Danish Originals is an ongoing podcast series that spotlights the intersection of Danish creativity, originality, and innovation in the US. It is a collection of interviews with Danish cultural figures — some who live in the US, and others who do not — that explore how their journeys are fueled by vision and ambition. And each episode opens with each guest reflecting on an artwork from Denmark's National Gallery.
Presented by the American Friends of Statens Museum for Kunst (AFSMK), Danish Originals is partially sponsored by Scan Design Foundation and Studio Haslund. Starting in March 2026, select Danish Originals will be featured on Scandinavian Airlines (SAS) inflight programming on long-haul flights.
Photographer: Davy Denke
TINA JØHNK CHRISTENSEN
Host and Executive Producer
Tina Jøhnk Christensen is a Danish-born, Los Angeles-based award-winning journalist, and author and podcast host specializing in film and entertainment. Since 2013, she has been a voting member of the Golden Globes, in addition to providing insightful coverage and interviews for Scandinavian media that connect Hollywood stories with Danish audiences. Her work is celebrated for its depth and unique perspective on the creative journeys of industry figures.
Photographer: Davy Denke
CHRISTIAN D. BRUUN
Director and Executive Producer
Christian D. Bruun is an award-winning Danish-born producer, director, and creative entrepreneur based in Los Angeles. Spanning documentaries, films, television, and podcasts, his work has been recognized at the Sundance, Tribeca, Berlin, Telluride, and Toronto Film Festivals and the Robert and Bodil Awards. He served as the curator of the US Pavilion at the Venice Biennale of Architecture, and is a board member of the American Friends of Statens Museum for Kunst and Honorary Consul for Denmark in Los Angeles.
Photographer: Davy Denke
TERESA LAI
Producer
Teresa Lai is a Los Angeles-based, award-winning producer and creative director with three decades of years of experience in the creative industries. Known for her editorial approach and expertise in building strategic partnerships and producing large-scale programs, she has developed engaging content that connects audiences from niche to global with art and culture through podcasts and pioneering digital museum platforms. In addition, Teresa is a developing producer for documentaries and feature films.
Photographer: Davy Denke
HANNE STØVRING
Consulting Producer
Hanne Støvring is the Executive Director of the American Friends of Statens Museum for Kunst (AFSMK), and leads the international fundraising strategy for Denmark’s national gallery, Statens Museum for Kunst (SMK). Since founding AFSMK in 2009, she has secured vital funding and strategic partnerships with patrons, foundations, institutions, and corporate sponsors to support SMK’s collections, exhibitions, and educational programs.
Photographer: Aurora De Luca
NICOLAI ROTTBØLL
Strategic Advisor
Nicolai Rottbøll is a Boston-based entrepreneur and sustainability strategist who bridges culture, business, and community. With Quercus Group and Our World 2050, he works with governments, organizations, universities, companies, and youth worldwide to advance sustainability and future-oriented solutions. With a strong background in the green transition and the creative industries, Nicolai builds partnerships and initiatives that connect people and ideas. He serves on the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Denmark’s External Expert Panel.
Photographer: Anders Elmshøj
GREGERS HEERING
Guest Host
Gregers Heering is a Danish-born, Los Angeles-based multidisciplinary creative whose focus for the last 15 years is long-term photographic projects. His photography has been widely exhibited both in the US and in Denmark, and his 2015 publication Majestic Mærsk: 32 Days Aboard the Biggest Ship in the World received international recognition. While deeply rooted in the tradition of photography and working almost exclusively with film, as a filmmaker by education, Gregers has also written, produced, and directed various narrative content.
Composer
JOACHIM SVARE
Graphic Designer
JAN-CHRISTIAN BRUUN
Consulting Advisors
BERIT BASSE
ANNE FREDERIKSEN
SANDRA SEPTIMIUS
Sound Mixers
SHAUN HETTINGER
GREG WILLIAMS
SPECIAL THANKS TO
The full AFSMK Board, and especially
LENA BECK RØRVIG
Statens Museum for Kunst, and especially
MARIE-LOUISE DUNKER-NIELSEN
ASTRID LA COUR
JONAS HEIDE SMITH
And also to
RIKKE CHRISTENSEN, ANDERS DAHL, DAVY DENKE, EMILY GRAND, THOMAS HAAS, GREGERS HEERING, REBECCA KROGMANN, EMMA MORTENSEN, FREDERIKKE MØLLER KRISTIANSEN, LOUISE RYTTER, ERIKA YOCOM, DAVID WOLF
Presented by
Lead Sponsors
Event Sponsors
Communication Partners
And also
