Emilia Okada grew up with people who didn’t look like her. Standing out made her curious about the Japanese side of her family, and when she was 17, she traveled to Tokyo to get to know them.

We discussed: 

• Finding answers to long-standing questions during Emilia’s first trip to Japan

Emilia Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/emiliaokada/

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Brothers Yasuhito and Masato Hayashi were born and raised in Japan. Masa was the first one to move to Poland. When Yasu went to visit him, little did he know, he would not be going back to Japan. Nowadays, they both live in Toruń, and their enthusiasm for Poland is so infectious, it prompted their childhood friend to follow them from Tokyo.

We discussed:

• Masato’s move to Poland and his appreciation of Toruń

Masato’s Instagram: https://bit.ly/3KzmwfL

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Sayuri Hayakawa, Assistant Professor of Psychology at Oklahoma State University, studies the role of language on how people make decisions. She talks about her research findings and their practical applications. She also answers listener questions. 

We discussed: 

• The physical differences in brains of multilinguals and monolinguals

Vicky Inoue grew up in Stockholm, but never felt at home there. It wasn't until she moved to LA that she found a place that put her at ease. Vicky is a poet, and her multicultural background often features in her works. 

We discussed: 

• Vicky’s journey that led her from Stockholm to Los Angeles 

Vicky’s Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/vickyverymuch/

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At the beginning of her career, Asako Klimkiewicz spent three months in a hospital because of work-related burnout. She combined lessons from that experience with various Japanese cultural elements to excel at her current job in Germany. 

We discussed: 

• The sometimes troublesome, sometimes funny situations that happen in Germany as a result of Asako’s name

Tom Mori's childhood sounds like a nail-biting, action-packed thriller. When he was only a few years old, he and his mom ran away from his dad, who was a former gang member, and lived in small towns around Fukuyama. This was just the start of his journey that spanned two continents and involved learning Scouse.

We discussed: 

• Tom's ex-yakuza dad

Joshua Thomson was born in Japan and spent most of his life there, but his looks make him stand out. His videos, in which he shares his unique perspective, have gained him a large online following. 

We discussed:

• Joshua’s path to becoming an online content creator

Joshua’s YouTube channel: https://www.youtube.com/@joshuainlondon/videos

Joshua’s Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/jj.jj.7/

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Julia Okuyama spent most of her life in Japan, but whenever she goes to Poland, she finds that she can express another side of herself that usually stays hidden in Japan. These multiple parts weave their way in and out through various aspects of her life, from learning languages to raising children. 

We discussed: 

• Julia’s father’s move to Poland in the 70s to start a business while the country was undergoing an economic crisis

• How meeting Julia’s future husband in high school helped her become more open and upbeat

• Julia’s most recent trip to Poland, during which she saw her grandmother for the last time

Natalia Emi Hirai was born and raised in Japan, but she used to frequently visit her grandmother in Poland, and that’s where she came across Polish hip hop. Her interest in this type of music grew into a passion that she pursues to this day. She wrote a book on the topic a few years ago, and she’s working on another one coming out this year. 

We discussed: 

• The origins of Natalia Emi’s interest in hip hop

Emi’s book: https://asfaltshop.pl/product/11065-natalia-emi-hirai-hip-hop-eastern-europe-ksiazka

Emi’s book on Amazon Japan: https://www.amazon.co.jp/dp/4908468214/ref=cm_sw_r_as_gl_api_gl_i_87CFG6KVF1HXNPCH764X?linkCode=ml2&tag=paulamuzykapo-22

Emi’s Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/chloemnh/

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In his early school days, Karol Tomoki Yamazaki was trying to show his classmates the importance of seeing things from multiple perspectives. Over time, his awareness of just how relative everything is influenced art projects and graphic design work he creates as an adult. Karol Tomoki attributes this sensitivity to his Japanese-Polish background, which instilled in him an appreciation for considering diverse points of view.

We discussed: 

• The significance of names people use to call us  

Karol’s Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/tomoki.pl

Karol’s “Kto Ty Jesteś” project: https://ktotyjest.es/

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