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Veronica, the legendary American in Portugal (Algarve), and Carl Hyde, the Brit in Lisbon, with their monthly, professional and personal insight, from their respective parts of the country.Enjoy content from Good Morning Portugal! published every day only on YouTube, please comment, like & subscribe.For 'resources for the rest of your life in Portugal', join the Portugal Club at www.theportugalclub.com for daily news, Portuguese language and culture, classroom, courses, calendar and community.Feeling lost, stuck or in need of inspiration? Or want friendly and positive support with your Portugal dream and plans?Try Carl's new consultancy service - by phone, on the web, over lunch, or enjoying a walk with him in his beloved Sao Martinho Bay.Review, evaluate and refine your Portugal Plan with Carl - for your best possible life here...Carl on Substack - https://carlmunson.substack.comBecome a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/the-good-morning-portugal-podcast-with-carl-munson--2903992/support.
On episode 368 we go from Tech House to Techno and back to Tech House on a live set recorded by Carlos Manaça last May 3rd at Kremlin in Lisbon with a surprise back 2 back with Dub Tiger at the end.More info athttps://linktr.ee/carlosmanacahttps://linktr.ee/magnarecordingshttps://music.beepd.co/card/carlosmanaca
Steve is a globally renowned talent strategist and advisor, sought after by leaders and organizations around the world. His client roster includes innovative organizations such as Airbnb, Salesforce, the Country Music Association, Manchester United Football Club, the BBC, and the City of Lisbon Portugal.Additionally, Steve is frequently retained by top VC firms and top consulting firms like Deloitte and McKinsey for his expertise.A dynamic speaker and educator, Steve presents at global conferences and teaches at leading universities.Before founding his firm in 2013, Steve spent over 25 years as an HR executive atindustry-leading companies like Cisco Systems and Electronic Arts.His career culminated in his role as LinkedIn's first Chief Human Resources Officer, where he helped grow the company from a private startup of 400 employees to a public powerhouse. His pioneering work in shaping LinkedIn's culture inspired Stanford University to create a graduate-level class based on his strategies.Throughout his career, the teams and cultures Steve has built have been recognized as world-class performers by The Wall Street Journal and Fortune Magazine. He has also been named one of the Top 100 Global Thought Leaders in People and Talent annually since 2021.In 2021, Steve released his acclaimed book Workquake, which explores the future of work and became an Amazon “Hot New Release” upon publication. Today, he serves on the boards of three companies and advises several forward-thinking organizations.To know more about Steve visit his website:www.stevecadigan.comThis episode is sponsored by: The Outlier ProjectWebsite: https://www.theoutlierproject.live/LinkedIn: @theoutlierproject
The last days before the Great Hunt.Book 3 in 18 parts, By FinalStand. Listen to the ► Podcast at Explicit Novels.“Can the scorpion ever stop being a scorpion? “"Do we get our legally permitted weaponry back?" The bishop still held my hand."Sure. If it makes you feel better.""I would like to meet your people then," he gave my paw one last shake then released me. "Shall we go?""I will have someone take you to your car. I want to briefly meet with the President, of Havenstone, then I'll join you in the garage. We'll drive over to JIKIT and I'll make the introductions. Good enough?""That is acceptable," he nodded."What about you two?" I regarded the nun and the Swiss Super-soldier. The nun remained vigilant, and silent. The Swiss' eyes flickered to his boss before settling back on me."It is what I volunteered for," he stated firmly."Okay. Please never say I didn't give you a chance to take the sane way out. Also, Bishop Nicolö, circumstances have conspired to up my prospective wedding date to January 1st.""That will be more difficult. Why the change?" he remained grim."We are having twins. By March, this will be very visible.""That is, unfortunate," he shook his head."You have no idea," and then a brainstorm. "And I am curious about resurrecting the Order of the Dragon, the Societas Draconistarum." Technically that meant 'Society of the Dragonists' which was more appropriate than the literal Ordo Draconis."Precisely how do you plan to recreate a crusading Christian Order which was the purview of the Hungarian monarchs?" he didn't sound the least skeptical, just curious."I have billions of euros to fund such a thing," I winked. "Of far greater critical importance, I know where I can find the supernatural guidance and spiritual imperative for such an organization.""You are going to produce a dragon?" his eyes grew larger even as he fought down his fear. Good man. He was adaptive. He'd need to be."I never said such a thing. That would make me sound crazy," I smiled broadly. "Besides, when I say 'dragon', you think 'devil' and that's way too pedestrian for where we are going.""I am not a moral relativist.""Neither am I. I'm out to save lives and nurture the drive in the human spirit to reach for freedom, love and liberty. As you might imagine, I'm pretty freaking outnumbered.""I think you are crazy," he re-evaluated things."I just might be. In all honesty, you should back out now. Take your two compadres back to 25 East 39th Street (the Holy See's Permanent Observer Offices to the UN in NYC) and report 'Mission Failure'. You'll most likely live longer," I reasoned."I am not afraid to die," Sister Rafaela Sophia finally voiced an opinion."That's idiotic," I scoffed before the bishop could reprimand her for opening her mouth. "You should be.""My soul is in God's hands," she set her jaw."Does he talk to you?" I countered."His message is clear.""Not what I asked. I asked if he specifically directed you to toss your life fruitlessly away as an object lesson for the reckless, or careless?""This is uncalled for," Nicolö intervened."Nope. I bet you a phone call to my Brother to physically restore your bishopric that there are four people in this room who have murdered in cold blood," I kept eye contact with the nun, "and she's the odd one out. Right Juanita?""Yes, Ishara," Juanita slipped up. Her spycraft, like mine, needed work."You were in the military?" the bishop asked my bodyguard."Was? I am. Right now," she related. "I will be until I die."That earned me looks from the three Catholics."She is loyal," Nicolö nodded slightly toward her, referring to Juanita's declaration."Huh? To me? Nope. She's loyal to my office, which we shan't get into right now. Back to you, Sister Rafaela Sophia. Are you out to be a martyr, or has some saint, or angel, given you a directive the other two seem to be unaware of which causes you to devalue your life?""I am devoted to the One True God, Christ, our Savior," and Juanita snorted, "and the Virgin Mary," the nun stated firmly. "I don't hear voices in my head.""Juanita, that was rude. Apologize to our guest," I kept looking forward."No." Well, fuck you too."Gun," I commanded. I held out my left hand."What? No. I will not give you one of my guns," she resisted."Juanita, give me your primary weapon, or I will ask Pamela to beat you up the moment I depart for the Great Hunt. After yesterday's stunt, you know she will," I threatened. Fair, I was not. She drew a Glock-20 and handed it to me. I went through the routine, dropped the magazine then ejected the round before opening the door.Oh look, there were four SD chicks outside, ready to escort my visitors downstairs. I didn't even need to waste a phone call. It wasn't like the conference room wasn't being monitored."Excuse me," I took a half step out the door then hurled all three items down the hall. Looking back at Juanita. "Go fetch.""Fuck you," she snapped."And insulting her faith was as degrading to both her faith and her as me doing this to you is degrading to you right now," I lectured her. "It is important to her, therefore it is important to me because she is my guest in the same way it is important to me that I let my bodyguard do her job without being a total asshole all the time. Now go get your God-damn weapon," I barked. Off she went. I left the door open."Now Sister Rafaela Sophia, the point of all this is: I don't give a crap if you are willing to die for God. In fact, that makes you less than worthless to me and the team. I want to know if you are willing to put other motherfuckers in the ground so that Bishop Nicolá, or Mathias, might get to keep doing their jobs.""Murder is a sin," she declared."Go home," I sighed while shaking my head."She answers to me, the Church and God, not you, Mr. Nyilas," the bishop stepped forward."Then you can go home too," I shrugged. "I'm not asking for remorseless killers. I'm asking for people willing to kill to get the hard work done and best of all, for people who know the difference.""Everyone on JIKIT is a professional soldier, or killer?" he asked."No, but the ones who aren't don't carry guns and know to get down when things get funky," I bantered."I vouch for her," he insisted. Juanita came running back into the room."Cool beans. I don't know you either.""You apparently know my service history," he volleyed."Yeah. Ten years a foreigner in the service of France, then you went straight into a university which turns out Jesuits," I riposted."What turned your life around?" he evaded. That was okay. I'd gotten what I wanted. I was willing to bet he had read every bit of public information about me and it was rumored the heavy Catholic membership in the FBI had its benefits to the Church as well. Not so much as to give them insight into JIKIT, but,"Someone risked their life for me. It's been pretty much downhill from there," I confessed. It was the truth. After Katrina gave me the life line on Day Two, it had all spiraled to the revelation of my heritage, Dad's death, Summer Camp, the Hamptons, Romania and Aya's kidnapping."A person, a soldier, died saving my life," the bishop empathized. "Her story is similar. She seeks redemption. She is not suicidal. I am staking both our lives on it."Did he mean him and Mathias, or him and me? I wasn't certain. Still, it was good enough for now. I'd gotten a look at their emotional make up, even the relatively quiet Swiss."Very well," I agreed. "I have to go see the President about my new job description. I'll catch up with you at your car." To the SD team leader, "Take them to the garage. I will join the group of you very soon.""Yes Ishara," she nodded. I exited the room, Juanita in tow. Two SD entered. I was gone before the Papal team left. Upstairs we went, with one last chore to discharge. I had to check on Ms. French to be absolutely freaking sure it was Shawnee, because anyone else would spell disaster.{8:30 am, Monday, September 8th. Last day}A Room full of asistants:Well, there it was, the office of the Executive Director to the President, and not 'Executive Assistant', because this was Katrina's final 'fuck you, no, just her final 'fuck you' before the Great Hunt got underway. I shouldn't assume things, dang it!Anyway, according to the gray-haired matron running gatekeeper to the Office of the President, this was where I was supposed to show up. I shot Juanita a worried look. She glanced my way and shrugged, momentarily willing to not give me shit about the past 24 hours because where I was situated would determine how easily she could do her job.In we went. In the suite were three desks, the 'big' desk situated at the far end of the office space and two far more modest ones on either side of the entryway. The room expanded beyond the chokepoint formed by the two closest desks into a cluttered area. The walls were cluttered with inset bookshelves and portraits of women. Facing one another were a loveseat on my left with bookend plush chairs in an 'L' facing and a full sofa on the right. There were end tables at the ends of the sofa and the corners between the loveseat and each chair.As the door opened, I hadn't knock as this was my office, or so it seemed, the occupants, who had all been sitting in quiet conversation in the central section, began reacting. Oh look ~ Constanza! I nearly had a heart attack before I realized there were three other Amazons also in the room. Sadly, none were behind the 'big desk', so I couldn't tell who was in charge. Two of the other three choices weren't too much better. First off,"Ishara," Marilynn Saint John stood to greet me. I'd last seen her when I'd dedicated her grandmother's (Hayden's) spirit to the halls of my ancestors, not hers, after forcing the political crisis leading to Hayden's suicide ~ her taking herself to the cliffs and in doing so, destroying the Amazon Cult of Blood Purity. Marilynne was clearly still bitter with me. Umm, I could still incite passion in women I hadn't slept with, yet, woot?"Cáel," the senior-most and only friendly face in the room spoke next. Thank goodness it was Beyoncé Vincennes, Head of House Hanwasuit and House Ishara ally."Cáel Ishara," the third individual was deferential which I wasn't sure how to take as the last time I'd encountered her, yeah, things hadn't gone well either."Beyoncé," I started off with a smile. From there, I had to figure out, ah, Beyoncé's eyes flickered to Constanza then Sabia. I knew Marilynn, with her young age, had the least seniority, "Constanza, Sabia, Marilynn. How's tricks?"Glum faces by everyone except Beyoncé. I didn't ask about Sabia's particular well-being. It had been months since I'd beaten her into the mats of the Full-blooded gym. She'd attacked Yasmin, the Brazilian Hottie and my Brazilian Jujutsu sparring buddy, and I'd retaliated by ambushed her when she turned her back on us. Besides, she'd been giving me shit before I even could see straight.Constanza was minus her left eye because of her dire insult to me. If she wasn't capable of working, she wouldn't be here. If she appreciated my 'mercy' in sparing her life ~ her insult was worthy of her death ~ Constanza hid it well. I hadn't spared her expecting a change of heart. I hadn't felt words alone warranted anyone's death. I was a big boy and could take a few insults. House Ishara, as represented by me, could care less. These days, my sisters would be less understanding despite them knowing my heart."Constanza Landau of House Jaya and Marilynn Saint John of House Anahit are Assistants to President Shawnee French," Beyoncé eased things along, "so will be working closely with us, at least for the short term. Sabia Noel of House Guabancex, who I now think you know as well, has joined you as the other 'Assistant' to the 'Executive Director to the President', (that would make me an 'adept', but adept at what?), and since two of the three Regents are unfamiliar with the workings of Havenstone proper, Shawnee has asked me to perform in that role."Beyoncé was, or had been, Havenstone HQ's CFO (Chief Financial Officer). From what I was quickly piecing together, she would essentially be making all the day-to-day decisions concerning the running of Havenstone (how the Host made the majority of its money) until the Regents got up to speed.Only Buffy had actual experience with the New York office and, from what she had told me, solely within Executive Services. While ES knew 'who' did what inside Havenstone, they weren't aware precisely how those Amazons got their jobs done. That would have been an impossible task. Katrina could do it, but she knew it was beyond the ability of most of us 'mere mortals'. Since we were currently at war, the Host needed Katrina completely focused on her duties as Chief Spy-mistress, not baby-sitting the adults.Shawnee indeed had much gravitas among the other House Heads. Not only had she risen up to lead a First House, she had performed heroically during the final days of the last Secret War. Afterwards she had moved into the realm of Amazon jurisprudence and mediation. Until yesterday, she had lived in a House Arinniti freehold in Minnesota's Great Lakes region thus her desire for the 'Training Wheels' period.The Regency would not rule through telecommunication (the upper echelons feared being eavesdropped upon beyond the standard Amazon (read: paranoid) levels) and Havenstone: New York was the center best situated for the current war-fighting operations, so here she lived. I was sure a team from Executive Services was buying, outfitting/spy-proofing and fortifying a dwelling suitable for the President of a Fortune 500 company. Hayden's home would remain the domicile of Sydney thus Marilynn.The same rigmarole would be done for Rhada and Buffy (though I imaged Buffy would bitch endlessly). Publically, they were VP's of a company worth hundreds of billions of dollars and they had to present the public trappings of such leaders.Why did the Amazons do this ~ unmask their leadership to public exposure? Legal-simple: they could request and expect all levels of public and private security for their executives who happened to also be important officials of the Host. Certainly not all executives at Havenstone were officeholders, House Heads, or House Apprentices, but the high level of competence which permitted one often led to the other.Beyonce:As an example: Beyoncé wasn't the most 'bad-ass' lethal chick in House Hanwasuit. As she was preparing to be casted, her intelligence, creativity and diligence at her future craft, finances, was noted by the Host and the members of her House. In due time