Episode 1
Rizzoli — NYC — Matt Rodbard
Craig Mod in conversation with Matt Rodbard at Rizzoli in NYC, chatting for fifty-seven minutes on May 01, 2025
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. They explore topics such as the impact of COVID-19 on Mod's projects, the nuances of Japanese café culture (Kissa), and the sociocultural aspects of walking in rural Japan. The discussion also touches on the importance of maintaining creative autonomy, the intense yet rewarding process of self-imposed deadlines, and the evolving landscape of photography. Audience questions highlight the changing socio-economic dynamics in Japan and the benefits of having a structured writing schedule.
Guest Links
Chapters
- 00:00 — Introduction and Warm Welcome
- 00:17 — Audience Interaction and SPECIAL PROJECTS
- 00:43 — Craig's Writing Journey and Rituals
- 02:11 — The Unique Publishing Process of TBOT
- 02:50 — Walking and Pop-up Newsletter
- 03:54 — From Fine Art Edition to Random House
- 08:48 — The Membership Program and Autonomy
- 14:48 — Bryan's Story and Its Impact
- 18:45 — Capturing Voices and Interactions
- 23:53 — The Morioka City Phenomenon
- 28:40 — TV Show with Japan's Most Famous Guy
- 30:15 — Favorite Meals During Walks
- 32:31 — The Beauty of Sento Culture
- 36:39 — The Decline of Kissaten Cafes
- 39:24 — Upcoming Projects and Book Tour
- 42:02 — Changes in Japan Over 25 Years
- 47:14 — Photography Influences and Techniques
- 53:14 — Publishing Journey and Final Thoughts
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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.