JETAA-sphere Podcast: Recent Episodes

Steven Horowitz

A podcast about the JET and JET alumni community for the JET and JET alumni community. A debt of gratitude to USJETAA and CLAIR for their support. And special thanks to Percival Constantine (Tarumizu-shi, Kagoshima-ken 2008-2013) for helping to host this podcast on Transistor.

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USJETAA's Jessyca Livingston (Hokkaido 2003-06) talks with Hollywood screenwriter Eirene Tran Donohue (Nagasaki 2002-04) about her recent #1 Netflix movie, A Tourist's Guide to Love, and how JET did and continues to inform her work.

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In this episode, USJETAA's Jessyca Livingston chats with Mayumi Uejima-Carr and Miwako Felix of Table for Two, a non-profit that started in Japan and has expanded globally with the goal of educating people about healthy eating and Japanese food culture. Learn how you or your chapter can easily host a Table for Two event that makes a positive impact on the world!

Web links:

  • USJETAA: www.usjetaa.org
  • Table for Two: https://usa.tablefor2.org/⁠
  • Edamame Champ (includes team registration & event playbooks): https://www.wa-shokuiku.org/edamamechamp
  • Onigiri Action: https://usa.tablefor2.org/onigiri-action
  • Washokuiku: https://www.wa-shokuiku.org/
  • USJETAA Jobs Board: Washokuiku Volunteer Position: https://usjetaa.org/job-opportunities-internship-listings/volunteer-japanese-food-education-cooking-wa-shokuiku/
  • USJETAA Jobs Board: Washokuiku Instructor Postion: https://usjetaa.org/job-opportunities-internship-listings/japanese-food-education-instructor-wa-shokuiku/

Contact: wa-shokuiku@tablefor2.org

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Did you know that as of September, 2022, there are 107 JET alumni who are also alumni of the Middlebury Institute of International Studies at Monterey (MIIS)?* And with good reason!

Listen to this interview with JET/MIIS alumni Scott Pulizzi and Rebecca Guttentag to learn more about the JET/MIIS connection.

Links:

Professor Scott Pulizzi

  • https://www.linkedin.com/in/scottpulizzi/
  • https://www.middlebury.edu/institute/people/scott-pulizzi

Rebecca Guttentag

  • https://www.linkedin.com/in/rebecca-guttentag/

MIIS - Middlebury Institute for International Studies at Monterey

  • https://www.middlebury.edu/institute/

JET Scholarship for MIIS

  • go.miis.edu/jet

And thanks to Jill Stoffers, Senior Director of Institutional Partnerships at MIIS, for her help with arrangements and logistics.

*Source: Jill Stoffers


Special thanks to USJETAA and CLAIR for their support for the JETAA-sphere!

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Our second installment in the submission-based Mothra Storytelling Hour, where JET alumni submit their stories related to the chosen theme. This episode we share the theme of SUCCESS. We'll hear some classroom stories, travel experiences, life accomplishments, and post - JET successes. Listen to our 7 submissions from fellow alumni! Hosted by Samantha Lastres (Tokyo 2017-21.)  Next episode's theme is ADVENTURE! Submit your stories here: https://drive.google.com/drive/folders/19EN7eDcAlUB-dnbokFreI1EpcHkcZzIg?usp=sharing or by email: samanthalastres@gmail.com, stevenwaseda@gmail.com 

Thanks to our submitters: Laura Egan (Miyagi 2015 - 2018), Joe Palermo (Gunma 1982-83), Scot Alprin (Aichi 1992-1995), Sarah Coomber (Yamaguchi 1994-96), Steven Horowitz (Aichi-ken, Kariya-shi, 1992-94), Anntanya Shair (Hyogo 2019-2022) www.anntanya.com, Scot Maupin (Hokkaido 2005-09) check out his podcast http://perfectshow.site/episodes/

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In Episode 16, the JETAA-sphere interviews recently re-elected JETAA International President Nathalie Ng (Shizuoka-ken, 2010-11) of JETAA Singapore as well as JETAA International Webmaster Eden Law (Fukushima-ken, 2010-11) of JETAA New South Wales to learn all about what JETAA International is, what it does, and how it exists. We also get to learn more about JETAA Singapore and JETAA New South Wales as well as hear some good stories from Nathalie and Eden's JET days.