her name was circulated as Apprentice and the elders approved. When her elder cousin, the prior House Head, took herself to the cliffs, Beyoncé assumed the top spot. Beyoncé wasn't even one of that woman's three daughters.Mirroring her advancement in her House was her advancement in Havenstone's Accounting, Acquisitions and Banking Divisions until she was appointed CFO Havenstone HQ ~ the supreme financial authority inside Havenstone, though the individual regional branches had a greater degree of autonomy than you might normally expect from a 21st century conglomerate, or a Bronze Age autocracy.I had to constantly remind myself, despite the near-constant feuding, Amazons exhibited a phenomenally higher level of trust than I'd ever found in any other society I'd ever witnessed, or read about, before. Though technically Beyoncé could have gone to President Hayden to enforce her decisions ~ or now the Regency ~ she was far more diplomatic in her approach in dealing with the other 'continental' CEO's and CFO's.That meant she had to wrangle the aspirations and resources from:North America (including Latin America, the 'Canadian Arctic' and the North Pacific Ocean),South America (includes both the South Atlantic and South Pacific as far as Samoa),Europe (mostly Central Europe these days plus Antarctica, the 'Russian' Arctic and the North Atlantic),Africa (mostly West-central Africa),India (the subcontinent plus the vast expanse of the Indian Ocean) and,Southeast Asia (which includes Australia)All of which suggested Havenstone hadn't redrawn the Amazons' geographic demarcations since the late 19th century. As an example, an East African venture, say in Tanzania, was as likely to be under the purview of Havenstone: India (due to its control over the Indian Ocean) as Havenstone: Africa (which traditionally had no East Coast holdings due to their constant struggles versus the Arabic slave trade).Returning to Beyoncé: initially she had held the proper 'conservative' (aka man-hating) mindset. My behavior during that first Board Meeting began to change her opinion of me and the New Directive. After the Archery Range incident, Beyoncé became a vocal proponent of the New Directive and faced challenges within her ranks. House Heads do not have to accept challenges and Beyoncé didn't, reasoning with her detractors they had no alternatives save the 'Old Ways' which spelled doom for the Amazon Race.Bing-bang-boom ~ I became the Head of a resurrected House Ishara by the Will of the Ancestors and Beyoncé was vindicated. Not necessarily in the New Directive, but in her support of me thus the rebirth of a sister First House. The purge following High Priestess' Hayden's death was her ultimate absolution. The Ancestors and Destiny had spoken and shown Beyoncé had been piloting House Hanwasuit along the proper course all along.Back to my current circumstances:Oh, why was I Assistant to the Executive Director to the President? It gave me direct access to the finances of Havenstone which was a critical leg of the war-fighting stool ~ people, morale, money and equipment. As Chief Diplomat, I helped with all four of those in varying degrees, allied troops, allied victories, allied bank accounts and allied armaments.The Great Khan, my spiritual 'Blood-Brother', was ramping up his logistic support for my Amazons in Africa, Asia and the Americas. We were 'Allies in the Struggle' and he wasn't going to wait for the Condottieri to begin coordinating with the Seven Pillars to declare them to be his enemies. They were already fighting the Amazons and 9 Clans, his allies, so their fates were sealed.In Japan, my Amazons provided small yet highly effective strike groups which the Ninja families furnished all the support services for. Everything from food to bullets to medical attention as needed. Without reservation, we shared their death-grapple with the Seven Pillars.From the dispatches I was getting back from my family members and envoys in Japan, we were making serious diplomatic inroads with the Ninja. Once again, it was the Amazons shocking capacity for violence as well as their fanaticism, professionalism and proficiency which all impressed our hosts and terrified our enemies, and this from people of a philosophical mindset which had them historically battling samurai.The Black Lotus were running around like rhesus monkeys on crack cocaine unleashed in a China Shop and given RPG's. While the Amazons couldn't help them in China, Indochina & Thailand ~ the Khanate could and was. The Amazons were of more help in the Philippines, Malaysia and Indonesia, where the Black Lotus and Amazons were going everywhere on the offensive against the Seven Pillars while the normal tight cohesion and iron-clad confidence, traits which made the 7P's so dangerous ~ were shaken by their horrendous losses in the 'Homeland' aka Mainland China.Less we forget, the 'military intelligence' wing of their organization had been decimated by the Khanate's Anthrax attack due to members of the Earth & Sky sacrificing themselves by being injected with the toxin then allowing themselves to be captured, which always ended in torture and death.Furthermore, the People's Republic of China, while having a scary 18% of the population either captured, imprisoned, dead, or displaced due to the Khanate invasion, that had come with the loss of 63% of their landmass (they had lost all of Nei Mongol, Ningxia & Xinjiang Uighur Autonomous Regions, Qinghai and Gansu as well as 90% of Yunnan, 80% of Sichuan and 20% of Shaanxi provinces) to the Khanate and the 'abomination' that was a free Tibet.Then came the Russian 'stab in the back' which entailed the loss of another 10% of their people falling under foreign dominion as well as losing 8% of their most industrialized territory, Manchuria (Heilongjiang, Jilin and Liaoning provinces ~ the Nei Mongol portion of 'Manchuria' was in the Khanate's greedy clutches, from the viewpoint of a Seven P's warrior).Don't get me wrong, they weren't about to throw in the towel. If anything, they were becoming more dedicated to trying harder, digging deep into their knowledge of every atrocity, inhumanity and perversion now deemed necessary to re-chart history back onto its 'correct' path. It was this willingness to act in an even greater sociopathic manner which was being used against them. After all, the 7P's had plenty of proxy allies, who were starting to get really nervous about what their paymasters were now asking them to do,We Amazons were getting some extra special help too. The Booth-gan (Do not call them Thuggee ~ the confederate 9 Clan member based out of India though long since ensconced within various Hindi enclaves across the Globe) had created an all-female group of ultra-fanatical Kali-devotees ~ a gift for the upcoming battle fomented by the Will of the Goddess herself.While Aya was our Queen and the Regency would rule until she wished to assume command of the Amazon People, the nuts-and-bolts of the Host's activities were handled by Saint Marie as Golden Mare (our Minister of War) (technically she held the top spot due to our State of War, though no Golden Mare had ever exercised such authority over a Queen (and she definitely believed Aya was our Queen)), Katrina (as Minister of Intelligence and Security), Beyoncé (as Havenstone (the multinational corporation) ~ our Treasurer/Economic Tsarina) and me (our Foreign Minister).Saint Marie had decided to forgo a public face in order to better facilitate her moving around to various battle fronts and holding clandestine meetings with her junior regional commanders. Her Havenstone corporate title was 'Chief of Security Training and Certification'. As an extra level of deception, the head of Security Services wasn't even a Director-level position, instead being folded into the duties of the Office of the President.To my current circumstances ~ I had been given Constanza's house name which could only mean she wasn't currently assigned to the Security Detail; a fact that couldn't have made her bad attitude any better. Marilynn had completely lost her way as an Amazon when I first met her, burying her pain and confusion in endless partying and intoxicants. I believed only her grandmother's status as High Priestess kept her from the severest of reprimands, or death. I didn't even know what Marilynn's caste was. Sabia,"While I'm sure you are both far more qualified than I, precisely how did you two get these jobs?" I had to ask my two non-coworkers. Constanza glowered. Marilynn flinched."I have an in depth knowledge of Havenstone security procedures and resources," Constanza replied."Shawnee requested me," was Marilynn's comeback. "I also have intimate knowledge of the City of New York and its environs.""Actually, Buffy Ishara recommended you both to Shawnee," Beyoncé corrected their misconceptions. I knew the score. I'd be working intimately with the tight community around the President (Shawnee) and Vice Presidents (Buffy & Rhada). Buffy wanted me to be surrounded by women who hated my guts, so I wouldn't end up boinking them. It rarely worked that way. All too often ladies who hated my still-beating heart ended up punishing me with sex. I wasn't sure why that happened, but it did."Beyoncé, didn't the Chief Diplomat of the Host have her own office? I'm pretty sure Troika had one before her unfortunate collision with Saint Marie," I felt entitled to inquire."Do you feel you've earned that office space?" she riposted."Oh, fuck no!" I waved my hands one over the other to accentuate my denial. "I was just wondering where I could stick Juanita while I'm hanging around, here.""She has the desk right outside the door, Cáel," Beyoncé smiled knowingly. "So there is no way you can sneak past her.""Oh," I grunted. "Buffy again?""No. Pamela Pile put in that particular request.""Oh, Sweet Mother of God, now she is conspiring against me too?""Yes. Some of us realize the greatest hazard to your health is yourself, Ishara," Beyoncé chided me. "We'd like to keep you around, so we listen to those charged with that nigh impossible task.""Is she going to be hanging around the office often?" Constanza asked, either myself, Juanita, or Beyoncé; I wasn't sure. She = Pamela."Please, Constanza," I attempted to intervene, "don't make Pamela kill you. It will upset Mona." Constanza's scowl was accentuated by the eyepatch covering her ruined left socket, the one Pamela had carved out when Constanza had insulted me and House Ishara on our first day of rebirth. I didn't tell Juanita this, because Juanita might just shoot Constanza over the insult before Pamela got a chance to finish the job.The tension was palatable."Mona and I have talked, about Romania, and other things," Constanza grudgingly allowed. It took me a second to realize there was a hidden meaning to what she said. Mona was part of my personal Security Detail bodyguard unit. If she felt Constanza, the woman who had raised her after her birth-mother had died, was a threat to me, she'd feel duty-bound to snuff Constanza first. Amazons were hard-ass bitches alright and I think Mona had made that clear."I hope things can improve between us," I offered to Constanza. "Beyoncé, I just stopped in to say 'hey'. I'm off to JIKIT and I've got three of the Pope's people waiting on me in the garage so,""Vice President Varma requested a moment of your time," Beyoncé smirked. "She is in 2604.""Who?""Vice President Rhada Varma, a moment of your time, alone?" she clarified."Sure thing," I backed out of the office. Once I had some space, I turned to Juanita. "Give me three minutes then bust in and say, I don't know, a tsunami is about to overwhelm the city, or something. Otherwise, I won't get out for at least an hour and I think I've put the Bishop and his people through enough delays as it is.""Are you actually asking me to stop you from having an in-office liaison?" she studied me intently as we walked in the direction of Rhada's office."Yes. It's not likely to happen often, believe me.""Oh, I do, in that you won't ask me to do it often," she grumbled. I'd deal with Juanita's morale problem later. Right now, I had to gird my loins so they wouldn't do anything else with Rhada. I had work to do, damn it!Rhada was sitting at her desk, working on something, stylus raised up so she could chew on the end. Her hair was pulled back in a half-ponytail, the type that captured the rear half of the hair in a ponytail while leaving the front and bangs free to flow down. Rhada's blouse was white & billowy and, as I was soon to discover, her pants were ultra-tight and contour hugging."Mr. Nyilas," she greeted me. "I would like a moment of your time," she relayed what I already knew. She was more than a tad nervous to boot."Vice President Varma," I started off."When in private you may call me Rhada," she interrupted."Rhada, you look more ravishing than ever."That got up her and coming around her desk, which revealed her ultra-tight pants with no sign of her wearing underwear. Yikes! My cock was preparing to do what a cock was meant to do and I just didn't have the time, Really!"Do you have any time?" she let her bosom heave."Not today, ugh," I groaned. See, Rhada took the stylus and dragged it down her chin, throat and in between her bountiful mounds.All of which exposed the top of her black bra."Are you sure, Master?" she enticed me by turning around and then leaning over her desk, point that ass in my direction. My mouth began salivating and my groin ached. I found myself quick-stepping to her and giving those buttocks two firm slaps, one on each cheek."No, damn it, though I'm going to make you pay for this when I get back," I rumbled."Master will make me wait?" she taunted me."That will cost you even more," I growled. "I have business which simply won't wait and here is my captive teasing me with the treasures of her flesh. Bad, war captive," I spanked her yet again, hard. "Bad!" and I spanked her a fourth time. With each beating, Rhada gasped in pain and then exhaled in pleasure."If I've been bad, Master must be extra harsh with me when he returns in triumph from the Great Hunt," she gloated. Rhada had gotten what she wanted, which was another affirmation of my lust for her and our 'game'. I could provide her the release she so desperately craved while allowing her the safety of remaining in the Amazon fold. It was a perfect pairing, for her.I had other problems, such as all the other baby mamas in my life plus the extra-marital affairs I was contemplating. I still took the moments we had to snuggle with Rhada, her grinding that tush into my rod while I held both her arms tightly to her side while raining kisses down onto her neck and head."Sir! A giant tsunami is approaching the city!" Juanita exploded through the door."What?" I coughed. I had a face full of hair."Huh?" Rhada pushed up and away from me. I let her go."Right now," Juanita insisted. She really needed to stop taking me so seriously when I gave her such advice."Really?" from Rhada. She shot me a curious look so I shrugged. What else was I supposed to do with such a flimsy lie forcing our separation? At least I got out of there on time?