Shows
Living a Nordic Life with Fiona McKinna40: Nordic Folk tales with Eric Stavney of Nordic on TapWhat makes a folk tale?In this episode I talk to Eric Stavney of Nordic on Tap about the importance of folk tales in our lives and what Nordic folk tales mean to him.Eric is a passionate podcaster and storyteller and his podcast is inspiring and enlightening. You can find Eric's podcast at www.nordicontap.com For more Nordic living, visit the Living a Nordic Life www.livinganordiclife.comor join us in the Living a Nordic Life Facebook group www.facebook.com/groups/livinganordiclife2024-07-1934 min
Nordic on Tap - the podcastWealth, Greed, and Responsibility in Nordic FolktalesIn this podcast we listen to the tales “Big Peter and Little Peter” from Norway and “The Merchant” from Denmark. We talk about how greedy people may acquire riches and become quite wealthy.
Then there are wealthy people who come to be rich through hard work and dealing fairly with others. We look at how these folktales differentiate between wealth gained through greed and wealth acquired honestly, and the responsibility they have in spending their riches.
But what about ourselves? — we may be talented and skilled, rich in compassion and understanding…shouldn’t we consider these part of...2024-05-2949 min
Nordic on Tap - the podcastNorwegian Society and the Laws of JanteNordic society seems to be governed by a set of unspoken rules on how to behave around others. These rules or "laws" were first articulated by the Danish author, Aksel Sandemose in a novel that described life in a fictional town called Jante, ruled by a set of ten laws. The laws dictated that no one was to be boastful, to think they are more special than anyone else, not to imagine themselves as better than anyone else. They were known as Janteloven, or the Laws of Jante.
Sound familiar? Have any relatives that strictly mind their ow...2024-02-0742 min
Nordic on Tap - the podcastNordic Noir: Dr. Jerry Holt on Crime Fiction in BergenJoin us for a journey into Nordic crime fiction or noir with Dr. Jerry Holt as our guide. Fiction has the ability to transport us into worlds, cultures, geography, and the thoughts of heroes and villains that non-fiction just can't touch. And we are changed by those stories. At a time when we are home-bound due to social distancing, catching up on your reading has never been better. In Norway, this is the time of påskekrim, that spate of dedicated crime fiction reading that occurs around Easter. Really, it's a thing.
Dr. Holt is a professor at...2023-12-2935 min
Nordic on Tap - the podcastThe Rosemaled Church and the Journey to Belong
An ocean-going ship has long been a metaphor for a journey, literal or spiritual, and model ships are still found in some Scandinavian Churches today. It was on a tall ship that immigrants from Scandinavia came to America, carrying their prized possessions in storage trunks, adorned with colorful flowers and vines - an art form called rosemaling.
In this episode (see website ) we trace the origins of rosemaling in Norway and then in the United States, and learn about a group of rosemalers and parishioners to renovate the Glendale Lutheran Church chapel with...2023-09-3045 min
Nordic on Tap - the podcastRelating to Fjord Horses: Rory and Kristin MillerThe Norwegian fjord horse or fjording is one of the oldest breeds of domesticated horses known from 4000 years ago. "Fjords" are masters the mountainous terrain on farms in Norway - surefooted, and pound for pound, the strongest breed of horse in the world. In this podcast, we meet Rory and Kristin Miller of Strawberry Hills Fjords in Chehalis, Washington, who train their horses in driving carriages or carts and in performing challenging routines in what's called "dressage" riding. Come along with us as we learn about these gentle and extremely intelligent horses, tour the Millers' stables, and discover how t...2023-06-1251 min
Nordic on Tap - the podcastNordic Folktale Water CreaturesHave you ever looked out over a lake at night, wondering if that splash you heard was something to worry about? Or the shriek and moan of the wind during a storm on the coast? Nordic folk have long had explanations for unexplainable things through folktales of strange and sometimes creepy supernatural creatures. In this podcast we look at the folktales that describe the mosekone and lygtemænd (bog woman and lantern men) of Danish marshes, the fearsome draug and sjøorm (sea spirit and sea serpent) of the northern coast of Norway, the musical fossegrim (water sprite) that inh...2023-05-1338 min
Nordic on Tap - the podcastThe National Aquarium in Bergen, NorwayThe Seattle Aquarium is expanding to include sharks from Indonesia. Is this for the entertainment value or is there an educational component as well? What is the role of aquariums regarding public education, anyway? Is it to appreciate and have empathy for the fish, otters, seals, penguins, etc. or motivate conservation and sustainable behavior? At the same time, Seattle's sister city in Norway (Bergen) is planning to completely rebuild the National Aquarium in a new location.
