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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

In this week's episode, panelists Becky Waterton and Richard Orange tell us how they've recently embellished their Swedish credentials through woodland activities and crayfish parties. 

In news, we look at how the government is planning to combat high food prices as well as what property prices and the value of the krona are telling us about the state of Sweden’s economy.

We also dive into the new Swedish cultural canon that was presented this week and we hear what people are saying about a list spanning everything from Ikea to Pippi Longstocking.

Here are links to some of the topics discussed in the episode:
EconomyHow much money will Sweden's halving of food VAT save an average family?Swedish apartment prices nearing three-year highSwedish krona reaches strongest level in more than three yearsCultural canonPippi, Ikea and the Nobel prize: Sweden gets its first cultural canonFULL LIST: Everything that's in Sweden's new cultural canonGet Membership+ to listen to all The Local's podcasts
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.

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

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

Is Sweden's new cultural canon helpful for immigrants?

In this clip from Sweden in Focus Extra, host Paul O'Mahony chats with Iain Forbes, a medical professional from the UK who moved to Falun shortly after the 2016 Brexit vote.

In the interview Forbes speaks in glowing terms about the integration package offered to him by the Dalarna Region, which included six months of fully paid language instruction as well as assistance with relocation and housing. 
Get Membership+ 
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.

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+ 

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

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

Moving to Sweden: 'The help I got from Dalarna was mind-blowing'

In this week's episode we talk about the government’s plans for citizenship tests and why universities want nothing to do with creating them. And when does autumn start in Sweden? Have we given up on summer already?

Host Paul O'Mahony is joined this week by regular panelists Becky Waterton and James Savage. 

Here are links to some of the topics discussed in the episode:
CitizenshipStockholm University protests Swedish citizenship test roleSummerInside Sweden: When does summer in Sweden actually end?Get Membership+ to listen to all The Local's podcasts
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.

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

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

Why Swedish universities are refusing to design citizenship tests

In this week's episode we talk about the latest from the trial of Sweden’s former national security chief, Henrik Landerholm, over the negligent handling of classified documents.

We also discuss the language used to describe people who weren’t born in Sweden. Are we immigrants, foreigners, expats or something else entirely?

Host Paul O'Mahony is joined this week by regular panelists Richard Orange and James Savage. Here are links to some of the topics discussed in the episode:

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

CricketCricket in Sweden: how can an immigrant-powered sport attract new players?

KirunaHistoric Swedish church arrives at new home

Get Membership+ to listen to all The Local's podcasts
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.

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

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

So you moved to Sweden. Are you an immigrant, a foreigner or an expat?

In this week's episode we talk about the resurrection of Northvolt and what new ownership will mean for the bankrupt battery maker.

We also ask if the government is likely to do anything to stop the trend of young adults being deported while their working parents are allowed to stay in Sweden.

Host Paul O'Mahony is joined this week by regular panelists Richard Orange and James Savage. 

Here are links to some of the topics discussed in the episode:
NorthvoltKEY POINTS: What do we know about the rescue of Swedish battery company Northvolt?Lyten agrees to buy bankrupt Swedish battery company NorthvoltImmigration Will Sweden’s government act to stop ‘teen deportations’?Why is Sweden's 2021 migration law leading to 'teen deportations'?Get Membership+ to listen to all The Local's podcasts
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.

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

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

Why is Sweden deporting young adult children of permanent residents?

In this week's episode we talk about Sweden’s return to day-to-day life as the summer holidays wind down. In politics we discuss divisions on the right on how to deal with Israel, and we dig into reactions to news that the Prime Minister Ulf Kristersson uses Chat GPT to test out new ideas.

Host Paul O'Mahony is joined this week by regular panelist Richard Orange. 

Here are links to some of the topics discussed in the episode:
Swedish traditions Eight phrases to get back in the groove like a Swede after the summer holidaysWeather MAP: The places in northern Sweden that set new heat records in JulyTourists seeking 'coolcations' in Norway and Sweden hit by heatwaves insteadPoliticsPolitics in Sweden: Swedish right divided over relations with IsraelChristian Democrat leader slammed for claiming Israel 'doing the world a favour'Get Membership+ to listen to all The Local's podcasts
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.

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

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

Why Sweden’s right-wing parties are bickering over call to freeze trade with Israel

In this week's episode we bring in The Local's Denmark editor, Michael Barrett, to talk about why Denmark is liberating its work permit rules at the same time as Sweden is tightening up. And we assess Sweden’s big political experiment: a centre-right government backed by the far-right Sweden Democrats. Three years on, how has it been working?

Host Richard Orange is joined this week by The Local's publisher James Savage and Denmark editor Michael Barrett.

Here are links to some of the topics discussed in the episode:

Work Permits Denmark to ease work permit rules for 16 non-EU countriesSweden raises work permit salary threshold to almost 30,000 kronorPolitics Can Kristersson convince voters to give him another term?

Get Membership+ to listen to all The Local's podcasts
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.

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

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

Why are Sweden and Denmark going different ways on work permits

This week's episode of Sweden in Focus Extra for Membership+ subscribers features an interview with Hanna Geurtsen, the Migration Agency official responsible for overseeing a new list of jobs which could be exempted from a future salary threshold for work permits. She tells us how and why the list was put together, what it consists of, and what practical impact, if any, it is likely to have.

Membership+ subscribers can listen to the interview in the latest episode of Sweden in Focus Extra.

Read also: 

Swedish Migration Agency rates just two jobs as 'high risk' for work permitsREVEALED: The 152 jobs that could be excused minimum salary for a Swedish work permit

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

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

Work permit salary thresholds: Does exempted job list mean anything?

In this week's episode we talk about 'cloudburst-like rain' and what to do if your house is flooded, we talk about why Swedes tend to stay home in the summer, and we talk about what it's like to have a baby in Sweden. 

Floods 
How can you protect your Swedish home against downpours?
Swedish summer 
'On a sunny day, it can't be beat': The best things about spending summer in Sweden
Having babies 
How to use Swedish parental leave to spend four months with your baby back home

What you need to know about giving birth in Sweden

Get Membership+ to listen to all The Local's podcasts
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.

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

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

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

It’s time again to learn some Swedish as our panelists try their hand at the tricky vocabulary section of Högskoleprovet, the Swedish university entrance exam. 

Host Paul O’Mahony in Stockholm is joined this week from Malmö by The Local's Becky Waterton and Richard Orange.

READ ALSO:

SWEDISH TEST: Can you pass the vocab part of Sweden's version of the SAT? What you need to know about applying to university in Sweden The seven stages of learning Swedish every foreigner goes through 

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

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

Is your Swedish good enough for university? – Quiz 11

This week we’re going to turn our attention to the year ahead with some soothsaying on what to expect in politics and the economy in 2025 and we’ll also hear some of The Local’s readers' predictions for the year ahead. 

Host Paul O’Mahony is joined this week by regular panelists Richard Orange and James Savage. 

Here are links to some of the topics discussed in the episode:
ImmigrationHow new Swedish migration rules could affect foreign residents in 2025PoliticsPolitics in Sweden: Energy minister shrugs off heavy criticism of nuclear financing plansWhat's in the Social Democrats' plan to eradicate Sweden's 'vulnerable areas'?EconomyWhat's the outlook for the Swedish labour market in 2025?

 
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 2025: From reader predictions to new immigration rules

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