Direct Talk

  • Rank #
  • Premiered: Apr 2016
  • Episodes: 1168
  • Followers: 0
  • Running
  • NHK
  • Daily at 19
  • Documentary

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Season 2019
2019x1
Patrick Brown: Creating Sustainable Meat Alternatives
Episode overview
Air date
Jan 16, 2019
Impossible Foods CEO Dr. Patrick Brown discusses his mission to counter the environmental threat caused by animal agriculture and his creation of sustainable meat substitutes using biotechnology.
2019x2
Kostas Kostarelos: The Medical Revolution
Episode overview
Air date
Jan 17, 2019
Kostas Kostarelos, a world expert in nanotechnology talks about how it will revolutionize medicine with tissue regeneration, new drug delivery methods, and neural interface and bio sensing devices.
2019x3
Joe Smith: Mapping the Future
Episode overview
Air date
Jan 24, 2019
As its newly appointed director, Professor Joe Smith wants to take the Royal Geographic Society forward to embrace the crucial issues of our time - including climate change and the environment.
2019x4
Margaret Martin: Saving Children in Poverty Through Music
Episode overview
Air date
Jan 25, 2019
The Harmony Project provides free music lessons to children of low-income families. Dr. Margaret Martin, the project’s founder, talks about how the project has used the power of music to mentor them.
2019x5
Satoshi Fukushima: A Society Where All Can Live Happily
Episode overview
Air date
Jan 28, 2019
Satoshi Fukushima lost his eyesight at 9, and hearing at 18. He is a professor of disability studies at the University of Tokyo. What is his vision for a society where everyone can live happily?
2019x6
Mahzarin Banaji: Uncovering Our Hidden Biases
Episode overview
Air date
Jan 30, 2019
Harvard psychologist Mahzarin Banaji devised a test to measure our hidden biases towards others, according to race, gender, or social class. She discusses the origins of bias and its cost to society.
2019x7
Ivan Penn: Giving Voice to the Voiceless
Episode overview
Air date
Jan 31, 2019
Ivan Penn is an African American NY Times reporter leading a NPO “The Power of Song” performing the legacy of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. He’s traveled globally promoting social justice through music.
2019x8
RongRong&inri: Protecting the Essence of Art in China
Episode overview
Air date
Feb 01, 2019
Along with the development of Chinese modern art, renowned photographers RongRong from China and Inri from Japan create works together. They defy commercialization to protect the essence of art.
2019x9
Koji Muraoka: Pancakes That Represent a Region
Episode overview
Air date
Feb 04, 2019
Koji Muraoka is CEO of a company known for a pancake mix made with grains produced on the southwestern Japanese island of Kyushu. He hopes to make the hotcakes a key part of the region’s brand.
2019x10
Yuko Shirakawa: Medicine on the Battlefield
Episode overview
Air date
Feb 05, 2019
Doctors Without Borders brings medical care to places that lack it. We speak with Yuko Shirakawa, a nurse who has worked for the NGO in conflict zones including Syria and South Sudan.
2019x11
Ayyam Sureau: French Refugee Integration
Episode overview
Air date
Feb 06, 2019
Ayyam Sureau founded a school to help refugees in Paris smoothly integrate into French society. Her successful methods offer hints for accepting diverse people and cultures.
2019x12
James Heckman: Fighting Poverty With Early Childhood Education
Episode overview
Air date
Feb 07, 2019
Nobel laureate James Heckman demonstrated a connection between developing non-cognitive skills in early childhood and success in life. He advocates supporting parents, to lift children from poverty.
2019x13
Margarita Mamun: Obsession With Beauty
Episode overview
Air date
Feb 08, 2019
Margarita Mamun, the 2016 Olympic All-around Champion in rhythmic gymnastics, talks about her life since retirement and Russia’s emphasis on achieving the ultimate aesthetic in her sport.
2019x14
Toru Oki: The Healing Power of Dogs
Episode overview
Air date
Feb 11, 2019
Toru Oki is a pioneer in the effort to increase the adoption of therapy dogs in Japan. He rescues dogs that would otherwise be put down, and trains them to provide comfort and love to people.
2019x15
Morinari Watanabe: Sports Innovation for Athletes and Spectators
Episode overview
Air date
Feb 12, 2019
Morinari Watanabe, president of the International Gymnastics Federation, is committed to sports innovation for athletes and spectators alike. He talks about his career, his vision, and his approach.
2019x16
Lee So-hyun: Co-Existing With Autism in Society
Episode overview
Air date
Feb 13, 2019
Lee So-hyun, the founder of a company supporting people with autism, looks forward to a time when individuals with autism are accepted, feel comfortable, and can fully play their part in society.
2019x17
Grigory Sergeev: Nothing Is Impossible!
Episode overview
Air date
Feb 14, 2019
Grigory Sergeev set up a non-profit search-and-rescue organization in Russia, where a person goes missing every 30 minutes. He talks about the reasons behind its founding.
2019x18
Charles Pépin: Philosophy for Daily Life
Episode overview
Air date
Feb 15, 2019
Charles Pépin teaches popular philosophy classes at a Paris movie theater to make the topic more accessible. He hopes to enrich modern people’s lives using philosophy.
2019x19
Takahiro Yagi: The Beauty of Tea Caddies
Episode overview
Air date
Feb 18, 2019
Takahiro Yagi is the sixth-generation head of Kaikado, a long-established Kyoto manufacturer of traditional tea caddies. How does he balance tradition with the drive to create something new?
