Podcasts by Category
The first and finest podcast for Italian Americans... delivering history, discussion, and connection with smarts, heart, and a lot of laughs. 🇮🇹🇺🇸 Support this podcast: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/italianamerican/support
- 588 - IAP 322: How Many Italian Americans Does It Take To Bring You The Hallmark Channel’s Countdown to Christmas Movies?
Every autumn, as the air gets crisper and the final leaves begin to fall, millions of devotees wait on bated breath for the arrival of one of the most beloved traditions in the world… the Hallmark Channel’s Countdown to Christmas! And on this week’s episode, we’re sitting down with two Italian Americans who have dedicated their lives to bringing this marathon of merriment to this loyal audience year after year!
Meet Candice DiLavore and Samantha DiPippo, two incredible Italian American execs at Hallmark Media who are weaving their devotion to family and tradition into these heartwarming films that have become an integral part of holiday traditions for so many.
Unlock the secrets of Italian American traditions and the behind-the-scenes magic of Hallmark Christmas movies as we serve up a feast of laughter and storytelling in today's spirited conversation and reflect on the profound impact Hallmark movies have on viewers, serving as a source of comfort and connection in challenging times.
Prepare for a heartwarming journey as we explore ritual, romance, and the impact of classic films on our own cinematic creations. We also share a personal encounter that's ripe for transformation into a Hallmark Christmas movie plot, proving that our Italian American heritage is an endless well of inspiration! Plus, indulge in our dream of filming in the picturesque towns of “La Bella Italia”, where the storylines are as rich and inviting as the landscapes.
Finally, we leave you with an appeal to support the Notorious POB at his annual Feast of Our Lady of Sacro Montecoming up on May 16-18 in Clifton, NJ. We’re hoping you will make a donation, or perhaps even come out and join us… where you may get the chance to meet a Paesana or two behind your favorite Hallmark Christmas Movies!
Visit the link in our story and bio to download and listen now!
--- Support this podcast: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/italianamerican/supportSat, 11 May 2024 - 1h 03min - 587 - IAP 321: “The Struggle For Sicilian Independence” with Dr. Gaetano Cipolla
We’re exploring one of the lesser-known chapters of Italy’s post-war history as we examine Sicily's bid for independence with our esteemed guest Dr. Gaetano Cipolla of Arba Sicula. Join us as he shares insights from his brand new translation of the late Giuseppe Scianò's revelatory book, "The Struggle for Sicilian Independence." Our enlightening conversation peels back layers of history, exposing British intervention in Garibaldi's campaign and the effects of Italian unification on Sicilian culture. We reflect on the enduring spirit of the Sicilian people, their unique language, and cultural heritage, drawing parallels to contemporary independence movements across Europe.
And, we’ll be diving into the linguistic labyrinth of the Sicilian language, as Dr. Cipolla dismantles misconceptions and conveys the richness of a tongue that's more than a mere dialect. We dissect the challenges of translating Sicilian for an American audience, striking a balance between cultural fidelity and comprehensibility. The episode also delves into the diversity among Sicilian dialects and the endeavor to create a standardized grammar that remains true to its multifaceted nature, celebrating Sicily's linguistic identity and diversity.
Concluding our cultural voyage, we ponder the future of Sicilian language and customs. Against the predictions of its fading, we find a vibrant cultural pride encouraging its preservation. We explore the shifting lexicon, the role of music, and social media's potential to ignite a cultural renaissance. Dr. Cipolla's dedication to safeguarding the Sicilian heritage is evident through his latest contributions, promising to be vital for those fascinated with Sicily's rich history and the unyielding spirit that has influenced the world.
--- Support this podcast: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/italianamerican/supportSat, 27 Apr 2024 - 1h 06min - 586 - IAP 320: Teaching, Traveling, and Transforming Lives!
Well, the ground beneath us may have shaken from New Jersey's surprising earthquake, but it's the stirring tales of passing along the Italian culture to future generations that truly rock our world!
That’s because, in this week’s episode, we’re joined by the delightful Marisa Fusaro, Italian teacher and creator of Stellina Travel, who shares her insights on the crucial role of education in preserving Italian-American language culture.
As she regales us with tales from her vibrant classroom, we get a sense of the passion and dedication it takes to teach the Italian language to students from all ethnic backgrounds. But it's not just about language; it's about connecting with our history, our ancestors, and the sense of community that these traditions foster. Marissa's insights serve as a reminder of the invaluable role education plays in the tapestry of Italian-American heritage.
Wrapping up with a heart-to-heart on the value of educational travel, we put the spotlight on the unforgettable impact of experiencing Italy firsthand. There's something magical about watching students come into their own as cultural ambassadors amidst the unfolding wonders of Bel Italia, and we’re discussing the necessity for investing in these opportunities, especially for those who might not otherwise have the chance to experience Italy on their own. From supporting Italian teachers and engaging with cultural organizations to sponsoring a student's voyage, we explore how each of us can contribute to this beautiful endeavor, ensuring the flame of Italian culture burns bright for generations to come. Join us for an episode that's as much about the joy of learning as it is about the love of Italian cookies and culture.
--- Support this podcast: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/italianamerican/supportSat, 20 Apr 2024 - 1h 00min - 585 - IAP 319: PaisanCon: Where Hollywood Meets Heritage!
Turn up the volume for an exclusive sneak peek into the inaugural “PaisanCon”, where Hollywood meets heritage in a festival of film, food, and famous faces from across the Italian American entertainment scene!
We’ll meet Nicky Petito, the young Italian American comedian, writer, producer, impressionist, and crooner behind this first-of-its-kind weekend celebrating the influence of our community in pop culture. He’s rolling out the red carpet in support of Italian American narratives that uplift and inspire, and looking to Explore the Italian American experience beyond the tired tropes of mob tales and reality TV.
Envision an event where Italian American stars of stage, screen, and sports rub elbows with up-and-comers, where your “Paisan status” isn't defined by your bloodline but by your love for the culture. We spotlight the Paisan Film Festival, the Paisan Awards, and PaisanCon’s heartfelt motto, "You don't have to be Italian to be a Paisan,” an inclusive embrace of anyone who shares our passion for Italian Life.
As our conversation veers towards the portrayal of Italian-Americans in the spotlight, we scrutinize Hollywood's casting quirks and yearn for genuine representation. We dissect the complex dance of being typecast yet excluded, and underscore the importance of backing projects that honor our heritage authentically. Wrapping up, we touch on the power of unity in celebrating the cultural pride that makes us who we are. We leave you with an invitation to be a part of something special, to support Paisan Con in Fairfield, NJ on April 13-14, 2024 as Nicky and his team strive to create not just an event, but an experience that resonates with joy, pride, and the enduring spirit of our Italian American journey.
--- Support this podcast: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/italianamerican/supportFri, 12 Apr 2024 - 44min - 584 - IAP 318: Sent Here on a Higher Authority: The 15-Year Struggle to Bring “Cabrini” to the Big Screen
As we enter into the Easter Season, join us for a poignant reflection on an extraordinary figure in the Italian American community… Mother Frances Xavier Cabrini, the first American saint. Listen in as we share how personal experiences intertwine with Mother Cabrini's remarkable legacy of compassion and service. With the recent spotlight on the long-awaited film "Cabrini," our special guests Monsignor Paul Bocchicchio and Gilda Bello, pivotal early supporters in bringing the story to the screen, offer a behind-the-scenes look at the nearly 15-year journey to honor Mother Cabrini's life on screen, and the challenges they overcame along the way.
Discover the incredible narrative of Mother Cabrini's life and her impact that spans from New York City to New Orleans, marking her as a beacon of hope and dedication. We reminisce about the prayers at the Cabrini Shrine that sparked the creation of the film and recount fascinating encounters with cinematic icons.
Our conversation sheds light on the film's funding journey, revealing the blend of humor, faith, and determination that characterizes Mother Cabrini's mission and the powerful support from individuals like Eustace Wolfington and H.E. Bishop Nicholas DiMarzio. Their personal connections to Mother Cabrini's work paint a picture of a legacy that continues to resonate in communities and parishes today.
As we reflect on Easter, our discussion embraces the unique blend of Italian-American culture and faith, highlighting the enduring relevance of Mother Cabrini's story. We address the historical prejudices faced by Italian Americans, underscoring the muted recognition of Mother Cabrini's canonization and the significance of preserving our cultural and religious heritage. And as we send out our warmest Easter wishes, we celebrate the traditions that bind us, from the delectable Easter pies to the shared laughter with loved ones, and invite you to find inspiration in the power of saints like Mother Cabrini. So, come celebrate with us, and let's honor the spirit of community and faith that she embodied so profoundly.
--- Support this podcast: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/italianamerican/supportSat, 06 Apr 2024 - 56min - 583 - IAP 317: Meatballs & Memories on Wooster Square: One Family’s Devotion to New Haven’s Little Italy
Explore the deep roots of the Italian community in New Haven, CT with our esteemed guests, Frank Stellato and “Uncle Frank” Carano as we explore the cultural and culinary importance of the St. Andrew of Amalfi Society and the indelible mark of Italian migration on New Haven’s history. Savor the stories of reconnecting with family history and traditional recipes, including a prize-winning family meatball that you can try for yourself next time you are in New Haven’s Italian Enclave! Listen in as “Uncle Frank” Carano shares his experiences capturing the history of the Wooster Square Neighborhood as a columnist at the New Haven Register, creating a culinary archive in his 35,000+ member “Wooster Square Cooks” Facebook cooking group, and his efforts to preserve the history of Italian immigrants through the Worcester Square Italian Immigrant History Association.
The episode culminates with a focus on the significance of preserving Italian American traditions and oral histories. We unveil some plans for our upcoming store in Manhattan’s Little Italy including an innovative oral history booth, aiming to capture and safeguard our community's narratives. As we share anecdotes about local food legends and family recipes, we celebrate Uncle Frank's literary and culinary contributions, inviting listeners to partake in a communal feast that honors our Italian American roots. Tune in and be inspired to keep the flame of cultural heritage burning for generations to come.
--- Support this podcast: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/italianamerican/supportSun, 24 Mar 2024 - 1h 07min - 582 - IAP 316: Evviva San Giuseppe! The Aromas and Anecdotes of St. Joseph’s Day Weekend in New Orleans, Louisiana!
One of the most beloved Italian American holidays is here again, and we are back in New Orleans, LA, coming to you live and uncut from the center of the nation’s greatest St. Joseph’s Day celebrations.
Join co-host John M. Viola, as he broadcasts directly from the vibrant heart of New Orleans, where the Italian American St. Joseph's Society's parade and feast ignite the city with cultural pride. Listen in as he sits down with dear friends and prominent figures in the Italian American community—Brendan Young, Tony Mangia, and Chef David Greco of Mike's Deli on Arthur Avenue— to share a lively discussion about the rich traditions of St. Joseph's Day, including the massive undertaking of preparing nearly a thousand pounds of Pasta con Sarde and the deep-seated importance of food in our heritage celebrations.
We dive into the kitchen camaraderie that makes monumental cooking endeavors like this possible and illuminate the secrets behind the mouthwatering feasts that have come to symbolize our collective identity. We reminisced about the family-run businesses that form the backbone of our community, the resilience that has seen us through the toughest of times, and the cultural champions who've ensured that our legacy endures.
Plus, we’ll explore the broader implications of our heritage celebrations, and how the significance of these gatherings extends beyond the feasting tables, shaping our perspectives on historical narratives and the ways we honor our forebears. Through the power of story and social media, we're not just preserving customs; we're inviting the world to join our pilgrimage, one that celebrates the grandeur of Italian-American culture and the spirited communities that keep it alive. So, tune in, enjoy the stories, and perhaps find a spark of inspiration to kindle your own cultural flames by joining the dozens of listeners already making the pilgrimage at next year’s St. Joseph’s Day Weekend!
--- Support this podcast: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/italianamerican/supportSat, 16 Mar 2024 - 54min - 581 - IAP 315: Filitalia International- Celebrating Italian Roots from Havana to the Heartland!
Join us as we unwrap the colorful tapestry of Italian culture with guests, Trisha Volpe and Saverio Nestico from Filitalia International. This forward-thinking organization, born in the heart of Philadelphia’s Italian American enclave stretches across the globe, with membership from Havana, Cuba to the Heartland of America!
Discover the origins and mission of Filitalia, its expansion to 27 chapters worldwide, and how it fosters values of humility, justice, and honesty in promoting the Italian language and culture. From historical migrations to the touching story of one Italian American woman finding love in a Pastry Shop, our conversation traverses the rich tapestry of Italian heritage and its enduring influence.
Listen in as we reflect on the dynamic changes within Italian American communities, and discuss the complexities younger generations face when integrating into organizations steeped in tradition, and explore why Filitalia has become the go-to organization for younger Italians around the world seeking their role in uniting Italian-Americans and fostering cultural pride while combining heritage with professional pursuits. It's a celebration of culture, connection, and the global reach of organizations like Filitalia that bind us all.
--- Support this podcast: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/italianamerican/supportSat, 09 Mar 2024 - 1h 02min - 580 - IAP 314: From Tax Ledgers to Teaching Triumphs - Maria Teresa Quaranta is One Special Educator!
When Maria Teresa Quaranta left her tax accountant ledgers for lesson plans, she wasn't just changing careers; she was answering a calling. Her heart led her to the vibrant halls of the Robert F. Kennedy School in Manhattan, where she now brings the richness of Italian American culture to life using innovative teaching strategies tailored to students with unique learning needs.
Join us as we visit with Maria Teresa and her incredible students to explore her journey and her innovative approach to education that transcends traditional methods, embracing the ethos of heritage and humanity. Fueled by her fervent desire to enrich the lives of children with severe disabilities, Maria Theresa shares the innovative new program that she created to bring the Italian American culture into a diverse classroom, creating a synergistic ecosystem of special education, where families, educators, and technology converge to craft a space that's less of a classroom and more of a familial haven. It’s a classroom where every day is a discovery – not just for the students but for the educator as well!
We’ll also explore the future of Italian American identity, and the crucial role of younger Italian Americans like Maria Theresa in sustaining and redefining this legacy. Discover Maria Teresa's unique approach to teaching tolerance and acceptance through cultural comparisons, and appreciate the groundbreaking educational methods that foster inclusivity and understanding in today's evolving learning environments.
Maria Teresa's classroom is a testament to the power of patience, tolerance, and acceptance, celebrating the differences that make each student unique, yet her story isn't just about teaching; it's about how passion can spark a revolution in learning, and this episode is an intimate look at that transformation in action. Join us as we spotlight the profound influence that one dedicated educator can have on the lives of those with special needs, all against the backdrop of a proud Italian American narrative.
And, if you or someone you love is an educator, visit piccolofuturo.com to bring Maria Theresa’s Italian Heritage curriculum into your classroom!
--- Support this podcast: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/italianamerican/supportSat, 02 Mar 2024 - 50min - 579 - IAP 313: Silk City Sonnets: Maria Mazziotti Gillan on Italian American Verse and Vitality
Join us for a heartfelt journey through the intricate landscape of cultural identity and generational heritage as we sit down with the esteemed Italian American Poet, Artist, and Professor Maria Mazzotti-Gillan. Listen in as Professor Gillan shares her evocative poetry and personal stories at the Poetry Center at Passaic County Community College, painting a vivid picture of the Italian immigrant's struggle to assimilate into American society. Together, we unpack the complex emotions tied to our ancestors' sacrifices, the shame and pride of our immigrant roots, and the delicate balance of preserving tradition while embracing a new national identity.
Reflect on the meaning of the American Dream from an Italian American perspective as we embark on an exploration of the powerful influence that family, culture, and art have on our sense of self. We uncover the strength found in balancing one's heritage with the pressures to assimilate, and how these dynamics shape our self-identification.
This episode is an invitation to become part of an ongoing conversation, ensuring that the rich cultural contributions of Italians are remembered, respected, and cherished for generations to come.
--- Support this podcast: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/italianamerican/supportSat, 24 Feb 2024 - 56min - 578 - IAP 312: Unico National: A Century of Service Above Self
For just over 100 years, Unico National has been dedicated to the ideal of “Service Above Self”. And, the nation’s largest Italian American service organization also happens to be the place where our very own Pat O’Boyle got his start in the Italian American community! That’s right… before he was the “Italian American Wikipedia” he was the Unico National Youth Chairman, and even after three decades the Notorious P.O.B. is still immensely proud of his Unican Roots!
So in this week’s episode, we’re joined by Cav. Ralph A. Contini, Unico’s National President, to discuss the organization’s proud history and bright future. From its founding in Waterbury, CT in 1922 (when its founders were denied membership in the local Rotary Club because they were Italian) to its recent growth in many parts of the country, we’re exploring what makes the organization so “unique”, and why recent trends indicate a bright future for this and other Italian American groups!
--- Support this podcast: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/italianamerican/supportSat, 17 Feb 2024 - 57min - 577 - IAP 311: Italian American Future Leaders 2… The Next Generation!
In January of 2023, more than 100 young, active Italian Americans between the ages of 21 and 35, gathered together in Sunrise, Florida for our inaugural Italian American Future Leaders Conference. This year, we set out to live up to the incredible success that was the first IAFL, and the reviews are in and it looks like we exceeded all expectations!
In this week’s episode, you’ll meet some of the over 200 passionate Italian American activists who made up our IAFL2 Class. From every corner of the country and every walk of life, we met some amazing Italian American future leaders, and we want them to share their stories and their experiences with you!
