Northwoods Kindred Podcast

#asatru #norsepagan #heathenry #norsecommunity #northwoodskindred Social media has made it easier than ever to learn about Heathenry—but with so many voices online, how do you know who to trust? In this episode, Gothi Bodvarr and Gydia Skogul discuss what makes a good teacher, why popularity doesn't always equal credibility, how to recognize red and green flags, and why it's important to t...

#asatru #norsepagan #solopractice #northwoodskindred Walking the path of Asatru doesn't require a large kindred or a dedicated community. Many Heathens begin—and some choose to remain—on a solitary path. In this episode, Gothi Bodvarr and Gydia Skogul discuss 9 practical strategies to help solo practitioners build a meaningful, sustainable, and authentic Heathen practice. Whether you're ne...

#mensmentalhealth #warriors #asatru #norsepagan #northwoodskindred #shieldwall Every 13 minutes, another man is lost to suicide. Behind every statistic is a husband, a father, a son, a brother, a friend—a place left empty in the shield wall. In this episode, Gothi Bodvarr and Gydia Skogul have an honest conversation about the challenges facing men today. From the stigma surrounding mental health t...

#asatru #norsepagan #pagan #northwoodskindred #bootcamp #militaryWhat does military service look like for a Heathen? When should you identify your faith? Should you request religious accommodations before you leave for boot camp, during training, or after arriving at your first duty station? In this episode, Gothi Bodvarr and Gydia Skogul draw on military experience, research, and conversations wi...

#asatru #norsepagan #pagan #northwoodskindred #spirituality #military In this episode, Gothi Bodvarr and Skogul Gydia take a closer look at the recent changes to the Department of Defense's religious affiliation codes and what those changes may mean for Heathens, Pagans, and other minority faith communities serving in the military. For years, Heathens fought for recognition and visibility with...

#asatru #norsepagan #northwoodskindred #podcast In Part Two of our conversation with Northwoods Kindred kinsman Gråfjell, Gydia Skogul and Gothi Bodvarr continue exploring the challenges and rewards of living a Heathen life while serving on active duty in the United States Air Force. Stationed at the United States Air Force Academy in Colorado, Gråfjell shares more of his personal experiences, les...

#asatru #norsepagan #northwoodskindred #podcast In this special two-part episode of the Northwoods Kindred Podcast, Skogul Gydia and Gothi Bodvarr sit down with Northwoods Kindred kinsman Gråfjell for an honest conversation about faith, service, discipline, and brotherhood. Currently serving on active duty with the United States Air Force at the United States Air Force Academy in Colorado, Gråfjel...

#asatru #norsepagan #southwestfrithmoot #northwoodskindred #heathens For this episode of the Northwoods Kindred Podcast, Gothi Bodvarr and Skogul Gydia sit down with longtime friend Vince Enlund — founder and co-operator of Southwest Frithmoot alongside his wife, Vince is also the creator of American Heathen, and owner of Longship Studio. Having known Vince for over 20 years, this conversation goe...

#asatru #norsepagan #norsecommunity #northwoodskindred #podcast For years we worked the full-time grind. Clocking in, surviving burnout, and trying to build a meaningful life in the hours left over. This week marks our last week working full time at Goodwill. In this episode, Gothi Bodvarr and Skogul Gydia sit down to talk honestly about why we made the decision to step away from the modern corpor...

#asatru #norsepagan #norsecommunity #northwoodskindred #kindred Starting a kindred is something many people feel called to—but very few truly understand. In this episode, Gothi Bodvarr and Gydia Skogul sit down and speak from lived experience about what it really takes to build a kindred from the ground up. Not the polished version you see online, but the reality that comes with leadership, respon...

#asatru #norsepagan #pagan #northwoodskindred #spirituality Faith is not something that stays frozen in time—it grows, deepens, and shifts as we gain experience, face challenges, and build relationships with the Gods, ancestors, and our community. In this episode, we talk openly about how our path in Asatru has evolved over the years. From early steps and first understandings to deeper practices a...

Our first Asatru Global Hike and Ritual is officially in the books — and it was something truly special. Funded through the support of Asatru Global’s Patreon and our generous benefactors, this gathering brought heathens together for a day of movement, ritual, and real-world kinship. In this episode of the Northwoods Kindred Podcast, Gothi Bodvarr and Skogul Gydia sit down to talk about how the da...

#asatru #norsegods #asatruglobal #norsepagan #northwoodskindred In Episode 57 of the Northwoods Kindred Podcast, Gothi Bodvarr and Gydia Skogul sit down to talk about something truly historic for our community — the planning and hosting of our very first public ritual and gathering under our 501(c)(3), Asatru Global. This upcoming community gathering marks an important milestone for us. For the fi...

