Today on Sauna Talk, we welcome back Jon Sabes.

Jon first joined us on Episode #61, and in this conversation, we reconnect on the same sauna bench in Minneapolis. He's in town from Los Angeles for a winter weekend, and we meet after a cross-country ski on Lake Minnetonka—just as the sauna is coming up to temperature.

There's something about talking with authors on the bench. The conversation tends to flow easily—like good steam in the hot room.

Jon's new book, Healthy Wealthy Longevity, is at the center of our discussion. It's a thoughtful guide to living with intention, built on the idea that small, consistent actions shape the bigger picture of our lives.

On the bench, we explore a few key themes from the book:

• How daily habits compound over time—for better or worse
• The connection between physical health, financial well-being, and emotional balance
• The role of intentional living in creating a fulfilling life

Jon shares practical insights drawn from his own experience, along with perspectives that feel both grounded and applicable.

I've also been using Jon's daily journal, which complements the ideas in his book—helping bring structure, clarity, and a sense of gratitude into the everyday.

In addition to his work as an author, Jon serves on the board of the Sauna Research Institute, where there are some exciting developments underway in the world of sauna and health.

From the sauna bench in Minneapolis, please welcome Jon Sabes.

Thinking about building your own sauna? This episode of Sauna Talk brings you inside a live panel discussion on sauna design, construction, and best practices—recorded at the West Coast Sauna Summit near Vancouver, BC.

On the bench with Glenn are two experienced Canadian sauna builders—Andrew (Saunabuilder) and Josh (Theraluxe)—sharing real-world insights on everything from bench heights and wall cladding to wood stoves vs electric heaters, mobile saunas vs backyard builds, and what truly makes a great sauna.

This conversation is part of a hands-on sauna building seminar, where we dig into the practical decisions every builder faces—whether you're just getting started or refining your craft.

We cover:

• Sauna bench height and layout

• Wood-burning vs electric sauna stoves

• Mobile saunas vs permanent backyard builds

• Materials, wall systems, and interior finishes

• The philosophy behind good sauna design

What makes this episode special is the collaborative spirit—three builders sharing ideas openly, grounded in experience, not theory.

Recorded at Loon Lake Lodge during the West Coast Sauna Summit, this session captures the energy of builders and enthusiasts coming together to talk shop, share knowledge, and push sauna culture forward.

So whether you're sketching your first build or fine-tuning your tenth, grab a towel, throw some water on the rocks, and join us on the bench.

This episode of Sauna Talk comes from a fireside gathering at the West Coast Sauna Summit, held at Loon Lake in the UBC Malcolm Knapp Research Forest.

It was late in the evening on the second night.

Some were still cycling through the saunas. Others had turned in. But about 25–30 of us gathered in a circle—some in sandals, some barefoot, some wrapped in towels or robes—for an impromptu Sauna Talk.

No stage. No agenda. No script.

Just a group of sauna people, settling in after a full day, ready to share thoughts, ideas, and a few laughs.

This is the kind of moment that's hard to plan—and maybe impossible to recreate. By this point in the gathering, the formal presentations were behind us. The introductions had been made. What remained was a sense of ease, openness, and connection.

Seven or so mobile saunas sat just outside, lakeside. The heat, the cold water, the fresh air—it all carried into the conversation.

Co-producer Valtteri called us together: "Ok everybody, let's gather our chairs in a circle. Let's Sauna Talk."

And we did.

What follows is a free-flowing, sometimes wandering conversation—full of perspective, humor, and those small moments that tend to stay with you.

There's something special about the West Coast sauna scene. Open, collaborative, and grounded in nature. No gatekeeping—just a shared appreciation for good heat, cold water, and the people who gather around it.

A big thank you to Linda and Valtteri for creating the space, the energy, and the spirit that made this conversation possible.

From the fireside at Loon Lake, please enjoy this episode of Sauna Talk.

