What Are You Doing in Denmark?

Most people think sending someone to space is something only governments or billionaires can do. In Denmark, a group of volunteers disagrees. In this episode, Derek and Conrad are joined by Jørn Skyt, from Copenhagen Suborbitals, the volunteer-run organization working to become the first amateur team in the world to launch a human into space. We talk about how nearly 80 volunteers from all walks o...

Moving to a new country doesn't just mean learning a new language or figuring out the grocery store. Sometimes it means rebuilding your identity from scratch and that can put unexpected pressure on even the strongest relationships. In this episode of What Are You Doing in Denmark, Derek and Brooke respond to a heartfelt question from Laura, a Portuguese listener who's been living in Denmark for tw...

What advice would Danes give to internationals trying to build a life here? In this special compilation episode, we're revisiting some of our favorite conversations with Danish guests and pulling together the best advice they've shared over the years. From comedian Sofie Hagen's thoughts on standing out in a culture that values fitting in, to Cecilia Bau's practical tips for surviving Danish burea...

Denmark is often celebrated as one of the world's most LGBTQ+-friendly countries. It was the first nation to legally recognize same-sex unions and remains a leader in many measures of equality. But does that mean the work is finished? In this Pride Month episode, Derek speaks with Steve Taylor, Head of Secretariat at Copenhagen Pride, about Denmark's LGBTQ+ journey—from trailblazing victories to t...

Denmark has a new government, but what does that actually mean for internationals living here? After the longest government formation process in Danish history, Prime Minister Mette Frederiksen has assembled a new center-left coalition that will need support from parties outside the government to survive. In this episode, Copenhagen Post editor-in-chief, Bernardo Basilici Menini, joins Derek to ex...

Moving to Denmark and wondering what happens when you walk into a Danish bar? This week, Derek, Conrad and Brooke answer a listener question about Danish drinking culture and the unwritten rules of going out in Denmark. From brown bars (bodegas) and Christmas beer chaos to workplace drinking, tipping culture, buying rounds and why the bartender might not be interested in hearing your life story, t...

Denmark says it needs international talent. So why do so many internationals still feel uncertain about building a future here? In this episode of What Are You Doing in Denmark , Derek talks with Dan Rosenberg from Copenhagen Capacity about the reality behind working and staying in Denmark as an international. They discuss why many internationals feel “professionally stuck” in Denmark and the hidd...

Why are Danes so obsessed with summer festivals? In this episode, Derek and Brooke dive into Denmark’s legendary festival culture with Heartland Festival founder Ulrik Ørum-Petersen. From Roskilde Festival and Smukfest to Heartland Festival, Distortion, and Copenhagen Jazz Festival, they unpack what each festival says about Danish culture, and the people who go to them. This episode explores how f...

Denmark's had a rough Eurovision track record in recent years, but is looking to continue a bounce back that began last year. How did the country that has struggled to qualify for the Eurovision final, suddenly become one of the favorites to win Eurovision 2026? It's thanks to one song: “Før vi går hjem.” In this episode of What Are You Doing in Denmark , Derek Hartman and Brooke Black sit down wi...

Randers has one of the strongest and strangest reputations in Denmark. But where does it actually come from? In this episode of What Are You Doing in Denmark, Derek, Brooke, and Conrad unpack the myths, stereotypes, and history behind Denmark’s sixth-largest city. From “Randers Champagne” to royal-approved gloves, we explore how a place can be both mocked and have a lot to be admired at the same t...

A conversation about identity, moving abroad, and why belonging in Denmark isn’t always as simple as it seems. What does it really mean to belong, especially in a place like Denmark? In this episode, Derek sits down with French author and artist Aurélia Durand to talk about identity, moving abroad, and the often complicated reality of building a life in Denmark. Drawing from her memoir Belonging,...

Denmark still doesn’t have a new government weeks after the election... so what’s going on, and what does it mean for internationals living here? In this episode Derek and Brooke break down the current political stalemate and why forming a government has been so difficult this time around. Featuring a short interview with Bernardo Basilici Menini, they explain where negotiations stand, who holds t...

