Badii Talk: Thermal Bathing and Sauna Culture

Ireland's sauna scene is quickly growing and it's rooted in something ancient. Over 200 independent saunas have opened across Ireland, most since 2020. Many of these spaces are deeply connected to the landscape and sea. For sauna in Ireland, this isn't a wellness trend. It's a return to the teach allais — Ireland's centuries-old stone sweat house..In this episode of our Celtic Bathing Series, I sit down with Ryan and Danielle Bradley of Northern Ireland. What started as a garden sauna during Covid has grown into a full sauna lifestyle: Ryan is now a certified freelance Aufguss master traveling sauna-to-sauna across Northern Ireland, and their backyard sauna was purpose-built as a space to develop and host Aufguss rituals.Ryan and I trained together last fall through Anada's sauna master certification program in the UK. In this conversation we cover the freelance Aufguss life, ritual design, and what it takes to bring ceremony to new communities. Danielle shares what it means to build and share that space as a couple and how they found their way to sauna.Follow their journey at @thehotandthecoldofitTopics include: Irish sauna culture—defining it today and its recent riseFreelance Aufgussing in Northern IrelandTips for freelance Aufguss and sauna mastersBuilding a backyard sauna made for Aufguss ritualsThe future of Irish sauna cultureResources:Anada Sauna Master Training (UK-based)Ritual Heat Sauna Master Training (US based. The next training is July 11 - 12  2026 at Bathe in Austin, TX)Soul Water Sauna in Edinburgh, Scotland periodically hosts whisking workshops and experiences. Irish saunas to explore: Hot Box, Fad Saoil, Helios (including Ireland’s first floating sauna)Sweat House by Rosanna CooneyFrom Sweathouse to Shoreline: The Rise of Sauna Culture in IrelandThe Sauna Boom in IrelandThis episode was edited by Lila Woodbridge.💧Badii Talk has a Substack! Join us where wellness meets travel. We explore global bathing traditions, sauna rituals, and spa culture through the lens of place and community.💙⁠ ⁠Subscribe⁠⁠ today and support an independently produced and funded podcast. The sauna and bathing industry in the US and UK is growing fast. Where there’s growth, money and big companies will follow. If you want to see a bathing culture that isn’t just led by the folks with the most cash, support a platform that is run from a grassroots level. A platform that can authentically prioritize a respect for culture, science, and community. Badii offers passionate and curious bathers and spa-goers access to news, education, and recommendations about global bathing culture. Explore more bathing culture:Website:⁠ www.badii.life⁠Instagram:⁠ @badii.life

In this first episode of a two-part Celtic Magic series, sauna ritual practitioner and host Sarah Spoto is joined by Scottish author Lyndsey Croal to explore the folklore, mythology, and nature rituals of Scotland — and how they might inspire your own bathing practice. Lyndsey is a Scottish Book Trust New Writers Awardee, Shirley Jackson Award and British Fantasy Award finalist, and author of works rooted in Scottish landscape and eco-themes. Together they explore faeries, thin places, and the ancient traditions of the Celtic world. This episode is for the ritual practitioners, the sauna stewards, the keepers of the steam. Part 2 will bring in a practitioner to deepen the conversation. Find Lyndsey on Bluesky and Instagram @lyndseycroal or at lyndseycroal.co.uk.Topics include: Celtic folkloreScottish mythologyNature ritualsCeltic holidays and traditionsThin placesFaeriesBathing cultureRitual practiceWild Swimming in ScotlandThis episode was edited by Lila Woodbridge.Resources & mentions from this episode:Daughter of Fire & Water: An Audio DramaDark CrescentLiterally Lyndsey (newsletter)Further Reading on Scottish Folklore. Lyndsey’s full list is available in the Bibliography section of Dark Crescent. Cunning Folk Magazine: www.cunning-folk.comDruidry: www.druidry.orgFolklore Thursday: folklorethursday.comBreslin, Teresa (2012). An Illustrated Treasury of Scottish Folk and Fairy Tales, Floris BooksDougles, Ronald Macdonald (1982). Scottish Lore and Folklore, Crown PublishersWestwood & Kingshill (2011). The Lore of Scotland: A guide to Scottish legends, Random House Books.Winsham, Willow (2022). Magpies & Red Skies--The Enchanting Origins of 100 Superstitions, Wellbeck. Learn more about: Scottish “guising”Turnip carving (photo credit for image above)Ancient wells (photo credit for image above)Iceland is calling. Alisa, a former guest of Badii Talk podcast and the founder of Howl at the Moon Sauna Co, has built something incredible out in Michigan. And now she’s partnering with Your Wandering Roots on a sauna + thermal bathing journey through Iceland. Join Alisa and Anna for a curated 7-day bathing adventure immersing yourself in Iceland’s rich thermal bathing culture. Expect excursions, a private chef, and an inspiring community of women.Happening November 2–8, 2026 and Limited to 10 spots. Use code BADII for 10% off your deposit. Learn more.At Badii, we’re very intentional about who we partner with. You can trust that we only bring you recommendations that we feel confident and proud to support. Recommendations that center respect for culture, curiosity, and education. And of course thermal bathing.💧Badii Talk has a Substack! Join us where wellness meets travel. We explore global bathing traditions, sauna rituals, and spa culture through the lens of place and community.💙⁠ ⁠Subscribe⁠⁠ today and support an independently produced and funded podcast. The sauna and bathing industry in the US and UK is growing fast. Where there’s growth, money and big companies will follow. If you want to see a bathing culture that isn’t just led by the folks with the most cash, support a platform that is run from a grassroots level. A platform that can authentically prioritize a respect for culture, science, and community. Badii offers passionate and curious bathers and spa-goers access to news, education, and recommendations about global bathing culture. Explore more bathing culture:Website:⁠ www.badii.life⁠Instagram:⁠ @badii.life

We’re taking a quick break from our Celtic bathing series to head back to New York City for a conversation about the future of American sauna culture.This episode features Travis Talmadge, co-founder of BATHHOUSE and a decorated Aufguss master. We talk about building a category-defining wellness brand, the rise of communal bathing in the US, and how Aufguss is shaping modern sauna culture.We also dive into Travis’s personal approach to ritual, hospitality, and his vision for expanding Aufguss across America.This conversation comes just ahead of the 2026 US Aufguss National Competition at BATHHOUSE in NYC. And this year, I’ll be returning not as a spectator, but as a competitor.If you’ve been curious about the evolution of sauna culture in America, this episode is for you.Photos courtesy of Adrian Gaut and Emily Andrews.This episode was edited by Lila Woodbridge.Badii Talk is going LIVE! Introducing live virtual conversations on the business, culture, and ritual of the thermal bathing & sauna world.Join us on June 3rd at 6pm ET for a live webinar dedicated to building a content strategy for your business. Content is one of the most powerful tools for growing a modern wellness business. But it can also feel overwhelming and time consuming. In this session, we’ll break down how to approach content more strategically, so it actually supports your business without feeling like another cumbersome task on your do list. Learn more on our website, here. Paid Badii Talk Substack subscribers receive a discount off all Badii Talk Live sessions. Check out this post for the code. 💧Badii Talk has a Substack! Join us where wellness meets travel. We explore global bathing traditions, sauna rituals, and spa culture through the lens of place and community.💙⁠ ⁠Subscribe⁠⁠ today and support an independently produced and funded podcast. The sauna and bathing industry in the US and UK is growing fast. Where there’s growth, money and big companies will follow. If you want to see a bathing culture that isn’t just led by the folks with the most cash, support a platform that is run from a grassroots level. A platform that can authentically prioritize a respect for culture, science, and community. Badii offers passionate and curious bathers and spa-goers access to news, education, and recommendations about global bathing culture. Explore more bathing culture:Website:⁠ www.badii.life⁠Instagram:⁠ @badii.life

Hoi zäme and welcome to Badii Talk podcast. Born from a love of Swiss bathing culture, our name (B-A-D-I-I), is inspired by the Swiss German word for pools and public baths. Have you ever found yourself… Sweating like crazy on the top bench of an Aufguss ritualLetting out a squeal as you jump into a cold seaSmelling the warmth of the oak leaves in a banyaTaking in the mountain view from a mineral rich hot springOr simply enjoying a soak in your own tub?Then you’ve experienced bathing culture. And I have good news for you—there’s so many more bathing experiences to explore. I’m Sarah Spoto, your host, a certified Sauna Aufguss Master, former corporate burnout, and founder of Badii. And this podcast is about exploring global thermal bathing and sauna traditions from around the world. We believe that bathing is an especially unique lens through which we can experience culture and place. This podcast is all about…Soaking, Swimming, and SweatingImmersing yourself in NatureFinding Connection & Community through shared spaces and ritualsPrioritizing Quality DesignSeeking Wellbeing Generating respect and curiosity for CultureAnd you can always count on a little bit of Magic too.New episodes drop every Sunday. Listen wherever you get your podcasts. And follow along on BadiiTalk.Substack.com. Shall we dive in?

