Wabi Sabi - The Perfectly Imperfect Podcast with Candice Kumai

In today’s episode, I want to take you with me to Japan. I went during a time of sadness, to be with family, and what I received there were lessons I didn’t even know I needed. This conversation is about seven quiet teachings Japan offers us as we move into 2026. We talk about why January doesn’t need reinvention, why acceptance is one of the most powerful tools we have, and how small, cumulative practices can support real wellness. We explore wabi sabi, the wisdom of elders, ancient traditions, nervous system care, and what it truly means to go inward without disappearing. If you’re feeling tired, overwhelmed, or pressured to have it all figured out, this episode is for you. My hope is that you listen slowly, take what resonates, and leave the rest. Thank you for being here with me. Let’s begin x Candice

Welcome to the little Wabi Sabi Podcast — a pause before the new year, a breath before everything shifts again. This is for anyone who wants to feel grounded, clearer, lighter, more like themselves again. These are five things that genuinely work — not trends, not hacks, not what the algorithm pushes — but practices that help you return to your real life, your real joy, your real self. Let’s get into it. Thank you for listening! x Candice

In this episode, I’m sharing the real story behind matcha — where it comes from, why it’s special, and what’s actually happening right now with the global demand and supply. After nearly two decades working in Japanese culinary culture and tea education, I wanted to give you a clear, respectful guide to understanding matcha the right way. I walk you through the regions that shape its flavor, the history that shaped its ceremony, and why Japanese politeness often keeps the deeper truths from being spoken. I also talk about what it feels like to watch a part of my heritage become a trend, and why it’s so important to learn from Japanese voices, farmers, authors, and journalists. If you love matcha or want to understand Japanese culture with more depth and care, this episode is for you.

As we move into the colder months, many of us are quietly struggling — with stress, loneliness, and the weight of trying to hold it all together. In this episode, Candice opens up about the small, free practices that actually help her stay grounded. From protecting your peace and therapy, to volunteering, movement, cooking, time with animals, and the Japanese art of letting go — these simple habits are backed by real research and lived experience. This is a reminder that healing doesn’t have to be perfect or expensive. Sometimes, the most powerful work you can do is quiet, gentle, and completely free. Thank you for listening x Candice

Candice Kumai’s Art of Eating Well: The Forgotten Secret to Beauty, Health & Longevity We live in an era obsessed with optimization — trackers, injections, powders, and pills — yet we’ve never been more sick, anxious, or disconnected from what truly nourishes us. In this episode, I return to the foundation of real wellness: fiber-rich, whole, beautiful food. Inspired by Dr. Urvi Shah’s groundbreaking research at Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center — showing how a plant-based, high-fiber diet can help prevent and slow disease — I share how eating well is the most powerful act of self-respect and healing. This is your reminder to come back to the kitchen, the cutting board, and the joy of cooking real food. The art of eating well is the art of living beautifully. Thank you for listening xx Share this podcast with a few girlfriends and write a five star review! Be good to you xx x ck