Reflecting to Thrive with Chie Sawa

On this episode of The Ikigai Podcast, I talk with Chie Sawa, founder of Thrive Life Design, about why all leaders need a sanctuary to pause and reconnect with themselves. 

We also explore reverse culture shock, the power of co-reflection, and how structured tools like Tarot readings for reflection can create clarity without crossing into therapy. 

We explore:

• Chie’s journey from Japan to the US and back 
• Reverse culture shock and feeling out of place at home 
• Why sociology and women’s rights shaped her path 
• Building Thrive Life Design beyond psychotherapy 
• What “thrive” means as steady life expansion 
• Sanctuary as a space to pause, breathe, and renew 
• Reflection vs naisei and why being heard matters 
• Reflection as a tool with clear limits 
• Rumination, resentment, and when therapy is the better path 
• The Reflection Room as a flexible one-on-one space 
• Soul Story Tarot as a reflective structure not fortune telling 
• Utori as the felt sense of inner room 
Book a session with Chia.