We’re taking a journey across the ocean to Scotland and Ireland. Our Celtic bathing series will take us far north to Orkney over to Edinburgh’s sea side and across the Irish sea to Dublin City and beyond. I think you will be delighted to hear about the magic, the whimsy, the romance, and everything that makes this part of the world so special. Now let’s escape to the islands of Orkney, Scotland…I’m joined today by Victoria Bennett, author of Apothecary by the Sea, a deeply felt book that weaves together wild swimming, grief, healing, and an apothecary garden.Victoria Bennett is a disabled, award-winning writer, poet, and literary activist whose work centres on nature, identity, and creative resilience. Her debut memoir, All My Wild Mothers, won the Nautilus Award for Memoir, was shortlisted for multiple UK prizes, and was named an Aladin ‘Best Book of the 21st Century’. She is the founder of Wild Women Press and the international Wild Women Writers Salons, dedicating nearly three decades to initiatives that nurture creative community and amplify women’s voices locally and across the world. Victoria lives in Orkney with her husband, artist Adam Clarke, and their son, where she tends her apothecary garden by the sea.You can find Vik on X (@VikBeeWyld), Bluesky (@beewyld.bsky.social), and Instagram (@beewyld). You can also find her here on Substack @WildWomanLife.In this conversation, we talk about:What it means to sea swim as a ritual of strength, awareness, and intention How tending plants can become a form of rememberingHow both the sea and the soil can hold us through periods of changeThe culture of wild swimming in ScotlandThe mythology and folklore of Orkney—including the story of the selkie (my personal favorite)Vik reads an excerpt from her newest book, Apothecary by the SeaShe even shares a recipe to bring the sea home and into your personal bathing ritual with a glorious bladderwrack salt soakThis episode was edited by Lila Woodbridge.💧Badii Talk has a Substack! Join us where wellness meets travel. We explore global bathing traditions, sauna rituals, and spa culture through the lens of place and community.💙⁠ ⁠Subscribe⁠⁠ today and support an independently produced and funded podcast. The sauna and bathing industry in the US and UK is growing fast. Where there’s growth, money and big companies will follow. If you want to see a bathing culture that isn’t just led by the folks with the most cash, support a platform that is run from a grassroots level. A platform that can authentically prioritize a respect for culture, science, and community. Badii Talk is going LIVE! Introducing live virtual conversations on the business, culture, and ritual of the thermal bathing & sauna world.Designed for owners and operators, ritual practitioners, and bathing enthusiasts.Join us for our first live expert panel with Sierra Blake, MPS, LADC , a practicing mental health therapist and founder of Saint Lucie and MacKenzie Boling of Longevity Law. We’ll be discussing how to create signature experiences rooted in care, safety, and differentiation. These women are not only absolute experts in their fields, they are also friends of mine who bring so much passion, care, and intention to their work. It’s going to be a special conversation.Join us on May 13th at 7pm ET. We’ve kept the pricing approachable at $45, so we hope you’ll join us!Learn more and register here on Badii’s website.. Paid Badii Talk Substack subscribers receive a discount off all Badii Talk Live sessions. See this post for the code.Badii offers passionate and curious bathers and spa-goers access to news, education, and recommendations about global bathing culture. Explore more bathing culture:Website:⁠ www.badii.life⁠Instagram:⁠ @badii.life

I went into this episode on infrared saunas with an open mind despite my bias toward traditional sauna and its deep cultural roots. Infrared may lack that culture (and the heat), but for many in the US and UK, it’s an accessible entry point into sauna.What I found surprised me: a dark past tied to pseudoscience, eugenics, and questionable marketing. Infrared saunas themselves aren’t inherently bad, but they do reflect some of the more problematic sides of modern American wellness culture.In this episode, I cover:A brief history of infraredThe appeal and potential (the good stuff)The science…and lack thereofHow in many ways infrared represents the dark side of American wellness culture: a toxic mix of individualism, commercialism, and pseudoscienceHow to strike a balance where infrared can play a valuable role as a path to a traditional sauna practiceI’m not a medical professional or scientist, but I’ve done my best to represent the science as shared to me by experts. And I’ve tried to share the information in a way that I hope is more digestible for us laypeople.  As such, thank you for giving me grace with any medical and scientific information I’ve summarized.I’ve leveraged a number of sources for today’s episode. Please see below so you can dive deeper on any topics that have piqued your interest. Sources:Infrared saunas are not a coronavirus remedy, doctors warn, as sales boom, 2020Patent for John H. Kellogg’s Radiant Heat Bath, 1896 Light Therapeutics: a practical manual of phototherapy for the student and the practitioner, with special reference to the incandescent electric-light bath by John Harvey Kellogg, 1910Spa Town Culture and The European Spa PhenomenonPublic Baths Were Meant to Uplift the Poor, 2017What is an infrared sauna? Does it have health benefits?, Mayo ClinicExplore the Chicago World’s FairJohn Harvey Kellogg, BritannicaExperts:Anonymous DMD-PhDDr. Karsten Gröning, Director of the Deutsche Sauna Akademie in GermanyLearn more about the Sauna Master Certification and training hereThis episode was edited by Lila Woodbridge.💙⁠ ⁠Subscribe⁠⁠ today and support an independently produced and funded podcast. The sauna and bathing industry in the US and UK is growing fast. Where there’s growth, money and big companies will follow. If you want to see a bathing culture that isn’t just led by the folks with the most cash, support a platform that is run from a grassroots level. A platform that can authentically prioritize a respect for culture, science, and community. Badii offers passionate and curious bathers and spa-goers access to news, education, and recommendations about global bathing culture. Explore more bathing culture:Website:⁠ www.badii.life⁠Instagram:⁠ @badii.life

We’re back in the States for the second episode in our USA series. Today’s episode features Ryan Linner, founder of Hideout, Connecticut’s first sauna village, providing outdoor contrast therapy in a laid-back, fun, and social environment. All to the rhythm of good music, good people, and a good vibe.We sit down with Ryan to explore his journey from marketing and tech to building a social wellness community. We dive into sauna culture in the US, the rise of contrast therapy, and what it takes to create meaningful, community-driven wellness spaces.If you’re a sauna enthusiast, aspiring sauna founder, or curious about the growing sauna movement, this episode is for you.We discuss…- Ryan’s journey to sauna and entrepreneurship- Building a sauna culture in Connecticut- Sauna as a means to create informal, neighborhood hangouts (third places)- Bringing sauna rituals (like Aufguss) to Connecticut- The rise of American sauna culture- Contrast therapy and tips for having a transformative cold plunge- Ryan’s advice for aspiring sauna-preneursFollow Hideout on Instagram.Book your social sauna session at Hideout.🔥 Catch me hosting an Aufguss ritual at Hideout on April 28th. This episode was edited by Lila Woodbridge.Sources: ⁠Sauna culture improves physical and mental wellbeing in the UK through social connection and ritual⁠, Published February 2026⁠Association Between Sauna Bathing and Fatal Cardiovascular and All-Cause Mortality Events⁠, Published April 2015Have you seen those funny wool hats in the sauna? Want to get in on the fun? And also protect your hair from the heat? Please please please skip Amazon. And instead I encourage you to check out Nordi. Nordi offers 100% wool sauna hats with no synthetic fibers or artificial dyes and they are handcrafted in the US. Badii Talk listeners can get free shipping with the code BADII. At the time of this post, Nordi is sold out! You can join their waitlist to be notified when the hats are back in stock. If that’s not proof enough for Nordi, I don’t know what is.💧Badii Talk has a Substack! Join us where wellness meets travel. We explore global bathing traditions, sauna rituals, and spa culture through the lens of place and community.💙⁠ ⁠Subscribe⁠⁠ today and support an independently produced and funded podcast. The sauna and bathing industry in the US and UK is growing fast. Where there’s growth, money and big companies will follow. If you want to see a bathing culture that isn’t just led by the folks with the most cash, support a platform that is run from a grassroots level. A platform that can authentically prioritize a respect for culture, science, and community. Badii offers passionate and curious bathers and spa-goers access to news, education, and recommendations about global bathing culture. Explore more bathing culture:Website:⁠ www.badii.life⁠Instagram:⁠ @badii.life

