Transformations with Jayne

I love meeting international women in Japan who are finding their way and creating things whether it is a new podcast or a bricks and mortar business like Blanka’s which actually does deal with things like bricks! Blanka shares how she came to be really enjoying running her family’s renovation company that helps foreigners get the services they need in English. She has certainly happened upon a niche, so this makes me wonder what other niches there are in Japan that could be explored! 

In this episode you’ll hear:

• How Blanka came to be running a renovation company in Japan that provides bilingual services
• Things to think about when considering investing in a property in Japan that might be different from your own country
• Blanka’s recent projects which include a podcast on real estate in Japan, and helping children to learn about personal finances

If you enjoyed this episode and it inspired you in some way, we’d love to hear about it and know your biggest takeaway. Take a screenshot of yourself listening to the episode on your device, post it to your Instagram Stories, and tag me, @transformationswithjayne or send us a message here.

About Blanka:

Blanka Kobayashi is multi-talented entrepreneur. She studied Finance, Marketing and Management in Czech Republic and International Relations at Charles University. She is working as a Marketing Director of Kobayashi Group Japan. She also founded the Tourism Department of the company, HBK Tours, because traveling and sharing her love for Japan is her passion. She co-founded HBK Naturalist with her husband in 2006. She studied Aromatherapy and Naturopathy in 2017-2018 to further her knowledge about natural medicine and herbal remedies.

She handles Brand Marketing and Market Research and social media marketing for the company. She also participates in the Blockchain Fintech Projects and new business project developments.

Currently she spends lots of her time managing ARK Reform Japan, bilingual renovation company based in Tokyo and Chiba, that the Kobayashi family founded in 2021. The company aims to help not already Japanese homeowners, but especially foreign home and business owners in Japan, to successfully navigate through renovating their properties. Blanka is in charge of marketing, sales and customer’s relationships.

Her strong suit is research, sourcing and execution of crucial task so her knowledge has been invaluable when offering advice to people on how to proceed with their pursuit of financial freedom. Together with her husband, they published The Beginner’s Guide to Financial Freedom to help people manage their finances and plan for better future. Their second book, The Beginner’s Guide to Side Hustles is about to be published next month, followed by The Beginner’s guide for Kidpreneurs.

Blanka is originally from a small town in Moravia, Czech Republic but lives in Tokyo, Japan with her husband and son. She serves as a cultural ambassador, helping foreigners to integrate in Matsudo area and the Japanese citizens to learn more about Czech Republic and to embrace foreigners, living in the prefecture. She is also an Advisory Board member for English Developmental Center at Cape Verde and Board member of L.E.A.D., Japan based educational program to empower young children in leadership and entrepreneurship. Blanka is passionate about helping others, especially children. Her big dream is for their family to establish foundation, helping children with proper education and living more fulfilled lives. That is why the family participate in many charitable projects in Japan and in Africa.

Things mentioned in the episode:

The beginner’s guide to financial freedom: https://www.amazon.com/Beginners-Guide-Financial-Freedom-Achieve/dp/B0931X1NFG

https://www.amazon.co.jp/Beginners-Guide-Financial-Freedom-Achieve/dp/B0931X1NFG

https://amzn.asia/d/gYM49L9

Connect with Blanka:

ARK Reform Website: https://arkreform.com/

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/blanka-kobayashi-138954140/

Podcast: https://podcast05d680.podigee.io/ 

YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@JapanRealEstate 

Connect with Jayne:

PodLaunch with Jayne: https://www.jaynenakata.com/podcastconsulting

If you need a pick me up today, then turn this episode on and give yourself a boost thanks to the wonderful guest Mary Wanjohi! She tells us about how she adjusted to life in Japan having been born and raised in a small town in Kenya to negotiating the scramble crossing in Shibuya. Mary and I talk about how we can make sure we are taking care of ourselves and also what kind of things you can do when you find that you do have the bandwidth to help others more. 

