In 2011, I was a JET living in Fukushima. From that opening sentence, you can probably guess what this episode will be about. A decade on, my friends and I will be recounting our experiences during that time and after, in this special 2-parter that's meant to mark the 10th anniversary of the Tohoku disaster (yes I know I'm a couple of years late).

My thanks to John Auyeung, Cathy Hawker and Caitlin Lee for taking this trip down memory lane with me.

You can read Cathy's blogpost about her experiences during the Tohoku Earthquake: https://32andcounting.blog/2018/03/11/its-not-a-matter-of-if-its-a-case-of-when-japan-tribute/?fbclid=IwAR3_14uypfflnfA2MFqGR8OJXWEkqzJFhAjXzk5DLgkZOjXHo10EymnqnPs

Disclaimer: Opinions expressed in this episode are not representative of any organisation or company and are solely the views of the speakers in this episode.

Music used in this episode (from freemusicarchive.org, licensed under a Attribution-NonCommercial License):
- "Lacquer Groove" by Blue Dot Sessions
- "Night Roses for Dario" by Lobo Loco
- "Cue 1 - Slow-Sad-Loss-Gentle-Piano and Cello (Once More Into The Fray)" by Soularflair

Remembering the Tohoku Disaster: Part 1

Continuing on from Part 1, this time we talk about coming back to Iwaki. In Part 2, we describe how our local communities were impacted, what we saw and what we did. And how it continues to leave its mark on our memories and lives, 10 years on.

My thanks to John Auyeung, Cathy Hawker and Caitlin Lee for taking this trip down memory lane with me.

You can read Cathy's blogpost about her experiences during the Tohoku Earthquake: https://32andcounting.blog/2018/03/11/its-not-a-matter-of-if-its-a-case-of-when-japan-tribute/?fbclid=IwAR3_14uypfflnfA2MFqGR8OJXWEkqzJFhAjXzk5DLgkZOjXHo10EymnqnPs

Disclaimer: Opinions expressed in this episode are not representative of any organisation or company and are solely the views of the speakers in this episode.

Music used in this episode (from freemusicarchive.org, licensed under a Attribution-NonCommercial License):
- "Coming Home" by Stefano Vita
- "Our Quiet Company" by Blue Dot Sessions

Remembering the Tohoku Disaster: Part 2

Cara Lam is probably one of my more popular guests I've had on this podcast. As a content creator, she vlogged about her JET experience and life and continued with writing blogs about her life after. So it's not surprising that she went into content design and strategy as a career. 

This being an After JET podcast, we talk not just careers, but also our stories: about being foreigners-at-large in many places, including the cultures we're born into. 

Footnotes:
Cara can be found on:
- Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/cara-lam/
- Wordpress: https://thecaradventures.wordpress.com/
- Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@Caradventures/videos
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/thecaradventures/

Music:
Dare to Belong by Independent Music Licensing Collective (IMLC) from the album Blue Sky Moon and is licensed under a Attribution-NonCommercial-NoDerivatives 4.0 International License. Downloaded from freemusicarchive.org

Good words: Content design

In this episode, I speak to Alex Barnett. We get into the world of video (and film) editing - what the life of a freelance video editor looks like. Making art or making bank - how does one make a living, following your dream in an industry that's competitive and moves between boom and bust?

Fun fact: Alex won the first JET Programme Video Competition in 2016. That's right, Australia was #1. Sorry everyone that you're not us.

- Check out Alex's awesome work at https://www.alexbarnett.com.au which also has his winning entry. 
- He's also on Linkedin at linkedin.com/in/barnettalex/

Music for this episode is 'In the Cut' by Yona Marie, from the album Yona's Beats, downloaded from freemusicarchive.org, licensed under a cc0 1.0 universal license.

Film and Video Editor

The Cut: Film Editor

My guest this episode is a maelstrom of talent, ideas and energy - one episode on this teeny tiny podcast is not enough to cover all the stories from one life well led. And storytelling is the work of Eirene Tran Donohue. As a screenwriter, she has worked in Hollywood for over a decade, with her most successful movie to date being Netflix's A Tourist Guide to Love. 

We have a chat about the industry, creativity, Asian representation and the ongoing writers' strike. 

