KUDEN! Radio — Ninja Strategy, Warrior Mindset, and the Path of the Modern Protector

One of the most common concepts and lessons that I heard in the earliest days of this art, both from my personal teacher AND the Grandmaster, was about “returning to zero”, being a ‘no-limits person’, and becoming a Tatsujin – ‘a fully actualized human being’. Unfortunately, this, among many lessons, is not discussed very much […]

The world of Ninjutsu training has been all but reduced to a small aspect of the original self-protection and personal development I was introduced to in the late 70’s and early 80’s. Having been a part of the early introduction and teachings that went WAY beyond “budo-taijutsu”, I was driven to succeed by descriptions and […]

No matter what you do, say, or achieve; you will always encounter haters and those people who will attack you and try to undermine your efforts. During this episode we’ll be looking at examples from not only my own life, but also moments in the lives of Hatsumi-Sensei and his teacher, Soke Toshitsugu Takamatsu, where […]

There used to be a debate as to whether what Bujinkan students are doing is BUDO or NINPO taijutsu. I don’t hear that much anymore, but…I should! During this special episode of KUDEN! we’ll be taking a look at how these two terms (& practices) are connected, and how they’re different. I’ll also be answering […]

Are you having trouble overcoming an enormous challenge in your training, or in another area of your life? If so, I get it. And I want to help you cut through the confusion and get the results and success you want. During this episode we’ll take a look at a simple process that can be used to handle any challenge, no matter the size. In fact, it’s part of what someone used once to actually eat an e...

During this episode we'll be taking a look at the subject of goal setting and attainment - one of the topics covered during our recent Spring Ninja Training Camp. Specifically, we're going to look at 3 ways goal setting is approached (if it's done at all), and why those who use them see mediocre results...Read More

This episode is based on a question I received from a student about something he saw online and wanted my take and help in understanding it. At the root of this is something that, if we don’t get right, let’s just say that the “rabbit hole” we’ll be going down won’t lead us to the understanding (Dai-komyo) we seek – no matter how good the journey makes us “feel”. Ready for another look at yet anot...

During this week's episode I'll be explaining why I chose the teachers that I did - the criteria I used, and why I think it's important for a student to choose their teacher(s) with more care than they usually do. I'll also be giving some suggestions for avoiding common mistakes, as well as how to go about choosing the right teacher for you.

During this week's episode we're going to take a look at yet another over-used and misunderstood word, especially within the context of Ninjutsu..."Traditional." This will probably 'trigger' (if that's even possible for real warriors to become) some hate mail and irritation among many but, if we're going to get this thing that we say we're trying to master...it might be a good idea to FIRST unders...

The word "natural", much like "warrior" and "enlightenment", is thrown around quite a bit in both the world at large and within in the world of Ninjutsu. But you can often be hard pressed to find it in all of its aspects when you watch people actually train. During this episode we'll be diving into an aspect of natural brain wiring; and two outcomes that our training if done correctly, should be p...

One of the most common things heard around the world of Ninjutsu, especially within the Bujinkan, is the statement: "That's not how it's done in Japan." This, and the implied slight of someone being "old-school" is supposed to differentiate between someone doing it right from those who are doing it "wrong". I'll be discussing this perception, as well as another mistaken concept - that of what is a...

Have you ever felt "stuck"? You've tried doing everything you can think of to solve a problem with your training, a relationship, job, or life in general...but you can't seem to find the solution to getting unstuck and moving forward? At the core of the Ninja's arts is the concept of becoming a problem solver - someone who can make things happen when everyone else thinks it's impossible. This abil...

In the Ninja's life mastery reachings there exists the concept of karma-the law of cause and effect-and a teaching which not only demonstrates this Universal Law, but also shows how to use it to both break free from the bonds of ignorance passed onto us from others... ...but also how to use it to quite literally "re-create" ourselves into the person we really want to be. Join me as we dive deep in...

Join us for our centennial episode of KUDEN Radio - the podcast for you - the serious martial artist, self-defense and personal development-minded practioner! During this episode I'll be sharing some hard-won, but extremely unpopular, lessons regarding how my teachers; both Hatsumi-Soke and other Japanese Master-teachers; treated different types of students based on the way each approached trainin...

Like many students, I started my training in the martial arts by enrolling in a program that was close and convenient. But, based on my needs and focus, this turned into a journey that would take me through many different stsyels and systems. During this episode, I'll be sharing my journey, and how I came to choose the life mastery and personal combat system we all know as Ninjutsu. Hope you'll jo...

From the very beginning of my training and over the course of several years, I had to come to grips with the fact that, very often, I was getting in my own way when it came to my own training and ability to get this art and its life-changing benefits. During this episode we'll be exploring one very powerful driver, and unseen force, that could be causing many well-meaning and sincere students to a...

The sheer number of lessons and skill sets passed by my teacher, Soke Hatsumi, but overlooked by the majority of students these days are staggering to say the least. During this episode I'll be discussing the Ninja's "sanmitsu" (triple secrets of success) that I was introduced to, why EVERYONE is successful, and how you can use ancient, proven process to achieve greater personal power and success.

With everything this art has to offer, it has never ceased to amaze me how willing most people are to focus on so little of it. During this episode of KUDEN! I'll be sharing not only the training focus, but also the 3 aspects of the testing requirements I was held to as I worked to master the full scope and application of this powerful martial and life mastery system!

During this episode we'll be looking at a serious problem; whether in a person's training, with their job, relationships, or whatever; that we cannot allow to derail us from our intended purpose. I know it's a significant holiday, and you may not be able to make it live, but if you love, value, and respect yourself and your grander vision...you won't miss this episode!

During this episode we'll be looking at the idea of what it means to be a "warrior", historically, as well as some of the insights I've gained over the years from my teachers - including the grandmaster - about the concepts of "class" and being a budoka and Ninja. Careful...this one just may ruffle some cocky "feathers" of some who think they've got their own "warrior" shit together!

During this episode, I'll be sharing some core secrets of the ancient masters that I learned from my teachers- lessons that have been validated through discoveries in modern brain science. These critical pieces explain why some people are successful and have the life they want, and how you can tap into them to have the success you want and deserve!

During this episode we'll be looking at a part of the Ninja no Hachimon (8 Gates of Authentic Traditional Ninja Training), that points to breaking free from the limited, martial arts-only mentality that most students and instructors are trapped in. THIS is the part of the powerful, life-changing system that everyone needs, but virtually NO ONE is practicing!

During this episode we'll be exploring the concepts of the Warrior as a person of action, and what that means in how we think, speak, move through, and engage with the world. I'll also be sharing a framework of 4 Levels of Action and why most people either fall or fall WAY short of the goal they say they're trying to achieve.

One of the most important things I've learned from my teacher, the grandmaster, is how to look any "thing" from different angles. This lesson held for not just personal combat skill but also those things in life that we think we know for sure. But...being a warrior involves more than just knowing some "cool moves".

Bring in the New Year with me as we explore an important concept, both in Japanese culture and in the realm of personal development and success...the concepts of new beginnings! Let's do this Warrior-style!