Danish Originals

S11E10. Mads Tolling 18.06.2026 52min

From his home in the Bay Area, Hellerup-born, two-time Grammy-winner Danish-American violinist and composer MADS TOLLING shares highlights of his career playing with bands and leading his own groups, the Mads Tolling Quartet, and Mads Tolling & The Mads Men. At his core a jazz violinist, Mads credits his training at Boston's Berklee College of Music, and talks about blurring musical boundaries, exploring different genres, and reaching new audiences, both as a musician and a composer. ----------For today's episode, Mads Tolling chose P.C. Skovgaard's Bøgeskov i maj. Motiv fra Iselingen, or A Beech Wood in May near Iselingen Manor, Zealand, from 1857 from the collection of the National Gallery of Denmark.https://open.smk.dk/en/artwork/image/KMS4580 ----------Photographer: Karolina Zapolska----------This conversation with Christian D. Bruun occurred on April 14, 2026.----------We invite you to subscribe to Danish Originals for weekly episodes. You can also find us at:website: https://danishoriginals.com/ email: info@danishoriginals.com

S11E9. Lena Torslow Hansen 11.06.2026 46min

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). Lena also recalls cross-country road trips running Nordic Art Books and the pre-Amazon art book landscape.----------For today's episode, Lena Torslow Hansen chose J.F. Willumsen's En bjergbestigerske, or A Mountain Climber, from 1912 from the collection of the National Gallery of Denmark.https://open.smk.dk/en/artwork/image/KMS3413 ----------Photographer: Aya Muto----------This conversation with Finn-Olaf Jones occurred on May 8, 2026.----------We invite you to subscribe to Danish Originals for weekly episodes. You can also find us at:website: https://danishoriginals.com/ email: info@danishoriginals.com

S11E8. Jens Honoré 04.06.2026 48min

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 good, and his present focus on craftsmanship in his film The Crosses and his upcoming book. ----------For today's episode, Jens Honoré chose Jesper Rasmussen's Dumbo Brooklyn New York from 2005 from the collection of the National Gallery of Denmark.https://open.smk.dk/en/artwork/image/KKS2005-15 ----------Photographer: Klaus Clemmens----------This conversation with Gregers Heering occurred on March 30, 2026.----------We invite you to subscribe to Danish Originals for weekly episodes. You can also find us at:website: https://danishoriginals.com/ email: info@danishoriginals.com

S11E7. Ilya Katsnelson 28.05.2026 57min

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 commitment to bringing the US and Denmark closer together through education, art, and culture.----------For today's episode, Ilya Katsnelson chose Carl Bloch's Fra et romersk osteria, or In a Roman Osteria, from 1866 from the collection of the National Gallery of Denmark.https://open.smk.dk/en/artwork/image/KMS4087 ----------Photographer: Davy Denke----------This conversation with Christian D. Bruun occurred on April 6, 2026.----------We invite you to subscribe to Danish Originals for weekly episodes. You can also find us at:website: https://danishoriginals.com/ email: info@danishoriginals.com

S11E6. Maiken Baird 21.05.2026 44min

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), and describes the challenges in telling real stories that help us understand our world. ----------For today's episode, Maiken Baird chose Lauritz Hartz's Landskab med bakker, or Rolling Landscape, from 1927 from the collection of the National Gallery of Denmark.https://open.smk.dk/en/artwork/image/KMS7062----------Photographer: Terry Gruber----------This conversation with Asger Hussain occurred on March 26, 2026.----------We invite you to subscribe to Danish Originals for weekly episodes. You can also find us at:website: https://danishoriginals.com/ email: info@danishoriginals.com

S11E5. Frederikke Møller 14.05.2026 37min

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 Nordic Museum and her dream to work on collaborations among Nordic cultures.----------For today's episode, Frederikke Møller chose Jakob Kudsk Steensen's Primal Tourism from 2016 from the collection of the National Gallery of Denmark.https://open.smk.dk/en/artwork/image/KMS8931----------Photographer: Per Sommer----------This conversation with Gregers Heering occurred on March 11, 2026.----------We invite you to subscribe to Danish Originals for weekly episodes. You can also find us at:website: https://danishoriginals.com/ email: info@danishoriginals.com

