Best Sofie Hagen Podcasts (2025)

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116 | Denmark’s Drinking Culture: Shortcut or Stumbling Block? 36:13

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2d ago36:13

36:13

Beer, bonds, and belonging in Denmark. In Denmark, alcohol isn’t just a drink—it’s a social shortcut. From Friday bars to school parties, booze is woven into daily life in ways that can shock newcomers. For internationals, it can feel like you have to drink just to make friends, join in at work, or even learn the language. But is that really true? …

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115 | Policing in Denmark: Myths, Realities & What Internationals Should Know 42:10

8d ago42:10

42:10

Respect. Trust. Laws. Myths. Police. Denmark. Policing in Denmark isn’t what you might expect. In this episode, Allan Hansen, Deputy Chief Superintendent of Copenhagen Police, joins Derek, Mike, and Brooke to demystify how policing really works here. From the difference between 112 and 114, to what’s legal (and what’s not) when it comes to biking, …

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114 | When Does Denmark Finally Feel Like Home? 23:32

15d ago23:32

23:32

In this episode of What Are You Doing in Denmark, Derek, Mike, and Brooke dive into the adaptation stage of culture shock. It's that turning point when life in Denmark starts to click. Listeners share their own stories and voice notes about the moments they realized they were doing more than just getting by. They share what made them realize they w…

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112. RAVEN: genderqueer, relationship anarchist (bisexual) 49:49

20d ago49:49

49:49

Raven is a creative coach, artist, parent, and LGBTQIA+ community activist. Raven’s pronouns are they/them, and they are genderqueer, a relationship anarchist, and bisexual. Find out what that means to Raven in this episode. We also talk about queering everything, breaking the rules, the assumptions people make about gender in relation to bodies, h…

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113 | Reverse Culture Shock: A Dane Returns After Many Years Abroad 51:06

25d ago51:06

51:06

Reverse culture shock hits home hard. Coming home isn’t always easy. After thirteen years in London, Danish comedian Sofie Hagen returns to Denmark and finds that re-entry can be just as surprising as moving abroad. From missing rye bread and blunt small talk to discovering how “first of all” sounds like starting a fight in British emails, Sofie sh…

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112 | After you’ve been in Denmark for a while: Your questions answered. 27:12

29d ago27:12

27:12

Once you’ve been in Denmark a while, the questions get more nuanced. From the mystery of dating to whether hygge blocks new friendships, internationals notice the cultural puzzles beneath everyday life. In this listener Q&A, Derek Hartman answers the second-layer questions of international life in Denmark with humor, honesty, and a few surprises. E…

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111 | Denmark vs. Deepfakes: Who Really Wins? 21:44

1M ago21:44

21:44

Denmark Says: You Own Your Face. Denmark just handed its citizens a legal copyright on themselves — your face, voice, and body are officially yours. Instead of clamping down on deepfake tech like a digital killjoy, the law flips the script and makes it an ownership game: if someone makes a fake of you, you can force them to take it down. Derek and …

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110 | Danish vs. International School in Denmark: A Cultural Conversation About Choice, Language, and Belonging 30:33

1M ago30:33

30:33

What makes a Danish school... Danish? This week, return guest Ilana Bull—an international school teacher and parent—joins Derek and Brooke to explore how school systems in Denmark reflect much more than just academics. From class structure to communication styles, from birthday customs to the role of play, this episode dives into the everyday cultu…

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111. KELSEY BYERS: agender, asexual, disabled, neurodivergent, queer 53:51

2M ago53:51

53:51

Kelsey J.R.P. Byers is an evolutionary geneticist and chemical ecologist, lover of all things nature, and advocate for accessibility and inclusion of minoritized groups in academia. Kelsey uses any/all pronouns, but they get a little frisson of gender-validation/euphoria when people don't use she/her. They are agender, asexual, disabled, neurodiver…

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109 | Homesickness, Red Soda and Comedy culture in Denmark versus the UK with Comedian Sofie Hagen 50:43

2M ago50:43

50:43

Out of place, even back home. Sofie Hagen left Denmark to pursue comedy in London—and came back a different person. This conversation with Derek, Conrad, and Brooke explores the mix of pride, pressure, and self-doubt that can come with returning to your home country after years abroad. But because the topic is comedy—across Denmark, the UK, and bac…

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108 | Redefining Belonging for Internationals in Denmark 45:54

2M ago45:54

45:54

Narcis didn’t just move to Denmark—he moved the needle. What began as a frustrating student experience turned into a powerful journey of activism, visibility, and political impact. From challenging exclusion in student councils to launching Last Week in Denmark, a very popular newsletter now published in nine languages, he’s running for city counci…