I hope you’ve enjoyed the first few episodes of Badii Talk season two. We’ve taken you on a cultural sauna tour of Finland with guests like Finnish moon follower Meri Mort and Finnish-American sauna entrepreneur Justin Juntenen. We’ve explored the public saunas of Helsinki and even created our own sauna spell together. So where are we off to next? We’re making a stopover back home and exploring the nascent but quickly growing sauna and bathing culture in America. Don’t let me hear you say America doesn’t have a sauna culture. It might be new and still very moldable, but the community sauna operators, ritual practitioners, and other American bathing voices are actively shaping what’s next for American bathing culture. And we’re diving in!Today I’m so excited to host my friend and fellow Woman in STEAM, Courtney Wittich. Courtney is the writer and cultural correspondent behind S.P.A. (Salus Per Aquam ~ Health Through Water), a newsletter dedicated to distilling all things wet pleasure for the post-iPhone leisure world. Drawing on a career in fashion and lifestyle PR plus extensive event production, she examines the trends, rituals, and culture surrounding how we bathe — building online and offline spaces where sauna devotees, bathhouse operators, cold plunge converts, and anyone who's ever sunk into a hot tub after a long week can find common ground. She hosts regular bathing club meetups in Los Angeles (sometimes New York and hopefully beyond), bringing together curious minds and seasoned soakers alike to experience the full spectrum of bathing culture firsthand. We discuss…Leisure and culture (and Josef Pieper’s Leisure: the Basis of Culture)Courtney’s own sweat and soaking rituals (lots of great inspiration)Recent events and recs in the sauna and bathing community todayHow Courtney built her S.P.A. Substack community and what’s nextSome of the spots mentioned in today’s episode include: The Hotel Chelsea, Shibui Spa, The Culture of Bathe-ing’s Domino Park Sauna Village in NYC, Sojo Spa Club (check out our full review episode on this NJ spa), Superior Sauna’s Great Northern Festival in MN, among many others. At the end of the day, we all bathe. Whether your water is ocean, thermal spring, steam room, drinking mineral water, or your own tub with the door locked, S.P.A. is sure to have something for you. Find Courtney’s newsletter at salusperaquam.substack.com, shop at spasalusperaquam.myshopify.com, explore her city bathing guides at spaaaaaaaaah.recleague.com, and follow along at @spaaaaaaaaah on Instagram for bathing club updates, reviews, and more.This episode was edited by Lila Woodbridge.💧Badii Talk has a Substack! Join us where wellness meets travel. We explore global bathing traditions, sauna rituals, and spa culture through the lens of place and community.💙⁠ ⁠Subscribe⁠⁠ today and support an independently produced and funded podcast. The sauna and bathing industry in the US and UK is growing fast. Where there’s growth, money and big companies will follow. If you want to see a bathing culture that isn’t just led by the folks with the most cash, support a platform that is run from a grassroots level. A platform that can authentically prioritize a respect for culture, science, and community. Badii offers passionate and curious bathers and spa-goers access to news, education, and recommendations about global bathing culture. Explore more bathing culture:Website:⁠ www.badii.life⁠Instagram:⁠ @badii.life

Celebrate the Spring (Vernal) Equinox with a simple sauna ritual inspired by Nordic sauna traditions.In this episode, I share a sauna spell ritual inspired by my conversation with Finnish moon follower Meri Mort. In Finland, sauna rituals use natural elements like herbs, branches, fruit, and water to bring intention and presence to a sauna practice.You’ll learn how to make a Spring Equinox sauna infusion that can be used as löyly water (poured over sauna stones to create steam) or as a simmer pot ritual at home if you don’t have access to a sauna. The ritual is a small way to welcome spring and release the heaviness of winter.One quick ritual disclaimer: this infusion is for the steam, not your stomach. Please don’t drink it, and always practice sauna safely.In this episode, we share:An overview of the Spring Equinox and what it can represent in your practiceA sauna ritual recipe-- for both use in the sauna and at home as a simmer potThe science behind ritual practice (it’s not just woo-woo)Let’s make some sauna magic.This episode was edited by Lila Woodbridge.💧Badii Talk has a Substack! Join us where wellness meets travel. We explore global bathing traditions, sauna rituals, and spa culture through the lens of place and community.💙⁠ ⁠Subscribe⁠⁠ today and support an independently produced and funded podcast.The sauna and bathing industry in the US and UK is growing fast. Where there’s growth, money and big companies will follow. If you want to see a bathing culture that isn’t just led by the folks with the most cash, support a platform that is run from a grassroots level. A platform that can authentically prioritize a respect for culture, science, and community. Badii offers passionate and curious bathers and spa-goers access to news, education, and recommendations about global bathing culture. Explore more bathing culture:Website:⁠ www.badii.life⁠Blog: ⁠Badii Talk on Substack⁠Instagram:⁠ @badii.life

Over a three-day trip to Helsinki, Finland, I experienced floating urban saunas, sea-fed cold plunges in the Baltic Sea, architectural temples to sauna culture, spiritual moments of löyly, and lots and lots of cardamom buns.This episode is both a travel guide with practical tips on where to go and what to know before you book as well as a culture reflection.In this podcast episode, we share:Public saunas to visit in HelsinkiWhat to know before you bookThe difference between public versus private saunasNavigating Finnish sauna etiquetteThe understated magic of HelsinkiIf you’re planning a trip to Helsinki, my hope is this episode will guide you to having a sauna-filled adventure.And if you’re building or participating in sauna culture outside of Finland, my hope is that this episode offers some insight and perspective into Finnish sauna culture and tradition.A detailed travel itinerary will be available soon for paid Badii Talk subscribers.Okay, zäme, let’s go to Helsinki!Other Badii Talk episodes mentioned include:Nordic Magic: Sauna Rituals, Wild Nature, and Finnish Culture with Moon Follower & Author, Meri MortBathing Naked: Reflections & Cultural ObservationsNew England Spa & Sauna Road Trip, Part 2 (Reviews & Travel Tips)What is a Finnish Sauna? Badii Talk Shorts Bonus EpisodeHave you seen those funny wool hats in the sauna? Want to get in on fun? And also protect your hair from the heat? Please please please skip Amazon. And instead I encourage you to check out Nordi. Nordi offers 100% wool sauna hats with no synthetic fibers or artificial dyes and they are handcrafted in the US. Badii Talk listeners can get free shipping with the code BADII.This episode was edited by Lila Woodbridge.💧Badii Talk has a Substack! Join us where wellness meets travel. We explore global bathing traditions, sauna rituals, and spa culture through the lens of place and community.💙⁠ ⁠Subscribe⁠⁠ today and support an independently produced and funded podcast.The sauna and bathing industry in the US and UK is growing fast. Where there’s growth, money and big companies will follow. If you want to see a bathing culture that isn’t just led by the folks with the most cash, support a platform that is run from a grassroots level. A platform that can authentically prioritize a respect for culture, science, and community. Badii offers passionate and curious bathers and spa-goers access to news, education, and recommendations about global bathing culture. Explore more bathing culture:Website:⁠ www.badii.life⁠Blog: ⁠Badii Talk on Substack⁠Instagram:⁠ @badii.life