S11E4. Rufus Gifford 07.05.2026 57min

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 help elect a transformational US leader in 2028 in the post-Trump world order.----------For today's episode, Rufus Gifford chose C.W. Eckersberg's En sejlads til Charlottenlund, or Sailing from Copenhagen to Charlottenlund, from 1824 from the collection of the National Gallery of Denmark.https://open.smk.dk/en/artwork/image/KMS8684----------Photograph Source: Rufus Gifford----------This conversation with Nicolai Rottbøll occurred on March 18, 2026.----------We invite you to subscribe to Danish Originals for weekly episodes. You can also find us at:website: https://danishoriginals.com/email: info@danishoriginals.com

S11E3. Pernille Ipsen 30.04.2026 58min

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 differences between writing in English as a historian and in Danish as a nonfiction author.----------For today's episode, Pernille Ipsen chose Dea Trier Mørch's Fødsel, or Birth, from 1978 from the collection of the National Gallery of Denmark.https://open.smk.dk/en/artwork/image/KKS2009-19----------Photographer: Bobbie Harte----------This conversation with Christian D. Bruun occurred on December 2, 2025.----------We invite you to subscribe to Danish Originals for weekly episodes. You can also find us at:website: https://danishoriginals.com/email: info@danishoriginals.com

S11E2. Mette Lampcov 23.04.2026 51min

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 of journalism and photojournalism, AI, and the effects of current US politics on her work.----------For today's episode, Mette Lampcov chose Anna Bjerger's Square from 2019 from the collection of the National Gallery of Denmark.https://open.smk.dk/en/artwork/image/KMS8948 ----------Photographer: Bruce Lampcov----------This conversation with Gregers Heering occurred on January 7, 2026.----------We invite you to subscribe to Danish Originals for weekly episodes. You can also find us at:website: https://danishoriginals.com/ email: info@danishoriginals.com

S11E1. Samuel Rachlin 15.04.2026 58min

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 from the US after 35 years, Samuel offers insights on the current absence of a rule-based world order.----------For today's episode, Samuel Rachlin chose Gerhard Henning's Stående nøgen pige, or Standing Nude Girl, from 1928–1929 from the collection of the National Gallery of Denmark.https://open.smk.dk/en/artwork/image/KMS5856 ----------Photographer: Balazs Veress----------This conversation with Asger Hussain occurred on January 27, 2026.----------We invite you to subscribe to Danish Originals for weekly episodes. You can also find us at:website: https://danishoriginals.com/ email: info@danishoriginals.com

S10E10. Lars Mikkelsen 09.04.2026 45min

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. He talks about faith, Jante Law, his love for language, and seeking significance in his work.----------For today's episode, Lars Mikkelsen chose L.A. Ring's Når toget ventes. Jernbaneoverkørsel ved Roskilde Landevej, or Waiting for the Train. Level Crossing by Roskilde Highway, from 1914 from the collection of the National Gallery of Denmark.https://open.smk.dk/en/artwork/image/DEP535 ----------Photographer: Robin Skjoldborg----------This conversation with Tina Jøhnk Christensen occurred on January 13, 2026.----------We invite you to subscribe to Danish Originals for weekly episodes. You can also find us at:website: https://danishoriginals.com/ email: info@danishoriginals.com

S10E9. Natasha Fisker 02.04.2026 26min

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 social media for marketing, from brand partnerships to influencer culture.----------For today's episode, Natasha Fisker chose Perseus og Andromeda, or Perseus and Andromeda, by an unknown artist from 1601–1652 from the collection of the National Gallery of Denmark.https://open.smk.dk/en/artwork/image/KKSgb1399 ----------Photographer: Leta Taylor----------This conversation with Christian D. Bruun occurred on February 1, 2026.----------We invite you to subscribe to Danish Originals for weekly episodes. You can also find us at:website: https://danishoriginals.com/ email: info@danishoriginals.com

S10E8. Olivia Neergaard-Hom 26.03.2026 40min

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 with the 2024 biographical drama The Apprentice about Donald Trump's formative years. ----------For today's episode, Olivia Neergaard-Holm chose Martinus Rørbye's Udsigt fra kunstnerens vindue, or View from the Artist's Window, from 1823–1827 from the collection of the National Gallery of Denmark.https://open.smk.dk/en/artwork/image/KMS7452 ----------Photographer: Emily Turner----------This conversation with Asger Hussain occurred on November 12, 2025.----------We invite you to subscribe to Danish Originals for weekly episodes. You can also find us at:website: https://danishoriginals.com/ email: info@danishoriginals.com

