People Of Lisbon

In this episode of the People Of Lisbon Podcast, we spend extended time with Hunter Halder, the American founder of Refood, the Lisbon-based volunteer movement tackling food waste and hunger by rescuing surplus food and delivering it to people who need it.Hunter first came to Lisbon in the late 1980s and eventually made the city his home. Years later, a simple question from his daughter about what would happen to leftover food at the end of a restaurant service sparked an idea that would grow into one of Lisbon’s most inspiring community initiatives.Today, Refood mobilizes thousands of volunteers and feeds thousands of people every day, proving that local communities have the power to solve problems that often feel too big to fix.In this long-form conversation, Hunter reflects on the origins of Refood, his entrepreneurial instincts, life in Lisbon, fatherhood, growing older, and why he believes the most meaningful thing we can do for ourselves is help others.This episode is the extended podcast cut from our time filming Hunter for the People of Lisbon documentary series — a deeper look at the ideas, philosophy, and stories behind the film.Watch our video with Hunter here.

The full uncut conversation with Josh Wald — from New York fashion model to Lisbon artist — exploring identity, reinvention, love, rage, and what it truly means to “become” yourself.In this full-length podcast episode of People Of Lisbon, we share the complete rough cut audio from our studio visit with artist Josh Wald.Subscribe to the podcast for more in-depth conversations with the people who make Lisbon what it is.

Meet Gonçalo, Lisbon’s rising DIY creator who transformed a 124-year-old ruin into a beautiful home — with no formal training, no big budget, and pure determination.In this inspiring People of Lisbon story, Gonçalo shares how growing up near the sea taught him resilience, how losing everything during floods, fire, and a serious accident changed his mindset, and how DIY became the tool that helped him reinvent himself.From handmade furniture and creative interior design to turning a ruined house into a living space, this is a story about courage, creativity, and never being afraid to start.If you love home renovation, DIY projects, Lisbon life, transformation stories, or motivational real-life journeys — this one is for you.Join Club People of Lisbon!Unlock exclusive access to events, behind-the-scenes content, and special offers for just €10/month! Support the ongoing production of our stories and connect with the People of Lisbon community.https://www.peopleoflisbon.comHuge shout-out to our amazing sponsors for making this video possible!🇵🇹 Practice Portuguese – Making learning Portuguese fun and easy!🌍 Moviinn – Moving Abroad Made Simple🎥 Video by: Stephen O’Regan📸 Photography by: Rita Ansone

Watch the video here.Follow Mallory here. Join Club People Of Lisbon here.In this audio cut of our latest People Of Lisbon, we meet Mallory Lewis — daughter of legendary entertainer Shari Lewis, Emmy-winning writer, ventriloquist, and the woman who brought Lamb Chop back to life.Now living in Lisbon, Portugal, Mallory opens up about reinvention, creativity, grief, joy, and why this chapter of her life is her “third act.” From carousel rides and cobblestone streets to puppetry, legacy, and cocktails by the water, this is a story about choosing life — fully, loudly, and with humour.Huge shout-out to our amazing sponsors for making this video possible!🇵🇹 Practice Portuguese – Making learning Portuguese fun and easy!https://www.practiceportuguese.com🌍 Moviinn – Moving Abroad Made Simplehttps://www.moviinn.com🎥 Video by: Stephen O’Reganstephen@peopleoflisbon.com📸 Photography by: Rita Ansonerita@peopleoflisbon.com

