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It's Called Culture

It's Called Culture

By Folk and Fad

First generation Portuguese-Americans reflect on their heritage in a sarcastic and entertaining collection of discussions that preserve the past of our culture and look to shape the future of it.

Sharing our own stories (and those of our guests and listeners) across the backdrop of the immigrant experience, we unwind ideas of guilt, fear, shame, and social norms influenced by ethnicity, religion, and media. Each new episode also has a segment dedicated to sharing mental health best practices (the elephant in the room of our culture).

Guests and listeners of all cultures encouraged!
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001: Introducing Mel & Kel

It's Called CultureApr 07, 2022

00:00
16:13
059: Rabo De Peixe, 7th Heaven, Pet Grief
May 30, 202301:03:57
058: Individualism vs. Community, Cultural Sleep Habits, Europe's Most Fearful Countries
May 23, 202333:50
057: Azores Trip Advisor, Lunch Duty, Staying Calm Under Stress
May 16, 202301:08:40
056: May Day, Azores Burial Customs, Information Overload
May 09, 202301:17:17
055: Swill Milk, 'Got Milk?', The Cherry Blossom Experiment
May 02, 202301:07:36
054: Questionable Wedding Pranks, Nostalgic Rooms, Gratitude Journal Update
Apr 25, 202301:02:10
053: British Food Folklore, Street Smarts, Manipulative Content
Apr 18, 202301:04:09
052: Barcelos Rooster, TGIF, Kava
Apr 11, 202301:05:07
051: Thirty-Six Hours in Canada
Apr 04, 202301:19:11
050: Spanglish, Saved by the Bell, and Unmasking
Mar 28, 202301:10:13
049: Electricity, Blue's Clues, and The Wellness Spectrum

049: Electricity, Blue's Clues, and The Wellness Spectrum

First from our social media roundup [01:36] we have Portuguese beach boys and steak plate ratings spreadsheet. Our culture topic [08:23] is home improvements and our nostalgia topic [19:04] is 90's con. For our mental health segment [37:49] we discuss how opposite ends of the wellness spectrum appear to converge.

Mar 21, 202346:59
048: Kiss Me I'm (Not) Irish
Mar 14, 202353:33
047: European Weddings and Pre-Cana Woes

047: European Weddings and Pre-Cana Woes

There's a lot to unpack here with country-specific wedding traditions from the UK, France, Italy, Portugal, Spain, and Greece. Then we unravel the catholic church's unserious positions on love & marriage, discuss the cinematic masterpiece "The Two Popes", and end with a tech-savvy mental health segment.  

Mar 07, 202301:07:55
046: Marriage Superstitions and Miseries
Feb 28, 202347:54
045: Fat Tuesday Around the World
Feb 21, 202301:10:06
044: Valentine's Day (Dia dos Namorados)
Feb 14, 202353:42
043: Disney Culture
Feb 07, 202301:07:13
042: Chouriço Do Diabo (Devil's Chouriço)

042: Chouriço Do Diabo (Devil's Chouriço)

We bring you three entirely separate incidents involving self-proclaimed "Sausage Kings" and murder. A fourth generation Portuguese-American Sausage King in California, a German immigrant Sausage King in Chicago, and a Russian Sausage King near Moscow, Russia. Plot twist, one of them is a victim not a perpetrator. Either way, if you ever see the words “Sausage King” in a profile on Bumble, swipe hard left.

Jan 31, 202359:27
041: Altar Serving at the Funeral for $3 with Guest: Michelle DeMelo

041: Altar Serving at the Funeral for $3 with Guest: Michelle DeMelo

Michelle DeMelo has put in more time and effort into our culture and its traditions than most people our age.  From her altar serving side hustle as a kid to her current involvement as a cult member (for the holy ghost of course)....and all the funeral and marching band trauma in between.

Jan 24, 202301:08:34
040: I Guess I Gotta Give You Part II Of My Confessions (of a Hypochondriac)

040: I Guess I Gotta Give You Part II Of My Confessions (of a Hypochondriac)

Just when we thought we said all we can say, the host on the side talks about when she had one on the way.  If we're gonna tell it then we're gonna tell it all! 


Cliffs notes = C-Sections, Parasites, Long Covid, Man Flu.

Jan 17, 202341:23
039: Living with Medical Anxiety: Confessions of a Hypochondriac

039: Living with Medical Anxiety: Confessions of a Hypochondriac

Hypochondriacs unite! We share our real life encounters with illness anxiety disorder and the mental gymnastics needed to fight the urge to visit Web MD. And as always, we do it with a healthy dose of humor. Just what the doctor ordered. 

