About This Episode
Nick Kemp is the founder of Ikigai Tribe and a Japanologist who has spent years correcting Western misconceptions about the Japanese concept of ikigai. He joins Mike to talk about his new book, A Year of Ikigai: Finding Everyday Purpose Through Japanese Wisdom, a 365-day guide to living with more presence and meaning.
Their conversation covers everything from what ikigai actually means (hint: it's not a Venn diagram), to how a podcast became a business, to why we should all pay more attention to the small stuff. They also bond over 80s rock, Star Trek, and the terrifying reality of handing a teenager a smartphone.
Key Takeaways
- Ikigai is not a Venn diagram. The popular Western version — the intersection of what you love, what you're good at, what the world needs, and what you can be paid for — is not how the Japanese understand it. Ikigai is simply what makes you feel alive.
- It can be small. Your morning coffee, a cat's purr, a walk outside — ikigai doesn't have to be a grand life purpose. The Japanese find meaning in everyday moments.
- Sense of purpose beats destination purpose. In the West, purpose is a goal to reach. In Japan, it's a way of doing everything — even scanning groceries — with care and attention.
- Curiosity is a gateway to ikigai. Nick's entire career grew from being curious about a single Japanese word. Conversations, exploration, and following your interests lead to a meaningful life.
- Podcasting led to books, not the other way around. Nick started with conversations, built a community, and the books came as a natural next step — proof that you don't need a master plan.
- Challenge creates growth. Painful experiences, including a terrible boss who drove Nick to quit, ultimately led him to the work he loves. Ikigai includes the hard stuff.
- Be present to the abundance around you. Nick's core message: stop chasing and start noticing. The ikigai is already there — in your relationships, your roles, and the world right in front of you.