{9:50 am, Monday, September 8th ~ Last day}(JKIT HQ)"Is this a common occurrence?" Sister Rafaela Sophia whispered to the closest woman, who happened to be Wiesława, the Polish Amazon. Since she hadn't arrived with us from Havenstone, the nun might have assumed she was with the 'Americans', or British."What?" Wiesława responded evenly."Weapons combat, they look real," the nun clarified."They are real. We always practice with real weapons.""Really?""Of course," Wiesława smiled at her. "We believe a few cuts and scrapes now will save lives when the true tests come.""Oh, you are with, Havenstone?" Rafaela clued in."Yes. I am Wiesława of House Živa. I am currently assigned to Unit L, Cáel's unit within JIKIT," she offered her hand to shake. Despite being a full-blooded Amazon from a freehold, her 'human' skills were progressing nicely. The nun shook it."I am Sister Rafaela Sophia of the Handmaids of the Sacred Heart of Jesus, that is a Roman Catholic Religious Order." Pause. "Do you hate Catholics too?""Yes. We have lived beside your people for many centuries and found your clergy to be much more dangerous than your pagan predecessors. Still, Cáel thinks you can be relied on and he's proven we can trust outsider women, which I was raised to believe was unlikely, and outsider men, which was basically anathema, so I'm willing to set aside my prejudices and judge you as an individual," the Pole imparted."Outsider men?" Rafaela mumbled."Well, yes," Wiesława smirked. "You are a nun, right?""Yes.""So you set aside the World of Men to live mostly among women, right?""Not entirely," the nun chose her words carefully. "We still rely on priests for religious rights and of course obey the life teachings of Christ and follow the leadership of his Holiness, the Pope, a man.""No one is perfect," the Amazon bantered back."Do you know the teachings of our Lord, Jesus Christ?" Rafaela ventured into dangerous waters."Yes. He was the semi-historical Son of your supposed One True God. We are not monotheists. We are Polytheists. Živa is my House's matron Goddess. It is also the name of the first woman to lead the House, her birth name surrendered to Destiny so all the daughters who came afterwards would be equals.""Oh, is Mr. Nyilas also pagan?" she inquired."I am unsure. From what I have been told, he has commended the spirit of his fallen father to your Jesus in a sacred ceremony then, in the presence of your Trinity and the Goddess Ishara, brought in new members to his House. I suspect he may be both," Wiesława reasoned. "Why don't you ask him?""Because he's fighting for his life?" Rafaela looked my way.See, the entire time their discussion had been going on, I had been sparring in a spare room at JIKIT HQ with Estere Abed, the Hashashin assassin (rather redundant ~ like saying the Sahara Desert). I had two tomahawks while she had a scimitar and curved dagger. While we sparred using the furniture as obstacles, Agent-86 was briefing me on various World events to get my input.Addison Stuart (CIA) and Lady Fathom Worthington-Burke (MI-6) were having a chat with Bishop Nicolé de Santis, verifying for themselves he was worth adding to the team. Juanita was having a similar discussion with Rikki Martin (US State Department) concerning my earlier encounter with the Papal team. Nicolé's buddy, Wachtmeister Mathias Bosshart of the Swiss Guard, was getting acquainted with the other security personnel.In comparison, those two had it easy. Both men were in their elements. Nicolé was a spook who pretended to be a diplomat for the Pope and was well acquainted with terms like 'deniable assets', 'plausible deniability' and your direct superior referring to requests concerning your identity/diplomatic status by saying 'I never heard of him and if I had, I have no idea what he was doing when you caught him doing what I don't know what he was doing', or something like that.Mathias was in the company of military-security specialists, brother professionals who were introducing him to his 'sister' professionals. Our Homeland Security gang were almost entirely former military by now. They got along with our JSOC folks and both had gained a limited acceptance with the Amazon security contingent.They bonded over the fact they were forced to work with really shady characters ~ the 9 Clans menagerie ~ who didn't always appreciate JIKIT operational security. Without going into particulars, the Wachtmeister was given the impression the abnormal was the norm and if you didn't think there was a 'down-side' to being able to carry your personally favorite bang-bang (the SG 552-2P Commando in his case) with some serious attachments (read: grenade launcher) around in downtown Manhattan, you probably didn't belong on this team.Back in the room,"He's not fighting for his life," Estere laughed. "He is fighting for mine.""Right," I responded sarcastically. We went through a flurry of exchanges, ending up with me kicking a chair at her. Estere stepped over it, colliding with me.I blocked her dagger, disarmed her scimitar and,"You are dead," she panted down at me, smiling. I was on my back, her straddling me. She had a belt-knife to my throat. I hadn't see her draw it. The scimitar 'disarm' had been a distraction."Woot!" I exhaled."But you're dead," Sister Rafaela misunderstood my good humor."He survived a minute and thirty-four seconds more today than his previous record," Estere responded. She slithered off of me, doing my arousal no good whatsoever, then offered me a hand up."And that's better?""He's a rank amateur with a few months on the job. I've been training to kill people for nearly two decades," Estere smiled. "Care to have a go?""With him, or you?""Either," Estere offered."I don't have a knife, or any hand weapons," she stated."We'll need to remedy that," Wiesława stated. "You should at least carry a knife.""Really? Why?""It is a nearly universal tool," I verbally stepped up. "Even if you are disarmed, you should be able to find one relatively easily, people are less likely to miss a stolen knife than a purloined gun, and a concealed blade could come in handy.""Do you train in knife-work?" Rafaela eye-balled me."Absolutely. It is part of my culture," I grinned."Okay. Can we spar, hand-to-hand?""Sure," I nodded. I put my tomahawks in their harnesses then put my harnesses aside. Estere gave me a wink before giving us the fighting space."So," Rafaela began to circle, "are you Christian?""By your definition, or mine?""By the definition of the Catholic Church."Oh cool, she went for a Savate stance. This was going to get ugly.My "no," was followed by her kick and my block, lunge and grapple. She wasn't nearly as good as Felix. I had her down and in a choke hold within fifteen seconds.Perhaps she thought I'd take it easy on her. She tapped out. I released her, retreated and flowed back to my boxing stance. It took her a moment to realize this was 'practice', not 'an interview'. She hadn't failed in anyone's eyes. We were both doing this to get better."See, I really, truly believe I have talked to supernatural entities ~ some who are considered divinities," I continued. This time she was more careful, trading jabs and blocks with me. "They don't claim to be the One True God. I believe in such a thing, but I also believe having been given the Message, Humanity has been left to muddle things out for ourselves."Whoops, she popped me one."The Woman-Thing this morning?""Yep," I evaded another flurry. She got cocky and I landed three blows, dropping her to the ground. I didn't help her up. Instead, I withdrew and let her get back up on her own before deciding if she wanted to continue. She did."I believe I've seen dragons and ghosts. I have felt legions of my ancestors give me quiet encouragement when I needed it. I know the dead have been brought back to life," I came at her. This time we both went for body blows, knees, elbows and fists. She was not SD-caliber and she needed to be. I grappled and she was forced to tap out again. After she regained her feet, she held up a hand for a pause."Do you believe any of that?" she addressed Estere."I am an adherent of Ismaili Islam yet nothing Cáel has encountered is contrary to my belief system. The Universe is a complex place and the Divine Light is often seen through a fractured lenses," she counseled the nun."Among the escapees were lawyer Francisco Luemba, Catholic Priest Raul Tati, economist Belchior Lanso Tati and former policeman Benjamin Fuca who are serving jail sentences of between three and six years each for supposed links to the rebel group FLEC (Frente para a Libertaé'o do Enclave de Cabinda), which carried out the attack on the Togolese football team at the start of the Africa Cup of Nations in January, 2010," Agent-86 read off yet another bit of global minutia."We need to get to them," I half turned. Sister Rafaela punched me in the gut and I folded up."Oh!" she gasped. "I'm sorry.""Okay," I mumbled. I had to keep with the plan. "Those men. We need to contact our Coils people in Kinshasa and the Warden of the Mountain Ways ('she' was the Amazon Host's leader of Africa ~ in the ancient times, the mountain ways had been the routes of southern vulnerability for the Amazon tribe thus the name).""Okay," both Agent-86 and Estere answered."Why?" 86 added."The Coils and the Host have had a serious problem with no nation in Africa giving them even back room recognition so we are going to take over our own country, Cabinda. It's been struggling to be free of Angola since 1975 and, by latest estimates, we've got strike elements of over 2,000 Amazons ready and waiting next door in Cameroon, Gabon and the Republic of Congo.""So you are going to go to war with Angola?" Estere frowned. "Don't we have enough enemies?""Au contraire," I grinned wickedly. "The resistance movement is genuine," I ticked off my points, "they have tons of offshore oil, and after we set off some spectacular explosions in the two main Angolan ports which are just down the coast, we allow global panic to bully the UN into intervening before the Angolan military launch an effective counter-offensive ~ considering the Angolan Armed Forces (I'd been reading up on a ton of CIA & MI-6 briefings) will most likely involve attrition warfare since they can't beat us in a stand-up fight.""They, the Angolans, have no overland access, they are separated by 60 kilometers of territory belonging to the Democratic Republic of Congo over some sad ass roads Plus the Congo River itself which is freaking huge by the time it gets that close to the Atlantic, Cabinda rests on the Atlantic Ocean by the way. No bridges. The Angolan Navy is anemic. Let me think."I began pacing."Hmm, they have no paratroopers though they have some Special Forces, we will need to hit as many of them in the barracks as we can. Their last invasion was from the north, overland, from the Republic of the Congo, in 1975, not likely to happen this time, though I may have my 'Brother' weasel up a battalion of Indian paratroopers to act as convincing peacekeepers after the initial take over.""Perhaps we can recruit some Vietnamese. I'm sure they'll love fighting in someone else's jungle for a change. We'll need some of 'our' guys to seize the port of Soyo, it is on the wrong side of the river, but has the major refinery the Cabindans will need. Since the entire surrounding province are the same ethnic make-up as the Cabindans, we'll have to take that too.""Man-o-man, I bet by the time this is over they'll really wish they'd given little Cabinda independence back in 1975. As for their other refinery, it is in their capital, Luanda, a few big explosions there too will get the markets jittery. Check that ~ the complete and utter destruction of their major petroleum facility will create a stampede for Peace," I continued. I walked over as our resident computer intelligence genius worked his magic."Blowing things up, you mean killing people," the nun blanched."Yes. This is what I do," I spared her a sympathetic glance. "I've got a madman roaming around in my head who provides me truly epic military advice which normally, but not always, means blowing shit up and killing folks. Welcome to the team," then as the data appeared, "Holy Shit! Did they build their oil refinery in the midst of their ghetto?" I was staggered. The refinery in Soyo was isolated from the town so it could be easily (and safely) seized. It was the one in Luanda which was the 'Holy Shit' site."It looks that way," Agent-86 agreed nonplussed. "Hmm, yeah, here is the port facility then your neighborhood of shoddily constructed one- and two-story dwellings between the refinery and the inland storage tanks, the perimeter barrier appears to be a chain link fence. I'd hate to be their Chief of Security.""Oh yeah," I choked. Estere slipped around to get a look."Whoops," she snorted."What are these people thinking?" I continued. "The whole shebang is exposed to the northern quarter of the city. The storage tanks have residential dwellings on all four sides with numerous side streets. Two teams with RPGs and four rounds apiece, Holy Crap. Sorry Sister.""But I want to save lives," she sputtered."Limiting the collateral damage could be pretty tough," Estere frowned. She toggled throw a series of maps to multiple pictures."Oh, look (dripping sarcasm); they light up the refinery at night. You can sit off the coast in a speed boat under cover of darkness and attack from there," she noted."Damn. Those are a lot of lights," Agent-86 agreed."24-7 operation," I suspected."We will need some experts," the government agent nodded."Or we are going to kill a fuck-load of innocent people. Not just the workers, but can you imagine a fire spreading to those neighborhoods? Shit," I muttered."You can't seriously be contemplating doing something like this," the nun sputtered. "It is inhumane. Think of the families, the children.""Lady, yes I am. Do you have any idea what the Human Rights record of the Angolan Army in Cabinda is? It is truly horrific and in case you missed it, one of the guys in dire need of rescuing by me, due to him being a huge rebel leader who has managed to escape, is also a Catholic priest. He's going to be part of the new government we are going to install once we kill a few hundred Angolans ~ mostly soldiers (more like well over a thousand).""We are going to kill a few hundred so a few hundred thousand can live free, democratic lives without worrying about the local police and political establishment torturing and murdering them. It is all part of the plan.""I think I need to talk with the Bishop.""Hang on. Let me finish," I forestalled her. "He'll get briefed along with everyone else. After all, it is a majority Roman Catholic country as is Angola, so I'm sure your guy can be of immense help.""The people you are putting at risk don't deserve this," she protested."They never do," I nodded in agreement with her. "It rarely stops terrible crap from happening to them though."I felt sorry for the Sister. She thought the Bishop was going to put a stop to this. Poor girl; he was going to do the exact opposite. See, the two competing forces at play here were a communistic kleptocracy (currently ruling Angola) and Catholic liberation theology united with a Cabindan national identity dating back to 1885. At stake was 900,000 barrels a day of petroleum. That was a bunch of funding for somebody. Last I checked, the state run energy conglomerate had misplaced $32 billion, in just three years.Mind you, the Coils of the Serpent and the Amazon Host didn't want to help the People of Cabinda out of the goodness of their hearts either. They wanted cover for the importation of weapons and other war-fighting material so they could kill the Condottieri in Africa. If the rebel leaders-turned-legitimate government didn't play ball well, the Coils were in the 'assassinating people' business and somewhere along the line the survivors would figure out keeping 'us' happy kept them alive. Problem solved.It was Bishop Nicolé de Santis' job to facilitate that understanding. If certain people with Vatican credentials explained the 'facts of life' to the new regime a lot more lives could be saved, Catholic lives. In turn, he could work to make sure the new group in power wasn't nearly as corrupt as the gang we were tossing out. Better education and quality of life, improved infrastructure & security and a nice shiny cathedral, or two.We, as in JIKIT and our component members, didn't want to rule the country and dominate the people's lives. We needed the ports and the airfields with a blind eye turned to our skullduggery. Sure, there would be future considerations. Amazons and Coil members would be fighting and dying for these people's freedom ~ public recognition definitely not required. No; the Amazons wanted to be left alone in their deep jungle homes which was an isolation they basically already had. This was a future chit which said 'don't come looking'.The Coils? Let's just say in the future Cabinda would have embassies around the globe and if occasionally they wanted someone to slip through under diplomatic cover ~ they were good for it. And if the Cabindans ever needed help in the future they knew they had friends in dark places who were now invested in Cabinda's survival. It was a win-win-win, unless you were an Angolan big-wig, or one of their foot-soldier currently serving in Cabinda. Amazons weren't big on taking prisoners, or even giving the opposition the option of giving up.For me, it wasn't lunch yet and here I was plotting to overthrow yet another government in yet another country ~ though in only two, small provinces this time. Thank the Goddess I had the rest of the week
This week w ego back to NYE to present the second part of Carlos Manaça set recorded at Vision LX New Year's Eve at Titanic Sur Mer in Lisbon in a surprise back to back with Luis XL Garcia.More info athttps://music.beepd.co/card/carlosmanacahttps://linktr.ee/carlosmanacahttps://linktr.ee/luisxlgarcia
In this interview we hear from Hajer Khader El Bizri speaking on Bairro Árabe walks in Lisbon, Portugal, which is a contemporary gathering and educational space in the city. Hajer invites people to walk in the city to learn about the contested and complex cultural history in a city that is also shaped by Islamic cultural heritage, a reality that in the contemporary context of systemic racism in the European context is important to consider. Hajer also makes the connection between the histories of othering Muslims in Portugal and Spain, the displacement of communities in centuries past through colonial conquest and how it is connected to the present. Learn more about this project here: https://bairroarabe.com Thank you to my friend Nour El-Tibi in Lisbon for helping to arrange for this interview to take place. Stefan Christoff produces this artist interview series, Art in Action, broadcasts monthly on: Radio AlHara, Palestine On the first Friday of each month at 3pm in Bethlehem and 8am eastern time (radioalhara.net) CKUT 90.3 FM, Montréal On the third Friday of each month at 11am (ckut.ca) CJLO 1690 AM, Montreal On the second Thursday of each month at 8am. (cjlo.com)
Our Radio Show episode 353 was recorded by Carlos Manaça at the first 2025 morning in Lisbon, at Vision Lisbon After Hours at Titanic Sur Mer in Cais do Sodré near the Tagus River. More info athttps://music.beepd.co/card/carlosmanacahttps://linktr.ee/carlosmanacahttps://linktr.ee/magnarecordings
Tracy and Derrill Thompson are creating the sort of international life that many folks dream of. Derrill is a former labor lawyer from Vancouver. Tracy is one of the founders of a Canadian software company, Beanworks, that specialized in accounts payable processes.After Beanworks was acquired by Quadient in 2021, Tracy and Derrill moved to Setubal, an old commercial fishing port just South of Lisbon/Portugal. Tracy is an active community organizer in Setubal's vibrant emigre community. To properly ring in 2025, Derrill and Tracy are launching their next dream business - a cocktail lounge in Setubal's charmed Old Town named Gatsby Cocktailaria.
