Danish Originals
Danish Originals spotlights Danes who have made a significant impact in the US in the areas of creativity, originality, and innovation. The series is directed by Christian D. Bruun and hosted by Tina Jøhnk Christensen along with Gregers Heering, Asger Hussain, Finn-Olaf Jones, Nicolai Rottbøll, Carsten "Soulshock" Schack. It is produced by Teresa Lai, mastered by Shaun Hettinger and Greg Williams, with original music by Joachim Svare, and executive produced by Christian D. Bruun and Tina Jøhnk Christensen. Danish Originals is a fiscally sponsored project of Nordic Concepts Institute.
Episodes
S11E9. Lena Torslow Hansen
From her home in the Santa Monica mountains, Aarhus-born, Los Angeles-based Danish-Swedish ceramicist, curator, and bookseller LENA TORSLOW HANSEN revisits her first passion with clay and her roles with some foundational exhibitions: "A Broad Spectrum" (1984), "Golden Age in Danish Painting" (1994) as well as the 28 for the cultural festival "Scandinavia Today" (1982–1983).
S11E8. Jens Honoré
From his home office in Gentofte, Sønderborg-born and Copenhagen- and New York-based Danish photographer JENS HONORÉ talks about his work with the Roger Federer Foundation and his books A Place to Dream (2018) with SOS Children's Village and The Right to Food (2021) with the nonprofit initiative JUNKFOOD. He discusses the importance of connecting to people, using his photography for social goo
S11E7. Ilya Katsnelson
From his home in Israels Plads, Soviet Union-born, Copenhagen-based Danish American businessman and startup investor ILYA KATSNELSON recalls arriving in the US as a refugee at the age of ten, his formative years in Wisconsin, and moving to Denmark, later surviving a German maximum security jail when the Russian state issued a retaliatory Interpol red notice against him. Equally, he talks about his
S11E6. Maiken Baird
From her home in Greenwich Village, Manhattan, Copenhagen-born, New York-based Danish-Scottish documentary film producer and director MAIKEN BAIRD talks about her latest film on Palestinian American scholar Edward Said that is entirely archive-based. She revisits her iconic works, such as Client 9 (2010), Venus and Serena (2012), Oscar winner Icarus (2017), and Ghislaine Maxwell: Filthy Rich (2022
S11E5. Frederikke Møller
From her home in Copenhagen, Fuglebjerg-born Danish arts and culture advisor FREDERIKKE MØLLER talks about her recent position with the Danish Embassy in Washington, D.C. facilitating Danish arts programming and dialogue in the US. Frederikke shares her thoughts on the changing US cultural scene under the Trump administration, and describes her current initiatives with Seattle's National Nordi
S11E4. Rufus Gifford
From his home in Concord, Massachusetts, New England-born former US Ambassador to Denmark RUFUS GIFFORD recalls his start in politics, his ongoing connection to Denmark, and his work under Barack Obama and Joe Biden. He describes the current problematic chapter in transatlantic relationships, exemplified by the tensions with Denmark and Greenland, the MAGA movement in the US, and his passion to he
S11E3. Pernille Ipsen
From her home in Østerbro, Copenhagen- and Madison, Wisconsin-based Danish author PERNILLE IPSEN talks about her book and collective memoir My Seven Mothers: Making a Family in the Danish Women's Movement which is an English translation and adaptation of the 2020 Montana Prize Danish original. She describes her mothers' roles in the 1970s Red Stockings and Lesbian Movements, and traces the
S11E2. Mette Lampcov
From her home in Mar Vista, Los Angeles, Ølstykke-born, Málaga, Spain-raised Danish photojournalist METTE LAMPCOV discusses her work in California documenting climate change and the work of undocumented agricultural workers. With expertise in water, forest, and fire ecology, she revisits her work on the Salton Sea and the Sequoia National Forest. Throughout, Mette shares her thoughts on the state
S11E1. Samuel Rachlin
From a recording studio in downtown Copenhagen, Siberian-born Danish journalist and author of I, Putin, SAMUEL RACHLIN recalls his parents' journey back to Denmark from exile, when he was ten. He talks about his natural urge to understand Russia, discovering the US in 1976, and his roles as the first news anchor for TV2 in 1988 and the first Washington Correspondent for TV2 in 1990. Returning
S10E10. Lars Mikkelsen
From his home in Copenhagen, Gladsaxe-born Danish actor LARS MIKKELSEN talks about his role as Captain Anderson on Frankenstein (2025). He recalls his start as a street performer before Shakespeare sent him on his path to acting. Of his long career, Lars reflects on the TV series Sherlock, The Killing, and Borgen that brought him attention abroad and that led to the American series House of Cards.
