Lava Academy Podcast: Creating The World's Only Live Lava Experience

The latest episode of the Lava Academy Podcast takes listeners behind the scenes of one of Iceland’s most extraordinary attractions. Host Ian MacKinnon sits down with Júlíus Ingi Jónsson, founder of Lava Show—often affectionately called Mr. Lava Lava—to explore the remarkable story of how a bold idea turned into the world’s only live lava experience.

A huge cloud of ash, and pummice rises from the 1918 eruption of Katla Volcano.

Growing up volcanic legacy

Júlíus’ fascination with volcanoes began long before Lava Show existed. Growing up in Iceland, he spent summers on a farm near Vík on the South Coast, where the dramatic volcanic landscape sparked endless questions about Iceland’s black sand deserts and the powerful forces that created them. Those childhood memories were shaped by a family story that left a lasting impression: his great-grandfather surviving the catastrophic 1918 Katla eruption, when massive glacial floods tore across the landscape.

Lava cascades down a canyon in the 2010 eruptions at Fimmvörðuháls in Iceland in 2010.

Creating the concept of the world's only Lava Show

In the episode, Júlíus shares how witnessing volcanic eruptions first hand—particularly the spectacular fissure eruption near Eyjafjallajökull in 2010—sparked the idea that eventually became Lava Show. Standing in front of cascading lava flows, he had a thought that seemed almost impossible: what if people could safely experience something like this up close, anytime?

On the hard road to success

That moment planted the seed for a concept that would take years of persistence, research, and determination to bring to life. From experimenting with furnaces capable of melting real lava to navigating safety regulations and opening the first show in the small South Coast village of Vík, the journey was anything but simple.

Today, Lava Show has welcomed hundreds of thousands of visitors and become an award-winning experience that combines science, storytelling, and the raw power of molten lava.

In this inspiring conversation, Júlíus reflects on entrepreneurship, Iceland’s deep connection to volcanoes, and the stubborn determination it takes to turn a wild idea into reality.

🎧 Listen to the full episode now and discover the story behind the only live Lava Show in the world.