In this episode, we’re going to get super geeky and tell how Risto and Nahlah ended up traveling to the University of Minnesota in Minneapolis to do sauna research in their archives. We decided to go on this daddy-daughter adventure after Risto discovered the Matti Kaups archive while reading the book The Opposite of Cold. Join us this week as we recount our adventures in the Matti Kaups archive!   Finnish pancake (lettu) recipe:...

Part two is out! Join us for the second episode of our adventures in Thunder Bay as we tour Kangas Sauna, try more finnish pancakes, and go sledding in our birthday suits. We’ll share pictures from our exploration, 360 degree immersive photos of the sauna at Stepstone, and, of course, more stories from Thunder Bay.  Finnish Pancake (Lettu) recipe: https://beta.locals.com/thesaunatrail/feed?post=5587333  Kangas Sauna website: https://kangassauna.ca  Music Dirge of the Night by Tied...

We’re crossing the border! In the first part of this two part series, we drive up to Thunder Bay, Canada. We share our memories of Thunder Bay and the sauna, discuss a brand new food we fall in love with, and laugh about troubles at the border. Join us in this new adventure on the sauna trail!  Finnish Pancake (Lettu) Recipe: https://beta.locals.com/thesaunatrail/feed?post=5587333  Tyndall Stone Bed and Breakfast Facebook page:...

Should I use soap in a sauna? How much steam should I be putting on? Is a sauna in the summer at all relaxing? In this episode we share about how to use sauna. We talk about prepping for a sauna, getting into the hot room, relaxing in the cold, enjoying nature, and post sauna habits. Remember that not everyone does it the same way! We apologize for the poor audio. We had a technical error and only one microphone was recording, so we salvaged as much as possible… Music Dirge of the Night...

We’re traveling as far as we ever have on the sauna trail to Lancaster, Pennsylvania. Today’s episode will have two parts. First, we’ll talk about our trip in general and the sauna we used, then in the second part we’ll share about our favorite band, The Innocence Mission. Their music has been our soundtrack on many sauna journeys. Join us as we discuss two of our favorite things – music and sauna!  The Innocence Mission Website: https://www.theinnocencemission.com  The Innocence Mission...

Surprise! Today we’ll talk about our visit to a sauna we already featured in episode four “Kinda Rustic”, and share how it went from being “meh” to a favorite sauna that is near and dear to our hearts. Join us to hear the story of our conversion! Music Dirge of the Night by Tied With...

In this episode, we are joined by Angela Meredith to discuss the Scandinavian Christmas Bazaar in Cokato, Minnesota. We also pay a visit to what might be the oldest sauna in North America, and another at the Koinonia Retreat Center! Join us this week in our adventures in central Minnesota.  Scandinavian Bazaar Facebook page: https://www.facebook.com/CokatoScandinavianChristmas/info/  Music Dirge of the Night by Tied With...

We have a VERY special guest joining us in this episode — the author David Salmela! He and his wife Anne agreed to come on our podcast and talk about their Finnish heritage, what sauna meant to them growing up, and some of their favorite sauna memories. Join us this week as we laugh over coffee, poetry, stories, and sauna! David Salmela author page:...

This episode marks our introduction to the wonderful world of sauna books! We’ll review the history of notable English language sauna books, give you an overview of the different categories of sauna books, highlight a few unique or odd ones, share some of our favorites, and even read some excerpts. If you’re someone who likes to go deep and get geeky, this episode is for you! Sauna Exists, Therefore I Am abridged PDF: https://www.saunaist.com/sauna-exists-therefore-i-am  Music Dirge of...

This week we’ll be discussing one of our favorite parts of the sauna trail: community connections! We’ve met so many wonderful people over the years through sauna – both online and in-person. Join us this week as we detail how our trail connected us with so many others!  Wood-Burning Sauna Facebook group: https://www.facebook.com/groups/WoodBurningSauna  Sauna Digest: https://saunadigest.com  NASS website: https://www.saunasociety.org  Music Dirge of the Night by Tied With...

This episode fulfills a promise we made a few weeks ago – we’re finally making good on our word to talk about our first barrel sauna experience and trip to the north shore! We also try a hotel sauna again, after being on the sauna trail, and share our thoughts. Join us as we get back on the trail this week!  360º Sauna Photos  https://www.thesaunatrail.com/sauna-photos Larsmont Cottages https://odysseyresorts.com/larsmont-cottages/ Music Dirge of the Night by Tied With...