S10E9. Natasha Fisker
In her West Hollywood family home, Germany-born, Southern California, Newport-Beach-based Danish-Brazilian entrepreneur NATASHA FISKER talks about her newest business venture, the science-backed skincare brand Checked Out that promises health and wellness that works overnight. Natasha further shares her thoughts on multiculturalism, her background in fashion technology, and the evolving trends of
S10E8. Olivia Neergaard-Hom
In her home in Nørrebro, Germany-born, Kolding-raised, Danish-German film and TV editor OLIVIA NEERGAARD-HOLM talks about her process pre-, during, and post-production with her arthouse projects in various languages. She discusses creative ownership and revisits projects such as her 2015 one-take Berlin-set film Victoria, her 2025 US feature The Chronology of Water, and discusses the challenges wi
S10E7. Christian Mathiasen
Back in Denmark on business, Viborg-born, San Francisco-based Danish former soccer player and market manager for Joe & The Juice CHRISTIAN MATHIASEN shares his thoughts on working in the Danish people-centric food and beverage company, where juicers are hosts and customers are guests. Christian talks about arriving in 2023 as the youngest person ever to be sent to the US by the company, and hi
S10E6. Janus Metz
In Los Angeles completing his upcoming film about Unabomber Ted Kaczynski, north of Viborg-born Danish film and television director JANUS METZ talks about being drawn to characters that look into darkness. From his documentary Armadillo (2010) about Danish soldiers in the war in Afghanistan to his big budget tv series Star Wars: Andor (2025) to the miniseries ZeroZeroZero (2020) about the global c
S10E5. Sofie Kvist
From Gehl Studio on Powell Street, Gjern-born, San Francisco-based Danish architect, urban strategist and designer SOFIE KVIST recalls moving to the US when Danish firm Gehl People opened its west coast office. She describes her people-centric and data-driven work focused on public spaces as more social science than design. And she shares conceptual design projects in North American cities that ha
S10E4. Helle Faber
From Copenhagen for a short stopover during awards season, Herning-born, Copenhagen-based Danish documentary film producer HELLE FABER talks about her film Mr Nobody Against Putin, currently nominated for an Academy Award for Best Documentary Feature. Helle discusses how she got involved in the secret film, how the subject and filmmakers had to trust each other, and how the team got the subject ou
S10E3. Lea Thau
From her home in Burbank, Aarhus-born, Peabody Award-winning Danish podcast host, director, and producer LEA THAU retraces her journey from New York to Los Angeles, first leading The Moth, the live platform for storytellers, to creating the podcast Strangers. Lea describes the gradual insertion of own self at the center of her storytelling, exemplified by the "Love Hurts" and "Lea in T
S10E2. Leo Steen Hansen
From his home in Healdsburg in Northern California, Taulov-born Danish winemaker LEO STEEN HANSEN recalls his journey in 1999 from sommelier at famed Copenhagen restaurant Kong Hans to natural winemaking in Sonoma County. Leo shares insights on his approach to his food-friendly wines at Leo Steen Wines, especially his signature Chenin Blanc, and his relationships with vineyard partners along the C
S10E1. Søren Solkær
From his studio in Vesterbro, Sønderborg-born Danish photographer SØREN SOLKÆR is home in Copenhagen after an exhibition opening in London. Søren talks about the evolving role of his camera over his three-decade long oeuvre of long-term global projects such as Surface, Photographs Posed, Passage, Souls, Black Sun, and One, focused on people, nature, and spirituality, and his relationship to patien
S9E10. Henrik Zillmer
From his home in Portugal, suburban Copenhagen-born Danish serial entrepreneur HENRIK ZILLMER talks about AirHelp, one of many disruptive tech companies he founded that brought him to Silicon Valley and New York. He describes the concept of Justice-as-a-Service, his background in comedy and the military, and the cultural nuances in entrepreneurship in Europe, the US, and Asia. And he shares his ne
