Rephonic
Artwork for The Upper Bench
Sauna
Finnish Sauna
Finnish-American Culture
Schvitz
Finland
Two Harbors, United States
Hancock, United States
Duluth, United States
Public Sauna
Private Sauna
Infrared Sauna
Wood-Burning Sauna
Banya
Cleveland Schvitz
Yooper Saunas
North American Sauna Society
Wausau, Wisconsin
Brooklyn, New York
Toronto
Finnish Sauna Culture

Experience The Upper Bench for unique sauna expeditions. Immerse in Finnish sauna traditions, embrace the allure of hot-cold bathing, and relish wood-burning sauna tales. Ignite your passion for sauna culture as we cover topics like sauna tech, wellness, and others. Join Eero, Risto, and Sam on a global quest for the authentic warmth of saunas. Unleash the sauna adventurer within - subscribe now! ... more

PublishesTwice monthlyEpisodes73Founded4 years ago
Number of ListenersCategory
Society & Culture

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Artwork for The Upper Bench

Latest Episodes

Episode 73 - Sam is building a new sauna, so we take a look!

YouTube

James and Dan join us to share their stories of growing up Finnish-American in Maine, saunaing as kids, and building their own saunas.

The Sauna: A Gift from the Finns bookhttp://www.finnheritage.org/FHH/styled-5/FHH/book_ordertwo.html

CONTENT

00:... more

YouTube

Sam and Glenn chat about sauna construction during Finlandia Foundation's Sauna Week 2026.

Finlandia's Sauna Week playlist: youtube.com/playlist?list=PLgbPg6jjsQ3R2NrV6j00TpqWyq1BVYzlX&si=IRzTXHpZ60A-9OyJ

YouTube

Lassi answers audience questions and discusses with Risto and Minea during Finlandia Foundation's Sauna Week 2026.

Full talk: youtu.be/LwFL7pdK-T0

saunologia.fi

CONTENT00:00 Ventilation

04:59 How does sauna process affect our desi... more

YouTube

Key Facts

Accepts Guests
Contact Information
Podcast Host
Number of Listeners
Find out how many people listen to this podcast per episode and each month.

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Recent Guests

Ruut Temeo
Performer of the year, Finnish singer
Special guest on closing notes for the episode
Episode: We've Got Charts and Graphs!
Todd Shearer
Guest; lives in Anchorage, Alaska; DIY sauna builder
Alaska sauna project
Episode: Todd builds an epic sauna in Alaska
Josh Womack
Author of Sweaty Stories from the Cleveland Schvitz
Episode: To Schvitz
Nathan Longhorn
Fairly long-time sauna buddy and guest
Episode: Nathan's Journey from Infrared to Real Sauna.
Heki Lundta
Episode: Private vs Public sauna practice and Sam's Big News
Michael Nordskog
Author and sauna enthusiast
Author of The Opposite of Cold
Episode: Is there an authentic sauna culture in North America? with Michael Nordskog

Hosts

Sam Wacha
Host of The Upper Bench
Risto
Host of The Upper Bench Sauna Podcast and related shows
Eero
Host of The Upper Bench Sauna Podcast; ongoing presence across sauna topics

Reviews

4.6 out of 5 stars from 20 ratings
  • Excellent

    Love the shows on sauna building and sauna customs.

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    BirdBladder
    Canada6 months ago
  • Great sauna discussions!

    I really appreciate the detailed discussions and the occasional guest. I have learned a few interesting things, like pouring the water in one spot on the rocks, versus spreading over all the rocks. It makes a difference. Keep the Canadian content coming!

    Sound quality is good.

    Apple Podcasts
    4
    YukonCanada
    Canada2 years ago
  • The best of the best

    I can’t imagine a better set of experts to help me take me through the world of sauna.

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    nyctxguy
    United States3 years ago

Listeners Say

Key themes from listener reviews, highlighting what works and what could be improved about the show.

Quality of guests and expert-led discussions are consistently highlighted.
Listeners appreciate the depth on DIY sauna builds and practical tips.
Listeners enjoy the global perspective on sauna culture, including North American and Nordic insights.
Shows that mix build details with cultural context are particularly valued by the audience.

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Talking Points

Recent interactions between the hosts and their guests.

Pit sauna, two-story saunas, savusaunas in NY, and Southampton Spa review
Q: Eero, what did you think about that whole steam process at Southampton Spa?
He enjoyed the experience, noting the plentiful essential oils and the unique, curated steam setup, while acknowledging that his own style is more self-driven and traditional, yet he found the mixture of culture and ritual engaging.
Eero's Sauna Message to North America
Q: Have you found connections between these cultures as to why sauna has popped up where it has and not elsewhere?
There are broad patterns suggesting nomadic and ancient heat-bathing traditions share a core need for cleansing, social gathering, and adaptation to climate, with local heating methods shaping the current forms across different regions.
Is there an authentic sauna culture in North America? with Michael Nordskog
Q: So Michael, give me a rundown. What is a normal sauna session for you?
A typical session for me involves multiple rounds (about five), with a balance between hot rooms and cold plunges, often using creek or rainwater, and it's common to do a weekly ritual at my off-grid farm sauna, with around 90 minutes of heat and several dips.
To Schvitz
Q: What drew you to write a book about the Cleveland Schvitz?
Josh explains that there was a lack of comprehensive writing on the Cleveland Schvitz, prompting him to interview longtime owners and regulars to capture the living history and social dynamics of the space.

Audience Metrics

Listeners, social reach, demographics and more for this podcast.

Listeners per Episode
Gender Skew
Location
Interests
Professions
Age Range
Household Income
Social Media Reach

Frequently Asked Questions About The Upper Bench

What is The Upper Bench about and what kind of topics does it cover?

This show centers on sauna culture with a strong emphasis on DIY builds, traditional Finnish practices, and the social dimensions of heat bathing. Episodes thread practical how-tos—from site planning and ventilation to wood-fired heating—through cultural discussions about authentic practices, North American adaptations, and cross-cultural exchange. A recurring theme is the community around saunas: festivals, ambassador programs, and family or neighborhood traditions that keep the rituals alive while exploring modern formats. Listeners likely come from a mix of builders, enthusiasts, and culture fans who want actionable tips plus context about sauna history and etiquette, with a taste for regional variations and global perspectives that expa... more

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Which podcasts are similar to The Upper Bench?

These podcasts share a similar audience with The Upper Bench:

1. Sauna Talk
2. The Prof G Pod with Scott Galloway
3. All-In with Chamath, Jason, Sacks & Friedberg
4. The Ezra Klein Show
5. The Proof with Simon Hill

How many episodes of The Upper Bench are there?

The Upper Bench launched 4 years ago and published 73 episodes to date. You can find more information about this podcast including rankings, audience demographics and engagement in our podcast database.

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What guests have appeared on The Upper Bench?

Recent guests on The Upper Bench include:

1. Ruut Temeo
2. Todd Shearer
3. Josh Womack
4. Nathan Longhorn
5. Heki Lundta
6. Michael Nordskog

To view more recent guests and their details, simply upgrade your Rephonic account. You'll also get access to a typical guest profile to help you decide if the show is worth pitching.

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