In this week's episode: practical Swedes, saying hej to strangers, dithering Liberals, Sweden awaits central bank decision, climate movement split over Greta Thunberg's Palestine support, how Swedish attitudes to Israel-Palestine have changed over the years. Host Paul O’Mahony is joined this week by The Local’s Emma Löfgren and Richard Orange , and we also have an interview with the author and former ambassador Mathias Mossberg. Here are links to some of the stories we discuss: Fitting in Ten si...
Nov 18, 2023•27 min•Season 6Ep. 13
This week on Sweden in Focus: TV history show provokes debate, far-right leader gives speech in Arabic, Sweden's media subsidy system explained, surviving November, and how a wave of international arrests is affect Sweden's gang conflict. Host Paul O’Mahony is joined this week by The Local’s James Savage and Becky Waterton , and we also have an interview with Expressen’s crime reporter Katrin Krantz. Here are links to some of the stories we discuss this week: History of Sweden OPINION: Why are r...
Nov 11, 2023•31 min•Season 6Ep. 12
In this week's Sweden in Focus we discuss: industrial action hits Tesla and Klarna, fears that new salary requirements for work permit holders will undermine the Swedish labour market model, how an oil spill and new fishing quotas have put the Baltic Sea in focus , and an ill-tempered battle for control of Sweden’s Green Party. Host Paul O’Mahony is joined this week by The Local’s James Savage and Richard Orange. __ Sign up for Stockholm Explorative Talks . Presented by Stockholm Academic Forum ...
Nov 04, 2023•35 min•Season 6Ep. 11
This week: Halloween, Nato, cable damage in the Baltic Sea, popular TV shows, and we answer readers' questions on Sweden's new salary requirement for work permit holders. Host Paul O’Mahony in Stockholm is joined from Malmö by The Local’s Emma Löfgren and Becky Waterton. __ Sign up for Stockholm Explorative Talks . Presented by Stockholm Academic Forum __ Here are links to stories we discuss this week: Halloween Opinion: What can Sweden learn from embracing the American Halloween tradition? All ...
Oct 28, 2023•31 min•Season 6Ep. 10
__ Sign up for Stockholm Explorative Talks . Presented by Stockholm Academic Forum __ In this week's episode we look at the latest Covid recommendations, how the far-right Sweden Democrats are using their new-found power, why immigrants kickstart so many events in Sweden, and why a terrorist targeted and murdered two Swedish football fans in Brussels. Host Paul O’Mahony in Stockholm is joined from Malmö by The Local’s Emma Löfgren and Richard Orange. Here are links to some of the stories we disc...
Oct 21, 2023•37 min•Season 6Ep. 9
In this bonus episode of Sweden in Focus, we speak to the Social Democratic former education minister Anna Ekström about Nordic 'folk high schools', budget cuts to study associations, worsening segregation in Sweden's schools, why boys are underperforming, and whether Sweden needs more external grading. In Saturday’s episode, the former government minister talked about ‘folkbildning’ as a particularly Nordic approach to education. Here we continue the conversation as Anna Ekström talks about her...
Oct 18, 2023•40 min•Season 6Ep. 10
In this week's episode: Foxtrot leader reportedly arrested in Iran, Swedish reaction to Israel-Hamsas war, and lots of reaction to Sweden's new pay threshold for work permits. Host Paul O’Mahony is joined by The Local’s James Savage and Becky Waterton, and this week’s guest, Sweden’s former education minister Anna Ekström , who also has a background as a labour law lawyer. Here are links to some of the stories we discuss this week: Gang crime How likely is it that Iran hands over Swedish gang le...
Oct 14, 2023•36 min•Season 6Ep. 7
In this week's episode: weak krona means less Nobel prize money, Sweden’s government plans more surveillance, what the future holds for Scandinavian Airlines, how work permit holders will be affected by a new salary threshold, how organised crime networks in Sweden are opening healthcare centres. Host Paul O’Mahony is joined by The Local’s James Savage and Becky Waterton, and we also hear from criminologist Manne Gerell from Malmö University . SURVEY: Would you listen to more podcasts from The L...