If you enjoyed this episode and it inspired you in some way, we’d love to hear about it and know your biggest takeaway. Take a screenshot of yourself listening to the episode on your device, post it to your Instagram Stories, and tag me and Mary, @transformationswithjayne and @harmonylivinglife_mary  or send us a message here.

In this episode you’ll hear:

• What it was like for Mary arriving in Japan from Kenya
• What Mary sees most among people struggling to adjust to life in Japan
• The importance of taking care of yourself so you can take care of others
• Transitioning from a very involved basketball parent to empty nester

About Mary:

Mary moved to Japan from a very small town in Kenya. Japanese culture, food, language was all new to her. With no friends or family members, she had to learn how to accept and embrace change. It was a huge life transformation and came with many challenges.

Mary now helps clients create a positive change in their life.  

She is known for transforming clients’ leadership skills, image, confidence, and making a positive impact. Her genuine passion for creating positive life changes in others shines through her professional work. She is a certified Master NLP, Life Coach (CLC), Myers-Briggs Personality Types Indicator (MBTI) Trainer. She teaches communication skills, conflict resolutions, personal and professional relationships using MBTI framework.

Links of things mentioned in this episode:

TELL: https://telljp.com/lifeline/ 

Connect with Mary:

Website: https://harmonylivinglife.com/

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/HarmonyLivingLife

IG: https://www.instagram.com/harmonylivinglife_mary/

Connect with Jayne:

PodLaunch with Jayne: https://www.jaynenakata.com/podcastconsulting

I’m always thrilled to find a new podcast by women with a nexus to Japan. Jordana Matsuda and Paige Baldwin Ando have both been guests on TWJ and now they have gone on to create their own show together: The Creativity Cafe Podcast. I love how their connection and collaboration has really brought joy to their lives that goes beyond just putting together a podcast.  I hope you will be inspired to go and find a collaborative partner that will bring a new interesting project to life! 

If you enjoyed this episode and it inspired you in some way, we’d love to hear about it and know your biggest takeaway. Take a screenshot of yourself listening to the episode on your device, post it to your Instagram Stories, and tag me and Creativity Cafe Podcast, @transformationswithjayne and @thecreativitycafe21 

or send us a message here.

In this episode you’ll hear:

• How Paige and Jordana came to be collaborating on their new podcast
• The challenges they had starting a podcast and Jayne’s answer for that
• What make a good collaboration partner
• Introverts guide to attending events where you don’t know people
• What’s next for the Creativity Cafe Podcast

Connect with Paige and Jo:

The Creativity Cafe Podcast

Paige: Listen to Paige on Episode 121

Website: https://www.wholeselfcreative.com/ 

Jordana: Episode 119 & 120 

Connect with Jayne:

PodLaunch with Jayne: https://www.jaynenakata.com/podcastconsulting

My gorgeous guest is Lindsey Sawada, founder of the Setagaya Yoga Studio. Not only do we talk about the wonderful Tuesday morning yoga classes that Lindsey holds each week online, but Lindsey also shares her experience so far with menopause. Jayne shares some of the symptoms that she has been noticing more and more recently that perhaps you’ve been noticing too.

If you enjoyed this episode and it inspired you in some way, we’d love to hear about it and know your biggest takeaway. Take a screenshot of yourself listening to the episode on your device, post it to your Instagram Stories, and tag me and Lindsey, @transformationswithjayne and @setagayayogastudio or send us a message here.

In this episode you’ll hear:

• The transformation of Lindsey’s yoga studio since she was last on the show in 2018
• Online and in person yoga classes and what you can expect when you attend
• Lindsey’s story of the event that led her to seek support for menopause at 45
• Jayne’s symptoms she is experiencing at 43 years old

Links of things mentioned in this episode:

Transformations with Jayne: Episode 8, June 2018. 

