Podcasts about Catalonia

Send us a textHola! Com anem?In this episode, we crack up while exploring Catalan memes, reels, and viral videos! Learn fun vocabulary and natural expressions to talk about digital humour, share jokes, and describe your favourite meme - all while improving your Catalan.If you found it useful, please be sure to give us a 5* rating/review - it really helps us spread the message and help others learn Catalan too

Catalonia has become a popular location for contemporary international film and TV productions, thanks to its diverse landscapes, strong production incentives and experienced crews. This week on Filling the Sink we review the history of international filmmaking in Catalonia and discover some of the most iconic movies and series filmed on Catalan soil. Montserrat Guiu from Barcelona Film Commission and Laia Boixader from Catalunya Film Commission explain what draws contemporary producers from around the world to shoot here and how the film industry is impacting the local economy. We visit Parc Audiovisual de Catalunya, an audiovisual production complex in Terrassa which offers sound stages, backlots and diverse locations such as an old hospital, tunnels and a church. Managing director Cristina Brandner takes us on a backstage tour to see the set and props of some of the current productions shooting there. Plus reporter Lorcan Doherty joins host Beth Cohen to discuss the upcoming Catalunya Media City plan, analyze Catalonia's tax initiatives for audiovisual production and relive some of the best movie moments filmed locally. This week, our Catalan phrase is“Llums, càmera, acció” which translates as “Lights, camera, action!” and is the classic cue used on film sets to signal the beginning of a take.

In this episode of Low Season Traveller Insider Guides, Ged heads to a lesser-known gem of Northern Spain: Lleida, Catalonia's beautiful and diverse region that's still flying under the radar.Joining Ged is Silvia Vidal, a local expert from Outdoor Adventour, who shares her deep love and knowledge of Lleida—from the snow-capped Pyrenees to the fruit-laden plains, ancient Romanesque churches, and Michelin-starred cuisine.Discover why spring and autumn offer the most rewarding and authentic experiences in this region, with tips on:Gastronomic highlights: mountain beef, olive oil, artisanal nougat, and world-class wineSustainable outdoor adventures: Nordic skiing, hiking, e-biking, paragliding, and stargazing in certified dark sky parksCultural treasures: UNESCO churches in Vall de Boí, medieval castles, and the striking Seu Vella CathedralWhy low season travel benefits local communities—and makes your trip even more special

A year after it came into effect, the amnesty law related to Catalonia's independence push has been upheld by the Spanish Constitutional Court. Whilst the pardon of over 300 activists and officials has eased tensions, the cases of many high-profile leaders are unresolved and its long-term impact remains unclear. Head of Catalan News Gerard Escaich Folch joins host Beth Cohen to discuss this controversial piece of legislation, review its implementation and analyze the ongoing debate about its constitutionality. Professor Josep Lluís Martí from the Faculty of Law at Pompeu Fabra University in Barcelona explains that, although the Spanish Constitutional Court has upheld the Amnesty Law, there are three key exceptions: the inclusion of those who opposed the Catalan independence process, the application only to acts between November 2011 and November 2023, and the obligation to hear all parties in accounting procedures. Specific cases which involve terrorism and misuse of public funds also remain unresolved. This week, our Catalan phrase is “El més calent és a l'aigüera” which literally means “The hottest thing is in the sink” and is the equivalent to the English expression “It's still up in the air”. It's often used with frustration or impatience to describe a situation that is far from being concluded, despite appearances or expectations that it should be.

Send us a textIn this episode, we talk about how people communicate online today and go over essential Catalan vocabulary for social media platforms like Instagram, TikTok, and Facebook. You'll learn useful expressions, hear a short dialogue, and by the end, you'll be able to talk about your social media habits in Catalan. Com utilitzes les xarxes socials?Feel free to leave us a comment in Catalan!Support the showGroup Lessons starting September 2025: Group ProgrammesBeginners Course: Catalan for Beginners CoursePatreon: The Lazy Linguist Buy us a coffee: Buy me a Coffee Instagram: @lazylinguistcatalan Facebook: The Lazy Linguist PodcastChristina offers private lessons - enquire through a DM on socials or through the link: Private lessons

The Sixena murals are late 12th to early 13th-century Romanesque wall paintings from the Monastery of Santa María de Sixena in Aragon. They were moved to Barcelona during the Spanish Civil War for preservation and are currently on display at the National Art Museum of Catalonia in Barcelona. On this week's podcast, we explore the ongoing debate over their place of exhibition, which highlights deeper regional and cultural tensions in Spain.  Reporter Cillian Shields visits the MNAC to learn more about the history, restoration and conservation of the frescoes. Art historian Albert Velasco explains the controversy over their location, in which Aragon claims rightful ownership and demands their immediate return to the Sixena monastery, whilst experts highlight the importance of a controlled environment for conservation and warn that moving them may cause irreparable damage due to their fragility.  Host Beth Cohen draws parallels with other relocated artworks and raises questions about the responsibility to protect cultural heritage regardless of political disputes. This week, our Catalan phrase is “Compartir és viure” - “To share is to live”. A modern and commonly used phrase in Catalonia, it expresses the idea that sharing is an essential part of a meaningful life, fostering a sense of community and human connection.

What is up all my latin party peoples! BTB is going international today, with a smash sensation hit from Catalonia! Yeah you bet your socks right, we're talking MOTOMAMI by ROSALIA and we're DRINKING A WHOLE BOTTLE OF WINE (thats really not that remarkable). Anyways, buckle up for a bilingual episode with shining moments from both your favorite stars! Grab your snacks, grab your bev, and send us fanmail gosh darn it!Peace, love, pancakes,Behind The Bar

Catalonia frequently faces forest fires, which threaten ecosystems, wildlife and communities. This situation has been aggravated in recent years by climate change, drought and human activity, and throughout the summer months fire risk is at its peak. On this week's podcast we discover how firefighters and forest rangers use drones, AI and new technologies to prevent and control summer forest blazes. We meet David Borrell, head of the Bombers de la Generalitat, who explains how the fire brigade uses advanced tools for real-time monitoring and predictive analysis. Chief inspector Antoni Mur from the Agents Rurals explains the role of Catalonia's forest rangers in maintaining natural areas in order to reduce fire risks. Plus reporter Oriol Escudé joins host Beth Cohen to look back over the history of wildfires in Catalonia and discuss what this summer may bring. This week, our Catalan phrase is “Qui juga amb foc, es crema” - “He who plays with fire, gets burned”. It's a proverb that warns against taking risks or behaving recklessly.

Ixenth and Scarleth tour the world on a magical ice cream cart, delivering happiness where it is needed most. They share a bond of shared creativity, memory and sisterhood that cannot be broken, even when it's time for Scarleth to go to her new family.Enjoying Maked Up? Please rate and review us in Spotify or your favorite podcasting app. We appreciate your patience as our family has been navigating a job search and recent illness. Please expect more fun stories but at a reduced cadence of 1-2/week. Want to hear your child's voice on the podcast? Head over to makedupstories.com to submit an intro, outro or story request.