Oct 07, 2023•28 min•Season 6Ep. 6
In this week's episode: Is Sweden underfunding schools and healthcare?; motorway mudslide; Turkey gives fresh impetus to Sweden's Nato bid; why northern Sweden needs foreign workers, and Prime Minister wants military help to crack down on gangs. This week host Paul O’Mahony is joined by The Local’s James Savage and Richard Orange, and we also hear from the Skellefteå-based journalist Paul Connolly. SURVEY: Would you listen to more podcasts from The Local? Here are links to some of the stories we...
Sep 30, 2023•37 min•Season 6Ep. 5
In this week's podcast we discuss: mushroom foraging tips, why Sweden's highest mountain is melting, how the new budget will affect you, and what are the underlying factors behind a vicious new wave of violence in Sweden's ongoing gang feuds? Host Paul O’Mahony is joined by The Local's Emma Löfgren and Richard Orange, as well as the Swedish crime reporter Katrin Krantz from the Expressen newspaper. SURVEY: Would you listen to more podcasts from The Local? Here are links to some of the stories we...
Sep 23, 2023•33 min•Season 6Ep. 4
In this week's episode: Sweden's King Carl XVI Gustaf celebrates 50 years on the throne, several countries block Swedish pork after swine fever outbreak, unemployment on the rise, and Migration Minister Maria Malmer Stenegard on why Swedish citizenship 'must be respected and protected'. This week host Paul O’Mahony is joined by The Local’s Emma Löfgren and Becky Waterton, and we also have an interview with Sweden’s migration minister, Maria Malmer Stenegard. Please take our survey: Would you lis...
Sep 16, 2023•32 min•Season 6Ep. 3
In this week's episode of the Sweden in Focus podcast, our panelists are talking about fermented herring, the biggest trial in Swedish history, how the 'paradigm shift' in migration policy is affecting foreigners, and the reawakening of a debate on joining the euro. This week host Paul O’Mahony is joined by The Local’s Emma Löfgren and Richard Orange, and we also hear from one of Sweden’s foremost economists, Lars Calmfors. PODCAST LISTENER OFFER: Become a member of The Local Here are links to s...
Sep 09, 2023•35 min•Season 6Ep. 2
In the latest episode of our Sweden in Focus podcast, host Paul O’Mahony is joined by The Local's James Savage and Becky Waterton, as well as Julia Agha, publisher of the Arabic-language news service Al Kompis. PODCAST LISTENER OFFER: Become a member of The Local Here are some of the stories discussed: Timeline IN DATES: A short history of Sweden's Quran-burning crisis EXPLAINED: How did a far-right extremist derail Sweden's Nato application? Easter riots Riots over Quran burning test Swedish to...
Sep 02, 2023•33 min•Season 6Ep. 1
In the latest episode of our Sweden in Focus podcast, host Paul O’Mahony is joined by panelists Richard Orange and Emma Löfgren, while James Savage calls in from Almedalen. This week we discuss: Airline strike Employers and unions have negotiated a settlement meaning the strike due to start on July 3rd has been called off. Follow the latest updates on our travel news page. Deadly rollercoaster accident Gröna Lund: What we know about Sweden's fatal rollercoaster crash Sex workers told to pay tax ...
Jul 01, 2023•33 min•Season 5Ep. 36
In the latest episode of our Sweden in Focus podcast, host Paul O’Mahony is joined by panelists Richard Orange , James Savage , and Becky Waterton. This week we discuss: Russia threat Russia could pose threat to Sweden 'for decades' Lack of diversity in business How diverse is company leadership in Sweden? Economy latest Swedish economy expected to pick up again 'late this year' Summer holidays Why do the Swedes take such long summer holidays? How to have a cheap holiday in Sweden this summer Sw...
