There are many ways to lead a life
Everybody has stories and I want to hear yours and tell theirs
A project that started in mid 2019 but had been on the radar for many years. Some history here of how it all began. In 2020, with the Covid-19 crisis, we moved into doing podcasts as well. The first new podcast episode was released in August 2020. Season 4 of the podcast started September 21st, 2021 and season 5 kicked off in April 2022.
Not interested in surface tales of business or life-cliches, I have carefully selected a group of people to bring the richness of their lives to the table with incredible frankness and depth. Each is successful in their own way, have built, created, lost, grieved, started again, moved, traveled, celebrated, and delighted in life. Please revel in the richness of these legends. So you never miss an episode follow my Youtube channel here and Podcast channel here or you can catch any past episodes you missed, along with all show notes by heading to our channel on Apple Podcasts.
Season 7 theme is Reinvention, Renaissance and the Phoenix rising from the flame. Not only that, but a new series, ‘Creative Musings’ where I muse, with a coaching lens, on different themes in between guests. These musings are the most open I’ve ever been and have been receiving a positive response. Season 8 is all about “Skin in the Game”.
Legends Podcast - Season 8
In this season finale, we meet Matthew. When you have cancer, you can become cancer. I was very very clear that I did not want this entire interview to be focussed entirely on Matthew and his cancer. He is so much more than that. Any person is more than their leading image. It goes without saying that this past 8 years have been focused, in the large part, on Matthew’s relationship to his stage 4 cancer but I want to know more about the person.
What I learned about having any kind of cancer, is that it will be different for each person depending on their means, their support, the access they have to information and resources, to their own strengths, weaknesses, preferences and abilities, and how people can leverage them to survive from treatment to treatment.
Release from daily bullshit is fertile ground for creative freedom, frank talk, and advocacy. It’s also a space for good men, creative forces, and the usual rabbit hole of musings with Sarah. In this episode, Sarah reflects on her final guest of the season, someone who engages in daily dialogues with death. Their unique proximity to mortality, living with it for the past eight years, allows them to speak with an unfiltered honesty. This conversation takes Sarah down a path of inquiry into good men, the masks people wear, her latest obsessions, and thoughts about life... and much more.
For this episode, Sarah sat down with the remarkable Sarajean Rossitto, a force of positive change in the nonprofit sector. With a wealth of experience and a passion for empowering communities, Sarajean shares her journey, insights, and the pivotal moments that have shaped her career.
Sarajean and Sarah could have talked for hours. She truly is a legend of influence, impact and social change. Currently based out of Tokyo, Japan, hailing from New York State in America, with her ancestry in Italy they talked about the influence of her Italian side (which relates to Sarah’s Liverpool side) on her way of being in the world, in this conversation and her commitment to hope for the USA.
In this episode of Legends Podcast, Sarah Furuya delves into the themes of "Saunter & Frolic", "Creative Musings" and "Slowing Down".
Sarah shares her reflections and experiences over the past few weeks, discussing the inevitability of celebrity influence and the impact it has on our daily lives. She candidly recounts an incident involving a partially recorded session and the challenges of staying focused amidst interruptions. This episode promises to provide listeners with an insightful and engaging exploration of creativity and personal musings.
Dr Steven Morgan, described Skin in the Game as taking some kind of risk; in his case in service of the art, the music, the listener, the singers, and himself. In service of the third entity; the actual entity that sits with a life, between all these individual entities. And being vulnerable in the name of authenticity and in the name of creating the very best experience of the music for all the players.
Being a conductor and a composer is a special niche of humanity, yet it relates to any of us who are trying to bring things together in the service of beauty, art and muse.
Kwan Chan - what a man! He is so humble and genuine, I felt peace talking to him. He has this lovely childlike essence coupled with an absolutely mature and mindful approach-building skill and he has incredible body strength - check out his YouTube channel to see his breaking. Skills that apply not only to dance but all areas of life. It was just the conversation I needed to have. Sage wisdom from this fierce and gentle soul. And deep creativity.
Sarah Furuya shares her journey of dismantling old beliefs and societal norms, blending humor and insight to highlight the importance of slowing down and redefining success. Plus talks about her upcoming retreat with Angela Ortiz Pettas, Saunter and Frolic later this month in Mobara.
Victoria Close takes us on a time travel through the ages explaining how she has Skin in the Game and we go into the past to Victoria’s teen business, we visit her early aspirations and how during the time she was selecting what to do. We also travel into future Victoria surrounded by artists and artisans, in a very special place and we dreamed up big, dense, thick, coffee cake that resists a knife.
We talk about how her dreams came full circle when she started Biku Designs.
Joy leads us on a mystical journey through thin places, magical backstreets, tarot, mysticism, poetry, grief and death. day jobs and other jobs.
