It's Called Culture

We discovered that the Portuguese equivalent to the "thirty, flirty, and thriving" mantra is "fifty, thrifty, and depriving..." This week's episode theme is thriftiness. And we also cover a recent incident where you won't believe what was used to heal an injured finger. Hint: It's even better than cobwebs.

Join us for an episode on the art of the Portuguese business transaction... from landlord agreements to paying contractors to booking flights.

We're back from hiatus! This episode includes the juiciest bits from a Portuguese auntie's Reddit AMA ("Ask Me Anything") forum.

We discuss the Kennedy family wealth as portrayed in The Nine of Us: Growing Up Kennedy by Jean Kennedy Smith (specifically Rose Kennedy's historic daily summer routine in Hyannis with 9 kids) and contrast it with our own immigrant family experiences.

Also, the Portuguese did earn a footnote in this book, but we'll tell you why we wish they hadn't.

First we tell a family member's "rom-com" love story from the 1970's and then we get passionate about the bygone era of pay-to-attend wedding showers.

We discuss what we both have in common with Karen Read, how Kel's dad eats in "moderation", and what ancestral anxieties plagued Mel on a recent trip.

We discuss our experience at our local Day of Portugal celebration including the grande mentira (big lie) in its origin story.

A potpourri of commentary ranging from actual potpourri on the back of Vavo's toilet to the hortelã (mint) growing out of Kel's foundation.

A humorous tale of late-night fish peddling in an Azorean village.

We review the controversial movie "Poor Things" starring Emma Stone and Mark Ruffalo, partially set in Lisbon, Portugal.

First we discuss encounters with Portuguese travelers "in the wild"..... and then we talk about the house-of-cards that is immigrant parents making travel plans.

We cover several infamous bank robberies in Portugal & Other Portugal (Massachusetts) including Kelly's very own ride-along during a robbery-in-progress.

First, we discuss how the scholastic book fair has become less about reading and more about peddling junk to kids. Then, we discover the true untouchable demographic from an advertising and marketing standpoint -- immigrant grandparents.

Kel's impersonations of her mother shine in this classic tale of immigrant parents vs. emergency services.

We give you a rundown of recent gems we've found on Reddit, including but not limited to: Portuguese "Family Guy" characters Santos & Pasqual; what 55 MPH really stands for on speed limit signs; and a complete (and way too accurate) Portuguese personality assessment.

We keep you "posted" on our composting efforts and rack our brains trying to figure out how our family members have thriving gardens despite their total disregard for the very specific instructions on the back of the seed packets.

We briefly discuss the cultural aspects of Bachelor Joey's Hometown Dates and then count down the *very Portuguese infused* Top 10 dates we'd take a Bachelor suitor on in our own Hometown of Fall River, MA. Which of these dates would you prefer to go on?

We reflect on the impact of '70s TV show The Electric Company on non-English speakers, sharing anecdotes of family members using an early-career Morgan Freeman to learn English.

This episode also features Portuguese restaurant etiquette for last minute reservations, hostesses (or lack thereof), ordering, and what to do when the lights go out.

This week we dive into east and west coast Portuguese social clubs.

The one where we watched a documentary and swore off meat. We discuss vegan, vegetarian, whole food plant based, and mediterranean diets. And we share our guiding principle: "WWTBD?" What Would Tom Brady Do?

By listener request, we bring you a Mystic Pizza rewatch and review. We break down all of the Portuguese elements of this movie -- names, behaviors, lullabies, and even the Last Supper decor.

We discuss what it means to uno-reverse your ancestors and how to decipher their recipes.

May the Forza be with you in this episode of hilariously bad English to Portuguese translations and the stories that go along with them.

In this episode, we delve into the dark history of foundling wheels and discuss shocking cases in the US and Portugal of deception involving faked pregnancies and elaborate scams.

Discussing a chapter of Sue Fagalde Lick's book "Stories Grandma Never Told: Portuguese Women in California" leads us on some hilarious tangents about food, church, and survival.

We discuss Portugalia, a beloved Portuguese goods marketplace in Fall River, Massachusetts. From its humble beginnings to its bustling Christmas atmosphere and our favorite finds.

Then we reflect on our family's holiday traditions from gift exchange strategies to culinary adventures -- including the "cooking math" that is common to Azorean Americans.

We discuss the film "The Feast of the Seven Fishes" that we recently discovered on Netflix. This Italian immigrant movie hits all the right marks for a Christmas Eve celebration: 1980s, cake-eaters, evil eye, bacalhau, midnight mass, uncle with the bad jokes.

First we share a saying from my vavó that I discovered was from a popular song (O Arroz Está Cru) and then we host our first "translation bee" of the new year.

We share 2024 life goals loosely inspired by Açores circa 1960.

We explore the idea of Christmases Present and the excessive holiday-time commitments that have come to be. Elf on the Shelf! Advent Calendars! Yankee Swap! Secret Santa! Spirit Week! Stocking Stuffers! While we appreciate the joy, we emphasize the need for simplicity and balance during this time. We will be taking a break from the podcast during Christmas week. Boas Festas! See you in the New Year!

We explore the idea of Christmases Past starting with our parents' sparse and simple Christmas traditions and our own childhood holiday memories.

We describe a visit to the Pastéis de Belém pastry shop, its history, and participation in a Lisbon cooking class where we made replicas of the famous pastries. And in typical Portuguese-fashion, you'll find a nata recipe throughout this episode (with no measurements). Good luck!

From the challenge of finding the right word for "candy" to trying to describe something as "under-salted", we uncover the nuances of the Portuguese language.

Our 100th episode! We discuss all things ginjinha (the unofficial sour cherry liqueur of Lisbon).

In this episode, we discuss our love for movies involving time loops and body-switching. We recommend the Brazilian Portuguese film "Just Another Christmas" on Netflix, with similarities to "Groundhog Day." Then we share amusing anecdotes and nostalgic experiences while clearing out Mel's grandmother's apartment over the Thanksgiving Holiday. 

Even the simplest things can be a challenge when navigating another country in your second language.

Part 2 of the Portugal journey = Mel in Cars Getting Coffee...

We discuss the remarkable life of Bobi, a Portuguese dog who lived to be 31 years old. We explore the challenges that older generations face with banking technology, share stories of frugal immigrant habits, and host a "Translation Bee" segment.

We share the results of our Vitality Tests with each other and discuss how to improve our life expectancies.

Happy Halloween! We analyze the aftermath of our hometown's infamous double ax murder. Part 2 of 2 reveals how a Portuguese immigrant's actions may have influenced the trial and covers the remaining life and death of Lizbeth A. Borden, including Kelly's visitas to the properties.

This episode analyzes the dizzying details of our hometown's infamous double ax murder. Part 1 of 2. Tune in tomorrow to learn how a Portuguese immigrant's actions may have influenced the trial and to hear about the remaining life and death of Lizbeth A. Borden, including Kelly's visitas to the properties.

First, we delve into the origins of the board, the historical context of spiritualism, and skeptic investigations. Next we recount tales such as a courtroom trial involving a Ouija board and unusual bequests made to spirits through the board. Lastly, we examine the evolving portrayal of Ouija boards in popular culture such as The Exorcist and I Love Lucy.

We cover haunted house history, cultural significance, and Kelly's desire to snag a deal on a dwelling with see-through roommates.