In this episode, we spend a evening with Rui Tendinha — one of Portugal’s most recognisable film critics — inside his world of press screenings, late-night cinema gatherings, awards, memories, and contradictions.Being paid to watch movies sounds like a dream job.But behind the premieres, parties, and famous names lies early mornings, brutal honesty, bad films you can’t walk out of, and a lifelong obsession with cinema.From childhood notebooks filled with handwritten reviews to encounters with legends like Dustin Hoffman, Anthony Hopkins, Paul Newman, David Lynch and more, Rui reflects on what cinema has given him — and what it has taken away.We follow him through Lisbon on a rainy night, into a tertúlia dedicated to young actors, through conversations about art-house films, B-movies, dream jobs, critics, creators, and how stories shape who we are.  / ruitendinha  Join Club People of Lisbon!Unlock exclusive access to events, behind-the-scenes content, and special offers for just €10/month! Support the ongoing production of our stories and connect with the People of Lisbon community.👉 www.peopleoflisbon.comHuge shout-out to our amazing sponsors for making this video possible!✨ Tribe Social Club – Find your Lisbon Tribe.👉 www.findyourtribe.app/socialclub🇵🇹 Practice Portuguese – Making learning Portuguese fun and easy!👉 www.practiceportuguese.com🌍 Moviinn – Moving Abroad Made Simple👉 www.moviinn.com🎥 Video by: Stephen O’Regan📩 For Business Contact: stephen@peopleoflisbon.com📸 Photography by: Rita Ansone📩 Contact: rita@peopleoflisbon.com

In this episode of People Of Lisbon, we step inside the Lisbon world of Andre Pinguel, a professional host who has quietly turned a cool apartment into an intimate gathering space for wine dinners, fado nights, and unforgettable evenings with people from all over the world.From hosting events four or five nights a week to teaching guests how to taste Portuguese wine properly (yes, including green wine), Andre reveals what it really means to bring people together — even when you’re tired, even when you don’t feel like opening the door.We talk about:• What “green wine” actually is• Life growing up by the sea in Figueira da Foz• Why hosting is more than just entertaining• The energy shift that happens when the door opens• Creating community in a city full of strangersThis isn’t about luxury. It’s about connection, hospitality, and the quiet magic of sharing a table.  / flores_77_rc  Join Club People of Lisbon!Unlock exclusive access to events, behind-the-scenes content, and special offers for just €10/month! Support the ongoing production of our stories and connect with the People of Lisbon community.👉 www.peopleoflisbon.comHuge shout-out to our amazing sponsors for making this video possible!✨ Tribe Social Club – Find your Lisbon Tribe.👉 www.findyourtribe.app/socialclub🇵🇹 Practice Portuguese – Making learning Portuguese fun and easy!👉 www.practiceportuguese.com🌍 Moviinn – Moving Abroad Made Simple👉 www.moviinn.com🎥 Video by: Stephen O’Regan📩 For Business Contact: stephen@peopleoflisbon.com📸 Photography by: Rita Ansone📩 Contact: rita@peopleoflisbon.com

Meet Khurram Malik, a Pakistani Bolt driver in Lisbon who works 14 hours a day, six days a week — all to support his wife and daughter as they build a new life in Portugal.In this episode of People Of Lisbon, Khurram opens up about:• Learning to drive at just 13 years old in Karachi• Surviving 22 days on a ventilator during the 2020 COVID outbreak• Starting from zero in a new country• Dealing with drunk passengers, lost iPhones, and Lisbon’s chaotic parking• His dream of becoming… a Uber helicopter pilot• What he believes is the true secret to happinessKhurram’s honesty, humour, and resilience make this one of the most inspiring stories we’ve ever filmed.Join Club People of Lisbon!Unlock exclusive access to events, behind-the-scenes content, and special offers for just €10/month! Support the ongoing production of our stories and connect with the People of Lisbon community.👉 www.peopleoflisbon.comHuge shout-out to our amazing sponsors for making this video possible!✨ Tribe Social Club – Find your Lisbon Tribe.👉 www.findyourtribe.app/socialclub🇵🇹 Practice Portuguese – Making learning Portuguese fun and easy!👉 www.practiceportuguese.com🌍 Moviinn – Moving Abroad Made Simple👉 www.moviinn.com🎥 Video by: Stephen O’Regan📩 For Business Contact: stephen@peopleoflisbon.com📸 Photography by: Rita Ansone📩 Contact: rita@peopleoflisbon.com

