The Heart & Hustle of Portugal

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 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...

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...

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 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...

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 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...

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. S...

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...

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 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...

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 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, 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...

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 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...

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.

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.

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 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, 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 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 Portugal See omnystudio.com/listene...

The Portuguese Kids are a comedy duo based in Fall River that create amazing sketches about the Portuguese community and mannerisms, bridging the gap between culture and comedy. Derrick DeMelo and Brian Martins talk with Tony Gonçalves about heritage, the strength of the Fall River Portuguese community and even share a secret way to teach English speakers how to pronounce “João...

From global successes like Spike Lee’s “Do the Right Thing” to Alejandro González Iñárritu’s “Babel”, producer Jon Kilik has touched and shaped cultural conversations for decades. Tune in for a masterclass in the intersection of creativity and the art of the hustle See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Carlos Moedas has held the mayor office since 2021 when he won over projected winner Fernando Medina. Being the mayor of Portugal’s capital is no easy task, a job that is constantly in the spotlight. The mayor describes his experiences living abroad, as an immigrant, and how that shaped his leadership today. This earnest conversation also focus on the strength of the city’s immigrant p...