Podcasts about Japanese

Today's returning guests are Dan Rasmussen, founder of Verdad Advisers, and D.A. Wallach, a venture capital investor for Time BioVentures. In today's episode, we unpack the recent biotech surge through the lens of Dan's recently published biotech report. We also explore China's growing biotech market, shifting IPO and VC trends, and how valuation tools like CAPE fit into today's regime. Finally, we also discuss technology's effect on productivity and corporate profits in the US, Japan's economic anomaly, home country bias, and more. (0:00) Starts (1:20) Dan's research on the biotech sector (19:10) D.A. on biotech in China (27:01) IPO landscape (31:01) Biotech VC update from D.A. (32:16) Are US stocks overvalued? (51:53) Dan's view of Japanese stocks (57:40) Global equity markets and home country bias (1:03:34) Book recommendations (1:11:55) Wrap-up and future plans ----- Follow Meb on X, LinkedIn and YouTube For detailed show notes, click here To learn more about our funds and follow us, subscribe to our mailing list or visit us at cambriainvestments.com ----- ⁠ ----- Sponsor: Visit ⁠⁠Alpha Architect's 351 Education Center⁠⁠ for use cases, tools, FAQs, upcoming launches, and more. Follow The Idea Farm: X | LinkedIn | Instagram | TikTok ----- Interested in sponsoring the show? Email us at Feedback@TheMebFaberShow.com ----- Past guests include Ed Thorp, Richard Thaler, Jeremy Grantham, Joel Greenblatt, Campbell Harvey, Ivy Zelman, Kathryn Kaminski, Jason Calacanis, Whitney Baker, Aswath Damodaran, Howard Marks, Tom Barton, and many more.  ----- Meb's invested in some awesome startups that have passed along discounts to our listeners. Check them out here!  ----- Editing and post-production work for this episode was provided by The Podcast Consultant (https://thepodcastconsultant.com). Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Episode Notes Join our Patreon for early access and bonus episodes and help support the show! Get exclusive Japanese horror merchandise and join the Discord! Let's head into the mountains of Japan for 12 terrifying tales of monsters, spirits, and the other horrifying things that lurk far from civilisation. BGM thanks to Myuuji, Kevin MacLeod and CO.AG. Sound effects thanks to Free Sound and freeSFX. Licensed under Creative Commons: By Attribution 3.0 License Support Kowabana: 'True' Japanese scary stories from around the internet by contributing to their tip jar: https://tips.pinecast.com/jar/kowabana

ABOUT THE SHOW Sunday Night Lights is a serialized audio fictional narrative following Jimmy August, the son of a megachurch legend, as he competes on a reality TV show for the right to lead America's most prominent megachurch. Along the way, he faces the ghost of his father, ridiculous competition challenges, and maybe even the prospect of love. Think audiobook meets book club. READ THE STORY / SUPPORT Read or listen on Substack Get episodes Ad-free AND early here CREDITS Created, written, and narrated by Knox McCoy Voice Performances by: Knox and Ashley McCoy Produced by: Padfoot Productions CONNECT Newsletter + updates: Binge Thinking Email: rkmccoy@gmail.com Instagram: @knoxmccoy HOW TO HELP If you're enjoying the show, tap "Follow," leave a quick rating/review, and share the episode on social media. LEGAL © 2025 Padfoot Productions. All rights reserved. Unauthorized reproduction or redistribution is a no-no.

On this episode of Travis Makes Money, Travis and his producer Eric break down a wild new headline: top TikTok creator, Khaby Lame, reportedly selling his company and full AI likeness rights—face, voice, and behavior—for a staggering $900 million. They riff on what that means for creators, the ethics and upside of licensing your digital twin, and how AI is reshaping content, Hollywood, and the value of attention. Along the way, they veer into everything from Japanese conglomerates that make both bulldozers and magic wands to why practical filmmaking still matters in an AI-saturated world. On this episode we talk about: Khaby Lame's rise from 2020 pandemic creator to 160M+ TikTok followers and a $900M likeness deal What it really means to authorize your face, voice, and behavior for AI “digital twin” use The difference between using AI as a tool (editing, simulation) versus fully replacing human talent How AI content, deep fakes, and fake “news” clips are eroding trust in what we see online Why practical filmmaking tricks and imperfect, human moments still matter more than flawless AI shots Top 3 Takeaways The value of attention is exploding, and top creators can now monetize not just sponsorships and licensing, but their entire digital twin for generational wealth. There's a huge ethical and creative gap between using AI to support production (editing, simulations) and using it to fully replace human performers, likenesses, and original work. For most creators and entrepreneurs, the actionable move is simple: consistently create and publish, because you have no idea how valuable your personal brand and IP might become in a few short years. Notable Quotes “He sold his likeness for $900 million. I don't even know what to say. That breaks my brain.” “Churches are businesses and evangelizing is marketing and sales—but this AI likeness deal is like selling your soul on hard mode.” “If you're not creating content, you could be missing out on $900 million. You never know what one simple idea might turn into.” Connect with Travis: LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/travischappell Twitter/X: https://twitter.com/traviscchappell Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/travischappell Website: https://travischappell.com Travis Makes Money is made possible by High Level – the All-In-One Sales & Marketing Platform built for agencies, by an agency. Capture leads, nurture them, and close more deals—all from one powerful platform. Get an extended free trial at gohighlevel.com/travis. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

A $400 million exit and a reputational reckoning in wellness put this episode of Taste Radio on edge, as the team dissects Bachan's blockbuster acquisition and the fallout facing brands tied to wellness guru Peter Attia. The conversation also spotlights Solely's growth strategy in an interview with Manish Amin, VP of marketing for the fast-growing organic fruit snack brand. Show notes: 0:23: Many Meetups. Marzetti's Move. Attia Outta Here. Will Shat? DKB, MDS, MHH. – The hosts preview Taste Radio's packed year of networking events and live podcast meetups, kicking off in Miami. The hosts turn their attention to Marzetti's $400 million acquisition of Bachan's, examining how the Japanese barbecue sauce brand emerged as a standout CPG success story. They also dive into tougher conversations around reputational risk following recent revelations involving wellness influencer Peter Attia. Ray teases a surprising celebrity partnership between William Shatner and Raisin Bran, before the hosts spotlight new products from Dave's Killer Bread, Mid-Day Squares, Tama Tea, Tart Beverages, and Mike's Hot Honey Syrup. 28:16: Interview: Manish Amin, VP of Marketing, Solely – Ray sits down with Manish at the recent Naturally San Diego event to discuss Solely's mission and product lineup. Manish shares the brand's focus and positioning, emphasizing a commitment to genuinely good-for-you, great-tasting products. He also highlights Solely's role in pushing the broader snack industry toward cleaner labels and better ingredients. Brands in this episode: Solely, Bachan's, Marzetti, Olive Garden, Chick-fil-A, Buffalo Wild Wings, Arby's, Subway, Texas Roadhouse, New York Bakery, Sister Schubert's, AG1, Magic Spoon, LMNT, David Protein, Kellogg's Raisin Bran, Smart Bran, Dave's Killer Bread, Mid-Day Squares, Tama Tea, Tart, Mike's Hot Honey, Jolly Rancher, Red Hots, Absolut Vodka, Tabasco

Despite Mother Nature's best attempt to sabotage the start of the 2026 season, D-Fly & Dixie are back in the saddle to soothe your soul, make sense of the madness and get you excited for the new year. The prolonged cold weather continues to wreak havoc on the schedule with many games moved, postponed or cancelled for the second week in a row. But fear not. There are still many games to look forward to this weekend, and the guys preview the top matchups as usual, set the table for the season and interview a fascinating guest. Let's get it!This week's interview is with Georgetown's All-America goaltender, Anderson Moore. For the second week in a row, the Hoyas had their game postponed. The guys start by addressing the disappointment of postponing and then discuss his journey from Birmingham's Briarwood Christian school to the highest levels of lacrosse, the rules for wearing sweatpants, Coach Warne's shoe game, the high expectations for the 2026 Hoyas, friend of the pod and Hoyas assistant coach, Ted Moon, Moore's experience as the Team USA U20 goalie, the beaches of South Korea, Vincent's Clam Bar and much, much more. You won't want to miss it.GAME PREVIEWSFRIDAYUtah (1-0) at No. 11 Duke (1-0) | 5 p.m. | ESPN+ | Duke -5.5/26.5SATURDAYLoyola at No. 1 Maryland | noon | BIG+ | Maryland -6.5/22.5No. 12 Army (1-0) at No. 18 Rutgers (1-0) | 1 p.m. | B1G+ | Army -2.5/21.5SUNDAYColgate (0-1) at No. 14 Virginia | noon | ACCNX | UVa -4.5/23.5GIVE & GOIn this week's storm-themed Give & Go, the fellas discuss the most essential items you need to pick up at the grocery store before the next apocalyptic storm. Dixie insists on soup and viral Japanese cheesecake. Enjoy the games.

Today, I'm joined by the wonderful Dr. Shivani Gupta, a true force in bridging ancient Ayurvedic wisdom with cutting-edge modern research on inflammation and healthy aging. She recently authored The Inflammation Code. Dr. Shivani opens up about her deeply personal motivation—from witnessing her grandfather's preventable health decline to spending years in both traditional and scientific studies, ultimately earning a PhD focused on turmeric and chronic inflammation. For Dr. Shivani's Turmeric and sleep gummies visit https://fusionaryformulas.com/?sca_ref=9671225.dtSyos3QQx1c and use code NAT15 for 15% off.   Episode Timestamps: Welcome & Introduction to Longevity Podcast ... 00:00:00 Autophagy & Spermidine Supplementation ... 00:02:41 Personal Connection & Product Experience ... 00:03:46 Health Declines in Modern Indian Culture ... 00:07:47 Reversing Disease: Ayurveda & Biohacking ... 00:11:11 Discovering Ayurveda & Turmeric's Power ... 00:15:12 Turmeric vs. NSAIDs: Scientific Support ... 00:19:52 PPIs, Gut Health, and Curcumin ... 00:21:26 Inflammation as the Root of Chronic Disease ... 00:23:24 Sleep Rituals & Circadian Timing ... 00:28:59 Elemental Design / Doshas Explained ... 00:32:13 Aligning Lifestyle with Dosha for Health ... 00:42:46 Mental Inflammation: Stress & Burnout ... 00:46:00 Turmeric Science, Uses & Myths ... 00:54:20 Personalized Spice Use & Dosha Guidance ... 01:03:48 Top Spices for Longevity ... 01:07:44 Cautions: Medications & Turmeric ... 01:10:03 The Future of Inflammation in Medicine ... 01:11:11 Rapid-Fire Longevity Habits ... 01:15:03   Our Amazing Sponsors: Complete Liver Complex by LVLUP Health - supports your liver's natural detox pathways so your body can reset without suffering. Go  to lvluphealth.com and use code NAT for 20% off.   Primeadine by Oxford Healthspan — A food-derived spermidine supplement that supports autophagy and cellular renewal without fasting, made from Japanese wheat germ with clean, rigorously tested ingredients (including a gluten-free option); visit oxfordhealthspan.com/BIONAT20 and use code BIONAT20 at checkout.   Gut Essentials Bundle by Just Thrive — A powerful duo of a clinically proven probiotic and digestive bitters to reduce bloat, boost energy, curb cravings, and help you feel your best fast, backed by a 100% money-back guarantee — Take the Feel Better Challenge and save 20% at JustThriveHealth.com/NAT20 with promo code NAT20.   Nat's Links:  YouTube Channel Join My Membership Community Sign up for My Newsletter  Instagram  Facebook Group

