Best small talk in Japanese Podcasts (2025)

1
Azumi’s Easy Japanese Small Talk #565 「子どもが幸せな国」日本は14番：Japan ranks 14th in UNICEF report on child well-being 12:46

18d ago12:46

12:46

🌟グループレッスンをしています🌟 https://calendly.com/lt068028 🔗「子どもが幸せな国」日本は14番 https://www3.nhk.or.jp/news/html/20250514/k10014804721000.html 🔗Japan ranks 14th in UNICEF report on child well-being https://www3.nhk.or.jp/nhkworld/en/news/20250514_08/ 🔗Why don't you join⁠⁠ my Group lesson⁠?⁠https://www.italki.com/en/group-class/6605894/japanese 🔗App: Hellotalk, yo…

1
Breaking Down the Federal Budget and Tax Policy 17:56

16m ago17:56

17:56

Deroy Murdock joins Ryan Wiggins and Brad Range to break down the federal budget and tax policy. They discuss proposals to return spending to pre-COVID levels, including a $275 billion cut to discretionary spending. Deroy weighs in on potential corporate tax reductions to 15% for US manufacturers and the ongoing debate around SALT deductions. The c…

1
Ethan’s America: Beards in Japan and What Makes Americans… American 10:19

39m ago10:19

10:19

Ryan and Brad talk about Ryan’s trip to Japan where his full beard got a lot of attention. People allegedly snapped secret photos. Ethan shares more stories for Ethan’s America exploring cultural differences like how rare facial hair is in Japan and the things that make Americans stand out including chatting with strangers in stores giving full hom…

1
Hour 1 - From Government Spending to Immigration Law 43:17

1h ago43:17

43:17

In Hour 1 of The Mannie Frey Show, Ryan Wiggins and Brad Range break down the new government spending bill, highlighting Trump’s policy goals and Elon Musk’s criticism of out-of-control spending. They raise concerns about rising national debt, especially as interest payments now exceed the defense budget. Hans von Spakovsky joins to unpack judicial…

1
Hans von Spakovsky on Immigration Law, Due Process, and Judicial Overreach 14:51

1h ago14:51

14:51

Hans von Spakovsky joins The Annie Frey Show to explain why a federal judge blocked the deportation of a terrorist’s family, what due process looks like for illegal immigrants, and how Temporary Protected Status (TPS) plays into these cases. He also discusses the surge in nationwide injunctions from district court judges and the Supreme Court's gro…

1
The Republican case against Trump’s research cuts 27:07

10h ago27:07

27:07

Sen. Todd Young (R-Ind.) is big on investing in research in cutting-edge technologies, especially artificial intelligence and biotechnology. But lately, that’s put him in a position of pushing back against the leader of his own party, President Donald Trump, who has imposed steep and swift cuts to federal research funding at agencies and universiti…

1
Meta’s Nuclear Deal, Musk vs. Trump, C-SPAN on Streaming & More – Full Show 2:10:51

8h ago2:10:51

2:10:51

In this full episode, Ryan Wrecker and Brad Range dive into the top stories of the day across politics, tech, national security, and culture:Hour 1: – Ryan talks with Fox News Radio’s Eben Brown about Meta’s 20-year nuclear power deal to support AI – U.S. immigration officials push for increased detentions, including collateral arrests – DOJ charge…

1
C-SPAN on Streaming, Ukraine’s Drone Warfare, and a Burger King Grad’s $10K Surprise – Hour 3 46:26

8h ago46:26

46:26

Brad Range and Ryan Wrecker cover the latest stories:– U.S. Senators push for YouTube TV and other streamers to carry C-SPAN – Ukraine’s “Spiderweb” drone attack signals a major shift in modern warfare – A Burger King employee who showed up to work right after graduation gets a $10K surprise from the company…

1
Musk vs. Trump, NPR Cuts, Spa Ruling, and the Politics of Mental Health – Hour 2 42:19

8h ago42:19

42:19

Ryan Wrecker and Brad Range break down some of the stories shaping politics and culture, including:– Elon Musk slams Trump’s $9B “big, beautiful” budget bill – Trump asks Congress to defund NPR, PBS, and foreign aid – A federal court rules that a Washington women’s nude spa can’t bar transgender clients with male genitalia – New data shows conserva…

1
Meta’s Nuclear Deal, Immigration Arrests, Agroterrorism Plot, and Mar-a-Lago Intruder – Hour 1 42:19

8h ago42:19

42:19

In this episode, Ryan Wrecker speaks with Fox News Radio's Eben Brown about Meta’s 20-year deal with Constellation Energy to power AI operations using nuclear energy.Later, Ryan and Brad Range to break down several major national stories: – U.S. immigration officials push for increased detentions and collateral arrests – DOJ charges two Chinese nat…

