A short and snappy newsletter for you today, in which I want to introduce you to two new People Of Lisbon.

Well, when I say new, I mean two new people we’ve featured on the show. You may know them already. Or maybe not. Either way, they’re both well worth knowing.

We’ve also got a few other bits and bobs to catch you up on from around Lisbon and the People Of Lisbon universe.

So, without further ado...

—

First up, just yesterday we published our latest People Of Lisbon video, featuring Lara Berge, founder of The Creator Club.

Lara came to Lisbon via Australia, New Caledonia and Paris 0 the latter of which she managed exactly one winter before deciding she’d had quite enough of that.

A year ago, she was working for a fintech company and beginning to wonder what exactly she was doing with her life.

“What I was doing actually just felt really meaningless.”

So, along with a colleague, she organised an event in Lisbon to meet people who did find their work meaningful and ask them how they got there. 80 people bought tickets. It sold out.

And The Creator Club was born.

We filmed Lara one year later, as she celebrated the club’s first birthday - talking about work, purpose, nervous systems, AI, community, interviewing people and the underrated art of simply getting shit done.

There was one thing she said that particularly stuck with me:

“I don’t always feel optimistic. Like everyone, I have my moments. But getting back to that place where I’m feeling really excited about the future and the people building it is really powerful.”

I like that.

And Lara is certainly one of those people building something.

—

Before Lara, we featured Lisbon-born journalist Marta Dhanis - and Marta has some stories.

She spent years as a journalist in the US, eventually becoming a court reporter for Fox News and finding herself covering some of the biggest stories in America: the El Chapo trial, Bill Cosby, Sandy Hook and numerous high-profile criminal cases.

At one point I asked her if she’d ever made eye contact with some of these characters in court.

“Oh, yeah. Many times. It’s intense, I can tell you that.”

One of the things I found most interesting about Marta was hearing what all those years of chasing big stories eventually taught her.

“Success and fulfilment are two different things.”

Despite a successful life in New York, eventually she missed Portugal, Europe and the quality of life here. So she came home to Lisbon.

And, just when you think you’ve got Marta figured out, she casually reveals that her television career actually began at eight or nine years old… on the Portuguese version of Sesame Street.

El Chapo, Fox News, Sesame Street. That’s a CV.

Want more Lara and Marta?

If the short films aren’t enough, you can hear much more from both Lara and Marta in our long-form audio conversations, where we leave in all the good stuff that doesn’t make the final edit.

Find the People Of Lisbon podcast on Apple Podcasts and Spotify. Perfect for a walk around Lisbon, a drive, or pretending you’re being productive while actually listening to other people’s lives.

—

Speaking of clubs...

We have our own People Of Lisbon Club. And let me tell you, it’s a hoot.

We’re now at around 150 members, and just in the past week we’ve had rock ‘n’ roll musicians, acclaimed visual artists and immersive storytellers join the club.

They join an already rather ridiculous collection of political figures, journalists, to film producers, entrepreneurs, wellness practitioners, yogis, astrologers, sex therapists and all sorts of other interesting Lisbon humans.

It sounds like we’re making this up. We’re not.

This week alone we’re heading out on another People Of Lisbon boat trip, with our regular coffee morning coming up soon, and plenty more in the works. We are even building a super cool app just for our club members.

Membership is currently just €10 a month. And I say currently because once we hit 200 members, the price is going up.

So this is actually a pretty good moment to sneak in.

There are so many benefits we won’t list here, but you get to meet interesting people, come along to our gatherings, be part of this strange little community we’re building - and, importantly, your membership directly helps us keep making People Of Lisbon.

Come join the club.

—

And finally...

If you know someone who you think should feature on People Of Lisbon, drop us a line. We’re always open to suggestions - famous, not famous, young, old, Portuguese, international... we’re really just looking for people with an interesting story to tell.

And finally, a big shout-out to our sponsors, who make it possible for us to keep making these little films every week:

Moviinn - making moving abroad a whole lot simpler.

Fresh Legal & Tax Advisors - because living in Portugal is wonderful. Understanding Portuguese tax? Slightly less wonderful.

Practice Portuguese - helping those of us who have lived here for an embarrassingly long time finally stop saying “Desculpe, fala inglês?”

Please show them some love. Their support keeps People Of Lisbon going - and allows us to keep introducing you to the fascinating people who make this city what it is.

Until next time,

Stephen O’Regan

Producer, People Of Lisbon

The guilt is real. It’s been an entire month since our last newsletter.

In that time, we somehow managed to celebrate six years of People Of Lisbon. Which is honestly a little bonkers. Six years. 218 People Of Lisbon films and somehow... we’re still here.

Not bad for an idea that started with me filming a photographer called Rita at the start of the pandemic.

It’s been one hell of a ride.

Anyway... enough nostalgia. I’ve got a few things to catch you up on.

1. Six years later... from LX Factory to New York

Our very first official People Of Lisbon film featured comedian André De Freitas. We filmed him performing a stand-up show at LX Factory during the height of the pandemic. Lisbon was eerily quiet. The streets were empty. Tourism had vanished. The fact André was even putting on a comedy show at that moment felt like a small act of defiance.

If you’re curous, here’s the very first People Of Lisbon episode...

But for our sixth anniversary, I didn’t want to simply look backwards. I wanted to see where the story had gone.

So I flew to New York to catch up with André six years later.

Through persistence, talent and an incredible work ethic, he’s now carving out a place for himself on one of the toughest comedy circuits in the world. We spent a night following him between comedy clubs, watching him perform, waiting backstage, and talking about the long road from Lisbon to New York.

It’s a little different from our usual episodes. More of a short documentary than a portrait. A People Of Lisbon special.

I really hope you enjoy it.

2. Back to our regularly scheduled Lisbon programming...

After our little New York adventure, it’s back to what we do best... meeting interesting people who call Lisbon home.

First up is Martina Anguelova, an astrologer with a wonderfully calming presence and a genuine love for this city.

We filmed on a Lisbon scorcher, wandering around in the kind of heat that has you questioning every life decision you’ve ever made. If you look closely, eagle-eyed viewers will notice we actually shot this before the World Cup. You can even spot the giant screen in Praça do Comércio still being assembled in the background.

Martina has made Lisbon her home after a life that began in Bulgaria, and she speaks beautifully about what the city has given her. She’s also a fellow Pisces, so naturally I found her immensely wise and charming. Purely a coincidence, I’m sure.

I hope you enjoy this one.

3. Meet the wonderfully unforgettable artist Emily Tayman...

Every now and then you meet someone who feels like they’ve wandered out of a novel. Emily Tayman is one of those people.

Emily eventually found her way to Lisbon after a life that’s taken her all over the place. Even now, she says she spends half her life in the California desert - Joshua Tree, to be precise - a place long associated with artists, musicians, drifters and wonderfully creative souls.

And it all seeps into her work.

Her paintings are full of beautifully imperfect characters and moments. Women alone at night. Cigarettes lit from the stove. Figures that feel unfinished in all the right ways. There’s a freedom to her art that I absolutely love.

But as much as I admire Emily’s paintings, I think I enjoyed spending time with Emily herself even more. She’s funny, thoughtful and refreshingly honest.

4. The critic becomes the interviewee...

And finally, to bring you completely up to date, our newest People Of Lisbon film is with writer Sandy Braz.

Sandy is also one of the co-hosts of the hugely popular Storytelling Lisboa, where she’s spent years helping other people tell their stories.

Here’s a little secret...

Sandy and I first crossed paths on Instagram, where she wasn’t exactly showering us with praise. She had some... let’s call them thoughtful critiques of our videos.

So I did the only logical thing.

I said, “Alright then... let’s make one about you.”

She took a bit of convincing. But thankfully, she eventually said yes.

I’m very glad she did.

The response to this episode has been fantastic already, making it one of our most popular recent releases.

I’ll let Sandy do the talking from here.

5. Want a little more?

One thing about People Of Lisbon... the videos are short.

Which also means a lot of really good conversation never make the final cut.

Every episode involves difficult decisions about what stays and what goes. Sometimes it’s for pacing. Sometimes it’s because I don’t want the films to outstay their welcome. But every now and then I find myself reluctantly leaving out moments that deserve to be heard.

So... we don’t let them disappear.

For every episode, we also publish the long-form rough cut audio as a podcast on Spotify and Apple Podcasts. They’re less polished, more conversational, and give you a chance to spend a little longer with the people behind the films.

6. Coming up next...

Tomorrow we’re filming with Lara Berge, founder of the Lisbon Creator Club, as she celebrates the community’s first birthday.

Watch this space...

7. Club People Of Lisbon keeps growing...

Finally, a little update from Club People Of Lisbon.

It’s been a wonderfully busy few weeks. We’ve welcomed lots of fantastic new members, continued building our Club app (it’s getting better every week), hosted coffee mornings, headed out on another boat trip along the Tagus, and celebrated six years of People Of Lisbon with a World Cup Final watch party.

Come to think of it... that’s probably why this newsletter took so long to arrive.

I’ve been too busy actually doing the things I was supposed to be writing about.

If you’ve been thinking about joining the Club, we’d love to have you. Whether you’ve just arrived in Lisbon or you’ve been here for years, there’s always someone new to meet, an event to come along to, or a conversation waiting to happen.

And, of course, your membership does something else that’s hugely important.

It helps keep People Of Lisbon going.

Every membership directly supports the films, the photography, the podcast, the events and everything else we’re trying to build around celebrating the incredible people who make this city what it is.

If that sounds like something you’d like to be part of... come and join us. We’d love to welcome you.

Finally... nefore I disappear, I’d like to indulge myself with one final thank you.

None of this happens without the wonderful sponsors who back People Of Lisbon. If you ever have the chance, please show them a little love, so they can keep showing us some.

Moviinn – Moving abroad made simple. If you’ve recently moved to Portugal (or are planning to), they make the whole process infinitely less stressful.

Fresh Legal & Tax – Let’s be honest... who doesn’t need legal or tax advice in Portugal at some point? Thankfully, these are the people to call.

Practice Portuguese – Learning Portuguese doesn’t have to be painful. They’ve somehow managed to make it genuinely enjoyable, and thousands of people are speaking better Portuguese because of it.

And thank you for reading, for watching, for listening, for sharing, for becoming members, and for helping turn what started as a simple idea into a six-year adventure.

I’ll try not to leave it another month before writing the next newsletter.

Until then...

Stephen

I am writing this from the supposedly air-conditioned Browers in Beato.

I say “supposedly” because either the air conditioning has given up, or Lisbon has finally reached the point where even modern technology has simply thrown in the towel.

How are you all surviving the heat?

And there I go again.

Complaining about the weather.

Anyway, enough meteorological analysis.

Here are 10 things currently on our People Of Lisbon radar...

1. The World Cup Is Now In Full Swing

I’m writing this very close to kick-off for Portugal v Uzbekistan.

I had grand plans of heading into the city to watch it somewhere lively, but between the heat, the crowds and the general World Cup madness, I’ve decided to stay put.

That said, the coolest place we’ve discovered to watch games so far is definitely Curva at the Tapadinha Stadium, home of Atlético CP.

It’s got a giant screen, food trucks, bars, plenty of seating, and most importantly, a really nice atmosphere. Watching football there feels like an event rather than simply staring at a television in the corner of a pub.

I have a feeling I’ll be spending quite a bit of time there over the remainder of the tournament.

2. We’re Heading Back Onto The Tagus

We’ve organised our first People Of Lisbon boat trip of the year.

On July 12th, we’ll be setting sail aboard the beautiful Furanai, captained by Angelo, who featured on a People Of Lisbon episode.

Places are limited, so if you’d like to join us - or take part in any of our future People Of Lisbon gatherings - consider joining Club People Of Lisbon.

In the meantime, enjoy this film we made with Angelo and Tatiana, the wonderful people behind Furanai.

3. Our Latest People Of Lisbon Episode Is Live

Since our last newsletter, we’ve published a brand new People Of Lisbon episode featuring the wonderful Maria de Oliveira Dias.

Maria is a cookbook author, former TV presenter, sustainability advocate, mother, and one of Portugal’s most recognisable voices in the vegan movement.

Maria invited us into her colourful world of conscious living, vegan food, tattoos, punk spirit, theatre dreams, and the life-changing experience that reshaped her outlook forever.

Give it a watch and let us know what you think.

4. Fancy Yourself As The Next Great Screenwriter?

CONSCRIPT, a new writing course series focused on developing character, plot and storytelling for performance.

Whether you’re interested in theatre, film, television or screenwriting, the workshops are designed to help writers create characters that performers can truly inhabit and bring to life.

It’s being led by our club member Suresh Nampuri and kicks off on July 1st.

You can find more information and sign up here:

https://share.google/wAeQ5ej7hbYxcrsbP

5. Art Meets Tech On A Midsummer Night In Lisbon

One event that has caught our eye this week is being organised by People Of Lisbon member Kate Shifman as part of the RedBridge Lisbon community.

Taking place this Thursday evening, it promises to be something a little different from your standard networking event or panel discussion.

The concept is to bring together Lisbon’s art and technology worlds for an immersive evening featuring three conversations, a generative art installation by Nuno Alecrim, a wine lounge, music from DJ Sandro Maravillas, and plenty of opportunities for interesting people from different worlds to collide.

The organisers describe it as “moving between ideas, between rooms, and between worlds.”

Which, when you think about it, is a pretty good description of Lisbon itself.

It takes place on Thursday June 25th, from 6.30pm to 9.30pm, and at the time of writing only a handful of tickets remain.

Find out about tickets on the RedBridge Instagram.

6. What If Joy Was The Whole Point?

Another option for something this Thursday is called Founders of Joy, organised by The Creator Club, and it explores a question that feels increasingly relevant in a world obsessed with optimisation, productivity hacks and hustle culture:

What if joy wasn’t the reward at the end of the journey, but the reason for starting it?

The evening brings together three people who have built careers around creating memorable experiences for others.

It’s all People Of Lisbon on the list of speakers. Among them is Rob Angel, creator of Pictionary, one of the most successful games ever invented. Joining him are Giel, founder of The Shift, and Gonçalo Castel-Branco, founder of LOHAD and the team behind the hugely popular Chefs on Fire festival..

There’ll be wine, food, conversation, and hopefully a few reminders that life isn’t supposed to feel like an endless to-do list.

If that sounds appealing, it takes place at Tribe Social Club in Chiado on June 25th.

Get Tickets Here.

7. A Handy Discovery For British Expats

A slightly random one, but potentially useful for quite a few readers.

During the World Cup I’ve been trying to find an easy way to watch British television from Portugal without having to perform complicated technological gymnastics involving VPNs, secret passwords and sacrificing a goat under a full moon.

I recently stumbled across Living Abroad TV and, I have to admit, it’s worked a treat.

It’s straightforward, affordable, includes UK channels, and seems particularly useful during major sporting tournaments when you want access to British coverage and commentary.

There’s a one-week free trial and then it costs around 10 Euros per month.

I genuinely wish I’d discovered it years ago.

And before anyone asks...No, this is not a sponsor plug.

Sadly.

8. Where Are Lisbon’s Best Jazz Spots?

A question that popped up in our Club People Of Lisbon WhatsApp group recently was a good one:

Where do you go for jazz in Lisbon?

As always, the community came back with plenty of suggestions, but one venue that caught my eye was The Midnight Espresso in Chiado.

