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.

In this week's episode of Sweden in Focus we discuss: Halloween in Sweden, Nato, cable damage in the Baltic Sea, popular Swedish TV shows, and we answer readers' questions on Sweden's new salary requirement for work permit holders. Host Paul O’Mahony in Stockholm is joined from Malmö by The Local’s Emma Löfgren and Becky Waterton.__Sign up for Stockholm Explorative Talks. Presented by Stockholm Academic Forum__Here are links to some of the stories we discuss this week:HalloweenOpinion: What can Sweden learn from embracing the American Halloween tradition?All SaintsSwedish word of the day: allhelgonadagenNato & Baltic security Turkish president sends Sweden’s Nato application to parliamentSwedish government: ‘External force’ damaged cable between Sweden and EstoniaSwedish TV series Are Swedes funny? Explaining the many types of Swedish jokes– includes regular panelist Richard Orange‘s opinion on På spåret.Swedish reality TV show brings Swedish-Americans back ‘home’Work permits‘We’re losing the life we built in Sweden’: Work permit holders dread uncertain futureWho will fill Sweden’s labour gap when immigrants leave?Reader question: Can I meet Sweden’s new work permit threshold by working multiple jobs?

In this bonus episode of Sweden in Focus, we speak to the Social Democratic former education minister Anna Ekström about Nordic 'folk high schools', budget cuts to study associations, worsening segregation in Sweden's schools, why boys are underperforming, and whether Sweden needs more external grading.In Saturday’s episode, the former government minister talked about ‘folkbildning’ as a particularly Nordic approach to education. Here we continue the conversation as Anna Ekström talks about her roles within the ABF study association, the history of the wider folkbildning movement, and the challenges faced today by the Swedish education system. Host Paul O’Mahony is also joined by The Local’s James Savage and Becky Waterton.Here are links to some related stories, starting with Richard Orange‘s recent article on his own experience with the ABF study association:Why Sweden should protect its fantastic popular education organisationsBudget cuts to folkbildningSweden still ‘a land of possibilities’ for foreigners says finance ministerSchool segregation LISTEN: How can Sweden make its schools less segregated?ARCHIVE: What’s behind the rising inequality in Sweden’s schools, and can it be fixed? Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

In this week's episode: Is Sweden underfunding schools and healthcare?; motorway mudslide; Turkey gives fresh impetus to Sweden's Nato bid; why northern Sweden needs foreign workers, and Prime Minister wants military help to crack down on gangs.This week host Paul O’Mahony is joined by The Local’s James Savage and Richard Orange, and we also hear from the Skellefteå-based journalist Paul Connolly.SURVEY: Would you listen to more podcasts from The Local?Here are links to some of the stories we discuss this week:Politics in SwedenWhy Sweden’s finance minister is willing to be unpopularLandslideIN NUMBERS: Sweden’s lucky escape as landslide causes huge motorway sinkholeSwedish motorway landslide: What happens next?Nato latest‘Not urgent’ for Sweden to join Nato, says Hungary’s Viktor OrbánTurkey agrees to approve Sweden’s Nato application in return for fighter jetsJobs in northern SwedenMeet the foreigners moving to northern Sweden to turn industry greenFive things I love about northern SwedenGang violenceSwedish prime minister seeks military help to crack down on gangsWho’s who in Sweden’s gang conflict?How could Sweden put an end to its deadly wave of gang crime? Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.