S9E9. Holly Dorger
From The Royal Danish Theatre, Dallas-born, Detroit-raised, and Copenhagen-based American-Danish ballet dancer HOLLY DORGER recalls arriving in Denmark 18 years ago at age 18 to join The Royal Danish Ballet, where she subsequently was promoted from corps de ballet to soloist and principal dancer. Holly explains her at times bumpy and lonely road as an American creative in Denmark, her connection t
S9E8. Torben Orla Nielsen
From his home in Washington DC, Ravnsnæs-born Danish counselor of science and innovation TORBEN ORLA NIELSEN explains his new role with the Danish Embassy tracking the political framework of the US research environment as it impacts Danish research. Following seven years in Boston's Innovation Centre Denmark, Torben, a diplomat, navigates the evolving US research priorities and funding in orde
S9E7. Christine Detlefsen
From her home in Valby, Copenhagen, Elsinore-born Danish denim and jeans designer CHRISTINE DETLEFSEN finds her inspiration from the vintage world while combining sustainable and responsible innovations in fiber, fabric, and washing. Trained at Levi's, Christine recalls the years working in New York and Los Angeles, and executive producing a documentary about the unique cultural history of jea
S9E6. Luise Faurschou
From her home in Klampenborg, Copenhagen, Central Zealand-born Danish curator, art advisor, and founder / director of ART 2030 LUISE FAURSCHOU talks about the non-profit's projects in New York City and at the UN Headquarters. With a strong belief that art changes people and people change the world, she describes a 40-year career in art that culminates in collaborations with artists, galleries,
S9E5. David Heinemeier Hansson
From his home office in Nordhavn, Brønshoj-born Danish tech entrepreneur, author, podcaster, investor, and racing driver DAVID HEINEMEIER HANSSON talks about his recent move back home after the fires in Los Angeles. David recalls his start of 37 Signals, his company that developed Ruby on Rails and Basecamp, and he shares his pursuit of flow, his life philosophy in Stoicism, and his thoughts on en
S9E4. Louise "Lulu" Eschelman
On a visit to Los Angeles, Skagen-born, Silicon Valley-based Danish designer and creative consultant LOUISE "LULU" ESCHELMAN recalls arriving in LA on a one-way ticket. She shares the vision of her company Lumilla, founded on Danish minimalism with a laidback California sensibility, that has evolved from a luxury leather to a lifestyle brand. Louise talks about giving back, how she found o
S9E3. Søren Meibom
From his home in Winchester, Massachusetts, Odense-born Danish astrophysicist, former soccer player, and artist SØREN MEIBOM came to the US in 1999 for his PhD at the University of Wisconsin-Madison after a career in professional soccer, and recalls his work on NASA's Kepler mission at the Harvard & Smithsonian Center for Astrophysics. He talks about his role with the Global Curiosity Inst
S9E2. Anne-Kathrine Schjerbeck
From her home in Healdsburg, California, Hørsholm-born Danish gallerist ANNE-KATHRINE SCHJERBECK talks about the beginnings as well as latest collaborations at Gallery Lulo that merges craft with art and design with a Danish minimalist sensibility. She recalls growing up in Kenya and Zambia where her parents were diplomats, how she felt affinity with the African-American community when she lived i
S9E1. Jacob Sten Petersen
From the research facilities of Novo Nordisk, Copenhagen-born, Lexington, Massachusetts-based Danish scientist and senior vice president JACOB STEN PETERSEN talks about his 35-year career working in developing drugs to support patients with serious chronic diseases, and his 25-year long work and personal investment in finding a cure for diabetes. Jacob further shares his thoughts on the cultures b
S8E10. Marie Brock
Fredensborg-born, West Hollywood, Los Angeles-based Danish actress, voiceover artist, and writer MARIE BROCK talks about a creative life in the entertainment industry that is characteristically self-motivating. Marie recalls her path to LA via New York and London, and shares her deep experience in voice work and her passion for developing dimensional characters. And she introduces her latest writi
