Best Joana Beleza Podcasts (2025)

1
Patrícia Vasconcelos: She cast “Love Actually” and built a bridge for Portugal’s talent 49:21

22h ago49:21

49:21

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 a…

1
From island dreams to Netflix stardom: The rise of Augusto Fraga and “Turn of the Tide” 56:43

8d ago56:43

56:43

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 con…

1
Rui Pedro Tendinha: How a Portuguese critic hustled his way into Hollywood’s inner circle 54:38

15d ago54:38

54:38

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…

1
Borderless, Restless, Relentless: Ricardo Pereira’s Journey from Lisbon to Rio and Back Again 54:55

22d ago54:55

54:55

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 …

1
From MoMA to MAAT: architect turned curator Pedro Gadanho’s intersection of design and sustainability 54:09

29d ago54:09

54:09

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 conversati…

1
Mariana Van Zeller is back. Meet the fearless woman that faces criminal overlords and brings home Emmys 44:11

1M ago44:11

44:11

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, br…

1
Ricardo Araújo Pereira doesn’t care what you think (but he loves making you laugh) 54:49

1M ago54:49

54:49

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, wh…

1
The feeling comes first: How MARO found her sound 1:00:33

2M ago1:00:33

1:00:33

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 contin…

1
Sebastiao Bugalho on democracy, journalism and not looking like a fool 57:01

2M ago57:01

57:01

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 insight…

1
Rerelease: Lindy Reid brought a New York staple food to Lisbon (and it turned out to be an amazing idea) 39:16

2M ago39:16

39:16

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. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.By Tony Gonçalves

1
Rerelease: Tim Vieira on giving back to the community by running for President 1:00:42

2M ago1:00:42

1:00:42

Tim Vieira believes that everyone wants to be Portuguese. See why in this conversation between Tim and Tony Gonçalves, originally published in June. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.By Tony Gonçalves

1
Rerelease: From small town to unicorn: Virgilio Bento and Sword Health’s success 53:26

3M ago53:26

53:26

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. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.By Tony Gonçalves

1
Rerelease: Building community through business: Insights from John Calvao 49:43

3M ago49:43

49:43

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. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.By Tony Gonçalves

1
Special episode with Ana Rita Guerra: An inside out look at Los Angeles through the eyes of a Portuguese immigrant 54:22

3M ago54:22

54:22

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 …

1
Rerelease: Chef Lauren Covas: eat local, try everything: the joy of comfort food 40:46

3M ago40:46

40:46

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.By Tony Gonçalves

1
Comedian Mike Rita: Turns out, being Portuguese was the whole joke 50:44

4M ago50:44

50:44

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 ev…

1
Twelve strings and a thousand stories: Marta Pereira da Costa 56:36

4M ago56:36

56:36

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…

1
From José dos iPhones to Business Maverick 51:50

4M ago51:50

51:50

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 iPho…

1
Tim Vieira still believes in utopias, that’s why he’s running for President 1:00:42

4M ago1:00:42

1:00:42

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…

1
Bringing bagels to Portugal: Lindy Reid’s journey gave us Rhodo Bagels 39:16

4M ago39:16

39:16

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 co…

1
John Calvão on investing in Portugal with purpose (and controlling the destiny) 49:43

5M ago49:43

49:43

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 cult…

1
Special Episode: Julia Machado won The Voice Kids but it’s her offstage voice that stays with you 37:09

5M ago37:09

37:09

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 perspec…

1
She fell in love with the Azores and Tribeca gave her a million dollars to tell the story 44:00

5M ago44:00

44:00

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 Mig…

1
Special Episode: Snap elections, Chega’s ascent and Portugal’s political Future: Ricardo Costa on the rise of Chega and the new political era in Portugal 53:09

