The Josh and John Show

Episodes

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  När allt ska maxas: sticky buns och ett samhälle på helspänn. 07.10.2026 41m

  Sticky buns are taking off in Sweden—but can you improve on a classic kanelbulle? Josh and John talk cinnamon buns, semlor, Sweden’s love of candy, and Norway’s sugar tax. Then an Oslo trip leads to a more serious conversation about Norway’s wartime history, Sweden’s neutrality, the 22 July attacks, everyday racism, and radicalization. A conversation that starts with extra icing and ends with bigger questions about history, society, and how we understand one another.
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  Alla vann valet… eller?! 🇸🇪 24.09.2026 36m

  The votes have been counted, but apparently everyone won.Josh and John attempt to untangle the Swedish election results, coalition negotiations and the strange power held by Sweden’s smaller political parties.Can Centerpartiet support a government without cooperating with Vänsterpartiet or Sverigedemokraterna? Could Sweden end up with a minority government—or even face another election? And why does every party describe the result as some form of victory?They also discuss reports of possible election irregularities, political messaging and whether American-style distrust is beginning to affect Sweden’s traditionally high level of trust in its democratic institutions.Swedish politics, American confusion and some questionable mathematics—it’s another episode of The Josh & John Show.
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  Är Sverige på väg att bli USA?! 10.09.2026 45m

  Is Sweden starting to look more like the United States?Josh and John dive into Swedish politics through American and Swedish eyes. They compare Sweden’s eight-party system with America’s two-party divide, unpack tactical voting and ask whether political polarization is growing in Sweden.They also discuss “Vi gör Sverige till Sverige igen,” immigration and integration, the Swedish welfare state, economic inequality and why Swedes are often reluctant to say how they vote.For Josh, an immigrant who genuinely wants to become Swedish, one question sits at the heart of the conversation: Who gets to decide what it means to be Swedish?An honest, curious and occasionally uncomfortable conversation about politics, identity, fear and building a society together.
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  USA vann över Europa – med ranch dressing?! 04.09.2026 40m

  Could ranch dressing be America’s greatest cultural export?After a two-month break, Josh and John are finally back! We talk about Europeans discovering America during the World Cup—and apparently falling in love with ranch dressing along the way.We also unpack the surprisingly short Swedish summer, debate which part of Sweden’s west coast is the real Västkusten, consider whether eating sill is essential to becoming Swedish, and catch up on summer life, freezing swims, football, family and the return to school.Two guys. Two languages. Plenty of cultural quirks. Welcome back to The Josh & John Show!
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  An American Soccer Idiot Tries To Understand World Cup 2026 11.06.2026 1h 2m

  Why does Sweden care so much about the World Cup? Why do people wake up in the middle of the night to watch football? And… does Sweden actually have a chance?In this episode, Josh (the self-proclaimed American soccer idiot) tries to understand the magic of the World Cup while John explains Sweden’s football obsession, legendary World Cup memories, Sweden’s chances in 2026, dark horses, superstar players, and why the whole country suddenly becomes football crazy.If you’ve ever wondered why the World Cup matters — this episode is for you.🇸🇪⚽🇺🇸
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  Why do Swedes seem so good at relaxing… while Americans struggle to slow down? 05.06.2026 43m

  Josh and John talk about one of the biggest differences between Swedish and American culture: summer, vacation, planning, and productivity.Josh shares why this is the first summer in 8 years that his family doesn’t have every week planned out — and why that feels strangely stressful. John explains Swedish summer rhythms, spontaneity, camping culture, and why some people genuinely enjoy just “seeing what happens.”Plus: John tries to guess the meaning of bizarre American phrases like “spill the beans,” “cold turkey,” and “break a leg.”Are you a planner… or a go-with-the-flow person?
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  The Weirdest Swedish Word I’ve Ever Heard… 🇸🇪 28.05.2026 39m

  Why do Swedes call things exactly what they are? 🤯This week, Josh completely loses it after hearing the Swedish word “enäggstvilling” (one egg twin = identical twin 😅). From weird Swedish words to hockey card nostalgia, marathon training, cold plunges, hydration obsessions, and an unexpectedly passionate bathroom debate… this episode goes everywhere.Classic Josh & John chaos — Sweden vs America, cultural differences, random rabbit trails, and plenty of laughs.
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  I Went on Swedish TV… and Realized I’ve Become Swedish 😳 🇸🇪🇺🇸 21.05.2026 47m

  Josh recently spent a day filming for a Swedish TV program with a group of Americans — and left with an unexpected realization: he might actually be becoming Swedish.In this episode, Josh and John unpack the cultural differences between Americans and Swedes, what it feels like to live between two identities, and why silence suddenly feels… comforting.They also talk about a growing concern after youth camp: What happens when teenagers lose their phones? Has the smartphone generation lost the ability to handle boredom — and what does that mean for the future?Plus: Arsenal celebrations, Eurovision reactions, and classic Josh & John chaos.
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  Why Swedes Are TERRIFIED of Small Talk 🇸🇪 07.05.2026 45m

