The Heart & Hustle of Portugal
Each week, join Tony Gonçalves—a U.S.-based Portuguese immigrant and successful media executive—as he explores the stories of those driving Portugal’s influence on the global stage. From visionary entrepreneurs to cultural pioneers, The Heart and Hustle of Portugal uncovers the unique ways the Portuguese identity thrives worldwide. As Expresso’s first English-language product, this series bridges cultures and connects the global audience to Portugal’s spirit of innovation, passion, and resilience.
Episódios
Rerelease: Bankrol Hayden on making a hit on his death bed
Hayden Inacio grew up in Modesto, California — Central Valley, agricultural, working class. His grandfather emigrated from Terceira in the Azores, came through the East Coast, and eventually built a dairy. By the time Hayden came along, the Portuguese was mostly gone: no language, not much culture, just a last name and a grandmother's saying that would end up in a song. He started rapping at
Rerelease: Richie Campbell finally addresses the elephant in the room
Richie Campbell went to Jamaica at 18 with one contact and no plan. He printed out Patois lyrics at school to learn the language. He learned to compete in Kingston studios before Portugal fully understood what he was building. Speaking with Tony Gonçalves, one idea prevails: Portugal gave him roots, Jamaica gave him meaning. His new album is called Elephant in the Room. This is the conversa
Nuno Seixas music invites you to sit down and share what’s going on with your life
Nuno Seixas, 24, grew up in Sintra and attended the prestigious Berklee College of Music in Boston. When he came back, he didn’t only bring his music: he brought a bench, a camera and a simple request: sit down and share what’s going on in your life. The project “Everyubody’s Going Throug Something” took him through the streets of New York, Pittsburgh or Los Angeles.
Mackenzie Arromba’s songs may be sad, but she’s full of life
Winning two IPMA awards back to back is reserved only for the best. Mackenzie Arromba has done it at only 25. Even more impressive, her first award was for the very first song she wrote: “hate myself for loving you”. Before the stage, before the photos, before the fame, was a young girl sitting on her bedroom floor turning pain into melody. Music has been a part of Mackenzie’s li
David Rodrigues is the portuguese culinary creator making culture go viral
He started with a camera, a kitchen, and a mission. Dave, the creator behind “How to Cook Stuff”, has built one of the most-watched Portuguese food and culture channels on the internet by doing something deceptively simple: teaching people how to cook Portuguese food in English, with humor, warmth, and an unshakeable love for his heritage. But what looks effortless online is the result
A neuroscientist turned into a fado star: meet Mariana Arroja
A neurocientist walked into a bar in Scotland. She sang fado into an open mic. Everybody loved it. Mariana Arroja’s life changed at that moment: she didn’t plan to become a fadista, but then, the best stories rarely go according to plan. In this conversation with Tony Gonçalves, Mariana talks about the calçada portuguesa, the stone pavements that dress up every sidewalk a
Nelson Sobral: A black belt with a guitar, Portuguese at heart
Nelson Sobral’s favourite portuguese dish is sopas. The luso-canadian musician never forgets his roots, just take a look at his guitar. Growing up inspired by Kiss, Nelson has become a voice of his own. Growing up as a first-generation Canadian in Toronto's Little Portugal, Nelson shared how that community shaped him. His mother is from the Azores and his father from the Algarve, so his root
D.A.M.A. uses their music to protect Portuguese culture
In this episode of Heart & Hustle of Portugal: On Location, the trio that make the band D.A.M.A. sit down with Tony Gonçalves on rehearsal day to talk about what it means to bring the heartbeat of Portugal to the diaspora, and why this community feels like something you can't quite explain but immediately recognise. They talk about five years of diving deep into the musical traditions o
Ricardo Farias knows that being Portuguese means pride
Ricardo Farias was born in the United States. He has spent 26 years giving his career to the Portuguese community. Ricardo built the bridge and stayed on his side. Not because he had to. Because he chose to. “When I don't feel nervous, I get nervous” he says to Tony Gonçalves, a day before stepping on the stage of the IPMA, his 11th time hosting the International Portuguese
The Manic Boys and Girls Club perform… by not performing
We first met Manic Boys and Girls Club backstage at the International Portuguese Music Awards last year. This time, Fernando and Bela weren’t there as performers. They were there as friends, fans, former performers, and part of the community that keeps coming back year after year. They sat down with Tony Gonçalves to talk about what they’ve been building since our first conversa
Sophia Tavares lost her voice, then ended up on the IPMA stage
