Shows
Zero To Travel PodcastTop 10 Iceland Hidden Gems (Highlands, Hot Springs, and Hidden Canyons) + Building a New Life Abroad with Jewells Chambers from All Things IcelandWhat’s it like to trade the hustle of NYC for a slower life in Iceland? And how do you explore its volcanic landscapes without getting stuck in the tourist crowds?
Jewells Chambers is the creator and voice behind All Things Iceland, a podcast and YouTube channel that helps people experience Iceland beyond the tourist trail. Originally from New York City, Jewells moved to Iceland in 2016 after falling in love with an Icelander and has since carved out a meaningful life abroad, blending creativity, digital marketing, travel planning, and a deep respect for Icelandic culture.
In th...
2025-06-101h 24
All Things IcelandIceland’s Tipping Culture: What Visitors Should KnowToday, I’m tackling a topic that often confuses visitors—tipping culture in Iceland. If you’re used to tipping as a standard practice in your home country, Iceland’s approach might surprise you!
This is a question I have gotten quite often in the “Ask Jewells Anything” segment of the podcast, so I am doing a separate episode on it.
Is Tipping Expected in Iceland?
In Iceland, tipping is generally not expected, nor is it a significant part of the service industry. This stems from the country’s strong labor laws, which ensure that wor...
2024-12-0414 minAll Things IcelandAsk Jewells Anything About Iceland – Response Episode 5This is the fourth episode for my segment “Ask Jewells Anything About Iceland”. Thank you to everyone who sent in questions. If you would like to submit a question, please use this link.
You can check out previous episodes on Ask Jewells Anything About Iceland here.
If you have questions that are specifically for an upcoming trip and getting the answer is time-sensitive, feel free to book a one-hour private video trip planning call with me.
1. Anne C. said:
“Have you been to Faroe Islands? Is it an easy enough day trip or ove...
2024-08-1430 minAll Things IcelandBárður The Guardian of Iceland’s Snæfellsnes Peninsula – Folklore FridayThis episode is part of my Folklore Friday series where I am sharing a folklore story every Friday in 2024.
Bárður’s Background
Bárður’s mother was human, while his father was half giant (risi) and half troll. He was raised by Dofri, the mountain-dweller of Dovrefjell in Nroway. With his first wife, Flaumgerður, Dofri’s daughter (also half-human), Bárður had three tall, beautiful daughters: Helga, Þordís, and Guðrún. His second wife, Herþrúðr, was human, and together they had six more daughters.
Where Bárður Settles...
2024-07-2010 minAll Things IcelandAsk Jewells Anything About Iceland – Response Episode 4This is the fourth episode for my segment “Ask Jewells Anything About Iceland”. Thank you to everyone who sent in questions. If you want to submit a question, you can do it here.
You can check out previous Ask Jewells Anything About Iceland episodes here.
Answers to the Questions That Were Submitted
1. Stephanie J. asked:
“What is the tipping culture in Iceland?”
Tipping in Iceland is not expected, nor is the service you get dependent on it. While you can tip if you want to, it is certainly not a part o...
2024-05-3027 minAll Things IcelandBickering Icelandic Siblings Seal Their Fates With Magic – Folklore FridayThis is part of my Folklore Friday Series, where I am sharing an Icelandic folklore story every Friday in 2024.
A Magical Woman from Norway Migrates to Iceland
In the book of the Icelanders, or Landnámabók, is a person named Þuríður syndafyllir and her son Völu-Steinn. They immigrated from Northern Norway and settled in Bolungarvík in the Westfjords of Iceland.
It was rumored that Þuríður had incredible powers. One story about her when she lived in Norway was that she cast a spell that filled all the straits with fish...
2024-05-1000 minAll Things IcelandRökkvi Vésteinsson on Using LingQ to Learn Languages & MoreRökkvi Vésteinsson was born in 1978 in Iceland. He had a multicultural upbringing, living in Chicago at age 11, and spending summers in Denmark and Sweden during his teens. By age 20, he was fluent in four foreign languages, thanks to his travels and a stint as an au pair in Germany.
Rökkvi began his professional journey guiding one-day tours from Reykjavík to Kulusuk, Greenland at 23, leveraging his language skills in English, German, and Danish. He simultaneously embarked on a career in stand-up comedy starting in 2003.
After completing degrees in Biochemistry and Computer Science at H...
2024-05-0900 minAll Things IcelandAsk Jewells Anything About Iceland – Response Episode 3This is the third response episode for my new segment “Ask Jewells Anything About Iceland”. Thank you to everyone who sent in questions and if you would like to submit a question, you can do it here.
1. Should I exchange a small amount of currency before I leave? I have heard that Iceland is a cashless society, but I am thinking about tour guide tips or random purchases.- Christina
Iceland is not yet a cashless society, but we are certainly heading quickly in that direction. It isn’t necessary to take out cash in the lo...
2024-04-2428 minAll Things IcelandAsk Jewells Anything About Iceland – Response Episode 2This is the second response episode for my new segment “Ask Jewells Anything About Iceland”. Thank you to everyone who sent in questions and if you would like to submit a question, you can do it here.
1. “What do Icelanders generally like and dislike about Americans?” – Garrett
In general, I’d say that Icelanders don’t have a lot of dislikes when it comes specifically to Americans. It is more like dislikes of tourist in general. So, if you are respectful of the the people and language, Icelanders are very open to those who want to visit.
...
2024-03-2131 minAll Things IcelandAsk Jewells Anything About Iceland – Response Episode 1This is the first response episode for my new segment “Ask Jewells Anything About Iceland”. Thank you to everyone who sent in questions and if you would like to submit a question, you can do it here.
Questions sent in from the listeners of the All Things Iceland Podcast
1. Can you please discuss some of the history of Ravens in Iceland. I was delighted to hear about some mischievous Ravens by Jökulsárlón Glacier Lagoon, who were working in tandem to collect and confiscate tourist’s goods. Do we know when they arrived in Icelan...
2024-02-2932 minAll Things IcelandHallgrímskirkja Church: Reykjavík’s Iconic Architectural MarvelOne of Iceland’s most iconic and breathtaking landmarks is Hallgrímskirkja church. This isn’t just any church; it’s a symbol of Icelandic identity, a fusion of history, and a beautiful architectural design that speaks volumes about the island’s unique character. Later on, in my random fact of the episode, I share who this church is named after.
Ask Jewells Anything
Before I jump in, I am excited to share that I have created a form where my listeners and followers can submit questions for the “Ask Jewells About Iceland” podcast episodes I plan to do...
2024-02-0616 minAll Things IcelandThe Golden Circle: An Ultimate Itinerary on Iceland’s Most Popular RouteIceland, a land of fire and ice, offers a myriad of awesome routes for tourists to explore attractions, but none as well known as the Golden Circle. This popular tourist route is easily accessible from Reykjavik, and it encapsulates the raw beauty and geological marvels of Iceland.
In this comprehensive guide, I will take you through the classic stops of the Golden Circle – Thingvellir National Park, Geysir Hot Spring, and Gullfoss Waterfall – and share insights on additional stops that will transform your journey into an unforgettable adventure.
