Transformations with Jayne

This week we have a special two part series about being a parent in Japan and navigating the transitions for families when children enter school in Japan or move to a new level of schooling.

In this episode you will hear:

• Considerations for choosing daycare or a kindergarten for your child
• The secret side entrances to kindergartens!
• How kindergarten can affect the start that kids have when they reach elementary school
• The private school decision and what it's like attending a "prep school" for private elementary school
• The difference between Tokyo ward and Tokyo city schools

Connect with the guests:

Kristine Ayuzawa

Fran Ishido

Jacqui Miyabayashi

Jordana Matsuda

It's a bit of a fun episode today with my two special guests, who have been asking to appear on my show.

We'll be talking about:

• Things we like about Japan
• What we're planning for the upcoming spring holidays
• Two brand new podcasts coming out soon

Links of things mentioned in the show:

The Hugo Show with HugoN

FocusCore Podcast

SELF POWER NOW!

Got a question for our guests in the upcoming episode? Make sure you find me on Instagram @transformationswithjayne and send me your message.

We sent our two kids (7 and 10) to visit their grandparents alone during the winter holiday and let’s just say it was amazing, but also eye opening as to just how much my life revolves around them and when they are not home, I struggled not to fall into the trap of filling the space with w.o.r.k.

Loads of shout outs on this episode! You can see some of the links below for the past guests I mentioned and also a big shout out to my friend Dhananji, one of the most caring and selfless people I know, @dhananjifernando too, who has yet to appear! 

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 here @transformationswithjayne 

or send us a message here.

In this episode you’ll hear:

• How Jayne sent her kids to the grandparents house for a week 
• What happened when there were no kids around - plot spoiler it wasn’t great!
• Some things to work on this year around work and kids 
• Why 2022 is not going to be rubbish, just because the first two weeks have been a bit “meh”

Links of things mentioned in this episode:

Mucho Mexican restaurant in Tokyo 

Christine Brown’s Episode 

Violet Pacileo’s Episode

Nina Cataldo’s Episode 

Connect with Jayne:

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

Well, what a year 2021 has been! We’ve come to the last episode of the year and we thought it would be nice to spend this episode reflecting on 2021, and thinking about what we want to achieve in 2022. Joining me on this episode is Transformations with Jayne producer Jo Tindling. Join us as we talk about what happened this year for both of us and the show. And let’s set some goals for 2022!

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 @jotindling

or send us a message here.

In this episode you’ll hear:

• Jayne’s highlights of the year
• Jayne’s tip for using social media to help you see what was important to you throughout the year
• How a word of the year or writing down your values can help guide your decision-making
• A process for setting goals for 2022

Links of things mentioned in this episode:

Jo Bendle’s website: jobendle.com

Connect with Jo Tindling:

IG: @jotindling and @tindlingjo

Connect with Jayne:

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

You just never know what reaction your actions in the world will cause! My episode with Kate Galloway is an example of what can happen when you put your hand up for things or just try something. I wrote an article about the lack of women in podcasting for my podcast hosting software, Captivate. Kate saw that article and something about it made her take that step forward she had been thinking about, but not doing. I hope you will listen and hear the rest of the story as well as the wisdom that Kate has around international careers and what to do when your partner comes home and says: “How do you feel about living in Sweden?”

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 Kate, @transformationswithjayne and @kategalloway_coach or send us a message here.

In this episode you’ll hear:

• How the pandemic has changed people’s ideas about work and the flexibility they want from their employers
• How Kate made her way from her hometown of Aberdeen, Scotland, to settle in Dubai
• How an article written by Jayne about women in podcasting gave Kate a final push to launch the podcast she had been working on
• About Kate’s coaching of international career couples both as individuals and as a team
• Kate's advice for women considering an international move, either for their own career or their partners

About Kate:

Kate is a passionate and effective International Coach Federation ACC coach with 15+ years supporting individuals and organisations in their personal and professional development.

Kate is enthusiastic about providing impactful, creative and thought-provoking coaching and development experiences. Kate has coached clients across construction, health, hospitality, professional services, data and consulting, creative and transport industries.  Kate’s intuitive and motivational coaching style enables her clients to find focus and clarity whilst enhancing their personal and professional growth.

Prior to becoming a coach, Kate had the opportunity to work internationally (UK, US and UAE).  In addition to coaching Kate is experienced in human resources, cultural competence and organisational development. With professional experience ranging from local government to the world's largest energy companies, Kate is motivated working in technical and non-technical environments and loves to partner in coaching relationships working on career transition and intercultural perspectives. Her professional qualifications in coaching complement her undergraduate degree in Business Studies and Masters in Human Resource Management.

