Very Finnish Problems

Very Finnish Problems creator Joel Willans interviews the minds behind Midsummer Madness, a free Helsinki open-air Midsummer event for 2020. Jeroen Sebrechts and Claire Delhom discuss their personal journeys to Finland from Belgium and France respectively, and explain why Midsummer Madness is a licensed Moomin event, despite featuring zero trolls or Hattifatteners. Co-host Laura Suihkonen shares a very bleak movie recommendation. Contact: veryfinnishproblems@inktank.fi Produced by Thomas Nybergh / Ink Tank Media Shownotes: Midsummer Madness Open Air Festival (Jun 19-20 2020): https://midsummermadness.fi/en/ The Finnish Sauna Association’s Primer on sauna culture: https://www.sauna.fi/in-english/finnish-sauna-culture/ Laura’s recommendation: The Joker (2019): https://www.rottentomatoes.com/m/joker_2019 Jeroen’s recommendation - go check out Hungarian movies: https://hungarytoday.hu/thursday-top-ten-movie-time-best-hungarian-movies-53259/ Joel’s recommendation - The Guardian Weekly’s journalism: https:/

In this episode, Joel Willans, author of the Very Finnish Problems books, discusses journalist Erika Benke’s amazing journey from communist Hungary to the BBC World Service and her recent stories on Finland. Topics include stories on how the climate crisis is tackled northern Finland, and the country’s recent limited trials of Universal Basic Income. Co-host Joe Konderla and Erika present their recent experiences of how London has been utterly ruined by overcrowding. Contact: veryfinnishproblems@inktank.fi Produced by Thomas Nybergh / Ink Tank Media Shownotes: Episode 12 of our show features in-depth discussion with a Finnish wilderness explorer: https://inktank.fi/vfp-ep-12-northern-light-joonas-linkola/ Erika’s summary of the Finnish Universal Basic Income trials: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9nPQM54oPMg The town of Ii: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ii,_Finland Joel’s recommendation - Very Brexit Problems merchandise: https://verybrexitproblems.com/ Erika’s recommendation - Death in Ice Valley, t

Joel Willans, author of the Very Finnish Problems books, learns how the polluting textile industry is facing much-needed renewal thanks to Finnish innovation. Emmi Berlin from Jyväskylä based wood pulp fiber/textile startup Spinnova brings us unsettling details on the dead ends of fast fashion, while providing an alternative that just might keep us clothed for decades to come. Co-host Joe Konderla points out teachable moments in a UK program which caused the scrapping of perfectly usable Ford Escorts. Contact: veryfinnishproblems@inktank.fi Produced by Thomas Nybergh / Ink Tank Media Shownotes: Joel’s latest book - More Very Finnish Problems: https://www.gummerus.fi/fi/kirja/9789512407507/101-very-finnish-problems/ Spinnova’s technology: https://spinnova.com/our-method/technology/ Episode 6 of our podcast features more musings on the textile industry and fast fashion: https://inktank.fi/very-finnish-problems-episode-6-rinna-saramaki-ethics-clothing-industry/ UK Vehicle scrappage scheme wasted perfectly

Very Finnish Problems creator Joel Willans chats with Joe Konderla, writer at the Finniot, a blog on adjusting to Finnish quirks. Topics include British imperialism in Wales, Helsinki versus Tampere and overdosing on Moomins. Co-host Thomas Nybergh advises against home ownership and suggests learning Swedish to fast-track Finnish citizenship. Contact: veryfinnishproblems@inktank.fi Produced by Thomas Nybergh / Ink Tank Media Shownotes: Joe’s blog: http://www.thefinniot.com/ Joel’s new book - More Very Finnish Problems: https://www.gummerus.fi/fi/kirja/9789512407507/101-very-finnish-problems/ The City of Tampere: https://www.tampere.fi/en/index.html Integrate in Finland through learning Swedish, an official language in Finland: https://integration.luckan.fi/integrating-in-swedish/ The Finnish constitution, see Section 17 – Right to one’s language and culture: https://oikeusministerio.fi/en/constitution-of-finland English is now an official language in Espoo, a Helsinki suburb: https://yle.fi/uutiset/o