Joy read two of her poems for us - her poetry is like Shibuya at night; all of it. Neon, concrete, streets, softness, sex, longing, eros, grime and stubble. Her inaugural book of poems Pause::Heartbeat is a visceral trip through Tokyo humanity, pleasure, longing and self. When I first read it I was stunned; 4 years ago, it brought me back to those days of grime, risk, and physicality of being young. The tawdry tales of a life lived fully in the light and dark.
Sarah muses on some wildly creative, yet ethically questionable facilitations she did in the past.
Also on evolutions she’s gone through in her coaching practice.
She wonders has she lost her coaching mojo…?
Find out on this episode!
*please note none of this episode, or any episode, besides any cited research is anything but Sarah musing, in real time, about events in her life. It has a coaching context, and a psychological backbone. Don’t take her advice under any circumstances…
In this episode dive into the multifaceted world of Michael Bain, a true mountain legend who has dedicated his life to removing barriers. Explore the symbolism of the surfboard under the arm of a young, blond, tanned Michael, representing the essence of taking time—for relationships, preparation, and rest. Discover the wisdom he finds in video games and mountains, including a surprising connection between Sarah's Mt. Fuji climb and his work with Shine on Kids. Michael Bain seamlessly navigates his diverse roles as the Director of Drag Haus von Schwarz, Event Producer for Shine on Kids Cancer Charity, and founder of Bainsoft, a talent agency and localization studio. In this captivating conversation, Michael also reflects on many things.
Reintroducing Creative Musings and talking about the theme of this season’s podcast, Skin in the Game. Musing on what it is about the people who have been really piquing Sarah’s interest recently and what connects the guests.
Sarah talks about her love of creative folk, and the last season of reinventors. Everyone in fact. Whether buying land to build a sculpture studio, traveling across the world to enter a hardcore Karate dojo, starting a drag house, becoming a citizen of Japan to have political influence, starting a radio show, falling in love, recovering from business disaster, so many of the past Legends guests had put serious skin in the game.
In the compelling conversation we meet a woman who has touched many thousands of lives with her Brilliant Biz and Life Academy and created wealth, confidence and happiness for herself, her family and for her clients. She is a multi-award-winning entrepreneur, loved-up wife and partner and parent of two and the creator of many many life-changing trainings and classes.
While it hasn’t all been plain sailing Leonie has remained true to her calling, her heart and intuition and this is among the topics we muse on in this conversation.
Legends Podcast - Season 7
Dedicated to Yasuko Mori - RIP
It is with deep sadness and great respect that I talk about the influence that Mori Yasuko had on so many people in our Tokyo community. She influenced me in positive ways to look at business through a new lens of service and innovation. She made a unique contribution to society. I will miss her monthly paper newsletters that were full of personal and business information. But mostly I will miss her. We each contribute to one another. Each small business or organisation provides some kind of service that makes life fuller or easier. Ease, order, beauty, lawfulness, coaching, administration, body-care, relaxation, all those things that your friends or family can’t always provide.
Sarah T’s unique take on life design and crafting her life, really made me think. She has always had a pretty fine-tuned compass for what she does and doesn’t want but then her therapist made a revelation to her, about her early life, that really made her think about what was driving her.
Sarah has moved around the world a number of times, from rural Hawaii to Urban Hawaii, from continental USA to Japan and now Europe with kids, a partner, a corporate career and a music radio show, that I am rather envious of (I’m always curious about envy - what’s it’s message???).
What I love about Sarah is her refreshing honesty, sincerity and just how genuine she is. There’s a real grounded simplicity to the way she tells her story and the way she made, then reflected on her Legend.
This Creative Musings episode is a love letter to all of my coaches. It is long and the indulgence is taking a trip through my coaching life from start to finish and all the fantastic coaches I had along the way. Honouring them and noting what impact they had on my life, the killer lines and insights they provided me with, and the influence they had in my building out my decisions, business and life choices. In what was a positive process, that reminded me of how effective, kind and professional they all were. AND what a terrific impact coaching can have on a life. I talk through my history and what attracted me to coaching and how different coaches fulfill different life stages and requirements.
Introducing Brittany Arthur, legend of Human Design. This episode is dedicated to Uncle Rodney, who died in the line of duty
WHAT A WHIRLWIND! We had such a journey through Brittany’s life and I was furiously making notes and thinking HOW CAN I HIRE THIS WOMAN?
We talk about Basics of Design-centred thinking and the concept of life-prototyping and being values-driven and how Brittany designed her family and business to work for her (it’s not what you think) and so much more.
Tales from the Red Cross hospital and fair warning Sarah talks about her recent surgery and she talks about it very openly.
WITH SWEAR WORDS.
In sharing this information it may encourage people to better advocate for their medical health and care, and have a good experience of a hospital stay.
She talks about what she requested, how she requested it, and what she let go of in order to have a peaceful stay.