1
Meta's Nuclear Power Play: Fueling AI with 20 Years of Atomic Energy | Eben Brown 15:03

8h ago15:03

15:03

In this episode, Ryan Wrecker interviews Fox News Radio's Eben Brown to dissect Meta's groundbreaking 20-year nuclear energy agreement with Constellation Energy. This deal marks a significant shift in how Big Tech approaches sustainable power, aiming to meet the immense energy demands of artificial intelligence. Discover how this partnership could …

1
Elon Musk and Donald Trump: Is it a 'big, beautiful break-up?' Plus, why conservatives are happier 53:13

10h ago53:13

53:13

1
Azumi’s Easy Japanese Small Talk #567 日本と中国で魚の輸出のルールを決めた：Japan, China agree on requirements for resuming Japanese seafood imports 16:17

1d ago16:17

16:17

🌟グループレッスンをしています🌟クラスメートといっしょに日本語を練習しませんか❓https://www.italki.com/en/group-class/6605894/japanese?classtype%5B0%5D=2🔗日本と中国で魚の輸出のルールを決めた https://www3.nhk.or.jp/news/easy/ne2025053011592/ne2025053011592.html 🔗Japan, China agree on requirements for resuming Japanese seafood imports https://www3.nhk.or.jp/nhkworld/en/news/20250530_08/🔗Why don't you join⁠⁠…

1
Germany introduces massive corporate tax cuts to spur flagging economy 5:33

23h ago5:33

5:33

On the eve of his first meeting with US President Donald Trump, German Chancellor Fredrich Merz launched a 46-billion-euro (around $53 billion) package of corporate tax breaks on Wednesday to try to stimulate his country's sluggish economy. Germany is the Eurozone's largest economy and it's struggling to reset after several years of stagnant growth…

1
Flooding in Nigeria kills hundreds of people, displaces thousands, at start of rainy season 7:02

23h ago7:02

7:02

Torrential rains hit the town of Mokwa in Niger State, Nigeria, last week. More than 200 people have died, hundreds more are missing and an estimated 3,000 people have been displaced. Judith Leveillee heads UNICEF Nigeria's field operations and emergency response. She spoke with host Carolyn Beeler from Abuja.…

1
Farmers are concerned as Kenyan courts consider import of genetically modified seeds 4:07

23h ago4:07

4:07

Developers of genetically modified seeds hope to boost production and prevent crop diseases in countries hit the hardest by climate change. But farmers on the ground in Kenya have big concerns. The World's Durrie Bouscaren reports.By Durrie Bouscaren

1
Today's anniversary in China will be censored online 5:13

23h ago5:13

5:13

Images of candles, flowers or a single banana in front of four apples in a line. These are among the images that are being erased from the internet in China today. That's because it's June 4, and also the 36th anniversary of the bloody crackdown in Beijing against the massive student-led protests at Tiananmen Square. The Chinese government has neve…

1
Vietnam ditches two-child policy 0:40

23h ago0:40

0:40

Vietnam is scrapping a long-standing rule that families can only have two children. The National Assembly passed amendments on Tuesday to make that change. Host Carolyn Beeler has more details.By Patti Daniels

1
All seats will be up for grabs after far-right politician blows up the coalition 2:05

23h ago2:05

2:05

The Dutch Election Commission has to schedule new elections, after far-right politician Geert Wilders pulled his ministers from the four-party governing coalition. Opposition leaders in parliament today condemned the choice to bring Wilders into the coalition in the first place, and said he should never be allowed into government again. Host Caroly…

1
The semicolon is an endangered species 3:09

23h ago3:09

3:09

According to recent research, the semicolon has declined in use in British books by 50%. The World's Sarah Birnbaum explores why the misunderstood punctuation mark is under threat.By Sarah Birnbaum

1
White House anti-DEI measures target library in Barcelona 4:15

23h ago4:15

4:15

The Trump administration has banned DEI policies across the US and wants the same for anyone, anywhere, who does business with the country. That includes overseas companies that offer services to US missions or to the US government. But the White House may have gone a step too far in trying to get a public library in Barcelona to change its inclusi…

1
German city sees largest evacuation since World War II 2:16

23h ago2:16

2:16

The city of Cologne, Germany, evacuated more than 20,000 people from its city center, after three unexploded bombs from World War II were found. That's the largest evacuation the city has seen since that war. The city went quiet as emergency services moved in to defuse the bombs. Host Carolyn Beeler has the story.…

1
Boston Consulting Group, designer of Israel-backed Gaza relief effort, quits initiative 5:54

23h ago5:54

5:54

The Boston Consulting Group (BCG), a US-based firm that helped design and manage an aid initiative to deliver food to Palestinians in Gaza in areas controlled by the Israeli military, has withdrawn its team from the operation. The Washington Post’s Karen DeYoung speaks with host Carolyn Beeler about the role BCG and US security contractors have pla…

