Join Jennifer as she delves into an enriching conversation with Katheryn Gronauer, a dynamic coach and facilitator with expertise in leadership, cross-cultural transition, and wellness. There are fascinating parallels between business or life transitions and the traditional Japanese “sento” or public bath experience. Whether navigating a career shift, exploring new ventures, or simply seeking inspiration for personal growth, this episode offers a wealth of wisdom on embracing change, “dropping the towel” to be more authentic and finding more alignment in your work and life. Don't miss the valuable lessons on transparency, resilience, and the profound impact of incremental progress.

If you enjoyed this episode and it inspired you in some way, we’d love to hear about it and know your biggest takeaway.

In this episode you’ll hear:

• Katheryn’s first experience with feeling out of alignment with her environment
• Learning to be an entrepreneur in her own way
• The Sento Mindset as a metaphor for transformations
• The question: Are you transitioning or transforming?

About Katheryn

Katheryn Gronauer is a coach with expertise in leadership, cross-cultural transition, and wellness.

She is a graduate of Sophia University with a degree in International Business & Culture, a certified coach through both the Center for Executive Coaching (International Coaching Federation Accredited) and Institute of Integrative Nutrition, and a certified ATD Trainer & Change Management Facilitator.

Beyond coaching and training, Katheryn is a Speaker and Writer. She has spoken at Tedx on The Sento Mindset, the US Embassy, Toyo University, Roppongi Cooperative, and more.

She has written for JapanToday, Savvy, Women’s Health, HuffPost, and more, as well as authored the book Confessions of a Yo-yo Dieter on her experience of losing 40 pounds with Western and Eastern health concepts.

Katheryn is originally from Florida and currently lives with her family in Tokyo.

Connect with Katheryn

www.katheryngronauer.com

www.thrivetokyo.com

lu.ma/thrive-tokyo

www.linkedin.com/in/katheryngronauer

www.instagram.com/katheryngronauer

Connect with Jennifer

Linked In: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jennifershinkai/

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/jennifershinkaicoach

Website: https://jennifershinkai.com/

Instagram Coaching and Podcast: https://www.instagram.com/ikigaiwithjennifershinkai/

Instagram Artist: https://www.instagram.com/jennifershinkai/

YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/c/ikigaiwithjennifershinkai/

In this engaging episode of 'Ikigai with Jennifer Shinkai,' host Jennifer Shinkai speaks with the inspiring Cynthia Usui about career breaks, life after 60, redefining her concept of Ikigai, and finding new purpose. Cynthia shares her journey from being a stay-at-home mum to re-entering the workforce, taking on different career roles, and ultimately redefining conventional wisdom around work-life balance and career trajectories. Cynthia is now doing amazing work opening doors for children from struggling families and we hear how mattering to someone is key to her ikigai.

If you enjoyed this episode and it inspired you in some way, we’d love to hear about it and know your biggest takeaway.

In this episode you’ll hear:

• What happened when Cynthia’s joyful life of actively raising her daughter came to its natural end
• Cynthia’s frustrating experience with the coaching question: What do you love to do?
• Cynthia’s three question “Life Check Up”
• Why your career is like the Tokyo Metro and how you can get back on the train after a career break
• Cynthia’s real talk that many corporations don’t want their workers to hear

About Cynthia

Born in Manila in 1959, Cynthia arrived in Tokyo in 1980 as a Monbusho Scholar. After graduating from the Tokyo University of Foreign Studies, she worked for a trading company and married a Japanese diplomat. She became a mother at 30 and decided to become a stay-at-home mom. As wife of a diplomat, she has lived in five different countries, and when her daughter left for college, she went back to work as cafeteria manager at the International School Bangkok. She returned to Tokyo at age 52 and accepted the only role she could find - junior banquet assistant at the Tokyo American Club. In 2013, she joined the hospitality industry and quickly rose from corporate sales manager at ANA InterContinental Hotel Tokyo to senior manager of Coca-Cola's Tokyo 2020 Olympic Games hospitality team. Cynthia is a passionate advocate for women returning to the workforce, has written several books on the subject, and is a media personality called on to discuss social and political issues. She turned 65 last year and has tasked herself with raising support for children from single-parent households.

Connect with Cynthia

薄井シンシア Cynthia Usui | LinkedIn

薄井シンシア / 専業主婦・駐妻→子育て後に就職、転職を重ね、10年で社長→65歳に起業検討 (@UsuiCynthia) / X

Instagram

薄井シンシア – Cynthia Usui

Connect with Jennifer

Linked In: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jennifershinkai/

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/jennifershinkaicoach

Website: https://jennifershinkai.com/

Instagram Coaching and Podcast: https://www.instagram.com/ikigaiwithjennifershinkai/

Instagram Artist: https://www.instagram.com/jennifershinkai/

YouTube:

Welcome back to the Ikigai with Jennifer Shinkai podcast! We hope you all had a fabulous holiday season. In this first episode of 2025 I am thrilled to be talking with Elizabeth Okada, renowned coach in her own right, as well as being a sought after coaching supervisor and trainer. Elizabeth joins us to help demystify coaching, supervision and to discuss her most recent development as a retirement coach.

If you enjoyed this episode and it inspired you in some way, we’d love to hear about it and know your biggest takeaway.

In this episode you’ll hear:

• The difference between Supervision and Mentor Coaching
• How supervision can help you enhance your coaching practice
• The importance of curiosity and reflection in your coaching practice
• What made Elizabeth decide to pursue being a supervisor
• How Elizabeth coaches people through the transition into retirement

About Elizabeth:

Elizabeth started her career as a teacher and then continued this when she moved to Japan. Elizabeth had the chance to move into training and spent several years in language and intercultural training roles before taking on positions in Talent Management and Leadership Development. Since 2005 Elizabeth has been a coach working with leaders in a variety of industries. She is also a Coach Supervisor and trains coaches.

Most recently Elizabeth has started supporting leaders who are transitioning into retirement so that they can have a rich and fulfilling post-retirement life.

Connect with Elizabeth:

LinkedIn: www.linkedin.com/in/elizabeth-okada-04848825

Connect with Jennifer:

Linked In: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jennifershinkai/

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/jennifershinkaicoach

Website: https://jennifershinkai.com/

Instagram Coaching and Podcast: https://www.instagram.com/ikigaiwithjennifershinkai/

Instagram Artist: https://www.instagram.com/jennifershinkai/

YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/c/ikigaiwithjennifershinkai/