interpreter and community builder Robert Holloway. Robert did not grow up speaking Korean, but studied it because of his interest in his family’s history: his mother was adopted from South Korea. Not only has he become fluent enough to serve as a conference interpreter, he also supports other Korean adoptees by building a community and teaching them the Korean language. We discuss his family history and the challenges many Korean adoptees face, as well as how identity is deeply intertwined with our own culture.

The video podcast with Robert is below, but more information, including photos and a full transcript, can be found here.

The podcast can be followed on YouTube, Spotify, and (for audio only) Apple Podcasts.

ポッドキャスト「CrossWorld Puzzles」の最新のエピソードです。今回は、韓国語通訳者のロバート・ホロウェイさんのお話を伺いました。お母様が韓国から米国に養子として引き取られたロバートさんは、英語で育ってあとから韓国語を勉強し、会議通訳者になるほど流暢になりました。また、韓国から他国の家族の養子となった方々のコミュニティを構築し、韓国語を教えてもいます。歴史と深く絡んだロバートさんのご家族の過去、文化とアイデンティティの深い関係性など、とても興味深いお話ですので、ぜひご覧ください！

The third episode of my podcast, CrossWorld Puzzles, is now out!

I was incredibly honored to welcome social entrepreneur Mari Kuraishi, who I met through the U.S.-Japan Council. Mari grew up in Japan, Italy, and West Germany. She is now based in the U.S. as the President of the Jessie Ball duPont Fund, and is also the Co-Founder (and former President) of GlobalGiving. We discuss her upbringing, what led to her work in international development and social entrepreneurship, as well as how she found her own style of leadership. I love her calm, soothing voice, and was so inspired by her approach on how she views relationships–both with those around her and the places she’s lived.

The video podcast with Mari is below, but more information, including photos and a full transcript, can be found here.

The podcast can be followed on YouTube, Spotify, and (for audio only) Apple Podcasts.

ポッドキャスト「CrossWorld Puzzles」の最新のエピソードです。今回は、日本、イタリア、西ドイツで育った倉石真理さんをインタビューしています。クラウドファンディング・サイトの「GlobalGiving」の共同設立者で、今はフロリダで慈善団体「Jessie Ball duPont Fund」の会長を務めていらっしゃいます。米日カウンシルで出会った真理さんのお話を直接聞けて大変光栄でしたし、その起業家精神、静かなリーダーシップ、引っ越しが多くふるさとがないことを寂しく感じた時にどういう考え方をすればよいのか、などに関するお話に大変感銘を受けました。

The second episode of my podcast, CrossWorld Puzzles, is now out!

Many thanks to my friend Grace Kim, who grew up in the U.S., Japan, and Korea. Using her multilingual skills, she now runs an event planning company in the DC area. She also has many artistic side projects. What I love about Grace is that she’s always so thoughtful and kind (and super organized, which is why the Japan-related community loves to work with her!), but also open about aspects she wants to continue working on. She is so brave to say yes to this project, especially when I barely had any episodes to show–and I’m so grateful.

The video podcast with Grace is below, but more information, including photos and a full transcript, can be found here.

The podcast can be followed on YouTube, Spotify, and (for audio only) Apple Podcasts.

ポッドキャスト「CrossWorld Puzzles」で新しいエピソードをリリースしました。今回は、米国、日本、韓国で育ったグレースさんをインタビューしています。ワシントンDC近郊でイベント企画を行う会社を経営するとともに、折り紙のイヤリングを作ったりと多才です。三か国語駆使し、どの文化にも精通して思慮深い、大好きな友人です。

I’m happy to announce that I’ve started a podcast! It’s called CrossWorld Puzzles, and explores how individuals who grew up in or are currently in multicultural environments tackle life’s big questions: e.g. where to be based, what kind of career to build, who to spend the rest of their lives with, etc.

Some friends know that I’ve been ruminating about this for more than a year, especially as I’ve struggled with these questions in my own life. This is a selfish endeavor where I’m seeking answers for myself, but I also hope to showcase my amazing friends and mentors–and perhaps inspire others along the way!

Many thanks to my friend Sayuri Romei, who bravely and kindly agreed to being interviewed for the very first episode! She grew up in Italy speaking Italian, French, and Japanese–but is now based in the U.S. She also happens to be an expert on nuclear deterrence, as well as a published illustrator! She’s so busy (she changed jobs the very week we were talking!), and I cannot thank her enough for taking the time to share her great outlook on life.

The video podcast with Sayuri is below, but more information, including photos and a full transcript, can be found here.

For now, the plan is to post once a month. I’ll post notices about new episodes on this blog, but full details will always remain on the CrossWorld Puzzles website.

The podcast can be followed on YouTube, Spotify, and (for audio only) Apple Podcasts.