Jun 24, 2023•30 min•Season 5Ep. 35
In the latest episode of our Sweden in Focus podcast, host Paul O’Mahony is joined by panelists Richard Orange , James Savage , and Becky Waterton. This week we discuss: Beyoncé Bills, bills bills: Beyoncé blamed for Sweden's inflation disappointment Midsummer The Local's ultimate guide to Midsummer's Eve Smoke-free Sweden How Sweden got close to stubbing out smoking for good Nato latest Turkish president dampens hopes of Sweden joining Nato in July Hungary set to vote on Sweden Nato bid before ...
Jun 17, 2023•40 min•Season 5Ep. 34
In the latest episode of our Sweden in Focus podcast, host Paul O’Mahony is joined by panelists Richard Orange , James Savage , and Becky Waterton. This week we discuss: Sex lies Fact check: Has Sweden really recognised sex as an official sport? Drought fears IN MAPS: What the drought could mean for Sweden this summer Fire bans as Sweden braces for another week of tinder-dry weather How to stay safe during the heat in Sweden this summer Day trips Discover southern Sweden: Five of the best day tr...
Jun 10, 2023•43 min•Season 5Ep. 33
In the latest episode of our Sweden in Focus podcast, host Paul O’Mahony is joined by panelists Emma Löfgren , James Savage , and Becky Waterton. This week we discuss: Sweden’s stalled Nato application Russian ‘spy whale’ turns up in Swedish waters US urges Turkey and Hungary to ratify Sweden’s Nato membership Nato chief ‘confident’ Sweden will become full member of military alliance National Day The lowdown on Sweden’s National Day LISTEN: Last year’s National Day/school graduation podcast Scho...
Jun 03, 2023•34 min•Season 5Ep. 32
In this bonus episode of our Sweden in Focus podcast, host Paul O’Mahony is joined by panelists Emma Löfgren, Richard Orange, and Becky Waterton for the second part of our interview with Anna Gustafsson, healthcare reporter for the Dagens Nyheter newspaper. Here are a few articles linked to the topics we discuss: How the Swedish healthcare system works EXPLAINED: What to do if you face a long wait for healthcare in Sweden Situation in Sweden's hospitals 'terrible and completely unacceptable': wa...
May 30, 2023•22 min•Season 5Ep. 31
In the latest episode of our Sweden in Focus podcast, host Paul O’Mahony is joined by panelists Emma Löfgren , Richard Orange , and Becky Waterton, and we also welcome a guest, Anna Gustafsson , a journalist covering healthcare for the Dagens Nyheter newspaper. In this week's episode we discuss: Swedish lifestyle trends Five suggestions for the next hyped Swedish lifestyle trend Swedish word of the day: gökotta Swexit talk INTERVIEW: How best to respond to the Sweden Democrats' Swexit gambit Hea...
May 27, 2023•37 min•Season 5Ep. 30
In this bonus episode of our Sweden in Focus podcast, host Paul O’Mahony is joined by panelists Emma Löfgren, Richard Orange, and Becky Waterton for the second part of our interview with Emma Leijnse, schools reporter for the Sydsvenkan newspaper and the author of several books on the Swedish school system. After last week’s episode, Richard had some thoughts about what international studies say about schools: OPINION: Why I hope the stats are right about Swedish children’s reading and maths Oth...
May 23, 2023•41 min•Season 5Ep. 29
In the latest episode of our Sweden in Focus podcast, host Paul O’Mahony is joined by panelists Emma Löfgren , Richard Orange , and Becky Waterton, and we also welcome a guest to the Malmö studio: Emma Leijnse is a journalist covering schools and education for the Sydsvenskan newspaper and is also the author of three books on the Swedish school system. In this week’s episode we discuss: Weekend getaway tips Readers reveal: Top tips for things to do in Sweden this summer Six great spots in Sweden...
