The Italian American Podcast

In this episode, our own co-host Anthony Fasano breaks down his recent trip to Italy during which he visited the ancestral villages of seven of his eight great-grandparents.  Anthony did what many Italian Americans hope to do at one point in their lives - connect with their relatives who never left the homeland.  During this episode, he not only shares some stories of connecting with his family in...

In this episode, Dolores interviews Mickela Mallozzi, an Emmy Award winning host and producer of the popular travel dance TV and web series "Bare Feet®." Born and raised in Stamford, Connecticut of Italian immigrant parents, she grew up with well-preserved traditions of the Southern-Italian culture, and her appreciation for folk tradition started at a very young age.  She began dancing when she wa...

This is a special bonus episode we produced to celebrate Mike Piazza's induction into the Major League Baseball (MLB) Hall of Fame, which is happening today, July 24, 2016.  Most of the content in this episode was recorded at The National Italian American Foundation's (NIAF) New York City Gala this past April, including our interview with Mike Piazza, as well as his moving honoree acceptance speec...

In this episode, we interview Domenica Marchetti on one of the oldest Italian traditions, preserving food. Many Italians and early Italian Americans needed to preserve food to survive, and in this episode Domenica discusses both the importance of preserving food and flavors and the mechanics of how to do it the right way. Our Italian-American Story Segment features a conversation between Dolores a...

In this episode we talk with Pat Harrison on the Italian-American values she received from her family, the unique leadership of Italian-American women, and Italian-American stereotypes.  The Honorable Patricia de Stacy Harrison is the president and chief executive officer of the Corporation for Public Broadcasting (CPB), the leading funder of public radio and public television programming for the...

This episode features the second part of our two-part interview with Tony Reali of ESPN's "Around the Horn" ( you can listen to part 1 here ). In this episode, Reali talks about his faith, including wearing ashes on his show, his diet that has caused some stress for him with his family, and also his thoughts on fatherhood. We also celebrate fathers on this Father's Day in our Italian American Stor...

In this episode, we visit the "Good Morning America" Studios in Times Square where spent the day with Toni Reali, host of ESPN's "Around the Horn."  This is part one of a two-part interview, where Reali talks about his Italian upbringing and how it contributed to his work ethic and successful career. We also feature a beautiful story from a listener, Stephanie Piccone, about her grandmother, who s...

This episode features the second part of our two-part interview with literary and journalistic legend Gay Talese ( click here for part 1 ). Additionally, in our Italian American Story Segment, we have an interview with Italian-American actress, producer, and television host, Lucia Grillo. Talese is a bestselling author who has written eleven books. He was a reporter for the  New York Times  from 1...

In this episode, we interview literary and journalistic icon Gay Talese. Talese is a bestselling author who has written eleven books. He was a reporter for the  New York Times  from 1956 to 1965, and since then he has written for the  Times ,  Esquire ,  The New Yorker ,  Harper's Magazine , and other national publications. In this first part of a two-part interview, Talese gives a perspective of...

The National Italian American Foundation (NIAF) recently became a partnering sponsor of our podcast. In this episode we visit The National Italian American Foundation headquarters in Washington, D.C. and learn about how it protects, preserves and celebrates Italian-American heritage and culture. This episode contains some really in-depth discussion on Italian-American pride and respect. Enjoy it.....

This isn't a typical how to make sopressata instructional episode, but it may be the funniest episode of The Italian American Podcast yet. We love talking to famous Italian Americans in our community, but what we love even more is being able to capture La Famiglia - the traditions, the love, the bonds, the laughter, the stories we share between us as family and friends who are family.  In this epi...

In this episode of The Italian American Podcast, we speak with Lidia Bastianich, otherwise knows simply as Lidia, Emmy award-winning public television host of "Lidia's Kitchen," bestselling cookbook author, restauranteur, co-owner of the Italian marketplace Eataly, and purveyor of the best-selling artisanal Lidia's pasta and sauce line. Her new book, Lidia's Mastering the Art of Italian Cuisine ,...

