Claim OwnershipThe Danish Connection
Subscribed: 14Played: 100
Subscribe
© The Danish Connection
Description
How do you access news in Denmark if you don’t speak Danish? There are 652,495 foreign citizens living in Denmark. For non-Danes, accessing news in English is….complicated. Most news outlets are paywalled and google translate does a pretty terrible job of translating Danish to English. In collaboration with Union, we bring you ‘The Danish Connection’ - a new podcast breaking down Danish news in English! This is your place to share enquiries, opinions and tales of the immigrant experience in Denmark. Hosted by María Eva and Rachel, new episodes every Sunday.
48 Episodes
Reverse
This week on The Danish Connection:Eva unpacks the mysterious drone incidents that shut down Danish airports and raised national security alarms. Who is behind them, why is the Prime Minister receiving criticism for how it was handled and was it discussed among EU leaders at the summit that took place in Copenhagen this week?Rachel dives into Denmark’s upcoming local and regional elections, taking place on November 18th, 2025. Half a million internationals are eligible to vote, making up 10% of all voters in Denmark. Yet, turnout among internationals is still much lower than among Danes. She explains why this gap matters, how internationals can make their voices heard and gives you all the practical information you need to go and vote.As always you can find us on Spotify, Apple Podcasts or by simply clicking the link in bio.Remember - this is your place to share enquiries, opinions and tales of the immigrant experience in Denmark - and we want to hear from you. Pop us a DM on Instagram or via email thedanishconnectionnews@gmail.com and let us know if you have a story you would like to contribute.If you liked this episode and think it would be useful for someone you know - please share it with them!
Welcome back to another edition of Stories from the Streets with Maria Pagola - a bonus series from The Danish Connection where you get the chance to hear the unfiltered voices of Copenhagen speaking about the big topics, the small details, and everything in between. In this episode, Maria discusses the many layers of meaning behind Denmark’s most basic commodity: WaterIs it safe to drink it, is it ok to swim in it, and why does it hold so much cultural significance for Danes? In this episode she takes to the streets of Copenhagen to find out.As always you can find us on Spotify, Apple Podcasts or by simply clicking the link in bio.Remember - this is your place to share enquiries, opinions and tales of the immigrant experience in Denmark - and we want to hear from you. Pop us a DM on Instagram or via email thedanishconnectionnews@gmail.com and let us know if you have a story you would like to contribute.If you liked this episode and think it would be useful for someone you know - please share it with them!
This week on The Danish Connection, we’re digging into three huge stories that reveal the darker sides of public figures, education systems, and women’s safety in Denmark:🇩🇰 Eva breaks down the shocking case of former Social Democrats minister Henrik Sass Larsen, who has been convicted of possessing thousands of child sexual abuse materials, and why his prison sentence has caused public outrage.🎓 Rachel investigates how Roskilde University (RUC) filled its financial gap by enrolling fee-paying students from Bangladesh and Nepal, despite knowing many would struggle academically. Was this a lifeline for the university, or a scandal that undermines trust in Denmark’s higher education system and the ministry for it?⚖️ Melissa unpacks the murder of a woman by her ex-partner in Odense that has reignited a debate on femicide, intimate partner violence, and whether Danish authorities are doing enough to protect women at risk.We also talk about the prime minister's apology regarding the infamous spiral case and the Novo Nordisk layoffs. As always you can find us on Spotify, Apple Podcasts or by simply clicking the link in bio.Remember - this is your place to share enquiries, opinions and tales of the immigrant experience in Denmark - and we want to hear from you. Pop us a DM on Instagram or via email thedanishconnectionnews@gmail.com and let us know if you have a story you would like to contribute.If you liked this episode and think it would be useful for someone you know - please share it with them!
Why does Denmark have so many sperm donors? How do Danes deal with death? How safe is it to swim in, and drink the water here? How is it to be a sex worker in Denmark?Welcome to season two of Stories from the Streets with Maria Pagola - an extra monthly episode from The Danish Connection where you’ll hear the unfiltered voices of Copenhagen speaking about the big topics, the small details, and everything in between. In this episode, Maria investigates why Denmark is so renowned for sperm donations, and we take a closer look at the ethical implications of the process.As always you can find us on Spotify, Apple Podcasts or by simply clicking the link in bio.Remember - this is your place to share enquiries, opinions and tales of the immigrant experience in Denmark - and we want to hear from you. Pop us a DM on Instagram or via email thedanishconnectionnews@gmail.com and let us know if you have a story you would like to contribute.If you liked this episode and think it would be useful for someone you know - please share it with them!