S8E9. Marie Foegh
From her new apartment in Miami, Florida, Sønderborg-born and recent New Yorker Danish scientist and gynecologist MARIE FOEGH shares her research findings on hormone replacement therapy for women experiencing perimenopause and menopause. With clinics in both New York and Copenhagen, Marie talks about her six-decade-long path in medicine, most of which based in the US, and the different attitudes o
S8E8. Frederik Bokkenheuser
Vesterbro-born and Beachwood Canyon, Los Angeles-based Danish tv and film colorist FREDERIK BOKKENHEUSER recalls his path from Denmark to LA as a drummer in 2007. He talks about the creative and technical aspects of his work at Picture Shop, the diversity of projects he encounters, the evolving post-production technological landscape, and the thrill in working alongside directors, directors of pho
S8E7. Michael Møller Pedersen
From the renovated Gensler offices in Downtown Los Angeles, Århus-born Danish architect MICHAEL MØLLER PEDERSEN recalls his plan to move to LA with his wife in 2005 for a ten-year trial period. 20 years later, as project architect and technical director, he discusses architecture as a focus on the human experience, the role of sustainability, what makes a good architect, his appetite for large, co
S8E6. Sarah Holm Johansen
From Bloomberg Originals in Midtown Manhattan, Horsens-born, Brooklyn-based Emmy-nominated Danish documentary director and producer SARAH HOLM JOHANSEN describes Season 4 of her series Trafficked with Mariana van Zeller that garnered 29 Emmy nominations and 4 wins. Sarah recalls the start of her career in investigative journalism in New York on 60 Minutes, and traveling the world as a freelancer.
S8E5. Claus Toksvig Kjær
From his Nørlum office in Viborg, South Korea-born Danish animation producer and studio CEO CLAUS TOKSVIG KJÆR recalls how the trajectory of his company changed upon the Oscar nomination of his hand-drawn, animated feature film Song of the Sea (2014). Claus has traveled to Los Angeles for over 50 times, and talks about the US mindset necessary in his work. He describes his latest project Dante, th
S8E4. Louise Rosager
Gentofte-born and Santa Monica, Los Angeles-based Danish creative coach and dream tender LOUISE ROSAGER describes her multilayered approach working with writers, actors, and artists using their own dreams as a new language for their storytelling and creative expression. Louise also talks about how her love for Shakespeare brought her to the US over 20 years ago, and revisits the tv series about yo
S8E3. Jan Gehl
From his home studio in Copenhagen, Copenhagen-born Danish architect and urban planner JAN GEHL recalls the start of his 65-year-long career focused on people and public life in cities, beginning with Copenhagen. Jan highlights his writings that changed mindsets and his transformation of international cities that became people-centered, and credits like-minded city planners and politicians. In par
S8E2. Sebastian Perez
From his apartment in Bedford-Stuyvesant in Brooklyn, New York, Gentofte-born Danish-Spanish-Brazilian restaurateur SEBASTIAN PEREZ recalls growing up in Copenhagen until he was six, and moving to New York at 13. Having opened his fourth location in East Williamsburg, Sebastian reflects on the early bootstrapping days of Smør, created with his partner and fellow Dane, Sebastian Bangsgaard, and his
S8E1. Christian Winther
On the 20th anniversary of Hurricane Katrina, from his home in the Garden District of New Orleans, Holbæk-born Danish tenor saxophonist and composer CHRISTIAN WINTHER recalls moving to "The Big Easy" in 1997 to play with and learn from some of his jazz idols. Staying true to the birthplace of American jazz and also continually innovating, Christian talks about performing on the stages of t
S7E10. Vanessa Johansson
From her home studio in the West Village in Manhattan, New York-born American-Danish theater and voice actress VANESSA JOHANSSON reflects on growing up American with a Danish architect-father from Copenhagen. Vanessa talks about her work with the Scandinavian American Theater Company, with its mission to bring cutting edge work by contemporary Scandinavian playwrights to American audiences. And sh