In this conversation, Sam is incredibly generous and vulnerable with what he reveals in his reinventions. One of the things I love about doing these podcasts is the conversations it sparks and the ripples the questions send out into the families of the guests and the world.
In answering the questions about reinvention, Sam, his Mum and his Dad had conversations they had never had before, and Sam heard stories about his Dad he had never heard before (His Dad is a famous Australian ceramicist, John Gilbert) he found out more about his reinvention from schoolteacher to potter and beyond. It’s easy to track where Sam gets his entrepreneurial spirit, work ethic and drive from.
How’s your menopause going? Graceful? Elegant? Calm? Congratulations…
Mine’s been a violent, rupturing shitstorm. A menostorm.
And this week I’m taking radical action (I sometimes encourage my clients to do this too - radical action might be the way to go). I am telling the story of a major life transition I am undertaking this week.
Depression! Haemorrhage! Desperation! Anaemia!
Get it all at the MENOSTORM.
What happens when we follow dragons? We’ll find out what brought Gretchen to Dairyuji Temple, which means ‘Big Dragon’ Temple in Akita in the North West of Japan’s largest Island Honshu. Also Fleabag was not the only one who found a hot priest!
We take a trip through ancestral lines to the women who reinvented radically over the years both deliberately and in response to tragedy and loss. We honour our lineage and our ancestors and the surprises and wisdom that are brought to us, through them, even from beyond the grave. I was honored to welcome Gretchen back to the podcast.
Season 7 episode 8 of the Legends Podcast - creative musings from Sarah. Have you ever looked at a friend, colleague or person in your constellation and thought ‘They should get an award.’?
Well I did and I thought … ‘I want to have an awards ceremony at my ten-year anniversary party’... So that’s what I did. There was a rigorous and thorough application process, selection process and selection committee. Not really - who’s got time for that? And so the SFC Many Ways Awards was conceived and manifested. It involved Amazon orders, googly eyes and barefaced cheek.
In this Creative Musings episode Sarah muses on five stories of unconditional love that I have experienced since I was a child, covering generosity experienced at school, to a shocking surprise gift at Christmas to unbelievable gestures in Japan, two from my love. Some great mentions of past legends in this episode as well.
Each story is related to attachment styles and how Sarah is trying to develop and enhance her own secure attachment style. These vocal essays are a treat for Sarah to perform and her highest dream is that a little positivity will be felt as they spread into the ether.
Back in the late 2000s, a hoop rolled into Deanne’s life that changed her life forever. In early 2011 something else rolled in, and swept away one life to make way for the life Deanne has built since then.
Deanne has Soul. She’s wise. She’s wild. She built a 6-figure business from teaching Hula-hooping. The woman is the royalty of reinvention, a magician of making things happen and clever.
Relationship Anarchy - Have you heard of such a thing?
Well this concept got right down deep into the potent magic and had me musing on relationships past and dreaming up relationship potential and ways.
My guest on November 21st 2023 introduced me to the idea of Relationship Anarchy and it opened up a depth, invited in the trickster and shifted my view. The most creative people will do that. There are many ways to lead a life.
Nicholas Pettas - The Legend of Karate
What happens when a K-1 fight you appear in takes 48% of the TV viewing ratings in Japan? You become a household name in Japan.
And that is what happened to our Legends guest, where he became a household name in Japan at the turn of the Millennium. Since then Nic has had many reinventions, renaissance and has risen like a Phoenix from the fire over and over as any professional athlete MUST do in order to move with their bodies, minds and spirit and constantly create new versions of themselves.
Creative Musings: Relationship Renaissance
In this episode, you hear Sarah talk about her relationship as she celebrates 21 years of being with her partner, her love, her husband, her housemate. When it comes to relationships and marriage, her husband Kei and her have it absolutely solved…PERFECT. And in this episode, as a life coach, she will be telling you the definitive list of to-dos for your perfect relationship. No, No, No!
Let it be known that this is simply creative musings, and while Sarah is a Relationship Systems Coach with a slew of techniques for working with relationships and couples - she is NOT a counselor, NOT a marriage expert and certainly no Esther Perel nor John Gottman (although she highly recommends their work), this is simply her half of their story; their legend. Listen as she tells the story of the myth and the legend of Sarah and Kei.
First guest for season 7. Introducing the Alcohol Mindset Coach Kathryn Elliott, Australia’s leading Alcohol Mindset Coach and advocate for Breast Cancer Awareness.
This episode is released coincidentally during Breast Cancer Awareness Month and Kath has her own shocking story about breast cancer, and the hidden links between breast cancer and alcohol consumption in women. Kath has risen like a Phoenix from the Fire to shine a light on such links in her home of Australia and reveals this to the general public. Kath is frank and generous in sharing her binge-drinking journey, recovery and reinvention, and also shares with us beautiful stories of solidarity, with friends and clients, when they can’t find their way into optimistic stories for themselves.
