Let’s Talk Japan, Episode 13 – Traditional Japanese Garden Design
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Let’s Talk Japan is a twice monthly, interview format podcast covering a wide range of Japan-related topics. Host Nick Harling (Mie-ken, 2001-03) lived in Japan from 2001 until 2005, including two great years as a JET Program participant in Mie-Ken. He practices law in Washington, D.C., and lives with his wife who patiently listens to him talk about Japan . . . a lot.
This episode of the Let’s Talk Japan podcast was recorded at the North Carolina Arboretum in Asheville, North Carolina. Well-known in the region’s gardening circles, Masashi Oshita, or “Mike” as he is known locally, is a master of traditional Japanese garden design. Together, Nick and Oshita-san discuss what makes Japanese gardens unique, the challenges of creating a Japanese garden outside of Japan, and how traditional Japanese garden design elements can in incorporated into everyday life.Enjoy!
Nick
If you have not already done so, be sure to “Like” the podcast on Facebook, and follow the podcast on Twitter @letstalkjapan. Additionally, please consider leaving a positive rating and/or review in iTunes.
Let’s Talk Japan is a twice monthly, interview format podcast covering a wide range of Japan-related topics. Host Nick Harling (Mie-ken, 2001-03) lived in Japan from 2001 until 2005, including two great years as a JET Program participant in Mie-Ken. He practices law in Washington, D.C., and lives with his wife who patiently listens to him talk about Japan . . . a lot.
Looking for a good summer read? Check out Episode 12 of the Let’s Talk Japan podcast to hear recommendations from members of the J Book Club of Washington, DC. Enjoy!
Nick
If you have not already done so, be sure to “Like” the podcast on Facebook, and follow the podcast on Twitter @letstalkjapan. Additionally, please consider leaving a positive rating and/or review in iTunes.
Welcome to JET Talks, by JETAADC – Live Your Dream Q&A
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JET Talks is a brand new speaker series organized by the JET Program Alumni Association of Washington, DC. JET Talks is modeled after the TED Talks concept and will feature dynamic and interesting speakers with the goal of inspiring innovative ideas and conversations on Japan-related themes. Although JET Talks audio files will be accessible via the Let’s Talk Japan podcast subscription feed, the two are separate entities. However, our goals are the same – to get people talking and thinking about Japan.
Shauna Tischler, came up with the idea of JET Talks and currently serves as JETAADC’s Thought Leadership Chair. From 2000-2003, Shauna worked as an Assistant Language Teacher on the JET Program in Gifu Prefecture. Special recognition is also owed to Leigh Ann Mastrini, the current President of JETAADC, and the Japan Information and Cultural Center of Washington, DC, for hosting the first JET Talks event.
Regular listeners of the Let’s Talk Japan podcast will recall that in Episode 11, host Nick Harling spoke with Regge Life about making the film Live Your Dream, chronicling the lives of JET Program participants Taylor Anderson and Montgomery Dickson, who passed away in the March 11, 2011 Tohoku earthquake and tsunami.
Regge was recently in Washington, DC, along with Taylor’s father, Andy Anderson, and Montgomery’s sister, Shelly Frederickson, to speak at the first JET Talks event – a screening and panel discussion of the film Live Your Dream. More than 120 guests were in attendance and the event was a huge success.
For anyone who has not seen Live Your Dream, I encourage you to listen to Let’s Talk Japan episode 11, as it provide a good overview of the film.
In this JET Talks, you will first hear introductory remarks from the event organizers and panelists, followed by the panel discussion, which followed the screening.
You can listen to this first installment of JET Talks by subscribing to the Let’s Talk Japan podcast in iTunes or by clicking HERE.
Let’s Talk Japan Podcast, Episode 11 – Live Your Dream: A conversation with film director Regge Life
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Let’s Talk Japan is a twice monthly, interview format podcast covering a wide range of Japan-related topics. Host Nick Harling (Mie-ken, 2001-03) lived in Japan from 2001 until 2005, including two great years as a JET Program participant in Mie-Ken. He practices law in Washington, D.C., and lives with his wife who patiently listens to him talk about Japan . . . a lot.