  Why does silence feel normal in Sweden…but awkward in America?This week Josh and John unpack the strange world of Swedish small talk, awkward silences, weather conversations, and the hidden social rules of Sweden. Josh tries to figure out how you actually make conversation with Swedes…while John explains why many Swedes genuinely enjoy quiet moments.Along the way:grocery store culture shocksparenting storiesLiseberg nostalgiaAmerican oversharingSwedish social survival tipsIf you’ve ever wondered:“Why are Swedes so quiet?”…this episode will make you laugh and feel very seen.
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  Swedish Valborg Explained to an American 🇸🇪🔥 (Wait… You Yell ‘Hurra’?!) 30.04.2026 40m

  What is Valborg… really? 🇸🇪🔥In this episode, Josh tries to understand one of Sweden’s most iconic traditions — from bonfires and choirs to the surprising moment when everyone suddenly yells “Hurra!”Along the way, Josh and John compare Swedish and American culture, from calm Scandinavian traditions to chaotic US commercials and life in Chicago.A fun, honest, and slightly confused look at what it means to celebrate spring in Sweden.
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  If I Was 20 Again… I’d Do THIS Completely Differently 19.04.2026 30m

  If you were 20 again… what would you change?Josh and John reflect on life from 20 to 36 — the dreams, the risks, the mistakes, and the responsibilities that slowly take over.From spontaneous adventures and big life decisions to cultural differences between Sweden and the U.S. (yes… including sauna and cold baths), this episode is a mix of humor, honesty, and perspective.A real conversation about growing up — and trying not to lose the freedom you once had.
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  An American Reacts to Swedish Easter Traditions 😂🐣 11.04.2026 40m

  A light, funny, and surprisingly deep Easter episode of The Josh & John Show.This week Josh reacts to some of Sweden’s wildest Easter traditions: påskkärringar, Easter candy, sill, påskmust, and why Swedish spring feels like resurrection itself.Along the way, the guys also dive into March Madness, American sports culture, school pride, and why Swedes celebrate Easter in such a unique way.From basketball brackets to witches at the door, this one goes everywhere—in the best way.🇸🇪🇺🇸 Perfect for anyone who loves:Sweden vs America culture differencesEaster traditionsSwedish food + holidayssports talkfun conversations that somehow become meaningful
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  From Bamse to the Manosphere… what happened to boys? 02.04.2026 40m

  In this episode of The Josh & John Show, we start with Swedish nostalgia, kids’ culture, and the stories boys grow up with—then take a sharp turn into one of today’s biggest conversations: why so many young men feel lost.Using Louis Theroux’s Manosphere documentary as a jumping-off point, Josh and John explore:why boys are searching for identitythe rise of masculinity influencersTikTok as a digital father figurewhy discipline can become dominancewhat healthy male role models should actually look likehow Sweden and America are experiencing the same tension in different waysThis is a real conversation about boys, belonging, identity, fathers, algorithms, and what kind of men we are forming in 2026.A thoughtful Sweden 🇸🇪 meets America 🇺🇸 episode for parents, leaders, pastors, and anyone trying to understand young men today.
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  Why Swedes LOVE Working (And Americans Don’t?) 🇸🇪🇺🇸 27.03.2026 38m

  Why do Swedes seem to enjoy work… while Americans are just trying to survive it? 🇸🇪🇺🇸In this episode of The Josh & John Show, we dive into one of the biggest cultural differences between Sweden and the United States: our relationship with work.From fika breaks ☕ to generous vacation time 🌿 to a culture that values balance over burnout — Sweden offers a completely different perspective on what work is supposed to be.Meanwhile, in the U.S., work is often tied to identity, success, and constant productivity.So what’s going on beneath the surface?👉 Why do Swedes protect their time so fiercely?👉 Why do Americans struggle to slow down?👉 Is one system actually better — or just different?This episode explores work culture, identity, rest, ambition, and what it means to live a meaningful life — whether you're in Sweden, the U.S., or somewhere in between.
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  Why Americans Talk About Faith… But Swedes Don’t 20.03.2026 38m

  Why do Americans talk about faith so openly—while Swedes often don’t?In this episode, Josh and John explore the cultural gap between the US and Sweden when it comes to belief, identity, and personal conversations. From church culture to everyday life, they unpack why some societies are more open—and others more reserved.It’s a conversation about faith, culture, and what happens when certainty turns into curiosity.
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  Would You Kill a Murderer? Sweden vs America on the Death Penalty 13.03.2026 44m

  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.
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  Divorce Is a Lifehack Now? Sweden’s Wildest Relationship Trend 05.03.2026 47m

  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.
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  From Grief to Gold Medals — Life Comes in Waves 27.02.2026 35m

  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.
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  Riding the Chicago EL: Tacos, Trains, and a Complicated Love for America 05.02.2026 33m

  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.
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  Why People With the Best Relationships Live Longer (And What We’re Getting Wrong) 22.01.2026 50m

  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.