Tip: If you were only to do the thre...
2024-01-3031 minAll Things IcelandIceland’s Dazzling Winter Lights Festival in FebrauryThere are three main parts to the Winter Lights Festival – The Lights Trail, Museum Night, and Pool Night. I’ll explain each of them briefly and will provide a link where you can find out more about the 150 events going on during this festival where a number of artists participate.
Ask Jewells Anything About Iceland
Before I jump in, I am excited to share that I have created a form where my listeners and followers can submit questions for the “Ask Jewells About Iceland” podcast episodes I plan to do. Here is the link to submit y...
2024-01-2312 minAll Things Iceland2023 Iceland Wrap-Up: Big News Stories & What’s Coming in 2024It’s the end of 2023 and it has been quite year in Iceland, my personal life and for All Things Iceland. This episode is a recap that hits on all those areas, and I share what I have in store for 2024! Of course, included in my recap is an update about the most recent volcanic eruption.
Like most of my episodes, I will also have a random fact and an Icelandic word of the episode to share at the very end.
How My Life in Iceland Has Changed in 2023
I’ll start out with...
2023-12-3033 minAll Things IcelandAugust in Iceland – Weather, Fun Things to Do & What to ExpectIf you plan to visit Iceland in August, this information will help you to know what to expect when traveling during this month.
That includes the following:
Road conditions
What to wear/pack, what makes it worth it to visit during that month
Some tips on driving in that time
Top activities, and events that happen annually during this month
This episode is part of a series about months in Iceland. Here are the other months.
Review of the All Things Iceland Podcast
“I’ve been interested in visiting Iceland for year...
2023-11-2929 minAll Things IcelandEnchanting Saenautasel Turf Houses in East Iceland’s HighlandsOver the summer, I had the pleasure of traveling around Iceland, which has become an annual trip for me in the last few years. To my surprise, I always get to experience something new each time. East Iceland has a lot of hidden gems, so don’t skip out on making time for this area.
Get Access to More Hidden Gems in Iceland
Sænautasel, the turf houses and farm I m featuring in this episode, and hundreds of other attractions, activities, and accommodations in Iceland are available on My Iceland Map. I have added ove...
2023-09-2323 minAll Things IcelandIceland in June – Weather, Fun Things to Do & What to ExpectIf you plan to visit Iceland in June, this information will help you to know what to expect when traveling during this month. That includes road conditions, what to wear/pack, what makes it worth it to visit during that month, some tips on driving in that time, top activities, and events that happen annually during this month.
Review of the All Things Iceland Podcast
Jewells is truly a gem!! This podcast provides such great information for those who are planning a visit to Iceland and for those who are intrigued but haven’t planned a...
2023-08-3025 minAll Things IcelandIceland in May – Weather, Things to Do & What to ExpectIf you plan to visit Iceland in May, this information will help you to know what to expect when traveling during this month.
That includes road conditions, what to wear/pack, what makes it worth it to visit during that month, some tips on driving in that time, top activities, and events that happen annually during this month.
Praise for the All Things Iceland Podcast
Jewells provides the best information about visiting and the local culture in Iceland. Great travel trips—both must know and little-known facts. I did not know where to st...
2023-06-2119 minAll Things IcelandCelebrating 7 Years of Living in IcelandWow, it‘s amazing that I have been living in Iceland for seven years! Even though I know this is a decent amount of time, it feels like it i has flown by. So much has changed since I moved here in 2016, and I‘m sharing some of the major changes/transitions that have happened in my life this year.
5th Year All Things Iceland Podcast Anniversary
June is a major month in my life. I was born in this month, I moved to Iceland during this month, and I started the All Thin...
2023-06-1019 minAll Things IcelandBeing Featured on Geography of Bliss with Rainn WilsonI have exciting news!! On May 18th a show named Geography of Bliss became available on Peacock, NBC’s streaming service. It’s hosted by Rainn Wilson. He is most known for playing Dwight Shrute on the American version of The Office. The show asks which nations are the happiest on Earth, and what it is about these countries that makes their citizens so joyful.
Watch Geography of Bliss on Peacock
Iceland is the first episode on the show. I am beyond excited and honored to say that I am one of the people featured in t...
2023-05-2507 minAll Things IcelandEssential Trip Planning Tips for Summer in IcelandAs I write this we are still full on in winter in Iceland, but I think it’s imperative to share some essential trip-planning tips for summer here. Summer is the high season and now that people are traveling more, I’m seeing that the number of people planning to come during this time is increasing dramatically.
Some of you might not know but I do one-to-one video consultation calls with people planning their trips to Iceland. They are one hour long and recently I have been chatting with people who are coming this summer. While the cons...
2023-03-2827 min
Blaxit GlobalJewells Chambers: Adventures in IcelandJewells Chambers is the creator and host of the award-winning All Things Iceland podcast and YouTube channel. Her content explores Iceland's rich culture, history, language, and stunning nature experienced by an expat living in the country. Whether you plan to visit, would like to live in Iceland or you are just interested in this small island nation in the middle of the Atlantic, you're in for a treat. You'll hear interviews, quirky facts, useful advice for those who want to travel in Iceland, and what it is like to live in the land of fire and ice....
2023-01-3055 minAll Things IcelandU.S. (American) Fast Food Restaurants in IcelandThis post is meant to give you a list of the U.S. Fast Food Restaurants in Iceland and how I have noticed they may be similar or different from the ones in the states based on menus I have seen. Just note that I’m not going over every possible menu. Also, I must use Instagram as my menu checker. Due to IP restrictions, I can’t see the websites for fast food restaurants in the US. I’ll just be pointing out some interesting differences. Of course, menus are subject to change and this information is based on wha...
2023-01-2200 minAll Things Iceland2022 Iceland Wrap-Up: Top News Stories & MoreHappy New Year!! I hope you all had a fun start to the 2023. I thought it would be fun to share a wrap of 2022 with some major news stories from Iceland and some of my favorite episodes that I published last year. There were certainly a lot of ups and downs throughout the year, but such is life.
Local Icelandic Companies
The sponsors of this episode are Go Car Rental Iceland and Cintamani.
Go Car Rent Iceland is an awesome car rental company that has great customer service, a large variety of cars t...
2023-01-0424 minAll Things IcelandIceland Packing List for Winter – The Essentials + Free ChecklistWinter in Iceland can range from a somewhat calm wnter wonderland to blizzard like conditions that force you to stay off the road. Even though the temperatures here are milder than what most peple assume (an average of around 0 degrees celsius in Reykjavik), packing appropriately for winter in Iceland is crucial for staying warm and dry. Just note that the farther north you go, it is normally colder and snowier/icier. Granted you will encounter plenty of ice in the south too.
While I do focus on essential things to pack for winter in Iceland, I will...
2022-11-3024 min
Love What You LoveIceland with Jewells ChambersJewells Chambers moved to Iceland in 2016, and is the host of the popular podcast and YouTube channel All Things Iceland, giving you the inside scoop on Icelandic nature, culture, history, and language through the eyes of an expat living in the country. It was so fun to chat with Jewells! In this episode, we talk ice climbing; how to deal with 23 hours of sunlight; interviewing world leaders; the challenges of learning Icelandic; her experience as a woman of color in Iceland; and so much more. Find out why Jewells loves Iceland - and why you m...