Joel Willans, captain of Very Finnish Problems, investigates the extraordinary hot beverage habits of his adopted country. Lari Salomaa, from Swedish artisanal coffee and tea brewery Johan & Nyström, joins to spill the beans on the nuances of Nordic caffeine madness, with the help of his book on the subject. Co-host Thomas Nybergh breaks his dystopian entertainment cycle with recommendations of a classic Finnish pop album and an actually uplifting podcast. Contact: veryfinnishproblems@inktank.fi Produced by Thomas Nybergh / Ink Tank Media Shownotes: Lari Salomaa's book on changes in the coffee industry (in Finnish, for now): https://like.fi/kirjat/kahvivallankumous/ Joel’s new book - More Very Finnish Problems: https://www.gummerus.fi/fi/kirja/9789512407507/101-very-finnish-problems/ Differences between coffee strains from around the world: https://driftaway.coffee/coffee-from-around-the-world/ Thatcher the Milk Snatcher’s effect on British schools: https://www.theguardian.com/education/2013/apr/15/mar

Creator of Very Finnish Problems Joel Willans returns with a conversation on how and why Finland is big in Japan with project manager, exports specialist Sami Häikiö. We learn about the strides being made to bring Moomin to the world and the peculiarities of booking metal gigs in Tokyo. Co-host Thomas Nybergh deals with troublesome Nipponese electronics and contributes the bleakest recommendation segment yet. Contact: veryfinnishproblems@inktank.fi Produced by Thomas Nybergh / Ink Tank Media Shownotes: Joel’s new book: More Very Finnish Problems: https://www.gummerus.fi/fi/kirja/9789512407507/101-very-finnish-problems/ Are Finland and Japan obsessed with each other?: https://theculturetrip.com/europe/finland/articles/are-finland-and-japan-obsessed-with-each-other/ On Japan’s love of fax machines (New York Times, 2013): https://www.nytimes.com/2013/02/14/world/asia/in-japan-the-fax-machine-is-anything-but-a-relic.html It’s 2016 And I’m Buying A New Japanese Fax Machine: https://kotaku.com/its-2016-and-

This time, Very Finnish Problems creator Joel Willans is joined by Joanna Nylund, author of Sisu: The Finnish Art of Courage, to discuss, as the book title suggests, Finnish resilience. Is sisu somehow a Finnish cultural trait or do Finns mostly benefit from briefly defining a necessary universal way to stay sane while facing hardship? Co-host Thomas Nybergh returns to blame Joel for British imperialism and remains skeptical about how close to nature Finns really are. Contact: veryfinnishproblems@inktank.fi Produced by Thomas Nybergh / Ink Tank Media Shownotes: Joel’s new book - More Very Finnish Problems: https://www.gummerus.fi/fi/kirja/9789512407507/101-very-finnish-problems/ Sisu explained: https://finland.fi/arts-culture/sisu-within-finnish-key-life-love-success/ Get Joanna’s book Sisu in Finnish: https://www.readme.fi/kirja/sisu/ Get Joanna’s book Sisu in English: https://www.octopusbooks.co.uk/books/detail.page?isbn=9781856753807 The Finnish Famine 1866-68: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Finnis

What’s it like to spend most of your time living in the Finnish wilderness? Joel Willans, author and creator of Very Finnish Problems discusses the beauty of Northern nature with explorer and Instagram personality Joonas Linkola. What about extreme heat versus the absurd cold? Co-host Thomas Nybergh wants cell reception in the wilderness and ensures the show ends with reading and listening recommendations. Contact: veryfinnishproblems@inktank.fi Produced by Thomas Nybergh / Ink Tank Media Shownotes: Joel's book, 101 Very Finnish Problems: https://www.gummerus.fi/fi/kirja/9789512407507/101-very-finnish-problems/ Joonas Linkola on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/joonaslinkola/ This is what a no-deal Brexit looks like: http://www.politics.co.uk/blogs/2018/07/27/this-is-what-no-deal-brexit-actually-looks-like The Iraqi (not Irianian!) who saved Norway from Oil: https://www.ft.com/content/99680a04-92a0-11de-b63b-00144feabdc0 Search for the above oil article and click on article via Google to skip pay

What’s different about femininity in Finland? Joel Willans, author and creator of Very Finnish Problems consults lifestyle and travel blogger Varpu Pöyry, of Her Finland. We learn about the perils of gender stereotypes and Varpu’s engineering approach to improving her memory. Co-host Thomas Nybergh is mostly concerned about the social lives of Finnish men. A special guest, Yle News journalist Ronan Browne, also appears briefly while shooting a story about Very Finnish Problems. Contact: veryfinnishproblems@inktank.fi Produced by Thomas Nybergh / Ink Tank Media Shownotes: Yle News’ story on Very Finnish Problems: https://yle.fi/uutiset/osasto/news/self-deprecating_finnish_memes_a_big_online_hit/10120020 The circumstances surrounding Finland's first female prime minister's resignation: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Iraq_leak Joel’s book - 101 Very Finnish Problems: https://www.gummerus.fi/fi/kirja/9789512407507/101-very-finnish-problems/ Yle News - Finland ranks sixth in English skills, early instructio