2019x20
Merrill J. Fernando: Business as a Human Service
Episode overview
Air date
Feb 20, 2019
Merrill J. Fernando, is CEO of Dilmah, the first ‘producer owned’ tea brand in the world. He says the business profits should be shared towards the dignified empowerment of underprivileged people.
2019x21
Raghuram Rajan: Regenerating Community for a Better World
Episode overview
Air date
Feb 21, 2019
University of Chicago economist Raghuram Rajan calls for the regeneration of local community to balance markets, as globalization leaves large pockets of society feeling powerless and left behind.
2019x22
Kenichi Yoshida: Soul-stirring Strings
Episode overview
Air date
Feb 25, 2019
Kenichi Yoshida is a musician who plays the tsugaru-jamisen, a stringed instrument from Japan’s Tohoku region. We speak with him about his efforts to share tsugaru-jamisen music with the world.
2019x23
Rino Nakasone: A Love for Dance and Entertaining
Episode overview
Air date
Feb 26, 2019
Rino Nakasone is an LA-based dancer/choreographer who has worked with Janet Jackson and Britney Spears, and has choreographed many routines for K-pop stars. She talks about the thrill of entertaining.
2019x24
Lin Nien-tzu: Raising Awareness of Menstrual Sanitation
Episode overview
Air date
Feb 27, 2019
Taiwanese activist Lin Nien-tzu founded a workshop to spread important knowledge on menstruation to Nepalese women. She helps them produce eco-friendly sanitary products.
2019x25
Ni Sat Tin Htoo: Hope Beyond the Conflict
Episode overview
Air date
Feb 28, 2019
Ni Sat Tin Htoo, a social worker in Myanmar, cares for ethnic-minority children affected by decades of conflict, helping them rebuild their lives so they can contribute to a more peaceful future.
2019x26
Ichiro Akuto: A Small Distillery’s Big Dreams
Episode overview
Air date
Mar 04, 2019
Venture Whisky in Chichibu, Japan has won top prize two years running at an international whisky competition. President Ichiro Akuto talks about his quaint Japanese distillery’s coveted spirits.
2019x27
Frances Corner: Why Fashion Matters
Episode overview
Air date
Mar 06, 2019
Frances Corner, Head of the influential London College of Fashion, speaks out on why fashion should matter to all of us, and how the global fashion industry can be a force for good.
2019x28
Kim Gee-yang: Shattering Beauty Stereotypes
Episode overview
Air date
Mar 08, 2019
Kim Gee-yang, South Korea’s first plus-size model, dreams of a society that will accept diversity and individuality. She talks of the challenges she faces in changing social perceptions.
2019x29
Noriyuki Sawa: The Potential of Puppet Theater
Episode overview
Air date
Mar 11, 2019
Noriyuki Sawa is known for bringing a Japanese sensibility to the Czech puppet theater tradition. He currently performs around the world while continuing to explore the possibilities of his art.
2019x30
Pierre Kompany: From Refugee to Mayor
Episode overview
Air date
Mar 14, 2019
In 2018 Pierre Kompany became mayor of Ganshoren, Belgium; having started his life there as a refugee from DR Congo (fmr. Zaire). He speaks on current immigration issues and his personal journey.
2019x31
Andrey Kurkov: Ukraine - a Borderline Case
Episode overview
Air date
Mar 15, 2019
Andrey Kurkov, Ukraine’s foremost writer witnessed the tumultuous events that shaped independent Ukraine. He explores post-Soviet identity and nationhood in a country where Russia still looms large.
2019x32
David Hu: Nature’s Lessons in Engineering
Episode overview
Air date
Mar 20, 2019
David Hu reproduces the ingenious anatomical functions of animals, using mathematical modeling. Born out of sheer curiosity, his bio-inspired engineering has won acclaim in the science community.
2019x33
Anneli Rautiainen: Educating Children Shapes Our Future
Episode overview
Air date
Mar 21, 2019
Finnish education got top marks in the OECD’s student assessment in 2003. But in these changing times, how can educators best adapt; Finnish education official Anneli Rautiainen shares her views.
2019x34
Mo Ibrahim: Africa Is Rising
Episode overview
Air date
Mar 22, 2019
One of Africa's most successful entrepreneurs, Mo Ibrahim, discusses the continent's future and how the image many have of Africa is fundamentally wrong.
2019x35
Dishani Jayaweera: Peacebuilding Through Dialogue
Episode overview
Air date
Mar 27, 2019
Dishani Jayaweera is a co-founder of a non-profit organization promoting peacebuilding and conflict transformation in Sri Lanka. She says divided communities need dialogue to build peace.
2019x36
Yojiro Ichikawa: Musical Fusion
Episode overview
Air date
Mar 28, 2019
London based theatre director Yojiro Ichikawa discusses his love of musicals and his ambition of merging Japanese and western theatrical traditions.
2019x37
Andre Chiang: Redefining Asian Cuisine
Episode overview
Air date
Mar 29, 2019
In 2018, the famous chef and restaurateur Andre Chiang returned to his hometown in Taiwan. His latest mission is to help Asian cuisine evolve and become known to people around the world.
2019x38
Florian Wiltschko: The Shinto Way of Life
Episode overview
Air date
Apr 01, 2019
Florian Wiltschko from Austria is the first foreigner to become an officially recognized priest of Shinto, the ancient Japanese religion. We speak with Wiltschko about the meaning of Shinto.
