The Heart & Hustle of Portugal

Joey Bats put pastéis de nata on the map in NYC, and he did it by refusing to sell people a history lesson. He'd never cooked a day in his life. Engineer, corporate job, bored out of his mind. He got his mother's Bolo de Bolacha recipe first, sold it door to door to restaurants and bodegas, then switched to pastéis de nata because they freeze and travel. Early on, giving away free samples on the street, people heard "Portuguese pastry" and walked. It doesn't look like much. Nobody knew what it was. Then Joey changed the pitch. He stopped mentioning Portugal. He told people to imagine a warm creme brulee wrapped in a croissant. That one sentence took him from selling a few to selling thousands. But the bigger opportunity was never inside the diaspora. Joey has a theory about why Portuguese food stayed invisible in America - Portuguese immigrants came to New York, then left for Long Island and New Jersey, away from the cities that shape what the country eats. New York has more Ethiopian restaurants getting written up than Portuguese ones, and there are hundreds of thousands of Portuguese people around this city. Joey built his shops in exactly the cities with that kind of exposure, on purpose. Ten years, a pandemic, an outdoor shed he built himself with no permit, and now a shop in Boston already doing the same daily numbers his original Chelsea Market spot did on day one. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Chef Nuno Sousa reflects on his journey from immigrant worker with three jobs to restaurant owner, and on how New York’s culture of resilience, risk-taking and reinvention shaped both his career and his outlook. The conversation traces the growth of Leitao from a street-food concept inspired by New York’s Smorgasburg market to a restaurant that introduced many American diners to Portuguese dishes such as leitão, francesinha, bacalhau and octopus. Sousa discusses the challenges of presenting Portuguese food outside Portugal, the importance of quality ingredients and hospitality, and the opportunity created by the growing international interest in Portuguese culture, tourism and gastronomy. Sousa also looks ahead to Galo, his new restaurant project, which aims to showcase Portugal’s regional wines and culinary traditions in a more ambitious setting. Throughout the conversation, he reflects on identity, migration and the values he associates with the Portuguese community: resilience, courage and hard work. The result is a portrait of an entrepreneur using food as a way to represent Portugal on one of the world's most competitive culinary stages. The synopsis of this episode was created with the help of AI. Read more about Impresa’s use of Artificial Intelligence See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

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 13. At 16, he was in a near-fatal car crash that killed two people, broke his back, left him on life support for six days, and eventually produced “29” — written from a hospital bed, recorded before he could walk properly, and the song that launched everything. A billion streams, three albums, and a platinum plaque later, he walked into an IPMA pre-party in Providence not really thinking of himself as Portuguese. He left with an award, a cousin pointing at a photo of his avô, and a challenge to record something in the language his mother decided not to teach him. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

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 conversation behind it, recorded live on location at the IPMA. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

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. Nuno believes that behind every face there is a story that needs to be told. His grandfather hooked him on Frank Sinatra, he took saxophone lessons at 14 and a friend convinced him to submit his application to Berklee. He shared writing sessions with producers that worked with Ed Sheeran (one of his idols), Nina Nesbitt or Shawn Mendes. This year, he recieved the award for Best Videoclip at the IPMA, a notification he recieved in his pajamas, about to go to bed. Nuno is not looking for fame, instead, he is looking for light, hoping that his music reaches someone that needs it. That might be a simple ambition, but it’s the simplest things that touch us more dearly. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

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 life since she was four years old. She recalls how a viewing of “The Phantom of the Opera” turned her into a child who sang everywhere: hockey rinks, grocery stores and, eventually, jazz speakeasies when she was only 7. Songwriting came much later, born after a series of mental health struggles and a relestless search for purpose after leaving university. A chance connection led her to meet Steve Molella, drumme for the canadian band Finger Eleven. At her core, Mackenzie writes to make people feel less alone — and it shows. She describes herself as a vessel when creating. With the instincts of a true artist and the honesty of someone who has lived through real darkness, Mackenzie Arromba is only getting started. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

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 of years of consistency, thick skin, and a clear sense of purpose. We sat down with Dave at the International Portuguese Music Awards, where he was honored as a representative of Portuguese American culture, a recognition that speaks directly to what he has built. Because this was never just about recipes. It was always about identity. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