Part café, part cocktail bar, part late-night hideaway, it combines live jazz sessions with desserts, cocktails, afternoon tea and a wonderfully intimate atmosphere.

Of course, the question remains... What are your favourite jazz spots in Lisbon?

Drop me a note. I’m always looking for new discoveries.

9. Coming Up Next On People Of Lisbon: An Astrologer

For the first time ever, we’re venturing into the world of astrology on People Of Lisbon.

Our next episode features Martina Anguelova, whose life and work revolve around astrology, symbolism, self-discovery and helping people better understand themselves through the lens of the stars.

It’s not a world I know a huge amount about myself, which is partly why I was so curious to make this episode. One of the joys of People Of Lisbon is getting the opportunity to step into entirely different worlds and spend time with people who see life through a completely different lens.

The episode lands later this week.

In the meantime, our very own Rita Ansone has already shared some beautiful behind-the-scenes photographs from the shoot on the People Of Lisbon Instagram.

10. A Little BalconyTV Nostalgia (And A Call For Suggestions)

Before People Of Lisbon, there was another slightly mad project that took over a large chunk of my life. It was called BalconyTV.

What started on a balcony in Dublin somehow grew into a global music platform that filmed more than 20,000 performances by artists on balconies around the world. Over the years it featured everyone from unknown buskers taking their first steps to artists who would later go on to enormous success.

This year marks BalconyTV’s 20th birthday, which feels mildly terrifying.

To celebrate, I’ve started posting daily stories and memories from the journey over on a special Instagram page called BalconyTV20. Check it out if curious.

Meanwhile, back in the present day, People Of Lisbon continues to roll along. We have three new episodes being filmed this week - one featuring an artist and two featuring journalists from very different backgrounds.

And as always, we’re on the lookout for fascinating people.

If there’s someone in Lisbon whose story deserves to be told - whether they’re an artist, entrepreneur, activist, musician, chef, scientist, adventurer, or simply someone living an interesting life - please drop us a line.

Some of our very best episodes have started with exactly that sort of recommendation.

And that’s it for today.

But before we go, a big shout out to our lovely sponsors who help keep this whole slightly chaotic cultural operation alive...

Need help learning Portuguese? Check out Practice Portuguese.

Just moved to Portugal and still trying to figure everything out? Moviinn are making the process a whole lot simpler.

Need legal or tax advice, or trying to navigate the joys and mysteries of Portuguese bureaucracy? Fresh Legal Group have become trusted guides for expats, investors and international families building a life in Portugal.

And finally, United Medical Clinic Lisbon - making your medical needs in Lisbon a whole lot easier to work through.

A huge thank you to all four partners for believing in People Of Lisbon and helping us continue telling stories, producing events, and building community in this wonderful city.

Until next time,

Stephen O’Regan
People Of Lisbon

How are you?

Lisbon seems to have shifted gears this week.

The Santos Populares bunting is up. The smell of sardines is drifting through half the city. Every second person appears to be either attending a festival, launching a project, performing in a theatre production, or accidentally ending up in Alfama at 2am.

Meanwhile, here at People Of Lisbon, things are busier than ever.

So, with no further ado, here are 10 things on our mind right now…

1. Great journalism is alive and well.

One of the highlights of our last week was attending the European Press Prize Awards at Gulbenkian as guests of our friends at Mensagem de Lisboa. Rita and I even joined host Catarina Carvalho on stage for a short conversation about the story of People Of Lisbon.

The room was filled with journalists investigating corruption, exposing wrongdoing and telling stories that genuinely matter. In a world that can often feel noisy, cynical and obsessed with the next distraction, it was a welcome reminder that there are still people dedicating their lives to finding the truth and helping the rest of us understand the world a little better.

We left feeling inspired.

2. We published Episode 214 of People Of Lisbon.

This week we spent time day with Stephan de Moraes - surfer, investor, Harvard graduate, podcaster and one of the most influential figures in Portugal’s startup ecosystem.

On paper, Stephan is a serious venture capitalist. In reality, we found ourselves talking about everything from surfing and fatherhood to growing up in Lisbon, taking risks, building companies and what it takes to spot the next generation of entrepreneurs.

If you haven’t watched it yet, we’d love if you gave it a watch. And if you enjoy it, a like on YouTube goes a surprisingly long way in helping independent projects like People Of Lisbon reach new audiences.

3. Another great Club People Of Lisbon Coffee Morning.

On the first Saturday of every month, we gather at Absent for coffee, conversation and a relaxed chat with someone interesting.

This month we sat down with Club People Of Lisbon member Ronia Fraser to talk about her upcoming Hypno Summit, which will bring some of the world’s leading experts in hypnosis, neuroscience and human behaviour to Portugal later this year.

Afterwards, a bunch of us wandered over to Praça da Alegria, grabbed drinks and bifanas, and soaked up the Santos Populares atmosphere.

It was one of those afternoons that reminded me why people fall in love with Lisbon in the first place. Good conversation, good company, sunshine, sardines in the air, and absolutely nowhere else you needed to be.

4. We filmed two new People Of Lisbon episodes.

Last week Rita and I were back out on the streets filming two very different Lisbon stories.

The first was with Maria de Oliveira Dias - TV presenter, mother, vegan chef and author. The second was with astrologer Martina Anguelova, who recently joined Club People Of Lisbon and whose enthusiasm for life is every bit as colourful as her profession.

Keep an eye on our Instagram as we start sharing photos and reels from the shoots.

5. About last night at Black Cat Cinema...

Last night we headed to Palácio do Grilo for Black Cat Cinema’s screening of The Rocky Horror Picture Show.

Truth be told, I wasn’t there for the film.

I was there for the support act: Jim Bianco and Forniquette, a ten-piece brothel band making their debut performance.

In many ways it could have been called the People Of Lisbon band. The lineup included Jim Bianco, Black Cat Cinema founder Dan Evans on drums, dancer Rita Crucio, and even Rita Ansone’s boyfriend Christophe on bass.

It was colourful, slightly unhinged and completely entertaining.

I spent the evening wandering around with a camera in my hand trying to capture the atmosphere. Here’s a very rough (unedited) taste of what the night looked like...

6. We welcomed a new sponsor to the People Of Lisbon family.

One of the biggest pieces of news for us this week happened behind the scenes.

We’re delighted to welcome Fresh as an official sponsor of People Of Lisbon.

Fresh specialises in legal and tax advisory services for expats, international investors and people making the move to Portugal. In other words, they help people navigate some of the less glamorous but very important parts of life abroad.

The reality is that projects like People Of Lisbon only exist because people and companies choose to support them. Every sponsor helps us continue filming stories, producing podcasts, organising events and building a community around the city we love.

So a huge thank you to Zeev Fisher and everyone at Fresh for believing in what we’re building.

7. The people joining Club People Of Lisbon continue to amaze me.

One of my favourite parts of running our club is seeing who walks through the door next.

This week alone we welcomed Georgina Miranda, CEO of She Ventures, TEDx speaker and leadership consultant, who has somehow found the time to climb Mount Everest twice.

We also welcomed Andrew Wagner, an Emmy Award-winning producer whose career has taken him from major television productions and sports broadcasts to the Oscars and Emmy red carpets.

Add in entrepreneur Val Rayzman, Canopy Group founder Catarina Araújo (yes Portugeuse people join our club too), and the many artists, musicians, journalists, founders and adventurers already in the community, and it makes for a pretty fascinating mix of people.

8. The World Cup kicks off tonight.

Has anyone else seen the giant World Cup fan zone that’s been constructed in Praça do Comercio? It’s impressive.

As you may or may not know, I’m a huge football fan. That said, my enthusiasm for this World Cup is a more measured than ever because of FIFA’s endless corruption not to mention some of the things going on stateside in regards to ticket prices and the like.

Still... football has a habit of pulling me back in and once the first games kick off, I hope I’ll be swept away by it all and can throw a blind eye to the rest.

Come on Portugal! ⚽️😄

9. A quick movie recommendation.

Is this the right place to throw in a film review? Probably not. Am I doing it anyway? Absolutely.

Yesterday I went to see Steven Spielberg’s latest film, Disclosure Day, at IMAX Colombo.

Spielberg is my favourite director of all time, and the UFO/UAP disclosure story has become a bit of an obsession of mine over the last few years, so I was always going to end up in a cinema seat for this one.

The problem was that I’d heard some pretty poor reviews beforehand. In fact, they were bad enough that I lowered my expectations to almost zero.

Which may explain why I ended up enjoying it so much.

Is it perfect? No. Does it ask you to suspend your disbelief occasionally? Definitely.

But if you’re prepared to go along for the ride, there’s a lot to enjoy. The film is at its best when it explores the human side of the story - curiosity, belief, secrecy, and the sometimes emotional power of the truth finally coming to light.

3.5 stars from me.

Perhaps the lesson is to approach more things in life with low expectations.

And if you’re on Letterboxd, come find me. 🎬👽🍿

10. A few things to put in your calendar.

One of the unexpected benefits of running People Of Lisbon is that our members seem to have an endless supply of interesting things happening.

Here are a few that caught my eye this week:

• Actress Maria João Almeida will be appearing in a Noël Coward comedy at Teatro do Bairro from July 16th–26th.

• Maria is also hosting a relaxed improv workshop at Absent on June 21st. No experience required. Just a willingness to look slightly silly in front of strangers.

• Sherry Seeton has two upcoming events in Cascais focused on personal branding, wellness and meaningful conversations. See about her happenings here.

• Liliana Gaspar’s Portuguese Conversation Club continues every Wednesday morning at Absent. For anyone still pointing at pastries and hoping for the best, this might be worth a look.

• And finally, if you’re trying to figure out where to celebrate Santos Populares this year, one of our members shared what might be the most useful website of the week: a complete guide to the festivities happening across the city.

And that’s it for today.

But before we go, a big shout out to our lovely sponsors who help keep this whole slightly chaotic cultural operation alive...

Need help learning Portuguese? Check out Practice Portuguese.

Just moved to Portugal and still trying to figure everything out? Moviinn are making the process a whole lot simpler.

Need legal or tax advice, or trying to navigate the joys and mysteries of Portuguese bureaucracy? Fresh Legal Group have become trusted guides for expats, investors and international families building a life in Portugal.

And finally, United Medical Clinic Lisbon - making your medical needs in Lisbon a whole lot easier to work through.

A huge thank you to all four partners for believing in People Of Lisbon and helping us continue telling stories, producing events, and building community in this wonderful city.

Until next week,

Stephen O’Regan
People Of Lisbon

On another fine Monday.

I am trying to get into the routine of Monday newsletters. The idea is simple really. A little less going on… but a little more frequent. Shorter updates. More regular connection.

So… let’s get on with it.

First up, I suppose I should write a little about what I got up to over the past week. And for me, it was mostly about family.

My family came to visit from Ireland, so we used the excuse to escape down to the Algarve for a few days. Not enough days if you ask me. The whole trip made me realise just how badly I needed a proper break. The kind where you completely switch off for a couple of weeks and remember what it feels like to properly breathe again.

With that in mind, we decided to extend the trip by one more night and head to a place in the Alentejo called Valley Of The Stars.

I first heard about Valley Of The Stars through our Club People Of Lisbon community, because the man behind it, Alastair Leithead, a former BBC Africa correspondent - joined the club some months back. Alastair and his wife Ana have spent the last few years building this beautiful remote escape in the middle of nature.

And while it sounded lovely when he described it… it was only when we actually stayed there that I realised how special it really is.

Think endless stars. Think silence. Think incredible accommodation in the middle of nowhere. A pool. Rolling hills. Proper switch-off territory.

We had a gorgeous night there and will absolutely return.

And just to say - no money changed hands here. This is a genuine plug. If you are looking to escape Lisbon for a couple of days and clear your head, go check out Valley Of The Stars.

We also published our latest People Of Lisbon episode last week.

It is perhaps a little more serious, a little more political than our usual affair. But then again, our latest guest was Emanuel Macedo de Medeiros - a man dedicated to protecting integrity in sport through his organisation SIGA.

To film the video, we met Emanuel at a conference SIGA was hosting in Lisbon - about ethics, power, sport, corruption, and the strange balancing act between passion and business in modern athletics.

The result is a fascinating conversation with a man deeply committed to making sport fairer and cleaner around the world.

And as always, if you enjoy what we are building with People Of Lisbon, please like the video and subscribe to our YouTube channel. It genuinely helps more than people realise.

Want more Emanuel? Listen to our long form podcast version on Apple or Spotify. Or watch the long form rough cut of our video.

Bits and Bobs… things to look out for around Lisbon… (which we gleamed from our People Of Lisbon world)

Emma Epstein is hosting “ALIVE WOMEN Lisbon” this Tuesday in Graça - a somatic dance and embodiment session focused on reconnecting with yourself through movement, expression and healing. Find out more here.

The next Club People Of Lisbon gathering is happening this Wednesday at the home of artist Adriano Prates. Small numbers. Relaxed atmosphere. Art, wine and good conversation. You need to join our club.

Laura Adams is launching Bredrins this Wednesday at Dr Bernard Azul to coincide with MOGA Festival. Expect jerk chicken, fried chicken, jerk mushrooms and generally “food that makes you happy.”

MOGA Festival itself is hovering over Lisbon this week. Half the city seems to be mentally preparing already.

Rachael Milne has her upcoming comedy show “The Devil Wears Primark,” happening June 6th at Selva Comedy Cafe, for anyone who likes their humour slightly chaotic and emotionally dangerous. More here.

Sherry Seeton is helping organise an Art Evening at the Source & Style showroom in Cascais this June and is currently looking for painters, ceramic artists, sculptors and creatives interested in exhibiting work. Contact her here.

Ronia Fraser announced Hypno Summit Portugal happening this October - described as the world’s only hypnosis conference open to the public. Topics include nervous system regulation, confidence, identity, trauma and behavioural change. More here.

That’s mostly it. I made a little video showing off our Club People Of Lisbon app. Would love to show it to you. Want to see it… have a look here.

And that’s it for today.

But before we go - a big shout out to our lovely sponsors who help keep this whole slightly chaotic cultural operation alive…

Need help learning Portuguese? Check out Practice Portuguese.

Just moved to Portugal and still trying to figure everything out? Moviinn are making the process a whole lot simpler.

And finally, United Medical Clinic Lisbon - making your medical needs in Lisbon a whole lot easier to work through.

Until next week,

Stephen O’Regan

People Of Lisbon

Going to try make this newsletter a bit more regular. Maybe Monday mornings… to help set the week up right for us all.

The sun is shining again (at last), Lisbon feels alive, and there’s a lot happening out there right now - gatherings, gigs, exhibitions, coffees, collaborations and all sorts of lovely chaos.

So… let’s get into it.

First up - our latest People Of Lisbon episode is with the man who invented Pictionary. Which still feels slightly surreal to type.

One of the strange things about my life these days is occasionally finding myself sitting across from people who genuinely shaped global culture. This week it was Rob Angel - creator of Pictionary, a game played by over a billion people worldwide.

And honestly, what fascinates me in these conversations is rarely the headline achievement itself. It’s the psychology behind it. Because the people who create iconic things are almost never what you expect.

Rob wasn’t talking like some polished corporate titan. He was talking about painting badly for fun. Collecting strange objects. Anxiety. Creativity. Staying present.

And the origin story of Pictionary itself says a lot. The idea emerged from friends sketching nonsense words over late-night drinks after bartending shifts. Which feels like an important reminder that the best ideas rarely arrive in boardrooms. They tend to arrive through play. Through curiosity. Through people messing around without immediately worrying where it’s all leading.