2019x39
Reiko Takahashi: Conveying the Beauty Beneath
Episode overview
Air date
Apr 02, 2019
Reiko Takahashi is a photographer who mostly shoots underwater. In 2018, she won first prize in the National Geographic Travel Photographer of the Year contest. What draws her to the sea?
2019x40
Duan Yuezhong: Communication Beyond Nations
Episode overview
Air date
Apr 03, 2019
Duan Yuezhong launched a publishing firm specializing in Sino-Japanese relations. With a journalist's eye, he gives voice to the people and promotes mutual understanding through grass-roots efforts.
2019x41
Jon Jandai: Simplicity Is the Key to Happiness
Episode overview
Air date
Apr 04, 2019
Jon Jandai is a Thai organic farmer whose self-reliant way of living attracts people from around the world. He simplifies life with the question: "Life is easy, why make it difficult?"
2019x42
Kentaro Hayashi: Peace and Health in Myanmar
Episode overview
Air date
Apr 08, 2019
Kentaro Hayashi is a doctor who's worked all over the world. For over a decade now, he's been traveling to Myanmar, providing healthcare and creating a social business focused on plant cultivation.
2019x43
Masao Hosoo: Weaving the Future of Nishijin Textiles
Episode overview
Air date
Apr 09, 2019
Masao Hosoo combines traditional craft and the latest tech to create interior decorations and other innovative items made with fine Nishijin textiles. What is his vision for this luxury silk fabric?
2019x44
Thai Huong: Promoting Food Safety
Episode overview
Air date
Apr 10, 2019
Entrepreneur Thai Huong revolutionized Vietnam's dairy industry by producing safe, fresh milk. Her products have restored consumer confidence and created a milk drinking culture in the country.
2019x45
Viola Cheng: Helping the Socially Vulnerable
Episode overview
Air date
Apr 12, 2019
Taiwanese chain restaurant manager Viola Cheng's dedication to helping the disadvantaged has drawn global attention. She explains the importance of companies fulfilling their social responsibility.
2019x46
Masako Wakamiya: Endlessly Creative
Episode overview
Air date
Apr 15, 2019
In 2017, Masako Wakamiya developed her first smartphone app. She was 81 years old at the time. We speak with her about how the digital world can change the lives and lifestyles of seniors.
2019x47
Masanao Kurata: Beech Woodware Goes Global
Episode overview
Air date
Apr 16, 2019
Bunaco is a woodworking company specializing in beech. It has been attracting international attention for its craftsmanship and creative designs. President Masanao Kurata talks about his vision.
2019x48
Ryo Takeuchi: Reducing Bias Through Video
Episode overview
Air date
Apr 19, 2019
Ryo Takeuchi is a popular online content director in China. The Japanese man introduces lifestyles and work of Chinese people living outside of China, hoping to reduce prejudice on both sides.
2019x49
Takeo Sugita: The Matcha Business
Episode overview
Air date
Apr 22, 2019
Aiya is a time-honored matcha green tea producer offering a diverse range of matcha products. It has worked to spread matcha culture worldwide. 5th generation president Takeo Sugita talks strategy.
2019x50
Jose Antonio Vargas: A Voice for Migrants
Episode overview
Air date
Apr 24, 2019
Philippine-born Jose Antonio Vargas is a Pulitzer Prize-winning journalist in the U.S. He draws on his own life without papers, to bring attention to the plight of millions of undocumented immigrants.
2019x51
Svetlana Alexievich: Immortalizing Unspoken Truths
Episode overview
Air date
Apr 25, 2019
Nobel laureate and author Svetlana Alexievich of Belarus has unblinkingly covered historical events like WWII and the Chernobyl disaster. She speaks on her work to tell truths behind the facts.
2019x52
Thitinan Pongsudhirak: Democracy Is Taking a Beating
Episode overview
Air date
Apr 26, 2019
This episode has no summary.
2019x53
Tadashige Shiga: A Blossom of Hope
Episode overview
Air date
Apr 29, 2019
Tadashige Shiga is from Iwaki, a city in Fukushima Prefecture that was affected by the nuclear accident after the 3/11 disaster. He now leads a project to plant 100,000 cherry trees in his hometown.
2019x54
Hiroshi Nakaso: Battling Financial Crises
Episode overview
Air date
Apr 30, 2019
For 40 years, Hiroshi Nakaso worked at the Bank of Japan, eventually becoming its Deputy Governor. Given his experience with financial crises, what does he see as the keys to Japanese economic growth?
2019x55
Jalal Ahmed: Architecture for Humanity
Episode overview
Air date
May 15, 2019
Jalal Ahmed is a Bangladeshi architect. His work goes beyond just creating beautiful buildings. He designs comfortable houses and villages for the poor, as he believes helping them is helping society.
2019x56
Kiko Matthews: Breaking a World Record
Episode overview
Air date
May 16, 2019
Kiko Matthews broke a world record when she rowed solo and unsupported across the Atlantic. It was just 6 months after having brain surgery for a rare illness. She raised thousands of pounds for the hospital that had saved her life.
2019x57
Nobu Okada: Cleaning up Space
Episode overview
Air date
May 17, 2019
Space debris is an increasing problem. Nobu Okada's company is the first to tackle the garbage. In 2020 a test satellite is planned. Okada shares his passion for this mission.
2019x58
Hironao Hamada: The Potential of Washi
Episode overview
Air date
May 21, 2019
Hironao Hamada makes the world's thinnest handmade traditional Japanese paper, used to repair cultural properties such as paintings and other invaluable artwork. How does he approach papermaking?
