A Saunterer’s Lens

What drives someone to commit to walking 5,000 kilometers? In this episode, I share the three massive goals for my upcoming journey across six beautiful countries, stretching from the Philippines all the way to New Zealand. We dive into the sheer physical challenge of walking for 250 days, the art of capturing raw, fleeting moments in travel essays, and my ultimate dream of creating a magazine tha...

In this episode, I share the real reason behind my walking adventure—and it's not just about testing human limits or physical endurance. We dive into how traveling at a walking pace naturally increases our daily communication with locals and completely removes the psychological resistance of stopping to chat. Tune in to discover why slowing down is the ultimate way to experience new cultures!

Have you ever realized a major chapter of your life is closing before it even finishes? In this episode, I share a sudden, late-night epiphany about my upcoming walking journey starting on May 27th. I realized that this will likely be my final solo adventure in this specific format. But this isn't a sad goodbye—it's an exciting evolution into new challenges, whether that means traveling by bicycle...

Have you ever realized that relying on shortcuts is slowly erasing your basic abilities? In this episode, I share a terrifying "aha!" moment I had while studying Spanish: by constantly using copy-paste, I had almost completely lost the ability to write simple sentences from scratch! We dive into the hidden dangers of living life on autopilot, the fear of losing our mental "muscles," and the surpri...

Have you ever caught yourself thinking, "Eh, this is good enough"? In this episode, I share a personal realization I had while building an English learning program for a friend. I dive into why giving 100% isn't just about helping others—it's actually a crucial way to train your own mind. Tune in to discover why keeping promises to yourself is the ultimate motivation hack, and how you can start fl...

Do you ever feel completely exhausted by the endless stream of videos and visual information on your feeds? In this episode, we dive into why our brains are desperately craving a break from screens, and why audio-only mediums like podcasts feel like such a breath of fresh air. I share my personal realization about how removing the camera actually strips away the fake personas and allows for deeply...

Do you ever feel completely overwhelmed by the sheer number of choices we have to make every single day? In this episode, I share my recent experiment of intentionally eliminating one thing from my life daily—like giving up cola or ditching suits for good. We'll explore how strategically narrowing down your options can actually give you more freedom, clarity, and energy, while still leaving room f...

Have you ever received advice that sounded harsh but was exactly what you needed to hear? In this episode, I share a surprising and deeply moving interaction I had right before leaving on my latest journey. Someone simply told me, "You don't have to come back"—and instead of feeling hurt, it gave me the ultimate push to keep moving forward into the unknown. Tune in as we explore the incredible, la...

Have you ever realized that speaking the same language doesn't guarantee true communication? In this episode, we dive into the fascinating world of language learning. We explore how knowing English, Chinese, and Japanese can theoretically connect you with half the globe. However, a recent incident at a local convenience store revealed a surprising truth: words are just tools, and real connection r...

In this episode, I reflect on a rainy morning run that made me question if I can realistically call myself a "traveler" anymore. After months of building a comfortable, predictable routine in Japan, a simple, caring comment from my family sparked a deep realization about how my lifestyle and mindset have changed. Tune in as we explore the transition from the unpredictable life on the road to findi...

In this episode, we explore the raw, unfiltered beauty of the "real" world—from physical exhaustion to the incredible tactile sensations you just can't get online. I share my thoughts on pushing personal boundaries, like walking and cycling across Japan, and how the massive gap between "Can I do this?" and "I'm doing this!" makes every struggle worth it. Tune in to discover why stepping into the u...

Have you ever tried to break a bad habit by promising yourself a huge reward, only to fall right back into it once you get the prize? In this episode, I share how I finally stopped a nearly 30-year nail-biting habit by completely changing how I view rewards. Instead of enduring the process for a physical prize, I learned how to treat my willpower like an RPG character leveling up. Tune in to find...

Have you ever felt like you need a sixth sense just to figure out what someone actually wants? After spending the last three months back in Japan, I've realized that navigating the culture is all about "reading the air"—guessing what people mean without them saying a word. In this episode, I share why I've started treating this unspoken communication like a puzzle, and how developing a "human Jaco...

Do you prefer to start a big journey alone or with a friend? In this episode, I share why kicking off my travels with a buddy has become a recurring theme for my adventures. From past bicycle trips starting in Vietnam to prepping for my very first walking trip on April 27th, we explore how shared beginnings invite the best kind of unpredictability. Tune in to hear why having someone at the startin...

Have you ever received a message out of the blue that completely shifted your perspective? In this episode, I share a deeply personal story about reconnecting with an ex-partner in South Korea after almost eight years of silence. We explore why it is so crucial to live in the present, and why sometimes you just have to trust your gut and book the flight. Tune in to hear why taking a sudden leap of...

The $1 Zine: Why I Refuse to Charge More for My Art

Have you ever noticed how people treat you differently when you’re on a journey? In this episode, I share a heartwarming encounter I had on a simple walk home, involving a traditional Japanese sweet called Obanyaki. We dive into the unexpected serendipity of being a traveler and why taking on a new challenge naturally invites strangers to cheer you on. Tune in for a gentle reminder about the beaut...

Most of us wake up to a heavy downpour, look out the window, and immediately groan. But what if the things we universally dislike actually hold a hidden charm? In this episode, I share a quick thought from my morning run in the pouring rain, where I discovered unexpected beauty in the wet leaves, the quiet sounds, and the fresh perspective of looking at something from the opposite angle. Tune in t...

Have you ever visited a famous landmark, taken a quick picture, and immediately walked away without actually looking at it? In this episode, I share a realization about how looking at the world through a camera lens completely changes our experience. We discuss the hidden cost of constantly filming and why I'm implementing a "10-Second Rule" to prioritize true connection over getting the perfect s...

How many days do you have left? It might sound like a morbid question, but in today's episode, I talk about why I started using a "Life Countdown" app and facing the concrete numbers of my remaining time. Far from being depressing, acknowledging the end and confronting the reality of how much time we spend sleeping or working can be the greatest motivator. Tune in to find out why keeping death in...

Have you ever wanted something so badly but forced yourself to wait? In today's episode, I talk about my current struggle with intentionally resisting a glass of wine with my grandpa. With a big trip coming up in just a month, I realized that I need to mentally and physically prepare myself for the unpredictable nature of travel by setting strict daily rules. Tune in to hear how delaying our rewar...

Ever wonder why the friends you made in high school still hold such a special place in your heart — even years (or decades) later?** There's something truly unique about the friendships forged during those formative teenage years. You were figuring out who you were, navigating awkward phases, surviving exams, and dreaming about the future — all alongside the same group of people. Those bonds? They...

Have you ever caught yourself treating travel or learning like a checklist? In this episode, I share a personal realization about my long-held goal to visit 100 countries. I explain why I'm abandoning the race for numbers and choosing to revisit the same countries to truly immerse myself instead. Tune in to hear why slowing down and going deep—whether in travel or language learning—might just be t...

Have you ever tried to learn a new language or start a big habit, only to quickly hit a wall? In this episode, I share a massive realization I had while reading James Clear's "Atomic Habits." We dive into why we fail when we try to make huge, sudden changes, and why true transformation actually starts with a simple question: "Who do I want to be?" Tune in to learn how shifting your core identity a...

Have you ever stepped on the scale and been completely shocked by the number staring back at you? In this episode, I share my recent realization of hitting 85 kilograms—a massive jump from the 69 kilos I weighed before my trip to Vietnam! We'll talk about how this unexpected weight gain brought some hidden physical aches and pains to light, and why experiencing setbacks early on is actually a hidd...