Lance E. Lee Podcast from Tokyo

For the commemorative 200th episode, a renowned Japanese pop singer, a TIKTOK and YouTube phenomenon, and a former schoolmate of my sons, AISHA, joins me, graciously sharing her life and success story. AISHA is the pure radiance of passion and love for music. Handpicked by the school music teacher in elementary school, AISHA consumed everything related to singing, music, and performing. She is so down to earth and forthcoming, casually demonstrating her vocal stylings during the interview. A special sneak peek into AISHA's world!

Lewis H. Lee talks about his life as a "mixed" or "double" individual in Japan. Lewis says he never had an identity crisis because his father taught him to love himself first. His education was unique—from an international school to home-schooling, then to a Japanese public school to another international school. Lewis has a solid bond and friendship with his three brothers, mindful of having each other's backs and keeping a respectful distance. He shares critical moments that boosted his confidence and valuable lessons learned on his journey to manhood. An eye-opening episode, both as the host and a proud dad...

Having Bradley Smith over for a sit-down amidst his hectic schedule was a great pleasure. Since childhood, Bradley has leaned towards academics and earned a scholarship to a liberal arts college that included mentorships and international travel. As a social sciences major pursuing politics, Bradley was mentored by Ronald Reagan's direct fundraiser and was exposed to a world of stimulating ideas and individuals. He worked closely with the Justice Department and oversaw the establishment of a branch campus of Eureka College in Japan. Bradley is evoking change in international education and is proactive in promoting cultural exchange between the US and Asian countries. He currently heads the Laurasian PAX Exchange as CEO and President.

Now working with Cutter Studios, Brian Ashenfelder is contributing his sales and business development expertise to the company that "tells stories" through its visual productions. He and I met during his time with the City Club of Tokyo, and I got to know him better while he worked at TAC for seven years. Brian has been a jack of all trades since childhood and is quite the storyteller!

A native Miamian, J-p Toppino gives his side of the "origin" story with his wife, Stephanie, whom he claims "changed his life." J-p cherishes a unique bond with his older brothers as well as with his nephews, which shaped his childhood and identity. J-p has been with Secured Capital since 1993 and was president of Secured Capital Japan. He and his partners now run the company in real estate, hedge funds, and private equity. J-P sees himself ending his career and involving himself with charities and a restaurant.

Newlywed and transferred by her husband's company, Stephanie Toppino started her life in Tokyo. TAC provided a place to socialize and build friendships, and Stephanie quickly involved herself with the Women's Group (now Connections) and F&B committees. She is a rarity in the ex-pat community, having started a family with three children in Tokyo and staying until now, 25 years later. Stephanie has known her husband J-p since middle school, and the arc of their relationship can easily be a romantic comedy script!

A year after his first episode, TAC General Manager Darren Morrish sits down to talk about how the TAC has navigated the last 12 months of adjustments and changes. We discuss the return of the community aspect of the club, members' reactions to new developments, club life, employees' familiarity with members, alignment between the board and management, etc. Darren is committed to continuing his efforts to work closely with the new board on direction and strategy. As a former president of this premier club in Asia, it is an important episode for me.

One afternoon, in front of a convenience store, I met Dave River and instantly made a connection. He is a longtime resident of Tokyo and co-owns a company that manufactures environmentally friendly surfactants and health food supplements. Dave and his partner, David, have worked together since 1993 and are committed to making unique products that enhance happiness and have no negative effects on humans or the planet. Dave also talks about fatherhood and cherishes his new relationship with his sons.

Pablo Yano, a creative director and photographer, believes that encounters and experiences are vital resources for his creative mind. He spent his young adulthood in London at an advertising agency and came to Japan 22 years ago with his boss. Engaging himself constantly in a variety of activities: fitness, cooking, photography, animation, and 3D avatar creations, Pablo stays true to his boss' advice that "the creative mind never sleeps."

