Crossing North is a podcast about Nordic and Baltic society and culture. Episodes feature interviews with authors, performers, and leaders from Scandinavia and the Baltic, as well as discussions with faculty in the Scandinavian Studies Department and Baltic Studies Program. Crossing North is produced and hosted by Colin Gioia Connors, with Kristian Næsby.
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Episode #6: Sex and Skam
In 2019, Assistant Professor Olivia Gunn was asked to redevelop a course on sexuality in Scandinavia. Kristian Næsby and I interview her about new directions in Swedish sex education and Norwegian public television for teens with "Skam" (2015-2017), which achieved an international following and in 2017 was the most talked about television show on Tumblr (aka the Internet) and arguably in the world.
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This episode was written, edited, and produced by Colin Gioia Connors. Special thanks to Kristian Næsby for leading our interview with Olivia Gunn.
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Theme music used with permission by Kristján Hrannar Pálsson.
Episode #5: An Army of One
Russia's willingness to exploit national tensions in former Soviet-occupied states has caused the Baltic countries to revamp their national defense policies over the past decade. Estonian Ambassador to the United States, Jonatan Vseviov, explains Estonia's national defense policy and how their reserve army model works.
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This episode was written, edited, and produced by Colin Gioia Connors. Special thanks to Kristian Næsby.
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Theme music used with permission by Kristján Hrannar Pálsson.
Episode #4: Good Day, Axe Shaft
Saskia Vogel is an American writer and translator of contemporary Swedish literature. We discuss the intricacies of translation, the #metoo movement in Sweden, and her debut novel, "Permission."
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Learn more about Saskia Vogel's writing and Swedish translations at saskiavogel.com/
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This episode was written, edited, and produced by Colin Gioia Connors. Special thanks to Kristian Næsby.
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Theme music used with permission by Kristján Hrannar Pálsson.
Episode #3: Bermuda Triangle of Music
What does it mean to be a folk musician in a country with no folk instruments? Musician and folk music festival organizer Linus Orri Gunnarsson Cederborg discusses the mysteries of Icelandic folk music.
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This episode was written, edited, and produced by Colin Gioia Connors. Special thanks to Kristian Næsby.
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Music used with permission by Linus Orri Gunnarsson Cederborg.
- Listen on Soundcloud
- Watch on Youtube
- Purchase on Bandcamp
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Learn more about the Reykjavík Folk Music Festival at www.vakafolk.is (check back soon for updates on the 2019 festival, May 31 - June 2).
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Theme music used with permission by Kristján Hrannar Pálsson.
Episode #2: There's no PTA in Finland
In 2008, Professor Andrew Nestingen went on sabbatical to Finland with his pregnant wife and two-year-old daughter. It wasn’t his first trip to Finland—but it was his first trip as a father. Kristian Næsby and I sit down with Andy to discuss what he learned from his culture shock about Nordic approaches to parenting and schooling.
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This episode was written, edited, and produced by Colin Gioia Connors. Special thanks to Kristian Næsby for joining our interview with Andrew Nestingen.
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Theme music used with permission by Kristján Hrannar Pálsson.
Episode #1: Werewolves on Campus
Latvian folkband Vilkači (Werewolves) discuss their music and worldview while Professor Guntis Šmidchens discusses the role folk music played in ending the Soviet occupation.
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This episode was written, edited, and produced by Colin Gioia Connors. Special thanks to Kristian Næsby. Interviews feature Professor Guntis Šmidchens and the following members of Vilkači: Edgars Zilberts, Juris Tomašūns, Jumis Ločmelis, Andris Lejnieks, Eduards Krūmiņš, and Toms Grīnvalds.
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Music used with permission by Vilkači.
- Listen on Spotify
- Purchase on Google Play
- Purchase on Apple Music
- Watch music video "Izkaptiņa" on Youtube