John Calvão on investing in Portugal with purpose (and controlling the destiny)
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.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
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49:43
Special Episode: Julia Machado won The Voice Kids but it’s her offstage voice that stays with you
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.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
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37:09
She fell in love with the Azores and Tribeca gave her a million dollars to tell the story
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.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
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44:00
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
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?See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
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53:09
Joel Sousa: Electrifiying Famel all the way to Times Square
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.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
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.
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