The U.S. and Iran hold high stakes talks in Oman. Hims & Hers will launch a $49 version of the Wegovy weight loss pill, putting Novo Nordisk under price pressure. Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi is on track to secure an election landside as ‘sanamania' grips Japanese youth. Plus, bigger is better – at least for aerodynamics – as doping chiefs at the Winter Olympics look into claims ski jumpers are injecting their penises to gain a competitive lift. Listen to the Morning Bid podcast ⁠⁠here⁠⁠. Sign up for the Reuters Econ World newsletter ⁠⁠here⁠⁠. Listen to the Reuters Econ World podcast ⁠⁠here⁠⁠. Visit the Thomson Reuters Privacy Statement for information on our privacy and data protection practices. You may also visit megaphone.fm/adchoices to opt out of targeted advertising. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Support NEStalgia directly by becoming a member of our Patreon at https://www.patreon.com/Nestalgia  Members at the $5 and above level get access to our brand new show NEStalgia Bytes. A look at the famicom games you can play without any Japanese knowledge! For More NEStalgia, visit www.NEStalgiacast.com

What challenges come with taking a marketing strategy global, and what strategies can be created to account for and even take advantage of differences from one market to another? How are differences in Japanese culture reflected in the buying practices of the population?Katherine Melchior Ray is a global marketing executive and consultant, who also teaches global marketing at UC Berkeley Haas School of Business, and is the author of the book Brand Global, Adapt Local: How to Build Brand Value Across Cultures.Greg and Katherine discuss the importance of both maintaining global brand consistency and adapting to local cultures. Katherine explains the history and evolving definition of marketing, the balance between data-driven strategies and creative intuition, and the necessity of cultural intelligence in global business. Throughout the conversation, Katherine shares anecdotes from her diverse career, offering insights into the challenges and strategies for successful global marketing.*unSILOed Podcast is produced by University FM.*Episode Quotes:What does it mean to be a global brand?13:51: Just because you can access it on a global level does not mean it is going to be relevant to you in your culture. And this is where it is tricky. So we have gone way beyond the Ted Levitt era, where you have global brands, but in order for them to connect, create meaning, which is where value lies, and ultimately loyalty with consumers in different cultures, they need to do both. And this is where the book title came, Brand Global. Be a global brand, hold certain things very consistent, but adapt local, and that is tricky. It is really tricky. Which aspects do you want to hold the same, and which aspects are you willing to flex?What is cultural intelligence and why is important in leadership39:21: We all know about emotional intelligence, and I think we have come to realize how important that is in leadership. Well, cultural intelligence takes us one step further. It relies on a lot of the aspects of emotional intelligence, but it adds culture on top of it. And basically, it is the ability to see and, and bridge cultural differences. So you do not have to be an expert in every culture. You do not have to know how to code, I guess, in technology. But you have to have a couple qualities that help you learn how to see what is often not actually being explicitly said with words.The notion of balance in brands18:52: When you think of a brand, the strongest brands actually do play simultaneously in opposite, seemingly opposite, directions, but really, those two seemingly opposed directions are complimentary, right? One might be the traditional side, and one is the innovative side. One might be the classical side, and the other is the trendy side. But actually, that duality gives the brand elasticity; it gives it range. So it can reach a lot more customers, and it gives it this inherent dynamism, tension, and excitement.Story is important for expansion20:20: The reason story is important is for expansion. You cannot control every aspect of a brand as you expand, right? Because the same people, like if you think of Steve Jobs, he could review every aspect of the computer as it was being designed. But as it was being marketed in different markets, in different countries, in different stores with different salespeople, you cannot control all of that. And so the way to create a form of consistency is by telling the same internal stories, and then those stories go externally so that everyone understands why certain things are in the way that the company operates and the brand shows up in products and services.Show Links:Recommended Resources:Louis VuittonPhilip KotlerTheodore LevittPark Hyatt | Masters of Food & WineSotheby'sXiaomiGuest Profile:KatherineMelchiorRay.comLinkedIn ProfileFaculty Profile at UC Berkeley Haas Business SchoolSocial Profile on ThreadsSocial Profile on XGuest Work:Brand Global, Adapt Local: How to Build Brand Value Across Cultures Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

Doomscrollin hosted by Sam Tripoli and Midnight Mike Check out Sam Tripoli's new comic book "Chaos Twins!" 2nd issue is about to drop! Visit www.chaostwins.com to support Sam's family-friendly project! Check out Sam Tripoli's 3rd Crowd Work Special "Barbecued: Live From Kansas City" Sept 20th on Youtube.com/SamTripoliComedy Grab Tickets To Sam Tripoli's Live Shows At SamTripoli.com: Hollywood, CA: 2/10 Perryville, MD: 2/20 Pottstown, PA: 2/21 Las Vegas, NV: 2/28 Bakersfield, CA: 3/6 Yuma, AZ: 3/7 Hollywood, CA: 3/10 Batavia, IL: 3/26-3/28 Dallas, TX: 4/24 Fort Worth, TX: 4/25 Albuquerque, NM: 6/12-6/13 Lawerence, KS: 9/17-9/19 Tulsa, OK: 10/9-10/10 Watch Sam's comedy special here: www.youtube.com/samtripoli Please check out Sam Tripoli's Linktree: https://linktr.ee/samtripoli Please check out Midnight Mike's Internet: The OBDM Podcast Website: https://ourbigdumbmouth.com/ Twitter: https://x.com/obdmpod Check out the Naked Gardener's Band: The 3rd Pyramid Band - Topic https://bit.ly/4fpNMMr Thank you to our sponsors: PrizePicks: BIG GAME MAX DISCOUNT: This week, PrizePicks has a special Max Discount for the Big Game, live in the app now! Download thePrizePicks app today and use code DS to get $50 in lineups after you play your first $5 lineup! That's code DS to get $50 in lineups after you play your first $5 lineup! PrizePicks. It's good to be right.” Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

In this episode, ARK CEO and CIO Cathie Wood sits down with Stefanie Drews, the newly appointed CEO of Amova (formerly Nikko Asset Management). Together, they explore the evolution of a decade-long partnership that helped shape both firms — and delve into Stefanie's remarkable leadership journey as a woman at the helm of a global asset manager. From Amova's recent strategic expansion in Asia to Stefanie's philosophy of integrating personal, professional, and purpose-driven goals, this conversation blends business insight with human depth. Stefanie also shares how her experiences as a single mother, an environmental advocate, and a structured leader have shaped the way she builds companies and raises a family — simultaneously, and without compromise.Key Points From This Episode:[00:00] Introduction — Cathie Wood introduces Stefanie Drews and Amova's significance to ARK[02:00] Why “Amova”? The origin and meaning behind the rebrand[06:50] How ARK and Amova (formerly Nikko) first connected — a webinar, a cold call, and early alignment[10:30] Japan's surprising appetite for innovation and thematic investing[15:00] Fintech's rapid uptake in Asia and ARK's early research shifts[16:15] Misconceptions about Japanese retail investors and their sophistication[18:45] Social media, translation, and virality of ARK's research in Japan[20:00] Amova's expansion into Southeast Asia: Malaysia, digital wealth, and private equity[22:00] Six-part growth strategy and ticking boxes for Amova's 10-year global plan[29:20] Stefanie's leadership philosophy: raising children with structure, empathy, and independence[31:25] Career stumbles and moral realignment: learning to face yourself and course-correct[34:10] What's next? Stefanie on continuous progress, purpose, and leading with intentAmova Asset Management (“Amova”) is a current client of ARK Investment Management LLC (“ARK Invest”) in its capacity as a sub-adviser. Amova is also a compensated promoter for ARK Invest. Amova has entered into an agreement with ARK Invest whereby ARK Invest has agreed to pay Amova a fee in exchange for Amova referring investors to ARK Invest's ETFs. For its services to ARK Invest, Amova will receive 25% of the advisory fees received by ARK Invest for referred seed investors with respect to the initial seed investment. ARK Invest will also compensate Amova 25% of the advisory fees received by ARK Invest from referred investors other than seed investors in respect of the monthly holdings of each referred investor who has invested into one or more of ARK's ETFs, excluding those of initial investments made by seed investors. The compensation arrangement will continue for so long as the referred investors remain invested in ARK's ETFs. The advisory fees charged to the ETFs will not be affected by the fees paid to Amova, because Amova's compensation will be paid solely from ARK Invest's investment management fee. Amova and its representatives may also receive non-cash compensation from ARK Invest, such as attendance at events, entertainment and gifts. Receipt of cash and non-cash compensation influences Amova's referral of investors to ARK Invest. 

Today, I'm sharing the Japanese philosophy that fundamentally changed my approach to wealth—and ultimately, made me rich. If you've ever felt that your financial life is fragile, like a single surprise could wipe it all out, you're not alone. In this episode, I take you back to my days living and training in Japan under a 17th-generation samurai lineage. What I learned there—through martial arts and a razor-sharp test of survival—revealed a powerful framework for building real-world financial resilience. It's called Shu Ha Ri, and this philosophy isn't just about responding to danger, but about being so prepared that chaos can't break you.I break down how this concept goes far beyond theory. It's a step-by-step roadmap to building your “money machine” that removes fragility from your finances for good...no matter what life throws at you.IN TODAY'S EPISODE, I DISCUSS:What Shu Ha Ri really means, and why it's crucial for protecting and building wealthThe difference between working hard and creating value—and why value is the real driver of wealthThe importance of building earning and wealth systems that function independently of your effortWhy you need two plans: a life plan (what matters most to you) and a money plan (how to fund your dream life)The critical, actionable steps in my “Freedom Funding Flow”—including the comfort fund, debt elimination, peace of mind fund, and the freedom/investing fundRECOMMENDED EPISODES FOR YOUIf you liked this episode, click here to enjoy these and more:https://melabraham.com/show/9 Subtle Behaviors That Quietly Signal You're Upper ClassThe Psychology of People Who Have $1M Net WorthThe Silent Rules of the Financial System That Keep You Poor7 Assets Rich People Never Buy And The Poor Always DoHow Much Money Do You Actually Need to Be Rich in 2026RECOMMENDED VIDEOS FOR YOU If you liked this video, you'll love these ones:9 Subtle Behaviors That Quietly Signal You're Upper Class: https://youtu.be/dbdUDwElYY0The Psychology of People Who Have $1M Net Worth: https://youtu.be/-65r-OsaHMEThe Silent Rules of the Financial System That Keep You Poor: https://youtu.be/akr5474dwps7 Assets Rich People Never Buy And The Poor Always Do: https://youtu.be/A9f-IgNKU8wORDER MY NEW USA TODAY BESTSELLING BOOK:Building Your Money Machine: How to Get Your Money to Work Harder For You Than You Did For It!The key to building the life you desire and deserve is to build your Money Machine—a powerful system designed to generate income that's no longer tied to your work or efforts. This step-by-step guide goes beyond the general idea of personal finance and wealth creation and reveals the holistic approach to transforming your relationship with money to allow you to enjoy financial freedom and peace of mind.Part money philosophy, part money mindset, part strategy, and part tactical action, these powerful frameworks will show you how to build your money machine.When you do you'll also get over $1100 in wealth resources & bonuses for FREE! TAKE THE FINANCIAL FREEDOM QUIZ:Take this free quiz to see where you are on the path to financial freedom and what your next steps are to move you to a new financial destiny at http://www.YourFinancialFreedomQuiz.com