At Badii Talk, we often talk about bathing not just as a wellness practice, but as a cultural practice—one that reflects a culture and a place’s history and values.  As sauna culture rapidly expands in the US and UK, a big question that we keep asking is: how do we grow without losing the heart and soul of the practice?Today, I’m joined by someone who has thought deeply about this — not only philosophically, but practically — through the systems, spaces, and communities he’s built. Equal parts modern designer, sauna snob, and business owner, Justin Juntunen has nearly four decades of practicing and building saunas. Justin is the co-founder and Chief of Growth at Cedar & Stone Nordic Sauna, a leader in the North American sauna industry. His team designs, builds, and creates beautiful thermic bathing experiences throughout North America. Over the next decade Justin is committed to hosting one million people to sauna so that we can build more resilient lives. Together, we explore:Sauna as ritual: the full thermic cycle of hot, cold, rest, and rehydrationHow thermic practices can live both in public spaces and in-home—and why each serves a different purposeWhat it means to winter well and embrace the cold The future of the sauna industry, and how to scale without sacrificing soul, culture, or integrityJustin’s tips for founders in the sauna worldThis conversation is an invitation to reflect on how bathing traditions are living cultures that deserve care and intention as they evolve.Follow Justin on Instagram. Learn more about Cedar and Stone.This episode was edited by Lila Woodbridge.💧Badii Talk has a Substack! Join us where wellness meets travel. We explore global bathing traditions, sauna rituals, and spa culture through the lens of place and community.💙⁠ ⁠Subscribe⁠⁠ today and support an independently produced and funded podcast. The sauna and bathing industry in the US and UK is growing fast. Where there’s growth, money and big companies will follow. If you want to see a bathing culture that isn’t just led by the folks with the most cash, support a platform that is run from a grassroots level. A platform that can authentically prioritize a respect for culture, science, and community. Badii offers passionate and curious bathers and spa-goers access to news, education, and recommendations about global bathing culture. Explore more bathing culture:Website:⁠ www.badii.life⁠Blog: ⁠Badii Talk on Substack⁠Instagram:⁠ @badii.life

What can sauna, darkness, and the wild Nordic landscape teach us about embodiment, ritual, and presence?In this episode of Badii Talk, I’m joined by Meri Mort — moon follower, author of Nordic Magic, yoga teacher trainer, and ritual practitioner — for a beautiful conversation on Finnish culture, sauna traditions, witchcraft, and living in rhythm with the cycles of nature.Together, we explore what “Nordic magic” can mean: a way of relating to the land, honoring cycles of light and dark, and reclaiming intuitive, ancestral knowledge through everyday rituals. Meri shares how Nordic nature has shaped her witchcraft practice, her approach to yoga, and her deeply personal relationship with sauna as a somatic, feminine, and communal space.As sauna culture grows globally, we explore what it looks like to share these traditions responsibly and how to honor their roots.In this conversation, we cover:The meaning of Nordic magic and ritual cultureFinnish sauna traditions as somatic and spiritual practiceNature, witchcraft, and ancestral wisdomEmbracing darkness, rest, and seasonal cyclesThe feminine, gathering, and embodied ritualHonoring sauna cultureSimple Nordic-inspired rituals you can practice anywhereThis episode is an invitation to embrace mystery and reconnect with the body, the seasons, and the spirits.Meri’s publications:Nordic MagicMagical Knits From The North: 19 enchanting knitting patterns inspired by magic and mysticismFollow Meri on Instagram.Sources from today’s episode:Sauna by Viola Minerva VirtamoThe Book of Nordic Self-Care by Elisabeth CarlssonWhere to experience whisking in the US and UKNorthern Kin Sauna Co. in VermontThe Schvitz in DetroitSoul Water Sauna in Edinburgh, ScotlandThis episode was edited by Lila Woodbridge.💧Badii Talk has a Substack! Join us where wellness meets travel. We explore global bathing traditions, sauna rituals, and spa culture through the lens of place and community.💙⁠ ⁠Subscribe⁠⁠ today and support an independently produced and funded podcast. The sauna and bathing industry in the US and UK is growing fast. Where there’s growth, money and big companies will follow. If you want to see a bathing culture that isn’t just led by the folks with the most cash, support a platform that is run from a grassroots level. A platform that can authentically prioritize a respect for culture, science, and community. Badii offers passionate and curious bathers and spa-goers access to news, education, and recommendations about global bathing culture. Explore more bathing culture:Website:⁠ www.badii.life⁠Blog: ⁠Badii Talk on Substack⁠Instagram:⁠ @badii.life

In the Season One finale, we return to the heart of Badii Talk: global bathing culture. And why ritual, community, and cultural roots give sauna and bathing their soul.This special episode is a reflection on the traditions, stories, and global rituals we’ve explored this season. Thermal bathing is more than a wellness trend. It is an ancient practice shared across the globe, and as we enter another bathing renaissance, we explore how to keep the soul and heart of bathing alive through a respect for its cultural origins. Join us as we reflect on Season One… and tease what’s coming next in Season Two!What you’ll hear in the episode:-How the journey began in Switzerland: discovering Aufguss and community thermal bathing in nature.-A tour through the bathing traditions we explored across the world: Switzerland, Finland, Scotland, the United States, and beyond. -Some philosophical musing on why honoring cultural roots matters as sauna and thermal bathing enter a new renaissance in the US and UK.-A sneak peek of what’s next for Season Two: new cultural stories, travel recommendations, “sauna essentials” education, magic, women’s voices, and more.Featured Season 1 episodes include:-Naked Bathing: Reflections and Cultural Observations-Between Worlds: The Sauna Spirits of Finnish Folklore with Folklorist Dr. Victoria Stewart-Scottish Wild Saunas: Adventures from the Isles and Beyond-Aufguss Comes to America: Inside the First-Ever U.S. National Championship at Bathhhouse Williamsburg-Somatic Aufguss with Denver’s First Sauna MasterThis episode was edited by Lila Woodbridge.What to shape our episodes for Season Two? Take our listener survey for a chance to win Badii merch. Support Badii this holiday season! Merch is now available in our new online sauna shop.💧🎁 Give the gift of a Badii Talk Substack subscription. Join us where wellness meets travel. We explore global bathing traditions, sauna rituals, and spa culture through the lens of place and community.Today’s episode was sponsored by Saint Lucie Sauna Serum. Shop the serum on Badii’s online sauna shop. Connect with us to learn more about our ad and media packages via our website. Badii offers passionate and curious bathers and spa-goers access to news, education, and recommendations about global bathing culture. Explore more bathing culture:Website:⁠ www.badii.life⁠Blog: ⁠Badii Talk on Substack⁠Instagram:⁠ @badii.life

Today’s episode is a special one: I recently joined The Truth Is podcast with Kathryn Flaschner—an inspiring show all about honesty, clarity, and finding your way forward. Kathryn, who has also been a guest host on Badii Talk, creates a powerful space for deep conversation, self-awareness, and personal transformation.We’re sharing this episode here because we think you’ll love it. If you enjoy mindful storytelling, Kathryn’s podcast is full of insightful episodes and relatable guests who explore change, connection, and living more authentically.Listen to more of the Truth Is. What you’ll hear in the episode- The origins of “Badii” and the the Swiss thermal bathing culture that inspired Sarah, our founder, to bring it to America- How to embrace anger and channel it for change- How Sarah made the pivot from corporate to entrepreneurship and the resources she put in place to feel ready for the big transitionThe intro and outro of this episode was edited by Lila Woodbridge.Support Badii this holiday season! Merch is now available in our new online sauna shop.💧🎁Give the gift of a Badii Talk Substack subscription. Join us where wellness meets travel. We explore global bathing traditions, sauna rituals, and spa culture through the lens of place and community.Badii offers passionate and curious bathers and spa-goers access to news, education, and recommendations about global bathing culture.Explore more bathing culture:Website:⁠ www.badii.life⁠Blog: ⁠Badii Talk on Substack⁠Instagram:⁠ @badii.life

