The Heart & Hustle of Portugal

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.

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.

Chazz Palminteri is a tour de force — an actor, writer, and producer best known for “A Bronx Tale”, the powerful one-man show where he plays every role. For the first time ever, Chazz is bringing this legendary performance to Lisbon, just as it was originally staged in New York. 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.

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”.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

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.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

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.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

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.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

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.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

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.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.