1
Results for Mexico's first countrywide election for judges roll in 5:52

23h ago5:52

5:52

Mexico's former president, Andrés Manuel López Obrador, used his Morena party's majority to shove through reforms to make all judges in Mexico elected, instead of appointed. Now, current President Claudia Sheinbaum is watching as the makeup of the Supreme Court has completely changed. The court now aligns with the Morena party. Down-ballot candidat…

1
Azumi’s Easy Japanese Small Talk #566 人気の「小型カート」渋谷区がルールを作る：Tokyo's Shibuya Ward to tighten rules for street go-kart businesses 12:13

1d ago12:13

12:13

🌟グループレッスンをしています🌟クラスメートといっしょに日本語を練習しませんか❓https://www.italki.com/en/group-class/6605894/japanese?classtype%5B0%5D=2 🔗人気の「小型カート」渋谷区がルールを作る https://www3.nhk.or.jp/news/easy/ne2025053011493/ne2025053011493.html 🔗Tokyo's Shibuya Ward to tighten rules for street go-kart businesses https://www3.nhk.or.jp/nhkworld/en/news/20250529_19/ 🔗App: Hellotalk, you c…

1
Russian Explosions & Democrat Implosion (Full Show) 2:07:57

1d ago2:07:57

2:07:57

Ryan Wrecker and Brad Range dive into the latest political and environmental news. They discuss the growing skepticism over corporate support for Pride Month, the Democratic Party's plummeting poll numbers and the implications for the 2026 midterms, and a disturbing wildlife crime in Virginia where a man pleads guilty to killing over 20 eagles and …

1
Conspiracy Theories, Polling Crashes & Wildlife Crimes (Hour 3) 42:25

1d ago42:25

42:25

Ryan Wrecker and Brad Range dive into the latest political and environmental news. They discuss the viral conspiracy theory about President Biden's supposed replacement, the Democratic Party's plummeting poll numbers and the implications for the 2026 midterms, and a disturbing wildlife crime in Virginia where a man pleads guilty to killing over 20 …

1
Future Wars and Rising Hate (Hour 2) 42:38

1d ago42:38

42:38

Ryan Wrecker talks foreign policy with Jim Carafano, then Brad Range joins, to dig into Ukraine’s latest drone strike and what it signals about modern warfare. They also take on the growing wave of antisemitism across the U.S., especially on college campuses.

1
What does Ukraine's Operation Spiderweb mean for the future of warfare? | Jim Carafano 17:15

1d ago17:15

17:15

Ryan Wrecker interviews Jim Carafano, who breaks down Ukraine’s bold drone strike, Operation Spiderweb, and what it means for the future of warfare. They also discuss the deadly attack targeting Jewish people in Boulder, Colorado — what happened, why it matters, and how the U.S. is responding

1
Americans are done with Pride Month (Hour 1) 43:07

1d ago43:07

43:07

Ryan Wrecker and Brad Range break down three headlines stirring debate across the country. They dive into why many Americans no longer trust corporate Pride campaigns, react to an escaped inmate’s bizarre video message to Donald Trump, and unpack the case of parents charged after their 7-year-old is killed while walking to a store.…

1
Pressure grows for Hezbollah to disarm after military losses to Israel 5:44

2d ago5:44

5:44

Lebanese militant group Hezbollah is facing growing calls to disarm following its battle with Israel last year. The group is now faced with major losses to its infrastructure and top leadership. Host Carolyn Beeler speaks with Sami Halabi from the Alternative Policy Institute about the complexities of disarmament for the group.…

1
Mount Etna puts on another show 0:46

2d ago0:46

0:46

The images of Monday's eruption of Mount Etna in Sicily were eye-popping. Towering plumes of charcoal-colored ash rose miles into the air. But scientists say what made this new eruption interesting was material that gushed across the land from the crater: pyroclastic flow. Host Carolyn Beeler explains.…

1
Preserving stone wall architecture in Japan's rice paddies 5:23

2d ago5:23

5:23

Japan's iconic terraced rice paddies are held in place by traditional stone walls. But the craft of building these walls is a dying art. Reporter Hannah Kirshner recently traveled to Fukuoka prefecture, in southern Japan, where she met a group dedicated to preserving agricultural practices, including stone wall building.…

1
Survivors of Assad's chemical attacks speak out 7:15

2d ago7:15

7:15

During the 13-year civil war in Syria, the forces under former President Bashar al-Assad carried out some of the most horrific chemical attacks in recent history. One of them was in April 2018, on the outskirts of Damascus, where at least 43 people were killed. The World's Shirin Jaafari visits the site and speaks with survivors, who say they need …

