Discover the timeless wisdom of Japan to live with purpose, resilience, and courage.
Hosted by Lori Tsugawa, this podcast explores the powerful principles of Ikigai, Bushido, and Ganbaru — guiding you to unlock your inner warrior, embrace life's challenges, and step into your true purpose.
Join us as we share inspiring stories, practical insights, and ancient philosophies to help you live The Samurai Way
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In this special episode, I had the pleasure of sitting down with Sarah Ratner from the UK for a heartfelt conversation about Ikigai, mindfulness, simplicity, and the journey of becoming who we truly are.
Sarah’s story is incredibly inspiring. As a former COO and founding director of one of the UK’s most successful fintech companies, she helped build purpose-driven teams with extraordinary creativity, connection, and retention. Today, she combines mindfulness, somatic work, yoga, and Ikigai to help people create lives and work that feel more aligned and meaningful.
What touched me most during our conversation was this idea that sometimes the answers we are searching for are not found in doing more, but in simplifying and reconnecting with ourselves.
Together, we explored how burnout, overwhelm, and the pressures of modern life can pull us away from our true nature. Sarah shared how slowing down, listening to the body, and creating space for reflection can help us rediscover clarity, creativity, and purpose.
In this episode, we talk about:
• How mindfulness and somatic work support creativity and emotional well-being
• Why simplicity can lead to greater clarity and fulfillment
• The connection between Ikigai and meaningful work
• How purpose-driven leadership creates thriving teams and workplaces
• Why reconnecting to who we truly are matters in both life and business
• The importance of slowing down in a world filled with noise and pressure
One of the themes that stayed with me throughout this conversation was Sarah’s reminder that “the privilege of a lifetime is to become who you truly are.”
I believe this episode will encourage many of you to pause, reflect, and gently return to what truly matters. Sometimes purpose is not about pushing harder or chasing more.
Sometimes, it begins by letting go… and remembering who we already are.
Connect with on LinkedIn:
https://www.linkedin.com/in/sarah-ratner/
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Children’s Day Special: Play Your Way to Purpose Ikigai and LEGO with David Ko
Wednesday, May 6, 2026 • Duration 31:38
In celebration of Children’s Day this May, this special episode of The Samurai Way invites us to return to something we often leave behind as adults… the power of play.
Lori Tsugawa welcomes David Ko, an Ikigai Play Coach from Singapore and the creator of KoPlay, who combines Ikigai and LEGO Serious Play to help people rediscover clarity, purpose, and meaning in their lives.
What if finding your purpose did not begin with pressure… but with curiosity?
Through this heartfelt and insightful conversation, David shares how play becomes a powerful, non-threatening way to explore who we are. Instead of overthinking life’s biggest questions, we learn to reconnect with meaning through action, reflection, and creativity.
Just like children do.This episode explores:
Why play helps people move from feeling stuck to discovering purpose
How Ikigai is not a fixed answer, but a flowing experience
The role of curiosity, identity, and self-awareness in shaping a meaningful life
Why staying childlike, not childish, may be the key to living fully
Inspired by the spirit of Children’s Day in Japan, this conversation reminds us that some of life’s most important lessons are learned not through pressure, but through play, connection, and openness.
Because sometimes, the path to your purpose… begins by simply allowing yourself to play again.
Connect with David Ko:
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/davidkoweixiong/
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Building Resilience Through Japanese Traditions with Mayumi Kojima
Tuesday, April 28, 2026 • Duration 47:10
In this second episode of The Samurai Way with returning guest Mayumi Kojima, we take a deeper dive into the cultural traditions of Japan and how they connect to Ikigai, resilience, and intentional living.
Mayumi, a Japan-born naturopath and holistic practitioner based in Australia, returns to share how practices like Aikido, tea ceremony, and mindful Japanese cooking have helped shape her life and deepen her connection to her Japanese heritage.
Our conversation explores how these traditions are far more than hobbies. They are disciplines that teach mindfulness, resilience, respect, and presence.
Together, we discuss:
• How Aikido has helped Mayumi build physical, emotional, and mental resilience
• The connection between Aikido, Bushido, and the concept of never giving up
• The deeper meaning behind Japanese tea ceremony and the practice of Omotenashi (hospitality)
• Ichigo Ichie and why every moment should be treated as a once in a lifetime encounter
• The intentionality behind Japanese cooking and seasonal living
• The health benefits of traditional fermented foods like miso, natto, koji, and nukazuke
• Why reconnecting with cultural roots can bring healing and purpose
Mayumi also shares how immersing yourself in structured practices, what she describes as fully committing to the discipline of learning, can help calm the nervous system and build resilience for life’s challenges.