S7E9. Kenneth Vinther
From his home in Newbury Park, Thousand Oaks, Hobro-born Danish professional rider and horse trainer and abstract painter KENNETH VINTHER reflects on moving to California via Germany in his 20s, and on his career competing with and educating show jumping horses. He highlights his best horse, a Holsteiner named Colicchio, once the best in class on the US west coast, and the difference of riding bet
S7E8. Alex Højrup Munch
From his home in Newbury Park, Thousand Oaks, Hobro-born Danish professional rider and horse trainer and abstract painter KENNETH VINTHER reflects on moving to California via Germany in his 20s, and on his career competing with and educating show jumping horses. He highlights his best horse, a Holsteiner named Colicchio, once the best in class on the US west coast, and the difference of riding bet
S7E7. Line Langebek
From her home in London, Funen-born, Danish screenwriter LINE LANGEBEK talks about her widely celebrated Oscar-nominated film The Girl with the Needle (2025), a historical psychological horror film based on the true story of Danish serial killer Dagmar Overbye. Line talks about Raising Films, a UK-based organization she helped create that advocates for parents and carers in the screen sector, and
S7E6. Jeppe Jarnit-Bjergsø
From his home in Thousand Oaks, California, Nivå-born Danish craft brewer JEPPE JARNIT-BJERGSØ recalls his start as a schoolteacher to kids with special needs and as a beer expert, brewer, and entrepreneur. He talks about his 2012 move to New York with his wife and young children that resulted in years of explosive growth, of his company Evil Twin Brewing, and a Michelin Starred restaurant. And he
S7E5. Camilla Stærk
On a visit to Los Angeles to meet with Twentieth Gallery about her new creations, Bonderup-born, London-trained, New York-based Danish designer CAMILLE STÆRK talks about her work, anchored against a strong foundation of her Danish heritage combined with her fascination with Old Hollywood and film noir, and expressed in what she describes as the whole universe: of fashion, furniture, lighting, rugs
S7E4. Kristian Thomassen
From his apartment in Greenwich Village, New York, Odense-born Danish creative marketer KRISTIAN THOMASSEN recalls leaving home immediately after high school, and experiencing a deep feeling of belonging in New York City. Kristian pays homage to his mentor in his new city, a fellow Dane, or two, and describes his fast-paced work developing campaigns for brands to reach a young demographic with a G
S7E3. David Posey
From his Michelin-Starred restaurant Elske he co-owns with his wife Anna Posey in Chicago's West Loop neighborhood, California-born Danish-American chef and restaurateur DAVID POSEY talks about his path in American fine dining that's always incorporated a Danish or Scandinavian profile. He reflects on his and his restaurant's recent roles on the popular tv series The Bear, the joy of e
S7E2. Kristina Haslund
From her home in Bel-Air, London-born British-Danish interior designer and stylist KRISTINA HASLUND talks about her namesake Studio Haslund that blends Danish modernist style with Los Angeles' indoor-outdoor living. She retraces her roots with her Danish mother, her first career in the music industry, and how mid-century design and architecture are top reasons she calls LA home. And she expla
S7E1. Nikolaj Hess
From Dumbo, Brooklyn, Frederiksberg-born, Vejle-raised, Copenhagen- and New York-based Danish pianist and composer NIKOLAJ HESS gets ready for his upcoming concert at the Kennedy Center in Washington, D.C. Nikolaj talks about how he translates visual art to music in his project Transformative Reflections, film scoring, and his many jazz adventures, highlighting New York as a jazz capital. And he t
S6E10. Birgitte Moos Chalcraft
From her home in Nørrebro in Copenhagen, Haderslev-born Danish-English multidisciplinary artist BIRGITTE MOOS CHALCRAFT talks about her time in Los Angeles at the start of the booming art scene in the Arts District of Downtown LA. There she was inspired by her fellow artists and the land and street art movements. Birgitte talks about her focus on the intersection of psychology and art, her inter