Our guest today is Glasgow-based, Charlotte Belle. A freelance content creator and adventurer, Charlotte has experienced wild saunas all across Scotland, from Edinburgh to Glasgow to the Isle of Aran. I’m so happy to have her join us today to talk about the Scottish wild sauna scene, what makes a sauna a “wild sauna,” and share her most memorable Scottish sauna experiences.Follow along with Charlotte’s “mini adventures” into wild swimming and wild sauna on Instagram @chartlottescotland. What you’ll hear in the episodeDefining “wild sauna” and “wild swimming” and what makes it a unique wellness experienceSome special Scottish wild sauna localesScotland’s growing wild sauna culture and sceneHow sauna rituals fit into a holistic wellbeing routine —one that cultivates novelty, presence, and community This episode was edited by Lila Woodbridge.💧Badii Talk now has a Substack! Join us where wellness meets travel. We explore global bathing traditions, sauna rituals, and spa culture through the lens of place and community.📍⁠⁠⁠ ⁠Subscribe⁠⁠⁠⁠ today for access to our wellness travel guides, packed with wellness destination recommendations, restaurants, hotels, and routes.Today’s episode was sponsored by Saint Lucie Sauna Serum. Shop the serum on Badii’s online sauna shop. Connect with us to learn more about our ad and media packages via our website. Badii offers passionate and curious bathers and spa-goers access to news, education, and recommendations about global bathing culture. Explore more bathing culture:Website:⁠ www.badii.life⁠Blog: ⁠Badii Talk on Substack⁠Instagram:⁠ @badii.life

Today I’m joined by Jessica Spoto, the founder of Frugal Portland Maine—an Instagram community whose mission is to provide low-cost and free resources for the residents of Portland, Maine and nearby towns. Jessica shares budget-friendly adventures, hidden gems and useful resources to make Portland more fun, affordable, and accessible for all.What you’ll hear in the episode-Affordable wellness experiences in Portland and the Midcoast of Maine-The importance of community in bridging divides, combating loneliness, and sparking hope.- Practical resources for folks in Maine to experience enriching wellness experiences, no matter your budget.Follow Frugal Portland Maine and Frugal Midcoast Maine on Instagram. Mentioned in this episodeOne Longfellow SquareMama Mia Making Portland Public Library Coastal Maine Botanical Gardens First Friday Art Walk Mt. Joy Orchard Lasagna Love Scrappy Rat This episode was edited by Lila Woodbridge.💧Badii Talk now has a Substack! Join us where wellness meets travel. We explore global bathing traditions, sauna rituals, and spa culture through the lens of place and community.📍⁠⁠⁠ ⁠Subscribe⁠⁠⁠⁠ today for access to our wellness travel guides, packed with wellness destination recommendations, restaurants, hotels, and routes.Today’s episode was sponsored by Saint Lucie Sauna Serum. Shop the serum on Badii’s online sauna shop. Connect with us to learn more about our ad and media packages via our website. Badii offers passionate and curious bathers and spa-goers access to news, education, and recommendations about global bathing culture. We share all this across many platforms, including: Explore more bathing culture:Website:⁠ www.badii.life⁠Blog: ⁠Badii Talk on Substack⁠Instagram:⁠ @badii.life

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 episodeWhat 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:Big Epic ReadEdmund Fitzgerald 50th Anniversary Commemoration (Nov 7 - 10)This episode was edited by Lila Woodbridge.💧Badii Talk now has a Substack! Join us where wellness meets travel. We explore global bathing traditions, sauna rituals, and spa culture through the lens of place and community.📍⁠⁠ ⁠Subscribe⁠⁠⁠ today for access to our wellness travel guides, packed with wellness destination recommendations, restaurants, hotels, and routes.Badii offers passionate and curious bathers and spa-goers access to news, education, and recommendations about global bathing culture. Explore more bathing culture:Website:⁠ www.badii.life⁠Blog: ⁠Badii Talk on Substack⁠Instagram:⁠ @badii.life

Today we have a spooky season bonus episode for you! We’re back with another wellness road trip. In the summer, my friend Jordan and I travelled across New England visiting some of the best spas, saunas, and bathhouses in the region. With only four days to our itinerary, we felt like we had so much more to see. Now, with the leaves changing, it’s sauna season… and spooky season. What better way to celebrate the temps dropping with a spooky road trip through the Northeast, stopping to experience unique wellness experiences along the way?Starting in Connecticut, we visit Massachusetts, New Hampshire, and Maine. Perhaps the spookiest of the New England states. So what do you say, witches, ready for the Spooky New England Wellness Tour?What you’ll hear in the episode:Energy Healing (Reiki) and Chinese Reflexology / Foot Massage: A brief history and cultural background to these two wellness practices.Wellness Experiences in New England: Highlights from Connecticut, Massachusetts, New Hampshire, and Maine, including our honest reviews.Where to Eat & Stay: Our favorite restaurants, coffee shops, witchy shops, hotels, and “can’t miss” extras.Spooky Attractions & Activities: The best places in New England to celebrate the Halloween season.Featured in this episode:Beijing Herbal Foot Spa (Salem, MA)Ash Alchemy (Portsmouth, NH)Sources for today’s topics:History of ReflexologyAcupunctureHistory of ReikiWhere Does Reiki Come From?Reiki Is Better Than Placebo and Has Broad Potential as a Complementary Health Therapy (PubMed)💧Want the full itinerary? Badii Talk has a Substack! Join us where wellness meets travel. We explore global bathing traditions, sauna rituals, and spa culture through the lens of place and community.📍⁠ ⁠Subscribe⁠⁠ today for access to our wellness travel guides, packed with wellness destination recommendations, restaurants, hotels, and routes.Edited by Lila Woodbridge.Explore more bathing culture:Website:⁠⁠ www.badii.life⁠⁠Blog:⁠ ⁠Badii Talk on Substack⁠⁠Instagram:⁠⁠ @badii.life

In today’s episode, I sat down with Nell Waters, an expert in water, heat, and people. We explore why analog spaces like saunas and bathhouses matter more than ever, how design and etiquette create belonging, and where technology fits—or doesn’t—in the culture of bathing.What you’ll hear in the episode:What exactly is “bathing culture” and what “water + heat + people” have to do with itWhy analog, human-centered experiences still matter in a world obsessed with AIWhy bathing reveals something about place and community that museums never couldHow cold plunges create community and connectionThe subtle cues in design, etiquette, and atmosphere that create a true sense of belonging in a sauna and bathhouseA behind-the-scenes look at SOAK and Sweat Temples—Nell’s own podcast and blog devoted to bathing cultureNell Waters is a former award-winning Somatic bodyworker, workshop educator, startup entrepreneur, and part-time experience designer. Nell builds communities around next wave ideas.She is best known for being an early pioneer in bringing back the urban bathhouse when she commissioned her long-time friends and landscape architects to design an ecological anti-spa that could be built out of shipping containers that she called SOAK.  Today she is the founder of a communications studio called THIS NOT THAT where she also leads creative labs, and is the producer of Sweat Temples, a media platform dedicated to the rituals of  water+heat+people found in corners all over the world. Who Nell is Following:-Tina Brown’s Newsletter on Substack-Pod Save America-Scott GallowayGet in touch with Nell:-Sweat Temples - Instagram and Substack-Find Nell on LinkedIn-This Not That Communications & Creative Studio - tnt-creative.com 💧Badii Talk now has a Substack! Join us where wellness meets travel. We explore global bathing traditions, sauna rituals, and spa culture through the lens of place and community.📍 ⁠Subscribe⁠ today for your free downloadable New England Spa & Sauna Road Trip Guide, packed with wellness destination recommendations, restaurants, hotels, and routes.Edited by Lila Woodbridge.Explore more bathing culture:Website:⁠ www.badii.life⁠Blog: ⁠Badii Talk on Substack⁠Instagram:⁠ @badii.life

