LUKAS LAGASSÉ | The dream of a new Sweden

LUKAS LAGASSÉ | The dream of a new Sweden

On July 23, 1870, a small group of Swedes found their way to the northern parts of Maine, carrying a dream of building a new life. Guided from their homeland by a promise from the state of cabins and cleared land, they were instead met by a rough wilderness and wild forest. But through hardship and rugged spirit, they established "New Sweden", clearing the path for more Swedes to follow, and today you will find place names in Aroostook County, such as "Jemtland", "Westmanland", and "Stockholm" - all of them signs of Swedes making their mark in American history. So, I steered this road trip up there to talk to Lukas Lagassé, who served as President of the New Sweden Historical Society for four years, to learn about the people who came there over 100 years ago.

MARIA STOLT | What's so special about Swedish candy?

The concept of Swedish candy is on its way to becoming as iconic as Swedish cars, music, and design. If you ask Swedish-born Maria Stolt, founder of "Nantasket Sweets by Swedes", it is already there. So, I steered this road trip podcast to her store at 165 Nantasket Avenue, South of Boston, to ask the inevitable question: - What is it about Swedish candy that makes it so special?

OSKAR STENMARK | A Brooklyn Swede finding the New York Groove by mixing jazz with Swedish traditionals

Steered the road trip to Brooklyn, New York, to talk to Swedish trumpet player Oskar Stenmark, about life as a Swedish musician in the world's biggest melting pot, and about finding your voice through your roots. Because Oskar comes from a family with generations of musicians behind him, some of whom already toured the United States during the middle of the last century - a discovery that has given him unexpected encounters and an opportunity to go full circle on his family's musical legacy.

THOMAS MCINTYRE SCHULTZ | Road-tripping in a Volvo and the weirdness of a Swedish Pizza

I met with Thomas McIntyre Schultz, Communications at Volvo Cars USA, at their headquarters in Mahwah, New Jersey, to talk about Volvo's 70-year history in the United States, how it all started, and the footprints of the company's innovative spirit. But halfway into this journey, this was also a good opportunity to get to know Thomas as one of my key partners in this adventure. So we got to talk about his Swedish connection, life in New York City, road-tripping in a Volvo - and the weirdness of a Swedish Pizza.

KATE NOVAK | From Stockholm, Paris, and Washington, D.C. - turning a footprint into a Swedish legacy

There's a building at 2900 K Street, Northwest, in Washington, DC, overlooking the Potomac River. It's designed by Swedish architects and built from materials reflecting Swedish roots and traditions, and in 2006, it was inaugurated by the King and Queen of Sweden as the home for the Embassy of Sweden - making it the official Swedish footprint in the United States. It is known as the "House of Sweden" - and it all started with Swedish-born Kate Novak.