121 episodes

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 The Local

    • News
    • 4.7 • 27 Ratings

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.

    How a Swedish nepotism scandal highlights poor recruitment practices

    How a Swedish nepotism scandal highlights poor recruitment practices

    Sign up now for Membership+ and get early, ad-free access to a full-length episode of the Sweden in Focus podcast every weekend, as well as Sweden in Focus Extra every Wednesday.
    Please visit the link that applies to you and get a 40% discount on Membership+
    For signed-in members: Upgrade to Membership+For new members: Get Membership+ Read more about Membership+ in our help centre.
    Already have Membership+ but not receiving all the episodes? Go to the podcast tab on your account page to activate your subscription. 
    ___
    This week: how Sweden voted on new gender law, horrific murder in Stockholm suburb, former Moderate Party leader faces nepotism allegations over jobs for friends.
    Host Paul O’Mahony is joined this week by The Local's Becky Waterton and Richard Orange. 
    Here are links to some of the topics discussed in the episode:
    PoliticsSweden votes 'yes' to lowering age for legal gender changeHow Sweden's legal gender bill has split the government ARCHIVE: Where did it all go wrong for ousted party leader Anna Kinberg Batra?CrimeStockholm shooting victim 'completely innocent' say distraught family  Become a member at https://www.thelocal.se/podcasts/podcast-offer?tpcc=padlock.



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

    • 17 min
    50 years of Abba, children’s residence permit row, Sweden regressing on rule of law

    50 years of Abba, children’s residence permit row, Sweden regressing on rule of law

    Sign up now for Membership+ and get early, ad-free access to a full-length episode of the Sweden in Focus podcast every weekend, as well as Sweden in Focus Extra every Wednesday.
    Please visit the link that applies to you and get a 40% discount on Membership+
    For signed-in members: Upgrade to Membership+For new members: Get Membership+ Read more about Membership+ in our help centre.
    Already have Membership+ but not receiving all the episodes? Go to the podcast tab on your account page to activate your subscription. 
    ___
    This week: Child residency permit row, Sweden regressing on rule of law, and 50 years since Abba's Waterloo win. 
    Host Paul O’Mahony is joined this week by The Local's James Savage and Richard Orange. 
    As mentioned in the episode we will be recording the podcast in front of a live audience on April 24th at the offices of Stockholm Business Region as part of the Talent Talks event being held there that day.
    You can sign up here if you'd like to attend. 
    Here are links to some of the topics discussed in the episode:
    Residency permitsBoy who went viral raising 5 million for charity gets Swedish residence permitMusicHow ABBA paved the way for Swedish pop 50 years agoPoliticsARCHIVE: 'Civil rights groups in Sweden can fight this government's repressive proposals'

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



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

    • 21 min
    Gender law splits government and will there be a Swedish pope?

    Gender law splits government and will there be a Swedish pope?

    Sign up now for Membership+ and get early, ad-free access to a full-length episode of the Sweden in Focus podcast every weekend, as well as Sweden in Focus Extra every Wednesday.
    Please visit the link that applies to you and get a 40% discount on Membership+
    For signed-in members: Upgrade to Membership+For new members: Get Membership+ Read more about Membership+ and how to get access to all episodes in our help centre.
    __
    In this week's episode: Snow chaos on Sweden's roads, April Fools' traditions, government divided on new gender law, and will there be a Swedish pope?
    Host Paul O’Mahony is joined this week by The Local's James Savage and Richard Orange. 
    Here are links to some of the topics discussed in the episode:
    Weather'Are they on Easter holiday?': Swedish government under fire after snow chaosSnow chaos on Swedish E4 road 'worst since 1995'April Fools' DayApril Fools' is back: here are nine of this year's best jokes in SwedenReligion Swedish bishop named as possible next popeGender Law EXPLAINED: How Sweden’s legal gender bill has split the government  Become a member at https://www.thelocal.se/podcasts/podcast-offer?tpcc=padlock.



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

    • 20 min
    How happy are Swedes?

    How happy are Swedes?

