The Icelandic Roots Podcast

Julie Summers brings us together with three Snorri alumni - Helga, Peter, and Diane - to explore the Snorri Plus experience. Their 30+ touring program brings participants to Iceland where they can engage deeply with culture, heritage, and contemporary life. In our conversation, we'll hear reflections, stories, and insights from their times in Iceland: what surprised them, what stayed with them, and how Iceland reveals itself as a true microcosm of the world. From healthcare to libraries to physics, we learn how interconnected life in Iceland can be, and how quickly meaningful connections form between people across disciplines, professions, and backgrounds. Programs like Snorri, Snorri Plus, and even Icelandic Roots tours offer something deeper than travel alone. This episode is a reflection on how Iceland, time and again, becomes the meeting place. Visit https://www.snorri.is/ or https://www.icelandicroots.com/ to learn more about these programs.

Hafdís Bjarnadóttir is a Reykjavík-based composer and guitarist known for breaking boundaries between genres - drawing on everything from jazz and folk to avant-garde, poetry, and contemporary classical. In this conversation, we trace her path from learning jazz guitar to composing award-winning works, reflect on her time reenacting history in costume at the Eiríksstaðir Museum, and dig into the theory, culture, and economics of being an artist in Iceland today. We also explore how collaboration shapes creativity and where the Icelandic music scene is heading. Find out more: https://www.hafdisbjarnadottir.com/ Listen to her music: https://hafdisbjarnadottir.bandcamp.com/ 

Claudia Peterson is the driving force behind the North American tour of the crowd-sewn, Icelandic-wool Njáls Saga Tapestry — an extraordinary living artwork born in Hvolsvöllur, Iceland, with the mission of rallying support for a permanent museum to showcase this saga masterpiece in its hometown. In this episode, we look into the tapestry’s unique place in Icelandic and world history and hear Claudia’s behind-the-scenes stories from the road — sharing how communities across North America, from Calgary to Seattle, are connecting with this epic piece of Viking heritage. We also explore personal ties to Njáls Saga, the entrepreneurial vision of letting people in on a piece of Iceland’s saga legacy, and how this community-powered effort can help build a world-class museum in southern Iceland for generations to come. You’ll hear insights on living history, the art of marketing, and the timeless psychology of humanity — all stitched together in this conversation that invites you to be part of the journey. Discover how you can support, spread the word, and help bring Njáls Saga home — a rich tapestry indeed (pun absolutely intended). https://www.icelandicroots.com/post/bringing-the-saga-era-to-the-modern-era-understanding-the-nj%C3%A1l-saga-tapestry Njáls Saga on Tour: Weaving Iceland’s Epic for the World

Sunna Furstenau, President of Icelandic Roots and head of the Genealogy Team, along with Becky Byerly-Adams, the Outreach Director, joined us to explore everything from new books and upcoming webinars to the evolving future of the Icelandic Roots database—and why preserving our stories matters now more than ever. We talked about how the team is finding new ways to engage the community: through voice and video capture, integrating personal histories directly into the database in ways that make it feel alive and deeply human. Sunna and Becky also shared updates on in-person events like the Deuce of August and Íslendingadagurinn, and gave us a glimpse into the excitement around the next group trip to Iceland. This conversation dives deeper than names and dates—it’s about connection. Whether online or face-to-face, Icelandic Roots is a collective effort to honour the legacy of our people. Sunna and Becky offer a heartfelt look at how community, storytelling, and technology come together to shape a living archive for future generations. Fill out the Cousins Across the Ocean form and share with others: https://www.icelandicroots.com/cousins-across-the-ocean  

Julie Salverson is a fourth-generation Icelandic-Canadian author whose new memoir, A Necessary Distance: Confessions of a Scriptwriter’s Daughter, braids family memory with global history. In this episode, we explore Julie’s reflections on her father, CBC writer George Salverson, and her grandmother, acclaimed Icelandic-Canadian author Laura Goodman Salverson. Drawing from her father’s 1963 travel journals and her own journeys—including a meaningful trip to Iceland—Julie shares how the past ripples into the present. We talk about her experience hearing storyteller Karen Gummo recount one of Laura’s tales, and the significance of meeting Vigdís Finnbogadóttir, Iceland’s former president and a trailblazer for women worldwide. As we dive into Julie’s writing process, we explore how she sees memoir as an act of witness—writing as understanding, thinking on the page, and reckoning with diverse perspectives through time. Our conversation touches on the philosophical nature of history, the weight of inherited stories, and how the act of documenting becomes a thread across generations. From radio scripts to personal memoir, and from immigrant stories to international travels, this episode weaves together art, ancestry, and the enduring power of writing to carry memory forward. Find her book here: https://bookstore.wolsakandwynn.ca/products/a-necessary-distance Or check your local bookstore!