Co-Hosts

  • Steven Horowitz (Aichi-ken, 1992-94)
  • Ryan Hata (Tottori-ken, 2014-17)

Organizations mentioned:

  • JETAA International
  • JETAA International Advisory Board
  • JETAA International Executive Committee
  • List of all JETAA chapters worldwide
  • List of Country Representatives (CRs) for JETAA in each country
  • JET30: JETAA International Meeting and Global Forum 2016
  • JETAA New South Wales
  • JETAA Singapore
  • JETAA UK
  • Life After JET podcast by Eden Law
  • JETAA Tokyo
  • JETAA Western Japan

JET Alumni mentioned in this episode:

  • Olivia Clarke
  • Rose Tanasugarn
  • John Lucas
  • Andrew Massey - JETAA Canada CR and new JETAAI Vice-Chair
  • Lawrence Innis - JETAA Trinidad & Tobago
  • Matt Gillam, CLAIR NY
  • Xander Peterson
  • Mark Frey

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In Episode 15 of the JETAA-sphere podcast, we interview Prof. Takaaki Hiratsuka, author of Narrative inquiry into language teacher identity: ALTs in the JET program.

  • Click this link http://bit.ly/VBL-Register to register for the May 28 book launch event!

Ep 15 Co-hosts:

  • Steven Horowitz (Aichi-ken, Kariya-shi, 1992-94)
  • Mark Frey (Kumamoto-ken, 2002-2006)

About Prof. Takaaki Hiratsuka:

  • List of Prof. Hiratsuka's writings and presentations
  • Bio: Takaaki Hiratsuka is an associate professor in the Department of Global Studies at Ryukoku University, in Kyoto where he teaches a range of applied linguistics courses and supervises master's and PhD students in related fields of language teacher education and narrative inquiry. He has a PhD in Language Teaching and Learning from the University of Auckland, New Zealand. And an avid futsal player.

Other JET Alumni or Friends of JET mentioned in this episode:

  • Bruce Feiler (Tochigi-ken, 1988-89), author of numerous best-sellers including Learning to Bow
  • David L. McConnell, author of Importing Diversity: Inside Japan's JET Program
  • Earth Bennett (Aomori-ken, 2000-03), author of the JET cartoon strip series Every Situation Is Different
  • David Namisato (Aomori-ken-2002-04), author of the cartoon book Life After the B.O.E.
  • Khalid Birdsong (Osaka-fu, Shimamoto-cho, 2003-05), author of the cartoon series Fried Chicken & Sushi

Special thanks to USJETAA and CLAIR for their support for the JETAA-sphere!

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The JETAA-sphere is very fortunate and honored to be able to share an episode of Scot Maupin's (Hokkaido, 2005-09) podcast "The Perfect Show" in its entirety on the JETAA-sphere. This episode is entitled "Ten Yen Arcade."

And if you enjoyed this episode, you should definitely check out The Perfect Show's other episodes, especially "Multilanguage Songs" and "Mononoke, Miyazaki, and Maebashi - もののけ姫 - 宮崎駿 - 前橋市". Not all of his episodes related to Japan. But some do, and they're really good!

Meanwhile, here are show notes from The Perfect Show's "Ten Yen Arcade" episode:

Scot dives into the video game world and puts a magnifying glass on a special spot from his time in Japan, the Ten Yen Arcade. Explore the world of bits and bytes with him in this episode all about arcades and playing games

Special thanks to:

Drew, Lee, and Shane, my video game playing friends.


Special thanks as always to USJETAA and CLAIR for their support!

