Paula Lobo Antunes’s recent role in the film “A Teacher’s Gift” is as memorable as the path that brought her here. Whether playing the villain in Flor do Mal or a leading protagonist in Mar de Paixão, Paula knows she made the right decision the day she quietly applied to drama school while still studying medicine.

She opens up about her career, her life, motherhood, and family. She recalls how her father, the renowned neurosurgeon João Lobo Antunes, operated on an HIV patient at a time when no one else would dare.

Throughout this conversation with Tony Gonçalves, Paula reveals a lifelong sense of not fully belonging, of working hard, and of constantly competing with herself. And the work speaks for itself.

She also brings forward a Portuguese trait that no other guest has named so clearly: the constant apologizing, the “forgive me for existing” mentality. What does that mean for the cultural identity of a small country with enormous talent?

Paula Lobo Antunes&rsquo;s recent role in the film &ldquo;A Teacher&rsquo;s Gift&rdquo; is as memorable as the path that brought her here. Whether playing the villain in Flor do Mal or a leading protagonist in Mar de Paix&atilde;o, Paula knows she made the right decision the day she quietly applied to drama school while still studying medicine.
She opens up about her career, her life, motherhood, and family. She recalls how her father, the renowned neurosurgeon Jo&atilde;o Lobo Antunes, operated on an HIV patient at a time when no one else would dare.
Throughout this conversation with Tony Gon&ccedil;alves, Paula reveals a lifelong sense of not fully belonging, of working hard, and of constantly competing with herself. And the work speaks for itself.
She also brings forward a Portuguese trait that no other guest has named so clearly: the constant apologizing, the &ldquo;forgive me for existing&rdquo; mentality. What does that mean for the cultural identity of a small country with enormous talent?

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

Paula Lobo Antunes is one of the most recognized Portuguese actresses, leading career-defining roles in telenovelas, series and films. She carries that decades old legacy with an unforgiving pride, as she talks about fear, motherhood, acting and growing up on instinct    Paula Lobo Antunes’s recent role in the film “A Teacher’s Gift” is as memorable as her career up to this point. Whether as a villain in “Flor do Mal” or as a leading protagonist role in “Mar de Paixão”, Paula knows she made the right decision to apply for drama school while studying medicine.  She opens up about her career, her life, motherhood and family. She remembers how her father, the great neurosurgeon João Lobo Antunes, operated a VIH patient at a time where no one dared to touch an infected person.   Throughout this conversation with Tony Gonçalves, Paula Lobo Antunes never ceases to give this sense of never belonging, of hard work, of always trying to compete with herself. And hard work pays off.   Paula also suggests a Portuguese trait that no other guest has brought up to the table yet. The always apologising stance, the “forgive me for existing” mentality. How does that affect the cultural identity of a small country with huge talent?

Paula Lobo Antunes: The New York–born actress who became a Portuguese icon

Actor Piper Perabo’s path to the screen began with a landline phone call: producer Jane Rosenthal contacted the young performer at home with the words every new actor hopes to hear: “You got the part”. Just six months after graduating from college, Perabo found herself on set with Robert De Niro, an early break that set the pace for a varied and steadily rising career.

Although widely recognized for her roles in “Coyote Ugly” and the series “Covert Affairs” Perabo’s story begins far from Hollywood. Raised on the Jersey Shore, she is the daughter of a poetry professor and grew up in an environment steeped in the arts.

Perabo was among the featured guests at this year’s Tribeca Festival Lisboa, attending the opening-night screening of “In the Hand of Dante”. Piper’s first time in Lisbon was a moment she will treasure forever, as she remembers a particular afternoon around a “ginjinha” place downtown in the pouring rain.

Actor Piper Perabo&rsquo;s path to the screen began with a landline phone call: producer Jane Rosenthal contacted the young performer at home with the words every new actor hopes to hear: &ldquo;You got the part&rdquo;. Just six months after graduating from college, Perabo found herself on set with Robert De Niro, an early break that set the pace for a varied and steadily rising career.
Although widely recognized for her roles in &ldquo;Coyote Ugly&rdquo; and the series &ldquo;Covert Affairs&rdquo; Perabo&rsquo;s story begins far from Hollywood. Raised on the Jersey Shore, she is the daughter of a poetry professor and grew up in an environment steeped in the arts.
Perabo was among the featured guests at this year&rsquo;s Tribeca Festival Lisboa, attending the opening-night screening of &ldquo;In the Hand of Dante&rdquo;. Piper&rsquo;s first time in Lisbon was a moment she will treasure forever, as she remembers a particular afternoon around a &ldquo;ginjinha&rdquo; place downtown in the pouring rain.