Join us as we visit the Bergen Aquarium to ask these questions about the role of the aquariums today. First we ta...2023-01-2240 min
Nordic on Tap - the podcastRuthi Winter and the Winter BandIn 1923, a young Norwegian named Peter Sundness emigrated to the Seattle Area and, after several years, brought his wife and children over too. Pete’s daughter Ruthi Sundness Winter, later born in Seattle, fondly remembers playing Scandinavian music together with her family, a tradition that has continued after marrying Mike Winter, whose own family had a similar tradition.
The result is the present day Winter Band that plays Scandinavian favorites that celebrate both life in America as well as "back home". In this podcast you’ll meet Ruthi, and hear about her discovery of writings and tapes made b...2022-07-1547 min
Nordic on Tap - the podcastLaura Loge: Grieg, Ibsen, and Solveig’s SongLaura Loge, Nordic operatic soprano.
Edvard Grieg, Norway's greatest composer.
Henrik Ibsen, Norway's greatest playwright.
A trio that comes together through Ibsen's play, Peer Gynt, and Grieg's incidental music for that play. Laura sings the role of Gynt's long and abiding love, Solveig.
Join us as we learn how Laura first sang Solveig's song at the age of 14, and how this music followed her as she studied Norwegian, Italian, and classical music to become a talented, accomplished classical singer, sharing her love of Greig through concertizing and school outreach.
In thi...2022-06-2240 min
Nordic on Tap - the podcastThe Parade TrollEvery year before the pandemic, the Bothell Sons of Norway lodge members marched in Seattle's 17th of May Parade, as well as Bothell's Fourth of July Parade. In addition to a Viking ship float and a convertible sports car with the princess waving from the back, is a 7 foot tall, imposing, ugly, but goofy troll. This elaborate costume was created by Mike Nelson and has delighted parade-goers, especially children, for years. Then Carl Stavney was invited to inhabit the troll costume and discovered the magic that the costume imparts.
Join us for the story of how the troll...2022-05-1624 min
Nordic on Tap - the podcastA Coat Dyed Black and the Norwegian Resistance - Don ”Jerry” Pugnetti Jr.Don "Jerry" Pugnetti Jr, a long-time journalist, has written a fictional account of a Norwegian man and his compatriots who join the Norwegian Resistance during World War II. Jerry based the book on real stories he collected from his won relatives who were there in the early 1940s, and in the Resistance themselves. In this podcast we interview Jerry about his writing the book and learn about the true events that are mentioned in it. We finish up with a reinlender called "Holingen", played by the Nordahl Grieg Spelemanslag.
See extra material and links on our website at...2022-04-2436 min
Nordic on Tap - the podcastThe Brave Tailor, Danish versionJoin me for a tale of adventure with a very unlikely hero - a little tailor who dreams big but has trouble with the reality of dangerous situations. This Grimm Brothers folktale was collected in Denmark in the late 1800s and features hungry giants, a not so friendly unicorn, and a ferocious wild boar. Why do the people he meets think he’s heroic material? How does our hero even survive, let alone succeed? And how do you define success, anyway?