If you’ve ever been concerned about the future of our Italian American community, you won’t be after listening to this week’s episode. And, if you’re interested in learning more about this life-changing weekend, visit theIAFL Website to learn how you or someone you love could be part of next year’s event!
--- Support this podcast: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/italianamerican/supportSat, 10 Feb 2024 - 1h 11min - 576 - IAP 310: Teach Your Kids Sicilian! With Special Guest Nick Panzarella
How many Italian Americans out there are working hard to try to pass the Italian language, or one of Italy’s countless Regional Languages, onto the next generation in their family? What about those of us who are attempting to do it while learning one of these languages ourselves?
Raising your kids with Sicilian, Italian, Neapolitan, or Venetian might seem like an insurmountable task (especially while learning yourself) but this week’s guest is here to tell us that it can be done! And, he’s done a TON of work to show us how!
Nick Panzanella of the ‘Cademia Siciliana Foundation is a proud Sicilian American from Houston, TX who has made it his mission to not only learn Italian and Sicilian but to pass both languages along to his children!
Through his work with Sicilian institutions and his highly popular "Sicilian with Nick YouTube channel", this trailblazing Italo-Texan presented his incredible work to a standing ovation at our Second Annual Italian American Future Leaders Conference in South Florida, so we knew we had to give him the chance to speak to our audience around the world!
Learn the best tricks and tactics to impart your linguistic heritage to the future generations of your Italian American family, and give them the greatest gift of all!
--- Support this podcast: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/italianamerican/supportSat, 03 Feb 2024 - 1h 15min - 575 - IAP 309: Are Italian Americans White? The Racial and Ethnic Categorization of Italian Americans.
What do YOU use to answer the question on race and ethnicity on the U.S. Census?
The Federal Government has recently undertaken a reexamination of the “Federal Standards on Racial and Ethnic Data Collection”, and as a part of that process, they have invited communities across the nation to weigh in on how they are counted.
To some in our community, the time has come to answer the question of whether or not Italian Americans are “White”.
And of course, there is no straightforward answer. While some believe that the label White is an appropriate one for Italian Americans, others feel it’s an erasure and “whitewashing” of the Italian American historical experience. Many fall somewhere in between.
We’re joined by Chiara Parisi and Cristina Carabetta, two Italian American attorneys who have engaged the Federal Government in the process. They are also two of the shining alumni of our inaugural Italian American Future Leaders Conference and returned to IAFL2 this month to present their work at our 2024 conference.
They’ll share when, and at which governmental levels Italians have been categorized as “White”, why the collection of accurate statistical data is so important for our community, and what some of the proposals for a new categorization for Italian Americans actually entail.
Plus, we’ll discuss some of the misunderstandings around the current effort that have left a split in Italian American opinion.
It’s an important conversation straight from the stage of IAFL2, and one that will impact Italian Americans for generations to come!
--- Support this podcast: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/italianamerican/supportFri, 26 Jan 2024 - 1h 06min - 574 - IAP 308: Old School Genealogy is Analog and Awe Inspiring: a Conversation with Genealogist Maria Carparelli
In a world with an app for everything, and the ever-increasing presence of artificial intelligence, what happens when technology can’t answer our questions or solve our problems?
Sometimes it pays to remember how to do things the old-fashioned way!
From raising kids without parenting books and bedtime routines to eating carbs and fats for a healthier lifestyle, we’re examining some of the forgotten strategies that were common just a generation ago. And, because studies show raising children who know their genealogy makes for happier and healthier kids, we’re sitting down with genealogist Maria Carparelli of the Italian Genealogy Society of New Jersey to explore some long-lost methods of genealogical research to help the home genealogist breakthrough when technology can only take you so far!
From accessing government records in person to understanding Italian naming traditions in the hunt for your ancestors, Maria is bringing us back to the pre-internet days to share strategies and secrets you won’t want to miss!
--- Support this podcast: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/italianamerican/supportSat, 13 Jan 2024 - 55min - 573 - IAP 307: More Than Just Ethnic Comedy! Sooshi Mango Comes to America
What is it about the Italian experience around the world that makes our story so relatable? Sure, it's one thing for us Italian Americans to connect with our Paesani across the seas in Australia, but why is it that the trio of Italian Australian comedians known as Sooshi Mango have built a devoted audience as far afield as Russia and Lithuania? And if this humor is speaking to fans of all backgrounds, why is it that these Paesani who are selling out arenas around the world are being labeled as “ethnic humor” in their own country?
We’re visiting the Growing Up Italian Studios to hang out with brothers Joe and Carlo Salanitri, and their best friend, Andrew Manfre - the Italian Australian sketch comedy troupe taking the world by storm. We’re exploring the inspiration behind Sooshi Mango, and looking at how their work is influenced by everything from vaudeville to the Neapolitan Sceneggiata.
It’s a laugh-a-minute hour and a half in which we discuss everything from the feelings of divided loyalties to where not to eat tripe! And, thanks to the generosity of our new Australian amici, we’re trying some typical Australian delicacies live on the air.
If you’re a long-time Sooshi Mango fanatic, or hearing them for the first time, we’re thrilled to sit down with these three wonderful new friends on the cusp of their upcoming World Tour. And we guarantee that after listening to this episode, you’ll be lining up to see these guys live when they come back to the US next month!
Plus, thanks to our pals at Growing Up Italian, you can also take a look at a pilot video version of this episode on our YouTube channel!
--- Support this podcast: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/italianamerican/supportFri, 05 Jan 2024 - 1h 27min - 572 - IAP 306: We All Say Buon Natale! Making Our 2023 Christmas Music Video with the Bloomfield Mandolin Orchestra
Everyone knows the song about Christmas in Hawaii, but while we can appreciate a holiday with sun and sand, where’s the song that celebrates a Buon Natale filled with pesce and paisans??
Well, we at the Italian American Podcast set out to create a song for those who celebrate Christmas the Italian American way, and our first call was to our friends at the Bloomfield Mandolin Orchestra, one of the best-kept secrets in Italian America.
We’re all gathering together hot off the heels of recording our new song “We All Say Buon Natale”, and having a hilarious day putting together a music video for it. So, we’re sharing how this project came to pass, some insight into the wonderful work of the Bloomfield Mandolin Orchestra, some of our favorite Italian American Christmas traditions and tales, and a sneak peek of our brand-new song. So join us for our ANNUAL CHRISTMAS EVE SPECTACULAR, wishing you Buon Natale from the Italian American Podcast and the Bloomfield Mandolin Orchestra!
--- Support this podcast: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/italianamerican/supportFri, 22 Dec 2023 - 1h 13min - 571 - IAP 305: How Six Italian Brothers Shaped Modern America: Eduardo Montes-Bradley and His Search for the Piccirilli Brothers
Over his long career as a writer, filmmaker, academic, and award-winning documentarian, Eduardo Montes-Bradley has always been inspired by his love of learning. But these days, it's his Italian heritage that drives his tireless quest to uncover the six Italian American brothers whose skill as master carvers fundamentally reshaped the face of the modern American city.
Join us as we visit the Columbus Citizens Foundation to sit down with this fascinating Argentine-American storyteller to learn more about his passion project documentary examining this incredible Italian American family and the incomparable body of work that flowed out of their studio in the Bronx.
From the Lincoln Memorial to the New York Stock Exchange, from Brooklyn to San Diego, their impact on public art in America can never be matched… yet their contribution is almost completely overlooked today, and Eduardo has set out to discover why!
We’ll discuss artificial intelligence and its role in history and discovery, examine the ever-evolving role of documentaries and podcasts in the sphere of education, and ask why it is that we Italians seem destined to create art no matter where we go!
--- Support this podcast: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/italianamerican/supportSat, 16 Dec 2023 - 54min - 570 - IAP 304: “Who Stole The Panettone?” Gianluca Rottura on the Best Buys to Add to This Year’s Holiday Table
Gianluca Rottura, the proprietor of “In Vino Veritas,” New York City’s landmark wine store, returns to the Italian American Podcast to bring us his take on the famed Italian Amari… But, we go completely off the rails and end up getting some of his best recommendations for the drinks and delicacies you’re going to want to try this Holiday Season!
From Gianluca’s top two fresh mozzarellas in the NYC area to some amazing new wines (and yes, amari) recommendations, you’re going to get tons of tips on how to heighten your holiday this year.
We’ll introduce you to the elevation that is colatura -the hottest new “secret ingredient” in the culinary world- which just so happens to be one of ancient Rome’s most common condiments. And, we’ll explore why you might love anchovies if you’ve tried the right ones!
Plus we are discussing Gianluca’s new book: Ma, What Are You Cooking?: The In Vino Veritas Cookbook and Food Guide… an Italian American book so thoroughly encyclopedia that P.O.B. sleeps with it on his nightstand!
And, with the Christmas Season upon us, we're going to taste a listener-madepanettone so good, that it will redefine how you look at this Christmas-time regifting staple!
By the end of this episode, you’ll have a shopping list worth of goodies to track down, so if you love great wines, great food, great friends, and a good old-fashioned Italian American rant don’t miss this very lively (and instructive) episode!
--- Support this podcast: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/italianamerican/supportSat, 09 Dec 2023 - 1h 10min - 569 - IAP 303: Severino D’Angelo’s Amazing American Dream on Paesani of Interest: Italian American Stories (Part 2)
Join us as we jump back into the incredible life story of Severino D’Angelo, a “Paesan of Interest” with a story in which determination and dedication meet some very good luck.
Leaving what he describes as a “Medieval Italy” Severino D’Angelo went on to discover his natural gifts in the American education system, have his life saved when he was drafted into the U.S. Army, and build a career as an engineer that led to dozens of patents and an incredible impact on the U.S. auto industry… all of which, he believes he owes to the American Dream.
In this concluding half of a two-part episode, Severino shares how being drafted into the US Army during the Vietnam War actually saved his life, and allowed him to pursue higher education, through language barriers and learning disabilities, to become an engineer with so many patents… many of which we are still industry standard technology today.
We’ll discuss the amazing story of his chance meeting with a young American doctor who would become the love of his life, get to see what retirement looks like as a nearly 80-year-old marathon runner, and ultimately understand why after his amazing journey of immigration and transformation, he was drawn back to the Paese of his youth!
It’s a heartwarming story of humility, happenstance, hard work, and the best of the Italian American Dream, and a story you won’t want to miss!
--- Support this podcast: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/italianamerican/supportSat, 02 Dec 2023 - 56min - 568 - IAP 302: Severino D’Angelo's Amazing American Dream on Paesani of Interest: Italian American Stories (Part 1)
Severino D’Angelo is a name you might not recognize. But, if you’ve stepped into a car in the United States at any point since Ronald Reagan was in the White House, you’ve encountered a technology patented by this unassuming “Paesan of Interest”.
Leaving what he describes as a “Medieval Italy” Severino D’Angelo went on to discover his natural gifts in the American education system, have his life saved when he was drafted into the U.S. Army, and build a career as an engineer that led to dozens of patents and an incredible impact on the U.S. auto industry… all of which, he believes he owes to the American Dream.
In this first half of a two-part episode, you will meet Severino, a humble and humorous Italian American who immigrated from rural Campania to Downton Jersey City, NJ in 1963. He will describe the Italy of his youth in the immediate aftermath of the Second World War, and share the amazing story of how fortuitous timing and a bit of good old-fashioned “Furbizia”helped his father to escape that global conflagration with his life.
We’ll discuss the world he found in mid-1960s Italian America, a snapshot of the unique point in our American story, and how the differences in the American education system gave him a life he could never have dreamed of in the Italy of his youth.
It’s the beginning of a beautiful tale of hope, hard work, and the best of the Italian American Dream, and a story you won’t want to miss!
--- Support this podcast: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/italianamerican/supportFri, 17 Nov 2023 - 41min - 567 - IAP 301: Committed to Com.it.es: Alessandro Crocco & the Committees of Italian Abroad
Alessandro Crocco is an energetic and personable thirty-something from Calabria, on a mission to change the way Italy and Italian America interact. And, as the newly elected President of the Committees of Italian Abroad (Com.it.es) for New York, New Jersey, and Connecticut (and Bermuda!) Alessandro is in the perfect position to do so. But, Alessandro has a secret… after all these years, he may have become an Italian American himself!
We’re sitting down with this engaging young community leader to discuss the connections and contrasts between “Italians living in America” and Italian Americans, the opportunities and challenges ahead for both, and what it means to think of oneself as an “Expat” vs. an “Immigrant”.
We’ll delve into the inner workings of the Committees of Italian Abroad (Com.it.es), and look at how these representative bodies of the Italian community (directly elected by Italian nationals living abroad around the world) can be a force for dynamic exchange in the 21st century.
It's a frank and funny conversation that will ask some fundamental questions about the future of Italian American identity!
--- Support this podcast: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/italianamerican/supportFri, 10 Nov 2023 - 57min - 566 - IAP 300: Our 300th Episode!
8 years in the making, our 300th Episode is an uncut dive into the past, present, and future of our show, and the real-life friends behind it.
We're catching up and sharing stories from our times together beyond the podcast, giving you a glimpse "behind the green-white-and-red", and letting the tangents do the talking as we discuss everything from Rossella's upcoming celebration- the Inaugural "PaesanPalooza"- to some of the more pronounced differences between our hosts! There'll be laughing, shouting, gossiping, and guidance...but most of all a whole lotta love.
If after 299 episodes, you feel like you're one of the pals at the table too, then 300 is one you won't want to miss!
--- Support this podcast: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/italianamerican/supportFri, 03 Nov 2023 - 1h 08min - 565 - IAP299: “Italian American Gothic”- Dolores and P.O.B. on How to Homestead Italian American Style
Because this is the final episode of Italian American Heritage Month, we thought we’d gather the Famiglia and share the stories of the “Italian Heritage Heroes” who inspire each of us, except… we never quite got to that!
When Dolores, Rossella, John, and Pat reunite in person and around the table for the first time in a long time, and 3/4 of the group decides to bring foodstuffs, it’s no surprise that our co-hosts get lost in the joy of homemade delicacies. So when Dolores begins to explain the process behind her mother’s hand-foraged mushrooms under oil, the conversation quickly evolves into Dolores and P.O.B. chewing the fat about their favorite ways to “Homestead Italian American Style”.
While the butter-churning, home wheat-milling love fest leaves little for Ro and John to add, Dolores and Pat share how they have worked to blend traditions and technology in everything from bread making to homemade wine production, and their annual tomato jarring rituals.
And of course, this wouldn’t be the Italian American Podcast without a tangent or two, so get ready to hear all about Pat’s secret collection of vintage cigarette carousels, how his months-long project to reverse engineer the original taste of Italian America’s favorite espresso brand led to him almost burning down his garage, why a certain sect of Pugliese Americans were curing olives in Drano, and how Dolores doles out chicken coop duties when she and her family are out of town!
Get ready to learn some techniques and tips on a laugh-filled trip to Red, White, and Green Acres, as we take you to the farm as only the Italian American Podcast can!
--- Support this podcast: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/italianamerican/supportFri, 27 Oct 2023 - 55min - 564 - IAP298: Cars, Culture, and Camaraderie at “Casa”- A Visit to the Italian Cultural Foundation at Casa Belvedere
We’re keeping the Italian American Heritage Month party going with a visit to one of our favorite Italian American hangouts, a place that lives up to its cozy name, Staten Island, NY’s stunning Italian Cultural Center at Casa Belvedere.
The “House with the Beautiful View” was the brainchild of our friend Gina Biancardi, an Italian American with an incomparable passion for our culture and an indefatigable drive to bring the best of Italian American life to as many people as possible. We’re visiting with Gina and Jimmy Paone (the calming ballast in Gina’s journey through the uncharted waters of bringing this monumental project to life) as they celebrate Casa’s annual Fall Festa & “Motori D'Italia” Luxury Car show.
As we join the thousands of visitors descending on Casa Belvedere on this beautiful October weekend, we’re exploring the incredible family stories of this tireless couple, the story of Gina’s vision for this unique institution, and the varied events and programs that Casa Belvedere brings to Italian Americans on Staten Island and beyond.
It’s an episode that brings you everything from luxury Italian vehicles, to the finer points of tomato jarring, and from the coolest member’s only experience on Staten Island to a personal blessing by Padre Pio himself!
Join in the incredible passion and Italian American pride, being shared amongst the four paesani catching up with a beautiful view in front of them and a lot of shared love behind their gathering.
It’s the spirit of Italian American Heritage Month, “Live and Uncut”, with laughs and love from the starting gate till the finish line!
--- Support this podcast: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/italianamerican/supportThu, 19 Oct 2023 - 1h 07min - 563 - IAP 297: How We're Celebrating Italian American Heritage Month
Happy Italian American Heritage Month Paesani!!!
We’re kicking off our favorite month of the year with a good old-fashioned “Power Hour” roundtable, with Rossella, Pat, and John catching up on how they’ve spent the first few weeks in a month filled with Italian American Pride!
We’re discussing the galas, gatherings, and get-togethers that we’ve all been a part of… from the NYC Columbus Day Parade to Pat’s Malocchio-filled turn as the “Italian Man of the Year” at the Jersey City, NJ celebration!
You’ll get insights into our favorite happenings, hilarious stories where everything that can go wrong does, and a deeper discussion about what these events, and this celebratory month, mean to differing generations of Italian Americans.
If you are loving Italian American Heritage Month, and you can’t get enough of our “Live and Uncut” Power Hours, this is an episode that you will love from bell to bell!
