Wabi Sabi - The Perfectly Imperfect Podcast with Candice Kumai

Beyond Good Genes: The Art of Aging Beautifully

New research suggests good genes are only about half the story of how long we live. This episode is all about the other half.

I was in the room when Martha Stewart celebrated the new Elemental Lip Serum from her skincare brand, Elm Biosciences, and shared some big news: she's writing her memoir, due out in October 2027. At 85, she still lifts weights, starts her days with a 7 AM garden crew and grows so much of her own food.

I dig into the science behind seven of her longevity habits, from a Harvard study linking five simple habits to about 14 extra years for women, to a major Japanese study on ikigai, your reason for getting up in the morning. You'll also hear why Martha chose a bonsai tree as the symbol of her Center for Living at Mount Sinai, why a medical school gave her a monogrammed white coat, and why retirement isn't in her plans.

The full research, with every study linked, plus my Dark Chocolate Cherry Super Smoothie, is waiting for you on my Substack. Thank you for listening. Share with two best friends. xx Candice

Fall is the perfect time to make your food feel warmer, more comforting and more nourishing. In this episode, I'll break down the real benefits of pumpkin, dark cocoa, leafy greens, kabocha squash and warming spices, plus how to use them in easy seasonal recipes like pumpkin spice smoothies, dark chocolate pumpkin smoothies, pumpkin pie pancakes and roasted kabocha.

You’ll learn how these foods can support healthy skin, digestion, satiety, steady energy and overall wellness, without turning fall into another season of restriction. This is about making cozy food work harder for you with more beauty benefits + fiber, carotenoids, polyphenols, vitamins and minerals, while still keeping everything delicious. Thank you for listening xx Candice

7 Japanese Superfoods for Beauty, Energy & Longevity

In this episode of Wabi Sabi, I’m sharing seven Japanese superfoods that have been part of my life, my family, and Japanese food culture for generations.

We’re talking about Japanese sweet potato, matcha, miso, sea vegetables, Japanese citrus, sesame seeds, and sesame oil, and why these traditional foods deserve a place in your everyday diet.

I’ll break down the benefits of each, from fiber, minerals, healthy fats, vitamin C and plant protein to polyphenols, antioxidants and compounds being studied for cardiovascular health, digestion, energy and healthy aging.

But this episode is about more than nutrition.

Before these foods were called “superfoods,” they were simply staple foods in Japan. They nourished our ancestors, supported families through difficult times, and became part of a way of eating built around simplicity, seasonality, balance and nourishment.

And when it comes to beauty, I still believe some of the most powerful tools are not found in a bottle. Healthy skin and healthy aging are supported from the inside out through nutrient-dense food, movement, sleep, hydration and the way we care for ourselves over time. Thank you for listening and please share this with two best friends. x Candice

This episode I interviewed OG Anunoby for ABC News. This is important recap on how to love what you love and stop caring about what others think! Thank you OG & thank you for listening! x Candice

What actually keeps your body fit for decades? In this episode of the Wabi Sabi Podcast, I’m sharing the workouts and wellness practices I have returned to for nearly 30 years, from barre, Pilates, cycling, yoga, surfing, swimming and strength training to the practice I now consider my special sauce: meditation. I break down the science behind what really helps your body stay strong, mobile and resilient over time, why consistency matters more than quick fixes, and why training your nervous system may be just as important as training your muscles. After nearly three decades in modeling, fitness, food and wellness, I have seen trends come and go, but the practices that truly last are usually the simplest ones. This is a candid conversation about movement, longevity, body image, recovery, meditation and what it really means to take care of yourself for the long haul. Thank you for listening! Please share with two best friends. x Candice

In this special Japan episode of Wabi Sabi, I’m sharing the unwritten cultural rules every traveler should know before visiting Japan. Drawing from my Japanese American heritage and a lifetime of traveling throughout the country, I’m opening up the thoughtful customs, quiet gestures, and insider knowledge that can completely transform the way you experience Japan. From showing respect at temples and shrines to supporting local businesses, understanding omamori, honoring elders, and moving through sacred spaces with care, consider this your guide to experiencing Japan with greater depth, beauty, and connection, from your Japanese American best friend. Thank you for listening! Please share this podcast with two friends! xx Candice

In this episode, I’m sharing my Ultimate Summer Glow-Up Guide and everything I genuinely rely on to support healthy-looking skin, stronger hair, steady energy, recovery, and long-term wellness.

This is not about crash diets, expensive powders, or chasing one magic ingredient. It is about the small, cumulative habits that actually matter: eating enough protein, choosing healthy fats, adding more color to your plate, hydrating properly, protecting your skin, sleeping well, and building meals that keep you nourished and energized.

I’m also breaking down four of my newest TODAY Show recipes, including my iced strawberry matcha latte, creamy avocado pesto pasta, chili-lime miso sweet potatoes, and honey-miso glazed salmon, plus easy ways to adapt each one throughout the week.