Send us a textBentornats a un altre episodi! This episode is all about how we use technology in Catalan. It's an introduction to talking about using different devices like phones, computers, laptops, tablets and more... along with lots of other language to describe what you do on these devices/the online word.Please rate if you enjoyed the episode and don't forget to follow so that you get notified about future episodes!Feel free to comment your own sentences about how you use your devices if you can do so on your Podcast platform!Support the showGroup Lessons starting September 2025: Group ProgrammesBeginners Course: Catalan for Beginners CoursePatreon: The Lazy Linguist Buy us a coffee: Buy me a Coffee Instagram: @lazylinguistcatalan Facebook: The Lazy Linguist PodcastChristina offers private lessons - enquire through a DM on socials or through the link: Private lessons

Spain has ordered Airbnb to block more than 65,000 holiday listings on its platform for having violated rules, the Consumer Rights Ministry said. The ministry said that many of the 65,935 Airbnb listings it had ordered to be withdrawn did not include their license number or specify whether the owner was an individual or a company. Others listed numbers that didn't match what the authorities had, it said. Spain is grappling with a housing affordability crisis that has spurred government action against short-term rental companies. In recent months, tens of thousands of Spaniards have taken to the streets protesting rising housing and rental costs, which many say have been driven up by holiday rentals on platforms like Airbnb that have proliferated in cities like Madrid and Barcelona and many other popular tourist destinations. "Enough already with protecting those who make a business out of the right to housing," Consumer Minister Pablo Bustinduy told reporters. Airbnb said that it would appeal the decision. Through a spokesperson, the company said it did not think the ministry was authorized to rule on short-term rentals—and that it had utilized "an indiscriminate methodology" to include Airbnb rentals that do not need a license to operate. Last year, Barcelona announced a plan to close down all of the 10,000 apartments licensed in the city as short-term rentals by 2028 to safeguard the housing supply for full-time residents. The ministry said it had notified Airbnb of the non-compliant listings months ago, but that the company had appealed the move in court. Spain's government said Madrid's high court had backed the order sent to Airbnb. Bustinduy said it involved the immediate removal of 5,800 rental listings from the site. Two subsequent orders would be issued until the nearly 66,000 removals are reached, he said. Spain's government said the first round of affected properties was located across the country, including in the capital, Madrid, as well as in the regions of Andalusia and Catalonia, whose capital is Barcelona. This article was provided by The Associated Press.

Raised in Catalonia to international parents, new generation migrants are a growing demographic in Catalonia, however they often navigate dual identities, balancing their family's cultural heritage with local traditions. This week on Filling the Sink we dedicate an episode to exploring the challenges faced by this significant collective. Zenia Hellgren, Doctor of Sociology a Senior Researcher at Pompeu Fabra University, discusses what identity is and how young people with a migrant background may find it hard to achieve a true sense of belonging in any one place. Reporter Gigi Giulia talks to secondary school teacher Mariona Jorba Solsona about the importance of education in breaking down language barriers and creating an inclusive environment which nurtures hybrid identities. Plus, we meet two new generation Catalans to hear their stories, and host Beth Cohen analyzes Catalonia's migration history and how it has shaped the current social reality. This week, our Catalan phrase is “És tard i vol ploure” - “It's late and it wants to rain”. It's an expression that is used when time is running out or something is too late to fix. It can also be used as a way of saying goodbye or telling someone to hurry up.

Conversamos con Andrea Insunza y Javier Ortega, directores de la productora periodística “Un Día en la Vida”, sobre su nuevo libro “Enrique Correa. Una biografía sobre el poder”, editado por la colección “Tal Cual” de “Periodismo UDP y Catalonia”.

Every summer, Catalonia hosts a wide range of music festivals, from large international events in Barcelona to smaller coastal concerts. On this week's podcast, we offer a guide to what's on and discuss Sonar+D, a technology festival at the forefront of musical innovation. Head of Catalan News Gerard Escaich Folch visits Primavera Sound to pick up some festival vibes, meet fans from around the world and find out what's so special about Catalonia's biggest summer music event. Reporter and festival fiend Cillian Shields sits down with host Beth Cohen to talk through the headline acts at festivals such as Sónar, Cruïlla and Vida, as well as highlighting the best of this summer's concert program. Plus we take a deep dive into Sónar+D and meet the festival's director as well as some of the researchers, musicians and performers who are exhibiting their work. Albert Barqueduran, otherwise known as albert.data, discusses his new project Synapticon and explains how new neurotechnologies could signify an end to mental privacy.  This week, our Catalan phrase is “Fer ballar el cap” - “To make someone's head dance”, which means to get on someone's nerves or annoy them, rather like the English expression “To make someone's head spin”.

Barcelona may be the capital of Catalonia, but what's more Spanish than a bull seeing red? SHOW NOTES: Vettel collides with HAM in Baku 2017 Follow us on the socials Email us at shiftf1podcast@gmail.com Join our fantasy league with invite code P6LYFWPN404 New to F1? Check out our primer episode Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Sobre la vida de Enrique Correa, Iván Valenzuela y Angélica Bulnes conversaron con Andrea Insunza y Javier Ortega, directores de la productora periodística "Un día en la vida", autores del libro "Enrique Correa, una biografía sobre el poder", editado por periodismo UDP y Catalonia.

Send us a textHola! We're here with episode 20 and it's another review episode of the last 4 lessons - you'll hear a lot of sentences in the Imperfect tense, and specifically relating to things you used to do in the past, old routines at school, what you carried in your bag/pencil case and much more.There's a dialogue at the end which we go through in more detail in the bonus episode. If you consider becoming a Patron it will not only help you make faster progress with your Catalan, but help us keep this project going and provide many more free lessons for you.Thank you for all the support! We hope you enjoy the episode :)Support the showGroup Lessons starting September 2025: Group ProgrammesBeginners Course: Catalan for Beginners CoursePatreon: The Lazy Linguist Buy us a coffee: Buy me a Coffee Instagram: @lazylinguistcatalan Facebook: The Lazy Linguist PodcastChristina offers private lessons - enquire through a DM on socials or through the link: Private lessons

