DiscoverThe Italian American Podcast
The Italian American Podcast
Claim Ownership

The Italian American Podcast

Author: The Italian American Podcast

Subscribed: 712Played: 13,479
Share

Description

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
326 Episodes
Reverse
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/support
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/support
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/support
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/support
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/support
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/support
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 the IAFL 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/support
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/support
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/support
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/support
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/support
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/support
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/support
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-made panettone 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/support
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/support
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/support
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/support
IAP 300: Our 300th Episode!

IAP 300: Our 300th Episode!

2023-11-0301:08:17

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/support
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/support
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/support
loading
Comments (2)

Johnny Della Fave

I listened to this and other episodes while deployed overseas and it always made me feel closer to home and to the tribe. Thanks for the great IA content!

Dec 6th
Reply (1)
Download from Google Play
Download from App Store