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 should expect as an international living in Denmark. From its roots as the Northern European version of Carnival, to historic Fastelavn processions, children singing for treats, and the very strange tradition of “hitting the cat out of the barrel,” we explain how this holiday evolved and why it still matters today.

We also talk about Fastelavn songs, costumes, and most importantly fastelavnsboller, the cream-filled buns that quietly turn February into Denmark’s sweetest month.

Whether you’re new to Denmark or just wondering why everyone suddenly cares so much about pastries, this episode will help Fastelavn make a little more sense.

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

Referenced:

Check out Ilana Buhl for fastelavnsboller content

https://www.instagram.com/the_lykke_charm

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

📺 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.

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 explore how Danish hunting culture grew out of land ownership and farming traditions, why gun ownership in Denmark is treated as a privilege rather than a right, and how extensive education, testing, and safety requirements shape the way Danes think about firearms. David explains the rituals, ethics, and community-driven nature of hunting in Denmark, as well as how respect for animals, food, and shared responsibility are central to the tradition.

The conversation also looks at why hunting has become more accepted in Danish society in recent years, how Danes generally view hunters and guns today, and what internationals, especially those from the U.S., often misunderstand about Danish gun laws, gun violence, and trust in public institutions.

This episode offers internationals living in Denmark a deeper understanding of Danish gun culture, hunting ethics, and the broader values around safety, education, and social trust that shape life in Denmark.

David Carsten Pedersen (guest):

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/alwayshunting.dk

David's podcast: https://www.instagram.com/jagtradio/

Hunting License Course: https://alwayshunting.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.

No one plans to lose their job in Denmark, but knowing the rules ahead of time can make a stressful moment a lot less scary. Derek and Conrad know and they’re here to unpack a topic most internationals quietly worry about but hope they’ll never need. They walk through what happens to your work and residence status if a job ends, covering how the rules differ for non-EU and EU residents, with a few notes for students too. This conversation is about preparation, just in case.

Along the way, they talk about garden leave, A-kasse, common misunderstandings, and the very real difference between being told you’re losing your job and officially being unemployed. With personal stories, a bit of humor, and plenty of practical context, this episode is designed to help you feel more prepared and less panicked, whether you're facing layoffs now or just want to understand the system better before you need to.

Relevant Links:

Visa Information (english): https://www.nyidanmark.dk/en-GB/

Contact SIRI (english): https://nyidanmark.dk/pl-PL/Contact-us/Contact-SIRI/Call-SIRI

Borger Service (english): https://lifeindenmark.borger.dk/

More on A-kasse: https://lifeindenmark.borger.dk/working/work-rights/unemployment-benefits

Job seeking episodes:

29 | Help! I’m in Denmark and I can’t find a job! https://pod.link/1704607322/episode/NjVmOTkwOTg2MTNlNzgwMDE2MDRjNGI3

30 | They asked you WHAT?! Job interviews in Denmark, Danish work culture myths, and much more. https://pod.link/1704607322/episode/NjYwMTJmM2NlNDE0YTYwMDE2YTU3YzA4

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

📺 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.

Denmark is changing. Here’s what matters. Derek and Brooke highlight what’s changing in Denmark in 2026 and why it matters, with the goal of helping you feel more grounded in your adopted home. No matter if top-top SKAT is in your future or not, these changes shape daily life in ways that are worth understanding. This conversation connects the dots between everyday costs, small policy shifts, and the rhythms of living in Denmark long term. Some changes show up quickly, like prices or routines. Others are easier to miss but still influence daily life. Together, they offer context, perspective, and a sense of where things are heading.

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

New rules on medicine:

https://laegemiddelstyrelsen.dk/da/nyheder/2025/nye-regler-for-privatpersoners-indfoersel-af-medicin-til-danmark-fra-1-januar-2026/

📺 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.

Living in Denmark doesn’t usually change you overnight; it sneaks up on you and quietly rewires your brain. Derek and Mike share listener responses and their own “wait, when did I start doing that?” moments as they talk through the small cultural shifts that stick over time. The conversation wanders through everyday life, work, and unspoken social rules that slowly reshape how internationals move through the world. By the end, there’s a good chance you’ll recognize a few of these changes in yourself and realize Denmark’s been working on you too.

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.

What should you expect from your first New Year’s Eve in Denmark? Couch-jumping? Royal speeches? Fireworks that feel slightly… unregulated?

In this end-of-year episode, Derek and Conrad break down Danish New Year traditions from the perspective of internationals who’ve learned them the hard (and funny) way. From watching the King’s speech at 6 pm and playing speech bingo, to the cult classic Dinner for One, jumping into the new year at midnight, and surviving Denmark’s famously intense fireworks, this episode is your practical (and humorous) guide to doing New Year’s “the Danish way.”

