James Crocker has been a Primary Teacher, Language Instructor, Director of Studies, Principal, Teacher Trainer, ESL Author, and Lecturer for over 30 years. He has worked in many countries, most recently Japan, at Kobe Women’s University. He has published ESL texts with Macmillan and Oxford University Press. In this episode we talk to James about his background and the various twists and turns his career has taken. Show notes for this episode can be found HERE.

Hiroshi Okamoto has supported education and global learning across 45+ countries on five continents through the United Nations, JICA, and other organizations. With a diverse career as a dancer, actor, Michelin-starred restaurant chef, and global educator, he founded 3L-MIEL (Global Learning Center) in Kobe to promote international understanding through the five senses and help people Learn, Live, and Love by experiencing the world in immersive and meaningful ways. He is the author of "How to Find Who You Want to Become" (Iwanami Books), the supervisor of the "World Greetings" (3 volumes, supervised) (Doshinsha), and "Nutrition and Cooking" - World Breakfast Stories (Joshi Eiyo University Press). Show notes for this episode can be found HERE.

Richard Harrison was granted the title of Professor Emeritus at Kobe University in early 2025. He received his Ba. Hons (1st Class) in Japanese Studies (Japanese linguistics) from Sheffield University in 1988. He has since been teaching Japanese in the UK, Australia and Japan. He received an Master of Education (Technology) from Monash University in 1999, and has been teaching Applied Linguistics specializing in Computer Aided Learning. Show notes can be found HERE.

In this episode, Emma Rye shares stories from her childhood, school days, travel experiences, academic and career pursuits, and living and working in Columbia. Show notes for this episode can be found HERE.

Charles Browne was born in Boston in the United States but has lived and worked in Japan since 1985. He is a Professor of Applied Linguistics & TESOL and researches both Vocabulary and Reading, especially as they apply to online learning. He has more than 25 years of experience working as a teacher trainer, works with several boards of education, and has sat on several committees for the Japan Ministry of Education, Science and Technology (MEXT). He is best known for developing two important new corpus-based word lists for second language learners, namely the New General Service List (NGSL) and the New Academic Word List (NAWL). In this talk, he shares some of his stories about growing up in different areas, becoming interested in Japan, working with the JET program, and working with future teachers. Show notes for Episode #40 with Charles Browne can be found HERE.

John Adair is the head brewer and part owner of Sooke Brewing Company. In this talk, recorded on November 14, 2018 at the brewery, John talks about his background as a forest firefighter, his entry into homebrewing as a hobbyist, competing on the homebrewing circuit in Canada, and challenges of opening the brewery. He also shares his insights into the brewing scene on Vancouver Island and other parts of British Columbia. Feel free to check the show notes for information on some of the topics covered.

Ixchell Reyes teaches English at the Defense Language Institute English Language Center at Joint Base San Antonio-Lackland, Texas. DLIELC is the leader in English language training for the Department of Defense and builds security cooperation capability through English language training and cultural immersion. Reyes also cohosts the DIESOL Podcast, which focuses on developing innovation in ESOL. She’s been recognized for her innovative efforts by the International Society for Technology in Education (ISTE) as an emerging leader, and by CATESOL as a Professional Development awardee. She previously taught at CSU San Bernardino, UC Riverside, and at the University of Southern California.

The views expressed in this podcast are those of the interviewee and do not necessarily reflect the official policy or position of the Air Force, the Department of Defense, or the U.S. Government.

Show notes for this episode can be found HERE.

Dr. Amihan April M. Alcazar is scholar from the Phillipines. She is currently the University President of Urdaneta City University, Pangasinan, and is the Co-Chair of the Internationalization National Review Committee of the Commission on Higher Education.

In this episode, she talks about growing up in the Philippines, her educational background, her experiences studying and researching in Europe and Japan, her involvement with Teachers Helping Teachers, challenges working in academia and being a university president, and other topics.

Show notes for this episode can be found HERE.