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158 | How Denmark Became a Eurovision Favorite Again | Clara Sofie Fabricius on “Før vi går hjem”
36:33|Denmark's had a rough Eurovision track record in recent years, but is looking to continue a bounce back that began last year. How did the country that has struggled to qualify for the Eurovision final, suddenly become one of the favorites to win Eurovision 2026? It's thanks to one song: “Før vi går hjem.”In this episode of What Are You Doing in Denmark, Derek Hartman and Brooke Black sit down with Danish musician, producer, and songwriter Clara Sofie Fabricius, one of the co-writers behind Denmark’s Eurovision entry “Før vi går hjem,” performed by Søren Torpegaard Lund.Clara Sofie shares the incredible behind-the-scenes story of how the song came together during a songwriting camp that included an untimely injury, wine hangover, general exhaustion, and somehow resulted in Denmark’s biggest Eurovision hype in years. Oh and the heavy lifting of the song came to be in less than an hour. You have to hear this story to believe it.They also discuss:Why Denmark struggled at Eurovision after 2013How Dansk Melodi Grand Prix worksThe process of writing a Eurovision songWhy “Før vi går hjem” connected with fans across EuropeThe meaning behind the lyrics and stagingWhether Eurovision is finally becoming “cool” againWhy Eurovision matters so much in DenmarkWhether you’re a longtime Eurovision fan or completely new to the contest, this episode explains why Eurovision is such a huge cultural event in Denmark — and why this year felt different.Listen to “Før vi går hjem”: https://youtu.be/dz6P3YTNG0M?si=Pgb8nhw2Bqj_3gy9Clara Sofie (guest):Spotify profile: LINKSongs I wrote: LINKSongs I wrote and produced: LINKInstagram: LINKFacebook: LINKLinkedIn: LINK Derek Hartman:Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/derekhartmandkYouTube: https://youtube.com/c/robetrottingTikTok: https://tiktok.com/@derekhartmandkFacebook: https://www.facebook.com/robetrottingBrooke Black:https://instagram.com/brookeblackjusthttps://www.tiktok.com/@brookeblackjustTopics: Eurovision Song Contest 2026, Eurovision, Denmark in Eurovision, Danish Musicians
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157 | Why Does Everyone Hate Randers? Explaining Denmark's Most-Mocked City
30:04|Randers has one of the strongest and strangest reputations in Denmark. But where does it actually come from?In this episode of What Are You Doing in Denmark, Derek, Brooke, and Conrad unpack the myths, stereotypes, and history behind Denmark’s sixth-largest city. From “Randers Champagne” to royal-approved gloves, we explore how a place can be both mocked and have a lot to be admired at the same time.Along the way, we share our own experiences, surprising facts, and the cultural reasons Danes love to joke about Randers.Is it fair… or just a really persistent meme?Referenced Episodes:Graceland Randers aka Memphis Mansion (Danish Copyright Fights)Himmelbjerget and Denmark's Highest PeaksDerek Hartman: https://www.instagram.com/derekhartmandk https://youtube.com/c/robetrottinghttps://tiktok.com/@derekhartmandkwww.facebook.com/robetrottingBrooke Black:https://instagram.com/brookeblackjusthttps://www.tiktok.com/@brookeblackjustConrad Molden:https://instagram.com/conradmoldencomedyhttps://youtube.com/c/conradmoldenhttps://tiktok.com/@conradmolden https://facebook.com/conradmoldenhttps://www.conradmolden.dk
156 | “You’re Welcome… But You Don’t Belong” Life in Denmark as an International
45:01|A conversation about identity, moving abroad, and why belonging in Denmark isn’t always as simple as it seems.What does it really mean to belong, especially in a place like Denmark?In this episode, Derek sits down with French author and artist Aurélia Durand to talk about identity, moving abroad, and the often complicated reality of building a life in Denmark.Drawing from her memoir Belonging, Aurélia shares her journey growing up between Paris and La Réunion, and how living in Denmark forced her to confront deeper questions about who she is and where she fits.They explore:Why finding work and community in Denmark can feel harder than expectedThe hidden role of networks, language, and cultural “sameness”What it’s like to be included — but still feel like an outsiderThe tension between assimilation and staying true to yourselfAnd how living abroad can reshape your identity in ways you don’t expectAurélia also opens up about relationships across cultures, returning “home” and no longer fitting in, and how art became her way of processing it all.If you’ve ever struggled to feel at home in Denmark, or anywhere, this conversation will resonate.Aurélia Durand (guest):Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/4ur3lia/Order Belonging: https://atelieraureliadurand.com/pages/instagramSee All of Aurélia's Work: https://www.aurelia-studio.com/Derek Hartman:Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/derekhartmandkYouTube: https://youtube.com/c/robetrottingTikTok: https://tiktok.com/@derekhartmandkFacebook: https://www.facebook.com/robetrotting
155 | Stuck in Limbo: Denmark’s Election and the Future for Internationals
