Sophia Tavares grew up in Porto, fell in love with music on a 13-hour road trip to Spain, and almost walked away from it all after completely losing her voice. She didn't. And she was nominated for Best New Talent at the 2026 IPMA.

In this episode of Heart & Hustle: On Location, recorded at the International Portuguese Music Awards in Providence, Sophia sits down with Tony Gonçalves to talk about the email she almost didn't open, the vulnerability she wants every listener to feel, finding her voice again after losing it, a dream collaboration with Billie Eilish, and what it felt like to land in Boston for the first time and think “I’m home”.

Sophia Tavares grew up in Porto, fell in love with music on a 13-hour road trip to Spain, and almost walked away from it all after completely losing her voice. She didn't. And she was nominated for Best New Talent at the 2026 IPMA.
In this episode of Heart &amp; Hustle: On Location, recorded at the International Portuguese Music Awards in Providence, Sophia sits down with Tony Gon&ccedil;alves to talk about the email she almost didn't open, the vulnerability she wants every listener to feel, finding her voice again after losing it, a dream collaboration with Billie Eilish, and what it felt like to land in Boston for the first time and think &ldquo;I&rsquo;m home&rdquo;.

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

Sophia Tavares was nominated for Best New Talent at the 2026 IPMA. She sat down with Tony Gonçalves to talk about her love for music and how she almost lost her voice.

Sophia Tavares lost her voice, then ended up on the IPMA stage

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.

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

Chazz Palminteri sold out his “A Bronx Tale” in Lisbon, the second time he performed his breakthrough show outside of the United Sates. We revisit his conversation with Tony Gonçalves on the podcast The Heart and Hustle of Portugal.

In this episode, Chazz Palminteri reflects on his journey from the Bronx to stages across America — including a run in Las Vegas, where it earned “Show of the Year.”

A fan of Lisbon, Chazz also shares his love for the city’s culture, history, and, yes, sardines, one of his favorite dishes.

Chazz Palminteri sold out his &ldquo;A Bronx Tale&rdquo; in Lisbon, the second time he performed his breakthrough show outside of the United Sates. We revisit his conversation with Tony Gon&ccedil;alves on the podcast The Heart and Hustle of Portugal.
In this episode, Chazz Palminteri reflects on his journey from the Bronx to stages across America &mdash; including a run in Las Vegas, where it earned &ldquo;Show of the Year.&rdquo;
A fan of Lisbon, Chazz also shares his love for the city&rsquo;s culture, history, and, yes, sardines, one of his favorite dishes.

Chazz Palminteri sold out his “A Bronx Tale” in Lisbon, the second time he performed his breakthrough show outside of the United Sates. We revisit his conversation with Tony Gonçalves on the podcast The Heart and Hustle of Portugal.

Rerelease: Chazz Palminteri's “A Bronx Tale” in Lisbon and a love for sardines

Nuno Bettencourt, one of the most celebrated guitarists in rock, left the Azores for Massachusetts at four years. The Extreme founder sits with Tony Gonçalves to revisit a journey that took him from his brother’s verdict “you’ll never amount to anything in music” to global stages, a Grammy, and the obsession with craft that still keeps him writing songs in hotel rooms while the tour bus rolls on.

The conversation with Nuno Bettencourt cuts through romantic illusions: for Nuno, the “music business” is a machine that tests the purity of any artist. He dissects the awkwardness of winning a Grammy for “Changes”, the Black Sabbath track YUNGLBUD covered, the pressure to replicate hits like “More Than Words”, and the quiet unhappiness he witnessed in some of the biggest names backstage at huge music festivals around the world.

What anchors this conversation, however, is the Portuguese upbringing that shaped him. He recalls his mother feeding breakfast to seven strangers who had been waiting outside the family home, and the rule that whoever walked through the door sat down to eat, even when there was barely enough. Even when Nuno is loud and disruptive, he speaks not from a place of privilege, but from a place of knowledge.

Nuno Bettencourt, one of the most celebrated guitarists in rock, left the Azores for Massachusetts at four years. The Extreme founder sits with Tony Gon&ccedil;alves to revisit a journey that took him from his brother&rsquo;s verdict &ldquo;you&rsquo;ll never amount to anything in music&rdquo; to global stages, a Grammy, and the obsession with craft that still keeps him writing songs in hotel rooms while the tour bus rolls on.
The conversation with Nuno Bettencourt cuts through romantic illusions: for Nuno, the &ldquo;music business&rdquo; is a machine that tests the purity of any artist. He dissects the awkwardness of winning a Grammy for &ldquo;Changes&rdquo;, the Black Sabbath track YUNGLBUD covered, the pressure to replicate hits like &ldquo;More Than Words&rdquo;, and the quiet unhappiness he witnessed in some of the biggest names backstage at huge music festivals around the world.
What anchors this conversation, however, is the Portuguese upbringing that shaped him. He recalls his mother feeding breakfast to seven strangers who had been waiting outside the family home, and the rule that whoever walked through the door sat down to eat, even when there was barely enough. Even when Nuno is loud and disruptive, he speaks not from a place of privilege, but from a place of knowledge.

Nuno Bettencourt, one of the most celebrated guitarists in rock, left the Azores for Massachusetts at four years. The Extreme founder sits with Tony Gonçalves to revisit a journey that took him from his brother’s verdict “you’ll never amount to anything in music” to global stages, a Grammy, and the obsession with craft that still keeps him writing songs in hotel rooms while the tour bus rolls on.

Sophia Tavares lost her voice, then ended up on the IPMA stage

In 1 playlist(s)

The Heart and Hustle of Portugal

Social links

Follow podcast

Recent clips