2019x59
Andria Zafirakou: Changing Lives
Episode overview
Air date
May 23, 2019
Andria Zafirakou, an art teacher, won the Global Teacher Prize 2018 and is using the prize money of $ 1 million to create a foundation to help provide arts in schools with disadvantaged children.
2019x60
Adam Hickey: Combatting Cyberattacks
Episode overview
Air date
May 24, 2019
Adam Hickey is fighting against cyberattacks that threaten the US government and private sector. As the number of cyberattacks is increasing, Mr. Hickey explains what is behind this growing threat.
2019x61
Takuji Matsuhashi: Sensing Production
Episode overview
Air date
May 27, 2019
Metrol is a firm that creates precision sensors used in 70+ countries to create machine tools, robots, and so on. We speak to boss Takuji Matsuhashi about his company's unique business strategies.
2019x62
Chihiro Nakata: Promoting a Traditional Talisman Overseas
Episode overview
Air date
May 28, 2019
Daruma dolls are a type of traditional Japanese lucky charm with growing popularity around the world. Rising craftswoman Chihiro Nakata talks about her efforts to promote her craft overseas.
2019x63
Melissa McCormick: The Tale of Genji Exhibition in the U.S.
Episode overview
Air date
May 31, 2019
Harvard's McCormick organizes the world's oldest novel, "The Tale of Genji" exhibit at the Metropolitan Museum of Art in New York. We ask her about the beauty and importance of the Japanese novel.
2019x64
Ryojun Shionuma: What Nature Teaches Us
Episode overview
Air date
Jun 03, 2019
Ryojun Shionuma is a Buddhist priest who completed an intense ascetic ritual: hiking a steep 48-kilometer mountain trail 1,000 times. We ask him about the lessons he learned on this journey.
2019x65
Tatsuya Tanaka: Depicting Daily Life in Miniature
Episode overview
Air date
Jun 04, 2019
Tatsuya Tanaka photographs dioramas made with 2cm tall figures and everyday objects and food. Over 1.9 million people follow his work on a photo-sharing site. He explains the magic of miniatures.
2019x66
Ezra Vogel: Japan-China Relations, an Outsider's Perspective
Episode overview
Air date
Jun 05, 2019
Acclaimed Japan-China expert and Harvard Professor Emeritus Ezra Vogel discusses the history, cultural connection, and relationship between the 2 nations, and suggests how they can forge closer ties.
2019x67
James Minor: Supporting Unique and Emerging Artists
Episode overview
Air date
Jun 07, 2019
In the era of digital streaming music, head of South by Southwest Festivals' music's division, James Minor shares his passion for live performance, supporting unique artists from around the world.
2019x68
Kenyu Chinen: The Soul of Okinawan Karate
Episode overview
Air date
Jun 10, 2019
Karate will be an Olympic sport at 2020 in Tokyo; the origins of this martial art lie in Okinawan karate. Kenyu Chinen is an Okinawan karate master who has trained 6,000 students from 30 countries.
2019x69
Hiroyuki Takahashi: A Magazine That Fosters Community
Episode overview
Air date
Jun 11, 2019
"Taberu Tsushin" is a magazine that comes with samples of locally produced food. It was founded in the Tohoku region in 2013, and has counterparts throughout Japan and now Asia. What is its mission?
2019x70
Lauren Compere: Socially Responsible Investing
Episode overview
Air date
Jun 12, 2019
By examining a company's environmental, social, and governance when analyzing potential stocks, financial advisor Lauren Compere is helping investors make socially responsible investing decisions.
2019x71
Tang Shuai: Defending With Sign Language
Episode overview
Air date
Jun 13, 2019
Chinese lawyer Tang Shuai uses sign language to protect the legal rights of his clients who have hearing difficulties. He hopes for a law-abiding society that is more considerate to their needs.
2019x72
Munroe Bergdorf - Transgender Model and Activist - Being Who You Are
Episode overview
Air date
Jun 14, 2019
Munroe Bergdorf is a successful transgender model. She also campaigns for LGBT rights and better understanding of the community, which faces discrimination and prejudice.
2019x73
Masahiro Kikuno - Watchmaker - The Craft of Time
Episode overview
Air date
Jun 17, 2019
Masahiro Kikuno is a watchmaker who does it all himself, from design to manufacturing and assembly. One of his best known works is a wristwatch model based on a famous 19th century Japanese clock.
2019x74
Toshihiko Hosaka - Sand Artist - The Sand Wizard
Episode overview
Air date
Jun 18, 2019
International award-winning artist Toshihiko Hosaka talks about the beauty of sand art and the artistic vision he brings to life through his sculptures, which are made using only sand and water.
2019x75
Bill Nye - CEO of the Planetary Society - Space Exploration - Can Private Citizens Play a Role
Episode overview
Air date
Jun 19, 2019
Bill Nye leads the international non-profit Planetary Society and talks about the vital role that private groups can play in the advancement of space exploration and planetary science.
2019x76
Helen Zia - Author - American Chinese Immigrants Facing Crossroads
Episode overview
Air date
Jun 21, 2019
Helen Zia's "Last Boat Out of Shanghai" talks about Chinese immigrants, escaping the cultural revolution 70 years ago. She describes what immigrants face during times of tight immigration control.
2019x77
Yasushi Ohara: The Potential of Industrial Chain
Episode overview
Air date
Jun 24, 2019
Tsubakimoto Chain has the world's No. 1 market share in industrial roller chains, used for transmitting power and conveying materials. President Yasushi Ohara talks about its lineup of 20,000 chains.
