15 with Fosca

Season 3, Episode 17 unPINNED! A Wine Revolution  featuring Savannah Boylan & Ashwin Muthiah   “Wine has brought people together since its invention 8,000 years ago. F*** the industry that’s using wine to drive people apart.” Ashwin Muthiah, unPINNED It’s the height of harvesting season here in Italy so what better time to tune in to my chat with Savannah Boylan and Ashwin Muthiah, who, with unPINNED, an unconventional wine course and innovative venture, are diffusing wine education and knowledge in a relatable, non-pretentious, engaging and truly revolutionary way.  In their words, “unPINNED is a revolution against the industry that corrupted the very thing wine stood for at its inception: community, enjoyment, peace.” Don’t miss the first half of my two-part conversation with Savanah and Ashwin about their path to Italy and their various adventures along the way, who they are, from where their passion for wine comes, and how they pivoted and took the leap.  I also ask them to share with us more about the birth of unPINNED, how it works and its objectives, and how though their sharing of wisdom they are bringing people closer to wine and to each other in an empathetic and relatable way. Because wine is for everyone.  unPINNED Wine Bios and Links Bios: Ashwin Muthiah: Ashwin Muthiah is an author, wine educator, and documentary host, exploring the world through the lens of flavor and wine. Ashwin is a certified sommelier who left the industry 10 years ago because he didn’t align with its values. Instead, he set out to revolutionize the wine industry by making it fun and approachable again. Ashwin has distilled his years of knowledge and packed it into an incredible online membership called unPINNED that drops monthly video content about wine centred around frameworks to help you fully understand wine. As a result, he’s helped thousands of people from all over the world feel more confident about wine.  Savannah Boylan: Savannah is a founder and the Chief Creative Officer of unPINNED. Savannah led a 6-year career in foreign policy before switching gears to realign with her artistic background. After developing brands for countless international clients as a graphic designer, she decided to partner with her husband, Ashwin, on designing and creating unPINNED.  Together, with their third founder Gerod Bond, they’ve built an incredible community where there are no dumb questions and wine is for EVERYONE (not just the elite).  Links:  The unPINNED Website: https://www.unpinnedwine.com/ $15 off annual membership for 15 with Fosca Listeners with code: 15WITHFOSCA Follow unPINNED on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/unpinnedwine/ In Pursuit of Flavor The Documentary: https://www.unpinnedwine.com/in-pursuit-of-flavor Recorded at Musikalmente Firenze, June 4, 2024  Explicit Language Warning

Season 3, Episode 16 Riding the Tide in Venice  featuring Julia Curtis  “I think that there's an etiquette that every tourist that travels the world should have. And I think that there's a conscientiousness that cities like Venice or Florence, that are really unique in the world, need to step back and say, how do we have more sustainable tourism?” Julia Curtis  In this special, long episode, recorded via Zoom this past May, Julia Curtis and I converse about her personal and professional journey from Berkeley California to Venice, Italy, her graduate studies, and her over two-decade career in the fields of climate change, business strategy and government relations.  Julia and I cover a wide range of topics, from global climate issues to the impact of overtourism in Venice, and the urgent need for sustainable tourism practices in Venice, Italy, and beyond.  We also also touch upon the challenges and rewards of living and working in Venice and the importance of preserving the city's unique character. I also ask her to chime in with her thoughts on the potential outcomes of the city’s recent controversial introduction of the tourist tax.  Finally, we talk about why Julia ultimately made the bold choice to raise her child in Venice and the many different hats she wears while staying afloat in la Serenissima.  About Julia Curtis    Julia Curtis is a recognized leader in the fields of climate change, business strategy and government relations. Julia has over two decades of experience working with governments, private industry, academia, and international organizations such as the International Energy Agency, FAO, and International Renewable Energy on communications, negotiations, strategy and teambuilding. Her main specialization has been in the energy, agriculture, climate change and environment sectors where she has  been publicly recognized for her leadership, project management and communication abilities. Julia led one of the first US EPA Water Rights Treaties with Mexico.  She received a master’s degrees in international economics, and energy and environmental policy from Johns Hopkins University, School of Advanced International Studies (SAIS), and a dual bachelor’s in art history and political science from New York University. Julia has consulted on energy, technology, agriculture and environmental projects in North America, Europe, Africa and Asia. She has published articles on climate and renewable energy and is often asked to speak at Industry Conferences. A life-long passion for civics and education and serves as a Director of the Junior Statesmen Foundation.  Julia loves teaching yoga (her first yoga training was 18 years ago), and on her website, www.yogavenezia.com, you can find additional information on her teaching philosophy and background, classes, activities and retreats. Trilingual in English, French and Italian, Julia is also passionate about sailing and rowing in general and Venetian boats in particular. She lives in Venice, Italy with her daughter Cornelia.    Links  https://www.linkedin.com/in/juliacurtis/ https://www.yogavenezia.com/

Season 3, Episode 15 Fashioner of the Law: Craftsmanship, Luxury & Made in Italy, Part 2 featuring Claudia Del Re  Last week Attorney Claudia Del Re and I touched on how to protect one’s creations, intellectual property, and the world of luxury. In this episode we dig deeper into the above and reflect further upon the future of fashion and fashion beyond Italy.  We also discuss cultural property law and the implications that reproductions of great Italian masterpieces, like Botticelli’s Venus and Michelangelo’s David, have in light of cultural heritage and values.  I also ask Claudia what she sees as the greatest challenge to her field in the coming years, we converse about the importance of human relationships, connections and trust, and Claudia share with us what’s in store for her in the near future.  Claudia Del Re Biography & Links  Claudia Del Re Lawyer and founding partner of the Del Re Law Firm | Florence – Milan, Privacy Officer, Contract Professor and research collaborator at the University of Florence, Lecturer at Polimoda-International Institute of Fashion, Design and Marketing, start-up and research spin-off trainer, University consultant and Research Institutions regarding university technology transfer.  Specialized in corporate matters, Claudia Del Re is particularly focused on Intellectual and Industrial Property issues, such as contracts concerning industrial inventions and industrial design patents, trademarks, license or transfer of industrial property rights, protection of industrial secrets, protection, license and transfer of know-how, confidential information, etc. Additionally, she is interested in the juridical area of Information and Communication Technology combined with Privacy Law, in the areas relating to e-commerce and telecommunications rights. Specialties: Intellectual and Industrial Property matters, Civil Law, Competition Law, Contract and Business Law, Copyright Law, Corporate Law, Data Protection, Fashion Law, Information Technology Law, International Privacy Law, Third Sector Law,  Wine Law. https://www.linkedin.com/in/claudiadelre/ https://claudiadelre.it/ https://www.instagram.com/clodelre/?hl=en Recorded at Musikalmente Firenze, May 14, 2024   

