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James Y. Shih

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Podcast Episodes

Featured
Yin & Young Podcast EP 75: Eight Years in Review
May 27, 2025
Yin & Young Podcast EP 75: Eight Years in Review
May 27, 2025
May 27, 2025
Yin & Young Podcast EP 74: Gabriel Toya-Meléndez - Filmmaking, Identity, and Finding Your Tribe
Feb 11, 2025
Yin & Young Podcast EP 74: Gabriel Toya-Meléndez - Filmmaking, Identity, and Finding Your Tribe
Feb 11, 2025
Feb 11, 2025
Yin & Young Podcast EP 73: Paul Hoi #2 - Japan Stories, Skiing, Solo Traveling
Nov 24, 2024
Yin & Young Podcast EP 73: Paul Hoi #2 - Japan Stories, Skiing, Solo Traveling
Nov 24, 2024
Nov 24, 2024
Yin & Young Podcast EP 72 : William Gee Wong - Author of "Sons of Chinatown"
Jun 28, 2024
Yin & Young Podcast EP 72 : William Gee Wong - Author of "Sons of Chinatown"
Jun 28, 2024
Jun 28, 2024
Yin & Young Podcast EP 71  Aileen Cho - Intergenerational Trauma, Marriage, and Healing
Apr 18, 2024
Yin & Young Podcast EP 71 Aileen Cho - Intergenerational Trauma, Marriage, and Healing
Apr 18, 2024
Apr 18, 2024
Yin & Young Podcast EP 70 - Writer Peter Kageyama returns with MIDNIGHT CLIMAX
Feb 21, 2024
Yin & Young Podcast EP 70 - Writer Peter Kageyama returns with MIDNIGHT CLIMAX
Feb 21, 2024
Feb 21, 2024
Yin & Young Podcast EP 69 Daniel Tong - Editor: Finding your place in film and pursuing your passion
Feb 9, 2024
Yin & Young Podcast EP 69 Daniel Tong - Editor: Finding your place in film and pursuing your passion
Feb 9, 2024
Feb 9, 2024
Yin & Young Podcast EP 68 - Married Life, Cooking, Regret and Time
Aug 28, 2023
Yin & Young Podcast EP 68 - Married Life, Cooking, Regret and Time
Aug 28, 2023
Aug 28, 2023
Yin & Young Podcast Episode 67 - Kelly Hebestreit - Art, Identity, and Please Take Off Your Shoes
Apr 29, 2023
Yin & Young Podcast Episode 67 - Kelly Hebestreit - Art, Identity, and Please Take Off Your Shoes
Apr 29, 2023
Apr 29, 2023
Yin & Young Episode 66 - Peter Kageyama - Writer
Feb 2, 2023
Yin & Young Episode 66 - Peter Kageyama - Writer
Feb 2, 2023
Feb 2, 2023

Podcast disclaimer

Yin & Young Episode 63 - Sam Sakamoto - Writer, Traveler, Former English Teacher in Japan

September 15, 2022 in Asian American, Travel

Hi Yin & Young listeners! 

Help support this podcast by clicking our sponsor link for Magic Mind, an effective productivity drink, link: magicmind.co/yny.  Enter code YNY20 within 10 days of this podcast release to get up to 40% off a subscription. Afterwards, you can still get you 20% off a one time purchase. Thank you so much to Magic Mind for being Yin & Young’s first sponsor!

In this episode we have the privilege to chat with Sam Sakamoto! Sam is a writer, traveler, rock climber, avid Rams fan, and former English teacher in Japan.

HIGHLIGHTS:

  • James and Sam met during social hour in quarantine in Tokyo for an English language teaching program.

  • Japanese demeanor still shows up in her family, even though she is 4th generation Japanese American.

  • Wanted to go back to Japan to get in touch with her roots.

  • Was stationed in Nara, but also spent a lot of time in Kyoto.

  • Currently applying to MFA programs and masters in teaching programs.

  • When first arriving in Japan, adjusting to day-to-day life took a couple of months. Coworker helped a lot.

  • Misses food in Japan: omakase, katsu-don, tsukemen, and much more.

  • Rock climbing/bouldering gyms in Japan are way more technical.

  • Misses the appreciation of the little things in Japan. For example: holidays and events for changes in the season, the blooming of certain flowers, wind chimes, etc…

Language corner: 

Japanese

  • 渋滞 (jyuutai) - traffic jam

  • 仕様がない (shouganai) - can't be helped

Mandarin

  • 懷才不遇 (huai2cai2bu2yu4) - to have talent but no opportunity

———

Follow us on FB & IG: @yinyoungpodcast. Like/comment to helps others find our work! Yin & Young is produced by James Y. Shih and Daniel Yin. Support us on Patreon: patreon.com/yinyoungpodcast 

Sponsorships, questions, comments—email: yinyoungpodcast[at]gmail.com

Tags: yin young podcast, podcasts, asian american, travel, language, Culture, Japan, Japanese, culture shock, communication, rock climbing, writing, writer, fiction
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