The Kevin Rose Show Craig Mod – What Japan Taught Him About Self-Worth and Slowing Down
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May 7, 2025 
In this conversation, Craig Mod, a writer, photographer, and technologist, shares his unique perspective molded by his experiences in Japan. He discusses the transformative power of walking, emphasizing presence and deep attention in a bustling world. Craig reflects on the challenges of learning Japanese and how it enhances cultural connections. He also dives into the economics of independent publishing and the success of a reader-funded model. Through his stories of addiction and self-worth, he illustrates the profound emotional healing found in embracing slowness.
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Healing in Japan's Structure
- Craig Mod was adopted and grew up in a struggling post-industrial American town with limited prospects.
- Moving to Japan at 19 healed him emotionally and showed him a life structured on care and respect, profoundly changing his worldview.
Running from Alcohol Addiction
- Craig struggled with alcohol due to a lack of self-worth and an inability to reconcile his past and aspirations.
- Running and accomplishing goals gradually helped rebuild his sense of value and pull him out of addiction.
From Tech to Serious Writing
- Craig worked at Flipboard in Silicon Valley while intensively writing essays on publishing during weekends.
- Winning a McDowell Fellowship affirmed his commitment to serious writing and shifted his focus to fiction and deeper literary work.
