Ikigai & Inclusion Blog
Follow along for news about events, the latest podcast episodes, and more on Ikigai & Inclusion.
Artist Jennifer Shinkai Joins Sumida Gosai 2026 to Host Memory & Textile Workshop すまだ五彩「創造力の学校」：新開ジェニファーが布と物語を紡ぐワークショップを開催
Join artist and facilitator Jennifer Shinkai at Sumida Gosai's School of Creativity Project 2026 on Nov 21 in Tokyo. Explore "Weaving Memories from Clothes We No Longer Wear," an interactive textile workshop transforming cherished garments into shared stories. Discover the project archive curated by artist Shunya Asami and sign up via Peatix. Save the date!
Jennifer Shinkai Nominated for Entrepreneur / SME of the Year at the BCCJ British Business Awards 2026, Celebrating a Decade of Business Impact in Japan
Jennifer Shinkai has been shortlisted for Entrepreneur / SME of the Year at the BCCJ British Business Awards 2026. Marking 10 years of executive coaching, DEI facilitation, and creative innovation in Japan, explore her journey, previous BBA nominations, and community impact.
Making Your Own Work: Stepping into a New Ikigai with Christiane Brew
In this episode of Ikigai with Jennifer Shinkai, Jennifer sits down with her longtime friend and colleague Helen Iwata, a bilingual leadership and communications coach with over 35 years of experience in Japan. Helen opens up about the difficult seasons she has navigated in both her business and personal life, including a significant financial setback after working with a business coach that shook her confidence deeply. She shares her journey through bitterness, self-blame, and the slow, gradual process of finding her way back to joy. Helen and Jennifer explore the concept of "divine timing," the power of patience, and the importance of sitting with difficult emotions rather than bypassing them. They also discuss Helen's evolving professional identity, the philosophy of "less effort, more impact," the concept of mottainai as it applies to talent and energy, and the 10th anniversary of Helen's book Eigo no Shigoto Jutsu. The conversation is honest, warm, and deeply relatable for anyone navigating a season of transition.
Seasons of Ikigai: Navigating Loss, Patience, and Rediscovery with Helen Iwata
In this episode of Ikigai with Jennifer Shinkai, Jennifer sits down with her longtime friend and colleague Helen Iwata, a bilingual leadership and communications coach with over 35 years of experience in Japan. Helen opens up about the difficult seasons she has navigated in both her business and personal life, including a significant financial setback after working with a business coach that shook her confidence deeply. She shares her journey through bitterness, self-blame, and the slow, gradual process of finding her way back to joy. Helen and Jennifer explore the concept of "divine timing," the power of patience, and the importance of sitting with difficult emotions rather than bypassing them. They also discuss Helen's evolving professional identity, the philosophy of "less effort, more impact," the concept of mottainai as it applies to talent and energy, and the 10th anniversary of Helen's book Eigo no Shigoto Jutsu. The conversation is honest, warm, and deeply relatable for anyone navigating a season of transition.