2021-11-0257 min
What Do You Call It? PODCAST!JEWELLS MALONE - WHAT DO YOU CALL IT? PODCAST!This is the full interview with Jewells Malone. We discuss the following: - Pandemic - Growing up a wrestling fan - Canada - Death Matches and Hardcore Wrestling - Travelling - UK - Dream Opponents - Debut - Training You can follow Jewells Malone on Twitter @JewellsMalone and on Instagram @thejewellsmalone For more content click here: https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLnvoHrdEYw893zfyQwjiXAzwJ5cv0qViq Follow me on Instagram @gtbuka89 and on Twitter @bukamania89 #WYCIP #WhatDoYouCallItPodcast #YaHeard
2021-07-2823 min
What Do You Call It? PODCAST!JEWELLS MALONE - WHAT DO YOU CALL IT? PODCAST!This is the full interview with Jewells Malone. We discuss the following: - Pandemic - Growing up a wrestling fan - Canada - Death Matches and Hardcore Wrestling - Travelling - UK - Dream Opponents - Debut - Training You can follow Jewells Malone on Twitter @JewellsMalone and on Instagram @thejewellsmalone For more content click here: https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLnvoHrdEYw893zfyQwjiXAzwJ5cv0qViq Follow me on Instagram @gtbuka89 and on Twitter @bukamania89 #WYCIP #WhatDoYouCallItPodcast #YaHeard
2021-07-2823 min
Why We WanderEpisode 54: All Things Iceland with Jewells ChambersIn this episode, Tamara chats with Jewells Chambers, founder of All Things Iceland (a multi-platform destination for learning about Icelandic culture, history, and nature). They talk about Jewells' most formative travel experiences, the love story that took her to Iceland, what it's like to be a Black person there, and balancing family ties with a sense of wanderlust.
2021-07-0451 min
Wrestling With Entertainment"Hardcore Princess" Jewells Malone Interview #WrestlingWith Podcast Interviews "The Hardcore Princess" Jewells Malone, talking death match wrestling, stapling... sensitive areas of the body, meeting Jake the Snake Roberts and Ted DiBiase for the first time, winning the eclipse cup, her favorite Pokemon and so much more! Follow Jewells Malone on Social Media and buy a damn shirt!Pro Wrestling Tees https://www.prowrestlingtees.com/wrestler-t-shirts/jewells-malone.htmlTwitter @JewellsMaloneInstagram @thejewellsmaloneFacebook https://www.facebook.com/FansofJewellsMalone/ Rough Energy site https://www...
2021-05-201h 10All Things IcelandI spent 31 days speaking only Icelandic. Here’s what happened.I’ve been learning Icelandic for quite some time but I’ve not felt very confident when it comes to speaking. To boost my confidence, my Icelandic husband and I agreed to spend the month of March in 2021 speaking in Icelandic. We tried this experiment for the first time last July but it was quite difficult. Even though we had an idea of how it could go, we each had reservations about it because it can be emotionally draining to not be able to express yourself. While this time around was much different than the first time, there were stil...
2021-04-1121 min
Smart MouthBroccoli in Iceland with Jewells ChambersExpat vs immigrant, explaining Trump to foreigners, what are we doing on social media - no, really, what are we doing. Plus being a vegan in Iceland, and the joys and sorrows of broccoli! You can listen to Smart Mouth on iTunes, on Stitcher, on Spotify. Check out all our episodes so far here. If you like, pledge a buck or two on Patreon. This episode brought to you by Wünder, makers of European-style quark. Go to Wünder Creamery and enter code SMARTMOUTH for 15% off on your first order. Smart Mouth new...
2021-02-031h 07All Things IcelandÁslaug Arna Sigurbjörnsdóttir – Iceland’s Youngest Female Minister of JusticeIt was such a pleasant surprise to have Áslaug Arna Sigurbjörnsdóttir, the Minister of Justice in Iceland, as my guest this week. She leads quite a busy life as a Parliamentarian and Minister, and it was great she was able to find time to chat.
During the interview, Áslaug Arna shares the positives and negatives of being in this position of power at such a young age and as a woman. Some of the other topics we talk about are the events that led up to her becoming the Minister of Justice, gender based discrimination in t...
2021-01-2846 minAll Things IcelandThe Battle to Protect Iceland’s Fragile & Beautiful Nature – Ep. 83To kick off the new year, I’m sharing my interview with Andri Snær Magnason, an award-winning author, environmental activist and director. He has been fighting to protect Iceland’s beautiful nature. Andri Snær was on the show early on and it is great to have him back because so much has happened in his life since we last spoke. I recommend checking out part 1 and part 2 of those interviews.
One viral moment was when he and some others had a funeral for Okjökull. Ok mountain used to be a glacier but due to climate...
2021-01-111h 33
Travel Worth LivingEp. 23 | Jewells Chambers - All Things IcelandIn this episode I get to talk with someone who has grown to love Iceland over the past few years. Our guest this week is Jewells, a woman who is originally from New York but is now living in Iceland and runs a podcast and YouTube channel called All Things Iceland. I was excited to talk with her about Iceland from an expat’s point of view and it was fun diving in to hear about her cultural experiences in the country. We talk about everything from taxes and politics to language difficulties and Icelandic habits which Jewells has pi...
2020-10-2900 minAll Things IcelandTyler Wacker’s Epic 8-Month Cycling Journey from California to IcelandTyler Wacker embarked on an incredible cycling journey from California to Ísafjörður in the Westfjords. For those of you who don’t follow me on Instagram, I am currently in Ísafjörður taking Icelandic courses. Coincidentally, Tyler is at the same school, even though he is studying something completely different than me.
After working in the transportation engineering industry for six years and feeling unfulfilled with his work, Tyler decided it was time to set off on a bicycle tour around the perimeter of the United States starting and ending in San Francisco, where he was cu...
2020-09-0659 minAll Things IcelandSatu Rämö on the Fascinating Differences Between Finland and IcelandSatu Rämö was born and raised in Finland, but has been living in Iceland for almost 20 years. She shares a lot about her life in Iceland with Finnish people and she has a huge following in Finland. I think it is safe to say that she is the official Finn in Iceland, as well as a creative entrepreneur, author and social media nerd.
I met Satu through her husband Björgvin. He and I used to work at the same company. One day I was talking about the trials and tribulations of learning Icelandic and Björgvi...
2020-08-291h 00All Things IcelandLK Bertram on the Life of Icelanders that Emigrated to Canada in the 1800sDuring this week’s episode, I spoke with LK Bertram about the very large emigration of Icelanders to Canada in the 1800s.
LK Bertram is the author of The Viking Immigrants: Icelandic North Americans, and is an associate professor in the Department of History at the University of Toronto. Born and raised in Winnipeg, she also has family roots in Öxnadalur and is the proud parent of twin 3-year olds. For some fab intel on Icelandic North American culture, history, and life, check out her instagram @thevikingimmigrants.
