Hafdís Bjarnadóttir is a Reykjavík-based composer and guitarist known for breaking boundaries between genres - drawing on everything from jazz and folk to avant-garde, poetry, and contemporary classical. In this conversation, we trace her path from learning jazz guitar to composing award-winning works, reflect on her time reenacting history in costume at the Eiríksstaðir Museum, and dig into the theory, culture, and economics of being an artist in Iceland today. We also explore how collaboration...
Sep 25, 2025•1 hr 6 min•Ep. 39
Claudia Peterson is the driving force behind the North American tour of the crowd-sewn, Icelandic-wool Njáls Saga Tapestry — an extraordinary living artwork born in Hvolsvöllur, Iceland, with the mission of rallying support for a permanent museum to showcase this saga masterpiece in its hometown. In this episode, we look into the tapestry’s unique place in Icelandic and world history and hear Claudia’s behind-the-scenes stories from the road — sharing how communities across North America, from C...
Aug 03, 2025•1 hr 26 min•Ep. 37
Sunna Furstenau, President of Icelandic Roots and head of the Genealogy Team, along with Becky Byerly-Adams, the Outreach Director, joined us to explore everything from new books and upcoming webinars to the evolving future of the Icelandic Roots database—and why preserving our stories matters now more than ever. We talked about how the team is finding new ways to engage the community: through voice and video capture, integrating personal histories directly into the database in ways that make it...
May 31, 2025•52 min•Ep. 36
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 rip...
Apr 21, 2025•49 min•Ep. 35
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...
Apr 01, 2025•59 min•Ep. 34
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...
Mar 21, 2025•58 min•Ep. 33
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 incr...
Mar 06, 2025•1 hr 4 min•Ep. 32
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 suc...
Feb 15, 2025•51 min•Ep. 31
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 discuss...
Nov 12, 2024•57 min•Ep. 30
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 lea...
Sep 23, 2024•1 hr 21 min•Ep. 29
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 fi...
Jun 18, 2024•1 hr 2 min•Ep. 28
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. Discove...
May 28, 2024•1 hr 10 min•Ep. 27
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...
May 01, 2024•58 min•Ep. 26
Hjördís Hilmarsdóttir is a passionate traveller, hiker, genealogy enthusiast, and dog breeder. With Icelandic Roots, Hjördís brings her excitement for recording diverse information in the database and correcting errors in Icelandic-language texts. In this episode, Hjördís shares her love for the Egilsstaðir region and all of East Iceland - spanning from Seyðisfjörður to Vopnafjörður! Inspired by the breathtaking landscapes, she has dedicated herself to documenting hiking trails and natural areas...
Apr 21, 2024•51 min•Ep. 25
Doreen Borgfjord McFarlane Canadian/American pastor and author, brings her passion for Icelandic heritage to the podcast. As a descendant of immigrants she is a passionate genealogist and a trained opera singer with a PhD in bible studies. Doreen's family history fuels her writings, including her book "Leirarskotta, Icelandic Girl Ghost." In this captivating episode, Doreen introduces us to the intriguing concept of 'Ghost Genealogy,' recounting her personal quest to unravel the mystery of a fam...
Mar 29, 2024•58 min•Ep. 24
Jason Doctor is an American of Icelandic descent, a public policy professor at USC with a PhD in psychology. As Public Outreach Director at Icelandic Roots, he promotes Icelandic heritage through education and events. In this conversation, Jason shares his unique approach to delving into the Icelandic sagas - timeless literary treasures that offer profound insights into history and human nature. Drawing from his extensive immersion into the sagas, Jason provides valuable tips and tricks for navi...
Mar 24, 2024•50 min•Ep. 23
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 to...
Mar 15, 2024•50 min•Ep. 22
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 i...
Feb 08, 2024•48 min•Ep. 21
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 thi...
Jan 29, 2024•44 min•Ep. 20
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 ...
Jan 23, 2024•29 min•Ep. 19
Part 2 with Atli Geir Halldórsson and Julie Summers, co-project managers of the Snorri Programs. Continuing our exploration of language learning, touching on the influence of technologies like AI language models. We look ahead to the future of genealogy, pondering what the next generation of genealogists might discover within the vast digital archives our society is constructing. Atli and Julie share valuable insights into Iceland, the Snorri Programs, and the promising paths ahead for our North...
