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 fired by a funnier king, to Hans Christian Andersen’s fear of being buried alive. If you’re gathering around a fire tonight, this is the perfect epis...
Jun 24, 2025•38 min•Ep. 103
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, they unpack what these rankings often miss. Along the way, they talk privilege, Paris Syndrome, and why your personal community matters more than any glo...
Jun 17, 2025•25 min•Ep. 102
🎧 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 conversation, Brooke shares what it really takes to build a new life abroad—navigating motherhood, identity, and the Danish social scene, all while learning a ...
Jun 10, 2025•34 min
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 and locals alike will relate to this episode. Oh, and this is our 100th episode recorded live at Copenhagen's Comedy Zoo with your host Derek Hartma...
Jun 03, 2025•20 min
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 world feels broken. If you’ve ever taken your safety for granted or wondered how art can help us survive the worst, this conversation will stay with yo...
May 27, 2025•31 min
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 Danish beer magnate, to her many beheadings and even a diplomatic detour to China — the Little Mermaid has seen it all. Laugh along as the guys explor...
May 20, 2025•28 min
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 and Conrad offer advice along with guests Dharshika Christopher and Abby Wambaugh to unpack the emotional politics of going home, how to navigate exp...
May 13, 2025•24 min
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 moment when it all starts to click. Whether you’re a newly arrived expat, thinking about relocating, or still trying to feel at home abroad, this ep...
May 06, 2025•33 min
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 stigma and treatment of mental health has evolved in Denmark. Cecilie’s stand-up is brutally honest, hilariously awkward, and deeply personal and you'll ...
May 01, 2025•27 min
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're raising them in Denmark. Plus, a few awkward personal stories about trying to navigate Danish names as a foreigner. 🗣️ You can leave your own voice...
Apr 29, 2025•31 min
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 citizenship, and whether those government-sponsored language courses are actually worth it. We also get into the emotional rollercoaster of trying to snakke da...
Apr 22, 2025•32 min
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 about Danish culture, and how he balances humor with social commentary. We discuss the strange reality of being a creator in one of the smallest countrie...
Apr 15, 2025•36 min
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 hot dog vendor who went toe-to-toe with a global fast food empire... and kind of won? Danish creativity meets international IP law—what could go wrong? ...
Apr 08, 2025•19 min
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. Plus, we’re joined by friend of the show and your other favorite social media "mom" from Denmark, Mathias Bach, to give us the full Danish perspective on...
Apr 03, 2025•24 min
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 made the leap to Denmark himself. Together, we share the must-visit spots that give a real sense of life in Copenhagen—both the good and the “you should...
Apr 01, 2025•30 min
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 shortsighted, a solution for change, or virtue signaling? In a positive story, we discuss the volunteer efforts to educate Danish seniors on cyber security and i...
Mar 25, 2025•23 min
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 ways in which Danes are knowingly or unknowingly making it harder for international folks to learn the language. Conrad, Brooke, and Derek break down t...
Mar 18, 2025•35 min
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 you actually have to file? (Spoiler: Probably.) 🏦 FBAR & FATCA: Why the U.S. tracks your foreign bank accounts. 🇩🇰 Taxes in Denmark vs. the U...
Mar 11, 2025•26 min
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 closest friends? As you may imagine, it can have a profound impact - so what can we do about it? In this episode you'll hear about the ways that Annie and...
Mar 04, 2025•34 min
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 escapes in Denmark including the most recent zebra that went missing from a zoo in Jutland. Finally, we discuss the new law that allows shops to use a...
Feb 25, 2025•28 min
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 shape several European monarchies for generations? And what did these new alliances mean for Denmark’s place on the world stage? King Christian IX of ...
Feb 18, 2025•20 min
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 and which upcoming guest Derek joined for a sweet treat recently. We also discuss the new regulation allowing police to stop you and validate the owners...
Feb 11, 2025•21 min
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 you should do with your car. Finally, the panel discusses an ambitious plan by Aarhus to attract and expand its international community and the issues ...
Feb 04, 2025•25 min
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. Despite all of that, for this particular war - which lasted 172 years and makes it the longest European war in history, there was not one single casualty....
Jan 28, 2025•19 min•Ep. 80
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. Even the most mild critiques are meant with deflections and defensive talking points according to the original post. The WAYDID panel gives their takes,...
Jan 21, 2025•26 min
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 down to hear the real history behind this often-repeated story. Just where did the idea come from that a Danish diplomat was negotiating undersea oil f...
Jan 14, 2025•28 min
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, fairness, and human rights. All foreigners in the country need to keep up with this story! To help you understand the issue Derek is joined by Norweg...
Jan 07, 2025•33 min
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 Frederik on the throne. Conrad helps us understand how Denmark’s monarchy stacks up against the UK’s royals, Derek shares his thoughts on what an American ...
Dec 30, 2024•35 min
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 think Denmark takes an inclusive approach to Christmas. You'll learn everything about Danish Christmas from the television shows to watch, foods to eat...
Dec 17, 2024•27 min
This week, we're talking about the news and you'll hear about the shockingly high number of Danish librarians reporting anti-social behavior at work. Derek is joined by Jefferson Bond and Adrian Mackinder to dig deep into the problems faced when visiting some of Denmark's institutions of knowledge sharing. You'll learn what could 2025 laws could change how you get around Denmark and where Jeff can park, plus we discuss the recent ruling by Denmark on what flags can be displayed and how. Specific...
Dec 12, 2024•40 min
