Daniela Ruah was born in Boston, grew up in Lisbon, and got her big break in New York. She built a career that took her from gymnastics competitions to NCIS: Los Angeles, and never stopped coming back.

In this first episode of Heart & Hustle: On Location, recorded at the International Portuguese Music Awards in Providence, Daniela sits down with Tony Gonçalves on rehearsal day to talk about what it really means to carry a culture with you, the imposter syndrome that never fully goes away, a childhood gymnastics story she'd never told publicly before, and why the IPMA has become something far bigger than a music awards show.

She also talks about mentoring a nervous first-time performer backstage, the difference between talent and luck, life behind and in front of the camera, and what it's like to raise kids who are growing up faster than you're ready for. One of ours. Always one of ours.

Daniela Ruah was born in Boston, grew up in Lisbon, and got her big break in New York. She built a career that took her from gymnastics competitions to NCIS: Los Angeles, and never stopped coming back.
In this first episode of Heart &amp; Hustle: On Location, recorded at the International Portuguese Music Awards in Providence, Daniela sits down with Tony Gon&ccedil;alves on rehearsal day to talk about what it really means to carry a culture with you, the imposter syndrome that never fully goes away, a childhood gymnastics story she'd never told publicly before, and why the IPMA has become something far bigger than a music awards show.
She also talks about mentoring a nervous first-time performer backstage, the difference between talent and luck, life behind and in front of the camera, and what it's like to raise kids who are growing up faster than you're ready for.&nbsp;One of ours. Always one of ours.

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.

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.

Tony Gonçalves—a U.S.-based Portuguese immigrant and successful media executive— explores the stories of those driving Portugal’s influence on the global stage

The Heart & Hustle of Portugal

The Heart and Hustle of Portugal

Daniela Ruah was born in Boston, grew up in Lisbon, and got her big break in New York. She built a career that took her from gymnastics competitions to NCIS: Los Angeles, and never stopped coming back.

 NCIS Star Daniela Ruah Shares a Story She's Never Told Anyone

A neurocientist walked into a bar in Scotland. She sang fado into an open mic. Everybody loved it. Mariana Arroja’s life changed at that moment: she didn’t plan to become a fadista, but then, the best stories rarely go according to plan.

In this conversation with Tony Gonçalves, Mariana talks about the calçada portuguesa, the stone pavements that dress up every sidewalk and walking path of Portugal’s cities, hidden in plain sight. She explains how looking at them differently, after living abroad for so long, led to a song, then a documentary, then a deep friendship with the stonemasons that are keeping a dissapearing art form alive. Home, inspiration and saudade: all in that order.

A neurocientist walked into a bar in Scotland. She sang fado into an open mic. Everybody loved it. Mariana Arroja&rsquo;s life changed at that moment: she didn&rsquo;t plan to become a fadista, but then, the best stories rarely go according to plan.
In this conversation with Tony Gon&ccedil;alves, Mariana talks about the cal&ccedil;ada portuguesa, the stone pavements that dress up every sidewalk and walking path of Portugal&rsquo;s cities, hidden in plain sight. She explains how looking at them differently, after living abroad for so long, led to a song, then a documentary, then a deep friendship with the stonemasons that are keeping a dissapearing art form alive. Home, inspiration and saudade: all in that order.

In this episode of podcast Heart & Hustle of Portugal: On Location, IPMA award winner Mariana Arroja sits down with Tony Gonçalves to talk about the song that changed everything, what it means to carry Portuguese roots across borders, and why fado doesn't need translation.

A neuroscientist turned into a fado star:‌ meet Mariana Arroja

Nelson Sobral’s favourite portuguese dish is sopas. The luso-canadian musician never forgets his roots, just take a look at his guitar. Growing up inspired by Kiss, Nelson has become a voice of his own.

Growing up as a first-generation Canadian in Toronto's Little Portugal, Nelson shared how that community shaped him. His mother is from the Azores and his father from the Algarve, so his roots run deep. After some time away, he felt a pull to return to that same neighborhood to raise his own family. He described it as a place where you can still bump into people from your youth: a rare and cherished experience in a big city. It's a testament to the enduring power of community and the comfort of a shared cultural heritage.

Nelson runs a gym named after his firstborn son, Rain. It's a powerful reminder that our passions don't have to be singular, they can coexist and enrich our lives in unexpected ways. He even has a tattoo of Hendrix’s “Voodoo Child” on his arm: a permanent reminder of the power of music.

Nelson Sobral&rsquo;s favourite portuguese dish is sopas. The luso-canadian musician never forgets his roots, just take a look at his guitar. Growing up inspired by Kiss, Nelson has become a voice of his own.
Growing up as a first-generation Canadian in Toronto's Little Portugal, Nelson shared how that community shaped him. His mother is from the Azores and his father from the Algarve, so his roots run deep. After some time away, he felt a pull to return to that same neighborhood to raise his own family. He described it as a place where you can still bump into people from your youth: a rare and cherished experience in a big city. It's a testament to the enduring power of community and the comfort of a shared cultural heritage.
Nelson runs a gym named after his firstborn son, Rain. It's a powerful reminder that our passions don't have to be singular, they can coexist and enrich our lives in unexpected ways. He even has a tattoo of Hendrix&rsquo;s &ldquo;Voodoo Child&rdquo; on his arm: a permanent reminder of the power of music.

Nelson Sobral talks to Tony Gonçalves before his show at the IPMA. He talks about his love for the band Kiss and his favourite portuguese food. Listen to his conversation on the Heart and Hustle of Portugal podcast live from the IPMAs.

Nelson Sobral: A black belt with a guitar, Portuguese at heart

In this episode of Heart & Hustle of Portugal: On Location, the trio that make the band D.A.M.A. sit down with Tony Gonçalves on rehearsal day to talk about what it means to bring the heartbeat of Portugal to the diaspora, and why this community feels like something you can't quite explain but immediately recognise.

They talk about five years of diving deep into the musical traditions of Portugal from north to south, choosing two songs that carry the longing of Alentejo and the joy of Minho onto a stage in Providence, and why it is so important to believe in yourself when no one else does.

In this episode of Heart &amp; Hustle of Portugal: On Location, the trio that make the band D.A.M.A. sit down with Tony Gon&ccedil;alves on rehearsal day to talk about what it means to bring the heartbeat of Portugal to the diaspora, and why this community feels like something you can't quite explain but immediately recognise.
They talk about five years of diving deep into the musical traditions of Portugal from north to south, choosing two songs that carry the longing of Alentejo and the joy of Minho onto a stage in Providence, and why it is so important to believe in yourself when no one else does.

D.A.M.A. sit down again with Tony Gonçalves, before their act on the IPMA, to talk about portuguese heritage, food and what it means to be a genre

NCIS Star Daniela Ruah Shares a Story She's Never Told Anyone

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