30 MAR 2019 · Love in Tomar, Circus in Coja and free Portuguese wine for anyone visiting Portugal this week. OK, it's April 1st and only two of these feature in this Spring-timed, hot off the editing block, edition of the Pure Portugal Podcast. We hear from Tania Castilho of the Linda's Language School and notably the Women Economic Forum with a post-match report from her much-loved and glbally-subscribed sustainable change event in Tomar, recently. For something completely different, we turn to a Sage Bachtler Cushman and find out more about her new circus project with Hugo Oliveira, based in Coja. To conclude, we return to Tomar and the winners of the 'Youth for a Sustainable World NOW!' competition who tell us more about their inspiring and ennobling projects. More at: www.wef.org.in - www.oliveira-bachtler.com/ and www.institutolindaschool.com/concurso-e-conferencia

28 JAN 2019 · This is what grabbed my attention before talking with the remarkable Heather Bird. "If you could go to a course in the north of Portugal for example, on a Quinta with 4 hectares of woodland and a stage beside a swimming pool, an outside kitchen and general gorgeousness, what would you want to do? What facilities would you like? Anything else at all? Market research and all that and I’d be eternally grateful for your input. Oh and keep the offers to coach courses coming in! So humbled. There are some extraordinary people coming over to run courses. News soon! Thanks lovely people." Listen to our conversation about the project here...

13 JAN 2019 · It's time to meet the legend that is Bruce Joffe. You may well know him from his sometimes controversial, but always well-meaning posts, in the Pure Portugal podcast. Now you can hear about his Portuguese adventure and get to know him and his story a little better. In conversation with Bruce in his ex-cafe, front room, we found out how he and partner Russ came to be in Portugal, rather than Spain. We learn about why they - the 'Crazy Americans' - chose the Castelo Branco area, and the village of Lousa in particular. Unsurprisingly, Bruce shares his opinions on both Spanish and Portuguese culture, and talks about his forthcoming book - 'Expat: Leaving the USA for Good'. To conclude, Reverend and Doctor Joffe, no less, shares his hard-won wisdom about how to settle in and embrace Portuguese life. Find Bruce on Facebook! Connect with him in the group and make a note that he's a Pure Portugal 'Concierge' too, at your service... www.pureportugal.co.uk

28 DEC 2018 · Bringing everything most recently recorded for the Pure Portugal Podcast, along with a new interview, here's a single, immersive - epic - year-ending podcast, episode number 5 with five wonderful segments. We’ll start with a new connection - Yoav Lorch, who shares an exciting new idea, the 'AMEE' project, of particular interest if you’re an artist or maker with a similar interest in Portugal. We then bring in the legend who is Wendy Howard from the Benfeita area and community, who shares her inspiring back-story and urges us to live in a more planet-friendly way. After Wendy’s words of wisdom, we head to Tomar to talk to Tania Castelo who tells us about her Lindas Language School, which is clearly much more than a place to learn the local lingo - Tania is an incredible woman, with so much to share with us. The star in our Pure Portugal midst - Steve Andrews - then shares his hope for a Portuguese walk for Wildlife and slips how he upset Simon Cowell on Britain’s Got Talent into our conversation. We conclude with another inspirational initiative - the CO Project - and its founder Leyla Acaroglu. By this point, and true to the Christmas spirit you should be bloated with food for thought. Thank you for tuning into and downloading the Pure Portugal podcast. We look forward to talking to more people on their amazing adventures and Portuguese projects in 2019, perhaps it’ll be you? Do have a wonderful new year and do stay in touch. As ever your feedback is most welcome: carl@carlmunson.com

14 DEC 2018 · Over WhatsApp to Isreal, I'm joined by Yoav Lorch, who has a great idea to share: AMEE - The Artists, Makers and Entrepreneurs Exchange - "Where Inspiring People Do Inspiring Things" Contact: yoav.lorch@gmail.com