This episode of Sauna Talk comes to you from New York City, recorded during the Culture of Bathing gathering in January 2025.

Rather than a single conversation, this is a walk-through—capturing voices, perspectives, and moments from across the event.

With nearly 100 attendees from around the world—many of them bathhouse owners, operators, and builders—this gathering offered a unique snapshot of where sauna and bathing culture stands today, particularly in North America.

Armed with a handheld recorder, I made my way through Manhattan and Brooklyn, connecting with a handful of people shaping this evolving space.

You'll hear from:

• Shelby, working with Thermë Group, bringing art and design into bathing experiences

• Dimitri Shapiro of the Russian & Turkish Baths, sharing the story of a 130-year-old New York institution

• Don Genders of Design for Leisure, reflecting on decades of global spa and wellness development

• Cosmin, wellness director at Thermë Bucharest, diving into the science and practice of aufguss

• Vicky of Earth Sauna (Victoria, BC), working to bring aufguss training to North America

• Megan of Sauna du Nord (Duluth, MN), speaking to community, accessibility, and the spirit of sauna

What emerges is a layered conversation—touching on tradition, innovation, design, culture, and the growing momentum behind public bathing.

From old-world bathhouses to modern wellness facilities… from aromatherapy and aufguss to questions of access, authenticity, and community… this episode captures a moment in time as sauna culture continues to evolve.

Think of this one as a series of conversations—recorded on the move, in real time, from the streets and bathhouses of New York City.

From the Culture of Bathing gathering, please enjoy this episode of Sauna Talk.

Today on Sauna Talk, we celebrate the spirit of backyard sauna culture with highlights from Parade of Saunas 2024 in Minneapolis.

This community event brought visitors through 10 home saunas across the city, offering a chance to step into the creativity, craftsmanship, and hospitality of backyard sauna owners. Along the way, the event also raised $1,500 for charity.

What stood out most was the generosity of the hosts and the enthusiasm of the visitors. From seasoned sauna folks to those just beginning to dream about their own backyard build, the day was filled with curiosity, good conversation, and shared appreciation for good heat.

In this episode, we check in with a handful of saunas and the people behind them, including:

• Ryan's Fulton neighborhood backyard retreat

• Steve Hawkins and his welcoming sauna crowd

• Darin's NorthUp ultralight sauna from Urban Wing

• Joe Sauna and his "member of the tribe" spirit

• the SaunaTimes sauna here in Minneapolis

• Tom's LightWave sauna

What emerged was more than a tour. It was a reminder that sauna culture grows best when people open their doors, share what they've built, and invite others onto the bench.

As one participant put it, it was "a great event." I'd agree.

From Minneapolis, please enjoy this very special episode of Sauna Talk.

Today on Sauna Talk, we welcome Dr. Ashley Mason.

Dr. Mason is a clinical psychologist and Associate Professor of Psychiatry at UCSF, where she works within the Osher Center for Integrative Health. Her research focuses on sleep, mental health, and behavioral treatments for insomnia, and she directs the UCSF Sleep, Affect, and Eating (SEA) Lab.

In this conversation, we explore her work on whole body hyperthermia—and what it may tell us about the relationship between heat, mood, and overall well-being.

We talk about:

• How body temperature regulation is connected to depression

• The potential antidepressant effects of heat exposure

• What happens when we remove thermal stress from our daily lives

• How modern, climate-controlled living may keep us in a "narrow band"

• Why reintroducing heat—and even cold—could play a role in better health

Dr. Mason shares insights from her research, including work presented at the BrainMind Summit, where she explores how sauna and other forms of heat exposure may help regulate core body temperature and improve mood in some individuals.

This is a thoughtful, science-based conversation that connects modern research with something many of us already experience on the sauna bench.

From the intersection of sauna and science, please welcome Dr. Ashley Mason to Sauna Talk.

Today on Sauna Talk, we connect with Earric Lee.

This conversation was recorded in London, just outside the British Sauna Summit—so you'll hear a bit of the city in the background as we talk.