Why do Finns stand in line for free buckets? Joel Willans, creator of the Very Finnish Problems social media sensation, chats with Jyrki Kallinen, co-founder of crowdsourced market research service Crowst. We learn the tricks of the trade of getting reliable and comprehensive questionnaire answers from shy people. Co-host Thomas Nybergh wants to pair artificial intelligence with his Facebook rants and makes sure Jyrki recommends some metal music. Contact: veryfinnishproblems@inktank.fi Produced by Thomas Nybergh / Ink Tank Media Shownotes: Joel’s book - 101 Very Finnish Problems: https://www.gummerus.fi/fi/kirja/9789512407507/101-very-finnish-problems/ Jyrki Kallinen on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jyrkikallinen/ Earn free goodies by answering surveys in Crowst’s app (currently Finland only): https://www.crowst.com/en/crowsters-en/ The EU's General Data Protection Regulation: https://www.miradore.com/blog/gdpr-check-list-part-1/ How Nokia helps despots spy on and oppress people: http://voima.

What makes a chatty Brit prefer Finnish silence? In this special episode, renowned Finnish comedian André Wickström interviews Joel Willans, author of 101 Very Finnish Problems, in front of a live audience at the Helsinki Book Fair. We learn about the backstory of Very Finnish Problems, how Joel ended up in Finland and much more. In a bonus segment, co-host and producer Thomas Nybergh reveals his future plans for the show. Contact: veryfinnishproblems@inktank.fi Produced by Thomas Nybergh / Ink Tank Media Shownotes: Hat tip to Sakari Heiskanen of Gummerus Publishers for recording the interview: https://twitter.com/heiskan Joel's book - 101 Very Finnish Problems: https://www.gummerus.fi/fi/kirja/9789512407507/101-very-finnish-problems/ André Wickström on Twitter: https://twitter.com/andrewickstroem Joel's book recommendation - Chasing the Scream (on the so-called War on Drugs): http://chasingthescream.com Thomas' podcast recommendation - Haven's Gate, in-depth documentary on the suicide cult of the sam

Are electric vehicles taking off in Finland? Joel Willans, author of the best-selling book 101 Very Finnish Problems, is joined by Antti Korpelainen of Virta, a car charging services company. Topics include battery technology, long drives to Lapland and more. Co-host Thomas Nybergh is annoyed by misguided bio fuel subsidies and wants the current Finnish government to shove it. Contact: veryfinnishproblems@inktank.fi Produced by Thomas Nybergh / Ink Tank Media Shownotes: Thomas’ article on Finnish electric car adoption, anti-electric lobbyists and harmful subsidies: http://inktank.fi/electric-car-adoption-finland-problems/ How Norway’s government made electric gars irresistible: https://www.pbs.org/newshour/show/norways-government-made-electric-cars-irresistible Electric cars in China: https://www.reuters.com/article/us-byd-autos/byd-predicts-ambitious-china-shift-to-electric-cars-by-2030-idUSKCN1BW0BQ Developments in battery technology and cost: https://www.nytimes.com/2017/07/08/climate/electric-cars-b

Let’s talk ski jumping toddlers. Joel Willans, author of the best-selling book 101 Very Finnish Problems, discusses winter sports and other outdoorsy stuff with former semi-professional ski jumper Jussa Lauhamaa. Co-host Thomas Nybergh is curious about Jussa’s job involving the Sports Tracker app and wearable tech for active lifestyles. Contact: veryfinnishproblems@inktank.fi Produced by Thomas Nybergh / Ink Tank Media Shownotes: Jussa being sporty on Sports Tracker: https://www.sports-tracker.com/view_profile/jussalauhamaa Jussa on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/jussalauhamaa/ Jussa's home town of Rovaniemi: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Rovaniemi Ski jumps as part of the Lahti cityscape: https://www.flickr.com/photos/gsymoo/1617195591/ Ski jumping: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ski_jumping Finnish sporting goods conglomerate Amer Sports: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Amer_Sports Brought to you by Carl's Jr.: http://www.urbandictionary.com/define.php?term=Brought%20to%20you%20by%20Carl%27s%20