This podcast episode is part of Afar, A Retrospective. As part of Afar's 15-year anniversary celebration, this episode from our sister podcast, Travel Tales by Afar, was selected as one of our favorites. We hope you enjoy it as much as we do—and stay tuned for more archival Travel Tales episodes from September - December 2024. Explore more of our favorite stories over the years at afar.com/fifteen. Two months after her house burned down, Afar sent the award-winning author of Miss Burma, Charmaine Craig, to Lisbon, Portugal, with 24 hours' notice. Without a plan, Charmaine aimlessly follows tourists through cobbled streets before stumbling upon the grave of one of the country's most beloved authors: Fernando Pessoa. Following in his footprints, her trip transforms into a poetic journey through loss, impermanence, and hope. Portugal's Elusive Poet: Fernando Pessoa In this episode discover: The world's oldest bookstore, Livraria Bertrand. How Portugals' streets recovered after fire and earthquakes. Where to follow Francis Pessoa's legacy in Lisbon. Twin Flames, Twin Houses Don't miss these transformative moments: [01:39] Lost history and landing in Lisbon. [05:02] Meeting Francis Pessoa: a master poet of impermanence. [08:00] Echoes of destruction, from L.A. to Lisbon. A Literary Adventure in Lisbon The only book Charmaine Craig brought to Lisbon was The Book of Disquiet by Francis Pessoa. Though she knew the author lived in Lisbon,Charmaine didn't expect to stumble upon his tomb in her first 24 hours. In this episode, an unplanned trip to Portugal becomes a deeply personal, poetic tour through grief, impermanence, and hope. Resources: Read Charmaine's original story. Visit Charmaine's website and buy her books, Miss Burma and My Nemesis. Plan a trip to Lisbon with Afar with content like the best things to do and see or these guides to the perfect day or weekend.
Welcome to another episode of LAGOS MEETS LONDON! There's no better way to start your weekend other than watching this amazing episode that gives you an insight into the life of the BIGGEST TRAVEL VLOGGER in AFRICA @TayoAinaFilms On Tayo Aina's most recent trip to London we had the opportunity of sitting down and having a conversation with him. Discussing topics like Purchasing luxury items vs Spending money on travel. The perception about Nigeria abroad The Nigerian community in the Caribbean and many other interesting topics.
Maria is in Lisbon and meets Brent for an episode of the podcast. She tells Brent about her first trip to mainland Portugal, her love of the city of Guimarães, The Douro Valley, and a scary escape from the Portuguese wildfires. Maria also talks about her new cookbook and some of her family recipes. Plus, Maria and Brent share their favorite places for a Pastel de Nata in Lisbon [Ep 308] Show Notes: Maria Lawton's website Maria's podcast Married to Portuguese Maria's book At My Portuguese Table Maria's cookbook Azorean Cooking Torre de Palma Wine Hotel
Hunter Webb is in Lisbon Portugal, where he is a principal at DeepRent.ai. On today's show we are talking about how artificial intelligence can automate the management of a portfolio of storage facilities. To connect with Hunter and to learn more, visit deeprent.ai ----------- **Real Estate Espresso Podcast:** Spotify: [The Real Estate Espresso Podcast](https://open.spotify.com/show/3GvtwRmTq4r3es8cbw8jW0?si=c75ea506a6694ef1) iTunes: [The Real Estate Espresso Podcast](https://podcasts.apple.com/ca/podcast/the-real-estate-espresso-podcast/id1340482613) Website: [www.victorjm.com](http://www.victorjm.com) LinkedIn: [Victor Menasce](http://www.linkedin.com/in/vmenasce) YouTube: [The Real Estate Espresso Podcast](http://www.youtube.com/@victorjmenasce6734) Facebook: [www.facebook.com/realestateespresso](http://www.facebook.com/realestateespresso) Email: [podcast@victorjm.com](mailto:podcast@victorjm.com) **Y Street Capital:** Website: [www.ystreetcapital.com](http://www.ystreetcapital.com) Facebook: [www.facebook.com/YStreetCapital](https://www.facebook.com/YStreetCapital) Instagram: [@ystreetcapital](http://www.instagram.com/ystreetcapital)
Lisbon, Portugal, July 21, 2024: Discourse by Satguru Mata Sudiksha Ji Maharaj
Lisbon, Portugal, July 21, 2024: Discourse by Satguru Mata Sudiksha Ji Maharaj
In this episode of the Young Black Travelers podcast, Simone and Assher discuss their experiences traveling to Lisbon, Portugal. They talk about the city's vibrant energy and historical significance, as well as the diverse culinary scene. They also touch on the importance of understanding Portugal's colonial history and its impact on the black community. The conversation covers topics such as discrimination, local experiences, and the influence of different cultures in Lisbon. They also share their recommendations for activities and accommodations in the city. --- Send in a voice message: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/youngblacktravelers/message Support this podcast: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/youngblacktravelers/support
We are reporting Live from Lisbon, Portugal! Well, our co-host Lovely is. Lol. In this special episode, Lovely joins us from the enchanting city of Lisbon. Sharing her firsthand travel experience, Lovely takes listeners on a captivating journey through Lisbon's vibrant streets and rich cultural heritage. Wait, what's a Financial Griot?The Financial Griot is a play on two words (Finance + Griot) that hold significance in closing the wealth gap while embracing our differences. Alainta Alcin, Lovely Merdelus, and Lawrence Delva-Gonzalez give their take on current events relating to your personal finances and wealth mindset. Features in the New York Times, Bankrate, and other publications, the hosts share the stories that others don't. Stories about growth, opportunity, and even Wars. Beyond that, we tie it back to how it reflects on your finances. Specifically, we teach you how to become financially literate, incorporate actionable steps, and ultimately build generational wealth.Can you imagine being a Millionaire in 20 years or less?Yeah, it's possible. Eighty percent of millionaires are the first generation, which means they didn't come from wealth. We teach you how. Join a community of subscribers who welcome a fresh take on money.So there you have it, The Financial Griot, or TFG for short. The hosts amassed over $3 million in wealth in about eight years and are on track to retire early. We will gladly share the secrets if you want them since the opportunity is abundant and Win-Win.Find the TFG Crew Hosts on Instagram: Alainta Alcin - Blogger, Travel and Money Enthusiast https://www.linkedin.com/in/alaintaalcinLawrence Delva-Gonzalez, Financial Foodie and Travel Blogger @theneighborhoodfinanceguyLovely Merdelus - Entrepreneur and Small Business Growth Specialist @lovelymerdelus
In this episode we share the rest of our trip to Portugal where we visited the Algrave coast and the capital city of Lisbon. We share what we did, ate, and loved about each city (and maybe some things we didn't love). And of course we end with our favorite game!
It's time to change it up.. Thanks to a wonderful listeners suggestion, we are changing it up the surprise song o'clock game! This time, we are doing teams! Ana and Nick vs Amy and Lacey! Which team will correctly be able to think like Taylor Swift and predict the songs she will perform this weekend during the acoustic set in Portugal?We are still taking suggestions for the losers punishment on this leg of the tour! And Amy and Lacey need help picking their team name!Ana and Nick and Amy and Lacey make their song predictions and talk about all of the things that happened last weekend in Stockholm!And don't forget! We finally have 13 Podcast merch! You can find that at the 13podcast.net.What did we miss? What would you like to hear from us? There are lots of ways to reach us!CONTACT THE PODCAST!Voicemail Number- (689) 214-1313Email- the13podcast@gmail.comIG- https://www.instagram.com/the13podcast TikTok- https://www.tiktok.com/@the13podcastTwitter- https://twitter.com/the13TSpodcastYouTube- https://www.youtube.com/@13ATaylorSwiftFanPodcast FOLLOW US! The13Podcast.NetAna - https://www.instagram.com/anaszabo13Lacey – https://www.instagram.com/laceygee13Amy – https://www.instagram.com/amysnicholsNick – https://www.instagram.com/nickadamsonair CHECK OUT OUR OTHER PODCASTS!Nick – "Shut Up!" & "The Chatty Daddies" This podcast is in no way related to or endorsed by Taylor Swift, her companies, or record labels. All opinions are our own.
In today's episode we're trying something new - in person interviews at Running Remote, the world's largest conference for remote workers, in Lisbon, Portugal. I spoke with with five guests about their reflections on Running Remote, experiences in Portugal and how they're supporting the future of remote work: Learn more about Gonçalo's digital nomad village in his previous About Abroad appearance here or by connecting with him on LinkedIn. Learn more about Darcy's move to Portugal in her previous About Abroad appearance here or by connecting with her on LinkedIn. Learn more about Ali's move to Portugal in her previous About Abroad appearance here or by connecting with her on LinkedIn. Learn more about Stephen's company, Roamr, or by connecting with him on LinkedIn. Learn more about Michelle's team retreats in her previous About Abroad appearance here or by connecting with her on LinkedIn. Learn more about Dave's company, Kadence or by connecting with him on LinkedIn. Learn more about MyExpatTaxes here. This episode was brought to you by Lexidy, the team of lawyers and advisors I trust for all my visa, tax, and property challenges in Spain, Greece, Italy, France & Portugal. Use the code "AboutAbroad2023" to receive 10% of your first service, Click to learn more. For your next retreat, offsite, or group gathering, save yourself countless hours of headache and tap into Lamont & Co's extensive network and experience to source the best venues in the world! They'll even provide sample budgets for each location, and negotiate contracts on your behalf - all for FREE! Click to learn more. The partnership mentioned above may include affiliate links that will pay About Abroad a referral fee at no additional cost to you. If you're enjoying the podcast, please consider taking 2 minutes to leave a short review at: Leave a 5-star Review Support the Podcast: ▪︎ Follow on Instagram ▪︎ Connect on LinkedIn ▪︎ Subscribe on YouTube
After all the Spanish monarchy talk lately (and mentions of Lisbon), I saw fit to replay this episode for you. Such a tragic event! Looking for a commercial-free experience? -- Credits: Host: Rebecca Larson --- Send in a voice message: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/rebecca-larson/message Support this podcast: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/rebecca-larson/support
In this podcast episode, Steve Cadigan, LinkedIn's first Chief HR Officer and expert on the future of work, discusses the evolving landscape of human resources and talent strategy. Topics covered include the importance of accountability, defining success, stakeholder engagement, and the dynamics between hiring managers and talent HR. Steve delves into the challenges the HR industry faces, particularly the complexities around hiring, onboarding, and aligning talent strategies with company values. He emphasizes the need for organizations to adapt to rapid changes in job requirements, skills, and workplace culture. The conversation also touches on the potential impacts of AI on HR practices, advocating for AI to complement talent strategies by enhancing personal job satisfaction and organizational fit rather than focusing on cost savings. Steve shares insights from his extensive experience and suggests ways to improve recruitment processes and talent management for a more engaged and productive workforce. Highlights 00:31 Defining Accountability and Success in HR 02:08 The Complex Role of HR in Balancing Growth and Compliance 05:35 Challenges in Talent Acquisition and the Evolving Job Market 26:24 The Future of Work: AI, Automation, and the Talent Landscape ------ Guest: Steve Cadigan is a true luminary in the world of talent. His expertise is regularly sought after by some of the most prestigious organizations on the planet, including dynamic organizations like Google, Manchester United, The Royal Bank of Scotland, the City of Lisbon Portugal, and the BBC. Not only that, but he's also a trusted advisor to top-tier venture capital and consulting firms like Sequoia, and McKinsey & Co.. Steve may be best known for being LinkedIn's first Chief HR Officer helping design what many consider to be the gold standard of company culture. Throughout his illustrious career, Steve has consistently demonstrated his ability to build teams, shape cultures, and transform organizations into nothing less than "world-class" performers. His remarkable achievements have garnered accolades from esteemed publications such as the Wall Street Journal and Fortune magazine, solidifying his reputation as a true industry visionary. In recognition of his outstanding contributions, Steve Cadigan was rightfully named one of the top 200 Global Thought Leaders in the realm of People and Talent in 2021 and again in 2023. In 2021 Steve published his first book on the future of work titled “Workquake” which immediately was recognized as a “Hot New Release” on Amazon.com. https://www.linkedin.com/in/cadigan/ ------ Thank you so much for checking out this episode of The Talent Tango, and we would appreciate it if you would take a minute to rate and review us on your favorite podcast player. Want to learn more about us? Head over at https://www.elevano.com Have questions or want to cover specific topics with our future guests? Please message me at https://www.linkedin.com/in/amirbormand (Amir Bormand)
What's not to love in a romantic, arty, cool waterside city full of colourful buildings? Well, Shaun finds city breaks a bit tiring but if Catherine lays a trail of egg custard tarts then Shaun will surely follow. Resident geographer, historian and comedian Iszi Lawrence joins the pastry trail. Your Place Or Mine is the travel series that isn't going anywhere. Join Shaun as his guests try to convince him that it's worth getting up off the sofa and seeing the world, giving us a personal guide to their favourite place on the planet.Producer: Beth O'Dea and Caitlin HobbsYour Place or Mine is a BBC Audio production for BBC Radio 4 and BBC Sounds.