Linky goodness
- See Eirene's other work: https://www.imdb.com/name/nm5149399/
- Eirene's single is out now on Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/artist/1meji59RpgdqU8o0RdYZDu?si=Z4eM51zITx2rLw8L3Vk0vQ 
-Mai Donohue (Eirene's mum) has a memoir called Crossing the Bamboo Bridge:https://www.amazon.com.au/Crossing-Bamboo-Bridge-Memoirs-Luck-ebook/dp/B01LBOZDE6/ref=sr_1_1?keywords=crossing+the+bamboo+bridge&qid=1688909338&sprefix=crossing+the+bam%2Caps%2C309&sr=8-1

Song used for this episode is called Greatest of All Time by Beat Mekanik, from Free Music Archive used under a Creative Commons license. (CC BY).

The After JET podcast is generously supported by CLAIR, the Council of Local Authorities for International Relations, but is otherwise an independent personal project. All views expressed on this podcast are the independent opinions of podcast participants and do not represent any organisation that participants are connected with or work for.

Storyteller: The Screenwriter

J-Pop for some of us forms the sonic background to our lives in Japan - AKB48, Arashi, SMAP, Greeen (and just like that, you can already guess my vintage). 

My guest Juvia Chua went further than belting out her favourite J-Pop tunes in karaoke - she worked as a coordinator in the Japanese music industry, travelling with anisong talent overseas. She gives us a look at the hard work behind the stage, what she had to learn and how she did it. If you're wondering what it's like, then this is the episode for you. 

Music for this episode is 'Anime Opening' by Uncan, sourced from Free Music Archive.org and under license type CC BY-NC (Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommerical).

The After JET podcast is generously supported by CLAIR, the Council of Local Authorities for International Relations, but is otherwise an independent personal project. All views expressed on this podcast are the independent opinions of podcast participants and do not represent any organisation that participants are connected with or work for.

Behind the Stage: Concert Coordinator

It may come as a surprise to some of you that Osaka is actively promoting itself as a queer-friendly holiday destination. But that is the line of work that Jonathan Lucas is in - helping to create an inclusive place that welcomes all visitors, not just on gender or sexuality. 

In this discussion, we talk about his work, and expand it to discuss in general the state of LGBT discourse in Japan. And disclaimer: neither of us are experts in this field, so apologies in advance for any mistakes. 

Links: 
If you want to hear more about what Osaka Tourism's queer travel work, check out Jon's interview with Digital Tourism Think Tank: https://lnkd.in/eWbCykrm

Music for this episode is Something Elated by Broke for Free, sourced from Free Music Archive.org and licensed under a Attribution 3.0 United States License. 

The After JET podcast is generously supported by CLAIR, the Council of Local Authorities for International Relations, but is otherwise an independent personal project. All views expressed on this podcast are the independent opinions of podcast participants and do not represent any organisation that participants are connected with or work for.

Travel for All: LGBT Tourism

In Japan, given how available alcoholic beverages are, everyone on JET has at least one grog-related tale. My guest Colin Johnston has turned his practical experiences into a career in the distilling and brewing sector. Join us for a fascinating and educational look into the movement that is the craft beer industry, and what makes its beer, well, so crafty.

Fun fact: Colin's also a stage actor - hence his reference to his acting skills in our discussion.

Music for this episode is Drink Beer (Till the Day That I Die) by Dazie Mae. Sourced from freemusicarchive.org with license type  CC BY-NC-SA.

The Good Drop: Brewing and Distilling

Along with anime and J-pop, the Japanese game industry is another influential export of the country. My guest, Catherine (Cat) Dinh now works at Ubisoft Osaka, and we talk about the industry, work practices and a valuable trait that a non-Japanese worker can bring to a Japanese workplace.

Game Changing: Game Designer

Many of us go through several restarts and pivots. For Natalie Hamilton, it's been a full circle going back to teaching and finding her passion and purpose (including time to publish a textbook on kanji). Join us for a discussion on what that's like, and why finding purpose is an ever-changing destination.

Footnotes:
Natalie's book on kanji can be found at: https://thekanjicode.com/the-kanji-code-study-guide/
------
Music for this episode is A Journey by Kevin Hartnell, from the Free Music Archive, under license type CC BY-SA.

The After JET podcast is generously supported by CLAIR, the Council of Local Authorities for International Relations, but is otherwise an independent personal project. All views expressed on this podcast are the independent opinions of podcast participants and do not represent any organisation that participants are connected with or work for.

After JET - Life Changes

Oh the places you’ll go. Dr Seuss's poem nicely describes the post-JET life of my guest, Sam Baldwin - journalist, start-up techie and author. A desire to live the outdoor mountain life led him to living and working in Slovenia in a 300-yo cabin. He chronicles his journey and love for his adopted country in his upcoming book, Dormice and Moonshine: Falling for Slovenia. Sam's description of this overlooked corner of Europe is very evocative - anyone want to do a trip?

