The Icelandic Roots Podcast

A Necessary Distance: Thinking on the Page Across Generations with Julie Salverson

Julie Salverson is a fourth-generation Icelandic-Canadian author whose new memoir, A Necessary Distance: Confessions of a Scriptwriter’s Daughter, braids family memory with global history. In this episode, we explore Julie’s reflections on her father, CBC writer George Salverson, and her grandmother, acclaimed Icelandic-Canadian author Laura Goodman Salverson.
Drawing from her father’s 1963 travel journals and her own journeys—including a meaningful trip to Iceland—Julie shares how the past ripples into the present. We talk about her experience hearing storyteller Karen Gummo recount one of Laura’s tales, and the significance of meeting Vigdís Finnbogadóttir, Iceland’s former president and a trailblazer for women worldwide.
As we dive into Julie’s writing process, we explore how she sees memoir as an act of witness—writing as understanding, thinking on the page, and reckoning with diverse perspectives through time. Our conversation touches on the philosophical nature of history, the weight of inherited stories, and how the act of documenting becomes a thread across generations.
From radio scripts to personal memoir, and from immigrant stories to international travels, this episode weaves together art, ancestry, and the enduring power of writing to carry memory forward.
Find her book here: https://bookstore.wolsakandwynn.ca/products/a-necessary-distance
Or check your local bookstore!

The 3 Most Icelandic Cities in the World | Denmark, Greenland & Canada & Riding a Bicycle

Atli Halldórsson is the co-project manager of the Snorri Programs, splitting his time between Iceland and Vancouver, Canada. In this episode, we explore the deep cultural ties between Iceland, Scandinavia, and North America—through the lens of an Icelander dedicated to reconnecting people of Icelandic descent with their roots.
Atli unpacks what makes Winnipeg, Manitoba, and Copenhagen, Denmark, two of the most "Icelandic" cities outside of Iceland, tracing their history, traditions, and evolving cultural expressions.
From Viking migration to modern identity, this is a wide-ranging conversation—from Atli’s time in Denmark, where he mastered riding a bicycle with no hands, to his adventures in Canada, exploring the Rocky Mountains and the Icelandic diaspora.
 
For those keen on Icelandic culture, history, and meaningful connections, the Snorri Program offers a unique immersion opportunity. If you're interested, check out www.snorri.is
And if you want to take stock of your Icelandic heritage, explore the Icelandic Roots database and stay in touch through our public newsletter: https://www.icelandicroots.com/newsletter-signup

Infant Mortality: Iceland’s 1800s Medical History | Mormon Migration, Vestmannaeyjar to Utah

Susan Huff is a genealogist and a descendant of Icelandic immigrants who emigrated from the Vestmannaeyjar to Spanish Fork, Utah—the oldest continuous Icelandic settlement in North America. In this episode, we explore her work with the National Archive of Iceland, where she uncovered fascinating stories from Icelandic history by examining parish records.
Susan shares her insights into Iceland’s shockingly high infant mortality rate—once the highest in all of Europe—and the role tetanus played in this tragedy. We investigate how medical advancements during this era helped improve survival rates and what these historical health challenges reveal about Iceland’s past.
From the struggles of early settlers to the genealogical ties that continue to link Icelandic families to Utah, this episode offers a picture of Icelandic ancestry, the Latter-day Saints, and the medical history that shaped the development of Iceland—highlighting remarkable survival stories that influenced both nations.
Learn more on the blog: https://www.icelandicroots.com/post/infant-mortality-in-iceland

Iceland in the 1970s | Fishing, Language & Brennivín: A Western Icelanders Experience

Mark Petursson is the president of the Leif Eiriksson Icelandic Club in Calgary and a dedicated member of the Western Icelander community. In this episode, we discuss his journey of reconnecting with his Icelandic heritage, from working in Iceland’s fishing industry as a teenager to his ongoing efforts in cultural preservation.
Mark shares his experiences learning the Icelandic language firsthand, offering humorous anecdotes and reflections on the challenges of embracing a new culture. From incredible days at sea to wild nights with Brennivín, he recounts how the warmth of the Icelanders—and a few drinks—helped him pick up the language faster than any textbook.
We explore the deep connection between language, family, and identity—with plenty of laughs along the way.