Jan 10, 202351:52
038: Happy New Year aka Feast of the Snip

038: Happy New Year aka Feast of the Snip

First, it would be remiss not to mention the January 1st Feast of the Holy Foreskin and its history. Next, we learn about New Year customs from various countries around the world and preach about how fireworks are detrimental and unnecessary. And we end by discussing our New Year's resolutions as our mental health segment.

Jan 03, 202301:00:25
037: Christmas-y Liqueurs and the Anti-Santa

037: Christmas-y Liqueurs and the Anti-Santa

First we address a few discussions from our social media community before diving into Krampus, the anti-Santa. Then we cover a variety of interesting Christmas-y liqueurs and the multi-cultural fruit cake. And as always, we end with mental health tips!

Dec 27, 202201:01:51
036: Fun with FIFA: World Cup History and Controversies

036: Fun with FIFA: World Cup History and Controversies

Lower your expectations. In this special *SpOrtS* edition, we talk football in our own style - including confessing to what we don't know. We highlight the importance of the sport to our Portuguese culture. And of course, we would never leave you without at least a few nuggets about alleged corruption.

Dec 13, 202255:07
035: Christmas Gift Giving: O Sanny Claus, Yule Lads, and Saint Nicholas
Dec 06, 202201:07:60
034: The Specific Anxieties of a Culture

034: The Specific Anxieties of a Culture

Nature or nurture? Mel & Kel discuss a sample platter of specific anxieties they were brought up to have and whether or not they've been able to kick them to the curb. Fears not limited to burglary, trafficking, driving, cramping while swimming, cutting your hair after you eat, drinking wine with watermelon.  Wait, these got weird...!

Nov 29, 202201:14:35
033: Making a New Home Abroad with Guest: Kyler Canastra
Nov 22, 202201:18:43
032: Indestructible Furniture: They Don't Make 'Em Like That Anymore

032: Indestructible Furniture: They Don't Make 'Em Like That Anymore

We kick off by hilariously reacting to your responses on our Instagram poll about the "weirdest things people have snuck onto planes".  Next, we touch briefly on some Azores travel items before we get passionately sidetracked talking about our immigrant parents' specific furniture items for the remainder of the episode.  A wild journey you don't want to miss.

Nov 15, 202201:14:17
031: Brazilian Culture & Living Life with Guest: Indy Santos
Nov 08, 202201:06:30
030: All Saints (are ridiculous) Day
Nov 01, 202201:18:41
029: The Immigrant Family Experience with Guest: Joseph Abdin
Oct 25, 202201:10:47
028: We're Breaking Generational Patterns with Guest: Vanessa Medeiros

028: We're Breaking Generational Patterns with Guest: Vanessa Medeiros

We are joined by guest Vanessa Medeiros, our former schoolmate who keeps us belly-laughing as part of The Portuguese Kids comedy trio!  We discuss how appreciating, joking about, and trying to improve our culture are not mutually exclusive things. Vanessa also puts on her therapist hat for an extended mental health segment with us! Subscribe to our YouTube Channel for full video episodes. 

Follow us:

Instagram: @_itscalledculture

Twitter: @folkandfad

TikTok: @melanncoley and @itscalledculture

Oct 18, 202201:15:24
027: Part 2 of The Portuguese Princess from Providence with Guest: Michelle Costa, BB10

027: Part 2 of The Portuguese Princess from Providence with Guest: Michelle Costa, BB10

In the second half of this episode, we continue our chat with the one and only Portuguese Princess from Providence, Michelle Costa from CBS' Big Brother Season 10. We discuss embracing the culture, its benefits, and how Michelle earned her nickname. Part 2 also covers the more serious aspects of being on reality TV including some contestants facing racial biases, and the overall toll that continuous surveillance and publicity can have on mental health.
Follow Michelle:
Twitter: @michellebb10
Facebook: MichelleCostaBB10
Instagram: @michellebb10
Follow us:
Instagram: @_itscalledculture
Twitter: @folkandfad
TikTok: @melanncoley and @itscalledculture
Oct 11, 202201:03:13
026: Part 1 of The Portuguese Princess from Providence with Guest: Michelle Costa, BB10
Oct 04, 202201:05:37
025: Azores Dining Customs and Remote Village Life
Sep 27, 202201:07:51
024: The Portuguese Traveler
Sep 20, 202201:00:31
023: Espírito Santo Teacher Perspective with Guest: Jay Vaillancourt "Mr. V"
Sep 13, 202201:15:59
022: Millennials Keeping the Culture Alive with Guest: Devin Meireles
Sep 06, 202201:03:19
021: Rituals of the Cult of the Holy Ghost

021: Rituals of the Cult of the Holy Ghost

We continue to explore the "cult" of our culture through our own lived experiences of processions, rosary rituals, and eating Holy Ghost soup. Unrelated, find out how to properly dispose of historical creative fiction novels you may have outgrown. And don't forget to hang around long enough for our It's Called Mental Health segment with tips for anxiety management.

