Best Cecilie Conrad Podcasts (2025)

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120: Anna Vestlev Sandfeld | Why We Choose Unschooling 49:50

1h ago49:50

49:50

Send us a text What happens when your child simply won't fit inside society's educational box? When Anna Vestlev Sandfeld realized her son didn’t fit into the structure of kindergarten—and likely never would fit into traditional school—she and her husband chose unschooling. In this conversation with her cousin Cecilie and co-host Jesper, Anna refle…

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97 | I Didn't Tell My Friends I Was Visiting Home, Now They're Mad 24:05

14h ago24:05

24:05

When you live abroad, visiting your home country can be a whirlwind—especially when you only have a few days. In this episode, we answer a real listener dilemma: Danielle, who lives in Odense, went back to Toronto for a short trip and chose to spend all her time with family. She didn’t tell her friends she was in town, and now… they’re upset. Derek…

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S2E7 | Unschooling is Carried by Conversations 1:19:18

3d ago1:19:18

1:19:18

Dinner tables, car rides, bedtime chats, café corners—this episode dives into the real places where unschooling lives and grows. Cecilie Conrad, Sandra Dodd, and Sue Elvis examine how conversations—often unscheduled, informal, and unplanned—become the central structure of a learning life. They discuss the Danish tradition of the daily family dinner…

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119: Amir Nathoo | Outschool: Passion, Not Curriculum, Is the Future of Education 28:15

7d ago28:15

28:15

Send us a text Outschool founder Amir Nathoo explains why education built on passion—not curriculum—may be the only way to truly prepare kids for a rapidly changing world. We talk about his shift from traditional schooling in the UK to building Outschool, how becoming a parent deepened his beliefs, and why interest-led learning offers more than jus…

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96 | Culture Shock in Denmark: The 4 Stages No One Warns You About 33:06

8d ago33:06

33:06

Moving to a new country is more than learning the language and eating new food—it’s a full-body, emotional rollercoaster. In this episode, your hosts Derek, Brooke, and Mike break down the 4 stages of culture shock and share personal stories from their lives in Denmark—the excitement, the frustration, the weird in-between moments, and finally… that…

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118: David Cole | Questioning Normal – Our Offbeat Life as a Full-Time Traveling Family 41:05

12d ago41:05

41:05

Send us a text Ever wondered what life could look like if you broke free from the conventional 9-5? David Cole and his family sold their home in Chicago in 2019 and haven’t stopped moving since. Cecilie and Jesper talk with him about how they made the shift from occasional travellers to full-time nomads. "I think what stopped us the most was mindse…

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95 | Cecilie Bau on Dating, Coming Out, and No Such Thing as Oversharing in Denmark 27:10

13d ago27:10

27:10

In this episode you'll get to know the brilliant Danish comedian Cecilie Bau, who also happens to be our special guest for our upcoming live show! She sits down with Brooke, Conrad, and Derek to talk about dating in Denmark, coming out, and how it's all just comedic inspiration. We also dive into her work as a mental health advocate and how the sti…

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94 | Why You Can't Name Your Baby 'Banana' in Denmark (with Mathias Bach) 31:11

15d ago31:11

31:11

Ever wonder why there are so many common names in Denmark? In this episode, Derek, Brooke, and Conrad dive into Denmark’s strict baby naming laws - with plenty of laughs along the way from our friend Mathias Bach. From government-approved name lists to the historical reasons behind them, we break down what you can (and can’t) name your kid if you'r…

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S2E6 | The Role of Repetition in Learning, Unschooling, and Shaping Identity 2:02:08

18d ago2:02:08

2:02:08

What’s the value of doing the same thing more than once? In this episode of Ladies Fixing the World, Cecilie Conrad, Sandra Dodd and Sue Elvis unfold repetition—how it shows up in our lives, why it matters, and what it reveals. Together, they examine how children tend to gravitate toward watching the same films, reading the same stories, or playing…

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117: Dr. Cam Caswell | Why Control Fails and Connection Works with Teens 49:29

20d ago49:29

49:29

Send us a text Dr. Cam joins us to discuss parenting teenagers and why efforts to control them often create more distance. She explains how control can undermine trust and why focusing on connection leads to better results. We discuss the difference between respect and obedience, and how letting teens say “no” builds confidence and self-trust. Jesp…

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93 | PD2, PD3, and WTF — Do You Really Have to Learn Danish? 32:13

