Life After Jet

Continuing on from Part 1, this time we talk about coming back to Iwaki. In Part 2, we describe how our local communities were impacted, what we saw and what we did. And how it continues to leave its mark on our memories and lives, 10 years on. My thanks to John Auyeung, Cathy Hawker and Caitlin Lee for taking this trip down memory lane with me. You can read Cathy's blogpost about her experiences during the Tohoku Earthquake: https://32andcounting.blog/2018/03/11/its-not-a-matter-of-if-its-a-case-of-when-japan-tribute/?fbclid=IwAR3_14uypfflnfA2MFqGR8OJXWEkqzJFhAjXzk5DLgkZOjXHo10EymnqnPs Disclaimer: Opinions expressed in this episode are not representative of any organisation or company and are solely the views of the speakers in this episode. Music used in this episode (from freemusicarchive.org, licensed under a Attribution-NonCommercial License): - "Coming Home" by Stefano Vita - "Our Quiet Company" by Blue Dot Sessions

After JET, many would continue on in careers in education, community building or public service. For my guest, he has managed to combine all of these into an international career that has covered areas such as health, disaster relief, gender inequality and the empowerment of minorities in the community. Mark Flanigan's career has always been about affect positive societal change. Footnotes: - Mark Flanigan on Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/mrmarkflanigan/ - Imago Dei's THREADS project: https://tinyurl.com/y4maw8pb - Americorps (USA): https://www.nationalservice.gov/programs/americorps/americorps-programs/americorps-vista - Rotary Peace Fellowship (global): https://www.rotary.org/en/our-programs/peace-fellowships - Japan ICU Foundation (New York): https://www.jicuf.org/

Does the marketing and PR industry have, well, bad PR? My guest, Alex Varney, and I discuss this in a deep-dive into the industry. It may be a question of semantics, and a fine line between positive promotion and outright propaganda, but it does make for a fascinating discussion as Alex discusses the nuances of what he does for a living. Also, we'll be having fun talking about that most precious of creatures, the social media influencer. Footnotes: Alex Varney on Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/alex-f-varney/ Disclaimer: Opinions expressed in this episode are not representative of any organisation or company and are solely the views of the speakers in this episode. "Let's sell some cars" by Steve Combs and is licensed under a Attribution License, available on freemusicarchive.org https://freemusicarchive.org/music/Steve_Combs/Jaw/Steve_Combs_-_Jaw_-_07_Lets_Sell_Some_Cars

If you've ever laughed at a Youtube clip, or played a video game, then chances are you've come across the work of my guest for this episode - Michael T Coleman. He's helped write and/or performed on some of the funniest online content, such as School of Thrones, and is the voice actor for Cody, a character from Capcom's Street Fighter. This is a pretty geek-heavy episode, so apologies if that's not your thing (not sorry) and also, language-advisory warning if that's also not your thing (kinda sorry). Footnotes - Michael Coleman on IMDB: https://www.imdb.com/name/nm1731754/ - Tales of the Extraordinary podcast: http://www.emptysea.net/tote/ - Official Facebook Page: https://www.facebook.com/cometocoleman/ - Harimaya Bridge, the film made by a JET and in which Michael had a part in: imdb.com/title/tt0902982/ This podcast is generously supported by CLAIR, the Council of Local Authorities for International Relations, however it is otherwise an independant work by me, Eden Law. All opinions expressed in this po

We head to the arts for our next theme, with our guest, filmmaker Gavin Hugh. In addition, we'll be getting into some political discussions, as Gavin also works for a member of the Scottish parliament, making this episode feel totally like, real grown-up and stuff. Film, politics, Nazi zombies, and Scottish independence - what more could you want? Footnotes: - Find Gavin on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/gavin-hugh-09b3424a/ - Midgiebite Media is Gavin's film production company: https://midgiebitemedia.scot/ - Check out the Creative Film Fife Network: https://creativefilmfifenetwork.scot/ - Gavin's podcast on filmmaking: https://www.spreaker.com/show/creative-film-fife-network - Also, Dick Dynamite 1944 - a Nazi-and-zombies film project that Gavin is involved in: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hiskLxCCo14 "Clear Progress" by Scott Holmes from the album Inspiring & Upbeat Music and is licensed under a Attribution-nonCommercial License, available on freemusicarchive.org https://freemusicarchive.org