I also reflect on my own Japanese American journey, reconnecting with my heritage, and why these timeless traditions continue to inspire my work through Bushido, Ikigai, and Ganbaru.
This episode is a beautiful reminder that Japanese wisdom is deeply intentional, subtle, and rooted in respect.
If you are curious about Japanese culture, mindfulness, resilience, or living with greater purpose, this conversation will leave you inspired.
Every day is a good day when we choose to live with intention.
Connect with Mayumi Kojima Website: https://www.purejoynaturopathy.com.au/
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Finding Ikigai in Midlife: A Journey of Healing and Purpose with Mayumi Kojima
Wednesday, April 22, 2026 • Duration 28:59
In this episode of The Samurai Way, I welcome Mayumi Kojima, a Japan-born naturopath and holistic practitioner based in Australia, whose work beautifully blends natural health with the Japanese philosophy of Ikigai.
Mayumi supports women through midlife transitions, helping them navigate hormonal changes, emotional shifts, and moments when life is quietly asking for realignment. Through her practice, Pure Joy Naturopathy, she combines clinical naturopathy with holistic approaches such as nutrition, herbal medicine, mindfulness, and Ikigai-based guidance to restore balance and purpose.
Our conversation explores Mayumi’s journey from Japan to Australia, and how she reconnected with her cultural roots through tea ceremony, aikido, and mindful living. She shares her personal experience with burnout and healing, and how that journey shaped her passion for helping others reconnect with themselves.
Together, we discuss: • Supporting women through perimenopause and menopause • How Ikigai can guide us through life transitions • The connection between emotional well-being, hormones, and lifestyle • The importance of slowing down and listening to your body • Japanese practices that bring balance, mindfulness, and purpose
Mayumi also shares a powerful perspective on Ikigai, one that goes beyond achievement and into meaning, reminding us that purpose can be found even in challenging seasons.
This episode is a gentle invitation to pause, reflect, and reconnect with what truly matters.
If you are navigating change, feeling overwhelmed, or seeking a deeper sense of purpose, this conversation will remind you that healing begins by coming back to yourself.
Connect with Mayumi Kojima Website: https://www.purejoynaturopathy.com.au/
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Uji Japan: Exploring Matcha, Tea Ceremonies, and Traditions
Tuesday, April 7, 2026 • Duration 23:45
Join me in the heart of Japan’s tea culture, Uji, where matcha is more than a drink. It is a spiritual practice. In this episode, I take you through quiet tea fields, centuries-old shops, and into the stillness of a traditional tea ceremony.
You’ll discover:
How matcha shaped the mindset and rituals of the samurai
The meticulous process behind Uji’s world-renowned green tea
My personal experience with the ceremony and what it revealed about discipline, harmony, and presence
How ancient tea traditions are being reimagined by a new generation
Whether you’re a tea lover, a student of Japanese culture, or simply curious about mindful living, this episode offers something deeper.
🎧 Listen now and walk the Samurai Way, one quiet sip at a time.
🔗 Connect with me:
LinkedIn – Lori Tsugawa Whaley
🌐 Website: www.loriwhaley.com
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The Art of Connection: A Samurai Approach to Podcasting with Noemi Beres
Friday, April 3, 2026 • Duration 26:57
In this episode of The Samurai Way, I welcome Noemi Beres, a Europe based entrepreneur, polyglot, and co owner of a podcast booking agency, Podcast Connections. Noemi is passionate about helping entrepreneurs and business owners expand their voice, build authority, and create meaningful connections through the power of podcasting.
Our conversation explores Noemi’s inspiring journey from Hungary to Denmark and Ireland, and how she built a successful travel business that came to a sudden halt during COVID. Faced with uncertainty, she chose to pivot and co create a podcast booking agency that now helps clients reach new audiences, generate leads, and grow their businesses through strategic podcast interviews .
Through her story, Noemi reminds us that challenges can become opportunities when we approach them with resilience, creativity, and purpose.
