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.

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&rsquo;s 1 million dollars grant to shoot &ldquo;Honeyjoon&rdquo; in the place it was imagined the first time: the idyllic island of S&atilde;o Miguel. Listen to Lilian and Andreia&rsquo;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.
&ldquo;Honeyjoon&rdquo; 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&rsquo;s beautiful scenery.

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

Lilian Mehrel went to the Azores with her mother for a vacation and left there with a script. 

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

The Manic Boys and Girls Club revisit the roots of their sound: a childhood in a deeply Portuguese household, early gigs that happened by accident and the freedom of being an independent band. Their stories veer from the hilarious to the chaotic: improvised tours, broken bones on stage and a last‑minute reinvention that saved a month‑long run of shows in China. Each moment reveals artists who create by living, not planning.

What emerges is a portrait of two musicians grounded in their heritage but propelled by curiosity, graft, and a stubborn sincerity. They speak candidly about the highs and lows, the fear that fuels them, and the joy of finding “their people” through music. It’s a warm, human look at a band carving its own path — with heart, hustle, and unmistakable Portuguese soul.

The Manic Boys and Girls Club revisit the roots of their sound: a childhood in a deeply Portuguese household, early gigs that happened by accident and the freedom of being an independent band. Their stories veer from the hilarious to the chaotic: improvised tours, broken bones on stage and a last‑minute reinvention that saved a month‑long run of shows in China. Each moment reveals artists who create by living, not planning.
What emerges is a portrait of two musicians grounded in their heritage but propelled by curiosity, graft, and a stubborn sincerity. They speak candidly about the highs and lows, the fear that fuels them, and the joy of finding &ldquo;their people&rdquo; through music. It&rsquo;s a warm, human look at a band carving its own path &mdash; with heart, hustle, and unmistakable Portuguese soul.

The Manic Boys and Girls Club step into the podcast “The Heart & Hustle of Portugal” with the same raw charm and spontaneity that define their music. Siblings Bella and Fernando open up about a life split between Toronto and Portugal, and a career built less on strategy and more on instinct. It’s a conversation that feels both intimate and unfiltered.

Two siblings, one sound, no safety net: The Manic Boys and Girls Club

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.

Tim, a founding voice of Xutos &amp; Pontap&eacute;s, 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 &ldquo;A Minha Casinha&rdquo;, a cover born from a joke that became an anthem for generations. Along the way, he reflects on family, the band&rsquo;s evolution, and the enduring emotional presence of Z&eacute; 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 &amp; Pontap&eacute;s became more than a band: they became a piece of Portugal&rsquo;s collective memory.

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.

Xutos and Pontapés: The punk sound of a free Portugal

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.

In this episode of the podcast &ldquo;The Heart and Hustle of Portugal,&rdquo; 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 &ldquo;with the utmost respect.&rdquo; 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 &ldquo;Can&ccedil;&atilde;o do Mar,&rdquo; with J&eacute;ssica 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 Ti&euml;sto and Hardwell recognize his work. With the recent release of his first album, &ldquo;Sentir Saudade,&rdquo; 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.

Ruben de Almeida, known as Kura, is today one of the most influential names in Portuguese electronic music, with a solid presence on major international stages. He began as a shy resident DJ in Lisbon’s clubs and became one of the few Portuguese EDM artists to earn a prominent position in the DJ Mag Top 100. Listen to this conversation hosted by Tony Gonçalves.

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

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