    Sign up now for Membership+ and get early, ad-free access to a full-length episode of the Sweden in Focus podcast every weekend, as well as Sweden in Focus Extra every Wednesday.
    Please visit the link that applies to you and get a 40% discount on Membership+
    For signed-in members: Upgrade to Membership+For new members: Get Membership+ Read more about Membership+ in our help centre
    __
    In this week's episode: Easter opening hours, news quiz, World Happiness Report. 
    Host Paul O’Mahony is joined this week by The Local's Becky Waterton and Emma Löfgren. 
    Here are links to some of the topics discussed in the episode:
    EasterWitches and herring: Seven traditions that reveal it's Easter in SwedenSeven must-have dishes for a very Swedish Easter celebrationQuality of lifeHow happy are people in Sweden compared to the rest of the world?
    Become a member at https://www.thelocal.se/podcasts/podcast-offer?tpcc=padlock.



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

    • 15 min
    Waffle Day, terror arrests, Christian Democrats and Sweden Democrats in war of words

    Waffle Day, terror arrests, Christian Democrats and Sweden Democrats in war of words

    Sign up now for Membership+ and get early, ad-free access to a full-length episode of the Sweden in Focus podcast every weekend, as well as Sweden in Focus Extra every Wednesday.
    Please visit the link that applies to you and get a 40% discount on Membership+
    For signed-in members: Upgrade to Membership+For new members: Get Membership+ Read more about Membership+ in our help centre
    __
    In this week's episode: Waffle Day, foiled plot to attack Sweden's parliament, Busch and Åkesson trade insults. 
    Host Paul O’Mahony is joined this week by The Local’s Becky Waterton and Emma Löfgren. 
    Here are links to some of the topics discussed in the episode:
    Waffle Day 
    How March 25th became Sweden’s national Waffle Day, thanks to mispronunciationRecipe: How to make traditional Swedish waffles on Waffle DayTerror plot
    Two men held in Germany over Swedish parliament terror plotPolitics
    ARCHIVE: Sweden Democrats admit Nazi roots in new ‘white book’
    Become a member at https://www.thelocal.se/podcasts/podcast-offer?tpcc=padlock.



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

    • 16 min
    New migration numbers and why a Swedish kids' magazine ignores prudish parents

    New migration numbers and why a Swedish kids' magazine ignores prudish parents

    This week: New migration stats and a uniquely Swedish kids' magazine. 
    Host Paul O’Mahony is joined by The Local's Becky Waterton and Richard Orange, and we also chat to the editor of KP, Lukas Björkman, about the children's magazine's enduringly popularity in a digital age and how to stay relevant by listening to children and ignoring parents. 
    Here are links to some of the topics discussed in the episode:
    MigrationForeigners in Sweden: How the migration paradigm shift affects our livesWhat's the current status of Sweden's planned migration laws? 
    Become a member at https://www.thelocal.se/podcasts/podcast-offer?tpcc=padlock.



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

    • 14 min

Customer Reviews

4.7 out of 5
27 Ratings

27 Ratings

Lyagard101 ,

Thank you for making this podcast!!

I look forward to listening to this every week. Learn so much about Sweden I would have never figured out. I love the nitty gritty on the new immigration rules. I love learning cultural history. My Swedish partner also learns new things about Sweden! One thing I would like to see more of is how to get more involved in life in Sweden. For example how to join a climate group, how to join a political party, it feels difficult to know how to get involved sometimes. Thanks!

rmrigomartinez ,

Great, educational podcast.

American living in Sweden - this podcast is a godsend for keeping up with the day to day events and getting a feel for the cultural ebbs and flows.

The economic and immigration coverage is great - don’t take the foot off the gas! :-)

vango91 ,

So informative for non-Swedes!

My daughter moved to Sweden from the US for work so I love listening to this podcast to stay up-to-date on news and to learn more about Swedish culture. Thanks for providing this podcast!

Top Podcasts In News

The Daily
The New York Times
Serial
Serial Productions & The New York Times
Up First
NPR
The Tucker Carlson Podcast
Tucker Carlson Network
Prosecuting Donald Trump
MSNBC
The Megyn Kelly Show
SiriusXM

You Might Also Like

Simple Swedish Podcast
Swedish Linguist
Swedish podcast for beginners (Lätt svenska med Oskar)
Oskar Nyström
Livet på lätt svenska
Sara Lövestam och Isabelle Stromberg
Stockholm is a State of Minds
Stockholm Dual Career Network
Inside Europe
DW.COM | Deutsche Welle
Coffee Break Swedish
Coffee Break Languages