The Upper Bench
Episodes
We've Got Charts and Graphs!
17 Mar 2026
Contributed by Lukas
Charts and graphs!Risto, Eero, and Sam are joined by Walker, Minea, and Ruut for Finlandia's Sauna Week 2026. We discuss Sauna Culture, Infrared, ...
Sauna is RISKY business
04 Mar 2026
Contributed by Lukas
Sam, Eero, and Risto catch up after National Sauna Week and swap notes on public saunas, especially the big question of whether you can throw water on...
Eero's Sauna Message to North America
08 Feb 2026
Contributed by Lukas
Selection from Eero's final speech as Finlandia Foundation National's lecturer of the year. Given January 20th at Scandinavia House in NYC. Se...
Yooper Saunas Part 3
20 Jan 2026
Contributed by Lukas
Risto shows Sam and Eero even more Yooper saunas!National Sauna Week Schedulehttps://www.nationalsaunaweek.com/sessions-and-registrationCHAPTERS00:00 ...
Todd builds an epic sauna in Alaska
25 Dec 2025
Contributed by Lukas
We first met Todd Shearer at our 2024 Toronto meet-up. His enthusiasm for sauna was apparent from the start. We had a great time exploring the Canadia...
To Schvitz
03 Dec 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Episode 64 - David Kosins and Joshua Womack join the Upper Bench to talk schvitzing in general and the Cleveland Schvitz in specific. We learn how the...
A brief history of sauna marketing in North America
06 Nov 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Have we oversimplified sauna? A brief history of sauna marketing in North America.Episode debuted at the Seattle Sauna Festival 2025
Nathan's Journey from Infrared to Real Sauna.
23 Sep 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Nathan's Journey from Infrared to Real Sauna. A candid journey from infrared hype to authentic Finnish sauna, highlighting why real heat, löyly, ...
Private vs Public sauna practice and Sam's Big News
20 Aug 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Episode 61 - Risto, Eero, and Sam return to the Upper Bench to dig into public vs. private sauna, heater tech (smoke, wood, flip-lid electric), masonr...
Ambassador Program brainstorming session
30 Jul 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Episode 060 - Eero and Risto brainstorm about the NASS ambassador program and how to categorize different saunas in North America.If you have ideas, p...
Is there an authentic sauna culture in North America? with Michael Nordskog
16 Jul 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Episode 59 - Michael Nordskog, author of The Opposite of Cold, joins the Upper Bench podcast to discuss his book and details about his two wonderful s...
Pit sauna, two-story saunas, savusaunas in NY, and Southampton Spa review
01 Jul 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Catching up after a few weeks on the road... and talking about Eero's visit to the sauna village in Finland where he used a pit sauna and a two-st...
Sauna construction deep dive with James Phelps AKA Jimmy Creel
20 Jun 2025
Contributed by Lukas
James Phelps joins us to get super geeky about sauna construction.We dive deep into sauna ventilation, CO₂ testing, and stove design. James shares i...
Dan Raisanen
27 May 2025
Contributed by Lukas
On this episode of The Upper Bench, Sam and Risto welcome Finnish American sauna entrepreneur Dan Raisanen whose family sauna history is rooted in Cok...
Wade Litt - Sauna in Ohio and Other Adventures
12 May 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Wade Litt - Sauna in Ohio and Other Adventures - 055On this episode of The Upper Bench, Eero and Risto welcome sauna entrepreneur Wade Litt to explore...
Copper Country Sauna Culture with Larry Anderson
22 Apr 2025
Contributed by Lukas
On this episode of The Upper Bench, Eero and Risto welcome Finnish American sauna entrepreneur Larry Anderson to explore the deep-rooted sauna traditi...
Culture IS Negative!
04 Apr 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Sam, Eero, and Risto discuss different types of online negativity in the sauna world. Risto rants a fair bit as he makes the case for why culture is a...
Sweat with Mikkel Aaland
25 Mar 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Eero chats with Mikkel Aaland for Finlandia Foundation's National Sauna Week.https://www.nationalsaunaweek.comhttp://www.mikkelaaland.com
Modern Sauna vs Ancient, Always Ready Heaters
14 Mar 2025
Contributed by Lukas
February 23 Livestream ReplayModern Sauna vs Ancient, Always Ready HeatersCONTENT0:00 Intro & Welcome 1:09 Eero’s Sauna Travels & National S...