38:33|Denmark still doesn’t have a new government weeks after the election... so what’s going on, and what does it mean for internationals living here?In this episode Derek and Brooke break down the current political stalemate and why forming a government has been so difficult this time around. Featuring a short interview with Bernardo Basilici Menini, they explain where negotiations stand, who holds the power, and what could happen next.This episode also dives into what different coalition outcomes could mean for internationals in Denmark including: changes to citizenship rules, work permits, international students, deportation policies, integration, housing, and the cost of living.Whether you’re an expat, student, or planning to move to Denmark, this episode will help you understand how the election could impact your life here.🎙️ Topics covered:Why Denmark hasn’t formed a government yetThe role of Mette Frederiksen and Lars Løkke RasmussenCitizenship and immigration policy changesWork permits and international hiringStudent visas and staying after graduationDeportation and integration policiesHousing and cost of livingBernardo Basilici Menini (guest):LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/bernardo-basilici-meniniCopenhagen Post: https://cphpost.dk/author/bernardo/Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/bernie.basilicimenDerek Hartman:Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/derekhartmandkYouTube: https://youtube.com/c/robetrottingTikTok: https://tiktok.com/@derekhartmandkFacebook: https://www.facebook.com/robetrottingBrooke Black:https://instagram.com/brookeblackjusthttps://www.tiktok.com/@brookeblackjustSubscribe to The Copenhagen Post: https://cphpost.dk/subscription/Topics: Danish election, Denmark politics explained, expats in Denmark, coalition government, minority government, immigration policy Denmark, Nordic politics
154 | Public Failure, Danish Humor, and Creative Resilience (with Henrik Danielsen)
30:03|Fail Publicly. Survive. Get Better. Repeat. Bombing on stage feels like dying, and that’s okay.Hosts Derek Hartman and Conrad Molden sit down with Danish stand-up comedian Henrik Danielsen to talk about failing in public and why it’s sometimes necessary to improve. Before becoming one of Denmark’s sharpest observational comics, Henrik spent years bombing and returning to the stage anyway.What begins as a comedy conversation turns into a mini therapy session on resilience, ego, and cultural expectations. They explore how failure shaped his craft, why Danish and international audiences react differently, and how self-deprecation works as both humor and social survival. This episode isn’t about overnight success. It’s about surviving awkwardness long enough to get better.➡️ Thank you to the sponsor of this episode: COOL ACCOUNTSDerek Hartman: https://www.instagram.com/derekhartmandk https://youtube.com/c/robetrottinghttps://tiktok.com/@derekhartmandkwww.facebook.com/robetrottingConrad Molden:https://instagram.com/conradmoldencomedyhttps://youtube.com/c/conradmoldenhttps://tiktok.com/@conradmolden https://facebook.com/conradmoldenhttps://www.conradmolden.dkHenrik Danielsen - This One Time at Comedy Zoo - English Stand-up Comedyhttps://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PBfnKriSXJQhttps://www.instagram.com/henrikcomedy
153 | Why Danes Say the F-Word Around Kids (And No One Cares)
39:51|Why is the F-word everywhere in Denmark - even around kids? Derek and Brooke unpack one of the biggest culture shocks for expats, from parenting dilemmas to why the word just doesn’t mean the same thing here.From hearing it in schoolyards, on the radio, and even at kids’ events… to navigating it as a parent, this conversation explores what happens when language, culture, and values collide.In this episode:Why the F-word doesn’t carry the same weight in DenmarkThe role of English as a second languageSubtitles vs dubbing and how media shapes languageParenting in a culture where swearing is everywhereDanish vs American attitudes toward “appropriate” languageA practical (and funny) guide to Danish swear wordsA special cameo from Conrad's Danglish 1 comedy specialIf you’re raising kids in Denmark or just trying to understand Danish culture, this episode will definitely make you think twice about what words really mean.➡️ Special thank you to the sponsor of this episode, Cool Accounts ApS: https://bit.ly/4doqdVcDerek Hartman:Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/derekhartmandkYouTube: https://youtube.com/c/robetrottingTikTok: https://tiktok.com/@derekhartmandkFacebook: https://www.facebook.com/robetrottingBrooke Black:https://instagram.com/brookeblackjusthttps://www.tiktok.com/@brookeblackjust📺 Watch Conrad's full Danglish Comedy Special (with the cursing joke): https://youtu.be/kgpp1a5Pn3o?si=4seE12n0Um8xrqi8
152 | Are You Annoying Your Danish Neighbors? (Live in Copenhagen)
37:45|We’re live from Copenhagen’s Comedy Zoo 🎤In this special live episode of What Are You Doing in Denmark, we break down the unspoken rules of Danish apartment living... and all the ways internationals accidentally get them wrong.From passive-aggressive laundry room notes and party etiquette to recycling confusion and noisy neighbors, this episode is packed with real stories, cultural insights, and plenty of laughs. Featuring a live audience and a panel of comedians, we even put it to a vote: who would you actually want as your neighbor?If you’ve ever lived in Denmark (or plan to), this episode might save you from your next awkward hallway encounter.🎧 Recorded LIVE at Comedy Zoo, Copenhagen.➡️ Thank you to our sponsor, Cool Accounts ApS: https://bit.ly/4doqdVcDharkshika Christopher (guest):Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/dharshika.christopherFacebook: https://www.facebook.com/DharshikaChristopherComedyTickets: https://upfestival.dk/om/komikere/dharshika-christopherDerek Hartman:Instagram: https://instagram.com/derekhartmandkYouTube: https://youtube.com/c/robetrottingTikTok: https://tiktok.com/@derekhartmandkFacebook: https://www.facebook.com/robetrottingConrad Molden:https://instagram.com/conradmoldencomedyhttps://youtube.com/c/conradmoldenhttps://tiktok.com/@conradmolden https://facebook.com/conradmoldenhttps://www.conradmolden.dkBrooke Black:https://instagram.com/brookeblackjusthttps://www.tiktok.com/@brookeblackjustMike Walsh:Instagram: https://instagram.com/phillymike999