Creative Musings: One Year Sober
Sobriety is bloody hard - and it gets easier and it also doesn’t. I am baby-sober.
Being sober or alcohol-free is a daily practice and ritual that I am ever-mindful about. Nothing and I do, and I mean nothing I have ever done, studied, practiced or achieved in life comes even close to how hard and revealing giving up drinking alcohol has been. Nothing. In this recording, I make attempts to make sense of the past year, yet it is still unfolding in front of me - 38 years worth of committed boozing is not unfurled in one year. Yet unfurl it does. Over and over like the seasons, like nature, like a fern on a forest floor in the dark and light. As such the podcast episode is a long, rambling, creative musing about my first-year-foray into an alcohol-free life.
Legends Podcast- Season 6
Sarah Furuya: The Legend ofHerself, Part 2
In Part 2 we really get into the excitement of what’s coming next for Sarah Furuya Creative, the evolution of Sarah Furuya Coaching. You can find part 1 here.
The episode touches on some of the shifts you will start to see with Sarah Furuya Creative, what happened during Covid and the aftermath that took a toll on Sarah and the magic of supporting small businesses and believing people when they tell what they do and most importantly, celebrating 10 years of Sarah Furuya Coaching and the next 10 years.
Sarah Furuya: The legend of Herself (Part 1)
This is Part 1 of a 2 part episode. Breadth and depth. Sarah is interviewed by Angela Ortiz Pettas, one of Sarah’s great friends, for this deep dive into Sarah’s story. Sarah and Angela discuss those game changers and the guides that contributed to the Sarah you see today. They go way back into Sarah’s history, and the golden threads that tie her life together to where she is now.
Kate Kamoshita: The Legend of Education & Advocacy
Kate and I show you what it looks like when two people who have ADHD record a podcast episode. We really want to bring to light stories of people who have been marginalised and struggle because of their neurodiversity. If you are neurotypical, we hope you feel more informed and neurodiverse people will feel a little less alone. Kate talks about being diagnosed in her 30s, and how she advocates for others.
Henry and Sasha Lee Seals: Legends of Legacy
Welcome to season 6 of the Legends Podcast. The theme of Guides in this first episode, the Game Changers Series. Sasha Lee Seals and Henry Seals are here to do what they can to make Japan a country where all its people feel like they can achieve anything.
Legends Podcast- Season 5
Marcellus Nealy: Legend of Spoken Word
Marcellus shares his journey from extreme poverty in his childhood in Ohio to making it to Japan and becoming a lyricist and performer for Dreams Come True, a hugely successful Japanese music group. With many challenges and overt racism along the way, we hear how Marcellus never let that stop him from being the person he wanted to be and how with his ingenuity and creativity mixed in with a bit of magic and opportunity he is where he is today.
Tania Coke: Legend of Corporeal Mime
The marriage between lunacy and logic is our theme in this episode with Tania Coke, a corporeal mime teacher and performer now based in Osaka. Tania is artistic director of tarinainanika, a physical theatre company she runs together with Kentaro Suyama, the Flying Carpet Factory. The company specialises in Corporeal Mime, an art form centered on the creativity and physical expression of the actor. As well as the company they run a full time school where they are busy nurturing the next generation of actor-creators.
Neil Young: Legend of Beauty
It's the magic that keeps us together. Neil Young has been a mentor to me at a time when I really needed it. In this episode you will hear how his home became a refuge in Hurricane Sandy but also how he showed me what was possible as I embarked on my entrepreneurial journey. Neil will steal your heart too. We follow his career from the UK to New York, to meeting Linda Evangelista who he once had a shrine to. Also a shout out to our dear friend Max!
Zoë Cobb: Legend of Movement
Zoë Cobb joined a passing circus and was invited to sit next to a Lama in Tibet when she needed it most. These are just some of the stories of the mystical that “widen the scale of possible” in this episode of the Legends Interview Podcast. Zoë takes us on her journey across the world to where she is now in Milan, Italy with her gorgeous family, one of whom makes an appearance in this episode!
Kate Thomson: Legend of Sculpture
How on earth does a young woman from Edinburgh find her way to Iwate Prefecture, in the depths of Tohoku to become a successful sculptor? A sculptor of gigantic stone public art you see in front of buildings all over the world. You are about to hear the Legend of Kate Thomson. If you are an artist at heart, that did something else like I did, you will love this episode and I hope it inspires you to bring yourself back to your art.
Neil Chapman and D Whom: Legend of Identity
Beautiful, spiritual, morbid, incredible darlings whose deepest value is decay…My guests are Neil Chapman and D Whom, who pull back one of their seven veils in this episode, sharing how they came to be in Tokyo and how they are pushing out the edge. Influencing culture. These two respected artists float my boat hard.
