The Scandi Shift

Meg Christiansen & Selena Wintersø

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

  1. 2 DAYS AGO

    Episode 4: K*ll the Cat?! Candy, Barrels and Danish Childhood Traditions

    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 “I killed the cat,” adults encouraging them to hit a barrel with bats, and black cats painted everywhere. But once you understand the history, symbolism, and modern version of the holiday, Fastelavn becomes a perfect example of how Danish culture can feel shocking on the surface — and surprisingly gentle underneath. We talk about: What Fastelavn is and where it comes fromWhy “killing the cat” doesn’t mean what it sounds likeCandy barrels, costumes, crowns, and community ritualsHow a dark historical practice evolved into a kid-friendly celebrationThe true star of the season: fastelavnsboller (and why everyone has opinions)This episode is a classic “wait… what?” moment of expat life — one that captures how living in Denmark often means learning to pause, ask better questions, and look past literal translations. Cultural traditions Denmark, Fastelavn explained, Danish holidays, expat life Denmark, Scandinavian childhood traditions, living in Denmark. 🎧 New episodes every other week — follow to stay updated! 📩 Email: TheScandiShift@gmail.com 📍 Instagram: @TheScandiShift ⭐️ Please rate + review — it helps other expats find the show!

    18 min

  2. 21 JAN

    Episode 3: To Bike or Not to Bike: Is that the Question?

    We talk biking culture, confidence, safety, and the moment you realize Copenhagen expects you to just… get on a bike.  Episode Description In this episode of The Scandi Shift, Meg and Selena dive into one of the most defining (and unavoidable) parts of life in Denmark: bike culture. In Copenhagen, biking isn’t a hobby, a fitness statement, or a personality trait — it’s infrastructure. It’s how people commute, socialize, transport kids, haul groceries, move furniture, and live their everyday lives. And for newcomers, figuring out how (and whether) to join in can feel intimidating, awkward, and occasionally mortifying. We talk about: Why biking in Denmark isn’t a choice so much as an inevitabilityHow Copenhagen’s bike infrastructure changes everythingFirst-time biking fears, false confidence, and unplanned initiationsThe pressure of keeping up during rush hourSweaty arrivals, saddle soreness, and learning the rules by doingCargo bikes, two wheels vs. three, and finding what actually works for youWhether you’re still sitting on the fence, biking everywhere in heels, hauling kids in a cargo bike, or quietly Googling “bike etiquette Copenhagen,” this episode is about finding your rhythm — and remembering there’s no single right way to do it. Expat life in Denmark, Copenhagen bike culture, moving to Denmark realities, daily life in Copenhagen, transportation culture, living abroad stories. 🎧 New episodes every other week — follow to stay updated! 📩 Email: TheScandiShift@gmail.com 📍 Instagram: @TheScandiShift ⭐️ Please rate + review — it helps other expats find the show!

    36 min

  3. 14 JAN · BONUS

    Bonus Episode: Blankets, Black Holes & Bad Acoustics: Starting a Podcast

    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 three-hour “three-minute” equipment setups, to recording on our hands and knees surrounded by blankets, to discovering that microphones, acoustics, software, and editing are… a lot — this episode is a very honest look at learning by doing. We talk about: Why starting a podcast is harder than “just hitting record”The equipment setup that defeated us (at first)Blankets, sofas, awkward recording positions & bad acousticsLearning microphone technique Why polish is the enemy of intimacyLetting go of perfection and launching If you’ve ever thought about starting something — a creative project, a new chapter, a big move, or a life change that felt exciting and terrifying at the same time — this episode is a reminder that you don’t need to have everything figured out to begin. Sometimes taking the plunge is the whole point, even when you wildly underestimate what’s involved. Behind-the-scenes podcasting, starting a podcast, creative projects abroad, expat life in Denmark, taking the plunge, imperfect beginnings, life transitions, moving abroad stories. 🎧 New episodes every other week — follow to stay updated! 📩 Email: TheScandiShift@gmail.com 📍 Instagram: @TheScandiShift ⭐️ Please rate + review — it helps other expats find the show!

