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It's Called Culture

It's Called Culture

By Folk and Fad

First generation Portuguese-Americans reflect on their heritage in a sarcastic and entertaining collection of discussions that preserve the past of our culture and look to shape the future of it.

Sharing our own stories (and those of our guests and listeners) across the backdrop of the immigrant experience, we unwind ideas of guilt, fear, shame, and social norms influenced by ethnicity, religion, and media. Each new episode also has a segment dedicated to sharing mental health best practices (the elephant in the room of our culture).

Guests and listeners of all cultures encouraged!
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Currently playing episode

028: We're Breaking Generational Patterns with Guest: Vanessa Medeiros

It's Called CultureOct 18, 2022

00:00
01:15:24
119: What it means to be Portuguese...(Reddit Roundup)

119: What it means to be Portuguese...(Reddit Roundup)

We give you a rundown of recent gems we've found on Reddit, including but not limited to: Portuguese "Family Guy" characters Santos & Pasqual; what 55 MPH really stands for on speed limit signs; and a complete (and way too accurate) Portuguese personality assessment.

Mar 26, 202436:44
118: Black Gold

118: Black Gold

We keep you "posted" on our composting efforts and rack our brains trying to figure out how our family members have thriving gardens despite their total disregard for the very specific instructions on the back of the seed packets.

Mar 19, 202439:33
117: Top 10 Bachelor Hometown Dates in Fall River MA (ish)

117: Top 10 Bachelor Hometown Dates in Fall River MA (ish)

We briefly discuss the cultural aspects of Bachelor Joey's Hometown Dates and then count down the *very Portuguese infused* Top 10 dates we'd take a Bachelor suitor on in our own Hometown of Fall River, MA. Which of these dates would you prefer to go on?

Mar 12, 202434:45
116: The Electric Company

116: The Electric Company

We reflect on the impact of '70s TV show The Electric Company on non-English speakers, sharing anecdotes of family members using an early-career Morgan Freeman to learn English.

This episode also features Portuguese restaurant etiquette for last minute reservations, hostesses (or lack thereof), ordering, and what to do when the lights go out.

Mar 05, 202440:07
115: Tio Manny is Selling Seguro

115: Tio Manny is Selling Seguro

This week we dive into east and west coast Portuguese social clubs.

Feb 20, 202444:28
114: You Are What You Eat

114: You Are What You Eat

The one where we watched a documentary and swore off meat. We discuss vegan, vegetarian, whole food plant based, and mediterranean diets. And we share our guiding principle: "WWTBD?" What Would Tom Brady Do?

Feb 13, 202444:42
113: Mystic Pizza

113: Mystic Pizza

By listener request, we bring you a Mystic Pizza rewatch and review. We break down all of the Portuguese elements of this movie -- names, behaviors, lullabies, and even the Last Supper decor.

Feb 06, 202442:43
112: Uno-Reverse Your Ancestors

112: Uno-Reverse Your Ancestors

We discuss what it means to uno-reverse your ancestors and how to decipher their recipes.

Jan 30, 202438:17
111: Forza

111: Forza

May the Forza be with you in this episode of hilariously bad English to Portuguese translations and the stories that go along with them.

Jan 23, 202427:01
110: Capital Punishment

110: Capital Punishment

In this episode, we delve into the dark history of foundling wheels and discuss shocking cases in the US and Portugal of deception involving faked pregnancies and elaborate scams.

Jan 22, 202438:00
109: Eat, Pray, Worry

109: Eat, Pray, Worry

Discussing a chapter of Sue Fagalde Lick's book "Stories Grandma Never Told: Portuguese Women in California" leads us on some hilarious tangents about food, church, and survival.

Jan 15, 202435:28
108: Portugalia & Cooking Math

108: Portugalia & Cooking Math

We discuss Portugalia, a beloved Portuguese goods marketplace in Fall River, Massachusetts. From its humble beginnings to its bustling Christmas atmosphere and our favorite finds.

