Revisit the first episode of season 3 of The Heart and Hustle of Portugal with the singer-songwriter MARO.

Revisit the first episode of season 3 of The Heart and Hustle of Portugal with the singer-songwriter MARO.

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

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

Revisit this episode from season 3 of The Heart and Hustle of Portugal with comedian André de Freitas.

Revisit this episode from season 3 of The Heart and Hustle of Portugal with comedian Andr&eacute; de Freitas.

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

Actor Afonso Pimentel, one of the most recognizable faces from Netflix’s “Turn of the Tide”, carries with him a story that reveals how a single moment of hesitation can alter the course of a career. Early on, when a casting director from Los Angeles reached out requesting his reel, Pimentel didn’t have one prepared. He asked for two weeks to assemble it: The reply never came.

Only years later did he discover what was at stake: the production was casting for a then‑unknown series titled “Lost”, a show that would go on to become a global phenomenon. The opportunity evaporated before he had the chance to compete for it, a reminder that, in the entertainment industry, timing matters, but acting on timing matters more. Windows of opportunity rarely stay open.

Today, Pimentel’s path has brought him international visibility through Netflix and a growing body of work that solidifies his reputation. Yet the missed “Lost” moment remains part of his narrative, an example of the unpredictable turns that shape creative careers. It’s a story that resonates not only with actors, but with anyone working in an industry where momentum is fragile — and where hesitation can mean watching a defining moment pass by.

Actor Afonso Pimentel, one of the most recognizable faces from Netflix&rsquo;s &ldquo;Turn of the Tide&rdquo;, carries with him a story that reveals how a single moment of hesitation can alter the course of a career. Early on, when a casting director from Los Angeles reached out requesting his reel, Pimentel didn&rsquo;t have one prepared. He asked for two weeks to assemble it: The reply never came.
Only years later did he discover what was at stake: the production was casting for a then‑unknown series titled &ldquo;Lost&rdquo;, a show that would go on to become a global phenomenon. The opportunity evaporated before he had the chance to compete for it, a reminder that, in the entertainment industry, timing matters, but acting on timing matters more. Windows of opportunity rarely stay open.
Today, Pimentel&rsquo;s path has brought him international visibility through Netflix and a growing body of work that solidifies his reputation. Yet the missed &ldquo;Lost&rdquo; moment remains part of his narrative, an example of the unpredictable turns that shape creative careers. It&rsquo;s a story that resonates not only with actors, but with anyone working in an industry where momentum is fragile &mdash; and where hesitation can mean watching a defining moment pass by.

Afonso Pimentel sits down with Tony Gonçalves to talk about heritage, mental health and living with a sense of opportunity. Listen to the podcast The Heart and Hustle of Portugal

Afonso Pimentel: how a Portuguese actor closed a 30-year circle in the Atlantic

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”

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

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