In this episode of The Italian American Podcast, we speak with Rick Zullo, an American writer, teacher, and relentless Italophile. He was born in Chicago, raised in Florida, but always dreamt of Italy. In 2010, he left his career in the United States to live in Rome, where he met his wife. When he's not writing for his blog, he enjoys exploring the hidden areas of Italy and studying the Italian la...

In this episode of The Italian American Podcast, we speak with Tom Santopietro, the author of five books: " The Sound of Music Story";  " The Godfather Effect: Changing Hollywood, America, and Me"; "Sinatra in Hollywood"; "Considering Doris Day"  (a  New York Times Book Review Editor's Choice ); and " The Importance of Being Barbara ." Tom's books have been featured in  The New York Times, Publish...

In this episode of The Italian American Podcast, we speak with Kathy McCabe, host and executive producer of the travel series "Dream of Italy," showing on PBS stations around the U.S. through spring 2017. The television series is inspired by the award-winning subscription travel newsletter and website, Dream of Italy , which McCabe founded in 2002, publishing more than 125 editions to date. The ne...

In this episode of The Italian American Podcast, we speak to author Maria Laurino, who has written for numerous publications, including The New York Times,  and whose essays are widely anthologized. Her first memoir, Were You Always an Italian? , (W.W. Norton, 2000) was a national bestseller and explored the issue of ethnic identity among Italian-Americans. Her second memoir, Old World Daughter, N...

Please note this is part 2 of our interview with Adriana Trigiani, you can listen to part 1 here. In this episode of The Italian American Podcast, we air Part Two of our conversation with New York Times bestselling author Adriana Trigiani, author of "The Shoemaker's Wife," "Lucia, Lucia," and "All the Stars in the Heavens," among other critically acclaimed and bestselling books.  Adriana is also a...

Please note, since this was published, we have also published part 2 of our interview with Adriana Trigiani. In this episode of The Italian American Podcast, we speak to New York Times bestselling author Adriana Trigiani, the author of "The Shoemaker's Wife," "Lucia, Lucia," and "All the Stars in the Heavens," among other critically acclaimed and bestselling books.  Adriana is also a filmmaker, mo...

This is a very special Christmas episode that is dedicated to our family member Pina Maietta, who left us too early. We celebrate her in this episode by doing what she would have been doing at this time of the year. Getting together with family and friends in the kitchen baking delicious Italian holiday treats. You'll hear in this episode, though, that holiday baking is about more than the treats....

In this episode of The Italian American Podcast, we visit the Italian American Museum in Little Italy, New York City.  Founder and Director Dr. Joseph V. Scelsa, Ph. D. talks about what Italian immigrants went through and how he is trying to recreate that experience so our generation can experience it.  Also, my grandmother will end the episode with a touching story of how her father got lost on h...

You can listen to this episode by clicking the player above or subscribing on iTunes. Are your ancestors Sicilian? Have you ever been to or wanted to go to Sicily? Well, this is the episode for you. In this episode, John Keahey, author of several Italian travel narrative books, including Seeking Sicily , shares with us his thoughts, feelings, and experiences about the beautiful island of Sicily. A...

You can listen to the episode by clicking the player above or clicking here to subscribe on iTunes. Have you ever wanted to research your Italian American Genealogy? Well, in this episode, we interview Mary Tedesco, an Italian Genealogy expert on how to get started in researching your Italian Genealogy. Episode Guest: Here's an introduction to this episode's guest Mary Tedesco. She is: A professio...

You can listen to this episode by clicking the player above or clicking here to subscribe on iTunes. Ciao.  We are super excited to launch The Italian American Podcast!  The first podcast dedicated to helping Italian Americans share and learn about their Italian heritage. In this first episode we will touch on the following points, and at the end of the show, you will here my Grandma talk about a...