“A lawyer is not just the one who is going to defend you in court but is also a kind of guide that pushes you in the correct way, to enhance and to explore your ideas. That is exactly my role in the context of beauty.” Claudia Del Re  In this first part of my conversation with Claudia Del Re, she shares with us why she thinks she’s one of the luckiest lawyers ever, defining herself as the “attorney of beauty”. Claudia brings us into her world and illustrates the work that she does by offering clear, expert guidance and advice buttressed by concrete examples, strategies and tips on how to preserve and protect one’s creations and intellectual property.   She also speaks to the specific challenges regarding Florence’s artisans and centuries-old traditions of craftsmanship and the difficulties in protecting this important cultural heritage and ensuring that these techniques are not lost.  We also touch upon AI and technology, the nuances of the law when it comes to wine, fashion, intellectual property and a host of other areas, and the importance of keeping trade secrets secret. Finally, we talk about her teaching, what the university students who take her classes are interested in and what they worry about, and she gives us her keen insights on the future of fashion.   Claudia Del Re Biography & Links  Claudia Del Re Lawyer and founding partner of the Del Re Law Firm | Florence – Milan, Privacy Officer, Contract Professor and research collaborator at the University of Florence, Lecturer at Polimoda-International Institute of Fashion, Design and Marketing, start-up and research spin-off trainer, University consultant and Research Institutions regarding university technology transfer.  Specialized in corporate matters, Claudia Del Re is particularly focused on Intellectual and Industrial Property issues, such as contracts concerning industrial inventions and industrial design patents, trademarks, license or transfer of industrial property rights, protection of industrial secrets, protection, license and transfer of know-how, confidential information, etc. Additionally, she is interested in the juridical area of Information and Communication Technology combined with Privacy Law, in the areas relating to e-commerce and telecommunications rights. Specialties: Intellectual and Industrial Property matters, Civil Law, Competition Law, Contract and Business Law, Copyright Law, Corporate Law, Data Protection, Fashion Law, Information Technology Law, International Privacy Law, Third Sector Law,  Wine Law. https://www.linkedin.com/in/claudiadelre/ https://claudiadelre.it/ https://www.instagram.com/clodelre/?hl=en Recorded at Musikalmente Firenze, May 14, 2024   

Whether you are a first time voter, a seasoned one, or are voting from abroad for the first time, you will not want to miss this special episode of 15 with Fosca, featuring special guests, Leyani Redditi and Jane Zaloga, respectively Chair and Vice Chair of Central Italy for Democrats Abroad.    If you are a US citizen living abroad you can vote and this podcast episode gives you a simple, step by step non-partisan guide to what you need to do to make your voice heard by casting your vote by Tuesday, November 5.   Be sure to tune in for important information, clear instructions, deadlines, and resources on how to vote in the upcoming election and why it's so crucial that those of us living abroad get our ballots in and in time.  Every vote really counts.   For local folks, or for those of you who have family or friends currently residing in the Florence area or in Italy, check out the links below for information on Non-Partisan Voter Assistance events, taking place throughout the fall, for all US Citizens in Florence and in Italy. Leyani Redditi Biography  Leyani is the Chair of Central Italy for Democrats Abroad.  She lives just outside Florence with her family. She is originally from Northern California but also lived in Atlanta for many years. She is a teacher, author and farmer. Jane Zaloga Biography  Jane is the Vice Chair of Central Italy for Democrats Abroad. Originally from NJ, she has lived in Chicago and the Boston area, but has called Florence, where she teaches art and architectural history, her home for the past 25 years. LINKS  https://www.democratsabroad.org/it-central_leaders https://www.democratsabroad.org/it https://www.democratsabroad.org/it_central https://www.democratsabroad.org/it_events https://www.votefromabroad.org/ https://www.democratsabroad.org/kelly/how_to_vote_from_italy https://www.democratsabroad.org/donate https://www.democratsabroad.org/volunteer https://www.theflorentine.net/2024/08/23/democrats-abroad-voter-assistance-events-florence-italy-us-election/

“Another way, in addition to Speakeasy, which I really suggest that worked for me is doing an activity that people who are like minded might do. That's the best way to build community because everyone's looking for it. It's one of those ironies of modern life that people feel disconnected and lonely, but we all have the same needs.” Miriam Hurley, on finding community in Florence.  In the second part of my conversation with cer Miriam Hurley we go beyond the intricacies of her métier and talk about making connections and finding community.  Reflecting upon the initial difficulties that she encountered meeting people and forging friendships in a city like Florence that sees so much movement within the international community, Miriam took action and co-founded, with Lexie Cimko, Speakeasy Multilingual Florence, which organizes multilingual language exchange events in Florence and offers a wealth of resources and advice to locals and visitors alike.  A true community builder and leader, Miriam is also deeply invested in facilitating the lives of temporary and permanent residents, locals and foreigners alike, whether it be through her translation work, Speakeasy Multilingual, or the multitude of information and connections that she offers in a sincere, welcoming, and very heartfelt way.   To this end, she also shares with us her vision for a versatile physical space that would serve the community in a multitude of ways by bringing together professionals who can offer various types of services as well as providing a venue for social, creative, and networking events.  Finally, as two long term US expats in Florence, we compare notes on the many ways the city has changed over the last couple of decades.  Miriam Hurley Biography & Links  I grew up in Astoria, Oregon, known to some as land of The Goonies. For college, I escaped to New York and graduated from Sarah Lawrence College in 1996 with a Bachelor of Liberal Arts with focuses on cultural anthropology and foreign languages. Over two decades of full-time professional experience as a certified translator from Italian to English. Certified since 2001 by the American Translators Association specifically to translate from Italian to English. I also speak — but do not translate — Dutch (rusty but once fluentish), French (pretty decent), and Spanish (downright abominable). I organize language exchange events in Florence so I can brag about being multilingual (and work on improving my languages). Studied in Florence in 1994 at the Sarah Lawrence program and the University of Florence. Based in Florence, I keep one foot still in the U.S., spending long stretches there, keeping my native tongue fresh. https://miriamhurley.com/ https://www.linkedin.com/in/hurleycertifiedtranslator/ https://www.facebook.com/MiriamHurleyTranslations/ Speakeasy www.speakeasymultilingual.com https://www.facebook.com/speakeasymultilingual/  https://www.instagram.com/speakeasymultilingual/ Recorded at Musikalmente Firenze on April 16, 2024   Production Intern: Mark Scott 