This week we’ll continue the theme of having your own sauna by discussing what accessories you may want to purchase. We’ll talk about our sauna accessories, then move on to what we recommend for YOUR sauna.  Copper Dipper: https://www.saunaplace.com/product/copper-dipper-19-1-2/  GOSHI Exfoliating Shower Towel: https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B0897859VJ/  Cottonique Drawstring Shorts: https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00FFSLSYE/  Grip Stainless Steel Bucket:...

In today’s episode we'll be sharing our tips for building or buying a sauna. If you’ve been bitten by the löyly bug and want to get your own Finnish steam bath, this practical advice will get you headed in the right direction so you can hopefully avoid the most common pitfalls. Jim Torolla’s sauna story: https://saunadigest.com/jims-sauna-4365ec6aeb03  Wood-Burning Sauna group: https://www.facebook.com/groups/WoodBurningSauna Wood Fired Saunas group:...

In this episode we summarize the journey so far, bringing you up to speed if you are new, and providing a good review if you have been following along. We share our thoughts on each sauna thus far, what we have learned from starting a podcast, and the lessons we have picked up along the sauna trail.  Music Dirge of the Night by Tied With...

Part 2 is out! We’re sharing the winner of the pasty-off, reliving the first time we stepped into Big Traverse Bay (straight from the sauna!), and continuing our adventures exploring the Keweenaw Peninsula.  Music Dirge of the Night by Tied With Twine Website https://www.thesaunatrail.com Instagram https://www.instagram.com/thesaunatrail Facebook https://www.facebook.com/thesaunatrail TikTok https://www.tiktok.com/@thesaunatrail Locals https://thesaunatrail.locals.com (00:00)...

In this special episode, we are excited to share our first trip to the Upper Peninsula of Michigan. We’ll talk about discovering pasties, swimming in Lake Michigan, and checking out a savusauna. Tune in next week to catch part two of our adventures in the Upper Peninsula.  Music Dirge of the Night by Tied With...

We’re excited to share our trip to a wood-burning log sauna in Isabella, MN, where we introduced Julie’s mom, Yuwatey, and sister-in-law, Clarissa, to sauna. Join us in this episode as we explore the social side of sauna and discover a whole new aspect of sauna we weren’t expecting to find.  Music Dirge of the Night by Tied With...

What Happened?! The History of Sauna in North America - 005 In this week's episode, Risto presents an overview of Finnish sauna in North America and how it has devolved over time. He will also introduce you to the Cecil Ellis sauna company. Special thanks to the work of Matti Kaups, Frank Eld, and Cecil Ellis. Timestamps  (00:00:00) Intro (00:02:43) Sauna is an ancient practice (00:11:33) How did sauna get to North America (00:15:10) Immigrant communities and the American melting...

The next stop on our trail is Viroqua, Wisconsin, in the Driftless area. Risto shares about his experience introducing his brother and dad to sauna, contrasting heat with cold for the first time, and discovers the sauna spins.  Music Dirge of the Night by Tied With...

In this episode we tell the story of using our first wood-burning sauna. Christopher and Julie discuss their trip to Herbster, Wisconsin, getting a sauna fire started, and how sauna helped them out of a difficult time in their marriage. Timestamps (00:00) Intro (02:25) Finding a wood-burning sauna (05:14) On the way up (08:05) Discovering sauna books (09:50) Checking out the sauna (11:00) Attempting to start the fire (11:48) Dinner and sauna (13:50) Exploring the area (18:55)...

This episode marks the beginning of our sauna trail. Join us as we introduce  ourselves, share our trip to Madison, Wisconsin, and stumble upon Finnish sauna for the first time.  Music Dirge of the Night by Tied With Twine Website https://www.thesaunatrail.com Instagram https://www.instagram.com/thesaunatrail Facebook https://www.facebook.com/thesaunatrail TikTok https://www.tiktok.com/@thesaunatrail Locals https://www.locals.com/thesaunatrail

After visiting over 100 unique saunas the past several years, we’re excited to share this journey with you through The Sauna Trail podcast. Sauna has created so many wonderful memories for our family of so many places with so many lovely people. We hope each episode will warm your heart, make you laugh or maybe cry. But most of all, our goal is that The Sauna Trail will encourage you to seek your own Finnish sauna experience and perhaps even build one to create sweet memories for you and...