In the inaugural episode of ‘The Heart & Hustle of Portugal’, host Tony Goncalves sits down with Joana Vicente, a notable figure in the independent film industry. Born in Macau to Portuguese parents who were both architects, Joana’s upbringing was marked by travel and cultural exploration.

Joana’s parents’ adventurous spirit led them to live in various places, including Goa, India, Madeira, and Mozambique, before returning to Macau. Despite being raised outside of Portugal, Joana’s home life was steeped in Portuguese culture, with traditional food and language being integral parts of her childhood. This episode delves into Joana’s rich Portuguese heritage, her upbringing in a creative environment, and her impressive career trajectory, including her leadership roles at Sundance and Toronto film festivals.

Joanna explores the role of film festivals, support for diverse narratives, and the potential growth of the Portuguese film industry, emphasising the importance of cultural identity and storytelling.

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Each week, join Tony Gonçalves—a U.S.-based Portuguese immigrant and successful media executive—as he explores the stories of those driving Portugal’s influence on the global stage. From visionary entrepreneurs to cultural pioneers, The Heart and Hustle of Portugal uncovers the unique ways the Portuguese identity thrives worldwide. As Expresso’s first English-language product, this series bridges cultures and connects the global audience to Portugal’s spirit of innovation, passion, and resilience.

The first episode premieres on December 6th. Don't miss it!

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In the second episode of The Heart & Hustle of Portugal, Joaquim de Almeida shares his remarkable journey from Lisbon to Hollywood. He reflects on his early life, the challenges of immigration, and the pivotal role of his language skills in shaping his illustrious career.

As one of Portugal’s most celebrated actors, Joaquim gained international fame with roles like Félix Cortez in Clear and Present Danger and Admiral Juan Miguel Piquet in Behind Enemy Lines. His portrayal of Ramon Salazar in the thriller series 24 cemented his reputation as a master of complex “bad guy” roles.

In this candid interview, Joaquim reflects on his extensive body of work, discusses the evolution of the entertainment industry in the streaming era, and shares his sense of responsibility to the Portuguese community. He offers insights on supporting future generations of actors, preserving cultural identity, and—of course—the Portuguese culinary delights every visitor should try.

With 156 films and series under his belt, Joaquim de Almeida shows no signs of slowing down. Listen in as host Tony Gonçalves dives deep into his story.

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US Ambassador to Portugal, Randi Charno Levine tells us that it was here where she learned that the true soul of a country resides in its nooks and crannies. In this conversation with Tony Gonçalves for the podcast The Heart and Hustle of Portugal, the Ambassador speaks about the portuguese diaspora, the challenges of bringing North American filmmakers to Portugal and her favourite Portuguese food

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In this episode of “The Heart & Hustle of Portugal”, host Tony Gonçalves interviews veteran journalist Dennis Redmont, who shares his remarkable journey from a childhood influenced by journalism to becoming a foreign correspondent in Portugal during a time of significant political upheaval. Listen to this conversation recorded live at Tribeca Festival Lisboa.

Dennis Redmont discusses his experiences with the Portuguese censorship of Estado Novo, the role of the foreign press and his insights into the Carnation Revolution. He reflects on the evolution of Portugal from a repressive regime to a vibrant, modern society, highlighting the cultural and culinary richness of the country.

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Award-winning journalist Mariana van Zeller shares her journey from Portugal to becoming a prominent figure in investigative journalism. She discusses her Emmy-winning series 'Trafficked,' which delves into the complexities of black markets and their impact on the global economy, shares an amazing escape story and reveals her favourite Portuguese dishes.

Mariana van Zeller reflects on her early influences, her determination to pursue journalism and her life-changing experiences covering significant events like 9/11 and dangerous assignments in places like Niger. Her passion for storytelling and understanding the human condition shines through as she navigates the challenges of her profession.

The five Emmy winner discusses the importance of empathy in journalism, her unique experiences with her husband in the field and the ethical boundaries she maintains in her work. She also reflects on Portugal's drug policy, the need for investment in the arts, and the defining characteristics of Portuguese identity.