“Even if you've done it for 24 years, every translation, almost every sentence, is a challenge, and that's what makes it fun.” Miriam Hurley  It was such a treat to sit down with Miriam Hurley to discuss her path to Italy, why she came and stayed, the ins and outs, and challenges and rewards of her more than two decades of experience as an American Translators Association certified Italian to English translator.  Join us for the first part of our conversation which traces Miriam’s path from Oregon to Florence and looks into the life in Italy that she’s found in translation.   In addition to musings on the rigorous and meticulous nature and importance of her work, Miriam and I also delve into the nuances of language, and the art, science, and creativity involved in translating. We also touch on topics like AI and technology, keeping up with the rapid evolution and diffusion of new words, capturing the subleties of regional dialects and slang, and what the world of translation looks like today.  Miriam Hurley Biography & Links  I grew up in Astoria, Oregon, known to some as land of The Goonies. For college, I escaped to New York and graduated from Sarah Lawrence College in 1996 with a Bachelor of Liberal Arts with focuses on cultural anthropology and foreign languages. Over two decades of full-time professional experience as a certified translator from Italian to English. Certified since 2001 by the American Translators Association specifically to translate from Italian to English. I also speak — but do not translate — Dutch (rusty but once fluentish), French (pretty decent), and Spanish (downright abominable). I organize language exchange events in Florence so I can brag about being multilingual (and work on improving my languages). Studied in Florence in 1994 at the Sarah Lawrence program and the University of Florence. Based in Florence, I keep one foot still in the U.S., spending long stretches there, keeping my native tongue fresh. https://miriamhurley.com/ https://www.linkedin.com/in/hurleycertifiedtranslator/ https://www.facebook.com/MiriamHurleyTranslations/ Speakeasy www.speakeasymultilingual.com https://www.facebook.com/speakeasymultilingual/  https://www.instagram.com/speakeasymultilingual/ Recorded at Musikalmente Firenze on April 16, 2024   Production Intern: Mark Scott 

“From my experience, there's a very different attitude towards careers here; generally speaking, your job doesn't define you. Whenever I speak to Italians, they never ask that as their first question, it’s never ‘what do you do,’ or ‘what's your job’? They're more interested in the life that you live around your job, which is a great thing, it's very commendable, so different from the way we are, so different.” Eleanor Walker Join us this week for part two of my chat with Eleanor Walker, art historian and British expat living in Florence, Italy.  During our conversation, Eleanor and I take a deep dive into the reality of living in Italy, and the surprising magnificence that often, and thankfully, accompanies it.  We cover everything from how our cultures condition us, to how our adoptive culture changes us, and why we choose to go or stay. We also speak about the challenges of forging a career in Italy and transitory friendships, what defines us and brings us joy, Eleanor also tells us more about the current art and arts scene in Florence, and generously shares some of her favorite Florentine sites to visit and why she loves them so much.  Finally, we reflect upon the crucial role of art and culture in today’s world, the real challenges posed by hyper tourism fueled by social media, and what it means to live a life that so many view and experience as a dream.  Eleanor Walker Biography  As a History of Art graduate from the University of Warwick and with a Masters from London’s prestigious Courtauld Institute of Art, Eleanor is a specialist in the art of the Italian Renaissance, in particular the influence of Netherlandish paintings in 15th century Florence. She has recently been most interested in the role of female artists, both in the Renaissance and in the 20th century - her other area of interest.  She has worked at Sotheby’s and the Portland Gallery in London, and teaches for Art History Abroad and she has leads cultural travel programmes for US museums and galleries.  In 2021 she started working with Stanford in Florence Study Abroad Programme on the Art History and Italian Contemporary Culture classes, where during her first year she was assistant to Monsignor Timothy Verdon (Director of Florence's Museum dell’ Opera del Duomo). Alongside Stanford, she has been working with art collector and philanthropist Christian Levett towards the opening of the first major museum for female artists in Europe, the Female Artists of the Mougins Museum (FAMM) which opened in June 2024. She works as Collection Manager for the Levett Collection in Florence, whilst continuing to lead exclusive cultural tours and teach Art History. Eleanor is also a passionate musician. As a flautist, saxophonist and singer, she regularly performs with ensembles in Florence and Tuscany. Links  https://www.linkedin.com/in/eleanor-walker-2a1233a8/ @viewfromthegallery