She is an expat and with an international client base of whom 80% have been expatriates, she is passionate to support international career couples to align and grow their careers as they live on the move.

Links of things mentioned in this episode:

Kate’s International Career Couples podcast:

Podcast | KateGallowayCoaching

Jayne’s article for Captivate on Women in Podcasting:

Women in Podcasting (jaynenakata.com)

Couples That Work book by Jennifer Petriglieri:

Books - Jennifer Petriglieri (jpetriglieri.com)

HERE WE ARE – The International Career Couple Handbook by Jannie Aasted Skov-Hansen and Dr.Paul Vanderbroeck

HERE WE ARE – The International Career Couple Handbook – here we are global

Connect with Kate:

Website: www.kategallowaycoaching.com

LinkedIn: linkedin.com/in/kate-galloway-7b373ba8

IG: @kategalloway_coach

Connect with Jayne:

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

One day Nina Cataldo told me that she has been a long time listener of the podcast. I was floored as I had no idea and had been watching with growing interest at all the great things she has been doing. How funny, and I’m so thrilled to finally have Nina on the show! If you have younger kids who are half Japanese, then you will love hearing from Nina, who is the creator of the Hafu Ladies, an online community that supports people like herself. 

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 Nina, @transformationswithjayne and @ninamcataldo and @hafuladies

or send us a message here.

About Nina:

Nina Cataldo is the founder of Hafu Ladies and co-founder of the Brave & Bold Mastermind program for Asian Women Entrepreneurs. She is also known for her work as a DEI Facilitator and Multicultural Communications Specialist based in Tokyo, Japan. Originally from Tokyo, Nina grew up in the Pacific Northwest of the United States before returning to Japan after graduating university. In the coming months, Nina will be releasing new programs as an Identity Coach for women with mixed roots and a mentorship program for elementary and teen girls with mixed roots.

In this episode you’ll hear:

• About Nina’s Brave and Bold Mastermind program for entrepreneurial Asian women
• How and why Nina started the Hafu Ladies community
• About programs and groups Nina is working on for mixed race kids and their parents 
• Nina’s advice to parents of hafu and 3rd culture kids

Connect with Nina:

Personal Website - www.ninamcataldo.com

Brave & Bold Mastermind program - www.be-bravebold.com

Hafu Ladies - www.hafuladies.com (under construction)/www.facebook.com/hafuladies

Facebook: www.facebook.com/ninamcataldo

IG: @hafuladies and @ninamcataldo

Connect with Jayne:

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

Dr. Mira Simic-Yamashita used her skill in Rapid Transformational Therapy to help me in November and December of 2020. Since then I have seen many positive changes in my life and I wanted you all to know more about this wonderful person we have in our community here in Japan. Dr Mira has a generous offer for listeners so make sure you listen to the end!!! 

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 Mira, @transformationswithjayne and @mira_simic_yamashita

or send us a message here.

About Mira:

Dr. Mira Simic-Yamashita is a psychologist, therapist and a university lecturer living in Kobe. She is from Serbia, and has lived in Japan for 18 years. She runs a private therapy practice, helping people in and outside Japan to overcome their emotional and mental health issues. In her free time, she plays the flute, walks her dog and enjoys time with her family.

In this episode you’ll hear:

• Mira’s early life in former Yugoslavia, later Serbia and the mysterious coincidence that helped her make her way to Japan as a graduate student
• What RTT therapy is and how it can help 
• Mira’s own experience overcoming serious migraines through RTT
• Jayne shares her experience working with Mira and what it was like to be hypnotised

Connect with Mira:

Website: Home : Mira Simic-Yamashita (mirasimicyamashita.com)

Facebook: Dr. Mira Simic-Yamashita, Psychologist & Therapist | Facebook

IG: @mira_simic_yamashita

LinkedIn: Mira Simic-Yamashita, PhD

Connect with Jayne:

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

This week on the show I had the pleasure of interviewing author, cross-cultural competence consultant and coach; Karen Hill Anton. She has written an amazing memoir called The View from Breast Pocket Mountain that I highly recommend! She has been living in Japan since the 1970’s, and it was fascinating to hear about how she navigated her way here, motherhood, work and the various cultural differences she encountered. Karen had a lot of wisdom to share about adapting to new situations, dealing with other people’s assumptions and discrimination, and how to build fortitude in challenging times.

