Talks from Tokyo
46 episodes - English - Latest episode: almost 3 years ago -Talks from Tokyo is a discussion and interview podcast about life, philosophy, and history created by Jordan Fisher and Pradi Shigari that investigates issues past and present in Japan and their connection with current events in the world.
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Episodes
TFT Episode 34-The Far Right reaches the Precipice
May 05, 2021 13:43 - 32 minutes - 30.2 MBHow far right, does the far right extend? Why is the price of political ignorance? How long can Japan remain a country of peace when the Fascist are scrambling for power? Mentioned: Nippon Kaigi Liberal Democratic Party Langley Esquire (youtuber)
TFT Episode 33- Loose vs Strict 2
April 20, 2021 20:41 - 42 minutes - 38.9 MBIs Japan a strict country to live in? In our original loose vs strict episode we looked at Michele Gelfand’s paper on the looseness and stictness of countries’ social and cultural mores. Going from the broad to the particular, this time we look at the norms of Japanese and American interpersonal relationships, workplace relationships especially, and analyze the rules of interaction and behavior.
TFT Episode 32- Off the Cuff: Isekai, Galge, Love Hotels, and Bibliophiles
March 23, 2021 13:10 - 18 minutes - 17.1 MBIn our most imitate and rambling episode yet, we barely manage to stay on the main topic while trading barbs in a cheap hotel room. Jordan shows off his paltry knowledge of recent anime, and Pradi asks weird questions.
TFT Episode 31- Off the Cuff: Closed Japan
March 11, 2021 13:54 - 21 minutes - 20 MBThis time we discuss the continuation of the emergency measures, our and other's experience of the lockdown. We talk big trips, tourists, and whatever else comes to mind.
TFT Episode 30: Whiskey in Japan (Part 2 of the Japanese Alcohol series)
March 01, 2021 12:20 - 28 minutes - 25.9 MBIn this week’s episode we talk whiskey, from breweries to distributors and all the nitty gritty details we could scrounge up. All the while we enjoy a glass of Fukushima brewed whiskey and remember the 2011 Fukushima Earthquake and Tsunami. You can check out this episode live at https://youtu.be/pPCFkdtZjW8
TFT Episode 29- Off the Cuff: Moving in Japan
February 19, 2021 13:32 - 20 minutes - 18.8 MBPardon the brief unplanned break but we are back! Here is the newest entry in our casual and interpersonal off the cuff series, and this time we are talking about the trials and terrors of moving in Japan
TFT Episode 28- Beer (Part one of the alcohol series)
February 09, 2021 12:35 - 33 minutes - 30.8 MBThis time we get even classier, pinkies and glasses in the air, as we talk craft beer, draft beer, brewery, and comparisons with the American craft scene. Get a taste of what's there to drink and what it's like to drink in Japan. https://beertengoku.com/
TFT Episode 27- Whose is the real man? Masculinity and Gender in Japan
January 26, 2021 13:00 - 43 minutes - 39.4 MBIn this week's episode we dig deep into the topic of gender, focusing mainly on gender in the workplace and the construction of masculinity in Japan. We dig deep, say more than we can probably justify, take out the data, and get stupid personal in our delve.
TFT Episode 26- Ink Bleeds, Body art in a culture of silence
January 18, 2021 12:40 - 49 minutes - 45.6 MBA history of tattooing and a culture that shuns it collides on the isolated island of Japan. We talk the art of hoshizumi, yakuza full body tattoos, law, modern Japanese tattoos, and the idea of a private art not shown to others.
TFT Episode 26: Ink Bleeds, Body art in a culture of silence
January 18, 2021 12:40 - 49 minutes - 51.4 MBA history of tattooing and a culture that shuns it collides on the isolated island of Japan. We talk the art of hoshizumi, yakuza full body tattoos, law, modern Japanese tattoos, and the idea of a private art not shown to others.