“My plan was to stay in Italy until I was due to go back to work on the 1st of November, because that was when the furlough scheme was due to end. So, I thought, ok, fine, I'm going to stay. I don't need to be back in London, I'm going to stay here. I'll take some Italian classes, visit some museums, live a life of leisure in Italy because why not?” Eleanor Walker  In the summer of 2020, in the midst of the global pandemic, Eleanor Walker, an art historian originally from the UK, took a leap into the unknown and came to Italy hoping to find herself and joy again.  Through a series of fortuitous events and encounters, and a lot of personal initiative, resourcefulness, and ingenuity, Eleanor transformed what should have been a brief sojourn in Italy into the life she has made for herself in Florence.   In this first part of my chat with Eleanor, we speak about her journey, her work in the arts and as a performer, anhow she managed to find and forge community during an incredibly dark and isolating time for so many of us.  We also touch upon Brexit, the effect it had on Eleanor and her choices, as well as the trials and rewards of working in the arts today and living a life divided between two places that you love deeply.   Eleanor Walker Biography  As a History of Art graduate from the University of Warwick and with a Masters from London’s prestigious Courtauld Institute of Art, Eleanor is a specialist in the art of the Italian Renaissance, in particular the influence of Netherlandish paintings in 15th century Florence. She has recently been most interested in the role of female artists, both in the Renaissance and in the 20th century - her other area of interest.  She has worked at Sotheby’s and the Portland Gallery in London, and teaches for Art History Abroad and she has leads cultural travel programmes for US museums and galleries.  In 2021 she started working with Stanford in Florence Study Abroad Programme on the Art History and Italian Contemporary Culture classes, where during her first year she was assistant to Monsignor Timothy Verdon (Director of Florence's Museum dell’ Opera del Duomo). Alongside Stanford, she has been working with art collector and philanthropist Christian Levett towards the opening of the first major museum for female artists in Europe, the Female Artists of the Mougins Museum (FAMM) which opened in June 2024. She works as Collection Manager for the Levett Collection in Florence, whilst continuing to lead exclusive cultural tours and teach Art History. Eleanor is also a passionate musician. As a flautist, saxophonist and singer, she regularly performs with ensembles in Florence and Tuscany. Links  https://www.linkedin.com/in/eleanor-walker-2a1233a8/ @viewfromthegallery

Registrato il 12 Marzo 2024 a Musikalmente Firenze   “Chi di noi non si è trovato in una situazione di incertezza, sfiducia, incapacità di decidere, non vedere la strada, non riuscire a capire? Quali sono le cose per cui vale la pena impegnarsi? Chi di noi non si è trovato mai in una situazione di questo genere?” Matteo Perchiazzi   In questa seconda parte della mia conversazione con Matteo Perchiazzi continuiamo ad affrontare temi legati al ruolo cruciale che il mentoring ha in tutti gli aspetti della nostra vita, dalla scuola ai nostri percorsi personali e professionali. Quindi dedichiamo ancora spazio e tempo alle problematiche legate ai giovani, dando esempi e strategie concreti che possono essere di grande aiuto per genitori, insegnanti, mentor e mentee.   Durante questo dialogo, Matteo ci illustra l’importanza di avere obiettivi precisi ma anche quant’è fondamentale avere sogni grandi e la libertà di esplorare unacostellazione degli insegnamenti che diventano poi delle risorse preziose.   Inoltre, parliamo del mentoring nello sport e lo sport nel mentoring, i modi in cui il mentoring ha il potere di cambiare le dinamiche professionali e gli ambienti di lavoro, e se, come chiedo a Matteo, abbiamo tutti bisogno di un mentor.    Amanti del tennis, non vi preoccupate! Parliamo non solo di tennis ma anche un po’ del grande campione italiano, Jannick Sinner, e le lezioni che possiamo portare via dalla sua vita.       Biografia  Matteo Perchiazzi è consulente senior di sviluppo risorse umane e formazione per enti e aziende. È l'ideatore e il fondatore della SIM. E nel 2021 riceve l’Awards di EMCC Global IPMA Master Practitioner, ricevuto fino a quel tempo da solo 3 persone in Europa. Si occupa di ricerca sociale e del lavoro, di ricerca e sviluppo di metodologie di valutazione, formazione e orientamento. In Italia è pioniere nella ricerca, formazione e consulenza del Mentoring, di cui si occupa dal 2002, in particolare del Mentoring per l’orientamento e il ri-orientamento al lavoro. È alla costante ricerca di settore nuovi in cui applicare il Mentoring e ha di recente codificato il filone del Mentoring nello sport con l’Academy Sport, risultato di ricerca e progetti nel settore da 10 anni.   È stato consulente e referente scientifico per il Ministero della Difesa – Aeronautica Militare Italiana ISMA – CEFODIMA per la NATO Training Mission in Afghanistan del contingente dei Mentor – Advisor dell’aeronautica Militare Italiana, ed in Iraq.   Prima della fondazione della SIM, ha collaborato con numerosi enti, aziende ed enti per la messa a punto, gestione, valutazione monitoraggio di progetti di Mentoring come il Rotary Internazionale Sud – America ‘Rotary eMentoring’, Mentoring ex – allievi Scuole militari, Fil Spa e varie agenzie formative in progetti di Mentoring nell’ambito del career management e del career counseling.   Ha pubblicato “Apprendere il Mentoring” (2008) con Transeuropa e “Raccontare le competenze” (con F. Batini e G. Del Sarto,) 2007. Ha collaborato ed è stato curatore alla traduzione italiana di “A ciascuno il suo mentore” di David Clutterbuck edito da Franco Angeli 2019, insieme a Marco Laganà. Il suo ultimo libro, “Imparo dunque sono” (2023) è un volume ricco di esercitazioni e applicazione pratiche, che rispondono alle domande su cosa sia il mentoring e su come possa essere realizzato nella scuola italiana. Links linkedin.com/in/matteo-perchiazzi scuolaitalianadimentoring.com  Steven Kotler - https://www.theartofimpossible.com/   Production Intern: Mark Scott   