Because LK lives in Canada, we did a virt...
2020-08-2359 minAll Things IcelandGeologist, Helga Krístin, Explains Why Icelandic Landscapes Are UniqueThis week I chatted with Icelandic Geology expert Helga Kristín Torfadóttir. She is currently pursuing her PhD in volcanology and petrology, with a focus on structures of magma chambers. Additionally, she is a glacier guide, a model and drives really big cars. What an awesome combination!
I came across Helga on Instagram, where her handle is @geology_with_helga and I was instantly stunned by her awesome photos, especially the one of her in a space suit, and her informative posts. I think she uses the platform well to make geology fun. I’ve learned a lot...
2020-08-1643 minAll Things IcelandJames McDaniel on Being a Horticulturist in Iceland – Ep. 68This week I had the pleasure of chatting with James McDaniel about Horticulture in Iceland. For anyone that is not familiar with that word, horticulture is the art or practice of garden cultivation and management. Ever since learning about greenhouses in Iceland and just about different plants growing here in general, I have been looking forward to the day when I can talk to someone about this on the show.
Background About James McDaniel
James is a horticulturist that is focused on geothermal horticulture, sustainable production in extreme climates, and emerging technologies for food production. C...
2020-08-0636 minAll Things IcelandCelebrating 4 Years of Living in Iceland & a Special Announcement: Ep. – 67June 2020 marked the 4th year of me living in Iceland and the 2nd year anniversary of the podcast. I think that with all that is going on in the world right now, I found myself reflecting on how much has changed for the podcast and in my personal life since moving to Iceland in 2016. During this episode, I plan to share some of my favorite moments during interviews this year, some of the places in Iceland that have a special place in my heart, an update about the podcast and a big announcement.
Favorite Moments during interviews i...
2020-07-2828 minAll Things IcelandDr. Kristín Loftsdóttir on Racism, Nordic Exceptionalism & Whiteness in Iceland – Ep. 66 I had the pleasure to speak with Kristín Loftsdóttir, a Professor of Anthropology at the University of Iceland. Her research has focused on migration, whiteness, gender, racism, Nordic exceptionalism, postcolonialism and crisis, basing on work in Iceland, Niger and Belgium.
Published Work by Kristín
Loftsdóttir is currently leading the project Creating Europe through Racialized Mobility (CERM) that received a grant from the Icelandic Center of Research and has actively participated in various other international collaborations and projects. Loftsdóttir’s most recent publication is the monograph Crisis and Coloniality at Europe’s Margins...
2020-07-171h 34All Things IcelandBeing a Black American in Iceland & The Country’s Reaction to the Murder of George Floyd – Ep. 65This week’s episode is focused on giving you some insight into my experience as a Black American female expat in Iceland. Along with that, I share how Iceland has responded to the gruesome killing of George Floyd by a police officer in the United States. As one might expect, everything that is happening right now in the United States is deeply personal for me.
My Experience As A Black American Female
Whether I like it or not, how I am perceived in the world, starts off with my skin color. I have encountered various ty...
2020-07-0922 minAll Things IcelandU.S. Expats in Iceland: Views on Moving, Racism & Current Events – Ep. 64Lydia and Jonas are fellow U.S. expats in Iceland that host their own podcast called “The Raisin at the Hot Dog’s End”. Lydia is a writer and artist, and Jonas is a writer and translator. As you listen to the chat we had in my living room, you’ll get to hear the stories of how each of them ended up in Iceland. While we did talk about a variety of topics, I feel like the exchange we had about racism within the Icelandic society, which is more covert, is important and insightful.
It is amazing t...
2020-06-151h 06All Things IcelandThis is How Iceland Flattened the COVID-19 CurveThis week’s episode is an update that details how Iceland has successfully flattened the COVID-19 curve. On April 1st, I published a podcast episode that detailed the steps Iceland took after authorities found out about the virus in late December. I walked you through all of the restrictions put in place, but the timeline for those updates ended in mid-March. If you haven’t already, I recommend checking that out.
Keep Up With Icelandic News
This episode is a continuation of that timeline and will provide insight on what has been happening in the countr...
2020-05-3159 minAll Things IcelandAxlar-Björn, Iceland’s Only Serial Killer: Ep.62I know this seems like a really random topic but I have been fascinated by this story ever since I learned about Björn Pétursson (Axlar-Björn) some months ago. The Iceland we know of today has been ranked as one the most peaceful countries in the world since the Global Peace Index was launched 13 years ago. However, this country definitely has had some gruesome murders in its past. Many of those murders were linked to disputes, such as those in some of the Sagas. Björn was an exception.
It is important to point out that...
2020-05-1313 minAll Things IcelandLife on the NATO Base in Iceland during the ’90s – Interview with Mike Dell: Ep. 61This week I am sharing the lovely chat I had with Mike Dell. He is a former U.S. Air Force officer that was stationed in Iceland during the 1990s. We talked about what it was like for him to live in Iceland as a military officer, how he was treated by Icelanders, what he enjoyed about the country and more. Similar to my last episode, I was connected with Mike in a rather unusual way.
I use the service Blubrry to host my podcast and when I made the switch from the url fromforeigntofamiliar.com to a...
2020-05-0635 minAll Things IcelandHow An Icelandic Herbalist is Empowering Refugees – Interview with Anna Rósa Róbertsdóttir: Ep. 60I had the pleasure of sitting down with the awesome and very knowledgeable Icelandic herbalist Anna Rósa Róbertsdóttir.
She specializes in the use of Icelandic medicinal herbs and has been providing her services to people in Iceland for several decades. Before jumping into her interview, I have to mention the funny way in which Anna Rósa and I ended up becoming connected.
One day, I walked into an apótek in Iceland, called Jurtaapótek to buy some rosebud tea. As I was checking out, I saw a book about Icelandic herbs on...
2020-04-2132 minAll Things IcelandSæþór Randalsson on Politics & Society in Iceland vs the U.S. – Ep. 59After posting in the Away From Home: Living in Iceland Facebook group that I was looking to speak to expats in Iceland about a variety of topics, I received a decent amount of responses. One of those people included Sæþór Benjamín Randalsson.
Sæþór responded by writing the following comment, “I could talk about moving here as a gay man, or living through the 2008 crash, or the foster system, or the startup culture, or baking, or real estate.” I don’t know about you but all of those topics intrigued me, so I reached out.
2020-04-101h 57All Things IcelandWOW Air: The Icelandic Airline’s Fast Rise & Early Demise – Ep. 58It is a little hard to believe that it is almost the one year anniversary of the bankruptcy of Wow Air. This low cost Icelandic airline went bust on March 28th, 2019. On that date last year, everyone was shocked when the airline suddenly ceased to operate. During this episode, I will go over why and how the airline skyrocketed to success, what it was like during its heyday, what caused WOW Air to fail, how its bankruptcy affected the Icelandic economy, and what’s next.
Skúli Mogensen – The Founder of Wow Air
To me...