Anyway… wonderful conversation. Hope you enjoy it.

Want to see more of Rob, watch the rough cut of the video here. Or listen to the podcast version on Apple or Spotify.

Club People Of Lisbon is continuing to grow…

Every week new people join - musicians, founders, artists, writers, DJs, film people, therapists, techies, dreamers, restaurant people, photographers, and generally curious souls trying to build a good life in Lisbon.

Some new faces this week…

Rami joined us from Dubai - now working in AI and creator marketing, arriving in Lisbon with his wife, child, dog and surfboard energy.

Martina also arrived into the fold - blending astrology, wellbeing, poetry and cosmic guidance into our chat with alarming ease.

And Mike entered the world of Club People Of Lisbon this weekend too - football consultant, and host of what may be the longest-running Spurs podcast on earth.

Join Our Club

Bits & Bobs

• CreativeMornings at Casa Capitão was a triumph this weekend with Jim Bianco and GIEL live-creating music on stage while half of Lisbon’s creative community caffeinated itself into inspiration.

• There’s another Club People Of Lisbon gathering coming up on May 27th at artist Adriano Prates home near Avenida. Smaller numbers for this one. Art, wine and sunny chats. Join The Club.

• Suresh Nampuri and JÁ Theatre are staging Iliad this week - “blood, heat, fury and futility of war” with moments of comedy mixed in. Get tickets here.

• Comedian Rachael Milne announced she’s bringing her Edinburgh Fringe show The Devil Wears Primark to Lisbon in June. Oversharing guaranteed. More Info here.

• Lisa Rose shared details for an upcoming workshop called Conscious Connection for Couples exploring intimacy, communication and relationships rooted in authenticity rather than chaos. Register here.

• TEDxMarvila is shaping up to be one of the bigger Lisbon happenings this month. This year’s theme is “What Is Love?” and the day promises talks, performances, exhibitions, music, food and an afterparty. Tickets here.

• CURVA - a new open-air food, music and football venue at Estádio da Tapadinha in Alcântara officially launches on May 21st. Free entry from 5PM–11PM.

• We’re also delighted to we (People Of Lisbon) will be speaking at the European Press Prize Lisbon 2026 at the Gulbenkian on June 3rd - a gathering celebrating quality journalism and democratic storytelling across Europe. The theme this year: “Collective Conscience: A Case For The Human Perspective.” Which feels increasingly important in the age of AI-generated everything. Tickets.

• The International Business Women Portugal gathering on May 27th in Cascais looks genuinely useful. Raquel Batista from Lighthouse Consulting will be speaking about business structures, compliance and navigating local systems without losing your will to live. Register.

• Isabel Novella has a performance coming up - Between Voice and Memory on May 21st at Fábrica Braço de Prata. Intimate music nights at Fábrica remain one of Lisbon’s great cultural pleasures. Long may they continue. Get more info here.

And that’s it for today.

But before we go - a big shout out to our lovely sponsors who help keep this whole slightly chaotic cultural operation alive…

Need help learning Portuguese? Check out Practice Portuguese.

Just moved to Portugal and still trying to figure everything out? Moviinn are making the process a whole lot simpler.

And finally, United Medical Clinic Lisbon - making your medical needs in Lisbon a whole lot simple.

Until next week,

Stephen O’Regan
People Of Lisbon

Stephen here, writing this newsletter (possibly unwisely) from the ultra-chaotic food court at the top of the Vasco da Gama Shopping Centre in Oriente. If you ever want to feel close to humanity… come here. It’s absolute chaos. People circling, scanning, committing, then abandoning queue strategies in real time. A full-blown lunchtime survival exercise.

That said, I’ve just discovered a spot called Bifanas de Vendas Novas. €5.90 gets you a bifana, a caldo verde, and a drink. I don’t think you’ll find a better deal up here.If that’s not the most random tip you’ll ever get in a People Of Lisbon newsletter, I don’t know what is.

Anyway there’s a lot to get through. So grab a drink, settle in, and enjoy a properly bumper People Of Lisbon newsletter…

Club Morning, Rain and All

First up, a little report from our Club People Of Lisbon coffee morning on Saturday

We held it at Absent, which is fast becoming one of our favourite spots in the city.The morning started with rain. Which was a surprise. So I have to admit, I was pleasantly surprised by the turnout.

Our special guest was Lara Berge, the impossibly impressive impresario behind The Creator Club (a community for & by ambitious meaning seekers.)

Now, Lara is used to interviewing people. I’m used to interviewing people. Which led to a slightly unusual dynamic. In another life, I think we might be a double act.

While talking about all things building communities in Lisbon I kept finding myself impressed by Lara’s pause-and-think-before-speaking policy. It’s a strong move. I’ll be borrowing that.

After the conversation, a good few of us wandered to Praça da Alegria, grabbed seats by a kiosk, and slowly let the day drift on. No agenda. No rush. Just good people, good conversations, and very good vibes.

And in a nice little twist of fate, Lara has now invited me to join her at Creator Club this Wednesday at Tribe Social Club. We’ll be talking (you guessed it)… community building. Only this time, she’ll be asking the questions. You can find out more about it here.

Now to the content.

Since the last newsletter, we’ve been busy filming, editing, and putting out new People Of Lisbon episodes. And episode #211, which we’ve just released, features a genuine local legend. A local icon. You could even argue… a local landmark - Teresa Ricou better known as Tété.

Not only is Teresa the most famous clown we’ve ever encountered, she’s also the force behind Chapitô, one of the most unique places in Lisbon. Part circus school. Part restaurant. Part magical, slightly chaotic wonderland overlooking the city. It’s one of those places that feels completely Lisbon once you experience it. And this episode… is honestly one of my favourites we’ve done.

Like the video. Here is the long form rough cut. Or if you prefer audio listen to the podcast version on Apple or Spotify.

And just before Tété, we released episode #210 of People Of Lisbon featuring Roman Sorkin. Roman has been building something pretty impressive here in Lisbon with United Medical Clinic.

And since they’ve also come on board as a sponsor of People Of Lisbon, it felt only right to go and see firsthand what he’s been up to.

And the answer is: a lot. The clinic is thriving and, incredibly, things are going so well that Roman is already in the process of opening a second one in Porto.

Like the video. Here is the long form rough cut. Or if you prefer audio listen to the podcast version on Apple or Spotify.

The Big One - The People of Lisbon App

For my money, the most exciting development from the past month is the People Of Lisbon app.

It actually started out as something just for our Club members but it’s quickly grown into something much bigger. And honestly… it’s starting to look really good.

The part we’ve opened up to everyone is a map of Lisbon, where you can zoom in and out, explore the city, and see all the locations where we’ve filmed People Of Lisbon episodes. Tap on a spot and watch the story from right there.

It’s a completely new way to experience People Of Lisbon. Less scrolling… more exploring. You can also filter the map based on your interests, which makes it dangerously easy to fall down a People Of Lisbon rabbit hole.

For Club members, it goes quite a bit further:

• Member profiles

• In-app messaging

• Recommendations

• Upcoming events

• A digital membership card

• And… a slightly addictive “break the tiles” stress reliever

It’s still very much a work in progress. But it’s getting there and it feels like a big step toward what People Of Lisbon can become.

Have a look for yourself. And if you haven’t alraedy - join the Club.

And thats it for today. But first a big shout out to our sponsors…

Need help learning Portuguese? Check out our excellent sponsor Practice Portuguese.

Just moved to Portugal and still figuring things out? Check out Moviinn — moving abroad made simple.

And finally, one more shout-out to United Medical Clinic Lisbon.

Until next time,

Stephen O’Regan

People Of Lisbon

It’s been almost a month since the last newsletter and, frankly, so much has happened it feels slightly absurd trying to fit it all into one email. But here we are.

So put on your reading glasses, pour a glass of wine (or a coffee, depending on your time zone), and let’s get stuck in.

First up — this very morning we had our first Club People Of Lisbon coffee morning at Absent.

The idea is simple: on the first Saturday of each month we’ll gather for coffee and a relaxed catch-up with club members. No agenda. No speeches. Just good people, coffee, and conversation.

It’s quite different for us because most of our gatherings so far have been evening soirées. But this morning had a completely different - and very lovely energy.

Of course… things escalated slightly.

Coffee at Absent led to drinks in Praça da Alegria, which somehow led to drinks at a Banana Café on Avenida da Liberdade.

Frankly, it’s a miracle this newsletter is being written at all.

Here’s a photo of this morning’s gang…

So why were we gathering at Absent, you might ask. And what exactly is Absent?

Absent is a new space in the city - part café, part hangout, part social experiment - designed to be a phone-free zone. Yes, you read that correctly. When you arrive, your phone goes into a locked pouch and for a little while… you’re simply there.

The idea is the brainchild of Shalini Choudhury and Mara Kesnere, who created the space as a gentle antidote to our permanently scrolling lives.

And as luck would have it, Shalini and Mara are also the stars of our newly released episode of People Of Lisbon, where you can hear their story and learn more about the thinking behind Absent.

If you’d like a little more time with Shalini and Mara, you can also dive into the long-form rough cut version or listen to the podcast versions on Apple Podcasts or Spotify.

We’re going to interrupt this live newsletter broadcast for a small but rather lovely announcement…

People Of Lisbon has a new sponsor.

And honestly, we think they’re a pretty perfect fit for our project.

Please say hello to United Medical Clinic Lisbon — a modern health clinic open to everyone, but particularly well loved by the expat community here in Lisbon (and they are opening in Porto).

So if you’re feeling a bit rough during this heroic Lisbon allergy season, need a check-up, or just want fast and easy access to medical care, do take a look:

And if you do visit, tell them you heard about them through People Of Lisbon ;-)

And now… back to the fun.

Since the last newsletter we’ve also published another People Of Lisbon episode — this time with a wonderful tour guide from one of the city’s most fascinating historic places: Mosteiro de São Vicente de Fora.

The video has actually proved to be a big success for us on YouTube, which makes me think we should probably spend more time digging into the extraordinary history of Lisbon and Portugal through these stories.

After all, the city is full of places where history is quietly sitting in the walls - you just need the right person to bring it to life.

And if you’d like a little more Miguel, you can also enough the long-form rough cut version or listen to the podcast versions on Apple Podcasts or Spotify.

You can probably tell how busy things have been lately.

Last month we also hosted a very unique Club People Of Lisbon gathering. We brought together two former People Of Lisbon guests - music producer Jim Bianco and singer-songwriter GIEL - who are working on a fascinating music experiment called ReWire Music.

The idea? Our members were invited to help them create a brand new song together.

We found a brilliant location in the city for the evening - M8Triarch - and what started as a curious experiment slowly turned into something quite magical. By the end of the night everyone was on their feet celebrating the song we had created together… which we are tentatively calling “The People Of Lisbon Song.”

Here are some photos from the evening, captured by our very own Rita Ansone.

Oh, I can’t help it… here is the song…

Finally, a few bits and bobs you might want to keep an eye on or perhaps pencil into the diary.

April 28 — Naked Conversations with Natalie Jayne Yates
We recently met Natalie and she’s a great vibe. She’s hosting an evening called Naked Conversations, which promises to be exactly the kind of open, thoughtful, human gathering Lisbon does so well. More details here.

My slightly chaotic LinkedIn experiment
I’ve also started a small personal experiment of writing daily mini articles on LinkedIn. They’re a bit random, a bit observational, occasionally philosophical… but if that sounds like your kind of thing you can follow along here.

SIGA Europe Cycle of Debates — The Future of Sport in Europe
The inaugural session of the SIGA Europe Cycle of Debates is bringing together institutional leaders, sport organisations, regulators, and industry stakeholders to discuss the future of sport in Europe. I hear registration if free here.

April 16 — Lisbon Business Leaders at the National Museum of Contemporary Art
Lisbon Business Leaders, in partnership with the National Museum of Contemporary Art, is hosting an event exploring leadership through the lens of art.
Details and tickets here.

April 16 — “Shred the Silence on Menopause” screening of The (M) Factor
Did you know over 25 million women in Europe are currently navigating the menopause transition? This event features a screening of the documentary The (M) Factor, exploring the far-reaching impact of untreated menopause. Free to attend.

Oh — and one more thing that landed in my inbox today.

I’ve been invited to be interviewed at FNAC Chiado on April 14th at 6:30pm by Portugal’s most famous film critic (and former People Of Lisbon) Rui Tendinha.

We’ll be chatting about movies, and the People Of Lisbon project, which should be fun - and possibly mildly unpredictable.

So if you find yourself bored on the day… come along and say hello.

Let’s wrap this up nice and fast.

If you’d like to support People Of Lisbon, the best way is to join our club. It’s cheap as chips, and besides helping us continue making the videos and events, you’ll also be joining a network that - just this past month - has seen world-renowned film producers and game creators quietly wander into the mix. And I’m not even joking.

If you’re looking for photo or video work, you can also book myself or Rita Ansone to help.

Need help learning Portuguese? Check out our excellent sponsor Practice Portuguese.
Just moved to Portugal and still figuring things out? Check out Moviinn — moving abroad made simple.

And finally, one more shout-out to our sparkling brand new sponsor United Medical Clinic Lisbon. Now that you know about them… use them - and then tell us all about it.

Until next time,
Stephen
People Of Lisbon

P.S. I was on a very short trip to New York last week and, walking beside the famous Washington Square Park, I spotted something out of the corner of my eye…

A pastel de nata shop.

Completely random. Completely Lisbon.

The Portuguese empire clearly continues.

I’m writing this on Saturday, March 7th at midday. The sun is shining again. The Saharan dust cloud seems to have finally cleared (fingers crossed).

It’s been a slightly crazy world out there this past week, which is a good reason to focus on some positive things.

And we have a jam-packed newsletter for you today.

Tomorrow is International Women’s Day, so I thought it would be the perfect excuse to shine a light on some of the incredible women who have appeared on People Of Lisbon over the years. There are many, and their stories deserve to be celebrated.

So let’s waste no time.

Let’s get stuck in — this is going to be a long one.

First things first. We’ve just released our latest episode of People Of Lisbon.

This one features Hunter Halder, a man who has quietly changed the lives of thousands of people in Lisbon.

Hunter is the founder of Refood, the remarkable movement that rescues surplus food and redistributes it to people who need it most.

The idea began in a simple moment. Sitting at dinner with his daughters, one of them asked what would happen to a perfectly good salad left at the end of the night. The answer was obvious: it would be thrown away. That small observation sparked a big idea.

On March 9th, 2011, Hunter went around to 30 restaurants, collected their excess food, and delivered it to local churches. From that simple beginning, Refood has grown into a powerful community movement run entirely by volunteers.

Today it feeds over 8,600 people per day.

As Hunter puts it:
“The best thing you can do for yourself is to help others. Find a way to do that.”

It’s one of those conversations that really makes you pause and think about how much impact one simple idea can have.

If the short episode leaves you wanting more, we’ve also published the long, rough-cut version of our time with Hunter, where the conversation breathes a little more and you can dive deeper into his story and philosophy.

🎧 Or listen to the long-form audio podcast on Spotify:

And if you enjoy what we’re doing with People Of Lisbon, please take a moment to follow and subscribe wherever you enjoy your content. It really helps the project reach more people and continue shining a light on the characters who make this city what it is.

Last week we had one of our most memorable Club People Of Lisbon gatherings yet.

