Bada Bing Bayou

Patrick and Lawrence sit down with Tony Cortello of the Italian American St. Joseph’s Society for a conversation rooted in history, heritage, and the Sicilian American experience in Louisiana. The episode explores the origins and evolution of the St. Joseph’s Day Parade in New Orleans, its cultural and religious significance, and how the tradition continues to bring generations of Italian American...

Lawrence and Patrick sit down with Julianna Papa and Ashleigh Fonte of the Italian American St. Joseph’s Society to talk all things Sicilian, community, and New Orleans. We dive into the history and significance of the St. Joseph’s Day Parade coming up on March 28, 2026, their recent experience at the IAFL conference, and what it means to grow up as Sicilian Americans in Louisiana today. The conve...

Negroni Nights is back for 2026. Lawrence talks duck hunting in Sportsman’s Paradise while Patrick shares how he popped the question. A fun, laid-back catch-up to kick off the year.

From food and festivals to parades, LSU, and the great outdoors, Lawrence and Patrick dive into why Louisiana earns its nickname as the Sportsman’s Paradise.

Lawrence and Patrick break down the ins and outs of dating in Italian-American culture, exploring traditions, expectations, and modern twists on family and relationships.

In the final episode of our Italian American Heritage Month series, Patrick and Lawrence look at where we stand today—and where we go from here. From fading traditions to a renewed sense of identity, they challenge young Italian Americans to reconnect with their roots, get involved in their local lodges and communities, and carry forward the legacy built by generations before them. This is a call...

In this episode of Negroni Nights , Lawrence and Patrick start behind the screen—discussing how artificial intelligence is reshaping industries like finance and law. From predictive analytics on Wall Street to AI-assisted brief writing in the courtroom, we ask whether the machines are making our jobs easier or just raising the bar for what humans have to deliver. Then we shift from algorithms to a...

In this third installment of our Italian American Heritage Month series, Patrick and Lawrence explore the post-WWII boom years when Italian America went mainstream. They trace how family kitchens turned spaghetti and meatballs into national staples, how crooners like Sinatra and Dino became icons, and how Italian Americans reshaped politics—from city halls to Capitol Hill. The episode dives into t...

In this round of Negroni Nights, Patrick and Lawrence pour one up and dive into a little bit of everything—Taylor Swift’s pop-culture takeover, the wild world of sports betting, why car insurance feels like legal robbery, and how AI is sneaking into every corner of daily life. It’s equal parts laughs, hot takes, and late-night banter—the kind of conversation that only happens when the Negronis are...

In part two of Bada Bing Bayou’s Italian American Heritage Month series, Patrick and Lawrence trace the complex history of Italian Americans from the 1891 New Orleans lynching—the largest mass lynching in U.S. history—to the challenges and contributions of World War II. They unpack how prejudice, perseverance, and patriotism shaped a community’s identity in America’s Deep South and beyond. It’s a...

Two friends, one Negroni, and a wild idea. In our kickoff, we tell the real origin story of Bada Bing Bayou: the kitchen-table napkin sketch, borrowed mics, the first shoot in a too-hot garage, and the neighbor’s leaf blower cameo. Why the name, why South Louisiana, and why Italian-American stories that feel like Sunday dinner. We share what bombed, what clicked, and the moment the format finally...

Ep 1: From Reconstruction to Reckoning (1865–1891) Bada Bing Bayou kicks off Italian American Heritage Month with a hard look at the first wave of Sicilian and Southern Italian migration after the Civil War. We map the push–pull economics, the padrone labor system, and why thousands landed along the Gulf South. We unpack how Italians were racialized as “in-between" and the rise of mutual-aid...

Patrick shares his move to Florida, Lawrence talks about becoming an uncle, and the two catch up on everything that’s been going on in their lives.

Patrick and Lawrence sit down with renowned singer and bandleader  Lena Prima , daughter of the legendary Louis Prima, to talk music, heritage, and the lasting power of Italian American culture. From growing up in a family of entertainers to carving out her own path as a performer, Lena shares stories from the stage, insights on honoring tradition while embracing modern sound, and what it means to...

