This Is Where I Grew Up

In this episode, Hiroko and John talk about visiting other countries. John was a Christian teen clown and Hiroko ate crocodile meat... she's pretty sure.  

Welcome to the all-new, rebranded This Is Where I Grew Up Mega Teacast. John and Hiroko are here to talk about all your favorite teas: black, green, herbal… Actually, this week we are talking about resolutions and ways that we tried to change ourselves. Highlights include secret diaries and people getting hit with sticks!

After another long absence, John and Hiroko return to share some memories of minor embarrassments. From poor mountain lion impressions on the set of “Little House on the Prairie” to looking like a hobo on Japan’s public transportation system, this episode has a little of everything. Bonus talk about John’s war against mosquito-kind. Little House Mini Series 

This weel is Hiroko's triumphant return and what a glorious return it is! John and Hiroko go over memorable narratives from their childhoods. From Charlotte's Web to The Most Dangerous Game, this podcast has it all! Kamishibai !

After a long time off (we’re very sorry) This Is Where I Grew Up is back with a very special guest star filling in for Hiroko! This week John’s younger brother Drew is on the line from Norway to discuss all things Halloween. Things don’t exactly get spooky but they do talk about the best Halloween candies and the terrible nature of raisins. Also Julebukking!

After a long hiatus, Hiroko and John finally catch up on the first ever video chat episode of This Is Where I Grew Up.  This week John and Hiroko talk all about languages: learning them, embarrassing themselves and some bits about evangelical Passover and Gong Li in Miami Vice.

This episode is all about heros! Who did John AKA Illinois Jones and Hiroko admire as children and why? Did their admiration have anything to do with what they would become?  Also featuring the differences between Japanese and American movie theater etiquette!

After two weeks off Hiroko and John sit down again to record a freestyle conversation about cults, American humor, the 1970’s Spiderman and more. Special appearance by the Yamanote Line! 1977 Spider-man Heaven’s Gate Sleep Paralysis

After surviving the latest typhoon, John and Hiroko sit down to have a freewheeling discussion about paleontology hoaxes, high waisted jeans, hand-me-downs and some differences between American and Japanese television.    Trapper Keepers Hydrarchos (dino hoax)

After a week off, Hiroko and John are back! This week they are talking about the grand American tradition of the road trip. Pee also seems to come up more than usual...  Learn about Hiroko's Los Vegas secrets and John's experience with the police of Valdosta Georgia. Wooly Willy (magnetic drawing toy) NHK Easy News Real life Thomas The Tank Engine 

This time around Hiroko and John are accompanied by the soothing sounds of Japan Railways.  This week we are talking about teachers: the good, the bad, and the accordion playing. Hiroko recounts a tense moment between herself and a baseball coach. John recounts a short story he wrote in third grade about a haunted Thanksgiving. 

In this very special edition, Hiroko and John have a glass of iced tea and talk about our friends in the animal kingdom. Learn about John’s rodeo dilemma and decide for yourself whether or not Hiroko is a pet serial killer. Also, ARE insects animals? Really, we want to know.  

This one is all about music; from jr. high band anxiety to polite headbanging at Judas Priest concerts. As a bonus to listeners everywhere John and Hiroko even do some singing in this installment! Of course, there is also plenty of talk about Christian rock. John just can't stop talking about it.  Ecuadorian Pan Flute! Yo Ho Ho!  Scorpions: Big City Nights Galaxy Express 999

It's the ides of June and John and Hiroko fight through the brutal heat to bring you another episode. This conversation is all about memories of summer: shaved ice, Wyoming rocks, and mismatched flip-flops, carnivals and more! Patty and Jimmy Shaved ice

This week Hiroko and John focus on the classic Japanese kotowaza 出る杭は打たれる ( the nail that sticks out will be hammered down). Our heroes discuss individuality, group mentality and even a little bit about baseball!   Hair dye student scandal.  

As a sort of sequel to last weeks episodes about dads, this week John and Hiroko share their mother memories. This one borders on a therapy session at times but if you stick with it you can learn a few new Japanese proverbs and some interesting facts about the American "R" sound.  Remember moms see EVERYTHING. 

Just in time for Mother's Day John and Hiroko decide to record an episode about...Dads!  This week our hosts battle the heat and manage to spend some time recounting a few memories of their fathers. Hear about Tom Hill's passion for log cabins and mouse skydiving as well as Shojiro Kobayashi's passion for Coco-Cola.  You got the right one baby, uh huh!

This week John and Hiroko spend a lot of time talking about shoes, germs and various cultural differences. Learn about cockroach orange juice and Japanese bathroom rules. If you like the show please rate us and leave a review on iTunes. It helps us a lot. Thanks!   LINKS: Prime Minister Shoe Dinner Article 

Time for a slumber party! John and Hiroko discuss pillow flights and late night brushes with the law. We also learn about the tawdry details of John’s first glimpse at a nudie magazine. Show links: 八時だよ！！全員集合

This episode gets a little philosophical as Hiroko and John discuss the little pieces of identity we create for ourselves as we get older. From Pearl Harbor to creepy dudes in libraries to classic 80’s animated films episode 11 has something for everyon