As Japanese people prepare to head to the polls, economic concerns are back at the centre of public life.We explore how inflation, wages, demographics and geopolitics are shaping expectations, and whether the country can finally move beyond the "lost decades".To get in touch with the team, send us an email to businessdaily@bbc.co.ukPresenter: Rahul Tandon Producer: David CannBusiness Daily is the home of in-depth audio journalism devoted to the world of money and work. From small startup stories to big corporate takeovers, global economic shifts to trends in technology, we look at the key figures, ideas and events shaping business.Each episode is a 17-minute deep dive into a single topic, featuring expert analysis and the people at the heart of the story.Recent episodes explore the weight-loss drug revolution, the growth in AI, the cost of living, why bond markets are so powerful, China's property bubble, and Gen Z's experience of the current job market.We also feature in-depth interviews with company founders and some of the world's most prominent CEOs. These include the CEO of Google Sundar Pichai, Wikipedia founder Jimmy Wales, and billionaire founder Judy Faulkner of Epic Systems, one of the world's largest medical record software providers.(Picture: Office workers cross a road near Tokyo station in Tokyo, Japan, on the second of December 2025. Credit: Getty Images)

Konishiki Yasokichi (Saleva'a Fuauli Atisanoe) is a cultural ambassador and sumo legend from the island of Oʻahu. He became the first non-Japanese-born wrestler to reach Ozeki, the second highest possible rank in the sport. During his career, he won the top division championship on three occasions and came very close to becoming the first foreign-born grand champion, or Yokozuna. At his peak weight of 287 kilograms or 633 pounds, he was also at the time the heaviest wrestler ever in sumo earning him the nicknames “Meat Bomb” and most famously, “The Dump Truck”. After retiring from sumo in 1997, he transitioned to a successful post-sumo career in entertainment, music, and philanthropy.In this special Keep it Aloha on the Road episode sponsored by @HawaiianAirlines  we talk about growing up in Hawai'i, getting scouted for sumo, moving to Japan with nothing, his legendary sumo career, life lessons, career after sumo, his sumo tours, and and so much more. Enjoy!Find Konishiki here: https://www.instagram.com/konishikiyasokichi/Buy our merch:

"Kokuho" It is a 2025 Japanese historical drama film directed by Lee Sang-il and written by Satoko Okudera, based on the 2018 novel of the same name by Shuichi Yoshida, starring Ryo Yoshizawa, Ryusei Yokohama, Mitsuki Takahata, Shinobu Terajima, Min Tanaka, and Ken Watanabe. It had its world premiere in the Directors' Fortnight section of the 78th Cannes Film Festival, where it received positive reviews, particularly for its acting, directing, cinematography, makeup, and hairstyling. It has grossed $125 million in Japan, becoming the all-time highest-grossing Japanese live-action film. It was selected as the Japanese entry for Best International Feature Film, making the December shortlist, and was nominated for Best Makeup and Hairstyling at the 98th Academy Awards. Oscar-nominated actor Ken Watanabe was kind enough to spend some time speaking with us about his work and experience making the film, which you can listen to below. Please be sure to check out the film, which is now playing in theaters from GKIDS. Thank you, and enjoy! Check out more on NextBestPicture.com Please subscribe on... Apple Podcasts - https://itunes.apple.com/us/podcast/negs-best-film-podcast/id1087678387?mt=2 Spotify - https://open.spotify.com/show/7IMIzpYehTqeUa1d9EC4jT YouTube - https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCWA7KiotcWmHiYYy6wJqwOw And be sure to help support us on Patreon for as little as $1 a month at https://www.patreon.com/NextBestPicture and listen to this podcast ad-free Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Heat pumps are having a moment. Last year, the U.S. passed China to become the world's number one market for heat pumps—and they're not slowing down. But while heat pumps are efficient and effective on paper, they haven't always been objects of desire. Until now.This week, Molly talks to Paul Lambert, CEO and co-founder of Quilt, about building a heat pump company that's equal parts climate solution and consumer product. Paul explains how his team is reimagining the mini-split heat pump—not just as an HVAC system, but as a piece of technology you're proud to have on your wall.We dive into:How heat pumps work: Why an AC is basically "a half-broken heat pump" that only runs in one directionThe two types of heat pumps: Ducted systems vs. ductless mini-splits, and why room-by-room control is a game-changerDesign as climate strategy: How Quilt spent half their initial capital on a domain name and invested heavily in industrial design to create pull, not just policy pushThe installer advantage: Why partnering with contractors (instead of doing it all in-house) unlocked national scaleSmart grid integration: How Quilt's internet-connected system enables demand response without sacrificing comfort—curtailing load in empty rooms while keeping occupied spaces perfectThe data center opportunity: How replacing electric resistance heating with heat pumps near data centers can free up 75% of the energy load—without building new generation capacityWhy incentives help but aren't required: 60% of America is primarily cooling-driven, and heat pumps are just better air conditionersPricing reality: Quilt is competitive with high-end Japanese mini-splits, not luxury-priced like early Nest thermostats or TeslasThe personal mission: How Paul's Alberta roots in the fossil fuel industry and his commitment to his kids' future drove him to climate techKey insight: Space heating and cooling represent half of all home energy use and 70% of fossil fuel consumption in homes—making HVAC the single biggest lever for decarbonizing buildings.Links:Quilt: https://quilt.comFind a Quilt installer: https://quilt.com (click "Find an Installer")All episodes: https://www.everybodyinthepool.com/Subscribe to the Everybody in the Pool newsletter: https://www.mollywood.co/Become a member for the ad-free version of the show: https://everybodyinthepool.supercast.com/ Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Yabusame is a form of Japanese horseback archery that dates back centuries. The sport has traditionally only been practiced in Japan, but in recent years, students outside the country have been allowed to participate — including in Oregon. As reported in Eugene Weekly, Carey Norland participated in one of the first yabusame clinics outside Japan last summer. He then traveled from Eugene to Japan to compete in the World Yabusame Championships in October.  Norland is now set to become one of the first certified yabusame instructors outside of Japan. He joins us to talk about bringing the sport and its spiritual practice to students in the Pacific Northwest.

The group, which included six foreign Franciscan friars, three Japanese Jesuits, and seventeen Japanese lay Christians, was sentenced to death by Toyotomi Hideyoshi after statements from a shipwrecked crew suggested that missionaries prepared the way for military ...

Full Text of Readings The Saint of the day is Saint Paul Miki and Companions Saint Paul Miki and Companions' Story Nagasaki, Japan, is familiar to Americans as the city on which the second atomic bomb was dropped, immediately killing over 37,000 people. Three and a half centuries before, 26 martyrs of Japan were crucified on a hill, now known as the Holy Mountain, overlooking Nagasaki. Among them were priests, brothers, and laymen, Franciscans, Jesuits, and members of the Secular Franciscan Order; there were catechists, doctors, simple artisans, and servants, old men and innocent children—all united in a common faith and love for Jesus and his Church. Brother Paul Miki, a Jesuit and a native of Japan, has become the best known among the martyrs of Japan. While hanging upon a cross, Paul Miki preached to the people gathered for the execution: “The sentence of judgment says these men came to Japan from the Philippines, but I did not come from any other country. I am a true Japanese. The only reason for my being killed is that I have taught the doctrine of Christ. I certainly did teach the doctrine of Christ. I thank God it is for this reason I die. I believe that I am telling only the truth before I die. I know you believe me and I want to say to you all once again: Ask Christ to help you to become happy. I obey Christ. After Christ's example I forgive my persecutors. I do not hate them. I ask God to have pity on all, and I hope my blood will fall on my fellow men as a fruitful rain.” When missionaries returned to Japan in the 1860s, at first they found no trace of Christianity. But after establishing themselves they found that thousands of Christians lived around Nagasaki and that they had secretly preserved the faith. Beatified in 1627, the martyrs of Japan were finally canonized in 1862. Reflection Today, a new era has come for the Church in Japan. Although the number of Catholics is not large, the Church is respected and has total religious freedom. The spread of Christianity in the Far East is slow and difficult. Faith such as that of the 26 martyrs is needed today as much as in 1597.Saint of the Day, Copyright Franciscan Media

Is the viral Japanese yogurt cheesecake worth making?In this bite-sized episode, we share delicious moments about the best things we ate this week to inspire each other – and you!By the end of this episode, you'll want to find out for yourself if you should jump on the Japanese yogurt cheesecake trend, and you'll also discover a next-level take on no-bake rice crispies treats!You'll also want to try our favorite slow-cooker braised chicken dish, which relies exclusively on pantry staples and can be the foundation for countless dishes -- like a delicious weekday taco. Tune in for a quick dose of home cooking inspiration!***To join our monthly live hang, or for more recipes and cooking inspiration, sign up for our Substack here.***Links:Two-ingredient viral Japanese yogurt cheesecake recipe from Food & WinePistachio Halvah Rice Krispie Treats by Miro Uskokovic from NYT Cooking (unlocked)Kari's slow cooker braised chicken for an easy taco lunchTortilla Land ready-to-cook flour tortillas that Kari uses (not sponsored!)***To join our monthly live hang, or for more recipes and cooking inspiration, sign up for our Substack here.Got a cooking question? Leave us a message on our hotline at: 323-452-9084Order Sonya's cookbook Braids for more Food Friends recipes!We love hearing from you — follow us on Instagram @foodfriendspod, or drop us a line at foodfriendspod@gmail.com!

Learn the English expression, "turn in."Explore the full lesson & practice using today's expression: https://plainenglish.com/expressions/turn-in--Plain English helps you improve your English:Learn about the world and improve your EnglishClear, natural English at a speed you can understandNew stories every weekLearn even more at PlainEnglish.comMentioned in this episode:Hard words? No problemNever be confused by difficult words in Plain English again! See translations of the hardest words and phrases from English to your language. Each episode transcript includes built-in translations into Spanish, Portuguese, Chinese, German, French, Italian, Japanese, Polish, and Turkish. Sign up for a free 14-day trial at PlainEnglish.com

What if starting over isn't starting from scratch—but starting from experience?In this inspiring, real-talk episode of Ask the Color Expert, Elaine sits down with Kelly Oliver—a 51-year-old healthcare executive, fluent Japanese speaker, and beauty school student—to talk about what it really looks like to enter the beauty industry later in life.

February 4, 1703. A group of Japanese samurai are punished for avenging their master's death. Support the show! Join Into History for ad-free listening and more. History Daily is a co-production of Airship and Noiser.Go to HistoryDaily.com for more history, daily.

If you haven't seen the Apple TV Series "Drops of God", you must change that quickly. This is, in my opinion, the single best wine show/movie ever done. It's not hokey, it shows wine in a realistic and good light, and it's a cool story.   The show, whose first season dropped in 2023, won the International Emmy Awards for Best Drama Series and has been praised for its beautiful cinematography, skilled acting, and accurate portrayal of certain elements of the wine world. It's actually based on a Japanese manga series of the same name that was wildly popular.    Season one was so successful that Drops of God was renewed for a second season, which is currently unfolding week after week on Apple TV. Season one is still available for you to watch if you missed it.  In this show, I sit down with Sebastien "Seb" Pradal, who was the man behind all the wine knowledge in this show. He worked with the writers and actors to get all the facts and details of the wines right.    Although he won the very prestigious Best Young Sommelier of France in 1997, Seb took the entrepreneurial route instead of working as a somm. He leads a wine distribution and consulting agency, owns the fine dining restaurant La Petite Régalade in Paris, where he showcases French gastronomy and highlights independent producers and cool wines, and he imports French wines into Mexico and Colombia.   He was selected by the writers working on "Drops of God" to help them make the series true to the wine world in a non-snobby way. He was charged with making all wine-related activities authentic, and we worked closely with the actors to teach them about wine, wine tasting, and the wine world (he told me offline that the actors now order and drink wine regularly and know their way around a list!).   This podcast will give you a rare glimpse into why this show is so successful in portraying the wine world when many others have fallen short. And that glimpse really is all about Seb Pradal and his contributions to the show. He is a delightful person and shares some fun insider information about the inner workings of how a production of this caliber gets made.    As promised, here are the links we mention in the show: Seb's Paris restaurant:  La Petite Régalade Georgian wine Seb calls his "Grail": Marani Ruispiri, Giorgi Aladashvini Information on Lignage grape: Lignage and Clos du Tue-Boeuf     Full show notes and all back episodes are on Patreon. Join the community today! www.patreon.com/winefornormalpeople _______________________________________________________________   This show is brought to you by my exclusive sponsor, Wine Access – THE place to discover your next favorite bottle. Wine Access has highly allocated wines and incredible values, plus free shipping on orders of $150 or more. You can't go wrong with Wine Access! Join the WFNP/Wine Access wine club and get 6 awesome bottles for just $150 four times a year. That includes shipping! When you become a member, you also get 10% all your purchases on the site. Go to wineaccess.com/normal to sign up!   

