What Are You Doing in Denmark?

148 | Feeling Lonely in Denmark? A Therapist Explains Why

Moving abroad can be exciting, but it can also be lonely. In this episode of What Are You Doing in Denmark, Derek speaks with therapist, coach, and author Lucy Vittrup Christensen about loneliness, why it affects so many internationals in Denmark, and what people can do to build real connection in a new culture. They explore the difference between being alone and being lonely, why cultural differences in Denmark can make friendships harder to build, and how feelings of isolation can sometimes lead people to withdraw even further. Lucy also shares practical strategies for reconnecting, from contributing to communities to embracing vulnerability and finding connection through shared activities and nature. If you’ve ever felt disconnected while living abroad, this conversation offers insight, reassurance, and practical ways to rebuild connection. Topics include: * Why loneliness affects so many internationals in Denmark * The difference between being alone and feeling lonely * Cultural differences in social connection and friendship * Why people sometimes withdraw when they feel isolated * How vulnerability helps build stronger relationships * Practical ways to find community in Denmark ⚠️ This episode discusses loneliness and mental health. Please take care while listening. If you or someone you know is struggling, consider seeking professional help. Crisis resources are listed below. Key Mental Health Crisis Resources in Denmark: * Livslinien (Lifeline): Phone 70 201 201 (open 11:00 AM – 5:00 AM daily) for suicide prevention and counseling. * Psykiatrifonden (Mental Health Helpline): Phone 39 25 25 25 (Mon-Thu 10:00-22:00, Fri-Sun 10:00-18:00). * BørneTelefonen: 11 61 11 (24/7 helpline for children and youth). * Startlinjen: 35 36 26 00 (support for, life crises, 16:00-23:00). * Regional Psychiatric Hotline: +45 78 47 04 70 (Central Denmark Region, 24/7) Lucy Vittrup Christensen (Guest) https://www.instagram.com/lucy_vittrup [https://www.instagram.com/lucy_vittrup] https://www.facebook.com/lucy.vittrup.christensen/ [https://www.facebook.com/lucy.vittrup.christensen/] Derek Hartman:  https://www.instagram.com/derekhartmandk [https://www.instagram.com/derekhartmandk]  https://youtube.com/c/robetrotting [https://youtube.com/c/robetrotting] https://tiktok.com/@derekhartmandk [https://tiktok.com/@derekhartmandk] www.facebook.com/robetrotting [http://www.facebook.com/robetrotting] Brooke Black: https://instagram.com/brookeblackjust [https://instagram.com/brookeblackjust] https://www.tiktok.com/@brookeblackjust [https://www.tiktok.com/@brookeblackjust] 🎟️ Come see the show in person! See our LIVE SHOW at Copenhagen's Comedy Zoo on 9 March at 19:00 Tickets are available HERE ➡️ https://www.comedyzoo.dk/event/1762906 [https://www.comedyzoo.dk/event/1762906] 📺 Watch on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLFCSH6KqKooZmSx1GJu9CWZYjX8esjl2F [https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLFCSH6KqKooZmSx1GJu9CWZYjX8esjl2F] 📢 Send your questions and/or comments. voice: https://www.speakpipe.com/waydid [ https://www.speakpipe.com/waydid] email: hello@robe-trotting.com 👉 Remember to tell your friends about the podcast. 👀 More living in Denmark tips: https://instagram.com/waydidpod [https://instagram.com/waydidpod] ---------------------------------------- Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy [https://acast.com/privacy] for more information.