Il Mentoring: Ascolto, Riflessione & Fiducia, Part 1 Featuring Matteo Perchiazzi     Registrato il 12 Marzo 2024 a Musikalmente Firenze   “La metodologia del mentoring da costrutto, proprio come base iniziale, fa sì che il Mentor metta a disposizione la propria esperienza non solo professionale, ma anche di vita.” Matteo Perchiazzi  Oggi giorno sentiamo tanto parlare di mentoring ma che cos’è realmente e che importanza ha il mentoring nelle nostre vite professionali, scolastiche e personali?  In questa prima parte della mia conversazione con Matteo Perchiazzi, Fondatore della Società Italiana di Mentoring, parliamo del suo percorso e su com’è arrivato ad essere uno dei massimi esperti del settore, per poi discutere quello che sta facendo attualmente per formare e guidare una nuova generazione di mentor.  Quest’episodio si focalizza sul potere del mentoring in generale e in modo particolare sul ruolo cruciale che ha nelle scuole per combattere la dispersione scolastica.  Affrontiamo insieme diversi temi: la fragilità dei giovani, l’emarginazione sociale, la delinquenza e la violenza, e come il mentoring offre soluzioni concrete per aiutare i ragazzi a rischio a trovare una via di uscita e raggiungere il successo.   Biografia  Matteo Perchiazzi è consulente senior di sviluppo risorse umane e formazione per enti e aziende. È l'ideatore e il fondatore della SIM. E nel 2021 riceve l’Awards di EMCC Global IPMA Master Practitioner, ricevuto fino a quel tempo da solo 3 persone in Europa. Si occupa di ricerca sociale e del lavoro, di ricerca e sviluppo di metodologie di valutazione, formazione e orientamento. In Italia è pioniere nella ricerca, formazione e consulenza del Mentoring, di cui si occupa dal 2002, in particolare del Mentoring per l’orientamento e il ri-orientamento al lavoro. È alla costante ricerca di settore nuovi in cui applicare il Mentoring e ha di recente codificato il filone del Mentoring nello sport con l’Academy Sport, risultato di ricerca e progetti nel settore da 10 anni. È stato consulente e referente scientifico per il Ministero della Difesa – Aeronautica Militare Italiana ISMA – CEFODIMA per la NATO Training Mission in Afghanistan del contingente dei Mentor – Advisor dell’aeronautica Militare Italiana, ed in Iraq. Prima della fondazione della SIM, ha collaborato con numerosi enti, aziende ed enti per la messa a punto, gestione, valutazione monitoraggio di progetti di Mentoring come il Rotary Internazionale Sud – America ‘Rotary eMentoring’, Mentoring ex – allievi Scuole militari, Fil Spa e varie agenzie formative in progetti di Mentoring nell’ambito del career management e del career counseling. Ha pubblicato “Apprendere il Mentoring” (2008) con Transeuropa e “Raccontare le competenze” (con F. Batini e G. Del Sarto,) 2007. Ha collaborato ed è stato curatore alla traduzione italiana di “A ciascuno il suo mentore” di David Clutterbuck edito da Franco Angeli 2019, insieme a Marco Laganà. Il suo ultimo libro, “Imparo dunque sono” (2023) è un volume ricco di esercitazioni e applicazione pratiche, che rispondono alle domande su cosa sia il mentoring e su come possa essere realizzato nella scuola italiana. Links linkedin.com/in/matteo-perchiazzi scuolaitalianadimentoring.com 

We are celebrating one year of the podcast with an entire episode dedicated to you, our listeners, and to your questions about Italy, Italians, and Italian culture.  Don’t miss this q&a with Mark Scott, a University of Missouri journalism major and Ask Fosca’s very first intern. Mark not only came up with the idea for the podcast, but he also selected your questions, and interviewed me for this very special episode which is really a tribute to my listeners and a sincere thank you for the support you have shown.  Tune in to learn more about what life in Italy today is really like, why Italians are so particular about how they dress, and to gain some insight into how they feel about tourists, tourism, and overtourism.  We also speak at length about national identity, family, what it’s like to be a young person in Italy today, Mark’s time in Florence, and much, much more.   Mark Scott Biography  Hailing from Saint Louis, Missouri, Mark Scott is a rising senior majoring in journalism at the University of Missouri, Columbia. Mark spent spring semester 2024 studying in Florence through FUA (Florence University of the Arts) and interned at Ask Fosca from January to May.   A podcast fan and sports devotee, Mark is especially interested in golf and follows a variety of podcasts covering a wide range of topics. He is currently spending the summer in St. Loius doing a marketing internship and caddying at a local club.    Mark is an active member of his fraternity, has been on the University of Missouri Columbia Dean’s List several times, and is the recipient of the John Lawrence Broadcasting Award.  

“We call it a retreat because we want people to get away from what they're normally doing and thinking. You don't have to be a foodie to go there, but you'll probably leave as one”. Rebecca Christophersen Gouttenoire on Campo Sasso  In part two of my conversation with Rebecca Christophersen Gouttenoire we speak more about leaps of faith, chance encounters, and the fortunate twists of fate that have brought her to where she is today.  We also chat in greater detail about Grape Tours, the Tuscan, Italian, French, and beyond wine tours that she and her husband conduct and which she has happily been doing since 2004.  Home restoration fans will also be pleased to hear that we dedicate quite a bit of time to talking about Campo Sasso, the restoration of which was recently featured on HGTV's Fixer to Fabulous: Italiano.   In addition to talking about the ins and outs of restoring an historical property in Italy, Rebecca shares with us what it was like to be on TV, featured in such an ambitious project.  Finally, we discover more about what Rebecca and her family are trying to create with their approach to food and wine education, production, and hospitality and the many ways that Campo Sasso is a truly singular place where tradition and innovation meet.  Recorded at Formaggioteca Terroir on April 2, 2024  Biography  In 1995 Rebecca left Denmark for Florence pulled by an interest in Italy and Italian culture and in search of work. Her path, and her passions for food and wine, led her to the hospitality sector.  During her career she has worn many different hats and has always been very intentional about the importance of learning, growing, and evolving in her field.  There is little that Rebecca Christophersen Gouttenoire can’t and doesn’t do. With her husband Pierre, she is co-founder and co-owner of Grape Tours, Formaggioteca Terroir, and the newly refurbished Tuscan dream getaway, Campo Sasso, which she defines as the consolidation of their family and their various ventures.  A renovated old farmhouse in the Chianti Classico area, Campo Sasso was recently featured on the HGTV home restoration 6-episode series Fixer to Fabulous Italiano. It is now open for what Rebecca defines as retreats with an array of food and wine experiences that enable you to get under the skin of Tuscany. They also just launched  What's Cookin' at Campo Sasso? An independent cooking show where various chefs and foodies share delicious recipes.  Links  https://www.linkedin.com/in/rebecca-christophersen-gouttenoire-b86a1b168/ https://www.facebook.com/rebeccainflorence https://www.instagram.com/rebeccagouttenoire/ Campo Sasso  https://www.camposasso.com/ https://www.instagram.com/camposasso/ https://www.facebook.com/camposasso https://www.camposasso.com/fixer-to-fabulous-italiano Formaggioteca Terroir  https://en.formaggiotecaterroir.it/ https://www.instagram.com/formaggioteca/ https://www.facebook.com/search/top?q=formaggioteca%20terroir Grape Tours  https://www.tuscan-wine-tours.com/ https://linktr.ee/Grapetours https://www.tuscan-wine-tours.com/grapetrotters https://www.youtube.com/@lifeisgrapeintuscany https://www.instagram.com/grapetours/