22d ago32:13

32:13

In this episode, you'll learn all about the complicated world of learning Danish as a foreigner in Denmark with an update from Conrad, who’s currently prepping for the PD3 exam, and Mike, who recently passed PD2. Derek explains what the difference is between the two tests (and why it matters), which one you need for permanent residency or citizensh…

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116: Jacob Nordby | Rethinking Freedom: Purpose, Ritual, and the Value of Being 1:15:08

27d ago1:15:08

1:15:08

Send us a text In this conversation with author and speaker Jacob Nordby, we explore the paradox of freedom in modern life. Is it simply doing whatever we want—or does real freedom require something deeper? While many consider freedom to be about doing whatever they want without constraints, Jacob challenges this perception. "A lot of people assume…

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92 | Going Viral in Denmark: Mathias Bach on TikTok Fame, Danish Humor & Applesauce 36:26

29d ago36:26

36:26

In this episode, we sit down with award-winning Danish creator Mathias Bach—TikToker of the Year, mastermind behind some of Denmark’s most viral videos, and former child YouTuber who once tried to shorten school days for everyone. Brooke, Conrad, and Derek get Mathias's view on growing up in Denmark, what most foreigners really don’t understand abo…

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S2E5 | Sandra Dodd, Sue Elvis & Cecilie Conrad on Learning to Read & Trusting Unschooling 2:11:33

1M ago2:11:33

2:11:33

Sandra Dodd, Sue Elvis, and Cecilie Conrad come together to discuss their personal journeys into unschooling, focusing on natural learning, curiosity, and redefining educational expectations. Sandra shares her transition from a public-school teacher to embracing unschooling with her family, exploring how her upbringing influenced her parenting choi…

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115: Yasmin & Andy | Beyond Boundaries: One Family's Journey from England to Jungle Living in Belize 57:56

1M ago57:56

57:56

Send us a text Yasmin and Andy left a comfortable life in the UK to join a small off-grid community in the jungles of Belize. Fifteen years after cycling through Central America, Yasmin and Andy returned—this time with three kids and a desire for a different kind of life. What began as a plan to visit intentional communities in Europe shifted durin…

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91 | Denmark’s Bizarre Copyright Wars: Elvis, Harry Potter & McDonald's 18:32

1M ago18:32

18:32

What do Elvis Presley, Harry Potter, and McDonald’s all have in common? They’ve all taken legal swings at Denmark. In this episode, Brooke brings Derek and Mike three wild tales of copyright lawsuits that landed in Danish courtrooms - from a replica Graceland in Jutland to a magical festival that had to lose a little Hogwarts to survive. Plus, a ho…

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90 | How Denmark Handles Stress, Birthdays & Climate Change (Better Than You?) with Mathias Bach 24:17

1M ago24:17

24:17

Denmark had an eventful week, and we’re breaking it all down! Brooke dives into the surprising but very Danish reason a popular band replaced their lead singer. Derek explores how Denmark is tackling rising groundwater caused by climate change. And Conrad shares a heartwarming (and extremely Danish) birthday tradition that caught him off guard. Plu…

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114: Amanda Diekman | Radical Acceptance and Low Demand Parenting 50:18

1M ago50:18

50:18

Send us a text In this episode, we speak with Amanda Diekman about how her parenting changed when her six-year-old son went into autistic burnout. He lost verbal communication, stopped eating most foods, and couldn't follow basic routines. Faced with a crisis, Amanda chose to stop trying to fix him and instead removed demands to create safety. She …

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89 | Should You Move to Denmark? Here’s What to See Before Deciding 30:08

1M ago30:08

30:08

In this episode, Derek, Brooke, and Conrad help a listener who’s considering a move by breaking down what she and her family should explore beyond the tourist hotspots. What will make the visit feel authentic and what everyday realities might surprise you? Joining the conversation is Adrian MacKinder, writer, comedian, and friend of the show who ma…

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S2E4 | Unschooling: Trusting the Process and Letting Go of Control 1:56:20

2M ago1:56:20

1:56:20

Traditional education is built on judgment—constantly measuring children’s progress against rigid standards. Unschooling offers a different path, one that values curiosity over evaluation. In this episode, Cecilie Conrad, Sue Elvis, and Sandra Dodd discuss why letting go of expectations leads to deeper, more natural learning. Reading becomes a key …