Fluent Fiction - Catalan: Bonds Beyond Ballots: Navigating Change in Catalonia Find the full episode transcript, vocabulary words, and more:fluentfiction.com/ca/episode/2025-05-31-22-34-02-ca Story Transcript:Ca: El sol de la primavera escalfa suaument la petita vila catalana.En: The spring sun gently warms the small catalana village.Ca: Els ocells canten mentre Jordi camina pels carrers de llambordes, dirigint-se cap al local electoral.En: Birds sing as Jordi walks along the cobblestone streets, heading toward the polling station.Ca: És un edifici històric, ple de records i alhora ple de futur.En: It is a historic building, full of memories but also full of the future.Ca: Les pancartes de colors alegren l'entrada, mentre els ciutadans es disposen a votar.En: Colorful banners brighten the entrance as citizens prepare to vote.Ca: Davant la porta, Jordi troba Mercè, la seva amiga de tota la vida.En: In front of the door, Jordi finds Mercè, his lifelong friend.Ca: Mercè està remenant el seu mòbil amb un gest inquiet, i somriu lleument en veure Jordi.En: Mercè is fiddling with her phone with an anxious gesture, and she smiles slightly upon seeing Jordi.Ca: Ell s'atura uns segons, sospirant.En: He pauses for a few seconds, sighing.Ca: Sap que aquesta trobada portarà una conversa intensa.En: He knows this encounter will lead to an intense conversation.Ca: "Bon dia, Mercè," diu Jordi, intentant mantenir el to alegre.En: "Good morning, Mercè," says Jordi, trying to keep a cheerful tone.Ca: "Bon dia, Jordi," respon ella, amb el mateix somriure forçat.En: "Good morning, Jordi," she replies, with the same forced smile.Ca: "Avui és un dia important, no?En: "Today is an important day, isn't it?"Ca: ""Sí, necessitem canvi, però també estabilitat," comenta Jordi, amb la mirada cap a les persones que entren i surten del local.En: "Yes, we need change, but also stability," comments Jordi, looking at the people coming in and out of the polling station.Ca: Mercè es mossega el llavi per contenir les seves paraules.En: Mercè bites her lip to hold back her words.Ca: "No podem avançar sense canviar, Jordi.En: "We can't move forward without changing, Jordi.Ca: És per això que estic aquí.En: That's why I'm here."Ca: "Jordi assenteix, entenen el punt de vista de Mercè, però també sentint la seva pròpia convicció.En: Jordi nods, understanding Mercè's point of view but also feeling his own conviction.Ca: "Mercè, sempre he valorat com hem mantingut aquesta vila.En: "Mercè, I've always valued how we have maintained this village.Ca: Les tradicions mantenen la nostra identitat.En: Traditions keep our identity."Ca: "Ella exhala profondament, frustrada.En: She exhales deeply, frustrated.Ca: "No podem viure només del passat, Jordi.En: "We can't live only from the past, Jordi.Ca: El món ha canviat, i ho hem de fer també.En: The world has changed, and we must too."Ca: "El silenci es fa dens entre els dos amics.En: Silence becomes heavy between the two friends.Ca: Jordi decideix parlar del seu pare, un home que havia lluitat per mantenir la terra i la seva herència.En: Jordi decides to talk about his father, a man who had fought to preserve the land and his heritage.Ca: "El meu pare sempre deia que el canvi havia de ser amb consideració i respecte per al que tenim.En: "My father always said that change had to be with consideration and respect for what we have."Ca: "Mercè mira a Jordi, veient l'homes que s'ha convertit.En: Mercè looks at Jordi, seeing the man he has become.Ca: "Jordi, la meva passió per canviar-ho tot ve de voler un futur millor per als nostres fills, per a tothom.En: "Jordi, my passion for changing everything comes from wanting a better future for our children, for everyone."Ca: "La conversa s'intensifica, i Mercè finalment qüestiona: "Creus que la nostra amistat pot sobreviure a tot això?En: The conversation intensifies, and Mercè finally questions: "Do you think our friendship can survive all this?"Ca: "Jordi, amb el cor en un puny, diu: "Mercè, hem tingut massa records junts.En: Jordi, with his heart in his throat, says, "Mercè, we've had too many memories together.Ca: No podem deixar que això ens separi.En: We can't let this separate us."Ca: "Després d'un moment de reflexió, Mercè somriu, amb la seva calidesa habitual tornant a aflorar.En: After a moment of reflection, Mercè smiles, her usual warmth resurfacing.Ca: "Què tal si treballem junts en un projecte comunitari?En: "How about we work together on a community project?Ca: Potser podem trobar una manera d'unir el millor del passat i el futur.En: Maybe we can find a way to unite the best of the past and the future."Ca: "Jordi, alleujat, respon: "Sí, m'agradaria molt, Mercè.En: Jordi, relieved, replies, "Yes, I would really like that, Mercè.Ca: Potser aquest és el canvi que necessitem.En: Maybe that's the change we need."Ca: "Es miren als ulls, amb renovada esperança.En: They look each other in the eye, with renewed hope.Ca: Al sortir del local electoral, caminen costat a costat, amb la promesa de mantenir la seva amistat per sobre de les diferències polítiques.En: As they leave the polling station, they walk side by side, with the promise to keep their friendship above political differences.Ca: El sol brilla més fort, i un nou sentit de compromís floreix entre ells, com les flors de primavera.En: The sun shines brighter, and a new sense of commitment blooms between them, like the spring flowers. Vocabulary Words:the spring: la primaverathe village: la vilathe street: el carrerthe polling station: el local electoralthe banner: la pancartathe citizen: el ciutadàthe gesture: el gestthe lip: el llavithe silence: el silencithe friendship: l'amistatthe world: el mónthe change: el canvithe tradition: la tradicióthe identity: la identitatthe memory: el recordthe heritage: l'herènciathe future: el futurthe encounter: la trobadathe consideration: la consideracióthe respect: el respectethe conversation: la conversathe father: el parethe child: el fillthe hope: l'esperançathe commitment: el compromísthe project: el projectethe past: el passatthe flower: la florthe change: el canvithe warmth: la calidesa

This year, Catalonia and Japan are strengthening their ties with a yearlong celebration, including Catalan Week in Japan, taking place from May 27 to June 1 at the Universal Expo in Osaka. This week on Filling the Sink we explore the relationship between both territories and visit the Expo to find out how Catalonia is promoting its culture. Head of Catalan News Gerard Escaich Folch joins host Beth Cohen to explore the concept of the Universal Exposition and its impact on the host cities, highlighting the monuments in Barcelona which are relics of the 1888 and 1929 Expos. We look back over the historical relationship between Catalonia and Japan, which dates back to the 16th century with a visit from Japanese Christian travelers Tensho Ken-oh Shisetsu dan to the Montserrat monastery. Our ACN correspondents in Osaka bring us all the details of the Expo activities, from pa amb tomàquet workshops to wine tasting, virtual reality tourist visits, videos on the history of Barça, a lesson on how to paint like Miró, and interactive architecture exhibits.  We hear from Michelin-star chefs Carme Ruscadella and Joan Roca, who are ambassadors to the event, and catch up with Yoshiaki Matsumoto, leader of a Catalan rumba group in Japan. We also hear from some Japanese citizens celebrating Catalan culture in Osaka. This week, our Catalan phrase is “Fer-ne cinc cèntims  - “To make five cents of it,” which means to briefly resume something, keeping it short and sweet.

In this week's GMH EU, the crew dives into Spain's summer tourism tension as the government cracks down on over 9,000 illegal short-term rentals in Catalonia and considers a steep VAT hike on STRs to combat housing shortages. Meanwhile, anti-tourism protests heat up across hotspots like the Canary Islands, and new travel rules now require non-EU visitors to show proof of insurance. On the tech front, AI booking engines are evolving to offer real-time pricing and availability, potentially reshaping OTA models. We also spotlight Spain's most affordable beach towns and a curated list of top-rated legal Airbnbs still worth booking. ---- ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Good Morning Hospitality⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ is part of the ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Hospitality.FM⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Multi-Media Network and is a Hospitality.FM Original The hospitality industry is constantly growing, changing, and innovating! This podcast brings you the top news and topics from industry experts across different hospitality fields. Good Morning Hospitality publishes three thirty-minute weekly episodes: every Monday and Wednesday at 7 a.m. PST / 10 a.m. EST and every Tuesday at 8 a.m. CET for our European and UK-focused content. Make sure to tune in during our live show on our ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠LinkedIn page⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ or ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠YouTube⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ every week and join the conversation live! Explore everything Good Morning Hospitality has to offer: • Well & Good Morning Coffee: Enjoy our signature roast—⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠order here!⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ • Retreats: Join us at one of our exclusive retreats—learn more and register your interest ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠here!⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ • Episodes & More: Find all episodes and additional info at ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠GoodMorningHospitality.com⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Thank you to all of the Hospitality.FM Partners that help make this show possible. If you have any press you want to be covered during the show, email us at goodmorning@hospitality.fm Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

When a child vanishes, a city's darkest secrets rise to the surface – and in the shadows of Catalonia, justice comes at a price. Detective Elisenda Domènech is no stranger to grief. Haunted by pers... Uitgegeven door SAGA Egmont Spreker: Laurence Bouvard

Unearth the past and face the shadows... When a body is discovered at an archaeological dig site in Catalonia, Detective Elisenda Domènech is pulled into a chilling case. The victim, killed in the... Uitgegeven door SAGA Egmont Spreker: Laurence Bouvard

