Finding Better Podcast
At Finding Better, John Suzuki’s mission is simple: To help people build the “better” they seek in life—personally and professionally—by sharing the real-life stories of you who have been there and done that. John’s approach is grounded in the belief that lived experience is the most powerful teacher. Sometimes, the best path to success isn’t to invent it—it’s to observe it, learn from it, and honor those who’ve walked it before you. That’s what makes Finding Better different. Every conversation is rooted in authenticity, not ego. By sharing your story with purpose and heart, you’re not just “selling yourself”— You’re giving someone else the roadmap they didn’t know they needed. John believes we each live three careers: 1. To Learn – in school 2. To Earn – a living 3. To Return – by giving back Now living his “third career,” John’s mission is to help others live better, more meaningful lives—and to bring a little more heart back into the world.
Episodes

Friday Jun 21, 2024
EP 46 - Beating the Odds and Making Good Choices - Meet Rico Racosky
Friday Jun 21, 2024
Friday Jun 21, 2024
In an enlightening exchange, Rico Racosky, a former F-16 fighter pilot, shares his life experiences in beating the odds, and how our daily choices really do lead to the life we live and the future we create.
Rico’s journey from a coal mining town to the wild blue yonder illustrates the life-changing impact of believing in yourself against all odds in pursuing your dreams, and emphasizes the cumulative power of everyday choices—each one a brick laying the foundation of your future. Rico’s wisdom is a beacon, guiding us to navigate life with intention and grace, ensuring that even when faced with turbulence, we have the power to steer towards our desired destination.

Monday Jun 17, 2024
Monday Jun 17, 2024
In today’s episode John and Leslie Russell discuss the challenges of the modern world and the importance of maintaining love at the core of our existence. Leslie’s approach to teaching love, her understanding of the ego persona, and her belief in the innate perfection of every individual offer a refreshing perspective on self-acceptance and the power of love.
This conversation is a journey through the interconnectedness of humanity, the mathematical marvels of our ancestry, and the spiritual source from which we all emanate. It’s a call to embrace love as the driving force towards a united and enlightened humanity.
www.callinginlove.org

Wednesday Jun 12, 2024
EP 44 - John Talk - From Poo-Poo Rises the Greatest Gift of All
Wednesday Jun 12, 2024
Wednesday Jun 12, 2024
In a world where the buzz of technology often drowns out the melody of human connection, a heartfelt revelation unfolds. Our host John reflects on the profound simplicity of being truly present, a lesson learned not from grand gestures but from the innocent tales of his grandchildren.
Amidst the chaos of life, he discovers the greatest gift that becomes a treasure more valuable than any material offering, and a poignant reminder that the most impactful moments happen when we are fully present, phones forgotten, with open hearts.

Saturday Jun 08, 2024
EP 43 - How to Negotiate a Better Life - Meet Cindy Watson
Saturday Jun 08, 2024
Saturday Jun 08, 2024
Cindy Watson, a beacon of purpose and empowerment. As an attorney, founder of Women on Purpose, and the architect behind the Art of Feminine Negotiation, Cindy is a vanguard for change, challenging the ‘junkyard dog’ tactics with her innovative approach to negotiation and persuasion.
Join us as we delve into Cindy’s journey from a gritty, tough neighborhood to the pinnacle of success as an international speaker, best-selling author, and revered negotiation consultant. Her story is a testament to the power of positive energy and the art of negotiation, not just in the courtroom but in the grander scheme of life.
This conversation is a masterclass in redefining success, a testament to the good that shines through the darkness, and a call to action for all of us to negotiate our best lives. Tune in and be part of this enlightening dialogue that’s sure to ignite your spirit and guide you towards finding your own better. 🌟

Monday Jun 03, 2024
EP 41 - Empowering HER Money - Meet Angela Duncan
Monday Jun 03, 2024
Monday Jun 03, 2024
In this episode Angela Duncan shares her experience that financial success doesn’t require a college degree, and with perseverance, financial freedom is within reach. Join us as Angela recounts her ascent from a challenging childhood to her own wealth creation as she highlights that wealth is achievable for anyone. Her life exemplifies the transformative impact of learning and mentorship, and Angela’s insights into gender-specific financial perspectives enrich the conversation. Join us to discover how Angela’s journey can inspire your own path to financial empowerment.

Saturday Jun 01, 2024
Productivity Smarts Podcast - EP 53: American Grit with John Suzuki
Saturday Jun 01, 2024
Saturday Jun 01, 2024
Excited to share that I recently joined Gerald J. Leonard on the 'Productivity Smarts Podcast'.Subscribe, Like and Share -- @ProductivitySmarts Explore more content on - https://productivityintelligenceinstitute.com/productivity-smarts-podcast/
Ease is a greater enemy to progress than hardship. These powerful words from Denzel Washington highlight a fundamental truth: real growth comes from embracing challenges, not avoiding them. By confronting obstacles head-on, we unlock our true capabilities and potential for growth. Embracing life's difficulties leads to continuous improvement, personal evolution, and ultimately, success and fulfillment.
This episode of the Productivity Smarts Podcast offers a refreshing and deeply insightful take on what it truly means to be resilient. Host Gerald J. Leonard is joined by John Suzuki, author of American Grit: From a Japanese American Concentration Camp Rises an American War Hero. Through engaging conversations and inspiring anecdotes, they explore the power of resilience, grit, and having a clear vision for success in today's world.
John Suzuki’s journey, marked by desire, discipline, and goal orientation, illuminates resilience as not just an admirable quality but a necessary trait for achieving productivity and success. His narrative, coupled with Gerald’s philosophy, demonstrates that even small acts, when driven by compassion and vision, can create ripples of significant change.
#worldwarii #americangrit #japaneseamerican #personalgrowth #inspiration #motivationalspeaker #author

Saturday Jun 01, 2024
EP 40 - Kindness ain’t so easy but it’s so, so important - Meet Kim Sorrelle
Saturday Jun 01, 2024
Saturday Jun 01, 2024
Step into the heart of compassion as host John Suzuki and author Kim Sorrell delve into the transformative power of kindness, and how it’s so easy to know, yet so hard to do.
Kim shares her poignant experiences in Haiti, amidst the backdrop of earthquake devastation, where she discovers that love-infused kindness transcends mere acts—it’s a profound connection that changes lives. From the tender care of ailing infants and discarded children to the resilience of a grandmother’s love for her grandchild, this episode is a testament to the strength found in gentle acts of love.

Sunday May 26, 2024
EP 39 - Birthdays from Beyond - Meet Molly Pearson
Sunday May 26, 2024
Sunday May 26, 2024
Join John and Molly as they delve into the profound topic of finding meaning and betterment after losing a loved one. In this deeply moving and inspiring episode, Molly shares her experiences with her father’s battle with cancer and the realization of his mortality. This conversation is a poignant exploration of how to cherish every moment and find guidance in the wisdom of loved ones even after they’re gone. Tune in for an episode that’s not just about overcoming challenges but also about embracing the beauty of life’s journey and the legacy we carry forward.

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.