    12 min

  4. 7 JAN

    Episode 2: The 8 Month Danish Winter

    Hygge, Candlelight, Comfort Food & Surviving the Darkness Ever 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 darkest season—from 3:30pm sunsets to hygge, candles, comfort food, and learning to bloom in the cold as expat mums. We chat about: Why Danish winter feels so longHygge & candlelight cultureMormor mad + comfort food nostalgiaSurviving winter with kids in CopenhagenTips for building community in the darknessResources mentioned: Winter Survival Guide link- Available on our website!Kid-friendly museum ideas- Available on our website!Email us at TheScandiShift@gmail.com Denmark winter tips, hygge lifestyle, Scandinavian culture, expat life Denmark, Copenhagen family activities. — — — — —  🎧 Follow The Scandi Shift for new Denmark expat episodes  📩 Email: TheScandiShift@gmail.com  IG: @TheScandiShift  ⭐️ Rate + review if you loved the episode!  — — — — — 🎧 New episodes every other week — follow to stay updated! 📩 Email: TheScandiShift@gmail.com 📍 Instagram: @TheScandiShift ⭐️ Please rate + review — it helps other expats find the show!

    38 min

  5. 7 JAN

    Episode 1: 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 Exists In our very first episode of The Scandi Shift, we (Meg & Selena!) introduce ourselves, share what brought us to Denmark, and explain why this podcast exists. From moving to Copenhagen for love, family, lifestyle shifts, and career changes — to the surprising challenges of identity, loneliness, and rebuilding community abroad — this episode is a heartfelt welcome into what this space is all about. Whether you’re dreaming about moving to Denmark, already living here, or curious about expat life, this episode gives you an honest, funny, and very real look behind the scenes. In this episode, we talk about: How two foreign mums ended up building new lives in CopenhagenMeeting each other through a total “meet-cute” coffee shop momentThe emotional leap of moving countries for family & lifestyleWhy Denmark isn’t just a vacation — it becomes real, fastThe identity shifts that come with motherhood abroadThe challenge of making friends as an expat adultAnd why we created The Scandi Shift podcast in the first place ✨Why this episode matters Being an expat isn’t Instagram-perfect. We talk openly about: culture shockscareer disruptionlonelinessmental loadfamily dynamicsand the pressure to “have it all”We’re building the podcast we wished existed when we arrived — a helpful, human, funny guide for expat life in Denmark. 🎧 New episodes every other week — follow to stay updated! 📩 Email: TheScandiShift@gmail.com 📍 Instagram: @TheScandiShift ⭐️ Please rate + review — it helps other expats find the show!

    27 min

  6. SEASON 1, EPISODE 1 TRAILER

    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 with big dreams and a few misguided expectations (“Is Denmark just cozy cafés and constant happiness?”)… only to learn it’s also four seasons before lunch, endless rain jackets, winter darkness, cultural plot twists, and rye bread on repeat. On The Scandi Shift we get real about: surviving & enjoying Danish wintersparenting + school adventureshealthcare + bureaucracyfriendships + identityexpat highs & lowscultural mash-upseveryday life in Copenhagen and beyondExpect laughter, honesty, local insight, cultural surprises — and lots of warmth. Whether you’re already here or just wondering what Scandinavian life is really like, you’re invited. Hit follow and join us as we learn, laugh, adapt, and build community in Denmark. Scandinavian expat podcast, moving to Denmark, life in Copenhagen, hygge culture, Danish parenting, living abroad Denmark, cultural shocks Scandinavia. 🎧 New episodes every other week — follow to stay updated! 📩 Email: TheScandiShift@gmail.com 📍 Instagram: @TheScandiShift ⭐️ Please rate + review — it helps other expats find the show!

    1 min

Trailer

Ratings & Reviews

5
out of 5
4 Ratings

About

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!

Information

  • Creator
    Meg Christiansen & Selena Wintersø
  • Years Active
    2025 - 2026
  • Episodes
    6
  • Rating
    Explicit
  • Copyright
    © 2026 The Scandi Shift