SisterVibes
A podcast hosted by three sisters in their 40s with a lifetime of stories and insights to share. From growing up in Japan to now living across three continents, we've gone through life's twists and turns. Join us as we dive into our cherished childhood memories, offer our unique perspectives on a wide range of topics, and recount our humble experiences living in different parts of the world. Despite long distances and scheduling conflicts that have kept us physically apart for years, we're here to give you a glimpse of what it's like to have sisters, regardless of the miles that separate us. Are we still the same as we used to be, or have we grown and changed along the way living in diverse locations? Stay tuned; we hope you’ll be entertained!
Episodes
32 episodes
31. The Things We Took for Granted: Life After 40
Time doesn’t just pass differently after 40— it can feel like it’s sprinting. In this episode, we reflect on what we took for granted when we were younger—bodies that bounced back, endless energy, and friendships that came easily. Now, those sa...
30. The Myers-Briggs Personality Test: What It Really Says About Us
Three sisters sit down to take the Myers-Briggs Type Indicator (MBTI) —and then take it a step further by guessing each other’s types out loud before revealing the results. As we land on INFP (the youngest), ENFP (the middle child ), and INTJ (...
29. Everyday Findings: Wait… That’s Normal There?!
In this episode, we take a fun look at what a simple grocery run can reveal about the cultures of the US, Germany, and Japan. From Florida’s bagger-at-the-checkout routine to Germany’s blink-and-you’ll-miss-it scanning speed and Japan’s bring-y...
28. Interviewing Christoph: Growing Up With Three Brothers
What happens when three sisters invite a husband raised among three brothers to unpack birth order, culture, and the unspoken rules of childhood? Discussions include: • birth order effects across sisters and brothers• German sch...
27. New Year, New Habits: Cleaning, Decluttering & Letting Go
The episode explores how more space often leads to more clutter and how downsizing, donating, and setting boundaries around “essentials” can bring real relief. We share candid reflections on spending habits—whether on clothes, food, or travel—a...
26. Parenting in Motion: Raising Kids Across Ages
This episode explores the winding, unpredictable path of parenthood as we, three sisters, reflect on life with a three-month-old, two pre-teen and teenage girls, and an introverted high school boy, each of us in a different phase of raising chi...
25. Fall Edition: ’Tis The Season For A Global Halloween
Halloween takes on wildly different forms around the world- from Japan’s massive Shibuya street party and Disney parades to Germany’s spooky costumes and expanding trick-or-treat scenes. In the U.S., the holiday walks a line between fun and saf...
24: Q&A Session: What Flavor Of Ice Cream Are We?!
For this milestone episode, we handed the mic to you, our listeners, and asked you to send in your burning questions for us three sisters. Nothing was off the table: from our most ridiculous childhood shenanigans to how we navigate culture, car...
23. Superstitions: Generations Of Strange Beliefs
Cultural superstitions shape our daily behaviors in ways we rarely notice, from how we handle chopsticks to which direction we position our beds. Join us as we discuss fascinating beliefs from Japan, America, and Germany that reveal some surpri...
22. True Crime Conversations: Cases Across Borders
What drives seemingly ordinary people to commit horrific acts? In this episode, we uncover the dark psychology behind notorious true crime cases—from a deadly Tokyo subway attack and a shocking family murders to years-long captivity of three wo...
21. Wellness by Design: How Cultures Shape Health
This episode explores how culture shapes our well-being—spotlighting Japan, Germany, and the U.S. to uncover rituals and habits that lead to healthier lives. From Japan’s deeply ingrained school rituals and collective health mindset, to Germany...
20. Bite Sized: A World Food Tour (Fork-Free Zone!)
For this episode, Our global culinary journey takes you through the distinctive food landscapes of Japan, Germany, and the United States. Do you know what traditional mochi is in Japan? What is German Brotzeit? What is considered Am...
19: Family Trips & Fuzzy Memories: We Snorkeled?!
In this episode, the three of us look back on our family travels from the early '90s to recent years. Cancun was our favorite, with its crystal-clear waters and a snorkeling spot—though hilariously, one of us has no memory of ever snorkeling th...
18. Pregnancy to Birth: A Cross-Cultural Journey
In this episode, we share our unique pregnancy and childbirth experiences, highlighting cultural differences in maternal care. From Japan’s focus on natural birth to the U.S.'s medical approach, our stories reveal how environment and culture sh...
17. Humor Us: Hypothetical "What If" Scenarios
In this lighthearted episode, we entertain the ideas of fictional "what if..." scenarios:1. What if one of us murder someone? Would we rat her out or protect her?2. What if we get stranded on an island, what would we do?2. ...
16. Winter Holiday in Japan: Insights for Future Visitors
This year, we celebrated Christmas and New Year's in Japan, where the winter weather greeted us with surprisingly mild weather. Our whole family gathered at Sumie's house in Kanagawa prefecture for an unforgettable holiday weeks. In this episod...
15. Sister Reflections: New Year Resolutions & Milestone Birthdays
How did we fare with our New Year resolutions last year, and what are our goals for the Year of the Snake? We reflect on what we achieved (and didn’t) with our resolutions and whether we've set our sights on the year 2025. Reminiscing on our pa...
14. Blowfish, Bellgirl & Pizza: Our First Jobs in Japan
In this episode, we share the adventures of Kaori, Tomo, and Sumie as we tackle our first short-term jobs in Japan during the summers of our university years. Each of us steps into a completely unique role, embracing the challenges of Japanese ...
13. Dreamworld: Adventures In Our Nighttime Imagination
Join us for our podcast’s one-year anniversary as we explore the whimsical world of dreams, sharing personal stories of language fluency, surreal adventures, strange sensations, and the hidden meanings behind our most peculiar dreamscapes. Can ...
12. Navigating Tech Evolution: Past Stories & Now
In this episode, we explore the interesting experience of growing up as Millennials, witnessing the shift from a tech-free childhood to a world where everything is accessible through smartphones. We'll reminisce about the days of rushing to ans...
11. Follow Up Episode: Unique Marriages & The Wonders Of Japanese Vending Machines
Welcome to the follow-up! We recommend listening to the previous episode for a full context.This time, we dive into Mr. Kondo's marriage to virtual character Hatsune Miku, exploring themes like fictosexual and objectophilia. Plus, hear a...
10. The Quirky Side Of Japan: High-Tech Toilets, Virtual Marriages & More
How do high-tech toilets, virtual marriages, and sumo wrestlers making babies cry fit into the same conversation? In this SisterVibes episode, we explore Japan's quirky and unique culture, discussing everything from its distinct office practice...
09. Sister Showdowns: Memorable Fights & The Stories Behind Them
In this episode, we share a few unforgettable fights from our childhoods alongside stories involving other family members. We recount tales of sticking up for each other amongst friends at times, showcasing the strong loyalty that defines our b...
08. Japan? USA?: Could We Move Back To A Country Where We Once Grew Up?
KO was born and raised in Japan until 12 years old and Tomo until 10. Sumie spent majority of childhood until mid-teenage years in the US. Though we live in different countries now, could we ever see ourselves moving back to where we used to li...
07. Country Etiquette: Surprises & Unexpected Discoveries
Join us as we explore the fascinating world of cross-cultural social norms and etiquette! From bowing in Japan to holding doors open in the U.S. and quiet dogs in Germany, we'll share personal anecdotes and insights from our experiences living ...