2020-04-0120 minAll Things IcelandCoronavirus in Iceland: How it Spread & What is Being Done About It – Ep. 57A few days ago I posted on the All Things Iceland Instagram and Facebook pages that I do plan to give a rundown of how the Coronavirus is spreading in Iceland and what the government has been doing to control it. I do not plan to give updates every few days about the virus.
I think it is important to talk about it. However, I mainly created All Things Iceland to share about Icelandic culture, history, language and nature. Not to just focus on one topic. Also, I think it is nice to be able...
2020-04-0120 minAll Things IcelandGísli Pálsson – Icelandic Anthropologist, Professor & Author: Ep. 56I had the pleasure of interviewing Gísli Pálsson for this episode of the podcast in his office at the University of Iceland. He recently retired, but he has served as a professor and Director of Institute of Anthropology at the university. He has written several books, including “The Man Who Stole Himself”, the story about Hans Jónatan, who was the first black citizen of Iceland.
To get a good overview of that story you can check out the video below that I recently published about Hans Jónatan on YouTube.
https://www.yout...
2020-04-011h 00All Things IcelandAll About Icelandic Sheep: Ep. 55Icelandic sheep are a mix of adorable and fascinating. During the summer, you can find them roaming freely around the country. For months they are on what seems like the ultimate Icelandic summer vacation – eating, sleeping, and walking wherever they please. Before winter sets in, they are rounded up by the farmers that own them so they can be sheltered from the harsh Icelandic weather.
Regardless of the season, the Icelandic sheep farmer is always at work. If you are interested in hearing a first-hand account of what life on an Icelandic sheep farm is li...
2020-04-0119 min
Glocal CitizensEpisode 14: Content Creation, Delegating and All Things Iceland with Jewells ChambersIn this episode I'm in Reykjavik, Iceland getting my full winter on adjusting to six hours of daylight while gazing out at sideways blowing, sleety snow. While there was a bit too much weather to see the Northern Lights, I did have a chance to visit with fellow podcast host and Digital Creator, Jewells Chambers of the All Things Iceland podcast. Jewells was born and bred in the Bushwick, a neighborhood in Brooklyn, New York; she now enthusiastically calls Iceland home. In speaking about what inspires her work and sharing her experiences, Jewells sees the potential for life adventure...
2020-03-1732 minAll Things IcelandThe Icelandic Education System: Interview with Arnór Guðmundsson – Ep. 54To get a better understanding of the Icelandic education system, I sat down with Arnór Guðmundsson for this episode of the All Things Iceland podcast. In his role as the Director of the Directorate of Education, his agency focuses on testing and producing textbooks for schools in Iceland. We discussed many things. Some of them include the different levels of education in Iceland, how the Icelandic education system compares with other countries, and some challenges the Directorate is facing.
The continued decrease in literacy among Icelandic teenage boys and how the survival of th...
2020-02-0844 minAll Things IcelandTop 10 Iceland News Stories of 2019 – Ep. 53When people think of Iceland, they have images of beautiful landscapes, sheep, the northern lights, and glaciers. Many are unaware of the scandals, corruption, and overall fascinating events show up in Iceland news stories throughout the year.
If you have listened to previous episodes of this show, such as the interviews with Dóra, the former President of the City Council, Alda Sigmundsdóttir, Kári Stefánsson, Andie Fontaine, Jón Gnarr, and Andri Snær Magnasson, you will have heard about some of the corruption and drama in Iceland.
I love that t...
2020-02-0835 minAll Things IcelandLife on a Sheep Farm with Pálína Axelsdóttir Njarðvík: Ep. 52The Icelandic sheep farm is pretty much as old as the country because the first settlers from Norway in the 9th and 10 centuries brought sheep with them. As a native New Yorker that was completely disconnected from raw nature, such as the kind found in Iceland, I find it fascinating and difficult to imagine what it would be like to grow up and work on a farm.
When I came across Pálína’s Instagram account (@farmlifeiceland), I just knew that I had to interview her for the All Things Iceland podcast.
We t...
2020-02-0830 minAll Things IcelandEvery Single Word in Icelandic: Interview with Eunsan Huh – Ep.51I had the pleasure of chatting with Eunsan Huh, the awesome creator of the popular Instagram account, @EverySingleWordinIcelandic. On her account, you will find Icelandic words that she has illustrated as icons, which is helping her and others to learn the language.
She has also created a book called “Iceland in Icons: a Pictographic Travel Guide“, which I will have a link to in the show notes of this episode. It was so much fun to chat with her about how she fell in love with Iceland, why she started to learn the language and some...
2019-12-2531 minAll Things IcelandKári Stefánsson – Icelandic Pioneer in Human Genetics: Ep. 50For episode fifty of the All Things Iceland podcast, I interviewed Kári Stefánsson, an Icelandic neurologist who is also the founder and CEO of deCode genetics. deCode is a biopharmaceutical company based in Reykjavík. Kári pioneered the use of,
“population scale genetics to understand variation in the sequence of the human genome.”
WIkipedia
The discoveries from using this approach have helped with developing new drugs. Additionally, the discoveries have helped scientists to better understand cardiovascular disease, cancer, and schizophrenia, just to name a few. Additionally, the population scale ap...
2019-12-2430 min
All Things IcelandHallveig Rúnarsdóttir: An Award Winning Icelandic Singer – Ep. 49Hallveig has won the Classical Singer of the year at the Icelandic Music awards twice and has been nominated three more times. Additionally, she has twice won the Singer of the Year for the Gríman, which is the Theatre awards in Iceland.
Funny enough, I was introduced to Hallveig by her husband Jón after he reached out to me about to being interviewed in the Stuck in Iceland magazine, which they both run. I found it so fascinating to speak with Hallveig about classical music in Iceland.
The Questions I Asked Hal...
2019-12-2300 minAll Things IcelandCelebrating the 1st Year of the All Things Iceland Podcast- Ep.48Today is a very special episode because in June of 2018, I launched the All Things Iceland podcast. A full year later, there are 47 episodes (48 if you include this one) and more than 60,000 downloads. I am incredibly grateful for all of the people that have listened to this podcast and for those who do so in the future. I thought it would be fun to do something a little different for this special occasion.
Send In Your Questions For The Podcast
I plan to publish an episode that is dedicated to answering your questions...
2019-12-2224 minAll Things IcelandAlthingi – Icelandic Government & Politics From Creation to Present Day: Ep. 47The history of the Icelandic government, also known as Alþingi (pronounced “Althingi”), dates back to the 900s. This episode breaks down the evolution of the government in this country from the very beginning to present day.
The World’s Oldest Surviving Parliament
In previous episodes, I have mentioned the Alþingi, which is the the Icelandic parliament. It was founded in 930 at Þingvellir, which is now part of the Golden Circle and is one of the most historically important sites in the country. Iceland claims that the Althingi is the oldest surviving parliamen...
2019-12-0722 minAll Things IcelandÁsatrú – Iceland's Fastest Growing Non-Christian ReligionÁsatrú, an Old Norse paganism, has become the fastest growing non-Christian religion in Iceland. When most people think of this country, religion is not normally what pops into their minds. However, over 75% of the Icelandic population are registered as members of a religious organization.
