Finding Good Heat Wherever You Go | Tom Carlson and the SaunaTimes Public Sauna Map | Sauna Talk 92

What makes a good sauna? And how do you find good heat when you're away from home?

Today on Sauna Talk, we welcome Tom Carlson, a Wisconsin sauna enthusiast, SaunaTimes contributor, and one of the driving forces behind the SaunaTimes Public Sauna Map.

Tom caught the sauna bug during a visit to Germany some 15 years ago. What began as a single afternoon exploring traditional European sauna culture turned into a lifelong appreciation for good heat, cool downs, relaxation, and the entire sauna experience.

As Tom discovered, sauna isn't simply about sitting in a hot room. It's about the rounds, the steam, the cool downs, the conversations, and what happens afterward.

The SaunaTimes Public Sauna Map

Along with fellow volunteer Kevin, Tom helps maintain and grow the SaunaTimes Public Sauna Map, a resource designed to help sauna enthusiasts find authentic public saunas wherever their travels may take them.

With more than 200 locations listed at the time of our conversation, the map is becoming a valuable resource for those searching for good heat.

Tom explains the challenge of finding traditional saunas among the many infrared studios, fitness centers, and other businesses that appear in a typical online search. His goal is simple: make it easier for people to find the real deal.

We talk about what makes a sauna worthy of the map, the growth of public sauna culture in North America, and opportunities to make sauna more accessible to travelers.

From Germany to the Backyard Sauna Bench

Tom and I first met at Larsmont Cottages in Two Harbors, Minnesota, where he approached me with a Wisconsin six-pack and a heartfelt thank-you for helping inspire his sauna journey.

Fast-forward a couple of sauna days, and Tom found himself passing through Minneapolis. Naturally, we ended up on the bench in my backyard sauna, joined by neighbor Darren Mace.

With the recorder rolling and the rocks hot, our conversation wanders through sauna travel, public bathing, cold plunging, backyard saunas, and the little things that make each sauna experience unique.

We also discuss Tom's contributions to SaunaTimes through his Public Sauna of the Month articles, where he visits sauna businesses and shares the stories of the people bringing good heat to their communities.

The Whole Sauna Experience

One of my favorite moments comes when Tom explains what he thinks people misunderstand about sauna.

It's not about getting into a hot room, enduring the heat, and checking the experience off your list.

It's about the entire process.

Heat. Cool. Rest. Repeat.

And for Tom, perhaps the best part comes afterward: the PSC, or Post Sauna Chill. That wonderful moment when the rounds are finished, you're back in comfortable clothes, drinking some water, and enjoying the relaxed feeling that follows a good sauna session.

We finish with an extended löyly session, recorded right from the hot room.

So whether you're traveling in search of your next great public sauna or enjoying good heat in your own backyard, this episode is for you.

Help Us Grow the Public Sauna Map

Know of a great public sauna that isn't on the map? We'd love to hear about it.

Visit https://www.saunatimes.com and find the Public Sauna Map to explore locations or submit a sauna worth sharing.

And if you enjoy writing about sauna experiences, consider contributing a Public Sauna of the Month story.

Like a candle lighting another candle, good heat is meant to be shared.

Thanks for listening, and I'll see you on the bench.

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