This Italian-American Life

On this episode, Peter and Mike reflect on how their parents’ thick Italian accents shaped their lives in America — from everyday misunderstandings to the creative ways they mangled their kids’ and spouses’ names. Ever had to explain that your brother-in-law’s name isn’t “Dork” ? They have. And debuting this week: a brand new segment called “Voice-a-Mail-a” — where the guys try to decode their par...

In this episode, Peter and Mike take a spirited tour through the diverse regions of Italy, diving into how language, cuisine, and cultural stereotypes shift as you travel from north to south. From Venetian elegance to Sicilian chaos, they unpack the friendly (and not-so-friendly) rivalries that still shape Italian identity today. The guys also open up the Comments Cache to hear from listeners, rea...

We're throwing it back to the very beginning with a replay of our very first episode! In this pilot of This Italian-American Life , Mike and Peter introduce themselves and share the story behind the show—how it all started, what it means to them, and what you can expect going forward. To kick things off, Mike tells the first of many classic stories: “The Flintstones Game.” Whether you're a longtim...

In the heartfelt finale of the series, Mike and Peter are joined by Peter’s wife, Sharon Marchiafava, for a powerful reflection on the stories shared in Le Zie Pt 1 . Together, they revisit the enduring influence of the beloved aunts whose strength, humor, and wisdom defined their Italian-American upbringing. As the conversation unfolds, the trio shares new anecdotes and personal insights, delving...

In this reflective episode, Mike and Peter sit down with Christian Dolecki—Mike’s nephew—to unpack the stories and memories shared in the previous installment, Le Zie Pt 1 . The trio dives deeper into the powerful matriarchal figures that shaped their Italian-American upbringing, with Christian offering fresh perspectives on the pivotal role of "le zie" (the aunts) in their family life. From humor...

After a year-long hiatus, the hosts of This Italian-American Life are back behind the mic with stories, laughs, and a lot of espresso-fueled energy. In this special comeback episode, the duo catches up on everything that’s happened since they last recorded—most notably, Peter got married, and Michael stood proudly by his side as best man. They share behind-the-scenes moments from the big day, refl...

On this very special 2 part episode Peter sits down with Zia Tina, Zia Maria, and his own mother Zia Giovanna to discuss life in Sicily and moving to America*. Stick around to the end cause the guys have a special section to commemorate Mother's Day. Email us at This ItalianAmericanLife@gmail.com and let us know what you think and tell us your stories! *Some of this interview is in Italian and...

On this episode of TIAL, Peter and Michael discuss children's birthday parties, wedding planning, and wedding music. They get into their favorite American classics as well as some Italian songs that will wake up the crowd. As always they end with some listener email, including a shout out from old friends and new! Email us at thisitalianamericanlife@gmail.com and tell us what you think! To hea...

In this special episode, Peter and Mike have yet another special guest, Peter's new fiance Sharon! They discuss how the proposal went and how she feels about joining the family. The guys then discuss how their respective parents got married and the circumstances that led to their engagements. And it ends as always with the mailbag, including the first listener email not associated with the fam...

On this special episode of T.I.A.L., we have our first in-person guest! Joining us from our new studio in Michael's dining room, Danny di Zio Pino (aka Danny and Annie Danny) regales us with stories of growing up Marchiafava, trips to his family farm in Arizona, and the infamous donkey minivan story! Plus Peter has a special game for Michael and Danny that just might get them in trouble, so li...

On a very special edition of This Italian-American Life, Mike brings up one of his biggest bugaboos and most hated songs, the gibberish that is Prisencolinensinainciusol by Adriano Cellentano. Listen as they break it down in all its glory. After that they go into how TV streaming has become an issue for the older generation and of course...the mailbag! So listen up! The video to Mike's least f...

Welcome to This Italian-American Life where two first generation Italian-Americans tell stories about growing up with a big family. In the first episode in months, the guys catch each other up on whats been going on in their lives. Peter's new love, his vacation, and Mike's work and play life. Mike also tells a couple stories about his father's recent injury. Email us at thisitalianame...

