Normal for Norway

Do you have water in your mouth yet? Because you're about to hear about the beloved Norwegian freezer pizza, Grandiosa; reviled by many foreigners, yet seldom given a proper examination. We even do a taste test to determine whether or not this easy meal is worth the 55 kroner (the answer may surprise you). And Indigo investigates: how dangerous is it exactly to bake a pizza when drunk? Theme music: Fuji Fakes News jingle: Christopher Helberg

It's the Norwegian concept that simply can't be translated: pålegg. Can anything on bread be pålegg? How do they get those little fish eggs into a "kaviar" tube? Did Oslo schoolchildren start intermittent fasting before it was cool? And we're joined by a guest who tells us about growing up with that pålegg life. Music: Fuji Fakes News jingle: Christopher Helberg

This week we travel to Sweden: the land of plenty. Join us on an adventure to this EU neighbor and find out why Norwegians like to pop over the border for just about anything your heart could desire.

The episode that inspired it all. Are they hot dogs, sausages, or something else entirely — and why are they so important to this country's culture? Norwegians eat HOW MANY per year? And how many angry listener messages are we going to get for revealing the number?

Easter in Norway: at the cabin, or in the city? What do you eat? Why so much crime? And what was Jesus up to anyway? Don't complain about the audio, this was recorded on a bunk bed with one mic between three people. Music: Fuji Fakes

It's time to tackle the bedrock of Norwegian modern identity: oil. In part one we're talking about the history of oil in Norway and how this place got so damn rich. Theme song: Fuji Fakes

In this episode, we investigate the geographical, sociological, and philosophical space that cabins inhabit in Norwegian life. Theme song: Fuji Fakes

Buying alcohol in Norway is weird. We talk about how you do it, why it's like this, and how to get around it...kinda. Music by Fuji Fakes

This week we investigate a national obsession—cross-country skiing. What is it? Where did it start? Why do thousands of people ski 50km every year with a 3.5kg weight in their bag? Tune in to find out! Special thanks to Aiden Trigg-Hauger/Fuji Fakes for writing and performing our theme song!

Séamus and Indigo explain why they're in Norway and what they thought of the country before they actually moved. Also, proper tourniquet techniques, Estonian alcohol, and Norwegian boyfriends.

Newsflash: it's cold in Oslo right now. Really cold. And we aren't sick of talking, complaining, and speculating about it. So buckle for the whys, hows, and also what do you DOs of when it's -24 degrees.

To support the establishment of Indigo's bookstore in Oslo, Normal for Norway recorded a very special LIVE episode! The topic of course: books. Did Vikings have books? What did they like to carve on rocks? How much did the new Oslo library cost, and why is it always overrun by the cast of Skam? All this and more will be answered. You can still donate to help start the bookstore at spleis.no/prismaticpages Find out more about Prismatic Pages at prismaticpages.com, or on Instagram and Facebook.

Don't get worms in your brain! Listen to this episode to find out how NOT to be poisoned or taken over by parasites when foraging for local treats. Want to donate to Indigo's new English language bookstore to help it get off the ground? Visit this link: https://spleis.no/prismaticpages And follow Prismatic Pages on Instagram @prismatic.pages Theme music: Fuji Fakes News jingle: Christopher Helberg

As autumn is soon upon us, it felt time to address a very cozy topic: foraging. Have you ever picked berries in the woods? What about mushrooms, or nettles? Warnings and tips abound, but first we dive into the history and significance of foraging (New Nordic cuisine anyone?). Theme music: Fuji Fakes News jingle: Christopher Helberg

It's summer and what does that mean? That nothing is happening. But we dragged ourselves to the mics to record this podcast just for our listeners. Theme music: Fuji Fakes News jingle: Christopher Helberg

We're back and weighing in on sensitive topics like sunglasses (if you know, you know, and if you don't we'll fill you in), ferry boats, and the odd things people get up to when there's bad weather in Oslo. Theme music: Fuji Fakes News jingle: Christopher Helberg

It's a Pride miracle! We're popping by with some stories of iconic lesbians, criminalization and decriminalization of gay sex, and of course the news in review (gay sex...in the forest?). Theme music: Fuji Fakes News jingle: Christopher Helberg

Here's a little selection of the wackiest news stories from the last month or so -- still not sponsored by Avisa Oslo, but we'll keep asking. Theme music: Fuji Fakes News jingle: Christopher Helberg

It's the episode that transcends language. We've all probably had tacos before, but have you really? Have you eaten...a Norwegian taco? This is the deepest dive you'll ever need (or frankly, want) into the national Friday dish. We go out on fieldwork, name drop academics who will soon be sending cease-and-desists, and put in the work to analyze the importance of a puzzling Norwegian obsession. Theme music: Fuji Fakes News jingle: Christopher Helberg

Concluding season 1, we finish discussing oil. What does it do for the average Norwegian? Is it true everyone is entitled to a Gucci bag? And how many ants do we need to figure this all out? Up next, on season 2: food in Norway, starting with a trip to Sweden.