Atli Halldórsson is the co-project manager of the Snorri Programs, splitting his time between Iceland and Vancouver, Canada. In this episode, we explore the deep cultural ties between Iceland, Scandinavia, and North America—through the lens of an Icelander dedicated to reconnecting people of Icelandic descent with their roots. Atli unpacks what makes Winnipeg, Manitoba, and Copenhagen, Denmark, two of the most "Icelandic" cities outside of Iceland, tracing their history, traditions, and evolving cultural expressions. From Viking migration to modern identity, this is a wide-ranging conversation—from Atli’s time in Denmark, where he mastered riding a bicycle with no hands, to his adventures in Canada, exploring the Rocky Mountains and the Icelandic diaspora.   For those keen on Icelandic culture, history, and meaningful connections, the Snorri Program offers a unique immersion opportunity. If you're interested, check out www.snorri.is And if you want to take stock of your Icelandic heritage, explore the Icelandic Roots database and stay in touch through our public newsletter: https://www.icelandicroots.com/newsletter-signup

Susan Huff is a genealogist and a descendant of Icelandic immigrants who emigrated from the Vestmannaeyjar to Spanish Fork, Utah—the oldest continuous Icelandic settlement in North America. In this episode, we explore her work with the National Archive of Iceland, where she uncovered fascinating stories from Icelandic history by examining parish records. Susan shares her insights into Iceland’s shockingly high infant mortality rate—once the highest in all of Europe—and the role tetanus played in this tragedy. We investigate how medical advancements during this era helped improve survival rates and what these historical health challenges reveal about Iceland’s past. From the struggles of early settlers to the genealogical ties that continue to link Icelandic families to Utah, this episode offers a picture of Icelandic ancestry, the Latter-day Saints, and the medical history that shaped the development of Iceland—highlighting remarkable survival stories that influenced both nations. Learn more on the blog: https://www.icelandicroots.com/post/infant-mortality-in-iceland

Mark Petursson is the president of the Leif Eiriksson Icelandic Club in Calgary and a dedicated member of the Western Icelander community. In this episode, we discuss his journey of reconnecting with his Icelandic heritage, from working in Iceland’s fishing industry as a teenager to his ongoing efforts in cultural preservation. Mark shares his experiences learning the Icelandic language firsthand, offering humorous anecdotes and reflections on the challenges of embracing a new culture. From incredible days at sea to wild nights with Brennivín, he recounts how the warmth of the Icelanders—and a few drinks—helped him pick up the language faster than any textbook. We explore the deep connection between language, family, and identity—with plenty of laughs along the way.

Brian Borgford is a prolific writer with 40 books published on Amazon. In this episode, we go over his writing process and the philosophy behind publicly sharing family histories. Brian explains how he transforms biographies of family members into novels, bringing their lives and times to the page in new and engaging ways. This conversation offers insightful perspectives on writing family histories and leveraging modern tools to preserve the past. With unexpected twists — like the surprising success of Pepper: The Story of a Lost Dog — this discussion highlights the creative journey, the importance of storytelling, and how history and art shape our understanding of the present. His work underscores the value of documenting personal and family histories, not just for ourselves but for future generations.   Find his books on Amazon: https://www.amazon.ca/stores/Brian-Borgford/author/B0088L0ULC?ref=dbs_a_mng_rwt_scns_share&isDramIntegrated=true&shoppingPortalEnabled=true

Audrey Ledford, a Seattle native and recent Georgetown graduate, wrote a reflective piece titled Meditation on Family and Home - Snorri 2024 for our blog. In this episode, Jack connects with Audrey—now teaching in Spain—to explore her journey with the Snorri Program and its impact on her connection to her Icelandic roots. Through their conversation, Audrey shares how walking the landscapes of her ancestors helped her better understand the bonds between family, heritage, and identity. She discusses how this experience reshaped her sense of place, deepening her connection to both her Icelandic heritage and her own family, both past and present. With a B.S. in Foreign Service, Audrey offers insights into the intersection of heritage, geopolitics, and identity, exploring how these forces influence personal connections to history and home. Takk fyrir.