The concept of Swedish candy is on its way to becoming as iconic as Swedish cars, music, and design. If you ask Swedish-born Maria Stolt, founder of "Nantasket Sweets by Swedes", it is already there.

So, I steered this road trip podcast to her store at 165 Nantasket Avenue, South of Boston, to ask the inevitable question:

- What is it about Swedish candy that makes it so special?

Steered the road trip to Brooklyn, New York, to talk to Swedish trumpet player Oskar Stenmark, about life as a Swedish musician in the world's biggest melting pot, and about finding your voice through your roots.

Because Oskar comes from a family with generations of musicians behind him, some of whom already toured the United States during the middle of the last century - a discovery that has given him unexpected encounters and an opportunity to go full circle on his family's musical legacy.

I met with Thomas McIntyre Schultz, Communications at Volvo Cars USA, at their headquarters in Mahwah, New Jersey, to talk about Volvo's 70-year history in the United States, how it all started, and the footprints of the company's innovative spirit.

But halfway into this journey, this was also a good opportunity to get to know Thomas as one of my key partners in this adventure. So we got to talk about his Swedish connection, life in New York City, road-tripping in a Volvo - and the weirdness of a Swedish Pizza.