In this soul-nourishing episode, I take you with me on a personal journey through Japan—where every encounter tells a story and every quiet moment holds a lesson.

From the bustling back alleys of Osaka to feeding the gentle deer of Nara Park, I followed more than a map—I followed my Ikigai.

Join me as I share:

The serene experience of feeding the sacred deer in Nara, and the unexpected wisdom found in their calm presence

A fascinating visit to the Samurai & Ninja Museum, where I learned how these ancient warriors lived with honor, discipline, and purpose

The cultural rituals behind every meal—and why respect is always the first ingredient

How ancient values like Omotenashi (hospitality)

This isn’t just a travel story. It’s a pilgrimage through tradition, connection, and timeless wisdom.

Whether you’re planning your own trip to Japan, craving a deeper cultural connection, or simply seeking stories that stir the soul—this episode is for you.

Let this journey remind you:

History can teach the mind, but culture awakens the spirit.

Subscribe to The Samurai Way on Amazon Music, Spotify, Apple Podcasts, YouTube, and more.

In this inspiring episode of The Samurai Way, Lori Tsugawa Whaley sits down with master sales trainer Eric Lofholm, who transformed a rocky start in sales into a purpose-filled life of teaching, serving, and selling. Guided by the principles of Ikigai, Ganbaru, and Kaizen, Eric shares how perseverance and continuous improvement helped him overcome self-doubt, economic hardship, and professional setbacks.

Together, they explore:

• How finding your Ikigai can transform your work into a calling
  
  

• The power of Ganbaru—never giving up, even when you're ready to quit
  
  

• Why embracing Kaizen keeps mastery within reach
  
  

• The truth about serving others through ethical, heart-centered sales
  
  

Whether you're in sales, leadership, or on your own path of personal development, this episode will fuel your spirit with timeless wisdom and modern-day resilience.

Available on Spotify, Apple Podcasts, and all major platforms.

🌐 Website: https://www.ericlofholm.com
📱 Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/eric.lofholm
🔗 LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/ericlofholm
🎥 YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/saleschampion1

In this powerful and eye-opening episode of The Samurai Way, Lori Tsugawa sits down with Jolene Jang—a dynamic cultural explorer, speaker, and passionate advocate for Asian American awareness. With Japanese, Chinese, and Swedish roots, Jolene shares her deeply personal journey of identity, privilege, and purpose, revealing how recent waves of anti-Asian hate galvanized her lifelong community-building skills into a mission of advocacy.

Together, Lori and Jolene explore themes of cultural rediscovery, generational trauma, assimilation, and resilience. From joyful childhood memories in sports to confronting hard histories like Japanese American incarceration during WWII, this conversation bridges past and present with honesty, compassion, and humor.

Whether you’re curious about Japanese American heritage, seeking inspiration to embrace your own cultural story, or wanting to understand the power of visibility and belonging—this episode will leave you inspired to stand tall and speak out.

Highlights include:

• How Jolene's background shaped her confidence and advocacy
  
  

• A look at the evolving Asian American identity
  
  

Grab a cup of tea and join us for this engaging and heartfelt conversation on The Samurai Way.

• 🌐 Website: https://jolenejang.com

• 💼 LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jolenejang

• 📺 YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@jolenejang

• 📸 Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/jolenejang

• 📱 Linktree: https://linktr.ee/jolenejang

In this powerful episode of The Samurai Way, Lori Tsugawa Whaley is joined by international master coach, speaker, and transformational trainer Patrick Dean. With over 35 years of experience guiding more than 40,000 leaders worldwide, Patrick blends the timeless wisdom of the samurai with modern leadership tools to help people unlock their fullest potential.

We explore:

• The power of commitment, clarity, and keeping your word—especially to yourself
  
  

• How experiential learning (like the Samurai Game) transforms lives
  
  

• Tapping into your inner samurai for discipline, focus, and compassion
  
  

• Why Bushido principles still matter in today's world
  
  

• Healing through leadership, relationships, and resilience
  
  

Whether you’re seeking personal growth, professional direction, or inspiration to never give up, this conversation offers tools and stories that will resonate deeply.

🔗 Connect with Patrick Dean
🌐 Website: www.patrickdeancoaching.com
📘 Facebook: Patrick Dean | Samurai Spirit Group | Seminar Systems
💼 LinkedIn: Patrick Dean
📺 YouTube: BBinRelationship Channel

💬 If this episode sparked something in you, please subscribe, share, and leave us a review. Your support helps us share these powerful messages with more people. 🙏

In this special episode of The Samurai Way, Lori Tsugawa Whaley sits down with Bob Low—entrepreneur, marketing consultant, and host of the Asian Century Podcast—to talk about storytelling, strategy, and living with purpose.

