Made in Japan-- Conversations with Meljo Catalan

Made in Japan-- Conversations with Meljo Catalan

By Meljo CatalanSociety & CulturePlaces & Travel
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Made in Japan-- Conversations with Meljo Catalan episodes

  • Ep. 74– Kei Nagata , Model and Baker at Brownies.shots

    From the volcanic region of Bicol, Philippines to the quiet shores of Shizuoka, Japan, meet Kei, who exemplifies the fire and water of Philippines and Japan.   I’m honored to share her story of blending roots as well as her discovering new shades of her identity as she starts her modeling career in Japan.   She also happens to be an excellent brownie baker with her new business called “ Brownie Shots”.  This was definitely a treat to have her on, speak her truth and meditate on the perfect brownie bite.  


    Check out Brownie Shots on IG: @brownie.shots

    For more info on the Nakameguro Taproom and other Baird Beer taprooms, please visit:  http://Bairdbeer.com/

    To donate and buy drinks for the guests  of my podcast:


    https://ko-fi.com/madeinjapanpodcast


    IG & FB:  @madeinjapanpodcast








    1 hr 4 min
  • Ep. 73– Tatsumi Kyo, Freelance Artist and the pursuit of the Manga Career

    To be or not to be, that is the way of the “Manga-ka” or Manga artist.  I’m back diving deep into the business of what it means to strive as a successful Manga artist.  Meet Tatsumi, whom at a young age found passion and with his talent which caught the attention of the giants of the manga publishing world.  I was grateful he took time to come and chat with me about what it takes to live and die in this hyper competitive yet internationally loved artistic medium.  



    You can check out Tatsumi’s portfolio here:  https://tatsumikyo.com


    For more info on the Nakameguro Taproom and other Baird Beer taprooms, please visit:  http://Bairdbeer.com/



    To donate and buy drinks for the guests  of my podcast:


    https://ko-fi.com/madeinjapanpodcast


    IG & FB:  @madeinjapanpodcast


    1 hr 9 min
  • Ep. 72–Made (and Served) in Japan— Davido, head brewer and owner of Yggdrasil Brewing

    On this episode, let’s head out to a quaint but comfortable beach town of Hiratsuka, Japan.  About ninety minutes southwest of central Tokyo, lies a craft beer bar/brewery blasting heavy metal on some days and showing matches of its local soccer club on other days.    Converging different types of crowds in one place for the love of craft beer and supporting its community, meet Davido and Yggdrasil Brewing.  Davido and his beer making passion placed him and his family face to face with a quiet shoreline community that never knew they needed but quickly grown to love and support.  


    Yggdrasil Brewing: Instagram  Facebook  


    Yggdrasil Brewing online shop:  



    For more info on the Nakameguro Taproom and other Baird Beer taprooms, please visit:  http://Bairdbeer.com/



    To donate and buy drinks for the guests  of my podcast:


    Ko-fi




    IG & FB:  @madeinjapanpodcast


    51 min
  • Ep. 71– Matt Ketchum, co-founder of AKIYAZ

    What do you get when you mix punk rock, Emperor Go-Daigo and the rise of abandoned property in rural Japan?  Meet Matt, co-founder of AKIYAZ, a real estate brokerage and Akiya lifestyle services firm helping clients purchase an Akiya (abandoned property) in Japan’s countryside as well as helping connect to the local community to ensure a seamless integration to rural Japan life.  Post-Covid, the rise of investing and purchasing Akiya in Japan has been on the rise and I was curious to what this is all about.   Matt’s once  hobby turned business brought me to a world that I didn’t know existed; just like an underground music scene.


    To  learn about Akiya real estate check out:  AKIYAZ


    You can find out more about Matt’s projects here:  mkultraman.com


     For more info on the Nakameguro Taproom and other Baird Beer taprooms, please visit:  http://Bairdbeer.com/



    To donate and buy drinks for the guests  of my podcast:


    https://ko-fi.com/madeinjapanpodcast


    IG & FB:  @madeinjapanpodcast


    57 min
  • Ep. 70– Hiroe Foster, OG “Kikokushijo”: So you wanna be a Japanese Interpreter?
    I’m back and this time the sensei has become the student about life inside and away from Japan. Meet Hiroe, a “Kikokushijo”, or commonly in English, a returnee. Hiroe belongs to the first wave of Japanese children that relocated overseas due to orders from their parents’ companies during the 1970’s. Her story is a unique personal lens to life going back and forth to Japan. She also happens to be long time interpreter and translator in her company. This episode is for listeners curious about this profession and to those who have what it takes (or doesn’t take ) to pursue this career. She can help you bring out the real “nihongo” on these streets.
    For more info on the Nakameguro Taproom and other Baird Beer taprooms, please visit:  http://Bairdbeer.com/
    To donate and buy drinks for the guests  of my podcast:
    https://ko-fi.com/madeinjapanpodcast
    IG & FB:  @madeinjapanpodcast
    1 hr 6 min
  • Ep. 69 Made (and Served) in Japan - Jeremy Freeman, co-owner & pitmaster of Freeman Shokudo

