Craig Mod – What Japan Taught Him About Self-Worth and Slowing Down
The Kevin Rose Show
Kevin Rose
4.9 • 2.1K Ratings
🗓️ 7 May 2025
⏱️ 129 minutes
🧾️ Download transcript
Summary
Watch episode on YoutubeIn 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
* Addiction, self-worth, fatherhood, and the emotional repair of being seen
* The cultural weight of jazz kissa, pizza toast, and public bathhouse rituals
* Anti-influencer media: binaural audio, slow video, and presence in a distracted world
Links
* Things Become Other Things - Craig’s new book
This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit www.kevinrose.com
Transcript
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| 0:00.0 | if you don't respect Japanese customs. |
| 0:01.8 | And if when you take your shoes off, |
| 0:04.6 | if your sock touches the ground, |
| 0:07.6 | like the concrete floor and then touches the tatami mats, |
| 0:11.3 | you'll be charged $100 cleaning fee. |
| 0:13.8 | Right. |
| 0:14.1 | Because you're not respecting the customs, right? |
| 0:15.7 | So it's like, so clearly, like, |
| 0:19.2 | you didn't tell me this. |
| 0:20.5 | And I walk in and I literally take my shoes up. I'm like, yeah, you two shoes up, like, you didn't tell me this. And I walk in and I literally take my shoes up and I like, yeah, tissues up, blah, and my foot |
| 0:24.5 | touch with it. |
| 0:25.1 | You go, and you're $100 and I'm like, oh, Jesus, what am I doing? |
| 0:29.4 | I mean, but your sock was touching the outside space. |
| 0:32.3 | Right. |
| 0:32.6 | Right. |
| 0:32.8 | So you have to touch the inside space. |
| 0:33.9 | Right. |
| 0:36.9 | So glad to have you here. |
| 0:38.3 | Yeah, thanks for having me. |
| 0:39.3 | We're in Tokyo. |
| 0:40.3 | Yep. |
| 0:41.3 | This is your home. |
... |
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