Earric is a researcher focused on the health benefits of sauna and a fellow board member of the Sauna Research Institute. His work centers on helping bring greater coordination and visibility to sauna research worldwide.

In this conversation, we explore:

• The current state of sauna research

• Why much of the science remains fragmented

• The need to "de-silo" researchers across countries and disciplines

• How stronger collaboration could help advance understanding of sauna's health benefits

Earric shares his perspective on what's needed to move sauna research forward—and why this moment feels important.

For many of us, the benefits of sauna are something we've experienced firsthand. The challenge now is helping science catch up, organize, and communicate those benefits more clearly.

From the streets of London, please welcome Earric Lee to Sauna Talk.

This is Episode 100 of Sauna Talk.

When I started this podcast back in 2016, the idea was simple: capture a bit of what happens on the sauna bench.

It's a unique place for conversation. The body is under stress, yet the mind is relaxed. Distractions fall away. And something opens up—thoughts, ideas, stories, and connections.

Sauna Talk has always been about that space.

It's the kind of conversation you have with a close friend, a family member, or someone you've just met—but somehow feel like you've known for years. It's where ideas get untangled, perspectives shift, and time seems to slow down.

In this episode, we look back.

You'll hear excerpts from past conversations with a range of voices who have helped shape Sauna Talk, including:

• Tom Rolando, reflecting on the early days and origin of the podcast

• Daryl Lamppa on traditional sauna stoves

• Scott Olson on entrepreneurship and community

• Wim Hof on heat and cold

• Dr. Jari Laukkanen on sauna research

• Alex Blyashuk on venik practice

• Bruce Oreck on Finland and happiness

• Lasse Eriksson on the deeper meaning of sauna

Each voice offers a different perspective—but together, they reflect the spirit of Sauna Talk.

One hundred episodes in, what stands out most is the people. The generosity, the passion, and the shared belief that sauna has something meaningful to offer.

It's been a privilege to have these conversations, and a pleasure to share them with you.

From the sauna bench, thank you for listening.

Today on Sauna Talk, we welcome Ragna Marie Fjeld, Secretary General of Oslo Badstuforening—the Oslo Sauna Association.

Founded in 2016, Oslo Badstuforening began with a single sauna along the Oslo fjord. In just a few short years, it has grown into a remarkable network of floating and mobile saunas—now numbering well beyond its original footprint, and continuing to expand.

In this episode, we take a closer look at what's behind that growth.

Set along the harbor in Oslo, the association's saunas have become a central part of the city's public life. Their original sauna still operates today, surrounded by a fleet of floating saunas—each with its own character, yet all part of a larger, shared vision.

What's striking is not just the scale, but the momentum.

• Saunas are frequently fully booked

• Interest from staff and volunteers continues to grow

• Architects and builders are eager to contribute

• The organization operates with a strong sense of purpose and collaboration

Ragna shares insight into how this all comes together—from operations and culture to the mindset that allows for this kind of expansion without losing the spirit of sauna.

We also touch on the broader context: how sauna is woven into Nordic life, and why Oslo has become a leading example of what's possible when community, location, and intention align.

From the Oslo fjord, please welcome Ragna Marie Fjeld.

Today on Sauna Talk, we welcome Alan Jalasjja who shares with us "The Spirit of Sauna."

Alan is an evangelist who is with us to help promote the experience. Growing up with sauna his whole life, as a Finnish Canadian, we get the perspective of what sauna spirit means to him.

The growth of the event compared to 2022

I encourage you to click through the link towards his Op Ed opinion piece that recently appeared in the Globe and Mail, which discusses "enjoying sauna in the now." Sure the health benefits are there for the long term, but wow, let's enjoy our sauna time now.

We discuss the value of time. The holy trinity to a good cool down: cold water, nature, time.

• fire
• air
• water
• earth (the stones).

Some magical gems from Alan, and happy to share with you here.