MARCH 2024In the latest episode of my podcast, I bid a temporary farewell to Portugal, leaving behind the sunny streets of Lisbon but carrying cherished memories with my filmmaking group. Before my departure, I took time to explore two beloved nearby destinations: the magical allure of Sintra and the coastal charm of Cascais, reminiscent of California. Now, I find myself in rainy Manchester, England, where my journey seamlessly continues. Embracing acting opportunities, I've already landed roles in two student films, including one where I battle monsters and another as a detective. A day trip to Halifax offers picturesque train rides and a chance to update my actor headshots. Settling into my new Airbnb, just a short tram ride from the city center, I'm finding comfort in routine and local coffee shops while eagerly anticipating the adventures that lie ahead in this new chapter. Join me as I navigate this exciting journey!In this episode:Saying goodbye to Lisbon, Portugal for nowSintra, PortugalCascais, PortugalBack in Manchester, UKWebsite I Instagram I Twitter I LinkedIn I YouTubeEmail: actorbobtapper@gmail.comAirbnbBook your stay now!Sintra, PortugalCascais, Portugal Support the Show.
Welcome back to Got Books, the podcast where we talk to booksellers all around the world. My guest today is Alex, co-founder of the first and only bookshop selling new english books in Lisbon, Portugal, Salted Books. This conversation was yet another proof, in case you needed one, that women can indeed do it all, if they set their mind to it. Alex has started Salted Books with her partner Mark, and she has done so without giving up her work and while raising two children. She's created a magical space that only opened its doors about 5 months ago but has already received raving reviews from readers and writers in Lisbon, and if you head over to their Instagram page you'll see why. The book curation couldn't be more relevant, the design of the space is bold and beautiful and it just feels fresh and exciting and like you want to be there. Alex is also hosting intimate and very safe writing spaces, where early on a Tuesday mornings writers come together to write in silence, by candlelight. She's bringing new voices to Lisbon and encouraging those in Lisbon to write and get creative. This conversation felt encouraging and uplifting and it confirmed a suspicion I've had for a while now, interviewing bookshop owners all around the world: starting and running a bookshop is a bit of an art form and there's a lot of artistic freedom in how it can be done. Here's my conversation with Alex. --- Send in a voice message: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/gotbooks/message
FEBRUARY 2024Welcome to my February podcast, broadcasting live from Lisbon where the weather has been delightful, marked by sunny days occasionally interrupted by refreshing rain showers. Nestled in a cozy Airbnb, conveniently situated for optimal productivity, I've found the perfect base for my creative endeavors.Undoubtedly, the highlight of my trip has been my engagement with a local filmmaking group. Fueled by my passion to contribute both on and off-screen, I've embraced every opportunity to immerse myself in the creative process. Amidst occasional touristy exploits, such as leisurely explorations of Lisbon's charm and a memorable visit to the awe-inspiring Sanctuary of Cristo Rei in Almada, I've relished the chance to witness the city's beauty and contribute to its vibrant cultural scene.In this episode:Nomadic challengesFilmmaking Group, making films, and Friday night drinksCristo Rei (Christ the King)Back to the UK soonWebsite I Instagram I Twitter I LinkedIn I YouTubeEmail: actorbobtapper@gmail.comAirbnbBook your stay now!Cristo Rei (Christ the King)The Cristo Rei statue was built in response to a vow made by Portugal's Catholic bishops in 1940, during World War II, to construct a monument to Christ if the country remained neutral throughout the conflict. After Portugal emerged unscathed, the bishops kept their promise, and construction began in 1951. Support the Show.
What is Anti-Marketing? Tiago Faria, Business Mentor shares his insight, helps online entrepreneurs turn small audiences into high profits, without complex marketing strategies. Tiago spent 8 years as an international Growth Consultant at Google, Dublin. www.linkedin.com/in/tiagofaria https://tiagofaria.pt
Jana Büttner is a figurative sculptor who focuses on sculpting from life from her studios in Salzburg and Florence. Jana was born in Salzburg, Austria in 1997 and has what she describes as three half siblings. Her mother Petra, an art teacher is from Prague and her father Uwe is from Dortmund. She grew up in an artistic and musical family, learning violin and piano, and visiting museums and galleries around Europe. From 2008-2012 Jana studied at he Musisches Gymnasium Salzburg where she was exposed to music, dancing, literature and fine art. After graduating she decided to spend a year in New Zealand which helped her clarify her career goals. When she was 19 she was accepted at the prestigious Florence Academy of Art where she spent three years studying under multiple instructors including the founder of the sculpting program Robert Boden. Jana has won numerous awards and shown in exhibitions and permanent collections around Europe and the US, including “Face 2021,“ Society of Portrait Sculptors, La Galleria Pall Mall London, the Espaco Exhibitionista Gallery, Lisbon Portugal, and the Figurativas in Barcelona. She says her goal is it to provoke emotions and encourage empathy in the viewer. The viewer should be engaged by the work, so they can identify themselves within it.Jana's website: https://www.janabuettner.com/Instagram @janabuettner.art Jana's favorite women artists:Colleen Barry Hannah SuttonMirjam JahnHannah BrictsonKäthe Kollwitz (d) Camille Claudel (d) Playlist Cerca De Ti - Hermanos GutiérrezMariella - Khruangbin, Leon BridgesJungle - Jimi HendrixShine On You Crazy Diamond, Pts 1-5 - Pink FloydHost: Chris StaffordProduced by Hollowell StudiosFollow @theaartpodcast on InstagramAART on FacebookEmail: hollowellstudios@gmail.comBecome a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/show/wisp/support.
Jana Büttner is a figurative sculptor who focuses on sculpting from life from her studios in Salzburg and Florence. Jana was born in Salzburg, Austria in 1997 and has what she describes as three half siblings. Her mother Petra, an art teacher is from Prague and her father Uwe is from Dortmund. She grew up in an artistic and musical family, learning violin and piano, and visiting museums and galleries around Europe. From 2008-2012 Jana studied at he Musisches Gymnasium Salzburg where she was exposed to music, dancing, literature and fine art. After graduating she decided to spend a year in New Zealand which helped her clarify her career goals. When she was 19 she was accepted at the prestigious Florence Academy of Art where she spent three years studying under multiple instructors including the founder of the sculpting program Robert Boden. Jana has won numerous awards and shown in exhibitions and permanent collections around Europe and the US, including “Face 2021,“ Society of Portrait Sculptors, La Galleria Pall Mall London, the Espaco Exhibitionista Gallery, Lisbon Portugal, and the Figurativas in Barcelona. She says her goal is it to provoke emotions and encourage empathy in the viewer. The viewer should be engaged by the work, so they can identify themselves within it.Jana's website: https://www.janabuettner.com/Instagram @janabuettner.art Jana's favorite women artists:Colleen Barry Hannah SuttonMirjam JahnHannah BrictsonKäthe Kollwitz (d) Camille Claudel (d) Playlist Cerca De Ti - Hermanos GutiérrezMariella - Khruangbin, Leon BridgesJungle - Jimi HendrixShine On You Crazy Diamond, Pts 1-5 - Pink FloydHost: Chris StaffordProduced by Hollowell StudiosFollow @theaartpodcast on InstagramAART on FacebookEmail: hollowellstudios@gmail.com
This week we celebrate episode 300 with a Techno and classics hour recorded by Carlos Manaça on his last visit to Kremlin Club in Lisbon ! If you're around Lisbon on February 3rd catch Carlos playing at one of the main Portuguese electronic clubs. Since 1989 Kremlin is one of the club references in Portugal.Check Julian Emanuel “Tell Me” with Sofiya Nzau vocals out on January 25th ! https://bit.ly/JulianEmanuelTellMe_Beatporthttps://bit.ly/JulianEmanuelTellMe_PreSaveSpotifyhttps://bit.ly/JulianEmanuelTellMe_Youtubehttps://bit.ly/JulianEmanuelTellMe_SoundcloudMore info athttps://www.instagram.com/djcarlosmanacahttps://www.facebook.com/djcarlosmanacahttps://music.beepd.co/card/carlosmanacahttps://linktr.ee/carlosmanacahttps://www.facebook.com/magnarecordingshttps://www.soundcloud.com/magnarecordingshttps://bit.ly/MagnaRecordingsBeatporthttps://bit.ly/MagnaRecordingsTraxsourcehttps://bit.ly/MagnaRecordingsPodcast
If you're considering a trip to Lisbon, Portugal, this episode is for you! In this Destination Discovery series episode, I'm taking you behind the scenes of my three and half weeks in Lisbon.I share the destination highlights that most travelers want to know more about before booking their trip. In this episode, I'm going through a full breakdown in the following categories: vibes, beauty, food, and things to do. I'll also share my take on whether you should add Lisbon to your bucket list and if so, how long you should stay.This was the first location I visited to kick off my digital nomad life so Lisbon has a special place in my heart BUT is it the right place for your next trip? Listen in as I share my destination review for Lisbon, Portugal and send me a message on Instagram to let me know if you're adding Lisbon to your list.Episode WebsiteConnect with me on Instagram @theluxelifeabroadRate, Review, & Follow"I love Steph and can't wait to hear the next episode!" If that sounds like you, it would mean the world to me if you would rate and review my show. This helps more travel lovers to find the podcast and connect with our travel community on Instagram. For Apple Podcast, click here, scroll to the bottom, tap to rate with five stars, and select "Write a Review". Share what you love most about the podcast.And if you haven't done so already, tap follow or subscribe so you never miss an episode!
This episode is a review of the Hilton Doubletree in Lisbon, Portugal. Visit our website at www.therewardsmaster.com
DECEMBER 2023As the year draws to a close, I find myself back in Lisbon, reminiscing about the events of 2023. While my Airbnb experience hit a snag, a move to Estoril, Portugal, brought a satisfying resolution. Unlike my last visit in 2020/2021 when the Christmas Markets were shuttered, this time they're bustling with festive energy, brimming with delectable food, lively tunes, and, of course, the comforting aroma of Mulled Wine. Reconnecting with my cherished MeetUp Groups centered on filmmaking and an elegant Supper Club adds an extra layer of delight to my return.In this episode:Back in Lisbon2023 ReviewAirbnb problem and resolutionEstoril, PortugalChristmas MarketsMeetUp Groups (Filmmaking and Supper Club)Website I Instagram I Twitter I LinkedIn I YouTubeEmail: actorbobtapper@gmail.comAirbnbBook your stay Support the Show.
