by Jack Plumley
One of the hosts and a correspondent for the Icelandic Roots Podcast Team, Jack Plumley, announces the success of this initiative, entices us with the upcoming podcasts and reminds us of what is available at a touch of the button. Click here, IR Podcast, to access the many choices available.
The Icelandic Roots Podcast has been traveling the world!
With over 7,800 all-time downloads across 35 episodes, our audience continues to expand. Here’s a snapshot of where some of our listeners are tuning in from:
United States: 1,910 (38.96%) Canada: 1,591 (32.46%)
Iceland: 517 (10.55%) United Kingdom: 162 (3.3%)
Australia: 56 (1.14%) Sweden: 48 (0.98%)
New Releases:
Some of our most recent episodes were recorded in person in Iceland, allowing us to reconnect with long-time friends and family in the Icelandic Roots community, as well as meeting other individuals making their mark in Iceland.
In a recent episode, we looked into the future learning about a new business in Hofsós. Amber Monroe, the Owner and Founder of Ísponica, an aquaponics company producing microgreens and fish, shared her inspiring story.
We traced Amber’s journey from the USA to Iceland, her early research on lumpfish at Hólar University, and how she evolved from operating in a barn basement to establishing a cutting-edge aquaponics setup in a warehouse overlooking the majestic Skagafjörður.
This episode taught us about Icelandic food production and explored how initiatives like Amber’s are shaping the future of "Agri-Tourism" in Iceland.
We gained deeper insight into life in contemporary Iceland with Simbí Sigmundsson, who took us on an audio tour of Búðardalur. Through his narrative we discovered the changing landscape of Icelandic family farms and the resilience of rural communities.
This episode also explored sustainable food production, envisioning the future of Icelandic agriculture with innovative greenhouses, thriving fish farms, and the enduring tradition of sheep farming.
Next, we stepped back into history, uncovering Iceland's fight against the "Great White Plague" with guest María Pálsdóttir, who operates the Hælið Museum—a former sanatorium turned museum highlighting Iceland's battle against Tuberculosis.
This episode examined the history and current relevance of tuberculosis in Iceland, once known as the "Romantic Disease," and its impact on society through culture, healthcare, and even fashion.
Finally, we journeyed to East Iceland with Hjördís Hilmarsdóttir, a passionate nature lover, genealogist, and husky dog breeder. Hjördís shared her love for East Iceland, from Egilsstaðir to Seyðisfjörður and up to Vopnafjörður.
Rewind - revisiting past episodes
And for those of you who are new to the show, some of our earlier episodes are well worth revisiting. These include conversations about the works of poets and writers like Bill Holm or the historical legacy of poet Káinn. One episode features an interview with Bragi Valdimar Skúlason, discussing his band Baggalútur’s album, which set Káinn’s poems to music.
These are just a few of the treasures you’ll find in our podcast, connecting you to all things Iceland.
Continuing on the Journey
What makes podcasts so enjoyable is their ability to transform any moment—whether driving, walking, or doing chores—into an opportunity for engaging conversation and learning.
This podcast is made for all of YOU in the Icelandic Roots community, but we also aim to bring Iceland to the world, sharing our cultural and historical gems with everyone. Continue with us on this journey.
If you enjoy the podcast, please rate and review us on Apple Podcasts or Spotify, or visit our Podbean website, where we host the podcast.
Share your favorite episodes with family and friends on Facebook or even by texting a direct link to someone who might enjoy it!
Take the episode with Curtis Olafson, for example—many of you shared it with your networks, helping more people of Icelandic descent learn about efforts to raise awareness about a prevalent gene mutation in our ancestry.
Stay Tuned...
Whether you’re here to learn about your heritage, health, genealogy, or simply seeking inspiration for your next visit to Iceland, or discovering what's behind this unique island's nature – we’ve got more for you!
Stay tuned; we share new episodes through our social media platforms, and we hope you and listeners worldwide continue to enjoy the content we’re providing—free, fun, and fantastic for all to love.
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