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107 | New Visa Rules in Denmark: What’s Gained, What’s at Stake 27:50

2M ago27:50

27:50

Who really benefits from Denmark’s visa changes? Denmark just rewrote its work permit rules so Derek and Mike are here to break them for you. At first glance, it looks like Denmark is opening the door to more internationals. But in reality, the move may not bring many new people in. Instead, it’s likely to benefit those already living in Denmark—es…

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106 | Danish Language Mindset Tips with Brooke Fossey 29:19

2M ago29:19

29:19

Learning Danish? Stop waiting to feel ready. Brooke Fossey joins Derek and Mike to share why mindset matters more than mastery, and how choosing joy over perfection can transform your language journey. From awkward public mistakes to unhelpful corrections, Brooke’s approach blends consistency, curiosity, and a refusal to give up—even when Danes swi…

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105 | Stand-Up Across Scandinavia: What Lands and What Doesn’t 51:37

3M ago51:37

51:37

Laughter, lies, language, and cultural clashes. Some jokes don’t survive the border. Abby Wambaugh and Dharkshika Christopher join cohosts Derek and Conrad to talk about the challenges—and joys—of performing stand-up across languages and cultures. With sets in Danish, Norwegian, English, French, and Swedish, they’ve experienced what works, what doe…

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110. DEANNA MARIE JONES: transgender woman 52:17

3M ago52:17

52:17

Deanna Marie Jones is a speaker, consultant, and LGBTQ+ advocate, with a history in corporate technology. Deanna’s pronouns are she/her, and she is a transgender woman. Find out what that means to Deanna in this episode. We also talk about the positive evolution of the job industry, what good leadership looks like, the importance of finding communi…

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104 | Living in Denmark with Ilana Buhl, @lykke_charm: Integration, Identity, and Everyday Life 37:33

3M ago37:33

37:33

Love, visas, identity, motherhood, burnout, Denmark. Ilana Buhl didn’t just move for love—she rebuilt her life from scratch. In this candid conversation with cohosts Derek and Brooke, Ilana shares how a three-day trip turned into a lifetime abroad. From navigating Denmark’s tough family reunification process to finding her footing as a teacher, par…

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103 | Sankt Hans Special: Weird Danish History 38:06

3M ago38:06

38:06

Bonfires, jesters, glass kings, pirate royals. Danish history is weirder than you think. Released for Sankt Hans—Denmark’s midsummer celebration of fire and folklore—this episode brings the heat with tales that blur the line between fact and legend. Comedian Adrian Mackinder joins Derek, Brooke, and Conrad to explore everything from a court jester …

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102 | Denmark Expectations Versus Everyday Reality 24:56

3M ago24:56

24:56

Denmark consistently tops the world’s livability rankings—but what do those lists really tell you about life here? In this episode, Derek, Brooke, and Mike take a closer look at the glossy reports versus the everyday realities of living in Denmark. From healthcare hurdles to hidden costs and navigating local systems without a corporate package, the…

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101 | Becoming a Nearly Danish Dame: Brooke Fossey’s New Life in Denmark 33:59

4M ago33:59

33:59

🎧 Bikes. Buns. No Danish friends? Challenge accepted. Brooke Fossey, The Nearly Danish Dame, moved to Denmark for a one-month vacation—and never went back. What followed was a full-blown reinvention: from running a bagel business out of a bike in Boston to becoming a cheerleader for awkward, honest language learning on Instagram. In our conversatio…

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100 | How to Handle Houseguests When You Move to Denmark (or Anywhere) 20:11

4M ago20:11

20:11

What happens when visitors overstay their welcome or were never really welcome to begin with? In this episode, we’re diving into the messy, funny, and sometimes awkward world of hosting guests, especially when you live abroad. Whether it’s friends booking a “free hotel” or well-meaning others who blur the line between visiting and moving in, expats…

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99 | From Ukraine to Denmark: Kateryna’s Story of War, Refuge, and Stand-Up Comedy 31:13

4M ago31:13

31:13

Kateryna fled Ukraine when the war began, but that was only the beginning of her journey. Now living in Denmark, she’s rebuilding her life one punchline at a time. In this episode, she tells Derek, Conrad, and Brooke how comedy helped her cope with trauma, how it feels to perform stand-up in a new country, and what it means to create joy when the w…

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Flex Your Feelings by Dr. Emily Anhalt 1:19:59