Exploding Stones and Shipping Container Builds
05 Mar 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Episode 50 - Eero says "hi" from Finland. Sam and Risto host the weekly livestream and field questions from the chat.TOPICS00:00 Introduction & Ho...
National Sauna Week 2025
18 Feb 2025
Contributed by Lukas
The Upper Bench kicks off Finlandia Foundation's national Sauna Week 2025. Check out their other sessions at https://www.nationalsaunaweek.com.We exam...
Mr. Kilpi Goes to Hancock
06 Feb 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Eero returns from his first trip to the U.P. Sam chops TONS of red oak. Risto tries a new sauna in town. And Wade joins us to talk about The Law of Lö...
Help Us Plan 2025
20 Jan 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Help us plan our topics for 2025 and join us for our livestreams.
Rob Licht Wants to Make Sauna BORING
21 Dec 2024
Contributed by Lukas
Episode 46: Rob Licht Rob joins Eero, Sam, and Risto to share his sauna story that started with the humble Podunk sauna and ended with Rob running his...
Eero's News, Sam Dreams of Masonry, and the Sauna Scene in Cambodia
10 Dec 2024
Contributed by Lukas
Episode 45 - Eero, Sam, and Risto catch up after some travel and discuss Risto's sauna adventures in Cambodia, Eero's Finnish spa experience, Sam's ma...
Upside-down, Strip-mall, Cottage, and Secret Saunas - Toronto 2024 in review
21 Nov 2024
Contributed by Lukas
Sam, Eero, and Risto review the Upper Bench 2024 Meet-up in Toronto. They are joined by Markus, Todd, and Ryan to talk about upside-down sauna design,...
The Sauna and Nakedness Episode
02 Nov 2024
Contributed by Lukas
Anne-Mari Paster, Elizabeth “Helvi” Brauer, and Julie Rice join The Upper Bench to discuss the cultural nuances of sauna and nudity. They share pe...
Aufguss, Rock Tower Heaters, and Sauna as a Survival Tool
10 Oct 2024
Contributed by Lukas
The Upper Bench 042 In this episode, Sam, Risto, and Eero chat about their recent sauna adventures, including Eero's return from Finland and meeting ...
How to bathe in your sauna, Eero's Helsinki sauna tour, and Cardamom Bread
26 Sep 2024
Contributed by Lukas
In this episode of "The Upper Bench," we dive into the experience of sauna bathing, washing in the sauna, and how these traditions are still...
What up with sauna down under? Nikita Miltiadou from the Australian Sauna Association
08 Sep 2024
Contributed by Lukas
Global Sauna Culture: Insights and Innovations with Nikita Miltiadou from Australia Join us as we explore the unique and evolving world of sauna cult...
Discovering Finnish sauna with Julie and Risto
04 Aug 2024
Contributed by Lukas
Julie and "Risto" Rice are grilled by Sam and Eero. Stay tuned for a special announcement at the end of the episode. LINKS https://www.the...
Haley and Cody Goodreau from Logbook Stories
06 Jul 2024
Contributed by Lukas
Haley and Cody Goodreau, from Logbook Stories, join us to talk about unique saunas in the U.P., their sauna build, and Haley's sauna book. Stay t...
Scott Raisanen, the new President of the North American Sauna Society
19 Jun 2024
Contributed by Lukas
Join us in this enlightening episode as hosts Sam, Eero, and Risto sit down with Scott, the newly appointed President of the North American Sauna Soci...
Infrared "sauna" (responding to Matt Justice)
05 Jun 2024
Contributed by Lukas
The Upper Bench - Episode 36 Sam, Risto, and Eero respond to Matt Justice's video. His original video: https://youtu.be/IbcE0b4X99Y CONTENT 00...
Yooper Saunas 2
16 May 2024
Contributed by Lukas
Risto shows Sam and Eero more Yooper saunas. (03:52) Sauna 1 (08:50) Sauna 2 (11:55) Sauna 3 (14:45) Sauna 4 (17:21) Sauna 5 (19:29) Sauna 6 (21:...
The Bullseye Approach to Sauna
30 Apr 2024
Contributed by Lukas
Bullseye Sauna 034: Aiming for a robust sauna practice while making the most out of what you have; why the law of löyly isn't the most important ...
