Sauna reading, writings, and listening
with the SaunaTimes monthly update
Looking up at trees between rounds
Many fellow sauna enthusiasts find ourselves looking up at trees between sauna rounds. Why is that? Feel free to share your feelings in the comments section at the bottom of this post. Maybe we start an Instagram page and get a lotta likes.
Funding a sauna through an HSA
It is possible. And it happens. A roadmap is here.
The Power of Hot & Cold
A writer’s technique can be to “bury the lead.” And in this case, reading through The Power of Hot & Cold, we come upon a moment like in the Wizard of Oz, where the screen transforms from black and white to color:
“After a sauna, the world seems like a better, more manageable place.”
Check out my review of the recently published book, co-authored by Katja Pantzar and Carita Harju here.
Sauna Talk
I have four, yes, four podcast episodes recorded, and in queue. This is not how I normally role, or like to roll. If you want a list of my reasons/excuses, well, you won’t get one because we all seem to be living busy lives. Just like how good heat knows no borders, the human condition is similarly egalitarian. So, with a deep breath, fully in, and let yourself go with one of these:
Building Saunas
Thanks to the West Coast Sauna Summit, I have at least two, wait, no twenty two new friends in sauna. And in this episode, I sit with two of them. These are two Western Canadian sauna builders who left their finish nailers behind in order to come Sauna Talk with me about bench heights, wood burning, and de-off-gasification. Check out the episode here.
Fireside chat
It was impromptu, and it was fun. It was completely unrehearsed, and it rambled in places (when I was unable to hold the microphone). This episode holds some wonderful gems of free thinking. This is Sauna Talk, and this is what I love about Sauna Talk. Like good sauna, Sauna Talk has few rules. This was the spirit at this fireside chat at the West Coast Sauna Summit. We all had sauna glow. Check out the episode here. Bonus: You’ll hear 25 attendees answer to “what’s your ideal hot room temp?” in both Celsius and Fahrenheit.
Sauna Days
is coming up fast! May 2-5, Two Harbors, Minnesota. They say on-sight lodging is almost sold out. I’m looking forward to moderating a couple speaker panels. Fab. food and beverages, good heat sauna action with 12 plus saunas in a Superior setting along the world’s largest fresh water lake. Limited number of day passes available here and type SAUNATIMES20 to save $20 per ticket (limited quantities). Previous years’ reviews here. See you there!
Sauna University
Let’s welcome Asher Ben-Dashan who shares with us some Northeastern University sauna culture. “Our bodies actually produce beta-endorphins and a chemical called ACTH (a hormone that helps regulate the body’s response to stress). These chemicals are responsible for making you feel good…” more here.
Help Wanted
Seeking a creative and capable assistant, likely a lot younger than me, to help bring SaunaTimes shenanigans more to life on Instagram, YouTube, TikTok, and Facebook. This is a very part-time role, focused not on chasing “likes” but on spreading the word about sauna things including the soon to be print edition of my book—aimed at helping others live happier, healthier lives through building a quality sauna, with a DIY spirit, and non bougie bouquet of practical tips and tricks. Interested candidates can reply to this newsletter, changing subject heading to something good, with a short bio and more thinking. There’s more than just social media’izing, but that alone would be a huge help. Thanks.
PS. For those interested in building their own saunas, the print edition of my book is on its way. It's been more work than I anticipated, but isn’t that true of anything worthwhile?
"The first 90% of the work takes 90% of the time. The last 10% takes the other 90%." – T. Cargill (Ninety-Ninety Rule)
“You can always use wider trim.” - S. Friedrichs (Sauna Talk episode #025)