With half of the population of Copenhagen at Roskilde this week, Eva away in Aalborg and the weather being a complete b*tch, Melissa and Rachel bring you a chatty episode to cheer you up looking into three of the top stories in Denmark this week:*We talk about waste management at Roskilde and how activism at festivals became controversial.*We look into why young people in Denmark are having less sex and discuss how societal shifts are impacting intimacy in other Western countries too.*We discuss the iPsych scandal, a controversial research project that used thousands of Danish people’s DNA to map their genes without their consent, and talk about the potential impact it may have on the high trust society.As always you can find us on Spotify, Apple Podcasts or by simply clicking the link in bio.Remember - this is your place to share enquiries, opinions and tales of the immigrant experience in Denmark - and we want to hear from you. Pop us a DM on Instagram or via email thedanishconnectionnews@gmail.com and let us know if you have a story you would like to contribute.If you liked this episode and think it would be useful for someone you know - please share it with them!
Happy Sunday everyone!This week on The Danish Connection:Copenhagen car crash raises questions about driving laws for the elderly*Reported by RachelA 75-year-old man was held in custody last week after injuring 12 people in a serious car accident near the lakes in central Copenhagen. He claims confusion and a slipped foot caused the crash, but the court suspects he knew he was unable to drive safely. Denmark turns to foreign labour to address elder care shortage*Reported by EvaThe government is forming recruitment deals with countries like India and the Philippines to fill an urgent shortage in elderly care staff. With projections showing a 10,000 worker gap in the next decade, the initiative marks a major policy shift. We talk about integration issues with foreign labour initiatives in the past, and whether choices regarding foreign labour are too selective.The King’s ‘Apolitical’ trip to Greenland*Reported by MelissaKing Frederik’s second visit to Greenland in just a year is being interpreted as a deliberate message of unity. With updates to the royal coat of arms and rising talk of “The Kingdom,” the monarchy appears to be taking a more active role in shaping the Denmark-Greenland relationship. But can any monarchy really be considered Apolitical?As always you can find us on Spotify, Apple Podcasts or by simply clicking the link in bio.Remember - this is your place to share enquiries, opinions and tales of the immigrant experience in Denmark - and we want to hear from you. Pop us a DM on Instagram or via email thedanishconnectionnews@gmail.com and let us know if you have a story you would like to contribute.If you liked this episode and think it would be useful for someone you know - please share it with them!
This week on The Danish Connection:Rachel talks about the protests outside Maersk HQ on February 23rd, when 1,000 protesters gathered to demonstrate against the Danish shipping giant’s alleged transportation of military equipment to Israel, and why things took an unexpectedly violent turn. She also discusses the Danwatch investigation that found more than 2,000 consignment notes of shipments from the US to Israel between September 2023 and September 2024.Eva unpacks the Danish government’s new wellbeing commission, established due to concern over alarming statistics indicating that nearly half of individuals aged 0 to 25 are experiencing a decline in well-being. She picks out some of the 35 recommendations that have been published.Rachel discusses the government’s special billion kroner fund for the rapid rearmament of Denmark's defense force and Denmark’s two billion DKK donation to Ukraine, as relations between the United States and Europe weaken.As always you can find us on Spotify, Apple Podcasts or by simply clicking the link in bio.Remember - this is your place to share enquiries, opinions and tales of the immigrant experience in Denmark - and we want to hear from you. Pop us a DM on Instagram or via email thedanishconnectionnews@gmail.com and let us know if you have a story you would like to contribute.If you liked this episode and think it would be useful for someone you know - please share it with them!
