The California-based multidisciplinary creative and writer Lindsey Bro—known particularly for her book, Thermal: Saunas, Hot Springs & Baths—has, throughout her career, embarked on odysseys within the realms of bathing culture, exploring its allure and cultural importance. Thermal guides readers through the storied history of global bathing traditions, weaving together the rich tapestry of cultures and societies that have embraced the practice of immersing oneself in warm waters and cold plunges, and freezing, sweating, and schvitzing. Here, Bro discusses the core elements of bathing culture, illuminating how ancient wisdom—from the enduring traditions of the Turkish hammam to the transformative Japanese onsen—coexists with contemporary well-being practices.