TFT Episode 25- Fashion in Japan
January 14, 2021 12:25 - 31 minutes - 28.4 MBWe're finally back after a long winter break and this week is all about fashion: Harajuku fashion. What's with all the colors? Why is it so weird? What is Lolita fashion? How do they compare to gyarus? What the heck is going on? Join us as we try and break this thing down
TFT Episode 25: Fashion in Japan
January 14, 2021 12:25 - 31 minutes - 52.6 MBWe're finally back after a long winter break and this week is all about fashion: Harajuku fashion. What's with all the colors? Why is it so weird? What is Lolita fashion? How do they compare to gyarus? What the heck is going on? Join us as we try and break this thing down
TFT Episode 24: Wabi Sabi, the art of existential loneliness and minimalism
December 28, 2020 14:01 - 33 minutes - 31 MBIn this week's episode we discuss the Japanese artistic aesthetic of wabisabi. Jordan breaks down the history and meaning, and Pradi shares his mountain-teahouse experiences. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Wabi-sabi https://www.imdb.com/title/tt0335266/ https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sen_no_Riky%C5%AB https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tai-an
TFT Episode 24- Wabi Sabi, the art of existential loneliness and minimalism
December 28, 2020 14:01 - 33 minutes - 30.4 MBIn this week's episode we discuss the Japanese artistic aesthetic of wabisabi. Jordan breaks down the history and meaning, and Pradi shares his mountain-teahouse experiences. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Wabi-sabi https://www.imdb.com/title/tt0335266/ https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sen_no_Riky%C5%AB https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tai-an
TFT episode 23: Adopting a Dog in Japan
December 21, 2020 14:35 - 17 minutes - 17.4 MBPradi and Jordan talk dogs and dog ownership in Japan, sharing personal experience and discussing the ins, outs, and challenges of dog care in Japan.
TFT episode 23- Adopting a Dog in Japan
December 21, 2020 14:35 - 17 minutes - 16.1 MBPradi and Jordan talk dogs and dog ownership in Japan, sharing personal experience and discussing the ins, outs, and challenges of dog care in Japan.
TFT Episode 22: Sex, Taboo and Politics in Japan (Mature content)
December 14, 2020 14:21 - 33 minutes - 27.6 MBIn this week's episode we discuss the nitty-gritty of sexuality in Japan, including laws, fetishes, politics, pornography, and relationships. http://hrn.or.jp/eng/wp-content/uploads/2018/02/HRN-Child-Pornography-Report-2018.02.07.pdf
TFT Episode 22- Sex, Taboo and Politics in Japan (Mature content)
December 14, 2020 14:21 - 33 minutes - 30.4 MBIn this week's episode we discuss the nitty-gritty of sexuality in Japan, including laws, fetishes, politics, pornography, and relationships. http://hrn.or.jp/eng/wp-content/uploads/2018/02/HRN-Child-Pornography-Report-2018.02.07.pdf
TFT Episode 21- Interview with Boo Bradley
December 07, 2020 12:24 - 50 minutes - 45.8 MBThis week Jordan and Pradi sat down with Boo Bradley, a Father, Husband, Teacher, Youtuber, and entrepreneur based in Japan. Boo dives deep into his work and his channel, his plans for the future in Japan, how he got his Japanese drivers license, and his advice to people who are interested in living abroad! Check him out on Youtube at Boo Bradley's channel: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCdwPdeYyWStE76hFuI9INgg
TFT Episode 20- Interview with Boo Bradley
December 07, 2020 12:24 - 50 minutes - 49.4 MBThis week Jordan and Pradi sat down with Boo Bradley, a Father, Husband, Teacher, Youtuber, and entrepreneur based in Japan. Boo dives deep into his work and his channel, his plans for the future in Japan, how he got his Japanese drivers license, and his advice to people who are interested in living abroad! Check him out on Youtube at Boo Bradley's channel: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCdwPdeYyWStE76hFuI9INgg
TFT Episode 20 - Xenophobia, East/West Pt. 2
November 30, 2020 11:30 - 32 minutes - 29.8 MBIn continuation from last week, we delve a bit deeper into the topic of xenophobia in Japan, China, and the US, going into specific instances of xenophobia reported in the news and from our personal experiences. We continue to probe the question: How does Xenophobia's character change from culture to culture, and from country to country? https://news.stanford.edu/pr/2014/pr-memory-war-asia-040414.html
TFT Episode 19 - Xenophobia, East/West
November 23, 2020 12:35 - 25 minutes - 23.6 MBIn this week's episode we delve into the difficult topic of xenophobia, perhaps at times somewhat clumsily, but we try our hand at characterizing the xenophobia at home, that which we experienced living in Japan, and visiting in Japan. The big question, how is xenophobia different in these countries?
TFT Episode 19 - Xenophobia, East/West Pt. 1
November 23, 2020 12:35 - 25 minutes - 23.2 MBIn this week's episode we delve into the difficult topic of xenophobia, perhaps at times somewhat clumsily, but we try our hand at characterizing the xenophobia at home, that which we experienced living in Japan, and visiting in China. The big question, how is xenophobia different in these countries?
