In this special episode, I had the pleasure of sitting down with Daiki Kato for a thoughtful and inspiring conversation about psychology, rolefulness, human connection, gratitude, and finding meaning in our everyday lives. Professor Kato is a clinical psychologist, researcher, professor at Kinjo Gakuin University, and CEO of Beyond Myself LLC. His work focuses on transforming psychological research into practical tools that help individuals and organizations navigate the challenges of modern life. What fascinated me most during our conversation was his groundbreaking research on “rolefulness,” a new psychological concept centered around role satisfaction in our daily lives. Rather than focusing only on major roles like career or family, Professor Kato explains that rolefulness can be found in simple, everyday interactions such as listening, greeting others, having conversations, showing gratitude, and being present with the people around us. Together, we explored how our roles shape our identity, confidence, relationships, and mental well-being, and how rolefulness can help people feel more connected, purposeful, and fulfilled. In this episode, we talk about: • The meaning of rolefulness and how it impacts mental health • The difference between social rolefulness and internal rolefulness • How our daily roles shape confidence and identity • Why simple greetings and conversations matter deeply • The importance of gratitude in Japanese culture and psychology • Why many Japanese people say “sumimasen” instead of “thank you” • How younger generations struggle with connection in the digital age • The relationship between communication skills and emotional well-being • How rolefulness can help people feel more centered and fulfilled • The role of Japanese culture in shaping relationships and social harmony • How storytelling, creativity, and psychology support human well-being One of the most meaningful parts of this conversation was Professor Kato’s reminder that rolefulness is not something distant or complicated. It exists in the small moments of everyday life, in how we listen, speak, connect, and show appreciation to one another. I believe this episode will encourage many of you to reflect on your own roles and relationships and recognize that fulfillment often begins with the simple act of being present and valuing others. Sometimes purpose is not found in extraordinary achievements. Sometimes it is found in the quiet moments of connection, gratitude, and understanding. Connect with Daiki Kato: LinkedIn: Daiki Kato LinkedIn 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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“What did the council decide on item 42?” — answered with the speaker and the moment.

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