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Thank you to DSA International, our sponsor for this episode! If you’re interested in working with DSA International, either as a future applicant or a company looking to hire someone, please send them an email at: jobs@dsajobs.net with “Attention: JET-PODCAST-TANAKA2022” in the subject line. Episode 13 is JETAA-sphere's interview with Stacy Smith (CIR Kumamoto-ken, 2000-03), a professional interpreter and also the original writer, interpreter and translator that inspired the JETwit name. (The "wit" stands for "writers, interpreters & translators.") Here's some info that came up in the interview that might be of interest: Katty Kaufman (Stacy’s nomination for a rockstar interpreter)

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=twCpijr_GeQ https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9C20XmtHkQM Correction: In the interview, Stacy accidentally referred to Katty Kaufman as Kathy Kaufman then realized it afterwards.)

Tomoko Lumpkin

https://machikane.fm/people/lumpkin/

Other JET alums mentioned

Nicole Bongiorno (former JETAANY officer) George Rose (former interpreter for New York Yankees pitcher Hideki Irabu; former JETAANY President)

See cover photo of Stacy with Imai-kun from “Something Else” (Samueru) from the ANA flight to Kumamoto (august 2000)


Special thanks to USJETAA and CLAIR for their support for the JETAA-sphere!

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Ep 012 JETAA-sphere: JET Alumni in Children’s Literature - Alexei Esikoff (Editor) & Roseanne A. Brown (Writer)

  • Publishing: Alexei Esikoff Fukushima-ken, Fukushima-shi, 2001-02
  • McMillan Publishing, Henry Holt imprint
  • Writing: Roseanne A. Brown, Ishikawa-ken, Nomi-shi, 2017-19
  • https://roseanneabrown.com/
  • Twitter: @rosiesrambles
  • Instagram: @rosiesrambles

Special thanks to DSA International, our first-ever advertiser!

  • Contact: Emi Tanaka
  • Email: jobs@DSAJobs.net (Subject line: "Attn: JETAA-sphere Podcast - Tanaka 2022" - Attach resume as a Word doc)
    • Tel. 626.403.6400

Sections

  1. Introductions
  2. “Holy Moly” stories
  3. Publishing and writing in the field of children’s literature
  4. Book marketing and social media
  5. Authenticity readers
  6. “Kindness” stories

JETAANY Author Showcase (2009)

  • https://jetwit.com/wordpress/2010/07/11/best-of-jq-jetaany-hosts-its-first-author-showcase-spring-2009/
  • Roland Kelts (Osaka-shi, 1998-99)
  • James Kennedy (Nara-ken, 2002-04)
  • Rob Weston (Nara-ken, 2004-06)

Special thanks as always to USJETAA and CLAIR for their support!

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Our first installment in the submission-based Mothra Storytelling Hour, where JET alumni submit their stories related to the chosen theme. This episode we begin with the theme MISTAKE. We cover silly cultural slip ups, mistakes at work or in the classroom, and some regrets. Listen to our 15 submissions from fellow alumni! Hosted by Samantha Lastres (Tokyo 2017-21.)  Next episode's theme is SUCCESS! Submit your stories here: https://drive.google.com/drive/folders/1U72pab6txonq0x_-iGNEe8Y2vV46Gsax?usp=sharing or by email: samanthalastres@gmail.com, stevenwaseda@gmail.com  Thanks to our submitters:  Susan Patten (Kagoshima) Jessica (Sapporo 2006-08) Sarah Parsons (Johnson) (Gunma 1995-97) Brenda (Hyogo) Joe Palermo (Gunma 1982-83) Scot Maupin (Hokkaido 2005-09) check out his podcast http://perfectshow.site/episodes/ Sarah Coomber (Yamaguchi 1994-96) Michele Fujii (Shiga 2010-13) Jennifer Muraski (Wakayama 2005-07) Steven Horowitz (Aichi 1992-94) Eliot Honda (Ehime 2009-12) Ray Solotki (Gunma 2002-05, Gifu 2010-13) Lee Uehara (Chiba) check out her podcast https://houseofleenyc.com/ Michael Coleman (Ibaraki 1997-2000) Maria Valenzuela (JET 2005-06) JETAA Southern California co-president

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An interview with JET Coordinators Grant Minagawa (Okinawa-ken, 2010-14) who works for the Japanese Consulate in Los Angeles and Tye Ebel (Kagawa-ken, 2007-10) of the Japanese Consulate in Nashville, TN.

