by The Local
<p>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.</p><p>In each episode presenter <strong>Paul O’Mahony</strong> chats about the most important news and must-know information with The Local Sweden’s <strong>James Savage</strong>, <strong>Emma Löfgren</strong>, <strong>Richard Orange</strong> and <strong>Becky Waterton</strong>. They are frequently joined by other expert commentators.</p> <p>Become a member at <a target="_blank" rel="payment" href="https://www.thelocal.se/podcasts/podcast-offer?tpcc=padlock">https://www.thelocal.se/podcasts/podcast-offer?tpcc=padlock</a>.</p> <hr><p style='color:grey; font-size:0.75em;'> Hosted on Acast. See <a style='color:grey;' target='_blank' rel='noopener noreferrer' href='https://acast.com/privacy'>acast.com/privacy</a> for more information.</p>
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Publishing Since
6/9/2021
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April 18, 2025
<p>In this week's episode we talk about why Sweden celebrates on the eve of holidays rather than the day itself, and we look at what you need to know about Sweden’s new spring budget.</p><p>For Membership+ subscribers we give you background on the proposed new leader of the Centre Party and what her nomination means for Sweden’s complicated political arithmetic.</p><p>And finally we’ll examine efforts underway by a couple of Swedish municipalities to attract American academics who might be eager to leave the United States amid funding cuts and worries about academic freedom.</p><p>Host <strong>Paul O'Mahony</strong> is joined this week by regular panelists <strong>Emma Löfgren</strong> and <strong>Becky Waterton. </strong></p><p>Here are links to some of the topics discussed in the episode:</p><h2>Easter</h2><ul><li><a href="https://www.thelocal.se/20160326/six-super-swedish-family-easter-traditions?tpcc=podcast-article" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank"><strong>Witches and herring: Seven traditions that reveal it's Easter in Sweden</strong></a></li><li><a href="https://www.thelocal.se/20240325/why-do-swedes-celebrate-holidays-a-day-early?tpcc=podcast-article" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank"><strong>Why do Swedes celebrate holidays a day early?</strong></a></li><li><a href="https://www.thelocal.se/20250228/sign-up-for-the-locals-swedish-fika-calendar?tpcc=podcast-article" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank"><strong>Sign up for The Local's Swedish Fika Calendar</strong></a></li></ul><h2>Money</h2><ul><li><a href="https://www.thelocal.se/20250414/what-do-we-know-about-swedens-2025-spring-budget-so-far?tpcc=podcast-article" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank"><strong>What do we know about Sweden's 2025 spring budget?</strong></a></li><li><a href="https://www.thelocal.se/20250415/sweden-was-on-the-road-to-economic-recovery-then-trump-happened?tpcc=podcast-article" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank"><strong>Sweden was on the road to economic recovery – then Trump happened</strong></a></li></ul><h2>Get Membership+ to listen to all The Local's podcasts</h2><p>Sign up now 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.</p><p>Please visit the link that applies to you and get a 40% discount on Membership+</p><ul><li><strong>For signed-in members: </strong><a href="https://www.thelocal.se/members/podcasts?tpcc=show-notes" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank"><strong>Upgrade to Membership+</strong></a></li><li><strong>For new members:</strong> <a href="https://www.thelocal.se/podcasts/podcast-offer?tpcc=show-notes" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank"><strong>Get Membership+ </strong></a></li></ul><p>Read more about Membership+ in our <a href="https://thelocalhelp.zendesk.com/hc/en-us/articles/16441205771805-What-is-The-Local-Membership" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">help centre</a>.</p><ul><li>Already have Membership+ but not receiving all the episodes? Go to the podcast tab on your account page to activate your subscription. </li></ul> <p>Become a member at <a target="_blank" rel="payment" href="https://www.thelocal.se/podcasts/podcast-offer?tpcc=padlock">https://www.thelocal.se/podcasts/podcast-offer?tpcc=padlock</a>.</p> <hr><p style='color:grey; font-size:0.75em;'> Hosted on Acast. See <a style='color:grey;' target='_blank' rel='noopener noreferrer' href='https://acast.com/privacy'>acast.com/privacy</a> for more information.</p>
