Anne-Mari Paster, Elizabeth “Helvi” Brauer, and Julie Rice join The Upper Bench to discuss the cultural nuances of sauna and nudity. They share personal stories from Finland and the United States, touching on the importance of comfort, consent, and respect in sauna settings. The conversation explores how different backgrounds shape views on nudity, from traditions in Nordic countries to more reserved perspectives in America and beyond. Throughout, they emphasize creating a welcoming, judgment-free space that values dialogue and mutual understanding in both private and public sauna experiences.

https://www.theupperbench.com

https://finlandiafoundation.org

Elizabeth "Helvi" Brauer is the founder of Luumu - Finnish Living and a founding-member of the 612 Sauna Cooperative in Minneapolis, MN.

https://www.luumuabc.com

CONTENT

00:00 Introduction and Welcome

02:30 Cultural Perspectives on Sauna Nudity

10:45 Comfort and Consent in Sauna

20:15 Personal Experiences and Stories

35:00 Additional Thoughts and Takeaways