Continuing with the theme about the meandering path of life, our guest has certainly done her fair share of travelling and career paths (diving instructor, tour manager and marketing director, recruitment) and now currently runs a non-profit greenhouse program in a converted ice hockey stadium in Canada, in a town located in the Arctic Circle - making her the northern-most guest to appear on this podcast. She also tells some pretty funny stories about navigating the health system in Japan, so brace yourself. Footnotes: You can donate to help Inuvik Greenhouse continue it's program, or follow their work online: - Website: https://inuvikgreenhouse.com/ - Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/inuvikcommunitygreenhouse/ UPDATE: Read about Ray's work! https://tinyurl.com/yblu55uq Music adapted for this episode: "Bloom" by Jahzzar from the album #handmade and is licensed under a Attribution-ShareAlike License, available on freemusicarchive.org - https://freemusicarchive.org/music/Jahzzar/handmade/Bloom

If there's a theme for the next couple of episodes, it will be about the meandering journey of life, ending up in unexpected but wonderful places. Our guest went back on JET the second time, and with her husband and children, stayed on to build a life in Japan, start up a non-profit... and find a home living in the grounds of an ancient temple right in the heart of modern Kyoto. Footnotes: - LEGACy, the NPO exchange program founded by Erin: https://www.facebook.com/LEGACy.NPO/ - LEGACy site: https://sites.google.com/noxon.us/legacynonprofit/ - Shinnyo-ji Temple's Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/kashikirimomiji/ - A description of the temple from a tourism site: http://slowtourism.jp/product/shinnyoji-temple/ - English site to rent accommodation at the temple: https://sites.google.com/view/shinnyoji-dormitory/ - Japanese site for the temple: https://shinnyo-ji.com/ Music adapted for this episode: "For Beautiful Human Life" by Acreil from the album Shapes With and Without Corners is licensed under a Att

Our guest Amanda Chau works as a recruiter and HR consultant in Japan, and recently was a speaker/mentor at the After JET Conference for JET leavers in 2020. So she is in a unique position of knowing what it's like on both sides of the job seeking process. While this episode is about her work, in another way, what we're really talking about is choice - making it, stressing about it and learning to live with it. - Amanda Chau can be reached through Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/agchau/ - Link Japan Careers, the recruitment company: https://linkjapancareers.net/ - Amanda's presentation on "Can-Want-Must" matrix of making decisions http://jetprogramme.org/wp-content/themes/biz-vektor/pdf/after-con/ajc2020/Career%20Tips.pdf - If you're curious about the After JET Conference 2020 materials: http://jetprogramme.org/en/after-con20/ Music adapted for this episode: "Decisions | Illusions | Confusions" by The Kyoto Connection from the album The Middle Way is licensed under a Attribution-NonCommercial-ShareAli

When one finishes JET, sometimes the next step is... more JET. In concluding the theme of past JETs working in public service, we fudge the definition a bit and feature a JET unicorn: our guest Matt French has applied for the programme three times (successfully), and is currently going into his 5th year, the first ALT to do so in his town in Hiroshima. We talk about what it's like being probably the first 3rd-timer in JET history, his reasons for doing so (spoiler: love) and then go into a little bit about what it's like living and working in Japan during the current COVID-19 pandemic. Footnotes: - The three Ministries (Ministry of Internal Affairs and Communications, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, and the Ministry of Education, Culture, Sports, Science and Technology) formal request to local governments on the treatment of JETs in Japan due to COVID-19: http://jetprogramme.org/en/clairnewsspecial/?fbclid=IwAR3ZGeIcGdB2YoDW1PVHBLr1AJbZdz3uuCHwa4hL0hd0rA9cu5VVMufva5s - An analysis of Japan's approach and

