Finding Better Podcast
At Finding Better, our mission is to help you facilitate the ’better’ you want by offering you a unique and transformative opportunity to uncover the path towards a better and more fulfilling life. Our platform is designed to guide you in your pursuit of a ’better’ version of yourself, and the key lies in the invaluable experiences shared by those who have successfully traversed this very journey. Our approach is firmly grounded in the notion that real-life stories, personal trials, and experiences of successful individuals are the most authentic sources of inspiration and guidance. This experiential element is what sets Finding Better apart. We provide a platform where folks who have gone through their unique challenges and emerged triumphant, willingly share their life-altering insights, strategies, and practical wisdom. Our host John Suzuki believes we all have three careers; first to learn and go to school, second to earn and make a living, and third to return and give back. Now in his third career of giving back, John’s mission is to make the world better by inspiring people to live with less fear and divisiveness and bring a little more love into the world. Know more about John - https://johnsuzuki.com/
Episodes

5 days ago
5 days ago
Life is full of challenges, but how we respond makes all the difference. In this inspiring conversation, guest Charlynne Boddie shares powerful stories of overcoming life-threatening adversity by choosing faith over fear, proving that miracles happen when we refuse to give up. Discover how shifting your focus from personal struggles to helping others can bring unexpected blessings, why gratitude is the key to breaking out of a rut, and how embracing free will allows us to shape our own destiny. With uplifting insights on resilience, purpose, and the power of perspective, this episode is a reminder that no matter how tough life gets, you always have the power to choose hope, faith, and a better path forward. ✨💪

Wednesday Jan 29, 2025
EP 105 - How to Avoid the Retirement Pitfalls That No One Warns You About
Wednesday Jan 29, 2025
Wednesday Jan 29, 2025
Are you ready to redefine retirement and make the most of your golden years? In this episode John Suzuki dives into the untold challenges and opportunities of life after work. Discover the "Three Careers of Life"—Learn, Earn, and Return—and why the transition to retirement often takes longer than expected. John shares his personal journey of navigating the loss of purpose, identity, and community, and offers practical advice to avoid common pitfalls like isolation, strained family dynamics, and mental health struggles. Learn how to transform retirement into "Phase 3," the most fulfilling chapter of your life, where you can give back, stay active, and create lasting impact. Don’t let those precious years slip away—find out how to reclaim your purpose, boost your self-esteem, and thrive in this exciting new phase.

Friday Jan 24, 2025
Friday Jan 24, 2025
Byrnes Yamashita interviews John Suzuki about his journey in writing the extraordinary story of the Nisei soldiers of World War II, second-generation Japanese Americans who overcame prejudice, internment, and unimaginable odds to become some of the most decorated soldiers in U.S. military history. In this powerful video, we explore the heroic journey of Shiro Kashino, a fearless leader of the 442nd Regimental Combat Team, renowned for his six Purple Hearts and pivotal roles in two legendary battles; the Battle of the Lost Battalion and the Battle of the Gothic Line. We delve into the courage, grit, and patriotism that defined these soldiers and their communities, and how their sacrifices paved the way for generations to come despite facing continued prejudice and hate. You will hear the incredible serendipitous moments that guided John’s journey to uncover and share their legacy. Join us in honoring these unsung heroes and ensuring their stories inspire future generations.

Thursday Jan 23, 2025
Thursday Jan 23, 2025
Unlock the secrets to heart-centered leadership and career success in this inspiring conversation with Kris Lande, former SVP of Salesforce. From embracing nonlinear career paths to building trust through genuine care, Kris shares powerful insights on fostering impactful relationships in business. Learn how to operationalize customer feedback, celebrate team wins, and empower others while navigating challenges like imposter syndrome and failure. Discover why blending humanity with AI is the future of business and how passion, purpose, and empathy can drive both professional success and personal fulfillment. This episode is packed with actionable wisdom for aspiring leaders, seasoned executives, and anyone looking to make a lasting impact in their career and the world.

Thursday Jan 16, 2025
EP 102 - How to Build a Life Bigger than Yourself - meet Nathaniel A. Turner
Thursday Jan 16, 2025
Thursday Jan 16, 2025
In this inspiring episode host John Suzuki welcomes back Nate Turner, a powerhouse of wisdom and resilience. Together, they dive into game-changing topics like overcoming adversity, setting audacious goals, and living with joy on purpose. Nate shares his incredible journey from growing up in poverty in Gary, Indiana, to raising a son who achieved academic brilliance and earned a Ph.D. by 23. Learn how the "backward design" process can help you plan your life like a GPS, enabling ambitious dreams in achievable steps. Discover the secret to making joy a daily choice, building a legacy beyond wealth, and setting goals so big they inspire you to jump out of bed every morning. Whether you're seeking motivation, practical tools, or just a spark to kickstart your 2025, this episode is packed with actionable insights you won’t want to miss. Let’s make this year your best yet—watch now!