On this episode of Inside OnlyFans Kayla & CJ chat with porn star Porshaboo (Porsha Bunz). From serving time in jail, her strict Japanese upbringing, to her 50 Shades of Grey fantasy, you won't want to miss this episode! Full video episodes available: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Patreon⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠OnlyFans ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ FOLLOW US! Instagram: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠@insideonlyfans⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠@cjsparxx⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠@kaylalaurenoffical⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ @porshabunz Twitter: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠@insidefans⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Facebook: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Inside OnlyFans⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Tiktok:⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠@insideofpodcast⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ YouTube: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Inside OnlyFans ⁠⁠⁠ Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Russell Sattazhan was 15 years old when the Japanese attacked Pearl Harbor and forced the U.S. into World War II. in 1944, he  was drafted and was placed in an infantry replacement unit. Replacements were needed so badly that training was cut short and Sattazhan's unit was sent to Europe and folded into the Army's 1st Infantry Division in January 1945. Two months later, Sattazhan's war would be over after suffering a severe wound from a German attack.In this edition of Veterans Chronicles, Sattazhan tells us what it was like being rushed into combat, dealing with the brutal winter in early 1945 and pushing the Nazis further and further intoo Germany.He also takes us to the day he was badly wounded in his right hand and part of his wrist after being hit by German fire, the unusual circumstances that helped to save his life, realizing that he needed an amputation, and his road to recovery.

Planning a trip to Japan and wondering what to eat—and how to find truly great food? In this Japan food guide podcast episode, we break down the must-try Japanese dishes and share practical tips for finding amazing places to eat across the country. We cover iconic Japanese foods like ramen, sushi, okonomiyaki, tempura, yakitori, and more, explaining each dish. We also share our favorite restaurants and casual eateries, along with tips for spotting good local spots, avoiding tourist traps, and eating well! You'll learn: What to eat in Japan How to find good restaurants in Japan as a visitor How to tell if a place is worth the wait Our favorite places to eat in Tokyo, Kyoto, Okayama, and more!   Whether you're visiting Japan for the first time or planning a return trip, this episode will help you build a food-focused itinerary and eat confidently throughout your travels.

What are ProducerHead Loops?Gems from past conversations worth running back.Perfect for when you need a quick hit of inspiration.This Loop:In this ProducerHead Loops episode, Mark de Clive-Lowe opens up about the long journey toward belonging, identity, and creative truth. Growing up between cultures and never fully feeling like he fit in, Mark describes how that lifelong search eventually led him back to his roots, and deeper into himself.He shares how reconnecting with his Japanese ancestry transformed not just his life, but his music. By embracing vulnerability and telling personal stories through sound, Mark found a new creative framework where meaning mattered more than aesthetics or technical perfection. Performing music rooted in ancestry and lived experience became the first time he truly felt like he was defining the paradigm, not chasing one.This Loop is about courage. About letting go of hipness, trends, and external validation in favor of honesty. When you are bold enough to be yourself, the work resonates more deeply, not just with others, but with you.From Episode: 031. Bold Enough To Be Yourself: Mark de Clive-LoweWant more like this? Subscribe to ProducerHead for new episodes, Loops, and creative clarity delivered straight to your inbox.Connect with Toru:* Website: torubeat.com* Instagram: @torubeat* YouTube: @torubeat* Spotify: Toru* Apple Music: ToruSubscribe to ProducerHeadGet new episodes and Loops delivered straight to your inbox. Hit that subscribe button if you're not already part of the community.This episode was co-produced, engineered and edited by Matthew Diaz.From ProducerHead, this is Toru, and in a way, so are you. Peace. Get full access to ProducerHead at producerhead.substack.com/subscribe

Satlyt has entered into a commercial license agreement with The Aerospace Corporation for the use of its DiskSat technology. Japan's SKY Perfect JSAT and Europe's constellr are collaborating on the launch of commercial sales of high‑resolution thermal infrared satellite data for the Japanese market. Blue Origin's Blue Moon MK1 Lunar Lander has arrived at NASA's Johnson Space Center (JSC) to undergo testing, and more. Remember to leave us a 5-star rating and review in your favorite podcast app. Be sure to follow T-Minus on LinkedIn and Instagram. T-Minus Guest Our guest today is William Cook, Sr. Vice President Space Operations at Psionic Navigation. You can connect with William on LinkedIn, and learn more about Psionic on their website. Selected Reading Satlyt and The Aerospace Corporation Partner to Advance Edge Computing in Space constellr launches commercial partnership with Japan's premier space solutions provider SKY Perfect JSAT Airbus Targets Superbird-9 Launch In 2027 After Delays - Aviation Week Network Isar Aerospace opens second test site at Esrange Space Center Blue Origin's lunar lander is at Houston's Johnson Space Center for testing ESA - Moving satellites to meet a plane for rare reentry data Share your feedback. What do you think about T-Minus Space Daily? Please take a few minutes to share your thoughts with us by completing our brief listener survey. Thank you for helping us continue to improve our show.  Want to hear your company in the show? You too can reach the most influential leaders and operators in the industry. Here's our media kit. Contact us at space@n2k.com to request more info. Want to join us for an interview? Please send your pitch to space-editor@n2k.com and include your name, affiliation, and topic proposal. T-Minus is a production of N2K Networks, your source for strategic workforce intelligence. © N2K Networks, Inc. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Scott slowly prepares for a return to Antarctica - but rivals abound - including the Americans, Swedes, Japanese, Germans and French. But the greatest challenger - Norwegian explorer Roald Amundsen - is unknown until the last minute - setting up a dramatic race for the South Pole. Sponsors: Quince. Get free shipping with your order by using code EXPLORERS at quince.com/explorers The Explorers Podcast is part of the Airwave Media Network: www.airwavemedia.com Interested in advertising on the Explorers Podcast? Email us at advertising@airwavemedia.com Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

CleanSpark's Rory Murray joins us to explain the macro forces driving bitcoin's price and how the options market may be suppressing bitcoin. Subscribe to the Blockspace newsletter! Welcome back to The Blockspace Podcast! Today, CleanSpark's VP of Digital Asset Management Rory Murray joins us to talk about the latest macro shocks hitting the market and how they are driving bitcoin's price. Rory breaks down how the options market may have been weighing on bitcoin's price in Q4, and how the options market has changed bitcoin's market. We also dive into the six sigma move in Japanese rates, the unraveling of the yen carry trade, and how geopolitical tensions over Greenland are affecting global liquidity. Rory explains why bitcoin is being buffeted by noise while gold and silver take the lead in the debasement trade, plus the intersection of AI energy demand and Bitcoin mining as we head into 2026. Subscribe to the newsletter! https://newsletter.blockspacemedia.com Notes: * Japan 40-year bond yields topped 4% first time. * Japan has world's highest debt-to-GDP ratios. * Korean equity index rose 70% last year. * Yen carry trade has driven trillions in flow. * Gold crossed USD as top central bank reserve. Timestamps: 00:00 Start 03:20 Bitcoin & macro 06:45 Japan 17:08 Carry trade & liquidity drying up 18:08 Debasement trade 18:47 Hypercycle 22:50 Silver rally 23:18 Energy is the value creator 26:59 Options suppressing Bitcoin price? 41:10 Dampening volatility 42:35 Next 90 days 46:07 Cleanspark's BTC stack 48:14 Easier or harder to manage stack

In Episode 359 of the Mixing Music Podcast, Dee Kei sits down in Shibuya, Tokyo with Eric from Blackcat Whitecat Music, a music agency working across advertising, film, TV series, games, and publishing. The conversation offers a rare inside look at how brands and agencies actually choose music, and what producers need to understand if they want to land real commercial placements.Eric breaks down how music is sourced for advertising in Japan, including how creative decisions are made, why relationships matter more than cold pitches, and how Japanese and Western expectations around sync, licensing, and royalties can differ. He explains the concept of “tie-ups,” upfront fees, and why some advertising music deals function very differently than traditional backend royalty models.They also get into practical pitching advice for producers and composers, including what makes an outreach email worth opening, why personalization matters, and how professionalism, reliability, and communication often outweigh raw talent. Eric shares his strong stance on not delivering full stems at the final stage, explaining how protecting the approved mix helps preserve the original creative intent.The episode explores cross-cultural communication, Japanese business etiquette, and the role of trust when working with clients. They also discuss AI in advertising music, where automation may increase, and why taste, branding, human judgment, and imperfection still hold real value.This episode is a must-listen for producers, composers, and engineers interested in sync, advertising, international music work, and building sustainable creative careers through relationships rather than hype. The episode closes with a recap on outreach, research, and telling a clear story when you pitch, along with a direct contact point for producers who want to reach out: info@bwcatmusic.comSUBSCRIBE TO OUR PATREON FOR EXCLUSIVE CONTENT!⁠SUBSCRIBE TO YOUTUBE⁠Join the ‘Mixing Music Podcast' Discord!HIRE DEE KEIHIRE LU⁠HIRE JAMES⁠Find Dee Kei and Lu on Social Media:Instagram: @DeeKeiMixes @MasteredbyLu @JamesParrishMixesTwitter: @DeeKeiMixes @MasteredbyLuThe Mixing Music Podcast is sponsored by ⁠Izotope⁠, ⁠Antares (Auto Tune)⁠, Sweetwater, ⁠Plugin Boutique⁠, ⁠Lauten Audio⁠, ⁠Filepass⁠, & ⁠Canva⁠The Mixing Music Podcast is a video and audio series on the art of music production and post-production. Dee Kei, Lu, and James are professionals in the Los Angeles music industry having worked with names like Odetari, 6arelyhuman, Trey Songz, Keyshia Cole, Benny the Butcher, carolesdaughter, Crying City, Daphne Loves Derby, Natalie Jane, charlieonnafriday, bludnymph, Lay Bankz, Rico Nasty, Ayesha Erotica, ATEEZ, Dizzy Wright, Kanye West, Blackway, The Game, Dylan Espeseth, Tara Yummy, Asteria, Kets4eki, Shaquille O'Neal, Republic Records, Interscope Records, Arista Records, Position Music, Capital Records, Mercury Records, Universal Music Group, apg, Hive Music, Sony Music, and many others.This podcast is meant to be used for educational purposes only. This show is filmed and recorded at Dee Kei's private studio in North Hollywood, California. If you would like to sponsor the show, please email us at ⁠deekeimixes@gmail.com⁠.Support this podcast at — https://redcircle.com/mixing-music-music-production-audio-engineering-and-music/donationsAdvertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brandsPrivacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy

Is Raf Simons finally back? Is Rick Owens still the GOAT? Did Jonathan Anderson fumble his AW27 Dior menswear show? Why does Dsquared2 keep putting giant furry hats on models—and why do we respect it?Sol and Michael break down 2026's Paris Fashion Week and Milan Fashion Week with their most unfiltered runway reviews yet. Which designers are cooking? Which creative directors are washed? Find out.RUNWAY REVIEWS:Prada FW26: High button holes, dirty French cuffs, and silhouettes echoing early Raf archive (Riot Riot Riot era). A genuine return to form—dressing cool young people, not runway theater.Rick Owens "TOWER": Military fashion without cosplay. Exaggerated shoulders replace traditional epaulets. Comparisons to Concordians, Porterville, Hollywood, Temple, and Lido—this might be his best of the past 5 years.Jonathan Anderson — Dior Men's AW27: Paul Poiret references and "heritage meets subversion" press notes that don't translate.Dsquared2 FW26: Dean and Dan Caten deliver giant furry hats, Olympic ski aesthetics, and jacked models with chiseled jawlines.Ralph Lauren FW26: Is Ralph pandering to the Aime Leon Dore and Bodé crowd? Vintage Polo Sport looks feel five years late to the Lower East Side menswear revival. But the tailoring buried later—velvet tuxedos, opera loafers, herringbone Chesterfields, cutaway collars—still hits.Balenciaga FW26 (Pierpaolo Piccioli): Post-Demna disappointment. Zara-coded varsity bombers, incoherent lookbook energy.Soshio Otsuki — Pitti Uomo 2026: The Japanese designer making YSL-inspired power suits for men. Double-breasted blazers for $600, Boro stitching collabs, jumpsuit-illusion suiting.Also discussed: Demna's Gucci debut, Louis Vuitton under Pharrell, London vs. New York street style, British tailoring culture, Rolling Dub Trio and Kozaburo boots, making a horse leather Birkin, and whether Dolce & Gabbana discourse is just an easy accountability checkbox.QUESTIONS ANSWERED:→ What did Raf Simons show at Prada FW26?→ Who is the best designer of 2026?→ Who is the new Dior menswear creative director? → Is Ralph Lauren copying Aime Leon Dore? → What happened to Balenciaga after Demna? → Who is Soshio Otsuki? → What is the high button hole trend? → What are the best Paris Fashion Week FW26 collections? → London vs. New York: Who dresses better?Sol Thompson and Michael Smith explore the world and subcultures of fashion, interviewing creators, personalities, and industry insiders to highlight the new vanguard of the fashion world. Subscribe for weekly uploads of the podcast, and don't forgot to follow us on our social channels for additional content, and join our discord to access what we've dubbed “the happiest place in fashion”.Message us with Business Inquiries at pairofkingspod@gmail.comSubscribe to get early access to podcasts and videos, and participate in exclusive giveaways for $4 a month Links: Instagram TikTok Twitter/X Sol's Substack (One Size Fits All) Sol's Instagram Michael's Instagram Michael's TikTok

We first covered the beginnings of Transformers Generations toys with 2006's Classics line back in episode #16, but now we're back for the Takara equivalent: Henkei! Henkei! Transformers. This Japanese roster — which also spans parts of 2008's Universe line and literally translates to "Transform! Transform! Transformers" — is a jewel in the crown of mid-2000s robots in disguise.Henkei! offered surprisingly varied — and often superior — repaint choices on already beloved moulds (including some which have arguably been unfairly maligned, as we'll discuss). It's a line of creative designs, intriguing transformations, and definite ingenuity, but coupled with Takara's attention to detail when it comes to finish, it's not hard to understand why it grabbed so much attention at the time. Even if the abundance of chrome proved surprisingly divisive.We're stepping back to an era before every character received regular Generations updates every few years — a time when classic characters were brought back with real flair for doing something different, and when A-list names like Bumblebee received their first toys in years. It's not an exaggeration to say that the figures in today's spotlight set the template for Generations toys to this day, and we're here to give them their due.—Chapters0:00:00 Intro0:06:16 Sponsor Segment: Valart0:10:36 What Is Collector Burnout?0:17:53 The Acquisition Problem & Social Media Impact0:30:37 The Benefit of Creative Pursuits0:40:01 Recognising Warning Signs & Finding Balance1:02:27 Community Connection1:13:01 Sponsor Segment: TFSource1:23:38 Final Thoughts & Patron Questions—Enjoying the show? There's more than meets the ear...Find show notes at https://www.tripletakeover.comJoin the conversation with us on DiscordSupport the podcast on Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/tripletakeover

What if you could easily cook up an incredible meal at home for someone you love?Date night doesn't have to be fussy or complicated to be special, and we firmly believe it can be about cooking incredible food for anyone you're close to: a partner, family, roommates, or friends.This week, we're sharing our top 10 date night recipes, and by the end of this episode, you'll:Learn simple fuss-free dishes, like a 30-minute crispy artichoke pasta, and a no-churn ice creamDiscover interactive meals, like a home-cook-friendly Japanese hot potFind out about our favorite 15-minute, elegant classic French main courseListen now to get inspired to make a memorable date night dinner at home... no hard-to-get reservations, waiting in line, or complicated cooking required!***Links:Japanese shabu shabu (hot pot) at home from Just One Cook, or sukiyaki from White On Rice CoupleClassic sole meuniere by Molly Wizenberg, serve with steamed asparagusRicotta gnocchi by Mark Bittman for NYT Cooking (unlocked)Crispy artichoke pasta by Andy Baraghani for NYT Cooking (unlocked)Crepe night with savory buckwheat crepes by Martha Rose Shulman, and chocolate crepes by Zeynab Issa, both for NYT Cooking (unlocked) Heart-shaped french toast by Sew White, and use the outside of the heart for “Egg-in-a-heart” (aka toad-in-a-hole)Nigella Lawson's one-step no-churn coffee ice creamHeart-shaped pastry with strawberries and whipped cream from Bos Kitchen Kiwi fool by Eric TriesitTiramisu dippers by Anna Painter for...

The freight recession may finally be over as January transportation metrics reveal a market in firm expansion territory. With the overall index hitting 59.6, a convergence of tightening capacity and rising rates suggests the cycle has officially turned. Regulatory pressures are squeezing the driver pool just as Werner Enterprises settles an 11-year-old lawsuit regarding driver wages. This $18 million payout underscores the rising floor for labor costs in an increasingly constrained environment. On the demand side, a surge in Japanese machine tool orders points to a manufacturing rebound later this year. North American orders jumped nearly 30%, signaling that industrial production is gearing up for a strong second half of 2026. Macroeconomic policy could also provide a tailwind if Fed Chair nominee Kevin Warsh shifts focus back to Main Street. His criticism of current monetary strategy suggests relief may be on the way for the industrial and small business sectors. Meanwhile, rail infrastructure is booming with Norfolk Southern customers advancing over $7.7 billion in new projects. Adding to the positive momentum, legal distractions are clearing up for major players following the dismissal of charges against NFI's CEO. Follow the FreightWaves NOW Podcast Other FreightWaves Shows Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Nick and Jonathan react to the latest trade in the NBA, as well as how the White Sox sealed the deal with Japanese slugger Munetaka Murakami.

Howl's Moving Castle - Ep 381: Our long form series continues as your hosts exit their dimensional door and wander into the whimsical, war-torn world of Howl's Moving Castle and ask the important question: Is Howl the most dramatic wizard of all time? We leak goo and grow feathers as we try to contain our excitement and break the curse that recording this podcast has become with another episode of Normies Like Us! We all have Billy Crystal in our hearts. @Normies_Like_Us https://www.instagram.com/normies_like_us/ @jacob https://www.instagram.com/_j__a___c___o__b_/ @Mike_Has_Insta https://www.instagram.com/mike_has_insta/ https://letterboxd.com/BabblingBrooksy/ https://letterboxd.com/hobbes72/ https://letterboxd.com/mikejromans/

In this episode of Flavors Unknown, I sit down with Chef Sean Nguyen, one of the chefs helping redefine Orlando's culinary landscape through precision, restraint, and deep respect for Japanese cuisine. Chef Nguyen shares the story behind Domu, the restaurant that brought his dream to life — and the philosophy that guides his growing portfolio of concepts, from an intimate standing sushi bar to the painstaking pursuit of the perfect gyukatsu cut. Together, they explore why certain signature dishes endure, how cocktails become part of the narrative, and what it takes to balance innovation with consistency across multiple restaurants. This conversation goes beyond trends and accolades to examine research and development, team trust, cultural interpretation, and the evolving definition of success in today's culinary world. What you’ll learn from Chef Sean Nguyen Why precision sits at the heart of Japanese cuisine How Domu became a personal and professional turning point The importance of protecting signature dishes over time How cocktail pairings are developed collaboratively with bar teams What makes a standing sushi bar such a unique dining experience Why gyukatsu required years of research before launching The challenges of growing new concepts without neglecting existing ones How R&D sessions fuel long-term culinary innovation Why building a trustworthy team matters more than constant expansion How Chef Sean Nguyen defines success today — beyond stars and awards Episode Timeline 03:08 — The essence of Japanese cuisine and precision 05:56 — Exploring Chef Sean Nguyen's restaurant concepts 09:00 — Signature dishes and long-term culinary inspiration 11:51 — Cocktail pairings and collaboration with bar managers 14:55 — The unique experience of a standing sushi bar 17:58 — Gyukatsu and the pursuit of perfection 20:59 — Balancing new ideas with established restaurants 23:55 — Research and development as a creative engine 26:59 — Building and trusting the right team 29:56 — Defining success in the culinary world 33:01 — Dining recommendations in Orlando 36:01 — Guilty pleasures and culinary dreams 38:58 — Final thoughts and closing reflections Beyond the Mic: My Stories in Print A Taste of Madagascar: Culinary Riches of the Red Island invites readers to join me on his unforgettable journey across the island of Madagascar, where a vibrant culture and stunning ecosystem intertwine to create an extraordinary culinary experience. Explore the unique ingredients and traditions that define Madagascar and discover their profound impact on the global culinary landscape. Alongside the captivating stories, the book presents a collection of exciting recipes that showcase the incredible flavors and ingredients of Madagascar. Publication date: Tuesday, January 27, 2026 Pre-order the book here! “Conversations Behind the Kitchen Door” is my debut book, published in Fall 2022. It features insights from chefs and culinary leaders interviewed on the Flavors Unknown podcast, offering a behind-the-scenes look at creativity, culture, and the future of the hospitality industry. Get the book here! Links to most downloaded episodes (click on any picture to listen to the episode) Chef Sheldon Simeon Chef Andy Doubrava Chef Nina Compton Chef Jacques Pepin Social media Chef Sean Nguyen Instagram Facebook Social media Domu Instagram Facebook Links mentioned in this episode Domu Orlando Tori Tori Pub Gyukatsu Rose SUBSCRIBE TO THE ‘FLAVORS UNKNOWN' NEWSLETTER

Dave cooks jangjorim, a Korean braised dish usually served as a side, but that Dave thinks could be an entree and a star.  He also discusses how to know when rice is properly washed, as well as the difference between mu radish and daikon (amongst other Korean and Japanese foods).  Dave finishes the episode by answering an Ask Dave about who he would want as company for his dream last meal and his answer is...surprising. Learn more about The Sergeantsville Inn: https://www.sergeantsvilleinn.com/  Learn more about Park's BBQ: https://parksbbq.com/  Learn more about Noodle Bar: https://www.momofuku.com/pages/noodle-bar  Learn more about Baroo: https://www.baroolosangeles.com/  Learn more about Benu: https://www.benusf.com/  Learn more about Sun Nong Dan: https://sunnongdanusa.com/  Learn more about Ideas in food: https://ideasinfood.com/  Learn more about San Ho Won: https://www.sanhowon.com/  Learn more about Willie Mae's: https://williemaesnola.com/ Host: Dave Chang Majordomo Media Producer: David Meyer Spotify Producer: Felipe Guilhermino Additional Crew: Jake Loskutoff, Nikola Stanjevich, Dan McCoy, Michael Berger, Elizabeth Styles Sound Engineer: Kevin Cureghian Editor: Jake Loskutoff Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