Sophia Tavares grew up in Porto, fell in love with music on a 13-hour road trip to Spain, and almost walked away from it all after completely losing her voice. She didn't. And she was nominated for Best New Talent at the 2026 IPMA. In this episode of Heart & Hustle: On Location, recorded at the International Portuguese Music Awards in Providence, Sophia sits down with Tony Gonçalves to
NCIS Star Daniela Ruah Shares a Story She's Never Told Anyone
Daniela Ruah was born in Boston, grew up in Lisbon, and got her big break in New York. She built a career that took her from gymnastics competitions to NCIS: Los Angeles, and never stopped coming back. In this first episode of Heart & Hustle: On Location, recorded at the International Portuguese Music Awards in Providence, Daniela sits down with Tony Gonçalves on rehearsal day to talk a
Rerelease: Chazz Palminteri's “A Bronx Tale” in Lisbon and a love for sardines
Chazz Palminteri sold out his “A Bronx Tale” in Lisbon, the second time he performed his breakthrough show outside of the United Sates. We revisit his conversation with Tony Gonçalves on the podcast The Heart and Hustle of Portugal. In this episode, Chazz Palminteri reflects on his journey from the Bronx to stages across America — including a run in Las Vegas, where it ear
Nuno Bettencourt: “Collect your first dollar, you’re no longer a pure artist”, even if you win a Grammy
Nuno Bettencourt, one of the most celebrated guitarists in rock, left the Azores for Massachusetts at four years. The Extreme founder sits with Tony Gonçalves to revisit a journey that took him from his brother’s verdict “you’ll never amount to anything in music” to global stages, a Grammy, and the obsession with craft that still keeps him writing songs in hotel room
At 16, Bankrol Hayden almost died, so he wrote a hit song about it
American rapper Hayden Inacio, professionally known as Bankrol Hayden, discusses his music career and cultural identity from his Modesto, California origins, born in a family of Portuguese descent, to gaining prominence in the music industry at a young age, accumulating over a billion streams early in his trajectory. A central theme of this conversation with Bankrol Hayden focuses on a near-fatal
Carlão was once either too white or too black: now he functions on love and music
Born in Angola and raised on the south bank of Lisbon, in Almada, by Cape Verdean parents, Carlão, the voice of the emblematic hip-hop band Da Weasel, joins Tony Gonçalves in an earnest and nostalgic conversation about being 50, about legacy and about growing up either too white or too black. Carlão guides us from the isolation of Almada, on the south bank of Lisbo, where &ldq
Richie Campbell: Portugal gave him the foundation, Jamaica gave him his purpose
For Richie Campbell, music has never been mere entertainment. Reggae offered him a profound sense of resistance and cultural depth that he found lacking in other genres, transforming his craft into a lifelong dedication rather than a fleeting commercial project. As part of a generation that sidestepped traditional radio and record labels, he helped forge an independent collective driven by a quiet
Pedro Abrunhosa’s legacy is making legacy in a country that had nobody like him before
Pedro Abrunhosa’s career is nothing short of incredible, but his words always speak louder than fame or talent. A man of causes, he is quick to denounce the bombings in Gaza and Iran… in less than 10 minutes since the beginning of this conversation. He started as a double bass player, went to New York where he learned discipline and played with all the “cats”, then came ba
Joana Vicente: Independent film and the AI revolution
The conversation between Joana Vicente and Tony Gonçalves examines the current strain on the industry: distribution bottlenecks, shrinking financing, and established directors struggling to secure budgets once considered routine. Vicente frames technology, including artificial intelligence, as a potential lever for independent cinema. Not as a replacement for creative work, but as a way to
The Legendary Tigerman: from punk rock roots to playing for Joey Ramone
Emerging from Coimbra in the 1990s with Tedio Boys, Paulo Furtado’s early career was marked by confrontation, underground momentum and a rapid leap to international stages, including tours in the United States. The shift to a one‑man band came after the exhaustion of group dynamics and a deep attraction to the raw energy of Delta blues and punk. What began almost by accident evolved into an
Nelson Freitas sold millions of records and created a new sound. Now he’s retiring on a high note
Born in Rotterdam to immigrant parents, shaped by the Cape Verdean culture and global Black music, Nelson Freitas has a career forged through self‑reliance and constant hustle. He helped define ghetto zouk by merging zouk melodies with hip‑hop and R&B sensibilities, built his own label when no one believed in the sound, and learned the industry through failure as much as success. For him, arti
Serena Kaos turned chairs on “The Voice Portugal” then turned heads on the streets of London
