In this episode of the Produck Podcast, host Lee Jean sits down with Asuka Kondo, a former venture capitalist and consultant turned AI ethics researcher, to explore the urgent need for guardrails in the rapidly advancing world of artificial intelligence.Asuka shares her unique career journey—from creative marketing and design thinking at firms like Deloitte and McKinsey to her current focus on the societal impact of AI.Together, they discuss the "miracle" of AI and its power to shape human identity, warning that while we are building AI, it is also "building us" by influencing our thoughts and perspectives.Key topics in this episode include:- The AI "Fire" Analogy: Why AI is like fire—a tool that can nourish society or cause massive destruction if left unchecked .- The Global AI Race: A look at how Japan is positioning itself as an AI sandbox with minimal regulation, contrasting with the stricter policies being introduced in South Korea .- Security vs. Safety: The emerging trend of startups rebranding "AI Safety" as "AI Security" to find economic incentives in a capital-centric market .- The Road to AGI & ASI: The scary reality of losing our "grip" on technology as we approach artificial superintelligence .- Ethical Concerns: Deep dives into biased data sets, the "vicious cycle" of synthetic data, and the massive energy consumption of global data centers.Join us for a provocative conversation on why we must maintain a "human in the loop" to ensure AI remains a beneficial tool for human prosperity .Connect with Asuka Kondo: LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/asuka-kondo/#AIEthics #AISafety #ProduckPodcast #ArtificialIntelligence #AGI #TechEthics #JapanTech #OpenAI #Anthropic #FutureOfTech

In this episode, we sit down with Sasha Lee Seals, the co-founder of Nagarayama Lead, to discuss how she is cultivating the next generation of innovators in Japan. Sasha shares her fascinating journey from being a recruiter and starting the successful Yum Cup Cakery to building an educational accelerator that empowers children to become the "CEOs of their own lives".We dive deep into the L.E.A.D. methodology, which stands for Leadership, Entrepreneurship, Authenticity, and Diversity.Sasha explains the importance of shifting the educational focus from constant "input" to providing children with a space for "output," allowing them to discover their own grit, tenacity, and intelligence.Whether you are an aspiring entrepreneur, an expat living in Japan, or a parent interested in the future of education, this conversation offers invaluable insights into overcoming risk-aversion, the power of community integration, and why respecting cultural nuances is the key to long-term success.Connect with Sasha:LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/sasha-lee-seals/Instagram: @jamaicaninjapanEmail: [email protected] Topics Covered:- The transition from a professional baker to an education pioneer- Understanding Omotenashi and the unwritten rules of Japanese service- Breaking the cycle of risk-aversion in the Japanese "burbs"- The "King Salmon Project" and Japan's potential as a global innovation powerhouse#ProduckPodcast, #SashaLeeSeals, #NagarayamaLead, #EntrepreneurshipJapan, #EducationInnovation, #LEADMethodology, #MindsetShift, #JapanStartups, #JamaicanInJapan, #FutureOfWork

In this episode of the Produck Podcast, host Lee Jean sits down with Alejo Cain, the founder of Snappy Compliance, to explore the intersection of robotics, artificial intelligence, and the burgeoning startup ecosystem in Japan.Alejo shares his journey from the Netherlands to Tokyo, driven by a passion for JDM car culture, martial arts, and the meticulous "otaku" dedication to craftsmanship found in Japanese culture. With a background in mechanical engineering and software engineering, Alejo provides a unique perspective on how robotics is evolving from simple automated machines like washing machines to the complex humanoid robots currently making headlines.Key topics discussed in this episode:- The Reality of Humanoids: Why most "autonomous" robots today are actually teleoperated and the security/compliance risks this poses for households.- AGI and Manipulation: A deep dive into why the true threat of AGI might not be physical violence, but the ability to manipulate human emotions and systems.- Snappy Compliance: How Alejo's startup is helping robotics companies certify their products faster, ensuring they are legal and safe while reducing R&D costs.- Startup Life in Japan: Insights from the Antler incubator (Cohort 5) and why Japan is currently an affordable, high-energy hub for international founders to build and scale.- The Future of Automation: Discussion on the AI Machinery Act and how legislation, much like in Formula One, can actually drive more creative engineeringConnect with Alejo Cain:Alejo's LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/alejo-cain-01310a86/Website: https://snappycompliance.com/#Robotics #AI #JapanStartups #SnappyCompliance #ProduckPodcast #HumanoidRobots #AGI #Entrepreneurship #TokyoTech #Automation