With lessons from my Japanese family, more than 20 years as a chef and wellness journalist, and everything I have learned through my own recovery, this episode is a practical guide to helping you look and feel your best all summer and for years to come. Thank you for listening xx ck

Hi Friend, today we're talking about something that's incredibly close to my heart: healing.

Whether you're recovering from surgery, healing from an injury, navigating illness, moving through grief, burnout, or simply trying to feel like yourself again, I hope this episode reminds you that healing is never about perfection. It's about giving yourself the time, grace, and nourishment your body deserves.

Over the past few weeks, I've been reminded just how extraordinary the human body really is. I recently underwent hip surgery, and while I intentionally kept much of my recovery private, I spent that quiet time doing what I've always done best: learning, reflecting, cooking, and listening to my body.

As a classically trained chef I believe food is one of the greatest gifts we can give ourselves. It can't replace a great surgeon, physical therapist, or medical care, but it can provide the building blocks our bodies need to repair, recover, and regain strength. Every meal is an opportunity to nourish ourselves from the inside out.

Today, I'm sharing the healing foods that filled my kitchen during recovery and the science behind why they matter. We'll talk about protein, leafy greens, berries, sweet potatoes, ginger, turmeric, bone broth, healthy fats, hydration, and simple meals that are comforting, nourishing, and easy to make. I'll also share a few lessons this season has taught me about slowing down, accepting help, and finding gratitude in the smallest moments.

If this episode resonates with you, I hope you'll share it with someone who needs a little encouragement today. Maybe it's a friend recovering from surgery, a parent caring for a loved one, someone feeling burned out, or simply someone who could use the reminder that healing takes time and they're not alone.

So make yourself a cup of tea, take a deep breath, and let's spend a little time together. This is an episode about nourishing your body, honoring your resilience, and remembering that every small act of care is a step toward healing.

As we step into June, I wanted to share a little slice of joy, strength, and perspective. For anyone who has been criticized, overlooked, misunderstood, embarrassed, rejected, or quietly left wondering, Do I still have what it takes?

I know that feeling.

I know what it feels like to keep showing up, to do the right thing, to give 150%, to stay gracious, to work hard, and still feel like the world does not always meet you with the same care. I know what it feels like to be exhausted and still have to perform. To be strong and still feel unseen. To wonder whether you should keep walking the same path, or finally stop, recalibrate, and begin again.

And recently, strangely enough, the thing that reminded me not to give up was basketball.

More specifically, the New York Knicks.

I’ve lived in New York for 14 years, so yes, this team has become part of my story. But this season, watching them felt bigger than being a fan. It felt bigger than a game. It felt like watching a group of people carry their scars openly and still choose to fight.

That is why sports can move us so deeply.

Because the game becomes a mirror.

We see ourselves in the player who was underestimated.

A practical, honest reset for anyone who wants to feel better this summer through food, matcha, meditation, movement, rest, better boundaries, supportive work, and more intentional living. This is about improving your health and wellness journey from June forward without making it complicated, fake, or overwhelming.

Intro From Candice

Happy June, and welcome back to Wabi Sabi.

Today, I want to talk about the June reset and how we can use this month as a fresh start for our health, energy, and ease. June is the beginning of summer and the halfway point of the year, which makes it a really beautiful time to pause and ask ourselves: what is actually helping me feel better, and what do I want the second half of this year to feel like?

I was recently asked at one of my speaking events a few questions that sounded simple, but were actually very honest. What does your routine look like? What do you eat regularly? What do you do to feel well? And what advice would you give someone who wants to improve their health and wellness journey from June forward?

I loved those questions because I think they are the questions so many of us are quietly asking. How do I take better care of myself when life is full? How do I eat well without making it complicated? How do I create a routine that actually supports me? How do I rest when I have responsibilities? How do I begin again when the first half of the year did not go exactly as planned?

For me, May was full and meaningful. It was AANHPI Month, and I was grateful to share my Japanese heritage, matcha, wellness, and culture through ABC News, speaking events, library events, wellness gatherings, and beautiful rooms where we could talk about the deeper meaning behind this work.

But May was also very hard. Someone I used to be very close to passed away suddenly. And bad news came in a few areas-- So while I am grateful, I am also human. I have been processing grief, uncertainty, exhaustion, and the reminder that health is not something we can keep putting off.

So this episode is not about pretending everything is fine. It is not about a perfect wellness routine. It is not about becoming a different person overnight.

It is about simple things that actually help.

Food that steadies you. Morning rituals that calm you. Movement that gives you energy back. Rest that restores you. Work and people that respect your health. And a summer that lets your nervous system breathe. This is your June reset. A summer guide to health, energy, and ease. Thank you for listening x ck