or our 200th episode of People Of Lisbon, we met with Carlos Moedas, the Mayor of Lisbon. From garbage collection to housing, from firefighters to medals and sailing boats to his personal story of growing up with hardship—Moedas talks honestly about what it really means to run Lisbon.He speaks about:• the pressures of a 24-hour job• the father he lost and still thinks about every day• Lisbon’s housing crisis and his dream for the city• producing wine in Monsanto (!?)• what being a centrist means in 2025• why the 5th of October room is the most important room in Portugal• and why cities now matter more than countries🎥 This special episode marks a huge milestone for People Of Lisbon. Thank you for being with us for 200 stories of this incredible city.https://www.instagram.com/c_moedas/Join Club People of Lisbon!Unlock exclusive access to events, behind-the-scenes content, and special offers for just €10/month! Support the ongoing production of our stories and connect with the People of Lisbon community.👉 www.peopleoflisbon.comHuge shout-out to our amazing sponsors for making this video possible!✨ Tribe Social Club – Find your Lisbon Tribe.👉 www.findyourtribe.app/socialclub🇵🇹 Practice Portuguese – Making learning Portuguese fun and easy!👉 www.practiceportuguese.com🌍 Moviinn – Moving Abroad Made Simple👉 www.moviinn.com🎥 Video by: Stephen O’Regan📩 For Business Contact: stephen@peopleoflisbon.com📸 Photography by: Rita Ansone📩 Contact: rita@peopleoflisbon.com

Meet João Mendes, better known as Jazzafari — one of Lisbon’s most unique and unpredictable jazz musicians. From playing reggae-infused jazz in his open Lisbon home studio to reflecting on mental health, addiction, creativity, and spirituality, Jazzafari’s story is as wild and beautiful as his music.Once confined to a madhouse, João now channels his experiences into rhythm, art, and soulful expression — blending jazz, reggae, and experimental sounds into something uniquely his own. In this intimate portrait, filmed for People Of Lisbon, he opens up about his family’s artistic legacy, his recovery journey, and his belief that life — like jazz — is all about improvisation.  / jazzafari  Join Club People of Lisbon!Unlock exclusive access to events, behind-the-scenes content, and special offers for just €10/month! Support the ongoing production of our stories and connect with the People of Lisbon community.👉 www.peopleoflisbon.comHuge shout-out to our amazing sponsors for making this video possible!🥤 Why Not Soda – Refreshing Lisbon, one soda at a time.👉 www.whynotsoda.com✨ Tribe Social Club – Find your Lisbon Tribe.👉 www.findyourtribe.app/socialclub🇵🇹 Practice Portuguese – Making learning Portuguese fun and easy!👉 www.practiceportuguese.com🌍 Moviinn – Moving Abroad Made Simple👉 www.moviinn.com🎥 Video by: Stephen O’Regan📩 For Business Contact: stephen@peopleoflisbon.com📸 Photography by: Rita Ansone📩 Contact: rita@peopleoflisbon.com

New Zealander Chris Jones spent four years travelling the entire country — from the green valleys of the North to the islands of the Azores and Madeira. The result is Meet The Tugas, a book that explores Portugal’s history, culture, and people through the curious eyes of an outsider who fell in love with it all.In this episode of People Of Lisbon, we meet Chris (and his family) at their beautiful home in Príncipe Real to hear how a chance trip changed his life, what he discovered along the way, and why Portugal’s story is far richer — and more surprising — than most imagine.https://www.instagram.com/christojones/Join Club People of Lisbon!Unlock exclusive access to events, behind-the-scenes content, and special offers for just €10/month! Support the ongoing production of our stories and connect with the People of Lisbon community.👉 www.peopleoflisbon.comHuge shout-out to our amazing sponsors for making this video possible!🥤 Why Not Soda – Refreshing Lisbon, one soda at a time.👉 www.whynotsoda.com✨ Tribe Social Club – Find your Lisbon Tribe.👉 www.findyourtribe.app/socialclub🇵🇹 Practice Portuguese – Making learning Portuguese fun and easy!👉 www.practiceportuguese.com🌍 Moviinn – Moving Abroad Made Simple👉 www.moviinn.com🎥 Video by: Stephen O’Regan📩 For Business Contact: stephen@peopleoflisbon.com📸 Photography by: Rita Ansone📩 Contact: rita@peopleoflisbon.com