In this episode we embark on a journey to explore the enchanting areas of Lisbon Portugal. Nestled along the scenic coastline of the Atlantic Ocean, this is an area that seamlessly weaves together rich history, vibrant culture, and breathtaking landscapes. Join us as we meander narrow cobblestone streets, listen to the soul stirring sounds of Fado music and taste the wonderful culinary delights of this coastal area in Portugal's capital city. Grab your passport and pack a bag as we explore the areas surrounding Lisbon Portugal. If you are reading this on a podcast platform, click here to see the full shownotes. Some links are affiliate links. See our disclosure. Tips for Booking flights: when traveling to Portugal, or anywhere in Europe, the flight to you final destination may not be the best price or use of points so be sure to check to see if flying into another city in Europe and then buying a ticket on a different airline may be a better option. We highly recommend these tours to see more of the area if you don't have a car, don't want to drive, or want to take a tour to learn more about the area! Arrabida and Sesimbra Day Trip from Lisbon with wine tasting Fatima, Nazare, and Obidos Day trip from Lisbon Sintra Tuk Tuk Tour The main attractions in Sintra you'll want to see are: Park and National Palace of Pena Castelo do Mouros Cabo da Roca which is a lighthouse and viewpoint on the westernmost point on continental Europe Quinta da Regelaria (UNESCO World Heritage Site) Sintra National Palace See all Sintra tours here You'll also want to try the famous Portuguese Custard Tarts - called Pastel de Nata and in Sintra stop by Pastelaria Vila Velha for them. You had to take a number and wait your turn which is quite common when seeking out these tasty treats. Where we stayed in Cascais: Grande Real Villa Itália Hotel & Spa - fitness center/spa/pool/walking distance everywhere and overlooks the ocean and is a great location for exploring the town but also being by the water Other places to stay in Cascais Here's a few things worth exploring as I have spent hours just wandering this beautiful town the park - Parque Marechal Carmona - has lots of little trails and lookouts and if you have kids - playgrounds there's Lots of Museums you could pop into - Santa Marta Lighthouse Museum, Santa Maria House Museum, Musee Condes de Castro Guimaraes Then there is a walking/bike path up the coast starting at the Farol Museum. You can rent a bike in town like I did and ride all the way to Praia do Guincho - which is about 8 Km one way. Some sights on the way is the Boco de Inferno - a famous blowhole - this is right across where where we stayed so we highly recommend the Grande Real Villa Itália Hotel & Spa as it is a great location for exploring but has great views too Check out all the Things to do in Cascais, Portugal Restaruants and shops at the Casa da Guia - so many of them overlook the ocean so we have been to several for both lunch and dinner Monte Mar for fresh seafood was recommended to us by a local so be sure to put it on the list and make reservations in advance to be on the safe side to be able to get in Moules & Gin is my absolute favorite - i still think of this place. The restaurants served fresh mussels either with pasta or fries and then Gin and Tonic to drink. You can get the mussels seasoned dozens of ways or have your choice of dozens of kinds of gin but That's it. so if you don't like mussel or gin then you're out of luck. Simple and delicious. There are Lots of restaurants at the Marina de Cascáis and it is always nice to sit out by the water Baia do Peixe - we also ate here for lunch on the balcony that overlooks the beach in the downtown Cascais area. You can also get the famous Pastel de nana in Cascais at NATA Lisboa at on the main street Passeio de Dom Luis I - there's also an adorable carousel at the end of this street in a park if you have children they would love it Things we did in Lisbon. There are so many things to do here so we by far did not get to explore everything. We spent a lot of time just walking around but be aware of the steep inclines. There are the trams which we might think of as streetcars so we used those a time or two but you can always get a uber as well. But highly recommending exploring by walking around as well. There's so many cool neighborhoods to explore and so much to see. We stayed at Portugal Boutique Hotel in Lisbon which is a boutique hotel near a train station. The tv was in the mirror which was unique. There was also an outdoor market nearby. It was in a good location for sharing and is a good value for the cost. Other hotels in Lisbon to consider Main attractions that we were able to explore: Sant George's Castle( Sao Jorge Castle) - is an 11th century Moorish castle and royal residence with so much history and amazing views of the city from above. You can also see the peacocks and there was a wine truck outside. The Jeronimos Monastery - this is a late gothic monastery which has both archaeology and maritime museums. I highly recommend that you book a timed ticket in advance as this is very popular and the wait times can be long. We caught this is the gorgeous late afternoon golden hour light which is spectacular on the stone Nearby is the famous place in Lisbon for the Pastels de Nata - Pasteis de Belem making them since 1837 - there will be a line but worth the wait to try theirs Definitely Try to find a Fado show somewhere like we did a bar or restaurant or again if you like to plan ahead get tickets to Fado in Chiado Show. Another recommendation that we did not do here would be one of the hop on hop off buses so that you could see all of Lisbon that way. It is very hilly so this is a good option to walking to get an overview of the city and then be able to get off to see the stops. Check out Hop on Hop Off Bus in Lisbon here. Where to eat in Lisbon: Pasteis de Belem for the Pastels de nada Beher Autentico - this was a few blocks from our hotel - fresh sliced jamon sandwiches on fresh bread Also check out the Time Out Market in Lisbon if you like indoor food halls with a variety of food options and vendors. Be sure to also check out the Santa Justa Lift that connects the lower streets with Carmo Square and offers views of the city. What to Pack (see our favorite travel things here): 1st trip we took was in Feb/early March 2nd trip was in late April/early May so it was definitely warmer Walking shoes Sandals Bathing suit for our trip in Feb/march we mostly needed pants, warmer layers such as a light sweater of denim or packable jacket , scarf for the wind, jacket, I like to do leggings or black travel/golf type pants for travel but pants or jeans would be fine too for our trip in late April we needed short sleeves but it does get very windy along the water so having a jacket handy would also be helpful then lighter pants - note that shorts are to as common in europe any time of the year and you will need to have knees and shoulders covered for going into churches so always keep that in mind. if you plan to rent a bike then athletic clothes, leggings, layers and tennis shoes Sunglasses Camera There was no way that we could cover everything so all be sure to check out Rick Steves Lisbon or Portugal would be a great resource to plan your trip as well. Get it here. Sign up for free travel deals and exclusive content here. Read more about this and other travel destinations on our BLOG Follow our travels on Facebook Follow our travels on Instagram here. Save our travel ideas on Pinterest. See our travel videos on You Tube. Music Credit Music by OYStudio from Pixabay
Wondering how to combat loneliness and isolation while traveling? Looking for your global travel family? Consider joining a nomadic network like Hacker Paradise! Tune in to learn how to find community across borders and travel with like-minded nomads all while staying productive in your remote job. Hacker Paradise is a global community of remote workers united by passion and ethos, rather than by industry. With the goal of being the best remote working community in the world, Hacker Paradise creates tailored online workshops to empower your team & position your business for remote success. They also serve their community by facilitating global trips around the world so remote workers can combine their love of travel with their professional ambition. Sounds incredible, right? Today, Kristin is joined by Sara Magnabosco, the Chief Operating Officer at Hacker Paradise (and the epitome of a Badass Digital Nomad). Sara's a native Italian who's been remote for the last two years, before which she was in rainy Belgium for four, running one of the most active coworking spaces in Europe. Ready to find your travel tribe? Listen to this week's episode for ideas! Special Offers: Get $100 off your first Hacker Paradise trip with code: BADASS100 Get $100 off Kristin's Group Portugal Trip happening in Spring of 2024 using the code PORTUGAL100 World Nomads Travel Insurance Subscribe to Kristin's weekly e-mail list It's Travel Tuesday! Get a list of the best Travel Tuesday deals and discounts in last week's Episode 234: The Best Travel Tuesday Deals for 2023. Topics Discussed: What it's like to travel in a nomadic community. Combatting the loneliness of the digital nomad lifestyle. Staying productive and socially active while traveling. What a day in the life of a Hacker Paradise member looks like. Balancing group travel, solo travel, and partnered travel. Hacker Paradise trip pricing (and how to get cheaper pricing). Growing up in Italy & Why Sara left. The most memorable trips Sara has been on with Hacker Paradise. Embracing the discomfort of travel. Underrated travel destinations for 2024. Questions Answered: What is Hacker Paradise? Who can join Hacker Paradise? Are there requirements? Should single travelers use group travel as a way to date and meet a significant other? What was it like growing up in Venice, Italy and why did you leave? Are you still an Italian resident? What is the impact of digital nomads on local communities? What's your favorite airport, airline, and airport lounge? What are your favorite travel hacks for saving money? What's inspiring you and challenging you as a digital nomad right now? and more! Episode Resources: Related Videos: Estonia e-Residency Cost, Benefits, and Pros and Cons Estonia Digital Nomad Visa [WHAT IT IS / HOW TO APPLY] Travel To Portugal with Me in 2024!
On our first venture to an international location, join Blake atop a hill overlooking the vibrant city of Lisbon, Portugal, as he guides you through an abandoned restaurant while daydreaming of his Ukrainian friend and brother, artist Daniel Skripnik.This episode features:Daniel SkripnikThis episode features the song “Freedom” by Oleg Fedak.Music Info: Freedom - by SoulProdMusic.Music Link: https://bit.ly/3CkncRh(Note: For the best immersive experience, we strongly suggest you wear headphones
On our first venture to an international location, join Blake atop a hill overlooking the vibrant city of Lisbon, Portugal, as he guides you through an abandoned restaurant while daydreaming of his Ukrainian friend and brother, artist Daniel Skripnik.This episode features:Daniel SkripnikThis episode features the song “Freedom” by Oleg Fedak.Music Info: Freedom - by SoulProdMusic.Music Link: https://bit.ly/3CkncRh(Note: For the best immersive experience, we strongly suggest you wear headphones
SponsorThis episode is brought to you by Worldpost.ioGet your mail delivered to your home country and receive it anywhere in the word-----------------------------------------Join us in another exciting episode of 'Let's Move to Portugal,' where we explore the facets of expat life, especially in the ever-dynamic landscape of Lisbon, Portugal. This episode is particularly insightful for those looking to move to Portugal from the US.In this episode:- We dive into the intricacies of obtaining a D7 visa and what it means for achieving dual citizenship.- Our hosts, Josh and Kalie, discuss the latest updates on the Non-Habitual Resident (NHR) scheme amidst recent shifts in the Portuguese government.- We'll hear about their intriguing adventures and experiences during their recent trip to Lisbon.- Our special guest, Ryan Gittings, shares his journey and plans for relocating to Portugal, providing insights for Americans considering a similar path.Whether you're planning your future as an expat in Portugal, curious about the NHR, or navigating the process of dual citizenship, Ryan's experiences and perspectives offer invaluable guidance.Stay tuned for an episode filled with practical advice, engaging stories, and a deep dive into the nuances of making Portugal your new home.Remember to subscribe to our podcast for more insights into expat life and tips on relocating to Portugal. AdsJohn McNertney of Green Ocean Global AdvisorsContact John now!john@greenoceanglobal.net415-347-8057greenoceanglobal.netHear John on Episode 13Worldpost.io Get your mail delivered to your home country and receive it anywhere in the wordLusitano Dreams Creative housing solutions for Expats! ExpatsEverywhere CoursesD7Remote Workers Visa (D8)Living in Portugal Guide | Help With Setup & Things to Know ★ Support this podcast on Patreon ★
What an honor it was for Jack and John to talk to Andy Mumford in this episode. Andy is a highly accomplished photographer based in Lisbon Portugal and he joins the guys for a special episode. Listen in as they talk about the creative process, the art of composition and the joys of the experiences … Continue reading Interview with Andy Mumford →
Born in 1972, Luis Minero graduated with honors in Chemistry from Florida International University. He began studying and developing his abilities in paranormal phenomena in his early teens. After becoming a volunteer in Conscientiology in 1995 in Miami, Florida, he began giving classes on OBEs, paranormal phenomena and spiritual growth in 1996, including at the college level (Miami-Dade College) from 1997 to 2002. Since he speaks English, Spanish, Portuguese, and German, he has lectured on various topics related to the out-of-body experience in several countries across Asia, Africa, Europe, North America and South America, and Australia; and has helped thousands of individuals to develop their own skills. Some of the cities where he has lectured in the USA are: Atlanta, GA, Berkeley, CA, Boulder, CO, Dallas, TX, Denver, CO, Ft. Lauderdale, FL, Honolulu, HI, Los Angeles, CA, Maui, HI, Miami, FL, Mountain View, CA, New York, NY, Pasadena, CA, Phoenix, AZ, Portland, OR, San Diego, CA, San Francisco, CA, San Jose, CA, San Rafael, CA, Santa Cruz, CA, Santa Monica, CA, Tucson, AZ, and Vail, CO. Outside the USA, some of the cities where he has offered classes and seminars are Barcelona (Spain), Caracas (Venezuela), Evoramónte (Portugal), Bajo (Indonesia), Belo Horizonte (Brazil), Belopa (Indonesia), Brasilia (Brazil), Kampala (Uganda), Frankfurt (Germany), Iguassu Falls (Brazil), Lisbon (Portugal), London (UK), Madrid (Spain), Masaka (Uganda), Mexico City, Morelia and Nayarit (Mexico), Porto (Portugal), Porto Alegre (Brazil), Rio de Janeiro (Brazil), São Paulo (Brazil), Seville (Spain), Siem Reap (Cambodia) and Sydney (Australia). Luis has been featured in a number of television and radio programs around the world as well and has been the subject of interviews by magazines, newspapers, and periodicals of global distribution. He has also been invited to speak at several international congresses: • 1st International Congress on Existential Inversion in Florianopolis, Brazil, in January 1999 • 3rd International Congress on Projectiology and Conscientiology in New York City, USA, in May 2002 • 1st World State Forum in Iguaçu Falls, Brazil, in February 2006 • 1st Global Symposium on Existential Inversion, Portugal, in November 2006 • 2nd Symposium on Conscientiological Research in Portugal, in October 2008 • IV Consciential Health Meeting and VI Symposium on Self-Conscientiotherapy, Portugal, in October 2010 • 1st International Congress on Consciousness, Portugal, May 2015 • 2nd International Congress on Consciousness, Miami, May 2017 As a researcher, he has published several papers and has developed research lines related to the study of OBEs, paranormal phenomena and consciousness. Several of his works have been published in various scientific journals. Also, he is responsible for the translation and revision of over half a dozen books on consciousness from Portuguese into English and Spanish. His research projects have led to the development of courses on Assistance (1997), Universalism (1999), Experience (2000), Intuition (2001) Evolutionary Intelligence (2006), and Non-Physical Beings (2015). He was the Director of the IAC Florida center from 1999-2001, and was the Executive Director of the IAC California center from 2003-2018. He was the President of the IAC globally from 2014-2018. Since 2018, Luis offers classes regularly, volunteers and is one of the founding partners of Mosaic Wellness and Health, a spiritual institution with a broader approach, where individuals can grow in their own way.
Is Portugal at the top of your list of places to travel or live abroad? If so, now you can visit Portugal with Kristin as your host! Kristin will be leading her first-ever group trip from Lisbon to the Algarve April 15-21, 2024. You will get to hang out with Kristin and a group of like-minded people from the Traveling with Kristin community for 7 days while enjoying city and food tours, a hike, vineyard wine tasting, and more. Listen to this episode to get all the details or reserve your spot now with a refundable deposit. The next two people to sign up will receive $100 off their bookings with the Early Bird rate. Special Offers: Travel with Kristin to Portugal in 2024 - Save $100 with the Early Bird Rate Join Kristin on Nomad Cruise 12 - Save €100 with code TWK World Nomads Travel Insurance Resources Mentioned: Trip Details and Itinerary FAQs TrovaTrip Reviews Connect with Kristin and Support the Show: * Become a Patron * Buy a Coffee * Follow on Instagram * Join the Facebook Group * Leave a 5-Star Review * Subscribe on YouTube Thank you to Kiana for the 5-Star Review! Badass Podcast! I first started off by watching Kristin's youtube videos and later discovered the podcast. As someone who is actively trying to move abroad (even just temporarily), I find the podcast very informative and entertaining. It's helped me to realize this dream of mine isn't that farfetched and totally doable. Keep up the great work Kristin! Full show notes and the podcast transcript will be up shortly on www.badassdigitalnomads.com.