147 | When Living Abroad Feels Like a Normal Part of Family Life

When distance doesn’t weaken family bonds. Living abroad doesn’t automatically pull families apart. This episode flips the usual story about adult children moving overseas. Instead of loss or rupture, Conrad and his mom Jane talk about what happens when living abroad becomes normal for a family. Their relationship was already shaped by travel, mobility, and independence long before Denmark entered the picture. Over time, they’ve adapted through frequent visits, immersive time together, everyday technology, and a shared openness to seeing life from different places. The conversation explores how closeness can be redesigned rather than lost, and how family life can stretch across countries without becoming fragile or distant. For listeners living abroad long term, or thinking about it, this episode offers reassurance without pretending distance is effortless. Derek Hartman:  https://www.instagram.com/derekhartmandk [https://www.instagram.com/derekhartmandk]  https://youtube.com/c/robetrotting [https://youtube.com/c/robetrotting] https://tiktok.com/@derekhartmandk [https://tiktok.com/@derekhartmandk] www.facebook.com/robetrotting [http://www.facebook.com/robetrotting] Conrad Molden: https://instagram.com/conradmoldencomedy [https://instagram.com/conradmoldencomedy] https://youtube.com/c/conradmolden [https://youtube.com/c/conradmolden] https://tiktok.com/@conradmolden [https://tiktok.com/@conradmolden]  https://facebook.com/conradmolden [https://facebook.com/conradmolden] https://www.conradmolden.dk [https://www.conradmolden.dk/] 🎟️ Come see the show in person! See our LIVE SHOW at Copenhagen's Comedy Zoo on 9 March at 19:00 Tickets are available HERE ➡️ https://www.comedyzoo.dk/event/1762906 [https://www.comedyzoo.dk/event/1762906] 📺 Watch on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLFCSH6KqKooZmSx1GJu9CWZYjX8esjl2F [https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLFCSH6KqKooZmSx1GJu9CWZYjX8esjl2F] 📢 Send your questions and/or comments. voice: https://www.speakpipe.com/waydid [ https://www.speakpipe.com/waydid] email: hello@robe-trotting.com 👉 Remember to tell your friends about the podcast. 👀 More living in Denmark tips: https://instagram.com/waydidpod [https://instagram.com/waydidpod] ---------------------------------------- Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy [https://acast.com/privacy] for more information.

146 | What's Covered in Denmark's Healthcare System? A Real Talk Q&A

How does the Danish healthcare system really work? When should you call 1813? Can you get a second opinion? And what happens if you show up at the ER? In this episode of What Are You Doing in Denmark, Derek and Brooke welcome back Emma Grint, Dr. Mum-for-Kids, to answer your listener questions about healthcare in Denmark. We cover: * Visitors’ access to healthcare in Denmark * Emergency vs. non-emergency care (112 vs. 1813) * How to get a second opinion * Changing your GP (family doctor) * Wait times and specialist referrals * What’s covered under universal healthcare in Denmark * Mental health and psychiatry waitlists * Pregnancy and birth in Denmark (midwife-led care, epidurals, C-sections) * Patient advocacy in the Danish system If you’re an expat or international living in Denmark, this episode will help you understand your rights, your options, and how to navigate the system with confidence. 💬 Have more questions? Leave us a voice message via SpeakPipe: https://www.speakpipe.com/waydid [https://www.speakpipe.com/waydid] Emma: https://www.doctormumforkids.com/ [https://www.doctormumforkids.com/] instagram.com/doctormumforkids [https://open.acast.com/networks/679262167ecca5646b2d5ada/shows/64ce8aa990d002001133d0dd/episodes/instagram.com/doctormumforkids] email: hello@doctormumforkids.com Derek Hartman:  https://www.instagram.com/derekhartmandk [https://www.instagram.com/derekhartmandk]  https://youtube.com/c/robetrotting [https://youtube.com/c/robetrotting] https://tiktok.com/@derekhartmandk [https://tiktok.com/@derekhartmandk] www.facebook.com/robetrotting [http://www.facebook.com/robetrotting] Brooke Black: https://instagram.com/brookeblackjust [https://instagram.com/brookeblackjust] https://www.tiktok.com/@brookeblackjust [https://www.tiktok.com/@brookeblackjust] 🎟️ Come see the show in person! See our LIVE SHOW at Copenhagen's Comedy Zoo on 9 March at 19:00 Tickets are available HERE ➡️ https://www.comedyzoo.dk/event/1762906 [https://www.comedyzoo.dk/event/1762906] 📺 Watch on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLFCSH6KqKooZmSx1GJu9CWZYjX8esjl2F [https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLFCSH6KqKooZmSx1GJu9CWZYjX8esjl2F] 📢 Send your questions and/or comments. voice: https://www.speakpipe.com/waydid [ https://www.speakpipe.com/waydid] email: hello@robe-trotting.com 👉 Remember to tell your friends about the podcast. 👀 More living in Denmark tips: https://instagram.com/waydidpod [https://instagram.com/waydidpod] ---------------------------------------- Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy [https://acast.com/privacy] for more information.