Send us a textVenture into the effervescent world of traditional Spanish sparkling wine with an affordable gem that punches well above its $11.99 price tag. The Cune Cava Brut from Catalonia delivers the elegance and complexity you'd expect from wines twice its price, all while telling a fascinating story of Spanish winemaking heritage.This Barcelona-area bubbly begins with an unexpected twist – the producer's name itself. While we know it as "Cune" (pronounced COO-nay), the company was actually founded as CVNE (Compañía Vinícola del Norte de España) in 1878. A simple printing error on early labels transformed the "V" to a "U," creating an accidental brand name that has persisted for nearly 150 years. This charming quirk is just the beginning of what makes this sparkler special.Unlike many affordable sparkling wines, this Cava follows the same meticulous traditional method used in Champagne production, with each bottle undergoing its own secondary fermentation. The result is a refined sparkling wine with persistent tiny bubbles and perfectly balanced acidity that allows its subtle flavors to unfold gracefully. The blend of indigenous Spanish grapes (40% Xarel·lo, 30% Parellada, and 30% Macabeo) creates a distinctive profile of delicate lemon, apple, peach and subtle citrus notes that reward thoughtful sipping. For those tired of overly sharp Cavas or seeking an alternative to pricier French options, this bottle delivers remarkable quality from a producer with 150 years of winemaking expertise.Next time you're looking for the perfect summer refreshment or an affordable luxury for your table, reach for this Spanish gem. Subscribe to hear more value wine recommendations that help you drink well without breaking the bank!Check us out at www.cheapwinefinder.comor email us at podcast@cheapwinefinder.com

What does it mean to be a true artist—one who creates not for fame or applause, but because the soul requires it?In this heartfelt and inspiring conversation, I sit down with Jasmina G. Pizarro, a tri-lingual actress from a small town in Catalonia, Spain. With warmth, grace, and a magnetic spirit, Jasmina shares how she's built a life rooted in creativity, intuition, and truth—far from the hustle of Hollywood, yet deeply connected to her artistry.We talk about…

According to the UN, birth rates have been declining globally since 1963, and Spain has the second-lowest fertility rate in the EU. Economic instability, difficulty in accessing housing, an inability to reconcile work and family life, and a lack of support have been pinpointed as deterring factors. We meet women from different backgrounds to hear their experiences of maternity and the challenges they have overcome. We also explore the emotional side, the importance of community and the loneliness that many mothers experience, and what is being done to address this in the form of community groups and associations.  From raising a child with disabilities to single mothers coping alone, diverse families overcoming stigma, international mothers searching for a community and grandparents who play a key role in childcare, there is no one way to raise a family. We discover the multiple realities of contemporary maternity and gain an insider's perspective on one of life's most universal roles.  Reporter Lea Beliaeva Bander joins host Beth Cohen to explore the legal framework for supporting mothers and discuss the realities of modern-day motherhood in Catalonia. This week, our Catalan phrase is “Mare només n'hi ha una” - “There is only one mother”. It's a traditional expression emphasizing the irreplaceable role of a mother, however, it overlooks adoptive, LGBTQI+, and non-traditional families, where children may have more than one mother, or no mother at all.

Ready to keep the travel vibes going? Part two of our Traveling Lite series just dropped — and it's packed with real-world tips straight from my recent adventure through Spain's stunning Costa Brava and vibrant Valencia. Last week in Part One, we focused on preparing for healthy travel — from mindset to packing smart. (If you missed it, make sure to catch up — it's a must-listen!) This week, in Part Two, I'm taking you on the road with me. Rain or shine, I share how I stayed present and grounded while traveling, some mindset shifts that helped me avoid feeling restricted, and a lot more that will surely help you to travel lite! Whether you're planning a getaway or just dreaming of one, this episode will inspire you to travel in a way that honors your health and your joy.

Uncover the hidden question that transforms how you connect with your passion and purpose.Kinsley embarked on a transformative journey through Catalonia, Spain, where he met Harvey, an exceptional guide who poses a life-changing question: "A que te dedicas?" This episode dives into cultural insights and personal reflections that redefine the meaning of work and dedication.Join Mark as he reflects on cycling through the breathtaking landscapes of Catalonia, where he and Tara experienced the rich culture and history of Spain. From awe-inspiring medieval villages to a heartfelt tea ceremony, Mark shares stories that highlight the profound question, "To what do you dedicate yourself?" This exploration not only enriched his understanding of purpose but also tied back to his work in the mattress industry, emphasizing the value of dedication in both personal and professional life.Timestamps:00:09 - The Power of "A Que Te Dedicas?" 05:20 - Cycling Through Catalonia: A Journey of Discovery10:45 - Meeting Catarina Roma: Crafting with Soul15:32 - A Dinner to Remember: Farm Fresh in Spain20:50 - Harvey's Story: A Guide with a Mission25:15 - The Big Reveal: More Than Just Our Jobs30:40 - Global Perspectives on Purpose: Ikigai, Maraki, and More35:55 - The Mattress Connection: Rededicating to Better Sleep40:20 - Gather and Grow: The Importance of Community45:10 - Conclusion: Beyond Titles, Finding True Purpose

Send us a textIn this episode, we dive deeper into the imperfect tense by talking about what our school routines used to be like. You'll review common daily routine verbs, learn time expressions, and build longer sentences in context. Through storytelling, guided practice, and a short dialogue, you'll get comfortable using the imperfect tense to describe past habits. Great for intermediate learners looking to make their Catalan more natural and fluid!The current group classes are going so well that I would love to do more in September, so I am just trying to get an idea of interest and available dates/times for everyone. Please fill in a short survey if you would be interested in classes:https://www.thelazylinguist.co.uk/group-programmesLicensed to Explore with RohitWelcome to Licensed to Explore with Rohit — a...Listen on: Apple Podcasts SpotifySupport the showGroup Lessons starting September 2025: Group ProgrammesBeginners Course: Catalan for Beginners CoursePatreon: The Lazy Linguist Buy us a coffee: Buy me a Coffee Instagram: @lazylinguistcatalan Facebook: The Lazy Linguist PodcastChristina offers private lessons - enquire through a DM on socials or through the link: Private lessons

This episode of Speaking Out of Place is being recorded on May 15, 2025, the 77th anniversary of the 1948 Nakba, which began the ongoing ethnic cleansing of Palestinians from their land. We talk with Lara Elborno, Richard Falk, and Penny Green, three members of the Gaza Tribunal, which is set to convene in Saravejo in a few days.  This will set in motion the process of creating an archive of Israel's genocide of the Palestinian people with an aim to give global civil society the tools and inspiration it needs to further delegitimize Israel, end its genocidal acts, help bring about liberation for the Palestinian people.Lara Elborno is a Palestinian-American lawyer specialized in international disputes, qualified to practice in the US and France. She has worked for over 10 years as counsel acting for individuals, private entities, and States in international commercial and investment arbitrations. She dedicates a large part of her legal practice to pro-bono work including the representation of asylum seekers in France and advising clients on matters related to IHRL and the business and human rights framework. She previously taught US and UK constitutional law at the Université de Paris II - Panthéon Assas. She currently serves as a board member of ARDD-Europe and sits on the Steering Committee of the Gaza Tribunal. She has moreover appeared as a commentator on Al Jazeera, TRTWorld, DoubleDown News, and George Galloway's MOAT speaking about the Palestinian liberation struggle, offering analysis and critiques of international law.Richard Falk is Albert G. Milbank Professor Emeritus of International Law at Princeton University (1961-2001) and Chair of Global Law, Faculty of Law, Queen Mary University London. Since 2002 has been a Research Fellow at the Orfalea Center of Global and International Studies at the University of California, Santa Barbara. Between 2008 and 2014 he served as UN Special Rapporteur on Israeli Violations of Human Rights in Occupied Palestine.Falk has advocated and written widely about ‘nations' that are captive within existing states, including Palestine, Kashmir, Western Sahara, Catalonia, Dombas.He is Senior Vice President of the Nuclear Age Peace Foundation, having served for seven years as Chair of its Board. He is Chair of the Board of Trustees of Euro-Med Human Rights Monitor. He is co-director of the Centre of Climate Crime, QMUL.Falk has been nominated for the Nobel Peace Prize several times since 2008.His recent books include (Re)Imagining Humane Global Governance (2014), Power Shift: The New Global Order (2016), Palestine Horizon: Toward a Just Peace (2017), Revisiting the Vietnam War (ed. Stefan Andersson, 2017), On Nuclear Weapons: Denuclearization, Demilitarization and Disarmament (ed. Stefan Andersson & Curt Dahlgren, 2019.Penny Green is Professor of Law and Globalisation at QMUL and Fellow of the Academy of Social Sciences. She has published extensively on state crime theory, resistance to state violence and the Rohingya genocide, (including with Tony Ward, State Crime: Governments, Violence and Corruption, 2004 and State Crime and Civil Activism 2019). She has a long track record of researching in hostile environments and has conducted fieldwork in the UK, Turkey, Kurdistan, the Occupied Palestinian Territories, Israel, Tunisia, Myanmar and Bangladesh. In 2015 she and her colleagues published ‘Countdown to Annihilation: Genocide in Myanmar' and in March 2018 

