The Ikigai Podcast

How can practices like martial arts lead to life transformation? While martial arts are often associated primarily with self-defense, their potential goes far beyond mere protection. Delving deeper into the practice reveals a multitude of benefits it can offer.  In this episode of the Ikigai Podcast, Nick speaks with Adam Mitchell about how mastering martial arts can provide a sense of fulfilment...

How can we incorporate Zen eating into our lives? Food is an essential aspect of life, providing nourishment and sustaining us daily. However, it's crucial to be mindful not only of what we eat but also how we consume it. Amidst the hustle and bustle of daily life, we often overlook the significance of the act of eating. This is where the practice of Zen eating becomes invaluable. In this epi...

Do you have a healthy relationship with food? Many of us struggle with health issues due to the food we eat. This may result from not paying enough attention to what we put into our bodies. That's why it's crucial to take our eating habits seriously, as they can significantly impact our overall well-being. In this episode of the Ikigai Podcast, Nick speaks with Momoe about the significan...

How can we lead a healthy and meaningful life? Striving for both health and meaning is essential for our overall well-being and fulfilment. Several factors may contribute to this, including our relationships, the environment we are in, and even our own values. In Japan, numerous concepts offer guidance toward achieving this balance. In this episode of the Ikigai Podcast, Nick and Mayumi Kojima del...

When the path from astronaut dreams to IT expertise took an unexpected turn, Ikigai scholar Kei Tsuda found himself at the crossroads of purpose and profession. This episode unveils Kei's transformative journey, revealing how the pursuit of Ikigai can shape our lives.  Our discussion traverses the cultural landscapes of East and West, exploring how the Western craving for structured models li...

Have you ever ticked off a dream  of goal from a bucket list? On this episode The Bucket List Guy, Trav Bell, joins us for a transformative discussion on living life with meaning and intention.  This episode isn't just about dreaming; it's a deep dive into celebrating our past wins with a reverse bucket list, and how acknowledging our achievements can launch us toward even greater ones. ...

Can ikigai be related to positive psychology? In the West, ikigai is frequently linked with attaining significant goals and advancing in one's career. However, what many fail to recognize is that ikigai holds greater relevance in fostering our overall well-being. In this episode of the Ikigai Podcast, Nick speaks with Sue Langley about positive psychology and how it ties into the concept of i...

What would you like to pass on to future generations? Amid the alarming concern of global warming, it becomes imperative to contemplate sustainable practices aimed at safeguarding nature for future generations. This could be achieved by adopting Sustainable Development Goals, particularly encouraging businesses to lead the way in creating a better living environment for everyone. In this episode o...

Have you incorporated AI into your work? AI tools have been garnering attention today due to their ability to expedite tasks. While some express concern about the rapid increase of these tools, others find them beneficial, simplifying their work and making it more efficient. In this episode of the Ikigai Podcast, Nick discusses with Kouji Miki the significance of AI in providing more opportunities...

Do you find meaning in the work you do? Work is a fundamental component of our lives, with the potential to influence our well-being. This underscores the importance of actively seeking ways to find purpose and meaning in our professional endeavours. In this episode of the Ikigai Podcast, Nick discusses with Andrew Soren how individuals can find purpose and value in their work.

Do you feel heartfulness as you go about your day? Often, people discuss the significance of mindfulness, emphasising the importance of self-awareness. However, in our pursuit of self-improvement and personal growth, we often overlook the impact we can have on those around us. This is where the concept of heartfulness can prove beneficial—a compassionate and open-hearted approach to life. In this...

Do you feel heartfulness as you go about your day? Often, people discuss the significance of mindfulness, emphasising the importance of self-awareness. However, in our pursuit of self-improvement and personal growth, we often overlook the impact we can have on those around us. This is where the concept of heartfulness can prove beneficial—a compassionate and open-hearted approach to life. In this...

In this episode of the Ikigai Podcast, Nick and Mathew Borg discuss the significance of implementing the concept of ikigai within an educational context.  How can we promote better education with the help of ikigai? Education holds significance for all individuals, yet at times, it can become a source of stress. This is where concepts like ikigai can prove beneficial, not only for students but als...

