Cool Beans Pod

Cool Beans Pod Episode #46 - Tommy Luther Hughes

Big Production and Porto 🎭 Tommy Luther Hughes has lived a life in movement — but Porto has always been home. 🇵🇹❤️ Trained at LAMDA, Tommy began his career in London before becoming the original title role in the National Theatre’s War Horse, one of the most successful productions in its history. His extraordinary journey has taken him from theatre and opera to film, television, puppetry and music — including a leading creative role in the Oscar-winning visual effects of The Golden Compass, where he created the movement for its Daemons and Ice Bears. 🐻‍❄️🎬🏆 After injuries shifted his path towards directing, Tommy returned to War Horse, directing its puppets in London, Toronto and Beijing, before going on to direct the elephant puppets in Cirque du Soleil’s Circus 1903. 🐘🎪 But beneath the international career, Porto has always been home. Today, as co-artistic director of PAZ – Performance Arts Zone, Tommy is helping shape a vibrant creative community in the city, bringing together physical theatre, dance, puppetry, music, experimentation and artistic collaboration. A national acrobatics champion at 15, an actor, director, puppeteer, musician, writer and relentless creator — Tommy’s story is about following the body, embracing the unexpected and always finding his way back home. 🤸‍♂️🎭🎶 🎙️ Tommy Luther Hughes: Instagram 🎭 PAZ – Performance Arts Zone: Official website 📸 PAZ: Instagram 💃 Esquiva Companhia de Dança: Official website 📸 Esquiva: Instagram 🔗 Tommy & his creative world

Cool Beans Pod Episode #45 - Josué Ferreira

☕📖 Josué Ferreira Returns to the Cool Beans Pod! 🎙️✨ Josué Ferreira is back on the Cool Beans Pod for a fascinating deep dive into the Book of Job — one of the oldest and most intriguing books of the Bible. 🙏📜 Where did Job come from? 🤔 What is the deeper meaning behind this ancient story of suffering, faith, justice, and God? And perhaps most importantly — what can the Book of Job teach us in the 21st century? 🌍💭 Josué brings a unique perspective to the conversation as a music teacher 🎶, accomplished musician 🎸, psychologist 🧠, and preacher ✝️. 📲 Follow Josué on Instagram: @josue.ferreira.3701 ⛪ Church: Igreja de Cristo Evangélica Carismática (ICEC) It’s a thought-provoking conversation exploring faith, psychology, music, history, and modern life — and why a book written thousands of years ago still speaks so powerfully to us today. 🔥📚 ☕🎧 Grab your coffee and join the conversation! #CoolBeansPod #JosuéFerreira #BookOfJob #Bible #Faith #Christianity #Psychology #Music #Preacher #Podcast #Porto #Portugal #BibleStudy 📖☕🎙️✝️

Cool Beans Pod Episode #44 - Kim Van Craeynest

🇵🇹🎙️ Episode Spotlight: Kim Van Craeynest Why Porto? Why invest here? And what makes Northern Portugal such a special place to call home? 🏡🍷🌊 In Episode #44 of the Cool Beans Pod, we’re joined by Kim Van Craeynest, relocation specialist and the woman behind Porto.withkim. Kim helps expat families navigate their move to Portugal with personalised relocation support, local knowledge and guidance as they settle into their new home. 🇵🇹✨ We chat about: 🏡 Buying property in and around Porto 💶 The opportunities and benefits of investing in Porto 📍 Why local knowledge matters when purchasing property 🌊 The incredible lifestyle of Porto, from city to coast ✈️ What makes Porto such an attractive relocation destination 🤝 How the right local support can make moving easier Porto has so much going for it: a vibrant city, incredible food and wine, beaches nearby, beautiful countryside and easy access to the rest of Europe. 🌿🍷🌊 And beyond Porto? Northern Portugal is an absolute gem. 💎 So if you’ve ever wondered “Should I buy in Porto?”, “Is Porto a good place to invest?”, or “What would life in Northern Portugal actually be like?”, this is an episode you’ll want to hear. 🎧 ☕️ Check out Cool Beans Pod Episode #44 with Kim Van Craeynest! 🌐 Expat Focus: Kim Van Craeynest on Expat Focus 📲 Instagram: @porto.withkim 🇵🇹 Thinking about making Porto home? Check out Kim and discover what’s possible. #CoolBeansPod #Episode44 #KimVanCraeynest #PortoWithKim #Porto #Portugal #NorthernPortugal #InvestInPorto #PortoProperty #PortugalProperty #PropertyInvestment #RelocateToPortugal #MoveToPortugal #ExpatPortugal #PortugalLifestyle #Douro #LivingInPortugal ☕️🇵🇹

