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The Local

Sweden in Focus is The Local’s weekly podcast where we discuss the big news and talking points in Sweden as well as explore and explain the issues that impact life in the country. We also answer your essential questions and look ahead at what’s coming up.

In each episode presenter Paul O’Mahony chats about the most important news and must-know information with The Local Sweden’s James Savage, Emma Löfgren, Richard Orange and Becky Waterton. They are frequently joined by other expert commentators.
 

Become a member at https://www.thelocal.se/podcasts/podcast-offer?tpcc=padlock.

 Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Sweden in Focus

Welcome to Sweden in Focus. A weekly, behind-the-scenes look at the biggest news stories in Sweden with the journalists who know them best.

Every Saturday with The Local Sweden.

Launching June 12th.
 
Become a member at https://www.thelocal.se/podcasts/podcast-offer?tpcc=padlock.

 Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Introducing - Sweden in Focus

This week we talk about the fall of the liberal party, analyze the complicated politics of Sweden's forests, explain the current state of Covid travel restrictions, and unearth the origins of a famous football chant in Gothenburg.

Sweden in Focus is hosted by radio journalist Tom Henley, and he’s joined today by The Local’s CEO and publisher James Savage, The Local Sweden’s editor Emma Löfgren, our Europe Editor Catherine Edwards and journalist Chiara Milford.

The Local’s Sweden in Focus podcast is sponsored by Akademikernas A-kassa.

Help support independent journalism by becoming a member of The Local today. Start your membership here.
 
Become a member at https://www.thelocal.se/podcasts/podcast-offer?tpcc=padlock.

 Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Shrinking liberals, travel travails and the politics of timber - Sweden in Focus

In this week’s episode of our new podcast Sweden in Focus, The Local’s CEO and publisher James Savage and The Local Sweden’s editor Emma Löfgren discuss and explain the political crisis that could bring Sweden’s government down on Monday and spark a snap election.

Also in today’s episode: The Local’s Europe Editor Catherine Edwards presents the results of our reader survey on Sweden’s Covid-19 reopening plan, and we ask freelance journalist Richard Orange to defend one of the most controversial articles he’s ever written for The Local (do Swedes really eat their food cold?).

The Local’s Sweden in Focus podcast is sponsored by Akademikernas A-kassa.

Help support independent journalism by becoming a member of The Local today. Start your membership here.

Sweden in Focus is hosted by radio journalist Tom Henley and made in collaboration with production company Banda.
 
Become a member at https://www.thelocal.se/podcasts/podcast-offer?tpcc=padlock.

 Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Political crisis, reopening plans and a much argued over Swedish habit

In this week’s episode of our new podcast Sweden in Focus, The Local’s CEO and publisher James Savage discusses the divide between the Left and Centre Party on which the current government future hinges, while Europe Editor Catherine Edwards digs into how Sweden’s rent controls work and why they sparked a political crisis.

Also in today’s episode: Journalist Richard Orange shares his own experience of Sweden’s shared parental leave and presents the results of our reader poll on the subject, and journalist Isabella Anderson enlightens us all on the history of snaps. And one member of the team gives a rendition of their favourite Swedish drinking song…

The Local’s Sweden in Focus podcast is sponsored by Akademikernas A-kassa.

Help support independent journalism by becoming a member of The Local today. Start your membership here.

Sweden in Focus is hosted by radio journalist Tom Henley and made in collaboration with production company Banda.
 
Become a member at https://www.thelocal.se/podcasts/podcast-offer?tpcc=padlock.

 Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

The Left Party and Centre Party divide, rent control and why snaps?

In the latest episode of our Sweden in Focus podcast, The Local’s Europe Editor Catherine Edwards, The Local Sweden’s Editor Emma Löfgren and freelance journalist Isabella Anderson discuss Sweden’s new migration law and how it will affect residence permit-holders when it comes into force next week.

We also give listeners an update on the current coronavirus situation in Sweden, and reveal the results of our latest poll: Have The Local’s readers adopted the Swedish philosophy of four-week summer holidays, or do you prefer to save your holidays to get away in winter?

Dutch freelance journalist Anne Grietje Franssen also joins us from her home in the Gothenburg archipelago, to talk about Swedish friluftsliv and life on an island.

Sweden in Focus is hosted by radio journalist Tom Henley and made in collaboration with production company Banda.

Let us know what you think in the comments below, or tweet us using the hashtag #SwedeninFocus.

The Local’s Sweden in Focus podcast is sponsored by Akademikernas A-kassa.
 
Become a member at https://www.thelocal.se/podcasts/podcast-offer?tpcc=padlock.

 Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

New migration laws, a Covid recap and life in the Gothenburg archipelago

In the first episode of the second season of our Sweden in Focus podcast, host Paul O'Mahony is joined by The Local’s James Savage, Becky Waterton and Richard Orange. 