Is the ikigai concept something you can coach? In this solo episode, Nick explores this question and looks at how ikigai is relatable to philosophy, positive psychology and existential positive psychology This episode takes a deep dive into the elements central to ikigai; life affirmation, goals/dreams, meaning of life, meaning of existence, sense of fulfilment and commitment, and  intertwines the...

Do you have the mental space for peace of mind?  Amidst the hustle and bustle of daily life, self-care can often be neglected. In Japan, there's a concept known as yutori, which encourages creating mental space—an approach you can adopt and integrate into your own life in this fast-paced world. In this episode of the Ikigai Podcast , Nick Kemp explores a sub-theory of ikigai known as yutori,...

In this episode of the Ikigai Podcast, Nick discusses the significance of aida (betweenness) and intercorporeality in relation to our embodiment with Prof. Shogo Tanaka. Prof. Shogo Tanaka is a professor of psychology and philosophy at Tokai University in Japan. He received his Ph. D. in philosophical psychology from Tokyo Institute of Technology in 2003. He is primarily interested in phenomenolog...

In this episode of the Ikigai Podcast, Nick speaks with Jessica Gerrity about Kyudo, the intricate art of Japanese traditional archery. Jessica Gerrity is a TV personality, writer, and tourism ambassador for Saitama Prefecture in Japan. She moved to Japan from New Zealand over 20 years ago. Beyond her captivating roles, Jessica is a mother of three and also assists in managing a dojo for kyudo, a...

In this episode of the Ikigai Podcast, Nick speaks with Gordon Mathews about finding greater meaning in life through the concept of life after death. Gordon Mathews is an author and professor of anthropology at the Chinese University of Hong Kong. He has written several books, including What Makes Life Worth Living? How Japanese and Americans Make Sense of Their Worlds , which was explored in epis...

In this episode of the Ikigai Podcast, Nick speaks with Waki Kamino about designing social robots to enhance the ikigai of older adults. Waki Kamino is a PhD student at Cornell University in human-robot interaction and a research consultant at Indiana University, Bloomington.

In episode 62 of the Ikigai Podcast, Nick speaks with Professor Haruhiko Tanaka about how having ibasho can serve as a source of empowerment for people. Professor Haruhiko Tanaka recently retired from the role of professor in the Faculty of Human Science at Sophia University. He completed his doctorate at the University of Tokyo’s Graduate School of Education. His areas of research include lifelon...

On episode 61 of the Ikigai Podcast, Nick and his good friend, Masayuki Matsubara, embark on an inspiring conversation about friendship, ikigai, and the power of shared experiences. Masayuki Matsubara is a musician, web designer, developer, and entrepreneur. He has a passion for designing and was awarded the iF Design Award in Germany in 2016. 

On episode 60  of the Ikigai Podcast, Nick welcomes back Jamila Rodrigues to discuss how having ikigai can help people cope in times of crisis. Jamila Rodrigues is an anthropologist focused on well-being and crisis management. She completed her Ph. D. in Dance Anthropology and Sufism embodied ritual practice at Roehampton University in London in 2017. She worked as a professional dancer and travel...

On episode 59 of the Ikigai Podcast, Nick speaks with director Yujiro Seki about his film and the importance of craftsmanship in Japan. Yujiro Seki is a filmmaker with a BA in Film from the University of California, Berkeley. After obtaining a permanent US residency, he studied full-time in the Cinematography program at the UCLA Extension.  Upon graduating, he embarked on the journey of making his...

In episode 58 of the Ikigai Podcast, Nick welcomes back Sachiaki Takamiya to discuss how Ikigai bio-hacking can benefit both personal well-being and the environment. Sachiaki Takamiya is an author and sustainable life coach. He is the author of the Ikigai Diet and Ikigai Bio-Hacking: Bio-Hacking Based on Japanese Natural Health. He was a guest on episode 3 of the Ikigai Podcast - “What Ikigai Mean...

On episode 57 of the Ikigai Podcast, Nick speaks with Sachiaki Takamiya about applying ikigai bio-hacking to our daily lives to improve our quality of life. Sachiaki Takamiya is an author and sustainable life coach. He is the author of the Ikigai Diet and Ikigai Bio-Hacking: Bio-Hacking Based on Japanese Natural Health. He was a guest on episode 3 of the Ikigai Podcast - “What Ikigai Means to Japa...