Then we reflect on our family's holiday traditions from gift exchange strategies to culinary adventures -- including the "cooking math" that is common to Azorean Americans.

Jan 09, 202427:17
107: Feast of the Seven Fishes

107: Feast of the Seven Fishes

We discuss the film "The Feast of the Seven Fishes" that we recently discovered on Netflix. This Italian immigrant movie hits all the right marks for a Christmas Eve celebration: 1980s, cake-eaters, evil eye, bacalhau, midnight mass, uncle with the bad jokes.

Jan 08, 202428:40
106: The Rice is Raw (Let it Cook)

106: The Rice is Raw (Let it Cook)

First we share a saying from my vavó that I discovered was from a popular song (O Arroz Está Cru) and then we host our first "translation bee" of the new year.

Jan 02, 202428:25
105: New Year New Me

105: New Year New Me

We share 2024 life goals loosely inspired by Açores circa 1960.

Jan 01, 202435:24
104: Ghosts of Christmas Present

104: Ghosts of Christmas Present

We explore the idea of Christmases Present and the excessive holiday-time commitments that have come to be. Elf on the Shelf! Advent Calendars! Yankee Swap! Secret Santa! Spirit Week! Stocking Stuffers! While we appreciate the joy, we emphasize the need for simplicity and balance during this time. We will be taking a break from the podcast during Christmas week. Boas Festas! See you in the New Year!

Dec 19, 202326:00
103: Ghosts of Christmas Past

103: Ghosts of Christmas Past

We explore the idea of Christmases Past starting with our parents' sparse and simple Christmas traditions and our own childhood holiday memories.

Dec 18, 202323:29
102: Pastéis de Belém

102: Pastéis de Belém

We describe a visit to the Pastéis de Belém pastry shop, its history, and participation in a Lisbon cooking class where we made replicas of the famous pastries. And in typical Portuguese-fashion, you'll find a nata recipe throughout this episode (with no measurements). Good luck!

Dec 12, 202342:25
101: Language Oddities

101: Language Oddities

From the challenge of finding the right word for "candy" to trying to describe something as "under-salted", we uncover the nuances of the Portuguese language.

Dec 11, 202335:02
100: Shots of Ginjinha from an Unmarked Bottle

100: Shots of Ginjinha from an Unmarked Bottle

Our 100th episode! We discuss all things ginjinha (the unofficial sour cherry liqueur of Lisbon).

Dec 05, 202327:24
099: Christmas Movies and Cleaning Out Vavo's House

099: Christmas Movies and Cleaning Out Vavo's House

In this episode, we discuss our love for movies involving time loops and body-switching. We recommend the Brazilian Portuguese film "Just Another Christmas" on Netflix, with similarities to "Groundhog Day." Then we share amusing anecdotes and nostalgic experiences while clearing out Mel's grandmother's apartment over the Thanksgiving Holiday. 

Dec 04, 202327:22
098: The One with the Tongue Twister

098: The One with the Tongue Twister

Even the simplest things can be a challenge when navigating another country in your second language.

Nov 28, 202327:18
097: Gonna Need More Gasolina

097: Gonna Need More Gasolina

Part 2 of the Portugal journey = Mel in Cars Getting Coffee...

Nov 21, 202343:58
096: Flying to Portugal: The Good, The Bad, and The Tuna

096: Flying to Portugal: The Good, The Bad, and The Tuna

Follow along with this first step on Mel's travel journey. We discuss important things like whether or not TAP Air Portugal has an avó in the back washing dishes, Oscar-worthy safety demonstrations, and how to emergency land in the ocean.
Nov 20, 202331:58
095: Portuguese Round-Up

095: Portuguese Round-Up

We discuss the remarkable life of Bobi, a Portuguese dog who lived to be 31 years old. We explore the challenges that older generations face with banking technology, share stories of frugal immigrant habits, and host a "Translation Bee" segment.

Nov 14, 202329:57
094: Preparing for Fava February

094: Preparing for Fava February

We share the results of our Vitality Tests with each other and discuss how to improve our life expectancies.