“It was almost unbelievable, but I was seeing it. Almost simultaneously, three [Japanese] carriers were wiped out. I knew what it meant. By golly, we did it!”  This is the story of a battle that changed how wars are fought at sea—and of the thin margin between disaster and destiny. In the spring of 1942, Japanese forces surge across the Pacific, confident their next move will finish what Pearl Harbor began. But beneath the surface, American codebreakers are listening, watching, and waiting. Fresh from the hard-fought Battle of the Coral Sea, the U.S. Navy limps forward with damaged carriers, exhausted pilots, and an untested commander named Chester Nimitz. Across the ocean, Admiral Yamamoto Isoroku sets an intricate trap meant to lure America's carriers into annihilation near a tiny atoll called Midway. What follows is not a clash of battleships, but a duel fought primarily in the air—where minutes matter, mistakes are fatal, and pilots will dive straight into fire with no idea if they're already too late. By the morning of June 4, 1942, both sides believe victory is within reach. Only one is right. ____ Connect with us on HTDSpodcast.com and go deep into episode bibliographies and book recommendations join discussions in our Facebook community get news and discounts from The HTDS Gazette  come see a live show get HTDS merch or become an HTDS premium member for bonus episodes and other perks. HTDS is part of Audacy media network. Interested in advertising on the History That Doesn't Suck? Contact Audacyinc.com. To learn more about listener data and our privacy practices visit: https://www.audacyinc.com/privacy-policy Learn more about your ad choices. Visit https://podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Mark Longenecker is a renowned tattoo artist who became known worldwide after placing 4th on Season 5 of the hit TV show Ink Master. With over 30 years behind the machine, Mark is the owner of Endless Summer Tattoos in Cocoa Beach, Florida—and when he's not tattooing, he's usually chasing waves as an avid surfer and ocean lover. In this episode, we get into what it was really like competing on Ink Master, the very first tattoo Mark ever did on someone, and the path that led him into the industry in the first place. Mark also shares how he got hired to work for Jimmy Buffett, what it took to open his own shop, and how he developed his signature “Tropi Style” tattoos—pulling inspiration from traditional Japanese design and translating it into something uniquely his. We also talk about how Ink Master changed his life, what he's learned from decades of tattooing, and the mindset it takes to keep evolving as an artist.

[974] In this episode I read out lots of haiku poems, explain their meaning, discuss what they make me think and feel, and use them to teach you some vocabulary. The haikus I read include some traditional Japanese ones translated into English, plus more modern ones written in English by writers from around the world. Some of these haikus are meditative, some are sad, some are funny and some find a way to capture feelings that are otherwise difficult to put into words.Get the episode PDF

