By MAI OMOTO, Kizuna NCI Intern

On August 5, Keiro released the second episode of her new podcast, John’s opinionon YouTube. In this episode entitled Japanese-American BasketballHost John Nakaki delves into the cultural phenomenon of Japanese American basketball, the sport that united countless members of the Japanese American community. Joined by special guest Gene, John explores how basketball has shaped generations and provided a sense of community and belonging for decades.

In the first episode of the podcast, released on June 13, John and guest speaker Kent discussed the work ethic of different generations and how these values ​​have shaped their own lives. The episode examines the influence of the phrase Subscribe (仕方がない), meaning “it can’t be helped,” expressed the resilience of the Isseis and Nisseis who had to rebuild their lives in post-war America. They told poignant stories of family members and friends who made great sacrifices to support their families, often working long hours in difficult jobs to give their children a better future. These stories underscore the strong work ethic that inspired subsequent generations to pursue higher education and better-paying careers.

To provide information and resources to the Japanese American community, Keiro aims to release an episode each month that covers topics such as culture, history, and issues relevant to older adults. With this podcast, Keiro aims to improve the quality of life of its audience by addressing the five elements of wellness: health and well-being, purpose, connection, safety, and autonomy. By providing educational content in an engaging and accessible format, Keiro hopes to reach a wider audience within the community.

Podcast host John Nakaki says, “The demographic that Keiro has in mind for the future is baby boomers, and baby boomers listen to podcasts. They’re not tied to newspapers like my generation was. It’s a very interesting, simple approach to getting people thinking, theories and educational resources… and we’re getting some positive responses.”

Every episode of John’s opinion features a guest speaker who brings a fresh perspective, whether it’s a subject matter expert or someone with their own experiences. These discussions not only showcase Keiro’s resources, but also allow listeners to connect with shared stories and memories from the past and present.

John said, “I used the example of a person I knew in Monterey (in the first episode). He raised four children and was a fisherman before the war. After that, he couldn’t fish anymore and moved to Monterey to be a gardener. He worked six days a week as a gardener and cleaned the Officers’ Club at Fort Ord on Saturday mornings. On Sunday nights, he and his wife went to clean at the Elk’s Club. So he was a gardener and janitor all his life but never complained about anything. Anyway, I met my friend who thanked me for telling her story. She told me it brought back so many memories of her father.”

Although the podcast is primarily aimed at older adults, Keiro manages to appeal to younger generations as well by making episodes available on YouTube. Younger listeners may find the content useful for their older relatives or even for themselves in the future.

After listening to the first episode, 22-year-old community member Leon Ito noted, “John Nakaki combines his trademark charisma with his lifelong experience and love for the YES community to provide an informative and insightful space for his guests and listeners.”

Keiro hopes that their content will motivate people to make changes in their lives to improve their quality of life. In the next episode, they plan to talk to a retired nurse about Alzheimer’s.

How to watch Episode 1: Work ethicClick here.

How to watch Episode 2: Japanese-American BasketballClick here.

To learn more about Keiro, click here. Or call her at (213) 873-5700.