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113: Luz Olid and David Caballero | Education Evolution: Beyond Traditional Schooling 51:13

2M ago51:13

51:13

Send us a text Luz and David from Evolving Education left careers in biotechnology to explore and document alternative education models worldwide. Frustrated by rigid schooling systems, they traveled to over 170 learning centers to understand how children learn best outside the traditional classroom. In this episode, we talk about how compulsory sc…

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88 | Boycott American Goods or Sell Them Eggs? Week 13 News in Denmark 22:35

2M ago22:35

22:35

In this episode, Brooke, Conrad, and Derek are joined by friend of the show, Adrian MacKinder to discuss the week's news in Denmark. You'll hear a discussion on America's egg shortage and why the US asked Denmark to buy surplus egg shipments. This leads into a debate on the merit of Danes organizing a boycott of American goods - is it a shortsighte…

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112: Iris Chen | Untigering: From Control to Connection – Peaceful Parenting for the Tiger Parent 57:02

2M ago57:02

57:02

Send us a text Iris Chen, author of Untigering: Peaceful Parenting for the Deconstructing Tiger Parent, shares how she shifted from a strict, high-expectation parenting style to a trust-based approach. Raised in a Chinese-American household, Iris grew up with academic pressure and obedience as the norm. She carried those expectations into her own p…

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87 | Are Danes Making it Harder for You to Learn Danish? (with Steven Feraru) 35:11

2M ago35:11

35:11

In this episode, we explore the difficulties of learning Danish through a listener message. Mei from Taiwan, and part of the WAYDID community, shares her frustrating experience learning Danish and being quizzed and mocked by Danish acquaintances on her progress. We discuss the demotivating forces that can plague foreigners learning Danish and the w…

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S2E3 | Unschooling and Connections: How Learning Is All About Creating a Web of Understanding 1:36:54

2M ago1:36:54

1:36:54

How do children learn math without lessons, textbooks, or worksheets? Sandra Dodd, Sue Elvis, and Cecilie Conrad talk about the ways kids pick up mathematical thinking—through games, shared meals, money management, and real-world problem-solving. They discuss what happens when learning is driven by curiosity rather than instruction, sharing stories…

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111: Anne Kirketerp | Craft Psychology: The Link Between Crafting & Wellbeing 1:12:54

2M ago1:12:54

1:12:54

Send us a text The moment you carve, knit, bake or start folding paper, something remarkable happens in your brain. The anxious spiral of thoughts quiets, stress hormones recede, and you enter a state that Dr. Anne Kirketerp calls "meaningful self-forgetfulness." Dr. Anne Kirketerp is a psychologist, researcher, and craftsperson who pioneered Craft…

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86 | Paying US Taxes as an American Abroad (with Nathalie Goldstein) 26:17

2M ago26:17

26:17

In this episode, Derek sits down with Nathalie Goldstein, CEO of MyExpatTaxes and an IRS Enrolled Agent, to break down everything Americans living abroad need to know about filing their U.S. taxes. Whether you're in Denmark, Austria, or anywhere else in the world, Uncle Sam still wants his cut—and ignoring it isn’t an option. You'll find out: 💰 Do …

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110: Asger Leth | Beyond the 9 to 5 – Finding Freedom & Creating a Space for Deep Conversations & Real Connections 1:06:35

2M ago1:06:35

1:06:35

Send us a text What does it mean to truly connect in a world that’s becoming more digital by the day? Asger Leth is a Danish filmmaker, writer, and creative visionary known for his documentary and feature filmmaking work. He gained international recognition for Ghosts of Cité Soleil (2006), a gripping documentary set in Haiti, and later directed th…

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85 | Does Living Near Your Friends Affect Your Health? 34:19

2M ago34:19

34:19

This week, Annie, Briana, and Derek discuss the science behind friendship and how living in close proximity to good friends impacts your mental and physical health. According to numerous multi-generational studies, it's even the key to a longer life. What does this mean for those of us who move to a new country and live away from our clos…

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S2E2 | Unschooling: Trust, Autonomy, and the Realities of Learning 1:26:58

2M ago1:26:58

1:26:58

What is unschooling? What is it not? And why defining it is so difficult? Sandra Dodd, Sue Elvis and Cecilie Conrad explore how unschooling is not just about rejecting school but fundamentally shifting how families approach learning, trust, and daily life. Sandra shares her decades of experience and the challenge of explaining unschooling in simple…

