The Good Morning Portugal! podcast with Carl Munson
The Good Morning Portugal! podcast with Carl Munson offers insights and stories about life in Portugal, likely aimed at expats and those interested in the country. Each episode covers topics relevant to living, working, and enjoying Portugal, presented in a morning-show style. The show encourages listener support and directs audiences to portugaltalk.com for more information.
Episódios
Rubio visit (& protest), another Portuguese literature Nobel? & budget drop plus weather
On Thursday 8th October 2026, Carl Munson’s Good Morning Portugal! news reports that US Secretary of State Marco Rubio is in Lisbon on a European tour that has already taken in Reykjavík and Athens, with around 300 demonstrators gathered to protest his arrival. The Nobel Prize in Literature is due to be announced today, with Portuguese author Gonçalo M. Tavares a betting favourite to follow José S
National Castles Day (free entry), GOATs can't let go & mystery ship proves invisible!
On Wednesday 7th October 2026, Carl Munson’s Good Morning Portugal! news marks National Castles Day, an annual tradition since 1984, with free admission at sites including the UNESCO-listed Convent of Christ, Guimarães and Óbidos.Other headlines include Cristiano Ronaldo as a metaphor for systems and “GOATs” struggling to let go, an NGO calling for more mechanical-biological waste treatment in the
Fizz does the biz, young investors choose LX and Cascais, & digital life after death
On Tuesday 6th October 2026, Carl Munson’s Good Morning Portugal! news follows the return of the wine club with a feature on Portugal’s sparkling wines (espumante), and notes that Parliament’s proposal to restrict social media for minors is likely to be voted on this month: parental consent for ages 13–16 and a ban on accounts for under-13s. Other headlines include Lisbon and Cascais being named a
Portugal Brazilians preferring Lula, squad wins again & Republic Day special
On Republic Day, Monday 5th October 2026, Carl Munson’s Good Morning Portugal! news reports that defending champions Portugal beat Norway 2-1 to keep a perfect Group A record and secure a UEFA Nations League quarter-final place, again without Cristiano Ronaldo.Other headlines include Lula leading Bolsonaro among Brazilian voters in Portugal after the first round (48% to 44% of about 134,000 regist
Portugal win well without CR7, strikes kick in & join our new expat book club!
On Friday 2nd October 2026, Carl Munson’s Good Morning Portugal! news reports that Portugal beat Denmark 4-2 in the Nations League without Cristiano Ronaldo, securing a third consecutive win as manager José Jesus praised squad unity and José Mourinho dismissed rumours of involvement in the saga. The other lead is widespread labour disruption: public-administration staff, EasyJet cabin crew and tra
Brilliant Beefy Biltong in Portugal, Thanks to Raw Sintra's Anthony & Sergio - Live from a Windmill!
Carl interviews Anthony Day, a technology podcaster turned founder of Raw Sintra Biltong, who joins from a soundproofed windmill in Sintra. Anthony shares his background growing up in England, being introduced to biltong through London’s South African community, and launching his own biltong company after struggling to find the soft, lean style he likes in Portugal. He explains biltong’s South Afr
October strike-maxxing! Cristiano’s danish hasty & helmets for e-bikes; weather & currency
On Thursday 1st October 2026, Carl Munson’s Good Morning Portugal! news leads with a wave of strikes: public-sector workers, airport staff and police unions launching nationwide strikes and protests throughout October, starting tomorrow, with some people extending the Monday public holiday into a long weekend. Other headlines include economic uncertainty for Lisbon’s vulnerable bottle collectors (
OFFICIAL: Portugal's Seven Wonders Selected and Announced! Do YOU know any of them?
The winners - https://www.portugalresident.com/portugal-new-7-wonders-2026-winners/Portugal’s New Seven Wonders Announced: Winners, Public Vote, and Highlights...The clip covers the newly announced “Seven Wonders of Portugal,” revealed after a national final held in Sintra on Saturday, September 12th, with results broadcast on TVI. It explains that hundreds of entries were narrowed to 21 finalists
Portugal’s 905kg Pumpkin King! A proper show-er from a successful, Algarve grow-er!
This clip covers Portugal’s national giant vegetable competition, where Algarve grower José Rui Santos from Albufeira won first prize with a record 905kg pumpkin, also taking the melon category, and earning €1000; other top finishers included António Almeida (861kg) and Virgílio Ribeiro (729.5kg). It also highlights results in other categories, including Claudia Fernandes winning the watermelon ca
Is Journalism DEAD?! Is Objective Journalism Possible Anymore? Expats Speaking Freely in Portugal!
