Naoness: The Power of Connection

Join us as we celebrate Naoko's birthday and delve into the profound benefits of meditation. In today's episode, we explore how meditation can transform your life, offering insights and techniques to enhance your well-being. Let's dive in and discover the power of mindfulness and inner peace. Happy Birthday Naoko!

We welcome back Monica from Ep. 49 to talk a little about Japanese pop culture in the realm of reality TV. Ultimately, we talk about how cyberbullying knows no international boundaries and how we can build healthy habits around media literacy. We end on a happy note of Japanese Girl's Day celebrated on March 3 every year.

We kick off our conversation by sharing our 'word for the year,' a concept inspired by a career coach. The idea is to think about one word that can keep us grounded, focused, and have a profound impact throughout the coming year, as opposed to setting up often intangible and unachievable hefty resolutions. We then delve into our thoughts on Course 1 of the UC Berkeley-based Othering & Belonging Institute.

Naoness is thrilled to host a special guest, Monica, in our first recording of 2024! We met Monica over 30 years ago, but didn't keep in touch per se until recently. It's extraordinary to revisit some time capsule moments, picking up right where we left off in junior high school. In this episode, we dive into Monica's journey—from her impactful work in social services at a mental health clinic to the unexpected joys of Japanese octopus jerky. Our focus is on the life and mind of Monica, who found herself thrust into a city metropolis for two crucial years during her adolescence. Tune-in for a captivating conversation that explores the myriad experiences that have shaped Monica's unique perspective on life.

This marks our final episode of the year! We want to extend our gratitude to the many listeners who discovered us for the first time, as well as those who continue to join our conversations. In this episode, we cover a wide range of topics, from the debate between gas and electric stoves to various holiday traditions. We also discuss our favorite books and highlight authors who are on our bucket list for early next year—especially AAPI community writers and activists.

Andersen Bakery

Thomas Keller's shortbread and chocolate chip cookie recipes

Othering & Belonging Institute (OBI) & OBI University courses (Fundamentals of Bridging and more)

The Next American Revolution: Sustainable Activism for the Twenty-First Century by Grace Lee Boggs

We Do This 'Til We Free Us: Abolitionist Organizing and Transformative Justice by Mariame Kaba

What My Bones Know: A Memoir of Healing Complex Trauma by Stephanie Foo

When Things Fall Apart: Heart Advice for Difficult Times by Pema Chödrön

No Mud, No Lotus: The Art of Transforming Suffering by Thich Nhat Hanh

Living Buddha, Living Christ by Thich Nhat Hanh

Time 2023 Person of the Year

Barbie (2023)

RENAISSANCE, a film by Beyoncé

Japanese Traditions: Joya no kane; Ozoni; Toshi koshi soba; Pajeon / Chijimi; Matsumaezuke; Oshiruko

Beverly Hills Cop: Axel F

We remain focused on cultivating life intentions that foster environments of belonging. With a dedication to learning, we're excited to share our thoughts on a free online course provided by the Othering and Belonging Institute (OBI University). As fall comfort food and Thanksgiving approaches, we're thrilled to engage in an exciting discussion about Japanese curry too!

We're thrilled to welcome Tim, an educator in private and public high schools for decades in California and Japan. Naoko x Naoko are interested in the topic of education as parents and in our growth development. We discuss current events like the Israeli-Palestinian conflict and how Tim teaches students to formulate unbiased opinions of the conflict as much as possible. We touch upon his unique role and involvement in the transformation of a local public high school to create a small learning community, and how it's become a model for creating a special learning environment. Finally, we talk about issues impacting today's HS students outside of academia. Tune-in to learn more!

Naoness celebrates our 2nd Anniversary recording, which started as an idea incepted in 2020 by Naoko. A birthday request reciprocated, launches our first episode in September 2021. This is a love letter to our families as we cherish our 35 years of friendship with love, laughter, and gratitude. In this episode, we discuss a recent book we started together, "Build the Life You Want: The Art and Science of Getting Happier" by Arthur C. Brooks and Oprah Winfrey. Today, we also sprinkle in seasonal dishes inspired by global flavors: enchiladas and Japanese-style pork belly, anyone?

Bean & Bean NYC: Limited Gesha Box - Rachel + Jiyoon Han, the Mother Daughter Q Grader Duo™ (selected for Naoko by Naoko ;)

⁠Driftaway Subscription Customizable Gift⁠ - Co-founded by Anu Menon & Suyog Mody (selected for Naoko by Naoko ;)

Additional coffee gift options with BIPOC founders/co-founders:

Coffee Project New York - Co-founded by Chi Sum Ngai and Kaleena Teoh, two AAPI women

Kahawa 1893 (now available @ Trader Joe's)

Boon Boona Coffee

Mainstream recommended best-lists by Wirecutter & Strategist:

The Best Coffee Subscriptions (Wirecutter) - Atlas Coffee Club (not Atlanta—apologies!), Trade Coffee (learned about Bean & Bean through their site—thank you!)

The Very Best Coffee-Subscription Clubs (Strategist)

CBS Sunday Morning News - Hosted by Jane Pauley

Build the Life You Want: The Art and Science of Getting Happier by Arthur C. Brooks and Oprah Winfrey

From Strength to Strength: Finding Success, Happiness, and Deep Purpose in the Second Half of Life by Arthur C. Brooks

America's Test Kitchen Green Chile Chicken Enchiladas (used this recipe for the chicken only for an easier prep; we use mozzarella and cheddar cheese)

Las Palmas Green Chile Enchilada Sauce (available at Target or any supermarket used as the green Chile sauce above)

Restaurant Style Mexican Rice (we like to slight increase the tomato sauce and decrease the chicken broth; regardless, this recipe is a must-try & keeper!)

Fitting for the change of seasons from summer to fall, this episode is a meaty discussion about accepting the "organized chaos" in our lives. How do we discern next steps in our lives when so much is going on, how to find moments of clarity, and how to be present daily. Join us as we share quotes from Pema Chödrön, who inspired the title of our podcast, along with a few shared Buddhist and Christian teachings we use as a daily practice.

Bay Area Farmer's Market: 25th Avenue & College of San Mateo

CBS Sunday Morning & Today with Hoda & Jenna

Thich Nhat Hanh's lecture on suchness—reality as it is—when Hanh answers a practitioner's question about living up to the expectations for your gender

Quotes from "When Things Fall Apart: Heart Advice for Difficult Times" by Pema Chödrön:

Chapter 6: Not Causing Harm (page 32)

"It's a lifetime's journey to relate honestly to the immediacy of our experience and to respect ourselves enough not to judge it."

Chapter 7: Hopelessness and Death (page 41)

"This is where renunciation enters the picture—renunciation of the hope that our experience could be different, renunciation of the hope that we could be better."

Chapter 11: Nonaggression and the Four Maras (page 71)

"We are killing the moment by controlling our experience."

Welcome to Naoness! This is our new recording after a 4-month hiatus of living. We catch up on the epic trips we made this summer, and briefly touch upon Barbie and Oppenheimer; while talking about death and how thinking about it can help us live better lives!