It’s sauna season, and we’re back for Part 2 of our spa and sauna road trip across New England. My friend Jordan and I traveled nearly 1,000 miles, exploring some of the best spas, saunas, and bathhouses across the Northeast. Along the way, we share where to soak, where to sweat, and of course, what to eat.What you’ll hear in Part 2 of our New England Spa & Sauna Road Trip:Spas & Saunas in New England: Highlights from Maine and Vermont, including our honest reviews.Where to Eat & Stay: Our favorite restaurants, coffee shops, hotels, and special extras  just for Badii Talk listeners.Thermal Bathing Culture in New England: How history, nature, and a growing wellness movement are shaping a new bathing scene.Featured in this episode:Washington Baths (Portland, Maine)SAVU Sauna (Burlington, Vermont)💧Want the full itinerary? Badii Talk now has a Substack! Join us where wellness meets travel. We explore global bathing traditions, sauna rituals, and spa culture through the lens of place and community.📍 ⁠Subscribe⁠ today for your free downloadable New England Spa & Sauna Road Trip Guide, packed with wellness destination recommendations, restaurants, hotels, and routes.Edited by Lila Woodbridge.Explore more bathing culture:Website:⁠ www.badii.life⁠Blog: ⁠Badii Talk on Substack⁠Instagram:⁠ @badii.life

In this special bonus episode, we sit down with Ashley Baldwin, co-owner of Waterstruck Wellness in Maine, to explore the world of Nordic spas. Ashley shares what defines a Nordic spa, how Waterstruck integrates nature and the four seasons into its design, and why creating inclusive community spaces for rest and wellness is at the heart of their mission.What you’ll learn in What is a Nordic Spa? Exploring Community, Nature, and Wellness in Maine:The history and origins of Nordic spas in North AmericaWhy rest, nature, and seasonal rituals are central to the Nordic spa experienceHow Waterstruck Wellness is bringing the benefits of Nordic thermal bathing culture to MaineThe intentional design of Waterstruck that connects guests to nature and community through hydrotherapy and restConnect with Waterstruck on their website and on Instagram.💧Badii Talk now has a Substack! Join us where wellness meets travel. We explore global bathing traditions, sauna rituals, and spa culture through the lens of place and community.📍 Subscribe today for your free downloadable New England Spa & Sauna Road Trip Guide, packed with wellness destination recommendations, restaurants, hotels, and routes.Edited by Lila Woodbridge.Explore more bathing culture:Website: www.badii.lifeBlog: Badii Talk on SubstackInstagram: @badii.life

The temps are dropping in New England and the crisp fall air means one thing: sauna season. In this episode, my friend Jordan and I travel nearly 1,000 miles, exploring some of the best spas, saunas, and bathhouses across the Northeast. Along the way, we share where to soak, where to sweat, and of course, what to eat (including a lobster roll you don’t want to miss).What you’ll hear in Part 1 of our New England Spa & Sauna Road Trip:Spas & Saunas in New England: Highlights from Rhode Island and Maine, including our honest reviews.Where to Eat & Stay: Our favorite restaurants, coffee shops, hotels, and special extras  you won’t find in a guidebook.Thermal Bathing Culture in New England: How history, nature, and a growing wellness movement are shaping a new bathing scene.Featured in this episode:The Bodhi Spa (Newport, Rhode Island)Waterstruck Wellness Nordic Spa (Newcastle, Maine)👉 Want the full itinerary? Subscribe to the Badii Talk newsletter for the free downloadable New England Spa & Sauna Road Trip Guide, packed with extra travel tips, restaurants, hotels, and routes: badii.life/subscribeIf you’re local to the Northeast — or planning a fall trip out here soon — this is the perfect episode to kick off your sauna season.This episode was edited by Lila Woodbridge.Badii offers passionate and curious bathers and spa-goers access to news, education, and recommendations about global bathing culture. We share all this across many platforms, including: Website:⁠ ⁠⁠www.badii.life⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Email newsletter⁠⁠⁠Instagram⁠ ⁠⁠@badii.life

In this episode, we dive into the first-ever U.S. National Aufguss Championship, hosted at Bathhouse Williamsburg in New York City. I was lucky enough to attend this history-making sauna event, and I’m joined by my brother-in-law AJ, who shares his impressions of the competition and what it was like to spend six hours immersed in the world of Aufguss. We’ll also hear from Aufgussmaster and 2025 U.S. Solo Champion Alonzo Solórzano and Denver’s first sauna master, Alycia Wong.What you’ll learn in this episode:-What is Aufguss? Discover the German aromatherapy sauna ritual directly from professional Aufgussmasters.-What is a theater Aufguss competition? Learn how competitors are judged and what it takes to perform at a championship level.-What makes a theater Aufguss performance unique? Explore the multisensory mix of heat, music, movement, and essential oils that transform a sauna session into an immersive wellness experience.Whether you’re a sauna enthusiast, wellness traveler, or simply curious about the growing Aufguss culture in America, this episode gives you a behind-the-scenes look at a truly unforgettable event. We’re still sweating!Mentioned in this episode: - What is Dadaism? Source: https://thedali.org/dali-library-guide-1/dada-2/Learn more about Bathhouse:WebsiteInstagram⁠: @bathhouseConnect with Alycia:Website: www.thewayhom.com Instagram⁠: @alycia_wong and @youaretheway_Connect with Alonzo: Instagram⁠: @aufgussmaster.alonzoThis episode was edited by Lila Woodbridge.Photo credit: @bathhouse and Aysia Marotta Badii offers passionate and curious bathers and spa-goers access to news, education, and recommendations about global bathing culture. We share all this across many platforms, including: Website:⁠ ⁠⁠www.badii.life⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Email newsletter⁠⁠⁠Instagram⁠ ⁠⁠@badii.life

We’re joined by Alycia Wong—Denver’s first certified Sauna Master and a trained Somatic Aufguss practitioner. Alycia shares how she blends traditional Aufguss rituals with somatic breathwork to create deeply healing sauna experiences.Alycia left a 13-year corporate marketing career, moved to the mountains, and became Denver’s first Sauna Master. Alycia is a true pioneer in the somatic wellness space—and she’s here to talk all things healing, self-leadership, and rethinking self-care.What is somatic breathwork, and how does it work inside a sauna? Alycia breaks it down in simple terms and even guides us through a live somatic breathwork session so you can experience it for yourself.Worth a listen if you're interested in sauna culture or curious about the mind-body connection achieved through breath and heat.Take a deep breath… and let’s begin.Alycia’s recommendations for exploring breathwork:-Insight Timer meditation app-Open meditation and breathwork app-https://www.breathworknearme.com/ to find in-person breathwork sessionsWho Alycia is following:-Manoj Dias- Open - Ally Maz- Fiit Insider- The Stanza- Brianna Wiest- Vex KingConnect with Alycia:Website: www.thewayhom.com Instagram⁠: @alycia_wong and @youaretheway_Offer for Badii listeners: 20% off The Daily Practice w/ code BADIIThis episode was edited by Lila Woodbridge.Badii offers passionate and curious bathers and spa-goers access to news, education, and recommendations about global bathing culture. We share all this across many platforms, including: Website:⁠ ⁠⁠www.badii.life⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Email newsletter⁠⁠⁠Instagram⁠ ⁠⁠@badii.life

Curious about Sojo Spa Club in Edgewater, NJ? In this episode, we give our listeners an honest review of one of the most popular day spas in the NYC area—known for its Korean-inspired bathing rituals, stunning skyline views, and unique treatments like the *scorching* hot Volcanic Sand Bath. Joining me are my sisters Angie and Michelle, who share their honest reactions to everything from the cedar Hinoki soaking pool to being buried in 130-degree sand (spoiler: it got intense).We talk about:-What to expect at Sojo Spa Club: thermal baths, saunas, and global spa rituals-Is the Volcanic Sand Bath worth it—or way too much?-Tips for first-timers: pricing, transportation, food, and more-How Sojo is helping bring accessible bathing culture to the USWhether you're planning a wellness weekend or just curious about modern bathhouses, this episode is your full Sojo Spa guide.Mentioned in this episode:-Dr. Susanna SøbergHistorical / Cultural Sources:-I Tried Sand Bathing in Japan, and It Was Not What I Was Expecting-Bathing in hot sand in Ibusuki, KagoshimaLearn more about Sojo Spa: Website: sojospaclub.comInstagram⁠: @sojospaclub This episode was edited by Lila Woodbridge.Badii offers passionate and curious bathers and spa-goers access to news, education, and recommendations about global bathing culture. We share all this across many platforms, including: Website:⁠ ⁠⁠www.badii.life⁠⁠⁠Email newsletter⁠⁠⁠Instagram⁠ ⁠⁠@badii.life