Laura Cooper - Legend of Words
Magical, mythical, legendary. There is so much magic in this episode with Laura Cooper. We dive into the mystery of golden threads that run through a life and how it happens that the right opportunity comes along just when you are ready. Laura shares her journey from Buckinghamshire, to Japan, Bali, Spain and back to the UK to pursue her passion for writing and photography.
Aleksandar Dragičević - The Legend of Video
Welcome to Season 5 of the Legends Series. This episode starts with my guest Aleksandar Dragičević sharing his experience of the bombing of Belgrade, now Serbia in 1999 when he was just 19 years old and about to embark on a journey to Japan. A chance conversation in a nightclub shines a light on a possibility for Aleks and his life is never the same after that as he is whisked to Tokyo on a modelling contract. This episode is dedicated to the memory of Marilyn Klein and Thierry Mugler.
Legends Podcast- Season 4
Season finale
Join us for another WTF happened next episode, this time checking in on Sarah Furuya Coaching client and friend, Angela Ortiz. Get ready to hear about falling in love, moving in, getting engaged, planning a wedding, kids moving out, losing a job and still being ok. All in just 14 months. But being better than ok, choosing to frolic through it all actually. Angela shows us a new way to approach relationships and why it’s important to frolic.
This episode is dedicated to Leah Moreno, a dear friend and mentor of my guest Tiffany Rossdale whose death is still unsolved. It is a true honour to have Tiffany on the Legends Interview Series, and that she feels safe to share her story with us. Physical and psychological safety for the LGBTQ+ community should be a given, but as we arrive in 2022, it is still far away for many. Tiffany shares her story of transformation and I hope this window into the life of this stunning and optimistic transgender women will contribute to this.
We all experienced the pandemic in different ways. We experienced loss in different ways. I’d like to share the story of WTF happened next to Tracey Northcott, in the two years since we recorded the very first Legends Series interview together. We finished that first legend with what was supposed to be a very bright future ahead for Tracey and her family. In this episode Tracey has so frankly and openly shared the raw truth of the disaster that was 2020 and the rebuilding and the evolution that was 2021, how she managed and how she had such enormous trauma, but also started to recognize what she does have.
Aii Futaki - Legend of the Sea
Inexplicably connected to the ocean, Ai Futaki has made herself into a woman you should know about. Ai is one of the very few people in the world who conveys the splendor of the sea and the human-water connection. A two time Guinness World Record holder for freediving in a cave, with and without fins, Ai brings images from underwater to us on the shore to inspire us and to spur us into action in Season 4, episode 5 of the Legends Interview Podcast.
I am thrilled to welcome back the beautiful, talented, and incredible Mei Sawada for a “What the F happened next?” episode. I'm so interested to know what happened to people over the last two years, how COVID was for them, what they did and what things were on the back burner. I spoke to Lindsay in S4 Episode 2, who is Mei’s mum. She talked about the changes she's made in the yoga studio. But also we threw in a teaser for what happened next for Mei after she moved out of home. Here is your chance to find out what the F happened next to the breathtakingly accomplished and determined Mei Sawada. Catch Mei’s first time on the podcast here.
This episode is dedicated to the memory of Sherwin Laptiste, my guest Petra Laptiste’s father who passed on 10 years ago. I want to thank Petra for her generous sharing of so many stories in this episode of her family and ancestors. We go on a virtual tour of the Caribbean to Japan, to Africa and the Middle East all in one episode with Petra as our wonderful guide.
It has been two years since I recorded the Legends episode with Lindsey. This is the first in a mini episode series: What the fuck happened next? Lindsey Sawada has gone through some fantastic transformational experiences since we spoke to her in September 2019 and I can’t wait to share her growth and achievements with you all.
What the fuck happened since we last spoke to Lindsey back in September 2019!
Helping abused, neglected, and orphaned children living in Japanese care homes to develop skills and confidence through outdoor programs. This is what my wonderful guest Kozue Oka, director of Mirai no Mori or “Future Forest” does. She is just 30 years old but has packed so much into those years. I would love you to share in this story of someone helping children to grow into happy and successful young adults through the power of being in nature. She explains the difference between care homes and orphanages, how studying abroad helped make nature part of her life and her journey to becoming the director of NPO Mirai no Mori.
Legends Podcast- Season 3
Katherine North- Legend of Heathen Mysticism
Introducing Katherine North, the legend of heathen mysticism. The last legend of this season.
“Women’s bodies are potent territory, you could even say that they have magical powers and so the urge to control them is about power.”
We had so much fun and pin-balled around time and topics from Religions (of course) to babies, abortion, parenting, marriage, name changes, transition, big families, small families, disaster, earthquakes, acting, Japan, truth, the embarrassment of me meeting her Mum, wild Tokyo in the 2000s, her memoir and more.