S6E9. Nicolai Rottbøll
In his home in Winchester outside of Boston, Aalborg-born Danish entrepreneur NICOLAI ROTTBØLL is excited about life in the US where he continues his work with international organizations on sustainability and green transition. He talks about the importance of positive thinking, his largest project Our World 2050 that calls on one million children to share their vision of our collective future, an
S6E8. Mus White
In her home in Studio City, Los Angeles, Christianshavn-born Danish author, collector, and gallerist MUS WHITE recalls moments from the 60 years she has lived in California, having left Denmark upon her high school graduation. She talks about starting out as a juvenile probation officer, then becoming a published author and translator, a historical photography dealer and exhibition maker along wit
S6E7. Søren Fleng
In Los Angeles for the Annie Awards with his nominated short film, Hans Christian Andersen's The Swineherd (2023), Viborg-based Danish producer SØREN FLENG describes how he came to the industry through Denmark's world-renowned animation school, The Animated Workshop, and the unique community of animation professionals. He gives a sneak peak on his current project with a US partner, and sha
S6E6. Simone Fabricius
From her home in Greenpoint, Brooklyn, Danish creative director SIMONE FABRICIUS reflects on having loved New York City since seeing it on the movie screen in the '80s, and moving there 15 years ago after a decade in Paris from Denmark. Simone talks about her work, which she calls "play," in brand, packaging, visual design, and illustration, and how she's particularly excited about
S6E5. Louise Bokkenheuser
From her home in New York, Pulitzer finalist and Ebbe Munck Prize-winning Danish writer and editor LOUISE BOKKENHEUSER talks her upcoming novel How to Organize the World, and recalls her time as a war correspondent in Bagdad, Iraq for The Los Angeles Times and what her experience taught her about human beings' capabilities in treating each other. She further shares her thoughts on the state of
S6E4. Henrik Rehr
From his apartment in Battery Park City in Manhattan, where he's called home since 1992, award-winning Odense-born Danish cartoonist and graphic novelist HENRIK REHR revisits starting his comic shop and drawing studio Den Blå Bil in his hometown in Odense. Henrik discusses his book Tribeca Sunset: A Story of 9-11 about his family's experience during the 2001 terrorist attack in New York Ci
S6E3. Merete Angelica Baird
From her home in Manhattan, Hellerup-born Danish journalist, writer, and tv personality MERETE ANGELICA BAIRD talks about her current projects, a memoir that is also a recipe book, and her popular Danish tv series Verdensdamerne, or Ladies of the World. She recalls her work as a journalist for Politiken and Weekendavisen, covering all aspects of art and culture, she revisits her world travels, and
S6E2. Marc Hom
From his home in Cooperstown in upstate New York, Danish photographer MARC HOM recalls moving to New York City when he was 21, and cutting his teeth working at Harper's Bazaar. A veteran New Yorker known for his iconic portraits of some of the world's most notable figures, Marc talks about establishing trust with his subjects, and about his recent museum exhibition Marc Hom: Re-Framed, his
S6E1. Amanda Collin
From her home in Copenhagen, Danish actress AMANDA COLLIN recalls her first acting seminar in New York at 23, which led to her iconic roles today in Danish films The Promised Land (2024) and The Quiet Ones (2024) and US series House of the Dragon (2024). Amanda talks about play in acting, and about accepting the unknown and being in the present. And she shares her latest project, The Creative Cycl
S5E10. Barbara Topsøe-Rothenborg
From her home in Gentofte outside of Copenhagen, Danish director and former child star BARBARA TOPSØE-ROTHENBORG revisits her 11-year stay in Los Angeles, starting when she was 21, where she got her filmmaking education on the job. Returning home in search of a directing career and a work-life balance, Barbara talks about her film Loving Adults, the first Netflix Danish language original feature,