Markus "The Crazy Finn" Raty
06 Apr 2024
Contributed by Lukas
The Upper Bench welcome Markus Raty to the show. Find Markus https://www.saunaist.com https://www.instagram.com/thesaunaist Hauliwood Vampires - ...
Dr Mark Timmerman: Sensible Sauna Health
21 Mar 2024
Contributed by Lukas
The Upper Bench 032: Dr. Mark Timmerman joins us to share his experience of growing up with sauna and his current practice. He also fields our health ...
The Four Generations of Finnish Sauna with Lassi Liikkanen
13 Mar 2024
Contributed by Lukas
Repost of Finlandia Foundation's Sauna Week presentation - Four Generations of Finnish Sauna Panel: Eero Kilpi, Sam Wacha, Christopher (Risto) Ri...
Sauna and Inipi on The Northern Plains
06 Mar 2024
Contributed by Lukas
The Upper Bench 030: The Upper Bench's three hosts Sam, Eero, and Risto are joined by three sauna and inipi enthusiasts in North Dakota--Aaron, Bo...
Sauna in Utah
16 Feb 2024
Contributed by Lukas
The Upper Bench 029: Lauren and Sean from Plunj join us to discuss the history and current state of sauna culture in Utah. LINKS Plunj - https://www....
Sauna in Duluth with Justin Juntunen
02 Feb 2024
Contributed by Lukas
The Upper Bench 028: Justin from Cedar and Stone joins us to share his experience of growing up with sauna, the history of sauna in Duluth, and starti...
Sauna Treatments and Traditions with Terhen
19 Jan 2024
Contributed by Lukas
The Upper Bench 027: Terhi and Anna from Terhen join us to discuss Finnish sauna treatments and traditions, and the difference between how men and wom...
Random Show: Sauna bias, food, social connection
19 Dec 2023
Contributed by Lukas
The Upper Bench 026: Random Show Hosts Eero Kilpi (Saunner), Sam Wacha (Saunner), Christopher (Risto) Rice (The Sauna Trail) Theme Music: Conga Se M...
Therme Group
09 Dec 2023
Contributed by Lukas
Hosts Eero Kilpi (Saunner), Sam Wacha (Saunner), Christopher (Risto) Rice (also a Saunner) Theme Music: Conga Se Menne "Guess Who's Coming t...
Bryon MacWilliams and the Russian banya
08 Nov 2023
Contributed by Lukas
The Upper Bench 024: Bryon MacWilliams joins us to discuss the Russian banya and his book With Light Steam. https://www.cornellpress.cornell.edu/book...
Emma O'Kelly: The Power of Deep Heat book
03 Oct 2023
Contributed by Lukas
The Upper Bench 023 Emma O'Kelly joins us to discuss her new book Sauna The Power of Deep Heat. https://linktr.ee/saunabook Hosts Eero Kilpi (Nor...
Juha Ruokangas: guitar maker and sauna lover
15 Sep 2023
Contributed by Lukas
The Upper Bench 022 Juha Ruokangas joins us to share his love of sauna and give us a tour of his backyard garden sauna. Hosts Eero Kilpi (North Ameri...
Am I doing sauna wrong?
09 Aug 2023
Contributed by Lukas
The Upper Bench 021: Am I doing sauna wrong? Hosts: Eero Kilpi (North American Sauna Society), Sam Wacha (Saunner), Christopher (Risto) Rice (Sauna D...
Sailing and Sauna in Finland
15 Jul 2023
Contributed by Lukas
Leontina Piccardi from Peterzen's Marina joins us to discuss sauna and sailing in Finland. Hosts Eero Kilpi (North American Sauna Society), Sam Wa...
Random Show: Eero's trip to Finland
21 Jun 2023
Contributed by Lukas
The Upper Bench 019: Random Show Eero's going to Finland! Theme Music: Conga Se Menne "Guess Who's Coming to Sauna"
Sauna in the hot, summer weather
17 Jun 2023
Contributed by Lukas
The Upper Bench 018: Sauna in the Summer Hosts: Eero Kilpi (North American Sauna Society), Sam Wacha (Sauna subreddit), Christopher (Risto) Rice (Sau...
Yooper Saunas
08 Jun 2023
Contributed by Lukas
The Upper Bench 017: Sauna in the Upper Peninsula of Michigan We recommend watching the video podcast for this episode. https://youtu.be/4bWtEYpKzAg ...