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The JETAA-sphere podcast is excited to share the first episode of the JETAA Southern California Leadership podcast hosted by Joe Moore (who also co-hosts episodes of the JETAA-sphere.) This first episode, which interviews former JETAASC presidents Jon Harwell and Cristela Reyes, is the first of three special episodes focusing on current and past leaders of the JETAASC organization.

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Designer, educator and longtime JETAANY contributing member Lee-Sean Huang (Oita-ken, 2003-06) joins co-hosts Zach Piper (Kochi-ken, 2001-04) and Steven Horowitz (Aichi-ken, 1992-94) to talk about his path to JET and since JET as well as his longtime role as JETAANY Webmaster and how he helped get JETwit started. Plus hear Leesean singing enka!

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Three members of the JETAA USA Board of Advisors--Monica Yuki (Saitama-ken, 2002-04), Jessyca Livingston, formerly Wilcox (Hokkaido, 2003-06) and James Gannon (Ehime-ken, 1992-94) join Steven Horowitz (Aichi-ken, 1992-94) and special co-host Matt Gillam of CLAIR NY (aka the Japan Local Government Center) to talk about the JETAA USA Board of Advisors--what it is, who's on it, and how the tragedy of 3/11 became the catalyst for the creation of a Board of Advisors for JETAA USA.

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Ryan Hata (Tottori-ken, 2014-17) joins Steven Horowitz (Aichi-ken, 1992-94) to talk about the many hats he wears in the JETAA-sphere--from AJET to JETwit to JETAANY to JETAA International--and his passion for helping JETs find work opportunities and connect with each other and helping the JET alum community continue to grow stronger.

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Former JETAA Rocky Mountain chapter president Adam Lisbon (Kobe-shi, 2004-07) joins Steven Horowitz (Aichi-ken, 1992-94) and Zach Piper (Kochi-ken, 2001-04) to talk about JETAA Rocky Mountain, his work as Japanese & Korean Studies Librarian at the University of Colorado Boulder, Colorado's Japanese-American history, and JET days of yore.

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Part 2: Matthew Gillam of CLAIR NY (aka the Japan Local Government Center) and Bahia Simons-Lane Gunma-ken, 2005-07), Director of USJETAA join Steven Horowitz (Aichi-ken, 1992-94) and Joe Moore (Saga-ken, 2010-13) about what CLAIR and USJETAA are, what they do, how they support JETAA USA, and how they each ended up in their current roles.

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Matthew Gillam of CLAIR NY (aka the Japan Local Government Center) and Bahia Simons-Lane Gunma-ken, 2005-07), Director of USJETAA join Steven Horowitz (Aichi-ken, 1992-94) and Joe Moore (Saga-ken, 2010-13) about what CLAIR and USJETAA are, what they do, how they support JETAA USA, and how they each ended up in their current roles.

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JETAA Alaska President Mari Rueter (Tokushima-ken, 2009-14) visits the Lower 48 to educate co-hosts Zach Piper (Kochi-ken, 2001-04), Steven Horowitz (Aichi-ken, 1992-94), and Joe Moore (Saga-ken, 2010-13) about the JET alum community and how they survive and thrive in the wilds of Alaska.

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Zach Piper (Kochi-ken, 2001-04), Steven Horowitz (Aichi-ken, 1992-94), and Joe Moore (Saga-ken, 2010-13) have a frank conversation about what the heck JETAA is, why it exists, what its components are and how they work.