Craig Mod – What Japan Taught Him About Self-Worth and Slowing Down
About this episode
Kevin Rose interviews Craig Mod about the importance of slowness and presence in a fast-paced world, drawing from his experiences in Japan and the creative industry.
Watch episode on Youtube In this episode, Kevin sits down with writer, photographer, and technologist Craig Mod for a wide-ranging conversation on the value of slowness in a fast-moving world . From walking solo across Japan to rethinking the economics of independent publishing, Craig shares his philosophy of presence, deep attention, and building creative ecosystems that last. Whether you're an aspiring creator or simply seeking to live with more intention, this episode is a masterclass in meaningful modern living. Topics covered * Craig’s early years in the BBS/ANSI art scene and how it shaped his creative drive * Escaping post-industrial America and finding healing in the structure of Japanese life * The joy and challenge of learning Japanese, and how language opens cultural doors * From blog software in the '90s to essays that changed the course of his career * Silicon Valley vs. Tokyo: ambition, trade-offs, and choosing a slower life * The transformative power of walking: from ancient pilgrimages to solo introspection * Building a reader-funded membership model and launching handcrafted books * How a 200-word essay led to $100M+ in economic impact for a rural Japanese city *…
People in this episode
Host: Kevin Rose
Guest: Craig Mod
Topics covered
- self-worth
- slowing down
- Japanese culture
- independent publishing
- creative ecosystems
- walking
- intentional living
Keywords
- self-worth
- Japan
- independent publishing
- walking
- creative ecosystems
- intentional living
- Silicon Valley
- language learning
- BBS art scene
Mentioned in this episode
Books & works: Things Become Other Things
Places: Japan, Silicon Valley, Tokyo
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