Cool Beans Pod

Cool Beans Pod Episode #14 - Purvi Shroff

🎙️ Cool Beans Pod | Guest: Purvi Shroff
In this episode of the Cool Beans Pod, we sit down with Purvi Shroff, Director of Alumni Leadership & Career Development at Teach For Portugal, to talk all things education equity, teaching, and systems change 🌍📚
Purvi brings a truly global perspective, having worked across the Teach For network in India, the UK, and now Portugal. She shares honest insights into the real challenges of teaching within public school systems, alongside the powerful opportunities educators have to transform lives and communities.
We also dive into Teach For Portugal’s mentorship-based teacher training programme, exploring how it prepares future teachers, builds leadership capacity, and strengthens long-term impact in education 🎓🤝
Whether you’re curious about teaching, education reform, or leadership for social change, this conversation is full of learning, reflection, and inspiration.
🔗 Learn more: linktr.ee/teachforportugal📸 Follow Purvi on Instagram: @purvishroff📘 Connect on LinkedIn: linkedin.com/in/purvishroff📸 Follow Teach For Portugal: @teachfportugal
To apply for their programme: teachforportugal.org?carreira/
☕🎧 Tune in and get ready for some seriously cool beans.

Cool Beans Pod Episode #13 - Chris Tully (15 COFFEES)

Discover Chris Tully ☕🇨🇦→🇵🇹 This friendly Canadian expat living in beautiful Porto, Portugal, has a heartwarming habit: buying coffee for strangers just to listen to their amazing life stories!
Chris is all about building real connections, meeting new people, and celebrating the unique tales we all carry.
Check him out on Instagram and Facebook for more glimpses into his adventures and the inspiring folks he meets. If you're in Porto, connect with him and share your own story – he'd love to hear it! ❤️🤝🌍☕
IG: @15COFFEES
Facebook: facebook/15coffees

Cool Beans Pod Episode #12 - Josué Ferreira

🎙️ Josué Ferreira | Music, Faith & Education in Portugal
🎵🎸 Musician & Music Teacher🧠 Registered Psychologist✝️ Pastor & Gospel Advocate👨‍👩‍👧‍👦 Family Man | 📍 Porto, Portugal
Josué Ferreira is a Porto native, devoted family man, registered psychologist, music teacher, and pastor at Igreja de Cristo Evangélica Carismática (ICEC). A gifted multi-instrumentalist, Josué shares a deep love for music education, Christian faith, and the gospel.
📚✨ In this episode, we explore his journey through music and ministry, his work in education and psychology, and a thoughtful conversation on secular education in Portugal—with a focus on how science 🧬 and Christian faith ✝️ can meaningfully work together rather than stand in opposition.
A warm, reflective, and insightful conversation at the intersection of music 🎶, psychology 🧠, education 🎓, and Christianity ✝️.
🔗 Learn more about ICEC: https://icec.pt/quem-somos/🎧 Enjoy the episode

Cool Beans Pod Episode #11 - Mary Wilson

🎙️☕ Cool Beans Pod — Episode 11: Mary Wilson (Exuberant Chaos) 🌍🇨🇦➡️🇵🇹In Episode 11 of Cool Beans Pod, we chat with Mary Wilson, a Canadian native now living in Matosinhos, Portugal🌊. After a career in project management, Mary made a bold shift into the NGO world, founding Exuberant Chaos — a community-driven organisation rooted in creativity, inclusion, and social impact 🎨🤝. She shares what inspired the leap, the realities of building something from the ground up, and how structure and chaos can surprisingly work hand in hand 🧩✨. Expect honest reflections, practical insights, and plenty of heart as we explore purpose-led work, change, and starting again in a new country 🌱💬.🎧 Tune in for an energising conversation full of curiosity, courage, and connection.
https://www.linkedin.com/in/mary-wilson-25a2253/
IG: wilsmary2022

Cool Beans Pod Episode #10 - John Lambe

💥 Cool Beans Pod — Featuring John Lambe 🔦
In this episode, I sit down with John Lambe, an Irish tech founder now living in Porto. We shine a spotlight on his journey building and selling companies, and the lessons he’s learned along the way.
🤖 AI: Challenges, Opportunities & the Changing World of Work
John breaks down the practical challenges of AI — from data issues to transparency and rapid technological shifts — as well as the opportunities it creates for new tools, smarter workflows and better decision-making.He also shares his perspective on how AI is already changing the way we work, reshaping roles, boosting productivity and demanding new skills across industries.
A grounded, insightful conversation for anyone curious about tech leadership and the future of work.