Follow us:

Instagram: @_itscalledculture

Twitter: @folkandfad

TikTok: @melanncoley and @itscalledculture

Aug 30, 202201:00:46
020: Cult of the Holy Ghost: Setting the Stage

020: Cult of the Holy Ghost: Setting the Stage

Melissa and Kelly explore the "cult" of their culture. Mysterious brotherhood? Check. Unwritten rules? Check. Cult-specific symbols? Check. Religious rituals, chants, and animal sacrifices? Check. Check. Check. 

Follow us: 

Instagram: @_itscalledculture 

Twitter: @folkandfad 

TikTok: @melanncoley and @itscalledculture

Aug 23, 202250:59
019: Medical Treatment or Hocus Pocus?

019: Medical Treatment or Hocus Pocus?

We discuss different ways to seek medical care: doctors, herbalists, bone-setters, the women who read from the book, witches, and healers. If there is one thing Azoreans believe, it's that:  "God heals, and the Doctor takes the fees." - Benjamin Franklin

Aug 16, 202256:33
018: Agonias (The Agonies): A Catch-All Medical Term
Aug 09, 202250:18
017: How to Cook for a Crowd

017: How to Cook for a Crowd

The Official Portuguese Method (works for buffets, weddings, holidays, birthdays etc.) 


Step 1: Count the number of guests. 

Step 2: Double it. 

Step 3: Double the amount of food again because it still doesn't seem like enough. 

Step 4: Keep doubling until guests arrive. 

Step 5: Throughout the party, continue offering to cook up just one more thing...

Aug 02, 202238:50
016: Breakfast of (Someone Other Than) Champions

016: Breakfast of (Someone Other Than) Champions

If breakfast is the most important meal of the day, we can assure you our peeps were not out there setting the world on fire by starting the day with old bread soaked in a decaf coffee.  Or eating bowls of cornstarch.  Can a girl get one nutrient please?!  And it didn't get much better as the day went on, as Melissa also recounts the unfathomable tale of "sugar sandwiches" as after-school snacks (yes, plural!)...

Jul 26, 202234:53
015: Portion Control and Vegetables? Never Met Them.

015: Portion Control and Vegetables? Never Met Them.

We walk through the Portuguese food pyramid, except there are no section dividers. It's all carbs. With a side of carbs. For breakfast, lunch, and dinner. Discover the magic and miracles of soup. Weigh in on the dry bean saga. How much water does Jell-O need? And find out the secret ingredient that makes kids go crazy for hot dogs.

Jul 19, 202248:21
014: First Generation American Duties: Medical and Mail Interpretation

014: First Generation American Duties: Medical and Mail Interpretation

Speaking English means being assigned medical appointment and mail interpreting duties no matter how young you are.  Melissa and Kelly first reflect briefly on their podcasting journey thus far and then recount stories of misinterpreting a major diagnosis, using craftsman tools to perform an at-home medical procedure, hand-written chain letters, how to get out of jury-duty, and more...

Jul 12, 202243:10
013: Dating and Cell Phones as a Millennial Daughter of Immigrants

013: Dating and Cell Phones as a Millennial Daughter of Immigrants

Dating the milkman. Dating in church. Dating abroad. Dating an infant. Dating your cousin. This episode captures immigrant family dating sagas across multiple generations. And this is just the tip of the iceberg. Millennials who came of age during the technology boom of the late 90's and early 00's will also appreciate the discussion on cell phone use, jaw-dropping bills, dial-up internet, and party lines.

Jul 05, 202240:21
012: Driving in Cars with Vavô: An After-School Special

012: Driving in Cars with Vavô: An After-School Special

Getting picked up from school by vavô was always a treat, just be sure to first wipe your feet.  Vavô's car interior was definitely covered in plastic.  And he may have had the motor-vehicle reaction time of a slug, but his wit was quick.  Our after school time was spent either doing homework at the bar of the local Portuguese social club (Kel) or watching MTV's spring break and Jerry Springer (Mel).  Don't stop listening before you find out what happens if you want a little after school chestnut snack.

