I’m kicking off The Best podcast for… series with target language podcasts for grown-ups because these can help people who suffer from language attrition, i.e. who struggle to remember to speaker their own mother tongue.
Podcasts Vs Language Attrition
I’ve mentioned in various posts such as this one that I have very little exposure to Portuguese myself and that I struggle (still!) to remember to speak my mother tongue. As a way to gain more exposure to the language and culture, I started listening to podcasts in the target language.
Now I have so many podcasts I want to listen to for professional and personal reasons, and so little time, that I tend to leave the Portuguese language podcasts for when the children are within earshot so that they too can listen to the language, albeit passively.
It’s also an opportunity to stay on top of developments from my country of origin.

My current favourite podcasts in Portuguese
A beleza das pequenas coisasI
In A

Eixo do Mal
Eixo do Mal, is a weekly current popular
Governo Sombra

Com tempo e alma
A journalist from the Portuguese broadsheet newspaper O Publico and an expert talk about a given theme – usually with a mix of sociological, political and economic perspectives. Each week there is a different duo which lends it a different dynamic each week. However, there is always a sense of seriousness and respectful, calm conversation rather than a hectic panel of people trying to be witty or shocking. The host and guest tend to
You can also listen to the Podcast on the browser:

O esplendor de Portugal
This is a weekly topical radio show from Antena

Sem filtro
Sem
Fogo e Furia
Two journalists from the weekly broadsheet O Publico discuss the latest news from America. I like to keep on top of world news and this way I can also do it whilst listening to my mother tongue.

Other
There are many more podcasts in Portuguese. This is my selection, what i like to listen to. Some I have downloaded but not got round to listening yet. such as:
Do genero – a Publico programme about gender issues
Visao Global – a podcast by the weekly magazine Visao
Any podcast by TSF, a respected news radio station

Finding podcasts in your target language
The list above is a selection of podcasts in European Portuguese because I know that many people struggle to find any in that language. It took me a few attempts for me to find 1) podcasts in my target language and 2) podcasts I was interested in.
Here
- search online for the word ‘podcast’ in your target language
- search online in your target language for ‘best podcast list’ – you may be lucky to find a ready-made list
- start with media outlets such as TV and radio channels, and newspapers as they are most likely to produce podcasts
- ask friends and family what they listen
- search in your podcast platform for keywords in your language which are related to your interests (e.g hobbies, work, current affairs, comedy)
Good luck in finding what you like!
Want more like this?
Go to the reference guide at the end of the introduction to the series to see all related posts.
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