This week we go full-on Techno with a back 2 back set recorded by Carlos Manaça and XL Garcia at “Tribute Of Techno” Festival in Lisbon. This was second edition of the Festival, which featured artists like Umek, Luigi Madonna, Danny Avila, Miss Sheila and a lot of other Portuguese artists.More info athttps://www.instagram.com/djcarlosmanacahttps://www.facebook.com/djcarlosmanacahttps://music.beepd.co/card/carlosmanacahttps://linktr.ee/carlosmanacahttps://www.facebook.com/djxlgarciahttps://www.instagram.com/luisxlgarciahttps://www.facebook.com/magnarecordingshttps://www.soundcloud.com/magnarecordingshttps://bit.ly/MagnaRecordingsBeatporthttps://bit.ly/MagnaRecordingsTraxsourcehttps://bit.ly/MagnaRecordingsPodcast
ATA Nation is EVERYWHERE and in this episode we check in with Master Pedro Tanger from Lisbon Portugal. We talk about how he became the owner of the very first professional martial arts school in his country and where he sees ATA Europe heading in the future. Visit atama.ninja/uncut and use code ATA to get a trading card from this episode! The ATA Nation Podcast is for students, families, friends and instructors of Songahm Taekwondo! Be sure to subscribe and share with your ATA family Follow us on Instagram @ATANationPodcast
Today's Topics: 1) Future Portuguese Cardinal on WYD: "We don't want to convert the young people to Christ" https://www.catholicworldreport.com/2023/07/10/future-portuguese-cardinal-on-wyd-we-dont-want-to-convert-the-young-people-to-christ/ 2) Portuguese Fr. Guilherme Peixoto, known as the "DJ Padre," played for 1.5 million Catholic youth at World Youth Day 2023 in Lisbon Portugal. "Padre DJ" gets headphone blessing from Francis, there is a girl dancing amongst the prelates and young people wearing devil horns and also dressed like witches as the background of the Priest looks like a satanic chapel https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cON_lerLW6g 3) Nefarious - Priest scene https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=20pzU3pc828 4) Derek Prince, a well-known protestant "deliverance minister," warns protestants about laying hands over unknown people https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=v9vYcLkagFo
This week we have the second part of Carlos Manaca's set recorded on his last visit to one of the main underground clubs in Portugal, Kremlin in Lisbon.Don't forget to check Dj Michael Sullivan's “Luanda” [Magna 126D], out now on all main platforms.https://bit.ly/DjMichaelSullivanLuandaBeatporthttps://bit.ly/DjMichaelSullivanLuandaTraxsourcehttps://bit.ly/DjMichaelSullivanLuandaSpotifyhttps://bit.ly/DjMichaelSullivanLuandaiTunesMore info athttps://linktr.ee/carlosmanacahttps://music.beepd.co/card/carlosmanaca https://www.facebook.com/magnarecordingshttps://www.soundcloud.com/magnarecordingshttps://bit.ly/MagnaRecordingsBeatporthttps://bit.ly/MagnaRecordingsTraxsourcehttps://bit.ly/MagnaRecordingsPodcast
Earlier this month, a contingent of pilgrims - that included all eight of the Diocese of Camden's seminarians, as well as vocations directors Fr. Adam Cichoski and Fr. Josh Nevitt - took part in the World Youth Day activities in Lisbon Portugal, which included a stop in Fatima. Along with the vocations directors, seminarians Deacon Ricardo Cruz, Nickolas Naticchione and Tom Piro join us this week to chat about the WYD pilgrimage, the journey to Fatima, and the unique experiences they found taking part in the event attended by 1.5 million young people from all over the globe. To see some of the imagery from the seminarians' journey, check out this recent article in the Catholic Star Herald: https://catholicstarherald.org/seminarians-reflect-on-world-youth-day-faith/ and a gallery of their photos: https://catholicstarherald82.pixieset.com/2023worldyouthdaywithdiocesanseminarians/ Listen to Talking Catholic everywhere podcasts can be found, at https://talking.catholicstarherald.org/show/talking-catholic, or catch us on Domestic Church Media radio Sundays at 11 AM or Mondays at 4 PM domesticchurchmedia.org. Follow us on... Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/TalkingCatholic Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/talkingcatholic Twitter: https://twitter.com/talkingcatholic
Episode 121 - all notes from the show can be found at www.zippingaroundtheworld.com on the home page. Scroll to find Episode 121. Don't forget to subscribe to the show! Tell your friends and social media. Leave me a comment on my website under the comments tab if you have ever used any of my travel tips or locations. Also, leave me a rating in Itunes as well.
On this episode of the End of Tourism Podcast, I'm joined by Joana and Davide of Stop Despejos (Stop Evictions). Based in Lisbon (Portugal), Stop Despejos is an anti-capitalist, feminist and anti-racist, horizontal political collective, fighting for the right to housing and the right to the city. Through mutual aid, direct action, obstruction of evictions and media campaigns, they defend the right of inhabitants to keep living in their homes and neighborhoods against institutional racism, soaring rental prices, the commodification of housing, touristification and gentrification.As an autonomous grassroots movement, Stop Despejos believes that a trulyinclusive city can only be achieved by collective organization and solidarity networks between its inhabitants.Show NotesThe Question of Rent in LisbonThe Arrival of Ryan Air and Airbnb in PortugalThe Golden Visa SchemeThe Backlash Against ForeignersCan be Change Happen Through Political Parties or Only at the Grassroots?How to Build Solidarity in a CommunityHow Can We Live More Meaningfully?HomeworkStop Despejos Official WebsiteStop Despejos YouTubeStop Despejos FacebookAldrava Co-opHousing Not ProfitTranscript[00:00:00] Chris: Good morning, Joanna and Davide to the end of Tourism podcast. Thanks for joining me today.[00:00:07] Davide: Thank you. Good morning, chris. Oh, good afternoon.[00:00:10] Joana: Thank you for having, yes, good afternoon. Thank you for having us.[00:00:14] Chris: My pleasure, my honor. Now, I'd like, since we're always doing this virtually, and since there's always time zones to deal with and that kind of thing, I'm hoping that you'd both be able to illustrate a little about where you find yourselves today and what the world looks like there a few days after these mass demonstrations that we'll discuss shortly.[00:00:37] Joanne: Yes, well, I'm I'm in Alfama which is a really old neighborhood in the center of Lisbon. Actually Davide lives in the same neighborhood. And today, the weather is great. It's really sunny and you start to see a lot of tourists. You start to notice that you know, these amounts of tourists that we were used to see before the pandemic starts showing up again.And honestly, I'm still recovering from the, the demonstration during the weekend because we were what, like three months working for this demonstration, probably around three, four months. So yeah, it was a lot of hard work, but it was worth it at the end for sure.[00:01:27] Davide: I, I am in the same neighborhood in Alfama, and the sky is perfectly blue. It's classic Lisbon. It's a city that everybody loves.[00:01:38] Chris: Thank you, David. Debbie Day. Thank you, Joanna. And so you both come to us today on behalf of an organization called Stop Despejos. Now, before we get into the gritty details of the demonstrations, I'm wondering if you two would be willing to share a bit about the history of the organization, why it was started, and perhaps when and by whom,[00:02:07] Davide: Yeah, it, it's called Stop Despejos. It just means "stop eviction." It was founded in in 2017, about six years ago because at that time... In 2012, during Troika there was, after, after the financial crisis crisis in Portugal, I mean all over the world in Portugal the International Monetary Fund and the European Union understood that there was a great opportunity for real estate market in tourism in Portugal.And so they convinced the government, the right-wing government to change the law about renting. And it was much, much simpler to evict people. Mm-hmm. It has become much simpler and one of the ways is actually not to renew contracts. Okay. So the contract normally lasts five years. So just five years after the new law, all people were evicted. And so including myself, and that's why we founded this organization. Wow. Joanna, do you have anything to add in that regard?[00:03:18] Joana: Yes, I joined during 2018, so about an year after David joined. Actually, I also got evicted and it kind of started because of that, like I was in a really old place in the center.And my landlord wanted to increase the rent for more than 300 euros. Wow. So that's the thing, like. There is no rent control happening in Portugal. If you are landlord and if your house is falling apart you can ask for whichever price you desire.So, by that time I was doing some research, like thinking to myself, this cannot be legal. Like this is insane. And then I found out that it was indeed legal. And then I was doing another research to see if someone was fighting against this. So that's how I, I found out about Stop Despejos.And by that time, my ex-boyfriend also had some issues with this landlord. So, yeah, that's how I got to Stop Despejos I'm there since 2018. It's also an autonomous collective. So we are not connected to any political party. We are self-sufficient. And we are anti-capitalist as well.And we also work together with Habita, which is also a housing rights association that also fights, evictions, and provides legal advice to people that are on the risk of addiction. Mm-hmm.[00:05:01] Chris: Yeah. And that name popped up as well, Habita, in some of the news press releases that came out regarding the demonstrations of this past weekend.And so maybe we could start from there while it's still fresh in your minds with these recent actions that were organized by, Stop Despejo s. Nice. That came to pass this weekend and, and culminated in, in marches and protests on the 1st of April.My first question is what did each of you see over the course of the protests and what has been the response in the aftermath?[00:05:37] Joana: So this protest was organized not only by Stop Despejos and Habita was also by a lot of different collectives and associations, not only the housing rights collectives, also people that got in involved, dozens of different organizations that were preparing and working for this protest.We got around 20,000 people on the streets. I'm not good with numbers. David is the mathematician. But yes, around 20,000 people on the streets, which is massive for Portugal, to be honest.There wasn't the housing rights protests in Lisbon. I think the last one was organized by Stop Despejos and Habita, which was during 2018, if I'm not mistaken. So yes, personally I wasn't expecting that much people on the streets, but it was really beautiful to see this amount of people organized and marching the streets and asking not only for better housing, but also the right to belong to the city.You know, to have a city that it's not only made for tourists or for or for the rich or for private investors, but for a real inclusive city that is made for its people, for the people that works there, for the people that that lives there. So, that was really beautiful. It was beautiful to watch people shouting. It was really awesome.[00:07:13] Chris: I imagine that being able to see, that amount of people, and not necessarily the number, that kind of abstract 20,000, but the number of people that you would've seen in the streets as well is a really deep way to measure the discontent and the crisis as opposed to just imagining that so many people or just like a few people share these sentiments, right.[00:07:38] Joana: Yes, of course. And you would see everyone on the streets. Like, you would see people that living on the city center, but also people that live in the social neighborhoods, in the outskirts of the city as well.Like all of them together demanding better housing and a better city and rent controls. So it was, it was amazing. When I woke up the next morning, I felt really grateful, even though there was some, there was some police violence at the end of the demonstration. Still, I woke up feeling really grateful for that day, for sure.[00:08:14] Chris: Thank you. And David, how, what was your impression of the demonstrations?[00:08:21] Davide: Yeah, it was, it was impressive. Let me say that Habita is a part of a European coalition called European Action Coalition for the Right to Housing and to the City. And together with Habita, we organized the outing Action Day every year.But we could feel it, we could feel it because we have been organizing some preliminary meeting and they were full of people. I mean, you can feel this moment when the people wants to take some action and we could really feel it.It was great.[00:08:57] Chris: In fact[00:08:59] Davide: our previous campaign was called " Retomar la Ciudad" (Take Back the City). Mm. And we really felt that for one day we took the city. Mm-hmm. It, it was great because. I mean, when you are walking in such a big demonstration and you look back and you see the street full of people and you know that you and your comrades are responsible somehow for that, it, it is really an amazing feeling. And now we will see where, what will happen. This depends on us, but also on, on the willingness of other people to, to join ouraction.[00:09:38] Chris: So doing, you know, the research that I could online when I started looking up the protests Lisbon, online in the English speaking world.Anyways, there was clearly this kind of Associated Press press release that came out because every Anglophone media outlet that I could find that had put something out in this regard had the exact same wording. Yes. Right. And, and you, you can start to realize very quickly what's happening in that regard.But one of the things that was written in the press release is this as follows. And it said that"the figures released by Confi which collects data on housing shows that rents in Lisbon, which is a tourist hotspot, have jumped 65% since 2015, and sale prices have skyrocketed 137% during the same period.According to another real estate data company, Casafari, rents increased 37% last year alone, more than current figures in Barcelona or Paris," which are two of the most overt touristed or visited cities in the world."Low wages in high rents have made Lisbon the world's third least viable city to live in, according to a study by insurance brokers, CIA Landlords."And that's not a joke. CIA landlords.Anyways, so I imagine reading this, I imagine that it hasn't always been like this. Right. And I'm wondering if you, could each tell our listeners a little bit about how this came to pass? I know you mentioned the change of the law, of the five year lease law and I guess how you've both seen the city change in the course of your time there.[00:11:37] Davide: Yeah, I, I must say that apart from the new renting law, so what happened also in, I think 2013, it, that Ryan Air came to Lisbon together with Airbnb and this destroyer, I mean, completely ruin in the city. And before that Ryan Air was only flying to Porto. And then the new government was lobbied to allow Ryan Air. Then Airbnb was invented.And Libo is a city where people I mean, there, there's not much job. So people really look into Airbnb as a way to make money. It is so easy. I mean, the only thing that we can sell is ourself, and they were very willing to sell ourselves. Mm-hmm. To, to make a decent salary.I mean, it was really perfect because it's full of people that wants to come to Lisbon because it's such a beautiful city, and we just have this to sell, the city itself.And so all the neighborhoods, the central neighborhood of Lisbon were flooded with Airbnb. It's really incredible. And with Airbnb in town like that, without any regulation, without any regulation, I mean, everybody can rent how many houses or floods you want in whatever situation they are.So the price is skyrocketed. You go from 1000 euro per square meter to buy a house. Now it's 5,000. Wow. I mean, people, maybe bought a flat for 100,000 euro. Now they sell it for 500,000 euros right there. Wow.And now it's, it's even getting worse because, so when in 20 17, I was evicted. My rent passed from 500 euros per month to almost double. But now I, I know people renting a flat, a small flat, like for 1500 euros per month. And the salary is still the same. And then a lot of real estate investment. Really, I mean all, all the big players in the real estate in investment, they just came to town.They started to build luxury condos. There are la luxury condos everywhere in town. Mm. Really? Everywhere. It's crazy. I mean, you see construction sites everywhere, but for room for nobody. Cause the, all these luxury condominiums are, are actually empty. They're just houses that are bought and then sold after a few years and things like that.they're just made to store money essentially. Mm. So there are, there are a lot of economic factor, like one is tourism, and the other real estate speculation.[00:14:30] Joana: And this is all also promoted by the state itself. It's not, yeah. It's not just a matter of, you know, it is the state also giving tax benefits to these private investors, also to digital nomads, you know, that come here and they can, they are the ones that can pay all these higher rents because the minimum wage in Portugal is around 740 euros.And you can find, and there's basements that are 700 euros per month basement. I dunno nowadays exactly how much is a one bed one bedroom apartment in the center. But I would say it's around 1000 euros. You can easily find a one bedroom apartment for 1000 was per month.Yeah.[00:15:23] Chris: Speaking of tourism and Airbnb, we can't really speak about these themes anymore without speaking about there's other names we could use, but digital nomads. And this was another thing that was brought up in the English press releases is around this question in Europe that referred to as the "Golden Visa" And in the report it's written that "the current socialist government announced last month that a housing package among other measures, ended the controversial Golden Visa scheme and banned new licenses for Airbnb properties.Critics, however, say it is not enough to lower prices in the short term." Now, given that, I imagine that you two make up some of these critics, I'm curious if you could explain a little bit for our listeners about what that Golden Visa program is or was and what it has done to the city and culture in Lisbon, if not the country as a whole.[00:16:26] Joana: The Golden visa program is basically the state giving tax benefits to residents from outside of European Union. And all they need to do basically is to buy a property for at least half a million euros and also to create some jobs. But in practice they just need to buy a property.So what happens is a lot of companies are also increasing the prices of houses because they know that someone will buy it for those prices. So that's one of the consequences of the Golden visa. And actually the government is not ending the golden Visa. It's just making some changes and changing the name because they're still giving tax benefits to someone that wants to invest in Portugal. So this is basically the so-called socialist government financing people and companies that are already rich.So it's basically the state giving money to the rich. And these measures are not enough. I mean, this government is only socialist by the name. It's not socialist in practice because even those measures that aim to put Airbnbs back in the market, it's still the state giving tax benefits to those landlords, to those people that own Airbnb.