Language Learning, Leadership, and Finding Joy in Your Passion with Maaya Konishi

from Productive Joy · host Dr. Christie McMullen

Today Dr. Christie has an outstanding interview with Maaya Konishi, CEO of Communica, author, global speaker, five-language polyglot, and amateur golfer based in Japan. Maaya shares how moving to the U.S. at age five and later living in Indonesia sparked her passion for language, culture, and linguistics, and how translating for her family accelerated her English. She explains leaving investment banking to pursue her passion for teaching English and leadership development, leading to books for English learners and adults, including Becoming CEO. Maaya defines productive joy as sharing expertise to help others progress, and discusses delegating based on team strengths. Her advice: avoid paralysis by details, take one step at a time, and stay focused on what you’re good at. Episode Highlights:00:00 Episode 300 Welcome00:16 Meet Maaya Konishi01:49 Language Origins Abroad03:09 Learning English Young05:32 From Linguistics to Author06:03 Leaving Finance for Passion11:32 Communication and Impact13:01 Defining Productive Joy14:51 Leadership and Delegation20:08 Advice Against Overthinking23:16 Golf and Language Parallels26:50 Rapid Fire and Takeaway28:55 Final Thanks and Challenge #ProductiveJoy #Episode300 #MayaKaneshiro #Communica #LanguageLearning #EnglishLearning #Polyglot #Linguistics #LeadershipDevelopment #CEO #WomenInBusiness #Entrepreneurship #CareerChange #FindYourPassion #FollowYourPassion #PublicSpeaking #ExecutiveCoaching #TeamLeadership #Delegation #Productivity #Discipline #GolfLife #Mindset #PersonalGrowth #Japan

Episode metadata supplied by the publisher feed · Published Jul 14, 2026

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Language Learning, Leadership, and Finding Joy in Your Passion with Maaya Konishi

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