With midterm elections approaching, the Carl and Veronica discuss how polarised politics has made many people avoid political talk, even though learning comes from listening to different views. They highlight the Ground News app for comparing many sources, political leanings, factuality, and “blind spots,” and reflect on how journalism has shifted from striving for objectivity and strict ethics to
Housing crisis deepens, 100 robotic ops & yoga teachers wanted; weather & currency
On Wednesday 30th September 2026, Carl Munson’s Good Morning Portugal! news notes that it is an interesting day in Portuguese history and leads with the deepening housing crisis: mortgage payments face their steepest rise in three years after October rate revisions, while national rents have jumped 10.2% year-on-year.Other headlines include nationwide flu and COVID vaccination campaigns launching
‘Playing with fire’ budget, brilliant (not) bookshop & innovation paradox; weather & currency (
‘Playing with fire’ budget, brilliant (not) bookshop & innovation paradox; weather & currency (<3mins)On Tuesday 29th September 2026, Carl Munson’s Good Morning Portugal! news reports tensions in the government after the first state-budget negotiations, plus the expansion of the green rail pass to major urban networks.Other headlines include Vilamoura Marina being named Superyacht Marin
Expat book chat & club, thunderstorm warning & Porto emergency landing; weather & currency
On Monday 28th September 2026, Carl Munson’s Good Morning Portugal! news highlights tonight’s talk with author Tim Richardson at Indie ("Not a Bookshop") in Cascais, plus the Portuguese book market reaching a three-year high. Other headlines include the 17th Sagres Birdwatching Festival (2–5 October), 14 passengers treated for smoke inhalation after a Delta flight to Boston made an emergency landi
Thousands of mosquitoes released, AIMA strike announced & afpop expo upcoming plus weather & currency
On Friday 25th September 2026, Carl Munson’s Good Morning Portugal! news previews afpop Expo returning to Portimão Arena in October, with CEO Daisy Sampson joining as guest. Other headlines include Lisbon launching a sterile-mosquito trial to curb disease-carrying insects, AIMA immigration agency staff announcing a nationwide 24-hour strike on 6th October, the government again urging people to cut
Fuel prices way up, electric & hybrid sales up (Tesla top) & autumn heatwave continues in Portugal
On Thursday 24th September 2026, Carl Munson’s Good Morning Portugal! news reports Portugal’s electric-vehicle market surging with Tesla leading the growth, while diesel has hit a record €2.21 per litre. Other headlines include the Maritime Police seizing 2,000 litres of fuel and a vehicle in Cacilhas, the Public Prosecutor searching Judiciary Police premises, employment figures masking structural
MEO Internet Outage in Portugal: “Mass Attack” or Routing Failure? Plus 72‑Hour Emergency Kit Notes
Starlink link - https://starlink.com/gb?referral=RC-DF-10309716-18550-92 😉This clip discusses a major telecoms disruption in Portugal that was reported as mainly affecting MEO, with the operator stating it was caused by a “mass attack” that congested and degraded international connectivity while insisting no customer data was accessed or compromised. At the 18:30 peak, DownDetector logged about 7,
AI “Slow Down” Panic, Wicked Intent & Portugal’s AMALIA Model Hallucinating 'Butterbeer'
This morning show episode questions recent AI headlines urging a slowdown, arguing AI firms are unlikely to pause and may be managing PR, calming public perception, or creating excuses for missed targets and losses, while doubting effective regulation without extreme control. Carl asserts AI itself is a benign tool and the real danger is human “wicked intent,” citing Tolstoy’s “The wicked grow bol
Portuguese Humor: Jokes, Puns & Cultural Fluency (Plus Alentejano Gags)
The episode introduces a new “Portuguese humor” module in a language-learning “special ops” approach, encouraging learners to ask Portuguese people for a joke (“Conta-me uma anedota”), admit confusion (“Não percebi”), and use humour to build cultural fluency beyond vocabulary. It highlights why jokes are hard in a second language (wordplay, timing, cultural context), shares suggested comedians (He
Fuel price go slow, Spanish data centre pushback benefit & Montenegro on Wall Street plus weather
On Wednesday 23rd September 2026, Carl Munson’s Good Morning Portugal! news warns of a Friday truck protest against fuel prices that will affect the A1, A41 and A42. Other headlines include Spain’s tougher stance on data centres possibly pushing investment into Portugal, a tribute to singer-songwriter Jorge Palma after his death at 76, Prime Minister Luís Montenegro forecasting a surplus and growt
Looming energy crisis, activity-based depression treatment & Jorge Palma passes away plus weather & currency
