Denmark’s 2025 local and regional elections delivered anything but the usual political calm. Historic strongholds flipped, long-dominant parties stumbled, and unexpected winners surged—reshaping the political map just months before a likely national election.

In this episode of What Are You Doing in Denmark, Derek Hartman and Mike Walsh break down the biggest surprises from election night with the help of a special guest: Bernardo Basilici Menini, editor-in-chief of The Copenhagen Post. Bernardo has been following the campaigns, the numbers, and the fallout and he joins us to explain what the results really mean.

Don’t forget to share this podcast with any friends who have made the move to Denmark.

For more clips and tips on living in Denmark and follow us on social media:

Bernardo Basilici Menini (guest):

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/bernardo-basilici-menini

Copenhagen Post: https://cphpost.dk/author/bernardo/

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/bernie.basilicimen

Derek Hartman:

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/derekhartmandk

YouTube: https://youtube.com/c/robetrotting

TikTok: https://tiktok.com/@derekhartmandk

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/robetrotting

Mike Walsh:

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/phillymike999

📺 Watch on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLFCSH6KqKooZmSx1GJu9CWZYjX8esjl2F

📢 Send your questions and/or comments.

voice: https://www.speakpipe.com/waydid

email: [email protected]

👉 Remember to tell your friends about the podcast.

👀 More living in Denmark tips:

https://instagram.com/waydidpod

https://www.facebook.com/RobeTrotting/

🎧 #VoteHome podcast: https://pod.link/1742152076

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Every December in Denmark, a very specific kind of chaos takes over and it all traces back to one quirky Christmas show. It’s time to explore The Julekalender, the 1991 Danish Christmas classic that internationals always look up when they’re trying to make sense of December in Denmark. Derek and Conrad are joined by an actual Dane, Henrik, who grew up with the show and helps break down the Danglish, the cultural jokes, and the nostalgia that make this version so iconic. Together, they dig into why Nisse speak the way they do, how the trio behind the series created its offbeat world, and what still holds up (and what… definitely doesn’t).

Derek Hartman: 

https://www.instagram.com/derekhartmandk 

https://youtube.com/c/robetrotting

https://tiktok.com/@derekhartmandk

www.facebook.com/robetrotting

Conrad Molden:

https://instagram.com/conradmoldencomedy

https://youtube.com/c/conradmolden

https://tiktok.com/@conradmolden 

https://facebook.com/conradmolden

https://www.conradmolden.dk

Henrik Danielsen:

https://www.instagram.com/henrikcomedy

https://www.facebook.com/HenrikComedy/

https://www.youtube.com/@HenrikComedy

📺 Watch on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLFCSH6KqKooZmSx1GJu9CWZYjX8esjl2F

📢 Send your questions and/or comments.

voice: https://www.speakpipe.com/waydid

email: [email protected]

👉 Remember to tell your friends about the podcast.

👀 More living in Denmark tips:

https://instagram.com/waydidpod

https://www.facebook.com/RobeTrotting/

🎧 #VoteHome podcast: https://pod.link/1742152076

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Most internationals who make it past the first few years in Denmark stay for one of two reasons and they’re not what you think. That’s what Derek found out when he chatted with Dan Rosenberg from Copenhagen Capacity about their latest expat survey. While Denmark attracts record numbers of global talent, keeping them is getting harder. Dan breaks down the data behind why some internationals settle in for the long haul and why others quietly plan their exit.

Copenhagen Capacity: https://www.copcap.com/

IDCN: https://idcn.info/our-locations/copenhagen-denmark/

Digital Hub Denmark: https://www.digitalhubdenmark.dk/

Derek Hartman: 

https://www.instagram.com/derekhartmandk 

https://youtube.com/c/robetrotting

https://tiktok.com/@derekhartmandk

www.facebook.com/robetrotting

📺 Watch on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLFCSH6KqKooZmSx1GJu9CWZYjX8esjl2F

📢 Send your questions and/or comments.

voice: https://www.speakpipe.com/waydid

email: [email protected]

👉 Remember to tell your friends about the podcast.

👀 More living in Denmark tips:

https://instagram.com/waydidpod

https://www.facebook.com/RobeTrotting/

🎧 #VoteHome podcast: https://pod.link/1742152076

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

This is our final episode talking to candidates for the 2025 local and regional council elections. This week, Derek sits down with Asbjørn Reissman from Social Democrats, Heidi Wang from Venstre, and Joanne Bywater from Liberal Alliance to discuss the biggest issues in Copenhagen's local elections.

From schooling to housing prices, the candidates share their opinions and debate the issues, finding some common ground solutions in the process. You'll hear what's most important to the candidates, their parties, and why you should take an interest in this important election.

