Let's Talk Japan Podcast

In this episode, Nick speaks with Meredith Smith, Media and Public Relations Director for Smile Kids Japan.   Since 2008, Meredith has worked as an ALT on the JET Program and has volunteered with Smile Kids Japan since 2009.  Smile Kids Japan is a volunteer organization that encourages visits to Japanese orphanages.  Through its website […]

  In this episode, Nick provides an overview of other great Japan-related podcasts available to listeners on the Internet.  This list is by no means meant to be exhaustive.  If one of your favorite podcasts did not make the list, feel free to email letstalkjapan@gmail.com and Nick will add it to the “listener recommended” category […]

In this episode, Nick speaks with Aaron Packard, assistant curator of the National Bonsai and Penjing Museum, which is located within the National Arboretum in Washington, D.C.  Together they discuss: The history of bonsai How Aaron became interested in this art form and was able to make it a full-time career The contents of the […]

It’s officially hanami season and the cherry blossoms are in full bloom here in Washington, D.C.  Each spring, over a million and a half people come to see the most famous cherry blossoms outside of Japan.  In this episode, Nick speaks with Ambassador John Malott, president of the Japan-America Society of Washington, D.C., about this living […]

In this episode, Nick speaks with baseball historian and author Robert K. Fitts about his most recent book, Banzai Babe Ruth: Baseball, Espionage, & Assassination During the 1934 Tour of Japan. While its been referred to as “One of the greatest road trips in sports history,” the 1934 tour was about much more than the game of […]

        In this episode, Nick speaks with Ayako Smethurst and Drew Scronce about Kizuna Across Cultures.  Ayako is the President of Kizuna Across Cultures and Drew is the organization’s Educational Director.  Drew also teaches Japanese at Langley High School, just outside of Washington, DC. Kizuna Across Cultures is an innovative educational organization […]

In this episode, Nick speaks with Keiko Eto Fore, a close family friend, about her experiences growing up in wartime Japan, surviving the Hiroshima atomic bomb, and raising a family in rural America.   Keiko and her older sister Michiko               Keiko in kimono standing on the far left with […]

  In this episode, Nick Harling speaks with Jennelle Root Martelle and Paul Rothman about the mission of Sister Cities International.  Jennelle is the Director of Programs and Grants and Paul is the membership coordinator at Sister Cities International. Topics covered in this interview include: An explanation of what a sister-city partnership is The history […]

In this episode, Nick Harling talks with Sara Tilliotson, program director of the JET office at the Japanese Embassy in Washington, D.C., about the JET Program application process. Together, they discuss the JET Program’s: purpose & history types of positions & responsibilities eligibility criteria salary & benefits common application mistakes application deadline & hiring process timeline […]

In this introductory episode of the Let’s Talk Japan Podcast, host Nick Harling discusses his personal relationship with Japan, why he decided to create the Let’s Talk Japan Podcast, and what he hopes it will achieve.