Ken Mogi
Born: October 20, 1962 – Nakano, Tokyo, Japan
Ken Mogi is a Japanese neuroscientist, writer, and broadcaster whose work explores consciousness, creativity, learning, and ikigai. Best known internationally for The Little Book of Ikigai, he has authored numerous Japanese-language books and helped popularize the concept of ikigai worldwide through translations, lectures, and media appearances.
Biography & Author's Journey
Ken Mogi, born in Tokyo in 1962, built his career at an unusual intersection of science and the humanities. Educated at the University of Tokyo, he earned degrees in physics and law before completing a Ph.D., then went on to research posts at RIKEN and the University of Cambridge. That training shaped the question that has animated much of his work ever since: how consciousness, qualia, memory, emotion, and decision-making arise from neural activity. He later became a senior researcher at Sony Computer Science Laboratories and, as of 2026, also holds a project professorship at the University of Tokyo’s Graduate School of Arts and Sciences. ((https://www.zen20.jp/enspeakers/ken-mogi?utm_source=openai))
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Explore Mind, Science, Creativity & Wisdom
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Community Voices
"Neuroscientist and best-selling author Ken Mogi has popularised a Japanese happiness philosophy known as ikigai"
— Migros
"GLOBIS Insights called Ken Mogi a Japanese brain scientist and bestselling author"
— GLOBIS Insights
"The New York Times Book Review called Ken Mogi's Awakening Your Ikigai a delightful look at Japanese traditions"
— The New York Times Book Review
"The Guardian called Ken Mogi a prominent neuroscientist and broadcaster"
— The Guardian
"Publishers Weekly called Ken Mogi's The Way of Nagomi an insightful manual where wisdom abounds"
— Publishers Weekly
"Spirituality & Health said Ken Mogi is a neuroscientist with a knack for explaining Japanese culture to Westerners"
— Spirituality & Health
"Well+Good said Ken Mogi makes ikigai feel as simple as habits that reflect your purpose in life"
— Well+Good
From Columbia University alumni built in San Francisco
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"It is great for me to learn something from the book without reading it."
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From Columbia University alumni built in San Francisco
"Instead of endless scrolling, I just hit play on BeFreed. It saves me so much time."
"I never knew where to start with nonfiction—BeFreed’s book lists turned into podcasts gave me a clear path."
"Perfect balance between learning and entertainment. Finished ‘Thinking, Fast and Slow’ on my commute this week."
"Crazy how much I learned while walking the dog. BeFreed = small habits → big gains."
"Reading used to feel like a chore. Now it’s just part of my lifestyle."
"Feels effortless compared to reading. I’ve finished 6 books this month already."
"BeFreed turned my guilty doomscrolling into something that feels productive and inspiring."
"BeFreed turned my commute into learning time. 20-min podcasts are perfect for finishing books I never had time for."
"BeFreed replaced my podcast queue. Imagine Spotify for books — that’s it. 🙌"
"It is great for me to learn something from the book without reading it."
"The themed book list podcasts help me connect ideas across authors—like a guided audio journey."
"Makes me feel smarter every time before going to work"
"Instead of endless scrolling, I just hit play on BeFreed. It saves me so much time."
"I never knew where to start with nonfiction—BeFreed’s book lists turned into podcasts gave me a clear path."
"Perfect balance between learning and entertainment. Finished ‘Thinking, Fast and Slow’ on my commute this week."
"Crazy how much I learned while walking the dog. BeFreed = small habits → big gains."
"Reading used to feel like a chore. Now it’s just part of my lifestyle."
"Feels effortless compared to reading. I’ve finished 6 books this month already."
"BeFreed turned my guilty doomscrolling into something that feels productive and inspiring."
"BeFreed turned my commute into learning time. 20-min podcasts are perfect for finishing books I never had time for."
"BeFreed replaced my podcast queue. Imagine Spotify for books — that’s it. 🙌"
"It is great for me to learn something from the book without reading it."
"The themed book list podcasts help me connect ideas across authors—like a guided audio journey."
"Makes me feel smarter every time before going to work"
"Instead of endless scrolling, I just hit play on BeFreed. It saves me so much time."
"I never knew where to start with nonfiction—BeFreed’s book lists turned into podcasts gave me a clear path."
"Perfect balance between learning and entertainment. Finished ‘Thinking, Fast and Slow’ on my commute this week."
"Crazy how much I learned while walking the dog. BeFreed = small habits → big gains."
"Reading used to feel like a chore. Now it’s just part of my lifestyle."
"Feels effortless compared to reading. I’ve finished 6 books this month already."
"BeFreed turned my guilty doomscrolling into something that feels productive and inspiring."
"BeFreed turned my commute into learning time. 20-min podcasts are perfect for finishing books I never had time for."
"BeFreed replaced my podcast queue. Imagine Spotify for books — that’s it. 🙌"
"It is great for me to learn something from the book without reading it."
"The themed book list podcasts help me connect ideas across authors—like a guided audio journey."
"Makes me feel smarter every time before going to work"