Davina McCall Menopaus documentary

How to Upgrade Your Life After Forty Podcast episode

Connect with Lindsey:

Website: https://www.setagayayogastudio.com/ 

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/setagayayogastudio/ 

IG: https://www.instagram.com/setagayayogastudio/

Connect with Jayne:

PodLaunch with Jayne: https://www.jaynenakata.com/podcastconsulting

It’s that time again! It’s time for our end of year check-in with Podlaunch producer Jo, to see how our 2022 shaped up. Listen to the episode to hear how our year went, what we ticked off our yearly to-do list, how we left room for magic to surprise us, and what’s in store for 2023! Follow along at home as always, reflect on your 2022 and make fun goals for 2023, and let us know what came up for you during this episode. We'd especially love to hear about your goals for the new year.

If you enjoyed this episode and it inspired you in some way, we’d love to hear about it and know your biggest takeaway. Take a screenshot of yourself listening to the episode on your device, post it to your Instagram Stories, and tag me and Jo, @transformationswithjayne and @tindlingjo 

or send us a message here.

In this episode you’ll hear:

• Our reflections on 2022 and the progress we made toward our goals
• The moments throughout the year where magic happened
• Jayne’s experience at her first business conference and first gala event
• About how Jo got to have a practice run for her fist solo exhibition in January
• What new projects and goals are on our list for 2023
• Our word of the year for 2023

Links of things mentioned in this episode:

British Business Awards 2022: https://bccjapan.com/news/congratulations-to-all-british-business-awards-2022-winners/

About Jo:

Jo Tindling is an artist and part time podcast producer living in Ōmokoroa in the Bay of Plenty region of Aotearoa, New Zealand. She is currently preparing for her first solo exhibition in January, as well as working as part of the Podlaunch with Jayne team to bring you your favourite podcasts!

Connect with Jo:

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/tindling

Exhibition Event: https://fb.me/e/33UvR4jOy

IG: https://www.instagram.com/tindlingjo/

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/joanna-tindling-626490237/

Connect with Jayne:

PodLaunch with Jayne: https://www.jaynenakata.com/podcastconsulting

On the show this week we’re talking with Lin Nishitani, a university student and project manager for Atlantic Pacific. I loved hearing how she came to be involved with this great organisation that is doing fantastic work to help areas affected by the tsunami in 2011. Their work has now extended to teaching water safety skills as well as their Ocean Revival Competition.  

If you enjoyed this episode and it inspired you in some way, we’d love to hear about it and know your biggest takeaway. Take a screenshot of yourself listening to the episode on your device, post it to your Instagram Stories, and tag me and Lin, @transformationswithjayne and @atlanticpacificjapan

or send us a message here.

In this episode you’ll hear:

• How Lin came to be first volunteering at Atlantic Pacific and now working as Japan Project manager
• How Atlantic Pacific helps to provide water safety training as well as the “lifeboat in a box”
• How you and your family can get involved in the camps or the Ocean Revival Competition

Links of things mentioned in this episode:

Ocean Revival Competition

About Lin:

Lin graduated from UWC ISAK Japan in 2020. She met Kate and Robin, founders of AP in October 2018 and volunteered for AP a few times during high school.

Lin has been working with Atlantic Pacific as a Japan project manager since June 2020 (right after graduation), organising and delivering different educational programmes. She is now at university in Tokyo, continuing to work for AP.

Connect with Lin:

Atlantic Pacific International: https://www.atlanticpacific.org.uk/ 

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/atlantic.pacific/?hl=en

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/atlanticpacificrescueboats/

Twitter: https://twitter.com/ap_lifeboats 

Atlantic Pacific Japan: https://www.atlanticpacific.org.uk/ja/

Twitter: https://twitter.com/japanapj?lang=en

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/atlanticpacificjapan/?hl=en

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/AtlanticPacificJapan/

Connect with Jayne:

PodLaunch with Jayne: https://www.jaynenakata.com/podcastconsulting

This week on the podcast I talk to Heidi Karino, a Japanese English Transcreation Specialist working with content marketing translation. Heidi came to Japan and pursued translation as a career, pivoted to copywriting, and ultimately became a transcreation specialist with the launch of Kotonoha Bloom. 