Together, we discuss:
• Noemi’s journey across cultures and her evolution as an entrepreneur
• How COVID became a turning point that led to a new business and mission
• The importance of respect and integrity in podcasting and in life
• Why being on time is a powerful expression of character and trust
• How to maximize the impact of a podcast interview beyond the recording
• The art of follow up and building lasting relationships in business
• The Go Giver philosophy and how giving first creates meaningful success
• Discovering Ikigai through creativity, including her unique collage artwork
Noemi also shares her deeply personal connection to art, revealing how creating handmade collages helped her heal from grief and reconnect with her purpose. Through sewing together pieces of memory, culture, and history, she found a powerful expression of her Ikigai.
This conversation is a beautiful reminder that the principles of Bushido, respect, integrity, and kindness, are universal. Whether in business, relationships, or creative expression, these values guide us to live with intention and honor.
I also reflect on how these teachings apply beyond podcasting into everyday life, from simple acts of kindness to the importance of follow through and connection. When we live with integrity and treat others with respect, we create a ripple effect that can truly change the world.
If you are looking to grow your business, deepen your relationships, or discover your purpose, this episode will inspire you to take action and live with intention.
The journey does not end when the conversation stops. It is only the beginning.
Connect with Noemi Beres
Website: https://www.podcastconnections.co/
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Simple Joys, Deep Purpose: Living Ikigai Every Day with Ellie Warner
Tuesday, March 24, 2026 • Duration 35:10
In this episode of The Samurai Way, I welcome Ellie Warner, who joins me from the beautiful southwest coast of Portugal. Ellie brings a thoughtful and heartwarming perspective on Ikigai, inspired by the work of Mieko Kamiya, often known as the mother of Ikigai. Together, we explore how her teachings offer a simple yet profound way to live a life filled with meaning, especially during times of transition.
Our conversation centers on what it means to rediscover purpose in midlife. Whether it is stepping away from a corporate career, navigating life after children leave home, or even considering a move to a new country, Ellie shares how Ikigai can serve as a gentle guide back to what truly matters.
Together, we discuss:
• The teachings of Mieko Kamiya and her perspective on Ikigai
• How Ikigai can be practiced through small, meaningful daily moments
• Navigating midlife transitions with clarity and purpose
• Letting go of feeling stuck and opening up to new possibilities
• How cultural wisdom from Japan can inspire a more intentional life
• The connection between joy, simplicity, and a life worth living
This conversation is a reminder that Ikigai is not something far away or complicated. It lives in the quiet, everyday moments that bring us joy and fulfillment. Through reflection and intention, we can begin to shape a life that feels aligned and meaningful.
Ellie also shares how her journey between Asia and Europe has deepened her appreciation for Japanese culture and reignited her desire to return to Japan, a place that continues to inspire curiosity, connection, and purpose.
Through the lens of Ikigai and the spirit of living with intention, this episode invites you to pause, reflect, and reconnect with what makes life truly worth living.
If you have ever felt at a crossroads or wondered what comes next, this conversation will gently guide you back to yourself.
Keep going.
Connect with Ellie Warner
Note: Ellie’s website is currently being finalized and will be live on March 24.
Website (available after March 24):
https://www.ellie-warner.com/
Discover your FREE Ikigai Alignment Snapshot™:
https://www.ellie-warner.com/ikigai_alignment
Book a FREE Ikigai Clarity Call (30 minutes):
https://www.ellie-warner.com/ikigai_clarity_call
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From Traumatic Brain Injury to Breakthrough: Darren Jewell’s Story of Neuroplasticity
Tuesday, March 17, 2026 • Duration 33:31
In this episode of The Samurai Way, I welcome Darren Jewell, a London based neural resilience coach, speaker, and writer who shares a powerful message of hope through the science of neuroplasticity and the philosophy of Kintsugi. Darren’s story reminds us that our cracks do not disqualify us. They can become the very place where strength, meaning, and transformation begin.
Our conversation explores Darren’s extraordinary life journey after a severe brain injury he experienced at just fifteen months old when he fell from a balcony and was left in a coma for three weeks. Doctors warned his parents he would struggle throughout life. Decades later, Darren discovered that one third of his brain had not been functioning since the accident.
Through curiosity, learning, and perseverance, Darren began studying neuroscience and neuroplasticity. During the COVID lockdowns, he immersed himself in learning, completing more than fifty online courses. A later MRI revealed something remarkable. His brain had begun to rewire itself, proving that the brain can adapt and rebuild at any age.
