In this heartfelt episode of The Samurai Way, Lori Tsugawa sits down with designer, author, and cultural storyteller Kelly Goto whose life's work is rooted in honoring her heritage, family legacy, and the powerful values of the Bushido code.

Kelly shares the emotional journey behind her book The Seattle Samurai, a tribute to her late father Sam Goto, whose cartoons captured the strength, humor, and resilience of the Japanese American experience. Raised in a multigenerational household, Kelly reflects on the quiet power of ganbaru, the wisdom of kaizen, and the internal discipline that helped her thrive as a Japanese American woman in business.

From leading her global design agency GoToMedia to preserving generational stories in a world obsessed with speed, Kelly’s message is both deeply personal and universally inspiring.

Together, Lori and Kelly explore themes of legacy, perseverance, and living a life of purpose guided by honor, integrity, and resilience.

Key Takeaways:

– How The Seattle Samurai honors history through art and story

– What it means to grow up Japanese American in a mostly white community

– How Kelly learned to embrace ganbaru—the spirit of “never give up”

– Why cultural identity can be reclaimed and redefined in adulthood

– The role of kaizen in both business and personal mastery

– How to pass on legacy through storytelling and example

💡 If you’ve ever felt torn between cultures or unsure how to preserve your family’s wisdom, this episode is a moving reminder that your roots are your strength.

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