Footnotes:
- Sam's portfolio site: sambaldwin.me (https://www.sambaldwin.me/)

Music for the episode is Snow Drift by HoliznaCCO, from the album Winter LoFi, with a public domain license and sourced from freemusicarchive.org

The After JET podcast is generously supported by the Council of local authorities for International relations or CLAIR, but is otherwise an independent personal project by me, Eden Law. All views and opinions expressed on this podcast are the personal opinions of podcast participants and are not the official views of any organisation that participants are part of, connected with, or work for.

Oh, the Places You'll Go: Writer and Journalist

Living to another country can be a source of inspiration. And you could meet kindred spirits that make you feel like you belong. My guest, Luke Cuerden, talks about finding a welcoming creative community and how much that has inspired him creatively and professionally. We also talk about the music scene in Tokyo, and what jazz and metal have in common.

- Connect with Luke on IG: https://www.instagram.com/harroruke/ 
- Check out Red Dragon Blues on YT: www.youtube.com/@reddragonblues7231

Music and Brotherhood: The Musician

Job hunting in Japan? Looking for IT roles? So you want to work in Japan, but what's it like? We discuss whether language proficiency is important (watch out for keigo!), IT career options, on the job training, working conditions in Japan. We also discussed different contracting options, and the importance of checking your work contract, and about recruitment agents.

Thanks to John Littlefair-Molin; Evan Storer; Andy Shartzer and Tierra Tank.

Additional details at: http://www.jetaainternational.org/an-it-job-in-japan-1

Working in IT in Japan - Part 1

Part 2 of our discussion about the IT industry and working in Japan. In this 2nd part, we talk about online job searching, the intricacies of preparing a Japanese-style resume, and also the interview experience.

Thanks to John Littlefair-Molin; Evan Storer; Andy Shartzer and Tierra Tank.

For footnotes and references: http://www.jetaainternational.org/an-it-job-in-japan-2

Working in IT in Japan - Part 2

Analog games! We've all played them - board games and card games, famous examples being Settlers of Catan and Magic: The Gathering. A good board game can be addictive - last year, at Oz Comic Con, my friends and I were so invested in this game called Carcassonne that we decided to skip one William Shatner's appearance and spent the rest of our time at the gaming table. The analog games industry is booming, despite the widespread use of digital equivalents everywhere.

We speak to Brendan Weiskotten of Asmodee North America, who works as an Organised Play Coordinator (hence the OCP in the title). He speaks about getting into writing for Magic: The Gathering (I know right?), and how JET helped to develop his creativity and skills he uses for his career. We also share stories about when we were final year JETs, and reflect a bit on the experience since then. Also checkout the footnotes for great games recommendations!

For footnotes: http://www.jetaainternational.org/roll-of-the-dice-the-opc-1

Roll of the Dice: The OPC - Part 1

Content and digital marketing - some of the hottest jobs right now are in this area of online writing and promotions. We talk to Misty Ahmadi who works in content marketing at IBM, about her job and what she did to get into it. Along the way, we share some JET stories because that will happen when you gets JETs together in a conversation.
 
Thanks very much to Misty Ahmadi!

For more details, see: http://www.jetaainternational.org/word-it-right-content-marketing-1

Word it Right: Content Marketing - Part 1

We continue with our discussion on content marketing - this time co-host David Reiling talks about his experience and his circuitous but highly eventful track to content marketing.

Word it Right: Content Marketing - Part 2

Content Advisory Warning: In this episode, we talk about the work and experience relating to forensic investigation. If you're uncomfortable with talk about autopsies, etc, you might want to skip from the 20-min mark.

Mention forensic investigation, and you'd be thinking of shows like CSI, Bones and Dexter. Our guest actually credits the X-Files for getting him into the field of forensic investigation, which is way cooler. We discuss the career path of the forensic investigator, in all sorts of fields, and how you shouldn't trust shows like CSI, Bones and Dexter. We also talk about the nature of police work in Japan, compared to that of the US, and also (at least for the US) how to get into the field. 

This page on JETAAI website: http://www.jetaainternational.org/forensic-investigation

Brian Waters can be found on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/brian-waters-2426474/

He's also on Twitter on a slightly less serious note @MyTwoYen

And also a Wikipedia entry on the 'CSI Effect': https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/CSI_effect

Science of Crime: Forensic Investigation

Being an artist is not just a job, but a way of life. Many of us may have once dreamed about a creative career - drawing, painting or writing, but usually feel that the reality of paying bills and eating regularly outweigh the fantasy. But for Mr David Piper, there was simply no choice to really make once JET was over. 