In this special episode, the mic is turned around as our host and founder, Sarah Spoto, sits down to share the story behind Badii — a Swiss-inspired wellness brand on a mission to grow American thermal bathing culture. Sarah is interviewed by Kathryn Flaschner, the host of The Truth Is podcast.Join us as we dive into where the idea for Badii came from, how the healing waters of Switzerland shaped the vision, and why bringing European bathing rituals like Aufguss to more people can help create deeper community and connection.We explore what it really means to build a purpose-driven brand today, how "entrepreneurship" isn’t just investment and growth but also building community and a balanced lifestyle. If you’ve ever wondered what sparked this project, how you can be part of it, or what’s next for the Badii thermal bathing community — this one’s for you.Media that Sarah is following:-Garth Nix-Emily Wilde’s Encyclopedia of Faeries by Heather Fawcett-The Grief Nurse and The Bone Diver by Angie Spoto-Susanna Søberg for cold exposure science-Alonzo Solórzano for American Aufguss-THE CHAIR podcast-The Truth Is podcastConnect with Sarah and Badii:Website:⁠ ⁠⁠www.badii.life⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Email newsletter⁠⁠⁠Instagram: ⁠⁠⁠@badii.lifeThis episode was edited by Lila Woodbridge.Badii offers passionate and curious bathers and spa-goers access to news, education, and recommendations about global bathing culture. We share all this across many platforms, including: Website:⁠ ⁠⁠www.badii.life⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Email newsletter⁠⁠⁠Instagram⁠ ⁠⁠@badii.life

Alisa Cardenas, founder of Howl at the Moon Sauna Co. and Good Heat Retreats, joins us to talk all things sauna, community, and ritual. From mobile sauna sessions in the Michigan woods to a new retreat series launching in NYC, we explore how thermal bathing can transform travel as a way to deeply understand places, deepen connection, and inspire reflection. Alisa also shares her journey as a “saunapreneur”—the highs, the challenges, and what’s next.Media that Alisa is following:-Culture of Bathing substack- S.P.A. substack-The Perfect Sweat-The Sauna Channel-The Sauna Sirens at @sauna.sirens-Sauna Times podcastConnect with Alisa:Instagram:@howlatthemoonsaunaco@goodheatretreatsWebsites: howlatthemoonsaunaco.com discovergoodheat.com Edited by Lila WoodbridgeBadii offers passionate and curious bathers and spa-goers access to news, education, and recommendations about global bathing culture. We share all this across many platforms, including: Website:⁠ ⁠⁠www.badii.life⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Email newsletter⁠⁠⁠Instagram⁠ ⁠⁠@badii.life

In this episode, we’re joined by Samer Ghadry, a Brooklyn-based musician and sound meditation facilitator. We explore the practice of sound healing and sound bathing—what it entails and how you can use sound to invite stillness, calm, and clarity into your everyday life. Whether you're new to sound meditation (we were!) or curious about deepening your wellness rituals with sound, our conversation with Samer offers an introduction to the healing power of sound.Media that Samer is following:-Samer’s Lot Radio Show-LSD: My Problem Child by Albert HofmannConnect with Samer:Instagram: @samerghadryWebsite: Tonecenter.orgDiscover the sounds of today’s episode is our joint Spotify playlist 🎶 Badii Talk x Samer Ghadry Sound MeditationEdited by Lila WoodbridgeBadii offers passionate and curious bathers and spa-goers access to news, education, and recommendations about global bathing culture. We share all this across many platforms, including: Website:⁠ ⁠⁠www.badii.life⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Email newsletter⁠⁠⁠Instagram⁠ ⁠⁠@badii.life

We explore the intersection of spa culture, social media, and spa etiquette. Our guest, Olivier della Valle, Social Media Manager for Cadillac Europe and founder of the social media agency The Plot, joins us to unpack how phones and digital habits are reshaping the spa experience.We dive into questions like:-Should phones be allowed in wellness spaces? -How can we stay present in a hyper-connected world?-What does inclusive spa etiquette look like? How can bathing etiquette encourage more welcoming spaces for gender queer folks?We reflect on how traditional spa norms might evolve to better support mindfulness, presence, and inclusivity in modern wellness spaces.Whether you're a wellness lover, spa practitioner, or curious about how digital culture intersects with self-care, this episode is for you.Spas mentioned in the episode:Forty-Seven Thermal Spa in Baden, Switzerland (a Badii favorite)QC Terme in MilanQC Terme in San PellegrinoMedia that Oli is following:BroskiReportOura RingConnect with Oli and The Plot:Instagram: @hey.plotThreads: @hey.plotEmail: [email protected] Edited by Lila WoodbridgeBadii offers passionate and curious bathers and spa-goers access to news, education, and recommendations about global bathing culture. We share all this across many platforms, including: Website:⁠ ⁠⁠www.badii.life⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Email newsletter⁠⁠⁠Instagram⁠ ⁠⁠@badii.life

In this special bonus episode, experience a guided meditation designed for the sauna or your daily relaxation practice. Let the soothing sounds of the River Limmat in Baden, Switzerland wash over you as you unwind, de-stress, and reconnect with calm. Whether you’re sitting in the sauna, at home, or on the go, this peaceful river meditation will help you slow down and reset.We’d love to hear your feedback—did this meditation help you relax? Would you like more guided sauna meditations and sound journeys in future episodes? Share your thoughts and let us know!Meditation created by Braxton and Jorge of Yoga Ganesh. Episode edited by Lila Woodbridge.Badii offers passionate and curious bathers and spa-goers access to news, education, and recommendations about global bathing culture. We share all this across many platforms, including: Website:⁠ ⁠⁠www.badii.life⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Email newsletter⁠⁠⁠Instagram⁠ ⁠⁠@badii.life

We’re joined by JerDrema Flynt, M.Ed, MBA. Dreme is an educator and the founder and CEO of THE CHAIR. THE CHAIR is a Black and Brown centered tech platform dedicated to supporting people on their hair journey by providing the opportunity to design hairboards, connect to hairstylists, and share hair care tips for a more joyful and efficient process and experience. We talk about Dreme’s experiences bathing all over the world, how she protects and treats her hair before and after bathing, and we discuss how to make bathing spaces welcoming to more folks. Let’s dive in!Media that Dreme is following:-Maya Lê @maistorybooklibrary-Alexis Nikole @blackforagerConnect with Dreme and THE CHAIR:Instagram: @dremephotographerWebsite: growinghands.wpengine.comPodcast: THE CHAIR on Spotify | THE CHAIREdited by Lila WoodbridgeBadii offers passionate and curious bathers and spa-goers access to news, education, and recommendations about global bathing culture. We share all this across many platforms, including: Website:⁠ ⁠⁠www.badii.life⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Email newsletter⁠⁠⁠

No doubt you’ve seen more and more mobile saunas popping these days. Today we meet one of the entrepreneurs behind one of the hottest (pun in intended) bathing businesses. Katie Moore is the founder of Sisu Mobile Sauna in Livonia, MI. The idea for Sisu came to Katie in 2023 when she realized she craved community and wanted to find a way to intentionally create something bigger than herself.  Katie’s 50% Finnish heritage and interest in wellness lead her to the idea of a sauna that would go to people's homes and to retreats. We discuss such topics as:-Why she started a mobile sauna business and the inspiration behind it-How her Finnish heritage informed her sauna passion-Sauna culture in Michigan and America-Sisu Mobile Sauna’s build process - how and why she chose the sauna she did-The benefits of saunaBathing media and brands that Katie is following:-Finlandia Foundation’s Sauna Week-Cedar and Stone-Howl at the Moon Sauna Co.-Takka Saunas-Elevated EmbersConnect with Katie and Sisu Mobile Sauna:  Instagram: @sisumobilesaunaWebsite: www.sisumobilesauna.comEdited by Lila WoodbridgeBadii offers passionate and curious bathers and spa-goers access to news, education, and recommendations about global bathing culture. We share all this across many platforms, including: Website:⁠ ⁠⁠www.badii.life⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Email newsletter⁠⁠⁠Instagram⁠ ⁠⁠@badii.life