On Tuesday 22nd September 2026, Carl Munson’s Good Morning Portugal! news reports that a health unit in Barcelos is prescribing exercise and therapy instead of medication for some patients with depression. Other headlines include the government urging energy conservation amid fuel concerns, the opening of the €40 million Lusíadas Beloura hospital in Sintra, the death of musician Jorge Palma at 76,
Heatwave incoming, record high for cocaine seizures & who was Irish hero Trant? Plus weather & currency
On Monday 21st September 2026, Carl Munson’s Good Morning Portugal! news reports record-high drug seizures amid surging cocaine trafficking, plus a heatwave with yellow warnings extended to 16 districts and temperatures climbing into the mid-30s. Other headlines include a 170 km Algarve charity cycle ride, António Costa and other leaders calling for UN reform, the Socialist Party doubling down on
Americans Top Portugal’s Golden Visa: Post-NHR Taxes, EU Passport Hedging & Real Estate Cycles
This conversation discusses why Americans have become the top applicants for Portugal’s Golden Visa, linking the trend to long-term “hedging” with an EU option and the end of Portugal’s NHR regime, which has led some to face double taxation. Veronica - the original 'American in Portugal' - and Carl note the residency tax threshold of spending more than half the year in Portugal, and that U.S. citi
Nationality reform petition, functional longevity & millions for AI training - Portugal news, weather & currency
On Friday 18th September 2026, Carl Munson’s Good Morning Portugal! news highlights a Global Wellness Institute report on the shift towards functional longevity rather than just looking good after 50. Other headlines include an ADN petition calling for stricter nationality-law reforms and an ancestry-based model, Portugal launching an AI training initiative for 100,000 workers, a genet rescued fro
US applicants top Golden Visas, criminal nationality disclosure & teachers abandon Algarve plus weather & currency
On Thursday 17th September 2026, Carl Munson’s Good Morning Portugal! news reports that US citizens now top Portugal’s Golden Visa programme amid rising interest, while Interior Minister Luís Neves is considering disclosing offenders’ nationalities as political tensions mount. Other headlines include teachers abandoning Algarve posts because of housing costs, police unions negotiating with the gov
Volta recycling backlash, cost of living concerns & #regenag food fest plus weather & currency
On Wednesday 16th September 2026, Carl Munson’s Good Morning Portugal! news reports that Environment Minister is addressing problems with the Volta system, while Lisbon Mayor Carlos Moedas and a growing petition want it cancelled or at least reviewed. Other headlines include the Raízes Viva Festival arriving in Santarém later this month to highlight regenerative agriculture and food culture, the E
What would Zé Say? The Wisdom of Portugal's 'Everyman', Zé Povinho, reborn for the 21st Century...
Meet Zé Povinho: Portugal’s Everyman, the Manguito, and the New “Zé Bot” (Ask Him Anything!)The host introduces Zé Povinho, Portugal’s famous fictional everyman created by Rafael Bordalo Pinheiro in 1875, known for saying what everyone thinks but no one says, his anti-hero status, his signature manguito gesture, and the phrase “Queres fiado, toma!”, noting a new permanent exhibition marking 150 ye
Really huge vegetables, internet outages & airport delays plus weather & currency
On Tuesday 15th September 2026, Carl Munson’s Good Morning Portugal! news leads with an Algarve farmer setting a new Portuguese pumpkin record at 905 kg (and also holding the melon record). Other headlines include a global report warning of democratic decline and an erosion of freedom of expression in Portugal, the Constitutional Court failing to maintain its blacklist of public officials, heavy v
Why Fuel Is So Expensive in Portugal: Nearly Half the Pump Price Is Tax
The episode examines why fuel is so expensive in Portugal, noting that about 47 cents of every euro spent on petrol and around 42 cents on diesel goes to the state through stacked taxes. Using AI research, it breaks down the main components: ISP fuel duty, a carbon tax added on top, and 23% VAT applied to the full price (effectively “tax on tax”). A real-world example estimates that filling a 50-l
Almost half of fuel cost is tax, Sophia solar slashed & heat to continue plus weather & currency
On Monday 14th September 2026, Carl Munson’s Good Morning Portugal! news focuses on two big stories: the Sophia solar project being scaled down by 35% after environmental feedback, and Lightsource BP cancelling a Beiras solar plant. The other main theme is fuel prices, with an economist warning against cutting VAT on fuel amid a political dispute over the tax burden at the pump. Additional headlin
Filomena Pascoal on Teaching Portuguese: Consistency, Confidence, and Funny Misunderstandings
In this episode, Filomena Pascoal - an experienced teacher of 38 years and a longtime mentor to the hosts - introduces her work teaching Portuguese to foreigners and English to Portuguese adults, running private one-to-one lessons and EU-sponsored A1/A2 group courses (including online courses with Expats Portugal - https://expatsportugal.com/fun-portuguese-language-course-for-expats-in-portugal-po
