Ki to the City

Today’s guest brings a uniquely brilliant and multifaceted perspective into the fold. Andre Igor sensei’s foray into the realm of martial arts began from a place many can intimately relate to: being bullied at school. Searching for a solution to this daily torment, he asked his mother for a life-changing gift for his 14th birthday—Karate lessons. Lucky for us, she agreed, setting him on a lifelong...

I met today’s guest in Linda Holiday Sensei’s online misogi class, where I quickly noticed that she always has profoundly interesting, deeply reflective things to say. I’m truly honored to offer this platform to share her insights with you. Joana Corbett da Silveira is the guiding current behind Shizen Aikido (in Ilhabela, Brazil.) True to its name, which translates to “Nature,” her dojo practice...

One of the very first people to reach out with encouraging words when I announced that I was starting this project was Crystal Aldrich Sensei, owner and head instructor of Aikido New London County. Crystal Sensei and I go way back (it’s nice to get some “tri-state” representation on the show) and her support has meant the world to me. She’s a tireless builder of bridges and a fierce champion for t...

This is a bit of an experimental bonus…kinda. I told you a few episodes back (if you’ve been following at home) that I’m creatively engaging with Kayla Feder Sensei on a exciting book project. Well, I’m pleased to say it’s coming along splendidly, and I thought it might be interesting to give you a peek behind the curtain at the creative process. If you’re new to this show, check out this link to...

I was supposed to be writing today, or figuring out some “next steps” but I made this video instead. Don’t know why I can’t resist black and white. Amazing energy at the dojo lately, hope it’s a sign of things to come. Get full access to Ki to the City at kitothecity.substack.com/subscribe

One fateful day, whilst walking past the wrestling room at the University of Wisconsin-La Crosse, a literal flash of light reflecting off a katana caught Michael Weber Sensei’s eye, drawing him into his first Aikido demonstration—and he never looked back. He began his Aikido journey in 1989 with John Boland Sensei. Very soon after, his practice would be fundamentally shaped by a life-changing enco...

To say my talk with Matt Fluty Sensei got deep would be an understatement. We waded into some heavy but hopeful, and highly inspiring territory. I always read the transcripts of the interviews before I try to write these intros. For this one I feel like it deserves time (weeks) that unfortunately I don’t have at the moment to even begin to scratch the surface of Matt Sensei’s incredibly acute spir...

Raso Hultgren Sensei, Chief Instructor of Aikido of Missoula , vividly synthesizes and embodies the artistic fluidity, rigorous physicality, and metaphysical mystery of Aikido. Raso Sensei’s Aikido journey began in 1971, taking root in the fertile, (counter)-cultural grounds of Santa Cruz under the guidance of Robert Frager Sensei. The path eventually led her to a direct, intensive apprenticeship...

Hi, welcome to Ki to the City. I sincerely apologize for the recent lag in putting out new episodes. For whatever reason, this month, there’s been a lot of weird technical issues and scheduling changes at the last minute (from both myself and guests). Please stick with me. I promise there’s a couple of really interesting episodes en route. One is already “in the can,” so to speak, but it’s been de...

This is, for sure, one of the most encouraging episodes I’ve had the good fortune to record. I honestly don’t think I can fully express how in awe I am at the optimistic bravery, fortitude, and radiant positivity of my guest, Molly Hale Sensei. Her story is ineffably powerful and spiritually uplifting. Molly Sensei’s Aikido journey began unexpectedly (as, I’m learning, most do) during a workshop a...

On this episode, I had the honor of sitting down with Sam Zeitlin, a remarkable thinker and Aikidoka whose life-path exemplifies the very synthesis many of us are seeking. Sam has cultivated a fascinating, multidisciplinary practice that defies easy categorization… She’s been practicing Aikido since 2010 in the enchanted Bay Area, mostly at City Aikido with Robert Nadeau Sensei. Simultaneously, Sa...

Hi, hope you’re all doing well out there in the aether. My temperamental tablet is delaying the publication of a few wonderful conversations that I’ve already recorded. Sorry for the dearth of new episodes lately. I hope to get this technical difficulty resolved as soon as humanly possible, or in this case, as soon as computerly possible. Hardware issues aside, I am beyond thrilled to announce the...