2019x78
Alaa Murabit: Raising the Voice of Women
Episode overview
Air date
Jun 26, 2019
Since founding The Voice of Libyan Women in 2011, doctor and women's rights advocate Alaa Murabit has challenged the global status quo with initiatives to put women in positions of leadership.
2019x79
Zeba Islam Seraj: Science for Sustainable Earth
Episode overview
Air date
Jun 27, 2019
Zeba Islam Seraj is a Bangladeshi molecular biologist. She aims to secure the food security of her populous nation by creating rice that will flourish in the country's salty rice fields.
2019x80
Shinji Kazama: Ride Forever
Episode overview
Air date
Jul 02, 2019
Shinji Kazama is an adventurer who has accomplished many feats on a motorcycle, like climbing Everest and reaching the North Pole. What drives his unquenchable thirst for adventure and motorcycles?
2019x81
Todd Rose: The Myth of Average
Episode overview
Air date
Jul 05, 2019
Professor at Harvard Graduate School of Education Todd Rose demystifies the century-old average-based systems in society and proposes design paradigms to embrace individuality and unique talents.
2019x82
Yoshiaki Kawashima: Keeping Coffee Sustainable
Episode overview
Air date
Jul 08, 2019
Yoshiaki Kawashima is a coffee agronomist. From rescuing endangered varieties of bean, to utilizing unsung local production methods, his quest is to grow top-quality coffee in sustainable ways.
2019x83
Muneyuki Nakazawa: Strings That Bind
Episode overview
Air date
Jul 09, 2019
Muneyuki Nakazawa crafts violins out of materials salvaged from the wreckage of the Great East Japan Earthquake. Those violins are now captivating audiences worldwide. What is his vision?
2019x84
Nadiem Makarim: Ride-Hailing Innovation
Episode overview
Air date
Jul 11, 2019
Providing work for over 1 million drivers with a smartphone app that is changing how people live in Indonesia, CEO Nadiem Makarim tells us how technology can shape a society.
2019x85
Chris Bonington: How to Live Dangerously
Episode overview
Air date
Jul 12, 2019
Sir Chris Bonington has spent a lifetime scaling the world's most difficult mountains. Here the mountaineer, author, and photographer shares his tips on how to manage risk.
2019x86
Rumiko Seya: Preventing Conflict
Episode overview
Air date
Jul 16, 2019
Rumiko Seya is committed to improving public safety and training personnel in places like South Sudan, Kenya, and Somalia. What does it take to foster a peaceful society without conflict?
2019x87
Nick Romaniuk: Saving Lives at Sea
Episode overview
Air date
Jul 18, 2019
Nick Romaniuk is rescue coordinator for the French charity SOS Méditerranée, leading the team that picks up African migrants who are trying to cross the Mediterranean to reach Europe.
2019x88
Laurie Santos: What Makes Us Happy
Episode overview
Air date
Jul 19, 2019
Yale Psychology Professor Laurie Santos reveals misconceptions about happiness, features of the mind that lead us to think the way we do, and research that can help us change.
2019x89
Jay Keasling: Looking at the Future of Synthetic Biology
Episode overview
Air date
Jul 24, 2019
Dr. Jay Keasling is a pioneer of the practical application of synthetic biology. He talks about what impact the study can make on our lives and the concerns regarding the safety of this technology.
2019x90
Jim Rogers: Find Change to Find Success
Episode overview
Air date
Jul 25, 2019
Prominent American investor Jim Rogers uses his knowledge of history and world travel experiences as a bellwether for economic change and predicts that the 21st century will be the Asian era.
2019x91
Yeo Bee Yin: Facing Plastic Waste Issues
Episode overview
Air date
Jul 31, 2019
Yeo Bee Yin became part of Mahathir's cabinet in 2018. She rejects illegal plastic waste coming from other nations and has been getting attention as a young leader tackling environmental issues.
2019x92
Yasunori Tashiro: A Filling Meal
Episode overview
Air date
Aug 05, 2019
Rheon Automatic Machinery makes machines that automate the process of wrapping dough around filling for foods like steamed buns, stuffed pastries, and filled gnocchi. The company head talks food tech.
2019x93
Madeline & Rosanne Stuart: Living Without Boundaries
Episode overview
Air date
Aug 07, 2019
Madeline Stuart is a fashion model and entrepreneur with Down syndrome, traveling around the world with the support of her mother Rosanne. She breaks from conventional ways to open people's minds.
2019x94
Mechtild Rössler: Saving Our Heritage
Episode overview
Air date
Aug 09, 2019
World heritage is under threat. At UNESCO in Paris Mechtild Rössler leads the fight to save over a thousand sites of natural beauty and historic importance all over the world.
2019x95
Mitsuhiro Iwamoto: Upon the Shining Sea
Episode overview
Air date
Aug 11, 2019
Mitsuhiro Iwamoto lost his sight at the age of 16. In April 2019, he became the first blind person to sail nonstop across the Pacific Ocean. How did he achieve this incredible feat?
2019x96
Shigeharu Senoo: Changing Asian Kitchens with Aquaculture
Episode overview
Air date
Aug 12, 2019
Fisheries scientist Shigeharu Senoo was the first to successfully cultivate Tiger GG. The fish is savored throughout Asia and is now more affordable than ever. Senoo explains the role of fish farming.