Cool Beans Pod Episode #43 - Maryia Hurevich

🎙️ Episode Spotlight Maryia is a psychotherapist and founder of MaryiaMindCare, a private practice in Porto offering psychotherapy in English. In this episode, we explore what it really means to feel safe in therapy, why our thoughts aren't always facts, and how therapy can help us better understand ourselves with compassion rather than judgment. ✨ We also discuss: 🧠 Thought traps and limiting beliefs 🤝 Building trust and emotional safety in therapy 🌍 Migration, identity, and belonging 💪 Discipline vs. motivation ❤️ Seeing people as more than a diagnosis A thoughtful conversation about mental health, healing, and what meaningful therapy can truly look like. 📲 Follow Maryia on Instagram: @maryiamindcare

Cool Beans Pod Episode #42 - João Reis

🌟 Episode Spotlight 🎙️ This week, I'm joined by Portuguese writer and literary translator João Reis for a fascinating conversation on language, literature, and the future of creativity. We discuss: 📖 Learning languages and how they shape the way we think. 🤖 The rise of AI and its impact on translation—can technology really replace human translators? ✍️ Writing across different languages and cultures. 🌍 The challenges of being a writer in the modern age and how storytelling continues to evolve. Whether you're a language lover, writer, translator, or simply curious about the future of communication, this is an episode you won't want to miss. 🔗 Website: https://www.joaoreisautor.com 📸 Instagram: @joaoreis.author #Podcast #EpisodeSpotlight #JoãoReis #Writing #Translation #AI #ArtificialIntelligence #Languages #Literature #Authors #Storytelling #Portugal

Cool Beans Pod Episode #41 - Fátima Ribeiro

Episode Spotlight: 🌍✈️ Fátima Ribeiro is the founder of FR Travel and the driving force behind Altiora, creating bespoke travel experiences and curated tours across the globe. With over 20 years in the travel industry, she combines expert knowledge with trusted international connections to craft unforgettable journeys. 🎙️ Fátima is an engaging guest, sharing insights into the joys and challenges of tourism, the evolving world of travel, and what travel means to each individual. Her stories and expertise inspire audiences to explore the world with purpose and curiosity. 🌎✨ 🔗 https://frtravel.pt 🔗 https://altiora.pt 📸 Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/frtravel.pt/ 📸 Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/journeybyfatimaribeiro/

Cool Beans Pod Episode #40 - João Portas (Co-founder of SirTile®)

🎙️ João Portas is the co-founder of SirTile®, a Portuguese sock brand inspired by the timeless beauty of Portugal's iconic ceramic tiles. 🇵🇹 🧦 With a deep passion for socks as more than just an everyday essential, João believes they are a subtle yet powerful way to express personality, creativity, and individuality. This vision became the foundation for SirTile®. ❤️ Together with his wife and co-founder, Paula, João has built SirTile® into a brand that celebrates Portuguese culture through contemporary design. As a husband-and-wife team, they combine creativity, craftsmanship, and a shared entrepreneurial spirit to create socks that are thoughtfully designed and proudly made in Portugal. 💡 In this episode, João shares the story behind SirTile®, the rewards and challenges of building a business with his life partner, and how embracing authenticity, design, and heritage can turn a simple accessory into a meaningful statement. 📲 Instagram: @sirtilesocks

Cool Beans Pod Episode #39 - Sharon Jemima Crew

🎙️ This week on the podcast, we're joined by Sharon Jemima Crew — a fine art–trained artist who has called Porto home for more than a decade. 🇵🇹🎨 Sharon creates beautifully hand-illustrated maps, walking guides, and art prints that reveal the Porto most visitors never discover. From hidden cemeteries 🪦 and forgotten alleyways to quirky junk shops 🏺 that don't even appear on Google Maps, her work celebrates the city's secret corners and everyday magic. Every piece is painted entirely by hand ✍️ — no AI, no templates, just genuine artistry and a deep love for Porto. 💙🤍 Discover Sharon's illustrated Porto guides and iconic blue-and-white art prints at Etsy: SharonJemimaArt 🛍️, and follow her Porto adventures on Instagram @theportomap 📍✨

