Curious about Sojo Spa Club in Edgewater, NJ? In this episode, we give our listeners an honest review of one of the most popular day spas in the NYC area—known for its Korean-inspired bathing rituals, stunning skyline views, and unique treatments like the *scorching* hot Volcanic Sand Bath. Joining me are my sisters Angie and Michelle, who share their honest reactions to everything from the cedar Hinoki soaking pool to being buried in 130-degree sand (spoiler: it got intense).

We talk about:

• -What to expect at Sojo Spa Club: thermal baths, saunas, and global spa rituals

• -Is the Volcanic Sand Bath worth it—or way too much?

• -Tips for first-timers: pricing, transportation, food, and more

• -How Sojo is helping bring accessible bathing culture to the US

  
  

• Whether you're planning a wellness weekend or just curious about modern bathhouses, this episode is your full Sojo Spa guide.

  
  

  Mentioned in this episode:

  -Dr. Susanna Søberg

  
  

  Historical / Cultural Sources:

• -I Tried Sand Bathing in Japan, and It Was Not What I Was Expecting

• -Bathing in hot sand in Ibusuki, Kagoshima

• 
  

  Learn more about Sojo Spa:

  Website: sojospaclub.com

  Instagram⁠: @sojospaclub

  
  

  This episode was edited by Lila Woodbridge.

  
  

  Badii offers passionate and curious bathers and spa-goers access to news, education, and recommendations about global bathing culture. We share all this across many platforms, including:

  Website:⁠ ⁠⁠www.badii.life⁠⁠⁠

  Email newsletter⁠⁠⁠
  

  Instagram⁠ ⁠⁠@badii.life

In this special episode, the mic is turned around as our host and founder, Sarah Spoto, sits down to share the story behind Badii — a Swiss-inspired wellness brand on a mission to grow American thermal bathing culture. Sarah is interviewed by Kathryn Flaschner, the host of The Truth Is podcast.

Join us as we dive into where the idea for Badii came from, how the healing waters of Switzerland shaped the vision, and why bringing European bathing rituals like Aufguss to more people can help create deeper community and connection.

We explore what it really means to build a purpose-driven brand today, how "entrepreneurship" isn’t just investment and growth but also building community and a balanced lifestyle.

If you’ve ever wondered what sparked this project, how you can be part of it, or what’s next for the Badii thermal bathing community — this one’s for you.

Media that Sarah is following:

-Garth Nix

-Emily Wilde’s Encyclopedia of Faeries by Heather Fawcett

-The Grief Nurse and The Bone Diver by Angie Spoto

-Susanna Søberg for cold exposure science

-Alonzo Solórzano for American Aufguss

-THE CHAIR podcast

-The Truth Is podcast

Connect with Sarah and Badii:

Website:⁠ ⁠⁠www.badii.life⁠⁠⁠

⁠⁠⁠Email newsletter⁠⁠⁠

Instagram: ⁠⁠⁠@badii.life

This episode was edited by Lila Woodbridge.

Badii offers passionate and curious bathers and spa-goers access to news, education, and recommendations about global bathing culture. We share all this across many platforms, including:

Website:⁠ ⁠⁠www.badii.life⁠⁠⁠

⁠⁠⁠Email newsletter⁠⁠⁠

Instagram⁠ ⁠⁠@badii.life

Alisa Cardenas, founder of Howl at the Moon Sauna Co. and Good Heat Retreats, joins us to talk all things sauna, community, and ritual. From mobile sauna sessions in the Michigan woods to a new retreat series launching in NYC, we explore how thermal bathing can transform travel as a way to deeply understand places, deepen connection, and inspire reflection. Alisa also shares her journey as a “saunapreneur”—the highs, the challenges, and what’s next.

Media that Alisa is following:

-Culture of Bathing substack

- S.P.A. substack

-The Perfect Sweat

-The Sauna Channel

-The Sauna Sirens at @sauna.sirens

-Sauna Times podcast

Connect with Alisa:

Instagram:

@howlatthemoonsaunaco

@goodheatretreats

Websites:

howlatthemoonsaunaco.com

discovergoodheat.com

Edited by Lila Woodbridge

Badii offers passionate and curious bathers and spa-goers access to news, education, and recommendations about global bathing culture. We share all this across many platforms, including:

Website:⁠ ⁠⁠www.badii.life⁠⁠⁠

⁠⁠⁠Email newsletter⁠⁠⁠

Instagram⁠ ⁠⁠@badii.life