Justin Kilgannon is a pilot who works with Aircraft Management, specializing in commercial flights for individuals and companies. He flies Gulfstreams for his clients, and in his spare time, he does jiu-jitsu, competing in tournaments. Justin took his first flight at age 17 and has since completed aviation studies at a Part 141 school. He built a strong foundation as a pilot by starting as a flight instructor. We chatted about drones and helicopters, and Justin opened up about working on the mindset necessary for competitions.

The tenacity and passion of an entrepreneur and "the Wine Guy," Eric Dahler, resonates in his mantra, "Where there is a will, there is a way." "Never give up!" Eric and I recorded the episode in the garden of his lovely home on a crisp, perfect autumn morning. Eric left France at age 22 and embarked on an epic backpacking journey through Europe and Asia, eventually leading to Japan. Eric and his wife, Yoko, established Wine Prospérité in 2008. Faithful to their love for wine, Eric continues bringing fine wines to your tables.

Kumiko Saito is passionate about her singing career and is working on releasing an album. Devastated by the tragic loss of her younger sister, Kumiko was consumed by the trauma and, for a while, dropped everything. When she finally found musical inspiration again, it felt like it was coming "from the universe." After college, Kumiko pursued fashion design at Esmod Japon. Her grandfather managed Golden Gessakai, a renowned Akasaka cabaret, in the 1960s and 1970s.

Ginger Griggs has contributed to human resources and recruitment through her two companies, ASC LEADER and EAW, and her involvement with organizations such as the ACCJ and TAC. Ginger's expertise as an executive coach is characterized by her compassionate approach, rooted in personal experiences of overcoming tragedies and challenges in her own life. Ginger is forthcoming about her first marriage, which led to her advocacy for same-sex marriages in Japan. With her husband of 32 years, Dieter, Ginger has come to terms with her life away from the US and has recently become a homeowner in Japan.

After 46 years of ex-pat life, Gary Lynch returned to his "home," Sydney, Australia, where he now resides. I was fortunate to run into my B&B mate at TAC during his visit, and we had an amazing time reconnecting. Gary's sense of humor and generosity have a special place in my heart, and it was fun getting some jabs in over lunch! Gary spent his entire career in the pharmaceutical industry, beginning as a pharmacist and moving on to retail and export sales. When we met, he was Head of Asia Pacific at Covance, and his daughters were my students at the I CAN Gymnastics classes.

On vacation in Tokyo, David Priest drops by, and we reminisce about the days at the NIS. In 2006, after the tragic loss of his partner of 25 years, Yoshihiro, David took a leap of faith toward a purposeful future in school administration. In Mombasa, he successfully established the international primary curriculum. After the 2008 election violence in Kenya, David moved to Mumbai and was tasked with overseeing the IB evaluation of an international school. From there, David moved to China and established two schools. In Hong Kong, David opened an international primary school and was the headmaster until the pandemic. David is retired from school administration but remains active as a team leader and consultant for the IB program.

Neil Bevan is back! My riding buddy made a third appearance on the podcast and shared an eye-opening story about his birth mother and Scottish lineage. Neil had a chance to meet her family in London this past summer, along with his wife and daughter. The newly acquired family connection will be nurtured by frequent email exchanges and an all-inclusive gathering soon. Neil has also started accreditation studies for life, personal, and career coaching.

It was refreshing and inspiring to hear life stories from an 18-year-old who graduated with his decision to take a gap year. Yujin Lin attended a prestigious and highly competitive boarding school in England after studying at international schools in Tokyo. He compares the learning environments of Tokyo and London, finding a comfort level where he was raised. Yujin took A-levels in Economics, Mandarin, and Theology/Philosophy (TP). He is a sportsman, a keen soccer player, and entering world competitions in fencing and sports stacking.

The CEO of Randstad India and newly published author of "The E5 Movement," Paul Dupuis, talks about his life and leadership experiences, as well as the key message of his book. As a child, Paul was outgoing and social; his natural proclivity to communicate and connect with people is evident in the personable stories about the "gratitude tour," his first day in Japan on a park bench in Tennohzu, Osaka, the call to action during the fierce Delta variant surge in India, and the trifecta of persuasion to write his book. Paul's book is a must-read and has also been released as an audiobook narrated by the author.