In this episode, I had the honor of conversing with Marco Rubatto Sensei, from Hara Kai dojo in Torino, Italy. For nearly twenty years, Marco Sensei’s been creatively documenting a journey that began with the Iwama tradition and which finds him now an esteemed member of the (really really cool) Evolutionary Aikido Community. His brilliant website, Aikime.blogspot.com is a veritable goldmine of tho...

I apologize if it’s been a bit quiet on the podcast front. I’m willing to attribute to destiny the fact that my last few scheduled conversations kind of canceled last minute. It’s totally understandable from a cosmic viewpoint: life is complicated. I’ve been so busy working on the “new phase” of this project that I haven’t had the time to follow up with people or try to book new guests as diligent...

“Aikido was forged in the crucible of war. The Aikido we know bloomed in the era of peace.” Is it possible to speak of “Post-War” Aikido anymore? How long were we ever actually living, Post-War? I want to keep this written intro brief. I have an aversion to trying to write eloquently about grave situations. Everything I could potentially say feels pretentious. In a situation like this, it’s better...

“Ki to the City” was originally conceived as a way to address the seemingly shaky future of Aikido (specifically, in my own life). In this episode, I’m honored to speak with someone who is not just thinking about the problem aloud but providing concrete, actionable, and expert solutions. My guest has built a platform (and an app) that achieves what I’ve only vaguely dreamed of: addressing the crit...

For those of us who practice Aikido on the regular, we already intimately feel the profound and magical impact it has on everyday life, specifically when it comes to enhancing our ability to harmoniously communicate both verbally and physically with others (occasional social media discourse notwithstanding). But what happens when you take that intuitive conviction and subject it to the rigorous sc...

Get full access to Ki to the City at kitothecity.substack.com/subscribe

I haven’t done one of these “solo episodes” in a while. I know I promised I wouldn’t anymore because I felt like I was making it too much about “me,” but a guest rescheduled at the last minute and I don’t want to break the momentum of putting out at least one episode a week. I’m superstitious like that. So, here’s a short story I’m working on for one of the many books I’ll probably never publish....

Here’s Part II of my recent interview with Chris Thorsen Sensei, distinguished senior student of Richard Moon Sensei and board member at Aiki Extensions. If you heard Part I, you’ll surely already be in awe of his remarkable life—an inspiring journey he describes as a series of “intuitive jumps off cliffs.” If you haven’t heard it yet, don’t delay! Here it is: Part I In this newest episode, Thorse...

Long-time student of Richard Moon Sensei and integral board member of Aiki Extensions, Chris Thorsen Sensei’s life is a remarkable testament to the power of intuition, embodied practice, and a deep commitment to true systemic change. Spanning over 50 years, his incredible career path has been characterized by bringing the principles of Aikido off the mat and into the world, transforming organizati...

Happy Setsubun! According to Shinto, it’s today, Feb. 3rd.. Setsubun literally translates to “seasonal division.” While, historically, it referred to the eve of any of the four seasons, it now specifically marks the day before the beginning of Spring (according to the old calendar of Japan.) It’s essentially a spiritual “spring cleaning” to drive out the bad energy of the previous year and welcome...

I got the keys to the dojo’s Instagram account now, so I’m working on my video editing skills. I interviewed Nico back in October. If you’re new here, or you somehow missed that one, check it out here: Nico Puertollano interview And… If you got any tips on using Instagram effectively (whatever that means) please let me know. I appreciate all advice By the way, I don’t know if you are seeing the au...

I’m excited to share this incredibly expansive discussion with Steve Macramalla, long-time student of Linda Holiday Sensei at Aikido of Santa Cruz. (Regular listeners know what a positive influence Linda Holiday Sensei has had on myself and this project. Her ongoing commitment to transmitting heart-centered wisdom has been a major catalyst for the perseverance of this podcast.) In addition to his...

One of the genuine benefits of (stubbornly) persisting with this project (despite the typical difficulties associated with the pursuit of wisdom vs monetary gain) is that when I hear a testimony so inspiring, so indicative of Aikido’s positive impact, it instantly assuages all doubt that I’m on the right path. Scott Berg Sensei’s early life was beset with some pretty significant challenges, beginn...