Nov 13, 202330:54
093: Lizzie Borden: Innocent Until Proven Guilty

093: Lizzie Borden: Innocent Until Proven Guilty

Happy Halloween! We analyze the aftermath of our hometown's infamous double ax murder. Part 2 of 2 reveals how a Portuguese immigrant's actions may have influenced the trial and covers the remaining life and death of Lizbeth A. Borden, including Kelly's visitas to the properties.

Oct 31, 202343:57
092: Lizzie Borden Math Ain't Mathing

092: Lizzie Borden Math Ain't Mathing

This episode analyzes the dizzying details of our hometown's infamous double ax murder. Part 1 of 2. Tune in tomorrow to learn how a Portuguese immigrant's actions may have influenced the trial and to hear about the remaining life and death of Lizbeth A. Borden, including Kelly's visitas to the properties.

Oct 30, 202331:12
091: Who's Moving the Ouija?

091: Who's Moving the Ouija?

First, we delve into the origins of the board, the historical context of spiritualism, and skeptic investigations. Next we recount tales such as a courtroom trial involving a Ouija board and unusual bequests made to spirits through the board. Lastly, we examine the evolving portrayal of Ouija boards in popular culture such as The Exorcist and I Love Lucy.


Oct 24, 202331:50
090: Survey Says Too Many People Believe Their House is Haunted

090: Survey Says Too Many People Believe Their House is Haunted

We cover haunted house history, cultural significance, and Kelly's desire to snag a deal on a dwelling with see-through roommates.



Oct 23, 202327:12
089: The TV Series "Dexter" Was Based on What?!
Oct 17, 202327:36
088: Longevity or Bust
Oct 16, 202328:50
087: The Hungry Ghost
Oct 10, 202321:07
086: Book Club Discussion "Stories Grandma Never Told: Portuguese Women in California"

086: Book Club Discussion "Stories Grandma Never Told: Portuguese Women in California"

First we hold a hilarious "Translation Bee" and then we discuss a book by Sue Fagalde Lick about Portuguese women in California. We explore the hardships faced by immigrants and the historical oppression of Portuguese women. We reflect on their strength and resilience. 

Oct 09, 202346:01
085: The Bridgewater Triangle

085: The Bridgewater Triangle

Bigfoot, and UFOs, and thunderbirds, oh my! We break down this mysterious place in our hometown’s backyard.
Oct 03, 202331:14
084: O Weekend Update
Oct 02, 202321:24
083: Initial Settlement of the Azores
Sep 26, 202332:16
082: The Cultural Art of Ignoring Your Kids
Sep 25, 202333:28
081: Brazilian Medium Who Was Once At-Large
Sep 19, 202330:04
080: Red Wine from Levira Distillery Floods Portuguese Village Street
Sep 18, 202330:23
079: At the Festa with Guest: Kyler Canastra

079: At the Festa with Guest: Kyler Canastra

Kyler travels across the Atlantic from Lisbon every year to return to his hometown’s Portuguese festa. This year we joined him at the Festa of Nossa Senhora dos Anjos (Feast of Our Lady of Angels) in Massachusetts, whose traditions originated in Kel's mom's village of Água de Pau, São Miguel. We share the experience with you in this episode.
Sep 12, 202346:20
078: Weekend Soccer and Portuguese Family Outings
Sep 11, 202333:13
077: Boston's North End Molasses Flood
Sep 05, 202333:31
076: The Legend of Cocaine Island
Sep 04, 202328:24
075: Lisbon Lobotomy
Aug 29, 202328:00
074: Old Timey Hygiene, A Terceira Jewelry Heist, and a Jam in Customs
Aug 28, 202337:24
073: Press 1 For English
Aug 22, 202331:19
072: WWAD [What Would Azoreans Do?]
Aug 21, 202333:24
071: Azores White Ocean Party & Gastronomic Showcase
Aug 15, 202330:58
070: What We're Watching in the Murder-Mystery Comedy Space
Aug 14, 202325:13