Local podcast attracted big crowd during live broadcast
On 7 November, it was time for the popular local Jönköping podcast “Unnergången” to run its first live broadcast in an organized format. The broadcast broke audience records and attracted around 150 visitors to listen to old anecdotes and stories about the JMW area.
“If there's one thing that's amazing in Jönköping, it's JU”, said Staffan Hagberg, musician and one of the producers of the podcast.
From left side Lennart Lindberg, Lennart Angselius and Staffan Hagberg during the live broadcast.
The JMW hall in the university library at Jönköping University (JU) was packed when the public, JU students and other interested parties gathered on Thursday afternoon to listen to stories about the JMW area and take part in humorous anecdotes from the past.
“It's great that so many people have joined us today,” said Sofia Nodén, librarian at the university library and one of the organizers.
“Unnergångspodden” premiered in February 2023, and has since then had a major impact and become very popular. The number of listeners is steadily increasing, and the podcast currently has around 6,000 listeners per episode. The podcast got its dialectal name after the railway viaduct called “Undergången” at Liljeholmen in Jönköping.
“It feels incredibly fun to broadcast live. We've never done it in such an organized way,” says Staffan Hagberg.
On this occasion, the live podcast is led by Staffan Hagberg, Lennart Lindberg and Lennart Angselius.
JMW and its history
The topic of the live broadcast was the university campus and Jönköping Mechanical Workshop (JMW) through the ages. Of course, it is particularly relevant this year as JU celebrates 30 years.
In a broad Jönköping dialect, Lennart and Lennart told us that the JMW hall itself was designed by architect Magnus Steendorff for the engineering company Jönköpings Mekaniska Werkstad and was completed in 1914. For many years, JMW, which at the time was one of Sweden's largest engineering companies, was housed in the premises. The business started as a foundry when spare parts for the Matchstick factory were needed quickly.
JMW not only produced parts for the Matchstick factory, but also built steamships in the early 1900s. The propellers hanging at the entrance to the JMW building bear witness to this, though many may not have realized it.
At the beginning of the 20th century, Jönköping had three major industries. They were JMW, the Matchstick factory and Munksjö paper mill. Thanks to these industries, the city grew rapidly.
Fully booked when "Unnergångspodden" broadcasted from JMW area.
An area that has contributed to the city's growth
The area where today's JU is located has thus historically been an area that has contributed to the city's growth in the form of entrepreneurship. On this day, it can be said that the area has also contributed to many good laughs and fond memories.
Two of the visitors who came to listen were Monica Lidström and her husband Lennart Lidström.
Monica and Lennart Lidström.
“I've listened to all the episodes of the podcast and now it will be fun to hear them live,” says Monica, who has lived in Jönköping all her life.
Monica likes the podcast precisely because of the recognition factor and that it is fun to hear about things from her own youth.
“I don't know much about JMW and the university area, so it will be fun to hear,” she says.
30 fantastic years
Staffan Hagberg thinks it is amazing what Jönköping University has contributed to the development of Jönköping as a city.
When asked which is the best Jönköping quote, Staffan finds it a bit difficult to answer as there are so many good quotes.
“Ööööverstyvt! I think is a great expression that also fits well with Jönköping University. It has been 30 fantastic years. I moved back to Jönköping from Gothenburg a few years ago and I think JU is and has been a great boost for Jönköping as a city,” he says.
The podcast can be found on Spotify.