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Cool Beans Pod Episode #38 - Nuno André Oliveira Marques dos Santos (Nelo Mar Kayaks)

🎙️ Podcast Episode: Nuno André Oliveira Marques dos Santos & the Nelo Story 🚣‍♂️🏅 In this episode, we sit down with Nuno André Oliveira Marques dos Santos, General Director of Nelo MAR Kayaks, one of the most influential companies in global paddlesports. Born in Porto on December 17, 1976, Nuno holds a degree in Economics from the University of Porto School of Economics and Management. He began canoeing in 1987 and joined Nelo in 2000, progressing from Commercial Director to CEO. 🌍 Nelo is the world's leading manufacturer of high-performance kayaks, canoes, surfskis, paracanoe boats, and rowing shells. Designed and built in Portugal, Nelo boats are trusted by elite athletes around the world and have been a key part of Olympic canoe sprint competition since Athens 2004. 🏆 We discuss Nelo's commitment to innovation, athlete-focused design, and its role in helping Olympic and World Champions achieve success on the biggest stages in sport. 📲 Follow Nelo: 🚣 Instagram: @nelokayaks 🌐 Website: www.nelo.eu 🎧 Join us for a fascinating conversation about leadership, innovation, Olympic excellence, and how a Portuguese company became the benchmark brand in paddlesports worldwide. 🌊🏅🚀

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Cool Beans Pod Episode # 37 - stories.of.the.ghost

🎙️👻 Stories of the Ghost – Porto Walking Tours | Dark Side of Portugal A new voice joins the shadows... In this episode, we're delighted to welcome Rosaria Ribeiro as our new co-host, helping guide us through the mysteries, legends, and darker corners of Portugal's past. 🕯️🇵🇹 And this episode comes with an unexpected twist... 👀 The Ghost itself sent us answers to some of our questions. What did it reveal? What secrets emerged from beyond the veil? 🌫️💀 Tune in for a haunting conversation where history, folklore, and the supernatural collide. 📱 Follow the mystery and discover exclusive content from the Ghost: 👉 https://www.instagram.com/stories.of.the.ghost/ 👻 Join us, follow the clues, and decide for yourself what lies between fact and legend. 🎧 Listen now... if you dare. 🖤 #StoriesOfTheGhost #DarkSideOfPortugal #PortoWalkingTours #GhostStories #PortugalMysteries #RosariaRibeiro #Podcast #HauntedPortugal #Folklore

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Cool Beans Pod Episode #36 - Ana Carina Soares

☕🎙️ This week on the Cool Beans Pod: Ana Carina Soares By day, Ana is a dedicated 👩‍⚕️ nurse. In October 2025, alongside her husband, she opened Magnolia Coffee Leça in 📍Leça da Palmeira, Porto — a welcoming café serving 🍽️ daily meals, 🍰 homemade cakes, and 🇵🇹 Portuguese treats with a modern continental twist. Running a thriving coffee shop while working full-time in healthcare is no small feat. Ana shares her journey of entrepreneurship, the realities of building a business in Porto, and what it's really like working side-by-side as a ❤️ husband-and-wife team. Expect honest insights on: ✨ Starting a café from scratch ☕ Creating a unique food and coffee experience 👩‍⚕️ Balancing nursing and business ownership 🤝 The rewards and challenges of family entrepreneurship 📈 Growing a business in Porto Tune in for an inspiring conversation filled with lessons, laughter, and the realities of chasing a dream. 📲 Follow Ana and Magnolia Coffee Leça on Instagram: @magnolia_coffee_leca

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Cool Beans Pod Episode #35 - Mark de Stadler