 

In the wake of Russia’s invasion of Ukraine, we discuss how Sweden is adapting to a new security situation in Europe. 

 

We reveal the results of our reader poll on whether Sweden should join Nato. And what about the EU's mutual defence clause? Is it a paper tiger or a concrete promise? And is Sweden's Cold War total defence strategy making a comeback?

 

We also ask Karina Shyrokykh of Nordic Ukraine Forum what people in Sweden can do to help Ukrainians.

Let us know what you think by emailing news@thelocal.se, or tweet us using the hashtag #SwedeninFocus.
 
Become a member at https://www.thelocal.se/podcasts/podcast-offer?tpcc=padlock.

 Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

The Nato dilemma, what Sweden expects of us in a crisis, and how you can help Ukraine

In the latest episode of our Sweden in Focus podcast, host Paul O’Mahony is joined by lecturer and author David Crouch as well as The Local’s Becky Waterton, Richard Orange and James Savage. 

In this episode we discuss how prepared Sweden is to help people fleeing the war in Ukraine. 

We also examine the results of our listener poll about Swedish for Immigrants classes, and we get tips on learning Swedish from our guests. 

Finally, we talk to David Crouch about his article this week asking if there is such a thing as a typical Swede. 

You can listen to the episode HERE. Let us know what you think in the comments below, or tweet us using the hashtag #SwedeninFocus.
 
Become a member at https://www.thelocal.se/podcasts/podcast-offer?tpcc=padlock.

 Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Ukrainian refugees, Swedish for Immigrants classes, and does the typical Swede exist?

In the latest episode of The Local's Sweden in Focus podcast, host Paul O’Mahony is joined by The Local’s Becky Waterton, Richard Orange and James Savage. 

In this episode we hear from Ukrainian refugees in Malmö, check in on Sweden's Nato debate, and we examine Sweden's plans to send more weapons to help repel the Russian invasion. 

We also reveal the results of a listener poll on Sweden's rising cost of living and discuss how it's affecting people and what the government is doing to dampen the impact. 

And we dig into the findings of a survey suggesting that the most important issues for readers of The Local are healthcare, education, and immigration. Finally, we focus a little bit extra on the enduring problem of people being deported as a result of their employers' administrative errors. 
 
Become a member at https://www.thelocal.se/podcasts/podcast-offer?tpcc=padlock.

 Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Arming Ukraine, rising Swedish prices, and ‘talent deportations’

In the latest episode of our Sweden in Focus podcast, host Paul O’Mahony is joined Indian dancer and project manager Aradhana Varma and The Local’s Becky Waterton, Richard Orange and James Savage.

In this edition our guest Aradhana tells us about her dance group IndiskFika's television adventures as well as what it was like moving from India to Sweden and the cultural differences that took some getting used to. 

We also discuss the Swedish government's decision to press ahead with plans for an iron ore mine on Sami lands in northern Sweden and the historical background that makes the move so controversial. 

And we reveal the results of a poll in which we asked if listeners had experienced people finding creative ways to sidestep the queues in Sweden for services like healthcare, housing and education. 
 
Become a member at https://www.thelocal.se/podcasts/podcast-offer?tpcc=padlock.

 Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Beat the Swedish system, IndiskFika, and trouble over mines

In the latest episode of our Sweden in Focus podcast, host Paul O’Mahony is joined by Swedish teacher and book publisher Sofi Tegsveden Deveaux, as well as The Local's James Savage and Richard Orange. 

In this edition we get to grips with why Sweden has so many bomb shelters, where you can find them, and what state they're in.

We also look at the results of our poll on how easy or hard it is to learn Swedish and we get some really excellent tips from our guest Sofi on the most important things to bear in mind if you want to master the lingo. 

Last but not least, we discuss a Swedish Easter tradition so unusual that none of us had even heard of it until our intrepid reporter Becky Waterton started doing some paschal digging. 

 
 
Become a member at https://www.thelocal.se/podcasts/podcast-offer?tpcc=padlock.

 Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

65,000 bomb shelters, a Swedish teacher's tips, and Easter insults

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 discuss this week:

Mushrooms

How to pick mushrooms in Sweden like you've been doing it all your life
Kebnekaise

How I tamed Sweden's highest peak
Budget

How will the 2024 budget affect foreigners in Sweden?How Sweden's 2024 budget could affect your financesSweden's emissions to rise as budget relaxes green targets to fight inflation
Gang wars

Timeline: Seven fatal shootings in ten days in SwedenSwedish police chief warns of 'unprecedented' wave of gang killings

 
Become a member at https://www.thelocal.se/podcasts/podcast-offer?tpcc=padlock.

 Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

How will the budget affect you, and why is Sweden's gang violence escalating?

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