Do you find meaning in the work you do?

Work is a fundamental component of our lives, with the potential to influence our well-being. This underscores the importance of actively seeking ways to find purpose and meaning in our professional endeavours.

In this episode of the Ikigai Podcast, Nick discusses with Andrew Soren how individuals can find purpose and value in their work.

Do you feel heartfulness as you go about your day?

Often, people discuss the significance of mindfulness, emphasising the importance of self-awareness. However, in our pursuit of self-improvement and personal growth, we often overlook the impact we can have on those around us. This is where the concept of heartfulness can prove beneficial—a compassionate and open-hearted approach to life.

In this two-part episode of the Ikigai Podcast, Nick and Stephen explore the concept of heartfulness and embracing an open-hearted approach to life.

Do you feel heartfulness as you go about your day?

Often, people discuss the significance of mindfulness, emphasising the importance of self-awareness. However, in our pursuit of self-improvement and personal growth, we often overlook the impact we can have on those around us. This is where the concept of heartfulness can prove beneficial—a compassionate and open-hearted approach to life.

In this two-part episode of the Ikigai Podcast, Nick and Stephen explore the concept of heartfulness and embracing an open-hearted approach to life.

In this episode of the Ikigai Podcast, Nick and Mathew Borg discuss the significance of implementing the concept of ikigai within an educational context. 

How can we promote better education with the help of ikigai?

Education holds significance for all individuals, yet at times, it can become a source of stress. This is where concepts like ikigai can prove beneficial, not only for students but also for educators, aiding in the development of a more tailored and effective approach to learning.

Is the ikigai concept something you can coach?

In this solo episode, Nick explores this question and looks at how ikigai is relatable to philosophy, positive psychology and existential positive psychology

This episode takes a deep dive into the elements central to ikigai; life affirmation, goals/dreams, meaning of life, meaning of existence, sense of fulfilment and commitment, and  intertwines them with Dr Martin Seligman's PERMA model of flourishing.

Nick also touches on Health and Ikiagi advisors in Japan who help retirees transition from working life to the rest of their life – from becoming “a company person to a social person."  He discuss how these Health and Ikiagi advisors in Japan are required to study Mieko Kamiya's theory of Ikigai and Maslow's hierarchy of needs to gain certification.

By the end of this episode you will have an answers as to  whether ikigai is coachable or not.

Do you have the mental space for peace of mind? 

Amidst the hustle and bustle of daily life, self-care can often be neglected. In Japan, there's a concept known as yutori, which encourages creating mental space—an approach you can adopt and integrate into your own life in this fast-paced world.

In this episode of the Ikigai Podcast, Nick Kemp explores a sub-theory of ikigai known as yutori, offering insights on how it can enhance your well-being and encourage self-care.

In this episode of the Ikigai Podcast, Nick discusses the significance of aida (betweenness) and intercorporeality in relation to our embodiment with Prof. Shogo Tanaka.

Prof. Shogo Tanaka is a professor of psychology and philosophy at Tokai University in Japan. He received his Ph.D. in philosophical psychology from Tokyo Institute of Technology in 2003. He is primarily interested in phenomenology and psychology, and more specifically, in clarifying the theoretical foundations of psychology from the perspective of embodiment.

The topics of his published papers encompass a broad range of issues, including body schema, body image, skill acquisition, embodied self, social cognition, theory of mind, and intercorporeality. 

In this episode of the Ikigai Podcast, Nick speaks with Jessica Gerrity about Kyudo, the intricate art of Japanese traditional archery.

Jessica Gerrity is a TV personality, writer, and tourism ambassador for Saitama Prefecture in Japan. She moved to Japan from New Zealand over 20 years ago. Beyond her captivating roles, Jessica is a mother of three and also assists in managing a dojo for kyudo, a form of Japanese archery.

In this episode of the Ikigai Podcast, Nick speaks with Gordon Mathews about finding greater meaning in life through the concept of life after death.

Gordon Mathews is an author and professor of anthropology at the Chinese University of Hong Kong. He has written several books, including What Makes Life Worth Living? How Japanese and Americans Make Sense of Their Worlds, which was explored in episode 2 of the Ikigai Podcast.

In this episode of the Ikigai Podcast, Nick speaks with Waki Kamino about designing social robots to enhance the ikigai of older adults.

Waki Kamino is a PhD student at Cornell University in human-robot interaction and a research consultant at Indiana University, Bloomington.