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109: Dennis Nørmark | Are We Really Free? Pseudo-Work & Unfreedom: How Work & Society Keep Us Trapped 57:12

3M ago57:12

57:12

Send us a text Much of modern work is defined by routine, efficiency targets, and the need to appear productive. But how much of it is actually necessary? Dennis Nørmark, Danish anthropologist, author, and speaker, argues that a significant part of today’s work culture is built on pseudo-work—tasks that maintain appearances rather than create real …

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84 | Elon Picks a Fight, Zoo Escapes, and Audio Surveillance: Week 9 News 27:49

3M ago27:49

27:49

This week, Derek, Brooke, and Mike break down the most interesting headlines in Denmark. You'll learn why the Danish National Police are looking for an alternative to being on X aka Twitter and the beloved Dane that Elon Musk started a twitter fight with because his misinformation was corrected. On a lighter note, we discuss some of the recent zoo …

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108: Manisha Snoyer | Unschooling, Community & Rethinking Education 1:01:32

3M ago1:01:32

1:01:32

Send us a text Traditional education often fails to nurture curiosity, creativity, and deep engagement. In this episode, we explore a different path—one that is flexible, self-directed, and built around each child’s unique interests. We discuss homeschooling, unschooling, and modular education, breaking down how families can step away from rigid sc…

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83 | The Danish King Who Played the Dating Game of Thrones 20:00

3M ago20:00

20:00

In this episode, Derek, Conrad, and Brooke welcome back our resident royal expert, Anna Marie, for another fascinating look at Danish royalty. She kicks things off by quizzing us on some of Denmark’s most intriguing kings and queens before diving into the life and legacy of King Christian IX. How did a king from a relatively small nation manage to …

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107: Jessica Joelle Alexander | Danish Parenting Secrets: Raising Happy & Confident Kids 1:28:28

3M ago1:28:28

1:28:28

Send us a text What makes Danish parenting unique, and how does it raise happy, resilient kids? In this episode, we talk with Jessica Joelle Alexander, bestselling author of The Danish Way of Parenting, about Denmark’s highly regarded child-rearing approach. The Danish approach to raising children is shaped by principles from Nikolaj Frederik Sever…

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82 | Week 7 News: RyanAir, Fastelavnsboller, and Bike Theft (with Mike Walsh) 21:07

3M ago21:07

21:07

This week, Mike Walsh rejoins Derek on the podcast to talk about the news in Denmark. You'll hear about the fallout of Ryanair's decision to pull out of two Danish airports over new taxes. In better news, you'll hear the best and worst fastelvansboller experiences including Mike's review of Burger King's 2024 attempt at a fastelavnsboller burger an…

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106: Essie Richards | Breaking Free: Unschooling and Reimagining Education in the UK 1:01:19

3M ago1:01:19

1:01:19

Send us a text How can unschooling create a safe and empowering educational path for children? In this episode, we talk with Essie Richards about her transformative journey from traditional schooling to unschooling in rural Cornwall, UK. Essie shares how her family chose this path after her son faced bullying, leading them to embrace self-directed …

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81 | Week 6 News: Greenland Polling, Bomb Threats, and Aarhus's Pitch to Internationals 24:49

3M ago24:49

24:49

This week Derek, Annie, and Briana team up to discuss some of the headlines from around Denmark including recent polling from Greenland and some scary reports of bomb threats in Danish schools. You'll hear a discussion on the future of automobiles in Copenhagen, the history of pedestrianized streets in the city centre and Annie's hot take on what y…

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S2E1 | Unschooling: A Lifestyle of Curiosity, Flexibility, and Trust with Sandra Dodd and Sue Elvis 56:13

3M ago56:13

56:13

What if education wasn’t confined to classrooms but instead flourished naturally through life’s experiences? In this episode of Ladies Fixing the World, renowned unschooling pioneers Sandra Dodd and Sue Elvis join Cecilie Conrad to redefine what learning can look like. We explore the philosophy and practicalities of unschooling—where curiosity, tru…

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105: Sugata Mitra | How Learning Emerges Naturally Through Self-Organizing Systems 1:07:59

4M ago1:07:59

1:07:59

Send us a text Sugata Mitra is a renowned educational researcher and innovator best known for his revolutionary "Hole in the Wall" experiment, which demonstrated the incredible capacity of children to teach themselves when provided with access to technology. A TED Prize winner and creator of the "School in the Cloud," Sugata’s work challenges tradi…

