The GLOBIS Stories Podcast

GLOBIS Stories podcast host Kingsley Nlewedim is joined by Toshi Iwata, a GLOBIS alumm from the Part-time & Online MBA MBA class of 2022. Originally starting his career in the sciences, Toshi spent over a decade working in multinational companies across Singapore and the United States. Discover how his international experiences and a personal history of musical conducting shaped his passion for leadership and training, eventually leading him to transition from a technical specialist to a manager in the cosmetics industry. Toshi discusses his journey of founding LeadGL, Inc., an education company focused on developing global citizens through entrepreneurial learning in English. He shares how his MBA studies at GLOBIS helped him bridge the gap between technical expertise and business management, providing him with the essential skills in marketing, strategy, and critical thinking needed to launch his own venture. Learn about his commitment to "authentic leadership" and how LeadGL’s project-based curriculum is empowering both students and business professionals to communicate and lead effectively in a diverse world.

GLOBIS Stories podcast host Tanner Schroeder is joined by Kenji, a GLOBIS alumnus from the part-time MBA class of 2024. Born and raised in Japan, Kenji shares how his childhood experiences at summer camps in the United States and a later two-year professional transfer to San Jose inspired him to master business communication in English. Discover how his desire to move beyond being a "bridge person" to becoming a true business partner in a global environment led him to pursue an MBA at GLOBIS University in Tokyo while continuing his career. Kenji discusses the practical advantages of the Pre-MBA program, the impact of learning through real-world business cases, and the unique challenges of navigating different mindsets between Japanese and English. He shares a lighthearted but insightful story about transitioning from a failed office "sandwich club" to a profitable "ice cream shop" by applying his MBA accounting and marketing knowledge. Learn about his kokorozashi, or personal mission, centered on "making people smile with fun learning," and how he aims to leverage global talent within Japanese corporations.

GLOBIS Stories podcast host Tanner Schroeder is joined by Chi, a GLOBIS alumna from the full-time MBA class of 2024. Originally from Hanoi, Vietnam, Chi shares her international journey, which includes studying accounting and finance in Brighton, UK, before returning to Vietnam to work in the real estate industry in Ho Chi Minh City. Discover how Chi’s desire to explore her potential and experience Japanese culture led her to pursue an MBA at GLOBIS University in Tokyo. Chi discusses the challenges and triumphs of being the only Vietnamese student in her batch, navigating an international environment using her second language, and overcoming initial feelings of isolation to build a diverse network of friends. She shares practical advice on landing an internship and transitioning into a full-time role in Japan, emphasizing the importance of showing a willingness to learn the language and culture. Learn about her kokorozashi, or personal mission, centered on building meaningful connections and how she is now prepared to launch her professional career in Tokyo.

GLOBIS Stories podcast host Tanner Schroeder is joined by Stéphane, a GLOBIS alumni. Stéphane, originally from the western part of France, shares his journey, including over a decade of living and working in Japan. Discover how Stéphane, an urban planner who graduated from the English MBA program about 10 years ago, first came to Japan for a professional opportunity in Intelligent Transportation Systems (ITS). Stéphane discusses how his personal life, including marrying a Japanese woman, led him to seek a job in Japan. He shares why he chose to pursue his MBA, even though his boss was not supportive, and how the frameworks and critical thinking skills he gained helped him advance his career, particularly at Toyota Motor Corporation. Learn about his personal mission, or kokorozashi, which he defines as a process of building context for one's own growth, and how he successfully transitioned to working as a consultant in Southeast Asia, focused on smart cities and digital transformation.

GLOBIS Stories podcast host W. Tanner Kirk is joined by GLOBIS Part-time & Online MBA student, Rego. Rego, originally from Jakarta, Indonesia, with a background in business economics, shares his journey, including seven years of living and working in Japan. Discover how Rego, a student in the October 2024 cohort, went from studying business economics for his undergrad to working in the recruitment industry and pursuing an MBA to become a future leader. Rego discusses how tokusatsu shows like Super Sentai and Ultraman introduced him to Japanese culture. He also shares why he chose to move abroad for self-development, how a scholarship led him to Japan, and how he decided to pursue his MBA after graduating during the pandemic. Learn about his personal mission, or kokorozashi, focused on inspiring people to become stronger both mentally and physically. He also shares his experiences with the nano-MBA and Pre-MBA programs, how the Technovate courses helped his work in the IT industry, and what it was like to star in the “GLOBIS Journey” video.