Cool Beans Pod Episode #9 - Vitor Moreira (CIFA Director)

🎙️ Episode Spotlight — Mystery Skies: CIFA & (UAPs) UFOs Over Portugal!
In this episode, we welcome Vitor Moreira, director of the Center for Aerospace Phenomena Investigation (CIFA) in Vila do Conde. A dedicated UAP investigator since 1976, Vitor brings decades of experience, curiosity, and sky-watching expertise 🛸✨ — but he stays surprisingly coy about certain details, offering just enough to intrigue while keeping some mysteries close to the chest 😶‍🌫️🤐🌀.
From what may have truly happened at Fátima 🌟, to an unresolved case in Braga 🔍, to several curious incidents recorded by CIFA 📡👁️‍🗨️, this episode explores Portugal’s most compelling aerial enigmas. Get ready for a mix of science, mystery, and a touch of the unknown 🚀🌌👽.
Explore more or report a sighting at: https://cifa.pt/site/

Cool Beans Pod Episode # 8 - Carlos and Helena Branco

Carlos and Helena Branco (Villa das Eiras) 
Meet two brave souls who decided that the German corporate rat race was not the path to fulfilment — so they tore up the rulebook, packed their lives, and followed a deeper calling all the way to Gaia, Portugal. 🇩🇪➡️🇵🇹
Now, they're building something extraordinary: a Quantum Healing & Spirituality Retreat Centre (Villa das Eiras) designed to nurture transformation, community, and conscious living. 🌀💫Opening its doors in 2026, this sanctuary-in-the-making blends modern energy work, ancestral wisdom, and the power of intentional community — all nestled in the lush, grounding landscape of Portugal. 🌱🏞️
Tune in as they share their journey of awakening, challenges, laughter, magic, and the real work behind creating a place where people can reconnect with their essence. ✨💚
Want to follow their evolution or get early info about retreats and events?📲 Instagram: @iamhelenabranco
Cool beans. 😎🫘#QuantumHealing #SpiritualRetreat #GaiaPortugal #ConsciousCommunity #SpiritualJourney #Retreat2026

Cool Beans Pod #7 - Oleksii & Iryna Korkushko

🎙️ Episode Spotlight: The Cool Beans Pod ☕🇺🇦✨
Meet the unstoppable Oleksii & Iryna Korkushko 🔥 Ukrainian entrepreneurs, influencers, and proud parents who built an incredible life in Leça da Palmeira, Porto, Portugal! 🌊🏖️
In this episode, the couple opens up about:
Growing their blogging & brand promotion business 📸💼
Raising their daughter who’s already killing it in the modelling world 👑👗
Staying strong and smiling through the war in Ukraine while chasing global opportunities 🇺🇦❤️
Pure inspiration: no matter the obstacles, they keep moving forward with gratitude, love, and that signature Ukrainian resilience! 💪🌟
Follow their journey: 👉 Iryna: @mamamia.instaterapia 👉 Oleksii: @korkushkooleksii
You’ll leave this episode motivated, smiling, and ready to embrace every opportunity the world throws your way! 🚀
#CoolBeansPod #UkrainianEntrepreneurs #Inspiration #FamilyGoals #KeepGoing
 
 

Cool Beans Pod #6 - Maria João V de Matos

🎙️ Episode Spotlight: Inside VDM Capital with Maria João Vieira de Matos 🌟
Join us as we dive deep with Maria João Vieira de Matos, board member of VDM Capital and daughter of founder Domingos Vieira de Matos! 👨‍👧‍👦 From powerhouse media empire Media Livre 📺📰 (magazines, TV channels, newspapers – check medialivre.pt) to sustainable giant Altri Group 🌳 (eucalyptus pulp production, proudly listed on Portugal's PSI 20 stock index – altri.pt/en), VDM is a force!
Maria João shares her education in Portugal & the USA 🎓, mergers & acquisitions stories 💼, and how VDM has boldly expanded into health sectors 🏥, solar energy ☀️ via Greenvolt (greenvolt.com), and impactful pro bono initiatives 🤝.
VDM capital also launched BIG (investment bank) in 2000 - selling their position in 2012 (https://big.pt). Maria João discusses VDM's acquisition and merger of 58 imaging and blood analysis companies which they sold to Unilabs at a remarkable profit. 
A legacy of vision, growth, and green impact – don’t miss it! 🇵🇹🚀
 
Follow Maria João on instagram: mariajoaovieiramatos

Cool Beans Pod #5 - The von Bergs!

🌍✈️ Wonders & Wanderlust with the Von Bergs 🎙️
Hey adventure seekers! Join the Von Berg family – that fearless crew now living the dream in Porto, Portugal 🏠🇵🇹 – as they share how to chase the world’s greatest wonders with young kids in tow! 👨‍👩‍👧‍👦
From sunrise selfies at the Taj Mahal 🕌 to fairy-tale castles in Scotland 🏰, epic boat rides through emerald mountains ⛰️🚤, and palm-lined beaches in Sri Lanka 🏖️, they’ve ticked off 6 of the 7 Modern Wonders (and 30+ countries!) while worldschooling their mini explorers.
Now soaking up Porto’s blue azulejos, ocean sunsets 🌅, and the best pizza in town 🍕, they’re your go-to for honest family itineraries, gap-year tips, and bucket-list quizzes that actually work.
Ready for real-talk travel with kids? Let’s go!
🔗 Explore with the Von Bergs: 🌎 SharingTheWander.com – Family travel itineraries & worldschooling magic
🇵🇹https://portoporfavor.com/  - Your insider guide to Porto & Northern Portugal
Featured in The New York Times, Boston Globe, The Planet D & more!
Who’s packing their bags? Drop your dream destination below! 💬 #FamilyTravel #WondersOfTheWorld #PortoPortugal #VonBergAdventures 🚀