Hello friends! We hope you’re staying warm out there.This week on The Danish Connection:* Rachel unpacks how a trade war between Denmark and the United States would impact the Danish economy, what companies would be worst hit and what products the States would be missing most.* Eva talks about the deadly school shooting in Risbergska school in Örebro, Sweden, where ten people lost their lives earlier this month - including the gunman himself. She looks into the details of the attack and explains why Swedish and Danish police and press are often tight lipped about tragic news.* Melissa discusses the return of the wolf to Denmark, what it means for Danish ecology, and why some of Jutland’s residents are unhappy about it.As always you can find us on Spotify, Apple Podcasts or by simply clicking the link in bio.Remember - this is your place to share enquiries, opinions and tales of the immigrant experience in Denmark - and we want to hear from you. Pop us a DM on Instagram or via email thedanishconnectionnews@gmail.com and let us know if you have a story you would like to contribute.If you liked this episode and think it would be useful for someone you know - please share it with them!In collaboration with The Copenhagen Post and Union KBHHosted by Maria Eva Friis De Sanctis, Rachel Sheary, and Melissa MarchiEdited by Maria Eva De SanctisMusic by Julieta RodCover Picture by Martin Lange Follow us on Instagram @thedkconnection Buy The Danish Connection a coffee https://buymeacoffee.com/thedanishconnection?fbclid=PAZXh0bgNhZW0CMTEAAaZOEM-VoKKwe4Bcz7R-rSldQQq84pIAzym_Uy4nnpOE-vyG-QPl2RRGTNg_aem_Rh82WNL7MpGxQFTV9ABsoA
This week on The Danish Connection:
We speak to The Copenhagen Post’s co editor Nicolai Kampman about why Trump is trying to buy Greenland (again), what is means for Greenlanders and how Denmark is reacting.
We discuss why 90% of internationals are being charged too much rent in Denmark, and give you some actionable tips on how you can avoid it happening to you.
We look at some statistics on homelessness in Denmark and why it might be on the rise
As always you can find us on Spotify, Apple Podcasts or by simply clicking the link in bio.
Remember - this is your place to share enquiries, opinions and tales of the immigrant experience in Denmark - and we want to hear from you. Pop us a DM on Instagram or via email thedanishconnectionnews@gmail.com and let us know if you have a story you would like to contribute.
If you liked this episode and think it would be useful for someone you know - please share it with them!
In collaboration with The Copenhagen Post
Hosted by Maria Eva, Rachel and Melissa
Edited by Melissa Marchi
Music by Julieta Rodriguez
Cover Picture by @kammarad
Broadcasting in @unionkbh
#danishnewsinenglish #internationalsindenmark #greenland #housingindenmark #homelessness
This week on The Danish connection:
We speak to Najannguaq Dalgård Christensen (@Najannguaq1), who works for Greenlanders’ rights in Denmark focusing specifically on the placement of Greenlandic children, about The Danish Parental Competency test. The FKU (as it’s known in Danish) has been criticised by human rights bodies for being culturally unsuitable for Greenlandic people and other minorities, leading to a disproportionate number of children being removed from their parents.
We talk specifically about the case of Keira Alexandra Kronvold, a woman of Greenlandic heritage who gave birth in North Jutland last month and had her baby taken away hours later.
We discuss the breakdown of the mobile network TDC last week, the third largest network in Denmark, which caused disruptions to train services, traffic lights and left hundreds of thousands of people unable to make calls from their phones. The outage raises questions about cyber security and emergency preparedness in Denmark.
We talk about the final details of the Green Tripartite Agreement and what it means for Denmark’s green future
Plus:
Producer and volunteer Amanda Parra tells us how we can help to save Kulturalhus 100Fryd, a vital community space in Aalborg, from shutting down.
As always you can find us on Spotify, Apple Podcasts or by simply clicking the link in bio.
Remember - this is your place to share enquiries, opinions and tales of the immigrant experience in Denmark - and we want to hear from you. Pop us a DM on Instagram or via email thedanishconnectionnews@gmail.com and let us know if you have a story you would like to contribute.
If you liked this episode and think it would be useful for someone you know - please share it with them!
*For more information about the demonstrations across the Nordic countries against the use of the Danish Parental Competency test on people of Greenlandic heritage, taking place on December 10th, contact @Najannguaq1, @Sila_360_ngo or @tinajn.
In collaboration with @cphpost
Hosted by @__mariaeva, @rachsheary and @melissamarchi
Edited by Rachel sheary
Music by Julieta Rodriguez
Cover Picture by @kammarad
Broadcasting in @unionkbh
This week on The Danish Connection:
- We bring you a roundup of news from the past two weeks, including the conclusion of the investigation into the Børsen fire, metro prices going up and record numbers of international workers in Denmark
- We discuss the Danwatch investigation revealing Danish pension funds’ investments in private equity funds linked to major fossil fuel projects, and why they neglected to mention them in their climate reports.