It was definitely a fancier affair than our usual get-togethers — but there’s no harm in that from time to time.

The special occasion was that we teamed up with Tony Gonçalves and the Heart & Hustle of Portugal podcast for a live, in-person podcast recording with the incredible Joana Vicente.

Joana is a remarkable woman. Not only is she an acclaimed film producer, she also served as Director of the Sundance Film Festival, one of the most influential film festivals in the world.

The evening took place at the glorious Martinhal Hotel in Oriente, who truly rolled out the red carpet for us. We’re hugely grateful to them for hosting the event and making everyone feel so welcome.

In the audience were many Club People Of Lisbon members, but given the special nature of the evening we were also delighted to see something of a who’s-who of Portuguese film talent in attendance as well. That doesn’t happen every day.

All in all, it was a really special night — full of great conversation, great people, and that unique energy that seems to happen when interesting minds gather in one room.

Here is a little snapshot video I cut together from the evening, and here are some photos from our one and only Rita Ansone.

We’re really mixing things up with Club People Of Lisbon gatherings this year. The next one is happening next Saturday, and for this test-tube edition we’re presenting ReWIRE Music — a high-energy, interactive experiment where everyone jumps into a real live songwriting session, no musical experience required. Hosted by Club People Of Lisbon member and music producer Jim Bianco, alongside creative flow facilitator GIEL (also featured on People Of Lisbon), the idea is simple: There Are No Wrong Answers. Songs get written, ideas move fast, and collaboration takes over.

It all takes place at a very cool new space we’ve discovered, M8TRIARCH, and the songwriting session will last about an hour with plenty of time before and after to mingle.

If you’d like to join, you will need to join the club ;-)

And to mark International Women’s Day on March 8th, it feels only right to celebrate the Women Of Lisbon. Interestingly, I’ve noticed over time that the majority of people who join Club People Of Lisbon are women. Not all. But certainly a lot. Make of that what you will. But one thing is for sure: with their support, they help keep our show on the road.

So here is a rapid-fire salute to some of the incredible women who have featured on People Of Lisbon over the years. I will miss a few… but here goes…

Mallory Lewis showed that reinvention has no age limit. Iva Domingues carried a lifetime of stories from Hollywood scripts to Lisbon streets. Catarina Vassalo reminded us that elegance and artistry can still be built slowly, by hand. Julie Deffense proved that wedding cakes can be acts of devotion as much as design. Tara brought grit, humour and warmth from behind the fryer.

Rita Freitas embodied focus, discipline and sporting grace. Sahida Apsara gave us a moving reflection on motherhood, faith and hope for the next generation. Lily brought comedy, candour and a very modern kind of chaos. Clara Sevivas showed how fado can live inside someone even after life takes them in other directions. Juliana made Lisbon’s running scene feel joyful, social and full of momentum. Rita Crucio gave us fierce creative energy through dance, tattoos and unapologetic self-expression.

Tova Leigh reminded us that honesty is its own art form. Sofia Moura helped bring the spirit of Amália alive for a new audience. Andreia, Lisbon’s last bookbinder, showed the quiet beauty of preserving old crafts in a fast world. Ava Vahneshan brought glamour, positivity and big-pageant ambition to Estoril. Fiona Disegni carried her soul into Alfama through fado. Gabriela Faria showed what compassion in action looks like through her work with migrants and refugees.

Nina Simone championed female entrepreneurs and the power of women building together. Thayra Correia reflected creativity, resilience and cultural identity through design. Melyssa Griffin built a café and bookshop that feels like a soft landing place in the city. My turned dance into a language of strength and empowerment. Valentina Bruccoleri brought porcelain, flamenco and wonderfully unexpected creative flair. Ronia Fraser transformed personal pain into guidance and support for others. Barbara Veiga reminded us that the ocean is not just nature, but spirit, purpose and urgency. Julia Santos made dog walking look glamorous, but also deeply human and full of heart. Lindy gave Lisbon bagels, character and a very personal small-business dream. Rita Vilas Boas showed what it looks like when investment meets real belief in women’s potential.

Chiara used art to celebrate women’s bodies and reclaim empowerment. Noemi turned dating, vulnerability and storytelling into something brave and funny. Margarida made books feel like passports to other worlds. Tanya Fryer brought patience, texture and beauty through textile art. Liz Sharma helped people find their footing in Portugal through language.

Lucy helped shape creative community spaces in Lisbon. Mariana painted onto the city itself. Vanessa Teodoro stood for bravery in art. Olga found freedom in Lisbon and turned it into illustration. Louise L’Amour brought burlesque, performance and old-school stage magic. Catarina Carvalho has been telling the real stories of Lisbon with journalistic heart and substance.

GIEL has been quietly building Lisbon’s secret music scene into something electric. Vanessa Parish Crooks brought pure heart as the self-declared Lover Girl of Lisbon. DJ Shugi showed us the rhythm of the city from behind the decks and the taxi seat. Leonie chased her dream and opened her own quiosque in Lisbon. Sophie balanced art, motherhood and life drawing with honesty and warmth. Özge created the wonderfully named Room for Pleasure, a bold space about intimacy and conversation. Bex, the Lisbon trainer, turned a party-girl past into a mission of fitness and discipline. Una helped bring Bangkok flavours to Lisbon through Luka’s kitchen. Vânia, the plant doctor, opened our eyes to the living world inside a garden centre.

Patricia turned mushrooms into tiny magical works of art through jewellery. Inês gave us a behind-the-scenes look at the Lisbon Book Fair. Sara Ribeiro took us wandering through Lisbon’s simple joys — ice cream, metros and city life. Roya built one of Portugal’s most inspiring retreats. Erica Évora fought her way to the top as a champion kickboxer. Eeshani brought colour, dance and Indian culture to Lisbon. Curandeira followed her own mystical journey to find her sound. Mafalda created an entire video game awards show out of passion and imagination. Gintarė helped orchestrate the global phenomenon that is Web Summit. Catarina Patrício fused cinema and art through Hitchcock and Kubrick-inspired work.

Juliana the pastry maker proved that simple craft can bring enormous joy. Heather, who once built bombs, now builds community. Marta Gil brought television fame and personality to the People Of Lisbon story. Ann travelled the world to 100 countries and still found Lisbon worth writing about. Alexandra embodied the glamorous Lisbon lifestyle with a wink. Camille Agne turned a move from Versailles into a startup journey. Susan Fischer lives through colour. Julie Granger showed the discipline and power behind a life of fitness.

Jessica studies the bugs most of us would run away from. Carla set out to tackle Lisbon’s cigarette-butt problem one step at a time. Margarita reminded us that saving the planet often begins with one determined person. Diana keeps analog photography alive in a digital world. Leda opened her own beautiful laundrette. Marine glides through the city on roller skates. Vanessa left tech behind to explore sound healing. Hayley Enright brought ancient acupuncture wisdom to Lisbon. Anna continues to explore life through abstract art. Vanessa Marina spins through Lisbon’s streets as a breakdancer. And Mariana Barros reminds us that art and love often travel together. Kate Shifman, the woman behind one of Portugal’s most inspiring retreats, and Eleana, who took us on a wonderfully eccentric quest in A Cup Hunt with the Cup Keeper in Lisbon

All different paths, different talents, different energies — but together they form a powerful truth about Lisbon: the city is full of women building things, creating things, healing things, teaching things, and dreaming things into existence. And we’ve been very lucky to tell even a small fraction of their stories.

(and I’m so sorry for any I missed, that took a while.)

And that’s a wrap.

No bits and bobs this week folks. Apologies — that was quite the undertaking to write all that, and I must get on with life :-P

A mega shout-out to our wonderful sponsors Practice Portuguese (get learning!) and Moviinn (moving abroad made simple). And as always, feel free to send us suggestions for who we should feature next, book Rita for a photoshoot, or even better — join Club People Of Lisbon.

Ok… that is quite enough.

Have a great day.

Stephen

PS: Good luck to everyone running the Lisbon Half Marathon on Sunday. I’ll see you along the way. 🏃‍♀️🏃‍♂️

It’s time for another People Of Lisbon newsletter.

But first things first — how are you?

It feels like we’ve turned a corner. The bad weather has finally drifted off and the last few days have been nothing short of glorious. On Saturday evening I found myself walking through Praça do Comércio. The air was sweet. There was this unmistakable positive hum in the atmosphere. The boats along the river were glowing with fairy lights, gently swaying, as if they too were enjoying the moment.

It was one of those evenings that reminds you — ah yes, this is why we live here.

Okay. Enough romanticising Lisbon.

On with the newsletter…

And we’ve just published our latest episode of People Of Lisbon.

Episode 206.

This one is with artist, model, musician — and possibly the owner of the coolest beard in Lisbon — Josh Wald.
(That’s saying a lot in this city. But honestly… it might be true.)

We met Josh in his studio on a rainy afternoon.

He’s currently preparing for a new exhibition.

His work is eye-catching — undeniably so — but what struck me most wasn’t just the aesthetic. It was the depth. The way it circles identity from every angle. Masculinity. Femininity. Persona. Avatar. The self we present. The self we hide.

The episode came out more soulful than I expected.

Josh is thoughtful. Introspective. Playful. A man who has lived many lives — 25 years in New York, an international modelling career that never quite felt like “him,” and now Lisbon, where something quieter is unfolding.

He spoke about carrying “home” with him — not tying it to geography.
About seeing his own face on billboards and not recognising himself.
About the tension between the character and the core.

His new collection is called “Becoming.”
A study of the struggle of human identity.

“You get to choose your avatar. You get to choose the character you want to be. You can be anything you want… I’m stepping into mine now.”

Josh describes Lisbon as a dream. A place that gives space. Time. Room to explore who you are and who you might become.

And maybe that’s why this episode feels so aligned with the spirit of the project.

It’s not just about who someone is.
It’s about who they are becoming.

Enjoy the video.

Josh’s latest Lisbon show opens March 5th — follow him on Instagram @thepigeonparty or visit joshwald.com for details. Want more? Watch the extended rough cut of our time together on YouTube, or listen to the full podcast episode on Apple Podcasts or Spotify. And don’t miss the beautiful photos from the day on our Instagram — captured with care and love by Rita Ansone. If you’d like Rita to shoot your own portraits, drop her a line 😉

Our next Club People Of Lisbon gathering is happening this Thursday.

What can I tell you about it?

Well… not much.

To know the details, you have to be part of the club.

But here’s a little tease.

In a very special Lisbon location, we’ll be hosting an in-person interview with a top international film producer who is launching a brand new production company — right here out of Lisbon. A new chapter. A new creative force in the city.

It’s going to be a great evening.

If you’d like to join us, membership is just €10 a month. You’ll become part of an incredible community, gain access to our inner-circle WhatsApp group, and receive invitations to all of our gatherings and happenings.

And let me be clear about something.

We’re not here to rob your pockets.
We’re not here under any false pretence.

We genuinely want to build something special — a club for Lisbon like no other. A place where the city’s most colourful, curious, and creative people can collide.

So if that sounds like you…

Join us.

What I’ve Been Up To…

Quick one. Yesterday I ran (very slowly) 20km — which, if you’re curious, takes you from Beato all the way to the MAAT - Museum of Art, Architecture and Technology and back. Exhausting. I went to see the Elvis documentary/concert film at Colombo Shopping Centre IMAX. Epic. Attended CreativeMornings and saw a great talk by writer Filipe Fonseca Silva. Inspiring. Got excited about a new U2 song. Nerdy. Filmed a new People Of Lisbon episode with Hunter Halder, who is distributing food to Portugal’s most vulnerable. Powerful. I lost my iPhone in a Bolt and never got it back. Heartbreaking. Took a quick trip to London and ate far too much fish and chips. Greasy. Checked out a very cool potential new gathering spot called M8Triarch. Spacey. Played padel. Sporty. Went to a Camille Miller gig. Tribey. And that’s been life since the last newsletter anyway.

On Your Radar 👀

A few beautiful things happening to keep an eye on from our extended People Of Lisbon universe…

Lisbon artist Mariana Santos, who we previously featured on People Of Lisbon, opens a new exhibition this Thursday the 26th. She’s properly amazing. Go show her some love.

Club People Of Lisbon member Marco Bombardi is hosting The Deliberate Life Intensive on March 12th — a 3.5-hour immersive session to clarify who you’re becoming, reconnect with what you truly value, and understand why change has felt so hard (hint: you’re not broken). A powerful reset for anyone feeling ready for intentional change.

Club member Suresh Nampuri and his Ja Theatre are staging A Defiance of Shadows — a one-act play in English (with Portuguese subtitles) at Escola do Largo from Feb 26 – March 1. A story about moving through grief toward hope. Tickets here.

And looking ahead, former People Of Lisbon guest Tova Leigh brings her show Fifty Shades of Rage to Lisbon — one for the diary.

And that’s it — but before we go, let’s take care of business.

As always, a huge shout out to our key sponsors Moviinn — who make moving abroad simple. (Fun fact: I actually make videos for them on the side — have a look here.

And to Practice Portuguese for making learning Portuguese a whole lot of fun. They also have a brilliant YouTube channel packed with helpful tips.

We’re incredibly grateful for their support.

That said — we’re always looking for more sponsors and partners to help keep this show on the road. If you’d like your brand exposed to a global online audience and plugged into a vibrant local Lisbon community, drop me a line.

We’re also constantly on the hunt for interesting, curious, colourful people to feature on People Of Lisbon. If someone comes to mind — send them my way too.

And I think that’s that.

I know some of you reading this will be joining us at the Club People Of Lisbon gathering on Thursday — I’ll see you there.

Have a great week everyone.

Until next time.

Stephen

And honestly… it feels like it’s been raining for about three weeks straight now. And by the looks of it — we’re not done yet.

In the Club People Of Lisbon WhatsApp group, the conversation has officially escalated to “Should we just move to a new winter city?” territory. Which I find fascinating. Because weather — especially rain — seems to affect people on a deeply emotional level.

Now, full disclosure: I’m Irish. So please factor that into everything I’m about to say.

From my perspective, Lisbon hits this moment every year where the sun dominates relentlessly. Months on end. No clouds. No mercy. And eventually, I start craving rain the way people crave iced coffee in August.

Rain makes the air breathable.
It washes the city.
It gives Lisbon texture again.

So yes. I like it.
And yes. I accept that this makes me a bit strange.

But it got me thinking…

Which People Of Lisbon episodes were filmed in the rain?
Which shoots were blessed (or cursed) by dramatic skies?

A few immediately came flooding back (pun absolutely intended):

⚽ João Carvalho — Atlético Clube de Portugal

It absolutely poured at the end of our shoot with João, General Manager of Atlético CP. Classic Lisbon football energy: passion, history… and sudden biblical rainfall.

🏃‍♂️ Denis Seliak — Parkour in the Rain

We filmed Denis on a rainy day — which somehow made everything more cinematic and a tad more dangerous (don’t worry, he’s superhuman).

🌀 Ronia Fraser — Torrential Ending

It absolutely lashed rain at the end of our shoot with Ronia. One of those moments where the universe clearly decided to add dramatic special effects.

There have definitely been other rainy shoots too — but usually when that happens, we duck, cover, protect the gear, and pretend Lisbon is tropical again. So the rain doesn’t always make the final cut.

Which feels like a metaphor for life, but I’ll stop before this becomes a TED Talk.

On with the newsletter…

First things first — we’ve just dropped a brand new episode of People Of Lisbon. Episode 205.