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 and walking path of Portugal’s cities, hidden in plain sight. She explains how looking at them differently, after living abroad for so long, led to a song, then a documentary, then a deep friendship with the stonemasons that are keeping a dissapearing art form alive. Home, inspiration and saudade: all in that order. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

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 roots run deep. After some time away, he felt a pull to return to that same neighborhood to raise his own family. He described it as a place where you can still bump into people from your youth: a rare and cherished experience in a big city. It's a testament to the enduring power of community and the comfort of a shared cultural heritage. Nelson runs a gym named after his firstborn son, Rain. It's a powerful reminder that our passions don't have to be singular, they can coexist and enrich our lives in unexpected ways. He even has a tattoo of Hendrix’s “Voodoo Child” on his arm: a permanent reminder of the power of music. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

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 of Portugal from north to south, choosing two songs that carry the longing of Alentejo and the joy of Minho onto a stage in Providence, and why it is so important to believe in yourself when no one else does. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

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 Music Awards. Eleven times on that stage and he still feels the weight of it. That is not anxiety. That is respect for the room. His inspirations are Walt Disney and Fred Rogers. Not names you'd expect from a Portuguese community TV host and MC, but when you think about what both men did, creating connection, building trust, treating an audience like they matter, it is exactly right. “He showed care and compassion at the same time he was teaching them” Ricardo said about Rogers. “That human approach to this type of work was fantastic.” That is also what Ricardo does. For 26 years and counting. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

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 conversation, why imperfection has become part of the band’s identity, the difference between creating music in the studio and performing live, and why the moments that go sideways are often the ones people remember most. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

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 talk about the email she almost didn't open, the vulnerability she wants every listener to feel, finding her voice again after losing it, a dream collaboration with Billie Eilish, and what it felt like to land in Boston for the first time and think “I’m home”. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

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 about what it really means to carry a culture with you, the imposter syndrome that never fully goes away, a childhood gymnastics story she'd never told publicly before, and why the IPMA has become something far bigger than a music awards show. She also talks about mentoring a nervous first-time performer backstage, the difference between talent and luck, life behind and in front of the camera, and what it's like to raise kids who are growing up faster than you're ready for. One of ours. Always one of ours. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

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 earned “Show of the Year.” A fan of Lisbon, Chazz also shares his love for the city’s culture, history, and, yes, sardines, one of his favorite dishes. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

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 rooms while the tour bus rolls on. The conversation with Nuno Bettencourt cuts through romantic illusions: for Nuno, the “music business” is a machine that tests the purity of any artist. He dissects the awkwardness of winning a Grammy for “Changes”, the Black Sabbath track YUNGLBUD covered, the pressure to replicate hits like “More Than Words”, and the quiet unhappiness he witnessed in some of the biggest names backstage at huge music festivals around the world. What anchors this conversation, however, is the Portuguese upbringing that shaped him. He recalls his mother feeding breakfast to seven strangers who had been waiting outside the family home, and the rule that whoever walked through the door sat down to eat, even when there was barely enough. Even when Nuno is loud and disruptive, he speaks not from a place of privilege, but from a place of knowledge. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

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 car accident Inacio survived at the age of 16. During his hospital recovery, he wrote the single “29”, a track that served as a major commercial breakthrough and established his artistic focus on themes derived from personal adversity and pain. The conversation with Tony Gonçalves also highlights Inacio's recent efforts to publicly embrace his Portuguese heritage, a shift that culminated in a victory at the International Portuguese Music Awards (IPMA). Despite not speaking the language fluently, the artist reflects on the legacy of his grandfather, who emigrated from the Azores to the United States. Bankrol still has his best years to come, but, so far, he seems to be doing incredibly well. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

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 “nothing happened,” to the early rock and hip-hop that shaped him and the decision to finally start writing in Portuguese, pushed by his brother. This was the start of one of the most emblematic bands of Portugal: Da Weasel. The singer and writer revisits the pandemic’s silence: the void that made it difficult to create and the hunger for emotional connection that fuels his music. Da Weasel’s cross-generational reach becomes a quiet thread, anchored in honesty and the refusal to look away from pain or joy. For his latest record, “Quinta-Essência - 75/25Carlão” stitched together tracks made with Beatbombers, his brother and Fred Ferreira, adding spoken-word fragments recovered from old notebooks. He closes with a simple map: Angola gave him the cradle, Cape Verde the roots, and Portugal the life—while the national art of “desenrascanço” remains, in his words, the Portuguese answer to almost everything. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