Later, in the random fact of the episode, I share the number of Icelanders belonging to the top five religious organizations in the country.
When & Why Was Ásatrú Founded
Paganism was once the norm in Iceland. In fact, the majority of the settlers that came to Iceland in t...
2019-12-0700 minAll Things IcelandReykjanes Peninsula – What to See & Do In Iceland’s 2nd UNESCO Geopark: Ep. 45After most visitors to Iceland arrive at Keflavik international airport, they quickly grab their bags and set their sights on traveling to downtown Reykjavík. Unfortunately, the don’t give any thought to visiting the rest of the Reykjanes Peninsula.
Little do they know that a beautiful, less crowded and completely underrated place waits just outside of the airport. I was delighted when I found out that this peninsula had been designated a UNESCO Global Geopark in 2015.
I have been fortunate to travel to this area on several occasions. When there, I am alwa...
2019-12-0700 minAll Things IcelandHélène Magnússon – The Icelandic Knitter: Ep. 44Hélène Magnússon is a very talented and passionate knitter living and working in Iceland. She is well known in the knitting world as the Icelandic knitter. While she originally hails from France, Iceland has been her home for over 25 years. We had a lively conversation that touched on why she moved to Iceland, her experience learning Icelandic, how she became interested in traditional Icelandic knitting patterns, and so much more.
The Questions I Asked Hélène During the Interview:
You were raised in France and practiced law there. What prompted you to...
2019-12-0700 minAll Things IcelandAndri Snær Magnason, Award Winning Icelandic Author: Part 2 – Ep. 43During this part of the interview, Andri provides some great insight into the current literature landscape in Iceland and the impact of literature from this country on the world. We start off this interview talking about Reykjavík being a UNESCO City of Literature. Andri is a great person to talk about this because he is the chairman of the board for the Reykjavík UNESCO City of Literature.
Andri also shares he favorite pieces of Icelandic literature, his environmental advocacy work, his run for Presidency and, of course, his favorite Icelandic word or phrase. If...
2019-12-0756 minAll Things IcelandAndri Snær Magnason, Award Winning Icelandic Author: Part 1 – Ep. 42I had the pleasure of sitting down with Andri Snær Magnason, an award winning writer of novels, poetry, plays and films. He is also a very active environmental activist. We chatted about his fascinating literary career, how he chooses topics to write about, and so much more.
Because we talked for about one hour and forty five minutes, I decided to break up the episode into two parts. You’ll hear me say in the beginning that I want to speak with Andri about Reykjavík being a UNESCO City of Literature. However, we don’...
2019-12-0745 minAll Things IcelandIcelandic Holidays, Celebrations & Traditions – Ep.23Because the holiday season is right around the corner, I thought it would be fun to share the list of Icelandic holidays and traditions they celebrate throughout the year. Some of the traditions might sound the same or similar to some of your traditions while others might be completely new to you.
Icelandic Holidays, Traditions & Celebrations
1. Fyrsti Vetradagur – First Day of Winter
As I am recording this, it is October and the next holiday tradition coming up is fyrsti vetradagur, which is the first day of winter. It is the Saturday tha...
2019-12-0700 minAll Things IcelandIcelandic Food Culture: From the Middle Ages to Modern Cuisine – Ep. 28Icelandic food culture is deeply rooted in Scandinavian cuisine. As I mentioned in the “Brief History of the Icelandic language” episode, Iceland was settled mostly by farmers from Norway along with Vikings and some Celtic people who were made slaves after being captured by those Vikings . These Scandinavian people brought with them their cooking traditions and farming lifestyle. However, there is not much evidence of Celtic influence in Icelandic cooking.
Icelandic Food Culture During the Middle Ages
During those medieval times, settlers grew barley and oats and raised mainly cattle.They also raised othe...
2019-12-0700 minAll Things IcelandIceland's 13 Yule Lads: Ep.24 – All Things Iceland PodcastIn the last episode, I went over Iceland’s noteworthy traditions, holidays and celebrations. I recommend checking it out, if you haven’t already. This week, I am expanding on the Christmas holiday celebrations that I spoke about in that episode. While most countries that celebrate Christmas only have one Santa that comes to town, Iceland somehow ended up with 13! During this episode, I will talk about where these 13 Santa Clauses or Yule Lads come from, when they come to town, what they do while in town and include some other interesting characters that show up during Christmas.
2019-12-0714 minAll Things IcelandJón Gnarr on Being a Political Tourist & Spreading Empathy in Iceland:Part 3 – Ep.22This is the 3rd and final part of my interview with Jón Gnarr, Iceland’s funniest and most famous Mayor. If you haven’t listened to part 1 and part 2 of this interview, I recommend that you do because Jón dives deep into why he ran for political office, Taosim, his experience as the Mayor and other fascinating things about his life.
During this episode, Jón shares his feelings about the current political landscape in Iceland, why he feels it is important to teach people about empathy, what he has been up to since r...
2019-12-0700 minAll Things IcelandAndie Fontaine : The News Editor of The Reykjavík Grapevine – Ep. 41To kick off my comeback to podcasting, I am sharing an awesome interview I did with Andie Fontaine, the News Editor of The Reykjavík Grapevine. Andie is originally from Baltimore. They have been living in Iceland since 1999 and has Icelandic citizenship. We dive into what it has been like for Andie to learn Icelandic, their views on immigration, coming out as transgender and many other fascinating topics.
By the way, we did this interview at the office of the Reykjavík Grapevine, so there is some background noise at times.
The Questions I...
2019-12-0756 minAll Things IcelandThe Rich History of Icelandic Literature & Culture – Ep. 40During this week’s episode, I give an overview of the rich history of Icelandic literature and culture. Before I jump in, I have two announcements.
Two Important Announcements
The first is that today, February 20th, 2019, is the last day for you to enter the All Things Iceland podcast giveaway. If you haven’t entered already, you can do so by clicking on the image that says the All Things Iceland podcast giveaway below. I will pick the winners at random tomorrow and contact them
The second announcement is that I am tak...
2019-12-0719 minAll Things IcelandIcelandic Real Estate: Buying & Renting Homes in Reykjavík – Ep. 39I had the pleasure of sitting down with Diðrik Stefánsson, a realtor in Reykjavík, to talk about the real estate market in Iceland. His nickname is Diddi and that is how I refer to him during the interview. This topic fascinates me for many reasons. The main one is that there is a lot of confusion and curiosity about the process of renting or buying in Iceland.
I decided to reach out to Diddi because he has been sharing his knowledge about the process on Facebook in groups that we are both a p...
2019-12-0700 minAll Things IcelandGame of Thrones: Where Scenes Were Filmed in Iceland – Ep. 38In anticipation of the season 8 premiere for Game of Thrones on April 14th, I have decided to dedicate this episode to sharing the location of where the scenes for the show were filmed in Iceland. I am also including film locations that have been confirmed for the upcoming season. Even if you are not a fan of the show, the places on the list of where the scenes were shot are beautiful and worth checking out if you plan to visit.
