Hardcore Italians Podcast

In this episode of the Hardcore Italians Podcast, Mike sits down with Sal “The Voice” for one of our most fun and heartfelt conversations yet. Sal shares the unbelievable story of how he went from delivering pizzas in Queens to becoming an America’s Got Talent finalist, including the moment he flirted with Jennifer Lopez on American Idol, hit on Heidi Klum on live TV, and turned those viral moment...

Will Sasso joins Mike to talk Mad TV, building his legendary impressions, working with Chris Farley, breaking Jeremy Piven on Entourage, and stepping into the WWE ring. From Italian roots to Hollywood stories — this one’s packed. Shop merch: https://www.hardcoreitalians.com/ YouTube:    / @hardcoreitalians Instagram:   / hardcoreitalians   Facebook:   / hardcoreitalians   TikTok:   / ucvoqb5ibakqi...

Actress Drea de Matteo (best known as Adriana La Cerva from The Sopranos) joins us to talk about her Italian roots, growing up in Queens, and how playing Adriana became one of TV’s most iconic roles. From her family’s journey “fresh off the boat” from Naples to hilarious behind-the-scenes stories from The Sopranos, Drea opens up about embracing her Italian-American identity, the real story behind...

In this special episode of the Hardcore Italians Podcast, we’re joined by the incredibly talented Matteo Bocelli — singer, songwriter, and son of the legendary Andrea Bocelli. Matteo opens up about growing up in Tuscany, sharing the stage with his father, collaborating with Ed Sheeran, and the emotional moment performing at Jeff Bezos' wedding in Venice. We also talk Italian food, passion, an...

Actor and comedian Daniel Franzese (best known as Damien from Mean Girls) joins us to talk about his Italian American roots, the inspiration behind Sht Italian Moms Say*, and his family’s Brooklyn-to-Florida journey. From the “psychic powers” of Italian moms to the legendary story of his great-grandfather buying an entire block, this episode is packed with laughs, nostalgia, and cultural pride. Sh...

Hollywood told her she wasn’t Italian enough… even with the name D’Angelo. In this powerful and hilarious episode, Beverly opens up about her deep Italian heritage, visiting her grandparents' town in Abruzzo, cooking with her Nona, and the real reason she never got cast in The Sopranos. From hand-cranked pasta to movie milestones, this is Beverly like you’ve never seen her before — unapologet...

From Broadway to motherhood, Courtney Lopez shares her journey growing up Italian American, embracing Mexican-Italian family values, her Broadway roots, and the behind-the-scenes of life with Mario Lopez. Shop merch: https://www.hardcoreitalians.com/ Subscribe to our YouTube channel, leave a like, and drop a comment! Be sure to follow Hardcore Italians on all platforms as well! 👇🏻 YouTube: https...

In this heartfelt and hilarious episode, we catch up with actor, writer, and director Joe Mazzello—best known for his iconic roles in Jurassic Park, Bohemian Rhapsody, and The Social Network. Joe reflects on growing up in the industry, working with Spielberg, embracing his Italian roots, and why he’s ready to run from dinosaurs again. Shop merch: https://www.hardcoreitalians.com/ Subscribe to our...

The Esteriore Brothers join us to talk about their journey from childhood performances to becoming viral sensations keeping Italian music alive around the world. In this episode, they share what it means to stay true to your roots, the power of family, and how passion and positivity fuel everything they do. Shop merch: https://www.hardcoreitalians.com/ Subscribe to our YouTube channel, leave a lik...

Actor, writer, and director Ronnie Marmo joins us to talk about his powerful one-man show “I’m Not a Comedian... I’m Lenny Bruce”, what it’s like working with Joe Mantegna, and his deep connection to storytelling and Italian-American identity. Ronnie opens up about his roots, the grind of staying independent in the industry, and why Lenny Bruce’s story still matters today. With humor, heart, and a...

Actress Kathrine Narducci (The Sopranos, A Bronx Tale, Godfather of Harlem) joins Mike for a rich, unfiltered conversation on loyalty, legacy, and life in film. From behind-the-scenes stories with Robert De Niro to her thoughts on mob movies, Italian heritage, and giving back in Hollywood, Kathrine brings heart and humor to every moment. Plus, we talk Chicago vs. Toronto Italians, deep dish pizza,...

In this episode of the Hardcore Italians Podcast, we sit down with Robert Funaro, best known for playing Eugene Pontecorvo on The Sopranos. Robert shares behind-the-scenes stories from the iconic show, his friendship with James Gandolfini, and how his love for Italian cooking led to his new cookbook, Homemade. Shop merch: https://www.hardcoreitalians.com/ Subscribe to our YouTube channel, leave a...