Welcome to This Italian-American Life where two first generation Italian-Americans tell stories about growing up with a big family. This episode is all about music! Michael and Peter take you down memory lane with the music they grew up with, both in English and Italian. Mike tells "Agostino and the Beatles" and "Agostino sings along", so listen up! Show Links: Link to Dean Mar...

Welcome to This Italian-American Life where two first generation Italian-Americans tell stories about growing up with a big family. In this episode the guys start off talking about their move to recording on Sunday mornings, then discuss Sicily and how you can purchase a home there for just one Euro, and Mike tells "Traveling with Agostino". Plus the mail bag! Email us at thisitalianamer...

Welcome to This Italian-American Life where two first generation Italian-Americans tell stories about growing up with a big family. In this episode the guys discuss how their parents dealt with customer service and how they handled their own customers. Mike tells "Customer Service Interpreter" and "Leafers". Email us at thisitalianamericanlife@gmail.com To hear more, visit tial...

On this edition of This Italian-American Life, the old boys are joined by Michael's two sons, Mateo and Santino. They share stories about going on trips and being silly with their dad while Michael tells "Agostino's Journal" and "The boys go to Florida". On top of that we have a special delivery from Damiano Marchiafava (Robbie's dad and Zio Vito's son). So list...

On a special Mother's Day episode of This Italian-American Life, two self-proclaimed mamma's boys talk about the women that shaped and continue to shape their lives. Both Peter and Michael tell special stories about their own mothers and the extended family that raised them as well. Please enjoy and have a wonderful Mother's Day! Email us at ThisItalianAmericanLife@gmail.com To hear more, visit ti...

Welcome to This Italian-American Life where two first generation Italian-Americans tell stories about growing up with a big family. In this episode the guys bring on their first guest, none other than cousin Robbie Marchiafava from Florida! The trio discuss how their lives have intertwined (or not) and share some great stories as well. Michael tells "Johnny Stick Shift", "Greg's...

Welcome to This Italian-American Life where two first generation Italian-Americans tell stories about growing up with a big family. In this episode the guys talk about how their parents may have embarrassed them in front of friends or at school. Michael tells "Kiss Your Father" "Dump Truck Pick Up" and "Mateo's Recital". On top of that we have a very special mailb...

Welcome to This Italian-American Life where two first generation Italian-Americans tell stories about growing up with a big family. In this episode the guys talk about how their parents dealt with the teachers and neighbors in their lives. Michael tells "Lawnmower Man" "Loose Change" "Mikel's Misadventures" and "Its a Hyundai". On top of that we have ano...

In this episode Michael and Peter talk about the card games our family played (and plays). Michael tells "Violent Kids Songs" and "Don't Interrupt Me". That plus the mailbag! Email us at ThisItalianAmericanLife@gmail.com To hear more, visit tialife.substack.com

In this episode Michael and Peter talk about the houses they grew up in. Michael tells "The Gift List" and "Dammi la Luce" while Peter tells a story about growing up with non-Italian friends. That and the mailbag too! Email us at ThisItalianAmericanLife@gmail.com To hear more, visit tialife.substack.com

On this episode, Peter finds the ship Nonna departed to America on and tells us all about it. Michael tells "Ding-a-ling" and "Mamma swears", plus we have some mail! If you have any stories you'd like to tell please email us at thisitalianamericanlife@gmail.com External Links: http://web.archive.org/web/20180311064348/https://maritimematters.com/2010/04/conte-biancamano-dec...

In the second episode of This Italian-American Life, Mike and Peter start with the matriarch of the family Giuseppina Rosalia Marchiafava (nee Tripi) aka "Grandma Baby". They tell her life story from her beginnings in PA, not be allowed to go home, and raising the family we are getting to know. If you do have any additional information and would like to reach out, please email us at This...

In the pilot episode of This Italian-American Life, Mike and Peter let you get to know them a bit and Mike tells the first of many stories, "The Flintstones Game". To hear more, visit tialife.substack.com