#asatru #norsegods #norsemythology #norsepagan #northwoodskindred Back by popular demand – Part 2 of our community Q&A with Gothi Bodvarr. We answer YOUR questions about living Asatru and modern Norse Pagan practice, plus share insider insights you won’t find anywhere else! In this episode of the Northwoods Kindred Podcast, we answer questions directly from our community. This marks the end of...

#asatru #norsegods #norsemythology #norsepagan #northwoodskindred In this episode of the Northwoods Kindred Podcast, we answer questions directly from our community. This marks the end of the first quarter of 2026, and the response from our community was incredible. The questions were thoughtful, challenging, and meaningful enough that we had to split this Q&A into two parts. In Part 1, we beg...

#asatru #norsepagan #kindred #norsepaganism #northwoodskindred Thinking about starting a Heathen kindred but not sure where to begin? In Northwoods Kindred Podcast Episode 54, Gothi Bodvarr and Mine Gydia share real-world experience on how to start a kindred, build strong Heathen community, and create lasting bonds rooted in frith, reciprocity, and shared purpose. We discuss the realities of formi...

#asatru #odin #norsemythology #norsepagan #northwoodskindred What if the stranger at your door is more than they seem? In this episode of the Northwoods Kindred Podcast, Gothi Bodvarr and Gydia Skogul explore hospitality, reciprocity, and obligation in Norse paganism and Asatru traditions. Learn how the Heathen guest code guided Viking communities, and discover the spiritual lessons in welcoming t...

#Asatru #NorsePaganism #northwoodskindred #norsegodsJoin Gothi Bodvarr and Gydia Skogul on this episode of the Northwoods Kindred Podcast as they explore The Structure of Ritual (How Sacred Ceremonies Actually Work). From the fire-lit circle to the altar and offerings, they break down how rituals are intentionally designed, why each element matters, and how structure shapes the power and meaning o...

In this episode of the Northwoods Kindred Podcast, we discuss UPG (Unverified Personal Gnosis) and SPG (Shared Personal Gnosis) in modern Asatru and Norse Paganism. What role does personal spiritual experience play in Heathenry? When does UPG remain personal devotion — and when does it become theology? How should Norse Pagans balance lived experience with historical lore? We examine spiritual auth...

Are the Norse Gods real beings? Archetypes of the human mind? Forces of nature? Or all of the above? In this episode of the Northwoods Kindred Podcast, we explore one of the most debated questions in modern Heathenry. We break down what it means to experience Odin, Thor, and Freyja as independent beings, psychological archetypes, or living forces moving through the world. This conversation isn’t a...

On this episode of the Northwoods Kindred Podcast, we talk about a foundational truth of Norse Paganism: Heathenry is communal. Historically, Asatru and Heathen practice were rooted in clan, tribe, and community. The Norse worldview was built on kinship, shared honor, mutual obligation, and community life — not modern lone wolf individualism. We explore how Viking Age society functioned, why worsh...

On this episode of the Northwoods Kindred Podcast, Gothi Bodvarr and Gydia Skogul sit down to talk about the heart of Norse culture—the sagas. We explore what the sagas really are: part history, part story, and part sacred narrative. These are not just old Viking tales. They are records of values, memory, reputation, and worldview that shaped Heathen life for generations. This conversation looks a...

In this episode, Gothi Bodvarr and Gydia Skogul discuss Norse Paganism through the Christian lens on the Northwoods Kindred Podcast. We explore how the Poetic Edda, Prose Edda, and Icelandic sagas were written down by Christian scribes, and what that means for modern Asatru and Heathen practice. This conversation focuses on learning to read Norse mythology with context, recognizing Christian influ...

In this episode, Gothi Bodvarr and Gydia Skogul talk plainly about why we keep politics out of Asatru. This isn’t about avoiding responsibility or ignoring the world around us. It’s about protecting the sacred from being turned into a tool for power, ideology, or outrage. We’ve seen what happens when religion gets pulled into politics — people harden, communities fracture, and faith stops forming...

Explore the Arch Heathen worldview with Gothi Bodvarr & Gydia Skogul. We dive into Norse paganism, Ásatrú, and Heathen philosophy, uncovering the wisdom of the gods, ancestral guidance, and the principles that shape modern Heathen living. Learn how to live with courage, honor, and kinship, understand the gods and spirits, and bring ancient Norse practices into your daily life. Perfect for thos...