--- Support this podcast: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/italianamerican/supportFri, 13 Oct 2023 - 1h 09min - 562 - IAP 296: If You’re Not Willing to Laugh at Yourself, Don’t Worry... We’ll Laugh at You! (Pt.2)
Brandon Ficara thinks we Italian Americans have a special relationship with humor.
Born in Philadelphia, and raised in Ocean City, NJ, this proud Italian American used humor to combat the tribulations of life at an early age. Born with Sprangles Deformity, a condition that required major back surgery when he was three years old, Brandon turned to humor to combat pain and ostracism. With his humorous approach and strong Italian Famiglia, Brandon would turn his "unique look" into the cornerstone of his career in stand-up comedy, television, writing, and public speaking.
We’re jumping back into Part 2 of this 2-Part exploration of Italian American humor and the varied portrayals that have shared our sense of humor with the world
We share how “Dominick the Donkey” brought Brandon into the Italian American Podcast Famiglia, and why looking at the “serious vs silly” approach to telling our story could change the way we look at how we are portrayed by ourselves and others.
And speaking of portrayals, we are discussing some of the most famous Italian American characters to grace the small screen in the past 40 years, on shows like “All in the Family”, Who’s the Boss” and “The Golden Girls”. And, we are soliciting YOUR help in seeking out a hidden gem of Italian American TV history, a long-lost 1972 sitcom called “The Super”.
Are we genuinely funny people? And does our Southern Italian history make us more comfortable with comedy and tragedy than other communities?
We’ll discuss all this and more in this final half of a 2-Part “Live and Uncut” episode, that we hope leaves you with lots of laughs!
--- Support this podcast: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/italianamerican/supportFri, 06 Oct 2023 - 56min - 561 - IAP 295: If You’re Not Willing to Laugh at Yourself, Don’t Worry... We’ll Laugh at You! (Pt.1)
When you spend as much time as we do examining and analyzing the Italian American experience, sometimes you just have to laugh. There are those little quirks that make us unique which are often at the source of so much of the “Italian American comedy” that speaks to each of us every time we encounter it.
But what makes “Italian American comedy” genuinely Italian American? Is it the ethnicity of the performer or writer, the subject matter dealing with our culture and experience, or the audience that identifies as decidedly Italian American?
Perhaps, it's all of the above and more, so we’re sitting down with our friend Brandon Ficara- a comedian, actor, author, speaker, and consultant- to dig into what makes us laugh at ourselves, and whether or not it's okay for others to laugh right along with us.
We’ll discuss the evolution of Italian American comedy, from stand-up to sitcoms, and how portrayals of our community have evolved over time. And we dig into some well-worn sensitivities we often have around perceptions of Italian Americans, and whether or not we need to explore those themes that make us uncomfortable to fully grasp who we are and where we’ve come from.
It’s the first half of a 2-Part episode, Live and Uncut, that will leave you with a lot to think about, and hopefully a lot of laughs!
--- Support this podcast: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/italianamerican/supportThu, 28 Sep 2023 - 55min - 560 - IAP 294: Live From "The Feast of All Feasts" - The Feast of San Gennaro in NYC
Every September for the past ninety-seven years, thousands upon thousands descend on Mulberry Street in Manhattan's venerable Little Italy for “a festa 'e tutte 'e feste”—“The Feast of All Feasts”... the eleven-day celebration that is the Feast of San Gennaro!
This year, the Italian American Podcast is celebrating the Patron Saint of Napoli- and one of Italian America’s most important Italian Feasts- by sponsoring the Feast’s live entertainment, and adding a little flare of our own by hosting a special live episode of the podcast and the inaugural Feast of San Gennaro Italian American Karaoke Night in partnership with our Paesani at ‘Growing Up Italian’.
On this week’s episode, we’re sitting down in our soon-to-be-permanent studio space at the heart of Little Italy to catch up with our friend John Fratta, the great-grandson of the Feast's inaugural President, and a long-time leader of the ‘Figli di San Gennaro’ committee which organizes this incredible festival.
We’re discussing the history of the devotion to Saint Januarius from Napoli to NYC and everywhere in between, getting some unique insight into how the Feast is being tweaked to reflect its more devotional roots, and why this year’s decision to eliminate eating competitions caused so much controversy.
We’re discussing the special place Most Precious Blood Church and the National Shrine of San Gennaro hold in the life of Italian New York, and getting a P.O.B. masterclass in the story of this beloved patron Saint!
--- Support this podcast: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/italianamerican/supportThu, 21 Sep 2023 - 1h 01min - 559 - IAP 293: Bocce and Other "Gateway Traditions" For Young Italian Americans
Summer is almost over, and many Paesani are outside soaking up the last weeks of our “Italian American National Sport”… the beloved game of BOCCE!
For many, this simple lawn game is a staple of Italian American summer life, but for an increasing number of young people seeking out ways to engage and promote their Italian American heritage, bocce has become a “gateway tradition” of sorts… an inviting entry point back into the rhythms and rituals of Italian American life.
In this episode, we’re joined by a collection of young Italian American activists from northern New Jersey whose collective efforts rescued a long-neglected community Bocce Court from the wrecking ball, and now that they’ve turned an eyesore into an attraction, they’re setting out to spread the joy of the game far and wide.
These young leaders, from organizations like Unico and the Coccia Institute at Montclair State University, are united in their efforts to promote Italian American culture, and they’re sharing the traditions they feel their contemporaries relate to, like another “gateway tradition”: jarring tomatoes.
And, one amongst them, a very special voice from NIAF (and an often referenced character here on the Italian American Podcast) will explore why everyone… from Congress to college campuses… seems to unite for the love of bocce!
--- Support this podcast: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/italianamerican/supportThu, 14 Sep 2023 - 50min - 558 - IAP 292: Five Generations of Famiglia in Buffalo, NY
In our final LIVE and UNCUT recording from the National Convention of the Italian Sons and Daughters of America (ISDA), in #Pittsburgh PA, Pat, John, and Rossella sit down with some very special Paesani from Buffalo, NY.
Danette Porto and Danielle Salasavage are a Nonna and Granddaughter team representing FIVE GENERATIONS of their Italian American Famiglia who’ve spent decades in service of the Buffalo-Niagra Falls Italian American Community. From leading the ISDA’s Western New York District to their work with the ‘Centro Culturale Italiano di Buffalo’, or their leadership at the Galbani® Italian Heritage Festival (started by Danette’s late husband) - this is a family who understands what it means to give back!
We’ll discuss what the ISDA means to this family and their sense of Italian American identity, and examine the other incredible works they’ve undertaken for decades in their community.
We’ll discover some of Buffalo’s most treasured Italian traditions (did you know the Bison City was a St Joseph’s Table hotbed?) and how their commitment to the community has grown their Famiglia.
We’ll discover how the family ended up so involved, and explore the very Italian concept of friends as family.
Danielle will join us to discuss the challenges facing young Italian American community leaders, and share some of the lessons she’s learned since she was dropped into the role of ISDA District Vice President at the ripe old age of twenty-six!
It’s an episode filled with the love, friendship, and sense of FAMIGLIA that you can only get when you dive head-first into Italian American life!
--- Support this podcast: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/italianamerican/supportFri, 08 Sep 2023 - 39min - 557 - IAP 291: LIVE AND UNCUT FROM PITTSBURGH, PA (PART 2)
Come back to the table for Part 2, as we throwback to the old “Italian American Power Hour” days, with the second half of a conversation already earning rave reviews!
Pat, John, and Rossella are joined by longtime friend Marianna Gatto (Executive Director and Co-FoundRESS of the Italian American Museum of Los Angeles) for a freewheeling conversation about all things #ItalianAmerican!
Recorded LIVE & UNCUT at the 46th Biennial National Convention of the Italian Sons and Daughters of America (ISDA), in #Pittsburgh PA, it's a conversation that only gets better in this second half!
Jump back into the conversation as Marianna asks why the “New York/New Jersey image” dominates popular perceptions of Italian Americana, and whether this mass-media projection gives other Italian American communities an identity complex.
We’re also discussing the benefits and distinct cultures born of intermarriage between Italians and other American ethnic groups, and what benefits this might present for the future of the Italian American culture
We ponder why our sense of identity is so distinct from the rest of the Italian communities living throughout the global diaspora, including the unique circumstances separating the Italian experience in Anglophonic America and those encountered by communities that formed in Latin America.
As talk turns to beloved Italian traditions, we examine why the “cookie table” remains a staple of so many Italian American communities while it has nearly completely disappeared in others. And, are the cookie table and the football wedding set to make serious comebacks?
It’s an episode filled with the history, heritage, and hilarity you’ve come to love from the Italian American Podcast!
--- Support this podcast: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/italianamerican/supportFri, 01 Sep 2023 - 57min - 556 - IAP 290: Live and Uncut From Pittsburgh, PA (Part 1)
Get ready for a throwback to the old “Italian American Power Hour” days, as you join four friends at the kitchen table for a breakneck conversation about something we all love… being Italian American!
When Rossella, Pat, and John are brought together with some of their favorite out-of-town Paesani for the 46th Biennial National Convention of the Italian Sons and Daughters of America, in Pittsburgh PA, we knew the opportunity to hop on the mic and catch up was going to be a conversation you’d want to be a part of!
We’re sharing some of our newest Italian American discoveries from here in the “Steel City, looking at the feasts and festivals around the country still serving up rare Italian American delicacies, and examining our love of offal meats, and why it means something about the values we hold dear.
We somehow find our way into a debate on the differences between Sicilian and Neapolitan music, and remember the life of the late Italian pop icon Toto Cutugno, his definitive Italian American Anthem “L’Italiano” and examine what this song and Cutugno’s rise and fall from stardom can tell us about the Italy of our youths, the Italy of today, and where our vast Italian American diaspora fits between the two.
It’s an episode recorded live, left raw, and filled with the fun and friendship you expect from the Italian American Podcast!
--- Support this podcast: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/italianamerican/supportFri, 25 Aug 2023 - 49min - 555 - IAP 289: Our Paesani Down Under: Introducing the Italian Australian Podcast
We here at the Italian American Podcast have spent eight years and 288 episodes exploring the ins and outs of what it means to be an American descendent of the Italian diaspora… but have you ever wondered what it’s like to be the offspring of Italian immigrants from a little further afield? For two of our loyal listeners who tune in each week from the land down under, listening to us inspired their own attempt to answer the question: What does it mean to be an Italian Australian?
In this week’s episode, brother and sister duo Lukas and Josie D’Aqui join us to share their vision for an exciting new project: The Italian Australian Podcast!
Inspired by our very own show, the Italian Australian Podcast seeks to teach listeners about the nuances of Italian Australian history, life, and culture.
We welcome the D’Aqui siblings onto the show to discuss how Italian Australian life compares to our own, explore the cuisine of Italians in Australia, and look at how Italian immigration to Australia was influenced, in part, by restrictive immigration quotas enacted by the United States government during the 1920s. We talk about how Italian Australian culture is still evolving, and where a project like the Italian Australian Podcast might impact its future.
Join us as we get to know new friends who are setting out to bring this conversation to the million-plus Australians of Italian descent!
This episode is sponsored by Mediaset Italia.
--- Support this podcast: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/italianamerican/supportThu, 10 Aug 2023 - 57min - 554 - IAP 288: Welcome to Roseto, PA, the Happiest Place in Italian America!
For years we’ve been searching for an idyllic Italian American village where we might find the perfect spot to recreate the Italian American neighborhood life we all long for, and this week, we’ve literally hit the Big Time!
In this week’s episode, we discuss our recent trip to Pennsylvania’s Slate Belt borough of Roseto, a historically Italian American town where the annual “Big Time” Festival has drawn generations of Rosetans back home for the past 130 years.
When we set out to film the Feast for an upcoming episode of our popular YouTube show “Greetings From Italian America," we knew this little hamlet was the famed site of the “Roseto Effect” in which medical studies concluded that the town’s incredible ties of kinship and famiglia made it one of the longest-lived communities in 20th Century America… but we couldn’t have foreseen the amazing welcome we’d receive in what might just be the Italian American Promised Land here in eastern Pennsylvania!
We’re exploring how the town’s early immigrants from Roseto Valfortore, Puglia, brought their traditional celebrations for Our Lady of Mount Carmel with them, and how the festival has become the town’s “can’t miss” annual event, bringing Rosetans near and far back home for this heartwarming celebration.
We’ll share stories of some of the people we met during our weekend in Roseto and how everyone embraces Italian pride during the Big Time, even if their roots aren’t in the boot!
Be sure to join us as we discover this hidden Italian American village that just might just be the next hotspot in Italian America!
This episode was sponsored by Mediaset Italia.
--- Support this podcast: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/italianamerican/supportThu, 03 Aug 2023 - 45min - 553 - IAP 287: Blogs to the Future: How Two Italian American Bloggers are Passing On Our Heritage
In an Italian American family, every dish tells a story.
For two young Italian American bloggers, the stories of so many of their family dishes have become wildly popular with readers worldwide.
In this week’s episode, we’re discussing how our Italian American foodways have helped our guests Kate Famiglietti of The Two Bananas and Maria Del Russo of Sunday Sauce to connect to past generations and inspire future ones!
Both women share stories of how their grandparents’ recipes encouraged them to begin their journeys into Italian food culture. From backgrounds photographing the human eye and writing a sex and relationship advice column, these two passionate Italians share the fascinating backgrounds and careers that brought them to these projects and explain how recreating a cherished family recipe is a trial-and-error process that takes time and patience… but the dividends pay off in more ways than one.
We also discuss how our food culture helps connect us to our ancestral towns, why recipes vary from region to region, and what recipe modifications mean to how our foods tell a greater story.
Join us for an episode that’ll leave you hungry for more!
This episode was sponsored by Mediaset Italia.
--- Support this podcast: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/italianamerican/supportThu, 27 Jul 2023 - 58min - 552 - IAP 286: Stop Italian Sounding with Special Guest Robert Campana
Next time you grab a mouthwatering chunk of Parmigiano Reggiano, before you take that first wonderful bite you might want to make sure you’re eating exactly the type of cheese you think it is!
This week’s guest, Robert Campana, the founder of “Stop Italian Sounding,” has made it his mission to educate people about the deceptively labeled “Italian Sounding” products that flood our grocery stores and markets, and he is here to explore exactly what types of products are out there passing themselves off as authentically Italian, and why he created his unique social media initiative to educate consumers.
Robert shares tips and tricks on how to recognize authentic Italian products compared to Italian-sounding ones, and why some of our favorite food names might not accurately represent what we are buying.
We discuss the similarities and differences between Italian-made products and their American counterparts, as well as some of the American-sounding foods one might find produced in Italy. We also examine what the market confusion between these types of products can mean for consumers as well as for overall branding and whether or not some of our uniquely Italian American products and brands might not deserve their own special designation!
Find out how you can stop Italian-sounding items from sneaking their way into your pantry on an episode you won’t want to miss!
This episode is sponsored by Mediaset Italia.
--- Support this podcast: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/italianamerican/supportThu, 20 Jul 2023 - 55min - 551 - IAP 285: Biangolin' - Bagnarol' - Bacous': Examining the Italian American Language
Our language is a reflection of ourselves, and this week’s guest has made it her mission to present both Italians and Italian Americans with a unique mirror in which to see that reflection… the fascinating and distinct Italian American language!
What is the “Italian American language,” you ask? To answer that question, we’re joined this week by Federica La Torre, the founder of “Just a Siciliana,” a Sicilian linguist with deep ties to the United States since her childhood, when she would regularly visit family and friends who had made the immigrants’ journey to become Italian Americans. During these visits, she came into contact with the Italian American community, which inspired her life’s work of studying the Italian American language.
In this week’s episode, Federica tells us about how the distinct Italian American language developed along with the growing immigration of Italians to the United States and how efforts to preserve it are a major piece of understanding our community as a whole. She also shares her experiences as a translator for the Ellis Island Museum and how her discoveries there revealed a new linguistic world to her… one that she would fight to defend amongst a very doubtful public in Italy and the United States.
She also shares the inspiration for her “Just a Siciliana” Instagram feed and how her work is encouraging others to preserve the words they inherited from family and friends.
We’ll share some of our favorite Italian American words and phrases, dissect their meanings and etymologies, and examine the back-and-forth exchange as it impacted the Italian language in America and Italy.
Join us for a lively discussion on how our language reveals so much about our history and what makes our community unique!
--- Support this podcast: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/italianamerican/supportFri, 14 Jul 2023 - 47min - 550 - IAP 284: The Girl With the Trinacria Tattoo: Author Leigh Esposito On Her Debut Novel, The Godmother
Sometimes we have conversations that veer off into so many wonderful topics that they seem to make a concise introduction nearly impossible.
When this week’s guest, author and “recovering lawyer,” Leigh Esposito, joined us to discuss her debut novel, the conversation quickly turned into one you won’t want to miss!
Her new book, “The Godmother," was recently released to excellent reviews and has been especially lauded for its portrayal of the experience of Sicilian womanhood.
We’ll discuss the author’s interesting take on the evolving role of women in Sicily and throughout Italy, how our community might be changing how it tells its own stories, and how the craft of the writer is ever-evolving as new voices enter the field.
We’ll also explore the light and dark of Italy’s South, where sadness and joy create a unique interplay in the Southern Italian experience, engender certain learned behaviors, and perpetuate oppressive institutions like the Mafia.
And we’ll examine Sicily’s place as the melting pot of the Mediterranean, where so many distinct cultures meet and merge to form a distinct and wondrous civilization.