Last time we spoke about the battle of Nanchang. After securing Hainan and targeting Zhejiang–Jiangxi Railway corridors, Japan's 11th Army, backed by armor, air power, and riverine operations, sought a rapid, surgical seizure of Nanchang to sever eastern Chinese logistics and coerce Chongqing. China, reorganizing under Chiang Kai-shek, concentrated over 200,000 troops across 52 divisions in the Ninth and Third War Zones, with Xue Yue commanding the 9th War Zone in defense of Wuhan-Nanchang corridors. The fighting began with German-style, combined-arms river operations along the Xiushui and Gan rivers, including feints, river crossings, and heavy artillery, sometimes using poison gas. From March 20–23, Japanese forces established a beachhead and advanced into Fengxin, Shengmi, and later Nanchang, despite stiff Chinese resistance and bridges being destroyed. Chiang's strategic shift toward attrition pushed for broader offensives to disrupt railways and rear areas, though Chinese plans for a counteroffensive repeatedly stalled due to logistics and coordination issues. By early May, Japanese forces encircled and captured Nanchang, albeit at heavy cost, with Chinese casualties surpassing 43,000 dead and Japanese losses over 2,200 dead.    #187 The Battle of Suixian–Zaoyang-Shatow Welcome to the Fall and Rise of China Podcast, I am your dutiful host Craig Watson. But, before we start I want to also remind you this podcast is only made possible through the efforts of Kings and Generals over at Youtube. Perhaps you want to learn more about the history of Asia? Kings and Generals have an assortment of episodes on history of asia and much more  so go give them a look over on Youtube. So please subscribe to Kings and Generals over at Youtube and to continue helping us produce this content please check out www.patreon.com/kingsandgenerals. If you are still hungry for some more history related content, over on my channel, the Pacific War Channel where I cover the history of China and Japan from the 19th century until the end of the Pacific War. Having seized Wuhan in a brutal offensive the previous year, the Japanese sought not just to hold their ground but to solidify their grip on this vital hub. Wuhan, a bustling metropolis at the confluence of the Yangtze and Han Rivers, had become a linchpin in their strategy, a base from which they could project power across central China. Yet, the city was far from secure, Chinese troops in northern Hubei and southern Henan, perched above the mighty Yangtze, posed an unrelenting threat. To relieve the mounting pressure on their newfound stronghold, the Japanese high command orchestrated a bold offensive against the towns of Suixian and Zaoyang. They aimed to annihilate the main force of the Chinese 5th War Zone, a move that would crush the Nationalist resistance in the region and secure their flanks. This theater of war, freshly designated as the 5th War Zone after the grueling Battle of Wuhan, encompassed a vast expanse west of Shashi in the upper Yangtze basin. It stretched across northern Hubei, southern Henan, and the rugged Dabie Mountains in eastern Anhui, forming a strategic bulwark that guarded the eastern approaches to Sichuan, the very heartland of the Nationalist government's central institutions. Historian Rana Mitter in Forgotten Ally described this zone as "a gateway of immense importance, a natural fortress that could either serve as a launchpad for offensives against Japanese-held territories or a defensive redoubt protecting the rear areas of Sichuan and Shaanxi". The terrain itself was a defender's dream and an attacker's nightmare: to the east rose the imposing Dabie Mountains, their peaks cloaked in mist and folklore; the Tongbai Mountains sliced across the north like a jagged spine; the Jing Mountains guarded the west; the Yangtze River snaked southward, its waters a formidable barrier; the Dahong Mountains dominated the center, offering hidden valleys for ambushes; and the Han River (also known as the Xiang River) carved a north-south path through it all. Two critical transport arteries—the Hanyi Road linking Hankou to Yichang in Hubei, and the Xianghua Road connecting Xiangyang to Huayuan near Hankou—crisscrossed this landscape, integrating the war zone into a web of mobility. From here, Chinese forces could menace the vital Pinghan Railway, that iron lifeline running from Beiping (modern Beijing) to Hankou, while also threatening the Wuhan region itself. In retreat, it provided a sanctuary to shield the Nationalist heartlands. As military strategist Sun Tzu might have appreciated, this area had long been a magnet for generals, its contours shaping the fates of empires since ancient times. Despite the 5th War Zone's intricate troop deployments, marked by units of varying combat prowess and a glaring shortage of heavy weapons, the Chinese forces made masterful use of the terrain to harass their invaders. Drawing from accounts in Li Zongren's memoirs, he noted how these defenders, often outgunned but never outmaneuvered, turned hills into fortresses and rivers into moats. In early April 1939, as spring rains turned paths to mud, Chinese troops ramped up their disruptions along the southern stretches of the Pinghan Railway, striking from both eastern and western flanks with guerrilla precision. What truly rattled the Japanese garrison in Wuhan was the arrival of reinforcements: six full divisions redeployed to Zaoyang, bolstering the Chinese capacity to launch flanking assaults that could unravel Japanese supply lines. Alarmed by this buildup, the Japanese 11th Army, ensconced in the Wuhan area under the command of General Yasuji Okamura, a figure whose tactical acumen would later earn him notoriety in the Pacific War, devised a daring plan. They intended to plunge deep into the 5th War Zone, smashing the core of the Chinese forces and rendering them impotent, thereby neutralizing the northwestern threat to Wuhan once and for all. From April onward, the Japanese mobilized with meticulous preparation, amassing troops equipped with formidable artillery, rumbling tanks, and squadrons of aircraft that darkened the skies. Historians estimate they committed roughly three and a half divisions to this endeavor, as detailed in Edward J. Drea's In the Service of the Emperor: Essays on the Imperial Japanese Army. Employing a classic pincer movement, a two-flank encirclement coupled with a central breakthrough, they aimed for a swift, decisive strike to obliterate the main Chinese force in the narrow Suixian-Zaoyang corridor, squeezed between the Tongbai and Dahong Mountains. The offensive erupted in full fury on May 1, 1939, as Japanese columns surged forward like a tidal wave, their engines roaring and banners fluttering in the dust-choked air. General Li Zongren, the commander of the 5th War Zone, a man whose leadership had already shone in earlier campaigns like the defense of Tai'erzhuang in 1938, issued urgent orders to cease offensive actions against the Japanese and pivot to a defensive stance. Based on intelligence about the enemy's dispositions, Li orchestrated a comprehensive campaign structure, assigning precise defensive roles and battle plans to each unit. This was no haphazard scramble; it was a symphony of strategy, as Li himself recounted in his memoirs, emphasizing the need to exploit the terrain's natural advantages. While various Chinese war zones executed the "April Offensive" from late April to mid-May, actively harrying and containing Japanese forces, the 5th War Zone focused its energies on the southern segment of the Pinghan Railway, assaulting it from both sides in a bid to disrupt logistics. The main force of the 31st Army Group, under the command of Tang Enbo, a general known for his aggressive tactics and later criticized for corruption, shifted from elsewhere in Hubei to Zaoyang, fortifying the zone and posing a dire threat to the Japanese flanks and rear areas. To counter this peril and safeguard transportation along the Wuhan-Pinghan Railway, the Japanese, led by the formidable Okamura, unleashed their assault from the line stretching through Xinyang, Yingshan, and Zhongxiang. Mobilizing the 3rd, 13th, and 16th Divisions alongside the 2nd and 4th Cavalry Brigades, they charged toward the Suixian-Zaoyang region in western Hubei, intent on eradicating the Chinese main force and alleviating the siege-like pressure on Wuhan. In a masterful reorganization, Li Zongren divided his forces into two army groups, the left and right, plus a dedicated river defense army. His strategy was a blend of attrition and opportunism: harnessing the Tongbai and Dahong Mountains, clinging to key towns like lifelines, and grinding down the Japanese through prolonged warfare while biding time for a counterstroke. This approach echoed the Fabian tactics of ancient Rome, wearing the enemy thin before delivering the coup de grâce. The storm broke at dawn on May 1, when the main contingents of the Japanese 16th and 13th Divisions, bolstered by the 4th Cavalry Brigade from their bases in Zhongxiang and Jingshan, hurled themselves against the Chinese 37th and 180th Divisions of the Right Army Group. Supported by droning aircraft that strafed from above and tanks that churned the earth below, the Japanese advanced with mechanical precision. By May 4, they had shattered the defensive lines flanking Changshoudian, then surged along the east bank of the Xiang River toward Zaoyang in a massive offensive. Fierce combat raged through May 5, as described in Japanese war diaries compiled in Senshi Sōsho (the official Japanese war history series), where soldiers recounted the relentless Chinese resistance amid the smoke and clamor. The Japanese finally breached the defenses, turning their fury on the 122nd Division of the 41st Army. In a heroic stand, the 180th Division clung to Changshoudian, providing cover for the main force's retreat along the east-west Huangqi'an line. The 37th Division fell back to the Yaojiahe line, while elements of the 38th Division repositioned into Liushuigou. On May 6, the Japanese seized Changshoudian, punched through Huangqi'an, and drove northward, unleashing a devastating assault on the 122nd Division's positions near Wenjiamiao. Undeterred, Chinese defenders executed daring flanking maneuvers in the Fenglehe, Yaojiahe, Liushuihe, Shuanghe, and Zhangjiaji areas, turning the landscape into a labyrinth of ambushes. May 7 saw the Japanese pressing on, capturing Zhangjiaji and Shuanghe. By May 8, they assaulted Maozifan and Xinji, where ferocious battles erupted, soldiers clashing in hand-to-hand combat amid the ruins. By May 10, the Japanese had overrun Huyang Town and Xinye, advancing toward Tanghe and the northeastern fringes of Zaoyang. Yet, the Tanghe River front witnessed partial Chinese recoveries: remnants of the Right Army Group, alongside troops from east of the Xianghe, reclaimed Xinye. The 122nd and 180th Divisions withdrew north of Tanghe and Fancheng, while the 37th, 38th, and 132nd Divisions steadfastly held the east bank of the Xianghe River. Concurrently, the main force of the Japanese 3rd Division launched from Yingshan against the 84th and 13th Armies of the 11th Group Army in the Suixian sector. After a whirlwind of combat, the Chinese 84th Army retreated to the Taerwan position. On May 2, the 3rd Division targeted the Gaocheng position of the 13th Army within the 31st Group Army; the ensuing clashes in Taerwan and Gaocheng were a maelstrom of fire, with the Taerwan position exchanging hands multiple times like a deadly game of tug-of-war. By May 4, in a grim escalation, Japanese forces deployed poison gas, a violation of international norms that drew condemnation and is documented in Allied reports from the era, inflicting horrific casualties and compelling the Chinese to relinquish Gaocheng, which fell into enemy hands. On May 5, backed by aerial bombardments, tank charges, and artillery barrages, the Japanese renewed their onslaught along the Gaocheng River and the Lishan-Jiangjiahe line. By May 6, the beleaguered Chinese were forced back to the Tianhekou and Gaocheng line. Suixian succumbed on May 7. On May 8, the Japanese shattered the second line of the 84th Army, capturing Zaoyang and advancing on the Jiangtoudian position of the 85th Army. To evade encirclement, the defenders mounted a valiant resistance before withdrawing from Jiangtoudian; the 84th Army relocated to the Tanghe and Baihe areas, while the 39th Army embedded itself in the Dahongshan for guerrilla operations—a tactic that would bleed the Japanese through hit-and-run warfare, as noted in guerrilla warfare studies by Mao Zedong himself. By May 10, the bulk of the 31st Army Group maneuvered toward Tanghe, reaching north of Biyang by May 15. From Xinyang, Japanese forces struck at Tongbai on May 8; by May 10, elements from Zaoyang advanced to Zhangdian Town and Shangtun Town. In response, the 68th Army of the 1st War Zone dispatched the 143rd Division to defend Queshan and Minggang, and the 119th Division to hold Tongbai. After staunchly blocking the Japanese, they withdrew on May 11 to positions northwest and southwest of Tongbai, shielding the retreat of 5th War Zone units. The Japanese 4th Cavalry Brigade drove toward Tanghe, seizing Tanghe County on May 12. But the tide was turning. In a brilliant reversal, the Fifth War Zone commanded the 31st Army Group, in concert with the 2nd Army Group from the 1st War Zone, to advance from southwestern Henan. Their mission: encircle the bulk of Japanese forces on the Xiangdong Plain and deliver a crushing blow. The main force of the 33rd Army Group targeted Zaoyang, while other units pinned down Japanese rear guards in Zhongxiang. The Chinese counteroffensive erupted with swift successes, Tanghe County was recaptured on May 14, and Tongbai liberated on May 16, shattering the Japanese encirclement scheme. On May 19, after four grueling days of combat, Chinese forces mauled the retreating Japanese, reclaiming Zaoyang and leaving the fields strewn with enemy dead. The 39th Army of the Left Army Group dispersed into the mountains for guerrilla warfare, a shadowy campaign of sabotage and surprise. Forces of the Right Army Group east of the river, along with river defense units, conducted relentless raids on Japanese rears and supply lines over multiple days, sowing chaos before withdrawing to the west bank of the Xiang River on May 21. On May 22, they pressed toward Suixian, recapturing it on May 23. The Japanese, battered and depleted, retreated to their original garrisons in Zhongxiang and Yingshan, restoring the pre-war lines as the battle drew to a close. Throughout this clash, the Chinese held a marked superiority in manpower and coordination, though their deployments lacked full flexibility, briefly placing them on the defensive. After protracted, blood-soaked fighting, they restored the original equilibrium. Despite grievous losses, the Chinese thwarted the Japanese encirclement and exacted a heavy toll, reports from the time, corroborated by Japanese records in Senshi Sōsho, indicate over 13,000 Japanese killed or wounded, with more than 5,000 corpses abandoned on the battlefield. This fulfilled the strategic goal of containing and eroding Japanese strength. Chinese casualties surpassed 25,000, a testament to the ferocity of the struggle. The 5th War Zone seized the initiative in advances and retreats, deftly shifting to outer lines and maintaining positional advantages. As Japanese forces withdrew, Chinese pursuers harried and obstructed them, yielding substantial victories. The Battle of Suizao spanned less than three weeks. The Japanese main force pierced defenses on the east bank of the Han River, advancing to encircle one flank as planned. However, the other two formations met fierce opposition near Suixian and northward, stalling their progress. Adapting to the battlefield's ebb and flow, the Fifth War Zone transformed its tactics: the main force escaped encirclement, maneuvered to outer lines for offensives, and exploited terrain to hammer the Japanese. The pivotal order to flip from defense to offense doomed the encirclement; with the counterattack triumphant, the Japanese declined to hold and retreated. The Chinese pursued with unyielding vigor. By May 24, they had reclaimed Zaoyang, Tongbai, and other locales. Save for Suixian County, the Japanese had fallen back to pre-war positions, reinstating the regional status quo. Thus, the battle concluded, a chapter of resilience etched into the chronicles of China's defiance. In the sweltering heat of southern China, where the humid air clung to every breath like a persistent fog, the Japanese General Staff basked in what they called a triumphant offensive and defensive campaign in Guangdong. But victory, as history so often teaches, is a double-edged sword. By early 1939, the strain was palpable. Their secret supply line snaking from the British colony of Hong Kong to the Chinese mainland was under constant disruption, raids by shadowy guerrilla bands, opportunistic smugglers, and the sheer unpredictability of wartime logistics turning what should have been a lifeline into a leaky sieve. Blockading the entire coastline? A pipe dream, given the vast, jagged shores of Guangdong, dotted with hidden coves and fishing villages that had evaded imperial edicts for centuries. Yet, the General Staff's priorities were unyielding, laser-focused on strangling the Nationalist capital of Chongqing through a relentless blockade. This meant the 21st Army, that workhorse of the Japanese invasion force, had to stay in the fight—no rest for the weary. Drawing from historical records like the Senshi Sōsho (War History Series) compiled by Japan's National Institute for Defense Studies, we know that after the 21st Army reported severing what they dubbed the "secret transport line" at Xinhui, a gritty, hard-fought skirmish that left the local landscape scarred with craters and abandoned supply crates, the General Staff circled back to the idea of a full coastal blockade. It was a classic case of military opportunism: staff officers, poring over maps in dimly lit war rooms in Tokyo, suddenly "discovered" Shantou as a major port. Not just any port, mind you, but a bustling hub tied to the heartstrings of Guangdong's overseas Chinese communities. Shantou and nearby Chao'an weren't mere dots on a map; they were the ancestral hometowns of countless Chaoshan people who had ventured abroad to Southeast Asia, sending back remittances that flowed like lifeblood into the region. Historical economic studies, such as those in The Overseas Chinese in the People's Republic of China by Stephen Fitzgerald, highlight how these funds from the Chaoshan diaspora, often funneled through family networks in places like Singapore and Thailand, were substantial, indirectly fueling China's war effort by sustaining local economies and even purchasing arms on the black market. The Chao-Shao Highway, that dusty artery running near Shantou, was pinpointed as a critical vein connecting Hong Kong's ports to the mainland's interior. So, in early June 1939, the die was cast: Army Order No. 310 thundered from headquarters, commanding the 21st Army to seize Shantou. The Chief of the General Staff himself provided the strategic blueprint, a personal touch that underscored the operation's gravity. The Army Department christened the Chaoshan push "Operation Hua," a nod perhaps to the flowery illusions of easy conquest, while instructing the Navy Department to tag along for the ride. In naval parlance, it became "Operation J," a cryptic label that masked the sheer scale unfolding. Under the Headquarters' watchful eye, what started as a modest blockade morphed into a massive amphibious assault, conjured seemingly out of thin air like a magician's trick, but one with deadly props. The 5th Fleet's orders mobilized an impressive lineup: the 9th Squadron for heavy hitting, the 5th Mine Boat Squadron to clear watery hazards, the 12th and 21st Sweeper Squadrons sweeping for mines like diligent janitors of the sea, the 45th Destroyer Squadron adding destroyer muscle, and air power from the 3rd Combined Air Group (boasting 24 land-based attack aircraft and 9 reconnaissance planes that could spot a fishing boat from miles away). Then there was the Chiyoda Air Group with its 9 reconnaissance aircraft, the Guangdong Air Group contributing a quirky airship and one more recon plane, the 9th Special Landing Squadron from Sasebo trained for beach assaults, and a flotilla of special ships for logistics. On the ground, the 21st Army threw in the 132nd Brigade from the 104th Division, beefed up with the 76th Infantry Battalion, two mountain artillery battalions for lobbing shells over rugged terrain, two engineer battalions to bridge rivers and clear paths, a light armored vehicle platoon rumbling with mechanized menace, and a river-crossing supplies company to keep the troops fed and armed. All under the command of Brigade Commander Juro Goto, a stern officer whose tactical acumen was forged in earlier Manchurian campaigns. The convoy's size demanded rehearsals; the 132nd Brigade trained for boat transfers at Magong in the Penghu Islands, practicing the precarious dance of loading men and gear onto rocking vessels under simulated fire. Secrecy shrouded the whole affair, many officers and soldiers, boarding ships in the dead of night, whispered among themselves that they were finally heading home to Japan, a cruel ruse to maintain operational security. For extra punch, the 21st Army tacked on the 31st Air Squadron for air support, their planes droning like angry hornets ready to sting. This overkill didn't sit well with everyone. Lieutenant General Ando Rikichi, the pragmatic commander overseeing Japanese forces in the region, must have fumed in his Guangzhou headquarters. His intelligence staff, drawing from intercepted radio chatter and local spies as noted in postwar analyses like The Japanese Army in World War II by Gordon L. Rottman, reported that the Chongqing forces in Chaozhou were laughably thin: just the 9th Independent Brigade, a couple of security regiments, and ragtag "self-defense groups" of armed civilians. Why unleash such a sledgehammer on a fly? The mobilization's magnitude even forced a reshuffling of defenses around Guangzhou, pulling resources from the 12th Army's front lines and overburdening the already stretched 18th Division. It was bureaucratic overreach at its finest, a testament to the Imperial Staff's penchant for grand gestures over tactical efficiency. Meanwhile, on the Nationalist side, the winds of war carried whispers of impending doom. The National Revolutionary Army's war histories, such as those compiled in the Zhongguo Kangri Zhanzheng Shi (History of China's War of Resistance Against Japan), note that Chiang Kai-shek's Military Commission had snagged intelligence as early as February 1939 about Japan's plans for a large-scale invasion of Shantou. The efficiency of the Military Command's Second Bureau and the Military Intelligence Bureau was nothing short of astonishing, networks of agents, double agents, and radio intercepts piercing the veil of Japanese secrecy. Even as the convoy slipped out of Penghu, a detailed report outlining operational orders landed on Commander Zhang Fakui's desk, the ink still fresh. Zhang, a battle-hardened strategist whose career spanned the Northern Expedition and beyond , had four months to prepare for what would be dubbed the decisive battle of Chaoshan. Yet, in a move that baffled some contemporaries, he chose not to fortify and defend it tooth and nail. After the Fourth War Zone submitted its opinions, likely heated debates in smoke-filled command posts, Chiang Kai-shek greenlit the plan. By March, the Military Commission issued its strategic policy: when the enemy hit Chaoshan, a sliver of regular troops would team up with civilian armed forces for mobile and guerrilla warfare, grinding down the invaders like sandpaper on steel. The orders specified guerrilla zones in Chaozhou, Jiaxing, and Huizhou, unifying local militias under a banner of "extensive guerrilla warfare" to coordinate with regular army maneuvers, gradually eroding the Japanese thrust. In essence, the 4th War Zone wasn't tasked with holding Chao'an and Shantou at all costs; instead, they'd strike hard during the landing, then let guerrillas harry the occupiers post-capture. It was a doctrine of attrition in a "confined battlefield," honing skills through maneuver and ambush. Remarkably, the fall of these cities was preordained by the Military Commission three months before the Japanese even issued their orders, a strategic feint that echoed ancient Sun Tzu tactics of yielding ground to preserve strength. To execute this, the 4th War Zone birthed the Chao-Jia-Hui Guerrilla Command after meticulous preparation, with General Zou Hong, head of Guangdong's Security Bureau and a no-nonsense administrator known for his anti-smuggling campaigns, taking the helm. In just three months, Zhang Fakui scraped together the Independent 9th Brigade, the 2nd, 4th, and 5th Guangdong Provincial Security Regiments, and the Security Training Regiment. Even with the 9th Army Group lurking nearby, he handed the reins of the Chao-Shan operation to the 12th Army Group's planners. Their March guidelines sketched three lines of resistance from the coast to the mountains, a staged withdrawal that allowed frontline defenders to melt away like ghosts. This blueprint mirrored Chiang Kai-shek's post-Wuhan reassessment, where the loss of that key city in 1938 prompted a shift to protracted warfare. A Xinhua News Agency columnist later summed it up scathingly: "The Chongqing government, having lost its will to resist, colludes with the Japanese and seeks to eliminate the Communists, adopting a policy of passive resistance." This narrative, propagated by Communist sources, dogged Chiang and the National Revolutionary Army for decades, painting them as defeatists even as they bled the Japanese dry through attrition. February 1939 saw Commander Zhang kicking off a reorganization of the 12th Army Group, transforming it from a patchwork force into something resembling a modern army. He could have hunkered down, assigning troops to a desperate defense of Chaoshan, but that would have handed the initiative to the overcautious Japanese General Staff, whose activism often bordered on paranoia. Zhang, with the wisdom of a seasoned general who had navigated the treacherous politics of pre-war China, weighed the scales carefully. His vision? Forge the 12th Army Group into a nimble field army, not squander tens of thousands on a secondary port. Japan's naval and air dominance—evident in the devastation of Shanghai in 1937, meant Guangdong's forces could be pulverized in Shantou just as easily. Losing Chaozhou and Shantou? Acceptable, if it preserved core strength for the long haul. Post-Xinhui, Zhang doubled down on resistance, channeling efforts into live-fire exercises for the 12th Army, turning green recruits into battle-ready soldiers amid the Guangdong hills. The war's trajectory after 1939 would vindicate him: his forces became pivotal in later counteroffensives, proving that a living army trumped dead cities. Opting out of a static defense, Zhang pivoted to guerrilla warfare to bleed the Japanese while clutching strategic initiative. He ordered local governments to whip up coastal guerrilla forces from Chao'an to Huizhou—melding militias, national guards, police, and private armed groups into official folds. These weren't elite shock troops, but in wartime's chaos, they controlled locales effectively, disrupting supply lines and gathering intel. For surprises, he unleashed two mobile units: the 9th Independent Brigade and the 20th Independent Brigade. Formed fresh after the War of Resistance erupted, these brigades shone for their efficiency within the cumbersome Guangdong Army structure. Division-level units were too bulky for spotty communications, so Yu Hanmou's command birthed these independent outfits, staffed with crack officers. The 9th, packing direct-fire artillery for punch, and the 20th, dubbed semi-mechanized for its truck-borne speed, prowled the Chaoshan–Huizhou coast from 1939. Zhang retained their three-regiment setup, naming Hua Zhenzhong and Zhang Shou as commanders, granting them autonomy to command in the field like roving wolves. As the 9th Independent Brigade shifted to Shantou, its 627th Regiment was still reorganizing in Heyuan, a logistical hiccup amid the scramble. Hua Zhenzhong, a commander noted for his tactical flexibility in regional annals, deployed the 625th Regiment and 5th Security Regiment along the coast, with the 626th as reserve in Chao'an. Though the Fourth War Zone had written off Chaoshan, Zhang yearned to showcase Guangdong grit before the pullback. Dawn broke on June 21, 1939, at 4:30 a.m., with Japanese reconnaissance planes slicing through the fog over Shantou, Anbu, and Nanbeigang, ghostly silhouettes against the gray sky. By 5:30, the mist lifted, revealing a nightmare armada: over 40 destroyers and 70–80 landing craft churning toward the coast on multiple vectors, their hulls cutting the waves like knives. The 626th Regiment's 3rd Battalion at Donghushan met the first wave with a hail of fire from six light machine guns, repelling the initial boats in a frenzy of splashes and shouts. But the brigade's long-range guns couldn't stem the tide; Hua focused on key chokepoints, aiming to bloody the invaders rather than obliterate them. By morning, the 3rd Battalion of the 625th Regiment charged into Shantou City, joined by the local police corps digging in amid urban sprawl. Combat raged at Xinjin Port and the airport's fringes, where Nationalist troops traded shots with advancing Japanese under the absent shadow of a Chinese navy. Japanese naval guns, massed offshore, pounded the outskirts like thunder gods in fury. By 2:00 a.m. on the 22nd, Shantou crumpled as defenders' ammo ran dry, the city falling in a haze of smoke and echoes. Before the loss, Hua had positioned the 1st Battalion of the 5th Security Regiment at Anbu, guarding the road to Chao'an. Local lore, preserved in oral histories collected by the Chaozhou Historical Society, recalls Battalion Commander Du Ruo leading from the front, rifle in hand, but Japanese barrages, bolstered by superior firepower—forced a retreat. Post-capture, Tokyo's forces paused to consolidate, unleashing massacres on fleeing civilians in the outskirts. A flotilla of civilian boats, intercepted at sea, became a grim training ground for bayonet drills, a barbarity echoed in survivor testimonies compiled in The Rape of Nanking and Beyond extensions to Guangdong atrocities. With Shantou gone, Hua pivoted to flank defense, orchestrating night raids on Japanese positions around Anbu and Meixi. On June 24th, Major Du Ruo spearheaded an assault into Anbu but fell gravely wounded amid the chaos. Later, the 2nd Battalion of the 626th overran spots near Meixi. A Japanese sea-flanking maneuver targeted Anbu, but Nationalists held at Liulong, sparking nocturnal clashes, grenade volleys, bayonet charges, and hand-to-hand brawls that drained both sides like a slow bleed. June 26th saw the 132nd Brigade lumber toward Chao'an. Hua weighed options: all-out assault or guerrilla fade? He chose to dig in on the outskirts, reserving two companies of the 625th and a special ops battalion in the city. The 27th brought a day-long Japanese onslaught, culminating in Chao'an's fall after fierce rear-guard actions by the 9th Independent Brigade. Evacuations preceded the collapse, with Japanese propaganda banners fluttering falsely, claiming Nationalists had abandoned defense. Yet Hua's call preserved his brigade for future fights; the Japanese claimed an empty prize. I would like to take this time to remind you all that this podcast is only made possible through the efforts of Kings and Generals over at Youtube. Please go subscribe to Kings and Generals over at Youtube and to continue helping us produce this content please check out www.patreon.com/kingsandgenerals. If you are still hungry after that, give my personal channel a look over at The Pacific War Channel at Youtube, it would mean a lot to me. The Japanese operations had yet again plugged up supply leaks into Nationalist China. The fall of Suixian, Zaoyang and Shantou were heavy losses for the Chinese war effort. However the Chinese were also able to exact heavy casualties on the invaders and thwarted their encirclement attempts. China was still in the fight for her life.