    Warning:  Do not listen to this episode on an empty stomach.  Meet Jeremy, a born and raised New Yorker, reggae head, and former Brooklyn based record store owner.  Along with his wife Maiko, opened “Freeman Shokudo” in a quaint yet hip neighborhood in Shibuya city ward.  Specializing in barbecue, pastrami sandwiches, falafel and whatever Jeremy feels like smoking or pickling, I get the sense this is the kind of establishment that helps accentuate if not revitalize a local community.  This is a story of Jeremy, Maiko and their family taking a huge risk of leaving what they had in New York to bring his passion  of barbecue to Tokyo.  With help along the way as well as awkward yet funny circumstances, the restaurant works. In my opinion, it will continue to thrive.


    You can follow Freeman Shokudo on FB and IG : @freemanshokudo






    For more info on the Nakameguro Taproom and other Baird Beer taprooms, please visit:  http://Bairdbeer.com/


    To donate and buy drinks for the guests  of my podcast:


    https://ko-fi.com/madeinjapanpodcast


    IG & FB:  @madeinjapanpodcast


    1 hr 7 min
  • Ep.68– Thomas Kim, chef & co-owner of Coaster Tokyo/ Kaigan Brewery
    Welcome to the first episode of my series, “Made (and Served) in Japan”, which I will showcase restaurateurs, cafe/bar owners and any small business establishment in the hospitality industry in Japan. To kick off, meet Thomas, chef and co-owner to a popular bar/brewery in the trendy neighborhood of Shimokitazawa, Tokyo. Coaster Tokyo attracts both locals and foreigners visiting Japan with a variety of party events while showcasing their own microbeer, Kaigan Brewery. Thomas brings his own arsenal of delicious comfort food which keeps customers coming back for more. It is an inspiring story of 8 friends gathering and sharing a vision. French Avengers Assemble!
    You can find Coaster Tokyo and Kaigan Brewery on IG here: @coastertokyo @kaigan_brewery
    For more info on the Nakameguro Taproom and other Baird Beer taprooms, please visit: http://Bairdbeer.com/
    To donate and buy drinks for the guests of my podcast:
    https://ko-fi.com/madeinjapanpodcast
    IG & FB: @madeinjapanpodcast
    48 min
  • Ep.67– Felisia Gunawan, Content Creator/ Unapologetic Motivator
    Mel finally sits down with one of the most intriguing and unabashed guests of this podcast.   Meet Felisia,  who’s been creating content based on her ever-evolving journey of life with and without Japan.  As an outlet, her platform quickly became a conduit for her fans to embrace self-acceptance.  Felisia is a testament for those seeking a life outside their home country that there is pain; but through struggle and ambition, everything will be ok.
    You can feel Felisia’s vibe on Instagram:  @iamfelisiag
    For more info on the Nakameguro Taproom and other Baird Beer taprooms, please visit:  http://Bairdbeer.com/
    To donate and buy drinks for the guests  of my podcast:
    https://ko-fi.com/madeinjapanpodcast
    IG & FB:  @madeinjapanpodcast
    1 hr 10 min
  • Ep. 66– Lisa Knight, Photographer/Videographer
    Fire fights fire,  iron sharpens iron and in our darkest hour, talent has the potential to be unleashed.  Meet Lisa, a recent transplant to Japan who didn’t waste a moment during the outbreak of Covid to capture through photos what the average Japanophile dream to encapsulate life in the streets and nature of Japan.  Currently the Digital Content Director at Tokyo Weekender, Lisa is just getting started in capturing the everyday moments and cinematic landscape this country has to offer.  After having chillout chat before she heads out to one of her recent gallery exhibitions, my presumptions were confirmed.  She is a force that will benefit other aspiring shutterbugs as well as conduit for attracting curious foreigners to the lesser known parts and their communities. 
    You can see all of Lisa’s work on Instagram:  @lisainjapan
    For more info on the Nakameguro Taproom and other Baird Beer taprooms, please visit:  http://Bairdbeer.com/
    To donate and buy drinks for the guests  of my podcast:
    https://ko-fi.com/madeinjapanpodcast
    IG & FB:  @madeinjapanpodcast
    43 min
  • Bryan Baird of Baird Beer (Recast)
    It’s been awhile MIJ listeners! After attending the 15th anniversary of the Nakameguro taproom , I decided to revisit one of my first episodes of this podcast to give it a little polish and have new listeners know about Baird Beer, one of the pioneers of Japan based craft beer. It’s still one of my favorite chats I’ve had on this pod and for new listeners, I hope you feel it too.
    To donate and buy drinks for the guests  of my podcast:
    Kofi .
    IG & FB:  @madeinjapanpodcast
    41 min

About Made in Japan-- Conversations with Meljo Catalan

From the publisher's feed

This is not your run-of-the-mill "Cool Japan" podcast. I want to explore the side of Japan outside of sushi & sumo ; anime & video games. People from all walks of life living in Japan sharing…