How did the ancient Norse imagine the origin of the universe?

In this episode, I explore the creation of the cosmos according to Norse mythology. Long before the world, humans, or even the gods existed, there were only three things: fire, ice, and the vast empty void known as Ginnungagap.

From the clash between the fiery realm of Muspelheim and the frozen world of Niflheim, the first being emerged: the primordial giant Ymir. Soon after appeared Audhumla, the cosmic cow whose milk nourished the first life, and from the ice eventually emerged Buri, ancestor of the gods. From his lineage came Odin, Vili, and Vé, the first Norse gods who would shape the cosmos.

This episode tells the story of how the Viking-age peoples of Scandinavia imagined the birth of the universe, based on ancient oral traditions later written down in Iceland in texts such as the Poetic Edda and the Prose Edda.

Beyond gods and giants, these myths reflect a universal human question: where did everything come from?

Follow the podcast on other platforms:

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/spanswede

Listen to the podcast:

Apple Podcast: https://podcasts.apple.com/se/podcast/spanswede/id1740094241

Spotify Podcast: https://open.spotify.com/show/37CXiQV9JQ5Edq2nsXFrxw

Acast Podcast: https://feeds.acast.com/public/shows/spanswede

Acast Podcast en Español: https://feeds.acast.com/public/shows/spanswede-en-espaol

#NorseMythology #Vikings #NorseCosmology #Odin #ScandinavianHistory #Mythology #VikingAge #SpanSwede #HistoryPodcast #MythologyPodcast

If you’d like to support this podcast, you can do so at ko-fi.com/spanswede. Thanks for listening!

This podcast shares personal reflections on life in Sweden, culture, philosophy, and more.

Listen on:

YouTube: youtube.com/@spanswede

Follow me on social media:

Instagram: @spanswede

TikTok: @spanswede

If you enjoyed the episode, please rate or share it!

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In this episode, I explore 19 very common Swedish idioms that you will hear again and again in daily life. Idioms exist in every language, but their literal meaning often makes little sense when translated word for word. That’s exactly what makes them interesting.

I break down each expression by explaining its literal meaning, what it actually means in real life, and I give a simple example to make it easier to remember. Many Swedish idioms follow a rhythmic structure with two words connected by “och” (“and”), which gives the language a very characteristic sound.

If you’re learning Swedish, living in Sweden, or simply curious about how language reflects culture, this episode will help you understand everyday conversations more naturally.

If you enjoy this content, make sure to follow the podcast and connect with me on social media:

YouTube: @spanswede

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/spanswede

Apple Podcast: https://podcasts.apple.com/se/podcast/spanswede/id1740094241

Spotify Podcast: https://open.spotify.com/show/37CXiQV9JQ5Edq2nsXFrxw

Acast Podcast: https://feeds.acast.com/public/shows/spanswede

Acast Podcast en Español: https://feeds.acast.com/public/shows/spanswede-en-espaol

See you in the next episode.

If you’d like to support this podcast, you can do so at ko-fi.com/spanswede. Thanks for listening!

This podcast shares personal reflections on life in Sweden, culture, philosophy, and more.

Listen on:

YouTube: youtube.com/@spanswede

Follow me on social media:

Instagram: @spanswede

TikTok: @spanswede

If you enjoyed the episode, please rate or share it!

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

At first glance, Sweden and Argentina seem like complete opposites. North and south. Cold and warm. Order and chaos. But when we look a little deeper into history, something interesting appears: these two countries share far more connections than most people realize.

In this episode I explore some of the historical, cultural and social links between Sweden and Argentina. From Swedish migration to South America, to Antarctic expeditions, architecture, literature, music and even food traditions, there are many fascinating points where the histories of both countries intersect.

We will talk about the Swedish colony that helped found the city of Oberá in Argentina, the dramatic Antarctic rescue of a Swedish expedition by the Argentine navy in 1903, the Swedish architect who designed important monuments in Buenos Aires, and the influence of Argentina on the work of the famous Swedish songwriter Evert Taube.

The episode also explores cultural parallels such as rural traditions, folklore, barbecue culture, the role of religion in shaping society, labor unions, and the shared historical commitment to social protection and workers’ rights.

Finally, we discuss the powerful human rights story of Dagmar Hagelin, a Swedish-Argentine citizen who became a symbol of Sweden’s engagement with human rights during Argentina’s military dictatorship.

Having lived in both countries myself, this episode is also a personal reflection on how two seemingly distant cultures can share unexpected historical and cultural ties.

Follow the podcast on other platforms:

YouTube: @spanswede

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/spanswede

Podcast in English:

Apple Podcast: https://podcasts.apple.com/se/podcast/spanswede/id1740094241

Spotify Podcast: https://open.spotify.com/show/37CXiQV9JQ5Edq2nsXFrxw

Acast Podcast: https://feeds.acast.com/public/shows/spanswede

Podcast in Spanish:

Apple Podcast: https://podcasts.apple.com/se/podcast/spanswede-en-espa%C3%B1ol/id1869977014

Spotify Podcast: https://open.spotify.com/show/3vVzU7x9YNUspFcSTdt4SB

Acast Podcast in Spanish: https://feeds.acast.com/public/shows/spanswede-en-espaol

#Sweden #Argentina #SwedenArgentina #CulturalConnections #HistoryPodcast #MigrationHistory #NordicHistory #LatinAmerica #SpanSwede #Podcast

If you’d like to support this podcast, you can do so at ko-fi.com/spanswede. Thanks for listening!

This podcast shares personal reflections on life in Sweden, culture, philosophy, and more.

Listen on:

YouTube: youtube.com/@spanswede

Follow me on social media:

Instagram: @spanswede

TikTok: @spanswede

If you enjoyed the episode, please rate or share it!