2019x97
Sun Xiaolong: Towards a Zero-Waste Future
Episode overview
Air date
Aug 14, 2019
Singaporean scientist Sun Xiaolong researches safe treatment of incineration bottom ash and industrial wastewater. Application of his research is helping to protect the environment.
2019x98
Stephen Linton: Fighting TB in North Korea
Episode overview
Air date
Aug 15, 2019
Despite the political tensions on the Korean Peninsula, Stephen Linton has been providing medical assistance to North Korea for over 2 decades, focusing on the treatment of tuberculosis.
2019x99
Clement Liang: Protecting the Local Heritage
Episode overview
Air date
Aug 28, 2019
Malaysian historian Clement Liang was born and raised in Penang's George Town, designated a UNESCO World Heritage in 2008. What positive and negative effects has this accolade had on his hometown?
2019x100
Steven Gan: Reporting the News for Change
Episode overview
Air date
Aug 30, 2019
Steven Gan, editor-in-chief of the Malaysian news portal Malaysiakini, has dedicated his career to promoting freedom of the press in a country where independent journalists are often silenced.
2019x101
Fumio Usui: Prosthetics You Want to Wear
Episode overview
Air date
Sep 09, 2019
Fumio Usui is a pioneering prosthetist and orthotist in Japan. He designs prosthetic limbs that fulfill the needs of a wide range of different people, from athletes to expectant mothers.
2019x102
Atsuko Muraki: Saving Women in Need
Episode overview
Air date
Sep 10, 2019
While imprisoned under fabricated corruption charges, former senior bureaucrat Atsuko Muraki met female victims of abuse. Now, she works to save women who are slipping through the cracks of society.
2019x103
Franchesca Cubillo: The Power of Aboriginal Art
Episode overview
Air date
Sep 11, 2019
Franchesca Cubillo is an Aboriginal curator, creating a large fair for Australia's indigenous art. In the event's 13th year, she empowers those facing struggles and brings a future to them through art.
2019x104
Sen Nathan: Protecting the Forest
Episode overview
Air date
Sep 12, 2019
Sen Nathan of Malaysia's Sabah Wildlife Department is devoted to protecting orangutans, elephants, and other native animals. Is there a way the lucrative palm oil business can coexist with wildlife?
2019x105
Jan Ohrstrom: Wrestling to Overcome PTSD
Episode overview
Air date
Sep 13, 2019
American pro wrestler Jan Ohrstrom is an Iraq War veteran. Through wrestling, he overcame PTSD, and regained his will to live. He now gives other veterans hope and courage through the sport.
2019x106
Kazuko Kumon: Love, Freely Given
Episode overview
Air date
Sep 16, 2019
In 2015, pediatrician Kazuko Kumon opened a facility in Kenya that offers individualized care and attention to children with disabilities. We talk to Dr. Kumon about what drives her work.
2019x107
Masashi Hirao: Bonsai Art Performance
Episode overview
Air date
Sep 17, 2019
Masashi Hirao is a craftsman who cultivates bonsai -- ornamental trees and shrubs grown in pots. He talks about his bonsai art demonstrations set to music, which he performs around Japan and overseas.
2019x108
Luis Bononato: Striving for Freedom From Addiction
Episode overview
Air date
Sep 19, 2019
We speak with the director of Proyecto Hombre - an NGO providing addiction treatment, mainly for drugs, to 17,000 people per year in Spain - on the true causes and solutions for this modern disease.
2019x109
Kazunori Kumagai: Soulful Steps
Episode overview
Air date
Sep 23, 2019
Kazunori Kumagai is the first person from Asia to win a prestigious NY Dance and Performance Award -- aka "Bessie" -- in the Outstanding Performer category. He speaks about his passion for tap dancing.
2019x110
Louise Richardson: Oxford - 900 Years of Education
Episode overview
Air date
Sep 25, 2019
Professor Louise Richardson is the first woman appointed Vice-Chancellor of the University of Oxford in its 900-year history. She is passionate about the power of education to transform lives.
2019x111
Sheku Kanneh-Mason: Playing With Passion
Episode overview
Air date
Sep 26, 2019
Sheku Kanneh-Mason is an award-winning cellist. In 2018, he performed at the royal wedding in Britain and became an international star. He is a role model for a new generation of classical musicians.
2019x112
Antonio Pappano: The Joy of Opera
Episode overview
Air date
Sep 27, 2019
Sir Antonio Pappano recently became the longest-serving music director of the Royal Opera House in London. He is passionate about sharing the joy of opera and finding new ways to attract a wider audience.
2019x113
Trinh Khanh Ha: Seize the Future With Robotic Prosthetic Arms
Episode overview
Air date
Oct 03, 2019
Trinh Khanh Ha works on developing robotic prosthetic arms in Vietnam. With groundbreaking prosthetic arms, she gives hope to disabled people who gave up their work.
2019x114
Dong Lina: Opening Up the Future for the Visually Impaired
Episode overview
Air date
Oct 04, 2019
In China, most visually impaired people become masseuses or masseurs, but the blind Dong Lina became a verbal artist. She presents her thoughts on the determination needed to overcome many obstacles.
2019x115
Yoshino Oishi: The Scars of War
Episode overview
Air date
Oct 07, 2019
Yoshino Oishi is a photographer who has documented brutal conflicts around the globe, including in Vietnam, Cambodia, and Kosovo. We speak to her about what message she hopes to express to the world.
2019x116
Leslie Kee: Life-Changing Portraiture
Episode overview
Air date
Oct 08, 2019
Leslie Kee has overcome numerous challenges to become one of the top photographers in Asia. As part of the social minority, he seeks to dispel prejudices against minorities through his portraiture.