Jeff Pyzyk: Very hot, very cold
28 May 2023
Contributed by Lukas
The Upper Bench 016: Jeff Pyzyk joins us to talk about his sauna and cold plunge practice. He likes his sauna HOT 🥵 and his plunge COLD 🥶 Hosts...
Sauna in Vermont
09 May 2023
Contributed by Lukas
The Upper Bench 015: Nils Shenholm and Devin Colman join us to discuss sauna in Vermont. Hosts Eero Kilpi (North American Sauna Society), Sam Wacha (S...
Eero Kilpi: Finland to the North American Society
01 May 2023
Contributed by Lukas
The Upper Bench 014: We interview one of our own--Eero Kilpi. He tells us about growing up with sauna and becoming the president of the North American...
AMA with Lassi Liikkanen
23 Apr 2023
Contributed by Lukas
The Upper Bench 013: Dr. Lassi "Al" Liikkanen is an Adjunct Professor of Human-centered product design at Aalto University in Finland. He ha...
Random Show: Sam's sauna, firewood, rocks
20 Apr 2023
Contributed by Lukas
The Upper Bench 012: Sam's sauna, firewood, rocks Test run for our reddit AMA with Lassi Liikkanen this coming Sunday
How well does A.I. understand sauna? #chatgpt #sauna
07 Apr 2023
Contributed by Lukas
The Upper Bench 011: Sauna Topics - How well does A.I. understand sauna? We test ChatGPT from @OpenAI Hosts: Eero Kilpi (North American Sauna Socie...
Sauna in Maine
03 Apr 2023
Contributed by Lukas
Garrett Conover and Rick Meagher join us to discuss sauna in Maine. Hosts Eero Kilpi (North American Sauna Society), Sam Wacha (Sauna subreddit), Chri...
Why Americans Compromise on Sauna Quality
28 Mar 2023
Contributed by Lukas
Repost of Finlandia's Sauna Week panel discussion - Why Americans Compromise on Sauna Quality Panel: Eero Kilpi, Sam Wacha, Christopher (Risto) R...
Sauna Topics - Reasons People Sauna
15 Mar 2023
Contributed by Lukas
The Upper Bench 008: Sauna Topics - Why Sauna Hosts: Eero Kilpi (North American Sauna Society), Sam Wacha (Sauna subreddit), Christopher (Risto) Rice ...
Sauna Topics: Sauna Etiquette for Hosts and Guests
02 Mar 2023
Contributed by Lukas
The Upper Bench 007: Sauna Topics - Sauna Etiquette Hosts: Eero Kilpi (North American Sauna Society), Sam Wacha (Sauna subreddit), Christopher (Risto...
Sam's Sauna Story
13 Feb 2023
Contributed by Lukas
We interview one of our own--Sam Wacha. He tells us how he got into sauna.Sauna subredditYoutube video versionTheme Music: Conga Se Menne "Guess ...
Trumpkin's Sauna Notes with Walker Angell
23 Jan 2023
Contributed by Lukas
The Upper Bench 005: Trumpkin's Sauna Notes with Walker AngellWalker Angell shares the story of how he created Trumpkin's Sauna Notes. Hosts E...
The Poetry of Sauna with Cheryl J Fish
12 Jan 2023
Contributed by Lukas
Cheryl J Fish, who writes about sauna in poetry and fiction, joins hosts Eero Kilpi (North American Sauna Society), Sam Wacha (Sauna subreddit), Chris...
Sauna as a Christmas tradition
25 Dec 2022
Contributed by Lukas
Sam and Risto interview Eero about Finnish Christmas sauna tradition.Hosts: Eero Kilpi (North American Sauna Society), Sam Wacha (Sauna subreddit), Ch...
Secret Sauna Designs with Lassi Liikkanen
22 Nov 2022
Contributed by Lukas
Lassi Liikkanen, author of The Secrets of Finnish Sauna Design and creator of Saunologia joins hosts: Eero Kilpi (North American Sauna Society), Sam W...
Hello World
07 Nov 2022
Contributed by Lukas
Welcome to The Upper Bench podcast. Eero Kilpi (North American Sauna Society), Sam Wacha (Sauna subreddit), Christopher (Risto) Rice (Sauna Digest) in...