Once upon a time there was a little girl who was terrified, who was raised in the church with her devout evangelical Missionary Christian parents, but she held a deep dark secret inside of her…
Kingsley Kobayashi- Legend of Entrepreneurship & Giving
Introducing Kinglsey Kobayashi, the legend of entrepreneurship and giving.
“The measure of a person’s life is the effect they have on others”.
Kingsley is a gentleman and great company - so many stories from his humble upbringing in Nigeria; raised by his grandmother and single parent father, who as a teacher would take Kingsley to school with him from aged 9 months. Kinglsey contributed to the family from a very young age and learned his work ethic early on, working before and after school and being schooled in the tougher end of economics by his Grandmother. From there he moved to Lagos and started his company and from there, this fascinating Legend turns to Asia and we take you on that journey.
Baye McNeil- Legend of Self Esteem
‘When you have healthy self esteem and you see everyone as your equal, you approach the world differently’
Baye is a high-profile writer; columnist in Japan Times’ Black Eye, author of TWO best-selling books “Hi My Name is Loco and I am a Racist” and “Loco in Yokohama”. I can’t even tell you how many other things Baye has done - listen in and visit his website.
Baye is charming, funny, serious, and fascinating - he opened my world up in the first 5 minutes of this interview. It is my opinion that Baye will go down in history as a great influencer and activist in Japan.
Karen Hill Anton- Legend of Crossing Cultures & Turning Corners
“I wouldn’t burden myself or create anxiety about the past. I tend not to live in the past”
In Karen’s book ‘The View From Breast Pocket Mountain’ before I even got to page 50 she had introduced me to her young relationship with Joseph Heller, author of Catch 22, hanging out with Neneh Cherry (childhood hero of mine). Now, I am a sloooooow reader - I like that about myself - I read about 10 books a year and these days listen to more, but I decided to purchase Karen’s book and dip in before our conversation. I couldn’t put it down.
I am genuinely changed through our conversation - I just loved listening to her talking about being a mother and taking the next steps, humbling herself to being both inside and outside a culture and living a full life in the Japanese countryside.
Make it stand out
Chuck Johnson- Legend of Action
“Punches of positivity”
”Diversity is part of the human condition”
“I really do believe it’s all about trusting your instincts”
Every single conversation I think to myself ‘this was my favourite conversation to date’. This conversation with Chuck Johnson is no exception and Chuck IS exceptional. He is gentle, confident, detailed, humble, generous, social-impact minded and terrific company.
Chuck is also a gentleman. A gentleman who has followed his passion for martial arts across the globe and continues to learn, master, take action and grow as well as takin his place as the sensei at his Tokyo dojo and his company Quiet Flame - more apt a name I cannot think of for Chuck.
Emergency Conversation with the legend, Nina Cataldo
#POWERFULASIANWOMEN #POWERFULASIANWOMAN
Nina Cataldo, founder of Hafu Ladies, DEI specialist and Brave and Bold Mastermind leader had an epiphany following a racially hostile encounter last week that coincided with the tragic murders of 8 people in Atlanta.
We honour these people and their families in their grief.
Listen to this conversation as we hear Nina retell her stories, experiences and her call to action to recognise, honour and amplify Powerful Asian Women.
Leza Lowitz- Legend of Tokyo Yoga
You can see me working things through here as new information comes in from Leza - it’s one of the things I love about these conversations and these legends - what I learn. New ways to think and feel through life.
There’s so much richness in Leza’s story - from the American Mid-West in Iowa, to Key West, Florida then Berkley California, this is a story of the ages. An American story that lands in Japan then continues to evolve.
We cover so much in this conversation from the Vietnam War to the 6 perfections of Buddhism, business, writing and motherhood - it’s all in here.
Vail Fletcher - Legend of Inter-species Collaboration
Discomfort is the birthplace of learning.”
From an upstate New York suburban upbringing to the unseated land of Wapato, Portland Oregon, which also goes by the name of Sauvie Island, Vail introduced me to ideas that turned me around inside and shifted my perspective. Seriously part way through Vail says something so profoundly moving that I gasp and go crosseyed (luckily you can’t see that on the podcast). Vail is an incredible mix of intellect, absolute clarity, and earth dweller. Vail’s intellect and humanity and inter-species collaboration is mind-shifting. She is absolutely the real deal and has me questioning my next move and where I want to take things going forward. She schooled me on Flypaths, and the ordinance of dark nights. She also says that love should be something we are thinking about and talking about and intellectualising more. “Why are my girlfriend relationships less important than my romantic relationships?”. Questions that we, in my coaching group, ask again and again. This is a conversation that I will come back to again and again.
Martine Cotton- Legend of Reinvention
“It’s never too late to start again”
Martine Cotton is something of a jill-of-many-trades, in more rarefied hallways perhaps you could call her a 'multipotentialite'. Mostly because she gets bored quickly once she's worked out the ins and outs of a role or skill. Now on the wrong (best?) side of 50, she has - for the first time ever - settled quite comfortably in the same house and city for over 6 years and absolutely loving being immersed in study.