Environmental groups demand action after fresh wildlife deaths - Paul Rees' Salgados Update
Full story - https://www.portugalresident.com/environmental-groups-demand-action-after-fresh-wildlife-deaths-near-salgados-lagoon/Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/the-good-morning-portugal-podcast-with-carl-munson--2903992/support.Get help moving to and living in Portugal
Portuguese cyberdefence boost, Café Nicola blaze & €200 for pensioners plus weather & currency On Friday 11th September 2026, Carl Munson’s
On Friday 11th September 2026, Carl Munson’s Good Morning Portugal! news reports that the Portuguese Armed Forces are strengthening cyber defences through partnerships with national firms BlackRoute and Ethiac, backed by more than €920,000. Other headlines include President António José Seguro visiting the Algarve, a ministerial call for fiscal responsibility in the state budget, Portugal ranking
International Port Wine Day: Saúde to the Douro, Port’s History, and Portuguese Wine Vocabulary
Celebrating International Port Wine Day on 10 September, marking the 1756 anniversary when the Marquês de Pombal created the Companhia Geral de Agricultura das Vinhas do Alto Douro and established Alto Douro as the world’s first officially demarcated, regulated wine region, later commemorated as Port Wine Day in 2014 by the Douro and Port Wine Institute.Ending with a Portuguese-learning “mission”
Taking the accounting pain out of running a business in Portugal!
Fizz: Automating Taxes & Cutting Business Bureaucracy in Portugal | Good Morning PortugalOn the Good Morning Portugal show, Carl interviews Mike from Fizz, a tech-based financial assistant designed to reduce the bureaucracy of running a business in Portugal, especially around understanding, calculating, and filing taxes. Mike explains that Fizz automates tax calculations and filings, sends use
Eat real food and use your local market in Portugal!
Paul & Carl criticise supermarket and food-industry labelling as cynical and shameful, describing tactics like hiding product descriptions in cooking instructions and manipulating labelling laws to mislead consumers, especially around processed foods and ready meals. They compare past openly “junk” foods with today’s products marketed as wholesome, arguing shoppers are now targeted with more c
Portugal Property Prices: Cooling or Maturing? And Where Are Investors Looking Next? #ReesOnRealEstate
Today, this monthly discussion reviews Bank of Portugal figures suggesting foreign real-estate investment fell from about 1.9 to 1.7 billion, questioning whether Portugal’s market is cooling or maturing. Paul argues the data depends on what is counted, but says the headline “decline” is really a refinement as Lisbon, Porto and the Algarve have become unaffordable and yields in central Lisbon are t
Digital vs Real-Life Community in Portugal: Avoiding the Rabbit Hole (with Ali Heathfield)
In this live conversation, Carl interviews Ali Heathfield, author of “Not Done Yet,” about balancing digital tools with real-life community - especially for foreigners settling in Portugal. Ali describes herself as an encourager and shares how redesigning her website and publishing three books, with AI used for editing but not writing, sparked reflections on time online and the “digital divide.” T
Portugal’s ‘nowhere man’ Pedro, Israel sanctions & Spider-Man boost plus weather & currency
On Wednesday 9th September 2026, Carl Munson’s Good Morning Portugal! news leads with the story of Pedro Sobchyshak, a Portuguese-born man who has lived 25 years without citizenship after repeated administrative failures; new legislation from 1 September now offers a possible path via 'stateless status'. Other headlines include Portugal joining 12 countries in announcing sanctions on Israeli settl
Portugal’s wonders finalists, no confidence Neves & Brazilian meat ban plus headlines, weather & currency
On Tuesday 8th September 2026, Carl Munson’s Good Morning Portugal! news reports that 21 finalists have been chosen for the new Seven Wonders of Portugal after a national semi-final at the Palácio Nacional de Sintra. Other headlines include the no-confidence motion around Interior Minister Luís Neves creating an institutional challenge for the Prime Minister, with the Socialist Party set to abstai
Passwords, Passkeys & Digital Friction: How to Build a Calm, Secure Digital Life
In this episode, Carl talks with Stephen from Digital Serenity about the growing frustration of living in a digital world where apps, passwords, and account systems create constant friction, including real examples of being locked out of essential services like parking apps.They discuss why even tech-savvy people can get trapped by company-side login loops, and why using an agnostic password manag
Portugal's FIRST Neurodivergent Festival - Chronosphere - September 2026
More and bookings - https://www.chronospherefestival.com/Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/the-good-morning-portugal-podcast-with-carl-munson--2903992/support.Get help moving to and living in Portugal
