The Icelandic Roots Podcast

Jason tells us about how the Saga Project is making it easier for Icelandic descendants to connect to the lands of their ancestors through maps and stories in the Icelandic Roots genealogy database.    Plus, Natalie gives a PSA on how to watch the new Viking Valhalla series on Netflix.    Non-Icelanders can view the Saga Map at: http://sagamap.hi.is/is/   Learn more about Icelandic history, heritage, and culture with our public newsletter: https://www.icelandicroots.com/newsletter-signup  Find the Fitness Challenge details + upcoming events on our calendar: www.icelandicroots.com/event-calendar      Learn more about the sagas:   What is a saga? https://www.icelandicroots.com/post/what-is-a-saga    Flóamanna Saga https://www.icelandicroots.com/post/fl%C3%B3amanna-saga   Fljótsdalur Saga https://www.icelandicroots.com/post/flj%C3%B3tsdalur-saga   The Saga of Þorsteinn Staff Struck https://www.icelandicroots.com/post/the-saga-of-%C3%BEorsteinn-staff-struck    The Saga of the Vopnafjörður https://www.icelandicroots.com/post/the-saga-of-the-people-of-vopnafj%C3%B6r%C3%B0ur    Tracing Njáll’s Saga https://www.icelandicroots.com/post/tracing-njalls-saga   Saga Thing Podcast https://sagathingpodcast.wordpress.com/

Jodi Dunlop is an artist and musician from Gimli/Winnipeg, Manitoba. She shares her experiences growing up in Gimli - the heart of New Iceland, working for the New Iceland Heritage Museum and the Lögberg-Heimskringla (Canada's oldest ethnic newspaper still printing) as well as her journey into music. Her band, Mise en Scene, was named Rock Artist of the Year in 2021 at the Western Canadian Music Awards. Their new music and upcoming shows can be found on their website: www.misensceneband.com    Learn more about Icelandic culture, heritage, history, and language on our website www.icelandicroots.com.    Find upcoming events on our calendar: www.icelandicroots.com/event-calendar

March 19th, 2022 is the one-year anniversary of the Geldingadalsgos volcanic eruption on the Reykjanes Peninsula in Iceland. This capricious volcano captivated a global audience around the world as 24-hour webcams captured the changing nature of the fissures and lava flow.  This episode features interviews from some of our friends, family, and volunteers who had the opportunity to see the volcano up close with their own eyes. Join us as we hear them describe their experiences and impressions.    Read more about the volcano:https://www.icelandicroots.com/post/iceland-s-volcanomania-2021-edition    Learn more about Icelandic history, heritage, and culture with our public newsletter: https://www.icelandicroots.com/newsletter-signup    Find upcoming events on our calendar: www.icelandicroots.com/event-calendar

In this episode, Will interviews American Author, Nancy Marie Brown, author of numerous books about Viking history and culture, including her most recent novel, The Real Valkyrie: The Hidden History of Viking Warrior Women. This episode's featured song is "Love and War" by Mise en Scene.   Learn more about Icelandic culture, heritage, history, and language on our website www.icelandicroots.com.    Find upcoming events on our calendar: www.icelandicroots.com/event-calendar

In this episode, Will interviews renowned North Dakota photographer retired professor, and author, Wayne Gudmundson. Together they discuss the jigsaw puzzle that is Iceland's history and the complex story of immigration to North America. Hear excerpts from Wayne's new book, "A Song for Liv", where he chronicles his Icelandic family's journey to North Dakota.  Wayne's book, Song for Liv, is available for purchase from the North Dakota State University: https://epayment.ndus.nodak.edu/C22800_ustores/web/product_detail.jsp?PRODUCTID=11212&SINGLESTORE=true  Learn more about Icelandic heritage, history, culture, and language on our website: www.icelandicroots.com Find upcoming Icelandic events on our calendar: www.icelandicroots.com/event-calendar 

In this episode, we look at the works of Bill Holm, a poet and essayist born on a farm north of Minneota, Minnesota. Holm is the author of twelve books of poems and essays covering topics about life in rural Minnesota, American society, and Iceland.  For more information on Icelandic heritage, culture, and genealogy, connect with us on our website www.icelandicroots.com and find us on social media as “Icelandic Roots”.

In this episode, we are looking at the life and legacy of the Icelandic-American poet Kristján Níels Júlíus Jónsson, aka K.N. Júlíus or Káinn (pronounced cow-en). Podcast hosts Will and Natalie discuss the timeline of his life and discuss the interesting stories that have lingered about him. We also talk to Icelandic musician, writer, and actor, Bragi Valdimar Skúlason, about his connection to Káinn’s poetry and his band, Baggalútur’s latest album, which features a full list of Kaínn’s poems turned to song. Listen to the end to hear “Sólskinið í Dakota” at the end.  For more information on Icelandic heritage, culture, and genealogy, connect with us on our website www.icelandicroots.com and find us on social media as “Icelandic Roots”.

In this episode, we introduce you to Icelandic Roots: who we are, what we do, and why we started a podcast. Volunteers Jackie and Natalie take turns interviewing Icelandic Roots founder and director, Sunna Furstenau about her love of her Icelandic heritage, how she turned her hobby of genealogy into a thriving non-profit, and her vision for the future of the organization.  The featured song of this episode is "So Cold" by Sigrun Stella, so listen to the end!