The Tim Ferriss Show

#803: Craig Mod Returns — Epic Walks in Japan, The Art of Slowness, Digital Detox, Publishing “Impossible” Books, and Choosing Beauty Over Scale

Mar 27, 2025

Craig Mod, a writer and photographer based in Japan, shares his deep love for walking and its transformative power. He discusses the art of slowness and the beauty of a digital detox, emphasizing mindful presence over social media distractions. Listeners explore Japan’s rich culture through Craig's personal walking journeys, including the Kumano Kodo pilgrimage. He also touches on the intricacies of politeness in Japanese communication and his experiences in self-publishing, blending creativity with community engagement.

02:28:54

Episode guests

Craig Mod

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Episode notes

Podcast summary created with Snipd AI

Quick takeaways

Craig Mod emphasizes walking as a profound practice for exploration, fostering deeper connections with both nature and personal insights.

He shares insights into the evolving publishing landscape, blending traditional and crowdfunding strategies to sustain creative freedom.

Craig recounts a life-changing reunion with his biological family, illustrating the transformative power of understanding one's roots and identity.

The podcast highlights the cultural richness found in Japanese mid-sized cities, emphasizing their importance amid the fast-paced urban life.

Craig discusses his initiative 'Walk and Talks', which combines immersive walking experiences with communal dialogue, enriching participants' connections to their environments.

Deep dives

Introduction to Craig Mod's Philosophy

Craig Mod articulates his unique philosophy of walking as a vital practice for exploration and connection. He emphasizes the invaluable benefits of immersing oneself in the natural world, stating that walking allows for deeper engagement with surroundings and insights into one's thoughts. His extensive experiences walking across Japan and around the world have profoundly influenced his creative outputs and personal reflections. Through walking, he cultivates an understanding of places that might otherwise be overlooked by a fast-paced society.

Intro

2min

Walking Journeys and Sleep Solutions

6min

Exploring Japan: Walking Through Tradition and Nature

22min

The Art of Politeness in Japanese Language and Culture

6min

Navigating Politeness and Personal Journeys in Japan

13min

Embracing Presence Through Digital Detox and Reflection

3min

Walking the Nakasendo: A Digital Detox Journey

21min

Culinary Nostalgia: The Story of Pizza Toast and Cultural Reflections

3min

Navigating Creative Independence in Publishing

20min

10.

Transformative Self-Publishing and Editorial Collaboration

2min

11.

Exploring Hidden Gems in Japan

19min

12.

The Joy of Walking and Meaningful Conversation

3min

13.

Journey of Identity: Connections and Discoveries

22min

14.

Reflections on Kindness and Weekly Discoveries

2min

15.

Peak Performance and Restful Recovery

4min

Craig Mod Returns! Craig is a writer, photographer, and walker living in Tokyo and Kamakura, Japan. He is the author of Things Become Other Things and Kissa by Kissa. He also writes the newsletters Roden and Ridgeline and has contributed to The New York Times, The Atlantic, Wired, and more.

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Timestamps:

[00:00:00] Start.

[00:07:25] More than a decade of Perfect Days in a six-tatami mat room.

[00:10:44] The first steps of Craig’s huge walks: exploring Tokyo’s nightlife.

[00:17:33] Discovering pilgrimage trails with John McBride.

[00:22:49] What’s so appealing about pilgrimage trails?

[00:31:25] Learning politeness and language in Japan.

[00:40:09] An invitation from Kevin Kelly.

[00:41:23] The birth of a photo book.

[00:42:50] The big solo walks begin.

[00:43:53] Launching a membership program.

[00:44:58] The Nakasendō experience.

[00:50:01] Craig’s rules for walking.

[00:51:04] The Vipassana influence.

[01:00:43] Logistics of walking in Japan.

[01:09:03] Depopulation and pizza toast.

[01:13:42] How Kissa by Kissa came to be (and its unexpected success).

[01:16:34] Kicking off Craigstarter.

[01:17:47] The pièce de résistance membership strategy.

[01:18:41] Finding product-market fit.

[01:19:12] The importance of sustainable scale.

[01:19:50] Membership community rules.

[01:27:15] Navigating the publishing world.

[01:38:37] Promoting midsize cities in Japan as a wild and strange celebrity.

[01:52:50] The economic and cultural effects of this promotion.

[01:54:46] Hidden gems and walks in Japan.

[01:56:56] Walking beyond Japan.

[01:59:47] Craig was a Mod before you was a mod.

[02:00:47] How Craig reconnected with his birth family.

[02:19:32] Reflections and future plans.

[02:23:00] Parting thoughts.

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The Tim Ferriss Show

#803: Craig Mod Returns — Epic Walks in Japan, The Art of Slowness, Digital Detox, Publishing “Impossible” Books, and Choosing Beauty Over Scale

Episode guests

Podcast summary created with Snipd AI

Quick takeaways

Deep dives

Introduction to Craig Mod's Philosophy

Experiences with Publishing

The Emotional Impact of Reunion with Biological Family

Visions of Japanese Culture and Identity

The Power of Radical Presence

Creating Community through Walks and Talks

Reflections on Long-distance Walking

The Impact of Television Fame

Navigating Challenges of Adoptee Identity

Inspiration from Travelers and Creators

Get the Snipd
podcast app

AI-powered
podcast player

Discover
highlights

Save any
moment

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The Tim Ferriss Show

#803: Craig Mod Returns — Epic Walks in Japan, The Art of Slowness, Digital Detox, Publishing “Impossible” Books, and Choosing Beauty Over Scale

Episode guests

Podcast summary created with Snipd AI

Quick takeaways

Deep dives

Introduction to Craig Mod's Philosophy

Experiences with Publishing

The Emotional Impact of Reunion with Biological Family

Visions of Japanese Culture and Identity

The Power of Radical Presence

Creating Community through Walks and Talks

Reflections on Long-distance Walking

The Impact of Television Fame

Navigating Challenges of Adoptee Identity

Inspiration from Travelers and Creators

Get the Snipdpodcast app

AI-poweredpodcast player

Discoverhighlights

Save anymoment

Share& Export

AI-poweredpodcast player

Discoverhighlights

Get the Snipd
podcast app

AI-powered
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