Speak Portuguese Now! Enjoy the changes: Daily Missions, Community Support & Emergency Call Phrases
https://www.skool.com/gmp-vips-1236/boa-segunda-vamos-embora-what-will-you-say-todayCarl reframes learning Portuguese as an “A-Team” daily mission: take small steps every day to build vocabulary, confidence, and integration, using community encouragement and writing your intended Portuguese phrase, person, and context in the comments. The format has shifted from a 90-day challenge to “Speak Portug
Naked Man on the Lisbon Metro: Culture, Context, Consent & Respect in Portugal
Carl recounts seeing a completely naked man in Lisbon’s Jardim Zoológico (Sete Rios) Metro station in mid-afternoon while with his three children, rebuking him to dress and suspecting a mental health episode.He uses the incident to explore how public standards, safety, and cultural norms around dress and behavior operate in Portugal, alongside a recent sighting of a topless woman on a beach and di
Government fuel scam? Seinfeld upsets comics & 50 years of commiefest plus headlines, weather & currency
On Monday 7th September 2026, Carl Munson’s Good Morning Portugal! news leads with the Socialist Party accusing the government of profiteering from fuel taxes, claiming more than €1 billion in extra revenue since April 2024. Other headlines include a study highlighting regional disparities among two million students and higher dropout rates in Lisbon, Setúbal and the Algarve, artists withdrawing f
‘Quishing’, Outages & Portugal is the Ryanair of Europe! plus headlines, weather & currency
On Friday 4th September 2026, Carl Munson’s Good Morning Portugal! news warns of a new “quishing” scam: fake personalised bank letters containing cards with malicious QR codes designed to steal banking credentials.Other headlines include scheduled E-Redes power maintenance in Sintra, Mafra and Palmela, a historic cork-industry archive donated to Silves, psychologists calling for better access to m
Portugal’s Sardine Surge, Douro Grape Protest & Portugal 'Future Living' with Bobby O’Reilly
Keep in touch 24/7 - www.portugaltalkradio.com3rd September 2026: highlighting cultural news and updates: sardine prices rising as Portugal’s 2026 quota is cut under an EU recovery plan amid global “tinned fish” demand and climate pressures; and Douro wine growers dumping about 300 kg of grapes in Régua to protest a crisis where grapes aren’t being bought and prices are uncertain. Carl shares Port
Portugal Investment & Residency: Herdade do Meio, Golden Visa Clarity & new 360° Migration Service
obby O'Reilly returns to discuss progress at Herdade do Meio, a 70-villa development with fewer than 10 units left to sell and completion expected in March, followed by a second phase adding hotel infrastructure and a sports complex for the local community. He shares a personal update about giving up alcohol and improving his health to keep up with extensive travel. The conversation then shifts to
#SardineMaxxing, 11 municipalities on max, Douro grape dumping plus headlines, weather & currency
On Thursday 3rd September 2026, Carl Munson’s Good Morning Portugal! news reports that sardine prices are surging after Portugal’s 2026 EU quota was cut under a recovery plan, combining limited supply with booming global demand for artisanal tinned fish.Douro wine growers dumped around 300 kg of grapes in the streets of Régua as a protest over the regional crisis. Other headlines include parliamen
Portugal Heatwave Hits 42°C: What Now? Climate Resilience, Renewables & Extreme Weather | Good Morning Portugal!
Climate Change in Portugal (2026): El Niño, Storm Kristin, and Building Local ResilienceIn a 2026 conversation based in Portugal, Stewart and Carl discuss human-induced climate change, how the topic has become politically polarizing, and why they look to climate science - especially IPCC reports - while acknowledging public distrust of “science.”They compare their environmental backgrounds and foc
P*ssEd of with p*sswOrds? Get some 'Digital Serenity' on Good Morning Portugal!
Follow the show, more content, news, weather & currency at www.portugaltalkradio.comFind Steven at https://digitalserenity.lifeMunson hosts the Good Morning Portugal Show, previewing guest Steven Shewack from Digital Serenity and leading with concerns that rising costs, drought, and global conflict could trigger bread and staple price hikes in October as Portugal produces only 20% of its cerea
Portugal Heatwave to 42°C: It's HOT, Now What?! Climate Resilience, Renewables & Stuart Boyle
Keep in touch and have your say 24/7 - www.portugaltalkradio.comTop news on an intense mainland Portugal heatwave with temperatures up to 42°C alongside continued expansion of onshore wind energy as Portugal pursues 2030 climate goals and net-zero by 2045. Sharing headlines including a missing 23-year-old last seen in Lisbon, a woman’s death in an Albufeira hotel with a partner detained, book vouc
Portugal heatwave from today, as wind power grows. Temperatures to reach 40°+ in places!