- To see David's work: http://sundayink.com/
- Follow him on the Book of Faces: https://www.facebook.com/sundayink

Music credits: Draw Me a Sheep (Act 1), Cartesian Reunion Memorial Orchestra: the little prince-a ballet in two acts  by Lloyd Rodgers

The Art of Life: The Freelance Artist

We've talked a lot about turning hobbies into a career, and my guest Julius Pang (ALT 2004-2007 Kitakyushu) not only became a professional photographer, he combined it with his love of Japan and started a photography tour business (Incredible Photo Tours). We talk about the work, photographing Mt Fuji (i.e. much harder than you'd expect) and wrangling old people. 

- Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/julius-pang-165baba/
- Portfolio and Tours: http://juliuspang.com/
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/juliuspang/

Julius was also a presenter at the After JET Conference: http://jetprogramme.org/en/after-con/

To start his business, Julius joined the New Enterprise Initiative Scheme (NEIS), for Australian job seekers who are interested in running a new small business: https://www.employment.gov.au/self-employment-new-enterprise-incentive-scheme-neis

Music for this episode: Photograph by Derek Clegg is licensed under a Attribution-Noncommercial-No Derivative Works 3.0 United States License. http://freemusicarchive.org/music/Derek_Clegg/End_It_For_Now/Derek_Clegg_-_End_It_For_Now_-_04_Photograph

Picture it: The Photographer

The closest description that one can use for what our guest does for a living, would be "life coach", though Andy Chaleff would agree that it's usually hard to quantify. In this episode, we talk about his philosophy, his very eventful life, from JET, to high flying corporate executive, to penniless boarder in a leaky attic, to where he is now. 

Andy can be reached by: 
- The Last Letter (http://www.thelastletter.com/): Andy's website, which contains his tour dates and book, which is coming out in September. 
- LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/andychaleff

Music for this episode: "Chunga Lunga (Overcome Your Fear)" by BROWS is licensed under a Attribution-Noncommercial-Share Alike 3.0 United States License

http://freemusicarchive.org/music/BROWS/Under_The_Black_Flag_1654/14_BROWS_-_Chunga_Lunga_Overcome_Your_Fear_1819

A Life's Journey: The Mentor

What's it like working in the Japanese public sector? We'll spend several episodes talking to guests who work in different government and non-profit organisations. Our guest Rafael Villadiego worked for several years at the Consulate of Japan in Sydney, and gives us a look at working at a diplomatic office, learning on the job, how to "read the air", and the importance of counting steps.

Music for this episode: "Working for the County" (from the Good Graces album) by Derek Clegg is licensed under a Attribution-Noncommercial-Share Alike 3.0 United States License, and available on freemusicarchive.org

https://freemusicarchive.org/music/Derek_Clegg/Good_Graces/Derek_Clegg_-_Good_Graces_-_07_Working_For_The_County_1900

Reading the Air: Working at the Consulate

Tourism is one of those careers that is a good fit for JETs - after all, we are passionate advocates for our second homes in Japan, and have explored every nook and cranny, probably more so than locals who have lived there all their lives. Continuing with the theme of ex-JETs who now work in the Japanese public sector, we'll be speaking to our guest, Andy Coombs, who currently works for the Fukushima City Tourism and Convention Association. He'll talk about what's involved, the challenges, his ambitions for Fukushima tourism, the benefits of selectively and softly applying the gaijin-smash approach, and of course, since we're both ex-JETs from Fukushima, we'll be shamelesly flying the flag and showing much rabu-rabu (love) for the best little prefecture in Japan. 

A mild language advisory warning since we (ok me) will be swearing just a teeny-tiny bit.

