Category Archives: Spanish society

Starting from zero in Spain at 70 – The personal story of Hollywood director & author Marsha Scarbrough



Thinking about moving to Spain? Think it’s too late?  Join me to hear the inspirational story from Marsha Scarbrough who proves it’s never too late to say yes to a new life in Spain. Marsha left her native California to start afresh in Madrid when she was 70 years old after losing everything in the … Continue reading Starting from zero in Spain at 70 – The personal story of Hollywood director & author Marsha Scarbrough


Sephardic Roots – Jewish History in Spain & Sephardic Ancestry Citizenship



In this episode of The When in Spain podcast we’re talking about Jewish history or Sephardic history – to use the Hebrew word – in Spain. We’ll also be talking about a law that Spain passed in 2015 that has laid a pathway for people of Sephardic descent to reclaim Spanish citizenship – and one … Continue reading Sephardic Roots – Jewish History in Spain & Sephardic Ancestry Citizenship


The death of Franco & Spain’s transition to democracy with William Chislett



In this episode we look at a fascinating and monumental period in Spanish history – The death of Franco in 1975 and Spain’s transition to democracy that followed in the late 1970s. In this part one of a two part podcast I had the great pleasure of talking to writer and journalist William Chislett. William … Continue reading The death of Franco & Spain’s transition to democracy with William Chislett


Ask me anything! Part 2 – Your questions on food, places, washing machines (!) & culture



Part 2 of “ask me anything”. I answer more of your questions about life in Spain from my point of view. In the second part I answer your questions about my favourite Spanish food and restaurants, moving to different parts of Spain, washing machines and Spanish culture.


20 things you should and shouldn’t do in Spain – Insights for an authentic Spanish experience!



A round up of do’s and don’ts to make your experience in Spain as authentic and enjoyable as possible. Spain, like any country when we’re not too familiar with it at first, can feel complicated and overwhelming. Especially when we don’t have any kind of cultural compass to guide us along the way. Whether you … Continue reading 20 things you should and shouldn’t do in Spain – Insights for an authentic Spanish experience!


Madrid Secrets by bike – Masonic mysteries, an assassination, pelota & fishy streets



Hop on and ride with me as I cycle Madrid‘s streets to uncover some curious secrets and hidden gems of the Spanish capital. In this episode of the When in Spain podcast I sign-up to Madrid‘s BiciMadrid public cycle scheme and dodge the traffic to check out some fascinating locations which hide some surprising stories … Continue reading Madrid Secrets by bike – Masonic mysteries, an assassination, pelota & fishy streets


Documenting Madrid’s Romani community with photographer Michael Damanti



In this episode I talk to Mike Damanti, a professional photographer from the United States who moved to Madrid five years ago. While on a quest for artistic inspiration, Mike came across Madrid’s Romani community.  Photographing them over many years and documenting the Romani community’s lives living on the streets of Madrid, he slowly became … Continue reading Documenting Madrid’s Romani community with photographer Michael Damanti


Comedy as an antidote to the frustrations of living in Spain – Laughter is the best medicine with Richard Marshall



British comedian Richard Marshall from Madrid Stand Up Comedy talks to me about the frustration and isolation we can face when moving to Spain. Richard shares with us how he’s used comedy as an antidote to overcome the anxieties of immersing himself in a new culture and language. We also had lots of laughs examining … Continue reading Comedy as an antidote to the frustrations of living in Spain – Laughter is the best medicine with Richard Marshall


Secrets of the Menú del Día – The history & future of Spain’s lunchtime meal deal



Join me and journalist, Fiona Govan from The Local news website as we eat our way through a Menú del Día – Spain’s great value fixed-price lunch menu which you can find in pretty much any restaurant in Spain, although often tourists and visitors are not sure what it is or what it includes. Find … Continue reading Secrets of the Menú del Día – The history & future of Spain’s lunchtime meal deal


A nation of gamblers? – Spanish lotteries, bingo, casinos & their history



Did you know that Spain´s Lottery is the second oldest in world? Did you know that Spaniards bet a whopping 1.9 billion euros each year? And did you know that one of the most popular lotteries in Spain was set-up by General Franco to help people who had been blinded during the Civil War? Join … Continue reading A nation of gamblers? – Spanish lotteries, bingo, casinos & their history