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In this episode of "The Heart and Hustle of Portugal," host Tony Goncalves converses with Pepe Rapazote, a Portuguese-born actor known for roles in "Narcos" and "Turn of the Tide." They discuss Pepe's journey from architecture to acting, his multicultural upbringing in Venezuela, and the importance of work ethic and family values. Pepe shares insights into his creative process, the challenges of balancing career and family, and his hopes for the future of Portugal's entertainment industry. The episode, recorded in Lisbon's Expresso studios, highlights Pepe's dedication to his craft and his passion for Portuguese culture.

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Portuguese filmmaking duo Karlee and Marlee Rodrigues, known as the Rodrigues Sisters, based in the United States, speak with Tony Gonçalves about their film, “Os Sonhos Continuam”, their Portuguese heritage and their quest to film about Portuguese Rancho and Folclore, a struggle that is very much like the hustle of their grandparents that emigrated to the US to find a better life without knowing a word of english. Listen the conversation in the podcast “The Heart and Hustle of Portugal”

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George Mendes is known in the culinary world as the executive chef of Aldea, the New York restaurant that gave him his Michelin star. Now based in Boston, he operates Amar, his Portuguese inspired fine dining place. Listen to George’s fascinating journey from his first culinary steps in school (where he burned everything), to his love for Portuguese cuisine in the podcast The Heart and Hustle of Portugal with Tony Gonçalves

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In this episode of the podcast The Heart and Hustle of Portugal, Tony Gonçalves interviews actress and director Daniela Ruah, exploring her journey from Boston to Portugal, her experiences in the entertainment industry, and her deep connection to her Portuguese roots.

Daniela discusses the differences between productions in Portugal and the US, the opportunities for Portuguese content on global platforms, and the essence of home and cultural identity.

The episode also delves into a very passionate exchange about the famous Portuguese salted cod, bacalhau, and concludes with a celebration of Fado music and its modern interpretations, leaving the door open for future conversations.

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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 population, the importance of innovation and the housing challenges.

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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

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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” 

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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

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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 the first season of The Heart and Hustle of Portugal podcast. More episodes coming soon. Don't miss it.

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Filmmaking duo Marlee and Karlee Rodrigues share their experiences reclaiming their grandparents heritage using documentary as a means to perpetuate the culture. 

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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.

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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.

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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 season with the team.

Neemias also shares his favourite Portuguese comfort food and his goal to fulfil his mother’s desire: to get a university degree.

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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.

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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 - offering a few tips for navigating Lisbon’s steep hills.

He also shares his favorite Portuguese food and drinks, including a deep love for Madeira wine.

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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 also shares her favourite Portuguese qualities and how consumption can drive change in local economies.

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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 insights on leadership, stressing the importance of focusing on value creation over chasing unicorn status.

He also delves into the strengths of Portuguese culture and shares some of his personal favorite Portuguese dishes.

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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 many elections and is convinced that the two major political parties, PSD (winner of most of the seats but with no majority) and PS (which is on the verge of loosing the opposition place it has held) will work together to create stability.

With presidential elections next year, what will this political change mean for the stability of Portugal?

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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 passion that drives the new iteration of Famel.

Joel talks about what it takes to bring a national symbol back to life, what he’s learned from the journey, and, of course, shares his favorite Portuguese dish.

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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 heritage, as she recalls her youth spent in the kitchen helping her parents prepare food.

As a proud lover of her Portuguese roots, Lauren adores bacalhau, of course, even claiming that the salted fish should be Portugal’s mascot. Host Tony Gonçalves nods in agreement.

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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 Andreia’s incredible journey on the podcast The Heart and Hustle of Portugal.

Lilian and Andreia share the stories from the production and the magical moments that happened during shooting.

“Honeyjoon” is also a reminder that USA-Portuguese productions can happen more frequently and can really boost not only the Portuguese filmmaking industry but also the country’s beautiful scenery.

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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 leadership, and the practical hurdles that still need solving like long licensing delays and complex bureaucracy.