At the center of the conversation with Serena Kaos is fear. Not as a dramatic concept, but as a daily operating condition. The artist describes growing up as “the weird kid,” a creative outsider shaped as much by insecurity as by imagination, and how the search for belonging became a source of anxiety that followed her into adulthood. The decision she made at twelve, to be happy, endur
Ângelo Freire carries the soul of Portugal with him
Born in Lisbon’s Graça neighbourhood, Ângelo Freire grew up in fado houses, absorbing the language of the genre long before he began to articulate his own. He sang from the age of seven, picked up the Portuguese guitar shortly after, and by eleven was already performing on national television. Playing alongside figures such as Carlos do Carmo, Mariza, Ana Moura or Carminho requi
Jessica Cipriano on losing her voice and finding it again
In this earnest conversation on “The Heart & Hustle of Portugal”, Jessica Cipriano opens a window onto a career shaped by pivotal encounters, exposed vulnerabilities, and an unwavering truth: music is the place where everything in her comes alive. She recalls her season on “The Voice”, the surprising impact of viral clips, and the discovery of a vocal identity that live
Capitão Fausto: When the president shows up in the front row
In this conversation, Capitão Fausto revisits its beginnings: long nights spent in an old Citroën, listening to records by the river and the moment when writing in Portuguese felt not like a strategy but an instinct. They describe the internal democracy that shapes every decision — imperfect, noisy, but essential — and the way they learned to argue, compromise, and mature a
Two siblings, one sound, no safety net: The Manic Boys and Girls Club
The Manic Boys and Girls Club revisit the roots of their sound: a childhood in a deeply Portuguese household, early gigs that happened by accident and the freedom of being an independent band. Their stories veer from the hilarious to the chaotic: improvised tours, broken bones on stage and a last‑minute reinvention that saved a month‑long run of shows in China. Each moment reveals artists who crea
Xutos and Pontapés: The punk sound of a free Portugal
Tim, a founding voice of Xutos & Pontapés, revisits the origins of a band that helped shape modern Portuguese music. In a conversation marked by humour and candour, he recalls the restless energy of post‑revolution Portugal, when two chords, a rehearsal room and an attitude were enough to start a movement. What began as teenage instinct quickly became cultural legacy. This episode start
Kura: Taking Portuguese sound to the world’s biggest EDM stages
In this episode of the podcast “The Heart and Hustle of Portugal,” Kura revisits a journey built on persistence, unseen work, and a deep connection to Portuguese culture. Ruben de Almeida speaks about the late courage it took to incorporate Portuguese lyrics and Fado influences into his productions, honoring a cultural heritage he has always treated “with the utmost respect.&rdqu
IPMA: How Portuguese music built its own global stage
The episode of “The Heart of Hustle of Portugal” explores the origins and evolution of the International Portuguese Music Awards (IPMA), founded by musicians David Saraiva and José “Zach” Xavier and later expanded with the leadership of entrepreneur Manuel da Costa. What began as small community fundraisers grew into a global platform celebrating Portuguese and Luso‑
D.A.M.A.: “We’re not a genre, we never were. We are a style of music”
There is no doubt that D.A.M.A. are one of the most successful bands in contemporary Portuguese music. For over 13 years, they have performed more than 900 concerts, filled arenas and secured a unique place in the national music scene. What sets them apart, as they often say, is not a genre but an intention: rejecting labels and exploring Portuguese culture in all its diversity, translating it int
Carolina Deslandes: “I don’t write songs for my haters”
Singer-songwriter Carolina Deslandes’ conversation with Tony Gonçalves that kicks off season 4 of “The Heart and Hustle of Portugal” podcast reveals an artist who moves between vulnerability and courage, always remaining true to herself. Deslandes speaks openly about motherhood, public exposure, and online hate with the frankness that characterizes her. Carolina Deslandes
Rerelease: Mariana Van Zeller goes in depth on bacalhau
Journalist Mariana Van Zeller returns to The Heart and Hustle of Portugal and expands her love for Portugal’s mascot: Bacalhau. Listen again to this season 3 episode.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Rerelease: Chazz Palminteri’s love for Portuguese sardines is unmatched
Listen again to this episode of The Heart and Hustle of Portugal with the actor Chazz Palminteri.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Rerelease: MARO’s music is global, but her taste is still Portuguese
