Italian American Stories Podcast

Al Capone built a criminal empire on illegal liquor. His oldest brother became a Prohibition officer.Born James Vincenzo Capone, Richard “Two-Gun” Hart left Brooklyn as a teenager and built a new life in the American West. With two revolvers and a cowboy persona, he became a Nebraska lawman while keeping his famous family connection hidden.Join Stephanie and Sandy as they follow his extraordinary journey—from the traveling circus and a dramatic flood rescue to bootlegging raids, controversial shootings, financial hardship, and the 1951 investigation into his brother Ralph’s finances that brought his identity into the national spotlight.A story of reinvention, family loyalty, and the complicated life behind the nickname “The Prohibition Cowboy.”Follow Italian American Stories Podcast for more stories of Italian American lives.

What happens when researching your family history uncovers an entirely new branch of your family—and inspires a historical novel?In Episode 110 of Italian American Stories, Stephanie welcomes author Cheryl A. Ossola, a second-generation Italian American whose family roots inspired her novel, How Long a Shadow.Set in 1903 in Barre, Vermont, the novel explores the lives of Italian immigrant stonecutters, the dangers of the granite industry, labor struggles, and a young woman's determination to forge her own path.Cheryl shares her family's journey from northern Italy to Vermont, the surprising genealogical discovery that helped shape her novel, and the extensive research she conducted in both Italy and the United States.We also explore the devastating occupational disease known as mal d'America, the political divisions within Italian immigrant communities, and the challenges faced by women at the turn of the twentieth century.Now living in Perugia, Italy, Cheryl also reflects on her Italian American identity and why moving to Italy made her realize just how different Italian and Italian American cultures can be.Join us for a fascinating conversation about immigration, family secrets, forgotten history, and the stories that connect us to our ancestors.About the Book:How Long a Shadow will be released November 17, 2026, and is available for preorder.Learn more about Cheryl and her work:Website: https://www.cherylaossola.com/Italian American Stories PodcastBringing our ancestors' stories to life.#ItalianAmericanStories #ItalianAmericanHistory #ItalianImmigration #FamilyHistory #HistoricalFiction

In this episode, Stephanie sits down with Brooklyn-born photographer, graphic designer, and author Daniel Paterna to discuss his beautiful book, Feast of the Seven Fishes: A Brooklyn Italian’s Recipes Celebrating Food and Family.Daniel shares the story of growing up in the Bensonhurst home his grandfather built and the powerful influence of his grandmother Luigia, who connected him to her Italian culture through food, stories, music, and memories of Vico Equense.We also explore how Daniel turned family recipe cards, photographs, and generations of memories into a visual archive of Italian American life. He recalls documenting the neighborhood bakeries, fish markets, record stores, and other family-run shops that helped preserve a connection to the Old World—and what it means when those places disappear.From making struffoli before Christmas to offering stuffed calamari as an expression of gratitude, this conversation is a beautiful reminder that food is never simply food. It can be a language of love, an emotional connection, and a way of preserving the people and places that shaped us.Learn more about Daniel and his work:https://danielpaterna.com/Follow Daniel on Instagram:@danielpaternaauthorExplore GenealogyBank and support Italian American Stories:https://www.genealogybank.com/explore/all?utm_source=1032377&utm_medium=gbhp_text&utm_campaign=affil&kbid=1032377&m=3

What happens when the stories of your Italian-American family become the inspiration for a musical?In Episode 108, Stephanie sits down with Dr. Elizabeth Turner, author and composer of Ciao Bambino, a musical and novella inspired in part by her family's journey from Northern Italy to America. Set in 1945, the story follows Elisabetta, a young woman who leaves Italy for New York City in search of a new beginning. Elizabeth shares how the experiences of her great-grandparents, grandmother, and even her own life helped shape Ciao Bambino—from the hard work and faith of earlier generations to the Italian phrases and traditions she remembers growing up with. We also talk about Elizabeth's years performing in Italy, how Ciao Bambino grew from a collection of songs into a stage production and novella, and the decade-long journey of developing the show for new audiences. Today, Elizabeth hopes to bring the musical to schools, community theaters, colleges, and eventually even the screen. At its heart, Ciao Bambino is a story about family, courage, faith, hard work, and starting over—and about how the sacrifices of one generation can create opportunities for the generations that follow. 🇮🇹 Learn more about Ciao Bambino, find the book, music, and social media at ciaobambinothemusical.com. Listen now to Episode 108 of Italian American Stories Podcast.

When Mario Gemello’s father left Piedmont, Italy, for California in 1912, he carried a dream of opening his own winery. But before that dream could become a reality, Prohibition forced him to find another way to support his family.In Episode 107, Stephanie is joined by writer, journalist, and family historian Kevin Ferguson to explore the story of Gemello Winery in Mountain View, California. Kevin shares how an old cassette recording helped preserve his family’s immigration story, how the Gemellos built their winery during Prohibition and the Great Depression, and how a forgotten bottle of 1970 Gemello Cabernet became the surprise winner of a blind tasting held for the 25th anniversary of the Judgment of Paris.Kevin is currently working on his forthcoming book, Rain on the Monte Bello Ridge, a memoir about health, aging, and winemaking.Follow Kevin’s work:Substack: https://gemello.substack.comInstagram: https://www.instagram.com/gemellowineryNew episodes of Italian American Stories are available wherever you listen to podcasts.