TFT Episode 18 - Interview with Andrew: Backpacking, Dating, and Faith...as a Foreigner
November 16, 2020 12:46 - 42 minutes - 39.2 MBIn this week’s episode, we interview Andrew, a JET assistant English teacher working in Sendai about his insights into life as an Australian expat, and as a Christian looking for community and love in Japan. Intro is “Juno Bassline” by Nubes from looperman.com
TFT Episode 17 - 300 Candles, Work Culture and Working Hours in Japan
November 09, 2020 11:53 - 34 minutes - 33.5 MBIn this week's podcast, we take a closer look at Japanese work culture, honing in on the extreme number of hours they work, and the deep cost that the Japanese people have paid. We talk about the positives (or at least, Jordan does), personal experiences, black companies, a Buddhist ritual, and share a moment of sincerity too. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Karoshi http://blackcorpaward.blogspot.com/ https://www.bbc.com/worklife/article/20200114-how-the-japanese-are-putting-an-end-to-death-f...
TFT Episode 16 - Off the Cuff: Our Experience with Remote Working in Japan
November 02, 2020 15:10 - 23 minutes - 21.5 MBThe newest entry in our casual off the cuff series, we discuss our experiences with the rapidly changing work culture in Japan, sorting out the differences in our respective industries and sharing insights on the past present and future of the workplace.
TFT Episode 15 - Aomori Trip with Japan's 'Go to' Travel
October 20, 2020 12:22 - 30 minutes - 37.6 MBThis week Pradi talks about his recent trip to the northern most part of Japan's main Island, Aomori using the Go-to-travel Campaign supported by the Japanese Government. https://www.japan-guide.com/news/0053.html https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Aomori_Prefecture https://www.hoshinoresorts.com/en/ https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kiAixYYbktI&ab_channel=UtaChannel
TFT episode 14 - The religions of irreligious Japan
October 12, 2020 14:01 - 44 minutes - 39.6 MBIn this exciting and in-depth episode we answer the question: is Japan religious? And if so: How is Japan religious? To delve into the deep waters of this question, we look at buddhism, shintoism, christianity, history, and use our own lived experiences in Japan. We talk a lot about the Emperors, we talk about new religions, Pradi brings up his religious past, and Jordan tries to get across a thesis without making too many egregious academic errors https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Buddhism_in_J...
TfT episode 14 - The religions of irreligious Japan
October 12, 2020 14:01 - 44 minutes - 39.6 MBIn this exciting and in-depth episode we answer the question: is Japan religious? And if so: How is Japan religious? To delve into the deep waters of this question, we look at buddhism, shintoism, christianity, history, and use our own lived experiences in Japan
TFT Episode 13 - Interviewing Freelance English Teacher Phil
October 05, 2020 13:53 - 37 minutes - 26.6 MBIn this week we interview Phil who is a former Eikaiwa employee and now successful entrepreneur in the English education market. We discuss the ins and outs of starting off on your own in the private tutoring sector, starting up a business in Japan, and how covid has affected business. https://alledeam.com/
Pod12 - Iconic Places in Tokyo are Closing! (off the cuff)
September 28, 2020 13:34 - 14 minutes - 11 MBIn today's off-the-cuff conversation, we mourn some of the spots major and minor disappearing from the Tokyo landscape this year, talking about changes from the past as well.
TFT Episode 12 - Iconic Places in Tokyo are Closing! (off the cuff)
September 28, 2020 13:34 - 14 minutes - 11 MBIn today's off-the-cuff conversation, we mourn some of the spots major and minor disappearing from the Tokyo landscape this year, talking about changes from the past as well.
TFT Episode 11 - ALT English Teaching & Japanese Education w- Lucas
September 21, 2020 10:04 - 1 hour - 60.2 MBToday we sit down with Assistant Language Teacher Lucas and discuss English education in Japan. Jordan swaps in some of his own experiences and stories, and we dig deep into the experience of educating in Japan as a foreigner
TFT episode 10 - Off the Cuff [Cycling in Japan's Summer]
September 14, 2020 14:36 - 22 minutes - 22 MBOn today's off the cuff conversation, Jordan and Pradi trade memories of our bike rides about Japan, talking about the hobby, and the peculiarities of riding in Japan. A thematic continuation of Episode 8: Riding in Japan
TFT Episode 9 - Interviewing Jey, a Recruiter in Tokyo to Talk about Recruitment and Career Advice
September 08, 2020 12:34 - 43 minutes - 40.7 MBThis week Talks from Tokyo interviewed Jey, a Recruiter in Tokyo specializing in IT. We dived deep into what a job in recruitment is, what it takes to be a successful recruiter, and general career advice for people looking into a job and career change.