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80 | Denmark Was in Europe's Longest War and No One Knows (w/ Anders Morgenstierne) 19:02

4M ago19:02

19:02

This week Derek is joined by Anders Morgenstierne, who has returned to WAYDID to discuss an obscure war from Danish history. Most Danes don't even know about this war - and that's because for most of history, no one in Denmark realized that it happened. During the period, Copenhagen was attacked twice and most of the Danish navy was destroyed. Desp…

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104: Dola Dasgupta | Unschooling in India: Embracing Choice and Navigating Challenges 47:07

4M ago47:07

47:07

Send us a text How does homeschooling fit into India’s diverse cultural and educational landscape? In this episode, Dola Dasgupta shares her perspective on the challenges and freedoms of homeschooling and unschooling in a country where formal education is highly valued. We examine the legal uncertainties, cultural factors, and personal decisions th…

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79 | Defending Denmark: Can Danes be a Little Too Sensitive? 25:39

4M ago25:39

25:39

Derek, Brooke, and Conrad chime in on a recent viral post that claims Danes are overly defensive when it comes to your views on Denmark. The post of focus points out that Danish people are known to ask internationals living in Denmark what they think of their Danish lives, but aren't prepared to hear anything but a glowing review of the country. Ev…

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103: Peter Gray | Rethinking Education: The Power of Play and Self-Directed Learning 1:31:09

4M ago1:31:09

1:31:09

Send us a text Together with Peter Gray, we explored the concept of self-directed education. Peter Gray emphasizes the importance of play and independence in children's learning. The discussion highlights the shortcomings of the traditional school system and encourages parents to embrace unconventional educational approaches that foster curiosity a…

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78 | Myth-Busting Denmark's Drunken Oil Diplomacy (with Jeff Bond) 28:21

4M ago28:21

28:21

Have you ever heard the story of how Denmark could have had all the North Sea Oil reserves that Norway enjoys, if it wasn't for a sloppy negotiation by a drunken Danish diplomat? It's been recounted to Derek many times, ironically by intoxicated Danes who have a good laugh at their tipsy foreign policy - but how true is this story? Jeff Bond sits d…

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102: Naomi Fisher | Changing Our Minds: How children can take control of their own learning 48:18

4M ago48:18

48:18

Send us a text Naomi Fisher is a clinical psychologist, writer, and speaker with a focus on self-directed learning, unschooling, and child development. A mother of two, she draws on her professional expertise and firsthand parenting experiences to challenge conventional educational models and help families nurture children’s natural curiosity and a…

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77 | Could a Political Stunt Cost You Danish Citizenship? 33:24

4M ago33:24

33:24

This week, we delve into a heated debate that's capturing attention across the nation: Should Denmark vet the democratic values of citizenship applicants through personal interviews? We explore the unprecedented case where three applicants were summoned for interviews based on their past social media posts, raising questions about legal principles,…

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101: Jacob Nordby | Embracing Change and Creative Living through Self-Discovery 52:37

4M ago52:37

52:37

Send us a text Jacob Nordby grew up in a strict Christian cult, isolated and homeschooled. He’s an author, creative guide, and advocate for living authentically. Jacob Nordby’s story is one of transformation; he shares how he found freedom and purpose by embracing vulnerability and creativity. We explore his journey through life’s crossroads, the l…

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76 | From Margrethe to Frederik: A Regal Review of Denmark’s Royal Family and What’s Next 35:19

5M ago35:19

35:19

This week, Brooke, Conrad, and Derek are joined by Anna Marie, host of the On Royals Podcast, for a chat about a monumental year for Denmark’s royal family! From Queen Margrethe II’s historic abdication on New Year's Eve to the coronation of King Frederik X in January, we dive into the highs and the lows of this transformative first year with Frede…

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100: Amrit Sandhu | The Power of Consistency, Meaningful Conversations, and Gratitude. 1:07:43

5M ago1:07:43

1:07:43

Send us a text We celebrate our 100th episode by welcoming back our first guest, Amrit Sandhu, for a journey through our podcasting evolution. Reflecting on early challenges and triumphs, Amrit shares insights on how consistency and passion can elevate creative endeavors. Together, we explore meaningful conversations, inspired by "The Secret Life o…

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