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An American and a Swede walk into a bar…
59 Episodes
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In this episode Josh and John explore one of the biggest moral questions in modern society: what should justice look like when someone commits the worst possible crime?The conversation begins with a personal reflection on stress, burnout, and how the nervous system responds after long periods of pressure. From there the discussion moves to the unique practice of silent retreats and why stepping away from noise and productivity can reveal what’s really happening inside us.The episode then shifts to a powerful discussion about death row in Texas, inspired by a Swedish documentary about a man awaiting execution.Should society punish or rehabilitate?Can a person who has done something terrible ever truly change?Sweden and the United States take very different approaches to justice, and this conversation explores the tension between justice, mercy, and hope.
In this episode of The Josh & John Show, we react to something we recently heard that stopped us in our tracks:Someone described divorce as a “lifehack.”The idea? That separating can actually improve life — giving parents freedom, independence, and the ability to live two different lifestyles.But is that really how it works?Josh and John unpack the idea together, discussing relationships, family life, and the tension between individual freedom and commitment. Along the way they also dive into:Self-confidence vs self-imageWhy modern life can make relationships harderSwedish vs American cultural differencesCandy sold by the kilo in SwedenAnd the random debate about whether Australia is a continent.A thoughtful, honest conversation about relationships, culture, and the stories we tell ourselves about happiness.
Some weeks feel like a wave.Some feel like a tsunami.In this episode, we talk about moving from grief to gold medals — leading a funeral, walking with people through depression, and then sitting up late watching USA vs Sweden hockey and Olympic drama.Life doesn’t separate heavy moments from joyful ones. They often come in the same week.We reflect on:– Asking “How are you?” and meaning it– Cultural differences between Sweden and the US– Olympic highs and hockey heartbreak– What pressure reveals about identity– Staying grounded when life speeds upFrom grief to gold medals — life really does come in waves.
In this episode of The Josh & John Show, Josh and John are back in Chicago—recording part of the conversation while riding the Chicago EL train downtown. What starts as a travel moment turns into a raw, honest conversation about American culture, immigration, ICE, and what it means to love a country that feels deeply broken and deeply good at the same time.They talk about:Life and culture in ChicagoRiding the EL and what makes the city feel aliveICE, immigration, and the tension in the U.S. right nowWhy America feels “screwed up”… and why they still love itBirria tacos, sports, travel, and everyday moments that shape perspectiveThis episode blends travel, culture, politics, and personal reflection—unfiltered and real. It’s a conversation about holding complexity, resisting easy answers, and refusing to cancel an entire country while still naming what’s wrong.🎙️ Listen, subscribe, and leave a review—it helps more than you know.
Why do people with strong relationships tend to live longer — and healthier — lives? And what are we getting wrong about success, productivity, and aging well?In this episode of The Josh & John Show, we explore the surprising link between relationships, longevity, and quality of life. Starting with a personal story about John's 96-year-old grandmother, we unpack what decades of research (including long-term studies on happiness and health) reveal: it’s not money, status, or even perfect health habits that matter most — it’s meaningful human connection.We also talk about:Why modern life makes us more isolated than everThe difference between having many relationships vs. deep onesWhy productivity culture may be working against our well-beingHow aging, purpose, and community are deeply connectedThis is a reflective, honest conversation about what actually leads to a long and meaningful life — and how we might need to rethink what we’re chasing.
What will 2026 actually look like?In this episode of The Josh & John Show, we share our bold predictions for 2026, covering global politics, international conflict, world events, and sports — with honesty, humor, and a few hot takes.We talk about:The Swedish election year and political shiftsWhat might happen next in global conflicts and world power dynamicsThe future of USA politics and global influenceSports predictions, including Olympic hopes and surprisesWhy the world feels chaotic — and where we still find hopeThis is a thoughtful, unscripted conversation about the future, fear, optimism, and what it’s like to live in uncertain times.🎙️ New episodes weekly.📌 Follow the podcast and leave a rating — it really helps more people find us.
What do you hear when you listen back to an entire year of your own podcast?In this episode, Josh and John do a full 2025 year-in-review, revisiting episode titles, viral clips, cultural moments, and the conversations that defined the year — from lighthearted laughs to unexpected existential depth.We talk about:What it’s like when clips go viralCultural shifts in Sweden and the U.S.Aging, stress, and reflectionFriendship and why we keep doing this podcastWhat surprised us most listening backThis isn’t a highlight reel — it’s an honest rewind.Two friends, one year, and a lot of conversations that meant more than we realized at the time.Thanks for being part of the journey.🎙️ The Josh & John Show — thoughtful conversations about culture, life, and everything in between.