French cuisine is the world's most prestigious and respected culinary art. André Pachon, owner/chef of Restaurant PACHON and other restaurants, paved the way for thousands of French restaurants, from traditional to nouveau, to proliferate in the Japanese food industry. André started his apprenticeship at age 15 and devoted his life to serving traditional French dishes. Restaurant PACHON is a family business—his sons Patric and Thierry work alongside him. They are preserving the legacy of French cuisine and have gained the ardent patronage of many, including members of the Imperial family and Prime Ministers. André has merited several awards, notably the Legion of Honor from France and for cultural promotion from the Ministry of Culture.

John Emerson and Pauline Denise Sulit have thrived as successful life partners since college through various vocations such as nursing, telemarketing, and education in the Philippines and China. While they were ESL teachers in an international preschool in Shanghai, John and Pauline started to formulate their dream of creating a school. Lighthouse, a haven for neurotypical children, has just opened its doors. The founders, John and Pauline, with the help of Yoko Sato of Lucrea (Episode 138), are committed to making a difference.

An intrapreneur at heart, Paul Beddie has spent over two decades trailblazing through multiple corporations, such as Deloitte and Headstrong, and working in Australia and China. Paul accomplished specific projects in positions created specifically for his expertise. Starting as the only foreigner at Chiyoda Kako Kensetsu, Paul has found a great fit with SAP, the world's largest ERP company in its field. He is passionate about the sustainable aspect of his responsibilities as the international ambassador of SAP.

Giving back to the community through coaching children and working on joint projects with NBA teams, professional basketball player Dan Weiss is staying active, relevant, and doing what he loves. Naturalized in 1995, Dan committed his professional career to Toyota Tsushoh and put his expertise and training from Santa Clara to good use. Dan comes from a close-knit family and has enjoyed raising his daughter while coaching children. He and his wife have a "good balance," They look forward to finding a passion together as their third act.

As a child, her fascination with astronomy and the infinity of the universe calmed her hyperactive mind. Fara Taraie has built her architectural base on being mindful of the environment and decreasing CO2 emissions and is the creator of Matinno-a platform for sustainable materials and design. Fara is passionate about making a social impact and wants to be on the board of NPOs and animal shelters. She and her husband will welcome a new baby in early October. Congratulations!!

Medication and therapy are not always enough to handle depression. Hatsuki Tagawa shares her struggle with depression during her ten years as a single mom raising a son. She currently works with an NPO as a counselor to help vulnerable and suffering young adults. Hatsuki is a brave and inspiring individual passionate about passing on the greatest love of all - loving yourself.

For the second time, I got to pick the brain of a discerning industry "influencer," Ernest M. Higa. How does Wendy's differentiate itself in the fast food industry? Ernie says that Wendy's is a "niche" and strives to stay ahead of the curve by embracing automation. Wendy's is currently experimenting with AI to accumulate customer data to create an ecosystem around the customers. Ernie stays involved with various business organizations and advises his younger self: with words of wisdom from an actual mover and shaker of Japan.

Gene Pelc is an invaluable member of the Tokyo ex-pat community and a “legend” whose revolutionary ideas brought profound contributions to the entertainment and pro-wrestling industries. It is an honor to have him on the show to share behind-the-scenes stories about his days as the representative of Marvel Comics in Japan, acquiring the TV rights and becoming the booker for UWFI, and founding Pelc Enterprises. Ted, Gene's son, also joins us and sheds light on the workings of the wrestling world from his expertise as an editor and color commentator.