60% of government decisions are decided at the local level in Denmark and you probably have the right to vote on who makes them. You can vote in the municipal and regional elections if you are a Danish citizen, a citizen of an EU country, a UK or Nordic citizen OR if you are from elsewhere but have lived in Denmark for 4+ years.

Don't miss your chance to participate in democracy and vote in these Danish elections.

Asbjørn Reissman:

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/AsbjornReissmann/

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/asbjornreissmann

Candidate Site: https://areissmann.dk/

Heidi Wang:

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/heidiwangdk/

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/heidiwangdk/

Candidate Site: https://heidiwang.dk/english-1.html

Joanne Bywater:

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/p/Joanne-Bywater-Liberal-Alliance-100076228472231/

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/joannebywater_la/

Candidae Site: https://la-kbh.dk/person/johanne-bywater/

📺 Watch on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLFCSH6KqKooZmSx1GJu9CWZYjX8esjl2F

📢 Send your questions and/or comments.

voice: https://www.speakpipe.com/waydid

email: [email protected]

👉 Remember to tell your friends about the podcast.

👀 More living in Denmark tips:

https://instagram.com/waydidpod

https://www.facebook.com/RobeTrotting/

🎧 #VoteHome podcast: https://pod.link/1742152076

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Belonging, loneliness, and coping in Denmark. The line between belonging and losing yourself can be thin sometimes. That’s what Derek, Brooke and therapist and author guest Lucy Vittrup Christensen explore in this episode. Together they explore how the pressure to fit in, the loneliness of expat life, and Denmark’s open drinking and drug culture can blur the line between social habits and addiction. Lucy explains how addiction often grows from the same place as loneliness. a longing for connection, and why internationals may be more vulnerable when routines, roles, and identities shift abroad. If you’ve ever felt you were coping instead of connecting, this conversation offers perspective, honesty, and practical steps toward support.

Lucy Vittrup Christensen (Guest)

https://www.instagram.com/lucy_vittrup

https://www.facebook.com/lucy.vittrup.christensen/

Derek Hartman: 

https://www.instagram.com/derekhartmandk 

https://youtube.com/c/robetrotting

https://tiktok.com/@derekhartmandk

www.facebook.com/robetrotting

Brooke Black:

https://instagram.com/brookeblackjust

https://www.tiktok.com/@brookeblackjust

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

https://pod.link/1704607322/episode/NjhjZDE1NTcxNDZjZmQxYTY1ZjVmZGY1

📺 Watch on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLFCSH6KqKooZmSx1GJu9CWZYjX8esjl2F

📢 Send your questions and/or comments.

voice: https://www.speakpipe.com/waydid

email: [email protected]

👉 Remember to tell your friends about the podcast.

👀 More living in Denmark tips:

https://instagram.com/waydidpod

https://www.facebook.com/RobeTrotting/

🎧 #VoteHome podcast: https://pod.link/1742152076

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

In this episode, Derek sits down with Anders Storgaard from The Conservatives and member of the Frederiksberg Municipal Council, and Mads Hvid from The Socialist People’s Party (SF), who’s running for the Copenhagen Municipal Council. Together, they explore why internationals in Denmark should make their voices heard at the ballot box and how to decide where to put that vote.

The conversation touches on the real political influence internationals already have in Denmark’s local politics, the issues that matter most in Copenhagen and Frederiksberg, and how getting involved locally can shape the communities we all share.

Make your voice heard on 18 November across Denmark!

➡️ Free Election Information via CPH Post: https://cphpost.dk/tag/election-2025/

Mads Hvid

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/m.hvid/

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/mhvid/

Candidate Site: https://sf.dk/politiker/mads-hvid/

Anders Storgaard

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/a_storgaard1/

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/AndersEStorgaard/

Candidate Site: https://frederiksberg.konservative.dk/kommunalvalgskandidater1/anders-storgaard

📺 Watch on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLFCSH6KqKooZmSx1GJu9CWZYjX8esjl2F

📢 Send your questions and/or comments.

voice: https://www.speakpipe.com/waydid

email: [email protected]

👉 Remember to tell your friends about the podcast.

👀 More living in Denmark tips:

https://instagram.com/waydidpod

https://www.facebook.com/RobeTrotting/

🎧 #VoteHome podcast: https://pod.link/1742152076

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Behind the zoo cages lies something deeper. Denmark’s comfort with nature, death, and education sets it apart from much of the world and nowhere is that clearer than in its zoos. While other countries hide the realities of life and death, Denmark puts them on display, even for children. What shocks outsiders often feels completely normal to Danes, who see honesty and curiosity as essential to learning how the world works. In this episode, Derek, Brooke, and Conrad recap Denmark’s wildest zoo scandals and the culture that keeps them from being scandals at all.