In this episode, Nick speaks with film director Regge Life about his documentary Live Your Dream, chronicling the lives of JET Program participants Taylor Anderson and Monty Dickson, who passed away in the March 11, 2011 Tohoku earthquake and tsunami. This is a moving tribute and a must see for anyone who loves Japan and its people. I hope you enjoy it.
Nick
If you have not already done so, be sure to “Like” the podcast on Facebook, and follow the podcast on Twitter @letstalkjapan. Additionally, please consider leaving a positive rating and/or review in iTunes.
Let’s Talk Japan Podcast, Episode 10 – Smile Kids Japan
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Let’s Talk Japan is a twice monthly, interview format podcast covering a wide range of Japan-related topics. Host Nick Harling (Mie-ken, 2001-03) lived in Japan from 2001 until 2005, including two great years as a JET Program participant in Mie-Ken. He practices law in Washington, D.C., and lives with his wife who patiently listens to him talk about Japan . . . a lot.
Dear JETs and JET Alumni,
One of the main reasons I started the Let’s Talk Japan podcast was to highlight the positive impact JETs and JET alumni have on their local communities in Japan. In Episode 10, I interviewed Meredith Smith, Media and Public Relations Director for Smile Kids Japan, a volunteer organization founded by JETs in Fukui Prefecture which encourages visits to orphanages in Japan. Through its website and volunteer leadership, Smile Kids Japan helps facilitate such visits by serving as a resource for best practices. This organization is doing amazing work, and I hope this episode helps raise its profile both in Japan and abroad.
Enjoy!
Nick
If you have not already done so, be sure to “Like” the podcast on Facebook, and follow the podcast on Twitter @letstalkjapan. Additionally, please consider leaving a positive rating and/or review in iTunes.
Let’s Talk Japan Podcast: Episode 9, Podcasting About Japan
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Let’s Talk Japan is a twice monthly, interview format podcast covering a wide range of Japan-related topics. Host Nick Harling (Mie-ken, 2001-03) lived in Japan from 2001 until 2005, including two great years as a JET Program participant in Mie-Ken. He practices law in Washington, D.C., and lives with his wife who patiently listens to him talk about Japan . . . a lot.
Dear JET Alums,
Do you find yourself going through withdrawal while having to wait two whole weeks for the next episode of the Let’s Talk Japan podcast? If so, check out Episode 9, where I review other great Japan-related podcasts you might want to start listening to. Categories covered include: Life in Japan, Japanese Language Study, Sports, History, Food, Current Events, etc.
Enjoy!
Nick
If you have not already done so, be sure to “Like” the podcast on Facebook, and follow the podcast on Twitter @letstalkjapan. Additionally, please consider leaving a positive rating and/or review in iTunes.
Let’s Talk Japan Podcast: Episode 8, The Art of Japanese Bonsai
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Let’s Talk Japan is a twice monthly, interview-format podcast covering a wide range of Japan-related topics. Host Nick Harling lived in Japan from 2001 until 2005, including two great years as a JET Program participant in Mie-Ken. He practices law in Washington, D.C., and lives with his wife who patiently listens to him talk about Japan…a lot.
In this episode, Nick speaks with Aaron Packard, assistant curator of the National Bonsai and Pinjing Museum, which is located within the National Arboretum in Washington, D.C. Together they discuss:
- The history of bonsai
- How Aaron became interested in this art form and was able to make it a full-time career
- The contents of the National Arboretum’s Bonsai and Penjing collection
- The rewards and pressure that can come from working with bonsai
- Advice for anyone interested in starting a bonsai collection
Click HERE to listen.
If you have not already done so, be sure to “like” the podcast on Facebook, and follow the podcast on Twitter @letstalkjapan. Additionally, please consider leaving a positive rating and/or review in iTunes.
Thanks!
Nick
Let’s Talk Japan Podcast: The History of the Most Famous Cherry Trees Outside of Japan
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Ever wonder how 3700+ cherry trees ended up at the Tidal Basin in Washington, D.C.? Check out Episode 7 of the Let’s Talk Japan Podcast in iTunes or by clicking on the link below to hear D.C.’s unofficial cherry blossom expert, Ambassador John Malott, speak on the subject.
http://www.letstalkjapan.com/007-the-most-famous-cherry-blossoms-outside-of-japan/
Happy Hanami!