He breaks down the barriers, but also the potential, and reminds us why investing here is both a challenge and a privilege. Plus, he shares his favorite Portuguese dish and what still makes the country feel like home.

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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.

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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 him to be known as “José dos iPhones” and his first company, Forall Phones, that was acquired in 2020.

But José has not forgotten his Portuguese heritage, and is focused on harnessing the best of both countries.

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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 usual, our guest shares his favorite Portuguese food is and why he believes Portugal is an amazing place to live.

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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 your place in a foreign country, a testament that good food has no language.

She also shares her favorite places and things to do in Lisbon.

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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 musician, her roots and hustle in the Fado houses of Lisbon, and how she landed a coveted spot on NPR’s Tiny Desk concert series. She also treats us to three live performances, each one played with unmistakable joy.

Marta never leaves her guitar behind and never forgets where she comes from.

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Lindy Reid founded Rhodo Bagels, a bagel shop in the heart of Lisbon’s downtown that features amazing bagels, cookies and coffee. Listen to this conversation originally published in June.

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Tim Vieira believes that everyone wants to be Portuguese. See why in this conversation between Tim and Tony Gonçalves, originally published in June.

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V, as he likes to be called, is the CEO of Sword Health, a unicorn company from Portugal. Listen to this conversation originally published in April.

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John Calvao is a partner at Arrow Global and discusses his unique background in this insightful conversation on the challenges of building and investing in Portugal, originally released in June.

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Portuguese journalist Ana Rita Guerra covers a range of topics from tech to AI to entertainment and US Politics for Lusa, Expresso, Diário de Notícias and others. Based in LA, Ana Rita was at the center of the Palisades wildfires and the ICE raids and, speaking with host Tony Gonçalves, she muses over those surreal days and offers a glimpse of the future of the media business.

Ana Rita Guerra believes that good journalism is really important, but the media business is suffering huge transformations.

Ana Rita’s food and drink suggestions touch a few Portuguese landmarks that no other guest had yet recommended.

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Chef Lauren Covas just released her Cookbook “Little Portugal”. Listen to her conversation with Tony Gonçalves, originally published in July.

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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 carries the same raw honesty as the Portuguese immigrants who crossed oceans in search of a better life. But as host Tony Gonçalves recalls, his process isn’t all laughs. Before stepping on stage at the IPMAs, Mike was backstage, sunglasses on, sweating, pacing in silence. That moment stuck.

Food plays a big part in his story too. In this episode, Mike shares some of his favorite (and very humble) meals from childhood. And yes, there’s bacalhau.

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Sebastião Bugalho’s meteoric rise from journalism to politics is astonishing, specially considering he wasn’t even 30 years old when he gained the top seat of his political party, PSD, on the European Parliament. In an insightful conversation with host Tony Gonçalves, Sebastião discusses his visions for Portugal, Europe and also offers some insights into the rise of the far right party Chega.

His father was a Jazz DJ and his mother an author, and this eclectic duality gave us a young mind with an inquisitive and hard look into the present and the future.

Sitting in his office in Brussels, Sebastião Bugalho reflects not only on the political future of Europe but also muses on the importance of music and family.

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The incredible journey of singer-songwriter MARO is nothing short of amazing: from her humble roots in Lisboa to living in LA and being praised by Billie Eilish, collaborating with Eric Clapton or being on tour with Jacob Collier and Shawn Mendes. There’s nothing MARO can’t do, and, as she confides to Tony Gonçalves on this podcast, she will continue to do it until it makes sense.

MARO also shares her creative process and how she got into the prestigious Berklee School of Music.

Her Portuguese roots shine in every sentence, as she shares her favourite Portuguese dishes and talk us through the musical influences she inherited from her parents.

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Ricardo Araújo Pereira is one of the sharpest and most distinctive voices in Portugal. He’s also very funny. His Sunday prime time show attracts millions of viewers each night and he is a constant presence in the Portuguese landscape: in advertisement, writing for newspapers and magazines and even hosting a podcast with his friends. But Ricardo, who is also known a Portuguese Jon Stewart, confesses to Tony Gonçalves that what he loves the most is actually writing.