TFT Episode 8 - Riding in Japan: bicycle culture and travelogues
August 31, 2020 12:20 - 39 minutes - 37.3 MBIn this episode of Talks from Tokyo we discuss cycling. We swap stories, discuss traffic laws unique to Japan, the culture of cycling in Japan, and the dream routes on our bucket list. https://www.tokyoriverfriends.org/
TFT Episod 7 -Tight & Loose, Cultures Families and People
August 24, 2020 13:00 - 38 minutes - 38.9 MBOn today's episode, we discuss strictness through a cultural lens. How strict is Japan, how and where is it 'loose', how does it compare to other countries, and what does that look like on a societal, personal, familial, and business level. Rule makers rule breakers: how tight and loose cultures wire our world, Michele Gelfand https://behavioralscientist.org/tight-and-loose-cultures-a-conversation-with-michele-gelfand/ https://www.chieflearningofficer.com/2019/04/09/tight-cultures-and-loos...
TFT Episode 7 -Tight & Loose, Cultures Families and People
August 24, 2020 13:00 - 38 minutes - 38.9 MBOn today's episode, we discuss strictness through a cultural lens. How strict is Japan, how and where is it 'loose', how does it compare to other countries, and what does that look like on a societal, personal, familial, and business level. Rule makers rule breakers: how tight and loose cultures wire our world, Michele Gelfand https://behavioralscientist.org/tight-and-loose-cultures-a-conversation-with-michele-gelfand/ https://www.chieflearningofficer.com/2019/04/09/tight-cultures-and-loos...
TFT Episode 6 - Lives Lost to Loneliness
August 19, 2020 13:12 - 32 minutes - 29.7 MBhttps://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Kodokushi https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hikikomori Pardon the delay, we are getting used to the schedule ourselves and building a backlog so this doesnt happen in the future! In todays episode, we talk about loneliness and alienation in Japan, for both the Japanese and foreigners alike. https://www.japantimes.co.jp/news/2018/11/10/national/media-national/japan-struggles-keep-loneliness-arms-length/#.Xz0g3TWRVPY https://www.vice.com/en_us/article/mgbkdy/the-jap...
TFT Episode 4 - Bushido at home, and at war (Pt ２)
August 11, 2020 01:51 - 34 minutes - 34.9 MBIn this episode, we continue break down the cultural contexts and history of Bushido in Japan and abroad.
TFT Episode 5 - Bushido at home, and at war (Pt ２)
August 11, 2020 01:51 - 34 minutes - 34.9 MBIn this episode, we continue break down the cultural contexts and history of Bushido in Japan and abroad.
TFT Episode 4 - Bushido at home, and at war (Pt 1)
August 04, 2020 11:58 - 27 minutes - 29 MBApologies for the delay! In this podcast, we lightly break down the cultural contexts and history of Bushido in Japan and abroad. https://epublications.regis.edu/cgi/viewcontent.cgi?article=1595&context=theses https://www.nippon.com/en/japan-topics/g00665/bushido-an-ethical-and-spiritual-foundation-in-japan.html https://www.tofugu.com/japan/bushido/ https://www.thoughtco.com/role-of-bushido-in-modern-japan-195569 about:reader?url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.japantimes.co.jp%2Fculture%2F2016%2F07%2F16%...
TFT episode 3- Off the Cuff [ghost stories]
July 27, 2020 13:23 - 16 minutes - 16.2 MBIn the first of our shorter and more impromptu format: "off the cuff" we discuss ghost stories, supernatural experiences, and break out our own personal tales as well
TFT episode 2- Omiai (marriage)
July 20, 2020 12:52 - 32 minutes - 31.5 MBOn today's episode we discuss the old tradition of Omiai, matchmaking meetings, in Japan. Our conversation meanders through the history and modern meaning of the ritual, and delves into the complex gender that complicate and necessitate the continuation of it. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Miai
TFT episode 1 - Death Poetry (Haiku)
July 13, 2020 12:40 - 33 minutes - 32.9 MBPradi and Jordan launch their brand new series with a close look at a very special artifact of Japanese Culture: Jisei, or the Death Poem
TfT episode 1 - Death Poetry (Haiku)
July 13, 2020 12:40 - 33 minutes - 32.9 MBPradi and Jordan launch their brand new series with a close look at a very special artifact of Japanese Culture: Jisei, or the Death Poem