The ISMO Podcast

Strictly Good Vibes with BLVK H3RO

I've been meeting more musicians lately because I'm having more music in my life. The producer of this show, Jaakko Manninen, is also an esteemed musician himself and he is currently working with various interesting artists. Jaakko is closely involved with this Jamaican grammy-nominated singer, BLVK H3RO (pronounced Black Hero). I had a couple of chats with Hero discussing Finnish and Jamaican culture through language, cussing, philosophy, and... sauces! We talk about the energy of insults, how different countries address people, positivity, paper straws, sauce logistics, and why I might need to move to Jamaica. In the 'walking podcast' section, we also stop by my Super Bowl party at L.A. Suomi-Kerho — a Finnish social club in Los Angeles that feels like stepping into another country. As usual, what follows, is a fast-moving conversation about culture, words, and the strange details of everyday life.

Valentine's special with Jacquie Coe

Finnish comedian Ismo Leikola sits down with Los Angeles-based creative professional Jacquie Coe to dissect the messy, often hilarious intersection of American romanticism and Finnish stoicism. Just in time for Valentine’s Day, the duo dives into the "ick"—that mysterious, irreversible moment of attraction-death—and why, for Jacquie, it usually involves a man in flip-flops. Ismo offers a dry, "outsider" perspective on why Americans feel the need to "love-bomb" everything from their partners to their McDonald’s burgers, while Jacquie explains the psychological trauma of seeing a boyfriend look "vulnerable" on a commercial flight. Highlights include: * The Flip-Flop Manifesto: Why bare male toenails are a dealbreaker in LA. * The "Love" Gap: Why Finns only use the word "love" once a year (if that) while Americans say it to cushions. * Sauna Sisu: How sitting in 180°F heat without complaining defines the Finnish spirit—and why Americans would just spend the whole time narrating their discomfort. * A Very Finnish Valentine: A roleplay on the "correct" (and very unenthusiastic) way to receive a gift. Whether you’re single in LA or a stoic in Helsinki, this episode is a masterclass in cultural misunderstanding and the perils of dating in sandals. This episode contains explicit content that might be offensive to some listeners. (00:00) Intro(00:14) The Ick (00:51) Men in Flip-flops (01:40) Men's Toenails and Socks (02:07) Acceptable Footwear (02:54) Office Dress Codes (03:14) Psychological Ick (03:53) "Men Marry Bitches" (04:06) The Airplane Ick (05:08) First Dates on Valentine's Day (05:22) Galentine's Day (05:42) Dating Activities (Comedy and Nightclubs) (06:08) Valentine's Day in Finland (07:08) McDonald's in Finland (08:21) Sauna Culture and "Sisu" (09:40) Valentine's Gift (Chocolates) (11:00) Picking the Right Chocolate (14:35) Men's Mental Goals on Dates (15:57) Dating: Offense vs. Defense (17:11) Authenticity vs. Lying (18:18) Expressing Love in Finnish (19:42) Why Marriages Fail (20:47) Restaurant Dating Etiquette (23:24) The Pink Tax (24:50) Historical Dating (26:06) "The Throne" (Bathroom Talk) (33:41) Humor in Dating (38:35) Compliments and Intentions (40:59) From Sex to Relationships (42:00) Casual Sex for Men (42:18) Wrapping Up on a Dark Note (43:30) Closing Thoughts from Finland