Portugal heatwave from today, as wind power grows. Temperatures to reach 40°+ in places!On Wednesday 2nd September 2026, Carl Munson’s Good Morning Portugal! news leads with an intense heatwave, with temperatures expected to reach 42°C in several mainland regions, while Portugal’s onshore wind capacity has grown by 199 MW this year as the country pursues 2030 climate targets and net-zero emissions
35 Hours by Bus to Tavira: Rede Expressos Ride, Zoo Coffee Stop & Johnny Cocktail’s 65th Birthday
Carl Munson documents a quick round-trip from São Martinho do Porto to Tavira to celebrate Johnny Cocktail’s 65th birthday, traveling via Rede Expressos with a change in Lisbon/Sete Rios.He shares the comfort of the buses (Wi‑Fi, charging, air conditioning), kills time at the Jardim Zoológico area café in Lisbon overlooking the alligators, and narrates the southbound ride over the 25 de Abril Brid
P*ssEd of with p@sswOrds? Get some 'Digital Serenity' on Good Morning Portugal!
On Tuesday 1st September 2026, Carl Munson’s Good Morning Portugal! news leads with a warning on food security: drought and global conflict could push bread and staple prices higher from October, with Portugal producing only 20% of its own cereals. Other headlines include Interior Minister Luís Neves saying he is calm about Chega’s no-confidence motion, Portugal hosting the world’s largest militar
First neurodivergent festival & SPEAK Portuguese every day! Good Morning Portugal! full show - 31-08-26
Carl Munson previews the updated Good Morning Portugal Show format and the launch of PortugalTalkRadio.com, featuring a top story, headlines, weather, currency, images/memes, and a way to book in as a live guest, with official relaunch set for 1 September and this episode dated 31 August 2026. The top story highlights the Chronosphere Festival in Góis launching 18 September as Portugal’s first neu
Portugal’s first neurodivergent festival plus headlines, weather & currency
On Monday 31st August 2026, Carl Munson’s Good Morning Portugal! news leads with the launch of Chronosphere Festival in Góis on 18 September - Portugal’s first neuro-inclusive event, offering an immersive forest experience with techno, ambient music and sensory-aware design. Other headlines include Prime Minister Luís Montenegro closing the PSD Summer University with new education announcements, N
Crime in Portugal: Is It Getting WORSE? Examining the Headlines & Reality on Portugal Talk Radio
Is Crime Getting Worse in Portugal? What the Data (and Lisbon’s Periphery) Really Shows...This episode examines whether crime is getting worse in Portugal by comparing headlines and lived experience with official figures. It notes that overall reported crime fell 4.6% in 2024 and Portugal’s homicide rate remains very low, yet highlights concerning shifts: 108 homicides in 2025 (highest since 2018)
One Portuguese found after Nepal floods, more political wrangling & schools to open all year?