This week the 69th edition of the Eurovision Song Contest takes place in Basel, Switzerland. To celebrate, we look back over the history of the competition and explore Catalonia's involvement, from Catalan language entries to the stories of Catalan artists who've graced the Eurovision stage. We interview Jordi Ramos, a journalist for the Catalan radio station, Rac1. He's an expert on Eurovision and the perfect person to explain, through Catalan eyes, what the song contest is all about. Reporter Gigi Giulia catches up with Alfred García, the famous singer from El Prat de Llobregat who represented Spain in Eurovision in 2018, performing the duet Tu Canción with his then-girlfriend Amaia Romero. He reflects on his Eurovision experience and how it marked a turning point in his career.  Plus, reporter Lorcan Doherty analyzes Catalonia's push to become a member of the European Broadcasting Association and compete independently, and host Beth Cohen explores the importance of Eurovision for Catalonia's LGBTQI+ community. This week, our Catalan phrase is “Cantar com els àngels" - “To sing like the angels”, a metaphor used to describe someone who sings exceptionally well, with a voice so beautiful and pure that it seems almost heavenly.

Do you love to travel but find it hard to stay on track with your health goals while you're away? In this week's brand-new episode of the Thin Thinking Podcast, I'm kicking off a special two-part travel series—and I'm taking you behind the scenes of my recent adventure to Catalonia, Spain! Part one is all about what happens before you ever step on the plane—because staying healthy while traveling starts with the right mindset and a little bit of strategy. I'm sharing: ✅ How I mentally prepped for the trip ✅ What I packed (and why) to support my well-being ✅ My go-to tips for planning ahead with intention ✅ How I navigated food and mindset during the flight ✅ What I did immediately upon arrival to stay energized and grounded Whether you have a vacation coming up or just want to feel more confident the next time you're on the move, this episode will help you build travel habits that support your health—without missing out on the fun. Let's get packed—mentally and physically—and stay on track together! Come on in! P.S. Part two of this series is coming next week, so make sure you're subscribed! PPS: Forward this episode to a friend and share the love!   In This Episode, You'll Also Learn… The mental preparation I do before my travel. Why in vacation fun equates to food. The three pillar behaviors when I travel.   Links Mentioned in the Episode: Join my FREE Masterclass:  "How to Stop the "Start Over Tomorrow" Weight Struggle Cycle and Begin Releasing Weight for Good." Sign up for the FREE HYPNOSIS DOWNLOAD : Shift Out of Sugar Cravings My book,  From Fat to Thin Thinking: Unlock Your Mind for Permanent Weight Loss (Includes a 30-day hypnosis process.) What would you love to hear about on the podcast?  Click here and let me know Subscribe to the email list so that you never miss an episode! Get more thin thinking tools and strategies

On May 8, 1945, the second world war came to end in Europe. 80 years on, we reflect on how Catalonia was affected by the conflict and highlight the remarkable story of Neus Català, an anti-fascist resistance fighter and holocaust survivor from Tarragona. Reporters Lea Beliaeva Bander and Cillian Shields join host Beth Cohen to discuss the effects of WWII in Catalonia and discover the story of a Catalan woman who dedicated her life to fighting fascism. We meet Ricard Ribera Llorens, president of the Fundació Neus Català, who recounts Neus Català's journey from rural Catalonia to the concentration camps of Ravensbrück and Holleischen, to her later years dedicated to the historical memory of Nazi atrocities. Neus played a vital role in the anti-fascist struggle in the French resistance as a Republican exile, carrying messages, participating in the escape networks, providing food to guerrillas and giving the Nazi soldiers false information. Plus Dr. Alejandro Acosta, contemporary historian at the Universidad Carlos III in Madrid, analyzes the ongoing presence of fascist politics in contemporary society and the conditions which favor its' expansion. This week, our Catalan phrase is a quote from Neus Català herself: “L'única mort que em preocupa és la mort de la memòria” - “The only death which worries me is the death of memory.” 

Send us a textIn this episode, we're talking about school and office items and stationary in Catalan! Things like pens, notebooks, backpacks and more. You'll also get some grammar practice with hi ha, prepositions, and the imperfect tense to describe how things used to be.Support the showGroup Lessons starting September 2025: Group ProgrammesBeginners Course: Catalan for Beginners CoursePatreon: The Lazy Linguist Buy us a coffee: Buy me a Coffee Instagram: @lazylinguistcatalan Facebook: The Lazy Linguist PodcastChristina offers private lessons - enquire through a DM on socials or through the link: Private lessons