- We talk about how a Danish family came into possession of Etruscan artifacts from Italy dated 400 BC bought, and why they want to give them back.
As always you can find us on Spotify, Apple Podcasts or by simply clicking the link in bio.
Remember - this is your place to share enquiries, opinions and tales of the immigrant experience in Denmark - and we want to hear from you. Pop us a DM on Instagram or via email thedanishconnectionnews@gmail.com and let us know if you have a story you would like to contribute.
If you liked this episode and think it would be useful for someone you know - please share it with them!
In collaboration with @cphpost
Hosted by @_mariaeva_ and @rachsheary and @melissamarchi
Edited by @melissamarch
Music by @frandepian
Cover Picture by @kammarad
Broadcasting in @unionkbh
#danishnewsinenglish #internationalsindenmark #pensionfunds #newsroundup #børsenfiire #etruscanartefacts
The world is changing - and so is Denmark’s place in it. Welcome to The Situation Room. In this special bonus series from The Danish Connection, we are joined by Jonas Friis. Jonas has been in the military for thirteen years, he is currently a naval officer, and aside from that, he is interested in investigating, understanding and commenting on the Danish military and it’s place in the global defense context.In this episode, Jonas sits down with Hans Peter Michealsen - an independent defense analyst and speaker who shares insights on Denmark's defense policy - to discuss the details of the Danish military rearmament plan and Denmark’s future in an era of rapid geopolitical shifts.You can learn more about Hans Peter’s talks at Forsvarsforedrag.dk, forsvarsanalyse.dk.
Hello everyone!
We’re back, and we’re excited to bring you up to speed on everything that has been happening in Denmark over the past month. Before we return to the studio next week to record our usual biweekly episode, we bring you Stories from the Streets: Royal Gossip!
Once again, our lovely resident storyteller Maria Pagola takes us through the streets of Copenhagen to discover what’s really going on in Denmark—one conversation at a time.
In this episode, Maria digs into some popular gossip about the Danish royal family, discusses King Frederik’s New Year’s speech and asks Danish citizens how they really feel about Europe’s oldest royal family.
This is the fourth and final episode of the first season of Stories from the Streets - we are looking forward to season two already!
*Disclaimer: This episode contains some strong language. The opinions expressed are solely those of the individuals providing them and do not necessarily reflect the views or opinions of The Danish Connection.
Welcome to another episode of Stories from the streets - an extra monthly episode from The Danish Connection where you’ll hear the unfiltered voices of Copenhagen speaking about the big topics, the small details, and everything in between.
Once a month, we are joined by our resident storyteller Maria Pagola, who will take us through the streets of the city to discover what’s really going on in Denmark - one conversation at a time.
In this episode, Maria investigates how the Christiania reforms are impacting marijuana users, touches on the difference between consuming medicinal and recreational cannabis in Denmark and chats to the people of Copenhagen to see what they think about it all.
Bonus episode!
Welcome to another edition of Raw and Uncut: Stories from the Streets - an extra monthly episode from The Danish Connection - where you’ll hear the unfiltered voices of Copenhagen speaking about the big topics, the small details and everything in between.
Once a month, we’ll be joined by our resident storyteller Maria Pagola, who will take us through the streets of the city to discover what’s really going on in Denmark—one conversation at a time.
In this episode, Maria dives into the many layers of meaning behind the famous little mermaid statue, and looks at how over tourism may be on the rise in Copenhagen.
This week’s episode is a little bit special!As well as bringing you Danish news each week, we also want to give you the tools to tackle some of the most complex issues Internationals face in Denmark. One of the biggest challenges many of us face is getting a job in our field.Of course, we know that language is a huge barrier - but what else plays into it, and how should you go about looking for a job? We sat down with the wonderful Signe Biering to find out. Signe spent 20 years in the Danish diplomatic service, including stints in India, China, and Israel as deputy ambassador. She is now an executive advisor and coach with a focus on internationals in Denmark, as well as the co-founder of Project Onboard Denmark.Project Onboard helps businesses in Denmark to onboard and retain international talent – and ensure international employees feel welcomed and are able to make the contributions they were hired for. We spoke to Signe about Danish work culture, language barriers, and changing your perspective on the job hunt.If you liked this episode and think it would be useful for someone you know - share it with them! Find more about Signe's works and Project On Board on the following links:signebiering.comhttps://www.onboarddenmark.dkhttps://cphpost.dk/2023-07-11/news/hard-to-find-friends-complain-expats-living-in-denmark/This is your place to share enquiries, opinions and tales of the immigrant experience in Denmark - and we want to hear from you. Pop us a DM on Instagram or via email thedkconnectionnews@gmail.com and let us know if you have a story you would like to contribute!Hosted by @_mariaeva_ and @rachsheary Edited by @__melissamarchi Music by @frandepian Fact checking @jonas_friis Cover Picture by @kammarad Broadcasting in @unionkbh
It’s the perfect sunny Sunday afternoon for listening to a podcast in the sun!