GLOBIS Stories podcast host Tanner Schroeder is joined by GLOBIS Part-time & Online MBA alumnus, Artem. Artem, originally from Siberia, Russia, and with a background in engineering and a PhD, shares his career path, including over seven years of living and working in Japan. Discover how Artem, a graduate of the 2023 cohort of the Part-time & Online MBA Program, went from studying the Hadron Collider to being a customer success manager at a cloud company. Artem discusses how the motivation found in shonen anime inspired him, how he got an internal transfer to Japan from Moscow, and how he decided to pursue an MBA after completing his PhD in Tokyo. Learn about his personal mission, or kokorozashi, focused on technological humanism: using technology to enhance empathy and creativity. He also shares his experiences taking Pre-MBA courses, utilizing the program's flexibility to travel, and finding a sense of harmony in Tokyo. 00:00 – Meet Artem! 09:18 – Internal Transfer to Japan: Setting Yourself Up for Success 16:36 – Earning a PhD in Tokyo While Working Full-time 25:59 – Kokorozashi: Technological Humanism and Enhancing Empathy 32:32 – People Component and Digital Transformation in Japan

GLOBIS Insights Content Producer Tanner Schroeder and GLOBIS English MBA student Gabriel De La Cruz how the GLOBIS MBA helped Gabriel transition into a more fulfilling career path while putting down roots in Japan. Discover how Gabriel learned fluent Japanese while working in Japan, transitioned into a marketing career, and even opened up a donut shop in his home country. Gabriel also shares why he has decided to apply for Japanese citizenship, and why it may or may not be the right decision for you.

GLOBIS Stories podcast host Tanner Schroeder is joined by recent GLOBIS alumni and self-admitted introvert, Mai, who conquered the MBA journey in Tokyo. Mai, originally from the Philippines and with a background in education, shares her career path, including 14 years of teaching English and training teachers in Hanoi, Vietnam, and her decision to pursue an MBA after a "midlife crisis." Discover how Mai, a graduate of the 2024 GLOBIS full-time program, went from an Industrial Design undergrad to a teacher passionate about emotional intelligence and storytelling. Mai discusses how the required classroom participation at GLOBIS forced her to break out of her shell, how she found her Kokorozashi (personal mission) of helping children become "more human," and her experience applying for scholarships and relocating to Japan.

GLOBIS Insights Content Producer Tanner Schroeder and GLOBIS English MBA alumni and CEO Yasuyuki Umino discuss how the GLOBIS MBA helped shaped Yasu's unique career journey. Discover how Yasu learned English in his 20's while backpacking through Europe, how networking abroad led to a fruitful career, and how his passion for making an impact on society lead him towards his current role as CEO.

After moving to Japan, GLOBIS student Nick Takeda fell in love with photography. After a chance encounter, he soon found himself doing it for a living. But he knew it would take more than talent to turn his passion into a thriving business. Learn how studying accounting, tackling case studies, and networking with a global community has shaped Nick's life and helped create a clear career path as a self-employed photographer in Tokyo, Japan.

GLOBIS Stories podcast host W. Tanner Kirk and GLOBIS English MBA alumnus Zeid discuss how the GLOBIS Pre-MBA and full-time MBA program helped Zeid transition to living and working in Tokyo, Japan. Discover how Zeid, who has a background in mass communications and journalism, used the GLOBIS Pre-MBA to gain a foundational business education that complemented his street smarts. Zeid shares the challenges and triumphs of moving to a new country for his full-time MBA, developing his Kokorozashi (personal mission) of helping others rise up with him, and practical advice for living and working in Japan. 00:00 - Meet Zeid! 04:12 - Finding the GLOBIS Pre-MBA 09:36 - Full-Time MBA: Bridging Street Smarts with Formal Education 17:00 - Transitioning to Life in Tokyo and the Importance of Balance 24:14 - Developing Your Kokorozashi (Personal Mission) and Advice for Living in Japan

GLOBIS alumni Niroshan John shares his journey working in Japan as a foreigner and explains how the GLOBIS curriculum gave him a new perspective on business.  0:00 Meet Niroshan! 03:26 Why GLOBIS? 05:39 Finding your kokorozash 09:09 Working in Japanese 11:38 The GLOBIS framework system 14:40 Working as a foreigner in Japan

