PODCAST

All Things Iceland

Jewells Chambers

Discover Iceland’s language, history, culture, & nature

society & culture places & travel

All Episodes

10:50

A Gentle Icelandic Troll Who Left Behind Mysterious...

All Things Iceland ·

2024/12/13

In the rugged highlands of Iceland, a troll named Bergþór lived with his wife in a cave called Hundahellir, nestled in the slopes of Bláfell. Unlike the fearsome reputation trolls usually have, Bergþór was a gentle giant, mild-mannered and kind—though not someone you'd want to provoke. Skilled in the mysterious “black arts,” Bergþór kept mostly to himself. Want more Icelandic folklore stories? This episode is part of my Folklore Friday series where I am sharing an

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11:15

Helgafell – A Wish Granting Mountain on the...

All Things Iceland ·

2024/12/06

From ancient times, Helgafell has been steeped in mystery and supernatural lore. Early settlers in the area believed this hill was more than just a geographical feature—it was a place of profound spiritual power. One of the first settlers, Þórólfur, held the hill in such high regard that he declared no one could even glance at it without first cleansing themselves. Helgafell was also a sanctuary, a safe haven where no person or animal could be harmed. Þórólfur and his sons were so devoted to this

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14:23

Iceland’s Tipping Culture: What Visitors Should Know

All Things Iceland ·

2024/12/04

Today, I’m tackling a topic that often confuses visitors—tipping culture in Iceland. If you're used to tipping as a standard practice in your home country, Iceland’s approach might surprise you!This is a question I have gotten quite often in the “Ask Jewells Anything” segment of the podcast, so I am doing a separate episode on it. Is Tipping Expected in Iceland? In Iceland, tipping is generally not expected, nor is it a significant part of the service industry. This stems from the

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10:25

Sprengisandur: Iceland’s Most Haunting and Beautiful...

All Things Iceland ·

2024/11/29

Sprengisandur is a barren and desolate highland plateau in central Iceland, located between the Hofsjökull and Vatnajökull glaciers. Historically, it was an infamous north-south route connecting various regions, including access to the Alþingi (Iceland's parliament) at Þingvellir during medieval times.This route, however, was fraught with extreme challenges, making it one of the most feared and avoided paths of the Icelandic interior. Want more Icelandic folklore

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5:37

Iceland Inspired Gifts – 20% Off Everything for a...

All Things Iceland ·

2024/11/25

To celebrate the relaunch of the All Things Iceland online store, I am doing a 20% site-wide sale. This sale is only valid through Wednesday, November 27th at 11:59 PM EST or while supplies last.Below are some examples of Iceland inspired gifts that you can get for yourself or a loved one this holiday season. Iceland Inspired Gifts for the Holidays Shop Now Share This With a

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9:40

The Cursed Elf Queen of East Iceland

All Things Iceland ·

2024/11/22

Many centuries ago, a mysterious woman arrived in the small community of Nes in Borgarfjörður. No one knew where she had come from, but her beauty and grace quickly won the respect of the locals. She settled in Nes and gradually took control of the entire estate, becoming its mistress. Her name was Snotra, and though she was admired, she carried an air of secrecy. Want more folklore? This episode is part of my Folklore Friday series where I am sharing a Folklore story

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7:20

Silent Terror: The Icelandic Ghost Story You Won’t...

All Things Iceland ·

2024/11/15

This episode is part of my Folklore Friday series where I am sharing a Folklore story every Friday in 2024. To hear other stories, I have shared so far, check them out on my website All Things Iceland. A Young Girl and Her Prankster Neighbor In a small Icelandic village, there was a young boy who loved to play tricks and frighten a girl who lived nearby. He’d pop up unexpectedly, trying to make her jump. But over time, she became so used to his tricks that nothing he did could scare her

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22:22

7 Fascinating Facts I Learned Inside Iceland’s...

All Things Iceland ·

2024/11/14

Experiencing *Into the Glacier* in Iceland was like stepping into a different world—a frozen wonderland hidden deep within Langjökull, Iceland’s second-largest glacier. It was truly mesmerizing to see the glacier from the inside, which made me feel like I was in the heart of an enormous frozen giant. Is it Safe to Visit "Into the Glacier" Anytime of Year? When it comes to those wondering about safety, the *Into the Glacier* experience is indeed safe. The ice tunnels were engineered with

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8:55

Not All Icelandic Trolls Are Villains: A Tale of the...

All Things Iceland ·

2024/11/08

This episode is part of my Folklore Friday series where I am sharing a Folklore story every Friday in 2024. To hear other stories, I have shared so far, check them out on my website All Things Iceland The Troll Woman & Bjarni Once upon a time, a farmer named Bjarni lived in Skaftafell. He was known for his skilled craftsmanship and resourcefulness. High in a cave above the Skaftafell Woods, there lived a troll-woman who had become a loyal friend to Bjarni. She watched over his sheep in the

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59:40

Meet Iceland’s Guardian of Rare Books: Eyþór Guðmundsson

All Things Iceland ·

2024/11/06

Eyþór is an Icelandic antiquarian with an impressive rare book collection. For many years, he has been collecting and restoring rare books, some of which are important original Icelandic manuscripts. We sat down to chat about his collection and so much more.https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NkKR4qoW67A Questions I Asked Eyþór During the Interview? When did your fascination with antique book collecting and restoration start?How many books are in your collection?What is your process of

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6:32

Ásbyrgi Canyon: A Stunning Relic of Norse Mythology...