Revisit the first episode of season 3 of The Heart and Hustle of Portugal with the singer-songwriter MARO.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Rerelease: André de Freitas’ unfiltered guide to eating (and avoiding) in Portugal
Revisit this episode from season 3 of The Heart and Hustle of Portugal with comedian André de Freitas.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Afonso Pimentel: how a Portuguese actor closed a 30-year circle in the Atlantic
Actor Afonso Pimentel, one of the most recognizable faces from Netflix’s “Turn of the Tide”, carries with him a story that reveals how a single moment of hesitation can alter the course of a career. Early on, when a casting director from Los Angeles reached out requesting his reel, Pimentel didn’t have one prepared. He asked for two weeks to assemble it: The reply never cam
Piper Perabo on acting, activism, and a little bit of Portugal
Actor Piper Perabo’s path to the screen began with a landline phone call: producer Jane Rosenthal contacted the young performer at home with the words every new actor hopes to hear: “You got the part”. Just six months after graduating from college, Perabo found herself on set with Robert De Niro, an early break that set the pace for a varied and steadily rising career. Although w
Paula Lobo Antunes: The New York–born actress who became a Portuguese icon
Paula Lobo Antunes’s recent role in the film “A Teacher’s Gift” is as memorable as the path that brought her here. Whether playing the villain in Flor do Mal or a leading protagonist in Mar de Paixão, Paula knows she made the right decision the day she quietly applied to drama school while still studying medicine. She opens up about her career, her life, motherhood,
Portuguese holidays, family, and food with David Rodrigues
David Rodrigues is the man behind @howtocookstuff, a very entertaining collection of videos and reels about authentic Portuguese food (and slang). Born in the US, his parents immigrated from Lisboa and, as he recalls in this conversation with Tony Gonçalves, his mother’s food was always simmering in the kitchen, filling it with those typical Portuguese scents. One day he was craving a
Ticha Penicheiro: Lady Magic and the craft of a legendary point guard
Ticha Penicheiro changed the game. A true pioneer in women’s basketball, she played in the WNBA from 1998 to 2012, became a four-time All-Star, and earned her place as one of the greatest point guards of all time. In this conversation with Tony Gonçalves, she goes back to where it all started: a little girl with big dreams in a small country. Ticha’s story is built on beating th
Griffin Dunne on finding your voice and rediscovering yourself at any age
Griffin Dunne has an acclaimed career with classics like “An American Werewolf in London” or “After Hours”, but the New York actor had a rough spot in his 60s and went back to class. Listen to a fascinating tale of loss, rejoice and renewal Griffin Dunne’s personal life is as vertiginous as his prolific film and television career. The tragic death of his sister Domini
Special episode live at Tribeca Lisboa with Joana Vasconcelos: Portugal’s national treasure
Joana Vasconcelos is Portugal’s most celebrated (and bigger artist), her works have been shown at Versailles, Guggenheim, Hong Kong or featured at Dior. Listen to this conversation recorded live at Tribeca Lisboa.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
André de Freitas: A comedian’s journey from surfing to stand-up
Tony Gonçalves thought he was going to interview a funny guy. Instead, the mic was turned on him when Andre de Freitas flipped the script and asked him a few questions. As one of the most recognized Portuguese comedians, André de Freitas has not only a powerful social media presence, but also a very international career. He is a man with a mission, and shares his amazing journey of p
Chazz Palminteri's “A Bronx Tale”: the one-man show’s new chapter in Lisbon
Chazz Palminteri is a tour de force — an actor, writer, and producer best known for “A Bronx Tale”, the powerful one-man show where he plays every role. For the first time ever, Chazz is bringing this legendary performance to Lisbon, just as it was originally staged in New York. In this episode, Chazz Palminteri reflects on his journey from the Bronx to stages across America &mda
Patrícia Vasconcelos: She cast “Love Actually” and built a bridge for Portugal’s talent
Patrícia Vasconcelos is a renowned casting director and founder of Passaporte, a platform to help promote Portuguese actors abroad. She shares her fascinating journey that spans countries like Yugoslavia or Zaire and explains why the typical hustle that is characteristic of Portuguese people is the key to success. Patricia Explains how her hustle and a series of coincidences turned her into
From island dreams to Netflix stardom: The rise of Augusto Fraga and “Turn of the Tide”
Augusto Fraga was born in the Azores but he always dreamed far beyond his island. His smash hit series “Turn of the Tide” turned him (and his island of S. Miguel) into global superstars. Now on its second season, the series is one of Netflix’s top hits and it shows that Portugal can complete on a global stage. The director and screenwriter, who confesses that he always operates t
