The Resident Podcast

In this episode, Natasha Donn & Carl Munson take a look at the horrific case of a Frenchman thought to have killed his partner and ex-partner and buried their bodies in Portugal, having kidnapped them and their children. Natasha also brings together a number of Iran war-related articles in an attempt to understand the implications of the conflict for Portugal, in what is a very a confusing and...

Our guest today is Sara Allen, Real Estate Sales Director at Martinhal Family Hotels and Resorts, who began her Portugal journey in 1999 as a 21-year-old Algarve holiday rep', after mistakenly thinking she was heading to Egypt! She fell in love with Portugal, stayed on, and became her company's Faro airport controller handling dramatic fog-related flight diversions to Seville and Lisbon, and moved...

In this episode, Natasha Donn & Carl Munson take a look at the hit and run 'influencer' mentioned last week, now charged; Portuguese tourism's respectful response to war-inspired trade; war impact on Portugal's energy prices, and disgusted Americans. https://www.portugalresident.com/influencer-who-laughed-online-about-hit-and-run-formally-charged https://www.portugalresident.com/opportunity-or...

Our guest today is João Ferreira of Animal Rescue Algarve, a charitable association which owns and operates an animal shelter dedicated to the betterment of dog and cat welfare in Portugal. João is ARA's Manager and Animal Health & Welfare Coordinator. Hear, here, the inspiring story of how the shelter came into being thanks to the vision of British businessman Sid Richardson who uttered those...

In this episode, Natasha Donn & Carl Munson take a look at strange goings-on in the Portuguese justice (or lack of it) system, deafening political silence around one of the country's top policing roles, and the American urge to protest in peaceful Portugal. https://www.portugalresident.com/influencer-who-joked-about-hit-and-run-inches-closer-to-hearing-whether-he-faces-charges/ https://www.por...

Our guest today is Eric Roth is a freelance photojournalist living in the Algarve who, for The Resident, covers arts, culture and the environment. Eric specializes in photographic reportage of subjects ranging from interiors, architecture, and landscapes, and the people who dwell in them. He envisions an emphasis on the feeling of a place and the beauty of living there. Striving for excitement, cr...

In this episode, Natasha Donn & Carl Munson take a look at how the EU is fining Portugal for environmental failings, the Ukrainian 'unicorn' that's making a bomb with a UK politician, and Montenegro's scant protection of fuel buyers as prices inevitably rise. www.portugalresident.com/eu-court-fines-portugal-e10-million-for-environmental-failings/ www.portugalresident.com/ukrainian-company-prod...

Our guest today is David Thomas of Safe Communities Portugal, who shares with us the origins of this hugely helpful civic protection service that has grown steadily over the years to become a principal source of safety awareness in the country. Safe Communities Portugal (SCP) is an operating name of Associação SCP Safe Communities Portugal, the country’s only registered national non-profit associa...

In this episode, Natasha Donn & Carl Munson take a look at the Coimbra Mayor's post-disaster public castigation of Portugal's Agriculture Minister, the appointment of top cop as Minister of Internal Affairs (and what that means); as well as the Government's refusal to get specific on spending around public projects and recovery. www.portugalresident.com/agriculture-minister-gets-lesson-in-good...

Our guest today is Jeremy Colledge, who has been a student of Qigong for nearly 35 years, and a teacher for more than 25 years, now living on Portugal's Silver Coast. An insured Qigong therapist, healer and teacher specialising in all types of chronic illness, he had spent many years searching for the 'bridge' between Eastern medicine and Western science until his discovery of Quantum Physics. The...

In this episode, Natasha Donn & Carl Munson take a look at coastal erosion in the wake of, and in addition to, recent devastation, a horrifying TAP near miss in the Czech Republic, and 'dark' Russian ships in Portuguese waters. They also take a look at yesterday's eathquakes, talk of personal experience and offer some general safety advice. Natasha and Carl welcome your views each week too, an...

Our guest today is Daisy Sampson, who first moved to Portugal over 20 years ago, and started her professional career as a junior reporter at The Resident, before moving into the world of PR and marketing under the guidance of Alda Filipe (see last week's interview) in Vale do Lobo. In her last role before joining afpop, Daisy was the editor at The Portugal News where she also read the news for Kis...