Hidden behind a sewing shop in the heart of the city lies one of Lisbon’s most electric underground music nights — The Shift. Hosted by GIEL, a Miami-born artist, performer, and creative powerhouse, The Shift brings together poetry, live music, spoken word, and soul in a way Lisbon has never seen before.In this episode of People Of Lisbon, we meet GIEL on the streets of Lisbon and follow her into the magic of her hidden speakeasy, Badassery. We talk about her life, her faith, and how moving to Lisbon reignited her creative purpose — leading her to build one of the city’s most inspiring communities of artists and dreamers.🎶 Watch as GIEL takes the stage, lights up the room, and reminds us that creativity and connection are what truly shift the soul.  / heyitsgiel    / the_shift_live  Join Club People of Lisbon!Unlock exclusive access to events, behind-the-scenes content, and special offers for just €10/month! Support the ongoing production of our stories and connect with the People of Lisbon community.👉 www.peopleoflisbon.comHuge shout-out to our amazing sponsors for making this video possible!🥤 Why Not Soda – Refreshing Lisbon, one soda at a time.👉 www.whynotsoda.com✨ Tribe Social Club – Find your Lisbon Tribe.👉 www.findyourtribe.app/socialclub🇵🇹 Practice Portuguese – Making learning Portuguese fun and easy!👉 www.practiceportuguese.com🌍 Moviinn – Moving Abroad Made Simple👉 www.moviinn.com🎥 Video by: Stephen O’Regan📩 For Business Contact: stephen@peopleoflisbon.com📸 Photography by: Rita Ansone📩 Contact: rita@peopleoflisbon.com

At 68 years old, Richard Ulf is living proof that life doesn’t slow down in Lisbon — it gets better. After heart surgery and years of stress, Richard completely reinvented himself. Today, he surfs, dances at Lisbon’s clubs and festivals, models, acts, and lives every day with unstoppable energy. His story is one of transformation, resilience, and joy — showing us that it’s never too late to start again.In this episode of People Of Lisbon, we meet Richard at his home in Estoril, where he shares his journey from Sweden to Portugal, his love of surfing at Baleal and Peniche, and why dancing keeps him young.#PeopleOfLisbon #Lisbon #Inspiration #Surfing #Dancing #Portugal  / richardulf  Join Club People of Lisbon!Unlock exclusive access to events, behind-the-scenes content, and special offers for just €10/month! Support the ongoing production of our stories and connect with the People of Lisbon community.👉 www.peopleoflisbon.comHuge shout-out to our amazing sponsors for making this video possible!🥤 Why Not Soda – Refreshing Lisbon, one soda at a time.👉 www.whynotsoda.com✨ Tribe Social Club – Find your Lisbon Tribe.👉 www.findyourtribe.app/socialclub🇵🇹 Practice Portuguese – Making learning Portuguese fun and easy!👉 www.practiceportuguese.com🌍 Moviinn – Moving Abroad Made Simple👉 www.moviinn.com🎥 Video by: Stephen O’Regan📩 For Business Contact: stephen@peopleoflisbon.com📸 Photography by: Rita Ansone📩 Contact: rita@peopleoflisbon.com

From Lisbon to Hollywood and back, TV fame to motherhood, Iva Domingues has lived it all. In weeks pod cut, Portugal’s fearless TV journalist and presenter opens up about meeting Leonardo DiCaprio at Drake’s birthday party, her 25-year career in Portuguese media, feminism, equality & pay gaps in television, motherhood and how it changed everything, life between Braga, LA, and Lisbon’s light, what really makes Lisbon special — and what’s at risk of being lostJoin Club People of Lisbon!Unlock exclusive access to events, behind-the-scenes content, and special offers for just €10/month! Support the ongoing production of our stories and connect with the People of Lisbon community.👉 www.peopleoflisbon.comHuge shout-out to our amazing sponsors for making this video possible!🥤 Why Not Soda – Refreshing Lisbon, one soda at a time.👉 www.whynotsoda.com✨ Tribe Social Club – Find your Lisbon Tribe.👉 www.findyourtribe.app/socialclub🇵🇹 Practice Portuguese – Making learning Portuguese fun and easy!👉 www.practiceportuguese.com🌍 Moviinn – Moving Abroad Made Simple👉 www.moviinn.com🎥 Video by: Stephen O’Regan📩 For Business Contact: stephen@peopleoflisbon.com📸 Photography by: Rita Ansone📩 Contact: rita@peopleoflisbon.com