Meet Gonçalo Novaes — Lisbon’s rising DIY creator who transformed a 124-year-old ruin into a beautiful home… with no formal training, no big budget, and a whole lot of determination.

In this episode, Gonçalo opens up about:

— Growing up by the sea and learning resilience early
— Losing everything through floods, fire, and a serious accident
— Hitting reset on life
— And using DIY as a way to rebuild — emotionally and physically

From handmade furniture to clever interior solutions, this is a great People Of Lisbon transformation stories that reminds you what’s possible when you refuse to quit.

If you’re into home renovation, DIY inspiration, Lisbon life, or simply love a proper comeback story — this one’s for you.

If you want more Gonçalo, 👉 Watch the long-form rough cut (the raw, unfiltered version with extra stories and moments)
👉 Or listen to the People Of Lisbon podcast edition on Apple Podcasts or Spotify.

Coming Up on People of Lisbon (Once We Actually Film Them…)

We’ve got… A top Portuguese TV presenter, a brilliant American artist and a Lisbon-based food hero redistributing meals to people who need them most.

Club People of Lisbon Is Officially Back…

Last week we hosted our first Club People Of Lisbon gathering of 2026.

Big love to Cultura Lounge for giving us a fresh new setting to experiment with a different kind of community night. New room, new energy.

After some enthusiastic hosting from yours truly, Camille Miller set the tone with a a couple of tunes ahead of her full show this week (on Thursday) at Tribe Social Club.

Then Hunter Halder jumped in to share the incredible story of Re-food — a reminder that there are people in this city doing genuinely important work every single day.

The Mighty String followed with humour, charm, and some unexpectedly strong piano skills… before Raquelita Fantástica closed the night with a gloriously filthy comedy set ahead of her Edinburgh Fringe run. Lisbon was not emotionally prepared.

The vibe?

Somewhere between lo-fi Jools Holland and Saturday Night Live — but with more wine and fewer TV cameras.

What really makes these nights special for me isn’t just the “show” part — it’s the room itself.

We had film producers, hypnotists, magicians, artists, musicians, winemakers, entrepreneurs, lawyers… the full Lisbon creative ecosystem in one slightly overcrowded space. I genuinely don’t know where else you’d get that kind of madcap mix.

It was a brilliant start to Lisbon life in 2026 — and it’s got me very excited about what comes next.

And finally…

If you haven’t joined the Club yet — what are you waiting for? 😉

👉 www.peopleoflisbon.com

Bits & Bobs

A few things on our radar — in case you’re looking to escape the rain and pretend you’re extremely cultured:

🎤 Camille Miller at Tribe Social Club — Tomorrow Night

As mentioned above, Club People Of Lisbon member Camille Miller is performing this Thursday night at Tribe Social Club. We’ll be there. So see you there too.
👉 Details on her Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/camillemillermusic/

☕ CreativeMornings Lisboa Returns — Feb 20

Our good friends at Creative Mornings Lisboa have announced their first event of the year. Always inspiring. Always good vibes. Always an excuse to drink coffee before 9am with ambitious strangers.
👉 Put it in your diary:

🇧🇷 Complexo Brasil at Calouste Gulbenkian Foundation — Final Week Approaching

If you haven’t seen Complexo Brasil yet… genuinely: run, don’t walk. It’s approaching its final week and it’s one of those exhibitions people regret missing.
👉 Info here: https://gulbenkian.pt/agenda/complexo-brasil/

🎬 Hamnet Opens in Portugal This Weekend

Yes — that Hamnet. Big awards buzz. Serious Oscar energy. Also fun People Of Lisbon trivia: one of our Club members went to school with Jessie Buckley. Pretty cool. 👉 Showtimes: https://www.cinemas.nos.pt/filmes/hamnet-

And finally a mega shout-out to our wonderful partners who help keep this whole People of Lisbon universe moving:

🇵🇹 Practice Portuguese
I’ve been practicing.
Have you?

🌍 Moviinn
The legends making everything about moving abroad… well… simple. Which, if you’ve ever moved country, you’ll know is borderline witchcraft.

We’re also very excited to (hopefully) announce a couple of new sponsors in the coming weeks. Having great partners allows us to keep doing what we love — making the videos, telling the stories, and building a community unlike anything else in Lisbon.

Some other things…

👉 Join Club People Of Lisbon (see a directory of some of our members here .)
👉 Email me if you’ve got a great idea for someone we should feature
👉 Or maybe book Rita Ansone our People Of Lisbon photographer extraordinaire for a shoot…

Oh — and one last thing…

We’re currently on the hunt for an incredibly cool venue partner. Somewhere with character. Somewhere with energy. Somewhere we can build unforgettable community events and more. If you’ve got the space and want to make it buzz — drop us a line.

Okay. I’ve officially lost my mind with the rambling.

Signing out
Stephen O’Regan
People Of Lisbon

Welcome to our very first newsletter of 2026.

I hope the year has started well for you and that you’re staying warm… actually warm. Because I don’t know about you, but I’ve filled more hot water bottles in the past two weeks than I can remember. I swear it’s colder inside Lisbon apartments than it is outside. And yes — I’m already emotionally preparing myself for the electricity bill.

Alright. We’ve got a lot to get through. So let’s dive in…

Our first People Of Lisbon video of 2026…

We kicked off 2026 — by hanging out with Mallory Lewis and the legendary Lamb Chop.

Highlights include:
– Riding a carousel like emotionally stable adults
– Mallory attempting Portuguese… and accidentally inventing a new language
– New Year’s Day ocean swimming to “wash away the sins of the old year” (and make room for new ones)
– A tour of Mallory’s home featuring cowboy hats, Emmys, and a riding crop (yep)
– And one of the most beautiful closing lines we’ve had on the project so far:

“Don’t be afraid to make your third act exciting. You don’t want to fade out. You want to go out with a big sparkly boom.”

If you haven’t watched it yet — this one’s funny, warm and chaotic…

Want more Mallory (and more Lamb Chop)? There’s an extended rough cut up now — extra chaos, and even more of Mallory’s “crazy old lady style” philosophy (complete with the line: “That happened three accessories ago”). She takes us deeper into her third-act Lisbon life — Cascais cobblestones actively trying to end her, showbiz childhood memories and sailing life.

And if you prefer your People Of Lisbon in your ears, you can also listen to the People of Lisbon podcast on Apple Podcasts or Spotify.

Give us a follow / subscribe — whichever button your platform insists on — if you’d like to keep supporting what we do and make sure you don’t miss the next episode.

My 2026 resolution: Finally learning Portuguese (for real)

One of my actual New Year’s resolutions this year is to finally learn Portuguese. The guilt has been real… and honestly, it’s just overdue at this point.

Of course, I’m using the Practice Portuguese app (shout out to our wonderful sponsors ❤️), but instead of overwhelming myself, I’ve decided to keep it radically simple:

One sentence a day. That’s it.

If you’re just starting out too, maybe this can be your starting point as well. Here’s what I’ve got so far…

1️⃣ Moro em Lisboa.
➡ I live in Lisbon.

2️⃣ Gosto muito de Lisboa.
➡ I really like Lisbon.

3️⃣ Ainda não falo bem português.
➡ I still don’t speak Portuguese well.

4️⃣ Ainda estou a aprender português.
➡ I’m still learning Portuguese.

5️⃣ Posso falar inglês?
➡ May I speak English?

6️⃣ Pode ser, obrigado.
➡ That’s fine / Yes please, thank you.

7️⃣ Pode falar mais devagar, por favor?
➡ Can you speak more slowly, please?

8️⃣ Percebi, mas só um bocadinho.
➡ I understood, but only a little.

9️⃣ Como se diz em português?
➡ How do you say it in Portuguese?

🔟 É a primeira vez.
➡ It’s my first time.

1️⃣1️⃣ Com calma.
➡ Take it easy / No rush.

1️⃣2️⃣ Só um momento, por favor.
➡ Just a moment, please.

1️⃣3️⃣ Tenha um bom dia.
➡ Have a good day.

1️⃣4️⃣ Não percebo.
➡ I don’t understand.

1️⃣5️⃣ Não sei.
➡ I don’t know.

1️⃣6️⃣ De nada.
➡ You’re welcome.

So… what do you think? Is “one sentence a day” realistic enough to finally make this stick? Or am I being wildly optimistic about my discipline?

Club People Of Lisbon: Year Two Energy

Quick update on Club People Of Lisbon — our slightly chaotic, very human membership club we launched last year.

We’ve had a lovely wave of new members join recently (and honestly… some very interesting humans). Last year we hosted a mix of gatherings, meetups and talks. Some were great. Some were magic. Some were… learning experiences. Let’s call it honest growth.

This year, we’re tightening things up and leveling up the experiences. Fewer “free-for-all” events, more member-focused happenings that actually create connection and memorable moments.

And we’re not waiting long to start.

Next week we’re kicking things off with a variety show — live comedy, music, and more — in a very cool location. Unfortunately, I can’t tell you where it is. Not because I’m dramatic… but because that’s one of the perks of being in the Club 😉

Behind the scenes, I’ve also been building a Club directory with profiles of our members (amazing people doing amazing things) and starting a Lisbon tips page with places worth checking out. It’s still a work in progress, but if you’re curious about what the Club actually looks like from the inside, it’s worth a browse.

More events. Better gatherings. Stronger community. That’s the 2026 energy.

What I’m reading: The Carnation Revolution

Alongside learning Portuguese, I’ve also picked up a book about one of the most important moments in Portuguese history — The Carnation Revolution: The Day Portugal’s Dictatorship Fell by Alex Fernandes.

I’ll be honest: I’m not the world’s most disciplined reader. But this one is surprisingly accessible, genuinely gripping, and often reads more like a political thriller than a history book. On top of that, it’s a fantastic crash course in understanding modern Portugal and how the country became what it is today.

If you’re living here (or just love Portugal) and want some real cultural context — highly recommended.

And just like that… we’re off again. Today we’re heading out to film our next People Of Lisbon episode. It’s with Gonçalo Novaes — DIY wizard and space-transformer, and the man who casually restored a house from 1901 because apparently relaxing hobbies are overrated. Watch this space.

Before we wrap up, a big shout-out to our wonderful sponsors:

Practice Portuguese — because we all need to practice (clearly including me 🇵🇹)
Moviiinn — making moving abroad simple, stress-free, and slightly less terrifying 😉

And if you’d like to support People Of Lisbon, here are a few easy ways to do it:

1️⃣ Become a sponsor
We’re actively looking for new partners this year. If you run a company that feels aligned with what we do — don’t be shy. Reach out.

2️⃣ Join Club People Of Lisbon
Our membership is cheap, cheerful, and you’ll officially be part of Lisbon’s coolest community (no bias…).

3️⃣ Book us
Why not book myself or Rita Ansone for a video or photo shoot? We promise good vibes, and minimal awkward posing.

Alright — enough promo.

Back to real life.

Have a great day.
Tenha um bom dia.

Stephen O’Regan

This is a proper bumper newsletter. The kind where you might want a coffee, a croissant, and a few spare minutes. We’ve got updates, and a review of the year that was.

It’s been a busy year… to put it mildly.

I’m writing this at 8:35am from my hometown of Dublin city, where — plot twist — it is surprisingly mild. No sideways rain. No dramatic winds. Just a suspicious calm.

Every time I come back to Dublin, I find myself asking the same question:
Could I live here again?
And closely followed by:
How does this really compare to Lisbon right now?

A friend of mine who also lives in Lisbon remarked how “nice it is to be in a thriving economy,” pointing out the queues to get into shops here. Interesting way at looking at things. But I had to gently remind her that those queues are happening in the middle of a housing crisis so intense it deserves its own Netflix documentary. And will probably get one, no doubt.

People in Lisbon may protest — and I know rents there are painful — but trust me when I say: Dublin prices are on another level.

Case in point: I’m currently drinking a coffee from the nearby Starbucks.
€5.
Five.
Euros.

And this isn’t some artisanal, hand-roasted, whisper-affirmations-into-the-milk situation. Just a normal coffee.

All that said — it is genuinely lovely to be home.

There’s something about the Irish ability to not take life too seriously. It’s always a nice reset, even if it’s just for a short trip.

Anyway — enough rambling. Let’s get into it. Because 2025 for People Of Lisbon has been many things… and “quiet” was not one of them.

But first — a very quick catch-up on the last couple of People Of Lisbon episodes we managed to sneak out just before Christmas…

First up: we made a People Of Lisbon with Andre Pinguel — a wine aficionado who has quietly (and deliciously) carved out a niche hosting intimate private dinners and gatherings in one of Lisbon’s most warm, cozy, and secret-feeling locations, known simply as Flores.

We were so impressed after filming with Andre that we decided to do the only logical thing: we hosted a People Of Lisbon Christmas Dinner Party there for our Club members and a handful of specially invited guests.

Highly recommended. Enthusiastically endorsed.

Here’s the official People Of Lisbon video with Andre:

And if that wasn’t enough Andre for you:

You can watch the long-form rough cut here.
Or listen to the podcast version: Apple Podcasts or Spotify Podcasts

And then — to neatly tie a cinematic bow on 2025 — we managed to get out our final People Of Lisbon of the year with none other than Rui Tendinha, Portugal’s top film critic.

As a lifelong movie obsessive myself, I was particularly excited about this one.

We met Rui at his home, talked movies (obviously), learned about his life immersed in cinema, criticism, festivals, opinions, hot takes, and the strange beauty of dedicating your life to watching films — before heading out on a wonderfully rambling evening to a screening of short films.

It felt intimate, thoughtful, slightly nerdy in the best possible way — and honestly, a pretty perfect way to wrap up the year for People Of Lisbon.

Here’s the full video with Rui…

And if that wasn’t enough Rui for you:

You can watch the long-form rough cut here.
Or listen to the podcast version: Apple Podcasts or Spotify Podcasts

Are you ready for our People Of Lisbon 2025 review?
No time for deep breaths. Let’s just get stuck in.

We kicked off January with an absolute bang, capturing one of the world’s top photographers, Lachlan Bailey. Lachlan very rarely does interviews — so to start the year with this one felt pretty surreal, if we’re honest.

And as if that wasn’t enough, we followed it up with a video featuring Mitchell Kriegman — former SNL writer, legendary kids’ TV producer, writer, comedian, and all-round creative force. That episode is still one of my personal favourite People Of Lisbon videos we’ve ever made.

From there, we shifted pace and laced up our runners, meeting Juliana, who introduced us to one of Lisbon’s most vibrant and welcoming running communities — a reminder that this city isn’t just about cafés and viewpoints, but about movement, connection, and showing up together.

And to wrap up January, we met Clara Sevivas — a brilliant fado singer, restaurant owner… with a not-so-secret passion for padel tennis.

February kept the energy high and the characters coming.

First up, we met The Mighty String — a man who writes very witty, very catchy songs about Lisbon and delivers them with the confidence of someone who knows exactly what he’s doing. A true character.

Then came one of those classic People Of Lisbon filming days where the weather absolutely refused to cooperate. On a day when it poured rain from start to finish, we met the powerhouse hypnotist Mario Rui Santos.

And to round out the month, we took a ramble around Lisbon with top architect and interior designer Pedro Gadanho — talking space, cities, design, Lisbon’s layers, and how places shape people (and vice versa).

March we kicked off by meeting Miguel Stanley — yes, Ronaldo’s dentist.
And yes… Madonna’s dentist. We visited Miguel at White Clinic, where dentistry meets design and innovation.