Season 2
Beyond the Wall – Svínafellsjökull Glacier in Skaftafell
Icel...
2019-12-0700 minAll Things IcelandAkureyri: The Capital of Northern Iceland – Ep. 37Akureyri, also known as the capital of the north in Iceland, is the fourth largest municipality in Iceland. Reykjavík, Hafnarfjörður and Kopavogur are larger. This town of about 18,500 people is small in comparison to Reykjavík, but it is bustling with life.
Akureyri’s History
This area that Akureyri is located was originally settled in the 9th century by a Norse Viking named Helgi magri (the slim) Eyvindarson. However, you don’t see the name Akureyri mentioned in any court records until 1562. That year a woman was sentenced there for comm...
2019-12-0717 minAll Things IcelandThe Cod Wars: Iceland vs Britain – Ep.36While Iceland is not known for getting involved in wars, the country found itself in a territorial battle with Britain. The disputes are called the Cod Wars and they lasted for almost 20 years.
First, It Was Denmark vs Britain
The seas surrounding Iceland are rich with marine life, especially fish. British fishermen had been capturing cod in Icelandic waters since the 15th century. In the early 16th century, it became common to see many of their boats off the coast of the island. While Icelandic people did capture fish back then, fishing was...
2019-12-0700 minAll Things IcelandIceland's Hidden People & Mythical Beings – Ep. 35Many people think that the hidden people in the land of fire and ice are just elves. However, hidden people actually includes the many different types of beings that are rarely, if ever, seen here. In addition to elves, there are trolls, dwarfs, gnomes, fairies, mountain spirits and ghosts. There are also a variety of monsters.
Icelandic folklore includes many fascinating and frightening stories that I plan to talk about in future episodes of this podcast. As a primer for future shows, I have decided to give you an overview of these different hidden beings...
2019-12-0700 minAll Things IcelandMoving & Adjusting to Living in Iceland – My Personal Experience – Ep. 34This week is a bit different than my normal episodes because I am going to share why I moved to Iceland. I get this question a lot, mainly because I was born and raised in NYC. People find it very difficult to understand why I would move to such a small country that averages relatively chilly temperatures and has a population of about 350,000 people. After sharing Ingólfur Arnarson’s story, the man who founded Reykjavík, I felt compelled to share my own. So, let’s just jump right into it.
Meeting Gunnar 12 Years Ago
2019-12-0700 minAll Things IcelandIngólfur Arnarson – The Founder of Reykjavík – Ep. 33Gleðilegt nýtt ár!!! Happy New Year. Because the new year can feel like the time for new beginnings, I know 2019 does for me, I thought it would be fun to talk about the person who founded Reykjavík. He is also recognized as the first permanent Norse settler of Iceland.
The First Norsemen in Iceland
According to the Landnámabók, which literally means the book of settlements, Ingólfur Arnarson, his wife Hallveig Fróðadóttir, his step brother Hjörleirfur Hróðmarsson and their slaves arrived in Iceland in the later half...
2019-12-0700 minAll Things IcelandHow to Ring in The New Year Icelandic Style – Ep. 32Now that some of the major Christmas events are over, Icelandic people are gearing up for the New Year. While I did talk about how amazing it is to celebrate the New Year in Iceland in episode 23, which is all about Icelandic Holidays, Traditions and Celebrations and episode 31, “16 Christmas Activities to in Reykjavík, Iceland“, I still feel like the New Year’s celebration in Iceland deserves an episode of its own. After all, it is one of the most joyous, noisy and fun nights of the year. Well, at least it is for me.
Go to a...
2019-12-0700 minAll Things Iceland16 Christmas Activities to Do While Visiting Iceland – Ep. 31Christmas in Iceland is a lovely time. Everyone is merry and there are lots of fun events happening. I purposefully decided not to include Christmas activities that not holiday related on this list. You won’t hear me say, hunt for Northern Lights, go on a Glacier Walk, ride an Icelandic horse and so on during this episode. While those activities are awesome, they can be experienced when it is not Christmas in Iceland. Because the Christmas season in Iceland lasts for about a month, you will have lots of time to tick off some of the activities on this...
2019-12-0718 minAll Things IcelandHalldór Laxness – Iceland's Nobel Prize Winner for LiteratureAs I have mentioned in previous episodes, literature plays a big role in Icelandic society. Halldór’s nobel prize for his literature about Icelandic society is something that Icelandic people are very proud of.
He was born in Reykjavík in 1902 and his parents moved to the Laxnes farm near Mosfellsdalur when Halldór was three. His birth name was Halldór Guðjónsson but he changed it later on in life. In his own memoirs, he describes himself as an odd child. He learned to read and write at an early age, and spen...
2019-12-0700 minAll Things IcelandIceland's Unique & Strict Naming Traditions – Ep. 29Icelandic names can be difficult to pronounce, spell and understand when being spoken, especially for someone that doesn’t know the language. Even though, Icelandic people are pretty laid back about many things, mainly because they live in a world where flexibility of plans is a crucial part of their survival, they take their names seriously. I will first start out with explaining the structure of Icelandic names, and then I will delve a bit deeper into the fascinating rules and unique cultural aspects of this system.
Structure of Icelandic Names
In Iceland, a...
2019-12-0700 minAll Things Iceland10 Popular Icelandic Foods to Try While Visiting – Ep. 25This episode might be short but it gives you a good overview of Icelandic foods to try while in Iceland. Before I jump into this list, I have to inform you that I have been a plant based eater, usually referred to as vegan, for the last five years. However, I did taste all of these foods before I made the transition. The foods on this list are very much a part of the Icelandic food culture and it would be difficult to talk about Iceland without mentioning them.
I just want all of my...
2019-12-0716 minAll Things IcelandUseful Icelandic Words & Phrases for Visitors & Language Learners – Ep. 27Even though, English is widely spoken in Iceland, I think these words and phrases will certainly come in handy if you plan to visit or if you already live here and want to learn the language. Even if you don’t have Iceland on your bucket list, I find it is a fascinating language to listen to, especially since it has not evolved much since the 12th century. For anyone that is curious about the history of the Icelandic language check out the podcast episode I did about it.
If you find yourself interested in lear...
2019-12-0700 minAll Things IcelandHow To Prepare For A Trip to Iceland – Ep. 26If you are planning a trip to Iceland at any time in the future, this episode of the All Things Iceland podcast will arm you with useful facts and tips that will make your preparation much smoother.
Prepare for Icelandic Weather
I’m going to start off with one of the most important things to keep in mind when you travel to Iceland – the weather! Regardless of the season, the weather in Iceland can vary wildly. In one minute, it can be raining and windy and in the next, the sun can be shin...
2019-12-0700 minAll Things IcelandHistory of the Icelandic Language: A Brief Overview – EP2How the Icelandic Language Came to Be
The history of the Icelandic language dates all the way back to the 9th century, when settlers, mostly from Norway, came to live in Iceland. What was spoken at that time was Old Norse and this eventually evolved into Old Icelandic. Like many cultures, the language was passed on through spoken word before being preserved in the form of text. Impressively, the oldest preserved text in Icelandic was written around 1100.
