Session Replays

Science writer Bill Gifford , coauthor of the global bestseller Outlive, joins Justin Juntunen to discuss the science of sauna, separating fact from myth and exploring why the real health benefits of Finnish sauna may have more to do with its effects on the mind than the body. Other topics include the truth about “toxins,” the case against cold plunging, and why the Finnish approach to sauna may be healthier than the way health influencers portray sauna on social media. Get

Author Dr. Lassi Liikkanen will discuss his best view of which factors have the biggest influence on the overall joy of sauna. The conversation deals with topics such as temperature, energy sources, Law of Löyly and the values of Finnish sauna. He is joined in the conversation by Christopher Risto Rice from the UpperBench and Sauna Trail podcasts. Speakers:  Dr. Lassi Liikkanen and Risto Rice

Drawing from her background in public health and her personal sauna practice, Muriel explores how heat therapy can support better sleep, stress relief and active recovery. Her talk—featuring findings from recent studies—includes practical temperature and time ranges (with hot-water immersion as an accessible analog) plus essential safety considerations and simple ways to personalize by goals, experience and health context. Muriel’s approach integrates sauna as a daily health.

This presentation is a sub-section of the research completed for the Finlandia Foundation grant awarded for "Practical Primer for Public (Finnish) Sauna Design." Sauna culture continues to grow in popularity across the United States, yet building codes, zoning rules, and other regulations in many regions make it difficult—or impossible—to operate a public Finnish sauna with authentic löyly. These regulations differ significantly from those in Finland, where public sauna is wi

“Women have always been the keepers of sauna, and they will be the ones to lead the culture forward.” Across generations, sauna has been a place of community care and healing, with women at its centre. From midwives guiding childbirth in the warm, clean heat, to families preparing loved ones for burial, to healers practicing folk medicine and ritual, women have long tended the fires, prepared the löyly, and carried sauna knowledge across lifetimes. Sauna has always been a sha

This session brings a rare, cross-cultural perspective on sauna and sweat-bathing traditions, led by a scholar and author deeply embedded in the Canadian, American, and European sauna movements and comparative studies. Drawing from more than five books on sauna and sweat rituals—including award-winning work and current research on sauna, spirituality, and sacred practice—the talk explores the shared spiritual foundations of Finnish saunas, Native North American sweat lodges,

What the heck is Aufguss, and why is this ritual becoming so popular around the world as part of sauna culture? For this National Sauna Week 2026 webinar, we bring together a dynamic panel of distinct perspectives—including a Finnish sauna purist, a seasoned Aufguss master, sauna-loving world citizen, and a world-traveling sauna devotee—to discuss, argue, explore, and analyze what is happening to contemporary sauna culture. The conversation ranges from Germany and the Nordic

How do you build a sauna of your own, and where should you begin? Join us for a practical National Sauna Week webinar dedicated to the essentials of DIY sauna design and construction, as expert builders Glenn Auerbach and Sam Wacha share insight on the burning question: “Where do I start?” There are many factors to consider—from location and materials to heat, ventilation, and maintenance—and this session helps demystify the path. Grounded in the principles where sauna spirit

Justin Juntunen is on a mission to invite one million people to build resilience through sauna. Speaking at National Sauna Week 2026, he will explore sauna through the lenses of culture, wellness, and design, reflecting on how thoughtful principles shape both structure and experience. As the founder of Cedar & Stone Nordic Sauna, Justin has led and contributed to some of North America’s most ambitious public sauna builds—from floating saunas to brick-and-mortar facilities to

This session explores the deep and often overlooked connection between sauna culture and textiles, featuring key voices from two renowned textile companies: Lapuan Kankurit (Finland) and Saunamekko (North America). Led by a Finnish sauna devotee and textile crafter, teacher, and writer Lisa Steinmann, the talk traces how woven textiles—towels, mats, robes, hats, and sauna wear—have evolved alongside sauna’s ancient rituals to enhance comfort, beauty, and cultural meaning. The

Join us for a moving panel exploring what it truly takes to build, own, and operate a mobile sauna—and the many business models that bring sauna to people wherever they are. From saunas that travel directly to clients, to those parked at beaches or events, to mobile units operating in urban environments or roaming the countryside, this session dives into the logistics, creativity, and problem-solving behind löyly on wheels. Panelists will discuss permits and city partnerships

Running a mobile sauna business—or thinking about starting one? Wondering how to protect your investment, your clients, and yourself? Join us for Mobile Sauna Insurance 101. This practical, operator-focused panel covers the essentials of insuring a sauna-on-wheels, including what coverage mobile sauna businesses need, how to properly value and insure your sauna, trailer, and equipment, and common pitfalls to avoid. Drawing on real-world examples from mobile sauna operators ac

Join us for a special conversation with five key voices from the floating sauna world across the U.S. and Europe—including perspectives connected to Oslo, often called the floating sauna capital, and Oulu, Europe’s Capital of Culture 2026. The panel brings together sauna operators alongside individuals deeply embedded in directing projects, stewarding movements, and shaping floating sauna culture more broadly. Together, they’ll explore the mechanics of building, operating, an

Welcome to National Sauna Week’s kickoff panel, featuring the Upper Bench Podcast team in a lively, no-holds-barred conversation with Walker Angell, author of Trumpkin’s Sauna Notes. In this hot-takes–style discussion, the panel dives into why sauna has struggled to take hold in North America compared to other parts of the world. Topics include what truly defines sauna, how language and cultural misunderstandings have shaped North American perceptions, and the rise of “McSaun