🎙️ Podcast Episode Spotlight: What happens when a South African takes the grit, warmth, and straight-talking honesty we're known for and uses it to help leaders around the world find their voice? 🌍 Join us for an inspiring conversation with Mark de Stadler, a proud Saffa making an impact on the global stage. Now living in Porto, Portugal with his wife and business partner, Sandy ❤️. Mark co-founded C4S Global, helping executives and senior leaders communicate with confidence, influence with authenticity, and lead with greater impact. Warm, open, and refreshingly direct, Mark shares insights on leadership, purpose, partnership, and the power of human connection. This is a conversation about finding your voice, making your mark, and creating meaningful impact wherever you are in the world. ✨ 🇿🇦 ➡️ 🇵🇹 A Saffa making good ... as we usually do. 😉 🔗 LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/markdestadler/ 🌐 Website: c4sglobal.com

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Cool Beans Pod Episode #34 - Lysa Fedtke

🎙️☕ Cool Beans Pod – Lysa Fedtke 🇩🇪🔥 In this episode of Cool Beans Pod, we sit down with Lysa Fedtke — German trainer, translator, and proofreader — to unpack the real reason so many people struggle to speak German confidently in everyday life. After years of teaching students from around the world, Lysa noticed the same pattern over and over again: people understand the language, know the vocabulary, and study hard… but freeze the moment they need to actually speak in real-life situations. 😅🗣️ That insight inspired her to create a brand-new program focused specifically on helping learners break through that fear and finally speak German with confidence. 🚀🇩🇪 The program launches in June 2026! We also chat about: 🏃‍♀️ Her first HYROX Lisbon in Lisbon with Zonia Prinsloo ⚖️ Balancing work, family, fitness, and personal goals 💡 Building confidence through consistency and mindset A fun, honest, and motivating conversation you won’t want to miss! ☕🎧 Catch her on IG: lysafedtke

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Cool Bean Pod Episode #33 - Marta Pinto

🎙️ On this episode of the Cool Beans Pod, we sat down with Marta Pinto — founder of AI Goes to School, educator, researcher, and at heart, an art teacher exploring the human side of technology 🎨🤖 With a PhD in Multimedia in Education and more than 20 years working across learning, technology, and teacher development, Marta shared thoughtful insights on how schools can approach AI with curiosity, ethics, creativity, and critical thinking. 📚✨ Our conversation explored: 🧠 AI literacy in schools 👩‍🏫 Teacher adoption and empowerment 🎨 Creativity, imagination, and learning in the age of AI 🏫 Building agency across the education sector ⚖️ The importance of ethical and human-centered AI integration Marta’s work through AI Goes to School is helping educators move beyond fear and hype — creating practical, thoughtful pathways for AI in education. 🌍 🔗 LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/pintomarta/ 🌐 AI Goes to School: https://aigoestoschool.com/ IG: marta.martapinto #AIinEducation #EdTech #AIGoesToSchool #TeacherAgency #AILiteracy #FutureOfLearning

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Cool Beans Pod Episode #32 - Filipe Josué

🔬➡️🤖➡️📈 From science labs to boardroom strategy — meet Filipe. After a decade in London working across biology and robotics, Filipe pivoted into the world of strategy and consulting, where he now operates at the cutting edge of business and technology. Over the last 10 years, he’s helped organisations navigate growth, transformation, and the ever-evolving impact of AI — not just on processes, but on how demand itself is changing. 🧠 His superpower? Connecting dots across science, business, and tech to make sense of complex systems — and turning that insight into real-world strategy. 🎙️ In this episode, we dive into:✨ How AI is reshaping industries beyond automation✨ The intersection of deep tech and business strategy✨ What it really means to drive transformation today Follow Filipe:🔗 LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/filipejosue/📸 Instagram: @filipejosue #Podcast #AI #Strategy #Innovation #TechLeadership

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Cool Beans Pod Episode #31 - Pedro Maçana (Co-Founder of Wayz)

