The Heart & Hustle of Portugal

Expresso
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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.

  1. Kura: Taking Portuguese sound to the world’s biggest EDM stages

    3D AGO

    Kura: Taking Portuguese sound to the world’s biggest EDM stages

    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.

    57 min
  2. IPMA: How Portuguese music built its own global stage

    FEB 27

    IPMA: How Portuguese music built its own global stage

    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.

    56 min
  3. D.A.M.A.: “We’re not a genre, we never were. We are a style of music”

    FEB 20

    D.A.M.A.: “We’re not a genre, we never were. We are a style of music”

    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.

    56 min
  4. Carolina Deslandes: “I don’t write songs for my haters”

    FEB 13

    Carolina Deslandes: “I don’t write songs for my haters”

    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.

    1h 2m
  5. Rerelease: Mariana Van Zeller goes in depth on bacalhau

    JAN 23

    Rerelease: Mariana Van Zeller goes in depth on bacalhau

    Journalist Mariana Van Zeller returns to The Heart and Hustle of Portugal and expands her love for Portugal’s mascot: Bacalhau. Listen again to this season 3 episode. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

    44 min
  6. Rerelease: Chazz Palminteri’s love for Portuguese sardines is unmatched

    JAN 16

    Rerelease: Chazz Palminteri’s love for Portuguese sardines is unmatched

    Listen again to this episode of The Heart and Hustle of Portugal with the actor Chazz Palminteri. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

    35 min
  7. Rerelease: MARO’s music is global, but her taste is still Portuguese

    JAN 9

    Rerelease: MARO’s music is global, but her taste is still Portuguese

    Revisit the first episode of season 3 of The Heart and Hustle of Portugal with the singer-songwriter MARO. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

    1h 1m
  8. Rerelease: André de Freitas’ unfiltered guide to eating (and avoiding) in Portugal

    JAN 2

    Rerelease: André de Freitas’ unfiltered guide to eating (and avoiding) in Portugal

    Revisit this episode from season 3 of The Heart and Hustle of Portugal with comedian André de Freitas. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

    53 min
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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.

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