Andy manages the following official Fukushima Tourism social media channels:
- Fukushima Tourism on Facebook - https://www.facebook.com/Fukushima.Guide/
- Fukushima Tourism on Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/fukushima.guide/
- Fukushima Tourism site - https://fukushima-guide.jp/

We mentioned several places of interest on the podcast: 
- Aizuwakamatsu, the samurai city: http://samurai-city.jp/en/
- Lake Inawashiro: https://www.japan.travel/en/spot/1743/
- Goshikunuma (Five Coloured Lakes): https://www.tohokukanko.jp/en/attractions/detail_1287.html
- Soma Nomaoi (Samurai Festival): https://www.kyuhoshi.com/soma-nomaoi/
- Iizaka Kenka Matsuri (Fighting Festival): https://voyapon.com/fukushima-iizaka-kenka-matsuri/
- Yanaizu Hadaka Mairi (Naked Temple Visit): https://rediscoverfukushima.com/2018/01/10/yanaizu-naked-man-festival/
- Iwaki: https://www.japan-guide.com/e/e7775.html

For the translating accreditation and other associations mentioned in this podcast:
- JAT (Japan Association of Translators): https://jat.org/
- NAATI (National Accreditation Authority for Translators and Interpreters - Australia only): https://www.naati.com.au/
- Fukushima International Association: http://www.worldvillage.org/english/

Music for this episode: "Coming Home" (from Step by Step) by Stefano Vita is licensed under a Attribution-Noncommercial-Share Alike 3.0 United States License, and available on freemusicarchive.org

Be Our Guest: Promoting Tourism

When one finishes JET, sometimes the next step is... more JET. In concluding the theme of past JETs working in public service, we fudge the definition a bit and feature a JET unicorn: our guest Matt French has applied for the programme three times (successfully), and is currently going into his 5th year, the first ALT to do so in his town in Hiroshima. We talk about what it's like being probably the first 3rd-timer in JET history, his reasons for doing so (spoiler: love) and then go into a little bit about what it's like living and working in Japan during the current COVID-19 pandemic. 

Footnotes:
- The three Ministries (Ministry of Internal Affairs and Communications, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, and the Ministry of Education, Culture, Sports, Science and Technology) formal request to local governments on the treatment of JETs in Japan due to COVID-19: http://jetprogramme.org/en/clairnewsspecial/?fbclid=IwAR3ZGeIcGdB2YoDW1PVHBLr1AJbZdz3uuCHwa4hL0hd0rA9cu5VVMufva5s

- An analysis of Japan's approach and laws in relation to pandemics: https://www.jlgc.org/japans-response-to-the-coronavirus-pandemic/?fbclid=IwAR2neIxZmZkwEZPfXkDJIOg5ndaueUUrv5VxDjXXcgk_X46xnRHheSxe1_c

Disclaimer: Opinions expressed in this episode are not representative of any organisation or company and are solely the views of the speakers in this episode. Also, language warning for some very mild swearing.

Music adapted for this episode: "History Repeats" by Josh Woodward from the album The Simple Life (Part 1) is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution License, and available on freemusicarchive.org
https://freemusicarchive.org/music/Josh_Woodward/The_Simple_Life_Part_1/JoshWoodward-TheSimpleLife-111-HistoryRepeats

AfterJET... More JET

If there's a theme for the next couple of episodes, it will be about the meandering journey of life, ending up in unexpected but wonderful places. Our guest went back on JET the second time, and with her husband and children, stayed on to build a life in Japan, start up a non-profit... and find a home living in the grounds of an ancient temple right in the heart of modern Kyoto.

Footnotes: 
- LEGACy, the NPO exchange program founded by Erin: https://www.facebook.com/LEGACy.NPO/
- LEGACy site: https://sites.google.com/noxon.us/legacynonprofit/
- Shinnyo-ji Temple's Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/kashikirimomiji/
- A description of the temple from a tourism site: http://slowtourism.jp/product/shinnyoji-temple/
- English site to rent accommodation at the temple: https://sites.google.com/view/shinnyoji-dormitory/
- Japanese site for the temple: https://shinnyo-ji.com/

Music adapted for this episode: "For Beautiful Human Life" by Acreil from the album Shapes With and Without Corners is licensed under a Attribution-NonCommercial-ShareAlike 3.0 International License, and is available on freemusicarchive.org

A Life's Journey: Living at the Temple

Continuing with the theme about the meandering path of life, our guest has certainly done her fair share of travelling and career paths (diving instructor, tour manager and marketing director, recruitment) and now currently runs a non-profit greenhouse program in a converted ice hockey stadium in Canada, in a town located in the Arctic Circle  - making her the northern-most guest to appear on this podcast.  She also tells some pretty funny stories about navigating the health system in Japan, so brace yourself.