We also hear a hardanger “quartet” with instruments built by Lynn Berg (see our previous podcast) - with th...2022-02-0932 min
Nordic on TapThe Many Faces of the Tomte
Who is that unseen elf that takes care of the animals on the farm? Join me as I interview Dr. Lotta Gavel Adams to understand the origins of the Swedish tomte, learn about Viktor Rydberg’s classic poem, and identify the major artists who have contributed to our picture of the tomte. We owe the concept of the jolly American Santa Claus to a Swedish illustrator too. We conclude the show with a 2020 recording of the Gustavus Adolphus College Lucia Singers performing the Sankta Lucia song accompanied by the Christ Chapel organ. A great way to celebrate by candlelight on lo...2021-12-1037 minNordic on TapThe Many Faces of the Tomte
Who is that unseen elf that takes care of the animals on the farm? Join me as I interview Dr. Lotta Gavel Adams to understand the origins of the Swedish tomte, learn about Viktor Rydberg’s classic poem, and identify the major artists who have contributed to our picture of the tomte. We owe the concept of the jolly American Santa Claus to a Swedish illustrator too. We conclude the show with a 2020 recording of the Gustavus Adolphus College Lucia Singers performing the Sankta Lucia song accompanied by the Christ Chapel organ. A great way to celebrate by candlelight on lo...2021-12-1037 min
Nordic on Tap - the podcastWelkommen til Norske Folkemuseum!Come along with us to the world's first open air museum - the Norsk Folkmuseum in Oslo! We interview Inger Jensen and Siv Ringdal, both first curators at the museum about the oldest buildings, such as the Gol Stave Church from the 1200s, as well as more contemporary history in farm buildings of the 1950s, a Trekking Association (DNT) hytte, and an apartment building from downtown Oslo. Living history museums are relevant and important to us today. Listen to this podcast to learn why.
2021-11-0141 minNordic on TapWelkommen til Norske Folkemuseum!
Come along with us to the world’s first open air museum – the Norsk Folkmuseum in Oslo! We interview Inger Jensen and Siv Ringdal, both first curators at the museum about the oldest buildings, such as the Gol Stave Church from the 1200s, as well as more contemporary history in farm buildings of the 1950s, a Trekking Association (DNT) hytte, and an apartment building from downtown Oslo. Living history museums are relevant and important to us today. Listen to this podcast to learn why.
Links
Norsk Folkemuseum website has some great pictures of their...2021-11-0141 minNordic on TapWelkommen til Norske Folkemuseum!
Come along with us to the world’s first open air museum – the Norsk Folkmuseum in Oslo! We interview Inger Jensen and Siv Ringdal, both first curators at the museum about the oldest buildings, such as the Gol Stave Church from the 1200s, as well as more contemporary history in farm buildings of the 1950s, a Trekking Association (DNT) hytte, and an apartment building from downtown Oslo. Living history museums are relevant and important to us today. Listen to this podcast to learn why.
Links
Norsk Folkemuseum website has some great pictures of their...2021-11-0141 min
Nordic on TapNordic Cooking with Kristi Bissell and the True North Blog
Have you struggled at home with recipes for Nordic dishes or in creating Scandinavian Christmas cookies like krumkake? I sure have. In this program I interview Kristi Bissell of the True North Kitchen Blog, whose recipes are found in the Taste of Norway section of the Norwegian American News, and who teaches cooking in the Folk Art School at the Vesterheim Museum. We explore how preparing “ethnic” food teaches you about a culture, then about Kristi’s journey to become a chef and food blogger, creating “simple, seasonal, Nordic-inspired recipes tailored especially for the American home cook”.
After finis...2021-09-1940 minNordic on TapNordic Cooking with Kristi Bissell and the True North Blog
Have you struggled at home with recipes for Nordic dishes or in creating Scandinavian Christmas cookies like krumkake? I sure have. In this program I interview Kristi Bissell of the True North Kitchen Blog, whose recipes are found in the Taste of Norway section of the Norwegian American News, and who teaches cooking in the Folk Art School at the Vesterheim Museum. We explore how preparing “ethnic” food teaches you about a culture, then about Kristi’s journey to become a chef and food blogger, creating “simple, seasonal, Nordic-inspired recipes tailored especially for the American home cook”.