From world-class smiles to pure comedic charm, we then met the delightful Liliana Marques — a Portuguese comedian with warmth, wit, and impeccable timing. We rambled around her neighbourhood in Benfica, chatting life, comedy and Lisbon.

And keeping things firmly in performative mode, we went on yet another ramble — this time with Italian comedian Magic Douglas. Since that shoot, Magic Douglas has very much become a People of Lisbon staple — popping up again and again, bringing humour, heart, and that slightly chaotic creative energy we’ve come to deeply appreciate.

April took us airborne — and then firmly back to the streets.

First up, we met Artur Carvalho, who showed us his rather fancy drones and promptly made us feel like we were flying high above Lisbon. Think sweeping views and cinematic angles. And then — in a very on-brand Lisbon pivot — we learned about Artur’s equally serious passion for pastéis de nata.

From drones to tiles, we met the internationally renowned tile artist Add Fuel — an artist whose work you’ve almost certainly walked past in Lisbon, even if you didn’t realise it at the time. Thoughtful and visually stunning.

In May we learned all about one of Lisbon’s most historic (and criminally underrated) football clubs, Atlético Clube de Portugal, with GM João Carvalho. We wandered the ground, soaked up the stories, and got a real sense of what Atlético means to the people who love it. If you watch this video, stick with it until the end — because the glimpse into Atlético’s incredible trophy room is genuinely something special.

And then — we met the musical firebrand that is Sahida Apsara. Filmed at her home, this was a conversation with a woman who has a voice and an opinion — and isn’t particularly interested in watering either of them down. Bold, articulate, uncompromising, and magnetic to watch.

In May we also met tennis coach and champion Rita Freitas. By this point, the sun was properly making an appearance, and we found ourselves discovering some genuinely beautiful tennis grounds hidden in Lisbon while filming. One of those shoots that feels energetic, and quietly joyful — the city showing off a little, just as summer starts to peek around the corner.

In June we met the globetrotting free spirit DJ Shugi, talking music, parties, and her deep love for the city she now calls home. One of those conversations that makes Lisbon feel like a magnet rather than a place.

Next, we spent time with Vanessa Parish Crooks — singer, poet, and creator — as she shared her journey through love, music, identity, and art in Lisbon. Honest, reflective, and quietly powerful.

And then — we took a deep dive into the sweet world of Julie Defense, the cake artist extraordinaire. Filmed at her absolutely stunning home, this one was a treat — creativity, craft, and beauty layered as carefully as her cakes.

July brought emotion, obsession, and excellent drinks.

We met Ricardo Mello — a passionate DJ (for SL Benfica, no less), Marvel superfan, and collector with a heart absolutely full of emotion. Ricardo’s love for superheroes goes far beyond fandom. It’s a personal tribute to his late nephew, a huge Marvel fan who watched the films right up until his final days.

We also met Lloyd Conolly, one of the owners of one of Lisbon’s coolest cocktail bars, Cabal. Lloyd shared his love for brutalist architecture, and the story of how he and his parents opened a bar in Lisbon — a family project that somehow balances great drinks, serious aesthetics, and a very Lisbon sense of place.

August kicked off with one of our best-received videos of the entire year.

We met Tara Li Amber van Ginkel — a woman on a mission to make Lisbon happier, one fry at a time. Whether you’re into street food, small business stories, or simply in need of a boost of human spirit, this episode really struck a chord.

Next, we met Manuel Araujo, a Lisbon legend whose life has been a whirlwind of art, drag, resilience, and reinvention. Manuel’s journey has taken him from Bairro Alto’s vibrant nightlife to the bright lights of New York — and back again.

And to wrap up the month, we met artist Alex Kuznetsov — a painter who left a life in Moscow to start fresh in Lisbon. In the episode, Alex shared his journey from a grey childhood to discovering colour, freedom, and creative inspiration in Portugal’s capital.

September brought bold design and full-blown glamour.

We met Catarina Vassalo, one of Lisbon’s most exciting jewellery designers. Her story begins on the beaches of Sintra, making bead necklaces as a child — and grows into a thriving jewellery brand built here in Portugal.

And keeping things firmly glamorous, we then met Iva Domingues — one of Portugal’s top TV presenters. In a colourful and fun episode, Iva spoke openly about her 25-year career in Portuguese media, feminism, and the reality of pay gaps in television. Smart, honest, and entertaining.

And on to October (we’re getting there, I promise).

First, we met actor, model, and dancer Richard Ulf — living proof that life doesn’t slow down in Lisbon… it just gets better.

After heart surgery and years of stress, Richard completely reinvented himself, reshaping his life, his body, and his outlook. Honestly, you’ll need to watch the video to truly get a sense of Richard’s unique persona.

Next, we met GIEL — the host of The Shift, an incredible Lisbon music night that brings together poetry, live music, spoken word, and soul in a way the city hadn’t quite seen before. Vibrant, expressive, and community-driven — exactly the kind of energy we love shining a light on.

And to round out the month, we met New Zealander Chris Jones, who spent four years travelling the entire country of Portugal. The result is Meet The Tugas — a book that explores Portugal’s history, culture, and people through the curious, generous eyes of an outsider who well and truly fell in love with it all.

And on to November — a month that somehow managed to cover global film festivals, political controversy, and one of the most grounded human stories we’ve ever told.

Our first video was with João Mendes (Jazzafari) — one of Lisbon’s most unique, unpredictable, and soulful jazz musicians.

Once confined to a madhouse, João now channels his experiences into rhythm, art, and raw musical expression. His story is fun, intense and a reminder of music’s power not just to entertain, but to heal.

The for the first time we featured someone who doesn’t technically live in Lisbon — but we figured, why not.

We met Tony Gonçalves, the Portuguese-American executive who helped bring the Tribeca Film Festival to Lisbon.

Tony moved to New York as a child, and decades later has come full circle — reconnecting with his Portuguese roots while helping shape Lisbon’s creative future. In the video Tony shared how Tribeca Lisboa went from a spontaneous text message to a full-blown happening. One of those stories where access, timing, and belief collide.

Then — for our 200th episode special — we managed to have a one-on-one with none other than Lisbon’s mayor, Carlos Moedas.

The video stirred up quite a bit of controversy in our Instagram comments. What can you do? Some features are just divisive. But we were genuinely happy to get to know the man who probably meets more Lisboetas than even we do.

And then — to bring things firmly back down to earth — we met Khurram Malik, a Pakistani Bolt driver living in Lisbon.

Khurram works 14 hours a day, six days a week, all to support his wife and daughter as they build a new life in Portugal. His honesty, humour, and resilience make this one of the most inspiring stories we’ve ever filmed.

And December’s videos, as you’ve already seen, are sitting proudly at the top of this newsletter.

So… what did that year actually look like?

Quite a mix, as it turns out.

Across the year, we featured:

• Artists, musicians, DJs, designers, writers, comedians, and filmmakers

• Entrepreneurs, small business owners, creatives, and craftspeople

• Athletes, coaches, and community builders

• Media figures, architects, critics, and cultural heavyweights

• Lisbon legends, newcomers, immigrants, locals, and people quietly holding it all together

In terms of balance:

• Roughly 50/50 male and female voices, which we’re genuinely proud of

• People from over a dozen different countries, spanning Portugal, Italy, Pakistan, New Zealand, the US, Russia, Brazil, and beyond

• Ages ranging from early 20s to 70s+, proving (again) that Lisbon doesn’t belong to one generation

• Stories from both ends of the spectrum — from city leaders to people working long hours just to build a stable life here

Some episodes were glossy.
Some were political.
Some were deeply personal.

All of them, in one way or another, were about people choosing Lisbon — and Lisbon shaping them in return.

And that, really, is the point of the whole thing.

But wait — there’s more.

If all of that somehow wasn’t enough...

In 2025, we launched Club People Of Lisbon — a way not only to support what we do, but to actively bring people together. People who feature in our work. People who follow our work. And people who simply want to meet some of the most interesting humans in Lisbon and build genuine community.

We’ve had many many gatherings, talks, meet-ups, chats, laughs, drinks, and moments — and honestly, it’s been an absolute joy. Next year, we’re keeping it going… but if anything, we’re planning to make it even more fun.

So if you haven’t joined yet, please consider doing so at www.peopleoflisbon.com

Before wrapping this up, I have to thank some incredibly important people.

First and foremost: Rita Ansone — who photographs People Of Lisbon so beautifully week in, week out. Her work is truly stunning, and you can see her photos regularly on our Instagram.

And if you didn’t already know — you can also book Rita for your own private shoot if you’re looking for a photographer who’s genuinely unique.

Then there are our sponsors, without whom a lot of this simply wouldn’t have happened:

• Why Not Soda — for making genuinely delicious drinks, backed by a why not? attitude and a gorgeous brand. Thank you Nils and co there.

• Practice Portuguese — massive thanks to Rui and Joel. New Year’s resolution, everyone: learn Portuguese. We all need to get on that.

• Moviinn — thank you to James and the team for making the act of moving to Portugal (and overseas) a whole lot easier.

• Tribe Social Club — where we’ve hosted many of our gatherings. Huge thanks to Jason and Charlie for thesupport… and for giving us an award this year for Best Community Builders in the City.

That went straight to our heads, obviously.

OK. This has gone on quite enough.

Have a brilliant New Year — and we’ll be back very soon in 2026 with more stories, more rambles, and more People Of Lisbon.

Peace out,
Stephen O’Regan
People Of Lisbon

I’m writing this on a Thursday evening, and I’ll make it a snappy one. It’s a funny time of year, isn’t it? I feel like we’re all just gently processing our way toward Christmas. Not that life is any less busy—if anything, it’s somehow more frantic—but still there’s that unmistakable sense in the air that 2025 is winding down.

What’s even funnier is how many people have already leapt past the present and are deep into 2026. Someone I spoke to today told me they began planning their 2026 back in summer. Summer! Maybe life really is just one long exercise in planning ahead. Or maybe I’m trying to be philosophical here and failing miserably.

Anyway… on with the newsletter.

After our landmark 200th episode of People Of Lisbon with Mayor Carlos Moedas, we wanted to bring the series back down to earth — to the everyday stories that make up the real fabric of this city. And who better to feature than a Bolt driver?

We’ve long hoped to make a video about a taxi, Bolt, or Uber driver. They are the invisible backbone of Lisbon: picking us up, dropping us off, delivering our food, quietly stitching together the rhythm of the city. And yet we rarely stop to consider their lives — or how astonishingly low the fares often are here, sometimes to the point of guilt.

Recently, during a short ride, I struck up a conversation with a Bolt driver and mentioned the idea of featuring him on People Of Lisbon. That driver was Khurram — and I’m so glad he said yes. The video we made together turned out incredibly sweet, full of warmth and quiet humanity.

What doesn’t fully make the cut is just how passionate a world traveller Khurram is, and how that spirit is what ultimately brought him to Lisbon. In the video, he tells a remarkable story: how he once dismissed the COVID narrative, only to soon find himself fighting for his life on a ventilator. But what shines through the most isn’t the ordeal — it’s Khurram’s resilient, positive spirit, something we could all take a little inspiration from.

Enjoy the video.

If you want more of Khurram (and honestly, who wouldn’t?), you can dive into the much longer rough cut of the video here:

Prefer to listen on the go? You can catch the audio-only podcast version on:
🍏 Apple Podcasts:

🎧 Spotify:

And you really should follow Khurram on Instagram—his positivity is infectious:
📸 https://www.instagram.com/khurram.malik20/

Bits and Bobs

No rhyme, no reason—just the usual quick thoughts, musings, and happenings from our world.

First up: tomorrow is another Creative Mornings, and the special guest is Laura Korčulanin, speaking on this month’s theme, Innovation. Laura is the founder, steward, and all-round pioneering force behind Water Whisperer.
Catch more on their Instagram:

I’ll likely be there—so say hello if you spot me.

Next: we’re having our Club People of Lisbon Christmas Dinner on December 15th at the beyond-fabulous Flores.

This place is a must-see—like stepping into the coolest home you’ve ever been invited to, impeccably designed, and serving gorgeous food. The dinner is for Club People Of Lisbon members… but if you really, really, really want to come, DM me and we’ll see if we can make magic happen.

For a more relaxed Christmas vibe, I’ve just decided we’ll have a Pre-Christmas Gathering on December 20th at Lapo.
Sign up via our Meetup page or via the Tribe app.

Speaking of gatherings—our incredible photographer Rita Ansone recently posted photos from our last club meetup, which featured conversations with Pictionary creator Rob Angel. You can check them out here.

Recently we featured a musician on People Of Lisbon—he goes by the name Jazzafari. He has now released a Christmas song. And you’ve got to love it…

In case you missed it: Portugal won the U17 World Cup in Qatar.

And since we’re already on football—tomorrow (Friday) Benfica play Sporting in the giant Lisbon rivalry. And next week Italian champions Napoli come to Lisbon to play Benfica. Can you tell I like football?

Moving on: these guys who frequently visit Lisbon are great…

Did everyone see the Lisbon Christmas lights being turned on? Absolutely incredible.

OGMT Affordable Art Weekend is back! Discover original artworks by 30+ local and international artists. 🗓 Saturday 6 & Sunday 7 December 🕙 10:00–20:00
📍 O Gabinete de Madame Thao

Cascais International Business Women is hosting a complimentary two-hour workshop to help you carve out time for your 2026 vision.
🗓 Tuesday, December 9th, 18:30
📍 Estoril Tennis Club

And if you need another Christmas dinner, FoodiesLX is throwing their Christmas Community Dinner at In Bocca Al Lupo.
📅 Tuesday, December 9th
🕢 19:30–23:30
Sign up: https://luma.com/vlmsmrmx

Okay… I’m just going to stop now.

But not before thanking our sponsors — the wonderful folks who help keep People Of Lisbon rolling along:

Practice Portuguese, making learning Portuguese a whole lot of fun.
Moviinn, making relocation to Portugal a whole lot easier.
And Tribe Social Club & App, bringing people together in real life.

And if you want to support the cause, please consider joining Club People Of Lisbon. I genuinely think we’re building something special — a real community — and you should be part of it.

But really, that’s quite enough.

Have a great week.
Stephen O’Regan
Producer, People Of Lisbon

I’m overdue with a newsletter — but here it is at last. You know those stretches of life where everything is just go, go, go, and you’re holding on with one hand and juggling with the other? That’s been us lately. In the best way… mostly.

As I write this, I’m still recovering from an incredible Club People Of Lisbon gathering last night at Café Lapo. We loved trying out a new location — the vibe was perfect. Jazzy music drifting through the room, candles glowing, glasses clinking… but, as always, it was the people that made it.

And we were in a celebratory mood for good reason: we just posted our 200th People Of Lisbon episode. More on that milestone in a minute.

Last night’s lineup was a treat. Alongside the usual great Club People Of Lisbon mingling, we had some impromptu orgasmic stand-up from the brilliant Mitchell Kriegman. Then came our guest interview with Rob Angel — yes, the man who literally invented Pictionary. I could’ve asked him questions all night (and judging by the room, so could everyone else). But time was short… so you’ll just have to read the book.

I confess that a handful of us wandered back out into the Lisbon night afterward — and the less said about that, the better.

Alright… on with the newsletter!

First up — a huge Happy Birthday to my partner in crime at People Of Lisbon, Rita Ansone.