Listen to the episode to hear about Heidi’s journey from the UK to Japan, her experiences in Japan studying and working, how she was drawn to the creativity she found in transcreation, and her advice for being more intentional in your decisions regarding your career and life.

If you enjoyed this episode and it inspired you in some way, we’d love to hear about it and know your biggest takeaway. Take a screenshot of yourself listening to the episode on your device, post it to your Instagram Stories, and tag me and Heidi, @transformationswithjayne and @kotonohabloom 

or send us a message here.

In this episode you’ll hear:

• How Heidi came to Japan in the 90s
• Heidi’s work for the Oriental Land Company, the company that runs the Tokyo Disney Resort
• What transcreation is and how it differs from translation
• Advice on reassessing and transforming your career trajectory
• The community Heidi is building online for other Japanese English translators

Connect with Heidi:

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/jetranslatorhub 

IG: https://www.instagram.com/kotonohabloom/ 

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/heidikarino/ 

Connect with Jayne:

PodLaunch with Jayne: https://www.jaynenakata.com/podcastconsulting

Shinto is something we live with every day here in Japan, and we often do notice it, though we go to the shrine at New Year or when we are sightseeing. Dr. Nyri A. Bakkalian shares her experience of finding her place in the world on the day she wandered into the Osaki Hachiman shrine in 2005.  Listen to hear what happened next! 

If you enjoyed this episode and it inspired you in some way, we’d love to hear about it and know your biggest takeaway. Take a screenshot of yourself listening to the episode on your device, post it to your Instagram Stories, and tag me @transformationswithjayne 

or send us a message here.

In this episode you’ll hear:

• Nyri’s upbringing as a third culture kid with strong ties to the Armenian diaspora and Armenian protestant church clergy 
• What set Nyri on the path to finding her place in the world which turned out to be in Japan
• Some of the different kinds of Shinto practitioners and how we can be respectful today at shrines with the restrictions of Covid-19
• Nyri’s upcoming book set in Ishinomaki just after the tsunami in 2011

About Dr. Nyri A. Bakkalian:

Dr. Nyri A. Bakkalian is a freelance writer, recovering academic, raconteur, out and proud lesbian, and staff writer for Unseen Japan. Her PhD thesis focused on the Boshin War in the Tohoku region. She is the author of the 2020 novel Grey Dawn: A Tale of Abolition and Union and the upcoming November 2022 novel Confluence: A Person-Shaped Story. She hosts the podcast Friday Night History and co-hosts the podcast Cleyera: Conversations on Shinto. The secret to her success is Arabic coffee. She misses Sendai daily.

Links of things mentioned in this episode:

Confluence: A Person-Shaped Story, Nov 2022 https://balance-of-seven.square.site/ 

Cleyera Podcast https://anchor.fm/cleyerapodcast/ 

Connect with Nyri:

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/riversidewings/ 

Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/riversidewings 

Itchio: https://riversidewings.itch.io/ 

Twitter: https://twitter.com/riversidewings 

Connect with Jayne:

PodLaunch with Jayne: https://www.jaynenakata.com/podcastconsulting

On the latest episode of Transformations with Jayne, I talk to Tiffany Rossdale. Tiffany is a retreat specialist, LGBTQ educator and transgender activist, a certified Life Coach, a local private tour guide, and producer and host of the podcast, Breakfast With Tiffany. Born and raised in Manila, Philippines, Tiffany Rossdale has been a resident of Tokyo for over 25 years. She has been involved with the Tokyo nightlife in the 90s, VIP events hosting, and the modeling industry. Recently Tiffany pivoted towards health, wellness, and lifestyle coaching after a series of events led Tiffany on a journey of self-love, forgiveness, and personal growth.