Join us as we discover one of our community’s brightest new literary voices!
This week's episode is sponsored by Mediaset Italia.
--- Support this podcast: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/italianamerican/supportThu, 06 Jul 2023 - 57min - 549 - IAP 283: The Search for the Mondo Italiano with Special Guest Viviana Altieri of the Istituto Mondo Italiano
When Viviana Altieri journeyed from Rome, Italy to Pittsburgh, PA, on a dare nearly 30 years ago, she could never have imagined staying in the United States and pursuing the life of a “Professional Italian American." But this week’s guest is a natural-born adventurer, and her many incredible journeys seeking out the essence of what it means to “be Italian” have given her unparalleled experiences, which she now brings to her dual roles as the head of the Istituto Mondo Italiano and host of The Italian Radio Hour, her podcast and video series that seeks to reveal the best of Italy and Italian America!
Viviana joins us to explore the mission of the Istituto Mondo Italiano, a bastion of Italian culture right in the heart of the Steel City, and how she looks to preserve some very unique aspects of Italian, and Italian American, culture through her work.
We discuss how Italy can be many things to many people, as well as why it is dangerous to overgeneralize Italy, Italian cuisine, and Italian American culture. We also discuss why learning Italian is a key to unlocking a door filled with countless new ways to discover our ancestral homeland.
And, as an added bonus, John and Pat will be guests on Viviana’s show in the coming weeks, so stay tuned to find out the air date!
Join us for an episode of kindred spirits, kindred missions, and immeasurable love for all things Italian!
This episode was sponsored by Mediaset Italia.
--- Support this podcast: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/italianamerican/supportThu, 22 Jun 2023 - 57min - 548 - IAP 282: Abruzzo: The Most Beautiful Place You've Never Seen with Special Guest Michelle DiBenedetto of Majella Tours of Abruzzo
It’s one of Italy’s hidden treasures.
Known as “strong and kind,” the stunningly beautiful region of Abruzzo might be considered off the beaten path for many travelers to the Bel Paese; however, this week’s guest, Michelle DiBenedetto, is here to explain why this undiscovered region should be at the top of your “must-see” list.
Michelle is the owner and founder of Majella Tours of Abruzzo, through which she curates and leads experience-based, small-group tours of this unspoiled Italian region.
Michelle joins us to explore Abruzzo’s sprawling national parks, pristine coastlines, and mysterious medieval villages. We’ll examine the unique cuisine and culture of Abruzzo, from mare to mountains… trabocchi to transumanza, and everything in between!
We’re all about Michelle’s mission to help people discover her family’s ancestral land, and we want YOU to be amongst the earliest adventurers in the most beautiful place in Italy you’ve never seen!
Join us as we prepare you to explore spectacular Abruzzo in this week’s episode!
This episode is sponsored by Mediaset Italia.
--- Support this podcast: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/italianamerican/supportThu, 15 Jun 2023 - 52min - 547 - IAP 281: Coming Home and Catching Up: Sharing Our Latest Italian American Adventures and What they Taught Us
Even though we at the Italian American Podcast spend A LOT of time together, every once in a while, our adventures around Italian American life take us to distinct destinations. Like any group of best buds, we look forward to reuniting and catching up, so this time, we thought we would share that conversation with you!
In this week’s episode, John, Pat, and Rossella reunite to share their latest adventures and what their experiences taught them all about their Italian American lives and identities.
Rossella talks about what it’s like being Italian in a place that’s not necessarily known for its Italian culture as she shares a recent visit to Vancouver Island in the Canadian Rockies to meet her family’s newest member, while Pat shares stories from his visit to Jessup, Pennsylvania, for La Corsa dei Ceri and what it means to get a whole town involved with celebrating Italian heritage.
John discusses his most recent trip to Italy, where he visited Campania, Abruzzo, and Rome, and how the country’s tourist landscape has changed dramatically since it reopened after the pandemic, and what overtourism can mean for destinations as they seek to solidify their bottom line.
It’s an episode that unpacks a lot about heritage, travel, food, and all of the things that make us who we are!
This episode is sponsored by Mediaset Italia.
--- Support this podcast: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/italianamerican/supportThu, 08 Jun 2023 - 56min - 546 - IAP 280: Who's Coming to the 2023 Italian Bowl?
When you say the word “football” to friends and famiglia in Italy, they probably conjure up images of World Cup soccer and the many greats who have worn the famed “Azzurro” of the Italian national team, or their favorite local club competing in Serie A. But, to many an Italian American, football means helmets, hard knocks, and the great American gridiron game invented in the Buckeye State of Ohio! On July 1 in the great city of Toledo, Ohio, these two worlds will collide when the Italian League of American-style Football brings their “Italian Bowl" Championship to the USA for the first time in its 42-year history!
In this week’s episode, we welcome Lou Tosi and Nick Eyde, who are responsible for bringing this game to the state that gave us the sport of football. We discuss how American football came to Italy and why this particular event is so special and unique for players and fans alike.
We also discuss the Italian football league and the amazing stories of its dedicated players… most of whom are playing unpaid for a chance to play their beloved game.
We’ll examine why sports can help to strengthen the ties that unite Italy and the United States, and how YOU can join us in person to take part in this historic and uniquely Italian American event!
Join us for an episode that’s sure to be a touchdown!
This episode is sponsored by Mediaset Italia.
--- Support this podcast: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/italianamerican/supportThu, 01 Jun 2023 - 44min - 545 - IAP 279: From Napoli to New York: An Italian American Perspective on Napoli's Historic Championship
In Italy, calcio (or the game we Americans call soccer) is life!
And after thirty-three years in the making, the city of Napoli can finally lay claim to the title of Champions of Italy!
In winning the “scudetto," with the best record in Italy’s famed Serie A, S.S.C. Napoli has sent fans throughout their city, Italy, and around the world into weeks-long revelries that have even made their way into our Italian American community!
In this week’s episode, Louis Nicastro and Gaetano Solazzo of the Tri-State Napoli Club join us to discuss this historic event and why it is so important for fans of the sport, as well as for citizens of Naples, Southern Italy, and the vast Italian diaspora.
Louis and Gaetano will give our listeners a primer on soccer in Italy, how it works, how it differs from American spectator sports, the way in which teams are placed in the various leagues, and how they earn championships. They’ll also examine the up-and-down history of S.S.C. Napoli and explain just how far ‘i Ciucciarelli’ (the Little Donkeys) had to come to win this year’s crown.
We also discuss the legend of the late Diego Maradona and his saint-like status in Naples and how he brought Napoli to its last great victory in 1990, and what this team represents to residents of the city, Italy, and the world.
If you are a hardcore fan of the Neapolitan side or someone who has never seen a moment of Italian soccer, we guarantee you’ll enjoy this fascinating and celebratory episode– and be sure to visit the Tri-State Napoli Club on Instagram and Twitter at @tri_napoliclub!
--- Support this podcast: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/italianamerican/supportThu, 18 May 2023 - 57min - 544 - IAP 278: How to Revive Your Italian American Feast with the Notorious P.O.B. and the Feast of Madonna del Sacro Monte
May is the month that begins to tease summer, and for those who can’t get enough of them, it also signals the start of the Italian American Feast season!
In this week’s episode, our very own P.O.B. talks about the feast that he lovingly resurrected 11 years ago: The Feast of Madonna del Sacro Monte in Clifton, N.J. To tell the story of this feast, he has invited on several friends: Valerie Cappello, Nick Fedeli, Fran Parisi, and Anthony “Tony Mangia” Scillia, all of whom have in some way lent themselves to his mission to bring this ancient Cilentano celebration back to life.
Our guests share how reviving a feast isn’t a one-person job but the job of an entire group dedicated to preserving Italian American heritage in one of its most unique manifestations and what drew each of them into this devotion.
We talk about how Italian American feasts are being revived around the country and what our listeners can do if they, too, want to restore one of their own. We also discuss the fine line organizers must walk between recreation and modernization and what roles others in our community can play in making the feast a reborn reality.
Join us as we kick off feast season and share the immense passion of this devoted group in this week’s inspiring episode!
--- Support this podcast: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/italianamerican/supportThu, 11 May 2023 - 59min - 543 - IAP 277: A.I. for I.A.: Artificial Intelligence and a New Approach to Italian American Genealogy
If you’re a loyal listener to the Italian American Podcast, you’ll know that technology isn't exactly an area we focus on week in and week out. Artificial intelligence and chat-bots and whatnots might not exactly be our expertise, but for this week’s guest, the rapidly unfolding revolution in artificial intelligence has become a valuable tool in his quest to bring Italian American genealogy to as many paesani as possible… and to bring Italian American stories to life!
Erick Lucera, a long-time Italian American Podcast devotee and part of our “New Neighborhood” membership group, took inspiration from his countless hours listening to the show when he created a whole new way to tell the story of immigrants who arrived from Biccari, Puglia, to Philadelphia, PA, and has chronicled it in his book, “The Birth of the New Biccari in Philadelphia."
In this book, Erick combines qualitative and quantitative data surrounding Biccarese immigration, utilizing the latest advancements in artificial intelligence to connect statistical data to the oral histories passed on by generations of Biccari’s diaspora around the world… revealing incredible truths behind the popular tales of his ancestral village.
We discuss what led him to use statistics in researching Italian American history and how big data genealogy can help us learn more about our heritage than ever before.
Erick discusses how anecdotal evidence can be backed up by numbers and how microstories that are unique to each Italian town can help illuminate the reasonings behind our ancestors’ decisions to leave their ancient homelands.
We’ll also discuss how urban renewal in the United States impacted places like Eric's beloved “New Biccari” in Philadelphia and what drives the continuing and oftentimes diverse, evolutions of Italian enclaves in the United States.
Join us as we discover new ways to look at an old science in this week’s fascinating episode!
--- Support this podcast: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/italianamerican/supportThu, 04 May 2023 - 58min - 542 - IAP 276: Confederates in the Famiglia? An Italian American Family Mystery
An Italian American with Confederates in thefamiglia?
The branches of our family trees often contain mysteries and secrets that are lost until future generations decide to investigate them.
This is precisely the case with this week’s episode as we talk with Joe Elia, one of the delegates to the inaugural Italian American Future Leaders Conference. Joe explains that during his genealogical sleuthing, he discovered that one of his ancestors was a post-Unification Bourbon prisoner of war who was sent to serve with the Confederate Army during the American Civil War.
Our Bourbon history expert, Lou Mendola, joins us to help Joe decipher his family’s lore, as well as explain how Bourbon soldiers came to serve in our nation’s bloodiest war. We discuss how there’s more to Italian Unification than what we’ve learned in school and why it is necessary to look at any episode in history from every angle.
We also discuss why preserving family history is important and how we can solve the mysteries hidden in our own family trees that are waiting to be discovered.
Join us as we uncover a mystery that will hopefully inspire you to do some sleuthing in your own family history!
--- Support this podcast: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/italianamerican/supportThu, 27 Apr 2023 - 52min - 541 - IAP 275: A Delicious Revolution! John Forti on the Italian American Heirloom Garden
Spring seems to have arrived in many parts of the country, and for countless Italian Americans, these early days of new life mean it's time to get gardening! In many cases, those Italian American gardens will soon be bursting with fruits and vegetables that have been passed down through generations of seed saving.
But for one Italian American in particular, the lessons learned watching Nonno and Nonna save the seeds of their favorite tomatoes have led to an expertise that has made him into one of the world’s foremost authorities on heirloom gardening.
A nationally recognized garden historian, ethnobotanist, heirloom specialist, and author John Forti blows the dust off time-honored yet underused garden remedies, artisanal foods, and horticultural practices by enthusiastically helping to preserve and promote tried and true methods that are often lost in modern lifestyles. From touring and teaching to running his wildly popular Facebook group “The Heirloom Gardener - John Forti," he’s passing down generations of Italian wisdom and taking part in a “Delicious Revolution!”
John joins us this week to share strategies and stories at just the right time, as our co-hosts are setting out to plant their own home gardens in the coming weeks, and we’re getting a lesson that will make your home garden better than ever.
We’ll discuss what heirloom plants mean to our body, mind, soul and health, and how reviving these traditional varietals and methods impacts not only our lives but our lived environment as well.
It's the perfect conversation to inspire you to get out of the house after a long winter and get your hands, and some family heirloom seeds, into the dirt so that you and your famiglia can enjoy the fruits (and vegetables) of a labor of love!
--- Support this podcast: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/italianamerican/supportThu, 20 Apr 2023 - 47min - 540 - IAP 274: Family Secrets, Family Honor: The Legacy of an Honor Killing in a Sicilian-American Family with Special Guest Karen Tintori
Francesca Costa’s name should never have been remembered. In fact, had it not been for her great-niece’s steadfast and unwavering love, any remembrance of Francesca’s life would have been lost to time -- and that’s exactly how the rest of her family wanted it.
Italian American author Karen Tintori joins us this week to discuss her 2007 work, “Unto the Daughters.” This chilling and sobering account of an honor killing in a turn-of-the-century Sicilian family– Karen’s very own family— is also a beautifully heartbreaking testimony of love that spans generations and how the voice of truth cannot be silenced.
Karen tells us how she first learned of Francesca’s tragic story, and how she fought to reconstruct her great-aunt’s life against overwhelming odds and determined resistance from her family by piecing together the scant information left behind after a brutal murder.
She also explains how Francesca’s story fit into the Detroit of the early 20th century, and what life could have been like for Italian immigrants to the Motor City in those days.
We also examine the life of Italian immigrant women to the United States, and why Francesca’s story reveals eerie parallels to some of the overlooked aspects of modern Italian American womanhood.
Join us as we uncover a story, and a conversation that is sure to remain with you long after you listen!
--- Support this podcast: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/italianamerican/supportThu, 13 Apr 2023 - 54min - 539 - IAP 273: Personalize Your Pastiera with Special Guest Stefano Arturi
As we are about to embark on the solemn celebration of the Easter Triduum, for many Italian Americans, Holy Thursday means a day spent in the kitchen lovingly recreating recipes handed down from generation to generation.
This week’s guest, Stefano Arturi, knows a thing or two about recreating recipes. The author of the Italian Home Cooking Blog, Stefano divides his time between Italy and London. Stefano came to our attention when he featured our very own POB’s pastiera recipe on his site, so we had to have him join us on the podcast!
Stefano tells us about the various methods for making pastiera, as well as other Easter-time delicacies. We’ll explore the continuing evolution of contemporary Italian cuisine and the recent push to define Italian cuisine by rejecting what is not “traditional." We’ll discuss Stefano’s belief that Italian cuisine owes a debt to its large diasporic community and the many traditional recipes that have gone extinct in Italy which only survive in Italian immigrant communities.
Stressing that Italy is not the country of chefs but of grandmothers, Stefano likes to remind us that food itself is a living thing, and perhaps no single item better represents this content evolution than the humble Pastiera Easter Pie!
So gather the famiglia and turn the volume up as you make your own Easter food traditions come to life once again this week!
This episode was sponsored by Mediaset Italia.
--- Support this podcast: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/italianamerican/supportThu, 06 Apr 2023 - 54min - 538 - IAP 272: We Stand On the Shoulders: A Monument to the Sicilian Sugar Cane Harvesters of Louisiana
Louisiana native Charles Marsala has done a lot to promote the history of Italian life in the Bayou State. From creating hours of documentary videos to a mobile app that provides a free walking tour of over sixty Italian American points of interest in and around the Crescent City, the President of the American Italian Federation of the Southeast never rests in his efforts to promote the immense Italian heritage of his home state.
His latest project is one that clearly has a special place in his big Sicilian heart because Charles is one of the many Louisianans who can claim an ancestor amongst the 60,000 Sicilian immigrants who were recruited between 1870-1920 to work as sugarcane harvesters on the plantations and farms of South Louisiana. And now, this proud descendent of those tireless laborers is returning to one of the area’s historic sugar plantations with plans to build a monument in their honor.
In this week’s episode, Charles returns to the Italian American Podcast to tell us the story of the proposed monument to the Sicilian Sugarcane Harvester. Designed by Franco Alessandrini (creator of New Orleans’ beloved Monument to the Immigrant), this stunning piece of public art will forever memorialize the Sicilian experience on the grounds of a former sugarcane plantation.
Charles explains how this monument will be located in the heart of the “river parishes” in Louisiana and why sugarcane, the cash crop of the post-Civil War south, attracted so many Sicilian immigrants to a life of back-breaking toil.
We’re discussing remembrances of our ancestors and why each generation stands on the work-weary shoulders of those who came before.
If you are interested in contributing to fundraising efforts for this monument, visit www.sugarcaneharvester.org.
This episode is sponsored by Mediaset Italia.
--- Support this podcast: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/italianamerican/supportThu, 30 Mar 2023 - 57min - 537 - IAP 271: The Long-Forgotten Italian American Phenom Who Gave March Its 'Madness,' the Tale of Angelo-Giuseppi "Hank" Luisetti
As winter begins to thaw, and the start of spring arrives, a certain segment of the American population usually begins to experience a familiar type of “madness” as the second most popular sporting event of the year hits the airwaves. But did you know that college basketball might not annually grip the nation with “March Madness” had it not been for an Italian American? And chances are his is a name you’ve probably never heard of!
This week’s guest, Mike DeLucia, tells us the story of Angelo-Giuseppi “Hank” Luisetti, the 1930s Stanford University superstar who pioneered many of the moves we see on the courts today, from stylized dribbling to the one-handed shot!