S5E9. Jamil GS
From his home in Nordvest, Copenhagen, Danish-American photographer JAMIL GS recalls his time living in Los Angeles as a child, growing up bi-cultural in Denmark, and moving to New York in the 1990s where for 20 years, he captured hip-hop and street culture. Jamil talks about encountering racism in the US, and his artistic life celebrating multiculturalism. He talks about Young Stringers, an initi
S5E8. Signe Byrge Sørensen
From her production company on Vesterbrogade, Copenhagen-born Oscar-nominated Danish film producer SIGNE BYRGE SØRENSEN shares her thoughts on what she learned to do producing her new film, The End, her first narrative feature and a six-country co-production. Signe talks about film as a collaborative art form, what she looks for in projects, the public support of film in Denmark, and the practical
S5E7. Joshua Oppenheimer
From his home in Copenhagen, a city he's called home for more than a decade, Texas-born Oscar-nominated American-Danish filmmaker JOSHUA OPPENHEIMER talks about his new narrative film The End (2024), an apocalyptic musical. Joshua discusses The End alongside his Oscar-nominated documentary films The Act of Killing (2012) and The Look of Silence (2014), and how the three provocative and divisiv
S5E6. Tonny Sørensen
On a stay in Los Angeles from Copenhagen, Søborg-born Danish entrepreneur and artist TONNY SØRENSEN recalls his 32-year-long stay in Los Angeles, initiated by his 1991 World Championship title in taekwondo, his acting aspirations, to leading the clothing brand Von Dutch Originals to international heights. He discusses communities he created outside of LA, including one based on Freetown Christiani
S5E5. Lasse Elkjær
After three years in Denmark, Lolland Falster-born Danish film composer and orchestrator LASSE ELKJAER has returned to Los Angeles, his home since 2013. Lasse talks about the unique demands of film music, his role models, and the difference between the work and communities in Denmark and the US. He shares his realistic views of LA and of the need to have ambition to survive in the creative space,
S5E4. Sharin Foo
On a visit to Los Angeles, Djursland-born Danish musician and singer SHARIN FOO recalls her start with her band The Raveonettes, being signed by Columbia Records, and the excitement in being the first Danish band to play on The David Letterman Show twice. She looks back on some of the highs and lows of her time in the global music industry. And she reflects on motherhood and rock 'n' roll,
S5E3. Eva Jensen
From her studio in New York City, Roskilde-born Danish architect EVA JENSEN shares her beginnings traveling the world, starting out professionally in The Big Apple, and establishing in 2005 her namesake architecture and interior design studio in Manhattan, where she remains today. She talks about the unique challenges of high-end residential projects, the evolution of the Danish aesthetic with her
S5E2. Thomas Dambo
On a visit to Los Angeles, Odense-born Danish recycle artist THOMAS DAMBO explains his personal mission, "waste no more." He describes his early public projects inspired by waste left at music festivals, his Copenhagen Happy Wall commission at Kongens Nytorv, and the origins of his iconic and popular Trolls series. Always large-scale and community-driven, Thomas's message is consistent
S5E1. Kirsten Justesen
From Frederiksberg outside of Copenhagen, Funen-born Danish artist KIRSTEN JUSTESEN talks about the iconic 1970 exhibition Damebilleder (Women's Images) and about her year-long residence in New York in 2006 with the support of the Danish Arts Foundation. Trained in classical sculpture, Kirsten describes her use of her own body in her art and about the female gaze, and shares her mixed feelings
S4E10. Khurram Jamil
In his art-filled home in Hellerup, Danish-Pakistani art collector and education entrepreneur KHURRAM JAMIL introduces MILAAP, his exhibition space that situates contemporary art in dialogue with his own collection characterized by thought-provoking work from the Global South. He shares his work on educational technology that brought him to Boston and New York from 2014 to 2020. And he describes t
S4E9. Peder Hansen