If you are interested in being able to read Old Norse and Old Icelandic, check out...
2019-12-0700 minAll Things IcelandPolitics & the Pirate Party with Iceland’s Youngest President of City Council: Part 3 – Ep16This is the third and final part of my interview with Iceland’s youngest President of City Council, Dóra Björt Guðjónsdóttir. If you haven’t listened to part 1 and part 2 yet, I highly recommend that you do. Dóra shines a spotlight on the political scandals, deep seated beliefs and opportunities for positive change in Iceland during those parts.
During this episode, Dóra shares why she became a member of the pirate party, her views on information freedom, the responsibility of politicians to make positive change, the personal political initiatives that she would l...
2019-12-0700 minAll Things IcelandLaki Volcano Eruption – Devastating Effects in Iceland & Around the World- Ep17Iceland is home to 130 volcanoes and as of today, 30 of them are active. While the country has experienced 13 eruptions since it was settled in AD 874, none has been as devastating as the Laki eruption that started in 1783 and lasted for 8 months! During this episode of the All Things Iceland podcast, you will learn about the effects this massive eruption had on Iceland and other parts of the world.
Where the Laki Volcano is Located
If we are being technical, the mountain Laki did not erupt. Instead, fissures opened up on each side of i...
2019-12-0700 minAll Things IcelandAldís Amah on Growing Up Biracial in Iceland – Ep18Aldís Amah Hamilton, who is half African American and half Icelandic, shares what it is like living in Iceland as a person of color. Aldís and her friend were the first people of color in the country to be admitted to and graduate from the country’s National Academy of Theater. She is a working actor and flight attendant in Iceland. It was fascinating to chat with her about her experience growing up with physical features that are different than what you typically associate with being Icelandic.
Aldís was so pleasant to chat w...
2019-12-0749 minAll Things IcelandIs the South Coast of Iceland Worth Visiting? Ep.8Besides the Reykjavík area, the South Coast of Iceland is by far the most popular part of the country that is featured on social media, blogs and in one of Justin Bieber’s music videos. People from around the world are flocking there in droves. According to the Icelandic Tourism Board’s statistics for 2017, during the winter 55% of the travelers that come to Iceland traveled to the South and in the summer, a whopping 71% of travelers to the country went to that region. It is without a doubt a very popular place but it might make one wonder, “Is it re...
2019-12-0700 minAll Things IcelandSummer in Iceland: All You Need To Know – Ep6When does summer in Iceland start?
While most Icelandic people agree that the weather is more “summery” in June, the beginning of summer in Iceland is officially celebrated on the first Thursday after April 18th. In Icelandic, this day is called Sumardagurinn Fyrsti and it is an official holiday. The ironic part is that, historically, the weather is not very good on that day. If you had the opportunity to listen to Episode 5 of the All Things Iceland podcast, which is titled – What is Winter Like in Iceland?, you would have heard me mention that the wi...
2019-12-0700 minAll Things IcelandHow to Survive an Icelandic Winter – Ep5During this episode of All Things Iceland, I give you the low down on what you can expect during an Icelandic winter. While long, dark winter nights can sound awful, you can easily survive it by knowing what to expect and by using some of the coping mechanisms I share in this episode.
How long is an Icelandic winter?
According to the Old Norse calendar, which was split up into two seasons (winter and summer), winter in Iceland is 26 weeks long. The first day of summer is the first Thursday after April 18th e...
2019-12-0700 minAll Things Iceland6 Reasons Why is Iceland so Popular – Part 2 – Ep 4As I mentioned in part one of the “6 Reasons Why Iceland is so Popular” episode, this amazing country has many reasons for why people are flocking to it. In this episode, I share my final three out of six reasons. Make sure you check out the first three reasons I shared in the last episode of the All Things Iceland podcast.
4. Iceland is a Convenient Place To Catch a Connecting Flight
If you are traveling from North America to mainland Europe and vice versa, Iceland is in the middle of those places, which make...
2019-12-0717 minAll Things Iceland6 Reasons Why Iceland is Popular – Part 1 – EP3Iceland is popular now but before 2010, hardly anyone came to see this spectacular place. It is fascinating now that you can’t find a “must-see” destination list without this amazing country being featured. While there are many reasons why this small, island nation located in the Atlantic ocean is so popular, I am sharing my top six. I split this list into two parts to keep the episodes relatively short. Also, the list is in no particular order because I believe that each of the reasons that I share continue to have a major impact on the country’s popularit...
2019-12-0716 min
George South & Jewells Malone...Back to the Future of WrestlingEpisode 64
LIVE From The Armory Wrestling Show
This Week on the Show....
Perhaps we should call it: Back to the Future of Wrestling!
Arguably one of the Best Wrestling Trainers Today & Wrestling Journeyman Mr.#1 George South sits down for a talk about training tomorrows stars today, what it takes to make it in wrestling, & the state of wrestling as he see's it. I'm sure we'll also get an incredible story or two from George as well!
Our second guest is known as The Hardcore Princess; Jewells Malone will be with us! We'll talk what it means & what it takes to...
2015-04-092h 02
Weekly Wrestling Podcast#IndyPowerRankingsLIVE: #GirlsNightOut #2 w/ Jewells Malone & Crazy Mary DobsonIt's Tuesday night which means #IPRLive time! Matthew Grant & Travis Desmond host a special #GirlsNightOut edition of the #IndyPowerRankingsLIVE with 2 special guests in Jewells Malone & Crazy Mary Dobson. Jewells is fresh off of Deathproof's 5th anniversary show so we'll definitely be chatting about that, her upcoming match at SMASH Wrestling's CANUSA Classic w/ Veda Scott & so much more! Crazy Mary will talk plenty with us including her past experience at Deathproof, Rockstar Pro, JCW & MUCH more!
@JewellsMalone @CrazyMaryDobson @IndyPowerRankin @WeeklyWPodcast
2014-09-171h 56
The CAC ShowThe CAC Show: Ep. 17 - Jewells Malone Slays The CompetitionMarch 6th, 2014 - Call in (347) 884-9479 and join us at 7pm est as we continue our 'Salute To Women's Wrestling' when we welcome "The Diva Slayer" herself, Jewells Malone! Jewells will share her thrilling story with us, talk about the thrill of inter-gender wrestling, give us her view on the state off women's wrestling and it's future, and much more! We will also talk The Walking Dead and go in-depth on all of the characters who were lost in the previous episodes; we will debate the Marvel vs DC sales war; and we will talk about the many comic conventions this Spring...
2014-03-0700 min
Pro Wrestling Obsession LIVE! JEWELLS MALONEJoin "The Prophet" Rick Craig, Shawn "Blitz" Forester, "The Baumeister" Bau Johnson, and Ashley "Mojo" Farmer as we welcome our special guest...international ladies wrestling star Jewells Malone! We'll come to you live on the Pro Wrestling Powerhouse Radio Network on Friday, June 7 from 9:00-11:00pm EST. Feel free to call in and ask Jewells a question or participate in the many interactive segments we have in store for you. Hope to talk to you then!
2013-06-082h 00