We’re joined by Sierra Blake, the founder and CEO of Saint Lucie sauna serum. Despite the benefits of sauna, Sierra noticed the practice taking a toll on something unexpected — her hair. After trying many different oils and conditioners (and always forgetting that dang hat), she started figuring out what didn’t work and what did. And thus, sauna serum was born! Sierra is also pursuing her master’s degree in mental health and studying the psychological effects of sauna and cold water immersion.We discuss such topics as:- Why she launched Saint Lucie and her vision- Sauna culture in Minnesota- Joy and connection in the sauna- Building community through her serum- Her metal healthy and psychology research- Researchers and studies she’s paying attention to on the effects of sauna and cold exposure- Tips for interpreting studies on sauna and hot and cold exposureResearchers mentioned in today’s episode:-Ashley Mason, PhD-Dr Earric Lee -Dr Susanna Søberg: @susanna_soebergBathing media that Sierra is following:-Embrace North-Superior Sauna and Steam-Sauna and Sobriety-Sauna TimesConnect with Sierra and Saint Lucie: Instagram: @shopsaintlucieWebsite: www.shopsaintlucie.comMusic credit: Adobe PodcastFeatured water sounds: Water on the sauna stones in Suffield, ConnecticutBadii offers passionate and curious bathers and spa-goers access to news, education, and recommendations about global bathing culture. We share all this across many platforms, including: Website:⁠ ⁠⁠www.badii.life⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Email newsletter⁠⁠⁠Instagram⁠ ⁠⁠@badii.life

We welcome back Alonzo Solórzano, Head Aufgussmaster at Bathhouse for Part 2 of our conversation on the European sauna ceremony, Aufguss. Alonzo dives deep into the categories Aufguss (theater, Aufguss, anyone?) and discusses why he considers the practice a ceremony versus ritual. He describes how he designs his Aufguss ceremonies, shares his tips for first time sauna and Aufguss-goers, and discusses importance of Aufguss in America, including here to experience Aufguss in the StatesWe discuss such topics as:-Categories of Aufguss-“Ritual” versus “ceremony”-Designing an Aufguss ceremony -Tips for first time sauna and Aufguss-goers-Aufguss in America, including where to experience Aufguss in the StatesConnect with Alonzo: Instagram: aufgussmaster.alonzoSubstack: aufgussmasteralonzoMusic credit: Adobe PodcastFeatured water sounds: Water on the sauna stones in Suffield, ConnecticutBadii offers passionate and curious bathers and spa-goers access to news, education, and recommendations about global bathing culture. We share all this across many platforms, including: Website: ⁠⁠www.badii.life⁠⁠⁠⁠Email newsletter⁠⁠Instagram ⁠⁠@badii.life

Welcome to Badii Talk Shorts! Short, bite-sized episodes focused on bathing culture education. Today we’re talking Finnish saunas. What exactly makes a sauna a Finnish sauna?Materials and Sources Listed in this episode, include:-unesco.org-https://finlandnaturally.com/about-us/-Nordic Magic by Meri Mort -The Book of Nordic Self Care by Elisabeth Carlsson-Sauna by from Cozy Publishing Music credit: Adobe PodcastFeatured water sounds: Water on the sauna stones in Suffield, ConnecticutBadii offers passionate and curious bathers and spa-goers access to news, education, and recommendations about global bathing culture. We share all this across many platforms, including: Website: ⁠⁠www.badii.life⁠⁠Instagram: ⁠⁠@badii.life

We’re joined by Head Aufgussmaster at Bathhouse, Alonzo Solórzano, who delves deep into Aufguss--that wacky European towel waving sauna ceremony we love so much. In Part 1 of this two-part series, Alonzo demystifies Aufguss, goes deep on the craft of towel waving, shares the cultural and historical origins of Aufguss, and tells us how he first got into the Aufguss practice. We discuss such topics as:-What is Aufguss?-The craft of towel waving-The cultural and historical origins of Aufguss-American Aufguss culture-Alonzo’s path to Aufgussmaster at BathhouseConnect with Alonzo: Instagram: aufgussmaster.alonzoSubstack: aufgussmasteralonzoMusic credit: Adobe PodcastFeatured water sounds: Water on the sauna stones in Suffield, ConnecticutBadii offers passionate and curious bathers and spa-goers access to news, education, and recommendations about global bathing culture. We share all this across many platforms, including: Website: ⁠⁠www.badii.life⁠⁠⁠⁠Email newsletter⁠⁠Instagram ⁠⁠@badii.life

To be or not to be naked? With guest and Badii Community member, Alexandra Smedley, we discuss the pros and cons of bathing nude, whether that’s in a sauna or a thermal bath.We discuss such topics as:Cultural differences guiding naked bathing practicesSwiss and European bathing cultureTips for your first naked sauna experience, especially for womenScience behind having a naked bathing experience Deep dive on our naked sauna experience at Kulttuurisauna in Helsinki, FinlandThe magic that is the Sauna Boat on Lake ZurichMusic credit: Adobe PodcastFeatured water sounds: Bells at the River Limmat in Baden, SwitzerlandBadii offers passionate and curious bathers and spa-goers access to news, education, and recommendations about global bathing culture. We share all this across many platforms, including: Website: ⁠www.badii.life⁠⁠Email newsletter⁠Instagram ⁠@badii.life

We’re reviewing a wild sauna on Portobello Beach. Edinburgh, Scotland’s seaside. We’re joined by resident of Portobello, Edinburgh, Angie Spoto. Angie is an esteemed author who writes gothic fantasy deeply inspired by the Scottish coastline. Most recently, she’s published The Bone Diver, a novel inspired by the selkies of Scottish folklore.You’re not just going to hear a review of our sauna experience though. You’ll also learn a bit about the history of bathing in the UK and what makes a sauna a Finnish sauna. In this episode:- Badii’s review of Edinburgh, Scotland’s Wild Sauna, Soul Water Sauna- History of bathing in the UK- What makes a sauna a Finnish saunaOur recommendations from the episode:Soul Water SaunaThe Portobello BookshopTanifiki Coffee BarSalt on your Tongue: Women and the Sea by  Charlotte RuncieSite about Finnish history and culture: Finland NaturallyNordic Magic by Meri MortThe Book of Nordic Self Care by Elisabeth CarlssonSauna by from Cozy Publishing The Bone Diver by Angie SpotoBadii offers passionate and curious bathers and spa-goers access to news, education, and recommendations about global bathing culture. We share all this across many platforms, including: Website: ⁠www.badii.life⁠⁠Email newsletter⁠Instagram ⁠@badii.life

We’re sharing our recommended top three best thermal spas in Switzerland. At Badii, we use a set of criteria--our Badii Bathing Framework-- to evaluate our spa experiences. You can be sure that every spa we recommend in today’s episode passes our evaluation with flying colors. Badii offers passionate and curious bathers and spa-goers access to news, education, and recommendations about global bathing culture. We share all this across many platforms, including: Website: ⁠www.badii.life⁠Email newsletter⁠Instagram ⁠@badii.life

Today we’re introducing you to Badii. What exactly is Badii and Badii Talk? Who’s behind it? We'll give you a quick intro to the Swiss bathing culture that inspired it and share what you can look forward to as Badii grows.Badii offers passionate and curious bathers and spa-goers access to news, education, and recommendations about global bathing culture. We share all this across many platforms, including: Website: ⁠www.badii.life⁠⁠Email newsletter⁠Instagram ⁠@badii.life