May 20, 2023•33 min•Season 5Ep. 28
In the latest episode of our Sweden in Focus podcast, host Paul O’Mahony is joined by panelists James Savage, Richard Orange, and Becky Waterton. In this week’s episode we discuss: Eurovision fever ‘Almost goddess status’: Sweden’s Loreen tipped to win Eurovision Rail strike Swedish rail strike postponed but Stockholm trains still affected Jimmie Åkesson Sweden’s government has its ‘here’s Jimmie!’ moment Sweden Democrats leader says ‘fundamentalist Muslims’ cannot be Swedes Scandinavian languag...
May 12, 2023•37 min•Season 5Ep. 27
In this bonus episode of our Sweden in Focus podcast, host Paul O’Mahony is joined by panelists James Savage, Richard Orange, and Becky Waterton for Part 2 of our interview with Mikael Ribbenvik, the director general of the Swedish Migration Agency . Topics covered include: Fast-track phase-out Swedish Migration Agency to propose new system for skilled migrants Study or work? Swedish government orders crackdown on work and residence permit abuses Permanent residency? Boss of Sweden’s Migration A...
May 09, 2023•29 min•Season 5Ep. 26
In the latest episode of our Sweden in Focus podcast, host Paul O’Mahony is joined by panelists James Savage, Richard Orange, and Becky Waterton as well as our guest this week, Mikael Ribbenvik, the director general of the Swedish Migration Agency . This is part one of a two-part interview. Some of the topics we cover include: What’s the current status of Sweden’s planned migration laws? Salary threshold latest EXPLAINED: Sweden’s plans to double the salary threshold for work permits Moving migr...
May 06, 2023•39 min•Season 5Ep. 25
Tune in for the second part of our interview with Lola Akinmade Åkerström where she talks more about how Sweden can get better at dealing with racism, how frequently she’s confronted with micro-aggressions, the ideas of integration versus assimilation, a tendency in Europe to fetishize and limit black women, what happens when the Swedish concept of lagom is applied collectively, the prospect of her novel In Every Mirror She’s Black making it to the screen, and what’s next for her characters in t...
May 02, 2023•34 min•Season 5Ep. 24
Host Paul O’Mahony is joined by panelists James Savage, Richard Orange, and Becky Waterton as well as our guest this week, author and photographer Lola Akinmade Åkerström. This week's topics: Culture shock These are the worst culture shocks for foreigners coming to Sweden Valborg & May 1st What exactly is Valborg, and where are the best places to celebrate it? Why is May 1st a public holiday in Sweden? Sweden Democrats and the EU migration pact Sweden Democrats threaten to topple government ...
Apr 29, 2023•39 min•Season 5Ep. 23
For our second bonus episode this week’s we’re going to listen to the familiar voice of our Nordic editor Richard Orange and his recent interview with Henry Catalini Smith , chairman of the Unionen trade union club at Spotify. The interview was recorded on the 14th of April, a couple of days after Unionen submitted its request to start negotiations with Spotify over the introduction of a collective bargaining agreement. We’ll hear why Henry Catalini Smith wanted to start a union club, how he tai...
Apr 27, 2023•28 min•Season 5Ep. 22
In this bonus episode of our Sweden in Focus podcast, host Paul O’Mahony and panelists Richard Orange and James Savage are joined by Sen Kanner , union club chairperson at Swedish financial services company Klarna. Tune in as she tells us more about the process of unionizing a workplace in Sweden, how long it can be expected to take, how the tech sector differs from other industries, how much it matters that many tech workers are foreign, and what advice she would give others considering the sam...
Apr 25, 2023•13 min•Season 5Ep. 21
Become a member of The Local __ In the latest episode of our Sweden in Focus podcast, host Paul O’Mahony is joined by panelists James Savage and Richard Orange, as well as our guest this week, Sen Kanner, chairperson of the union club at Klarna. This week Richard tells us about a new TV investigation into alleged large-scale Russian spy activity in the Baltic Sea. Are Russian spy ships planning sabotage of energy infrastructure? We take a look at the spring budget presented this week by finance ...
Apr 22, 2023•41 min•Season 5Ep. 20
