Dad Club Japan

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Have you ever wondered what a podcast recording might sound like if recorded live in a pub on a Friday night in Fukuoka?  Well, this episode provides the answer!

Duncan and Joel caught up for one last episode before Duncan left for the UK.

Using external audio only, the internal microphone picked up gusts of wind on the 7th floor rooftop patio in Daimyo, Fukuoka.  Combined with a table of 6 girls next to us, it created an atmosphere more lively than most episodes here.

Duncan discusses his final arrangements for his UK adventure.

We recall some of our guests who have faced challenging situations and relaize we've learned from everyone.

No matter what life throughs at you, there is always room for adjustments.

As always, thanks for listening! 

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A native of Hannover, Germany, Felix joined Joel and Duncan to talk parenting, the joys of living in Fukuoka compared to Tokyo, and his passion project that aims to bring more exposure to international businesses in Fukuoka. 

Be sure to check out the Dad Club Japan Youtube channel to watch this episode and others.

As always, thanks for listening!

Cheers!

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In this episode of the Dad Club Japan Podcast, Christian—an Australian YouTuber now living in Fukuoka—shares his personal journey of moving to Japan, getting married, and becoming a stepfather to an 11-year-old boy.

We talk about the culture shock of parenting in Japan, how he gave up photography to pursue YouTube full-time, and how removing screens changed his stepson’s behavior for the better.

Christian also opens up about daily routines, creative inspiration in Japan, and his future dream of opening a community café that blends Aussie and Japanese culture.

Watch to hear the real-life highs and challenges of being a foreign parent in Japan.

Christian’s YouTube channel here:

https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCc23bEqMGwa_bsKVw4pt0wg

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Shaun is from Seattle.  In his early 20s, he has a depth of experience and thoughtfulness one doesn't usually discover in someone his age.

He shares with Duncan and Joel his past struggles with substances and also shares how his best friend died when he was younger.

Now a young, married father, he lives with his in-laws in their house and tells us his about his sometimes challenging living situation.

Check out Shauns's podcast that focuses on comedy:

https://open.spotify.com/show/2pnxTpy25ucG75tYmiQxnJ?si=2961a70ebad04b44

As always, thanks for listening! 

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Duncan and Joel met with Marco at the top of a mountain in rural Fukuoka to sit down and find out who he is: A globe-trotting dad, cheese artisan, and outdoor adventure guide. Originally from Italy and Argentina, Marco runs a cheese business with his wife and takes visitors on epic mountain bike and kayak tours through the Japanese countryside.

Full of adventure stories, charisma and charm, Marco shares with us experience of raising boys in the Japanese countryside while managing several businesses.

Be sure to check out his instagram @marucheese88

You can find this episode on youtube on the Dad Club Japan channel where you can catch the scenery from the day.

https://youtu.be/XNzFx3_-aI0?si=7zPQNmqV6EpLzBl5

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We thought we should take aim at AI because recently it has been discussed by the people around us, particularly our last guest, Dan.

We don't pretend to know much about AI, just some basics.  But it has had some influence in our lives.  

Besides, it's good to steer off course sometimes, and dive into discussions outside of one's immediate field of knowledge.

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In this special episode of Dad Club Japan, recorded live at the Kyushu ELT Expo in Seinan University in Fukuoka, Duncan and Joel sat down with six dads and one foreign mother to talk about the realities of parenting in Japan. All of our guests were either teachers or business owners, and most had older children—teenagers and beyond—giving us unique insights into raising kids in a country known for its strong cultural traditions and demanding education system.

Each guest picked a surprise question out of a hat, covering topics like the biggest wins and challenges of parenting in Japan, balancing work and family life, and raising bilingual children. We caught them between seminars, so expect plenty of lively background chatter, adding to the energy of the conversation.

Whether you’re a parent, a teacher, or just curious about family life in Japan, this episode is packed with real experiences, candid stories, and honest advice.

Don’t forget to subscribe, leave a review, and follow us for more conversations about parenting and life in Japan!

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Dan is a relative newcomer to Fukuoka, and a first time guest on the show.

After living in Singapore for a handful of years, and teaching in many different countries, Dan and his family finally settled on Fukuoka as their next home.

An avid listener of the DCJ podcast, Dan dishes out plenty of gratitude and expresses inspiration for what Duncan and Joel have created with this show.

We learn about Dan's challenges integrating into Japan, making lunches for his 2 kids, and finding time to develop his business while maintaining balance.

As a teacher at many international schools around the world, Dan provides valuable insight into the thinking process behind deciding what kind of school to put his children into. 

Finally, as a self-proclaimed 'fanboy' of DCJ, Dan recalls many details and conversations of previous episodes, surprising Duncan and Joel with his dedication to this podcast.

Big thanks to Dan for joining us in the record room, and we are hugely grateful for his listening enthusiasm!

As always, thanks to you, faithful listener for joining in.

If you found value in this show, please consider leaving us a review.

Thanks so much!

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In this episode of Dad Club Japan, Duncan and Joel get real about some of the more challenging and frustrating aspects of life in Japan. From bureaucratic headaches to spoken and unspoken social rules, they share their personal experiences navigating the not-so-glamorous side of the country they call home.

Whether it’s the struggles of dealing with rigid systems, parenting quirks, or just those little daily frustrations that build up over time, this conversation peels back the layers of the Japan most tourists never see.

Join us for an honest, sometimes funny, and maybe even a little therapeutic discussion about the other side of life in Japan.

Stay tuned until the end to find out what DCJ has in store for an upcoming conference in Fukuoka.

As always, thanks for listening!

Next episode will feature a long time listener as our next guest.

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Duncan and Joel discuss whether there are enough reasons to continue this podcast.

Duncan talks sobriety for 60 days as his focus needs to be on point.

Joel discusses a possible sponsor for the show.

Thanks for listening, and don't be afraid to reach out!

Find us on instagram and now even youtube!