Piper Perabo sits down with Tony Gonçalves for an emotional and focused conversation on her career, Lisbon and her Portuguese “heritage”

Piper Perabo on acting, activism, and a little bit of Portugal

David Rodrigues is the man behind @howtocookstuff, a very entertaining collection of videos and reels about authentic Portuguese food (and slang). Born in the US, his parents immigrated from Lisboa and, as he recalls in this conversation with Tony Gonçalves, his mother’s food was always simmering in the kitchen, filling it with those typical Portuguese scents.

One day he was craving a real bifana (a typical Portuguese pork sandwich cooked in broth and fat) and he made a simple video. That was the start of his cooking channel and of his global following that has spanned two cookbooks.

David Rodrigues is all about traditions and real Portuguese food (and a little chaos) and if you watch his videos you’ll be uttering sentences like “come e cala-te” in no time. A real ambassador for Portuguese flavours, David is the perfect guest for this holiday season.

David Rodrigues is the man behind @howtocookstuff, a very entertaining collection of videos and reels about authentic Portuguese food (and slang). Born in the US, his parents immigrated from Lisboa and, as he recalls in this conversation with Tony Gon&ccedil;alves, his mother&rsquo;s food was always simmering in the kitchen, filling it with those typical Portuguese scents.
One day he was craving a real bifana (a typical Portuguese pork sandwich cooked in broth and fat) and he made a simple video. That was the start of his cooking channel and of his global following that has spanned two cookbooks.
David Rodrigues is all about traditions and real Portuguese food (and a little chaos) and if you watch his videos you&rsquo;ll be uttering sentences like &ldquo;come e cala-te&rdquo; in no time. A real ambassador for Portuguese flavours, David is the perfect guest for this holiday season.

One day, David Rodrigues was craving a real bifana so he filmed the process. Millions of views and two cookbooks later, everyone knows David and the typical Portuguese slang he uses in his videos. Join us for a special holiday episode about food and soul,

Portuguese holidays, family, and food with David Rodrigues

Ticha Penicheiro changed the game. A true pioneer in women’s basketball, she played in the WNBA from 1998 to 2012, became a four-time All-Star, and earned her place as one of the greatest point guards of all time. In this conversation with Tony Gonçalves, she goes back to where it all started: a little girl with big dreams in a small country.

Ticha’s story is built on beating the odds. She was the only girl on a court full of boys in Figueira da Foz, learning to move the ball fast so she would not get blocked. She became a rising star in a country where basketball was not a full time career. And then, as a young woman, she took a chance on a brand new league in a foreign country and rose to the top of it.

She spent the prime of her career with the Sacramento Monarchs through 2009 and today she is a sports agent committed to opening doors for the next generation. In this conversation, Ticha reflects on her childhood, her path to the WNBA, and the pride she carries for Portugal every step of the way.

Ticha is also the subject of a new documentary called “Feel the Magic: Ticha Penicheiro – Against All Odds.” She shares how the film came to life and why she hopes it will inspire young athletes to take their shot. As she says herself, it is better to go for it than to live with regrets.

Ticha Penicheiro changed the game. A true pioneer in women&rsquo;s basketball, she played in the WNBA from 1998 to 2012, became a four-time All-Star, and earned her place as one of the greatest point guards of all time. In this conversation with Tony Gon&ccedil;alves, she goes back to where it all started: a little girl with big dreams in a small country.
Ticha&rsquo;s story is built on beating the odds. She was the only girl on a court full of boys in Figueira da Foz, learning to move the ball fast so she would not get blocked. She became a rising star in a country where basketball was not a full time career. And then, as a young woman, she took a chance on a brand new league in a foreign country and rose to the top of it.
She spent the prime of her career with the Sacramento Monarchs through 2009 and today she is a sports agent committed to opening doors for the next generation. In this conversation, Ticha reflects on her childhood, her path to the WNBA, and the pride she carries for Portugal every step of the way.
Ticha is also the subject of a new documentary called &ldquo;Feel the Magic: Ticha Penicheiro &ndash; Against All Odds.&rdquo; She shares how the film came to life and why she hopes it will inspire young athletes to take their shot. As she says herself, it is better to go for it than to live with regrets.

Ticha Penicheiro changed the game. A true pioneer in women’s basketball, she played in the WNBA from 1998 to 2012, became a four-time All-Star, and earned her place as one of the greatest point guards of all time.

Paula Lobo Antunes: The New York–born actress who became a Portuguese icon

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