Best Malmo University Podcasts (2025)

1
'A big impact': How important is your name when seeking a job in Sweden? 5:54

Play Pause

2d ago5:54

5:54

In this clip from Sweden in Focus Extra, The Local's Nordic editor Richard Orange chats with Moa Bursell, a sociologist from Mälardalen University who specialises in ethnic discrimination on the labour market. Richard caught up with the researcher recently for an article about why some immigrants change their names to sound more Swedish. The immigr…

1
Are anti-immigrant attacks in Sweden getting the coverage they deserve? 20:18

6d ago20:18

20:18

In this week's episode we talk about anti-immigrant attacks in Stockholm and why a government minister won’t answer questions in parliament on how much he knew about his son’s involvement, until recently, with an extremist group alleged to be behind the attacks. We’ll also discuss the Swedish language and how the words we use every day gradually cr…

1
'I've never even jaywalked in Sweden' 6:27

7d ago6:27

6:27

In this clip from Sweden in Focus Extra, The Local's Richard Orange talks to Masoud Jamshidian, a solutions architect from Iran who is facing deportation from Sweden as a result of an insurance error made by his employer. 'Like prison for stealing a bag of chips': IT architect faces deportation from Sweden Deportations of this kind are often referr…

1
What's in Sweden's 'absolutely shameless' new budget? 14:32

13d ago14:32

14:32

In this week's episode we talk about Sweden’s expansive new budget and how it’s likely to affect our pockets – and next year’s election. We'll also help hone your Swedish language skills as we explain the subtle but all-important differences between different words for the English ‘put’. For Membership+ subscribers we look at the fallout after Swed…

1
'We have let the Sweden Democrats become our voice on immigration' 7:19

16d ago7:19

7:19

In this clip from Sweden in Focus Extra, The Local's Richard Orange catches up with Douglas Thor, the head of the Moderate party’s youth wing, to talk about his ideas for combating teen deportations. As we’ve reported quite a bit recently, Sweden is routinely deporting the young adult children of permanent residency applicants if they can’t support…

1
Is Sweden's new cultural canon helpful for immigrants? 34:50

20d ago34:50

34:50

In this week's episode, panelists Becky Waterton and Richard Orange tell us how they've recently embellished their Swedish credentials through woodland activities and crayfish parties. In news, we look at how the government is planning to combat high food prices as well as what property prices and the value of the krona are telling us about the sta…

1
Moving to Sweden: 'The help I got from Dalarna was mind-blowing' 4:57

23d ago4:57

4:57

In this clip from Sweden in Focus Extra, host Paul O'Mahony chats with Iain Forbes, a medical professional from the UK who moved to Falun shortly after the 2016 Brexit vote. In the interview Forbes speaks in glowing terms about the integration package offered to him by the Dalarna Region, which included six months of fully paid language instruction…

1
Why Swedish universities are refusing to design citizenship tests 22:06

27d ago22:06

22:06

In this week's episode we talk about the government’s plans for citizenship tests and why universities want nothing to do with creating them. And when does autumn start in Sweden? Have we given up on summer already? Host Paul O'Mahony is joined this week by regular panelists Becky Waterton and James Savage. Here are links to some of the topics disc…

1
So you moved to Sweden. Are you an immigrant, a foreigner or an expat? 27:05

1M ago27:05

27:05

In this week's episode we talk about the latest from the trial of Sweden’s former national security chief, Henrik Landerholm, over the negligent handling of classified documents. We also discuss the language used to describe people who weren’t born in Sweden. Are we immigrants, foreigners, expats or something else entirely? Host Paul O'Mahony is jo…

1
Cricket in Sweden: how can an immigrant-powered sport attract new players? 15:23

1M ago15:23

15:23

In this week’s episode we look at the past, present and future of cricket in Sweden. With interest soaring in Sweden in recent years, The Local’s James Savage attended an event recently introducing Swedish parliamentarians to the sport. To get a feel for the state of the game in Sweden, James spoke to the event’s organizer, Nagendra Siddoutam from …

