Wabi Sabi - The Perfectly Imperfect Podcast with Candice Kumai

AANHPI Month: Honoring Japanese Beauty, Wellness & the Truth About Matcha: Konnichiwa, my friends. Genki desu ka.

This AANHPI Month, we begin not with trends—but with truth, reverence, and remembrance.

Because behind every bowl of matcha, every beauty ritual, every moment of calm that the world now celebrates...there are generations of Asian hands, stories, discipline, and devotion that made it possible. And for a long time, those stories were not told.
This episode is about honoring them.
It’s about honoring Japan, and the greater AANHPI community:
China, Korea, the Philippines, Vietnam, Thailand, India, Indonesia, Hawaii, and beyond:
the cultures that have shaped global wellness, beauty, and food in ways that are only now being recognized.

It’s about bowing—not performatively, but with deep respect: to the teachers, farmers, chefs, artisans, and elders who came before us.
Because what we are witnessing right now w/ the global rise of matcha, the fascination with Japanese beauty rituals, the obsession with “clean living”—this did not happen overnight. And it did not happen without us.
For decades, Asian culture was overlooked, misunderstood, or reduced to aesthetics without context. Our food was simplified. Our beauty rituals were copied. Our philosophies—like wabi sabi, kintsugi, and mindfulness...were often stripped of their depth.
And yet, we continued to show up. Quietly. Consistently. With excellence.Today, the world is finally catching up.
But with that visibility comes responsibility. Thank you for listening - please share this episode with a friend and make sure to give this podcast a five star review and subscribe thank you so much for listening again I really appreciate you x ck

In this episode of the Wabi Sabi podcast, I take you deeper into the Japanese beauty rituals I was raised with practices that go far beyond surface-level beauty and into how we live, care for ourselves, and honor our bodies daily. Long before J-Beauty became a trend, these rituals were part of my everyday life, rooted in discipline, mindfulness, and a deep respect for simplicity.

I share how true beauty begins with what we nourish ourselves with, how we slow down, and how we care for our skin and spirit with intention. From sencha and mineral-rich foods to bathing rituals, gentle skincare, and the philosophy of doing less, but doing it well...these are the timeless habits that create lasting radiance.

This episode is an invitation to return to what actually works. To simplify your routine, reconnect with yourself, and embrace a more grounded, natural approach to beauty that supports you from the inside out. Thank you for listening! x Candice

On today’s episode of Wabi Sabi, I’m setting the record straight on matcha. There’s a lot of misinformation out there right now, and as a journalist with over 20 years in media and deep roots in Japanese culture, I felt it was important to share the facts. I break down the real history, the difference between mo cha and matcha, and why matcha is a distinctly Japanese product defined by its process, craftsmanship, and cultural continuity. This is about clarity, respect, and telling the truth. Thank you for listening x Candice

I’m so excited to share this conversation with Peloton’s Head Instructor and bestselling author Robin Arzón. Robin has inspired millions through movement, discipline, and her powerful mindset, and in this episode we talk about what it truly takes to build strength from the inside out.
Robin and I discuss resilience, reinventing your life, and the courage it takes to pursue your purpose. We also talk about how movement, community, and self-belief can transform the way we live.
Thank you for being here and for listening to the Wabi Sabi podcast. I’m so grateful to share this milestone moment with all of you. ✨

Lately, I’ve been thinking a lot about how beauty trends move faster than our bodies ever could.
Every week there’s a new ‘miracle’ ingredient, a new routine, a new product we’re told we need. But most of it hasn’t been tested long enough, deeply enough, or lived with in real life.
So today, I want to share something different.
These are seven beauty practices I’ve actually tested, integrated, and kept in my own life—and they’re not about perfection or chasing youth. They’re about cellular health, nervous system balance, and protecting your skin and body for the long run.
We’re going to talk about why NAD is changing the future of skincare, why something as simple as morning sunlight can affect collagen and sleep, how matcha and blueberries protect your skin at a cellular level, and why gut health might be the most underrated beauty tool we have.
This isn’t about hype. It’s about what works—and why.
If you’re tired of trends that promise everything and deliver nothing, this episode is for you. Thanks for listening xx ck