All Things Iceland ·

2024/11/01

This is episode is part of my Folklore Friday series where I am sharing a Folklore story every Friday in 2024. To hear other stories, I have shared so far, check them out on my website All Things Iceland. Sleipnir's Hoofprint: The Mythic Origins of Ásbyrgi According to Icelandic legend, the stunning horseshoe-shaped canyon of Ásbyrgi was formed by the mighty hoofprint of Sleipnir, Odin’s legendary eight-legged steed. As the Norse god rode across the sky on his powerful horse, Sleipnir took

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9:35

What Makes Búkolla So Special? The Story of Iceland’s...

All Things Iceland ·

2024/10/25

This is episode is part of my Folklore Friday series where I am sharing a Folklore story every Friday in 2024. To hear other stories, I have shared so far, check them out on my website All Things Iceland. Who is Búkolla the Magic Icelandic Cow? Once upon a time, there was an old man and his wife who lived in a small cottage with their son. They weren’t particularly fond of him, but they had little else in their life besides a single cow, Búkolla, who was their most prized possession.One

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5:54

Is Dimmuborgir Iceland’s Gate to Hell? The Shocking...

All Things Iceland ·

2024/10/18

This is episode is part of my Folklore Friday series where I am sharing a Folklore story every Friday in 2024. To hear other stories, I have shared so far, check them out on my website All Things Iceland. How Dimmuborgir was Said to be formed? Legend has it that Dimmuborgir, with its eerie rock formations and twisting lava fields, is more than just a natural wonder. Some say it's a hidden gateway to a mysterious, parallel world – a realm where Iceland's most elusive creatures reside.Elves,

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9:06

The Merman Who Changed an Icelandic Fisherman’s Life...

All Things Iceland ·

2024/10/11

This is episode is part of my Folklore Friday series where I am sharing a Folklore story every Friday in 2024. To hear other stories, I have shared so far, check them out on my website All Things Iceland. How an Icelandic Fisherman Caught a Merman Many years ago, there was a farmer living in Vogar, famous for being the best fisherman around. No one could match his skill, and his farm flourished because of it. One day, while he was out on the water, something strange happened. He cast his

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7:55

The Legend of Necropants: A Dark Icelandic Folktale...

All Things Iceland ·

2024/10/04

This is episode is part of my Folklore Friday series where I am sharing a Folklore story every Friday in 2024. To hear other stories, I have shared so far, check them out on my website All Things Iceland. How Icelandic Necropants are Created Imagine making a pact with your best friend—if one of you dies, the other gets to use the body for something truly bizarre: making a pair of magical pants. These aren’t just any pants though. They’re called Necropants, and they're made from human skin,

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11:23

The Dark Tale of the Tilberi: Iceland’s Milk-Stealing...

All Things Iceland ·

2024/09/27

This is episode is part of my Folklore Friday series where I am sharing a Folklore story every Friday in 2024. How is a Tilberi Creature in Iceland formed? In the heart of Icelandic folklore, there exists a strange and eerie creature known as the *tilberi* in the north and the *snakkur* in the south and west.This mystical being is said to be the creation of witches, conjured specifically to steal milk from the farms of others. Only women have the knowledge and ability to summon and control

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57:14

Exploring Iceland by Bike: Búi Aðalsteinsson Shares...

All Things Iceland ·

2024/09/25

Learn about cycling culture, different routes, races, and more from Búi Aðalsteinsson, an Icelandic cycling enthusiast and podcast host. About Búi Aðalsteinsson Búi Aðalsteinsson is a designer and has run the design studio Grallaragerðin since 2016, alongside various other jobs, he currently works at the Department of Service and Innovation at the City of Reykjavík.Búi’s work emphasizes community and environmental aspects. His experience includes developing creative projects within

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6:38

The Trolls Who Almost Changed Iceland’s Geography –...

All Things Iceland ·

2024/09/20

This episode is part of my Folklore Friday series where I am sharing a folklore story every Friday in 2024. Why Trolls Tried to Make the Westfjords of Iceland an Island Centuries ago, in the wild and rugged land of Iceland, three mischievous trolls hatched a plan to reshape the landscape forever. Their goal? To sever the Westfjords from the rest of the island by digging a massive channel between Húnaflói Bay and Breiðafjörður Bay.These trolls loved a good challenge, so they added a

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9:11

The Hidden Treasure Behind Skógafoss Waterfall –...

All Things Iceland ·

2024/09/13

This episode is part of my Folklore Friday series where I am sharing a folklore story every Friday in 2024. Where is there treasure behind Skógafoss waterfall? In Icelandic Legends and Fairy Tales, 1862-64, Jón Árnason (1819–1888) added more details to the story of Þrasi Þórólfsson in Skógar. It is said that Þrasi buried a chest full of gold and treasures beneath the Skógafoss waterfall, and in olden times, part of this chest was visible.An old rhyme goes: "Þrasi's chest is

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10:37

When a Plague & Zombies Struck in Iceland – Folklore...

All Things Iceland ·

2024/09/06

This episode is part of my Folklore Friday series where I am sharing a folklore story every Friday in 2024. A Plague Sent Sorcerers int Hiding When a plague ravaged Iceland in the 15th century, eighteen sorcerers formed a desperate alliance, fleeing to the remote Vestmannaeyjar Islands (Westman Islands) to escape its deadly grip. They hoped to wait out the plague, but as it finally began to subside, they grew curious. Did anyone still live on the mainland?They chose one among them, neither

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