Fluent Fiction - Catalan: Montserrat's Mystical Journey and the Hidden Monastery Find the full episode transcript, vocabulary words, and more:fluentfiction.com/ca/episode/2025-05-05-22-34-02-ca Story Transcript:Ca: Montserrat, amb les seves agulles de pedra impressionants i el seu monestir serenament assentat a la muntanya, s'alçava amb majestuositat sota el cel primaveral.En: Montserrat, with its impressive stone needles and its monastery serenely perched on the mountain, rose majestically under the spring sky.Ca: Les flors començaven a florir al voltant dels camins acolorits, i el perfum de flors fresques omplia l'aire.En: Flowers began to bloom around the colorful paths, and the scent of fresh flowers filled the air.Ca: Júlia, Pere i Rosa estaven preparats per al dia, amb un grup d'internacionals fascinats per la bellesa d'aquest indret.En: Júlia, Pere, and Rosa were ready for the day, with a group of internationals fascinated by the beauty of this place.Ca: Júlia, amb la seva passió per la cultura catalana, no podia esperar per compartir la riquesa de Montserrat.En: Júlia, with her passion for Catalan culture, couldn't wait to share the richness of Montserrat.Ca: Desitjava mostrar els secrets del monestir, la història dels monjos que hi vivien, i la màgia del cor de Catalunya.En: She wished to reveal the secrets of the monastery, the history of the monks who lived there, and the magic in the heart of Catalonia.Ca: Al seu costat, Pere somreia, sempre encantador, amb una broma a punt per distendre l'ambient.En: Beside her, Pere smiled, always charming, with a joke ready to lighten the mood.Ca: Rosa, al seu torn, mirava el cel amb preocupació; el dia semblava borrós i el vent començava a empènyer els núvols cap a ells.En: Rosa, in turn, looked at the sky with concern; the day seemed blurry and the wind was starting to push the clouds towards them.Ca: "Mireu el monestir! L'esforç dels monjos i la seva fe es percep en cada pedra", va dir Júlia, captivant els turistes amb la seva veu segura.En: "Look at the monastery! The monks' labor and their faith can be felt in every stone," said Júlia, captivating the tourists with her confident voice.Ca: Pere va afegir amb entusiasme: "I sabeu? Diuen les llegendes que aquestes muntanyes... són guardians dels nostres secrets!"En: Pere added enthusiastically, "And you know? The legends say that these mountains... are guardians of our secrets!"Ca: De sobte, un tro a la distància.En: Suddenly, thunder in the distance.Ca: Júlia va mirar Rosa, coneixent el significat d'aquell soroll.En: Júlia looked at Rosa, understanding the meaning of that sound.Ca: Rosa, prudent com sempre, va sugerir: "Potser hauríem de tornar... El camí pot esdevenir perillós."En: Rosa, cautious as always, suggested, "Perhaps we should go back... The path could become dangerous."Ca: Però Júlia no volia que la tempesta desviés els seus plans meravellosos.En: But Júlia didn't want the storm to derail her wonderful plans.Ca: Va mirar Pere, esperant suport.En: She looked at Pere, hoping for support.Ca: "No passarà res, companyes", va dir Pere amb confiança.En: "Nothing will happen, companions," said Pere with confidence.Ca: "Un canvi de plans pot fer la visita més divertida!"En: "A change of plans can make the visit more fun!"Ca: Rosa dubtava, però Júlia va saber que hi havia una manera de posar d'acord a tothom.En: Rosa hesitated, but Júlia knew there was a way to get everyone on the same page.Ca: Va proposar una nova ruta, buscant seguretat i sorpresa.En: She proposed a new route, seeking safety and surprise.Ca: "Hi ha una part del monestir, una ala menys coneguda... Un moment perfecte per explorar-la!"En: "There's a part of the monastery, a lesser-known wing... A perfect time to explore it!"Ca: Rosa, tot i que preocupada, va acconsentir després d'una pausa breu.En: Rosa, though concerned, agreed after a brief pause.Ca: Així, el grup es va moure per camins més protegits, sota la guia experta de Júlia.En: Thus, the group moved through more sheltered paths, under Júlia's expert guidance.Ca: El cel es va enfosquir però, paradoxalment, a l'interior del monestir, llums càlides jugaven amb les ombres de les antigues columnes.En: The sky darkened but, paradoxically, inside the monastery, warm lights played with the shadows of the ancient columns.Ca: Els turistes, per uns instants, oblidaren la pluja que picava les finestres.En: The tourists, for a few moments, forgot the rain tapping on the windows.Ca: Van descobrir frescos amagats i racons resistents al pas del temps.En: They discovered hidden frescoes and corners resilient to the passage of time.Ca: Les històries de Júlia van adquirir vida, i el compte de Pere sobre aquell lloc secret emocionava els ànims.En: Júlia's stories came to life, and Pere's account of that secret place stirred the spirits.Ca: Finalment, en un temps que semblava volar, la tempesta va amainar i els turistes eren extasiats.En: Finally, in a time that seemed to fly, the storm subsided and the tourists were ecstatic.Ca: El guia del grup els va agrair amb sinceritat.En: The group's guide thanked them sincerely.Ca: Una experiència única, havien dit.En: It was a unique experience, they had said.Ca: Júlia va veure el somriure d'aprovació d'un supervivent de la jornada: el seu cap, que l'havia observat discretament.En: Júlia saw the approving smile of a survivor of the day: her boss, who had observed her discreetly.Ca: Era el reconeixement que esperava, una promoció guanyada per l'enginy i el treball en equip.En: It was the recognition she had been waiting for, a promotion earned through ingenuity and teamwork.Ca: Un cop la tempesta va deixar pas a una tarda tranquil·la i clara, Júlia, Rosa i Pere van comprendre com cada un tenia un paper crucial en la jornada.En: Once the storm gave way to a calm and clear afternoon, Júlia, Rosa, and Pere understood how each had a crucial role in the day.Ca: Van decidir celebrar-ho al voltant d'una taula, compartint històries i riures, un record que guardaria per sempre a l'indret màgic de Montserrat.En: They decided to celebrate around a table, sharing stories and laughter, a memory they would cherish forever in the magical place of Montserrat. Vocabulary Words:needle: l'agullamonastery: el monestirmajestically: amb majestuositatbloom: florirpath: el camíscent: el perfumlabor: l'esforçfaith: la feguardian: el guardiàthunder: el troconcern: la preocupacióstorm: la tempestaroute: la rutashelter: el refugishadow: l'ombrafresco: el fresccolumn: la columnaresilient: resistentpromotion: la promocióingenuity: l'enginyteamwork: el treball en equipjoyful: alegrediscreetly: discretamentblurry: borrósmood: l'ambientcharming: encantadorconcerned: preocupatsurvivor: el superviventastonished: extasiatcelebration: la celebració

Pope Francis was known for his humility, compassion and emphasis on social justice. This week we'll be dedicating an episode of Filling the Sink to the memory of this popular spiritual leader and exploring his relationship with Catalonia. Catalan News travels to the Vatican to attend the Pope's funeral and meet some of the 250,000 mourners who have flocked to Rome to pay their last respects, including many Catalan youngsters who attended the Jubilee of Teenagers. We meet Míriam Díez Bosch, a journalist specializing in religion and founder director of the Blanquerna Observatory on Media, Religion and Culture in Barcelona, who analyzes the Pope's relationship with Catalonia. Members of the Catalan church share their stories and discuss the decline in assistance and in religious marriages in recent decades. And reporter Gerard Escaich Folch joins host Beth Cohen to discuss the current religious panorama in Catalonia, including rapid secularization and the diversification of religious beliefs due to immigration. This week, our Catalan phrase is “Per l'amor de Déu!” - “For the love of God!”, which despite its reference to the divine is used in everyday conversation to express strong emotions.

On April 28, 2025, a massive blackout affected Spain, Portugal, Andorra, and parts of France, leaving over 50 million people without power for up to 12 hours. This week on Filling the Sink, we investigate the causes and find out how it affected people across Catalonia. Catalan News journalists Gerard Escaich Folch, Lorcan Doherty and Cillian Shields join host Beth Cohen to relive some of the darkest moments of Monday's blackout. The outage halted trains, disrupted work for many, and cut telecommunications and internet services. We took to the streets of Barcelona to meet some affected people and find out how businesses and city infrastructures coped. At the time of publishing, the exact cause of the blackout has not yet been confirmed, however, the National Cybersecurity Institute (INCIBE) and the national police are still investigating. The main hypothesis is an operational failure of the Red Eléctrica power grid caused by instability in the system, possibly related to high reliance on renewable energy sources such as solar and wind as opposed to synchronous sources such as gas, nuclear, or hydroelectric energy. We analyze the government response and political fallout, as well as discuss how citizens should prepare for possible future events on this scale.  This week, our Catalan phrase is “Estar com un llum” - which translates as “to be like a light” and means to be unstable or even a bit crazy. It originates from the early days of electricity, when light bulbs used to flicker and fade rather than providing a constant glow.