2019x117
Hiroto Kawasaki: Promoting Organic Farming in China
Episode overview
Air date
Oct 09, 2019
Hiroto Kawasaki moved to China at age 66 and succeeded in organic farming using cattle dung. Supported by young Chinese, he is working to change local customs long dependent on chemical fertilizer.
2019x118
Ben Nelson: Reforming Higher Education
Episode overview
Air date
Oct 10, 2019
Minerva School founder Ben Nelson's innovation approach to learning is fundamentally changing the way we educate college students with a combination of technology and life experience.
2019x119
Tetsu Nakamura: A Fertile Desert
Episode overview
Air date
Oct 14, 2019
Since 2003, Dr. Tetsu Nakamura has built irrigation canals in a drought-plagued region of Afghanistan where people were starving. We hear how his project has succeeded in the face of huge challenges.
2019x120
Kazuhide Sekiyama: Weaving World Peace
Episode overview
Air date
Oct 15, 2019
Japanese startup Spiber has pioneered tech for mass-producing synthetic spider silk. Kazuhide Sekiyama talks about the next-generation materials that will replace petroleum-based fabrics.
2019x121
Bea Johnson: Zero Waste Living
Episode overview
Air date
Oct 16, 2019
Mother of the Zero Waste Lifestyle movement Bea Johnson inspires people around the globe to simplify their lives while helping the environment with her 5 rules for zero waste.
2019x122
Toshihide Takai: Medical Equipment Strategy
Episode overview
Air date
Oct 21, 2019
Mani is a medical equipment maker with a large global market share in products such as surgical needles, ophthalmic knives, and dental drills. Company head Toshihide Takai talks business strategy.
2019x123
Richard Yim: Developing Safer Demining Robots
Episode overview
Air date
Oct 23, 2019
A young engineer tackling the serious issue of landmine clearance in Cambodia has developed an unattended robot to replace dangerous manual demining.
2019x124
Guy Parker: Advertising in a Connected World
Episode overview
Air date
Oct 24, 2019
Britain's Advertising Standards Authority has introduced new rules on gender stereotyping. Guy Parker, its chief executive, discusses why 2 TV adverts broke the rules and other issues.
2019x125
Karl Bengs: Restoring Old Houses and Communities
Episode overview
Air date
Oct 28, 2019
For more than 20 years, architectural designer Karl Bengs has been restoring old folk houses in depopulated areas of Japan as part of an effort to revitalize communities. What drives him?
2019x126
Delia Ferreira Rubio: Fight Against Corruption
Episode overview
Air date
Oct 30, 2019
Delia Ferreira Rubio represents an international NGO that aims to eliminate crimes such as bribery and embezzlement worldwide. How can we prevent corruption, which she says undermines our daily lives?
2019x127
Kees Veldboer: Final Wishes Before Dying
Episode overview
Air date
Oct 31, 2019
Kees Veldboer, the Ambulance Wish Foundation founder, has fulfilled over 13,000 final wishes of terminally ill patients. He reveals his thoughts about his contacts with dying people.
2019x128
Robert Riener: Robotics for a Diverse Society
Episode overview
Air date
Nov 01, 2019
Robert Riener founded the Cybathlon, a global contest spurring the development of robotic assistive devices for people with disabilities. What role can robotics play in creating a diverse society?
2019x129
Antonio López Gutiérrez: Free Medical Education in Cuba
Episode overview
Air date
Nov 06, 2019
The Latin American School of Medicine in Cuba educates youths from poor areas to become doctors. In 20 years, 30,000 graduates are active in 105 countries. President Antonio López Gutiérrez explains.
2019x130
Svetlana Alexievich: Freedom in a Post-Soviet World
Episode overview
Air date
Nov 07, 2019
Nobel Prize in Literature winner, Svetlana Alexievich, expressed the hardships endured in the Soviet era through eyewitness testimonials. She shares stories of life in a post-Soviet world.
2019x131
Yaroslav Zhilkin: Hoping to Bring Peace to My Homeland
Episode overview
Air date
Nov 08, 2019
Since 2014, the conflict in eastern Ukraine has left many soldiers MIA. Yaroslav Zhilkin, the founder of Black Tulip, tells us why he collects bodies in the troubled area.
2019x132
Ory Yoshifuji: A Second Self
Episode overview
Air date
Nov 11, 2019
Ory Yoshifuji creates communication robots that help people who, for whatever reason, have difficulty leaving the house. We speak with Yoshifuji about his determined quest to "end loneliness."
2019x133
MIHARU: Muscles Don't Lie
Episode overview
Air date
Nov 12, 2019
The bikini category of bodybuilding is all about a foundation of muscle that accentuates the feminine shape. MIHARU, Japan's only pro bikini athlete, talks about what building muscle means to her.
2019x134
Sadan Kaptanoglu: Shipping Needs Stability
Episode overview
Air date
Nov 13, 2019
Sadan Kaptanoglu, President of BIMCO, the world's largest association of ship owners, talks about the threat to global shipping from tensions between the US and Iran in the Persian Gulf.
2019x135
Patrick Ky: Keeping the Skies Safe
Episode overview
Air date
Nov 14, 2019
Patrick Ky of the European Union Aviation Safety Agency discusses the decision to ground the Boeing 737 MAX after 2 fatal crashes, why the plane is still grounded and the future of aviation safety.