145 | Should Working Out Be Taxed? Why Denmark Just Made Gyms More Expensive

Denmark added 25% VAT to gym memberships and personal training, and it’s already changing the fitness landscape. In this episode of What Are You Doing in Denmark, Derek and Annie sit down with personal trainer and educator Mikkel Valgreen to unpack what’s happening, why it’s happening, and who’s most affected. The change stems from an EU classification that defines fitness services as “commercial” rather than healthcare. That means higher prices for gym memberships, personal training, and classes while taxes on things like sugar and alcohol are being reduced. We break down: * Why the VAT was introduced * How gyms and trainers are responding * Who is exempt (and who isn’t) * The political debate around whether fitness should count as healthcare * What it means for Denmark’s long-term public health Plus, Mikkel shares practical advice for actually sticking to your fitness goals in 2026 without burning out by the end of February. If you live in Denmark, work in fitness, or just care about how policy affects your daily life, this episode is for you. Mikkel Valgreen (guest): https://www.mikkelvalgreenpt.dk/ [https://www.mikkelvalgreenpt.dk/] https://www.instagram.com/valgreen_pt [https://www.instagram.com/valgreen_pt] 🎟️ Come see the show in person! See our LIVE SHOW at Copenhagen's Comedy Zoo on 9 March at 19:00 Tickets are available HERE ➡️ https://www.comedyzoo.dk/event/1762906 [https://www.comedyzoo.dk/event/1762906] 📺 Watch on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLFCSH6KqKooZmSx1GJu9CWZYjX8esjl2F [https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLFCSH6KqKooZmSx1GJu9CWZYjX8esjl2F] 📢 Send your questions and/or comments. voice: https://www.speakpipe.com/waydid [ https://www.speakpipe.com/waydid] email: hello@robe-trotting.com 👉 Remember to tell your friends about the podcast. 👀 More living in Denmark tips: https://instagram.com/waydidpod [https://instagram.com/waydidpod] ---------------------------------------- Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy [https://acast.com/privacy] for more information.

144 | Denmark’s Highest Mountain Explained, and Why People Think It’s Himmelbjerg

Denmark’s Highest Point Isn’t the Point. Denmark doesn’t have mountains, but it’s residents do have opinions about hills. Strong ones. Derek and Conrad are here to unpack why a modest hill called Himmelbjerg became one of Denmark’s most famous landmarks, even though it’s not the country’s highest point. Along the way, they explore how definitions, measurements, and perspective shape what we think is true and why a flat country spends so much time debating elevation. The story reveals more than geography. It offers a window into Danish humor, identity, and the quiet art of not taking yourself too seriously.  Derek Hartman:  https://www.instagram.com/derekhartmandk [https://www.instagram.com/derekhartmandk]  https://youtube.com/c/robetrotting [https://youtube.com/c/robetrotting] https://tiktok.com/@derekhartmandk [https://tiktok.com/@derekhartmandk] www.facebook.com/robetrotting [http://www.facebook.com/robetrotting] Conrad Molden: https://instagram.com/conradmoldencomedy [https://instagram.com/conradmoldencomedy] https://youtube.com/c/conradmolden [https://youtube.com/c/conradmolden] https://tiktok.com/@conradmolden [https://tiktok.com/@conradmolden]  https://facebook.com/conradmolden [https://facebook.com/conradmolden] https://www.conradmolden.dk [https://www.conradmolden.dk/] 🎟️ Come see the show in person! See our LIVE SHOW at Copenhagen's Comedy Zoo on 9 March at 19:00 Tickets are available HERE ➡️ https://www.comedyzoo.dk/event/1762906 [https://www.comedyzoo.dk/event/1762906] 📺 Watch on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLFCSH6KqKooZmSx1GJu9CWZYjX8esjl2F [https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLFCSH6KqKooZmSx1GJu9CWZYjX8esjl2F] 📢 Send your questions and/or comments. voice: https://www.speakpipe.com/waydid [ https://www.speakpipe.com/waydid] email: hello@robe-trotting.com 👉 Remember to tell your friends about the podcast. 👀 More living in Denmark tips: https://instagram.com/waydidpod [https://instagram.com/waydidpod] ---------------------------------------- Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy [https://acast.com/privacy] for more information.