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 Karen: 

Karen Hill Anton wrote the popular columns “Crossing Cultures” for The Japan Times, and “Another Look” for Chunichi Shimbun for fifteen years. She is a cross-cultural competence consultant and coach. Karen lectures widely on her experience of cross-cultural adaptation and raising four bilingual, bicultural children. She served on the internationalization advisory councils of Prime Ministers Keizō Obuchi and Ryutaro Hashimoto. 

Her work appears in The Meaning of Michelle (St. Martin’s Press) and The Broken Bridge: Fiction from Expatriates in Literary Japan (Stone Bridge Press). Originally from New York City, she’s achieved second-degree mastery in Japanese calligraphy, and has lived with her husband William Anton in rural Shizuoka prefecture since 1975. Acclaimed by reviewers and readers, her memoir The View From Breast Pocket Mountain has been awarded the SPR Gold Prize, and the Book Readers Appreciation Group Medallion. 

Links of things mentioned in this episode:

The View from Breast Pocket Mountain - A Memoir

https://www.karenhillanton.com/book

Connect with Karen:

Email: [email protected]

Website: https://www.karenhillanton.com/

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/people/Karen-Hill-Anton/100011023201347

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

LinkedIn: https://jp.linkedin.com/in/karen-hill-anton-47570a2

Connect with Jayne:

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

If you have ever wondered why you can’t stop eating, or you never feel satisfied even though you eat all the time, or you want to be more intuitive in your eating, then this episode might be for you! I have also had a lifelong journey with eating and my guest, Mayuko Okai is someone who can help with all kinds of topics around eating and intuitive eating. One thing most people don’t realise is that carrying around these feelings uses up a lot of bandwidth that could be used for what you really want to do! 

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 Mayuko, @transformationswithjayne and @mayukookai.rd  or send us a message here.

In this episode you’ll hear:

• How Mayuko came to be living in rural Nagano during the pandemic from sunny California
• What kinds of issues around eating people have and how she helps them with her intuitive eating coaching
• Some of the things she enjoys about living in Nagano and Jayne tells her what the spiders are about to get up to
• Mayuko’s message for you if when you are feeling shame around eating or food

About Mayuko:

Mayuko Okai is a Registered Dietitian, yoga teacher, author and founder of Food Liberation: a coaching program that helps mindful individuals heal their relationship with food and body. While working eight years across hospitals in Los Angeles, Mayuko pursued yoga teacher training, which opened the doors to a world of healing she had yet to explore. This inspired her to leave her career to shift her nutrition practice, incorporating mindfulness techniques with a focus on emotional care. 

Today, Mayuko takes delight in leading retreats and guiding clients internationally to find food freedom so they can live their full lives. One of her longterm yoga clients include Marie Kondo. 

In 2020, Mayuko left California to follow her longtime dream of living in her home country, Japan. Mayuko can be found practicing yoga, eating to her heart’s desire, and soaking in nature in Nagano, where she now resides.

Links of things mentioned in this episode:

The Journal for Emotional Eating: A Guided Journey to Improve Your Relationship with Food: https://amzn.to/3DQwNjf 

Connect with Mayuko:

Websites: food-liberation.com

                mayukookai.com

IG: instagram.com/mayukookai.rd

Connect with Jayne:

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

Brittany Arthur is someone who does not let the circumstances dictate what she can do! Brittany has been running her Japan based business from Mexico since Covid restrictions made it impossible to return to Japan. In the last year, she has also joined us in the podcasting world with her show: Business Karaoke. I love that name and you will love what Brittany has to share about how you can take “design thinking”, what she helps Japanese organisations with, into your own life and apply it to issues you have. I even share a recent Nakata household situation for Brittany to troubleshoot! 

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 Brittany, @transformationswithjayne and @_brittanyarthur or send us a message here.

In this episode you’ll hear:

• How Brittany came to be in Mexico when she should be in Japan
• What design thinking is and how we can apply it to our own lives as well as the corporate world
• The importance of the end user who may be your child, partner or co-worker
• Divergent and Convergent thinking - it’s a thing!
• What to do when you know you want to make a change in your life but you don’t know “what” to do. 

About Brittany

Brittany is the co-founder of Design Thinking Japan and the host of the Business Karaoke Podcast and Business Karaoke MeetUp. She is passionate about curating a community of global leaders who exchange stories to modernize the dialogue around business in and with Japan. She also specializes in facilitating Human Centered Design workshops for the Japanese market. These workshops support organizations and individuals to ignite innovation and creativity to achieve business impact in our ever-changing world.

Connect with Brittany:

Website: https://www.designthinkingjapan.com/ 

IG: https://www.instagram.com/_brittanyarthur/  ​​

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

Connect with Jayne:

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