For the last five years, Rita has probably photographed more fascinating Lisboners than anyone else in the city. If you’ve enjoyed the portraits she posts on our Instagram and Facebook — that’s Rita. Always steady, always stylish, always catching people in the perfect moment.

A little origin story for you: when I first moved to Lisbon, Rita was one of the very first people I met. And on the very day we met, I ended up filming her at work. That video quietly became the seed of what would eventually grow into People Of Lisbon. So really, you could say the whole project began with Rita.

Also — did you know you can book Rita for your own photo shoot?
And honestly… I highly recommend you do. 😉 Contact Rita on her Instagram or email her at rita@peopleoflisbon.com

Okay, before we get to Episode 200 of People Of Lisbon, we still need to talk about Episode 199 — with Tony Gonçalves, the Portuguese visionary who brought the Tribeca Film Festival to Lisbon.

In the video, we dashed around Tribeca Lisboa with a very busy Tony — darting between talks, greeting guests, chatting with celebrities, squeezing in radio interviews… the man was in full festival mode. Somehow, in the middle of the chaos, he found time to tell us how the idea of bringing one of the world’s biggest film festival brands to Lisbon first took root — and why he sets himself such high standards.

We also dive into Tony’s personal story: how he moved from Portugal to the U.S. as a kid, but how the Portuguese in him never left. And yes, we even learn one of Tony’s great loves in life: Bolo de Berlim. Respect.

Enjoy the video…

Want more Tony? No problem.

You can watch the rough cut of our video with him right here. Or, if you’re more of a listener, check out the podcast version on Apple or Spotify.

And now… our 200th Episode.

Okay, bear with me here. First of all — I still can’t quite believe we’re still making these videos, and that we’ve actually reached Episode 200. More than five years of People Of Lisbon. Five years of trying to find new, interesting people every single week, simply because we’re curious… and because Lisbon never stops surprising us.

At its best, this project is still genuinely fun. At its best, it’s still a thrill to hang out with the weird, the wonderful, the unexpected characters who make this city what it is. So we knew our 200th video needed to be something special.

Little did we know it would also be… controversial.

Because our guest for Episode 200 is none other than the Mayor of Lisbon — Carlos Moedas.

Before publishing the full video, we posted a few Instagram reels — some light, fun, human questions. And let’s just say the comments section turned into a bit of a carnival. A few people swore they’d unfollow us immediately. Others were furious that we’d give him any screen time at all. Some wanted to know why we weren’t grilling him with hard-hitting political questions.

All I can say is: ¡Ay, caramba!.

From my perspective, the mission hasn’t changed: we make videos with interesting people as they cross our path — whatever anyone thinks of them. There’s no political statement here. We were simply delighted that he said yes, and even more delighted when he welcomed us into City Hall (which, by the way, is spectacular).

And just like in most of our videos, my goal wasn’t to conduct a “60 Minutes” interrogation. It was to get to know the man a little. His story. His personality. What he’s like off-script. That’s the People Of Lisbon approach.

That said… if he ever wants to do a sequel where I do ask the tough questions?
I’m absolutely up for it.

Anyway — I hope you enjoy this landmark episode.

Want more of the Mayor? Then dive into the long rough cut of our conversation — it’s all right here. Or, if you prefer to listen on the go, check out the podcast version on Apple or Spotify.

And now… Bits and Bobs — the part of the newsletter where we shout out whatever’s crossing our radar.
It’s unstructured. It’s Lisbon. It’s chaos. We love it.

1. Next Free-For-All People Of Lisbon Gathering – Next Wednesday
We’re doing another big open meetup next Wednesday, and you can sign up via the brand-new Tribe App.
Link: https://tribeirl.com/events/4CvnYK

2. Atletico CP vs Benfica – This Friday
Tomorrow/today (depending on when you’re reading this), our favourite local Lisbon club Atletico CP faces the mighty Benfica in the Portuguese Cup. A true David vs Goliath moment. We’re going — come join.
All ticket info is on their Insta: https://www.instagram.com/atletico_pt/

3. Feeling Christmasy?
One of the greatest Christmas short films ever made — The Snowman — is screening on December 8th at Cinema São Jorge with a live orchestra.
And the tickets are free.
Details: https://egeac.pt/evento/o-boneco-de-neve/

4. Creative Mornings – December 5th
Next Creative Mornings is on Friday, December 5th. The speaker is Laura Korčulanin, a water steward and founder of Water Whisperer, an agency rethinking humanity’s relationship with water.
Keep an eye on their Insta: https://www.instagram.com/creativemorningslisbon/

5. Ethical Assembly – Coming Up
Want to save the world? Or at least learn how? The Ethical Assembly is coming to Lisbon.
We know very little about it… but it looks interesting:

https://www.ethicalassembly.com/

6. Cascais International Business Women — Monthly Meetup
You’re invited to their next networking event:
November 26, 18:15
New Location: Estoril Tennis Club
Free to attend, open to all women (not just Cascais residents).
Sign-up: https://www.eventbrite.com/e/1967533001171?aff=oddtdtcreator

7. Comedy Night – Racheal Milne (Club People of Lisbon Member)
On Friday, Nov 29 at 20:30, Racheal Milne brings Truth or Date to Selva Comedy Café — part stand-up, part interactive dating chaos.
Her brutally honest takes on love, life, and middle age are worth the price alone — and it’s pay what you like.
Grab a spot:
https://www.eventbrite.com/e/1964351050872?aff=oddtdtcreator

And that’s all I can muster for Bits and Bobs…

And that’s a wrap.

Remember — we’re always open to suggestions for who we should feature on People Of Lisbon. If you know someone fascinating, unusual, overlooked, inspiring… or if you think you should be on the show… get in touch. The weird and interesting go straight to the top of the queue.

A final shoutout to our brilliant sponsors:

Practice Portuguese — my New Year’s resolution is to finally practice a whole lot more.
Tribe Social Club & the Tribe App — home to all our gatherings and the heart of our community meetups.
Moviinn — making the adventure of moving abroad a whole lot easier.

As always, we’re on the lookout for sponsors who love what we do and want to support our show, our world, our vibe. If you’re interested, drop us a line.

Or want to keep it simple — join Club People Of Lisbon. It’s just 10 bucks a month, and you’ll be part of a Lisbon community unlike any other.
Check out the directory we’ve been building to meet some of the amazing people who’ve already joined.

Till next time,
Stephen O’Regan
Producer, People Of Lisbon

It’s been a couple of weeks since our last newsletter, and a lot has been happening. Honestly, there’s so much going on in this city that sometimes it all feels like a beautiful blur. I really should be doing a better job documenting it all, but hey, life happens (and sometimes there’s just no time to take notes when Lisbon is being Lisbon).

The highlight of the past few days? Without question, the Tribeca Film Festival in Beato. It was a wild ride — a blur of screenings, conversations, and the kind of networking that’s actually (believe it or not) fun.

We were lucky enough to film a new People Of Lisbon episode with Tony Gonçalves, the Portuguese visionary who had the idea to bring Tribeca to Lisbon — and who also hosts the excellent Heart and Hustle of Portugal podcast. We caught up with Tony between panels, and somehow managed to squeeze in an interview amid all the creative chaos.

And yes, if you look closely at the picture below... that’s yours truly filming Kim Cattrall on stage. Talk about a name drop. I even got a quick chat in with her — told her she was in my favourite Star Trek film. I’m fairly confident I was the only person in Lisbon to bring up Star Trek with her that weekend.

Anyway, enough of the celebrity encounters — on with the newsletter…

Our latest People Of Lisbon is one that truly hits every note.

Meet João Mendes, aka Jazzafari — a jazz musician, music producer, and creative force whose life in Lisbon feels straight out of a film.

We hung out with João at his incredible home — a colorful, chaotic wonderland of music, art, and family legacy. His grandfather’s paintings hang beside his own instruments, and every corner tells a story.

But this video goes deeper than music. João opens up about his struggles with mental health, his time in recovery, and the lessons that came with it. It’s raw, real, and unfiltered — the kind of honesty that reminds you why we do this series in the first place.

From his Jazzafari rhythms to his soulful philosophy on life and rebirth (“We get another life…”), João gives us the full spectrum — humor, pain, joy, and rhythm.

Want more Jazzafari? Watch the long-form rough cut. Or listen to the podcast version: Apple Podcasts → The Lisbon Jazz Man Who Escaped the Madhouse
Spotify → The Lisbon Jazz Man Who Escaped the Madhouse

🌀 Bits n’ Bobs

Welcome to Bits n’ Bobs, the new part of the newsletter where we throw all sense of structure out the window and dive into the random, wonderful mix of things currently on our radar — most of which popped up in Club People of Lisbon chatter this week.

🎬 First up — another film festival! Because apparently, Lisbon can’t get enough movies. LEFFEST kicks off over the coming days with an incredible lineup of screenings, talks, and cinematic happenings. Check it out here: leffest.com

🎥 Speaking of film — small brag — Julian Lennon (yes, that Julian Lennon) has been watching People of Lisbon. Sorry, couldn’t resist that name drop.

☄️ Meteor alert! Did anyone else see that flash across the Portuguese sky yesterday? Here’s the clip: Instagram link.

🎨 Lisbon Art Weekend is also upon us. Explore the full program here: lisbonartweekend.com/events

⚡ Back to the Future turns 40! Great Scott! It’s screening in IMAX. Tickets here: NOS Cinemas

🎵 I stumbled upon this amazing story about how Paul McCartney, back in 1968, wrote a song in Portugal and gave it to a local band. File this under “music history you didn’t know you needed”: Watch it here.

💻 And yes — Web Summit is almost here. Brace yourselves for tech people, tote bags, and buzzwords. If anyone’s feeling flush, we’ve got a 20% discount on tickets — use this link: POL20 Discount

I’ll be hosting three days of Speed Networking at Web Summit — so come say hi.

Beyond the main event, there’s plenty happening around town:

✨ Creative Mornings Lisbon are hosting a human-AI creativity talk on Nov 14: Event Info

☕ Lisbon Business Leaders are doing what they do best — networking — with a…

• Breakfast

• Next Level Business Leader Masterclass

• Networking Mixer

And if that’s still not enough… mark your calendars for Nov 19th. Our next exclusive Club People Of Lisbon gathering will feature a live interview with Rob Angel — the creator of Pictionary. Yes, that Pictionary. It’s an incredible story. Want in? You’ll need to join the club at peopleoflisbon.com.

Lastly, I’ve been hard at work on our new Club Directory, and it’s coming together beautifully (if I say so myself). Have a look and let me know what you think:
👉 People Of Lisbon Directory (Work in Progress)

And that’s enough…

Big shoutout to our incredible sponsors who keep People Of Lisbon rolling:

🏡 Moviinn — the go-to team for anyone making the move to Portugal. They’ll sort you out with everything from relocation to lifestyle setup. moviinn.com

☕ Tribe Social Club & App — our home base for gatherings, and good vibes. Check out their brilliant app to see what’s happening around Lisbon. tribeirl.com

🗣️ Practice Portuguese — because, let’s face it, most of us really need to keep practicing. practiceportuguese.com

(and yes, if you are up for joining our sponsors, drop me a line…wink wink, nudge nudge).

And that really is it. Stay tuned later this week for Episode 199 of People Of Lisbon, featuring Tony Gonçalves from Tribeca Lisboa. Then next week — fingers crossed — we’ll be dropping a very special Episode 200.

Watch this space.

Have a great week, one and all —
Stephen O’Regan
Producer, People Of Lisbon

The sun’s finally breaking through the rain as I write this. I’ve just given in to the guilty pleasure of a bitoque for lunch (tut tut… but absolutely worth it). Outside, the angle grinders are back in full song, a neighbourhood dog is losing its mind, and that, my friends, concludes my poetic opening to this short-but-snappy People Of Lisbon newsletter…

Straight off the top — a big shout-out to everyone who came out for our “All Are Welcome” People Of Lisbon gathering on Saturday night at Tribe Social Club.

The place was buzzing — a packed house with a wildly eclectic crowd, a great little interview with our special guest, and even some impromptu speed networking for good measure. All in all, a big success and a reminder of just how special this community is.

If you missed it, don’t worry — there’ll be more. Follow us on the Tribe App (our sponsor) or on MeetUp Page to stay in the loop. Or even better… join the club.

Our special guest at the gathering was none other than our most recent People Of Lisbon feature — Chris Jones, a New Zealander who now proudly calls Lisbon home.

Chris has spent the past few years travelling the length and breadth of Portugal, digging deep into its stories and history for his new book, Meet The Tugas. What started as curiosity turned into a four-year journey through every corner of the country — from the green waterfalls of the North to the volcanic peaks of the Azores.

In our conversation, Chris talked about his fascination with Portuguese history — from the Napoleonic invasion to the Salazar years — and how those eras shaped the Portugal we know today. He also reflected on what it means to live in a country that’s still growing and reinventing itself.

“Portugal is such a rich, evolving place right now. It’s a great country to be in if you’re building something — or just building your life.”

Check out the full video with Chris here:

Want more of Chris?

🎥 Watch the long-form rough cut of our People Of Lisbon episode with him here.

🎧 Or listen to the audio podcast version on
👉 Apple Podcasts
👉 Spotify

And for those asking where to get your hands on Chris’s book Meet The Tugas — the kind-of travelogue, kind-of love letter to Portugal — you can order it here:
📚 Buy Meet The Tugas on FNAC

Before we move on to some other bits and bobs — we’ve got something very exciting for you.

Coming to Lisbon in just over a week is none other than the Tribeca Film Festival Lisboa. Yes, that Tribeca — the internationally renowned festival born in New York — is coming to our city!

We got extra excited when the man responsible for bringing it here, Tony Gonçalves, joined Club People of Lisbon. And thanks to that connection, we’ve got a juicy offer for you: 30% off Tribeca tickets.

🎟️ Here’s how to claim it:
1️⃣ Visit tribeca30.bol.pt
2️⃣ Choose the film, talk, or podcast you’d like to attend
3️⃣ At checkout, select “Promotional code” or “Código Promocional”
4️⃣ Enter Peopleoflisbon30

And of course, check out the full festival lineup here:
👉 tribecalisboa.sic.pt

What’s On in Lisbon 🎬☕️

Just a couple of things you might want to check out…

🎥 DocLisboa
Lisbon’s beloved documentary festival is back — and the lineup this year looks stellar. If you love real stories on the big screen, this one’s for you. 👉 doclisboa.org

⚡️ Creative Mornings Lisbon — This Friday!
Our friends at Creative Mornings Lisbon are back with another inspiring breakfast talk. This month’s theme is “Soft”, with guest speaker Kiu Coates — an IFS and Compassionate Inquiry practitioner (Gabor Maté approach). 👉 Sign up here.

🏃 Lisbon Half Marathon
And on Sunday — the Lisbon Half Marathon, always an inspiring vibe to be around (and a great excuse to cheer on strangers).

The race itself is completely booked out — but if you’d like to see yours truly being pushed over the finish line… well, you might be waiting a long time 😅

👉 maratonaclubedeportugal.com

⚽ A Cup Dream for Atlético CP
Finally, a special shout-out to our favourite local football team — Atlético CP.

They’ve just been drawn against none other than José Mourinho’s Benfica in the next round of the cup. Pretty incredible, right? A true David vs. Goliath moment for Lisbon football.

Keep an eye on Atlético’s Instagram for updates — and if you haven’t seen it yet, check out the video we made earlier this year with Atlético’s General Manager, João Carvalho.