From Porto to Europe — building a sneaker brand with purpose 👟🇵🇹 On this episode, we sit down with Pedro Maçana, co-founder of Wayz (alongside Daniel Gonçalves), the Portuguese sneaker brand born in 2019 with a bold mission: 100% designed and crafted in Portugal. What started as a crowdfunding campaign on Indiegogo quickly turned into a movement — with their first pairs shipped by the end of 2019 and a physical store opening in Bonfim just months later. 🚀 But this isn’t just about sneakers… Wayz is built on a deeper belief: that brands should take responsibility for people + planet 🌍♻️ Pedro gets real about: 💥 What ethical branding actually means 💥 The role of leather in responsible production 💥 Working with local Portuguese suppliers 💥 Scaling across Portugal → Europe without losing purpose It’s a conversation about building something that lasts — not just products, but impact. 👉 Walk your way. Build your way. Think your way. 🎧 Tap in & explore: 🌐 https://wayzforlife.com/pt/blogs/shoes-your-way 👟 https://wayzforlife.com/ 📲 https://www.instagram.com/wayzforlife/ #CoolBeansPodcast #Wayz #EthicalBranding #SustainableFashion #MadeInPortugal

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Cool Beans Pod Episode #30 - Prof. Alexandre Quintanilha

🎙️ Cool Beans Pod — Episode Spotlight Professor Alexandre Quintanilha In this episode of Cool Beans, Gary chats with Professor Alexandre Quintanilha — one of Portugal’s most respected scientists and thinkers — about curiosity, education, risk, and how ideas travel from classrooms into real life. Alexandre began his academic journey studying Theoretical Physics at the University of the Witwatersrand in Johannesburg, before completing a PhD in Physics in Europe. He later moved into biophysics and molecular biology, spending almost 20 years at UC Berkeley and the Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory in the United States. 🇿🇦➡️🇺🇸➡️🇵🇹 Returning to Porto, he helped shape modern Portuguese science by founding and leading major research institutions, including the Institute of Molecular and Cell Biology (IBMC), and playing a key role in creating i3S, now the country’s largest health‑science research centre. 🧬 His work focuses on oxidative stress, ageing, and how humans understand risk, and he is the author and co‑author of several scientific books and more than 100 peer‑reviewed papers. Alongside research, he has always been passionate about education, the public understanding of science, and ethical decision‑making. Alexandre is currently Professor Emeritus at the University of Porto and remains actively involved with i3S, science policy, and public debate. Grab a coffee — this one’s proper cool beans. ☕🫘

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Cool Beans Pod Episode # 29 - Kevin E. Young

🎙️ Designing a New Life: From LA to Porto with Kevin E. Young Kevin E. Young is an American interior designer who now calls Bomfim, Porto home 🇵🇹. In this episode, we chat about housing in Portugal, what it’s really like to move abroad, and why he left Los Angeles to challenge himself in a more frugal, creative environment ✈️🏡. Kevin dives into the practical side of home design, sharing insights from his work, and even explores motel room aesthetics—with a bold, slightly kinky edge 😉🛏️✨. ⚠️ This episode contains some adult themes. Viewer discretion is advised. Check him out: 📸 Instagram: @kevininporto / @kevinyoungdesigns 📘 Facebook: Kevin Young Designs

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Cool Beans Pod Episode #28 - Carla Hooley

🎙️ Podcast Spotlight: Carla Hooley In this episode, Carla Hooley joins us to unpack the real-world challenges and exciting opportunities of online teaching 🌍💻. From navigating ever-evolving tech to prioritising mental health and resilience, she shares what it truly takes to thrive in a digital learning space. Carla also reflects on working across diverse cultures and organisations, and how stepping outside your comfort zone can build the flexibility needed to grow and succeed. Whether you're new to online teaching or looking to refine your approach, this conversation is packed with practical insights and honest reflections ✨ 🔗 Connect with Carla: https://www.linkedin.com/in/carla-figueiredo-hooley-1500a630/

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Cool Beans Pod Episode #27 - Richard Zimler

🎙️ Podcast Episode: Richard Zimler in Porto 📚 In this episode, we chat with acclaimed novelist Richard Zimler, an American-born author now living in the beautiful city of Porto, Portugal. ✨ We explore some of his best-known books, including: The Last Kabbalist of Lisbon The Warsaw Anagrams The Gospel According to Lazarus 💬 Our conversation dives into: Feminism and the strong, complex voices in his writing The emotional impact of losing a sibling, and how grief shapes storytelling The themes and historical depth behind his novels 🌊 Richard also shares what it’s like to live in Portugal — from the charm of Porto to how its culture influences his creative life. ❤️ Thoughtful and moving, this episode offers an intimate look at the experiences behind the stories — and the man who writes them.

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