Why Swedes stay home in summer (and it's not for the rain)

Why do many foreigners find dating in Sweden so tough, and what's the approach to take? Hear matchmaker Lemarc Thomas give his views on how to crack the Swedish dating scene. In this bonus episode of our Sweden in Focus podcast, host Paul O’Mahony is briefly joined by panelists James Savage and Becky Waterton, before we listen to an interview with professional matchmaker Lemarc Thomas. The Stockholm-based connector tells us what makes dating in Sweden so different from anything he's experienced before. He also answers questions from readers of The Local on how to proceed in a landscape where many of the usual rules no longer apply. If you'd like to read more about dating in Sweden, make sure to check out these articles:Dating in Sweden: sex, booze and mobile phonesDating in Sweden: Is it really as tough as they say?Dating in Sweden: When is a fika a fika… and when is it a date? Become a member at https://www.thelocal.se/podcasts/podcast-offer?tpcc=padlock. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

14 Feb 202423min

In this week's episode: semla season, better conditions for Ukrainian refugees, why Sweden is closing its NordStream blast probe, freezer malfunction spoils decades of samples at a Swedish university, an alleged Iranian plot to kill Jews in Sweden, anti-Semitism in Sweden, and new details on stop-and-search zones. Host Paul O’Mahony is joined this week by The Local's Becky Waterton and James Savage. We also have interview with Aron Verständig, chair of the Official Council of Swedish Jewish Communities, and ethnologist Jonas Engman, curator at the Nordic Museum. Here are links to some of the stories we discuss:Shrove TuesdaySix sticky facts about Sweden's Fat TuesdayWhy I still don't understand the hype about Sweden's semlorSweden & UkraineSweden to change law so Ukrainians can get personal numbersNord StreamSwedish prosecutor shuts down Nord Stream investigationScience & ResearchDecades of samples destroyed in Swedish uni freezer failureAnti-SemitismIranian intelligence suspected of plot to kill Swedish JewsCrimeSweden's government to bring in stop-and-search zones in March Become a member at https://www.thelocal.se/podcasts/podcast-offer?tpcc=padlock. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

10 Feb 202424min

In this week's episode: tougher rules for Sweden citizenship, French President Emanuel Macron's state visit to Sweden, new work permit system takes effect, and why Sweden needs to do more to promote understanding of indigenous Sami.Host Paul O’Mahony is joined by The Local’s Emma Löfgren and Becky Waterton, and we also have an interview with Charlotta Svonni, who conducts research on indigenous education at Umeå University.Here are links to some of the stories we discuss:CitizenshipEXPLAINED: How to get Swedish citizenship via notificationSweden moves to tighten up requirements for citizenship via notificationCan I apply for Swedish citizenship through ancestry?PoliticsSweden and France to sign nuclear and defence deals during Macron visit‘Vive les clichés!’: Swedish PM mocked for Macron welcomeIN PICS: French President Emmanuel Macron’s state visit to SwedenWhat is ‘pyttipanna’ and why is Sweden serving it up to the French president?Work permitsSwedish Migration Agency launches new system for handling work permitsSami Sweden’s ‘Truth Commission’ delves into painful Sami past‘Irreversible risks’: UN-appointed experts urge Sweden to block mine in Sami landWhy is reindeer herding so important in Sweden?Swedish museum to return Sami remains to village Become a member at https://www.thelocal.se/podcasts/podcast-offer?tpcc=padlock. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

3 Feb 202427min

In this week's episode: Ice bathing, Turkey's parliament votes on Sweden's Nato bid, top Sweden Democrat calls for ban on Islamic symbols, Sweden's complicated relationship with wolves, and how a cyber attack hit Swedish authorities and retailers.Host Paul O’Mahony is joined this week by The Local’s Emma Löfgren and James Savage, and we also have an interview with Shahid Raza, who is Director of RISE Cybersecurity Unit, Research Director at Cybercampus Sweden and Professor of Cybersecurity at Mälardalen University.Here are links to some of the stories we discuss:Ice bathing Ice-swimming in Sweden: Is this the world’s most extreme competition?NatoTurkey’s president signed off on the ratification of Sweden’s Nato application a few hours after we recorded the episode, nullifying some speculation that we opted to leave out. Turkey approves Sweden’s Nato application as Erdogan signs ratificationSwedish Prime Minister ‘won’t negotiate’ with Hungary on Nato bidEXPLAINED: What happens next for Sweden’s Nato application?PoliticsTop Sweden Democrat: No paradigm shift yet in Swedish migrationOpposition calls for Sweden Democrat to resign over Mohammed tweetWolvesWolf caught on camera in StockholmWild boar thrive while Sweden targets ‘mythical’ wolfCyberattackSome Swedish shops start to reopen after hacker attackRussian group behind hacker attack on Swedish authorities and retailers Become a member at https://www.thelocal.se/podcasts/podcast-offer?tpcc=padlock. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