Rui Pedro Tendinha: How a Portuguese critic hustled his way into Hollywood’s inner circle
Rui Pedro Tendinha has interviewed everyone: Oprah, Tarantino, Jack Nicholson are just a few. And he will not stop. A self-confessed cinema addict, Rui Tendinha is one of the most recognized voices in the business, not only as journalist but also as a curator. Listen to his journey amongst the stars in this episode of The Heart & Hustle of Portugal. The film critic shares a few of his adventur
Borderless, Restless, Relentless: Ricardo Pereira’s Journey from Lisbon to Rio and Back Again
Ricardo Pereira’s acting career has crossed borders. Literally. It’s extremely unusual for a Portuguese actor to work consistently in Brazil, but Ricardo has done it - for twenty years. A household figure at Globo and SIC, where he lend his skills to many telenovela characters, Ricardo Pereira will show his talent on the second season of Netflix’s series “Turn of the Tide&r
From MoMA to MAAT: architect turned curator Pedro Gadanho’s intersection of design and sustainability
Pedro Gadanho is an architect and curator, responsible for Lisbon’s MAAT Museum and a former curator of MoMA. A creative, Gadanho expresses his views on architecture as narrative and sustainable urbanism, giving his insights on how to approach the housing crisis with state intervention to bring vacant buildings back to use. An insightful conversation with a creative at heart on this episode
Mariana Van Zeller is back. Meet the fearless woman that faces criminal overlords and brings home Emmys
This year’s Upwardly Global honoree Mariana Van Zeller is back and she brings another four Emmys back home. The fearless journalist that stars and produces the incredible documentary series “Trafficked” on National Geographic returns for another season of investigations in the criminal underworld and speaks with Tony Gonçalves about immigration, broken policies, journalism
Ricardo Araújo Pereira doesn’t care what you think (but he loves making you laugh)
Ricardo Araújo Pereira is one of the sharpest and most distinctive voices in Portugal. He’s also very funny. His Sunday prime time show attracts millions of viewers each night and he is a constant presence in the Portuguese landscape: in advertisement, writing for newspapers and magazines and even hosting a podcast with his friends. But Ricardo, who is also known a Portuguese Jon Stew
The feeling comes first: How MARO found her sound
The incredible journey of singer-songwriter MARO is nothing short of amazing: from her humble roots in Lisboa to living in LA and being praised by Billie Eilish, collaborating with Eric Clapton or being on tour with Jacob Collier and Shawn Mendes. There’s nothing MARO can’t do, and, as she confides to Tony Gonçalves on this podcast, she will continue to do it until it makes sens
Sebastiao Bugalho on democracy, journalism and not looking like a fool
Sebastião Bugalho’s meteoric rise from journalism to politics is astonishing, specially considering he wasn’t even 30 years old when he gained the top seat of his political party, PSD, on the European Parliament. In an insightful conversation with host Tony Gonçalves, Sebastião discusses his visions for Portugal, Europe and also offers some insights into the rise o
Rerelease: Lindy Reid brought a New York staple food to Lisbon (and it turned out to be an amazing idea)
Lindy Reid founded Rhodo Bagels, a bagel shop in the heart of Lisbon’s downtown that features amazing bagels, cookies and coffee. Listen to this conversation originally published in June.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Rerelease: Tim Vieira on giving back to the community by running for President
Tim Vieira believes that everyone wants to be Portuguese. See why in this conversation between Tim and Tony Gonçalves, originally published in June.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Rerelease: From small town to unicorn: Virgilio Bento and Sword Health’s success
V, as he likes to be called, is the CEO of Sword Health, a unicorn company from Portugal. Listen to this conversation originally published in April.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Rerelease: Building community through business: Insights from John Calvao
John Calvao is a partner at Arrow Global and discusses his unique background in this insightful conversation on the challenges of building and investing in Portugal, originally released in June.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Special episode with Ana Rita Guerra: An inside out look at Los Angeles through the eyes of a Portuguese immigrant
Portuguese journalist Ana Rita Guerra covers a range of topics from tech to AI to entertainment and US Politics for Lusa, Expresso, Diário de Notícias and others. Based in LA, Ana Rita was at the center of the Palisades wildfires and the ICE raids and, speaking with host Tony Gonçalves, she muses over those surreal days and offers a glimpse of the future of the media business.
