Things Become a Podcast
2025 TBOT Tour Conversations
A collection of nine conversations from Craig Mod's 2025 book tour for Things Become Other Things. Recorded at independent bookstores across America, these chats explore walking, writing, Japan, and the creative process with fellow writers, editors, and artists.
Subscribe:
- Apple Podcasts
- YouTube Music
- Spotify
- RSS Feed
Episodes
Rizzoli — NYC — Matt Rodbard
Matt Rodbard — author of 'Koreaworld' and bestselling 'Koreatown' and host of the TASTE podcast — and Craig discuss Craig's newest book and the process behind its creation. The conversation delves into Mod's writing 'journey,' which involved extensive walking through Japan, creating pop-up newsletters, and eventually publishing with Random House.
Notion — Tribecca — Rob Giampietro
Rob Giampietro — Rome Prize winner, MacDowell fellow and all around design mensch — and Craig discuss his new book 'Things Become Other Things,' his walking journeys across Japan, and his unique approach to publishing and community building. Supported by the gradual evolution of his walks into a literary and photographic endeavor, Craig discloses how his solo treks and companionship with mentors like John McBride have shaped his narrative style.
Prose and Politics — DC — Ross Andersen
Ross Andersen — editor and staff writer at The Atlantic — and Craig discuss Craig's new book that defies traditional genres. Initially thought to be a travelogue, the book turns out to be a profound grief memoir intertwined with reflections on American culture and philosophy of walking. Craig discusses the origins and structure of his book, which was inspired by a need for stillness prompted by the COVID-19 pandemic, his deep connection to Japan, and his long walks on its pilgrimage routes.
Booksmith — San Francisco — Robin Sloan
Robin Sloan — bestselling author of 'Mr. Penumbra's 24 Hour Bookstore' and Fat Gold olive oil micro magnate — and Craig discuss his evolution as a writer, photographer, designer, and 'athlete,' diving deep into his creative processes, the significance of his walks, and his membership program. He recounts the impact of being rejected by the publishing industry and how that propelled him to find alternative ways to share his work, leading to the success of his membership program and his latest book, 'Things Become Other Things.'
3rd Place Books — Seattle — Liz Danzico
Liz Danzico — Vice President of Design at Microsoft and Founding Chair of the MFA Interaction Design Program at SVA in NYC — and Craig discuss his experiences walking Japan. He shares the impact walking has had on his life, including his immersive walks in the Japanese countryside and other parts of the world like the Camino de Santiago. Mod also delves into personal stories, such as his friendship with a childhood friend, Bryan, who was murdered shortly after graduation, and his complex relationship with his estranged father.
Diesel Books — LA — Dexter Thomas
Dexter Thomas — ex-Vice News reporter and Japan scholar — and Craig discuss Craig's experiences and observations living in Japan for over 25 years. The discussion touches on the complexities of Tokyo's topography, cultural nuances, and the socioeconomic contrasts between Japan and the U.S. Craig also reflects on his journey as a writer, the influence of his upbringing in a post-industrial American town, and his unexpected rise to media attention following a New York Times article recommendation.
Bookends and Beginnings — Chicago — Dan Sinker
Dan Sinker — stalwart Chicago writer, podcaster, and surrealist Twitter account maestro of @MayorEmanuel — and Craig discuss his experiences and insights on walking, storytelling, and embracing offline moments. He shares anecdotes from his walking journeys in Japan, reflecting on the impact of technology on daily life and the value of creating intentional disconnections. Mod highlights the inspiration behind his latest book, including the deeply personal process of honoring a childhood friend and the various encounters that enrich his solitary walks.
Books Are Magic — Brooklyn — Lynne Tillman
Lynne Tillman — author of many, many novels and non-fiction books, Guggenheim Fellow, and National Book Critics Circle Award finalist — and Craig discuss their two new books and friendship and loss. Craig reads a passage from his book about a walk in Japan that serves as a reflective journey on friendship and loss. Lynne reads from her own book, illustrating her storytelling style rooted in observations of ordinary life. The dialogue dives into various subjects, such as the nature of memoirs, the act of writing, the impact of personal experiences on storytelling, and Craig's unique approach to capturing life's details through photography.
Binnacle Books — Beacon NY — Sam Anderson
Sam Anderson — New York Times Magazine staff writer, and friend of Weird Al Yankovic — and Craig discuss Craig's life in Japan, his walking journeys, and his writing process. Highlights include his adventurous walks across Japan, his interactions with notable figures like Jeff Bezos, and heartfelt moments of reconnecting with his birth family. The event also explores the cultural contrasts he experienced and his thoughtful approach to writing and storytelling.
Craig Mod is a writer and photographer based in Japan. He's the author of the books Things Become Other Things and Kissa by Kissa and is a MacDowell, Ragdale, and VCCA writing fellow. His essays and articles have appeared in The New York Times, Eater, The Atlantic, California Sunday Magazine, Wired, Aeon, New Scientist, Virginia Quarterly Review, The New Yorker, The Morning News, Codex: Journal of Typography, and elsewhere.
He writes newsletters, oh yes, newsletters: Roden & Ridgeline.
The work on this site is supported 100% by paid memberships and book & print sales.
Whatever you do, don't follow @craigmod on Bluesky or Instagram.