In his book, “Madness: The Man Who Changed Basketball," Mike tells readers why Luisetti could —and perhaps should—be considered the greatest basketball player who ever lived.
Mike tells us about Luisetti’s career, as a phenom during the years of the Great Depression, explains why Luisetti’s name isn’t as well-known today as it should be, and shares his own author's journey to reconstruct this lost icon’s story.
We’ll also look at the role of sports in the Italian American experience and find out why so many stories of pioneering Italian American athletes are lost to time and what we can do about bringing them to light.
If you’re ready for some March Madness, Italian American style, you won’t want to miss this episode!
This episode is sponsored by Mediaset Italia.
--- Support this podcast: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/italianamerican/supportThu, 23 Mar 2023 - 48min - 536 - IAP 270: Celebrating St. Joseph Altars: The History, Recipes, and Symbols of a New Orleans Tradition, with Special Guest Sandra Scalise Juneau
Buona festa di San Giuseppe, everyone!
This week’s episode takes us to New Orleans, where our guest, Sandra Scalise Juneau, introduces us to Louisiana’s very special commemoration of one of Italian America’s most beloved holidays… St. Joseph’s Day!
Sandra is the author of “Celebrating with St. Joseph Altars: The History, Recipes, and Symbols of a New Orleans Tradition,” which tells the story of how these altars came into being, why the New Orleans Italian community is so dedicated to honoring St. Joseph, and how this Italian American devotion continues to grow and evolve in Louisiana and throughout the United States.
We’ll examine Louisiana’s unique Sicilian American community and look at the origins of their devotion to St. Joseph as protector of the family… from medieval famines to Hurricane Katrina.
We’ll also look at the many culinary traditions that make up a Saint Joseph’s Table… from cuccidati, the fig-filled Sicilian cookies, to Pasta con le Sarde, to the elaborate sculptural breads that adorn altars (and some other unique places) in so many St. Joseph’s Day celebrations.
We’re learning the hows, whos, and whys behind this time-honored devotion, so join us as we celebrate St. Joseph’s Day in the Big Easy with this week’s episode!
This episode is sponsored by Mediaset Italia.
--- Support this podcast: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/italianamerican/supportThu, 16 Mar 2023 - 1h 00min - 535 - IAP 269: Why Genealogy Is a Noble Pursuit with Special Guest Bob Sorrentino
Have you ever wondered if your family tree might include a famous name amongst its many branches? A celebrated figure…a Duke, a King… perhaps even a Pope?
This week’s guest stumbled upon a “who’s who” of Italian nobility when he began researching his family history nearly 20 years ago, and now he’s dedicated his life to helping his fellow Italian Americans in their quest to discover their ancestors… from the famed to the famous!
Bob Sorrentino is the founder of the Italian Genealogy Blog and Podcast, as well as the author of "Farmers and Nobles," a genealogical history of two diverse branches of his Italian American Family Tree.
After retiring from his career as a banker, his growing obsession with genealogical research inspired him to create a blog, podcast, and Facebook group to promote the research of Italian ancestry and to connect other family historians seeking answers to their own genealogical mysteries.
Bob tells us about why creating connections among other genealogical researchers is important and how family ties can be discovered in the most unusual of places. He also tells us about how he learned of his noble descent and why this lofty heritage might not be as rare as one would expect.
Bob also shares the inspiration behind “Farmers and Nobles” and some of the amazing “could be a movie” stories he’s experienced on his quest to reveal family histories to as many Italian Americans as possible.
Fancy yourself a genealogical sleuth? Always felt you had a natural nobility? If so, be sure to join us for this week’s fascinating episode!
This episode is sponsored by Mediaset Italia.
--- Support this podcast: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/italianamerican/supportThu, 09 Mar 2023 - 59min - 534 - IAP 268: State Your Case: Why Italian America Needs State Commissions
When it comes to Italian American heritage, each one of the fifty nifty United States that make up our union has its own unique Italian American community and culture.
Despite this, only two states—Delaware and New Jersey—have official, state-wide Italian American representation, guaranteeing our history and culture will be taught to current and future generations.
This week’s guests, Robert DiBiase, the chairman of the New Jersey Italian Heritage Commission, and Rick DiLiberto, the chairman of the Delaware Commission on Italian Heritage and Culture, are here to tell us how their states were able to create these specially-legislated commissions and what that means for Italian Americans living in each of them.
We’ll discover the critical ways each of these commissions works to represent and promote our heritage, and how each state’s uniquely rich Italian American cultures have become part of a larger state identity. We’ll also discuss how the future of Italian America across state lines, and why these bodies are inspiring, and assisting, imitators in states around the country… and how leaders in the 48 states without an Italian American heritage commission can work toward getting one of their own!
Join us for this look at how two small but mighty states might just provide the key to preserving our heritage for years to come!
This episode is sponsored by Mediaset Italia.
--- Support this podcast: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/italianamerican/supportThu, 02 Mar 2023 - 54min - 533 - IAP 267: Marriage Italian Style: The Stuff No One Says About Italian Marriage
Happy Valentine’s Day, paesani! We’re celebrating the "Day of Amore" with a somewhat unusual episode we hope you enjoy… and that perhaps some of you can even relate to!
You see, we here at the Italian American Podcast really are one big famiglia. The conversations we have on air are only the icing on the cake for a group of cumpari who spend an inordinate amount of time chatting, complaining, and dissecting life’s many vicissitudes with one another every week.
So this week, Dolores and John have simply decided to “turn on the mic” for a recurring conversation they often find themselves in, and one that far too often goes unspoken in a world of lives curated for social media… a conversation about the ins-and-outs of “Marriage Italian Style."
As they often do, they’re exploring the many pleasures and pitfalls of married life and the extra complications that come with being party to an Italian American marriage. They’ll examine what parts of their married lives are defined by the fact that they and their spouses are all Italian Americans, what marriage looks like when big, old-fashioned Italian American families are involved, and how they navigate between “old-fashioned” and “forward-thinking." They’ll share their takes on devotion, determination, and the highs and lows of AMORE!
It’s a most intimate and unvarnished conversation that might be one you’ve been waiting for!
--- Support this podcast: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/italianamerican/supportThu, 16 Feb 2023 - 1h 01min - 532 - IAP 266: Warren J. Ciabattoni on Paesani of Interest Italian American Stories
We’re kicking off a new project at the Italian American Podcast as we set out to collect the unique oral histories of the many fascinating Italian Americans from around the nation who we encounter daily.
This new initiative, called “Paesani of Interest: Italian American Stories,” kicks off this week with Warren Ciabattoni. Born in Birdsboro, Pennsylvania, in a community that was decidedly not Italian, Warren shares how his formative experiences growing up as an outsider in pre-World War II America shaped his concept of his Italian American ethnicity through questions surrounding his given name when he joined the Pennsylvania State Police to his deep undercover work combating organized crime in the western part of the Keystone State.
He also tells about the stereotypes he and his family encountered and why he decided to focus on preserving and promoting his beloved heritage through his work with the Italian Sons and Daughters of America in his retirement.
It’s a first-hand encounter with a fascinating Italian American, and we hope it will inspire YOU to send us your suggestions for the next “Paesani of Interest” for us to add to our Italian American Stories oral history database! If you have a suggestion, be sure to email us at info@italianpower.com with "Paesani of Interest" in the subject line.
--- Support this podcast: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/italianamerican/supportThu, 09 Feb 2023 - 45min - 531 - IAP 265: The Italian Legacy in Philadelphia with Special Guest H.E. Ambassador Andrea Canepari
From Rocky Balboa to Botticelli, the City of Brotherly Love is one of America’s proudest Italian American locales, and this week’s guest is just the person to tell us how it came to be.
Andrea Canepari is an Italian diplomat currently serving at the Directorate General for Country Promotion of the Italian Ministry for Foreign Affairs in Rome. He was Ambassador of Italy in the Dominican Republic from 2017 to 2021 and Consul General of Italy in Philadelphia from 2013 to 2017. Andrea is the co-editor of The Italian Legacy in Philadelphia: History, Culture, People, and Ideas, as well as the author of The Italian Legacy in the Dominican Republic: History, Architecture, Economy, and Society and The Italian Legacy in Washington D.C.: Architecture, Design, Art, and Culture.
Andrea’s experiences as Consul General of Italy in Philadelphia have helped him discover a side to Pennsylvania’s largest city that stretches beyond Ben Franklin and the Liberty Bell. In this week’s episode, Andrea tells us about how certain Philadelphia staples, such as cheesesteak, have an Italian influence and how the city’s Italian influences are often found in the most unexpected of places!
We also talk about the philosophical influence of Italy on pre-Revolutionary War America, including the works of Filippo Mazzei, and how the Italian contribution to the Cradle of Liberty might be more than you’d expect.
It’s a visit to colonial America with an Italian flair that you won’t want to miss!
--- Support this podcast: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/italianamerican/supportThu, 02 Feb 2023 - 56min - 530 - IAP 264: Frankie D. is Keepin' It Real in Chicago
When it comes to celebrating our Italian American culture, sometimes you need to capture every moment as it happens.
Such is the case for this week’s guest, Frank Di Piero. Frank is the host of "Keepin’ It Real with Frankie D." at ItalianAmericanLife.com. With more than 100 “Italian American Moments” to his credit, Frank believes in making our culture accessible to all. In this week’s episode, we sit down with one of the pioneers of Italian American podcasting as he shares his take on why learning our collective culture makes us better Italian Americans and why preserving it through any means possible is key to moving it toward the future.
We'll explore how we can look to other ethnic communities for ideas on how to preserve our Italian culture and integrate it into our lives as Americans.
Frank also talks about how his involvement in Chicago’s Italian American community shaped his existence, including the creation of two children’s books, “My BIG Family” and “Teddy Bianco Goes to Italy.”
Join us as we meet a fellow podcaster who shares our determination to honor our past, promote our present, and create our collective future!
--- Support this podcast: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/italianamerican/supportWed, 25 Jan 2023 - 54min - 529 - IAP 263: 72 Hours That Changed Italian America, Recapping the Inaugural Italian American Future Leaders Conference
For many of us who are active in the Italian American community, there exists a common, existential fear, a constant refrain that can be heard at Lodge meetings and Sunday dinners alike… “The young people aren’t interested in being Italian!"
But we decided to challenge this terrifying assumption by providing an opportunity for Italian America’s most dedicated young leaders to meet, mingle, and consider our proud community's present -- and future -- state.
“Inspiring,” "incredible," "life-changing"... these are just some of the words used to describe the inaugural Italian American Future Leaders Conference held this past weekend at the FLA Live Arena in Ft. Lauderdale, Florida.
We at the Italian American Podcast are proud to have played a role in this first-of-its-kind event that brought together more than 100 young, active Italian Americans between the ages of 21-35, the future leaders of our community from across the United States and Italy.
In this week's episode, some of those rising stars are sharing their experiences with our listeners. From the tribal camaraderie to developing a shared mission to singing along with Italian American favorites at a closing karaoke party, this year's delegates were able to create bonds that won't soon be broken.
If you've ever been concerned about the future of our Italian American community, you won't be after listening to this week's episode. And, if you're interested in learning more about this developing signature event, visit www.italamericon.com.
--- Support this podcast: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/italianamerican/supportThu, 19 Jan 2023 - 1h 34min - 528 - IAP 262: There's No Use Crying Over Spilled Pastina, with Special Guest Michael Fava
Panic has beset the Italian American Community!! Pastina -- the ultimate Italian American comfort food -- has gone the way of the Dodo!!! Only… it hasn’t!
When an Italian American thinks of pastina, especially during these cold winter months, it brings one back to the comforts of childhood, a cozy day in bed, and Nonna’s healing touch. But this week, when Ronzoni pasta announced it was discontinuing the production of this beloved shape we affectionately call “Italian penicillin,” millions of Italian American voices joined in a terrified uproar.
But… spoiler alert… pastina isn’t going anywhere, as we sit down with Michael Fava of DeCecco Pasta USA, who helps us dissect what our community calls a “crisis” of epic proportions.
We talk about people’s emotional attachment to food, what happens when the foods we identify with are suddenly unavailable, and what that means to a person’s identity.
We also talk about brand affinity, why Ronzoni might be hurting their brand with this sudden decision, and how other brands can jump on the “pastina bandwagon” so they can attract business from Italian Americans seeking to replicate one of their favorite soul foods.
We’ll discuss how the “Pastina Crisis of 2023” might just be a reaction of social media and what makes pasta shapes and production methods so important to how we use them.
And, if you’re looking for the best quality pastina we know, check out our very own Rossella Rago’s Bottega della Nonna, where you can get her brand for 10% off with the code NEW10!
Join us as we stir the soup around the biggest Italian American news story of this young year!
--- Support this podcast: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/italianamerican/supportWed, 11 Jan 2023 - 52min - 527 - IAP 261: The First Family of Torrone
Close your eyes and try to rate it. That crunchy, sticky, subtly sweet cloud of confection… The pillowy perfection known as torrone candy… Whether at the holiday table, a wedding or feast, or on the ball top at a summer feast, it’s a taste that every Italian American knows.
This week’s guests are responsible for bringing that taste to paesani near and far, thanks to their unique way of marketing that old-world taste to new-world homes. Anne Marie and Tony Andriola are the founders and owners of torronecandy.com, which was born out of the family’s feast-time concession business and developed into an online marketplace filled with treats that can’t be found anywhere else.
To kick off 2023, Anne Marie and Tony tell us the story of their family business, from its founding in the 1980s to today. They also tell us about how they got involved with selling torrone, and why the treat has lived for so long in the collective memory of Italian American families.
We’ll learn how to differentiate the types of torrone, including hard and soft, and explain what exactly goes into this unique nougat candy. We also talk about how digital media can help redefine the Italian American experience, from making the touchstones of our culture available to far-flung corners of the map to teaching the uninitiated the perfect way to crack a rock-hard torrone!
Join us as we celebrate this distinctively Italian treat… it’s an episode so sweet that you’ll be begging for more!
--- Support this podcast: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/italianamerican/supportWed, 04 Jan 2023 - 49min - 526 - IAP 260: Are You Part of the Struffoli Squad? With Special Guest Annie Petito of Cook's Illustrated
Are YOU part of the Struffoli Squad? These beloved Neapolitan confections, deep fried and coated in a sticky sweet sheen of freshly warmed honey, are often considered an essential part of an Italian American Christmas, but for this week’s guest, they’re special enough to earn the title of “show stopper."
Annie Petito is one of the incredibly talented culinarians behind Cook’s Illustrated, perhaps the most highly-respected publication amongst America’s chefs. When this proud Italian American got the chance to select the magazine’s annual “show stopper” Christmas dessert, she went back to her roots to share her family’s recipe for Christmas Struffoli. Of course, when you’re publishing in a journal as highly regarded as hers, you can’t simply pass along Nonna’s old notecards, so Annie set out to construct the most scientifically accurate recipe that’s ever been written for these humble little treats! In the process, she discovered their fascinating history goes back to ancient Greece!
Since it’s almost time to say “Buon Natale," as Christmas is right around the corner and this is the final episode before the Feast of the Seven Fishes and Christmas arrive in earnest, we’re sitting down to discuss the history of Struffoli and some of our other beloved Italian American Christmas staples.
And, thanks to a little sleuthing, we may just have discovered the exact moment when Italy’s meat-free Christmas Eve traditions coalesced into Italian America’s Feast of the Seven Fishes, and we’ll share the new findings that might finally allow Pat to accept this number-obsessed take on Italy’s La Vigilia!
Join us as we explore these most cherished of traditions and set the mood for you and yours to enjoy a VERY BUON NATALE!
--- Support this podcast: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/italianamerican/supportWed, 21 Dec 2022 - 54min - 525 - IAP 259: The Songs of Our Folks with Special Guest Michela Musolino Part 2
Music always plays an outsized role in getting us in the “Holiday Spirit," and this year, Christmas in Italian America will have a distinctly Sicilian sound thanks to one very devoted Sicilian American songstress.
In this conclusion of our two-part episode with special guest Michela Musolino, we learn more about her new Christmas album, “La Notti Triunfanti”… The Triumphant Night! Michela tells us how she packed up her most beloved Sicilian and Southern Italian Christmas songs and moved to Memphis, Tennessee to record this heartwarming collection with a team of talented Italian Americans in support.
From traditional Sicilian Christmas sonnets infused with Beal Street swing to Neapolitan yuletide lullabies with rockabilly edge, Michela’s latest album seeks to join traditions from Sicily and Southern Italy to the rich musical culture of Memphis.
Michela tells us about the inspirations for this album and how retelling timeless Christmas tales helps bridge cultural differences.
We also dive deeper into the intersections between Sicilian folk music and Italian American folk music, and how this music is truly the expression of the Italian soul.
Join us for this cheerful conclusion as we ring in Christmas… Sicilian style!
--- Support this podcast: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/italianamerican/supportThu, 15 Dec 2022 - 57min - 524 - IAP 258: The Songs of Our Folks with Special Guest Michela Musolino, Part 1
For many of us, the music of the motherland and the songs that Italian Americans have contributed to the American soundtrack serve as a way to reconnect to our heritage. But for this week’s guest, preserving and sharing that music isn’t just a passion; it’s a mission she has given her life to.
Michela Musolino grew up in a household where Sicilian was spoken so that the children wouldn’t be able to understand adult conversations. By hearing her ancestral language, Michela became determined to join the conversations, eventually becoming enamored of traditional Italian folk music.
