Today’s episode is dedicated to Finnish folklore and the spirits of the sauna. I can think of no one better to have this conversation with than Dr. Victoria Stewart, Assistant Director of the Humanities Center at Wayne State University in Detroit, Michigan. I learned so much talking to her and it’s really given me a renewed sense of respect and passion for both Finnish culture and sauna culture. If you’re listening to Badii Talk, I know you’ve gotta be a sauna nerd too, so I think you’re going to really enjoy this one! And if you’re a sauna enthusiast, folklore lover, or curious about the deeper cultural roots of wellness traditions, I hope this episode will spark your imagination and deepen your appreciation for sauna culture.
Dr. Stewart manages the day-to-day operations of the center's Detroit Humanities Hub, a public humanities initiative that connects the interests and talents of Wayne State's humanists with those of the people of Detroit. She holds a PhD in Folklore and Scandinavian Studies from the University of Wisconsin, which led to a 10-year career as a professor of Finnish and Nordic Studies at a small, private university founded by Finnish immigrants before her move to Detroit and public work. Stewart shares her knowledge of folklore and cultural traditions in a variety of ways, including public lectures and talks, exhibitions, documentary films, and more.
Learn more about Dr. Stewart’s work at her website.
What you’ll hear in the episode
What folklore is and why it matters. And what it reveals about culture, community, and our shared humanity.
How the Finnish sauna became a sacred, spiritual space for birth, healing, and even death.
The sauna spirits said to inhabit the heat and steam and the stories that honor them.
Ancient rituals, offerings, and taboos for showing respect (and avoiding angering) the sauna spirits.
How modern Finns and those with Finnish heritage continue to view these traditions today.
Whether sauna spirits still travel with global sauna culture or remain rooted in Finnish soil.
How Dr. Stewart’s work in public folklore and the humanities brings these stories to life in Detroit and beyond.
Experience the work of Dr. Stewart and the Detroit Humanities Hub:
This episode was edited by Lila Woodbridge.
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