CrossWorld Puzzles

In Episode 10, we welcome Lefteris Kafatos, an interpreter and analyst specializing in U.S.-Japan relations. Lefteris went on the Japan Exchange Teaching (JET) Program in Okinawa and served as a diplomatic interpreter at the U.S. Department of State, interpreting for Presidents Obama and Trump on several occasions. He now writes (in both English and Japanese!) for The Japan Lens, where his focus is the U.S.-Japan alliance, Japanese politics and foreign policy, and regional dynamics in the Asia-Pacific. Lefteris has master's degrees in Japanese-English Conference Interpreting from the Middlebury Institute of International Studies (MIIS), as well as in International Affairs from UC San Diego. 

We discuss his upbringing and identity as a Greek American; how his interest in Japan evolved over time as a student, interpreter, and an analyst of U.S.-Japan relations; how he stays calm when interpreting for heads of state and other high-powered individuals; and how we can continue to maintain and strengthen the U.S.-Japan relationship despite recent uncertainties like tariffs.

For more information on Lefteris, please see photos (and the episode transcript) here: https://crossworld-puzzles.com/episode10-lefteris/.

In our ninth episode, we welcome Mari Yobp, an artist and poet raised in Japan. After graduating from Musashino Art University, she worked as an art teacher at a school in Osaka (where she met her future husband) and immigrated to the U.S. She is currently based in Pittsburgh, PA, and has also lived in Idaho. Mari draws and paints mostly flowers in watercolor. She also writes Tanka poetry and publishes her work in a poetry magazine. 

We discuss her philosophy in creating art; how she met her husband and built her own community in the U.S.; how she keeps in touch with the Japanese language and writes poetry; how she has contended with her child's medical challenges; and how she stays positive no matter what challenges come her way.

For more information on Mari, please see photos (and the episode transcript) here: https://crossworld-puzzles.com/episode9-mari/. This webpage includes a lot of Mari's art, and should not be missed!

In our eighth episode, we welcome Natalia Quintana-Feliciano, a Puerto-Rican & Colombian storyteller, poet, artist, and student reporter based in Washington, DC. She currently works as a communications and event coordinator at a health policy think tank. She has also worked at PBS KIDS, and has written for several award-winning publications.

We discuss the complicated relationship between Puerto Rico and the Continental United States, as well as the many layers of what it means to be American; her creative writing process and her muses, including the "vengeful woman"; how local journalism can build empathy; and the importance of feeling seen in children's media as we grow up.

For more information on Natalia, please see photos (and the episode transcript) here: ⁠⁠https://crossworld-puzzles.com/episode8-natalia/

In our seventh episode, we welcome David Caprara, an award-winning multimedia journalist based in Japan. His documentary work has ranged from covering Nepali honey hunters in Himalayan foothills, to reconstruction efforts after the 2011 Tohoku disaster, to uncovering the mysteries of a WWII B-29 crash on a Buddhist holy mountain. He lives in a kominka (traditional Japanese house) that he bought in the Yoshino region of Nara.

We discuss how he jumped into international journalism by reporting recovery efforts after a major earthquake in Nepal; how he builds rapport with people around the world, especially during interviews; how he’s succeeded as a freelance journalist living abroad; and why he appreciates life in rural Japan.

For more information on David, please see photos (and the episode transcript) here: ⁠https://crossworld-puzzles.com/episode7-david/

In our sixth episode, we welcome Yuri Akahira, who's worked in multiple locations around the world, and is now a Tokyo-based director at a global IT company. A strong advocate for women, she has a background in social work and leads the women's employee resource group in her company. She's even taken part in the Mrs. Universe Japan competition and won in the 40s category!

We discuss how she became interested in different cultures, how she built her confidence after overcoming challenges like bullying, and how she befriends people from all different backgrounds.

For more information on Yuri, please see photos (and the episode transcript) here: https://crossworld-puzzles.com/episode6-yuri/

In our fifth episode, we welcome Yuko Watanabe, a strategy & operations consultant based in Seattle. She's worked all over the world supporting everything from big companies to nonprofits, and has also built various online communities that allows participants to connect in unique ways.

We discuss how she first came to the United States, what led her to create those communities, and how it's best to stop planning and instead find joy in whatever comes our way.

For more information on Yuko, please see photos (and the episode transcript) here: ⁠⁠https://crossworld-puzzles.com/episode5-yuko/.

In our fourth episode, we welcome Robert Holloway. His mother was adopted from South Korea. He did not grow up speaking Korean, but not only has he become fluent enough to serve as a simultaneous interpreter, he also supports other Korean adoptees by building a community and teaching them the Korean language.

We discuss his family history and the challenges many Korean adoptees face, as well as how identity is deeply intertwined with our own culture.

For more information on Robert, please see photos (and the episode transcript) here: ⁠https://crossworld-puzzles.com/episode4-robert/

In our third episode, we welcome Mari Kuraishi, who grew up in Japan, Italy, and West Germany. She is now based in the U.S. as the President of the Jessie Ball duPont Fund, and is also the Co-Founder (and former President) of GlobalGiving.

We discuss her upbringing, what led to her work in international development and social entrepreneurship, as well as how she found her own style of leadership.

For more information on Mari, please see photos (and the episode transcript) here: https://crossworld-puzzles.com/episode3-mari/

In our second episode, we welcome Grace Kim, who grew up in Korea, Japan, and the U.S. She now runs an event planning company in the Washington, DC area using her multilingual skills. She is also pursuing several artistic side projects!

For more information on Grace, see photos (and the episode transcript) here: https://crossworld-puzzles.com/episode2-grace/

CrossWorld Puzzles is a podcast that explores how multicultural individuals consider life’s big questions, such as where to be based, how to build their career, who to spend their life with, etc.

In this first episode, we welcome Sayuri Romei, who grew up in Italy speaking Italian, French, and Japanese--but is now based in the U.S. (she also happens to be an expert on nuclear deterrence!). We discuss how she’s adapted to multiple cultures as she grew up, how she expresses herself in different languages, and how her interests have evolved over time.For more information on Sayuri, see photos (and the episode transcript) here: https://crossworld-puzzles.com/episode1-sayuri/