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Living in Sweden for so many years, coming from a very different cultural background, is not easy. Not even for many Swedes. In this episode, I reflect on why, after more than a decade, I’m still here. I talk about patience, learning, cultural curiosity, family, and personality. This is not an idealized view of the country, but an honest reflection on what keeps tipping the balance toward staying, despite doubts and the passage of time.

#sweden #livinginsweden #expatlife #movingabroad #lifeabroad #personalreflections #nordicculture #lifeinsweden #mindset

If you’d like to support this podcast, you can do so at ko-fi.com/spanswede. Thanks for listening!

This podcast shares personal reflections on life in Sweden, culture, philosophy, and more.

Listen on:

YouTube: youtube.com/@spanswede

Follow me on social media:

Instagram: @spanswede

TikTok: @spanswede

If you enjoyed the episode, please rate or share it!

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

I detta avsnitt delar jag med mig av mina personliga reflektioner kring vad som verkligen krävs för att bo i Sverige på lång sikt. Vi pratar om språk, anpassning, ensamhet, väder och mycket mer. Praktiska och emocinella insikter för dig som funderar på att flytta eller redan bor här.

#levaisverige #flyttatillsverige #expatliving #sverigeliv #integration #svenskalivet #boisverige #invandraresverige #svenskkultur #podcast

If you’d like to support this podcast, you can do so at ko-fi.com/juansweden. Thanks for listening!

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Living in Sweden can be an amazing experience, but it can also be challenging if you arrive with unrealistic expectations.

In this episode I share nine essential things you will need if you want to live in Sweden long term. These are not generic expat tips, but reflections based on more than ten years living and working in Sweden.

I talk about key topics such as the importance of language, the determination required to learn Swedish, the need for an open mind, the impact of cold weather and long dark winters, the individualistic nature of Swedish society, and the personal sacrifices involved in living far from family and friends.

Many people arrive in Sweden with an idealized image of the country. This episode aims to offer a more realistic perspective to help you better understand Swedish society and avoid some of the most common mistakes people make when moving here.

Follow the podcast on other platforms:

YouTube: @spanswede

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/spanswede

Podcast in English:

Apple Podcast: https://podcasts.apple.com/se/podcast/spanswede/id1740094241

Spotify Podcast: https://open.spotify.com/show/37CXiQV9JQ5Edq2nsXFrxw

Acast Podcast: https://feeds.acast.com/public/shows/spanswede

Podcast in Spanish:

Apple Podcast: https://podcasts.apple.com/se/podcast/spanswede-en-espa%C3%B1ol/id1869977014

Spotify Podcast: https://open.spotify.com/show/3vVzU7x9YNUspFcSTdt4SB

Acast Podcast in Spanish: https://feeds.acast.com/public/shows/spanswede-en-espaol

#LivingInSweden #MoveToSweden #LifeInSweden #SwedenLife #ExpatLife #NordicLife #SwedishCulture #SpanSwede #Podcast

If you’d like to support this podcast, you can do so at ko-fi.com/spanswede. Thanks for listening!

This podcast shares personal reflections on life in Sweden, culture, philosophy, and more.

Listen on:

YouTube: youtube.com/@spanswede

Follow me on social media:

Instagram: @spanswede

TikTok: @spanswede

If you enjoyed the episode, please rate or share it!

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

En este episodio hablo, desde la experiencia personal, de las cosas fundamentales que necesitas si quieres vivir en Suecia a largo plazo. Idioma, adaptación cultural, clima, soledad, objetivos vitales y renuncias reales. No es una guía idealizada, sino una visión honesta y directa sobre lo que implica emigrar y construir una vida en un país nórdico. Puede servirte para Suecia… o para replantearte cualquier proyecto de vida en el extranjero.

#VivirEnSuecia #Emigrar #VidaEnElExtranjero #Suecia #ExpatLife #Inmigración #IdiomaSueco #VidaNórdica #Reflexiones #PodcastEnEspañol #ExperienciaPersonal

If you’d like to support this podcast, you can do so at ko-fi.com/juansweden. Thanks for listening!

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Elva personliga reflektioner som jag lärde mig och praktiserade under 2025. Enkla tankar om sinnet, rädsla, närvaro, lycka och livets mening, baserade på erfarenhet snarare än teori.

#liv #reflektion #medvetenhet #filosofi #personligutveckling #podcast

If you’d like to support this podcast, you can do so at ko-fi.com/juansweden. Thanks for listening!

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

As this year ends, I want to share the thoughts that helped me navigate loss, uncertainty, and personal growth. These are not magic answers, but reminders that offered calm, clarity, and perspective during difficult times. I hope they may also help you in your own journey.

#reflection #philosophy #wisdom #selfhelp #growth #life #meditation #stoicism #mementomori #ego #meaningOfLife #mentalhealth #thoughts #resilience #livinginthepresent

If you’d like to support this podcast, you can do so at ko-fi.com/spanswede. Thanks for listening!

This podcast shares personal reflections on life in Sweden, culture, philosophy, and more.

Listen on:

YouTube: youtube.com/@spanswede

Follow me on social media:

Instagram: @spanswede

TikTok: @spanswede

If you enjoyed the episode, please rate or share it!

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Once reflexiones personales que aprendí y practiqué durante 2025. Ideas simples sobre la mente, el miedo, el presente, la felicidad y el sentido de la vida, contadas desde la experiencia y no desde la teoría.

#vida #reflexión #conciencia #filosofía #crecimientopersonal #podcast

If you’d like to support this podcast, you can do so at ko-fi.com/juansweden. Thanks for listening!

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.