[00:17:55] Davide: Let maybe just a little bit more precise, you know Portugal belongs to the Shengen area. So if you have a Portuguese visa, you can travel everywhere in Europe. So, this Golden Visa program was a way for any outside the European Union to get a visa for the Shengen area by buying a property. And so it is really something terrible. Mm, I mean, to actually sell visas to rich people. It has to do a lot, not just with the fact of making the housing market crazy because of course the, the price is skyrocketed, but also it has to do with money laundering.And it was really, really a bad thing for Portugal in general. And also this idea of digital nomads. It's somehow similar. It targets other kind of people, not the super rich from, I don't know, China or whatever, but it, it targets people working probably in some startup in California or places like that.Just a way to make life easier in Portugal for rich people and more miserable for people in Portugal because the problem is that the economy is not very solid in Portugal. And so instead of investing money in building a better economy, they just trying to attract people that already have money, right?It's becoming like economically very depending of money from abroad, from money, from tourist, money from people that actually work abroad. Just a nice place to live for people from outside and the people from inside. Well, too bad for them.[00:19:48] Joanne: Yeah. The main issue is that the digital nomads usually come to live here earning salaries, wages from their home country. So they come to live here with salaries from the United States, for instance. So for them it's not, paying 800 euros per rent is really cheap. Which is not for us. So, that's the inequality here.[00:20:11] Chris: Yeah. And, and that the place is more often than not, I mean, you could say almost always, but we'll say more often than not temporary in the eyes of the digital nomad, the tourist, perhaps even the people who purchase the golden visa because there's always this sense of, well, I could do this somewhere else, right? Because there's other places to be a digital nomad. There's other places to be a tourist. There's other places to get golden visas and on and on. And so I wanted to ask about the kind of, we'll say blowback or perhaps xenophobia that can arise from these things and does, and has. You know, it's something that I've seen here in Oaxaca over the last seven or eight years, especially in the last couple of years with inundation or flooding of this place with digital nomads, over tourism, Airbnb.And it's been hard personally, but it's been easy visually to watch a kind of resentment and xenophobia grow against foreigners here as a result of this gentrification and culture loss. And so I'm curious if you two have seen anything similar in that regard in Lisboa or how has the general response been, and I think it's important to say here as well, that at least at the beginning when Airbnb tends to create this strangle hold in a tourist destination that a lot of the people who are, who are renting these flats or homes are locals. Right? And then certainly later on you see companies, corporations like Blackstone in Europe taking over.These issues, we often try to make them simple to understand when in fact they're extremely complex and complicated. And so I guess I'm curious what you both have seen in regards to the loss or perceived loss of culture in Lisboa and the reactions from locals in regards to that against the foreigner, or perhaps against the systemic structures.[00:22:21] Joana: Yeah, it's a really, it's a really interesting question. I would let David go first if you, if you have already something on your mind.[00:22:29] Davide: Well, I don't think Portuguese people are very vocal in the xenophobia.As a foreigner myself I never faced it. I mean, in general they're quite polite. Racism is always against black people, or the gypsy. I mean, there is some vague resentment, against tourists, but not too much. You, you don't feel it too much? I mean, I don't feel it, so...[00:23:03] Joana: yes. Me neither.I mean, you have people that feel really annoyed by tourists, especially people that lives in the center, obviously. They feel annoyed, but I wouldn't call it hatred, you know, in the same way that I would call hatred towards immigrants from Nepal or from India.Those are the ones that I would say that get more hatred and also the gypsy community. And people from social neighborhoods. I mean, immigrants that live, in social neighborhoods. So I wouldn't say that there's a lot of hatred towards tourist themselves.I would say only like annoyance, because there's also people that stand that really believes that without tourism we would have no economy. You know, they cannot imagine the end of tourism, let's put it this way. They aren't capable, you know, of imagining a new economy that wouldn't depend on tourism.And you could see that during the pandemic. So I wouldn't really call, it hate, only annoyance. Let's put it that way. Yeah.[00:24:19] Chris: And you had mentioned earlier that the current socialist government is socialist by name and not in practice. And I'm curious, how Stop Despejos sees the necessity of making change from the grassroots, or if there's a possibility of doing that on the electoral level.[00:24:43] Joanne: It has to happen on the grassroot level. Yes. Yes. We do not trust that a political party will solve the issue because, this is an issue that has been increasing of it over the years.And the state itself helps the increase of this issue. So we truly believe that in order for the change to happen, we need to be organized. People need to be organized. It's only through those grassroots movements that we feel that we are able to really create a radical change, a structural change.This is beyond political parties. I think it's more about the people and those grassroots movement. That's why we do not associate ourselves to any political party, even though some of them try. But yes our work is based on social movements and with people.We have tried to stop a lot of evictions that were not made by private landlords. They were made by the state. So, that's another reason. Me personally, I don't trust the state or political parties because the status itself is also able to evict and to destroy people, the right to adequate housing and the right to live in the city.So that's why we need to work with people and to work with the grassroot movement.[00:26:11] Davide: I would say that we are like more like let's say ecologists movement. We are really for system change and and not to change inside the system. But I must say that some people that used to belong to our organization, that really still very close to our organization, they founded a new movement for a referendum to ban Airbnb. Okay.This would be like using the system, but without passing through parties really to use some direct democracy tool inside the system. And now possibly next year there will be this referendum to ban Airbnb. Wow. We don't know because such a local referendum was never used in the history of Lisbon.So it is a tool that only exists in theory. In practice, we do not know. But still, this is something that may be the most anarchist in our group do not like, but in general, we are not against it. The use of this referendum tools.[00:27:19] Joana: Yeah, I think that we are not saying that, you know, every politician is the same or that every party is the same, of course, that we recognize that, you know, some politicians may be better than others.But at the same time it's what David was the saying. We want to make radical changes not outside of the system, not inside the system. Because even with good examples like the mayor of Barcelona, the system itself is so corrupt that it's really hard to make changes within the system.It's not just one person with good intentions that is gonna change the system.[00:27:59] Chris: Yeah. Yeah. And I mean, at the end of the day, these issues that you've both spoken to are everyone's issues. They're not left issues, they're not right issues. They affect everyone. And you can kind of see through that and that the political spectrum in that regard is just incredibly divisive.And so I wanted to ask you both a little bit about, your advice suggestions around solidarity.Here in Oaxaca, it's a city that's been more and more touristed over the last we'll say 40 or 50 years. But really not on the tourist map until the last 10 years or so. And then at the end of the lockdowns became this kind of massive escape destination for a lot of Americans and Canadians and Europeans as well.And so there's this sudden kind of, oh, this is too much. And we never imagined it could be this bad, but suddenly we're there and it's here and we don't know how to deal with it. And maybe because of the nature of the history and culture and politics in this part of the world, but there isn't necessarily this, this level of communication, network building, solidarity that there is, for example, in Southern Europe. And so my first question in that regard is, what kind of advice would you offer people working with social movements here and in other parts of the world who need to build solidarity among the, citizenry, but also between organizations who haven't done that before?What advice would you have for them?[00:29:52] Davide: Well, difficult question. Yeah, difficult question. I don't know if we are such a, a good model because our results haven't been that great. But[00:30:02] Joana: it's a long process and I believe that we are still in that process, like in the middle of that process of building solidarity with different movements. I saw more solidarity perhaps during this organization of the protests of the demonstration. But I think it was a process that started already during the pandemic.So it's a long and and hard process to build solidarity between movements because most of the time, I mean, we do not get paid to do this political activity. So, you know, people have their own jobs and their own lives. And sometimes it's really hard to do something as simple as planning an assembly with different organizations or collectives.So I would say I mean, the best advice I could give is to be patient and to accept, really, that is going to be a process that sometimes you feel like you are all by yourself, that you are the only collective doing something. And other times you'll have a lot of people in your public assemblies.So, it's a long process and my best advice would be that, and also to respect the differences between several collectives and organizations and between people. What's the main goal?What's glue sticking all of it together. What are your enemies? Basically, what are the enemies that you are fighting? What type of city or what type of country would you like to live in? So, use your imagination and use it as a fuel also to create goals and to plan.[00:31:45] Davide: One thing is, is to be well organized as much as possible. And being organized for us, it's like we are a perfectly horizontal organization. We don't have any leader, but like something simple. Every time we meet, I mean every week we have one moderator, one taking notes.And then another thing which is important, it's kind of a blend between action and study. It is important to study, I mean, to, to growone's understanding but also it is important to actually act. You need to actually meet people that are in this situation you are fighting against. You need both, both action and, and study. And then one other thing is never get overwhelmed because when you start working, doing activity with people that are being evicted or losing their homes, these are let's say emotionally very heavy situation.And more often than not, these people are actually losing their home. You cannot do too much. And so it is important that you don't feel guilty for that. You don't spend all your life try to save others people life. Because if you do that for six months, then you quit the struggles. So it's better to keep like a lower profile, but to be consistent during the years.[00:33:19] Chris: Well thank you both for that. And then the other side of the question or the coin of the question. So, the first one was regarding social movements and then this next one is speaking to individuals. There's been this for me anyways, this clear view towards tourism as a kind of escapism that masquerades as freedom of choice, especially for those of us in the Americas, right?So the pandemic deepened that, to say the least. And as a result of people getting to choose where they live, the places they choose generally suffer as a result, you know, regardless of people's good intentions or even good behavior. And so sometimes it's hard to resist the urge to blame the foreigner and to focus on them instead of the system and the structures of oppression that it produces.But at the same time, we need the foreigner, in the context of digital nomadism and tourism and the golden visa, we need each of them, each of those people, to understand their consequence in the world. And so finally, I'd like to ask you both, what advice would you have for the tourists and expats who want to experience Portugal or who already live there, who perhaps want to act and proceed as responsible residents, for those who would want to visit.[00:34:53] Davide: Tourist must know that if he comes to Lisbon or she comes toLisbon. She will spend most time standing at other tourist like him. Just like an ecosystem just made of tourist, of tourist. If tourist here live actually in a strange ecosystem made of, just, of tourist then I think it's kind of not very nice experience.So to be more, more precise,half of the time a tourist will look at his smartphone and half of the time at other tourists like him. I think this, this way of leaving or traveling, it is very superficial. You don't get anything to come to Lisbon or to any other place in the world just to spend time look at on a smartphone or looking at other tourists like you.But this is like more moral statement. I mean, people should look inside themselves to start doing things which are more meaningful instead of just doing things that they happen to do because everybody does the same thing.[00:36:01] Joana: Yeah. It's a difficult question. I agree with, with David. I also worked on the tourist industry years ago. And I remember I got the feeling that the tourists in Lisbon kind of felt deceived. They would ask me all the time, where are the locals? Where can I find locals? You know, I only see tourists around me. Like, can you recommend me a place where, where the locals go and so on.So yeah, I would say the tourism basically is not worth it. You know, it's not worth going to Lisbon spending holidays. It's not just a matter of personal responsibility because I understand that people work and they feel the need to spend the holidays on some cheap destination and Lisbon is really cheap for a lot of tourists.It's more about systemic change, but at the same time, I believe that we still need to have some sort of personal responsibility. So I would say just go somewhere else where it's not too touristified, just try to choose another destination that is not totally exploited by the mass tourism to the golden and You know, and the digital knows honestly, I don't know how, how they could be more responsible because they are taking advantage of a situation, where that situation is only possible because the locals are getting affected by it. Maybe try to get involved in your local social movements. Get involved, try to know the neighbors and to do something. Use your privilege in order to change something. But be aware that you are only here because you are privileged enough to benefit from our government. Mm-hmm.[00:37:56] Chris: I think that's really important as well, this notion of, if you're gonna go and live in a place, understand the history, understand the culture, understand where you are, when you are, and get involved, right.Get involved with the social movements and the grassroots of the place. And so, you know, for our listeners or maybe people either visiting Portugal or living there as well, how might they find out more about Stop[00:38:24] Joanne: They can find us on social media.We have a Facebook page, also an Instagram page, and all of our assemblies are open to the public. Everybody can go there. Usually our meetings are on an association called City Guide. In the center, in one of the most gentrified areas of the city center.So it's cool that we have our meetings there. And it's every Mondays at 7:30 PM. Usually we start late cause we're in Portugal. But everybody's welcome. Everybody's is more than welcome. You don't need to to be like a researcher or academic or to even suffer or to have suffered some kind of eviction.Everybody's welcome to our assemblies and to join.[00:39:15] Davide: I would like to say that it's really beautiful to be part of like a movement and a collective, like Stop Despejos. So, when after I joined, I was facing a difficult time in my life. And, and for me it was very important to, to be there. I mean, first of all, to see that there are people with bigger problem than mine.And then it's, for me, it's really a pose from my personal life. I go there and also must say that the people that are involved in this kind of struggle are in general pretty special people. So you meet people you would wouldn't normally meet at work or, or in a pub.It's really enriching things to do.[00:40:03] Chris: Fantastic. Well, I, I'll make sure all of those links for social media and the website are up on the end of tourism website when the episode launches. And from what I understand, there will be some extra media to share.Well, it's been a, a great pleasure to meet and speak with both of you, at least virtually, and maybe one day in person.You'll be welcome. You'll be welcome than welcome, Chris. Yes, likewise.[00:40:30] Davide: Thank you. Thank you.[00:40:31] Joana: Thank you so much, Chris. Thank you for having us. 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A church worker calls in as she prepares to go to a BDSM kink party, a caller talks through a prostitute addiction that's caused trouble in his relationships, and I talk to Elon Musk for 5 seconds. Then later we end with an IRL segment in Lisbon Portugal with two skateboarders who talk about their dreams and their thoughts on America. I am on tour right now and the shows have been really fun. You should come. Tickets to Therapy Gecko Live are on sale now in cities around the US, Australia, and Canada. Get them here before they sell out: https://therapygeckotour.com/ Don't stare at strangers. Unless they're really cool looking. I am a gecko. More gecko stuff here: https://linktr.ee/lyleforever
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