Today I'm welcoming Alda Sigmundsdóttir to the podcast. Alda is the author of The Little Books series, including The Little Book of the Icelanders, Little Book of the Icelanders in the Old Days, The Little Book of the Icelanders at Christmas, and at least 6 more works of both non-fiction and fiction, all centered on Alda's homeland of Iceland. She's a master at her craft.
The book that caught my attention, however, was her memoir, titled Daughter, about her formative years living outside of Iceland, in Canada, at the choice of her narcissistic mother. Her story is beautifully and powerfully told. It offers no easy answers and no pat explanations, but it does offer profound hope to the reader.
There are many books out right now that discuss childhood trauma and mental health - and, there are many books written from an entirely different perspective, tackling childhood trauma and spiritual healing.
But Alda's story of being shattered and put back together is the only book I have ever read addressing the intersection of childhood trauma, mental health, and spiritual healing.
If you've ever felt the truth was out of reach or watched someone you love spiral into darkness, then Daughter was written for you. It was Alda's vulnerable, sacrificial labor of love so that you may feel seen in your own suffering.
I'm so honored to introduce Alda to you and to share our conversation, which has been reverberating in my mind for several weeks now.
Highlights
- Pönnukökur: Icelandic pancakes (more like crepes) - Their meaning to Alda and her family as well as Icelandic history & culture
- The two ways to eat Pönnukökur - w/ sugar OR jam & whipped cream
- "Butter was actually a currency at one point in our history."
- Traditional Icelandic food vs. Modern Icelandic food
- A wind in her back propelling her forward.
- What would Alda say to someone who wants to find the life of unmerited gifts she has found… but doesn't know how?
- The 12-step programs of AA and Al-Anon
- The purpose of suffering - to destroy our illusions
- Alda's suffering - in spite of the gifts
- Childhood trauma and what it does to the psyche and spirit of a person - and how Alda
- Alcohol, generational trauma, and demonic energies
- What Alda needed to set aside in order to write this memoir.
- "I see you."
Listen to Alda Now
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Alda's Storied Recipe: Icelandic Pancakes (Pönnukökur)
Links: Find Alda & Her Books
Website: aldasigmunds.com
Substack: Letter from Iceland
Substack: Things I Don't Talk About at Parties
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