The founder of You Me We, an NPO devoted to providing resources and "fishing poles" to children in orphanages, institutions, and foster care, Michael Perry Clemons, opened my eyes to the issues surrounding the increase of children who have suffered abuse, trauma, or abandonment in Japan. His team's efforts are admirable and genuinely speak to the sanctity of life and how educating parents is crucial for children to survive and thrive. Michael also shares stories about his grandfather, mother, banking career, and how You Me We came to be. This is a robust conversation that inspires, hopefully, some self-reflection. IFCA (International Foster Care Association) www.ifcaseattle.org has shared with us two tools: The Permanency Pact Japanese https://acrobat.adobe.com/link/track?uri=urn:aaid:scds:US:a7b53c59-480e-3933-8c79-07a9fdba96d4 English https://acrobat.adobe.com/link/track?uri=urn:aaid:scds:US:7fdfa459-4a05-32b8-bf89-93e4ab320e4a

Every day starts with meditation and gratitude for life. Midori Kaneko stays true to her parents' teachings and values the connection with great minds throughout her illustrious career in finance and other industries. Newly appointed as the director of group marketing at Sun Frontier Fudousan, Co. Ltd., Midori spearheads a three-year plan to create a marketing team, the first ever in the company's 24-year history. Besides her jazz singing gigs, Midori is also involved in NPOs and the Temple University board.

Want to educate yourself about the only continent-nation in the world? Adam Cunneen enlightens us about Australia's geography, economy, history, education, and population. His national pride comes through as he passionately speaks of Australia's pursuit of the gold standard and the egalitarian optimism that is a hallmark strength of the nation. Adam has devoted a decade to the push for Victoria to be a significant player in the world of attracting trade. His career arc is exceptional, marked by his "never say never" attitude towards what comes his way.

Tom and Kozue Dunn are a dynamic couple, each pursuing their life passions while maintaining a harmonious marriage. Kozue is invested in helping people find happiness and fulfillment as they search for properties. Tom is in equity sales trading, and the world of finance has sparked a strong interest in childhood. Life in Japan is good for them and gives them joy. As Tom says, "I have a puzzle to solve in Japan with my partner."

Sam Gilbert of Club 360 (episode 169 guest) interviews me on his podcast! I enjoyed going through the questions and having a chance to reflect on my experiences and talk about the origins of the I CAN program. Sam and I also exchanged stories about raising children, teaching children, and keeping them focused and motivated despite the time limitation (ex-pat families stay in Japan on average for 3 to 5 years).

Sam Gilbert, co-founder and owner of Club 360 joins me today and talks about his life experience as well as the makings and future of his successful fitness club. Sam has a background in karate and studied physiotherapy at university. He met Nathan, his business partner (also his brother-in-law), and together they fulfilled their goal of delivering a holistic fitness and wellness service that caters to individual needs.

Terri MacMillan is cherishing life and feeling blessed, having recently overcome a medical condition and is on her way to healing. Terri is a songwriter, singer, writer, and illustrator with a passion for creating art. In the late 1980s, she managed "Pizzicato 5", a Japanese pop-music band, which led to her coming to Japan with the entrepreneurial mindset of bringing cool music and art from abroad. Terri is involved in Apple's business team while maintaining her creative integrity and has several projects in the works.

In this enlightening episode, world-renowned "legend of the synths and keys," Philip Woo, joins me to share his 50+ years of experience in the music business, alongside luminaries like Roy Ayers, Ashford & Simpson, Patti LaBelle, Frankie Beverly, Maze, and other outstanding artists. Philip's stories are brimming with inspirational highlights, from his childhood prodigy days to being a fixture in high school funk bands, including a band that featured teenage Kenny G. At 19, Philip was whisked away by Roy Ayers to the Manhattan funk, soul, and jazz music scene. Philip has resided in Tokyo since the late 1990s and has been writing, recording, and teaching virtuosos such as Harumo Imai ( Ep.#78 https://youtu.be/C8KHzOivldk ).

