Explore every episode of the podcast LETTERS FROM AMERICA

The Old Swedes Church in Swedesboro (New Jersey) was founded by Swedish Lutheran settlers who originally worshiped in a log cabin on the site at the beginning of the 18th century.

Earlier this year, I was invited to speak with Senior Warden Robert Fritz about the Church’s 300-year history.

I met with Pierre Schelander, Pastor at the Swedish Church in Florida, to speak about the differences between Swedish and American parishes, the vocabulary of faith, and flying to Swedish congregations in both Argentina and Brazil.

I met with legendary Viveca Averstedt - the fastest person outside the USA for 5 years - at her home in Orlando, Florida, and we talked about the rollercoaster world of bodybuilding, drag racing, and top fuel cars, and the sweet life of running your own Swedish food truck. 

From Log Houses and Art to Spotify and the Grammy Awards, Swedes have left their mark in America for almost 400 years.  

Tracey Beck is the Executive Director of the American Swedish Historical Museum in Philadelphia - the oldest Swedish museum in the United States - and she was kind enough to meet with me for a recap of Swedish history within the United States. 

We met in my caravan outside the museum, speaking about everything from settling, hostile takeovers, and becoming “American”. 

PS. Eriksbergs Slott is south of Katrineholm, in Sweden.

In this first episode, I was given the opportunity to enter the intense world of the National Hockey League - a world I know little to nothing about. 

Rasmus Sandin, from Uppsala, Sweden, plays defense for the Washington Capitals, joining a line of almost 30 legendary Swedish players who have fought for the team’s victory over the years. 

We met in my caravan outside their training facility, Medstar Capitals Iceplex, to talk about hockey, family, and time - you know, those things that make life important.