In part one of this two-part episode, Michela tells us how her love for Sicilian folk music inspired her career as a singer, performer, educator, and advocate and how she seeks to present the music of her ancestral roots in new and dynamic ways to her contemporary audiences.
We also learn how Sicilian folk music has inspired some of Italian America’s greatest music, including a deep dive into the history of a song many consider to be the “Italian American National Anthem,” “C’è la luna mezzo mare.”
We’ll explore how the traditional folk music differs in various Italian regions and what these melodic heirlooms tell us that commercial music of the time cannot… the story of our ancestors… the regular people of a bygone Italy.
Join us as we discover the sounds of Sicily, Italy, and Italian America with this very special artist!
--- Support this podcast: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/italianamerican/supportWed, 07 Dec 2022 - 48min - 523 - IAP 257: Out of the Finance and Into the Frying Pan with Special Guest Michele Di Pietro
Deep into a successful career in the exhilarating world of auditing, Italian American serial-achiever Michele Di Pietro decided she needed more out of life. And so, at nearly double the age of most entrants, this life-long lover of the art of “feeding others” decided to head off to culinary school.
Today, Michele is an entrepreneur, classically-trained chef, culinary consultant, food writer, cookbook author, blogger, and creator of Mangia With Michele, expressing her lifelong passion for Italian ingredients, foods, recipes, culture, and traditions.
Throughout her busy professional culinary life, Michele has also always been an avid home cook with strong ties to her Italian roots, and this week she joins us to share her first cookbook, called SOUPified: Soups Inspired by Your Favorite Dishes, a whimsical and fun collection of soup recipes that were inspired by her favorite Italian American soul food dishes like Eggplant Parmigiana, Chicken Marsala, Lasagne, Shrimp Scampi, Philly Cheesesteak, Clams Casino, and more.
We’ll discuss her brave leap into a new professional life, what brought her to that courageous decision and how her old-fashioned Italian American family took the news. We explore the beauty of a good soup, why home cooking is experiencing a boom across the nation, and exactly what kinds of kitchen supplies will give you the best (and most old-school) results.
It's an episode that will warm your should like a piping hot bowl of your favorite soup, so tuck in and join us for a conversation that will surely leave you looking for seconds!
--- Support this podcast: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/italianamerican/supportThu, 01 Dec 2022 - 52min - 522 - IAP256: Inspired by Ancestral Gratitude- The Story of Dr. Rosemary Intili Ferdinand
Sometimes in life, we have occasions to pause and take stock of the good we can do in the world around us. For this week’s guest, it was two particular occasions (when she received TWO double lung transplants at University of South Florida-Tampa General Hospital) that inspired her to say “Grazie” to both the hospital that saved her life and the ancestral island that gave it its culture!
Dr. Rosemary Intili Ferdinand’s ancestors came from Cerami, Sicily, and her family’s traditions have been a part of her life from a young age. A nurse by profession, Rosemary wanted to do something to unite the heritage she loved with the career that became her passion. Through her efforts, the University of South Florida’s Health College of Nursing is now expanding its educational reach through new collaborations with two universities in Sicily: Kore University of Enna and the University of Catania. A program you too can support today!
Rosemary shares how finding the Italian American Podcast helped to inspire this amazing undertaking, and explains how this program will help create deeper ties between the institutions, such as establishing visits and exchanges of faculty, scholars, and administrators as well as fostering the development of research collaborations, lectures, and symposia, among other initiatives designed to strengthen this newly created bond.
We also discuss why an initiative such as this is vital for Southern Italy, especially when it's younger generations are moving to more affluent areas in search of work. And, we’ll examine what learning in today’s global environment could look like, and why it is important for the Italian diaspora to do what it can to help the Madre Patria.
Join us for a very special episode that will leave you inspired by “Ancestral Gratitude” and the good works one “passionate Paesana” can achieve!
--- Support this podcast: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/italianamerican/supportThu, 17 Nov 2022 - 58min - 521 - IAP 255: Plant, Harvest, Cook! Mary Ann Esposito Takes Us from Dirt to Dinner
This week’s legendary guest is no stranger to our show, and this week she’s here to celebrate the release of her latest book, “Ciao Italia: Plant, Harvest, Cook!” and celebrate her 30th season as TV’s longest-running cooking show host!
Chef, author, and Italian American icon Mary Ann Esposito is the creator and host of the nationally televised PBS series Ciao Italia with Mary Ann Esposito™ and is the author of 14 cookbooks. She has worked beside world-renowned chefs like Julia Child, Jacques Pepin, Martin Yan, Jasper White, and countless others. When she’s not cooking, Mary Ann hosts culinary trips to Italy, where she works hands-on with her students to teach them regional dishes from up and down the peninsula.
We talk to Mary Ann about the inspiration behind her latest collection, which fuses her husband’s passion for gardening with her devotion to teaching the next generation the skills of a simpler time. Mary Ann shares her secrets of seasonal produce, seed saving, and her tips on growing kitchen staples such as eggplant, tomatoes, and more!
We also talk about Italian regional produce, such as San Marzano Tomatoes and Tropea Onions, and what it means when these items are grown in areas outside of Italy.
Not someone who would qualify as a green thumb? You’ll certainly be closer than ever after this week’s joyous episode!
--- Support this podcast: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/italianamerican/supportThu, 10 Nov 2022 - 1h 03min - 520 - IAP 254: Food is Love with Special Guest Alessandra Aiello
Food is Love! The concept might just be one of the few things every Italian on earth can agree on.
But, for this week’s guest, it's also a mission statement!
Alessandra Aiello was born in Vico Equense near Napoli, and was minding her own business raising her three daughters, and focusing on her family when COVID quarantine inspired her to start filming herself as she cooked each day, as a way to pass on her family’s traditional recipes to her daughters so they, too, can carry on the generational delicacies that she learned from her mother and grandmother.
And as her passion for recording grew with each delectable dish she prepares, she decided to start a cooking channel, “Alessandra’s Food Is Love” so she could share her catalog, and creativity, with the world!
Alessandra tells us about how her channel came to be, and what it has meant to her to be able to share recipes with the global worldwide Italian community.
We talk about what authentic Italian cuisine truly means, and how preserving recipes via digital means, such as Alessandra’s site, helps Italian cuisine evolve as time progresses.
We also talk about how food itself is deeply personal, and how recipes can vary from family to family, but that the love put into each ingredient always remains.
And we talk about how we encounter American culture through Italian cuisine by personalizing it to our experience, and how new holidays—like Thanksgiving—are a blank slate for culinary creators.
Join us as we share the love in this week’s episode!
--- Support this podcast: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/italianamerican/supportWed, 02 Nov 2022 - 57min - 519 - IAP 253: An Alliance for Italian America with Special Guest Sabino Curcio of Growing Up Italian
Ciao Paesani… and Greetings from the corner of Mulberry and Grand Streets, at the heart of Manhattan’s Little Italy, and the future home of the Italian American Podcast!
That’s right, we’re on location in the soon-to-be world-class headquarters for all things Italian American, and before we even break ground on building our dream home, we wanted to kick the tires on life at the heart of New York’s famed Italian Enclave!
And, to kick things off right, we are taking the opportunity to sit down with one of our new partners, Sabino Curcio, one-third of the passionate trio behind Growing Up Italian, the insanely popular platform and podcast that needs no introduction.
Sabino is joining Rossella and John in the construction site that will soon be transformed into a destination for all things Italian American to discuss our shared vision for this incredible place, what brought our two unique platforms together, and some of the things that unite us across Italian America.
We’re presenting this week’s episode unedited and commercial-free, as both an introduction to our future home, and a chance to let down our hair, wave our tricolor flags, and celebrate the end of Italian American Heritage Month by looking to the future of our works… we hope you’ll be along for the ride, and come to see us in person in our new home!
--- Support this podcast: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/italianamerican/supportWed, 26 Oct 2022 - 1h 02min - 518 - IAP 252: One Very Jazzy Italian American with Special Guest Vanessa Racci
Italians have been a force in jazz almost since the music was born, and this week’s guest is no exception!
Vanessa Racci has dedicated her career to being an ambassador not only for her Italian heritage but also for the heritage of jazz music. Vanessa grew up in Westchester County, New York amid an Italian American family that steeped her in Italian song, theater music, and jazz, which allowed her to develop a vocal style drawn from all three, combining a tart, brassy, catch-in-the-throat sound with Italianate ardor, dramatic flair, and swing.
This week, Vanessa joins us to celebrate the release of her latest album, “Jazzy Italian,” which launches on October 21. Vanessa tells us about how Italian Americans have always been connected to jazz music, from the Sicilian community of New Orleans who lived and worked alongside African Americans, to its influences throughout the pantheon of great Italian American singers.
Vanessa also tells us about her plans to do three more albums, following the example of Harry Warren, John Pizzarelli, and Henry Mancini, all of whom were Italian Americans who made their mark on the music industry.
And Vanessa talks about her upcoming album launch party on Sunday, October 23, at Birdland Jazz Club, and how it’s not just a celebration of her music, but of all Italian American music in general.
Join us as we discover the world of Italian American jazz music!
--- Support this podcast: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/italianamerican/supportWed, 19 Oct 2022 - 56min - 517 - IAP 251: Ready or Not... Here Comes Giorgia with Special Guest Umberto Mucci of We the Italians
On September 25, 2022, snap elections in Italy yielded two unprecedented results, as Giorgia Meloni is set to become Italy’s first female Prime Minister, and her "Fratelli d’Italia" (Brothers of Italy) Party, which took the highest percentage of votes, will sit at the heart of Italy’s most right-wing government since the end of World War II.
This week, after considerable audience requests, we sat down with our friend and political commentator, Umberto Mucci of We the Italians. The “official Italian correspondent” of the Italian American Podcast is back to unpack the results of these historic and polarizing election results.
With a victory for the most conservative party to reach the clear majority in Italy’s history, Umberto explains how Italy’s government has decreased in size as a result of these elections, and how this will affect legislation.
We talk about how Giorgia Meloni came to power and how her government will seek to reach a consensus, both within her center-right coalition and without. We discuss how Meloni’s approach to governing might be more even-handed than expected, and what this means for Italy and her party’s future. We also discuss what it means for Italy to have a female prime minister and how that affects women’s evolving role in Italian politics. We also discuss the challenges that Meloni’s government is facing, including Europe’s energy crisis, the economy, and the Ukraine/Russia War.
We also explore how the Presidency of the Senate and the Chamber of Deputies (two extremely powerful positions in the Italian government) will be determined this week, as well as more Cabinet-level roles, and how the President of the Republic is able to influence the process. And we discuss how heads of European governments are reacting to Meloni and what this could mean for Italy’s relationship with its allies, including the United States.
Join us for an episode with ramifications for both Italy and Italian America!
This episode is sponsored by Mediaset Italia.
--- Support this podcast: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/italianamerican/supportWed, 12 Oct 2022 - 1h 03min - 516 - IAP 250: 250th Episode Celebration
This week, the Italian American Podcast marks its 250th episode, and we certainly have a lot to celebrate as we kick off another Italian American Heritage Month!
We discuss John and Dolores’s recent trip to Sicily, where they experienced the island in ways few Americans ever get the chance to experience. They share their stories, and how they came to realize just why their — and countless other — ancestors left Italy for the New World.
And, of course, the conversation makes its way to what they ate, and we take a detour into some of the regional Italian specialties we all enjoy so much, and why there are essentially two Italies to visit—the one we learn about, and the one waiting to be discovered.
We also celebrate the release of Rossella’s upcoming third book, Cooking with Nonna: Sunday Dinners with La Famiglia, to be released in November. She tells us about her upcoming launch party in Brooklyn at The Bookmark Shoppe, and how this cookbook is her best yet because of the incredibly personal direction she took while writing during lockdown.
And we’re announcing a VERY special development for the show and the gang, as we prepare for the next 250 episodes and beyond… one that will change the way we and our listeners get to take part in the Italian American Podcast each and every day!
It's an episode that gets to the heart of why these five Italian American friends have been able to keep this show going for so long… because it really is just a fun-filled catch-up amongst famiglia!
Join us for a celebration you won’t want to miss, and an announcement that will change the way we all participate in the Italian American experience!
--- Support this podcast: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/italianamerican/supportWed, 05 Oct 2022 - 1h 08min - 515 - IAP 249: For the Love of Naples with Special Guest Arthur Schwartz
Many of us have that “one” cookbook that we reach for whenever we want to make something special for our friends and famiglia… and for one of our hosts (and perhaps for many of you out there) that special book was written by this week’s incredible guest.
Award-winning author Arthur Schwartz (LINK) is a legend in the world of Italian cuisine, thanks to his definitive work “Naples at Table: Cooking in Campania,” as well as “The Southern Italian Table: Authentic Tastes from Traditional Kitchens,” among his countless other highly praised works. (LINKS)
For 26 years, he was the food editor of Newsday and then the New York Daily News, where he was also a columnist and first-string restaurant critic, and for 13 years he was the host of the country’s only daily food radio program. The Brooklyn-born Italophile also put his passion for Southern Italy to work running a cooking school in Paestum for nearly 12 years.
Known for putting food in its cultural context, Arthur tells us about the origins of Southern Italian cuisine and how that cuisine translated to Italians living abroad. He also shares his own stories about how he discovered Italian cuisine and why he considers it his “second soul food.”
We’ll also dissect the stories of popular Italian dishes, and explore the plethora of products imported out of that region to tables around the world. Its a conversation so great, whittling it down to an hour was a herculean task
Join us as we learn from the master, and sit down with a true culinary legend in this week’s fun-filled episode!
--- Support this podcast: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/italianamerican/supportThu, 29 Sep 2022 - 56min - 514 - IAP 248: Textiles, Tailoring, and Tradition with Special Guest Salvatore Giardina
When it comes to fashion, the phrase “MADE IN ITALY” evokes excellence in every step of the process. From the world’s most luxurious textiles to cutting-edge technologies in manufacturing, to the unparalleled sense of design that Italy has shared with the world for millennia, every aspect of the clothes we wear is defined by Italian ingenuity and taste.
In this week’s episode, we sit down with master tailor and textile expert Salvatore Giardina, as he brings his more than 30 years of experience to a look at the future of Italian style, materials, and innovation in an increasingly complex industry.
Salvatore shares the ins and outs of the Italian fashion industry, including the particularities of textiles and the often subtle differences between disposable clothing and the best thing you’ll ever hang in your closet.
We’ll also explore how and why Italian textiles like wool, cotton, silk, and denim, are considered the best in the world, and how the technologies and training coming out of Italy might help us to avoid the immense damage that the recent trend of “fast fashion” has begun to cause in our global fight against pollution.
If you have a passion for Italian fashion, or just want to learn more about the clothes you wear each day, you won’t want to miss this fascinating episode!
--- Support this podcast: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/italianamerican/supportWed, 21 Sep 2022 - 1h 00min - 513 - IAP 247: Southern Italians in the American Civil War with Special Guest Peter Belmonte
For many Italian Americans, the American Civil War, a seminal chapter in the history of the United States, can often feel like a chapter detached from their own American experience. Since the massive wave of Italian Immigration to the United States between 1870 and 1920, the brilliant thread of the Italian American experience has been indelibly woven into the tapestry of American history, but even the most passionate student of Italian American history might be unaware of the Italian presence in the war that redefined the United States.
While many pages have been dedicated to the “Garibaldi Guard” and the contingent of Northern Italian soldiers who came to defend the Union, the legacy of Southern Italians on both sides of the conflict between the states has, until now, been almost completely forgotten by time.
In a return visit to our show, historian Peter L. Belmonte shares his continuing research on these Southern Italian soldiers and sailors who served in Army, Navy, and Marine Corps -- in both the Union and the Confederacy -- from front-line soldiers to musicians, cooks, and even a barber or two who were said to have given President Abraham Lincoln a shave.
Peter describes how he painstakingly researched military records, having compiled a listing of hundreds of Southern Italians who served during the Civil War, examining the occupations followed by these men and their roles in the conflict. He’ll share incredible stories of individual men that he has discovered, and how his efforts have helped him to reunite these stories with many of the soldiers' modern-day descendants.
Join us for a fascinating look at a truly undiscovered chapter of Italian American, and American, history in this week’s episode!
--- Support this podcast: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/italianamerican/supportWed, 14 Sep 2022 - 56min - 512 - IAP 246: You're Nobody 'Til Somebody Sculpts You! Steubenville, Ohio's Quest to Honor Dean Martin
He was the “King of Cool,” an Italian American star whose casual magnetism and incomparable voice defined the Rat Pack style that influenced generations of American popular culture. Now, Dean Martin’s hometown is seeking to honor him for all time with a larger-than-life statue at the heart of this once-bustling community.
In this week’s episode, we are exploring the life and legacy of Steubenville, Ohio’s favorite son through the eyes of Gerald Ravasio, the chairman of the committee that is seeking to construct this well-deserved monument to a unique Italian American legend.
Gerald helps us uncover Dino Paul Crocetti’s humble beginnings, from his Italian-speaking childhood to the bullying that drove him away from school and into the underground nightclubs and casinos that earned Steubenville the sobriquet “Little Chicago."
We’ll also gain insight into Dean Martin, the dedicated Italian American who never forgot his hometown, and kept himself involved in philanthropic activities to help sustain the Steubenville community even while one of the biggest stars on the planet.
And we’ll discover some of Steubenville’s iconic Italian American fare, like pizza on the square and the meat sauce heel, while reminiscing over life in this distinctly Italian Enclave.
