In our latest episode, Jo and Jayne provide an end-of-year check-in for 2023. They discuss their personal transformations, from Jayne's newfound love for baseball and her refreshing "inner old lady" approach to life, to Jo's pursuit of her artistic passions and the importance of balancing work and leisure.

We talk about:

The health challenges that Jayne overcame in 2023, are going to mean 2024 is much better!

Jo's awesome triumphs with her art!

Work styles and how we are owning our "obaachan" power more and more

See you in 2024!

Kumiko Nakajima Ekstedt and I are discussing the differences between life in Japan and Sweden where Kumiko has lived for more than 14 years. I am interested to learn more about where in the world women have the best life and are able to live the life they want, be a mother if they want, have a career if they want. Full disclosure, I was having a very difficult time when I recorded this episode. My perimenopause symptoms were really giving me trouble and I may have gotten quite passionate about the summer holiday tooth brushing calendar. 

If you enjoyed this episode and it inspired you in some way, we’d love to hear about it and know your biggest takeaway. Take a screenshot of yourself listening to the episode on your device, post it to your Instagram Stories, and tag me and Kumiko, @transformationswithjayne and @kummy_in_sweden.

In this episode you’ll hear:

• How Kumiko shares her time between Japan and Sweden with her sons
• Some of the things that she found surprising even as a Japanese person when putting her sons into Japanese elementary school
• Some of the differences between Sweden and Japan that support women to have an independent life whatever their circumstances
• Jayne gets very passionate about summer holiday homework

About Kumiko

Kumiko is dedicated to a passion for empowering women and fostering cross-cultural understanding. Originally from Japan, Kumiko has been living in Sweden for the past 14 years, where she has built a life with her Swedish husband and two boys. Currently, she serves as a valued member of the management team in a sales organization.

Kumiko's mission is to support women in Japan by sharing her experiences and insights gained from living in Sweden. She believes that exchanging perspectives can bring about positive change and inspire women to pursue their goals and aspirations. Kumiko's deep understanding of both Japanese and Swedish cultures allows her to bridge the gap between the two, fostering greater understanding and cooperation.

Connect with Kumiko:

IG: https://www.instagram.com/kummy_in_sweden/

Helen Iwata, the Less Effort More Impact Coach, is back on the show after five years! Helen has done quite a few transformations herself since 2018, and I can’t wait for you to hear how she is helping international and Japanese women in Japan to have more ease and joy in their lives. Now that is something we all want!! 

In this episode you’ll hear:

• How Helen has transformed since she was on TWJ 5 years ago
• Some of the top things that Helen sees in the women who come to her for coaching 
• Jayne overcomes not one but three interruptions 
• The #LessEffortMoreImpact movement and how it’s already helping both Japanese and international women 

If you enjoyed this episode and it inspired you in some way, we’d love to hear about it and know your biggest takeaway. Take a screenshot of yourself listening to the episode on your device, post it to your Instagram Stories, and tag me and Helen, @transformationswithjayne and @heleniwata or send us a message here.

About Helen

Helen is the founder of The #LessEffortMoreImpact Movement for Women in Business. 

Born in the UK, she's an award-winning, bilingual coach with a 3-decade career in Tokyo, including 10 years with McKinsey & Company.

She has helped thousands of business professionals in Japan and beyond to see new perspectives and possibilities and discover how to make meaningful changes in their work results and relationships, confidence and communication, health and happiness - to do brilliant work without sacrificing their personal lives.

Helen is the author of Eigo no Shigoto-jutsu (英語の仕事術), published by Shogakukan, a Nikkei Woman Smart columnist, host of the Sasuga! Podcast, a karate world champion, wife, and mother.

Connect with Helen:

Website: sasugacommunications.com/movement

https://sasugacommunications.com/ 

Links: 

Episode 15 with Helen Iwata https://transformationswithjayne.captivate.fm/episode/episode-15-an-interview-with-helen-iwata- 

Connect with Jayne:

PodLaunch with Jayne: https://www.jaynenakata.com/podcastconsulting