Episode 2
Notion — Tribecca — Rob Giampietro
Craig Mod in conversation with Rob Giampietro at Notion in Tribecca, chatting for fifty-three minutes on May 04, 2025
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. He also delves into his innovative 'SPECIAL PROJECTS' membership program that funds his creative pursuits and offers a personal reflection on the transformative experiences of walking and connecting with people in varied landscapes. The conversation wraps up on the note of Craig's experimentation with bespoke digital spaces that foster community engagement beyond conventional platforms.
Guest Links
Chapters
- 00:00 — Introduction and Welcome
- 00:15 — Craig Mod's Background and Friendship with Ross
- 02:23 — Craig's Walking Adventures in Japan
- 04:02 — The Evolution of the Book
- 05:48 — Reflecting on Childhood and Bryan
- 08:57 — Walking Rules and Daily Structure
- 09:58 — Capturing Stories and Voices
- 12:13 — Impact of COVID
- 15:57 — Unexpected Fame in Japan
- 23:51 — Group Walks and Mentorship
- 28:06 — The Influence of John McBride on Walking and Art
- 28:56 — SPECIAL PROJECTS Membership Program
- 30:55 — The Birth of CraigStarter and Its Success
- 33:18 — Navigating the Publishing World and Creative Independence
- 40:01 — The Power of Walking and Mentorship
- 44:39 — Future Walking Plans and Creative Projects
- 48:53 — Closing Thoughts and Reflections
Subscribe to the Podcast
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.