Ricardo also delves into what it means to be funny and his opinion on the prison sentence for Brazilian comedian Léo Lins.

As usual, our guest shares his favourite Portuguese dishes and one specific trait of the country that others might find unnerving. But he thinks it’s a great asset.

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This year’s Upwardly Global honoree Mariana Van Zeller is back and she brings another four Emmys back home. The fearless journalist that stars and produces the incredible documentary series “Trafficked” on National Geographic returns for another season of investigations in the criminal underworld and speaks with Tony Gonçalves about immigration, broken policies, journalism, empathy and… Bacalhau!

Mariana Van Zeller explains how her hit show‌ “Trafficked” is made and produced with a small team and how she approaches each subject with care and dedication.

No conversation on The Heart & Hustle podcast is complete without a mention of Portuguese food, and Mariana delivers yet another love letter to our national mascot, Bacalhau.

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Pedro Gadanho is an architect and curator, responsible for Lisbon’s MAAT Museum and a former curator of MoMA. A creative, Gadanho expresses his views on architecture as narrative and sustainable urbanism, giving his insights on how to approach the housing crisis with state intervention to bring vacant buildings back to use. An insightful conversation with a creative at heart on this episode of “The Heart‌ & Hustle of Portugal”.

Gadanho also speaks about his views on the current wars across the globe, that he calls resource and climate wars, and offers his views on sustainable architecture and furnishing.

He also mentions his favourite Portuguese traits, food and architecture, mentioning the Portuguese resilience and modesty as our biggest assets.

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Ricardo Pereira’s acting career has crossed borders. Literally. It’s extremely unusual for a Portuguese actor to work consistently in Brazil, but Ricardo has done it - for twenty years. A household figure at Globo and SIC, where he lend his skills to many telenovela characters, Ricardo Pereira will show his talent on the second season of Netflix’s series “Turn of the Tide”

A believer of the art of giving small steps, Ricardo’s career is all about being humble and not being afraid to work hard.

Ricardo Pereira shares his most fond culinary memories from his childhood and his favorite Portuguese trait.

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Patrícia Vasconcelos is a renowned casting director and founder of Passaporte, a platform to help promote Portuguese actors abroad. She shares her fascinating journey that spans countries like Yugoslavia or Zaire and explains why the typical hustle that is characteristic of Portuguese people is the key to success.

Patricia Explains how her hustle and a series of coincidences turned her into a casting director. The daughter of renowned Portuguese director António Pedro Vasconcelos, she fondly remembers growing up amongst his father’s cameras and equipment.

She also shares her favourite Portuguese food and why she doesn’t like the word “export”.

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Augusto Fraga was born in the Azores but he always dreamed far beyond his island. His smash hit series “Turn of the Tide” turned him (and his island of S. Miguel) into global superstars. Now on its second season, the series is one of Netflix’s top hits and it shows that Portugal can complete on a global stage.

The director and screenwriter, who confesses that he always operates the camera himself, guides us through the process of writing‌ “Turn of the Tide” and how that opportunity changed his life.

His humble approach to awards and compliments are on the forefront of this conversation with Tony Gonçalves, as he explains that the feeling of empathy is what drove him back to Portugal, after living abroad for a while.

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Rui Pedro Tendinha has interviewed everyone: Oprah, Tarantino, Jack Nicholson are just a few. And he will not stop. A self-confessed cinema addict, Rui Tendinha is one of the most recognized voices in the business, not only as journalist but also as a curator. Listen to his journey amongst the stars in this episode of The Heart & Hustle of Portugal.

The film critic shares a few of his adventures interviewing the likes of Julie Andrews or Quentin Tarantino (a highlight of his career), and give us some insight into his new book.

He also shares his favourite films and Portuguese food, and proposes a strategy for more investment in Portugal’s film infrastructure to attract Hollywood productions.

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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.

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