Bob shares his unique journey from discovering marketing through a reality TV show to becoming a powerful voice spotlighting Asia’s most inspiring business leaders. You’ll hear about his deep respect for Japanese values like Ikigai and Kaizen, his reflections on humble beginnings, and how he built a podcast with over 30,000 subscribers from scratch—armed with nothing but curiosity, grit, and a deep desire to make Asian stories heard.

Along the way, you'll discover how The Samurai Way got its name (thanks to Bob!), why bookstores like Kinokuniya hold a special place in both their hearts, and how finding joy in what you do is the real secret to lasting impact.

If you're a creative, entrepreneur, or purpose-seeker looking for motivation and mindset tips, this episode is full of wisdom—and warmth.

• LinkedIn: linkedin.com/in/bobthinks
  
  

• Instagram: @asiancenturypodcast
  
  

• YouTube: Asian Century Podcast
  
  

• Spotify: Asian Century Podcast

In this heartfelt episode of The Samurai Way, I sit down with renowned American artist and illustrator Chris Hopkins, whose powerful artwork brings to life the stories we must never forget.

Chris opens up about his deeply personal project—painting over 60 portraits honoring Japanese Americans who were unjustly incarcerated during World War II. Inspired by his wife’s family history and guided by a sense of duty, Chris poured his heart into the work, creating a visual archive of resilience, honor, and humanity.

His journey spans decades of celebrated work—from being a combat artist in Afghanistan to illustrating iconic moments in sports, film, and culture. But this project, done without pay and driven solely by purpose, may be his most meaningful yet.

We talk about legacy, the role of art in healing, and what it means to live a life guided by conviction. Chris reminds us that when we follow the call of something greater than ourselves, we leave behind more than art—we leave behind truth.

✨ Learn more about Chris Hopkins and his incredible body of work at www.chrishopkinsart.com

This is a story of honor, memory, and the quiet courage of telling the truth through your gifts.

In this episode of The Samurai Way, I’m honored to welcome Eileen Yamada Lamper—President of the Puyallup Valley chapter of the Japanese American Citizens League (JACL). A dedicated advocate for historical preservation, Eileen has worked tirelessly to honor the stories of Japanese Americans who endured incarceration during World War II.

Eileen shares her commitment to keeping this history alive, including her work on the Remembrance Gallery—a powerful memorial at the Washington State Fairgrounds that ensures these voices are never forgotten. Through personal stories, historical insights, and firsthand accounts, this conversation sheds light on the lasting impact of Executive Order 9066 and the resilience of the Japanese American community.

Today, we dive into "Remembering the Past: Eileen Yamada Lamper on Japanese American Incarceration and Resilience"

Together, we explore:
🔥 The significance of the Remembrance Gallery and its role in preserving history
🔥 The untold stories of Japanese Americans who lived through WWII incarceration
🔥 Why remembering this history is crucial for future generations

💡 Get ready for an eye-opening conversation about resilience, remembrance, and ensuring that history is never forgotten!

Learn more about Eileen Yamada Lamper and her work:
👉 Japanese American Citizens League – Puyallup Valley Chapter

🎧 Listen now and embrace The Samurai Way!

In this episode of The Samurai Way, I’m honored to welcome John Yaworsky—an award-winning producer, filmmaker, and digital media expert with over 25 years of experience in traditional and new media. His work spans global giants like the BBC, NHK, and Channel 4, and he has produced and directed over 90 online courses for Johns Hopkins and Georgetown Universities.

John’s journey took a profound turn when he traveled to Japan, an experience that left an unforgettable mark on his life. From witnessing the precision and respect embedded in Japanese culture to experiencing deep hospitality and craftsmanship firsthand, his time in Japan became more than just a film project—it became a lesson in mastery, humility, and honor.

Today, we dive into "Mastery and Mindfulness: John Yaworsky’s Journey in Japan"
Together, we explore:

🔥 The unexpected lessons John learned while filming in Japan
🔥 How Japanese culture transformed his perspective on work, creativity, and life
🔥 The power of respect, attention to detail, and excellence in every craft

💡 Get ready for an inspiring conversation that blends samurai values, storytelling, and the art of living with purpose!

Learn more about John Yaworsky:
👉 Website: http://www.nimbledigitalmedia.com/
👉 Nimble Digital Media: http://www.nimbledigitalmedia.com/

🎧 Listen now and embrace The Samurai Way!