5M ago53:09

53:09

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 o…

1
Joel Sousa: Electrifiying Famel all the way to Times Square 43:06

5M ago43:06

43:06

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 h…

1
From Murtosa to the mainstream: chef Lauren Covas on food, family, and the flavor of Portugal 40:46

5M ago40:46

40:46

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 thi…

1
Gifford Miller, the American owner of Atlético Clube de Portugal that fell in love with Portuguese football 41:18

6M ago41:18

41:18

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 f…

1
Catarina Portas, from A Vida Portuguesa: identity, soul and craftsmanship 48:24

6M ago48:24

48:24

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 ab…

1
Virgílio Bento: “The success of a company is what I can create and how happy, energised and at peace I am. That’s Portugal to me” 53:26

6M ago53:26

53:26

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 h…

1
Neemias Queta: a giant among us: the rise of the first Portuguese NBA player is a story of resilience and routine 34:01

6M ago34:01

34:01

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, hav…

1
Tony Gonçalves:‌ Work Hard, be curious, be kind 55:41

7M ago55:41

55:41

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.…

1
Rerelease: George Mendes’s journey and the Portuguese Michelin starred restaurants that are competing globally at a higher level 48:25

7M ago48:25

48:25

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.By Tony Gonçalves

1
Rerelease: Rodrigues’ Sisters (not Roberts), reclaiming a name and their grandparents legacy 45:41

7M ago45:41

45:41

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.By Tony Gonçalves

1
Rerelease: Joaquim de Almeida’s role as the quintessential bad guy and his Portuguese heritage 59:15

7M ago59:15

59:15

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.By Tony Gonçalves

1
Nuno Morais Sarmento: “If you don’t have the emotional availability of giving yourself to others, you’ll be dead politically“ 56:05

8M ago56:05

56:05

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…

1
Diogo Mónica built the first federally chartered crypto bank and invested in 150+ startups. His secret? Smart risks and a clear purpose 48:56

8M ago48:56

48:56

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…

1
The Portuguese Kids, ambassadors of culture through comedy: “My mom still thinks, 20 years later, that we don’t have a job” 1:02:07

8M ago1:02:07

1:02:07

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 s…

1
The life-changing calls that made Jon Kilik a indie film icon 44:10

8M ago44:10

44:10

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.…

1
Carlos Moedas: “I'm always a little bit underestimated in the political scene but I like it. I prefer to be underestimated, that's a huge power” 52:20

9M ago52:20

52:20

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 …

1
Daniela Ruah on making it in Hollywood: “The harder I work, the luckier I get” 47:26

9M ago47:26

47:26

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…

1
From “George Burns“ to a Michelin star: chef George Mendes’ pursuit of perfection and his Portuguese culinary mission 48:25

9M ago48:25

48:25

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 Portugues…

1
“Sorrows don't pay debts. So what's the point in being sad?” Reclaiming the portuguese heritage with filmmakers Karlee and Marlee Rodrigues 45:41

9M ago45:41

45:41

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 emigrate…

1
Narcos star Pepe Rapazote and his philosophy of “swallowing life in big chunks” 47:36

10M ago47:36

47:36

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 insig…

1
Black markets, the depths of the criminal world, 5 Emmys and a coup in Niger: Mariana van Zeller’s unique journalistic voice 50:21

10M ago50:21

50:21

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 d…

1
Censorship and courage: Dennis Redmont talks about journalism under the Portuguese dictatorship 33:27

10M ago33:27

33:27

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 Festi…

1
Randi Levine: “Portugal taught me something: it’s in the nooks and crannies, in the hidden villages and untold stories where the true soul of a nation resides” 53:40

10M ago53:40

53:40

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 filmma…

1
“Bad Guys Have a Heart”: Joaquim de Almeida, Portugal’s Cinematic Legend 59:15

10M ago59:15

59:15

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 fam…

1
“The stories that connect us all”: Joana Vicente, former CEO of two of the world’s most prestigious film festivals, Sundance and Toronto 47:05

11M ago47:05

47:05

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 var…

1
Welcome to The Heart & Hustle of Portugal 1:33

11M ago1:33

1:33

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 fi…

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