Ep. 8: Mental Gymnastics (Part 1)

What is Swedish Christmas actually like — and why does it feel so different from Christmas in the USA?In this episode of Josh & John, a Swede explains Swedish Christmas traditions to an American living in Sweden. From Advent candles, Lucia processions, Elf on the Shelf chaos, and Christmas calendars, to the legendary julbord (Swedish Christmas food), we unpack what makes December in Sweden so unique.We talk about:Why Advent is such a big deal in SwedenLucia, light in the darkness, and childhood traditionsElf on the Shelf (USA) and why parents are exhausted by DecemberSwedish Christmas food (julbord) explainedHow traditions shape kids, families, and expectationsThe biggest culture shocks Americans experience at Christmas in SwedenWhether you’re Swedish, American, or just curious about life and culture in Scandinavia, this episode is cozy, honest, and full of laughs.🎄 New episodes weekly🇸🇪🇺🇸 Swedish–American culture, faith & everyday life🎙️ Hosted by Josh & John

We’re back with our friend Hannah Saldner for another round of hilarious Sweden–USA culture shocks. This week we dive even deeper into the everyday Swedish habits that still confuse us — from four-wheel-drive shopping carts to roundabouts, preschool hills, skohorns, weird language phrases, and even… why Swedes sell bags of moss at ICA.We also talk about:• Why Swedes say “ursäkta” instead of “sorry”• The mysterious Swedish “resting confused face”• Why Americans can’t switch languages in relationships• Skohorn culture (and Josh’s 4-year-old’s obsession 😂)• “Det suger,” “sjukt,” “det värsta,” and other phrases we keep messing up• The Swedish–American struggle of wanting to sound polite but not weird• Why Costco carts feel like a dream compared to ICA’s chaosIf you’re an expat, a Swede, or someone who loves culture-shock conversations — you’ll love this one.Hit follow, rate the show, and send us your own “weird Swedish things.”

In this laugh-filled episode, Josh and John are joined by fellow American expat Hannah Saldner to uncover the strangest everyday quirks in Sweden — the things no one tells you before you move here.We talk about 4-wheel shopping carts, low toilet water levels, Ullared expectations vs reality, silent parents at kids’ sports, Swedish dialect debates, parental leave culture, and why the ice cream truck arrives right at bedtime.A perfect episode for:🇺🇸 Americans living in Sweden🇸🇪 Swedes who want to hear how their culture looks from the outside😂 Anyone who loves funny cross-cultural storiesHit follow and share the episode with a friend who’s lived abroad!

John takes Josh on a wild journey through the infamous Knutby cult — one of the most shocking and talked-about church scandals in Swedish history.We unpack the murders, the theology, the control, Kristi brud, and the new evidence now in the news.Plus: Thanksgiving, cultural differences, and a whole lot of laughter in between.Fun, honest, and surprisingly deep.New episodes every week

Trump wants to introduce 50-year mortgages in the United States — but in Sweden, people already live that way. In this episode, Josh and John break down the cultural, economic, and emotional differences between how Americans and Swedes think about housing.We talk about:Why Swedes take 50-year (or interest-only!) loans without blinkingWhy Americans MUST “own” their home — and why they fear the bankWhether Trump’s proposal helps people or traps themAmortization rules, refinancing, and trust in institutionsThe surprising reasons young people struggle entering the marketA fun, honest, and very real conversation about two totally different worlds of home-ownership.

Swedes love insurance — like, really love it. 🇸🇪Josh and John unpack why everything in Sweden seems insured, from your car to your coffee break. What does that say about trust, security, and how Swedes view life?It’s a funny, insightful deep dive into the Swedish comfort zone (and how different it is from American “sink or swim” life).#JoshAndJohnShow #SwedenCulture #Försäkringskassan

🍂 Fall in Sweden hits different!Josh (the American) and John (the Swede) swap stories about cozy candles, Halloween confusion, Swedish tacos, and why Thanksgiving never really took off here. Grab a warm drink and join us for a laugh-filled dive into how Swedes celebrate fall — and why it’s so different from the U.S. 🇸🇪🇺🇸

From lost keys to pump-and-dump crypto chaos…Josh & John dive into the wild world of modern scams — from french jewel heists to AI voices that sound like your best friend 🤖💔Would you fall for a “too good to be true” deal? Or are you the one still waiting for your Nigerian prince to text back? 👑😂

Josh just got back from Italy — and things got very American. From over-excited tourists at the Uffizi to realizing that the Ninja Turtles are actually Renaissance artists (mind blown 🤯), this episode dives into culture shock, Florence art history, and one very unexpected encounter with Liv Tyler.We also compare Swedish chill vs American emotion… and ask: Do Americans really have to comment on everything? 🇮🇹🇺🇸👉 Drop a comment: Are you more like a “quiet Swede” or a “loud American” on vacation?

What happens when a cashless society meets AI? 🇸🇪 vs 🇺🇸We dive into Swedish BankID, Klarna, scams, and why Swedes trust the government while Americans… don’t. Plus, childhood skating stories, hot chocolate memories, and some very strange baseball metaphors 🏒⚾.👉 Listen now for laughs, cultural quirks, and some serious questions about trust in tech.