S10E7. Christian Mathiasen 19.03.2026 41min

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 his role in establishing the culture as part of the post-COVID rebirth and revival of SF.----------For today's episode, Christian Mathiasen chose Søren L. Lange's Viborg, or Viborg, from 1822 from the collection of the National Gallery of Denmark.https://open.smk.dk/en/artwork/image/KKSgb12512 ----------Photographer: Stephanie Hopkins----------This conversation with Christian D. Bruun occurred on November 7, 2025.----------We invite you to subscribe to Danish Originals for weekly episodes. You can also find us at:website: https://danishoriginals.com/ email: info@danishoriginals.com

S10E6. Janus Metz 12.03.2026 48min

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 cocaine trade, Janus talks about the anthropological approach and perspective in all his work. ----------For today's episode, Janus Metz chose Per Kirkeby's Uden titel (Vinterbillede), or Untitled (Winter Picture), from 1995 from the collection of the National Gallery of Denmark.https://open.smk.dk/en/artwork/image/KMS7953 ----------Private photograph----------This conversation with Asger Hussain occurred on November 10, 2025.----------We invite you to subscribe to Danish Originals for weekly episodes. You can also find us at:website: https://danishoriginals.com/ email: info@danishoriginals.com

S10E5. Sofie Kvist 05.03.2026 42min

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 have, at their core, attention to foundational cultural, social, and environmental sustainability.----------For today's episode, Sofie Kvist chose Ejnar Nielsen's Og i hans øjne så jeg døden, or And in his Eyes I Saw Death, from 1897 from the collection of the National Gallery of Denmark.https://open.smk.dk/en/artwork/image/KMS1832 ----------Photograph Source: GEHL----------This conversation with Christian D. Bruun occurred on November 7, 2025.----------We invite you to subscribe to Danish Originals for weekly episodes. You can also find us at:website: https://danishoriginals.com/ email: info@danishoriginals.com

S10E4. Helle Faber 01.03.2026 46min

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 out of Russia for his safety that would then secure the film's chances to be shown. ----------For today's episode, Helle Faber chose Uden titel, or Untitled, from 1988 by Ragna Braase from the collection of the National Gallery of Denmark.https://open.smk.dk/en/artwork/image/kms8905 ----------Photographer: Martin Bubrandt----------This conversation with Asger Hussain occurred on February 20, 2026.----------We invite you to subscribe to Danish Originals for weekly episodes. You can also find us at:website: https://danishoriginals.com/ email: info@danishoriginals.com

S10E3. Lea Thau 26.02.2026 56min

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 Trumpland" miniseries. And after a 7-year hiatus, she hints at upcoming shows of yet another kind of storytelling. ----------For today's episode, Lea Thau chose Erik Henningsen's Sat ud, or Evicted Tenants, from 1892 from the collection of the National Gallery of Denmark.https://open.smk.dk/en/artwork/image/KMS1454 ----------Photographer: Kevin Zacker----------This conversation with Christian D. Bruun occurred on December 10, 2025.----------We invite you to subscribe to Danish Originals for weekly episodes. You can also find us at:website: https://danishoriginals.com/ email: info@danishoriginals.com

S10E2. Leo Steen Hansen 19.02.2026 50min

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 California coast. And he talks about his newest venture in Denmark, Scout by Leo.----------For today's episode, Leo Steen Hansen chose P.S. Krøyer's Badende drenge en sommeraften ved Skagens strand, or Boys Bathing at Skagen. Summer Evening, from 1899 from the collection of the National Gallery of Denmark.https://open.smk.dk/en/artwork/image/KMS1658 ----------Photographer: Stephanie Hopkins----------This conversation with Christian D. Bruun occurred on November 4, 2025.----------We invite you to subscribe to Danish Originals for weekly episodes. You can also find us at:website: https://danishoriginals.com/ email: info@danishoriginals.com

S10E1. Søren Solkær 12.02.2026 54min

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 patience. And he shares his plans for the Adventurer's Club where he is a lifetime member. ----------For today's episode, Søren Solkær chose Christian Lemmerz's Adam-Kadmon from 1997–1998 from the collection of the National Gallery of Denmark.https://open.smk.dk/en/artwork/image/KMS8399 ----------Photographer: Søren Solkær----------This conversation with Gregers Heering occurred on November 3, 2025.----------We invite you to subscribe to Danish Originals for weekly episodes. You can also find us at:website: https://danishoriginals.com/ email: info@danishoriginals.com