From Omaha, Nebraska where he's called home for 20 years, Lem-raised Danish wind turbine engineer PEDER HANSEN reminisces about his family's role as wind turbine pioneers in Denmark, and credits his mother for getting Vestas into the industry in the 1970s, and his father for getting Vestas wind turbines into the US field in the 1980s. Peder talks about climbing up wind turbines, and the st
S4E8. Clara Rugaard
From her West London flat, Danish-Irish actress CLARA RUGAARD, known especially for her roles in I Am Mother (2019) and Black Mirror (2023), talks about her latest project The Crow Girl. Having worked internationally, Clara reflects on the pressure she felt coming from a bilingual family and being hard to categorize, but her love of storytelling, of relating to characters, and being surrounded by
S4E7. Jens Faurschou
In his home in Humlebaek in northern Copenhagen, art collector and advisor JENS FAURSCHOU recalls opening his namesake gallery in 1986, which was followed by galleries in Beijing and in New York. He shares insights on the art world landscapes of Copenhagen, Beijing, and New York, reminisces about artists and art world figures with whom he's collaborated, and a missed opportunity to meet Andy W
S4E6. Trine C. Jensen
Bagsværd-born and raised Danish voiceover and performance capture director and coach TRINE C. JENSEN left Denmark 35 years ago to pursue her art, first in Miami, then New York, before landing in Santa Monica, Los Angeles. She shares her insights in one area of her expertise, video game voice acting, and describes the nonlinear storytelling approach and scope in Sony's Horizon Zero Dawn and Ris
S4E5. Connie Nielsen
On the eve of the release of Gladiator II, Elling-born Danish actress CONNIE NIELSEN recalls leaving home at 18 for Paris and Milan, moving later in New York at the recommendation of an American director, and the casting experience with Gladiator from 2000 that made her an international star. She shares her views about the role of women in Hollywood, her tv series about Danish author and painter K
S4E4. Nicolai Wallner
From his home in Charlottenlund in Copenhagen, Danish founder of his namesake art gallery NICOLAI WALLNER describes his passion, activated when a high schooler, for artists and for representing artists, and his efforts in the 1990s to open his gallery on Store Kongensgade, which pushed forward the paradigm shift in the development of Copenhagen's contemporary art scene. Nicolai recalls his fir
S4E3. Rachelle Keck
From her home office, Des Moines, Iowa's Grandview University's American president and former prosecutor RACHELLE KECK talks about discovering her Danish ancestry as she leads the Danish Lutheran university founded by Danish immigrants and based on the ideologies of Golden Age Danish minister and author N.F.S. Grundtvig. Rachelle also discusses the unique skillsets of attorneys in running
S4E2. Kristian Riis
From his studio on Nansensgade in Copenhagen, Nordjylland-born Danish musician and cultural entrepreneur KRISTIAN RIIS talks about his half decade living in Los Angeles building NordicLA, a community for Scandinavian creatives and entrepreneurs. Kristian shares his work with his company Volcano, highlighting the ambitious mindful city initiative of Gelephu in Bhutan. Last but not least, he revisit
S4E1. Carsten "Soulshock" Schack
Gug-born Los Angeles-based Danish DJ and music producer CARSTEN "SOULSHOCK" SCHACK talks about his journey in hip hop, R&B, and Pop from Aalborg to New York to Los Angeles. He shares stories of working with his producing partner Kenneth Karlin, and with Queen Latifah, Tupac, Whitney Houston, and Clive Davis. And he talks about raising his son after the untimely passing of his wife Maxe
S3E10. Tal R
From his studio in Copenhagen, Tel Aviv-born Danish-Israeli artist TAL R covers a wide range of topics, from the importance of developing a language for his art, how photography raises the bar for painting, the integrity of color, what he looks for in the work of other artists, and maybe most significantly, to the role of failure as an artist's teacher. Tal additionally talks about American ar
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