After finis...2021-09-1940 minNordic on Tap - the podcastNordic Cooking with Kristi Bissell and the True North BlogHave you struggled at home with recipes for Nordic dishes or in creating Scandinavian Christmas cookies like krumkake? I sure have. In this program I interview Kristi Bissell of the True North Kitchen Blog, whose recipes are found in the Taste of Norway section of the Norwegian American News, and who teaches cooking in the Folk Art School at the Vesterheim Museum. We explore how preparing "ethnic" food teaches you about a culture, then about Kristi's journey to become a chef and food blogger, creating "simple, seasonal, Nordic-inspired recipes tailored especially for the American home cook".
After f...2021-09-1940 min
Nordic on Tap - the podcast3 Trees & 2 Ave MariasIn this Winter Solstice/Christmas podcast we hear two stories and an interview about "trees" - the krumkake, the noble fir, and the lingonberry. That is, the challenge of making a functional krumkake, the odyssey of cutting our own ragged Christmas tree, and a special on-site interview with Pacific Northwest lingonberry farmer, Leslie Lindskog. We also investigate the origins of the beautiful Ave Marias of Bach/Gounod and Franz Schubert. Join us!
2020-11-2533 min
Nordic on Tap3 Trees & 2 Ave Marias
Follow on: Google Podcasts * Apple Podcasts * Spotify * Podbean * Overcast * Pandora * Podcast Republic * Tune In * Audible * Pocket Casts *
In this Winter Solstice/Christmas podcast we hear two stories and an interview about “trees” – the krumkake, the noble fir, and the lingonberry. That is, the challenge of making a functional krumkake, the odyssey of cutting our own ragged Christmas tree, and a special on-site interview with Pacific Northwest lingonberry farmer, Leslie Lindskog. We also investigate the origins of the beautiful Ave Marias of Bach/Gounod and Franz Schubert. Join us!
Links
The krumkake recipe I now stand by (it’s...2020-11-2533 minNordic on Tap3 Trees & 2 Ave Marias
Follow on: Google Podcasts * Apple Podcasts * Spotify * Podbean * Overcast * Pandora * Podcast Republic * Tune In * Audible * Pocket Casts *
In this Winter Solstice/Christmas podcast we hear two stories and an interview about “trees” – the krumkake, the noble fir, and the lingonberry. That is, the challenge of making a functional krumkake, the odyssey of cutting our own ragged Christmas tree, and a special on-site interview with Pacific Northwest lingonberry farmer, Leslie Lindskog. We also investigate the origins of the beautiful Ave Marias of Bach/Gounod and Franz Schubert. Join us!
Links
The krumkake recipe I now stand by (it’s...2020-11-2533 min
Nordic on Tap - the podcastFolktales (#2) of Finland and NorwayOur first folktale podcast was so popular, we thought we’d bring you another! This time we hear a tale from Finland called The Mighty Mikko, and my son Carl Stavney is the featured guest reading the classic Norwegian folktale, The Lad Who Went to the Northwind. We also bring you a lovely accordion, mandolin, and guitar piece by the Folk Voice Band out of the Seattle Area. So take a load off and listen to some storytelling and Finnish music from old Scandinavia.
2020-08-2536 minNordic on TapFolktales of Finland and Norway
Our first folktale podcast was so popular, we thought we’d bring you another! This time we hear a tale from Finland called The Mighty Mikko, and my son Carl Stavney is the featured guest reading the classic Norwegian folktale, The Lad Who Went to the Northwind. We also bring you a lovely accordion, mandolin, and guitar piece by the Folk Voice Band out of the Seattle Area. So take a load off and listen to some storytelling and Finnish music from old Scandinavia.
Links
The Project Gutenberg eBook of Mighty Mikko, by Parke...2020-08-2536 minNordic on TapFolktales of Finland and Norway
Our first folktale podcast was so popular, we thought we’d bring you another! This time we hear a tale from Finland called The Mighty Mikko, and my son Carl Stavney is the featured guest reading the classic Norwegian folktale, The Lad Who Went to the Northwind. We also bring you a lovely accordion, mandolin, and guitar piece by the Folk Voice Band out of the Seattle Area. So take a load off and listen to some storytelling and Finnish music from old Scandinavia.