And, if YOU want to help the Dean Martin Committee bring this dream to fruition, consider making a donation by sending checks to:
Historic Fort Steuben
120 S.3rd Street
Steubenville, Ohio 43952.
Checks should be made payable to “Old Fort Steuben Inc.” and be sure to write “Dean Martin Statue Fund” in the memo line.
You can also visit www.oldfortsteuben.com and select “donate,” then scroll down to select “Dean Martin Statue Fund.”
--- Support this podcast: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/italianamerican/supportWed, 31 Aug 2022 - 45min - 511 - IAP 245: An Unconventional Italian and Her Unconventional Guide! With Special Guest Carla Gambescia
What does it mean to live “La Dolce Vita?” This week’s guest is here to tell us how the answer to that question is just as varied as Italy herself!
Carla Gambescia is a cultural “edu-tainer,” award-winning author, travel journalist, lecturer and avid photographer. The author of “La Dolce Vita University: An Unconventional Guide to Italian Culture from A to Z," Carla seeks to teach people about Italy’s culture and lifestyle in everything she does.
And, seeing as we’re sitting down with the author of an “A to Z” guide to Italy’s culture and history, it's no surprise that this is an episode that hits on topics ranging from the Roman roots of popular sayings, to the often-overlooked multiculturalism of the Venetian Republic.
We’ll discuss the surprising reasons behind some of the earliest Italian immigrations to the United States, Carla’s time as a restauranteur on a mission to educate through food, and how Italy and Italian Studies are often ignored by the American educational system, even though learning about Italy and Italian culture has benefits for students from all backgrounds.
Ultimately, Carla makes a compelling case for Italy to be recognized as the world’s only global “Lifestyle Superpower”… and she gets Pat’s wholehearted support for her cause!
Get ready to get your diploma from “La Dolce Vita University” in an episode you won’t want to miss!
--- Support this podcast: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/italianamerican/supportWed, 24 Aug 2022 - 50min - 510 - IAP 244: The Feast of Saint Rocco with Special Guest Stephen La Rocca
“Viva San Rocco!”
It's the last weeks of summer in Italian America, and in neighborhoods across the country, paesani are celebrating the Feast of Saint Rocco, one of the most venerated saint days in the Italian American year.
For our part, we’re sitting down with Stephen La Rocca, president of the St. Rocco Society of Potenza, to discover more about this saint and the feast that has been held in his honor every August in New York City since 1889.
As one of the oldest continuous Italian American celebrations in the United States, there’s plenty of fascinating history behind this unique tradition, and we’ll follow the feast day from its origins, to its near extinction, through two relocations within the city, and into its continuing growth into what is today one of New York’s most well-attended feasts!
Stephen also shares his own family’s devotion to St. Rocco, dating back to a very special miracle performed for his grandmother that inspired him to not only dedicate himself to promoting the beloved protector, but to do it in ways that have not been seen at most Italian American feasts in decades… from barefoot processions to Calabrese wax body parts, we’re exploring the many ways Steve and his fellow devotees at the St. Rocco Society have returned the feast to its ancient roots and brought it back to life in doing so.
Before you make your way to this year’s feast, join us for a conversation that gets to the heart of what a feast really means to Italian Americans.
And, if you’d like to attend this year’s St. Rocco of Potenza Feast this coming Sunday, August 21, in New York’s Historic Little Italy, visit www.stroccosociety.com for more information.
This episode was sponsored by Mediaset Italia.
--- Support this podcast: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/italianamerican/supportWed, 17 Aug 2022 - 1h 01min - 509 - IAP 243: Where Redneck Meets Red Sauce... A Trip to Tontitown, Arkansas's Italian Village
We spent last week filming in one of the most overlooked (and criminally underappreciated) corners of Italian America… deep in the Ozarks in a little Italian village called Tontitown, Arkansas!
In this week’s episode of The Italian American Podcast, we’re sitting down with two of the new paesani we met during our travels, Heather Ranalli Peachee and Kara Jo Engle. Both of these proud Tontitown Italians can trace their roots to the founding families of this unique Italian agricultural colony, and today they are both part of the Tontitown Winery, which is the last commercial winery in a town that once cultivated more than 14,000 acres of commercial grapes!
We’ll share the people and places we found while visiting this incredible “Little Italy in the Ozarks” for its annual Grape Festival, which began in 1898 in celebration of the colony’s first good harvest, and even predates some of Italian America’s largest Italian feasts in places like New York and Boston.
We’ll also reveal how these 45 northern Italian families ended up in Arkansas in the first place, from a scam that brought them to the southeastern corner of the state to a once-famous Italian priest who led them on a life-changing trek to Northwest Arkansas for a chance at a life better suited to their Italian habits.
We’re sharing stories and recipes that have been lovingly passed down through generations of Tontitown’s citizens as we celebrate this proud Italian community that had such an impact on us during our few days there.
If you want to know the little slice of America where Redneck meets Red Sauce, join us as we discover the Italian American wonder that is Tontitown, Arkansas!
This episode is sponsored by Mediaset Italia.
--- Support this podcast: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/italianamerican/supportWed, 10 Aug 2022 - 1h 05min - 508 - IAP 242: Join the My Italy Movement with Special Guest Nikki Taylor of La Dolce Vita Lifestyle Magazine
“What does Italy mean to you?”
For those of us who think about Italy and our Italianness on a daily basis, it's a question that can force the mind into an exhausting array of mental gymnastics.
To this week’s guest, Nikki Taylor of La Dolce Vita Lifestyle Magazine, it's the question sheis asking the entire world to answer!
The Australian Italophile behind the uplifting #MyItaly2022 social media campaign joins us to talk about her efforts to spread love for Italy, and all things Italian, in a time when the country needs it most. Nikki and her team want to urge people to remember what Italy means to them, to remind us all that Italy is back in business, and that Italy needs our support to give the country and its people a much-needed boost.
We discuss the #MyItaly2022 campaign and why it is important for people to remember what they love about Italy in a post-pandemic world. We also examine how the country is slowly bouncing back, from new tourist “hot spots” to tried-and-true destinations that people continue to flock to year after year.
Nikki will share her professional insights into Italy’s current property market, and why “digital nomads” are rushing to make “il Bel Paese” their new home office destination, and why learning Italian is still the best way for people to truly discover all that Italy has to offer.
Join us as we celebrate Italy’s latest renaissance, and set out to lend our voices to this worthwhile effort, and hopefully, figure out what exactly Italy means to us!
This episode is sponsored by Mediaset Italia.
--- Support this podcast: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/italianamerican/supportWed, 03 Aug 2022 - 55min - 507 - IAP 241: Draghi Departed: What's Next for Italy with Special Guest Umberto Mucci
On Thursday July 21, 2022, Mario Draghi, Italy’s technocratic Prime Minister, resigned from his role as Head of Government. With Italy facing a summer of unprecedented heatwaves, fires, draught, inflation, war on the continent, gas shortages, and the lingering effects of COVID shutdowns, the departure of this highly-regarded European technocrat has sent shockwaves across Italy and the world. And now, polling across Italy suggests that one of the more likely candidates to succeed him is Giorgia Meloni, a relatively untested politician representing “Fratelli d’Italia”… Italy’s Post-Fascist party.
With such unprecedented circumstances, and much at stake, we’re calling on our good friend Umberto Mucci of “We the Italians” to explore what might lay ahead for Italy now that Draghi has begun to wind down his mandate, and what the impending elections in late September might really bring.
We will discuss Italy’s complex mechanisms for electing the office of Prime Minister, and how it has changed in recent years. We’ll also explore the issues that led to the collapse of Italy’s much-heralded “unity government” and what comes next for the parties and politicians involved in its downfall.
We’ll examine Mario Draghi’s role on the world stage, what his ouster means for Italy and the European Union, and learn more about the rising star of Giorgia Meloni and her Far Right party.
Be sure to join us as we seek to answer your questions about this pivotal moment in modern Italian history!
--- Support this podcast: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/italianamerican/supportWed, 27 Jul 2022 - 53min - 506 - IAP 240: Italian American Lawyers Never Lose Their Appeal!: A Conversation With The National Italian American Bar Association
In modern America, countless thousands of Italian American women and men practice every imaginable discipline of the law. However, not so long ago, a vowel on the end of one’s surname was likely a barrier to entry to most of the nation’s elite law schools and most important law firms. What exactly changed to allow so many of our fellow Italian Americans to proudly bear the title of Esquire?
Perhaps, the National Italian American Bar Association (NIABA) had something to do with it?
On this week’s episode of the Italian American Podcast, we’re joined by two of that organization's dynamic leaders, NIABA President Fran Donnarumma and Chair of the Board Cristina Carabetta, to discuss the history of Italian Americans in the legal profession, and find out how we went from “Italians Need Not Apply” to some of the most respected jurists and litigators in the nation.
We get to know these two Italian American legal leaders on a more personal level… to understand why Fran was initially reluctant to take part in an Italian American Bar Association, and how Crisitina’s invention "The Betta Bag" (https://shopbettabag.com) brought her “Fine Italian Hand” to solving an issue that plagues many professional women… the search for the perfect business bag.
We’ll explore the history of NIABA, and examine why Italian American lawyers can still find real value in an ethnic Bar Association. Plus, we’ll hear some of the more comical stories that have come out of the nearly 40-year existence of this proud organization.
If you, or someone you love, is an Italian American lawyer, make sure to join in and share this unique episode!
--- Support this podcast: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/italianamerican/supportWed, 20 Jul 2022 - 1h 00min - 505 - IAP 239: There Ain't No Feast Without the Feast Bands!
It’s easy to make the argument that the annual feast is the soul of the Italian American neighborhood, and for the true feast aficionado, it's the music that is the soul of the feast!
And no two people know this better than this week’s guests, the talented musicians at the helm of two of Italian America’s most renowned feast bands, Marty Caliendo and Joe Annecchino.
Based in Chicago, Marty is the founder of “Caliendo’s Banda Napoletana," while Joe is the conductor and manager of the New Jersey-based “Tony Neglia Band." Both men have dedicated their lives and careers to preserving Italian American feast music and bands, from the songs, to the instruments, to the attire, and more.
In this week’s episode, Marty and Joe tell us about how the music we hear at Italian American feasts tells the story of our people, and how the songs have survived and evolved for generations. We also learn about the unique anthems composed for each community’s particular saints, and which songs might just have checkered pasts unknown to most revelers clogging the procession routes at the feast.
Marty and Joe also discuss why the feast bands are not a marching band, and why the saint processions are not a parade and why it is vital to our community to maintain the feast music tradition, so the feasts themselves continue to survive and thrive.
We’re in the heart of the summer "Feast Season," so sit down and join us for an episode that will surely have you tasting zeppole and hearing the tunes that bring you back each year!
--- Support this podcast: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/italianamerican/supportWed, 13 Jul 2022 - 54min - 504 - IAP 238: Joe Avati On Why Laughter Is the Best Medicine... Unless You've Got the Malocchio! (Part 2)
When we scored an interview with famed Italo-Australian comedian Joe Avati, we figured we would be lucky to get 45 minutes with the man many credit with creating a worldwide Italian comedy revolution. In fact, we ended up spending two hours in deep discussion with the man known around the world as the “Italian Seinfeld!"
On this week’s episode of the Italian American Podcast, we’re bringing you Part 2 of this fascinating discussion, commercial-free, and picking up right where last week’s episode left off with an exploration of “Cancel Culture” in the comedy world, and why Italian stereotyping might be one of the last acceptable subjects of ethnic humor.
Plus, we’ll look at whether or not there is some truth to the cliches that are oftentimes associated with our community, why many of us feel so connected to our Italian roots even when we are generations removed from our immigrant ancestors, American “assimilation” versus Australian “integration," and why Italian identity appeals so deeply to the many varied peoples who have a stake in it.
We’ll share some laughs exploring the relationship between Italians and Greeks, and why so many of us root for Italy against our own countries when the World Cup rolls around!
If you enjoyed Part 1 of this impassioned interview, you won’t want to miss the thoughtful conclusion of our afternoon with the one-and-only Joe Avati!
For more information on Joe's North American tour, click here!
--- Support this podcast: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/italianamerican/supportWed, 29 Jun 2022 - 51min - 503 - IAP 237: Joe Avati On Why Laughter is the BEST Medicine... Unless You've Got the Malocchio! (Part 1)
Until recently, Joe Avati never thought of himself as a “real comic." This bout of self-deprecation probably comes as something of a surprise to the Italo-Australian's legion of devoted fans, who many years ago dubbed him the “Italian Seinfeld!"
Avati’s signature “clean style” of comedy and his laser-sharp insight into the minds of Italians around the world have made him a comedy superstar in his native Australia, Canada, the United Kingdom, the United States, and anywhere more than a handful of paesani have made their home!
Taking a few hour break from his current World Tour, Joe sits down with us to discuss the global Italian comedy revolution he unintentionally kicked off more than 20 years ago, and why audiences in all parts of Italy’s vast diaspora can relate to his observations, and to one another.
In this week’s episode, part 1 of 2, we’ll examine the similarities and differences between Italians around the globe, where our unique identity finds its origins, and how his set reflects on the Italian American comedians for years gone by.
He’ll share why he never wavered from his commitment to “clean comedy” and whether or not we at the Italian American Podcast set out to create a “clean show” of our own for the same reasons. We’ll discuss why he's enjoying being a “real comic” a quarter of a century into his incredible career.
And, we’ll address the simmering issue of “Cancel Culture” in the comedy world, and why Italians don’t seem to want to cancel anyone!
Plus, we look at the humor in the often unexplainable Italian traditions we hold dear, and in the Italian fear of the things we don't see… from the Malocchio to the air conditioning, to a summer breeze… all the things that give us sicknesses that no other ethnic groups seem to contract!
It’s a 45-minute appointment that turned into a two-hour “Paesani Mind Meld," and you WON’T want to miss the first half!
Are you interested in seeing Joe Avati during his North American tour? Visit www.joeavati.com for more information!
--- Support this podcast: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/italianamerican/supportWed, 22 Jun 2022 - 46min - 502 - IAP 236: A Special Priest, A Special Feast: Monsignor Jamie Gigantiello and Brooklyn's Festa del Giglio
It’s said that Heaven touches Brooklyn, New York, every July… and if you know Brooklyn like we do, then you know that celestial poke occurs at the famed Festa del Giglio at Our Lady of Mount Carmel Parish, and you also know the passionate pastor there!
This week we sit down with the one-and-only Monsignor Jamie Gigantiello who, beyond his job as the spiritual father of one of the nation's most important Italian parishes, also serves as the vicar of development for the Diocese of Brooklyn, as well as chaplain for the New York City Fire Department. Msgr. Jamie is a familiar face to those of us in the New York City area, since in his “spare time” he hosts his long-running cooking show, “Breaking Bread," and is the author of a forthcoming cookbook of the same name!
Msgr. Jamie will share details of his 10 years of experience working in hospitality before receiving the call to the priesthood, his thoughts on why traditional Italian Sunday dinners are a cornerstone of civilization, what the current state of Catholic education means to our nation, and why the kitchen table and the altar table have so much to do with one another.
Of course, we can’t have Msgr. Jamie on air without asking him about Brooklyn’s world-renowned Giglio Feast, which takes place this year from July 6-17. He shares the history of the feast’s origins from Nola, Campania to its various iterations in New York City and beyond, and explains why this particular event is a “must see” bucket list location for all Italian Americans!
Get ready to start planning your road trip to Brooklyn as we give you an insider's look at the history and happenings behind an event that’s near and dear to our Italian American hearts!
For more information about the Brooklyn Giglio feast, visit www.olmcfeast.com.
--- Support this podcast: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/italianamerican/supportWed, 15 Jun 2022 - 1h 00min - 501 - IAP 235: Alzheimer's, Aging, and the Italian American Family with Special Guest Dr. Benedict Albensi, Ph.D, BCMAS, CRQM
Family is the cornerstone of our life as Italian Americans, but what happens when one member of the family is diagnosed with a serious illness?
That’s just one of the topics we cover with this week’s guest, Dr. Benedict Albensi, Ph. D., BCMAS, CRQM. Dr. Albensi is a professor and chair of the department of pharmaceutical sciences at Nova Southeastern University in Ft. Lauderdale, Florida.
Renowned for his work with factors involved in aging, cognition, and Alzheimer's disease (AD), Dr. Albensi has been ranked in the top one percent worldwide by Expertscape.com for his number of publications from 2010-2020 in seven areas, including expertise in Alzheimer’s Disease, neurocognitive disorders, tauopathies, and dementia. On this week’s episode, he’ll share the personal reasons that lead him to study the effects of Alzheimer’s disease and dementia, and what his research has revealed over his several decades of experience. We discuss the hallmarks of aging and what people can do to increase their longevity, and how Italian American staples like a traditional Mediterranean diet, and the primacy of “La Famiglia” might just hold the keys to longer, healthier lives.
We’ll explore how genetics plays a role in the development of dementia, and how certain ethnicities are prone to certain illnesses, such as Cooley’s Anemia in our own community.
We also look at how family protection comes into play, and how when families rally around a member who has been diagnosed with a cognitive illness, it can be some of the best medicine possible for all concerned!
If you’re interested in developing a healthier lifestyle or if Alzheimer’s Disease or dementia has affected your family, you won’t want to miss this week’s episode!
