Months 8, 13, 25, 27, pregnancy week 31. The J-pops are back! Two of them anyway. This week, Joe and Justin catch up on what has occurred during the two-month J-Pop hiatus, they give their recommendations for kids' books, TV, and music, and they fall just a little bit more in love. It's in the subtext, but it's there. Please send any questions or comments to us by email at [email protected].

Months 6, 11, 23, 24, & pregnancy week 24. This week Justin is still in America, but has deigned to join Mark & Joe to discuss the merits and further merits of the Japanese childcare leave system, which is not something Joe has experienced. There's all the usual favourites, plus the bits you don't like very much. Watch out for a made-up Dad Joke from Joe, you can tell which one it is from Mark's reaction. As usual, please send any questions or comments to us by email at [email protected].

Months 5, 11, 23, 24, & pregnancy week 22. This week Mark & Joe are mostly on their own, as Justin abandoned them for America! Actually, it was more a scheduling conflist that kept us apart. We'll be back to normal next time. For this episode the main topic is the Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD). Please send any questions or comments to us by email at [email protected].

Months 5, 10, 22, 24, & pregnancy week 20. Wow, the list of ages is getting long. Partly because there's another baby on the way, and partly because we have a new host who brought along a baby of his own! Welcome Joe! He's guest-hosted a time or two, so J-Pop regulars will known him well. Today, he catches us up on Yuki, his 10 month old. Other topics for discussion include: wisdom teeth, epidurals, and the toys we hate. Please send any questions or comments to us by email at [email protected].

Months 4, 22, & 23. This week Justin drops some life-changing news on us! What could it be?!?! Plus, we talk about the terrible twos... or as it's known in Japan - the Devil's two year old. Please send any questions or comments to us by email at [email protected].

Months 4, 21, & 23. Japan has lots of rules, and we wonder how this impacts a kid's mental state. This week, we look at a study or two and discuss our personal experiences/concerns about childhood mental health. Also, there's some Noto earthquake round up. Please send any questions or comments to us by email at [email protected].

Months 3, 21 & 22. This week Justin recounts he and his family's experience getting stuck in the Noto Peninsula during the 2024 New Year's Day Noto Peninula Earthquake for 5 days in an evacuation shelter with no water, no power and limited food. Please send any questions or comments to us by email at [email protected].

Months 3, 20, & 22. J-Pop Jeff Wu takes a turn in the guest host seat today. He's a Japan resident from Taiwan with a 10-month-old baby boy. His wife is also from Taiwan, so he talks about navigating parenthood in Japan without a citizen in the family. We also discuss moving the Christmas holiday, public baths, large fish, and Christmas parties. Please send any questions or comments to us on the website formerly known as Twitter at @JPopsPodcast or by email at [email protected].

Months 3, 20, & 21. What does it mean to be the oldest child? How about the youngest? We discuss whether it matter in determining the outcome of a person's personality. There's also some toddler development talk and Xmas movie recommendations. Please send any questions or comments to us on the website formerly known as Twitter at @JPopsPodcast or by email at [email protected].

Months 2, 20, & 21. It's a rite of passage for any parenting podcast: the poop episode. This week we scat about toddler constipation and how to alleviate it. We stray off topic a few times, but it all keeps coming back around to poop. Please send any questions or comments to us on the website formerly known as Twitter at @JPopsPodcast or by email at [email protected].