In this episode, Natasha Donn & Carl Munson take a look at the continuing and calamitous challenges to daily life in Portugal – what happens next, how well Portugal is coping, and will continue to cope and recover in the months ahead. They also take a brief look at Portugal's proposed social media controls for young people – good practice? Or something more sinister? Natasha and Carl welcome y...

Our guest today is Alda Filipe, partner and Regional Director at the Kronos Real Estate Group, who oversees the development and sales of an extensive asset portfolio in the Algarve, including the luxury resort Vale do Lobo, where she also serves as a board member. With over 20 years of experience, primarily focused on luxury golf and beach resort developments, Alda is truly an 'Algarve ambassador'...

In this episode, Natasha Donn & Carl Munson, take a look at the headlines that highlight the continuing challenge for Portugal, as storms Kristin and Leonardo are followed by Marta, and the 'State of Calamity' is extended. The clear up continues, aid is forthcoming, but river levels are rising, as rain forecasts continue for a further week. Natasha and Carl welcome your views each week too, an...

Our guest today is Miguel Franco, creator of 'High Flow CEO', who has just arrived in Portugal, from Brazil, via a 45 year detour in the US. A visionary mentor, transformational & heart-centred teacher, his clients & students include Silicon Valley founders, top level race car drivers, artists, course creators, online entrepreneurs, therapists & spiritual seekers; and now for others ma...

In this episode, Natasha with Carl Munson, takes a look at the immediate aftermath of devastating storm Kristin, felt worst in the Leiria district of Portugal where a 'State of Calamity' has been declared. Natasha and Carl welcome your views each week too, and suggestions of topics and tangents that they might explore behind and beyond the headlines. Published Fridays 3pm Contact Natasha – natasha...

Our guest today is Tom Caston, Principal of the Bright International School in Loulé, Algarve, who studied Geography at the University of Exeter and later obtained an MSc in Managing School Improvement from the University of Reading. Before embarking on his teaching career, he worked in investment banking. In 1999, he began teaching at Shiplake College, where he later became Head of Lower School....

In this episode, we're LIVE, please comment and share questions in the chat! Here we discussed incoming Storm Ingrid (or should that be Hagrid?), last weekend's Presidential election results (and Natasha's cunning ruse to put Ventura 'in the corner'), and whether Trump might invade the Azores (if he hasn't already!), as well as the PM's po-faced response to parody.  Natasha and Carl welcome your v...

Our guest today is Charles Roberts, a veteran real estate professional with a fascinating back-story here in Portugal that begins in Albufeira and takes us to Cascais. He is Co-founder and Managing Partner of Fine & Country Portugal, a luxury real estate agency focused on high-end residential property in Lisbon, Cascais, Comporta, and other prime regions. An Englishman (originally from Yorkshi...

In this episode, Natasha discusses her three news picks of the week including the Portugal's presidential contest where sexual harrassment claims are overshadowing proceedings, the recent Orwellian tone of the PM (who she thinks might be a "little Aspergy"), and how eco groups' hopes may have been crushed. Natasha and Carl welcome your views each week too, and suggestions of topics and tangents th...

Our guest today is James Holley AKA 'An Old Guy in Europe', who moved from California to Ericeira (and more recently to Espinho), and is very happy with the decisions he's made. Here we talk about how he first chose Portugal as a retirement location when he first began to feel uneasy in the USA, back in 2016. For the re-invented and YouTubing James, formerly 'Jim' back home, his relationship with...

In this episode, our sixth, Natasha discusses her three news picks of the week including people dying waiting for ambulances, the Portuguese response to Trump's action on Venezuela, and unexpected, positive changes at Lisbon airport. Natasha and Carl welcome your views each week too, and suggestions of topics and tangents that they might explore behind and beyond the headlines. Published Fridays 3...

Our guest today is Erik de Vlieger, who tells the story of the Portuguese notary he fell in love with at first sight (and had to marry), and shares his unique approach to life in Portugal as a businessman and "very happy" resident. Erik is an experienced Dutch businessman, investor, and founder of Carvoeiro Branco, one of the leading real estate developers in the Algarve. He also co-owns Palm Prop...

In this episode, our fifth, Natasha attempts three news picks of the year here as we countdown to Christmas, with some inevitable digression given the year it's been, including disasters, incompetence and suspicious circumstances, as we go into 2026. Stay close to home is Natasha's serving suggestion for the year ahead, where it seems the pace of progress and change will not be letting up. Natasha...