Rerelease: Chef Lauren Covas: eat local, try everything: the joy of comfort food
Chef Lauren Covas just released her Cookbook “Little Portugal”. Listen to her conversation with Tony Gonçalves, originally published in July.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Comedian Mike Rita: Turns out, being Portuguese was the whole joke
Comedian Mike Rita isn’t just a stand-up. He’s a naturally funny guy who also happens to be Portuguese. Born in Canada to immigrant parents, he grew up mimicking their voices and mannerisms as a way to connect with the adults around him. But for years he left that part of himself off stage… until, one day, someone called him on it and it changed everything. Mike’s presence
Twelve strings and a thousand stories: Marta Pereira da Costa
Marta Pereira da Costa’s story speaks to instinct, dedication, and cultural pride. She began on the piano but what spoke to her was the unique 12 string Portuguese guitar. Today, Marta is one of the few soloists performing this complex instrument on stages around the world, representing her culture with Fado music. In this episode, Marta shares her path from civil engineering to full-time mu
From José dos iPhones to Business Maverick
José Costa Rodrigues started selling iPhones to his friends in his teens, now he’s making it big in the United States. The true definition of an entrepreneur, José is now based in Texas and is the co-founder and CEO of Relive, a real-estate agency. Listen to the enthusiastic story of this true hustler. José shares his humble beginnings selling iPhones, a move that led hi
Tim Vieira still believes in utopias, that’s why he’s running for President
Tim Vieira was born in South Africa but his Portuguese heritage shines bright. A businessman, entrepreneur and investor, Tim is running for President of Portugal, a bold move that we discuss in this episode of the podcast The Heart and Hustle of Portugal. Speaking with host Tony Gonçalves, Tim explains his down to earth approach to politics and why he wants to give back to Portugal. As usua
Bringing bagels to Portugal: Lindy Reid’s journey gave us Rhodo Bagels
What do you do when you miss a childhood staple food from your home country? Well, you make a business out of it, of course. Lindy Reid was baking bagels at home when when she started living in Lisbon and everyone loved them. Rhodo Bagels is now a colorful downtown place, where you can eat amazing bagels, drink great coffee and lush on delicious cookies. Lindy’s story is also one of finding
John Calvão on investing in Portugal with purpose (and controlling the destiny)
John Calvão is a Partner and Fund Principal at Arrow, one of Europe’s leading credit and real estate investment platforms. In this episode, John shares how Arrow is helping reshape Portugal’s real estate landscape from resort towns like Vilamoura to new efforts in affordable housing. He reflects on the unique opportunities Portugal offers, the cultural values that shape his lead
Special Episode: Julia Machado won The Voice Kids but it’s her offstage voice that stays with you
Julia Machado may only be 14, but Tony’s conversation with her showed that she is wise beyond her years. Winner of The Voice Kids Portugal, Julia is a songwriter, a singer and has the dream of using her music to help other people through challenges including bullying. As we celebrate World Youth Day, listen to her extraordinary journey (and perspective) on The Heart and Hustle of Portugal.Se
She fell in love with the Azores and Tribeca gave her a million dollars to tell the story
Lilian Mehrel went to the Azores with her mother for a vacation and left there with a script. She teamed up with Portuguese producer Andreia Nunes and, a string of coincidences and happy encounters later, led them to win Tribeca’s 1 million dollars grant to shoot “Honeyjoon” in the place it was imagined the first time: the idyllic island of São Miguel. Listen to Lilian and
Special Episode: Snap elections, Chega’s ascent and Portugal’s political Future: Ricardo Costa on the rise of Chega and the new political era in Portugal
The far-right has become Portugal’s leading opposition force. Tony Gonçalves sat down with Ricardo Costa, Chief Content Officer at Grupo Impresa and one of the most trusted voices in Portuguese media to get a glimpse of the new political landscape in Portugal following yet another snap election. This is a special episode from The Heart and Hustle of Portugal. Ricardo Costa has covered
Joel Sousa: Electrifiying Famel all the way to Times Square
Joel Sousa is leading the revival of Famel, the iconic motorcycle brand that was a staple of Portugal’s working class from the 60s through the 80s. Now reimagined as a sleek, sustainable electric bike, Famel is ready to ride again and once again become the two wheeler of “the People”. Joel Sousa’s engineering background and willingness to get his hands on everything is the
