Take Your Shoes Off, the Podcast

Today's episode is about the Long Way Home. About what it means to find a new life in a new place, sometimes even a new name. Most importantly, you will hear about how we cannot get through this life alone.

Hazem came to Sweden the hard way, after fleeing war in Syria. He shares his story with us, his journey to Sweden but also how he has built a life here.

Take your shoes off and join us.

This week we sit down wit Martin Arvebro - video wizard, long-time vlogger, and certified rock enthusiast (the headbanging kind, not the geological kind....although who knows, really?). Martin creates videos for politicians by day and makes fun of language and cultural quirks by night - or is it the other way around?

We dive into his love of storytelling, the joys of being silly on purpose and how poking fun at societal norms ...

This week, we’re joined by Jonathan Rollins: U.S. Air Force vet, Founder of The Laugh House - at least the longest running consistent English-language comedy club in Stockholm, and the kind of guy who believes Swedish comedians are top-tier… and Swedish comedy is bottom-shelf. He’s got opinions—about fruit, laughter, and the strange truths of life in Sweden.

Let’s just say… some people relocate when they laugh. And after this ep...

Kim Kraft is a professional educator with over fifteen years of experience. She is member of the faculty at University of Washington and she joined us to talk all things Swedish and to also teach Mikael I thing or two about Swedish culture.

She will be a visiting researcher at Lund University and American-Scandinavian Foundation Fellow for the 2025-2026 academic year. She is planning a research project called: Learning Swedish B...

This week's guest is Stephen Lessard, known online as @stephen_in_sweden. He left behind Fenway franks and Dunkin' coffee for a land of licorice, quiet buses, and pastries that sound like cartoon characters. He's American by birth, Swede by awkward social adaptation, and has some strong opinions about the Semla.

Stephen shares his experiences adpating Swedish culture through engagin and often comedic videos. His content covers t...

Ho...

This week, we’re joined by a guest with a truly international resume: a Hungarian-Romanian who has lived in Malta, loves Sweden, and sings in a queer choir. her name is Andrea and we cover all the important topics—like whether CSN loans are a scam, why semla is basically an edible conspiracy, and if Systembolaget is secretly the most Swedish thing ever.

Oh, and there’s Dracula. And garlic. And somehow, despite our best efforts, ...

In this episode, we sit down with Emily Fowler from Chef Mama in Malmö, the fearless baker on a mission to bring bagels to Sweden—one chewy, golden ring at a time. But she doesn’t stop there. From snickerdoodles that could make your grandma jealous to Thin Mints that might just start a black market among expats, Chef Mama’s got it all.

We talk about the magic of a perfect bagel, why Sweden needs more choices, and whether Mikael ...

From the glitter of Studio 54 to the midnight sun of Sweden, Ken Neptune has seen it all. Spinning records, writing for Billboard, and hanging out with some of the biggest movers and shakers in the land of meatballs and melancholy. Tune in as we dive into his wild journey and find out why Sweden became the ultimate remix of his life.

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

Welcome back to Take Your Shoes Off, the podcast where we kick back, relax, and occasionally wonder why we ever left the warmth of home. Today, we’re diving into sportlov—Sweden’s beloved ski holiday—and who better to join us than an Irishman who talks faster than a downhill slalom?

Our guest is Phil O'Connor a sports reporter, author, podcaster and someone who could probably narrate an entire Olympic ski race before the first t...

What do basketball, Swedish dolphins, and the perfect balance of lagom have in common? Honestly, we're still figuring it out. This week, we sit down with professional basketball player Marcus Tyus and his wife, Maggie, to talk hoops, family life, and why Sweden may or may not have the best basketball development program. Plus, a little Magic Johnson, a dash of life advice, and the eternal struggle of finding 'just the right amou...

After a short holiday break, we are ringing in the New Year with our good friend, David Vine!

He comes to us from just outside London, now making Sweden his home. His wife is English, but Welsh. His daughter is English, but Welsh. His son is English, but Swedish. Meet David, the last Englishman.

Come on in, but please - take your shoes off!

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy fo...

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy f...

In this episode, B Keesson shares her journey of moving, adapting, and finally finding a place to call home. As an expat who's experienced the highs and lows of relocation, B reflects on the life choices that led her to settle in the forests of Sweden.

From having a baby to discovering a culture that truly aligns with her values, B walks us through the unexpected twists - like choosing a Swedish multinational over an NGO career...

So how did two Americans and a Swede end up with a podcast? Sweden attracts so many people from around the world with unique backgrounds, ambitions, and values.

In this first episode, Bob, Micke, and Kelly dive into the wild world of podcasting, share a bit about their own backgrounds, and have some laughs about quirky cultural differences. In a time when things can feel uncertain, we’re here to bring a fresh, curious mindset t...