For Friday 28th August 2026, Carl Munson’s Good Morning Portugal! news reports that one of four Portuguese citizens missing after the Nepal flash floods has been found alive and well, with searches continuing for the others. Other headlines include the Polícia Judiciária director being accused of lying in court over allegedly unlawful surveillance, politicians downplaying the MAI controversy, the
Portuguese dead & missing in Nepal, Viseu dam questions & communists invite Palestinians
On Thursday 27 August 2026, Carl Munson’s Good Morning Portugal! news reports that foreign direct investment in Portugal reached €6.7 billion in the first half of 2026. Other headlines include more than 100 Portuguese stranded in Cape Verde (EasyJet assisting passengers), confirmation that a Portuguese national died in the devastating flash floods and landslides in Nepal (another remains missing,
Albufeira car rampage, 11 district yellow rain warning; demagogues, populism & missing feminists
On Wednesday 26 August 2026, Carl Munson’s Good Morning Portugal reports that Algarve hoteliers are calling for a crackdown on “booze tourism” and aggressive nightlife following a violent car rampage in Albufeira. Other headlines include the launch of a new progressive think tank (Instituto Progresso) chaired by Socialist deputy Miguel Costa Matos, yellow weather warnings for rain across 11 mainla
Portugal’s Rural Housing Challenge: From Renovations to Bioclimatic Timber Homes
Rural Properties reflects on seven years of restoring neglected buildings in central Portugal and how its mission has broadened as it better understands the country’s housing challenge: not a lack of buildings, but a lack of livable homes.Citing the 2021 census, it notes over 723,000 vacant homes and 238,000 buildings needing medium or major repairs, especially in aging inland communities, while d
Homeless man finds fake €1.5 million, armed algarve tourist robbery & record wet August
On Tuesday 25th August 2026, Carl Munson’s Good Morning Portugal! news reports that a homeless man discovered a bag containing over 7,000 counterfeit €200 notes (worth around €1.5 million) near trash containers.Other headlines include a tourist robbed at gunpoint in Quinta do Lago, unusual weather systems making this one of the rainiest Augusts in recent years (with Lisbon recording record 24-hour
Oldest Portuguese dies (113), people power stops ‘green’ projects & 5 ton hash catch
On Monday 24 August 2026, Carl Munson’s Good Morning Portugal! news reports the peaceful death of Maria da Conceição, Portugal’s oldest person, at the age of 113. She was known for her humour and attributed her longevity to “not working hard.” Other headlines include the government cutting almost half of the contentious green map for renewable energy projects, the GNR seizing five tons of hashish
The Olive Oil that Choked (Educated & Delighted) Me! An Exclusive Tasting with Haim Merkado
How to Taste Olive Oil Like Wine (and Why Cold-Pressed Extra Virgin Matters) Carl is taught, by Merkado's Haim, how to taste olive oil like wine by warming it in the hand, sniffing for fruity aromas, then sipping without swallowing to let air pass over it and noting sensations like heat and pepperiness and how long the flavor lingers.They discuss early-season oil’s intense “alive” character with a
Best cake shop in all of Portugal? Beautiful bolos, brilliant brunches & a bubbly birthday brekkie
Musing from above Alfeizerão on Portugal’s Silver Coast, Carl Munson is visting Atelier de Doces, a bakery with sweeping views featuring distant valleys, wind turbines, pine trees (pinheiro manso), and summer birds on a hot July 7th birthday breakfast date. Inside, he speaks of 21 meters of freshly baked treats, highlighting Bolos de Berlim - soft, fluffy Portuguese custard-filled doughnuts - shar
Email chaos (and how to calm it) - More Digital Serenity tips from Steven Shewach #inboxzero
Email Overwhelm to Digital Serenity: The 4 Ds and Inbox Zero with Steven Shewach:On Portugal Talk Radio, host reconnects with digital serenity coach Steven Shewach to review his five pillars of digital health - passwords and security, email and communication, cloud and files, devices and backups, and legacy and access - and then focus on why email deserves special attention.Shewach explains that e
WANTED: 1000 Foreigners who want to SPEAK Portuguese! No experience necessary, FREE to join! #SWATPT
How about taking on the challenge of Speaking Portuguese in 90 Days? But in a fun, friendly and fast way?!Here, Carl from Good Morning Portugal!/Portugal Talk Radio introduces his SWAT Portuguese approach - Show up, Wing it, Adapt, Talk - aimed at helping 1,000 foreigners start actually speaking Portuguese and feel conversationally confident in three months through consistent effort. He invites vi
Weird weather incoming, dollar drop, no fences for Morro & real estate stabilises #bomfimdesemana
On Friday 21st August 2026, Carl Munson’s Good Morning Portugal! news reports an atypical August weather pattern, with an Atlantic depression expected to bring rain, strong winds and rough seas to mainland Portugal this weekend. Other headlines include the Torre de Moncorvo wildfire that has burned over 3,000 hectares, Interior Minister Luís Neves driving a judicial-police-seized Volkswagen Golf G
Choose your portuguese driver, social security controversy & US praises Portugal energy policy
Choose your portuguese driver, social security controversy & US praises Portugal energy policyOn Thursday 20th August 2026, Carl Munson’s Good Morning Portugal! news reports the launch of VLOZ, a new Portuguese ride-hailing app in Lisbon, Porto and Setúbal that lets passengers choose their specific driver.Other headlines include Chega leader André Ventura pushing for a lower retirement age in
Thousands of firefighters in action, Porto park plan criticised & get paid to move to the interior
On Wednesday 19th August 2026, Carl Munson’s Good Morning Portugal! news reports that more than 2,000 firefighters and 640 vehicles are battling ongoing wildfires across the country, with the fire in Torre de Moncorvo remaining the most intensive operation.Other headlines include plans to install fences and set operating hours at Jardim do Morro in Porto (drawing criticism that it will lose its ch
Portugal 8th best, fires update, Gaza girls get help & illegal immigration crackdown
For Tuesday 18th August 2026, Carl Munson’s Good Morning Portugal! news (recorded live in Almada) reports that Portugal has climbed to 8th place in the 2026 Expat Insider ranking for foreign residents, praised for quality of life and safety while bureaucracy and the job market remain challenges.Other headlines include two Palestinian girls arriving in Portugal for prosthesis and medical care, the
Fuel & air taxes up, autistic Robbie williams to play LX & fresh political policies
For Monday 17th August 2026, Carl Munson’s Good Morning Portugal! news reports that fuel prices (both petrol and diesel) are rising significantly today. Other headlines include more than 750 firefighters battling four wildfires in the north of the country (including one that spread to Carrazeda de Ansiães), the Socialist Party kicking off the political season in Olhão, the Left Bloc proposing 14 m
Baixa bullet blues, teen matricide, 10 years jail for SEF fraudster & lithium love?!
