Sweden in Focus

Sweden in Focus

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Sweden in Focus episodes

  • How Sweden’s flat hierarchies work (and attitudes to alcohol)

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    In the latest episode of our Sweden in Focus podcast, host Paul O’Mahony is joined by The Local's Becky Waterton and Richard Orange as well as David Crouch, author of Almost Perfect and a regular contributor to The Local. We also have an interview with Pernilla Petrelius Karlberg, a lecturer at the Stockholm School of Economics, about the Swedish management style. 


    We also discuss: 


    • Turkey's continued resistance to Swedish Nato membership
    • Swedish attitudes to alcohol
    • Swedish newspapers and how they work


    For our main topic this week we look at Sweden's flat hierarchies and collaborative management style. What is it, and does it work? 


    Please leave a rating or review wherever you listen to the podcast as it helps ensure that more people discover it. 


    And don’t forget to hit the follow button (or + sign) on Apple or tap the notification bell on Spotify to ensure you get a reminder whenever we publish a new episode.

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

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

    36 min
  • End of an era: What's next for Sweden after Nato application?

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    In the latest episode of our Sweden in Focus podcast, host Paul O’Mahony is joined by The Local’s James Savage, Becky Waterton and Richard Orange. We also have an interview with Annika Bergman Rosamund, associate professor in political science and international relations at Lund University, about Sweden's history of neutrality. 


    In the week that Sweden submitted its application to Nato we also discuss: 


    • Turkey says no
    • Russia's reaction
    • Nordic unity
    • Baltic defence
    • Cyberattacks
    • The Swedish-Finnish relationship


    For our main topic this week we look at how joining Nato marks the end of era for Sweden now that the country has decided to end its 200-year history of military non-alignment. 


    Please leave a rating or review wherever you listen to the podcast as it helps ensure that more people discover it. 


    And don’t forget to hit the follow button (or + sign) on Apple or tap the notification bell on Spotify to ensure you get a reminder whenever we publish a new episode.

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

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

    31 min
  • Why is Sweden getting tougher on immigration?

    SURVEY: Share your feedback on Sweden in Focus


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    In the latest episode of our Sweden in Focus podcast, host Paul O’Mahony is joined by The Local’s James Savage, Becky Waterton and Richard Orange. We also have an interview with Tove Hovemyr, a public policy expert at the liberal Fores think thank, about attitudes to immigration over the past three decade and the direction Sweden is likely to take after this year's election. 


    In this edition we also discuss: 


    • Why Boris Johnson visited Sweden and the implications of a Nato application
    • How a costly mistranslation highlights failed integration
    • Why is Eurovision so popular in Sweden?


    For our main topic this week we look at why Sweden is getting tougher on immigration. We discuss how Sweden has moved to tighten asylum immigration and is also eyeing changes to its labour migration rules that would mean fewer people can come to Sweden to work. On a brighter note, we look at how new work permit rules could spell good news for many.


    We also talk about how the Centre Party's Annie Lööf is the last leader among the former centre-right coalition parties who still rejects cooperation with the Sweden Democrats and what that means for her electoral chances. 


    Please leave a rating or review wherever you listen to the podcast as it helps ensure that more people discover it. 


    And don’t forget to hit the follow button (or + sign) on Apple or tap the notification bell on Spotify to ensure you get a reminder whenever we publish a new episode.


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

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

    31 min
  • What is Sweden doing to combat Russian propaganda?

    In the latest episode of our Sweden in Focus podcast, host Paul O’Mahony is joined by The Local’s James Savage, Becky Waterton and Richard Orange. We also have an interview with James Pamment from Lund University about how Sweden tackles Russian propaganda.  


    In this edition we also discuss: 


    • A word of the day to welcome spring
    • All the latest Nato updates
    • Are housing prices in Sweden set to plummet?


    For our main topic this week we look at what Sweden is doing to combat Russian disinformation in the wake of a poster campaign in Moscow this week that sparked strong reactions in Sweden. 


    We discuss how how much of a challenge it is for the media to report on influence campaigns like this without amplifying the Kremlin’s message out of proportion. We also take a closer look at two of the iconic Swedes named in the campaign, children's book author Astrid Lindgren and film director Ingmar Bergman.


    Please leave a rating or review wherever you listen to the podcast as it helps ensure that more people discover it. 


    And don’t forget to hit the follow button (or + sign) on Apple or tap the notification bell on Spotify to ensure you get a reminder whenever we publish a new episode.


    We are also asking listeners to help us improve Sweden in Focus by taking this quick survey. Please take a couple of minutes to answers the questions if you can.

     

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

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

    38 min
  • How will the global energy crisis affect life in Sweden?

    In the latest episode of our Sweden in Focus podcast, host Paul O’Mahony is joined byThe Local’s James Savage, Becky Waterton and Richard Orange. We also have an interview with the Green Party co-leader Märta Stenevi. 


    In this edition we discuss: 

    • Christian Democrat leader Ebba Busch’s controversial comments calling for police to open fire on rioters. 
    • Is a Swedish Nato application just weeks away?
    • What do Swedes find annoying about their own language?


    For our main topic this week we look at how Sweden is affected by the ongoing global energy crisis. 


    We examine: what energy sources Sweden currently uses and how the mix is likely to change in the longer term; what important new technologies are in the pipeline, including major projects in northern Sweden; how reliant Sweden is on Russian oil and gas imports; and what we as consumers can do to reduce our energy bills. 


    You can listen to the episode HERE. Please leave a rating or review wherever you listen to the podcast as it helps ensure that more people discover it. 


    And don’t forget to hit the follow button (or + sign) on Apple or tap the notification bell on Spotify to ensure you get a reminder whenever we publish a new episode.


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

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

    36 min
  • Why Sweden experienced its worst riots in decades

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


    In this edition we discuss: 


    • Will the government manage to pass its hotly contested spring budget?
    • Sweden’s highest circulation newspaper backs Nato membership 
    • Will a new work permit law prevent talent deportations?


    But our main focus this week is on the riots that took place in several Swedish cities over the Easter weekend. What caused them? Just how bad were they? Should a far-right extremist be allowed to stage Koran-burning protests? And what can be done to ensure Muslims as a group aren’t scapegoated for the actions of a small minority?  


    Please leave a rating or review wherever you listen to the podcast as it helps ensure that more people discover it. Thank you! 


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

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

    27 min
  • Next stop Nato, healthcare tips, and are the Liberals doomed?

    In the latest episode of our Sweden in Focus podcast, host Paul O’Mahony is joined by Gunilla Herolf, a Nato expert at the Swedish Institute of International Affair, as well as The Local’s James Savage and Richard Orange. 


    In this edition we look at why Nyamko Sabuni quit as leader of the Liberals and how a change in leadership is likely to affect the outcome of the Swedish election this September.


    With Nato membership looking increasingly likely for Sweden, we get expert analysis from Gunilla Herolf on what this will mean for a country that has long cherished its policy of military non-alignment. 


    Finally, we shine a light on Sweden’s healthcare guarantee and how you can ensure you get the medical help you’re entitled to. 

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

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

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

    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.

    36 min
  • 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 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.

    34 min
  • Arming Ukraine, rising Swedish prices, and ‘talent deportations’

    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.

    31 min

About Sweden in Focus

From the publisher's feed

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 James Savage chats about the most important news and must-know information with The Local Sweden’s Emma Löfgren, Richard Orange and Mandy Pipher. They are frequently joined by other expert commentators.

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