Footnotes:
You can donate to help Inuvik Greenhouse continue it's program, or follow their work online: 
- Website: https://inuvikgreenhouse.com/
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/inuvikcommunitygreenhouse/

UPDATE: Read about Ray's work! https://tinyurl.com/yblu55uq

Music adapted for this episode: "Bloom" by Jahzzar from the album #handmade and is licensed under a  Attribution-ShareAlike License, available on freemusicarchive.org 
- https://freemusicarchive.org/music/Jahzzar/handmade/Bloom

Life in the Arctic: The Non-profit Director

We head to the arts for our next theme, with our guest, filmmaker Gavin Hugh. In addition, we'll be getting into some political discussions, as Gavin also works for a member of the Scottish parliament, making this episode feel totally like, real grown-up and stuff. 

Film, politics, Nazi zombies, and Scottish independence - what more could you want?

Footnotes:
- Find Gavin on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/gavin-hugh-09b3424a/
- Midgiebite Media is Gavin's film production company: https://midgiebitemedia.scot/
- Check out the Creative Film Fife Network: https://creativefilmfifenetwork.scot/
- Gavin's podcast on filmmaking: https://www.spreaker.com/show/creative-film-fife-network
- Also, Dick Dynamite 1944 - a Nazi-and-zombies film project that Gavin is involved in: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hiskLxCCo14

"Clear Progress" by Scott Holmes from the album Inspiring & Upbeat Music and is licensed under a  Attribution-nonCommercial License, available on freemusicarchive.org
https://freemusicarchive.org/music/Scott_Holmes/Inspiring__Upbeat_Music/Scott_Holmes_-_Clear_Progress

Now Showing: The Filmmaker

If you've ever laughed at a Youtube clip, or played a video game, then chances are you've come across the work of my guest for this episode - Michael T Coleman. He's helped write and/or performed on some of the funniest online content, such as School of Thrones, and is the voice actor for Cody, a character from Capcom's Street Fighter. This is a pretty geek-heavy episode, so apologies if that's not your thing (not sorry) and also, language-advisory warning if that's also not your thing (kinda sorry). 

Footnotes
- Michael Coleman on IMDB: https://www.imdb.com/name/nm1731754/
- Tales of the Extraordinary podcast: http://www.emptysea.net/tote/
- Official Facebook Page: https://www.facebook.com/cometocoleman/
- Harimaya Bridge, the film made by a JET and in which Michael had a part in: imdb.com/title/tt0902982/

This podcast is generously supported by CLAIR, the Council of Local Authorities for International Relations, however it is otherwise an independant work by me, Eden Law. All opinions expressed in this podcast are solely the private opinions of individuals and do not represent any organisation that they work for. 

Music adapted for this episode: "Intro For A Nonexisting Video Game" by Captive Portal and is licensed under a  Attribution-ShareAlike License, available on freemusicarchive.org
https://freemusicarchive.org/music/Captive_Portal/Laughing_Turkeys_-_EP/01_Intro_For_A_Nonexisting_Video_Game

Performance Art: The Actor

Does the marketing and PR industry have, well, bad PR? My guest, Alex Varney, and I discuss this in a deep-dive into the industry. It may be a question of semantics, and a fine line between positive promotion and outright propaganda, but it does make for a fascinating discussion as Alex discusses the nuances of what he does for a living. Also, we'll be having fun talking about that most precious of creatures, the social media influencer.

Footnotes: 
Alex Varney on Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/alex-f-varney/

Disclaimer: Opinions expressed in this episode are not representative of any organisation or company and are solely the views of the speakers in this episode.

"Let's sell some cars" by Steve Combs and is licensed under a  Attribution License, available on freemusicarchive.org
https://freemusicarchive.org/music/Steve_Combs/Jaw/Steve_Combs_-_Jaw_-_07_Lets_Sell_Some_Cars

Good PR: Marketing and Public Relations

After JET, many would continue on in careers in education, community building or public service. For my guest, he has managed to combine all of these into an international career that has covered areas such as health, disaster relief, gender inequality and the empowerment of minorities in the community. Mark Flanigan's career has always been about affect positive societal change. 

Footnotes:
- Mark Flanigan on Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/mrmarkflanigan/
- Imago Dei's THREADS project: https://tinyurl.com/y4maw8pb
- Americorps (USA): https://www.nationalservice.gov/programs/americorps/americorps-programs/americorps-vista
- Rotary Peace Fellowship (global): https://www.rotary.org/en/our-programs/peace-fellowships
- Japan ICU Foundation (New York): https://www.jicuf.org/

Making a Difference: Humanitarian Work and Education

Featuring the lives, stories and careers from the global JET Programme alumni community. And usually, our stories begin with "This one time in Japan..." - our best, our silliest and our fondest.

Share your story! Contact webmaster@jetaainternational.org

Popular tracks by After JET