The Moments We Almost Didn’t Make ItWe sat down to record a Christmas episode… and ended up somewhere else entirely.In this unplanned conversation, we reflect on near-death experiences, close calls, medical scares, aging bodies, and the moments that remind us how fragile life really is. From risky life stories and injuries to unexpected calm in moments of fear, this episode slowly turns into an honest year-end reflection.It’s an accidental year-end episode about aging, close calls, fragile bodies, and how scary moments can bring clarity — with humor, perspective, and real talk along the way.• Warming up & setting the tone• Aging, chronic pain, and bodies breaking down• Medical scares and moments of real uncertainty• Calm vs panic in emergency situations• Risky stories, close calls, and “that could’ve gone badly” moments• Accidents, injuries, and learning from younger selves• Mortality, responsibility, and perspective with age• Christmas shows up (briefly)• Gratitude, reflection, and slowing down at year’s endEpisode Chapters
What is Swedish Christmas actually like — and why does it feel so different from Christmas in the USA?In this episode of Josh & John, a Swede explains Swedish Christmas traditions to an American living in Sweden. From Advent candles, Lucia processions, Elf on the Shelf chaos, and Christmas calendars, to the legendary julbord (Swedish Christmas food), we unpack what makes December in Sweden so unique.We talk about:Why Advent is such a big deal in SwedenLucia, light in the darkness, and childhood traditionsElf on the Shelf (USA) and why parents are exhausted by DecemberSwedish Christmas food (julbord) explainedHow traditions shape kids, families, and expectationsThe biggest culture shocks Americans experience at Christmas in SwedenWhether you’re Swedish, American, or just curious about life and culture in Scandinavia, this episode is cozy, honest, and full of laughs.🎄 New episodes weekly🇸🇪🇺🇸 Swedish–American culture, faith & everyday life🎙️ Hosted by Josh & John
We’re back with our friend Hannah Saldner for another round of hilarious Sweden–USA culture shocks. This week we dive even deeper into the everyday Swedish habits that still confuse us — from four-wheel-drive shopping carts to roundabouts, preschool hills, skohorns, weird language phrases, and even… why Swedes sell bags of moss at ICA.We also talk about:• Why Swedes say “ursäkta” instead of “sorry”• The mysterious Swedish “resting confused face”• Why Americans can’t switch languages in relationships• Skohorn culture (and Josh’s 4-year-old’s obsession 😂)• “Det suger,” “sjukt,” “det värsta,” and other phrases we keep messing up• The Swedish–American struggle of wanting to sound polite but not weird• Why Costco carts feel like a dream compared to ICA’s chaosIf you’re an expat, a Swede, or someone who loves culture-shock conversations — you’ll love this one.Hit follow, rate the show, and send us your own “weird Swedish things.”
In this laugh-filled episode, Josh and John are joined by fellow American expat Hannah Saldner to uncover the strangest everyday quirks in Sweden — the things no one tells you before you move here.We talk about 4-wheel shopping carts, low toilet water levels, Ullared expectations vs reality, silent parents at kids’ sports, Swedish dialect debates, parental leave culture, and why the ice cream truck arrives right at bedtime.A perfect episode for:🇺🇸 Americans living in Sweden🇸🇪 Swedes who want to hear how their culture looks from the outside😂 Anyone who loves funny cross-cultural storiesHit follow and share the episode with a friend who’s lived abroad!
John takes Josh on a wild journey through the infamous Knutby cult — one of the most shocking and talked-about church scandals in Swedish history.We unpack the murders, the theology, the control, Kristi brud, and the new evidence now in the news.Plus: Thanksgiving, cultural differences, and a whole lot of laughter in between.Fun, honest, and surprisingly deep.New episodes every week
Trump wants to introduce 50-year mortgages in the United States — but in Sweden, people already live that way. In this episode, Josh and John break down the cultural, economic, and emotional differences between how Americans and Swedes think about housing.We talk about:Why Swedes take 50-year (or interest-only!) loans without blinkingWhy Americans MUST “own” their home — and why they fear the bankWhether Trump’s proposal helps people or traps themAmortization rules, refinancing, and trust in institutionsThe surprising reasons young people struggle entering the marketA fun, honest, and very real conversation about two totally different worlds of home-ownership.
Swedes love insurance — like, really love it. 🇸🇪Josh and John unpack why everything in Sweden seems insured, from your car to your coffee break. What does that say about trust, security, and how Swedes view life?It’s a funny, insightful deep dive into the Swedish comfort zone (and how different it is from American “sink or swim” life).#JoshAndJohnShow #SwedenCulture #Försäkringskassan
🍂 Fall in Sweden hits different!Josh (the American) and John (the Swede) swap stories about cozy candles, Halloween confusion, Swedish tacos, and why Thanksgiving never really took off here. Grab a warm drink and join us for a laugh-filled dive into how Swedes celebrate fall — and why it’s so different from the U.S. 🇸🇪🇺🇸
From lost keys to pump-and-dump crypto chaos…Josh & John dive into the wild world of modern scams — from french jewel heists to AI voices that sound like your best friend 🤖💔Would you fall for a “too good to be true” deal? Or are you the one still waiting for your Nigerian prince to text back? 👑😂
Josh just got back from Italy — and things got very American. From over-excited tourists at the Uffizi to realizing that the Ninja Turtles are actually Renaissance artists (mind blown 🤯), this episode dives into culture shock, Florence art history, and one very unexpected encounter with Liv Tyler.We also compare Swedish chill vs American emotion… and ask: Do Americans really have to comment on everything? 🇮🇹🇺🇸👉 Drop a comment: Are you more like a “quiet Swede” or a “loud American” on vacation?
What happens when a cashless society meets AI? 🇸🇪 vs 🇺🇸We dive into Swedish BankID, Klarna, scams, and why Swedes trust the government while Americans… don’t. Plus, childhood skating stories, hot chocolate memories, and some very strange baseball metaphors 🏒⚾.👉 Listen now for laughs, cultural quirks, and some serious questions about trust in tech.
✨ We rewind to childhood and laugh our way through the games, toys, and memories that shaped growing up in Sweden 🇸🇪 and the USA 🇺🇸.From VHS movie nights and yo-yo crazes to “rutan,” “burken,” and late-night neighborhood adventures—this episode is packed with nostalgia, cultural quirks, and stories that might just trigger your own best memories.🎧 Listen now on Spotify & YouTube!
What does it mean to be a man in 2025? In this episode, Josh and John dive into the cultural waters of Sweden and the USA, exploring gender roles, expectations, and how masculinity is changing across generations. From Charlie Kirk and culture wars to parenting, relationships, and work-life balance, they unpack the big questions about what women expect, what men fear, and how character—not macho bravado—might be the real measure of manhood today.🎙️ Two guys, two languages, and plenty of laughs mixed with honest reflection.
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