Jun 28, 202243:48
011: Winemaking, Christmas, and Superstitions with Special Guest: Connie Marques

011: Winemaking, Christmas, and Superstitions with Special Guest: Connie Marques

Harvest and press grapes, shoo away fruit flies, and consume wine with us in this episode. Learn what will get you banned from participating in the winemaking process. And you know we can't talk about our luscious grapevines without complimenting the Azorean green thumb. So green it has taken over the Christmas nativity scene. But wasn't Jesus born in the desert? Lastly, find out what not to put in your sangria if you want to survive the night!
Jun 21, 202247:05
010: Adventure to Canada with Us and Special Guest: Connie Marques

010: Adventure to Canada with Us and Special Guest: Connie Marques

Adventure with us between the US and Canada in a time before cell phones and GPS.  Whatever you do, do not: (1) hide things in your glove compartment if you are going to need to open it at the border to get your documents, (2) use landmarks that are not visible at night for directions, (3) accidentally leave something valuable behind at a rest stop, and (4) complain that nobody helped you drive if you did not ask for help!  And definitely don't miss the final story about what lengths the employees at Canada's Wonderland will go to retrieve a lost item...

Jun 14, 202243:19
009: Cultural Foods At What Cost?!

009: Cultural Foods At What Cost?!

We dig in to some traditional Azorean delicacies and the true cost of consumption.  Sure the food may be cheap, but now I have to live with the mental image of my ham's last screams.  Does the cost/benefit for picking and eating periwinkles check out?  Is it worth getting fresh goat cheese delivered to your door before sunrise if you're going to think you're being robbed?  Plus, find out which concert Mel saw for only 5 Euros (a steal!) in Vila Franca.

Jun 07, 202248:45
008: Visiting the Motherland (Azores) in the Early 00s

008: Visiting the Motherland (Azores) in the Early 00s

Vacationing in the Azores was a breeze with 5-star amenities such as BYOT (Bring-Your-Own-Toilet), corn husk mattresses, and one singular light bulb in the whole house.  Plus, find out why Mel's mom had to wear an eye patch to the festa!

May 31, 202242:26
007: School Uniforms: Sweaters in the Summer, Skirts in the Winter

007: School Uniforms: Sweaters in the Summer, Skirts in the Winter

Experience the torture that came with wearing the all-weather catholic school sweater.  Why were our shirts made of single-ply toilet paper?  Why didn't Kelly get in trouble like the rest of us for wearing spaghetti straps?  What does "pocketing" mean?  And a couple of bonus teacher stories that could be the start of a Netflix special...


May 24, 202243:01
006: That Time I Died: Jesus' Ultimate Throwback Thursday

006: That Time I Died: Jesus' Ultimate Throwback Thursday

Part 2 explores the period of Lent including Jesus' makeup routine, the optimal place to sit in church on Palm Sunday to avoid car crashes, and how not to overstay your welcome if you rise from the dead.

May 17, 202240:22
005: We Attended Mass More Than Class

005: We Attended Mass More Than Class

Part 1 retells the drama of middle school confession, performing church readings, and attending midnight mass.

May 09, 202240:57
004: Co-Ed Haunted Catholic School Sleepover: Leave Room For the Holy Ghost

004: Co-Ed Haunted Catholic School Sleepover: Leave Room For the Holy Ghost

This episode continues to share our experiences attending the First Portuguese Catholic School in America in the 90s and early 00s. Journey with us from being haunted by holy ghosts while babysitting the Jesus wafer all the way to prison yard recesses and middle school raves.

May 03, 202240:52
003: We Survived the 90s in a Portuguese Catholic School

003: We Survived the 90s in a Portuguese Catholic School

The school we attended holds the title of the First Portuguese Catholic School in America.  This episode begins to share our experiences attending this school in the 90s and early 00s.  From Computer-Teaching Nuns to the Great Lice Outbreak of 1997 and all the forms of punishment in between.

Apr 26, 202244:04
002: Immigration: From Island to Industry

002: Immigration: From Island to Industry

Incredible accounts of Azorean immigration to the US in the twentieth century. Mel & Kel share their own parents' immigration stories and discuss reasons for immigration, the arrival process, and how they made it work in a foreign land despite being broke and lacking education. 

Apr 18, 202249:28
001: Introducing Mel & Kel

001: Introducing Mel & Kel

Culture is a way of life for an entire society. Hosts Melissa and Kelly met in Kindergarten 30 years ago. Their culture is from the Azores - a remote group of Portuguese islands. But they don't live there. They live in America as part of the millennial generational culture. This podcast is their experience as children of immigrants at the intersection of these cultures.  Visit their site folkandfad.com for an episode recap or get in touch with them at mail@folkandfad.com. 

Apr 07, 202216:13