From Murtosa to the mainstream: chef Lauren Covas on food, family, and the flavor of Portugal
Lauren Covas is a proud Portuguese-American chef, two-time Food Network champ and now the author of “Little Portugal”, her cookbook that champions and highlights the Portuguese dishes and flavors of her youth, where, as she recalls, there was always something cooking in the kitchen: night and day. For Lauren, food is deeply rooted in family and this conversation highlights this heritag
Gifford Miller, the American owner of Atlético Clube de Portugal that fell in love with Portuguese football
Gifford Miller planned a stop over in Lisbon on his way to Seville, but 36 hours later, he was house hunting and never made it to Seville. Today, he’s the owner of Atlético Clube de Portugal, a historic football club in the heart of the Portuguese capital. His motto? Football and good times A former New York politician, Gifford shares his passion for football, and for walking - offeri
Catarina Portas, from A Vida Portuguesa: identity, soul and craftsmanship
Catarina Portas, the founder of A Vida Portuguesa, a store that celebrates and revives iconic Portuguese brands and products, shares her journey from journalism to entrepreneurship, from the opening of the first shop to a showcase at MoMA Catarina Portas explains the importance of the swallow as a Portuguese icon and how A Vida Portuguesa is not about nostalgia but about identity and pride. She al
Virgílio Bento: “The success of a company is what I can create and how happy, energised and at peace I am. That’s Portugal to me”
Virgilio Bento, CEO of Sword Health and leader of one of Portugal’s notable unicorn companies joins host Tony Gonçalves for this episode of The Heart and Hustle of Portugal. Known as “V” among friends, Virgilio discusses why success doesn’t require leaving Portugal and emphasises the significance of fostering local talent and investment. V offers his straightforward
Neemias Queta: a giant among us: the rise of the first Portuguese NBA player is a story of resilience and routine
Neemias Queta is an icon: the first Portuguese NBA player. The 25 year old basketballer, currently playing for the Boston Celtics, shares his journey from his roots playing soccer in the streets of Lisbon to being drafted for the NBA in 2021 The Celtics player embodies a humbleness and kindness that rivals his competitive approach on the court, having won the NBA championship in 2024, in his first
Tony Gonçalves: Work Hard, be curious, be kind
Before we kick off the second season of “The Heart and Hustle of Portugal,” our host, Tony Gonçalves, steps into the guest’s chair to be interviewed by Francisco Pedro Balsemão. They discuss Tony’s storied career in the media industry and his deep roots in Portugal.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Rerelease: George Mendes’s journey and the Portuguese Michelin starred restaurants that are competing globally at a higher level
George Mendes, the chef from Amar in Boston, shares his personal journey from his culinary school nickname 'George Burns' to earning a Michelin Star in New York.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Rerelease: Rodrigues’ Sisters (not Roberts), reclaiming a name and their grandparents legacy
Filmmaking duo Marlee and Karlee Rodrigues share their experiences reclaiming their grandparents heritage using documentary as a means to perpetuate the culture. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Rerelease: Joaquim de Almeida’s role as the quintessential bad guy and his Portuguese heritage
Rerelease of the second episode of the podcast The Heart and Hustle of Portugal where host Tony Gonçalves meets up with Joaquim de Almeida, the actor that, after 156 films, doesn't want to stop.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Nuno Morais Sarmento: “If you don’t have the emotional availability of giving yourself to others, you’ll be dead politically“
Nuno Morais Sarmento, an important political figure in Portugal, cancer survivor, former boxer and currently head of FLAD, Foundation for Luso American Development, sits down with Tony Gonçalves for a very earnest conversation about life, politics and living each day altruistically. A rare insight into one of Portugal’s most revered political voice. This is the last conversation in th
Diogo Mónica built the first federally chartered crypto bank and invested in 150+ startups. His secret? Smart risks and a clear purpose
Diogo Mónica joins Tony Gonçalves for an in depth conversation about crypto, tech startups and investment. Co-Founder of Anchorage Digital, a three billion dollar company, Diogo uses his platform to advance Portuguese innovation, helping the country reach its place as a hub for technological innovation. Listen to the podcast The Heart and Hustle of PortugalSee omnystudio.com/listener