Recorded at Formaggioteca Terroir on April 2, 2024  “I really wanted to get into the culture and learn the language, which I did. I wasn't just here to visit and superficially sit and watch what was going on around me. I wanted to immerse myself and become like the locals, live like the locals, to know in my own skin what that is like and that's the only way I could understand how to create a life for myself here.” Rebecca Christophersen Gouttenoire This past April I sat down at Formaggioteca Terroir, one of my favorite spots in Florence, with Rebecca Christophersen Gouttenoire, a Danish-Canadian who chose to make Florence and Tuscany her home.   In this first part of our chat, Rebecca shares with us her incredible journey to Italy and invites us into the enchanting world of the paradisiacal wine and cheese bar, Formaggioteca, and the bucolic holiday getaway Campo Sasso, the restoration of which was recently featured on HGTV's Fixer to Fabulous: Italiano. We also speak about her work as a wine educator and tour leader with Grape Tours and, perhaps unsurprisingly, dedicate quite a bit of time talking about wine and cheese, two passions we share.  Rebecca defines herself as a cheesemonger, wine and food lover, and educator. What you’ll learn in this episode is that she approaches her craft, and everything she takes on, with science, passion, and love, and the end result is nothing less than magical.   Biography  In 1995 Rebecca left Denmark for Florence pulled by an interest in Italy and Italian culture and in search of work. Her path, and her passions for food and wine, led her to the hospitality sector.  During her career she has worn many different hats and has always been very intentional about the importance of learning, growing, and evolving in her field.  There is little that Rebecca Christophersen Gouttenoire can’t and doesn’t do. With her husband Pierre, she is co-founder and co-owner of Grape Tours, Formaggioteca Terroir, and the newly refurbished Tuscan dream getaway, Campo Sasso, which she defines as the consolidation of their family and their various ventures.  A renovated old farmhouse in the Chianti Classico area, Campo Sasso was recently featured on the HGTV home restoration 6-episode series Fixer to Fabulous Italiano. It is now open for what Rebecca defines as retreats with an array of food and wine experiences that enable you to get under the skin of Tuscany. They also just launched  What's Cookin' at Campo Sasso? An independent cooking show where various chefs and foodies share delicious recipes.  Links  https://www.linkedin.com/in/rebecca-christophersen-gouttenoire-b86a1b168/ https://www.facebook.com/rebeccainflorence https://www.instagram.com/rebeccagouttenoire/ Campo Sasso  https://www.camposasso.com/ https://www.instagram.com/camposasso/ https://www.facebook.com/camposasso https://www.camposasso.com/fixer-to-fabulous-italiano Formaggioteca Terroir  https://en.formaggiotecaterroir.it/ https://www.instagram.com/formaggioteca/ https://www.facebook.com/search/top?q=formaggioteca%20terroir Grape Tours  https://www.tuscan-wine-tours.com/ https://linktr.ee/Grapetours https://www.tuscan-wine-tours.com/grapetrotters https://www.youtube.com/@lifeisgrapeintuscany https://www.instagram.com/grapetours/

“Italy changed my DNA in a sense. After a career spanning several different things, a year ago, I launched my executive coaching business. I'm working with execs, founders, and rising leaders. Through a coaching perspective I wanted some of the same things that I love about Italy, like slowing down and really connecting and getting to the heart of it with people, and I’m finding that to be a really meaningful way to tap into business and leadership.” Emma Wood This past January, Emma Wood and I connected via Zoom to record this very special, long, video episode in which we speak about everything from gap years, solo travel, food, and wine, to first drew Emma to Italy and how her relationship with the country has grown and evolved over time. She also shares with us how Italy has impacted her, professionally and personally, and still does to this day. Join us for a chat about Emma’s journey, fortuitous encounters, her pivot into the world of coaching with the founding last year of her company, Caterpillar Collaborative. In her work, Emma is helping people lead better lives and better companies, and trying to create a better world through better workplaces where people are thriving, more in touch with themselves, and self-aware. Emma Wood I believe we can align success and fulfillment through conscious leadership. For individuals, this means creating careers and lives that are balanced, intentional and full of purpose. For companies, this means investing in supporting individuals to drive exceptional and sustainable results. I work with entrepreneurs, executives and emerging leaders. While our primary focus is typically professional in nature, I take a whole-person approach that recognizes the personal & professional are interwoven. My clients trust me to create a safe, confidential and empowering space that enables them to courageously explore, grow and navigate important transitions.  My ideal clients are self-aware, curious, and committed to doing the work. They aren’t content to just settle or survive – they want to thrive. They’re ready to dream big and take bold steps to achieve their goals. They recognize the value of investing in themselves and their development. They are willing to dig deep and carve out time for what truly matters. They’re not just moving upward, they’re moving forward. I know what it’s like to succeed in intense, fast-paced environments. I earned two degrees from Stanford (BA and MBA), cut my teeth at one of the top management consulting firms (McKinsey & Company), and reached the C-suite by the time I hit 30. Before transitioning to coaching, I served as the COO and interim CEO for consumer companies. I most recently worked with a wine importer & distributor, a private equity-backed pet company, and a high-growth beverage startup in leadership roles spanning strategy, operations, people, and innovation. I am familiar with the impact, thrills and rewards of achievement.  I also know the taste of failure and the tolls these demanding careers can take. I’ve walked away from environments and trajectories that no longer aligned with my values or the impact I wanted to have. Through these experiences, I’ve learned how to power through adversity, connect into my inner compass, and stay resilient no matter the circumstances.  As an adventurer, I’ve always been hungry for new experiences, deep connections, and cultivating a sense of wonder. I’ve traveled to more than 40 countries and moved to places where I didn’t yet speak the language or know anyone. I’ve gotten quiet as I focused on my own inner work, learning from a range of teachers and modalities. I know what it feels like to be at a crossroads and to make big changes in order to build the life you want. https://www.linkedin.com/in/emmamwood/ https://caterpillarcollab.com/ https://www.instagram.com/emmamarion3/  

