Welcome to Unpacked, America 250, a new mini series celebrating the music, art, food, and more that makes America, America—in honor of our nation's upcoming 250th anniversary. The mini series is part of Afar's "52 Places to Travel in the U.S. This Year" package, and in this inaugural episode, host Aislyn Greene takes us to Minnesota to explore how Finnish sauna culture has evolved into a uniquely American tradition.
From Finnish homesteaders who built saunas before houses to modern Minnesotans discovering the healing power of heat and cold, this episode reveals how immigrant traditions don't just survive in America—they thrive and transform. Join us as we meet Leigha Horton who went from dreading Minnesota winters to co-running a nature retreat—Silvae Spiritus—centered around the ancient practice of sauna.
On this episode you'll learn:
Why Finnish immigrants prioritized building saunas over homes when they first arrived in Minnesota
The science behind the "thermic cycle" and what actually happens to your body during hot-cold therapy
How Native American sweat lodge traditions connect with Finnish sauna culture
Why sauna culture is experiencing a renaissance across Minnesota today
Don't miss these moments:
The pronunciation debate: Why it's "sow-na," not "saw-na," and the Finnish grandmother who would hate you forever for getting it wrong
Leigha's winter transformation from "actively wanting to hide or die six months out of the year" to loving the cold season
The historical context of Finnish homesteaders building saunas first, then barns, then homes—and why women gave birth in saunas
The full thermic cycle experience: breaking ice in buckets, ladling freezing water, and finding perfect comfort in a swimsuit during Minnesota winter
The Finnish proverb that guides Minnesota's sauna renaissance: "All are created equal, but nowhere more so than in a sauna"
Featured Guest:
Leigha Horton, co-founder of Silvae Spiritus nature retreat in Finlayson, Minnesota
Resources:
Explore 51 more American traditions on afar.com.
Book a thermic cycle at Silvae Spiritus
Next Episode Preview
Join us in the coming weeks as we continue celebrating America's 250th anniversary by exploring more traditions that immigrants brought to America and transformed into something uniquely our own.
On July 27, we will dive in the celebratory world of go-go music in D.C. See you then!
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