Fail Publicly. Survive. Get Better. Repeat. Bombing on stage feels like dying, and that’s okay. Hosts Derek Hartman and Conrad Molden sit down with Danish stand-up comedian Henrik Danielsen to talk about failing in public and why it’s sometimes necessary to improve. Before becoming one of Denmark’s sharpest observational comics, Henrik spent years bombing and returning to the stage anyway. What be...

Why is the F-word everywhere in Denmark - even around kids? Derek and Brooke unpack one of the biggest culture shocks for expats, from parenting dilemmas to why the word just doesn’t mean the same thing here. From hearing it in schoolyards, on the radio, and even at kids’ events… to navigating it as a parent, this conversation explores what happens when language, culture, and values collide. In th...

We’re live from Copenhagen’s Comedy Zoo 🎤 In this special live episode of What Are You Doing in Denmark , we break down the unspoken rules of Danish apartment living... and all the ways internationals accidentally get them wrong. From passive-aggressive laundry room notes and party etiquette to recycling confusion and noisy neighbors, this episode is packed with real stories, cultural insights, a...

Denmark just held an election… but the real story is what happens next. In this episode of What Are You Doing in Denmark? , Derek and Brooke break down the results of the Danish election, and why forming a government might be more complicated than ever. With no clear majority between the “red” and “blue” blocs, everything now comes down to coalition building, political trade-offs, and one key role...

In this special Q&A episode of What Are You Doing in Denmark? , Derek and Conrad answer your listener questions covering everything from dark winters and Danish workplace culture to raising multilingual kids and navigating cultural quirks. They share how they met (after a two-year missed message), what it’s really like getting through February in Denmark, and why “false spring” is both hopeful...

Denmark is heading to the polls, but if you’re an international living here, there’s a good chance you won’t have a vote. In this episode, Derek Hartman breaks down the upcoming Danish national election and what it means for the hundreds of thousands of residents who live, work, and pay taxes in Denmark but cannot participate in the country’s parliamentary vote. Joining the conversation is Torben...

Moving abroad can be exciting, but it can also be lonely. In this episode of What Are You Doing in Denmark , Derek speaks with therapist, coach, and author Lucy Vittrup Christensen about loneliness, why it affects so many internationals in Denmark, and what people can do to build real connection in a new culture. They explore the difference between being alone and being lonely, why cultural differ...

When distance doesn’t weaken family bonds. Living abroad doesn’t automatically pull families apart. This episode flips the usual story about adult children moving overseas. Instead of loss or rupture, Conrad and his mom Jane talk about what happens when living abroad becomes normal for a family. Their relationship was already shaped by travel, mobility, and independence long before Denmark entered...

How does the Danish healthcare system really work? When should you call 1813? Can you get a second opinion? And what happens if you show up at the ER? In this episode of What Are You Doing in Denmark , Derek and Brooke welcome back Emma Grint, Dr. Mum-for-Kids, to answer your listener questions about healthcare in Denmark. We cover: Visitors’ access to healthcare in Denmark Emergency vs. non-emerg...

Denmark added 25% VAT to gym memberships and personal training, and it’s already changing the fitness landscape. In this episode of What Are You Doing in Denmark, Derek and Annie sit down with personal trainer and educator Mikkel Valgreen to unpack what’s happening, why it’s happening, and who’s most affected. The change stems from an EU classification that defines fitness services as “commercial”...

Denmark’s Highest Point Isn’t the Point. Denmark doesn’t have mountains, but it’s residents do have opinions about hills. Strong ones . Derek and Conrad are here to unpack why a modest hill called Himmelbjerg became one of Denmark’s most famous landmarks, even though it’s not the country’s highest point. Along the way, they explore how definitions, measurements, and perspective shape what we think...

If you’re in Denmark in February, you’ll probably notice children in costumes, wooden barrels being hit with bats, and an alarming number of cream-filled buns in every bakery window. That’s Fastelavn, one of Denmark’s most beloved and confusing traditions. In this episode of What Are You Doing in Denmark , Derek and Brooke break down what Fastelavn actually is, where it comes from, and what you sh...

How does hunting work in Denmark and how can a country with strict gun laws also have a strong hunting culture? In this episode of What Are You Doing in Denmark, Derek and Brooke sit down with David Carsten Pedersen, author, founder of Always Hunting, and host of the Danish podcast Jagt Radio , to unpack what hunting really means in Denmark for those looking in from the outside. Together, they exp...