1
Why is Sweden deporting young adult children of permanent residents? 18:18

1M ago18:18

18:18

In this week's episode we talk about the resurrection of Northvolt and what new ownership will mean for the bankrupt battery maker. We also ask if the government is likely to do anything to stop the trend of young adults being deported while their working parents are allowed to stay in Sweden. Host Paul O'Mahony is joined this week by regular panel…

1
Why Sweden’s right-wing parties are bickering over call to freeze trade with Israel 15:02

2M ago15:02

15:02

In this week's episode we talk about Sweden’s return to day-to-day life as the summer holidays wind down. In politics we discuss divisions on the right on how to deal with Israel, and we dig into reactions to news that the Prime Minister Ulf Kristersson uses Chat GPT to test out new ideas. Host Paul O'Mahony is joined this week by regular panelist …

1
Why are Sweden and Denmark going different ways on work permits 33:10

2M ago33:10

33:10

In this week's episode we bring in The Local's Denmark editor, Michael Barrett, to talk about why Denmark is liberating its work permit rules at the same time as Sweden is tightening up. And we assess Sweden’s big political experiment: a centre-right government backed by the far-right Sweden Democrats. Three years on, how has it been working? Host …

1
Work permit salary thresholds: Does exempted job list mean anything? 18:16

2M ago18:16

18:16

This week's episode of Sweden in Focus Extra for Membership+ subscribers features an interview with Hanna Geurtsen, the Migration Agency official responsible for overseeing a new list of jobs which could be exempted from a future salary threshold for work permits. She tells us how and why the list was put together, what it consists of, and what pra…

1
Why Swedes stay home in summer (and it's not for the rain) 22:48

2M ago22:48

22:48

In this week's episode we talk about 'cloudburst-like rain' and what to do if your house is flooded, we talk about why Swedes tend to stay home in the summer, and we talk about what it's like to have a baby in Sweden. Floods How can you protect your Swedish home against downpours? Swedish summer 'On a sunny day, it can't be beat': The best things a…

1
Is your Swedish good enough for university? – Quiz 11 10:43

2M ago10:43

10:43

It’s time again to learn some Swedish as our panelists try their hand at the tricky vocabulary section of Högskoleprovet, the Swedish university entrance exam. Host Paul O’Mahony in Stockholm is joined this week from Malmö by The Local's Becky Waterton and Richard Orange. READ ALSO: SWEDISH TEST: Can you pass the vocab part of Sweden's version of t…

1
Can Sweden's migration minister survive scandal of son's extremist links? 17:15

2M ago17:15

17:15

In this week's episode we talk about revelations that the son of Johan Forssell, Sweden's migration minister, has been active in far-right extremist groups and how the scandal is affecting the government. We also discuss what's behind a recent spate of redundancies in Sweden's games sector, an industry that employs a disproportionately high number …

1
Is your Swedish good enough for university? – Quiz 10 14:45

3M ago14:45

14:45

In this week's episode we once again bring you a Swedish language quiz as The Local's journalists answer multiple choice questions from the vocabulary section of Högskoleprovet, the Swedish university entrance exam. Host Paul O’Mahony is joined for the quiz by regular panelists Becky Waterton and Richard Orange. READ ALSO: SWEDISH TEST: Can you pas…

1
Is your Swedish good enough for university? – Quiz 9 15:43

3M ago15:43

15:43

In this week’s episode we bring you a language quiz in which we put The Local’s journalists through their paces with questions from the vocabulary section of Högskoleprovet, the Swedish university entrance exam. Host Paul O’Mahony is joined for the quiz by regular panelists Becky Waterton and Richard Orange. READ ALSO: SWEDISH TEST: Can you pass th…

1
Almedalen special: Swedish red tape vexes Ukrainians 40:38

3M ago40:38

40:38

In this special episode from the Almedalen political week on Gotland, James Savage talks to former US Ambassador Erik Ramanathan about how much the Trump presidency is really changing the relationship between Sweden and the US. He also has an interview with campaigner Khrystyna Hevchuk about the challenges faced by Ukrainian refugees in Sweden. And…

