Think Opposite Podcast

In this episode, we explore the vital distinction between blindly trusting an employee and practically accepting their inherent weaknesses. Kaz Matsune shares the story of Mike, a long-term worker who consistently forgets equipment, to illustrate how leadership frustration often stems from expecting others to behave exactly like ourselves. Instead of relying on anger or repeated corrections, we di...

In this episode, sushi chef Kaz Matsune explores why teenagers often learn new skills more effectively than highly successful professionals. Drawing from his experience teaching sushi-making, he observes that adults frequently struggle to absorb instructions because their minds are cluttered with preconceived notions and past experiences. Unlike younger learners who remain open and flexible, execu...

In this episode, sushi chef and author Kaz Matsune reflects on the lessons he has learned about self-worth and professional purpose. After experiencing the fleeting excitement of going viral in a commercial, he came to realize that a leader’s value should come from inner conviction rather than public recognition or external praise. Matsune also shares insights into his writing process and explains...

In this episode, entrepreneur and speaker Kaz Matsune reflects on the psychological impact of his unexpected viral fame following a successful commercial. He explores the dangerous emotional trap of tying our self-worth to public recognition and external validation. Matsune explains that while customer feedback can be a valuable tool for professional growth, it should never determine our sense of...

In this episode, chef Kaz Matsune reflects on the importance of punctuality, professionalism, and effective time management. Through the story of a disastrous catering event, he explains how his inability to say no to an unreasonable client request ultimately compromised the quality of his service. Matsune argues that being truly “on time” means more than simply arriving at a scheduled hour. It re...

In this episode, celebrated sushi chef and author Kaz Matsune explores the philosophical connection between his craft and human relationships. He reflects on the paradox of making sushi: while the process involves physically cutting and separating pieces from a whole, it can ultimately bring people closer together. Through personal stories, including sharing leftovers with a neighbor and his wife,...

What does it take to become a bestselling author when you don’t even like writing? In this episode, Kaz Matsune shares the unexpected journey that took him from answering questions about sushi on Quora to becoming the author of five books. Along the way, he discovered a simple approach to writing that changed not only his relationship with the craft, but also the way he tells his own story. We tal...

In this episode, Kaz Matsune shares a leadership lesson he learned after several temporary workers either quit or complained about being assigned dishwashing duties. He realized that while he assumed “cleaning up” naturally included washing dishes, many workers interpreted the role differently based on their own experience and expectations. By making his job descriptions more specific and transpar...

In this episode, we explore the surprising truth behind the term “sushi grade”—a label that isn’t officially defined by the FDA, but instead depends on the trained judgment of experienced sushi chefs. Author Kaz Matsune explains how mekiki, the ability to recognize truly exceptional fish, is developed through decades of hands-on practice and repetition. The conversation goes beyond sushi, revealin...

In this episode, we explore the power of intellectual humility and why embracing the unknown is essential for effective leadership and business growth. Through a memorable conversation with a catering business owner and personal stories about unexpected failures—like serving edamame and tamago—Kaz Matsune reveals how our assumptions can create blind spots that hold us back. Discover how recognizin...

In this episode, Kaz Matsune reflects on the deeper meaning of bowing and how this simple gesture has shaped his life through Japanese culture and tradition. Sharing personal stories from his years in the sushi business, he explains how bowing—even to something as small as a single screw—can become a practice of humility, gratitude, and respect for the interconnectedness of all things. Kaz explore...

In this episode, professional sushi chef and author Kaz Matsune shares the inspiring story of an unexpected mentorship that transformed both teacher and student. What began with a chance meeting at a catering event led to a two-year journey of learning, as Alice—a server with no culinary experience—set out to master the art of sushi. Along the way, Matsune discovered that true expertise is driven...

This is a free preview of a paid episode. To hear more, visit kazmatsune.substack.com In this episode, Kaz Matsune explores why true mastery begins with a deep commitment to the fundamentals before moving on to advanced techniques. Using the art of sushi as a powerful metaphor, he explains why aspiring chefs must first master the challenging task of slicing vegetables like daikon and scallions bef...

This is a free preview of a paid episode. To hear more, visit kazmatsune.substack.com This episode explores the ethical complexities of killing animals for food through the personal story of Kaz Matsune. By contrasting Japan’s acceptance of live seafood preparation with the discomfort it often evokes among Western diners, the episode examines the contradictions in our relationship with the food ch...

This is a free preview of a paid episode. To hear more, visit kazmatsune.substack.com In this episode, entrepreneur Kaz Matsune shares the story of how his company, Breakthrough Sushi, evolved from a modest startup into a forward-thinking model of remote operations. He reflects on the challenges he faced in the early 2010s, when relying on mobile communication and operating without a physical offi...

This is a free preview of a paid episode. To hear more, visit kazmatsune.substack.com This episode explores how refining the language we use can help solve complex business and interpersonal challenges that are often mistaken for simple communication problems. Author and entrepreneur Kaz Matsune argues that issues such as burnout, misalignment, and poor performance frequently arise from vague term...

This is a free preview of a paid episode. To hear more, visit kazmatsune.substack.com In this episode, we explore why popular formulas for success often fall short. Using the precision of baking and sushi-making as powerful metaphors, we examine how achievement depends not only on following a proven method, but also on factors such as timing, environment, and individual skill. The conversation cha...

This is a free preview of a paid episode. To hear more, visit kazmatsune.substack.com This episode explores the concept of synergy through the culinary art of sushi, showing how tuna nigiri becomes far more than the sum of its parts. Author Kaz Matsune explains how true excellence in business and teamwork comes not from simply adding more people or features, but from combining elements in ways tha...

This is a free preview of a paid episode. To hear more, visit kazmatsune.substack.com This episode explores the philosophical and practical impossibility of ever truly duplicating a recipe. Author Kaz Matsune reflects on how every culinary moment is shaped by constantly changing variables — temperature, ingredient ripeness, timing, and even human touch — making each dish inherently unique and impo...

This is a free preview of a paid episode. To hear more, visit kazmatsune.substack.com In this episode, Kaz Matsune explores how the language used within a business shapes its culture, decision-making, and overall success. He explains how precise terminology — such as distinguishing a prospective lead from a paying client — creates a clearer shared perspective and helps protect a company’s resource...

This is a free preview of a paid episode. To hear more, visit kazmatsune.substack.com In this episode, we explore a dramatic breakdown in leadership during a high-pressure catering event, where equipment failure left the main course impossible to prepare on time. Rather than responding with clear communication or decisive action, the management team froze under pressure and ultimately abandoned th...

This is a free preview of a paid episode. To hear more, visit kazmatsune.substack.com This episode shares the personal journey of Kaz Matsune, founder of Breakthrough Sushi. He reflects on hosting his very first sushi class in 2008, where he faced self-doubt and even basic mistakes like burning the rice. Through this experience, Kaz reveals a powerful idea: true mastery begins when you have the co...

This is a free preview of a paid episode. To hear more, visit kazmatsune.substack.com Author Kaz Matsune explores the intersection of biology, psychology, and leadership through the lens of preparing and consuming fugu. He argues that the thrill of eating poisonous blowfish is a neurochemical experience where fear enhances flavor, creating a sense of calculated conquest for the diner. This phenome...

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