Derek Hartman: 

https://www.instagram.com/derekhartmandk 

https://youtube.com/c/robetrotting

https://tiktok.com/@derekhartmandk

www.facebook.com/robetrotting

Brooke Black:

https://instagram.com/brookeblackjust

https://www.tiktok.com/@brookeblackjust

Conrad Molden:

https://instagram.com/conradmoldencomedy

https://youtube.com/c/conradmolden

https://tiktok.com/@conradmolden 

https://facebook.com/conradmolden

https://www.conradmolden.dk

📺 Watch on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLFCSH6KqKooZmSx1GJu9CWZYjX8esjl2F

📢 Send your questions and/or comments.

voice: https://www.speakpipe.com/waydid

email: [email protected]

👉 Remember to tell your friends about the podcast.

👀 More living in Denmark tips:

https://instagram.com/waydidpod

https://www.facebook.com/RobeTrotting/

🎧 #VoteHome podcast: https://pod.link/1742152076

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

In this episode, we're revisiting the ghost stories of Dragsholm Slot, one of Europe's most haunted castles located right here in Denmark. From the crypt of 2024 spooky season you'll hear Derek share the tales of four different ghosts haunting the castle while paranormal skeptic, Mike, gives his thoughts and reactions. Whether or not you celebrate Halloween, you're in for a scary good time revisiting the haunted history of this Danish landmark.

Don’t forget to share this podcast with any friends who have made the move to Denmark.

For more clips and tips on living in Denmark and follow us on social media:

Derek Hartman:

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/derekhartmandk

YouTube: https://youtube.com/c/robetrotting

TikTok: https://tiktok.com/@derekhartmandk

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/robetrotting

Mike Walsh:

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/phillymike999

📺 Watch on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLFCSH6KqKooZmSx1GJu9CWZYjX8esjl2F

📢 Send your questions and/or comments.

voice: https://www.speakpipe.com/waydid

email: [email protected]

👉 Remember to tell your friends about the podcast.

👀 More living in Denmark tips:

https://instagram.com/waydidpod

https://www.facebook.com/RobeTrotting/

🎧 #VoteHome podcast: https://pod.link/1742152076

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

In this episode, Derek interviews Finn Holschlek, Denmark's youngest candidate for local office at just 17 years old. Finn shares his journey from Austria to Denmark, his motivations for political involvement, and the importance of youth engagement in politics. The conversation explores the challenges and opportunities faced by young politicians, the impact of being a foreigner in Denmark, and the significance of addressing climate change and affordability in local governance. Finn emphasizes the need for inclusivity and integration, offering advice for other young internationals looking to get involved in politics.

Finn Holschlek (guest):

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/finn_h007/

Candidate Site: https://nyheder.tv2.dk/kommunalvalg/kandidat/121725725

Derek Hartman:

Instagram: https://instagram.com/derekhartmandk

YouTube: https://youtube.com/c/robetrotting

TikTok: https://tiktok.com/@derekhartmandk

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/robetrotting

📺 Watch on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLFCSH6KqKooZmSx1GJu9CWZYjX8esjl2F

📢 Send your questions and/or comments.

voice: https://www.speakpipe.com/waydid

email: [email protected]

👉 Remember to tell your friends about the podcast.

👀 More living in Denmark tips:

https://instagram.com/waydidpod

https://www.facebook.com/RobeTrotting/

🎧 #VoteHome podcast: https://pod.link/1742152076

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Is making friends in Denmark really that hard? Derek and Mike dig into what friendship and belonging look like for internationals in Denmark, from the comfort of expat bubbles to the challenge of entering long-standing Danish circles. They explore whether you truly need Danish friends to feel at home, or just the right people to anchor you. It’s a thoughtful look at what it means to build real connection and real roots in Denmark.

Derek Hartman:

Instagram: https://instagram.com/derekhartmandk

YouTube: https://youtube.com/c/robetrotting

TikTok: https://tiktok.com/@derekhartmandk

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/robetrotting

Mike Walsh:

Instagram: https://instagram.com/phillymike999

📺 Watch on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLFCSH6KqKooZmSx1GJu9CWZYjX8esjl2F

📢 Send your questions and/or comments.

voice: https://www.speakpipe.com/waydid

email: [email protected]

👉 Remember to tell your friends about the podcast.

👀 More living in Denmark tips:

https://instagram.com/waydidpod

https://www.facebook.com/RobeTrotting/

🎧 #VoteHome podcast: https://pod.link/1742152076

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.