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Artwork for Sweden in Focus

Sweden in Focus

The Local
Sweden
NATO
Sweden Democrats
Gang Violence
Jimmie Åkesson
Inflation
Economy
Coffee Culture
Centre-Right Political Parties
Sweden's Green Party
European Union Elections
Advent Celebrations
Tesla Strike
Drug Policy Reform
Russia
Civil Rights Defenders
Immigrant Job Market In Sweden
Crime
Eurovision
Immigration

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... more

PublishesTwice weeklyEpisodes253Founded5 years ago
Number of ListenersCategories
NewsSociety & CultureNews Commentary

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Artwork for Sweden in Focus

Latest Episodes

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

Sweden in Focus Extra is a podcast for The Local's Membership+ subscribers.

Sign up to Membership+ now and get early, ad-free access to a full-length episode of the Sweden in Focus podcast every... more

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 appl... more

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

Sweden in Focus Extra is a podcast for The Local's Membership+ subscribers.

Sign up to Membership+ now and get early, ad-free access to a full-length episode of the Sweden in Focus podcast every... more

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 appl... more

Key Facts

Accepts Guests
Contact Information
Podcast Host
Number of Listeners
Find out how many people listen to this podcast per episode and each month.

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People also subscribe to these shows.

Recent Guests

Douglas Thor
Leader of the Moderate Party's youth wing
Moderate Party
Episode: How is Sweden reacting to US and Israeli attacks on Iran?
Fredrik Kopsch
Chief Economist at Timbro
Timbro Think Tank
Episode: How is Sweden reacting to US and Israeli attacks on Iran?
Patrick Gallen
Senior Advisor and Futurist at Copenhagen Institute for Future Studies; spokesperson for Fair Transition
Fair Transition
Episode: 'Sweden is setting itself up for a losing battle' on skilled immigration
Patrick Galland
Spokesperson for Fair Transition
Fair Transition
Episode: Why a legal watchdog slammed Sweden's citizenship plan
La Grad det
Council on Legislation (La Grådet)
Council on Legislation
Episode: Why a legal watchdog slammed Sweden's citizenship plan
Ximena Ramos Salas
Mother of Andres, moved to Sweden to care for her terminally ill mother.
Episode: Sweden's teen deportations: 'It feels like they wanted him to turn 18 so they could reject him'
Nelson Loyola
Husband of Ximena Ramos Salas, also affected by the deportation issue.
Episode: Sweden's teen deportations: 'It feels like they wanted him to turn 18 so they could reject him'
Besnik Barani
A software developer from Kosovo whose daughter faces deportation.
Episode: Parents lash out at Sweden's 'absurd' teen deportations
Niels Paarup-Petersen
Political spokesperson from the Centre Party
Centre Party
Episode: The battle to end Sweden's teen deportations

Hosts

Paul O'Mahony
Host with deep experience covering Sweden; frequently moderates and questions guests.
Becky Waterton
Regular speaker and Deputy Editor for The Local Sweden, provides editorial viewpoints.
Richard Orange
Nordic editor with a focus on migration and Nordic news.

Reviews

4.8 out of 5 stars from 404 ratings
  • Disappointing

    I’ve listened to this podcast for a while now. Sometimes it’s really helpful and informative but mostly it’s just some British people - often men - opining. Take the most recent episode about the cultural canon. No interviews. No critical insights from anyone who isn’t from England - Paul, thank you for the questions but get stuck in. No one who interrogates the idea that creating an exclusive canon (the creator of which has owned his politics on this very show) might exclude the migrant experie... more

    Apple Podcasts
    1
    JoelHorwood
    Sweden6 months ago
  • Moved away from Balanced Discussion

    I have been a listener and a reader of The Local for 6 years and I am disheartened to see how much the publication has moved away from a balanced discussion to extreme left

    I am an immigrant myself but I find the discussions here so biased. Podcast never acknowledges crimes being committed, problems that illegal Immigration has caused in Sweden. It’s always blindly defending Sweden’s failed migration policy.

    That is why it fails to present a true reflection of how Swedish society feels. I fac... more

    Apple Podcasts
    1
    Randomvk34
    Indiaa year ago
  • Causal racist and western superiorilism

    Really disappointed that people call non-western people uncivilized in this podcast.