1
Fit in or stick out? How Sweden changes you 14:02

3M ago14:02

14:02

In this week's episode we talk about the bridge between Denmark and Sweden and how it means a lot more to one of our panelists than the sore feet she got after running across it. We also discuss what foreigners do to fit in in Sweden and why some people push back against assimilation. Host Paul O'Mahony is joined this week by regular panelists Beck…

1
Good news at last for work permit holders in Sweden 18:00

3M ago18:00

18:00

In this week's episode we talk about how to make the most of Sweden’s Midsummer celebrations, and we look at big changes to Sweden’s work permit system — including a new rule that could help you stay in the country if you lose your job. For Membership+ subscribers we explore why Swedes are dropping traditional surnames, racism in Swedish nightclubs…

1
Sweden's new alcohol law: 'Freedom reform' or flop? 14:26

4M ago14:26

14:26

This week we talk about a new alcohol law that came into force this month and what it means for consumers. And why has a government inquiry proposed banning international adoptions and apologising to adoptees. Host Paul O'Mahony is joined this week by regular panelists Becky Waterton and Richard Orange. Here are links to some of the topics discusse…

1
Red cottage nightmares, and is Sweden’s support for Israel crumbling? 18:20

4M ago18:20

18:20

In this week's episode we ask why Swedish politicians are becoming more critical of Israel over the war in Gaza. We also discuss the government's plans to develop new kinds of pre-approved houses to make it easier for people to buy their own homes. Host Paul O'Mahony is joined this week by regular panelists Becky Waterton and Richard Orange. Here a…

1
Why Sweden is making it illegal to order OnlyFans sex 22:12

4M ago22:12

22:12

This week we have the latest on the citizenship freeze amid signs of a thaw and we ask: Why has there been so little interest in this story from the Swedish media? We also look at a hotly debated new law criminalising the purchase of sex online. Host Paul O'Mahony is joined this week by regular panelists Emma Löfgren and Richard Orange. Here are li…

1
How Swedish immigration rules fuel 'chronic anxiety' for foreign researchers 18:49

4M ago18:49

18:49

In this week's episode we talk about why Stockholm is at loggerheads with the US Embassy over anti-diversity demands and we examine a scathing new report on how Sweden’s immigration policies are harming foreign researchers. For Membership+ subscribers we look at the ongoing saga of Sweden’s failed attempt to appoint a national security advisor afte…

1
Why Johan Forssell wants to change Sweden's 'weird' immigration system 27:29

5M ago27:29

27:29

In this week's episode we talk about Sweden’s chances of winning the Eurovision Song Contest for a record-breaking eighth time with KAJ's song Bara Bada Bastu. On a related note, we immerse ourselves in sauna culture and the Swedish language as it’s spoken in Finland. We discuss new comments from Sweden’s migration minister, Johan Forssell, on the …

1
'Sweden was like a paradise at first – but then reality hits' 32:08

5M ago32:08

32:08

In 2013 Jamil Walli, a journalist, filmmaker and painter, moved to Sweden from Damascus as an exchange student. Two years later, tens of thousands of his compatriots fled Syria to seek shelter in the country he has since come to call home. As a journalist, he documented the stories of those fleeing persecution as part of a project for The Local whe…

1
How Sweden tightened immigration after the 2015 refugee crisis 24:53

5M ago24:53

24:53

In this week’s episode we talk about the surprise resignation of the Liberal Party leader Johan Pehrson. Ten years on from the arrival of record numbers of refugees we also look at how Sweden reacted to the 2015 crisis how how its approach to asylum immigration has changed since then. Host Paul O’Mahony is joined this week by regular panelists Beck…