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Episode 226 with Brian Vermin Mcquaid of Screeching Weasel, Sludgeworth, and Ethyline and a visit from his drummer son Max Mcquaid Feral Tact, they talk to us about: "That's where you cut your teeth" - On becoming a drummer, Fatherhood and producing a better person, Dan Vapid talk, Brian's days touring with Screeching Weasel, Working at Kinkos on Clark near Belmont, Sludgeworth to Ethyline back to Sludgeworth, "Without them I don't want to play," Breclaimed, the effect of Japanese art on Brian's sculpture and carpentry, and the emotional depth involved with custom made work, plus much much mcquaid and mcquaid more more.​Sludgeworth Label: Red Scare​Max' band Feral Tact on Bandcamp​Brian's Art on EtsyJughead's Patreon

Chef Adam Sindler grew up inside Chicago's first sushi restaurant, Kamehachi — founded by his Japanese immigrant great-grandmother and later revived by his mother and grandmother. A next-generation operator and creative force in the family business, Sindler left home to sharpen his craft at the Alinea Group, working as Kitchen Expo at the Michelin-starred Roister, before bringing big-league systems thinking back to a legacy institution. In this conversation, he breaks down the unseen mechanics of great hospitality — especially the expo role as the high-pressure “air traffic control” of a professional kitchen — alongside service pacing, allergy management, and the discipline behind small but consequential standards like “don't rip the tape.” The episode also traces the arc from family tradition to contemporary expression through the opening of SHŌ, a modern take on Omakase he co-founded with Chef Mari Katsumura. Throughout, Sindler reflects on sourcing, precision, and how to modernize a legacy without breaking what people love—right down to why a “choose-your-own soy sauce” eyedropper is a quietly radical idea.  

Today's story: The Hudson's Bay Company started as a fur trading monopoly in British North America, thanks to a royal charter signed by King Charles II. It later became a retail empire with department stores across Canada. But after years of falling sales and intense competition from big-box and online retailers, the company shut down for good in 2025. Transcript & Exercises: https://plainenglish.com/835Get the full story and learning resources: https://plainenglish.com/835--Plain English helps you improve your English:Learn about the world and improve your EnglishClear, natural English at a speed you can understandNew stories every weekLearn even more at PlainEnglish.comMentioned in this episode:Hard words? No problemNever be confused by difficult words in Plain English again! See translations of the hardest words and phrases from English to your language. Each episode transcript includes built-in translations into Spanish, Portuguese, Chinese, German, French, Italian, Japanese, Polish, and Turkish. Sign up for a free 14-day trial at PlainEnglish.com

Sean McMeekin explains how the Allies abandoned anti-communist forces like Mihailovic in Yugoslavia and Chiang Kai-shek in China, while Stalin armed Mao Zedong with Japanese weapons, concluding that massive US Lend-Leaseaid enabled communism's expansion into Europe and Asia.1945