Lawrence and Patrick sit down to relive the magic of the Second Annual Spring Serata , a lively cocktail party hosted by the St. Expedite Lodge of the Order Italian Sons and Daughters of America. From Aperol spritzes to laughter-filled conversations, we break down the night’s highlights, memorable moments, and the joy of bringing paesani together under one roof. And of course, in true Italian-Amer...

In this special episode, we sit down with retired Judge Anthony Russo of New Orleans — a proud Italian American and one of the co-founders of the Italian American St. Joseph Society. Judge Russo shares the story behind the beloved St. Joseph Parade, an annual tradition that brings the sights, sounds, and spirit of Sicily to the streets of New Orleans every St. Joseph’s Day. From its humble beginni...

Ever wonder what treasures (and curiosities) you might uncover in a Southern Sicilian fridge down in South Louisiana? In this episode, we crack open the refrigerator and freezer to explore the culinary mashup of Old World tradition and Cajun-country flavor. From homemade red gravy stored in repurposed butter tubs to andouille sausage nestled next to frozen cannoli, we’ll uncover the staples, the s...

We’re joined by Tony Mangia from  At The Table With Tony  for a special weekend in South Louisiana during the SIA Spring Serata. From Sicilian street food to classic Neapolitan songs, we dive into the cultural crossover between Southern and Northern Italian Americans. Tune in as we explore our shared roots, the regional flavors that define us, and the traditions that keep Italian-American culture...

In this episode of  Bada Bing Bayou , we lay down the law—Italian style. From never showing up empty-handed to knowing that Nonna’s word is gospel, we break down the unspoken rules that govern every Italian American home. Equal parts tradition, superstition, and love, these commandments shaped our childhoods and still guide us today. Light a candle, pour some espresso, and get ready to laugh, nod,...

In our first deep dive, we’re sharing  our  story—where we come from, what shaped us, and why we started this podcast in the first place. From growing up Italian American in South Louisiana to navigating identity, family expectations, and tradition, this episode sets the table for everything Bada Bing Bayou is about. We talk about the foods we grew up on, the phrases we still hear in our heads, an...

From The Godfather to Goodfellas, Cabrini to My Cousin Vinny, this episode of Bada Bing Bayou is all about the films that defined—and sometimes distorted—Italian American identity. We break down the classics, the clichés, and the cultural impact of seeing our stories on the big screen. Which movies got it right? Which ones made us cringe? And which ones had us saying, “That’s just like my uncle To...

It’s not just a feast—it’s  the  feast. In this episode of  Bada Bing Bayou , we celebrate San Giuseppe (Saint Joseph’s Day), the ultimate Italian American holiday in New Orleans. From elaborate altars and lucky fava beans to stuffed artichokes and marches through the French Quarter, we dive into the traditions, food, faith, and family that make this day so special. For many, it’s the Italian Amer...

For Italian Americans, restaurants aren’t just places to eat—they’re community hubs, family legacies, and living history. In this episode, we dig into the world of Italian American restaurants—both the ones we grew up in and the ones still holding it down today. We talk red-checkered tablecloths, handwritten menus, kitchen chaos, and the pride (and pressure) of serving culture on a plate. Whether...

What does it mean to carry on a cultural legacy in a world that’s always moving forward? In this episode, we sit down with rising Italian American leaders who are making their mark in business, media, nonprofit work, and beyond—while still holding tight to their roots. From Sunday sauce to civic engagement, we explore how the next generation is redefining what it means to be Italian American today...

In this pilot episode of  Bada Bing Bayou , hosts Patrick and Lawrence kick things off by exploring what it means to grow up Italian American in South Louisiana. They dive into stories of family, culture, and identity—especially for those who’ve ever felt “not Italian enough.” From red gravy to gumbo, tradition to modern life, this episode sets the stage for a show that’s all about community, heri...