The Icelandic Roots Podcast

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.

Writing Family Histories: Turning Memories into Novels & Publishing on Amazon

Brian Borgford is a prolific writer with 40 books published on Amazon. In this episode, we go over his writing process and the philosophy behind publicly sharing family histories. Brian explains how he transforms biographies of family members into novels, bringing their lives and times to the page in new and engaging ways.
This conversation offers insightful perspectives on writing family histories and leveraging modern tools to preserve the past.
With unexpected twists — like the surprising success of Pepper: The Story of a Lost Dog — this discussion highlights the creative journey, the importance of storytelling, and how history and art shape our understanding of the present.
His work underscores the value of documenting personal and family histories, not just for ourselves but for future generations.
 
Find his books on Amazon: https://www.amazon.ca/stores/Brian-Borgford/author/B0088L0ULC?ref=dbs_a_mng_rwt_scns_share&isDramIntegrated=true&shoppingPortalEnabled=true

Beyond Borders | Contemplations on Family & Global Identity

Audrey Ledford, a Seattle native and recent Georgetown graduate, wrote a reflective piece titled Meditation on Family and Home - Snorri 2024 for our blog.
In this episode, Jack connects with Audrey—now teaching in Spain—to explore her journey with the Snorri Program and its impact on her connection to her Icelandic roots.
Through their conversation, Audrey shares how walking the landscapes of her ancestors helped her better understand the bonds between family, heritage, and identity. She discusses how this experience reshaped her sense of place, deepening her connection to both her Icelandic heritage and her own family, both past and present.
With a B.S. in Foreign Service, Audrey offers insights into the intersection of heritage, geopolitics, and identity, exploring how these forces influence personal connections to history and home.
Takk fyrir.

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!