Expresso Launches The Principle of Restlessness, a New Philosophy Podcast Hosted by David Erlich

Expresso's Bold New Podcast Turns Doubt Into a Way of Life

At the heart of Expresso's new podcast lies a conviction: doubt is not an obstacle but a driving force, a restlessness. The Principle of Restlessness is for those who love to think, for those unafraid of difficult questions, and for those who believe philosophy is not an academic luxury but a tool for living better.

The podcast will alternate between conversations led by two philosophers with well-known Portuguese public figures and live-recorded episodes at the Espanto International Philosophy Festival in Cascais.

In both formats, the goal is the same: to turn thought into a living, open-ended exercise—without a safety net.

The duo behind the podcast brings together distinct yet equally intellectually restless journeys. David Erlich, born in Lisbon on the bicentennial of the French Revolution, is now one of Moscavide's most prominent intellectuals. Before fully dedicating himself to philosophy, he worked as a cinema usher, a call-center operator, a summer camp counselor, and a cruise ship entertainer—experiences he often emphasizes as shaping his philosophical worldview.

Catarina G. Barosa's path weaves together law, theater, journalism, and philosophy. She founded a nonprofit organization and, through it, created Espanto—the International Philosophy Festival. Her greatest restlessness is understanding the world, others, and herself through philosophy. She may never fully succeed, she admits, but she keeps trying.

The Principle of Restlessness is a podcast where doubt is the starting point, not the destination. The first episode premieres on May 7, with new conversations released every Thursday thereafter.

Because thinking is an art that must be practiced—even if the path leads not to answers, but only to new questions. After all, doubt, too, can be a principle, a restlessness.

Audio and video production for the podcast is handled by Tale House, with an original soundtrack by musician and producer Pedro Luís, inspired by José Mário Branco's Inquietação (as performed by the group A Naifa). The cover art is by Tiago Pereira Santos, featuring photography by Matilde Fieschi and the Expresso and Espanto Festival logos. Joana Beleza oversees coordination, while João Vieira Pereira serves as director.

Listen to Expresso's new podcast here or on any podcast platform, where you can subscribe, leave comments, and share suggestions.

The Principle of Restlessness is a podcast where thinking is a verb to be exercised—alone and in conversation. National and international philosophers reflect aloud on fear, while Catarina G. Barosa, founder of the Espanto International Philosophy Festival, and David Erlich, a professor and writer, welcome guests from diverse fields for unfiltered dialogue. Here, certainties are questioned, and doubt is elevated to a virtue. The aim is to practice the noble art of thinking, even if it leads not to answers, but to new questions.

A new episode, a new restlessness—every Thursday.