The Icelandic Roots Podcast

An Icelanders View on North America and Modern Life in Iceland

Sigfús Haukur Sigfússon was the 2024 Snorri West Alumni Intern, who has been exploring his family emigration connections across North America with Icelandic Roots.
 
Recorded live in Reykjavik - Sigfús shares his journey of tracing family branches, and filling in the gaps of genealogy. We explore perspectives on American culture and the immigrant experience within the “melting pot” of the U.S. and Canada.
 
Sigfús recounts personal adventures like getting lost on Washington Island. And what he's learned about Icelandic emigrants like Chester Þórðarson and his innovations in electrical transformer technology.
 
As an English major with ambitions to be a teacher, Sigfús reflects on language learning and the educational system of Iceland. To wrap up the conversation, he also explains his process of recently publishing a book.
 
This is a philosophical, eloquent, and wide-ranging conversation, blending genealogy with forward-looking insights.
 
We hope you enjoy and stay tuned for more episodes from the Icelandic Roots Podcast!

Sheep, Sagas & Sustainable Future - From the Westfjords to the Laxdæla Sagas History

Sigmundur Geir Sigmundsson, known as Simbí, grew up on a Westfjords dairy farm before attending agriculture school and traveling North America with the Snorri West program.
Join us for a conversation near his home in Búðardalur, where we delve into the changing landscape of Icelandic family farms and the resilience of rural communities.
We explore the challenges and possibilities of sustainable practices, pondering the future of Icelandic agriculture.
 
Discover innovative greenhouses, thriving fish farms, and traditional sheep farming that make Iceland unique.
We discuss future food production, the impact of imports and exports, and even the ongoing debate on building more road tunnels.
From the beauty of the Westfjords to the intrigue of the recent presidential election (including Banana Bread with cheese!), this episode is a captivating journey through history.
Enjoy this modern saga of a young Icelander's views on the world and his country.
We conclude the podcast with Simbí reciting some Icelandic poetry.
 
Stay tuned for more Icelandic adventures with us here at Icelandic Roots! 

Aquaponics Pioneer: From Hólar to a Hofsós Warehouse (Fish Farming, Microgreens & Agritourism)

Amber Monroe is the Owner and Founder of Ísponica. In this episode we explore what lead her from the United States to start her Aquaponics company in Iceland. 
 
Amber's path, starting from her studies on lumpfish at Hólar University, has led her from a Hólar barn basement to a unique aquaponics setup in a warehouse in Hofsós, overlooking the stunning fjord of Skagafjörður.
 
She shares her insights on rural tourism, Icelandic food production, and the controversial topic of salmon fish farms.
 
Discover why she chose Hofsós, why aquaponics is pivotal to her vision, and how it all ties into the future of "Agri-Tourism"
 
Learn more & visit Ísponica's website: https://isponica.is/about/aquaponics/
 

Tuberculosis in Iceland: Hælið Museum, the Romantic Disease and Björk of Course!

Our guest is María Pálsdóttir who operates the Hælið Museum - a sanatorium turned museum highlighting Iceland's fight against Tuberculosis.
TB, a persistent scourge, has haunted humanity for millennia, leaving its mark on countless lives, societies, and even driving medical advancements.
 
This episode dives into the past and present of tuberculosis in Iceland. We explore why tuberculosis was once known as the "Romantic Disease" and how it has impacted society through culture, healthcare, and even fashion!
We'll discuss her work, and Björk of course.
 
We hope you enjoy this truly fascinating journey through Iceland's fight against the "Great White Plague" and discover stories of hope, resilience, and the enduring human spirit.
 
For more information, watch Icelandic Roots Webinar on Destination Hælið: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Z6uQnujl3T0&t=2820s