15 OCT 2018 · For those of you who like a longer-form, immersive experience, here's the Pure Portugal omnibus podcast - Episode 4 - which brings together recent weekly episodes that have looked at: progressive community living, cooperative hemp growing and the sweet, orange comfort food known as baked beans. As ever your feedback is welcome, so do drop me a line to carl@carlmunson.com --- As it’s been said, if you want to go fast, go alone. If you want to go far, go together. One intentional community that chose to ‘go together’ some 40 years ago, kicks off Episode 4, namely 'Tamera' - based in Portugal’s Alentejo region, on an impressive and innovative 335-acre site, addressing such big issues as: How will humanity live in the future? How can we as humanity resolve the crises we’ve caused and survive on Earth? Can this planet become the paradise it is meant to be? Hear Head of Tamera's Global Campus Vera Kleinhammes' on this recording and find out more about their inspiring and amazing research, education and outreach at www.tamera.org --- The second segment of the podcast arose from this post in the Pure Portugal Facebook Group: "It is done! The Lusicanna cooperative (for the production of industrial hemp in Portugal) was founded yesterday, August 24th in In the sweltering heat of a typical Alentejo summer day in Serpa. The six founders are currently producing hemp in Alentejo, Algarve and Castelo Branco area." "One of our main goals is to enable as many farmers as possible to join this exciting market. If you are interested in becoming part of the emerging hemp industry in Portugal, keep tabs on Lusicanna! We will be open for new members starting next season!" Hear Carl Munson in conversation with Jurgen of the Lusicanna Co-operative about their launch, the long-term strategy, and the outstanding potential benefits that industrial and medicinal hemp growing could offer towards rural regeneration in Portugal. More at: https://www.facebook.com/groups/1971620359760859/ --- "And finally..." Sometimes, it’s the little, eccentric things that can make a big, profound difference to life in a new land. For Brits, it’s a tin of sweet, orange beans, which we focus on here, along with a few DIY recipes so you can ‘try this at home’, if you can’t lay your hands on the genuine article. --- ***The views shared here are not necessarily the views of Pure Portugal Ltd and are offered for the basis of discussion and awareness, not as an endorsement or advice in any way***

5 OCT 2018 · "Down a winding unpaved road, near the mountain town of Serra, in Central Portugal lies an abandoned olive oil mill from the turn of the century, dilapidated and roofless, with strong stone walls still standing. Steeped in history, this once-abandoned corner of the world is being regenerated into a unique creative and cultural experience: a Brain Spa." Find out more about this fascinating and beautiful project centered around 'creative optimism' (CO), 'disruptive design' and practical sustainability right here, as Carl Munson talks with Leyla Acaroglu at The CO Project, for the Pure Portugal podcast. Find out more at: www.coproject.co Leyla's Ted Talk: https://www.ted.com/talks/leyla_acaroglu_paper_beats_plastic_how_to_rethink_environmental_folklore The Pure Portugal Podcast is shared as information and entertainment - it is not intended as, and should not be a substitute for, professional advice or necessarily an endorsement. "We are NOT completely screwed!"

27 SEP 2018 · Inspired by celebrity environmentalist Chris Packham's mobilisation of tens of thousands of nature lovers in London last weekend, Steve Andrews wants to similarly encourage a Portuguese People's 'Walk for Wildlife'. Having recently floated the idea in the popular 'Wildlife in Portugal' Facebook group, Steve - AKA the Bard of Ely (Wales!) - is keen to see a global, people-power response to the degradation of the environment and once-plentiful species. In this rallying call to anyone and everyone who loves nature, in Portugal and beyond, we manage to talk about plastic, Sesimbra, The Arrabida National Park, Shakin' Stevens, David Attenborough and the Iberian Lynx - a potential poster-child for Portuguese conservation. Check out Steve as a song-writer and performer here: https://youtu.be/t9FBmErYpz4 Stay tuned for further developments...

21 SEP 2018 · Looking to create a "world without borders", Tânia Castilho of Tomar's Linda's Language School has an incredible vision for teaching languages (including English, Portuguese and Mandarin!) in a way that also inspires sustainability, community and one-ness. Co-incidentally on International Peace Day, 21st September, Tania shared with me the news that in March 2019, with the Portugal chapter of the global 'All Ladies League', she'll be welcoming the Women Economic Forum (WEF) to Tomar, Portugal. 'Inspiring Passion and Innovation Through Sustainable Change' will be the theme of this international conference from 22nd to 25th March 2019, more here: http://www.wef.org.in/wef-portugal-2019-program-details Together with this event, Tania and Linda's Language School are also organising the 'Youth For a Sustainable World NOW International Contest' with delegates from Asia, Africa and America, details here: http://www.institutolindaschool.com/concurso-e-conferencia There's also an associated fundraising event - Art in Motion - that will be a showcase for local bands and solo artists, all at secondary school level. "In other words, it is a concert organized by youngsters, with youngsters, for youngsters and to benefit youngsters at large," says the School. It was a real pleasure to talk with Tania who is also an author, inspirational speaker and 'Isness Coach'. Find out more about the events and Linda's School at: http://www.institutolindaschool.com/

14 SEP 2018 · Wendy Howard's move to a more sustainable life in Portugal, with her family eight years ago, has become an exemplary permaculture project - Quinta do Vale - within the Benfeita 'phenomenon'. In this interview, she talks about the principles her endeavour is based upon, last year's fires (that came within inches of her home) and how we might take a bigger, regenerative view, for the sake of our collective future. There's clearly 'bad news' all around, but it's also great to hear Wendy's uplifting and positive view of Portugal, the Portuguese and the great potential that's here in this wonderful country. Press play to hear more about Quinta Do Vale, Permaculture, Benfeita and how to get involved. And find out more at: http://www.permaculturinginportugal.net/