In this week’s episode we talk about Novo Nordisk’s connection to doctors in Denmark, clashes between football fans last week and the iconic Danish Bodega!
Huge thank you to data Journalist Kajsa Rosenblad for contributing to this episode and talking about her article!
This is your place to share enquiries, opinions and tales of the immigrant experience in Denmark - and we want to hear from you!
Pop us a DM on Instagram or via email thedkconnectionnews@gmail.com and let us know if you have a story you would like to contribute!
Hosted and researched by María Eva De Sanctis and Rachel Sheary
Edited by Melissa Marchi
Music by Fran De Pian
Fact checking by Jonas Friis
Cover Picture by Martin Lange
Broadcasting in Union KBH
In collaboration with Union, Norrebro’s cultural house, we bring you ‘The Danish Connection’ - a new podcast breaking down Danish news in English every Sunday.
This week we talk about the police crackdown in Christiania, former Moderates politician Mike Fonseca and his 15 year old girlfriend, how we’ve changed since living in Denmark and our top Copenhagen cultural picks of the week.
This is your place to share enquiries, opinions and tales of the immigrant experience in Denmark - and we want to hear from you!
Contact us on Instagram @thedkconnection or via email thedkconnectionnews@gmail.com and tell us what you think we should talk about in the next episode.
Hosted by María Eva De Sanctis and Rachel Sheary.
*Picture by Martin Lange
*Music By FranDe Pian
Welcome back to The Situation Room.This week, Jonas Friis is joined by Sine Plambech -anthropologist, author, filmmaker, and Senior Researcher at the Danish Institute for International Studies (DIIS). Her work spans migration, smuggling, trafficking, and the sex industry, taking her deep into migrant communities, border zones, red-light districts, and along migration routes across West Africa, Asia, Europe’s southern frontier, and Denmark.Together, Jonas and Sine take on the pressing theme of “European Border Policies and Migration.” They begin by looking at how Denmark is adjusting politically, before turning to Sine’s research and first-hand experiences from the Mediterranean, alongside Jonas’ own reflections from his work with Frontex on the Italian island of Lampedusa. Melissa also share her thoughts and experiences in the Mediterranean
The Danish stock market, Novo Nordisk and Trump Rachel explores how Trump’s trade policies are sending shockwaves through Danish companies like Novo Nordisk, Ørsted, and Vestas. With tariffs, the falling value of the dollar, and investor uncertainty hitting the Danish economy, she looks into what this means for Denmark’s future in global markets and for the Danish GDP.New study finds children in Denmark own smartphones as young as eights years oldMelissa dives into a new study which finds that Danish children now get their first smartphone at just 8 years old - many years earlier than experts recommend. She examines the pressures parents face, the impact on children’s mental health, and the debate over screen time and online safety.The Prime Minister's statement on Palestine and Israel divides public and parliamentary opinionsEva looks at Prime Minister Mette Frederiksen’s recent statement on what is happening in Gaza, in which she condemned Israel’s actions and its Prime MInister, but did not say Denmark would move towards recognizing a Palestinian state, nor would it change its stance on taking in children in need of medical care. With Denmark holding the EU presidency and public opinion sharply divided, Eva unpacks the political, diplomatic, and humanitarian dimensions of this complex issue and how it affects Frederiksen’s future in the Folketing.As always you can find us on Spotify, Apple Podcasts or by simply clicking the link in bio.Remember - this is your place to share enquiries, opinions and tales of the immigrant experience in Denmark - and we want to hear from you. Pop us a DM on Instagram or via email thedanishconnectionnews@gmail.com and let us know if you have a story you would like to contribute.If you liked this episode and think it would be useful for someone you know - please share it with them!
Comments
Download from Google Play
Download from App Store
United States