Fiery feminist and cattle farmer move to New Guinea with with 2-week old Martine on their lap to build roads in the jungles.
Martine has had a fascinating life in one of the many many ways to lead them. Born in Brisbane, she has now returned there by way of New Guinea, Japan, Far North Queensland and many exciting music tours around Australia.
What have Powderfinger, Gwen Stefani, Nick Cave and Mogwai got in common? Martine has stories about all of them
Gretchen Miura- Legend of Healing
Introducing Gretchen Miura Legend of Healing. Gretchen is a mindfulness teacher, avid maker and mother of four. Originally from New Jersey in America, Gretchen lives in northern Japan on the Oga peninsula where she and her husband run a Zen temple. She hosts mindfulness retreats, classes and workshops in English, as well as traditional ceremonies and activities for the local community. She sells her handmade bento bags, face masks and accessories at her online shop SORAbento. She is living a life focused on creativity, belonging and connection.
When Gretchen was 5, her 17 year old brother died in a car accident. This is the backdrop of her life since then. In this conversation Gretchen takes us on the journey of Chris, his death , her family, religion, and her path to acknowledging, dealing with and healing the suffering attached to her loss. And in fact the family loss.
This episode is dedicated to Chris.
Legends Podcast- Season 2
Susannah Streeter - Legend of Broadcasting
Introducing Susannah Streeter, highly experienced broadcaster
Fresh from her October appearance on Celebrity Pointless, a popular UK game show, and from hosting John Kerry, the Prime Minister of Norway, and royalty in 2019 at the Our Ocean conference, Susannah takes us on a journey from the idyllic countryside of South West England, to her spell as a child actor. Her love of France, being a reporter in the RAF squadron 7644; a media operations unit, how she got into broadcasting; working her way up from the University Newspaper, to becoming a BBC World Business Report anchor and regular BBC breakfast reporter. One year ago she became a senior investment and markets analyst at Hargreaves Lansdown and is finally based in her beloved Bristol.
Katie Chappell - Legend of Live Illustration
Introducing Illustrator Katie Chappell a virtual scribe and live event illustrator best known for her fresh wobbly illustration and giant live window paintings. She has created live illustrations for global clients including Apple, Facebook, Google, Chromebook, BT, Dove and Nespresso among many others.
Katie and I belong to the same coaching group around money mindset and I became instantly curious about her hilarious posts (you’ll see - she has a wicked sense of humour), about how her business was building and thriving, how generous and open she was about sharing what she was doing, earning and working on and how unafraid she is. That does not mean she doesn’t have boundaries - oh no, she has excellent boundaries, but she is also not scared to share intimate parts of her life journey, her income story, within the group, how she does therapy to help her to stay focussed on business. I find these are the people with a lot of growth - they move through their fear, or are unafraid yet also have great boundaries and are incredibly creative.
Francesca Conate- Legend of Africa in Japan
"You don’t have to be recognised as a Legend, to live like one."
I have lots of cups of tea in this one! And I’m reminded to text my Mum. Village life stretches across the globe! Cups of tea and texts home! In this uplifting and emotional conversation Francesca Conate talks about dealing with a drawn-out diagnosis, dating with a disability and bringing beautiful energy into the world and the connection between our mind and body.
Jane Best OBE- Legend of Fuji Rock
You will see Jane's great lust for life come through in this Legend. She is a force for good, and from an early age overcame chronic shyness and discovered debating. this led to a heightened political awareness and a theme that runs through Jane's work is a combination political activism and awareness, learning and unlearning how to give support and service, especially in the form catering and cooking. She has made Shepherds Pie for the Rolling Stones, released a book about traditional English cooking in Japanese, and has visited numerous refugee projects that Refugee Empowerment International has funded.
Liza Chantelle-Aono- Legend of Optimism
Introducing Liza, originally from London in England and with her roots in Jamaica, Liza is a Japan TV star for NHK’s Cool Japan, A Rotary Member, Former Miss Jamaica UK finalist, has worked for the Conservative party as one of David Cameron’s emerging leaders, Worked for Arsenal Football Club, lived in Shanghai and is parent to identical twin 4-year-old boys. In this episode we cover a whole range of fascinating topics from her parent’s tales of Jamaica to life in England and the miracle of her boys.
Jessica Korteman- Legend of Solo Travel
Introducing Jessica Korteman, Legend of Solo Travel. Jessica Korteman is an Australian travel writer, formerly based in Tokyo, Japan, now residing in Melbourne, Australia. She’s travelled to more than 50 countries, about half of them solo, and circumnavigated the globe three times – once by plane, once by ship and the other mostly overland.