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 defiance—a refusal to be dismissed by an industry that had previously overlooked them. This independence allowed him to protect his creative process, treating songwriting as an organic flow rather than a mathematical formula. Yet, this unconventional trajectory forged a permanent duality in his life. In Jamaica, Campbell found an immediate sense of home, a sanctuary where the music itself was enough to validate his presence without question. In stark contrast, the Portuguese market demands perpetual reaffirmation. Even as a defining voice in his own country, he operates with the persistent feeling that he must continuously prove his worth to his audience, bridging the gap between local expectations and the uncompromised Caribbean culture he champions. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

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 back to Porto and, inspired by the sounds of dance music, crafted “Viagens”, a record about “sex, drugs and corruption” that featured Maceo Parker, James Brown’s saxophone player, and mixed sweaty funk with raw ballads that were sung by millions and led to completely sold out shows. He crafted a sound and a vibe that was unheard of, and totally unexpected, in the “grey Portugal” of the early 90s. That record was a hit, so he did more. His second album “Tempo” was recorded with The New Power Generation, Prince’s band. And it spawned even more hits. He proved that he could do it. And has been doing it for 30 years. But he doesn’t believe in inspiration, that’s for the “rich guys in Beverly Hills houses overlooking the sea”. He is inspired by the world, the good, the bad and the pain. Pedro Abrunhosa navigates his words like he navigates a double bass or the piano his grandfathers had when he was growing up: with seriousness, measured tempo and wisdom. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

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 preserve ambition within tighter economic limits. From that context, she introduces Open Cities, a production company built around an accelerator model. The approach is deliberately pragmatic: strong scripts, shorter development cycles, and decision-making that stays in the hands of directors and producers. AI as a tool for better stories, not better factories. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

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 obsessive pursuit of sound, performance and total artistic control, with albums recorded live and a stage presence that carried both risk and solitude. Over time, that intensity softened: Tigerman expanded into collaborations, filmmaking and soundtracks, embracing a broader creative universe while maintaining autonomy over his work. Fatherhood has recently introduced a new recalibration. Once convinced that art had to be the central force in an artist’s life, Paulo Furtado now acknowledges a different hierarchy, learning to balance creation with care, urgency with presence. The spark, he insists, remains the same — the need to make something new — but it now exists alongside a quieter clarity. Art, he says, saved his life. Today, it continues to shape it, just no longer alone. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

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, artistry has always meant total involvement: sound, image, business, and the long grind of touring. Now living in Portugal, Freitas says “Legacy” closes a chapter, not out of exhaustion, but clarity. Albums demand an emotional investment he no longer sees reflected in how music is consumed, increasingly reduced to singles and algorithms. He plans to keep creating and touring, but on his own terms. What endures, he suggests, is not the format, but the credibility earned by staying authentic and by carrying more than one world at once. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

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, endures not as naïveté but as a stubbornideal, complicated by the realization that happiness does not inoculate against discomfort. After “The Voice”, Serena flew to London and started busking. Independence, meanwhile, carries no safety net: releasing music alone requires creative control paid for in exhaustion and burnout. What emerges is a portrait of an artist who understands that happiness is not an arrival point but a practice, sustained in motion between fear and resolve, solitude and contact, the street and the song. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

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 required restraint as much as skill, while learning how to listen, react and support. Only recently has Freire stepped forward with a self‑titled album, motivated less by self‑assertion than by concern for the future of the language of fado. With a repertoire still heavily dependent on centuries‑old melodic structures, he argues that fado risks repetition if new music is not written within its grammar. His compositions aim to extend the tradition without altering its matrix, offering new melodies that can be inhabited, reused and transformed by others. But it is on his guitar, that is always by his side, that Ângelo Freire’s voice (and soul) truly shines, as he demonstrates playing live for this podcast. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

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 lives comfortably between fado‑pop, electronic production, and raw emotional storytelling. Her creative process — defined by both courage and fear — emerges as a cycle of reinvention: falling, getting lost, rising again. The episode is also portrait of contemporary Portuguese music, a generation honoring tradition while boldly reshaping it. Jessica reflects on the weight of covering musical classics, the unmatched comfort she finds on stage, and the unexpected responsibility toward the younger fans who follow her. With honesty, humor, and a distinctly Portuguese intensity, she reveals herself as an artist still under construction yet firmly rooted in who she is. A vivid testament to how art can remain the compass even when the road seems to vanish. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