Qatar has brokered talks between the government of Democratic Republic of Congo and the M23 rebel group, which is backed by Rwanda, to agree to common terms for a dialogue that includes a ceasefire. Also, Mexican President Claudia Sheinbaum bans foreign political ads on Mexican TV after a wave of anti-immigration spots sponsored by the Trump administration airs nationwide.  And, as Spain's Catalonia region celebrates Sant Jordi, or Saint George's Day, there's been controversy this year over one writer who lives in Catalonia but only writes in Spanish. Plus, new research shows that the venom of some rattlesnakes has evolved to be simpler and better tailored to their prey.Listen to today's Music Heard on Air. Learn about your ad choices: dovetail.prx.org/ad-choices

Sant Jordi is a Catalan cultural celebration held on April 23. It's Catalonia's Valentine's Day and it served as the inspiration for World Book Day. Couples, friends, and families give each other gifts of roses and books, commemorating the legendary slaying of the dragon by Sant Jordi - Saint George, in English. In this week's podcast, we delve into Catalan literature and analyze its translation into English. Host Beth Cohen sits down with reporter Cillian Shields to discuss the origins of the Sant Jordi celebration and its evolution over time. Cillian meets Peter Bush and Laura McGloughlin, two of the most notable contemporary Catalan-to-English translators, who reflect on what it means to translate a novel and explain their approach to the task. Both review some of their most iconic translations, including the works of Josep Pla, Emili Teixidor, Toni Hill, and Bel Olid, while discussing current trends and emerging voices in Catalan literature. Cillian and Beth wrap up by sharing some of their favorite reads by Catalan authors and exchanging book recommendations for this year's Sant Jordi. This week, our Catalan phrase is “Un llibre és com un jardí que es porta a la butxaca,” a proverb of Arabic origin that translates as “A book is like a garden carried in your pocket.” Just like a garden, books are full of life and beautiful details - but small enough to keep with you wherever you go.

Vibra el planeta con nuevas músicas que nos llegan desde sus cuatro rincones. Novedades y avances que nos traen sones klezmer, arábigos, etíopes, georgianos, persas, balineses o punyabíes, con conexiones que van desde Lyon a Brooklin, pasando por Suiza o Cataluña. The planet vibrates with new music arriving from its four corners. New releases and previews bring us klezmer, Arabic, Ethiopian, Georgian, Persian, Balinese and Punjabi sounds, with connections stretching from Lyon to Brooklyn, via Switzerland and Catalonia. - Marc Crofts Klezmer Ensemble - Ukrainian medley - Urban myths - Naïssam Jalal - Souffle #3 [+ Yom] - Souffles - Ukandanz - Hedech alu + Song for Francis - Evil plan - Ensemble Marani - Odoia - Sharatin - Elana Sasson - Prelude to Nerges + Nerges - In between - Oriol Marès & Talal Fayad Quartet - Kasi lama - Estuarium - Gamelan Salukat x Jan Kadereit - Kampana - Vibration, trembling - Áshira - Red Baraat - Chaal baby - Bhangra rangeela - (Marc Crofts Klezmer Ensemble - Anonymous nign - Urban myths) 📸 Gamelan Salukat

Send us a textIn this episode we dive deeper into the imperfect tense!Make sure you listen to the last episode where we talked about the imperfect and the singular forms of common verbs before you listen to this one.In this one we look at the plural conjugations as well as some of the strange irregularities that happen to the root of a lot of verbs in this tense in Catalan!We hope it wasn't too confusing for you! The lesson notes/language summaries on Patreon might help you consolidate everything you learned further and will act as useful resources to refer back to.Any feedback is welcome as always :)Fins aviat! Support the showGroup Lessons starting 7th April 2025: Group ProgrammesBeginners Course: Catalan for Beginners CoursePatreon: The Lazy Linguist Buy us a coffee: Buy me a Coffee Instagram: @lazylinguistcatalan Facebook: The Lazy Linguist PodcastChristina offers private lessons - enquire through a DM on socials or through the link: Private lessons

At Easter time, bakery windows across Catalonia are filled with the most spectacular chocolate sculptures. These “Mones de Pasqua” are traditionally given to children by their godparents on Easter Monday, a festive day known as "Dilluns de Pasqua" in Catalonia. Originally simple sweet breads topped with hard-boiled eggs, modern versions have evolved into elaborate chocolate creations, often shaped like animals, cartoon characters, or famous landmarks. The tradition symbolizes the end of Lent and is a joyful family celebration. To find out more about mones, reporters Gigi Giulia and Lorcan Doherty visit Natcha patisserie in Barcelona. Manager Marta Massagué explains the culinary history of mones and reveals this year's Easter chocolate trends, including Spiderman, Goku and Barça-themed football mones. Host Beth Cohen explores the history of chocolate and analyzes the recent rise in cocoa prices. Plus, world chocolate master Lluc Crusellas gives us a tour of Eukarya, his workshop and chocolate brand based in Vic, and we indulge in a tasting session of some of the best Easter eggs in Catalonia. This week our Catalan phrase is “Pensar en la mona de Pasqua”, which means to think about your Easter cake and is used to describe someone who's distracted, absent-minded, or daydreaming.