Tourism is one of those careers that is a good fit for JETs - after all, we are passionate advocates for our second homes in Japan, and have explored every nook and cranny, probably more so than locals who have lived there all their lives. Continuing with the theme of ex-JETs who now work in the Japanese public sector, we'll be speaking to our guest, Andy Coombs, who currently works for the Fukushima City Tourism and Convention Association. He'll talk about what's involved, the challenges, his ambitions for Fukushima tourism, the benefits of selectively and softly applying the gaijin-smash approach, and of course, since we're both ex-JETs from Fukushima, we'll be shamelesly flying the flag and showing much rabu-rabu (love) for the best little prefecture in Japan. A mild language advisory warning since we (ok me) will be swearing just a teeny-tiny bit. Andy manages the following official Fukushima Tourism social media channels: - Fukushima Tourism on Facebook - https://www.facebook.com/Fukushima.Guide/ - Fu

What's it like working in the Japanese public sector? We'll spend several episodes talking to guests who work in different government and non-profit organisations. Our guest Rafael Villadiego worked for several years at the Consulate of Japan in Sydney, and gives us a look at working at a diplomatic office, learning on the job, how to "read the air", and the importance of counting steps. Music for this episode: "Working for the County" (from the Good Graces album) by Derek Clegg is licensed under a Attribution-Noncommercial-Share Alike 3.0 United States License, and available on freemusicarchive.org https://freemusicarchive.org/music/Derek_Clegg/Good_Graces/Derek_Clegg_-_Good_Graces_-_07_Working_For_The_County_1900

Hello everyone! It's been a while. A short update about our podcast.

The closest description that one can use for what our guest does for a living, would be "life coach", though Andy Chaleff would agree that it's usually hard to quantify. In this episode, we talk about his philosophy, his very eventful life, from JET, to high flying corporate executive, to penniless boarder in a leaky attic, to where he is now. Andy can be reached by: - The Last Letter (http://www.thelastletter.com/): Andy's website, which contains his tour dates and book, which is coming out in September. - LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/andychaleff Music for this episode: "Chunga Lunga (Overcome Your Fear)" by BROWS is licensed under a Attribution-Noncommercial-Share Alike 3.0 United States License http://freemusicarchive.org/music/BROWS/Under_The_Black_Flag_1654/14_BROWS_-_Chunga_Lunga_Overcome_Your_Fear_1819

Our second of our 2 part episode and this time around we get down to talking about life after JET. It can feel like a step "backwards" in some sense, going from having your own apartment and independence, to going home and starting over again. But it's not all bad, really we promise. FOOTNOTES: - Rebecca Chen on Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/rebecca-c-9b594254/ - Interfaith Rise: http://www.interfaithrise.org/ Australia on humanitarian issues: - Australian Department of Home Affairs: https://www.homeaffairs.gov.au/about/corporate/information/fact-sheets/60refugee - Discussion on facts behind the numbers (Dec 2017): http://www.abc.net.au/news/2017-12-21/fact-check-george-brandis-refugees-per-capita/9241276 - UNHCR Population statistics: http://popstats.unhcr.org/en/overview#_ga=2.40345569.2113324426.1513120832-389102545.1511316219 Music for this episode: "For The People" by The Dogon Lights is licensed under a Attribution-Noncommercial-Share Alike 3.0 United States License. http://freemusicarchive

What started out as a conversation about documentary film making quickly moved into discussion on refugee and asylum seeker issues in America, particularly with the current administration. While job searching after coming home from JET (and therefore having plenty of free time), our guest, Rebecca Chen, decided to embark on a documentary film making project - it's early days yet, but we shall be checking back to see how she goes! FOOTNOTES: - Rebecca Chen on Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/rebecca-c-9b594254/ - Interfaith Rise: http://www.interfaithrise.org/ Australia on humanitarian issues: - Australian Department of Home Affairs: https://www.homeaffairs.gov.au/about/corporate/information/fact-sheets/60refugee - Discussion on facts behind the numbers (Dec 2017): http://www.abc.net.au/news/2017-12-21/fact-check-george-brandis-refugees-per-capita/9241276 - UNHCR Population statistics: http://popstats.unhcr.org/en/overview#_ga=2.40345569.2113324426.1513120832-389102545.1511316219 Music for this episo

