The GLOBIS Stories Podcast

GLOBIS Stories podcast host Kingsley Nlewedim is joined by Toshi Iwata, a GLOBIS alumm from the Part-time & Online MBA MBA class of 2022. Originally starting his career in the sciences, Toshi spent over a decade working in multinational companies across Singapore and the United States. Discover how his international experiences and a personal history of musical conducting shaped his passion for leadership and training, eventually leading him to transition from a technical specialist to a manager in the cosmetics industry. Toshi discusses his journey of founding LeadGL, Inc., an education company focused on developing global citizens through entrepreneurial learning in English. He shares how his MBA studies at GLOBIS helped him bridge the gap between technical expertise and business management, providing him with the essential skills in marketing, strategy, and critical thinking needed to launch his own venture. Learn about his commitment to "authentic leadership" and how LeadGL’s project-based curriculum is empowering both students and business professionals to communicate and lead effectively in a diverse world.

GLOBIS Stories podcast host Tanner Schroeder is joined by Kenji, a GLOBIS alumnus from the part-time MBA class of 2024. Born and raised in Japan, Kenji shares how his childhood experiences at summer camps in the United States and a later two-year professional transfer to San Jose inspired him to master business communication in English. Discover how his desire to move beyond being a "bridge person" to becoming a true business partner in a global environment led him to pursue an MBA at GLOBIS University in Tokyo while continuing his career. Kenji discusses the practical advantages of the Pre-MBA program, the impact of learning through real-world business cases, and the unique challenges of navigating different mindsets between Japanese and English. He shares a lighthearted but insightful story about transitioning from a failed office "sandwich club" to a profitable "ice cream shop" by applying his MBA accounting and marketing knowledge. Learn about his kokorozashi, or personal mission, centered on "making people smile with fun learning," and how he aims to leverage global talent within Japanese corporations.

GLOBIS Stories podcast host Tanner Schroeder is joined by Chi, a GLOBIS alumna from the full-time MBA class of 2024. Originally from Hanoi, Vietnam, Chi shares her international journey, which includes studying accounting and finance in Brighton, UK, before returning to Vietnam to work in the real estate industry in Ho Chi Minh City. Discover how Chi’s desire to explore her potential and experience Japanese culture led her to pursue an MBA at GLOBIS University in Tokyo. Chi discusses the challenges and triumphs of being the only Vietnamese student in her batch, navigating an international environment using her second language, and overcoming initial feelings of isolation to build a diverse network of friends. She shares practical advice on landing an internship and transitioning into a full-time role in Japan, emphasizing the importance of showing a willingness to learn the language and culture. Learn about her kokorozashi, or personal mission, centered on building meaningful connections and how she is now prepared to launch her professional career in Tokyo.

GLOBIS Stories podcast host Tanner Schroeder is joined by Stéphane, a GLOBIS alumni. Stéphane, originally from the western part of France, shares his journey, including over a decade of living and working in Japan. Discover how Stéphane, an urban planner who graduated from the English MBA program about 10 years ago, first came to Japan for a professional opportunity in Intelligent Transportation Systems (ITS). Stéphane discusses how his personal life, including marrying a Japanese woman, led him to seek a job in Japan. He shares why he chose to pursue his MBA, even though his boss was not supportive, and how the frameworks and critical thinking skills he gained helped him advance his career, particularly at Toyota Motor Corporation. Learn about his personal mission, or kokorozashi, which he defines as a process of building context for one's own growth, and how he successfully transitioned to working as a consultant in Southeast Asia, focused on smart cities and digital transformation.

GLOBIS Stories podcast host W. Tanner Kirk is joined by GLOBIS Part-time & Online MBA student, Rego. Rego, originally from Jakarta, Indonesia, with a background in business economics, shares his journey, including seven years of living and working in Japan. Discover how Rego, a student in the October 2024 cohort, went from studying business economics for his undergrad to working in the recruitment industry and pursuing an MBA to become a future leader. Rego discusses how tokusatsu shows like Super Sentai and Ultraman introduced him to Japanese culture. He also shares why he chose to move abroad for self-development, how a scholarship led him to Japan, and how he decided to pursue his MBA after graduating during the pandemic. Learn about his personal mission, or kokorozashi, focused on inspiring people to become stronger both mentally and physically. He also shares his experiences with the nano-MBA and Pre-MBA programs, how the Technovate courses helped his work in the IT industry, and what it was like to star in the “GLOBIS Journey” video.

GLOBIS Stories podcast host Tanner Schroeder is joined by GLOBIS Part-time & Online MBA alumnus, Artem. Artem, originally from Siberia, Russia, and with a background in engineering and a PhD, shares his career path, including over seven years of living and working in Japan. Discover how Artem, a graduate of the 2023 cohort of the Part-time & Online MBA Program, went from studying the Hadron Collider to being a customer success manager at a cloud company. Artem discusses how the motivation found in shonen anime inspired him, how he got an internal transfer to Japan from Moscow, and how he decided to pursue an MBA after completing his PhD in Tokyo. Learn about his personal mission, or kokorozashi, focused on technological humanism: using technology to enhance empathy and creativity. He also shares his experiences taking Pre-MBA courses, utilizing the program's flexibility to travel, and finding a sense of harmony in Tokyo. 00:00 – Meet Artem! 09:18 – Internal Transfer to Japan: Setting Yourself Up for Success 16:36 – Earning a PhD in Tokyo While Working Full-time 25:59 – Kokorozashi: Technological Humanism and Enhancing Empathy 32:32 – People Component and Digital Transformation in Japan

GLOBIS Insights Content Producer Tanner Schroeder and GLOBIS English MBA student Gabriel De La Cruz how the GLOBIS MBA helped Gabriel transition into a more fulfilling career path while putting down roots in Japan.
Discover how Gabriel learned fluent Japanese while working in Japan, transitioned into a marketing career, and even opened up a donut shop in his home country. Gabriel also shares why he has decided to apply for Japanese citizenship, and why it may or may not be the right decision for you.

GLOBIS Stories podcast host Tanner Schroeder is joined by recent GLOBIS alumni and self-admitted introvert, Mai, who conquered the MBA journey in Tokyo. Mai, originally from the Philippines and with a background in education, shares her career path, including 14 years of teaching English and training teachers in Hanoi, Vietnam, and her decision to pursue an MBA after a "midlife crisis." Discover how Mai, a graduate of the 2024 GLOBIS full-time program, went from an Industrial Design undergrad to a teacher passionate about emotional intelligence and storytelling. Mai discusses how the required classroom participation at GLOBIS forced her to break out of her shell, how she found her Kokorozashi (personal mission) of helping children become "more human," and her experience applying for scholarships and relocating to Japan.

GLOBIS Insights Content Producer Tanner Schroeder and GLOBIS English MBA alumni and CEO Yasuyuki Umino discuss how the GLOBIS MBA helped shaped Yasu's unique career journey. Discover how Yasu learned English in his 20's while backpacking through Europe, how networking abroad led to a fruitful career, and how his passion for making an impact on society lead him towards his current role as CEO.

After moving to Japan, GLOBIS student Nick Takeda fell in love with photography. After a chance encounter, he soon found himself doing it for a living. But he knew it would take more than talent to turn his passion into a thriving business. Learn how studying accounting, tackling case studies, and networking with a global community has shaped Nick's life and helped create a clear career path as a self-employed photographer in Tokyo, Japan.