They also share personal New Year routines, cozy dinner-party culture, parenting hacks to fake midnight for small kids, and a few classic cultural misunderstandings, including what happens when you accidentally perform comedy at the wrong julefrokost.

Whether this is your first New Year in Denmark or your tenth, this episode will help you feel a little less like the odd one out and maybe even a bit more Danish.

Happy New Year, or as we say in Denmark, Godt nytår! 🎆

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

📺 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.

With Christmas just around the corner, we’re revisiting one of our favorite holiday episodes from last year. In this festive roundtable, Derek, Conrad, Brooke, Annie, and guest Steven Feraru, talk about the big and small culture shocks that come with celebrating Christmas in Denmark as an international.

From julekalenders and gløgg to julefrokost chaos, gift-opening traditions, and why Christmas seems to start very early here, we share personal stories, laughs, and a few moments of genuine confusion about how things are done Danish-style. Steven also brings his unique perspective growing up in a multicultural family and since recording this episode, he’s gone on to win the Danish reality show Double Up, making this the perfect time to bring it back.

Whether you’re traveling for the holidays, waiting at an airport, or enjoying a quieter week at home, we hope this episode keeps you company and gets you into the holiday spirit. We’ll be back next week with a brand-new episode answering a listener’s question, and calming a few fears, about what to expect for your very first New Year’s Eve in Denmark.

Glædelig jul and happy listening!

Steven Feraru (guest):

TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@stevenferaru

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

Derek Hartman: 

Instagram: https://instagram.com/robetrotting

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

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

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

Conrad Molden:

Instagram: https://instagram.com/conradmoldencomedy

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

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

Facebook: https://facebook.com/conradmolden

King Carrot Tour Information: https://www.conradmolden.dk

Brooke Black:

Instagram: https://instagram.com/brookeblackjust

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

Annie Samples:

Instagram: https://instagram.com/annieineventyrland 

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

📺 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.

Winter in Denmark isn’t just cold, it’s dark, windy, wet, and emotionally confusing. In this episode of What Are You Doing in Denmark, Derek and Conrad are joined by comedians Jeff Bond and Jacob Taarnhøj to break down how to actually survive a Danish winter.

From cycling through sideways wind, understanding seasonal affective disorder, navigating public transport misery, January despair, and Denmark’s unique relationship with darkness, this episode is packed with practical advice, cultural insight, and very questionable winter “hacks.”

If you’re new to Denmark, considering moving here, or just wondering why Danes bike through snowstorms without blinking, this episode will help Denmark make a little more sense, even in winter.

Jefferson Bond (Guest):

Instagram: https://instagram.com/jeffersonbondcomedy 

TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/jeffersonbondcomedy

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/Jefferson.A.Bond/

Jacob Taarnhøj (Guest):

https://www.instagram.com/jacobtaarnhoej/ 

https://www.facebook.com/JacobTaarnhoej 

https://jacobtaarnhoej.dk/ 

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

📺 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.

If you’re raising kids in Denmark and still feel confused every time you deal with the healthcare system, this episode will make things finally click.

Derek and Brooke return for part two of their conversation with Emma, a British pediatrician based in Copenhagen. This time, the three of them talk about what it actually feels like to navigate Danish healthcare as an international parent, from getting used to the child-focused, community-based setup to knowing when to push a little, when to trust the process, and how cultural norms can shape the care you get. Emma also shares what it is like to be both a doctor and a mom in a country where the style, communication, and systems can feel completely different from what you are used to.

If you haven’t heard Part 1, go check that out first: https://pod.link/1704607322/episode/NjkyZjAxYzA3ZTVlNzcxMDU4YWExNWM0

Referenced Websites:

akut.dk

sundhed.dk

en.stps.dk

Emma:

https://www.doctormumforkids.com/

instagram.com/doctormumforkids

email: [email protected]

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

📺 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.

Navigating Denmark’s healthcare system as an international can feel confusing, surprising, and occasionally hilarious, but it doesn’t have to. Derek and Brooke sit down with Dr. Emma, a British pediatrician in Copenhagen, to unpack how the system really works for internationals. They cover why the GP is your main gateway into care, why appointments can feel too short, and how cultural communication styles can lead to misunderstandings. Emma explains why some treatments seem missing, breaks down the logic behind antibiotics and screenings, and shares practical tips for advocating for yourself without feeling like a hypochondriac.

This is part 1 of a 2 part conversation. Today’s episode focuses on the general system and the everyday realities of navigating medical care as an international, while part 2, coming Thursday, dives into pediatric care, emergency experiences, and the digital tools you will definitely need.

Referenced Websites:

akut.dk

sundhed.dk

en.stps.dk

Emma:

https://www.doctormumforkids.com/

instagram.com/doctormumforkids

email: [email protected]

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

📺 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.