1
Why Sweden celebrates spring with bonfires and songs 17:37

5M ago17:37

17:37

In this week's episode we talk about the possibility of there being a Swedish pope and the state of Catholicism in Sweden today. We also dive into the history of Sweden’s Valborg celebrations and why bonfires will be lit across Sweden on the last day of the month. For Membership+ subscribers we jump forward a day to the first of May and what to exp…

1
All about Eves: Why Sweden celebrates holidays a day early 15:31

5M ago15:31

15:31

In this week's episode we talk about why Sweden celebrates on the eve of holidays rather than the day itself, and we look at what you need to know about Sweden’s new spring budget. For Membership+ subscribers we give you background on the proposed new leader of the Centre Party and what her nomination means for Sweden’s complicated political arithm…

1
What the fika! How Swedes are reacting to sky-high coffee prices 18:31

6M ago18:31

18:31

In this week's episode we talk about about a rush to buy coffee amid rocketing prices and we hear from an expert on Sweden's coffee culture, Henrik Scander. We also examine the political fallout after an official inquiry recommended stricter regulation of Sweden’s much-debated free schools. For Membership+ subscribers we look at efforts to stop mot…

1
Will Sweden's 'poor conduct' law muzzle immigrants? 30:53

6M ago30:53

30:53

In this week's episode we talk about the government’s push to eject more immigrants for bad behaviour, and we have an interview with migration minister Johan Forssell on attracting and retaining highly skilled workers. We also hear from Américo Fernández, an SEB economist and personal finance expert, on how foreigners in Sweden can navigate difficu…

1
Why immigrant tech workers are challenging Sweden on citizenship 30:02

6M ago30:02

30:02

In this week's episode we have an interview with an American tech worker who has launched an initiative urging the government to reconsider its plans to tighten citizenship requirements. Our panelists also discuss why Swedish politicians in Brussels have fought tooth and nail to retain the right for 15-year-old Swedes to drive extremely slowly in c…

1
Why thousands of foreign workers risk expulsion from Sweden 29:48

6M ago29:48

29:48

In this week's episode our panelists discuss two stories affecting work permit holders after parliament voted through a new law targeting former asylum seekers for expulsion from Sweden and Northvolt filed for bankruptcy. We also ask if Sweden should be doing more to involve immigrants in the construction of a cultural canon that could be used for …

1
Classified documents scandal gives Sweden's prime minister a huge headache 30:27

7M ago30:27

30:27

In this week's episode we discuss: Northvolt’s bankruptcy, the criminal investigation into Sweden’s former national security adviser Henrik Landerholm, the latest on the defence situation for Sweden in relation to Russia and the United States, and why some commentators think Sweden’s needs its own nuclear deterrent. For Membership+ subscribers we l…

1
Why are politicians fighting over Sweden's multiculturalism? 20:20

7M ago20:20

20:20

In this week’s episode we discuss the latest Swedish reaction to dramatic changes in the European security landscape. What does Sweden’s defence industry look like, and does the country have enough troops to send peacekeepers to Ukraine? We also have commentary from Swedish members of the European Parliament about the harsh rhetoric on immigration …

1
Why is Sweden such a trusting society? 29:57

7M ago29:57

29:57

In this week's episode we look at what makes Sweden such a trusting society. We also discuss Muharrem Demirok's decision to step down as Centre Party leader and what it means for the future of a party that's currently siding with the left but has previously allied itself with the right. And why has a supreme court ruling on European data protection…

1
How is Sweden reacting to Trump's seismic shift on European security? 24:06

7M ago24:06

24:06

In this week's episode we talk about how Sweden is reacting to the United States’ dramatic foreign policy pivot on Europe. What are Swedish politicians saying after US Vice President JD Vance kickstarted a week of new lows in US-Europe relations? We also look at the planned closure of an international upper-level high school in Stockholm and speak …

1
Why post-Örebro gun control split the Sweden Democrats 28:20

7M ago28:20

28:20

In this week's episode: Reader reactions to Örebro mass murder, and why a gun law debate sparked fury among Sweden Democrats. For Membership+ subscribers: What would make the government rethink a plan to apply citizenship law changes retroactively to current applicants? And why the King revealed the wrong name for a new Swedish princess. Host Paul …