Friday Jan 10, 2025
EP 101 - 2025 Is the Year to Be Kind to Yourself (No Resolutions Needed!)
Friday Jan 10, 2025
Friday Jan 10, 2025
Welcome to the first episode of 2025 on the Finding Better Podcast! 🎉 Join host John Suzuki as he reflects on the incredible journey of 2024, with over 1800 subscribers, 50,000 views, and 100 inspiring episodes. This year, the focus is on YOU—letting yourself thrive with kindness, peace, patience, and love. Forget New Year’s resolutions; instead, discover the power of small, meaningful actions that create a ripple effect of positivity, like the heartwarming story of the starfish. Dive into the importance of setting "Big, Hairy, Audacious Goals" (BHAGs) and explore practical ways to achieve them, from saving for dream vacations to embracing AI tools that transform learning and productivity. With plans to launch a new retirement coaching venture, advocate for the adaptation of the book American Grit into a major motion picture, and grow this community, John reminds us all to focus on uplifting those who uplift us. Remember, self-care isn’t selfish—it’s how we lift the world, one person at a time. Subscribe now and let’s make 2025 the best year yet! 🌟

Monday Dec 30, 2024
EP 100 - Prayers and Faith: The Magic of Christmas Spirit
Monday Dec 30, 2024
Monday Dec 30, 2024
Join John Suzuki for a heartfelt and inspiring Christmas Eve episode that dives deep into faith, love, and the true spirit of Christmas. In this special installment, John shares personal stories of miracles, from finding his mother through prayer to the unexpected joy of predicting his wife’s pregnancies. These powerful moments highlight the unique and personal relationship each of us can have with faith.
Discover how Christmas, beyond being a spiritual celebration, is a universal time for unity, generosity, and hope—values that transcend religion and culture. John reflects on the growth of this podcast, inspired by his daughter, and how small acts of kindness, like the starfish story, can create ripples of positivity in the world.
This episode is a call to action: embrace gratitude, live the spirit of Christmas year-round, and open your heart to the miracles happening all around you. John closes with a touching prayer for all listeners, reminding us that the Christmas spirit is within us, ready to shine every day.
✨ Let’s make this Christmas—and every day—a celebration of love, hope, and togetherness. Don’t forget to like, subscribe, and share this message of joy! 🎁

Monday Dec 23, 2024
Monday Dec 23, 2024
In this eye-popping episode of the Finding Better Podcast, host John Suzuki welcomes cybersecurity expert Jocelyn King, the "Queen of Online Safety," to share her incredible journey from cybercrime victim to top cybersecurity advocate. Jocelyn reveals how she turned personal tragedy—including major financial losses, identity theft, and emotional turmoil—into a mission to empower others. With AI rapidly amplifying cyber threats, Jocelyn breaks down hackers' tactics and offering actionable tips to protect yourself: secure your accounts, freeze your credit, avoid public Wi-Fi transactions, just to name a few. Take charge of your online safety today and share this essential advice with your family and friends!

John believes we all have three careers; first to learn and go to school, second to earn and make a living, and third to return and give back. Now in his third career of giving back, John’s mission is to make the world better by inspiring people to live with less fear and divisiveness and bring a little more love into the world. While going to school, John started his earning career selling butter toffee peanuts for the YMCA when he was ten, and then worked on a bait barge in Redondo Beach selling live anchovies when he was twelve (his favorite job ever). John has faithfully served his customers throughout his life ranging from neighborhood families to multi-billion-dollar global enterprises, always offering his utmost care and warm smile. Throughout his professional career, John held leadership and executive sales roles in IBM, Sun Microsystems, Escapia, Vrbo and Expedia Group, where he served as Global Evangelist and Ombudsman, presenting the latest business and technology trends and opportunities for vacation rental partners in Europe and North America.

HONORING THE PAST BY EDUCATING THE FUTURE
American Grit - From a Japanese American Concentration Camp Rises an American War Hero, is the incredible true story about the dark chapter in our history when 122,000 innocent people including 50,000 American children were incarcerated in American concentration camps during World War II solely because of their race, and the thousands of brave young men who volunteered to fight for the United States Army while their families remained imprisoned in the camps by the United States Army. In 2008 the author, John Suzuki, embarked on a poignant journey to Minidoka, one of the ten former U.S. concentration camps that housed over 13,000 inmates. Here, he encountered a remarkable testament of bravery — an Honor Roll listing the names of over 1,000 Japanese American men who volunteered to fight and die for the U.S. Army, the same Army who put them and their families in the camps to begin with. Inspired by this unparalleled act of courage, John set out to tell the story of Shiro Kashino, an American who was incarcerated at Minidoka, volunteered to fight for the U.S. Army to prove his loyalty, and later emerged as one of the most decorated American soldiers of World War II. Despite learning of Kashino's death in 1997, the author remained undeterred and, with the help of Kashino’s beloved widow, Louise, weaved a tale of hardship, sacrifice, and love. While American Grit tells the story of Shiro Kashino, it is also a stark reminder of ruinous hardships endured by over 122,000 victims of American concentration camps while celebrating their gallantry, heroism and grit during and after World War II as they stayed true to their dreams of a better life in America. As the author delves into this profound and transformative journey, he invites readers to reflect on the importance of learning from our history to shape a better future. The book is a tribute to Shiro, Louise, and all the heroes of the era whose stories of courage and resilience inspire us to honor the past by educating the future.