1
Octopus population booms off England's South Coast 7:23

2d ago7:23

7:23

The octopus population in the waters south of England is booming. Typically a rare species, fishermen in one town pulled in more than 70,500 pounds of octopus on a single day — compared to the usual average of about 400 pounds. This population boom comes as those same waters are experiencing a marine heat wave that has lasted for several months. Ho…

1
Latin American students consider options as visas are on hold 5:19

2d ago5:19

5:19

US officials have suspended visa interviews for all international students looking to study in the United States. They say they’re revamping policies to include the vetting of applicants' social media accounts. The US has long been the top destination for students from Latin America; many Latin American leaders have been educated in the United Stat…

1
J-Pop girl group to solo artist 1:57

2d ago1:57

1:57

Shima's days of being in a manufactured J-Pop band in Tokyo are over. Now, she's doing things her way, with total creative control. Shima's real name is Tina Johnson. As a Japanese American musician, she's made the move to Los Angeles as an electronic solo artist. Host Carolyn Beeler has more.By April Peavey

1
Digital addresses in Japan 0:40

2d ago0:40

0:40

Japan is about a week into a new postal program that assigns a digital code to individuals that can stand in for physical addresses. The program is designed to do away with errors in labeling or addressing packages. Host Carolyn Beeler explains that, so far, the seven-digit code can only be used for package delivery.…

1
South Korea elects new liberal president 5:05

2d ago5:05

5:05

South Korea appears to have a new president. Polls and early results show Lee Jae-Myung winning a snap election today by a wide margin. Lee is a center-left politician promising to end a chaotic period for South Korea. Host Carolyn Beeler speaks with The World's Patrick Winn, who's been following the election.…

1
'Explosive' seaweed growth washes up on Caribbean shores 5:29

2d ago5:29

5:29

Seaweed plays a key role in the world’s oceans. But too much of it disrupted ecosystems in the Caribbean this May. Brian Barnes has written about it in a new report published this week by the University of South Florida’s Optical Oceanography Lab. Barnes tells Host Carolyn Beeler that there’s no single scientific explanation for the explosive growt…

1
When Will Restaurants Learn To Stop the Racism? | STJ 279 32:34

2d ago32:34

32:34

Enjoying the show? Please support us on Patreon and get access to our members-only videos! : https://www.patreon.com/smalltalkjapan

1
Are you concerned about the rise of AI? (Full Show) 2:05:47

2d ago2:05:47

2:05:47

From AI's rise to Ukrainian drone attacks, this show is filled to the brim with the latest news and commentary. It also addresses some of the more bizarre topics. Has anyone heard of Autism reveal parties? No? Then you have come to the right place. Buckle up, its gonna be a wild ride.

1
Have you ever heard of an autism reveal party? (Hour 3) 43:05

2d ago43:05

43:05

How concerned are you about the future of AI? Is it appropriate to throw an autism reveal party? We answer these questions an more in this hour of the Annie Frey Show

1
Economic analysis and Ukrainian drone attacks (Hour 2) 43:02

2d ago43:02

43:02

This hour kicks off with a great discussion with Steve Moore on the efficacy of Trump's economic policy, then Dr. Jim Robbins joins to explain what effect Ukraine's drone attack could have on the peace talks.

1
What is next on Congress' legislative agenda? (Hour 1) 39:51

2d ago39:51

39:51

The hour kicks off with a discussion about AI and the Attacks in Russia. Then, Ryan Schmelz joins the show to discuss the latest from Capitol Hill. Ethan wraps up the hour nicely with a Monday Roundup of sports news.

1
Dr. Jim Robbins on Ukraine's operation spiderweb. 15:09

2d ago15:09

15:09

Dr. Jim Robbins explains why Ukraine's bold drone attack on Russian airfields will likely complicate the peace process.

1
The economy is expanding again and unemployment numbers are low. | Steve Moore 11:40

2d ago11:40

11:40

The economic waters are still choppy, but the economy is looking a lot healthier than it did a couple of months ago. Steve Moore takes an honest look at Trump's economy.

1
The White House moves to codify DOGE cuts | Ryan Schmelz 11:48

2d ago11:48

11:48

Fox News Radio Capitol Hill reporter Ryan Schmelz joins the show to tell us what is next now that the House has passed Trump's one big beautiful bill. Will they make DOGE's cuts permanent?

1
In Mexico City, moths find a home at the museum 1:09

3d ago1:09

1:09

The butterfly sanctuary in Mexico City's Natural History Museum is now the host of thousands of Orizaba silkmoths. Those moths have been steadily decreasing in number in the city due to urbanization. But 2,600 cocoons of the silkmoth were rescued from an empty lot, cleaned and hung up from clothing lines by biologists at the museum. Host Carolyn Be…

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