It's Thursday, April 10th, A.D. 2025. This is The Worldview in 5 Minutes heard on 125 radio stations and at www.TheWorldview.com.  I'm Adam McManus. (Adam@TheWorldview.com) By Jonathan Clark Sharp rise in persecution of Christians in Pakistan A new report from Human Rights Focus Pakistan documented a sharp rise in victimization rates against religious minorities in Pakistan during the first three months of this year.  Religious minorities, including Christians, faced more attacks, murders, blasphemy charges, abductions, forced conversions, and forced marriages.  Jeff King, president of International Christian Concern, said, “Pakistan's latest wave of atrocities against Christians in 2025 is not an aberration — it's a grotesque culmination of centuries of state-sanctioned brutality and indifference.” As of January, at least 20 Christians have been imprisoned for their faith in the Islamic country. Pakistan is ranked eighth on the Open Doors' World Watch List of nations where it is most difficult to be a Christian.   Barcelona, Spain looking to close 17 Evangelical churches Evangelical Focus reports that 17 Evangelical churches are facing the threat of closure in Barcelona, Spain. This comes as the local government plans urban development that will affect buildings that churches own or rent. The Evangelical Council of Catalonia warns this could leave thousands of believers without a place to worship. Guillem Correa, the executive director of the group, said, “We understand that the case affects freedom of worship, and what characterizes the exercise of this right is that people can meet in the place of worship throughout the week. Without this, there is no religious freedom and no community life.” Man guilty of targeting churches with fake bombs In the United States, a federal jury returned a guilty verdict last Thursday for a 45-year-old man convicted of targeting churches. Zimnako Salah left fake bombs at churches in Arizona and California in 2023. Authorities discovered he was also building an actual bomb. U.S. Attorney General Pam Bondi said, “This Department of Justice has no tolerance for anyone who targets religious Americans for their faith. The perpetrator of this abhorrent hate crime against Christians will face severe punishment.” Psalm 5:4-6 says, “For You are not a God who takes pleasure in wickedness, nor shall evil dwell with You. The boastful shall not stand in Your sight; You hate all workers of iniquity. You shall destroy those who speak falsehood; the LORD abhors the bloodthirsty and deceitful man.” Trump's 90-day pause on tariffs except China President Donald Trump announced a 90-day pause on tariffs for imports from most nations yesterday.  Trump's baseline tariff of 10% remains in place. Meanwhile, much of the additional “reciprocal” tariffs are on hold as countries negotiate with the United States. CNBC carried Trump's remarks on the White House lawn to reporters. TRUMP: “Last year, China made $1 trillion off trade with the United States. That's not right. And now I've reversed it for a short period of time, but we're making now $2 billion a day. Somebody had to do it. “Charles Schwab was here a little while ago, one of the great financial people. He said he's been waiting for 40 years for somebody to do what I did over the last month, and if you didn't do it, you wouldn't have a country. It wouldn't be sustainable. “So, I'm honored to have done it. Nothing is over yet, but we have tremendous amount of spirit from other countries, including China. China wants to make a deal. They just don't know how quite to go about it. They're proud people. President Xi is a proud man. I know him very well, and they don't know quite how to go about it, but they'll figure it out. They want to make a deal. “We have many other countries, as you know. Many more than 75. They're all calling, ‘How do we do this?' They all want to make a deal. I did a 90-day pause for the people that didn't retaliate, because I told them, ‘If you retaliate, we're going to double it.'  And that's what I did with China, because they did retaliate.” Indeed, China was the one country which is not getting relief. Trump said he would raise tariffs on imports from China to 125%. TRUMP: “They will be fair deals for everybody, but they weren't fair to the United States. They were sucking us dry, and you can't do that. We have $36 trillion of debt for a reason.  People took advantage of our country, and they ripped us off for decades.” Stocks surge U.S. stock markets surged in response to Trump's 90-day pause on tariffs.  The S&P 500 rose 8.5% yesterday. The Dow Jones Industrial Average was up over 7%, and the Nasdaq Composite surged 11%. Big tech companies led much of the stock market rally. Nvidia stock was up 15%. Tesla was up 17%. And Apple, Amazon, and Meta were up about 10%.  Lowe's closes on Resurrection Sunday Lowe's is closing its stores nationwide for this coming Resurrection Sunday.  The home improvement chain will close its 1,700 locations on April 20 and give its 300,000 employees a paid day off.   Lowe's CEO Marvin Ellison said, “In recognition of our teams' continued hard work, we are pleased to provide a well-deserved day off so they can spend Easter with their loved ones.” It's the sixth year in a row that Lowe's has done this.  Send a thank you note to Marvin Ellison to let him know you appreciate that. Send it to: Marvin Ellison, Lowe's, 1000 Lowe's Blvd, Mooresville, NC 28117. 66% of U.S. adults have made a personal commitment to Jesus And finally, George Barna released its State of the Church 2025 report.  The study found 66% of U.S. adults say they have made a personal commitment to Jesus that is still important in their life today, That's up from 54% in 2021 but similar to what it was 20 years ago. This growth was fueled by young people, especially young men.  Sixty to seventy percent of men from the Gen Z and Millennial cohorts said they have made a personal commitment to follow Jesus that is still important today. However, many who made these commitments don't necessarily identify as Christian, indicating a patchwork of religious beliefs and identities.  Lamentations 3:40-41 reminds us, “Let us search out and examine our ways, and turn back to the LORD; let us lift our hearts and hands to God in Heaven.” Close And that's The Worldview on this Thursday, April 10th, in the year of our Lord 2025. Subscribe for free by Amazon Music or by iTunes or email to our unique Christian newscast at www.TheWorldview.com. Or get the Generations app through Google Play or The App Store. I'm Adam McManus (Adam@TheWorldview.com). Seize the day for Jesus Christ.

Thursday of the Fifth Week of Lent Saint of the Day: St. Michael de Sanctis, 1591-1625; born in Catalonia, Spain, and announced his intention to become a monk when he was six; joined the Trinitarian Friars at Barcelona in 1603; he was ordained a priest and twice served as Superior of the house in Valladolid; after his death at the age of 35, many miracles were attributed to him Office of Readings and Morning Prayer for 4/10/25 Gospel: John 8:51-59

We are entering what some would call the home stretch of the forty day journey towards Easter. For this fifth week of Lent, we will be exploring the vast history of Our Lady of Peńa de Francia in Catalonia. Not only does our Lady of Peña de Francia involve  various histories due to the fact that her origins involve the geographical fluid region between France and Spain, she also incorporates much of the uniqueness of Spain in its multi ethnic and cultural heritage. To top off her symbolism, The Sanctuary of Our Lady of the Peña de Francia, where the Spanish image is currently housed, is a place of pilgrimage.#blackmadonna #Spain #catalonia #camino #lent

Send us a textJoin us for this episode as we dive a little deeper into the Imperfect Tense in Catalan. We use this tense to talk about recurring actions in the past or to describe things in the past.Tune in to find out more and specifically how to talk about what our school days were like!Let us know how you found the episode/how you are finding the Pod in general or anything else. We love getting to know our listeners!Support the showGroup Lessons starting 7th April 2025: Group ProgrammesBeginners Course: Catalan for Beginners CoursePatreon: The Lazy Linguist Buy us a coffee: Buy me a Coffee Instagram: @lazylinguistcatalan Facebook: The Lazy Linguist PodcastChristina offers private lessons - enquire through a DM on socials or through the link: Private lessons

The term "micropobles" refers to small villages in Catalonia with fewer than 1,000 inhabitants. There are more than 480 micropobles in the territory, representing nearly one-third of all Catalan municipalities, yet they are home to only 2.5% of Catalonia's population, many of whom are already over 65 years old. Gigi Giulia and Lorcan Doherty join host Beth Cohen to discuss the pros and cons of living in a micro village and analyze the socio-demographic profile of the residents. We meet Joan Solà, president of the Associació de Micropobles de Catalunya, who explains the importance of rural communities in preserving Catalan cultural heritage, language and traditions. Young architect Marta Solà explains her decision to return to her home town in an isolated area of Lleida to begin her professional life after studying in Barcelona. And we explore some of the government initiatives which are being implemented to protect remote villages from depopulation. Whatever challenges Catalonia's micro villages may be facing, they continue to be unique places to reside for those who seek an alternative lifestyle far from the city.   This week our Catalan phrase is “Fotre el camp,” which is a rude expression commonly used to tell someone to go away or “get lost!” but can be translated as “go to the countryside.”

Depression is a leading cause of ill health and disability worldwide, according to the World Health Organization. However the stigma surrounding depression often leads patients to suffer in silence, without adequate support from family, friends and healthcare professionals. On this week's podcast we discuss what depression is, what the major causes are and how it can be treated. Lea Beliaeva Bander meets some patients who are suffering with depression, to get an insider's perspective on what it is like to live with the disease. We talk to psychologist Dr. Gemma Parramon Puig, president of the Catalan Society of Psychiatry and Mental Health of the Catalan Medical Sciences Academy and psychiatrist at Vall d'Hebron Hospital in Barcelona. She analyzes the biological, social and cultural factors which can influence depression and reveals why women are more likely to get diagnosed with depression than men. Plus founder and director of Therapy in Barcelona Leigh Matthews explains how mental health issues affect the international community and we discuss where to find professional support in Catalonia. This week our Catalan phrase is “veure la llum al final del túnel,” to see the light at the end of the tunnel. For any of our listeners who are struggling with depression, or supporting someone who is, we encourage you to seek help.

Send us a textJoin Alex on a translation challenge!We review the last 4 lessons on the perfect tense, superlatives and talking about mental health/hobbies. There are 10 sentences to translate from Catalan into English, and 10 from English into Catalan - they weren't easy so well done if you got some! Let us know your score!Support the showGroup Lessons starting 7th April 2025: Group ProgrammesBeginners Course: Catalan for Beginners CoursePatreon: The Lazy Linguist Buy us a coffee: Buy me a Coffee Instagram: @lazylinguistcatalan Facebook: The Lazy Linguist PodcastChristina offers private lessons - enquire through a DM on socials or through the link: Private lessons

Margaret from the future relays a fateful battle in the forests of Catalonia.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Margaret from the future continues her reporting from the front in Catalonia.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.