The Icelandic Roots Podcast

The State of Tourism in Iceland | Living, Working & Travel Tips

Kent Lárus Björnsson is a Western Icelander with a unique perspective.
Born and raised in Gimli, Manitoba (Canada) with deep Icelandic roots, Kent eventually returned to his ancestral homeland.
Now living in Reykjavik, he works at a local school and shares his passion for exploration by offering services as a tour consultant.
We delve into Kent's journey of how he made Iceland his home with all his diverse adventures along the way.
From the recent volcanic eruptions to the future of Icelandic tourism, Kent also offers insightful tips for those contemplating working or living in Iceland.
He's also an experienced traveller outside of Iceland and he shared with us stories of his recent 'round the world trip including some surprising twists like how he ended up as the only English speaker on a Disney train tour of Taiwan! 
More on Kent: https://www.icelandicroots.com/ir-volunteers/kent-l%C3%A1rus-bj%C3%B6rnsson

Cancer Risks: Icelandic Gene Mutation Awareness | Community Advocacy & Heritage Stewardship

Join Curtis Olafson as he sheds light on efforts to raise awareness about a prevalent gene mutation in individuals of Icelandic descent.
 
The CDKN2A mutation significantly increases the risk of melanoma, pancreatic, and other cancers, present in 10-25% of families with multiple melanoma cases and approximately 1 in 1250 Icelanders without a melanoma diagnosis.
Icelandic descendants face heightened susceptibility to these cancers, with many carrying the inherited CDKN2A mutation.
 
Curtis has made it his personal mission to bring awareness to these health concerns.
 
Raised on his Icelandic immigrant grandparents' homestead, Curtis has dedicated more than two decades to preserving Icelandic heritage serving as President of the Icelandic Communities Association.
 
Additionally, he has been recognized for his community service as a state Senator, twice earning the title of “Legislator of the Year” by the North Dakota Township Officers Association.
 
Among other Icelandic stories, we also talk about the Deuce of August Icelandic Celebration, North Dakota's longest-running ethnic festival, now in its 125th year!
 
 
Read the article here:
https://www.icelandicroots.com/post/icelandic-cancer-related-gene-mutation-information
 
The Deuce of August:
https://www.thedeuce.org/

Deacon of Myrká, Stephan G. Stephansson, Poetry, Oral History & Folklore Ghost Tales

Continue our discussion on the essence of art, podcasting, and poetry with Karen Gummo.
Karen shares her "storytelling affirmation" and her ties to Calgary's Leif Erikson Icelandic Club and more tales from her Icelandic travels; intertwining history, myth & legendary locales.
Special to this Podcast, Karen retells the Icelandic Ghost Story of The Deacon of Myrká (Djákninn á Myrká).
The mystical Myrká of Eyjafjörður where the story is set is west of Akureyri (you can find the locations in this story on Icelandic Roots maps).
Our Podcast concludes with information on the life and times of Stephan G. Stephansson (1853–1927), the most well-known Icelandic-Canadian Poet. Born in Skagafjörður, he emigrated to North America and eventually settled in Markerville, Alberta, where he self-educated, wrote, fathered & farmed.
 
Rediscover Western Iceland through storytelling & history.
We hope you enjoy this Podcast & checkout our Blog for more: https://www.icelandicroots.com/post/the-deacon-of-myrk%C3%A1-on-christmas-eve
Following the tradition of oral storytelling & practicing the art of active listening & improvisation listen to our other episodes of The Icelandic Roots Podcast.

Karen Gummo Part 1 | Paranormal Stories, Nordic Folklore & Icelandic Sagas + Writer Laura Salverson

Karen Gummo's world of storytelling & history Part 1 of our interview.
We unravel tales from her recent trip to Iceland, where she performed in the grand opening of the Edda building.
Learn the origin story that ignited Karen's fascination with Laura Goodman Salverson (1890–1970), who was a distinguished Icelandic-Canadian author.
(Laura's literary works, deeply rooted in Icelandic heritage, earned her two Governor General's awards for literature. In 1923, Salverson introduced her inaugural novel, "The Viking Heart.")
Moving past conventional boundaries, we dance delicately between the paranormal & the historical; myth & reality; emotion & truth...
"Who am I to tell this story?"
Discover valuable insights on overcoming the fear of becoming a storyteller & journey thru Western Icelandic Heritage, touching diverse landscapes from Markerville & Red Deer to British Columbia & the wandering gypsy spirit of Saskatchewan.
"There's Truth in Every Story... Where is the Truth for you in that story?"
Let this thought resonate as we navigate the Icelandic sagas & folklore, questioning what is fact and what is metaphorically true.
Explore the nuanced perspectives of history, from the written word to oral storytelling, intertwined with emotions & memory.
 
Bridging the gap between past and present.
Enjoy listening & lookout for Part 2 of our Podcast.
 
Discover YOUR Icelandic Roots: IcelandicRoots.com
 
For more about Karen Gummo, visit http://karengummo.com
 
Learn about Laura Salverson: icelandicroots.com/post/torment-and-triumph-in-the-nineteen-twenties