Jan 15, 2024•32 min•Ep. 18
Meet Atli Geir Halldórsson and Julie Summers, co-project managers of the Snorri Programs, who both joined in 2023, bringing diverse experiences to the table. Atli, with a background in managing Nordjobb and volunteering at the Nordic Youth Democracy, splits his time between Iceland and Vancouver, Canada, where he has ancestral emigration ties. Julie, previously a writer and editor for the Lögberg-Heimskringla and a longstanding member of the Icelandic Roots team, currently resides in Germany. In...
Jan 09, 2024•47 min•Ep. 17
Part 2 of our conversation with Julian Lozos, Associate Professor of Geophysics at California State University, Northridge. We pick right back up discussing earthquake processes and the role of computer modeling in both volcano and earthquake science. We explore the impact of these technologies on the lives of people and their safety in regions prone to seismic events. Continuing our exploration, we delve into the recent history of Icelandic eruptions, speculating on what 2024 might bring for vo...
Jan 05, 2024•32 min•Ep. 16
Julian Lozos is an Associate Professor of Geophysics at California State University, Northridge. His work uses computer modeling techniques to understand earthquake processes, most notably within the San Andreas Fault system. Deeply passionate about geology, Julian is captivated by Iceland. He has explored recent eruptions on the island and immersed himself in Grindavík and the geological wonders of that region. In Part 1, we delve into the captivating history of Fagradalsfjall's eruptions. Situ...
Dec 29, 2023•36 min•Ep. 15
Part 2 of our interview with Nelson Gerrard; we delve deeper into his literary journey and the intricate process of bringing his books to publication as way to give back to the community that had supported him. We venture into the concept of illuminating the invisible landscape through understanding history, unraveling the profound connections that history opens up in our surroundings. Our conversation extended to the magic of travel and the unique experiences of farming, as Nelson recounts his ...
Dec 24, 2023•38 min•Ep. 14
Recorded within the historic walls of Éngimýri, a kaffi-fueled discourse with the great Nelson Gerrard, a Manitoba-based historian, genealogist, and author of Icelandic River Saga and The Icelandic Heritage. Our conversation delves into the Icelandic immigrant experience in North America, weaving together genealogy, language, and the allure of myth in a captivating exploration of our roots. In Part 1, Nelson discusses the restoration of historic houses with the Icelandic River Heritage Sites and...
Nov 25, 2023•35 min•Ep. 13
Heather Lytwyn is a dedicated genealogy enthusiast who uncovers the fascinating history of her family in what she calls 'Virtual Family Reunion.' Heather, with over 30 years of teaching English, now leads the Icelandic Roots Book Club. The Book Club has featured noteworthy authors like first lady Eliza Reid, Alfreda Jonsdottir, Nancy Marie Brown, and translator Philip Roughton. And has covered works by Halldór Laxness, Hannah Kent, and Bill Holm. Tune in for a captivating discussion on Icelandic...
Nov 16, 2023•39 min•Ep. 12
In an engaging rendezvous, Owen Roberts reconnects with his fellow Snorri Alumni, Zach Sigurdson. In their conversation they discuss Viking History and the reaching of North America (Vinland) along with personal tales of family history. Zach is an author & Viking reenactment enthusiast from Winnipeg, Manitoba. His passion for Viking culture and history shines through, making this episode a riveting journey through time and heritage. For more about Zach and to explore his work, visit his webs...
Oct 30, 2023•21 min•Ep. 11
In this episode, Jack welcomes Mallory Swanson from the Emigration Centre, Vesturfararsetrið, to share her personal journey of connecting to her Icelandic Roots, leading her to make Iceland her home. Together, Jack and Mallory explore the origins and historical significance of the Emigration Centre, uncovering its profound ties in the picturesque town of Hofsós. The podcast also takes an enchanting detour into the world of Icelandic horses, celebrating their importance in the Skagafjörður region...
Aug 15, 2023•58 min•Season 2Ep. 7
In this special bonus episode, Jack shares excerpts from an article he wrote for the Icelandic Roots Blog. The story delves into his captivating journey back to Iceland for the Snorri Internship, unveiling anecdotes of earthquakes, encounters with walruses, and his work with the Emigration Centre at Hofsós. He also narrates fascinating adventures of driving north with Kent Björnsson and chronicles his time under the guidance of Valgeir Þorvaldsson and Mallory Swanson at Vesturfarasetrið. The epi...
Aug 11, 2023•18 min•Season 2Ep. 6
