[Interview] Ikigai: The Japanese Way to Find Meaning, Joy and Purpose in Everyday Life

Original airdate: March 5, 2024 What makes life feel truly meaningful? The Japanese concept of ikigai is often translated as “a reason for living,” but it goes beyond finding one grand purpose. Ikigai can be found in the small pleasures, relationships, rituals, and pursuits that give our everyday lives meaning and joy. My guest today is Ken Mogi, a neuroscientist, writer, and broadcaster based in Tokyo. He is the author of Awakening Your Ikigai and The Way of Nagomi, and has written extensively on neuroscience, Japanese culture, well-being, and the art of living. In this conversation, Ken explores the deeper meaning of ikigai and how it is woven into Japanese culture. We discuss the five pillars of ikigai, why purpose doesn’t have to be tied to career or achievement, and how embracing small joys and everyday experiences can help us create a more meaningful, harmonious, and fulfilling life. If you’ve been searching for more purpose, joy, or meaning in your everyday life, this conversation offers a refreshing way to rethink what makes a life worth living.