April 12, 2025
<p>In this week's episode we talk about about a rush to buy coffee amid rocketing prices and we hear from an expert on Sweden's coffee culture, <strong>Henrik Scander</strong>.</p><p>We also examine the political fallout after an official inquiry recommended stricter regulation of Sweden’s much-debated free schools.</p><p>For Membership+ subscribers we look at efforts to stop motorists running over frogs and we discuss differences between how animal noises are described in English and Swedish.</p><p>We also dig into calls by the opposition Social Democrats to extend the current three-month time limit given to work permit holders to land a new job when they find themselves out of work. </p><p>And finally we have the latest on Sweden’s moves to make it impossible for asylum seekers to get permanent residency.</p><p>Host <strong>Paul O'Mahony</strong> is joined this week by regular panelists <strong>Richard Orange</strong> and <strong>Becky Waterton. </strong></p><p>Here are links to some of the topics discussed in the episode:</p><h2>Podcast awards </h2><ul><li><a href="https://www.thelocal.se/20250408/the-locals-sweden-in-focus-podcast-shortlisted-for-award?tpcc=podcast-article" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank"><strong>The Local's Sweden in Focus podcast shortlisted for award</strong></a></li></ul><h2>Cost of living </h2><ul><li><a href="https://www.thelocal.se/20250408/today-in-sweden-a-roundup-of-the-latest-news-on-tuesday-192?tpcc=podcast-article" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank"><strong>Coffee prices hit record high in Sweden</strong></a></li><li><a href="https://www.thelocal.se/20250403/whats-the-history-behind-swedens-regional-coffee-varieties?tpcc=podcast-article" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank"><strong>What's the history behind Sweden's regional coffee varieties?</strong></a></li><li><a href="https://www.thelocal.se/20250228/sign-up-for-the-locals-swedish-fika-calendar?tpcc=podcast-article" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank"><strong>Sign up for The Local's Swedish Fika Calendar</strong></a></li></ul><h2>Schools </h2><ul><li><a href="https://www.thelocal.se/20250410/how-far-reaching-are-the-governments-proposals-to-reform-free-schools?tpcc=podcast-article" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank"><strong>How far-reaching are the government's proposals to reform free schools?</strong></a></li><li><a href="https://www.thelocal.se/20250408/will-swedens-new-free-school-inquiry-disarm-the-issue-before-the-election?tpcc=podcast-article" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank"><strong>Why free school profit curbs could matter for Sweden’s next election</strong></a></li></ul><h2>Get Membership+ to listen to all The Local's podcasts</h2><p>Sign up now 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.</p><p>Please visit the link that applies to you and get a 40% discount on Membership+</p><ul><li><strong>For signed-in members: </strong><a href="https://www.thelocal.se/members/podcasts?tpcc=show-notes" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank"><strong>Upgrade to Membership+</strong></a></li><li><strong>For new members:</strong> <a href="https://www.thelocal.se/podcasts/podcast-offer?tpcc=show-notes" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank"><strong>Get Membership+ </strong></a></li></ul><p>Read more about Membership+ in our <a href="https://thelocalhelp.zendesk.com/hc/en-us/articles/16441205771805-What-is-The-Local-Membership" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">help centre</a>.</p><p>Already have Membership+ but not receiving all the episodes? Go to the podcast tab on your account page to activate your subscription. </p> <p>Become a member at <a target="_blank" rel="payment" href="https://www.thelocal.se/podcasts/podcast-offer?tpcc=padlock">https://www.thelocal.se/podcasts/podcast-offer?tpcc=padlock</a>.</p> <hr><p style='color:grey; font-size:0.75em;'> Hosted on Acast. See <a style='color:grey;' target='_blank' rel='noopener noreferrer' href='https://acast.com/privacy'>acast.com/privacy</a> for more information.</p>
April 5, 2025
