Episode List
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Episode 1
Jeff O'Harrow (St. Marys 2004) Entrepreneur (former business strategist and banker) Nick and Jeff discuss the decision making process of colleges being a challenge for "mixed" race international school students. Jeff speaks about the struggles he faces as an entrepreneur in Japan, and discusses his journey as a small business owner in Japan. Youtube Link Anchor Podcast Link |
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Episode 2
Nate Reasoner (CAJ 2003) Educator Nate Reasoner and Nick discuss life as an international school teacher. Nate explains how the job fairs for international school teaching positions operate and how his upbringing as a TCK and "halfu" molded his beliefs as an international educator. Nate speaks about his time in Venezuela one year after the controversial elections of Chavez in 2013, and how it is difficult to measure what a "good school" is since it is quite nuanced depending on where in a career an educator may be. Nate feels passionate about international school education, and strongly believes international education is how to truly prepare model citizens for the 21st century. Youtube Link Anchor Podcast Link |
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Episode 3
Vasil Stefanov (ASIJ 2006) Social Work Vasil and Nick discuss the current situation of Peru, where Vasil lives, and how COVID-19 has affected life for Peruvians. Vasil speaks about how his experience growing up as a "TCK", a third-culture child, helped mold him to become an internationally-minded individual, and also praises the educational system ASIJ provided him with that helped him learn how to collaborate with people from international backgrounds. Vasil speaks Bulgarian, Japanese, Spanish and English fluently and shares with us the secrets to how he learned to speak so many languages fluently. Vasil also explains to Nick what life is like being on the front lines as a social project manager in countries around the world, and what he learned working for the UNHRC. At the end of the conversation, Vasil briefly discusses how his experience at St. Marys, an IB school, compared to ASIJ, an AP school. Youtube Link Anchor Link |
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Episode 4
Sarah Whitten Finance Sarah shares with Nick the obstacles of being a young female professional in the male-dominated world of finance. The two discuss how maternity leave varies from country to country, and how the Nordic model and European models and differ, and how these models may or may not serve as model examples of equitable treatment of woman in the USA where there are 0 days of mandated maternity leave. Sarah explains why she left New York City for South Africa, and why "emerging markets" played a major role when she was deciding her destination after New York. Sarah explains to Nick the craziness she had to endure of having to give birth at a hospital during peak COVID-19 season in South Africa, and how the nation has dealt relatively successfully with the disease thus far. Youtube Link Anchor Link |
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Episode 5
Andrew Brown (ASIJ 2004) Educator (former finance and marketing) Andrew Brown and Nick discuss Andrews contribution to bringing the Tokyo Olympics 2020 to Japan, his backpacking adventures in Myanmar, life as an international school teacher in Venezuela, and living in China during the outbreak of Covid-19. Always remember. Bring "crisp" bills when you travel to Myanmar. Youtube Link Anchor Link |
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Episode 6
Phil Williams (ASIJ 2000) Educator (former media) Phil talks about his experience transferring to ASIJ at age 16, being the only African American in his grade. He later explains to Nick his experience working in the entertainment industry and why he decided to leave the entertainment sector to join the education sector. The two discuss the complex issue of the pros and cons of charter schools in the United States, and how important it is in the time of fake news to develop independent and critical thinkers in the classroom. Youtube Link Anchor Link |
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Episode 7
Jack Fischl (ASIJ 2006) Entrepreneur (former peace corps member) Jack speaks to Nick the current situation living in Chile during COVID-19. Jack explains about why he decided to join the Peace Corps (after rejecting a final interview with the San Antonio Spurs), and explains how peace corps members are given designated destinations, and what the day-to-day life style is for members who are part of the peace corps. He speaks about the inspiration in regards to how Keteka came to fruition as an idea and then a business, and tips for anyone who is going to go into business with a friend (with a brief mention of fellow alum, Shawn Seavers, ASIJ 2006). Throughout the interview, he mentions how his background as an ASIJ student, and an international school student had influenced various decisions he had made throughout his career. Youtube Link Anchor Link |
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Episode 8
Nathan Baker (ASIJ 2004) Marketing Nathan speaks to Nick about his close to two decades in China, and how living there as an expatriate has transformed greatly the past two decades. Nathan explains how his intrigue with China started with a high school trip in 2001 to China, and how learning Chinese in University helped him adapt to living in China the late 2000s. Nathan explains how life in China under the rule of Hu Jintao was very different in comparison to life in China under Xi Jinping, and why many expatriates are now moving out of China due to recent anti-foreigner sentiment. Disclaimer *Although Nathan paints a negative picture of China there are others who think the opposite, and Nathans views do not necessarily reflect the views of the podcast or host. Youtube Link Anchor Link |
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Episode 9
Tom Eldridge Human Resources Tom explains why he chose to go the route of HR as a career path, and why his interest in people and business perfectly meshed in the world of recruitment and HR. Tom explains the differences in how COVID-19 has affected the markets in the US vs Japan vs the UK. He also elaborates in regards to the differences one should consider when applying to jobs in each of these three nations and how their cultural differences can affect the recruitment process, and how the recent surge in start-ups in Tokyo have altered the landscape of hiring in Japan. Tom provides Nick with some pointers in regards to matters such as how to write a CV, how to interview online, and how to adapt to the new circumstances in regards to recruitment for jobs in the post-COVID-19 era. Tom explains common myths in regards to the recruitment process for any given job, especially in regard to CV writing. Nick has always been puzzled about whether or not his interest in football should be included in his CV. Tom explains why this is a tricky part of the CV writing and evaluation process. Youtube Link Anchor Link |
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Episode 10
Aya Porte (ASIJ 2008) Occupational Therapist Aya explains to Nick what occupational therapy is, and how one conversation she had back in 2007 with a high school counselor at ASIJ set her journey to pursue this path. Aya explains to Nick what the day-to-day duties are for an occupational therapy, and the common issues parents bring to her that rely on a solution through occupational therapy. The two discuss the challenges American and Japanese mixed students face when living in the United States in comparison to living in the United States. The podcast concludes with some advice to novices (such as Nick) in regards to breathing techniques and yoga by Aya. Aya explains to Nick the importance of "connecting to your breath". Youtube Link Anchor Link |
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