The story behind the How to Live in Denmark Podcast: Fifth anniversary episode

The story behind the How to Live in Denmark Podcast: Fifth anniversary episode

Author: Kay Xander Mellish August 31, 2018 Duration: 7:25

This is a special episode, because this is the fifth anniversary of the How to Live in Denmark podcast.The podcast began in the summer of 2013; at the time I'm recording this, it is near the end of Summer 2018. We've had more than 80 episodes and around a million streams and downloads. Most importantly, I've received a lot of messages from people like you saying that the podcast and the books that have come out of the podcast have been really helpful for you in adjusting to Denmark. I'm so happy to hear that.

I originally came to Denmark on vacation. I was living in Manhattan in the time, right downtown in Greenwich Village, but I'd been living there for about 10 years and was really ready to try something new. I visited all the hip cities in the US – Atlanta, Salt Lake City, Seattle, Chicago, Austin Texas, but I just didn't find a place where I really felt I fit in.

At the same time, I had a friend living in Paris. We'd meet up and check out different parts of Europe, and one September we thought, OK, why not Copenhagen. It was a beautiful September, warm and sunny, and I thought, well, here's a country with good weather.


For anyone curious about or currently navigating Danish life from the outside, How to Live in Denmark serves as an essential, on-the-ground guide. Hosted by Kay Xander Mellish, an American writer who has made Denmark her home for over ten years, this conversation cuts straight to the heart of the everyday realities in one of the world's most homogenous-and often puzzling-societies. Rather than lengthy lectures, you'll find concise, ten-minute episodes packed with practical advice and cultural translation. This isn't just about travel tips; it's a deep dive into the unspoken rules of Danish social etiquette, the nuances of the local workplace, and the sometimes surprising path to feeling at home in a country frequently labeled the world's happiest. Mellish draws from her own long-term experience to explain everything from navigating the infamous Jantelov to understanding the Danish approach to business meetings and casual Friday night hygge. As Denmark's longest-running English-language podcast, it has become a trusted resource for internationals, whether they are planning a move, newly arrived, or have been settled for years but still occasionally find themselves wondering, "Why do Danes do it that way?" Each episode feels like a chat with a well-informed friend who helps decode the complexities of a fascinating culture, making your time there richer and a lot less confusing.
Author: Language: en-us Episodes: 100

How to Live in Denmark
Podcast Episodes
Arriving in Denmark: Some tips from my experience [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 8:29
August in Denmark brings the first signs of fall: a crisp chill in the air, the changing color of the leaves, the annual posters warning drivers to be aware of small children riding their bikes to school for the first ti…
Danish babies: Rolling Royalty and Tribal Names [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 6:02
Denmark is a small country, and Danish people tend to think small things are good. Small cars. Small homes. Small ambitions when it comes to international team sports. But one thing in Denmark is never small – a baby car…
Danes and Fear: What is there to be afraid of in Denmark? [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 7:03
In general, Denmark is not a fearful country. You could argue, what is there to be afraid of in Denmark? It seems like a safe little corner of the world. Tax-funded social programs make it unlikely you'll go hungry or ho…
Spring in Denmark: Hot Wheat Buns and Highly-Educated Drunks [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 6:53
It's spring in Denmark, and spring is by far my favorite season here. The wonderful white Scandinavian sunlight is back after the dark days of the winter, the flowers are coming out on the trees, and everybody's in a goo…
Danish Birthday Traditions [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 8:05
It has been said that Danish birthdays are the most important in the world. Adults, children, even the Queen of Denmark make a big deal about birthdays. And there is specific set of birthday rules and traditions for ever…
Danes and Singing [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 6:00
There have been very few international singing stars from Denmark, and that's a surprise, because Danish people love to sing. Joining choirs is very popular, and Danish schoolchildren often start the week with a song – i…

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