> ## Content Index
> Fetch the complete content index at: https://kevin-rose.ghost.io/llms.txt
> Use this file to discover other available public pages before exploring further.

# Craig Mod – What Japan Taught Him About Self-Worth and Slowing Down
- URL: https://kevin-rose.ghost.io/craig-mod-what-japan-taught-him-about/
- Published: 2025-05-07T13:15:40.000Z
- Updated: 2026-10-11T22:13:29.000Z
- Description: Writer, photographer, and technologist Craig Mod
- Author: Kevin Rose
- Tags: Podcast, #Migrated-1791755965841, #Import 2026-10-11 21:59

[Watch episode on Youtube](https://youtu.be/kMnpwPtXwxo?ref=kevin-rose.ghost.io)  
  
In this episode, Kevin sits down with writer, photographer, and technologist [**Craig Mod**](https://craigmod.com/?ref=kevin-rose.ghost.io) 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**

- [Craig’s blog](https://craigmod.com/?ref=kevin-rose.ghost.io)
- [Things Become Other Things - Craig’s new book](https://amzn.to/4kb4ZdR?ref=kevin-rose.ghost.io)