Links
The Project Gutenberg eBook of Mighty Mikko, by Parke...2020-08-2536 minNordic on TapLori Ann Reinhall and the Norwegian American
Follow on: Google Podcasts * Apple Podcasts * Spotify * Podbean * Overcast * Pandora * Podcast Republic * Tune In * Audible * Pocket Casts *
In the early 1900s, there were hundreds of Scandinavian immigrant newspapers. Meet Lori Ann Reinhall, the Editor of the last remaining Norwegian newspaper in the USA, the Norwegian American. You’ll hear how this amazing and talented woman keeps this excellent paper alive in a time of quarantine, unemployment, decreased popularity of print media, the “noise” of the internet, and biased opinions and interpretations masquerading as “news”. She affirms the importance of bringing people together as a community rather than seeking to divide...2020-07-1140 minNordic on TapLori Ann Reinhall and the Norwegian American
Follow on: Google Podcasts * Apple Podcasts * Spotify * Podbean * Overcast * Pandora * Podcast Republic * Tune In * Audible * Pocket Casts *
In the early 1900s, there were hundreds of Scandinavian immigrant newspapers. Meet Lori Ann Reinhall, the Editor of the last remaining Norwegian newspaper in the USA, the Norwegian American. You’ll hear how this amazing and talented woman keeps this excellent paper alive in a time of quarantine, unemployment, decreased popularity of print media, the “noise” of the internet, and biased opinions and interpretations masquerading as “news”. She affirms the importance of bringing people together as a community rather than seeking to divide...2020-07-1140 minNordic on TapDarryl Jackson and the Amazing One-Man Band
Follow on: Google Podcasts * Apple Podcasts * Spotify * Podbean * Overcast * Pandora * Podcast Republic * Tune In * Audible * Pocket Casts *
By day he works in the computer learning industry, but by night he puts on his sunglasses, pulls out his instruments, and creates amazing CD-quality music in his studio. He is lead and bass guitarists, lead vocalist and harmonizer, drummer, and keyboardist. Who would suspect this mild-mannered man to have arisen out of a musical family, to have started his own recording studio, “played Vegas” with a number of bands….to later in life devote all his spare time to making music in his...2020-06-1333 min
Nordic on Tap - the podcastFolktales of Norway and SwedenJoin us for an exploration of Nordic folktales, why we value them, and how they define the cultures from which they come. We hear two of the most beloved tales of Norway and Sweden, and finish with a haunting duet of a traditional folksong from the Nordahl Grieg Spelmanslag, and one arranged by yours truly. This podcast is for all story lovers, from 4 to 104. So grab your sippy cup, latte, or hip flask and prepare to escape into the realm of adventure.
Links
Nordic folktales at fairytalz.com
The Complete and Original Folktales of Asbjørnse...2020-05-1132 min
Nordic on Tap - the podcastPreschools and Bunads on Tap: Schooling in Norway & Getting a Folk costumeJoin us as we travel to Oslo, Norway to talk to a barnehage (literally: kindergarden) teacher named Torhild to learn how Norwegian kids have it differently and the same as us in the USA. We also examine Norwegian folk costumes, or bunads...and what it takes to get one. We meet Hanne at Heimen Husfliden in Oslo as she tells us about her job selling bunads.
We finish the show with some foot-stomping fiddle and guitar tunes by Ruthie Dornfeld and Alfred Morten Høirup. Check out Darryl Jackson's music too at darryljacksonmusic.com.
...2019-12-3126 min
Nordic on Tap - the podcastMorten Alfred Høirup on Tap: Our InterviewJoin us for an interview of Danish composer, musician, and journalist, Morten Alfred Høirup. We find out what the folk music scene is like in Denmark and how state-sponsored radio funding is somewhat dependent on the political views of the current government. Morten also describes his work as a composer for film, especially on esoteric topics like animals (he's composed for Animal Planet, for example). What kind of music does he write to accompany a squirming snake or a jumping frog? Listen and find out!
We finish with a live recording of the guitar-duo, Høirup an...2019-12-2426 min