27 Jan 202429min

In this week's episode: why the centre-right has hit a new low in polls, cocaine at the Riskdag, the effects of growing unemployment and falling inflation, why opposition parties failed to depose Sweden's environment minister in a confidence vote, and why public sector workers are fuming over workplace coffee cuts. Here are links to some of the stories we discuss:Politics Cocaine found in toilets of four Swedish parties' parliamentary officesHow did Sweden end up with its zero-tolerance attitude to drugs?EconomySwedish finance minister warns more people will lose their jobsNew figures bring Swedish inflation close to two-percent targetWeatherSweden records coldest temperature of the centuryCoffeeHow to be Swedish – in ten easy stepsWhy coffee was banned in Sweden five timesSwedish word of the day: påtår Become a member at https://www.thelocal.se/podcasts/podcast-offer?tpcc=padlock. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

20 Jan 202432min

This week we discuss: the official end of Christmas, snow-fueled chaos on the E22 motorway, royal abdication speculation, and why politicians and military leaders are warning of the prospect of war in Sweden. Richard Orange stands in as host this week and is joined by regular panelists: Becky Waterton and Emma Löfgren. Here are links to some of the stories we discuss:End of ChristmasWhen does Christmas end in Sweden?Swedish word of the day: julgransplundringSnow chaosUp to 1,000 cars left stranded for hours in southern Sweden snow chaosINTERVIEW: Truck driver freed from Sweden's snow gridlock after 20 hoursRoyalsWill the King of Sweden be the next Nordic royal to abdicate?DefenceTotal Defence: What's your role defending Sweden in the event of a military attack?What should foreigners in Sweden think about when preparing for a war or crisis?Swedish defence analyst: 'We should be worried about war in Sweden''There could be war in Sweden': Civil Defence Minister urges Swedes to actPM Ulf Kristersson: 'If you don't want to defend Sweden – don't be a Swedish citizen'Sweden's opposition leader slams prime minister over 'uniquely divisive' comments Become a member at https://www.thelocal.se/podcasts/podcast-offer?tpcc=padlock. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

13 Jan 202422min

This week we take a look at the stories likely to shape Sweden in 2024, from politics and Nato to minority rights, Eurovision, and the economy. Host Paul O’Mahony is joined for the preview of 2024 by all our regular panelists: James Savage, Becky Waterton, Richard Orange and Emma Löfgren. Here are links to some of the stories we discuss:PoliticsWhat will happen in Swedish politics in 2024?NatoTurkey links Nato ratification of Sweden to F-16 fighter jet saleReader predictions'We're losing the life we built in Sweden': Work permit holders dread uncertain futureEurovisionHotels, tickets and scams: What to know about visiting Malmö for Eurovision 2024Immigrant rightsForeigners in Sweden: How the migration paradigm shift affects our livesEconomyWhat's going to happen to the Swedish economy in 2024? Become a member at https://www.thelocal.se/podcasts/podcast-offer?tpcc=padlock. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

6 Jan 202424min

This week we look back at the biggest news stories in Sweden in 2023, from quran burnings and a heightened terror threat to Nato wrangling, the King's jubilee, and new income requirements for work permit holders.Host Paul O’Mahony is joined for the review of the year by all our regular panelists: James Savage, Becky Waterton, Richard Orange and Emma Löfgren. Here are links to some of the stories we discuss:PoliticsThe 20 events that formed Sweden's political landscape in 2023NatoTurkey links Nato ratification of Sweden to F-16 fighter jet saleTerror threatWhat you need to know about Sweden's terror threatGang violence 'Our kids don't even live long enough to become adults'Salary threshold'We're losing the life we built in Sweden': Work permit holders dread uncertain futureKing's jubileeIN PICTURES: Swedes throng capital for royal jubilee Become a member at https://www.thelocal.se/podcasts/podcast-offer?tpcc=padlock. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

30 Des 202338min