Few know as many people in this community as Nick Masee, and being in his circle has been a privilege. Nick resides in Malaysia and maintains the ties nurtured in the Tokyo ex-pat community. Starting as a teenager, interning for a local freight forwarding company in Vancouver, Nick established a career in the moving business. Having built a solid portfolio, Nick was recruited to join Asian Tigers and manage the Japan office, where he devoted 22 years. Nick partnered to establish a company that imports consumer products in the health and wellness industry. He is passionate about philanthropic efforts and joined the FCSC, affiliated with the YMCA, contributing to various charities. Nick is the only non-Japanese recipient of the Japan Philanthropy Association award.

After retiring from the US Marine Corps, Colonel Jonathan Christopher Goff, aka Chris, established a consulting firm with his wife and later joined Raytheon. Chris debuted his motorcycle skills on Easy Rider's recent Hokkaido tour 2022! Coming from a proud heritage of faithful service to the Marine Corps (his father and uncle), Chris followed his destiny and attended VMI with a Marine Corps scholarship, graduating as a 2nd Lieutenant. The episode is poignantly rich with Chris' experience and dedication and details from some of his deployments and operations.

A fellow "Easy-rider," Peter Thomas, joins me today after an exhilarating 5-day tour around Hokkaido. As a teenager, Peter was into sports, bikes, motorcycles, and his band. With an engineering and coding background, Peter found employment in California that suited his skill set until a soccer teammate recruited him to work for Aladdin Systems. When Peter and his wife decided to move to Connecticut to be closer to the family, his wife astutely persuaded Peter to return to school to earn his engineering degree and then work for Pratt & Whitney. Peter loves his extraordinary life in Japan and appreciates the culture that puts "other people first."

Saxophonist/musician Glenn M. Ray came on for the second time, promoting his recently released single "Gets Me Started." It was a pleasure to touch base. Glenn divulges about his music training, life as a musician in Japan, and an awesome experience being recruited to tour and play in several Hyatt hotels, resorts, and clubs throughout Asia.

TELL celebrates its 50th year next year. Executive director Giles Duke came on today and enlightened us about the inner workings of the non-profit organization that provides mental health lifeline and clinic services. Giles was born in Santiago, Chile, and his family moved to Japan for his father's diplomatic posting, where Giles attended the NIS and YIS. Giles returned to Japan during the "bubble" era and worked in various industries using his bilingual skills. At 60, Giles joined TELL, and as COVID times hit, their services became vital to resolving the surge in mental health issues.

Sako Cunneen, a padel enthusiast, is bright and bubbling with laughter as she tells her life story. Leaving Japan at 18 to travel the world, Sako fulfills her goal of experiencing life in the US. After four years of studying English, she returns to Japan and meets her husband, Adam. They move to Australia, his home country, and raise a family. Sako spends most of the week playing padel, and she is passionate about increasing awareness and the padel population in Japan, with the Olympics on the horizon.

Shin and Mimi Yano get along well as siblings, and it seems they have grown to be comfortable and respectful of each other's boundaries. It is a treat to have a sit-down with my former gymnastics students! They are forthcoming about their families (birth and adoption), schooling, hobbies, effects of COVID times, gender and sexuality, and plans. At 19 and 21, Mimi and Shin are taking on their responsibilities as young adults, managing self-discovery and future planning at their pace.

Stephen Murphy, an animation artist/producer, describes himself as an "invisi-kid" in school, always into video games, cartoons, and movies. This sparked a passion for Japanese anime, and Stephen pursued an art degree at university. He applied for teaching opportunities in Japan and finally made it to Japan. After investing eight years in teaching English, Stephen meets Arthell Isom, CEO of the first black-owned animation company, D'ART Shtajio, and has not looked back. Stephen is thriving in anime production, where his heart lies.

Mark Jones, model, and actor, shares how he is self-reflecting and "connecting the dots" about his younger years that shaped his life journey. Recognizing the challenges of his disjointed childhood in foster care, Mark has found creative outlets through music, acting, and being around inspirational people. The conversation was heartfelt, reminding me of the importance of soul-searching to improve life.