    Apple Podcasts
    2
    Directusy
    Swedena year ago
  • Great podcast

    Informative and well presented. Thank you

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    evaaos
    United Kingdom2 years ago
  • Great weekly podcast about news in Sweden

    I’ve been listening to this since the first episode and I absolutely recommend it.

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    Karthik-m
    India2 years ago

Listeners Say

Key themes from listener reviews, highlighting what works and what could be improved about the show.

Listeners praise clear, informed debate and coverage of Sweden's immigration policy.
Strong positive feedback on interviews with experts and policy-focused episodes.
Audience appreciates approachable explanations of complex legal issues.
Some critique perceived bias or UK/US-centric viewpoints.

Chart Rankings

How this podcast ranks in the Apple Podcasts, Spotify and YouTube charts.

Talking Points

Recent interactions between the hosts and their guests.

Swedish minister: 'EU needs to step up on defence'
Q: Is Europe the answer to some of the problems we've got in the transatlantic relationship?
Rosencrantz affirms that Europe can be a solution, stressing the need for increased defense investments and responsibilities.
‘I love Sweden but the anti-immigrant rhetoric must stop’
Q: You tell a story about an encounter you had by the coffee machine at your workplace that triggered some thoughts about how immigrants are viewed in Sweden. Can you tell us about that exchange?
Faisal describes a comment that reflects societal views on immigrants and how it made him reflect on broader categorizations in Swedish society.
‘I love Sweden but the anti-immigrant rhetoric must stop’
Q: Can you tell listeners a little bit about yourself, where you're from and how you ended up in Sweden?
Faisal Khan shares he came from Afghanistan 20 years ago due to unbearable conditions and recounts various experiences since his arrival.
Popular Lucia songs, and why does northern Sweden face so much prejudice?
Q: What kind of prejudices do Swedes in the rest of the country tend to have about Norland?
James shares that there are prejudices regarding the perception of Northern Sweden as empty, with not much happening other than mining and reindeers.
Popular Lucia songs, and why does northern Sweden face so much prejudice?
Q: What do you think of when you think of Norland?
Becky mentions reindeer, snow, and hydroelectric power, and describes Northern Sweden as calm and vast.

Audience Metrics

Listeners, social reach, demographics and more for this podcast.

Listeners per Episode
Gender Skew
Location
Interests
Professions
Age Range
Household Income
Social Media Reach

Frequently Asked Questions About Sweden in Focus

What is Sweden in Focus about and what kind of topics does it cover?

A weekly, issue-driven discussion focused on Sweden's big news, especially immigration, policy changes, and their real-world impacts. The show blends policy analysis with on-the-ground storytelling, bringing in politicians, think-tank experts, and journalists to unpack how national decisions shape life in Sweden. Listeners likely appreciate thoughtful critique, clear explanations of complex legal terrain, and a balanced mix of data, personal stories, and cultural context. A notable strength is the willingness to interrogate policy proposals with legal and economic angles, while featuring voices from think tanks, government, and opposition alike. This makes it useful for decision-makers, professionals covering Nordic affairs, and expats seek... more

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Which podcasts are similar to Sweden in Focus?

These podcasts share a similar audience with Sweden in Focus:

1. Global News Podcast
2. The Rest Is Politics
3. Radical with Amol Rajan
4. Empire: World History
5. Economist Podcasts

How many episodes of Sweden in Focus are there?

Sweden in Focus launched 5 years ago and published 253 episodes to date. You can find more information about this podcast including rankings, audience demographics and engagement in our podcast database.

How do I contact Sweden in Focus?

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What guests have appeared on Sweden in Focus?

Recent guests on Sweden in Focus include:

1. Douglas Thor
2. Fredrik Kopsch
3. Patrick Gallen
4. Patrick Galland
5. La Grad det
6. Ximena Ramos Salas
7. Nelson Loyola
8. Besnik Barani

To view more recent guests and their details, simply upgrade your Rephonic account. You'll also get access to a typical guest profile to help you decide if the show is worth pitching.

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