Joel Willans, creator of Very Finnish Problems and author of the best-selling book 101 Very Finnish Problems, chats with clothing industry activist and sci-fi writer Rinna Saramäki about the evils of the clothing industry. Thomas Nybergh, co-host and producer of the show, is skeptical about ethical consumerism and likes his sci-fi bleak and dystopian. Contact: veryfinnishproblems@inktank.fi Produced by Thomas Nybergh / Ink Tank Media Shownotes: Rinna’s blog (in Finnish): https://rinnasaramaki.wordpress.com Rinna’s books (in Finnish): https://atena.fi/kirjailijat/rinna-saramaki Why ethical consumerism isn’t enough: http://highline.huffingtonpost.com/articles/en/the-myth-of-the-ethical-shopper/ Rinna’s book pick - Emmi Itäranta’s critically acclaimed “Memory of Water” (Teemestarin kirja): https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Memory_of_Water Joel’s book pick - “The Day of the Triffids” by John Wyndham: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Day_of_the_Triffids Rinna didn’t like the movie adaptation of “Valérian and

How does elevator awkwardness in Britain differ from the same in Finland? Joel Willans, author of Very Finnish Problems, asks game studies Ph.D. Aki Järvinen essential questions about migrating to the UK. Co-host Thomas Nybergh is curious about the demoscene and where fake money used inside video games ends up. Contact: veryfinnishproblems@inktank.fi Produced by Thomas Nybergh / Ink Tank Media Shownotes: Aki on Twitter: https://twitter.com/aquito Elevators and how they impacted culture: https://www.bostonglobe.com/ideas/2014/03/02/how-elevator-transformed-america/b8u17Vx897wUQ8zWMTSvYO/story.html?camp=id Finnish chapter of IGDA, the International Game Developers Association: https://www.igda.fi The Assembly demoparty: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Assembly_(demoparty) Example of a demo: https://youtu.be/v8bg4EixkFk?list=PLJO4AtxKJiFPmigR5m7SSrvT_pu291vFG Journalist Anni Lassila on how cool summers are becoming a privilege: http://www.hs.fi/paakirjoitukset/art-2000005300883.html More: http://veryfinni

What’s the weirdest place Finnish president Urho Kekkonen went fishing? Author Joel Willans is joined by maritime historian Aaro Sahari. The two discuss icebreaker ships and their impact on Finnish 20th century industrialization. Aaro explains how conquering nature with year-round open waterways affected Finnish national pride. Contact: veryfinnishproblems@inktank.fi Produced by Thomas Nybergh / Ink Tank Media Shownotes: Old footage with fearless strolling next to speeding icebreaker: https://www.facebook.com/veryFinnishproblems/videos/671860119621245/ Aaro’s academic record: https://orcid.org/0000-0002-5099-8249 Sahari & Matala: Small nation, big ships winter navigation and technological nationalism in a peripheral country, 1878–1978 (paywall): http://dx.doi.org/10.1080/07341512.2017.1343909 Aaro's popularized article on icebreakers (in Finnish): https://journal.fi/tt/article/view/64668 Finnish Funding Agency TEKES makes video campaign with self-mutilating daredevils group Dudesons: https://www.tekes.

Who can name the worst Finnish booze? Helsinki resident Joel Willans reads from his upcoming book "101 Very Finnish Problems", and spills the beans on annoying Finnish alcohol laws. Ink Tank writer Thomas Nybergh chimes in with his hazy understanding of deterministic, genetic explanations of alcoholism. Contact: veryfinnishproblems@inktank.fi Produced by Thomas Nybergh / Ink Tank Media Shownotes: "101 Very Finnish Problems", the book: https://www.gummerus.fi/fi/kirja/9789512408597/101-very-finnish-problems/ Finnish alcohol related gene mutation: https://www.theguardian.com/science/2015/nov/17/gene-mutation-htr2b-linked-impulsive-behaviour-alcohol

Are Finnish summer cottages bourgeois forced labor camps? Very Finnish Problems creator and Helsinki resident Joel Willans talks summer annoyances with Ink Tank writer Thomas Nybergh. It’s revealed that Joel doesn’t get to play with the chainsaw and that Thomas hasn’t caught a fish in his entire life. Contact: veryfinnishproblems@inktank.fi Produced by Thomas Nybergh / Ink Tank Media

Just how deadly is a typical winter in Finland? Very Finnish Problems creator and Helsinki resident Joel Willans discusses survival strategies with Ink Tank writer Thomas Nybergh. We learn that Thomas rarely leaves Helsinki and that Joel feels bad about sucking at winter sports. Contact: veryfinnishproblems@inktank.fi Produced by Thomas Nybergh / Ink Tank Media