Mark Jones, model, and actor, shares how he is self-reflecting and "connecting the dots" about his younger years that shaped his life journey. Recognizing the challenges of his disjointed childhood in foster care, Mark has found creative outlets through music, acting, and being around inspirational people. The conversation was heartfelt, reminding me of the importance of soul-searching to improve life.

Photographer/translator/TV talent Mance Thompson is a 22-year resident of Japan. At a young age, he was drawn to Asian studies, particularly Japanese ones. Several self-generated trips to Japan led to Mance's return for good. He began working closely with the widow of Masayuki Miyata, a renowned Kiri-E artist (Japanese paper-cutting art), while establishing his photography portfolio and his own company, Mance Pro. Coming full circle with the origins of his "Japan-fascination," Mance is writing a book about ninja movies and has an impressive collection of 200 ninja movie posters.

NEXT BIG THING "Working with the Guinness Book of Records and Thomas Tank Engine was the best fun in my life," today's guest Frank Foley reflects with a mirthful gleam in his eyes. Frank moved to Australia from South Ireland at age 14 and attended Griffith University, majoring in modern Asian studies, specializing in Japanese. Frank worked with Hitachi, Harpers Collins, News Corp, and HIIT entertainment. Frank resides in the beautiful city of Kamakura, where he secures a balance between personal and family life and work.

JOURNEYMAN John lives his "good life" in the forests of Chiba, connecting to the cycle of nature through the songs of the uguisu in spring, spotting the Hotaru in the summer, and enjoying the beautiful seasonal foliage. He has been an established speechwriter specializing in gaijin CEOs of Japanese corporations since 2001, upon his return to Japan. John tells stories of his childhood and family in Canada, hitchhiking adventures through the South Pacific and South Asia, and how an idle decision to take a Japanese course at university led to his life and career in Japan.

VISIONARIES Antonio Villasmil, TAC Nihonbashi Service Manager, joins me today to talk about his life experiences. Having found his calling at age 18, Antonio furthered his education in hospitality for the service industry. He worked with several hotel franchises in and outside of Venezuela before bringing his cumulative training and expertise to Japan in 1999. Antonio has been an invaluable member of the TAC service department team for 17 years, his dedication to excellence a stellar inspiration to his colleagues. Antonio and his wife have passed on the spirit of contribution to their children, who founded their philanthropic endeavors.

REUNITED A throwback to the late 1970s, Shannon Gandy (William Shannon Gandy) made me giggle with anecdotes from the ASIJ teaching days. Shannon's unforgettable stories about his childhood in Memphis, living and working in LA, family ties, and coming to Japan gave me insight into how the 8-year-old student at the ASIJ continued his journey, defining his character. While writing music and researching castle cities in Japan, Shannon is enjoying the good life in Japan and making discoveries every day.

DALE CARNEGIE This comprehensive episode is a true "memoir" with Greg's Story of the Dale Carnegie Institute of Japan. His recount of the past, family lineage, academic achievements, karate mastery, and career path is remarkable, with illustrative stories abound. Childhood in the Australian bush built resilience as Greg worked hard beside his father. In his teens, he became hooked on karate and accomplished an unheard-of ascension (from white to black belt) in 19 months! Karate and learning Japanese drew him to Japan, where Greg assiduously worked towards his Ph.D. During his stint with Austrade, Greg and his partners placed a bid for the Dale Carnegie franchise in Japan (Greg is now the sole owner). Greg views Japan as the best place to age, with its safety, convenience, efficiency, and respectful people.

QUEST My admiration for Kirsten O'Connor and her sensibilities as a professional has been with me since we first met at the BST in 2001. Her love and passion for teaching, planted as a seed at age 7, are the driving force behind Kirsten's accomplishments and endeavors in her field of expertise. She takes us through her childhood, education in Kent, teaching career, life-changing experiences in the London Borough of Newham, and the eventual journey to Japan. In a well-founded effort to fill the gap in the educational landscape, Kirsten established Quest in 2018, an institution that provides educational support services for families. oconnor@questtokyo.com www.questtokyo.com