And that’s it for this week!

A huge thank you to our amazing sponsors — Practice Portuguese, Tribe Social Club (and App), Why Not Soda, and Moviinn.
Without their support, we couldn’t do what we do.

And speaking of which — we’re on the lookout for the right killer brands to join our world and support what we’re building. If you know someone who might fit the bill, drop us a line.

Or… you could just join our club — and feel instantly cooler. 😎

That’s all I’ve got for this week.

Till next time,

Stephen O’Regan
Producer, People Of Lisbon

It’s Monday. It’s been eight days since my last newsletter (forgive me, readers, for I have slacked). Let’s get another one going.

How’s everyone doing? How’s your week been?

As for me—well, Saturday night was all about Portugal vs. Ireland at the José Alvalade Stadium. I’m Irish, of course, so it was both thrilling and mildly traumatic. Around 5,000 Irish made the trip, green scarves flying, voices hoarse… and then we watched Ronaldo miss a penalty (see the footage below, noteable for the Irish goalkeepers brilliant celebration). But, alas, Portugal broke our hearts with a last-minute winner.

A couple of nights earlier was a very different kind of match — me vs. Lisbon nightlife. We crossed the river by boat to Locomotiva – Bar dos Ferroviários, a gem of a spot where you can sit by the water, sip something cheap as chips, and order sandwiches named after rock ’n’ roll legends. Oh and the music was great too.

From there, we ended up at the all-new Casa Capitão in Beato, and even though I’m not much of a clubber these days, I was impressed. We danced until late and, predictably, paid for it the next day.

And earlier in the week as some friends were visiting, we went to the restaurant at the Santa Joana Locke Hotel. I’d heard good things (and seen the chef in a video). The food was great — but let’s just say the wallet is still in recovery mode.

And just to be clear: none of this is promotion. It’s just content. 😄

On with the newsletter...

Yesterday, we released our latest People Of Lisbon episode — Episode 196! — featuring GIEL, a woman who moved from Miami to Lisbon and ended up creating what might just be the city’s most electric music night: The Shift at Badassery.

When we met GIEL, she radiated purpose. The kind of person who seems guided by rhythm and faith in equal measure. Born in Miami to missionary parents, she grew up traveling the world — Uganda, Costa Rica, Panama, the Caribbean — before eventually landing in Lisbon.

She told us she was actually out of music for almost eight years before moving here reignited her creativity.

“It took a lot of prayer, confidence, and overcoming tremendous barriers to get to today,” she said. “Coming to Lisbon changed everything.”

Now she channels that transformation into The Shift, a hidden speakeasy night tucked behind what looks like a sewing shop. Once you step through the door, though, it’s another world — lights, energy, raw performance.

“It’s a 360° experience,” she explained. “The band sets up in the middle, and the crowd surrounds them. The synergy gets insane.”

Each night has its own theme — the one we filmed was called Enough — and the performances swing between soul, spoken word, and gospel fire.

“People come up after saying they feel like they went to church,” GIEL told us, laughing. “We shift the week.”

Want more of GIEL?

You can watch our raw long-form rough cut right here.
Or, if you’re more of a listener, check out the podcast versions:
🍎 On Apple Podcasts
🎧 On Spotify

I’ve just started editing our next People Of Lisbon video, which we shot last week with New Zealander Chris Jones — a writer and traveller.

Chris has just released a book called Meet The Tugas, about his adventures travelling through Portugal and learning its history through the people he meets along the way. The book shows his real love for this country.

You’ll have to stay tuned for that one. In the meantime, check out Chris and his work here: 👉 https://www.instagram.com/christojones/

Dates for Your Diary

The first one is a shamelessly indulgent plug from yours truly. Tomorrow night, I’ll be speaking at a new music networking night called The Link, where I’ll be telling the story of my 12-year adventure running a global music startup — BalconyTV.

We started BalconyTV back in 2006 with one very simple (and slightly ridiculous) idea: film bands daily on our apartment balcony in Dublin. From there, it somehow spread to 100 cities, filming 20,000 shows in the process.

The organiser of The Link asked me to turn my talk into a kind of mini-workshop, so I’ve called it:

🎸 “The BalconyTV Story: Building a Global Music Startup by Accident”
A crash course in creativity, chaos, and community-building — with lessons for anyone trying to make something happen in the music world.

I’ll be covering everything from:

• How the idea started (and how little we knew what we were doing)

• The early hype, awards, and near-disasters

• The joys and heartbreaks of raising funding

• Startup bootcamps, investor chaos, and international expansion

• Getting acquired by Sony / The Orchard — and how it all ended in tears

• And finally, what I learned about persistence, people, and pure creative madness along the way

If any of that sounds like your kind of fun, come along — there’ll also be live music and some excellent networking.

📍 The Link — Music Networking Night
📅 Tuesday, October 14th
📸 @thelinklisboa on Instagram
🎟 Tickets here

Hope to see a few familiar faces there!

A big shout-out to Club People of Lisbon member Giulia Baiocchi, who’s inviting everyone to The Red Thread – Performance Exhibition at The ARTROOM in Príncipe Real, running October 15–17.

It’s a three-day journey through art, movement, and connection, featuring everything from meditation to dance to something intriguingly called a Silent Rave Reading Party.

Here’s the full program:
🗓 Wed 15 | 18:00 – Opening
🧘 Thu 16 | 09:00–10:00 – Yoga & Meditation
💃 Thu 16 | 18:00–20:00 – Dance Performance
🧘 Fri 17 | 09:00–10:00 – Yoga & Meditation
📖 Fri 17 | 18:00–20:00 – Silent Rave Reading Party

📍 The ArtRoom, Pátio do Tejolo 1, 1250-096 Lisboa
💸 Free entry — come by, explore, and maybe even join the performance!

And then on Saturday…

We’re back with our next open People of Lisbon gathering!

That means everyone’s welcome — new faces, old friends, curious wanderers, and anyone who just wants to connect.

You could call it another meetup-style happening in Lisbon… but the difference is, it’s hosted by us 😉

We’re also toying with the idea of staging some impromptu speed networking on the night — because why not?

📍 Where: Tribe Social Club
📅 When: Saturday evening

You can sign up via our sponsor Tribe’s app:
👉 Tribe App Link

Come and hang out.

And that’s it for this week!

As always, a very, very, very special shout-out to our amazing sponsors:

🥤 Why Not Soda – We really really do love this drink.
🗣️ Practice Portuguese – Because, let’s face it, we all need to practice!
🏡 Moviinn – Helping you with all your relocation-to-Portugal needs.
💼 Tribe Social Club – Where we host our gatherings, and surely Lisbon’s coolest co-working space. (Also, check out their app for events and happenings all over the city.)

And yes — we’re putting the word out that we’re actively looking for new partners and sponsors to help us keep creating videos, photos, and stories, and to continue growing the weird and wonderful world of People Of Lisbon.

Of course, the simplest way to support us is by joining our club:
👉 Join Club People of Lisbon

That’s all for now, folks — until next time!

Warm regards,
Stephen O’Regan
Producer, People of Lisbon

It’s Sunday evening, the week is winding down, and what better time to start tapping out a People Of Lisbon newsletter?

To be honest, I’m only just recovering after last night’s Club People Of Lisbon Speed Networking at Tribe Social Club. It’s been a while since we tried one of these — and we really should do them more often. It turns out people are always looking for new, fun ways to connect, and last night’s experiment worked great.

Everyone had four minutes one-on-one, and managed about eight connections in total. The feedback was mixed — some said four minutes wasn’t nearly enough, while others thought it was excruciatingly long! (You can’t please everyone, right?)

We had an incredible mix of people in the room — from world-renowned photographers and comedians to plant doctors, qigong experts, a magician, and even someone known for their work helping those most in need with a Lisbon Project. I was genuinely proud of the collection of people in attendance.

We’ll definitely be doing it again soon — so watch this space.

While we’re at it, let me give you a couple of dates for your diary 📅

October 14th – I (Stephen, the guy writing this newsletter) will be speaking at a very cool music networking event called The Link, also taking place at Tribe Social Club.

I’ll be sharing stories from my 12 years running a music startup before People Of Lisbon — a little project called BalconyTV. Over 12 years, we filmed nearly 20,000 shows of bands performing on balconies around the world. So if you fancy hearing that crazy story (and meeting some great people in the process), come along by hitting this link:
👉 The Link Lisboa – Music Networking

And while you’re marking the calendar, jot down October 18th for our next People of Lisbon Free For All Gathering. You never know — we might even sneak in some impromptu speed networking 😄

Sign up via the Tribe app here:
👉 People of Lisbon Open Social Night – Oct 18

This Week’s People Of Lisbon: Richard Ulf

Meet Richard Ulf — actor, model, surfer, and dancer — who has completely reinvented his life here in Lisbon.

Originally from Sweden, Richard went through heart surgery at 50, and rather than slowing down, he used it as a wake-up call. He started surfing, took up acting and modeling, and became a regular on Lisbon’s dance floors .

At 68, Richard radiates unstoppable energy and positivity. He told us: “You’re always young as long as you can dance.”

We filmed with him at his home in Estoril, met his dogs Coco Chanel and Oscar, and followed him to the beach to see the place where he found his rhythm again. Trust us, when we say this guys got style.

Not enough Richard? Watch the long-form rough cut here. Or if you’d rather just listen, check out the podcast version:
🎧 Spotify | Apple Podcasts

And with that, it’s straight back into the editing cave as we get to work on our next People Of Lisbon episode — featuring a woman who goes by the name GIEL.

We’d heard whispers about GIEL from a few different corners of the city — everyone seemed to mention her in the same breath as some kind of music night she hosts. What we didn’t expect was just how incredible that night would be.

It’s called The Shift, and it takes place at Badassery, a speakeasy-style spot hidden in Lisbon. And honestly? We were blown away. We like to think we’ve got our finger on the pulse when it comes to what’s happening around town, but discovering this event reminded us — there’s always more to discover in Lisbon.

This could easily be one of the coolest, most vibing music nights in the city.

Keep an eye on our Instagram for photos and reels coming soon — and, with a bit of luck, we’ll have the full video ready for you next week.

Oh, and here’s something new we’re excited to show off!

Over the past few days, we’ve been working on a little side project — a mini website that gives short bios of the people who’ve joined Club People Of Lisbon.

It’s basically a directory — a simple way to get a sense of who’s part of the club, what they do, and the incredible mix of people in this growing community. It’s still very much a work in progress, but we think you’ll enjoy having a peek.

👉 The People of Lisbon Club Directory

And that’s it for this week!

As always, a very, very, very special shout-out to our amazing sponsors:

🥤 Why Not Soda – The perfect refreshment for these sweltering days.
🗣️ Practice Portuguese – Because let’s face it, we all need to practice!
🏡 Moviinn – Helping you with all your relocation-to-Portugal needs.
💼 Tribe Social Club – Where we host our gatherings, and surely Lisbon’s coolest co-working space. (Also, check out their app for events and happenings all over the city.)

And yes — we’re putting the word out that we’re actively looking for new partners and sponsors to help us keep making our videos, photos, and stories, and to keep growing the weird and wonderful world of People Of Lisbon.

Of course, the simplest way to support us is by joining our club:
👉 Join Club People Of Lisbon

That’s all, folks — till next time!

Stephen O’Regan
Producer, People Of Lisbon

Another week down in this wild and wonderful world. This one’s a quick, snappy newsletter — hope you enjoy it…

First up — our newest People Of Lisbon episode stars Portuguese TV icon Iva Domingues.

It was a real thrill to spend time with Iva, who met us at the hidden Mercado do Rato before leading the way to the stunning Jardim Botânico (embarrassingly, my first time there!).

We talked about her love of film, her years living and working in Hollywood, and how she’s built a respected career in Portuguese media .

Iva was a joy to film with. It’s not often we work with seasoned pros, and she knew exactly how to turn on the charm for the camera. She was just being herself as she told us. Along the way, Iva opened up about motherhood, spirituality, and life in Lisbon. We even wandered over to Praça das Flores for a pastel de nata before she wrapped things up with some motivational words.

We hope you enjoy the episode as much as we enjoyed making it.

Want more Iva? Check out our long-form rough cut video. Or, if you’re more in the mood for audio, catch the podcast version on Apple or Spotify. 🎧

On that note — we’re on the hunt for more fascinating people to feature on People Of Lisbon. We’re especially looking for those with unusual jobs, quirky passions, or downright weird hobbies.

We’ve always dreamed of finding Lisbon’s UFO expert (no luck so far) or tracking down the person responsible for keeping the 25 de Abril Bridge safe (also no luck — which is mildly worrying).

If that person is you, or if you know someone who’d be perfect for the series, please reach out. We’d love to hear from you.

A couple of dates for your diary:

📅 October 18 – Our next Club People Of Lisbon Free-For-All Gathering. It’s really just an excuse to bring together some of Lisbon’s finest spirits, share a few drinks, and have a great night. If you’d like to join, sign up via the brand-new Tribe App: RSVP here.

📅 October 4 – Coming up even sooner, we’re staging a Club People Of Lisbon Speed Networking Event. We’ve done these before and they’re always good fun (and surprisingly effective). If you’d like to take part, you’ll need to be a member of the club: Join Club People of Lisbon.

A few other things on our radar right now:

🎵 The Link – Last night I went to a fantastic music networking night in Lisbon called The Link. I’ll be speaking at one of their future events about my life in the music industry. Keep tabs on their Instagram. Congrats to Alexandra Soulfire for pulling it all together!

☕ Creative Mornings Lisbon – After a short summer break, our friends are back with their fun-filled mornings. Next one is September 26th — pop it in your diary. More info here.

🍷 Moviinn Jazzy Dinner – This Thursday, September 18th, Moviinn (one of our brilliant sponsors) is hosting An Evening at Home: Jazz, Dinner & Connections at Flores 77, Chiado. €70 includes dinner, live jazz, and great networking. Music by Vanity Redfire & Francisco Sassetti. Seats are limited — register here.

⚽ Atletico CP vs. Rebordosa AC – This Sunday, we’ll be cheering on Atletico CP at their next home game. Love the local vibe at Tapadinha. Match info here.

🔥 Chefs On Fire (September 20–21) – After the game, we’ll head straight to Cascais for Chefs On Fire — one of the year’s calendar highlights. 36 chefs, 14 Michelin stars, fire-cooked creations, and live music including Dino D’Santiago’s debut of “Artists’ Table.” Don’t miss Europe’s leading open-fire gastronomy festival. Get your tickets at chefsonfire.com and use code PEOPLELISBONFIRE for 10% off.

I’m sure there’s plenty I’ve left out — I didn’t even mention the incredible Club People Of Lisbon boat trip we just had. It was a brilliant mix of personalities on board — I think every single person was from a different country!

Want to see who’s part of the club? 👉 Join us at peopleoflisbon.com

And finally, a very, very, very special shout-out to our sponsors:

• Why Not Soda – The perfect refreshment for these sweltering days.

• Practice Portuguese – Because let’s face it, we all need to practice!

• Moviinn – Helping you with all your relocation-to-Portugal needs.

• Tribe Social Club – Where we host our gatherings, and surely Lisbon’s coolest co-working space. (Also, check out their brand-new app for events and happenings all over the city.)

(And yes, we’re on the hunt for more sponsors 😉)

That’s all, folks — till next week!

Stephen O’Regan
Producer, People Of Lisbon