This week Nicola and Di chat with the brilliant journalist, broadcaster and presenter Kumi Taguchi. Kumi has been working in the Australian media for almost 30 years, since she landed her first job as a Production Assistant for the 7.30 Report in the 90s. From there she went on to become the host and presenter of many shows, including her current role as the host of the SBS show, Insight. Kumi can now add author to her title, with the release of her book: The Good Daughter: A memoir of losing my father and finding home. 

We chat to Kumi about some of the powerful and emotional moments that she shares in her new memoir, The Good Daughter. Kumi talks to us about the estranged relationship she had with her father and the unbelievable moment they shared in Japan when Kumi went to close that chapter in her life, and the universe sent her a glaring sign that it was far from closed. 

Kumi talks about what it was like growing up as half Japanese and half Australian, and how it was actually her Australian mother that kept the Japanese culture alive in her home. Kumi shares the beautiful moment when a Japanese woman on a train in Tokyo, helped her to reframe how she thinks about her heritage in the most powerful way.  

We also chat about some of the incredible personal challenges that Kumi has achieved - like that time she ran a marathon in the middle of the desert, or the time she was in the Sydney to Hobart yacht race, despite the fact that she had no sailing experience and a history of getting sea sick. 

And of course, we wanted to hear all the behind-the-scenes intel about what really goes into an episode of Insight, how the show is made, and what Kumi’s favourite shows have been over the years.  

We had so much fun with Kumi and we could have chatted to her for hours. We loved having her in the studio and we really hope you enjoy this episode. 

This episode is proudly supported by Montgomery Investment Management, trusted experts helping you build and protect your financial future. For further information, please contact David Buckland, Chief Executive Officer or Rhodri Taylor, Account Manager on (02) 8046 5000 or [email protected]

Follow Kumi on IG here - https://www.instagram.com/kumikotag/

Buy Kumi’s book here - https://www.simonandschuster.com.au/books/The-Good-Daughter/Kumi-Taguchi/9781925750799

Watch Insight here - https://www.sbs.com.au/ondemand/news-series/insight

Follow Kumi on Facebook here - https://www.facebook.com/kumikotag/

Follow Kumi on LinkedIn here - https://www.linkedin.com/in/kumitag/

Follow Nicola and Di on IG here - https://www.instagram.com/overthebackfencepodcast/

Watch Over The Back Fence on YouTube here - https://www.youtube.com/@Overthebackfencepodcast/podcasts

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