Together, we discuss:
• Darren’s childhood brain injury and the decades long journey of discovery
• What neuroplasticity is and how the brain can rewire itself
• How learning the piano helped stimulate new neural pathways
• The power of perseverance and the mindset of never giving up
• How limiting beliefs shape identity and how they can be transformed
• The Japanese philosophy of Kintsugi and how broken places can become sources of strength
Lori also shares her own experience as a traumatic brain injury survivor and the long road of recovery that required determination, resilience, and the spirit of Ganbaru. Through the lens of perseverance and the Code of Bushido, this conversation highlights how adversity can become a catalyst for growth and transformation.
Darren shares a powerful message that challenges the idea of “bouncing back.” Instead, he encourages us to bounce forward, becoming stronger and wiser because of the challenges we face.
This episode is especially meaningful during Brain Injury Awareness Month, offering hope and insight for survivors, families, and anyone facing obstacles in life.
If you have ever felt limited by circumstances, Darren’s story is a reminder that the human brain and spirit are far more powerful than we often realize.
Never give up.
Connect with Darren JewellWebsite: https://www.darrenjewell.comLinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/darrenjewell/
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Neurodiversity in Leadership with Laura G. Anthony
Tuesday, March 10, 2026 • Duration 27:16
In this episode of The Samurai Way, I welcome Laura G. Anthony, attorney, consultant, mediator, and nationally recognized advocate for neurodiversity and inclusive leadership. With a career dedicated to disability law, conflict resolution, and organizational transformation, Laura helps leaders and communities create environments where all kinds of minds can thrive.
Our conversation explores her deeply personal journey growing up with a mother who survived an anoxic traumatic brain injury. From navigating childhood as a young caregiver to witnessing her mother relearn language and pursue lifelong learning, Laura’s early experiences shaped her fascination with how people think, process information, and communicate differently.
Together, we discuss:
• How childhood adversity can shape purpose and leadership
• Why “great minds don’t think alike” and how innovation depends on cognitive diversity
• The concept of neuroinclusion in workplaces, schools, and families
• What universal design means and how the “curb cut effect” benefits everyone
• The hidden cost of masking and why many people hesitate to ask for support
• How changing environments, not individuals, creates lasting inclusion
Lori also shares her own experience as a traumatic brain injury survivor, including her journey with auditory processing challenges and recovery.
Through the lens of Ganbaru and integrity, this episode highlights resilience, adaptation, and the power of designing systems that honor human difference.
Laura reminds us of a powerful truth: when a flower does not bloom, you fix the environment in which it grows, not the flower.
This episode is about shifting from awareness to action, embracing cognitive diversity as strength, and building cultures where everyone has the opportunity to contribute fully.
If you are a leader, educator, parent, or someone passionate about inclusion and human potential, this conversation will challenge and inspire you to think differently about how we design the spaces we live and work in.
Connect with Laura G. Anthony
Website: https://lauraganthony.com/
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/lauraganthony/
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Japanese Wisdom for Modern Life | Minako Horaguchi on Ikigai and Kokoro
Wednesday, March 4, 2026 • Duration 29:46
In this episode of The Samurai Way, I welcome Minako Horaguchi, an Ikigai based facilitator, coach, and founder who creates reflective spaces for leaders to pause, reconnect, and move forward with meaning and intention. Born and raised in Japan, Minako brings a deep cultural understanding of Ikigai and Kokoro and bridges Japanese wisdom with modern psychology and leadership development.
Our conversation explores her personal journey from growing up in Takayama, Japan, to becoming an educator, immigrant, mother, and coach who rediscovered her own Ikigai through life transitions.
Together, we discuss:
• What Ikigai truly means beyond the popular Venn diagram • How Ikigai is felt as energy and aliveness in the body
• Why many people naturally live their Ikigai in childhood before it gets suppressed
• The meaning of Genki as origin of energy and vitality
• How Kokoro integrates heart, mind, and spirit into one unified concept
• Why alignment between who you are and who you are becoming is essential for well being
Minako also shares how reconnecting with her roots and returning to Japan deepened her understanding of purpose and helped her upgrade her way of living and leading. Her work supports leaders in aligning external success with internal clarity through reflection, awareness, and intentional growth.
This episode is about remembering that your resources already exist within your Kokoro. It is about reconnecting to your energy, honoring your experience, and living with purpose across every season of life.
If you are a leader, parent, or someone navigating change and searching for deeper alignment, this conversation will encourage you to trust the wisdom already inside you.
Connect with Minako Horaguchi
Website: Myikigai.me
LinkedIn: Minako Horaguchi
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