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 as a unit. Songwriting remains rooted in atmosphere rather than text: instrumentals come first, creating a landscape into which lyrics eventually fall, often late in the process and almost always colored by a sense of nostalgia. The MEO Arena stands as the symbolic peak of this slow and steady ascent: a bet that initially triggered doubt — “at first almost all of us said, ‘It’s too big, I don’t know if we have the size for it,’” Salvador recalls, before becoming a collective challenge turned triumph. Even the sight of the outgoing President Marcelo Rebelo de Sousa in the front row felt less like validation and more like proof that their music still carries the spark that has guided them from the start: friendship as structure, persistence as method, and a commitment to protecting the shine that keeps them moving. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

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 create by living, not planning. What emerges is a portrait of two musicians grounded in their heritage but propelled by curiosity, graft, and a stubborn sincerity. They speak candidly about the highs and lows, the fear that fuels them, and the joy of finding “their people” through music. It’s a warm, human look at a band carving its own path — with heart, hustle, and unmistakable Portuguese soul. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

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 starts with the unlikely rise of Xutos, born from punk chaos, friendship, borrowed instruments and a shared will to create something of their own. Tim retraces the early days of borrowed studios and the accidental creation of “A Minha Casinha”, a cover born from a joke that became an anthem for generations. Along the way, he reflects on family, the band’s evolution, and the enduring emotional presence of Zé Pedro, the rhythm guitarist that passed away in 2017. More than a music story, this conversation is about identity, resilience and the spirit of a country reinventing itself. Tim speaks of freedom, community and the quiet discipline behind decades of songwriting. From packed clubs to multigenerational crowds, the episode captures how Xutos & Pontapés became more than a band: they became a piece of Portugal’s collective memory. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

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.” He explains that this fusion is not meant to reinvent the genre, but to expand Portugal to the world, something proven when his version of “Canção do Mar,” with Jéssica Cipriano, sparked emotional reactions across the globe. Caught between creative pressure, self-doubt, and constant ambition, Kura sees himself as a perpetual underdog, someone who starts from zero every day. Even so, he takes pride in seeing names like Tiësto and Hardwell recognize his work. With the recent release of his first album, “Sentir Saudade,” the artist closes an important chapter of his career and prepares for a new era, tougher and riskier, reinforcing his mission to carry Portuguese identity even further. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

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‑descendant artists across genres. The founders recount how the award show filled a gap in recognition for diaspora talent and became a unifying force for Portuguese communities spread across the world. The conversation highlights how the IPMA’s have become a cultural anchor for immigrants and their descendants—many of whom left Portugal during periods of hardship and longed for a way to reconnect with their identity. The show’s success stems from an all‑volunteer team, deep personal commitment, and a focus on inclusivity across music styles, from traditional concertina to contemporary pop. The community aspect is carried throughout backstage, as the invited musicians are given all the means to have a wonderful stay. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

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 into a pop universe. In this conversation with Tony Gonçalves, they revisit the origins of the project, the creative chemistry that brought them together, and the evolution that led them to this moment — including their upcoming appearance at the International Portuguese Music Awards in the United States. Cristo and Coimbra, two of the band’s three members, explain how D.A.M.A. was born from friendship, poem-writing, and a shared desire to “do things the right way.” They reflect on growing up under public scrutiny, on the early “boy band” label, and on the need to prove they were far more than that. Above all, they emphasise the strength of their personal bond — a three‑way democracy, moments of disagreement, and the commitment to still be sharing stages when they’re 60. Today, D.A.M.A. embrace a clear mission: to carry Portuguese culture forward, without filters or borders. This mission comes to life in the projects that take them to the Alentejo, to the Minho, and soon to other Lusophone regions, immersing themselves in local traditions to recreate rhythms and emotions through a contemporary lens. It is this refusal to limit themselves — geographically, aesthetically, or musically — that keeps the band relevant and prepares them for the next chapter. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

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 explains how writing became her personal space of freedom and a way to address issues such as violence against women the rise of the far-right. She argues that freedom requires responsibility and access to information, something she sees as essential in a country where, she says, we are once again debating the “basics.” Revisiting her artistic journey, Deslandes describes songwriting as a physical urgency, inseparable from the different stages of her life. She reflects on her early days on the TV show Ídolos, the challenge of balancing creativity and family life, and the moments of exhaustion that forced her to rethink her priorities. But it is in the civic sphere that Deslandes asserts herself most strongly, invoking the legacy of the Carnation Revolution and criticising the narratives that aim to restrict rights, particularly those of women. Even so, she remains hopeful about the generosity of the Portuguese people and the cultural vitality that renews itself every day. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

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.