4M ago1:19:59

1:19:59

We are alive and kickin' over on Patreon!! We have the sweetest bunch of people and over 50 hours of podcasts (including the whole Artist's Way!!), zooms and chats waiting for you to there. Join us!! You can find our guest, the brilliant Dr. Emily Anhalt on socials: @dremilyanhalt Check out dremilyanhalt.com/book to grab a copy of Flex Your Feeling…

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98 | Copenhagen’s Little Mermaid: The Strange Saga of Denmark’s Most Famous Statue 27:46

4M ago27:46

27:46

You’ve seen the Instagram photos and passed the crowds in Copenhagen, but how much do you really know about the Little Mermaid statue? In this episode, Derek, Mike, and Conrad have a laugh-filled discussion about the strange history of Denmark’s most iconic statue. From her origins in a Hans Christian Andersen fairy tale to being commissioned by a …

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

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

5M 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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95 | Cecilie Bau on Dating, Coming Out, and No Such Thing as Oversharing in Denmark 27:10

5M 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

5M 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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93 | PD2, PD3, and WTF — Do You Really Have to Learn Danish? 32:13

5M 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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92 | Going Viral in Denmark: Mathias Bach on TikTok Fame, Danish Humor & Applesauce 36:26

5M 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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91 | Denmark’s Bizarre Copyright Wars: Elvis, Harry Potter & McDonald's 18:32

6M 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

6M 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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89 | Should You Move to Denmark? Here’s What to See Before Deciding 30:08

6M 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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88 | Boycott American Goods or Sell Them Eggs? Week 13 News in Denmark 22:35

6M 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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87 | Are Danes Making it Harder for You to Learn Danish? (with Steven Feraru) 35:11

6M 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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86 | Paying US Taxes as an American Abroad (with Nathalie Goldstein) 26:17

7M 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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109. FINN EVANS: trans-masculine, trans man, queer 49:35

7M ago49:35

49:35

Finn Evans is an artist, writer, film director, and owner of the production company Chudatsi. Finn’s pronouns are he/him, and he is trans-masculine and queer. He also uses the label trans man. Find out what that means to Finn in this episode.We also talk about challenges with gendered language, finding your people, what labels feel like home, inter…

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

7M 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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84 | Elon Picks a Fight, Zoo Escapes, and Audio Surveillance: Week 9 News 27:49

7M 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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83 | The Danish King Who Played the Dating Game of Thrones 20:00

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

8M 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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81 | Week 6 News: Greenland Polling, Bomb Threats, and Aarhus's Pitch to Internationals 24:49

8M 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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Introducing: How to Date 10:04

8M ago10:04

10:04

Looking for love or navigating the modern dating world? We've got just the thing! How to Date is your ultimate guide to the highs, lows, and everything in between of modern romance. Hosted by broadcaster and author Elizabeth Day and relationship expert Mel Schilling, this podcast masterclass dives deep into the complexities of finding connection in…

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The Year of Less by Cait Flanders 1:10:39

8M ago1:10:39

1:10:39

... And shopping and doing No Buy or Low Buy Years. NOTE: I (Sofie) refer to Aja Barber as Aja Barker - a very rude mistake from my end, I apologise profusely! Also I just learned that I also mispronounced her first name. I'm so so so sorry. MAIN SOURCE The Year of Less by Cait Flanders Cait Flanders' Substack about The Year of Less REFERENCES Adve…

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

8M 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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79 | Defending Denmark: Can Danes be a Little Too Sensitive? 25:39

8M 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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78 | Myth-Busting Denmark's Drunken Oil Diplomacy (with Jeff Bond) 28:21

8M 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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PSA and also, the Basic Tools of The Artist's Way 36:42

9M ago36:42

36:42

Just a little update on this month's (late!) episode and some Artist Way Introduction Stuff... A List of All The Books We've Covered Here Subscribe to our Patreon for extra bonus episodes and to sign up for our The Artist Way thing in January! Help Hole is on Instagram and TikTok Sofie is on Instagram, TikTok, Threads, Twitter and Facebook Abby is …

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

9M 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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76 | From Margrethe to Frederik: A Regal Review of Denmark’s Royal Family and What’s Next 35:19

9M 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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75 | Danish Christmas Culture Shocks (with Steven Feraru) 27:28

9M ago27:28

27:28

This week Steven Feraru is back with Annie, Brooke, Conrad, and Derek to discuss the culture shocks and fun new experiences that internationals encounter during the Danish Christmas season. You'll learn about the things that surprised us the most when we dove into our first Christmas in Denmark, how to navigate your own Jul traditions, and why we t…