The Scandi Shift
The Scandi Shift: Two expat mamas, one epic adventure, and a treasure trove of tales!
Join Meg and Selena as they dish out The Scandi Shift — a cheeky, raw guide to cracking the code of life in Denmark. Dive into the expat experience that no relocation brochure dares to reveal!
Every episode, we unravel the unexpected, the delightful, and the “Wait… is this for real?” moments of moving abroad, parenting, working, and making connections in Copenhagen. From tackling the Danish school system to braving the long Scandinavian winters, navigating quirky customs, forging friendships, savoring the local cuisine, and just plain surviving. Consider us your crash-test dummies.
We’re here for practical tips, hygge vibes, and our honest take on hitting the reset button as expat parents in Denmark.
Tune in every other week for funny, honest conversations about expat life, family, culture, and starting over abroad.
Velkommen to The Scandi Shift!
Episodes
19 episodes
Episode 17: Danish Phrases Every Expat Should Know (That You Won't Learn in Class)
Learning Danish isn't just about grammar.It's about understanding the little words and phrases that Danes use every single day—and figuring out what they actually mean.In this fun follow-up to our Danish idioms episode, M...
Episode 16: Summer Hygge in Denmark: Beyond Candles, Blankets & Winter
In this episode of The Scandi Shift, Meg and Selena challenge one of the biggest misconceptions about Denmark.Everyone thinks hygge is candles, wool blankets, fireplaces, and surviving a long Danish winter.But what...
Episode 15: Raising Bilingual Kids in Denmark: When Your Child Speaks Better Danish Than You
In this episode of The Scandi Shift, Meg and Selena talk about the messy, funny, frustrating, and surprisingly emotional reality of raising bilingual children in Denmark.Because bilingual parenting sounds wonderful in theory.
Episode 14: Finding Your Village in Denmark: Making Friends, Belonging & Starting Over Abroad
Moving abroad isn't just about finding a new home.It's about rebuilding a life.In this episode of The Scandi Shift, Meg and Selena explore what it really means to find your village after moving to Denmark. Not just making...
Episode 13: Why Does Everyone in Denmark Have a Summer House?!
In this episode of The Scandi Shift, Meg and Selena dive into one of Denmark's most iconic summer traditions: the mysterious summer house.The moment the weather turns sunny, it feels like half of Denmark disappears. Plans...
Episode 12: What We Miss and Don't Miss Most After Moving to Denmark
In this episode of The Scandi Shift, Meg and Selena unpack the surprising reality of missing home after moving abroad — including the things they expected to miss, the things that blindsided them completely, and the parts of their old ...
Episode 11: What Nobody Tells You About Danish Birthday Parties
In this episode of The Scandi Shift, Meg and Selena unpack the surprisingly complicated world of birthdays in Denmark — and all the cultural rules no one explains to expat parents beforehand.Using Meg’s recent experience hosting...
Episode 10: The Hidden Cost of Fitting In: Identity, Burnout & Belonging in Denmark (Part 2)
In this episode of The Scandi Shift, Meg and Selena continue their conversation on belonging — moving beyond the surface and into what it actually feels like underneath.Because the cost of fitting in isn’t always obviou...
Episode 9: The Cost of Fitting In: What It Really Takes to Belong in Denmark (Part 1)
In this episode of The Scandi Shift, Meg and Selena continue their mini-series on belonging — and take on a topic that feels a little more uncomfortable: the cost of fitting in.Because belonging isn’t always effortless. And it’s...
Episode 8: Danes Say WHAT?! Funny Danish Phrases Every Expat Should Learn
In this episode of The Scandi Shift, Meg and Selena take a lighter turn and dive into one of the most surprising (and confusing) parts of learning a new language: idioms.Because once you start translating things literally, nothi...
Episode 7: Do You Belong in Denmark? Fitting In vs Belonging as an Expat
Belonging is something many people search for when they move to a new country — but what does it actually mean to belong somewhere?In this episode of The Scandi Shift, Meg and Selena shift from their usual light-hearted observatio...
Episode 6: Are Danes Really Cold? Common Danish Stereotypes Explained
In this episode of The Scandi Shift, Meg and Selena go off the cuff to tackle six of the most common stereotypes they’ve heard about Danes.Because apparently, Danes are so…Cold and Reserved.Hard to make friends with.<...
Episode 5: They Let Them Do What?! Rethinking Risk, Trust & Parenting in Denmark
In this episode of The Scandi Shift, Meg and Selena tackle a question they’re asked constantly by friends and family back home: Is Denmark really as safe and idyllic for kids as it looks?The short answer is yes — but th...
Episode 4: K*ll the Cat?! Why Danish Kids Hit a Cat Out of a Barrel
In this shorter episode of The Scandi Shift, Meg and Selena unpack one of Denmark’s most beloved — and most alarming-sounding — childhood traditions: Fastelavn.At first glance, it sounds deeply unsettling. Kids shouting “...
Episode 3: To Bike or Not to Bike? Surviving Copenhagen Cycling
We talk biking culture, confidence, safety, and the moment you realize Copenhagen expects you to just… get on a bike. Episode DescriptionIn this episode of The Scandi Shift, Meg and Selena dive into one of the...
Bonus Episode: Blankets, Black Holes & Bad Acoustics: Starting Before You're Ready
In this short bonus episode of The Scandi Shift, Meg and Selena pull back the curtain on what it really took to get this podcast off the ground — and how wildly we underestimated nearly every part of the process.From th...
Episode 2: The 8 Month Danish Winter
Hygge, Candlelight, Comfort Food & Surviving the DarknessEver wondered what it’s like to survive a Danish winter? In this episode of The Scandi Shift, Meg & Selena dive into the reality of Denmark’s dar...
Episode 1: Moving to Denmark? Welcome to The Scandi Shift
This first episode has some sound issues (we learned fast ). Audio is significantly improved from Episode 2 onward — thank you for listening!Our Expat Story & Why This Podcast ExistsIn our very first episode of <...
The Scandi Shift Podcast Trailer- Honest Conversations About Life in Denmark
Whether you’re living in Denmark, planning a move here, or simply curious about what real life looks like behind the hygge, bicycles, and Scandinavian design — this podcast is for you.We’re Meg & Selena, two expat moms who arrived wi...