“You have a relationship with the artist. This was a painting in which she put an idealized version of her face, so I am looking at her and working on her and we were communicating on so many different levels.” Elizabeth Wicks on restoring Artemisia Gentileschi’s Allegory of Inclination. This past March, Elizabeth Wicks, renowned fine art conservator, and fellow Florentine by adoption, invited me over to talk about her life and work.    Our conversation begins with Liz’s journey to Italy, how and why she was drawn to conservation, her studies, background, and formation. She also provides excellent information and helpful resources for those considering a future in the field.    Above all, she gives us insight into and access to the behind-the-scenes life of a restorer.  Liz is all at once a scientist, detective, artist, tech goddess, and keeper and protector of an artistic patrimony that belongs to us all. Join us to hear some amazing stories about magical surprises, unveilings, beloved projects, artists, and materials, and the many unbelievable and unexpected discoveries she has encountered along the way. She also shares some sneak previews and reveals!  We also speak about how we experience art today, the joys of watching works being restored right before your eyes, how critical philanthropy is, and what’s really behind the museum and theater tickets we purchase.  We also touch upon the Disneyfication of Florence, and how the city, Liz, and her work have changed over time and continue to evolve.  We close by chatting about the Women’s International Network, thanks to which Liz and I first met, and how being part of such a dynamic and diverse community of remarkable women in Florence has been so personally and professionally impactful and empowering for us both.  Elizabeth Wicks Biography  Elizabeth Wicks restores fine art from ancient to contemporary, both onsite and at her art conservation studio in the center of Florence Italy. With over thirty years’ experience, she focuses mainly on easel paintings and frescoes. While her work is based in Italy, she consults regularly on projects in the U.S.A. Her conservation projects involve museums, churches, public properties, and private clients. Her work has ranged from restoring murals at Radio City Music Hall to sculptures by Michelangelo, to conserving easel paintings in a variety of styles and media. She also teaches the conservation of contemporary art in the five-year Master’s Program at the University of Viterbo. Her restorations have been featured in several documentaries, and she publishes and lectures internationally on women artists and painting conservation.  She is currently working on a Renaissance panel painting in her Florence studio, a fascinating and laborious project. She’s uncovering figures hidden by over-paint, revealing the painting’s original.  https://www.linkedin.com/in/elizabeth-wicks-48816a10/ https://www.conservart.info/index.php?lang=en&id=elizabeth_wicks https://www.instagram.com/elizabethwicksartconservation/ Other Useful Links  The restoration of Artemisia Gentileschi’s Inclination in Casa Buonarroti https://www.casabuonarroti.it/en/the-restoration-of-artemisia-gentileschis-inclination-in-casa-buonarroti/ Artemisia Gentileschi: Revealing the true beauty of a censored painting - BBC News https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=A2ByYCcmRGs Artemisia UpClose, An interview with conservator Elizabeth Wicks https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=V9RfMaGG1DY&list=UUauV7oI7WUZJy1rfHPPB3KA&index=2 Artemisia UpClose, The restoration of Artemisia Gentileschi's Allegory of Inclination at Casa Buonarroti Museum, Florence https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=N9jB14RFqRw&list=UUauV7oI7WUZJy1rfHPPB3KA&index=4 Art rescue in progress, an interview with conservator Elizabeth Wicks https://www.calliopearts.org/post/restoration-atelier-in-florence

This past April, I sat down with members of the Mama Florence family to chat with them about their relationship with Italian cuisine, their first and most significant food memories and moments, their favorite dishes, and why they love the work they do. What comes out in our conversations is just how inextricably linked food and the idea of home are, and what Mama Florence does every day to foster that important connection. For so many happy participants, Mama Florence becomes a home away from home. An intimate space, the minute you walk through the door you are greeted by enticing and familiar aromas and feel a sense of belonging as you step into their warm and welcoming kitchen. Located in the heart of the authentically Florentine Oltrarno neighborhood, Mama Florence offers something for everyone. Whether you want to take a private or a group class, organize an event for your family, friends, or business, go on a market tour, or participate in a singular Tuscan food experience, Mama Florence will bring you into their home, take you by the hand, and lead you on a journey of tastes, smells, discoveries, emotions, and memories. In this special video, which celebrates the 10th anniversary of Mama Florence, I hope you enjoy the heart, soul and true spirit of Mama, through the voices and stories of those who are spreading joy and knowledge, all the while creating a community and a home through cooking and eating. Recorded at Mama Florence, April 19, 2024 Production Intern, Mark Scott Links https://www.mamaflorence.com/enhttps://www.facebook.com/MaMa.Florenc...https://www.instagram.com/mama.florence/

