In this episode of The Samurai Way, I sit down with Kei Tsuda, founder of Ikigai Advisors LLC, leadership development practitioner, and cross-cultural learning expert, to explore a topic that has fascinated me for years: the true meaning of Ikigai. Like many people, I was first introduced to Ikigai through the popular Venn diagram. But something always felt incomplete. In this conversation, Kei helps us uncover why. Drawing from his research, multicultural experiences, and the groundbreaking work of Japanese psychiatrist Dr. Mieko Kamiya, he shares a deeper understanding of Ikigai as a feeling that makes life worth living rather than simply a formula for finding purpose. We discuss how Ikigai is interpreted differently across cultures, why Mieko Kamiya's work was decades ahead of its time, and how her insights continue to be relevant in today's rapidly changing world shaped by technology, AI, and social change. In this episode, you'll discover: • Why the popular Ikigai Venn diagram may not tell the whole story • The difference between Ikigai as a feeling and a source of Ikigai • The remarkable legacy of Dr. Mieko Kamiya and her pioneering research • How culture influences the way we understand meaning and fulfillment • Why Ikigai matters now more than ever in an age of uncertainty • How growth, relationships, and curiosity can help cultivate a life worth living This conversation challenged many of my own assumptions about Ikigai and gave me a deeper appreciation for the wisdom behind this uniquely Japanese concept. I hope it inspires you to reflect on your own sources of meaning and discover what makes life worth living for you. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

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