1
What we know about Sweden's worst ever mass shooting 25:08

8M ago25:08

25:08

We're releasing the podcast earlier than usual this week to bring you up to date information on this week's horrific shooting in Örebro that left eleven people dead. We also look at why Sweden’s government wants to make the new citizenship rules retroactive and how applicants are reacting. In the longer version for Membership+ subscribers we give y…

1
How to speak Scanian like a southern Swede 21:30

8M ago21:30

21:30

We start this week with news that broke just before we started recording the episode. The victims of two separate murders in the greater Stockholm region on Wednesday were revealed to be, in the first killing in Husby, an uncle of organised crime chief Rawa Majid and, in Södertälje, Salwan Momika, who was behind a quran-burning spree in 2023. Comin…

1
Is your Swedish good enough for university? – Quiz 1 18:18

8M ago18:18

18:18

This week we’re going to test our panelists’ Swedish language knowledge by throwing a few questions at them from the vocabulary section of Högskoleprovet, the Swedish Scholastic Aptitude Test that students can take as an entrance exam for Swedish universities. The questions in this episode are taken from a test that university applicants took in au…

1
What makes Sweden one of the world's most innovative countries? 30:05

8M ago30:05

30:05

This week we talk about Donald Trump's return to the White House and how it’s going to impact Sweden, especially in the areas of trade and security. And could the Tesla strike become a flashpoint with Elon Musk now a part of the US administration? One Swede who was in the United States recently is the deputy prime minster Ebba Busch. We discuss her…

1
Will Sweden's new citizenship rules put foreign workers off? 35:26

8M ago35:26

35:26

Sweden's government promised a paradigm shift on immigration and this was a week in which they moved ahead with some cornerstone policies. As we spoke about in last week's podcast, enhanced security checks are expected to slow down decisions on citizenship by a migration authority already struggling to manage a backlog of more than 80,000 applicati…

1
Buckle up for more Swedish immigration curbs in 2025 14:55

9M ago14:55

14:55

Migration minister on citizenship security checks, January's 'ox weeks', citizenship and immigration rule changes, Northvolt's battle for survival. For membership+ subscribers: why Sweden has a wolf hunt, and what readers say about receiving wrong information from the Migration Agency. Host Paul O’Mahony is joined this week by regular panelists Bec…

1
Sweden in 2025: From reader predictions to new immigration rules 21:41

9M ago21:41

21:41

This week we’re going to turn our attention to the year ahead with some soothsaying on what to expect in politics and the economy in 2025 and we’ll also hear some of The Local’s readers' predictions for the year ahead. Host Paul O’Mahony is joined this week by regular panelists Richard Orange and James Savage. Here are links to some of the topics d…

1
Sweden in Focus end of year quiz 2024 18:00

9M ago18:00

18:00

Special offer for members Get Membership+ free for two months __ In this week's episode of Sweden in Focus we look back at the Swedish year in news. As 2024 comes to a close, it’s time to reflect on the stories that shaped Sweden over the past year. Join us for an end-of-year quiz where we dive into the headlines and events that shaped the news age…

1
'It's not Christmas in Sweden without a culture war' 29:11

9M ago29:11

29:11

Special offer for members Get Membership+ free for two months __ In this week's episode: the best things about Christmas in Sweden, interview with the Greens' migration spokesperson on citizenship slowdown plans. Host Paul O’Mahony is joined this week by regular panelists Richard Orange and James Savage. Here are links to some of the topics discuss…

1
What do Syrians in Sweden think of calls for them to 'go home'? 23:05

10M ago23:05

23:05

Special offer for members Get Membership+ free for two months __ Host Paul O’Mahony is joined this week by regular panelists Becky Waterton and Emma Löfgren. Here are links to some of the topics discussed in the episode: Syria Sweden puts Syrian asylum decisions on hold Where did the most new Swedish citizens come from in 2024? Literature Ten Swedi…