<p>In this week's episode we talk about the government’s push to eject more immigrants for bad behaviour, and we have an interview with migration minister <strong>Johan Forssell</strong> on attracting and retaining highly skilled workers.</p><p>We also hear from <strong>Américo Fernández</strong>, an SEB economist and personal finance expert, on how foreigners in Sweden can navigate difficult times in the Swedish economy.</p><p>Host <strong>Paul O'Mahony</strong> is joined this week by regular panelists <strong>Richard Orange</strong> and <strong>Becky Waterton. </strong></p><p>Here are links to some of the topics discussed in the episode:</p><h2>Immigration </h2><ul><li><a href="https://www.thelocal.se/20250401/whats-in-swedens-new-poor-conduct-proposal-for-residence-permits?tpcc=podcast-article" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank"><strong>What's in Sweden's new 'poor conduct' proposal for residence permits?</strong></a></li><li><a href="https://www.thelocal.se/20250401/sweden-set-to-make-poor-conduct-ground-for-revoking-residence-permits?tpcc=podcast-article" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank"><strong>Sweden set to make 'poor conduct' ground for revoking residence permits</strong></a></li><li><a href="https://www.thelocal.se/20250326/opinion-swedish-media-must-get-better-at-covering-immigrant-perspectives?tpcc=podcast-article" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank"><strong>OPINION: Swedish media must get better at covering immigrant perspectives</strong></a></li><li><a href="https://www.thelocal.se/20250328/a-trust-breaker-foreign-tech-workers-campaign-against-new-swedish-citizenship-law?tpcc=podcast-article" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank"><strong>'A trust breaker': Foreign tech workers campaign against new Swedish citizenship law</strong></a></li><li><a href="https://www.thelocal.se/20250403/we-are-working-intensively-to-attract-more-high-skilled-workers-to-sweden?tpcc=podcast-article" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank"><strong>INTERVIEW: 'We are working intensively to attract more high-skilled workers to Sweden'</strong></a></li></ul><h2>Cost of Living</h2><ul><li><a href="https://www.thelocal.se/20250404/whats-on-the-horizon-for-the-swedish-economy-and-how-will-that-affect-internationals?tpcc=podcast-article" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank"><strong>What's on the horizon for the Swedish economy and how will that affect internationals?</strong></a></li><li><a href="https://www.thelocal.se/20250401/why-the-pay-rise-negotiated-by-swedens-industrial-unions-matter?tpcc=podcast-article" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank"><strong>Why the pay rise negotiated by Sweden's industrial unions matters</strong></a></li></ul><h2>Get Membership+ to listen to all The Local's podcasts</h2><p>Sign up now 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.</p><p>Please visit the link that applies to you and get a 40% discount on Membership+</p><ul><li><strong>For signed-in members: </strong><a href="https://www.thelocal.se/members/podcasts?tpcc=show-notes" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank"><strong>Upgrade to Membership+</strong></a></li><li><strong>For new members:</strong> <a href="https://www.thelocal.se/podcasts/podcast-offer?tpcc=show-notes" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank"><strong>Get Membership+ </strong></a></li></ul><p>Read more about Membership+ in our <a href="https://thelocalhelp.zendesk.com/hc/en-us/articles/16441205771805-What-is-The-Local-Membership" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">help centre</a>.</p><p>Already have Membership+ but not receiving all the episodes? Go to the podcast tab on your account page to activate your subscription. </p> <p>Become a member at <a target="_blank" rel="payment" href="https://www.thelocal.se/podcasts/podcast-offer?tpcc=padlock">https://www.thelocal.se/podcasts/podcast-offer?tpcc=padlock</a>.</p> <hr><p style='color:grey; font-size:0.75em;'> Hosted on Acast. See <a style='color:grey;' target='_blank' rel='noopener noreferrer' href='https://acast.com/privacy'>acast.com/privacy</a> for more information.</p>
Swedish Linguist
Oskar Nyström
Sara Lövestam och Isabelle Stromberg
Stockholm Dual Career Network
BBC World Service
The Guardian
Sveriges Radio
The Guardian
BBC World Service
The Guardian
The Guardian
ECFR
Aftonbladet
BBC World Service
Financial Times
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