Listen again to this episode of The Heart and Hustle of Portugal with the actor Chazz Palminteri. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

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.

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.

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 came. Only years later did he discover what was at stake: the production was casting for a then‑unknown series titled “Lost”, a show that would go on to become a global phenomenon. The opportunity evaporated before he had the chance to compete for it, a reminder that, in the entertainment industry, timing matters, but acting on timing matters more. Windows of opportunity rarely stay open. Today, Pimentel’s path has brought him international visibility through Netflix and a growing body of work that solidifies his reputation. Yet the missed “Lost” moment remains part of his narrative, an example of the unpredictable turns that shape creative careers. It’s a story that resonates not only with actors, but with anyone working in an industry where momentum is fragile — and where hesitation can mean watching a defining moment pass by. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

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 widely recognized for her roles in “Coyote Ugly” and the series “Covert Affairs” Perabo’s story begins far from Hollywood. Raised on the Jersey Shore, she is the daughter of a poetry professor and grew up in an environment steeped in the arts. Perabo was among the featured guests at this year’s Tribeca Festival Lisboa, attending the opening-night screening of “In the Hand of Dante”. Piper’s first time in Lisbon was a moment she will treasure forever, as she remembers a particular afternoon around a “ginjinha” place downtown in the pouring rain. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

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, and family. She recalls how her father, the renowned neurosurgeon João Lobo Antunes, operated on an HIV patient at a time when no one else would dare. Throughout this conversation with Tony Gonçalves, Paula reveals a lifelong sense of not fully belonging, of working hard, and of constantly competing with herself. And the work speaks for itself. She also brings forward a Portuguese trait that no other guest has named so clearly: the constant apologizing, the “forgive me for existing” mentality. What does that mean for the cultural identity of a small country with enormous talent? See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

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 real bifana (a typical Portuguese pork sandwich cooked in broth and fat) and he made a simple video. That was the start of his cooking channel and of his global following that has spanned two cookbooks. David Rodrigues is all about traditions and real Portuguese food (and a little chaos) and if you watch his videos you’ll be uttering sentences like “come e cala-te” in no time. A real ambassador for Portuguese flavours, David is the perfect guest for this holiday season. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

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 the odds. She was the only girl on a court full of boys in Figueira da Foz, learning to move the ball fast so she would not get blocked. She became a rising star in a country where basketball was not a full time career. And then, as a young woman, she took a chance on a brand new league in a foreign country and rose to the top of it. She spent the prime of her career with the Sacramento Monarchs through 2009 and today she is a sports agent committed to opening doors for the next generation. In this conversation, Ticha reflects on her childhood, her path to the WNBA, and the pride she carries for Portugal every step of the way. Ticha is also the subject of a new documentary called “Feel the Magic: Ticha Penicheiro – Against All Odds.” She shares how the film came to life and why she hopes it will inspire young athletes to take their shot. As she says herself, it is better to go for it than to live with regrets. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

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 Dominique at the ripe age of 22 was an emotional shock that shook his life forever. His father, Dominick Dunne, was an acclaimed writer, journalist and producer that, after the tragic loss of his daughter, became a voice for victims of violent crimes, as well as his mother, who founded Justice for Homicide Victims. His New York Times’ best selling memoir “The Friday Afternoon Club”, from 2024, is at the center of this conversation, as the actor recalls the experience of writing it and feeling the loss of every person that was no longer with him. Faced with a series of bad decisions, as he tells so poignantly, Griffin Dunne went back to school and discovered a Chekhovian method to his acting skills. Griffin also recalls his experiences in Lisbon, as he attended the first Tribeca Festival in the capital, as well as the amazing meals and conversations that he had. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

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.

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 perseverance and endurance to become what he is today: a funny guy who is proud of being Portuguese. This is a conversation, not an interview, as André and Tony share their experiences. André de Freitas is proud of his Portuguese heritage and he isn’t shy to share his favorite dishes. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.