2019x136
Bart Roetert: Restaurant Fighting Food Waste
Episode overview
Air date
Nov 15, 2019
Bart Roetert, co-founder of Instock, a restaurant in the Netherlands, has rescued 800,000 kilograms of food waste. He tells how to address food waste issues in an efficient and positive manner.
2019x137
NORA: No Salsa, No Life
Episode overview
Air date
Nov 19, 2019
NORA is the lead vocalist of Orquesta de la Luz, a world-famous salsa band from Japan. She speaks about her passion for music, and what she hopes to accomplish through her work with the group.
2019x138
Katherine Maher: Building the Sum of All Knowledge
Episode overview
Air date
Nov 20, 2019
Open source technology advocate, Wikimedia Foundation CEO Katherine Maher encourages everyone to contribute and share knowledge and information on the free online encyclopedia, Wikipedia.
2019x139
Zacharias Kunuk: Protecting Inuit Heritage Through Film
Episode overview
Air date
Nov 21, 2019
Filmmaker Zacharias Kunuk's works focus on the Inuit of the Canadian Arctic, and underscore the importance of protecting their heritage. He shared his thoughts on the hopes and struggles of his people.
2019x140
Sho Kitagawa: A Three Generation Dream
Episode overview
Air date
Nov 25, 2019
Sho Kitagawa plays the balalaika, a traditional Russian stringed musical instrument. He was the first person from outside Russia to win a prestigious Russian music competition.
2019x141
Noriaki Imai: Giving Young People Hope
Episode overview
Air date
Nov 26, 2019
Noriaki Imai returned to Japan after a hostage ordeal in Iraq only to face harsh criticism, which made him a social recluse. Today, he supports young people who have similarly withdrawn from society.
2019x142
Solomia Melnyk: Turning Music to Power
Episode overview
Air date
Nov 27, 2019
Famous for its "Freak Cabaret" performances, the Ukrainian music and theater band Dakh Daughters sings about the harsh situation in Ukraine. Its vocalist explains the thoughts behind the lyrics.
2019x143
Mitsuhiro Takasaki: Removing Troublesome Screws
Episode overview
Air date
Dec 03, 2019
Mitsuhiro Takasaki, President of Engineer Inc., developed innovative heavy-duty pliers that can remove stripped or rusted screws with ease. What is his manufacturing philosophy and business strategy?
2019x144
Giles Martin: Producing Music in a Digital World
Episode overview
Air date
Dec 04, 2019
Giles Martin is an award-winning music producer at the world-famous Abbey Road Studios. He has remixed 3 of The Beatles' albums and is at the forefront of changes in the music industry.
2019x145
Yoshua Bengio: Possibilities, Risks, and Coexistence with AI
Episode overview
Air date
Dec 05, 2019
Yoshua Bengio, a frontrunner in AI research and a recipient of the Turing Award in 2019, discusses AI's potential and its inherent risks. What is the best way forward for humans to coexist with AI?
2019x146
Jihan Kaisi: Employment Lifeline for Syrian Refugee Women
Episode overview
Air date
Dec 06, 2019
The key to helping Syrian refugees is to enable refugee widows to earn their own living and raise their children. Jihan Kaisi, the executive director of an NGO, is generating employment for them.
2019x147
Jane Goodall: Vision for a Shared World
Episode overview
Air date
Dec 12, 2019
Jane Goodall, known as the greatest field scientist of our time, showed how closely humans are related to chimpanzees. She now campaigns to protect animal habitats and fight climate change.
2019x148
Mai Nagamatsu: You Can't Beat Katsuobushi
Episode overview
Air date
Dec 16, 2019
Katsuobushi is a traditional Japanese foodstuff. It is dried bonito, typically shaved into umami-rich flakes. Mai Nagamatsu is the owner of a restaurant that specializes in recipes using katsuobushi.
2019x149
Tomosuke Noda: Raising River Kids
Episode overview
Air date
Dec 17, 2019
Tomosuke Noda is the principal of the River School, a camp designed to teach kids how much fun rivers can be. He talks about the many outdoor activities the kids enjoy and his vision for the program.
2019x150
Ayad Nasser: Painting Away Poverty
Episode overview
Air date
Dec 18, 2019
Entrepreneur and social activist Ayad Nasser launched a project using art to rejuvenate the slum of Lebanon, and he helped to transform the community from a place of poverty to one of hope.
2019x151
Yoshihiko Akimoto: The Potential of Canned Bread
Episode overview
Air date
Dec 23, 2019
Yoshihiko Akimoto developed canned bread that can be stockpiled for as long as 3 years. It is used as an emergency food and distributed as relief supplies to areas suffering from food shortages.
2019x152
Lech Walesa: Don't Get Fooled by Populists
Episode overview
Air date
Dec 24, 2019
Lech Walesa is a Nobel Peace Prize winner who stood up against USSR and accomplished free election of Poland 30 years ago. His struggle never ends, protecting liberal democracy from rise of populism.
2019x153
Ziauddin Yousafzai: Fighting for Equality
Episode overview
Air date
Dec 25, 2019
Ziauddin Yousafzai is a teacher and activist who stood up to the Taliban in Pakistan. With his daughter Malala, he campaigns for girl's education and equality around the world.
2019x154 Season finale
Oyungerel Tsedevdamba: The Toilet Revolution
Episode overview
Air date
Dec 26, 2019
Oyungerel Tsedevdamba is the leader behind the "Let's Change Our Toilets" campaign in Mongolia who says that changing toilets can change lives. She speaks on the problems her country faces.

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