Welcome back to the Produck Podcast! In this episode, host Lee Jean sits down with Abhishek Gupta, the founder and CEO of OneInbox AI. Abhishek shares his fascinating journey from working as a telecaller in an Indian call center at age 17 to building three profitable, bootstrapped companies.We explore the evolution of customer service from traditional BPOs to AI-native platforms, Abhishek’s strategy for cracking the high-bar Japanese market, and why deep domain expertise is an entrepreneur's ultimate superpower. Abhishek also provides a masterclass on product validation, explaining how he secured 700 signups before writing a single line of code.In this episode, you’ll learn:The Power of Context: Why even a smaller AI model can outperform massive ones when given the right industry context.Cracking the Japan Market: The importance of physical presence and cultural empathy in satisfying the world's most demanding corporate clients.The "Top 3 Problems" Rule: Why B2B founders must ignore the noise and solve only the customer's most urgent pain points .AI for Social Impact: How Voice AI is being deployed as a check-in tool and companion for aging populations.Founder Wisdom: Real talk on bootstrapping, side-hustles, and avoiding the "glamour" traps of the startup ecosystem.Connect with our guest and learn more:Website: oneinbox.aiAbhishek’s LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/abhishekguptaofficial/#ProduckPodcast #VoiceAI #OneInbox #AbhishekGupta #Startups #JapanTech #Entrepreneurship #ProductValidation #Bootstrapping #GenerativeAI

In this milestone 50th episode of the Product Podcast, host Lee Jean sits down with Sunshine Burry, the Community Manager and Coordinator for Google for Startups Campus in Tokyo. Originally from Switzerland and sporting one of the most unique names in the tech world, Sunshine shares his fascinating journey from being a 2D animator to leading a premier startup community in Japan.The conversation explores the recent transformation of the Google for Startups space into the "Founder at Campus" initiative, a highly selective program that provides 52 handpicked startups with hands-on support, including Google mentorship and VC introductions. Sunshine also discusses his passion for fostering vulnerability in the entrepreneurial world through Tokyo Fail Nights, an event where founders share their mistakes to help others avoid the same pitfalls.Beyond his work at Google, Sunshine remains deeply involved in the indie game industry as a Creative Producer for Sunnyside Games. He gives us a behind-the-scenes look at their upcoming 2D Metroidvania, Nocturnal 2, and provides a raw perspective on the "tough" state of the gaming market, where less than 1% of the 4,000+ games released annually actually survive.Key topics discussed include:- The "Swiss-Japan Connection": Comparing the organized, shy, and clean cultures of Switzerland and Japan.-Navigating "Tatemae": The challenges of high-context communication and learning to embrace being a straightforward "gaijin".- The Introvert’s Journey: How a gap year hitchhiking through Asia transformed Sunshine from a total introvert into a community leader .- Overcoming Fear: Sunshine’s recent battle with public speaking and his new mantra: "No one has any stake in it; no one cares if you fail".Connect with Sunshine:LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/sunshine-burri/Support his work: Wishlist Nocturnal 2 on Steam.#GoogleForStartups, #TokyoStartups, #IndieGames, #CareerPivot, #JapanLife, #Nocturnal2, #CommunityBuilding, #FailNights, #ProductPodcast, #Entrepreneurship

Why do so many Japanese learners spend years "studying" English but still struggle to speak with confidence? In this episode of the ProDuck Podcast, host Lee Jean sits down with Mana Yamashita, a Project Manager at a Japanese SaaS company who has mastered a natural American accent and high-level fluency without ever studying abroad.Mana reveals the "Mindset Over Mastery" approach that allowed her to break through the perfectionism barrier. We dive deep into her transition from passively collecting textbook knowledge for TOEIC scores to proactively "learning" English through curiosity and interest.In this episode, you’ll learn:• The "Study vs. Learn" Shift: Why "studying" rules and vocabulary lists often leads to a dead end, and how to start "learning" by following your curiosity.• Overcoming the Perfectionism Barrier: How the cultural pressure to be "native-level perfect" is killing your fluency and why Mana decided to start "enjoying imperfection" instead .• The Power of Role Models: How Mana used YouTuber Emma Chamberlain to copy not just an accent, but a perspective and a vibe.• Language as a "Superpower": How speaking English allows you to express different parts of your identity and feel "free" from certain cultural communication constraints like "reading the room".• Building Confidence: Mana’s advice for Japanese professionals on how to stop "sugarcoating" and start acting like an English speaker to reach the next level.Whether you are a beginner or a corporate professional, Mana’s journey proves that you don't need a plane ticket to become fluent—you just need a change in mindset.Connect with Mana Yamashita: 🔗 LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/mana-yamashita-b755052a7/Follow the Produck Podcast: 📸 Instagram: @produckpodcast#englishlearning #LanguageFluency #Mindset #Japan #Perfectionism #CommunicationSkills #EmmaChamberlain #ProduckPodcast #ManaYamashita

Welcome to another insightful episode of The Produck Podcast! In this episode, host Lee Jean sits down with his close friend and collaborator, Katie Marple. Katie is a powerhouse in the Tokyo community, serving as the founder of the She Loves network, a director at FEW Japan, and a university professor.From her beginnings in the UK to her travels through the Costa Rica jungle and eventually finding a home in Japan, Katie shares her unconventional journey—including a surprise stint in a circus!. We dive deep into her philosophy on community leadership, moving beyond the idea of "building bridges" to creating interwoven "webs" with multiple entry and exit points for members.Whether you are looking to improve your professional communication or build a personal brand in Japan, this episode is packed with actionable advice. We discuss:• Negotiation Techniques: How to use "mirroring" and "labeling" to gather information and build rapport.• The Power of "No": Why hearing "no" is actually the beginning of a beautiful conversation.• Non-Violent Communication (NVC): Using "needs and feelings" cards to resolve conflict and express human needs.• Personal Branding: How Katie became a top 5% LinkedIn creator and her tips for being intentional with your time.• Legacy in Japan: Celebrating 40 years of FEW Japan and the importance of creating bilingual community spaces.Connect with Katie Marple:

🔗 Katie's LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/misskatiemarple/

📸 Katie's Instagram: @kayandtribe

Learn More About the Communities Mentioned:

🏢 FEW Japan’s LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/for-empowering-women-few-japan/

💖 She Loves’ LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/shelovesnetwork/posts/?feedView=all#ProduckPodcast #CommunityBuilding #NegotiationSkills #JapanExpats #WomenInBusiness #NVC #Networking #PersonalBranding #LinkedInTips #BilingualCommunity

We’ve hit a major milestone! In this special anniversary episode, Lee looks back on the journey so far and shares his vision for the future. Whether you're a long-time listener or new to the pond, thank you for being part of our story.In this episode, we cover:🙌 Gratitude: A massive thank you to the listeners and guests who have built this community.🚀 The Next Chapter: Big updates on the future growth and evolution of the podcast.🎙️ Deep Dives: Lee answers some of his favorite questions pulled from past episodes.🔗 Join the CommunitySupport us on Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/cw/ProduckPodcastConnect on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/produck-podcast/Follow the journey on Instagram: @produckpodcastWhat has been your favorite moment or guest on the produck podcast so far? Let us know in the comments! 👇#produckpodcast #anniversary #podcasting #growth #community #milestone #gratitude #entrepreneurship #productivity #storytelling #creativejourney #behindthescenes

What happens to your digital life when you're gone? In this episode of the Produck Podcast, we sit down with Alex Josephson, a "rebel" architect and founder of Partisans, who is now disrupting the $trillion death services industry.The inspiration for his latest venture, Cumulus, was born from a heavy moment: during his father's chemotherapy, Alex was asked to "design his grave". Realizing that a piece of granite in the ground can never truly capture a person’s essence, Alex pivoted from building "bricks" to building "bytes".Drawing on the architectural "will to bend software" pioneered by icons like Frank Gehry, Alex is building an immersive "Memory Cloud"—what he calls the "Minority Report of Memories". We dive into why the funeral industry stifles innovation, the tragedy of memories being "trapped in our devices," and how we can use technology to ensure our digital legacies live forever.In this episode, we discuss:• The transition from physical architecture to digital immortality.• How Alex’s father’s battle with cancer sparked the vision for a 3D memory repository.• The problem with "HTML obituaries" and "backwards" death services.• How to "crowdsource" a family’s history to create a solemn, beautiful digital legacy.• The philosophical roots of "mortal anxiety" and why legacy is a lesson we must all pass on.Connect with Alex & Cumulus:• Cumulus Website: https://www.cumulus.world/• Alex Josephson’s LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/alex-josephson-6502071a9/• Alex’s TED Talk (Boston): https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=orVdbFewskI#ProduckPodcast #DigitalLegacy #Architecture #Innovation #TechEntrepreneur #Cumulus #AlexJosephson #MemoryCloud #Immortality #DeathTech #BricksToBytes

Are you leading a business, or is your business leading you toward burnout? In this episode, host Lee Jean sits down with Heather Dobbin—a certified mental health and leadership coach, community builder, and board member of Startup Lady Japan.Heather shares her journey from leaving the U.S. to avoid a "slow death of the soul" to becoming a key figure in the Tokyo startup ecosystem. We dive deep into the concept of sustainable leadership, the "inner work" required to succeed, and how to build a community that supports your long-term growth.Key Topics Covered:• What is Sustainable Leadership? Moving beyond "grind culture" to design structures that support your physical, mental, and relational health.• The "Inner Work" of a Founder: Identifying the "deep scripts" and subconscious motivations—like "revenge success"—that can lead to toxic cycles.• Defining Leadership: Why real leadership is a combination of responsibility and empowerment.• Recognizing Burnout: How high performers often exist in a "functional state of burnout" and the warning signs you shouldn't ignore, such as chronic fatigue and unexplained anger.• Community vs. Network: Why entrepreneurs need a "tribe" for emotional and social support, rather than just a list of professional contacts.• The Power of Confidence: How Heather transitioned from literature and psychology to coaching confidence in the tech world."Leadership is not a solo act; it’s a group effort." Learn how to unblock your potential and lead in a way that is healthy for you, your team, and your product.Connect with Heather:• Website: https://heatherdobbin.com/• LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/heather-dobbin/• Startup Lady Japan Luma Calendar: https://luma.com/user/usr-LsmKUWZduG95ZES#SustainableLeadership #FounderBurnout #MentalHealth #StartupLadyJapan #TokyoStartups #LeadershipCoaching #InnerWork #Entrepreneurship #ProduckPodcast