Terri Macmillan- Legend of the people
Introducing Terri Macmillan, legend of humans
Punk hippie scholar poet & no religion, too.
NYC → Tokyo.
Please sit down and treat yourself to this energising, frank conversation where nothing is taboo. Just two grown-assed women talking about the different ways to lead a life.
Mei Sawada - Legend of Cirque du Soleil
Have you ever watched the Cirque du Soleil and thought "Who the hell does that and how did they get there?" Listen to this Legends Conversation with 18-year-old Mei Sawada to find out how! Do you want to know what it takes to be an elite athlete? How long it takes to train? What do you eat? What happens when you let your regimen slip! What kind of commitment and support is essential from family and teachers and other carers and guardians.
Nina Cataldo - Legend of Community Building
Legend of Community Building & The Hafu Ladies Community!
Nina was born into a family that treasures internationalism and was raised in a bi-cultural and bilingual household. Raised between Tokyo and America's beautiful Pacific Northwest, she used her passion for words and storytelling as a powerful tool to connect people with the world
Angela Ortiz- Legend of Social Impact
Columbian American Stratechist, spartan & Social impact specialist. Angela was born in the US and raised in Japan, from a very big family of 11 children. Her journey with exploring ancestry, birth order, her place within the family and mining the family history for stories and creating connection. She speaks openly about the moment when she realized her parents were humans and where that led her. You can read more about our conversation here.
Legends Podcast & Video Series -Season 1
Die Schwarze Frau, Yukiro Dravarious, Drag Queen Extraordinaire
From rural Sweden to Premier Tokyo Performer. We tumble down the rabbit hole of joy, delight and coincidence and enter the magical world of people who live their live creatively, bravely, alternatively, queerly, colourfully, fully and unapologetically. Welcome to the Haus of Schwarz. Welcome to a fully expressed fantasy. Welcome to courage, conviction and another element of the human experience. Welcome to life up the bellcurve. "ALWAYS FORWARD, NEVER STRAIGHT!"
Sarah & Kyle- Legends behind Legends Series
This is a glimpse behind the curtain of the way videos are put together and the thinking and evolution of the Legends Series. It’s a way for us to process and talk about the fantastic people we were delighted to work with and interview and just what we took away and what it means to us. Not only that, but the process, on the back end of how we put all this stuff together. It maps to real life, it really does. Review of the first 5 legends.
Morgan Fisher, Rock Legend- Part 2
Therapy, meditation and his time in India: the gift that keeps giving + His tribute to John Lennon - a collaboration with Yoko Ono and how he found himself creating a beautiful version of one of John's most beloved songs in her hotel room as well as Learning French and the joy of immersion and the beginning of his time as a global nomad.
Morgan Fisher, Rock Legend- Part 1
Keyboardist, Musician, Creator, Rock legend and one of the most authentic and sweet people I know. Part 1 of our conversation with so many legendary moments Since age 16 Morgan has been in bands including Love Affair who had a huge hit with ‘Everlasting Love’, Mott the Hoople, of ‘All the Young Dudes’ fame and has collaborated with Yoko Ono, jammed with REM and was supported by Queen in the Mott the Hoople days!
Tia Haygood- Legend of TopTia Photography
Tia Haygood of TopTia Photography has an infectious energy and a wicked sense of humor. From North Carolina, to Tokyo, from Law School to photography. Find out the books that piqued her curiosity and led her to come to Japan and follow her dream, how she transitioned from teaching to full time photographer and the importance of being seen, recognising opportunities and saying YES to them.
Maya Ileto- Legend of Mayamoves
Maya Ileto talks to us about her early years, living in numerous countries with her academic parents. We learn how she recovered from years of heartache by finding a home in her body and how she transitioned her business from working full time in the NPO world to full time in her movement and body business. There's a lot of wisdom in this interview.
Lindsey Sawada- The legend of Setagaya
In this Legend interview with Lindsey Sawada of Setagaya Yoga Studio we have some great fun talking about cultural heritage, getting on with things, DIY, family, dancing and following your dreams, returning from detours away from your dreams, finding your calm, choosing to be happy and being yourself with skill and control.
Tracey Northcott- Part 2
The fabulous tales, twists and turns to reveal in this conversation. From Australian born but long-term resident of Tokyo, Tracey -the personal to the professional and everything in between - this hero's journey is the one to watch. But as these waves ebb and flow, so she rides them.
Tracey Northcott- Part 1
“If you wait for things to be perfect, that ship sails…”
So many gems of wisdom in this wonderful interview, Part 1 from Tracey. Tracey Northcot of Enfour, Tokyo Family Stays and Tracey Northcott Consulting, is a serial entrepreneur and multi-preneur who has her finger on the pulse of the waves of opportunity that present in the Zeitgeist.
Divorce, devotion, Food science, sales and so many different phases in this fascinating life.