GLOBIS MBA alumni Kim Jinsung shares how he went from moving to Japan with zero language skills to starting an entirely new career path thanks to his studies at GLOBIS University. Kim specifically shares his experience navigating cultural differences in the work place, applying his kokorozashi (personal mission) into sales, and how his studies at GLOBIS inspired him to take on a new professional path. 00:00 - Meet Kim! 02:00 - Why the part-time GLOBIS MBA? 06:19 - Life and work in Japan 10:10 - Kim’s kokorozashi 13:45 - Applying kokorozashi in sales 16:20 - A new career path thanks to GLOBIS

GLOBIS MBA student Arnash Gupta chats about moving to Japan during the Crash of '08, learning Japanese, and how he aims to give back to society through mindful, ethical business practices. Arnash specifically shares his revolutionary vision for a new age MBA focused on teaching students about mind, body, and association to help them live a more fulfilling and prosperous life. 0:00 - Meet Arnash! 02:30 - Moving to Japan 07:00 - Advice on learning Japanese 11:55 - Why the GLOBIS MBA? 16:30 - GLOBIS Pre-MBA benefits 18:50 - Arnash’s kokorozashi 28:00 - Mindfulness in business

GLOBIS content producer W. Tanner Kirk chats with GLOBIS MBA student Hannah Enriquez about her her love for anime, matcha, and how GLOBIS has shaped the way she looks at business leadership as a whole. Hannah shares her thoughts on the GLOBIS MBA's emphasis on non-traditional business skills like emotional regulation, the importance of building relationships in business success, and how her outlook on life has evolved throughout her business studies.

GLOBIS video producer Kingsley Nlewedim chats with GLOBIS MBA student Andy Meade about his prolific London-based career in finance, his interest in Japan, and how GLOBIS shapes his outlook on the future. Andy specifically shares his thoughts on GLOBIS MBA courses, the importance of developing soft-skills for longterm success, and how he's discovering his personal mission, or kokorozashi, as he goes.

GLOBIS video producer W. Tanner Kirk chats with GLOBIS MBA student Federico Taicher about his bold new business plans inspired by the G-Challenge experience. Federico shares his passion for the trading card game Magic: The Gathering, his experience working with GLOBIS mentors, and the trials and tribulations of pitching a new business to potential investors.

GLOBIS video producer W. Tanner Kirk chats with GLOBIS alum Honey about achieving her dream of working and living in Japan. Honey shares her philosophy on learning foreign languages and the importance on capitalizing on the opportunities that present themselves to us.

GLOBIS video producer W. Tanner Kirk chats with GLOBIS alum and polyglot Lucky Maduna about his passion for culture, language learning, and how he leveraged these passions into a successful globe-trotting career.

GLOBIS video producer Kingsley Nlewedim chats with GLOBIS alumn Joao Celestino about his journey from the Philippines to building a career in Japan.  Joao discusses finding his kokorozashi (personal mission) to become a "catalyst for human evolution" and offers powerful advice for foreigners on how to thrive in the Japanese workplace.

GLOBIS video producer W. Tanner Kirk chats with GLOBIS MBA student Ahmed Abdi, who spent years preparing himself for success before moving to Japan to start his next professional chapter in Tokyo.

GLOBIS video producer W. Tanner Kirk chats with GLOBIS MBA alumni Saya Shirakawa, who balances full time work with evening and weekend MBA classes in Osaka! Saya shares her journey of growing up in Japan with working parents, the challenges of being different, and how her experiences traveling abroad helped her develop the "weapon of English." We dive into her kokorozashi, her growth through the GLOBIS program, and her inspiring transformation from someone who struggled with interviews to confidently landing multiple job offers.  --- Prefer to watch the video presentation? Find it on YouTube: https://youtu.be/0Z1WQNkhdog ---

GLOBIS content producer W. Tanner Kirk chats with On Marome, manager of business development and student recruitment. As two expats who have found their careers and second home in Japan, they discuss everything from growing up on anime to going to college in Tokyo and finding their life's purpose, or kokorozashi, abroad. --- Prefer to watch the video? Find it on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FIbNI6fLFk4 ---

GLOBIS video producer Kingsley Nlewedim chats with GLOBIS MBA alumni Kelly Langley, Co-Founder & Representative Director of Gemini Group, a Tokyo-based consulting firm specializing in public affairs, government relations, and strategic communications. As a Japanese-American professional looking to make his mark on Tokyo's business landscape, Kelly shares his experience taking over his family's business and hopes for the future.