“I really felt like I came alive here. Life felt simultaneously easier and harder, but underneath all of that, more inspiring and enlivening. And it's something that I just couldn't leave.” Alexandria Brown-Hejazi In this special, long episode featuring art historian Alexandria Brown-Hejazi, we begin by speaking about her journey from California to Italy, in the midst of the pandemic, and the challenges she encountered when she first arrived, alone with a small child, trying to move her research forward and advance her academic career while raising a child in a foreign country. We also cover a wide range of topics from finding and building community, to the differences between raising kids in Italy and in the US, to “checking out of the matrix,” and to planning -- or not -- for the future. We also discuss where she is right now and dig deeper into her research and her teaching. We chat about aesthetics and meraviglie and what she is doing to bring students closer to art history through new, inclusive, and diverse perspectives that inspire young scholars to look at, feel, and experience what they are seeing in Italy every day in a profoundly personal way that transforms their study abroad journeys into passages of true self-discovery and awareness. Alexandria Brown-Hejazi Biography Alexandria specializes in early modern art and architecture of the Mediterranean basin and eastern Islamicate world, with a particular focus on the arts of Italy and Iran. She teaches art history in Florence, where she is also an Associate Scholar at the Kunsthistorisches Institut in Florenz. Alexandria is also the recipient of a Fulbright Fellowship, as well as the Henry A. Millon Award in Art and Architectural History from the Gladys Krieble Delmas Foundation. Her research has been supported by the Hoover Institution, the American Association of Iranian Studies, and the Mellon Foundation. She has curated two exhibitions on the theme of cross-cultural early modern exchange. At the Cantor Arts Center, Alexandria directed the first exhibition on Persian art in Crossing the Caspian: Persia and Europe, 1500-1700. She also curated an online exhibition on Islamic mapping practices at the David Rumsey Map Center in her show Mapping the Islamic World: the Ottoman, Safavid, and Mughal Empires. She received her PhD in Art History from Stanford University, her MA from Harvard University with Distinction, and her BA from the University of California Berkeley. https://www.linkedin.com/in/alexandria-brown-hejazi-33a50049/ Recorded November 28, 2023 @ Musikalmente Firenze

“I think for anyone who lives in Italy or is interested in Italy, it's really valuable and interesting to keep those other connections in mind. The Mediterranean touches us all in some way or other.” Ali Aydin Karamustafa In part two of our conversation, Ali and I continue to discuss Italy’s relationship to its Mediterranean neighbors and to the Islamic world through the ages and take a deeper dive into a wide range of topics touching on Italy’s colonial past, postwar history, contemporary politics, and immigration.  Once again through Ali’s commentary, informed by a keen historical lens, we also look at Italy’s ambiguous position, geographically and politically, delve into the complicated questions surrounding immigration in the country today, and explore broader topics related to economics and politics, in Italy, Europe, and on a global level.  Finally, we talk about what’s in store for Ali and he shares with us some exciting projects he has in the works for the immediate future.  Ali Aydin Karamustafa Biography Originally from St. Louis, Missouri, Ali Aydin Karamustafa is a historian of the Ottoman and Safavid worlds, and his research focuses on oral and written traditions concerning origins, conquest, legitimacy, and rebellion which were produced and circulated by political communities from the fourteenth to the eighteenth centuries across Eurasia.  Primarily based in Bologna, Italy, since 2018, he currently teaches at Stanford University's Breyer Center for Overseas Studies Program in Florence. In January 2020, he received his PhD in history from Stanford in Transnational, International, and Global History. His dissertation focused on the popular culture of the Middle East in the 16th-18th centuries, in particular, the epic of Köroğlu.  He speaks and reads several regional languages, and works with manuscripts, journals, and print sources for his research. He has extensive travel and research experience in Iran, Turkey, Jordan, the Caucasus, and Russia. He is interested in applying his expertise in historical analysis and language skills to carry out research on contemporary politics and economics in Europe and the Middle East.  LinkedIn Profile: https://www.linkedin.com/in/ali-aydin-karamustafa-507442170/ Recorded March 5, 2024 @ Musikalmente Firenze Production Intern: Mark Scott 

Season 2, Episode 19 Italy, Islam & the Mediterranean featuring Ali Aydin Karamustafa “I'm from Saint Louis, but I'm also originally Turkish and Iranian, so I have a basic experience with the Mediterranean. Coming to Italy there were a lot of things that were immediately recognizable, even just on the visceral level: sights, sounds, colors, smells, facial features. On the other hand, I was surprised by how much I felt that Italian culture and society had its back turned on the rest of the Mediterranean and was really looking towards Northern Europe.” Ali Aydin Karamustafa Join me for the first half of my conversation with global historian, Ali Aydin Karamustafa, in which we trace his personal and professional path from St. Louis, Missouri to Bologna, Italy. In this episode, Ali engages us in an illuminating narrative about Italy’s relationship to its Mediterranean neighbors and to the Islamic world through the ages. During his recounting, Ali identifies key historical moments, offers valuable insights on those moments and their vestiges, and provides different lenses through which to look at Italy’s connection to its Mediterranean neighbors and what that relationship means and has meant to Italians. We also discuss Ali’s complicated relationship to Italy, how he sees himself in the country in light of his own cultural identity, and we delve into the notion and significance of a “Mediterranean identity”. Finally, we touch upon what it’s like to be a young academic in Italy today and I ask Ali to tell us about his research and teaching, his keen interest in contemporary geopolitical issues and economic exchanges, and how he sees Italy’s current relationship with the Mediterranean. Ali Aydin Karamustafa biography Originally from St. Louis, Missouri, Ali Aydin Karamustafa is a historian of the Ottoman and Safavid worlds, and his research focuses on oral and written traditions concerning origins, conquest, legitimacy, and rebellion which were produced and circulated by political communities from the fourteenth to the eighteenth centuries across Eurasia. Primarily based in Bologna, Italy, since 2018, he currently teaches at Stanford University's Breyer Center for Overseas Studies Program in Florence. In January 2020, he received his PhD in history from Stanford in Transnational, International, and Global History. His dissertation focused on the popular culture of the Middle East in the 16th-18th centuries, in particular, the epic of Köroğlu. He speaks and reads several regional languages, and works with manuscripts, journals, and print sources for his research. He has extensive travel and research experience in Iran, Turkey, Jordan, the Caucasus, and Russia. He is interested in applying his expertise in historical analysis and language skills to carry out research on contemporary politics and economics in Europe and the Middle East. Recorded March 5, 2024 @ Musikalmente Firenze Production Intern: Mark Scott