If you enjoyed this episode and it inspired you in some way, we’d love to hear about it and know your biggest takeaway. Take a screenshot of yourself listening to the episode on your device, post it to your Instagram Stories, and tag me and Tiffany, @transformationswithjayne and @tokyohottie or send us a message here.

In this episode you’ll hear:

• How Tiffany moved to Tokyo and found a community of other Filipina trans women in Japan’s VIP nightlife scene
• About Tiffany’s lifelong love of dancing and how dancing became a way to express herself
• How modeling offered Tiffany an opportunity to be seen
• How a silent retreat in Bali helped Tiffany find herself, and start the journey towards self-love
• The way the pandemic led Tiffany to start the Breakfast With Tiffany podcast, and how that led to even more growth and transformation

About Tiffany:

Tiffany Rossdale is a transgender woman activist who believes in the power of our voices to change the world in order to make it a safer and sustainable community for all of us. She is an entrepreneur and a certified life coach helping people through change. Navigating change is often a fraught experience and her programs help people to overcome their emotional barriers to change. Tiffany has been coaching LGBTQ+ leaders and creative artists with their journey to transformational changes. She currently hosts a weekly culture/wellness podcast called Breakfast With Tiffany Show.

Links of things mentioned in this episode:

A New Earth by Eckhart Tolle

Connect with Tiffany:

Tiffany Rossdale Official page: https://www.tiffanyrossdale.com

Tiffany Rossdale Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/TokyoHottie

Official Facebook Page: https://www.facebook.com/OfficialTiffanyRossdale

Breakfast With Tiffany Show Official Page: https://www.tiffanyrossdale.com/podcast

Breakfast With Tiffany Show Official Facebook Page: https://www.facebook.com/breakfastwithtiffanyshow

Official YouTube channel: https://bit.ly/3vIVzhE

Connect with Jayne:

PodLaunch with Jayne: https://www.jaynenakata.com/podcastconsulting

As Obon finishes for another year, we turn our thoughts to a new start in September - the other January. Gretchen Miura and Sarah Furuya are two wonderful women in our foreign women in Japan community who have created a community for people who are experiencing grief and want help with processing it. If you have lost someone and not taken the time to grieve you may find yourself carrying that grief with you and it popping out in unexpected ways. Sarah and Gretchen have created a caring and supportive community where you can do this from anywhere in Japan or the world. I’d love you to hear their enthusiasm for helping others and their deep knowledge in the science as well as the spiritual. It’s some major magic mojo. 

If you enjoyed this episode and it inspired you in some way, we’d love to hear about it and know your biggest takeaway. Take a screenshot of yourself listening to the episode on your device, post it to your Instagram Stories, and tag me and Sarah and Gretchen, @transformationswithjayne and @lighthousecirclegriefsupport 

or send us a message here.

In this episode you’ll hear:

• Who are Gretchen and Sarah and how they came to be leading a grief support circle
• The phases of the program and what participants can expect when they join
• How Gretchen and Sarah lead the group and the ways they take care of themselves and each other when doing grief work
• When not to join a grief group and why foreign women really need support while going through grief in Japan.

Links of things mentioned in this episode:

Retreats at Dairyuji: https://www.dairyuji-oga.com/ 

TWJ 40 Podcast episode featuring Gretchen

TWJ 19  and TWJ 84 with Sarah

Gretchen speaks about her brother Chris on Legends Interview Series with Sarah

Iwaki Jangara Nenbutsu Odori

Connect with Sarah and Gretchen

Evergreen Self Paced Grief Support Website

Lighthouse Circle Grief Community 

The Lighthouse Circle 2022 registration

IG:https://www.instagram.com/lighthousecirclegriefsupport/ 

Connect with Jayne:

PodLaunch with Jayne: https://www.jaynenakata.com/podcastconsulting