Shop merch: https://www.hardcoreitalians.com/ Subscribe to our YouTube channel, leave a like, and drop a comment! Be sure to follow Hardcore Italians on all platforms as well! 👇🏻 YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@HardcoreItaliansTV?sub_confirmation=1 Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/hardcoreitalians Facebook: https://m.facebook.com/HardcoreItalians/ TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@hardcoreit...

Shop merch: https://www.hardcoreitalians.com/ Subscribe to our YouTube channel, leave a like, and drop a comment! Be sure to follow Hardcore Italians on all platforms as well! 👇🏻 YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@HardcoreItaliansTV?sub_confirmation=1 Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/hardcoreitalians Facebook: https://m.facebook.com/HardcoreItalians/ TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@hardcoreit...

Shop merch: https://www.hardcoreitalians.com/ Subscribe to our YouTube channel, leave a like, and drop a comment! Be sure to follow Hardcore Italians on all platforms as well! 👇🏻 YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@HardcoreItaliansTV?sub_confirmation=1 Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/hardcoreitalians Facebook: https://m.facebook.com/HardcoreItalians/ TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@hardcoreit...

Actor, writer, and director Ronnie Marmo joins us to talk about his powerful one-man show “I’m Not a Comedian... I’m Lenny Bruce”, what it’s like working with Joe Mantegna, and his deep connection to storytelling and Italian-American identity. Ronnie opens up about his roots, the grind of staying independent in the industry, and why Lenny Bruce’s story still matters today. With humor, heart, and a...

In this episode of the Hardcore Italians Podcast, we sit down with Steve Schirripa, best known for playing Bobby Baccalieri on The Sopranos. Steve shares behind-the-scenes stories from the iconic show, insights into his roles on Blue Bloods, and his journey into writing – including his new children’s book inspired by his dog, Willie Boy. Shop merch: https://www.hardcoreitalians.com/ Subscribe to o...

Join host Mike as he sits down with guest Mike Gentile! Dive into candid and unfiltered mob stories, family ties, and hilarious behind-the-scenes escapades from the streets of Chicago. In their signature double-Mike style, they share raw tales of loyalty, risk, and the unforgettable life of being “mob adjacent.” Whether you’re a true crime buff or just love a good story, this conversation is packe...

This episode features actor and filmmaker Gino Cafarelli as he sits down with Mike to talk about his career and life in the entertainment industry. Shop merch: https://www.hardcoreitalians.com/ Subscribe to our YouTube channel, leave a like, and drop a comment! Be sure to follow Hardcore Italians on all platforms as well! 👇🏻 YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@HardcoreItaliansTV?sub_confirmation=1...

In today’s episode, I sit down with comedian Mike Marino and TheNumba1Guido, to dive into all things Italian – from favourite dishes and family traditions to the humor and pride that come with Italian culture. We chat about growing up Italian, how it’s influenced their comedy, and the excitement around their upcoming show together on November 16. Filled with laughs, insights, and a lot of Italian...

In this episode, Mike sits down with Tony Ocean, a talented performer with a career that spans decades. Born in Italy and raised in Chicago, Tony has performed across the U.S., known for his incredible voice and energetic shows. He’s fronted several bands, done impersonations of Dean Martin, and is a well-loved figure in the music world. With a mix of old-school classics and modern projects, Tony...

Check out this exclusive interview with Ron Onesti, conducted by Mike, the owner of Hardcore Italians. They dive into the significance of Columbus Day and its importance in Italian-American culture. Ron Onesti, a renowned event producer and president of the Italian American Sports Hall of Fame, shares his thoughts on preserving heritage and traditions. Don't miss this insightful conversation...

Tony Pec, often referred to as "The Godfather of Instagram," is the co-founder of Y Not You Media, a prominent New York-based social media attention agency. Known for his expertise in helping businesses and personal brands expand their reach, Tony's agency specializes in unique content creation, branding strategy, influencer marketing, and targeted ad campaigns. In our podcast episo...

Thanks for checking out this interview with John Vincent! John is the resident National Anthem singer for the Chicago Cubs, known for his unforgettable performances, including his iconic Game 4 rendition during the 2016 World Series, which was praised by Lady Gaga. He’s also renowned for his covers of legends like Frank Sinatra, Louis B. Armstrong, and Johnny Cash, with performances at major venue...

Sitting down with Anthony Iannone, the Owner of the Culinary Pizza Academy in Lisle, Illinois to discuss all things pizza. Timeline 00:00 - Introduction 00:37 - Background 02:50 - About La Scuola Italiana Pizzaioli 04:40 - Common Mistakes Made While Making Pizza 05:55 - Anthony's Relationship With Italy 08:05 - Anthony's Favorite Pizza To Make (and Eat!) 09:45 - Thoughts on Deep Dish Piz...