This week on the People Of Lisbon Podcast, we meet Catarina Vassalo, one of Lisbon’s boldest jewellery designers.From selling beaded necklaces on the beaches of Sintra as a child to creating gold, bold designs in her Lisbon shop today, Catarina’s journey is one of persistence, creativity, and passion. She talks about the inspiration she finds in flowers, animals, and the city itself — as well as the challenges of running a creative business in Portugal.Catarina also shares her advice for women and entrepreneurs: “Never quit — especially in Portugal, where people will tell you to stop. Believe in your dream, and you can do it.”🎙️ Episode highlights:How Catarina turned her childhood hobby into a jewellery careerWhy Lisbon continues to inspire her bold, unique designsThe challenges of entrepreneurship and managing a creative teamThe importance of resilience and believing in your visionA big thank you to our sponsors for supporting the People Of Lisbon Podcast:🥤 Why Not Soda – whynotsoda.com✨ Tribe Social Club – findyourtribe.app/socialclub🇵🇹 Practice Portuguese – practiceportuguese.com🌍 Moviinn – moviinn.comJoin Club People of Lisbon for exclusive access to events, behind-the-scenes content, and our growing community 👉 peopleoflisbon.com

Meet Alex Kuznetsov, a painter who left behind his Soviet past and a life in Moscow to start fresh in Lisbon. In this episode of People Of Lisbon, Alex shares his journey from a grey childhood to finding color, freedom, and inspiration in Portugal’s capital.Alex opens up about:✨ Growing up in the Soviet Union✨ Discovering his passion for painting✨ The struggles and doubts of being an artist✨ Why Lisbon became the place where he found hope and creativityThis is the story of resilience, imagination, and never giving up on your art.Join Club People Of Lisbon! Unlock exclusive access to events, behind-the-scenes content, and special offers for just €10/month! Support the ongoing production of our stories and connect with the People Of Lisbon community. - https://www.peopleoflisbon.comHuge shout-out to our amazing sponsors for making this video possible!🥤 Why Not Soda – Refreshing Lisbon, one soda at a time.👉 https://www.whynotsoda.com✨ Tribe Social Club – Find your Lisbon Tribe.👉 https://www.findyourtribe.app/socialclub🇵🇹 Practice Portuguese – Making learning Portuguese fun and easy!👉 https://www.practiceportuguese.comMoviinn - Moving Abroad Made Simple👉 https://www.moviinn.com🎥 Video by: Stephen O’Regan📩 For Business Contact: stephen@peopleoflisbon.com📸 Photography by: Rita Ansone📩 Contact: rita@peopleoflisbon.com

Meet Manuel Araujo, a Lisbon legend whose life is a whirlwind of art, drag, and resilience! From serving in the Portuguese Army to dazzling drag shows, Manuel’s journey took him from Bairro Alto’s vibrant nightlife to New York’s bright lights and back. Hear how he managed iconic venues, met stars like Bianca Del Rio, and built a life filled with love, French bulldogs, and feathers! Discover Lisbon’s evolving drag scene and why tourists keep this city thriving. Don’t miss this emotional, colorful story of survival and showbiz! https://www.instagram.com/mannysplacelisbon/Join Club People Of Lisbon! Unlock exclusive access to events, behind-the-scenes content, and special offers for just €10/month! Support the ongoing production of our stories and connect with the People Of Lisbon community. - https://www.peopleoflisbon.com