--- Support this podcast: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/italianamerican/supportWed, 08 Jun 2022 - 1h 01min - 500 - IAP 234: Are You Committing Crimes Against Italian Food? Examining Italy's Culinary Commandments
Are you guilty of crimes against Italian food?
A recent YouGov survey that polled 20,000 people across 17 different countries decided that Italian cuisine was the most beloved on earth… but also established a list of alleged "Italian Food Crimes" that might trip up even the most passionate Italian American, let alone the first-time visitor to "il Bel Paese."
Some of the worst offenders list will read like a familiar set of “Culinary Commandments” for those who know Italy well… putting pasta in cold water before bringing it to boil, serving pasta as a side, cutting long pasta with a knife, adding cheese to a fish dish, or (gasp) drinking cappuccino after a meal!
Yet others might surprise even the most accepting pallette… Do we really need to reiterate that ketchup on pasta is a crime against humanity, and serving pineapple on pizza an inexcusable abuse of the world's most beloved food?
We’re going to unpack these results and provide our own take on how and why these offenses even exist. We’re also going to discuss what we think are the worst Italian food crimes, and which alleged crimes really aren’t so bad after all.
Get ready as we serve up a new take on the cuisine we all know and love in this week’s episode of the Italian American Podcast!
--- Support this podcast: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/italianamerican/supportWed, 25 May 2022 - 56min - 499 - IAP 233: Red Sauce: A Two-Part Exploration of How Italian Food Became American with Special Guest Ian MacAllen (Part 2)
We’re back for the second half of our incredible conversation with Ian MacAllen, the author of Red Sauce: How Italian Food Became American, as we continue our quest to understand the evolution of “Red Sauce Italian,” - that unique cuisine born of the melding of Southern Italian tastes and American abundance.
This week, in Part 2, we’ll take the conversation even deeper to explore everything from the ingredients that we treasure to the Red Sauce standards that have gone the way of the Dodo. We’ll discover which beloved Italian American family dish originally contained cow utters, how to differentiate between pasta and macaroni, how those famed pastas REALLY got their shapes, and learn about the strange era when the Italian government tried to ban pasta!
We’re also digging into some of the heirloom products Italian Americans created, and made our own, here in America, looking at lost recipes from Red Sauce days gone by, and uncovering two long lost classics that were once amongst the most famous spaghetti dishes in America… created for America’s most famous Italian opera stars!
And, as we always do here on the Italian American Podcast, we’re asking the important questions… like how DID grated cheese and crushed red pepper become the ubiquitous Italian American table-side seasonings, and where do our cheeses come from, and why does it matter?
It’s the conclusion of one of our most popular episodes we’ve ever released, so tuck into a plate of your favorite Red Sauce specialty, and join us as we explore the unique creation that is Italian American cuisine!
--- Support this podcast: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/italianamerican/supportWed, 18 May 2022 - 46min - 498 - IAP 232: Red Sauce: A Two-Part Exploration of How Italian Food Became American with Special Guest Ian MacAllen
Once in a long while, a book comes along and immediately qualifies as a “must have” in the Italian American home library. In Red Sauce: How Italian Food Became American, author Ian MacAllen has created one of those books!
In this rollicking two-part episode, we’re joined by this proud Italian American writer as he leads us in an exploration of the evolution of traditional Italian American cuisine, lovingly referred to as “Red Sauce Italian,” from its origins in Italy to its transformation in America into a new, distinct, and wildly popular cuisine.
This week, in Part 1, we’ll take a look at the fascinating social and culinary history exploring the integration of Red Sauce food into mainstream America alongside the blending of Italian immigrant otherness into a national American identity.
We’re looking for the “roots of red sauce” in Southern Italian cuisine, and how early Italian immigrants to America developed new recipes and modified old ones based on the new foods they found in America, and how they were able to introduce and eventually domesticate the staple ingredients they couldn’t leave behind.
We’ll search out the origins of uniquely Italian American dishes like Penne alla Vodka, and examine the new fascinating history of how the earliest Italian immigrants brought the tomato into mainstream America… and why the differences in manufacturing between tomato paste versus canned tomatoes might explain how YOUR family recipes came to be distinct from those of other Italian American clans. And, we’ll seek to answer the age old question: “Why do I add sugar to my sauce?"
It’s the first half of one of our most enjoyable episodes, on a topic we know every Italian American can agree on -- the unique brilliance of Italian American cuisine!
--- Support this podcast: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/italianamerican/supportWed, 11 May 2022 - 48min - 497 - IAP 231: Traditions in Transition: Italian Catholic Traditions for a New Generation
For countless Italian Americans, many of the best-loved hallmarks of our distinct culture are intrinsically tied to Catholic tradition. Even for those who have let their personal practice lapse, or for others who come from different religious backgrounds, recollections of a special feast day in the old neighborhood, or holiday traditions rooted in Catholic practice remain treasured touchstones of their Italian American experience. For some families, that sense of identity continues to be informed by participation in Italian language Masses, or membership in one of the remaining Italian National Parishes spread throughout the country.
And while these parishes and liturgies are available to our community at a lesser frequency than they were to older generations, there are some younger Italian Americans setting out to change that.
In this week’s episode, we’re sitting down with Eric Lavin of Our Lady of Mt. Carmel Parish in Newark, NJ and Alexis Carra-Tracey, founder of the Italian Mass Project of New York City, to learn about the ways they and their fellow millennials are seeking to preserve and expand the presence of Italian Catholic life in America.
We’ll explore their efforts to bring old traditions to a new generation, and get a lesson in the history of Italian Catholicism in America straight from the Wiki-Pat-ia himself. And, speaking of the Notorious P.O.B., he’s inviting everyone out there in Italian American Podcastland to come out and support HIS efforts to evolve forward an Italian American Catholic tradition, the Feast of Our Lady of Sacro Monte in Clifton, New Jersey,a long-dormant tradition he revived more than a decade ago!
If you want to come out and meet the IAP Famiglia, or you’re just looking for a great way to reconnect with long forgotten traditions, this is an episode you’ll surely enjoy!
--- Support this podcast: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/italianamerican/supportWed, 04 May 2022 - 1h 00min - 496 - IAP 230: Saving the Songs of Southern Italy with Special Guest Alexis Zingale
Of the more than 20 million Americans with Italian roots, approximately 87 percent are of Southern Italian origin. This massive dispora from Italy’s south has made southern Italian cuisine, culture and traditions into familiar aspects of Italian American life; yet the wealth of classical music originating in the Italian south has remained a mystery, even to the millions whose ancestors left her shores.
This week’s guest, Alexis Zingale, hopes to change that with The Southern Italian Piano Project. The Southern Italian Piano Project seeks to change the narrative and ensure that the lesser-known composers from the Kingdom of the Two Sicilies, from both before and after the Risorgimento, attract the attention and respect given other composers in the canon of classical music.
Alexis shares how The Southern Italian Piano project got its start (spoiler alert: the Italian American Podcast might have been an early inspiration), how she worked to uncover and reintroduce composers from all over the south of Italy, which composers are part of her repertoire, including Francesco Durante and Alessandro Longo, and how her overall vision is to expand the canon of western art music to include as many underrepresented composers from the south of Italy as possible.
Alexis also shares a few samples of works she’s unearthed as she prepares to bring them to life in a series of live performances in the greater New York City area in the coming weeks, including:
· Friday, May 6, 2022 at 7:30 p.m. at the Branford Free Evangelical Church, 231 Leetes Island Road, Branford, CT. Tickets are $20 for general admission or $10 for seniors at the door, or $20 via Eventbrite: https://www.eventbrite.com/myevent?eid=312023991157
· Sunday, May 15, 2022 at 2:00 p.m., at the Littlefield Recital Hall at Paier College, 84 Iranistan Ave, Bridgeport, CT. Tickets are $20 for general admission or $10 for seniors at the door, or $20 via Eventbrite: https://www.eventbrite.com/myevent?eid=312040701137
· Friday, May 20, 2022, 8:00 at p.m., at Mary Flagler Cary Hall at The Dimenna Center for Classical Music, 450 W 37th St., New York, NY. Tickets are $25 via Eventbrite: https://www.eventbrite.com/myevent?eid=226211192767
If you’re a devotee of classical music, a proud daughter or son of the Two Sicilies, or just someone who loves to explore new and unique topics, you won’t want to miss this week’s episode!
This episode is sponsored by Mediaset Italia.
--- Support this podcast: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/italianamerican/supportWed, 27 Apr 2022 - 52min - 495 - IAP 229: Doing All the Good She Can with Special Guest Adriana Trigiani
With 20 titles to her credit, Adriana Trigiani is one of Italian America’s most profound and authentic voices. This week, she joins us to celebrate the launch of her latest book, “The Good Left Undone,” a generational story that will easily secure a place of honor in anyone’s Italian American book collection upon its release on April 26.
Adriana tells us about her process for writing her latest epic -- a work that she believes may just be her best yet -- and how her characters are representatives of the stories that live in each and every one of us. She also shares how the world of publishing is for Italian American authors, and issues a rallying cry to support Italian American creators that seek to tell our stories through writing, art, theater, and film.
Adriana also shares the power of networking, and how creating an “in tribe” network among Italian Americans will help us band together as a group to help share our heritage the world over.
If you're a fan of one of Italian America’s most prolific voices, or you just want to learn more about how our community can support the expansion of our creative voices, it's an episode you won’t want to miss!
--- Support this podcast: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/italianamerican/supportWed, 13 Apr 2022 - 57min - 494 - IAP 228: 50 Years Together: The Godfather and the Making of Italian America, Part 2
This week we’re jumping back into the second part of our two-part episode exploring the 50-year relationship between the Italian American community and Francis Ford Coppola’s “The Godfather”, with a commercial-free conclusion to this well-received conversation.
Since its premiere in March of 1972, The Godfather has been considered one of the most influential and important films of all time, but even before the cameras started rolling, the would-be epic had drawn the ire of Italian Americans frustrated by the continued portrayal of their community as a haven for organized criminality.
As we look back on this 50-year history, we examine the impact the “The Godfather” has had on the Italian American experience… not just how it has come to represent (or not represent) our community, but how it has ultimately left its own mark on our sense of self definition.
We’ll seek to understand what the film means to cinema, to audiences around the world and, most importantly, to us, and how its release five decades ago may represent a crucial turning point in Italian American history. And, we’ll look at the film’s legacy and impact on subsequent portrayals of Italian American life, from 1972 through today.
Join us this week as we look back at 50 years of “The Godfather” and the making of Italian America!
--- Support this podcast: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/italianamerican/supportTue, 05 Apr 2022 - 33min - 493 - IAP 227: 50 Years Together: The Godfather and the Making of Italian America, Part 1
It is considered one of the most influential films of all time, a critical and commercial success, the winner of the 1972 Academy Award for Best Picture, selected for preservation in the U.S. National Film Registry of the Library of Congress, and ranked as the second-greatest film in American cinematic history by the American Film Institute… and for 50 years it has aroused equal parts love and loathing in the Italian American community.
On March 24, 1972, Francis Ford Coppola’s “The Godfather” made its debut in theaters across the nation and, since that first showing, the epic story of the Corleone family has dominated discussions on its portrayal of Italian Americans, with its proponents celebrating it as hauntingly authentic and its detractors decrying it as stereotypical exploitation.
In this week’s episode (Part 1 of 2), we look back on five decades of the relationship between “The Godfather” and the Italian American experience, its place in the tome of American cinema, and why it is a film that all Italian Americans should see at least once.
We’ll also examine the movie’s cast and characters, how their roles have become iconic, and what their stories say about the Italian American experience. And we look at the film’s impact on American pop culture, on organized crime itself, and what it means to Italian Americans today.
Join us this week as we look back at 50 years of “The Godfather” and the making of Italian America!
--- Support this podcast: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/italianamerican/supportWed, 30 Mar 2022 - 46min - 492 - IAP 226: The War in Ukraine: An Italian Perspective
The Russian invasion of Ukraine has shocked and horrified onlookers around the world, and has brought us closer to the brink of a global conflagration than most observers ever imagined possible in an interconnected and globalized society.
This week’s guest is His Eminence Archbishop Lorenzo Casati, the archbishop of Palermo and All Italy and Metropolitan of the Ukrainian Autocephalous Orthodox Church Abroad, who joins us to offer his uniquely multifaceted perspective, as an Italian American, living in Italy, and serving a community of Ukrainian faithful, as we seek to understand the complicated relationship between Ukraine and Russia, as well as the relationships between these two nations and Italy.
He shares with us the history of the Orthodox faith in Ukraine and in Russia and how it has shaped the identities of these two peoples, as well as how it is being brought to bear in the current crisis. He also discusses the differences between Ukrainian and Russian culture, and how Italy is taking part as the situation between the two nations unfolds.
We’ll discuss how Italy’s unique reliance on Ukraine for some of her most beloved foodstuffs, and why Italy has taken the stance it has taken in this conflict, welcoming refugees and doing what it can to support the Ukrainian people. Finally, Archbishop Casati tells listeners how they can help support Ukraine and offers a prayer for the end of this devastating conflict.
It's an episode that departs from our usual subject matter, but one which we pray offers clarity and hope in this time of unprecedented global uncertainty.
--- Support this podcast: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/italianamerican/supportTue, 22 Mar 2022 - 54min - 491 - IAP 225: It Happened In Italy -- Untold Stories of How the People of Italy Defied the Horrors of the Holocaust with Special Guest Elizabeth Bettina Nicolosi
Imagine Elizabeth Bettina Nicolosi's surprise when she discovered that her grandmother’s Italian village had a secret: over a half century ago, in the southern Italian town of Campagna, countless residents defied the occupying Nazis and risked their lives to shelter and save hundreds of Jews from the Holocaust. What followed her discovery became an adventure as she uncovered fascinating untold stories of Jews in Italy during World War II and the many Italians who risked everything to save them.
In this week’s very special commercial-free episode of the Italian American Podcast, we sit down with author Elizabeth Bettina Nicolosi to explore how that personal voyage of discovery evolved into her immensely popular and impactful book, "It Happened In Italy: Untold Stories of How the People of Italy Defied the Horrors of the Holocaust," and how her book inspired the making of a documentary, "My Italian Secret: The Forgotten Heroes."
We’ll discuss how this proud Italian American came to unravel the hushed secrets of her ancestral home, why she took it upon herself to bring this noble chapter of history to light, and share the incredible stories of her efforts to interview as many of the survivors as she could find, so this story of goodness in a time of evil could finally be told.
She’ll take us through her personal experiences meeting and traveling with the men and women whose lives were inextricably linked in this worst chapter in human history, and hear the heartwarming tales of their reunions and reminiscences decades later through the series that earned her work the highest of praise from Nino Asocoli: “Finally, somebody made known the courage and the empathy of the majority of the Italian people toward us Jews at a time of great danger.”
--- Support this podcast: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/italianamerican/supportTue, 15 Mar 2022 - 1h 02min - 490 - IAP 224: 272 Italian Enclaves and Counting! With Special Guest Ray Guarini
Around here, we’ve become pretty adept at recognizing the symptoms of an Italian American obsession... and this week’s guest can easily be diagnosed within a few moments of first meeting him!
Ray Guarini is the founder and driving force behind Italian Enclaves, an immensely popular Italian American social media platform on which Ray has set out to identify and catalogue the countless Italian American enclaves that add so much incredible Italian culture to the American mosaic. Since his last visit to the show in its earliest days, Ray and a team of equally-obsessed volunteers have grown the Italian Enclaves brand to include its first published book, New York City's Italian Neighborhoods, in person meet-ups, and a 501(c)3 non-profit organization known as the Italian Enclaves Historical Society, a charitable network dedicated to expanding Ray’s mission and bringing his work to the next generation.
We sit down with this Italian American All-Star to discuss just how his platform has expanded in recent years, how two years of limits and lockdowns have affected the nation’s Italian neighborhoods, how to discover the hidden Italian communities dotted across the country, and how the famed ethnic enclaves of America’s cities stack up against the often unknown centers of Italian life in America’s suburbs and rural areas.
Ultimately, we’re asking what constitutes an Italian enclave, and how all of us can play our part in their continuing evolution, making sure they continue to thrive for the next generation of Italian American obsessives!
--- Support this podcast: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/italianamerican/supportTue, 08 Mar 2022 - 1h 01min - 489 - IAP 223: Celebrating the Festa della Donna with Special Guests Vanessa Racci and Lena Prima
We’re kicking off the month of March, known as Women’s History Month, by catching up with two very talented Italian American women behind a much anticipated event happening this weekend in honor of International Women’s Day.
This week’s guests, Vanessa Racci and Lena Prima, are the producer and headliner of the fourth-annual “Festa della Donna," a variety show celebrating Italian American females in the arts. Taking place virtually this coming Sunday, March 6, at 6 p.m., EST, Festa della Donna features Lena and Vanessa, as well as comediennes Tara Cannistraci and Regina DeCicco, and medium Tessa DelZoppo.
Lena and Vanessa share their experiences as women in the performing arts field, from trying to gain a foothold in their chosen professions, to their experiences with ageism and imposter syndrome, and how their experiences have helped shape them on both the personal and professional level.
They also share their thoughts about the timelessness of music and how it truly provides the soundtrack to our lives, as well as a celebration of our incredible culture.
Podcast listeners can enter the code FestaDella at checkout on www.metropolitanzoom.com for $5 off the admission to this special event!
Join us as we celebrate the Festa della Donna with two extraordinary Italian American women!
--- Support this podcast: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/italianamerican/supportTue, 01 Mar 2022 - 43min
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