On Friday 14th August 2026, Carl Munson’s Good Morning Portugal! news leads with the shooting of a Swedish tourist in Lisbon’s Baixa district, which has heightened safety concerns among residents and shopkeepers. Other headlines include a 15-year-old suspected of killing his mother in Oeiras, a complaint of antisemitism at the University of Coimbra, vandalism causing over €3 million in damage to L
Send us your Eclipse pics! Marcelo taken ill, ‘civil war’ on the roads & Sophia solar park challenge
On Thursday 13th August 2026, Carl Munson’s Good Morning Portugal! news looks back at the highly anticipated solar eclipse that drew thousands of sky-watchers across the country the previous day - inviting the community to share images.Other headlines include environmental group Quercus challenging the reformulation of the Sofia Photovoltaic Park, former President Marcelo Rebelo de Sousa being tak
Eclipse Day here in Portugal! 500 cat fixes, Cristiano married in Cascais & tourist shot in Lisbon
On Wednesday 12th August 2026 - 'Eclipse Day' - Carl Munson’s Good Morning Portugal! news highlights the rare solar eclipse and the spotlight it is shining on Portugal’s growing astro-tourism sector, with thousands preparing to view the event and the country positioning itself as a year-round destination for stargazers. Other headlines include Loulé launching a sterilisation drive targeting 500 st
Eclipse views favourable, max fire alerts remain, record European temperatures & fuel prices down
For Monday 10th August 2026, Carl Munson’s Good Morning Portugal! news reports that IPMA forecasts favourable clear weather for good visibility of the total solar eclipse on 12th August across the country. Other headlines include around 30 municipalities in the North, Centre and Algarve interiors remaining at maximum wildfire danger, Western Europe hitting record temperatures amid prolonged heatwa
New online doctor service for Portugal, CHEGA hounds PM over Neves, as Montenegro goes on vacation
On Friday 7th August 2026, Carl Munson’s Good Morning Portugal! news reports that the digital healthcare platform urgentdoc.eu is moving into phase two of its expansion in Portugal. Other headlines include a new competition for climate refugees, reports of narco boats frequently detected off the coast south of Lisbon, Chega accusing Prime Minister Luís Montenegro of losing control of the Luís Neve
Ukulele Portugal: Growing a Nationwide Uke Community + São Martinho do Porto Ukes Festival (Sept26)
Sign up for the São Martinho do Porto event here - https://bit.ly/smpukes2026On Good Morning Portugal, Karl chats with Lily and Josh and welcomes Mira from Ukulele Portugal/Coimbra Ukulele Social Club to discuss the growing nationwide ukulele network, sparked when traveller Patrick Vosen connected groups in Coimbra, Porto, and Lisbon and helped them start visiting each other’s park meetups and eve
Thirty municipalities on max fire risk, no migration open door says PM & run on eclipse glasses
On Thursday 6th August 2026, Carl Munson’s Good Morning Portugal! news reports nearly 30 municipalities at maximum wildfire danger and more than 100 others in the interior north and centre at high risk, with temperatures rising.Other headlines include the Tagus bridge trains having carried 560 million passengers since 1999, higher-education applications closing today with more places available tha
Building Community in Portugal: The Hidden Challenges for Expats in Years 1-2
In their third conversation, Carl and Ali Heathfield discuss key community challenges foreigners face in their first one or two years living in Portugal.Ali shares how a simple, imperfect Portuguese chat with her non-English-speaking neighbor about feeding stray cats boosted connection and confidence, illustrating how community often starts with nearby neighbours. The pair explore how moving abroa
