Podcast
Bridge Beyond English
Hosted by David Nagai · EN
The Bridge Beyond English Podcast is hosted by David Nagai, an American communication and creativity coach in Yokohama, Japan.
This podcast is for curious people who want more than textbook English. It is for people who want meaningful ideas, better conversations, and a stronger connection with people and the world — in English.
Through short reflections on communication, culture, psychology, creativity, business, society, and everyday life, David shares diverse ideas that help English learners:
Think creatively
Speak confidently
Connect deeply with people
Listening to this podcast will help you see yourself, others, and the world in new ways.
To join our high-level in-person and online classes based in Yokohama-Motomachi, Japan, please visit www.bridgebeyondenglish.com.
Think creatively, connect deeply — in English.
22episodes
Episodes
Newest firstAll episodes
83. What Does "Success" Really Mean for You?
Mar 1700:12:12Tap to summarizeWhat is your definition of success? We explore what "success" really means in this episode.In this podcast, David Nagai shares diverse ideas to help you think creatively and connect globally – in English.Join our classes online or in Yokohama-Motomachi, Japan to expand your English and:· Creative thinking· Global connection· Cross-cultural communication· (Advanced and intermediate English only)· Join our in-person events here.www.bridgebeyondenglish.com
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82. Surrounded by Idiots – A Four-Color Communication Framework
Mar 600:30:13Tap to summarizeThis episode introduces a framework for understanding four main types of people. It will help you understand yourself and others. If you apply the ideas, you can improve your communication and connection with people who are different from you.The original concept is from the Swedish author Thomas Erikson's book called Surrounded by Idiots. Also available in Japanese with the name 『世界にバカは４人いる』In this podcast, David Nagai shares diverse ideas to help you think creatively and connect globally – in English.Join our classes online or in Yokohama-Motomachi, Japan to expand your English and:· Creative thinking· Global connection· Cross-cultural communication· (Advanced and intermediate English only)· Join our in-person events here.www.bridgebeyondenglish.com
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81. The Psychology of Brand Names
Feb 1900:12:17Tap to summarizeWhy do certain brand names attract us?One reason is their foreign-sounding names that cause us to associate the brand with a certain country and quality.But is it really even from that country?In this episode, we'll take a look at some brands that use foreign branding to explore the psychology of their name choices – both globally and in Japan.In this podcast, David Nagai shares diverse ideas to help you think creatively and connect globally – in English.Join our classes online or in Yokohama-Motomachi, Japan to expand your English and:· Creative thinking· Global connection· Cross-cultural communication· (Advanced and intermediate English only)· Join our in-person events here.www.bridgebeyondenglish.com
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80. The Power of Changing Your Temperature
Feb 1300:09:39Tap to summarizeThe way you speak and act has a temperature that makes people feel something. But you can always change your temperature.In this episode, David shares about how our social temperature influences people and how we can adjust our communication to improve our connection and impact.In this podcast, David Nagai shares diverse ideas to help you think creatively and connect globally – in English.Join our classes online or in Yokohama-Motomachi, Japan to expand your English and:· Creative thinking· Global connection· Cross-cultural communication· (Advanced and intermediate English only)· Join our in-person events here.www.bridgebeyondenglish.com
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79. Four Chemicals We All Need
Feb 300:10:16Tap to summarizeThere are four chemicals we all need to survive and flourish in life. In this episode I share about each chemical and how we can keep getting enough balance. Enjoy!In this podcast, David Nagai shares diverse ideas to help you think creatively and connect globally – in English.Join our classes online or in Yokohama-Motomachi, Japan to expand your English and:· Creative thinking· Global connection· Cross-cultural communication· (Advanced and intermediate only)www.bridgebeyondenglish.com
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78. Don't Assume Too Fast
Jan 3000:10:13Tap to summarizeAssumptions help us, but they can also cause big problems. In this episode I share about five business situations where assuming too fast caused communication problems – and lessons we can learn from each.Read the full text with vocabulary tips here at my blog.In this podcast, David Nagai shares diverse ideas to help you think creatively and connect globally – in English.Join our classes online or in Yokohama-Motomachi, Japan to expand your English and:· Creative thinking· Global connection· Cross-cultural communication· (Advanced and intermediate only)www.bridgebeyondenglish.com
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77. When Power Has No Limits
Jan 1500:10:53Tap to summarizeWhat should we think about Donald Trump and global politics in 2025 onward? Here are some reflections about power, trust and democracy to help you think about the situation.Read the full text version of this episode with vocabulary tips here at my blog.In this podcast, David Nagai shares diverse ideas to help you think creatively and connect globally – in English.Join our classes online or in Yokohama-Motomachi, Japan to expand your:· Creative thinking· Global connection· Cross-cultural communication· (Advanced and intermediate only)www.bridgebeyondenglish.com
Transcribe →76. KitKat Chocolate – What it teaches us about communication & connection in business & life
Nov 2900:10:39Tap to summarizeHow did KitKat chocolate succeed in Japan? Communication and connection in its branding! Let me share the story and how we can learn from it.In this podcast, David Nagai shares diverse ideas to help you think creatively and connect globally – in English.Join our classes online or in Yokohama-Motomachi, Japan to expand your:· Creative thinking· Global connection· Cross-cultural communication· (Advanced and intermediate only)www.bridgebeyondenglish.com
Transcribe →75. Creative Insights from Current Events (Oct. 2025) – Based on real discussions with my students
Oct 3100:27:32Tap to summarizeIn this episode I analyze current news stories through the lens of critical thinking, empathy, creative thinking and connection/application to our work and life.The insights I share in this episode are based on some of the news topics and discussions I had last week with my high-level students here in Yokohama-Motomachi, Japan.In this podcast, David Nagai shares diverse ideas to help you think creatively and connect globally – in English.Join our classes online or in Yokohama-Motomachi, Japan to expand your:· Creative thinking· Global connection· Cross-cultural communication· (Advanced and intermediate only)www.bridgebeyondenglish.com
Transcribe →74. Irony in American Culture & Politics
Oct 1600:31:24Tap to summarizeIn this episode, David Nagai shares observations and commentary about the many ironies he observes in his American culture and politics.In this podcast, David Nagai shares diverse ideas to help you think creatively and connect globally – in English.Join our classes online or in Yokohama Motomachi, Japan to expand your:Creative thinkingGlobal awarenessCross-cultural communication(Advanced and intermediate only)www.bridgebeyondenglish.com
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