Episode 7
Bookends and Beginnings — Chicago — Dan Sinker
Craig Mod in conversation with Dan Sinker at Bookends and Beginnings in Chicago, chatting for fifty-nine minutes on May 19, 2025
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. Additionally, he touches on the unique community built through his membership program, the balance of utilizing technology for creativity while protecting mental well-being, and the significance of understanding and cherishing human connections through both his travels and personal life experiences.
Guest Links
Chapters
- 00:00 — Introduction and Welcome
- 01:01 — The Offline Experience of Walking
- 02:06 — Walking Rules and Boredom
- 02:49 — Cultural Observations from Japan
- 04:29 — The Impact of COVID on Walking
- 05:38 — Daily Walking Routine and Reflections
- 07:37 — Balancing Solitude and Social Interaction
- 09:31 — Writing and Transcribing During Walks
- 10:32 — Extended Walks and Their Benefits
- 16:41 — Themes of Grief and Death
- 19:45 — Cultural Differences and Social Commentary
- 28:48 — Building a Membership Program
- 31:43 — The Power of Tangible Rewards
- 32:04 — Retaining Creative Control
- 33:32 — The Importance of Membership Programs
- 33:56 — Connecting with People Through Travel
- 34:53 — Writing About Japan: A Delicate Balance
- 40:38 — Tech: From Empowerment to Hindrance
- 52:13 — The Adoptee Experience
- 59:34 — Concluding Thoughts and Audience Q&A
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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.