Despite the economy, state of the world, etc, it's never been easier to pursue your dream job, even if it means creating your own unique job title and career. Being an entrepreneur however can be a challenge. I talk to our guest, Raelene Morey about this, the importance of standing up for yourself and how every situation is different when figuring out... life. Because of the lack of mentors in this industry, Raelene is willing to have a brief chat with people seeking advice - so be nice and courteous, and don't make her (and us) regret it. Her contact through her LinkedIn below. Also, very very mild language warning, just in case. FOOTNOTES: - Check out Raelene's company, Words by Birds: https://wordsbybirds.com/ - Raelene is on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/raelenemorey/ Podcasts that Raelene recommends: - How I Built This: https://www.npr.org/podcasts/510313/how-i-built-this - Don't Keep Your Day Job: https://www.cathyheller.com/podcast/ - Pursuit With Purpose: https://www.melyssagriffin.com/top

In this episode I return to the discussion of teaching as a career, this time with a trainee teacher, and another who is a tutor at university. We talk about the differences between pupils in Japan and in Australia, the satisfaction of teaching and why all those class games are more useful than you might think. In the Australian state of New South Wales at least, all trainee teachers are required to pass a literacy and numeracy test before they are allowed to run classes, called LANTITE (Literacy and Numeracy Test for Initial Teacher Education Students): https://teacheredtest.acer.edu.au/prepare Music: "Everything I ever learnt" by Mr. & Mrs. Smith is licensed under a Attribution-Noncommercial-Share Alike 3.0 United States License. (http://freemusicarchive.org/music/Mr__Mrs_Smith/September/Mr__Mrs_Smith_-_September_-_03_Everything_I_ever_learnt)

We've talked a lot about turning hobbies into a career, and my guest Julius Pang (ALT 2004-2007 Kitakyushu) not only became a professional photographer, he combined it with his love of Japan and started a photography tour business (Incredible Photo Tours). We talk about the work, photographing Mt Fuji (i.e. much harder than you'd expect) and wrangling old people. - Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/julius-pang-165baba/ - Portfolio and Tours: http://juliuspang.com/ - Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/juliuspang/ Julius was also a presenter at the After JET Conference: http://jetprogramme.org/en/after-con/ To start his business, Julius joined the New Enterprise Initiative Scheme (NEIS), for Australian job seekers who are interested in running a new small business: https://www.employment.gov.au/self-employment-new-enterprise-incentive-scheme-neis Music for this episode: Photograph by Derek Clegg is licensed under a Attribution-Noncommercial-No Derivative Works 3.0 United States License. http://freemu

Do you have the write stuff (I had this pun, I needed to use it)? A passion for writing, reporting on social issues and events (and yoga) led our next guest, Shannon Lough, around the world and into a career as a journalist. One time she interviewed an ex-astronaut (true story). - LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/shannonlough/ - Portfolio: http://portfolio.shannonlough.com/ - Website: http://shannonlough.com/ - Black Press: http://www.blackpress.ca/ Music credits: The Daily News by Electric Mirrors is licensed under a Attribution-NonCommercial-ShareAlike License (https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc-sa/4.0/). Based on a work at http://blocsonic.com/releases/bsog0058

Being an artist is not just a job, but a way of life. Many of us may have once dreamed about a creative career - drawing, painting or writing, but usually feel that the reality of paying bills and eating regularly outweigh the fantasy. But for Mr David Piper, there was simply no choice to really make once JET was over. - To see David's work: http://sundayink.com/ - Follow him on the Book of Faces: https://www.facebook.com/sundayink Music credits: Draw Me a Sheep (Act 1), Cartesian Reunion Memorial Orchestra: the little prince-a ballet in two acts by Lloyd Rodgers