Tara Li Amber van Ginkel is tall, bold, and full of heart — and she’s on a mission to make Lisbon happier, one fry at a time. After years of dreaming, she launched Fry Me To The Moon, a creative fry shop born out of love, resilience, and post-pandemic courage. In this episode of People Of Lisbon, Tara opens up about her roots, her mother’s influence, the challenges of being tall in the metro, and how she makes people smile in just one second.Whether you’re into street food, small business stories, or just need a boost of human spirit, this one’s for you.Featuring:– Fry puns galore (yes, Fry or Die was on the name list)– Real talk on burnout and resilience– A behind-the-scenes look at Lisbon’s most joyful new snack spot– Homemade pink mayo with roasted garlic and beetroot 😍#PeopleOfLisbon #LisbonLife #FryMeToTheMoon #LisbonFood #WomenInBusiness #PortugueseStreetFood #InspiringStories

In this episode of People Of Lisbon, we meet Lloyd Conolly, one of the owners of one of Lisbon's coolest cocktail bars - Cabal. Lloyd shares the journey that brought him to Lisbon, his love for brutalist architecture, and how he and his parents opened a bar in Lisbon. From his first impression of Lisbon to the joy and chaos of running a business in the heart of the city, Lloyd offers a unique perspective on life in Lisbon and the creative hustle that keeps him moving forward.Join us for a behind-the-scenes look at Lloyd’s life, his thoughts on style and city living, and the personal story of how he’s making his mark on Lisbon’s vibrant bar scene.https://www.instagram.com/cabal.cafe/Join Club People Of Lisbon! Unlock exclusive access to events, behind-the-scenes content, and special offers for just €10/month! Support the ongoing production of our stories and connect with the People Of Lisbon community. - https://www.peopleoflisbon.comHuge shout-out to our amazing sponsors for making this video possible!🥤 Why Not Soda – Refreshing Lisbon, one soda at a time.👉 https://www.whynotsoda.com✨ Tribe Social Club – Find your Lisbon Tribe.👉 https://www.findyourtribe.app/socialclub🇵🇹 Practice Portuguese – Making learning Portuguese fun and easy!👉 www.practiceportuguese.comMoviinn - Moving Abroad Made Simple👉 https://www.moviinn.com🎥 Video by: Stephen O’Regan📩 For Business Contact: stephen@peopleoflisbon.com📸 Photography by: Rita Ansone📩 Contact: rita@peopleoflisbon.com

This week’s podcast is a super-powered ride with DJ Ricardo Mello, a Lisbon local with a seriously impressive Marvel collection! 🦸‍♂️See the full video.Not only does Ricardo spin beats at some of the hottest spots in Lisbon, but he’s also a true superhero fan – with an emotional connection that makes his passion even more special. From Iron Man’s heart to Thor’s hammer, his collection is a tribute to his late nephew, and it's clear that Marvel isn’t just a hobby for him – it's part of who he is.Check out the full video to discover why Marvel’s more than just comics for Ricardo, and what drives his unstoppable energy!

Join us for an inside look at the world of Julie Deffense, the cake artist transforming the wedding scene in Lisbon! From creating stunning, gravity-defying cakes to working with celebrities like Madonna, Julie’s artistry is truly one of a kind. In this episode of People of Lisbon, Julie takes us behind the scenes of her creative process, sharing the passion, precision, and dedication that go into every wedding cake she designs.  / juliedeffense  www.juliedeffense.comJoin Club People Of Lisbon! Unlock exclusive access to events, behind-the-scenes content, and special offers for just €10/month! Support the ongoing production of our stories and connect with the People Of Lisbon community.Join the waiting list now: https://www.peopleoflisbon.comHuge shout-out to our amazing sponsors for making this video possible!🥤 Why Not Soda – Refreshing Lisbon, one soda at a time.👉 https://www.whynotsoda.com✨ Tribe Social Club – Find your Lisbon Tribe.👉 https://www.findyourtribe.app/socialclub🇵🇹 Practice Portuguese – Making learning Portuguese fun and easy!👉 www.practiceportuguese.com🎥 Video by: Stephen O’Regan📩 For Business Contact: stephen@peopleoflisbon.com📸 Photography by: Rita Ansone📩 Contact: rita@peopleoflisbon.com