The Italian American Podcast

Mike D'Amore shares his journey of embracing his Italian heritage with stories that remind us of the beauty and strength in cultural traditions. His experiences growing up in Rome, New York, and active participation in groups like Sons of Italy provide a window into the efforts to keep Italian culture alive in America. From the heartwarming tales of homemade capicola to the celebration of Italian...

Picture this: a bustling weekend at Villa Roma in the Catskills, surrounded by the irresistible aroma of traditional Capuzzelle, a dish steeped in Italian American heritage and memories. That's where our journey begins, as we savor this rare delicacy made from a sheep's head, reflecting on its enduring cultural significance and the resilience that has kept it alive even through the challenges of t...

Discover the evolution of Italian-American cultural expression and how we aim to reshape the narrative around our vibrant community. We welcomed the iconic Margaret Fontana to discuss her blog and the New Jersey Italian Heritage Commission she is part of. In our discussions, you can hear how we bring together voices and stories highlighting our treasured heritage. Expect to hear about the plans fo...

Growing up in an Italian family, superstitions were as common as pasta on Sundays. Join us as we share the quirkiest tales of Italian superstitions in our part 2 of this episode! From the mysterious power of the evil eye, "il malocchio," to the peculiar rituals involving hidden horns and the mano cornuto hand gesture. We take you on a journey through Southern Italy's unique customs, unraveling the...

Curious about the secret beliefs that bind Italian American communities together? Discover the intriguing intersection of folklore and faith as we welcome Agata De Santis and unravel the mysteries of the Malocchio, or evil eye, revealing how these age old traditions are intricately woven into daily life. This episode showcases an engaging start to our two-part series, beginning with light-hearted...

The holiday season is upon us, and we're ushering it in with joy and music! A cherished family tradition of baking Italian Christmas cookies sparked a creative journey that has blossomed into our latest project: a complete Italian American Christmas album. Joined by our guest the remarkable Jenna Esposito, whose talents have shaped this festive musical creation, we reminisce about our past triumph...

There was a time when my grandmother's honey cookies were the highlight of every Christmas, their sweet aroma filling the kitchen and signaling the start of the festive season. Our latest episode of the Italian American Podcast takes you on a nostalgic journey with personal stories like these, unraveling the threads of Italian American traditions that bind our community together. From the meticulo...

Can you truly savor the essence of Italian American culture through humor and storytelling? Join us as we, your hosts John Viola, Patrick O'Boyle, and Brandon Ficarra, promise to take you on a vibrant journey through the rich tapestry of Italian American identity. We welcome Salvatore "Off the Boat" Vella, as we celebrate Italian American Heritage Month. From outfit changes during double tapings t...

Join us for a joyful celebration of Italian American culture and comedy in our latest episode as we sit down with the dynamic duo, Carlo Russo and Lou Greco of the Uncle Louie Variety Show. Broadcasting from the lively streets of New York City's Little Italy, we reminisce about the iconic Feast of San Gennaro and venture into our own humorous undertakings, including the launch of our t-shirt compa...

Danielle Oteri, a distinguished expert in Italian travel, brings her wealth of knowledge to our podcast as we celebrate the launch of her new project, the Tante Bellicose podcast. Join us as Danielle shares her passion for guiding travelers away from the crowded hubs of Florence, Venice, and Rome, leading them instead to Italy's hidden treasures, especially in the enchanting southern region of Cil...

Join us for a lively and engaging exploration of Italian American culture as we sit down with our esteemed guest, who brings along a delightful Chianti for a special tasting. Our producer Nicky even attempts to take over the iconic podcast introduction as we reflect on the enduring vibrancy of the Italian American community. In this episode, we tackle the complexities of obtaining Italian dual cit...

What if your favorite Italian desserts could be given an American twist without losing their authentic charm? Join us on a culinary voyage as we explore the tantalizing fusion of Italian and American baking traditions, from nostalgic Sicilian pastries to the beloved rainbow cookies that have become a staple across diverse cultural settings. We'll also share the vibrant experience of celebrating It...

Join us as we sit down with Zia Mena, a cherished friend and neighbor, who paints a vivid picture of traditional Italian wedding customs and rural life in Vadola. Her reminiscences offer a window into a simpler time when love meant waiting for a husband to return from America and weddings were intimate affairs marked by cultural nuances. We delve into the fascinating aspects of matrimonial traditi...

Vanessa Racci, the beloved jazzy Italian, takes center stage as we paint vivid portraits of Italian American music icons Bobby Darin and Connie Francis. Our heart beats with excitement as Vanessa unveils her latest passion project, "Forbidden Love," a mini musical poised to captivate audiences with its debut at Yorktown Stage in Westchester, New York. She shares her journey and collaboration with...

Join us in this lively episode of the Italian American Podcast as we welcome special guests from Boston, two brothers and their sister, who share their expertise on Italian feasts and the fascinating blend of their Irish and Italian heritage. Listen in as we prepare for the iconic Festa delle Tutte Feste, San Gennaro, and explore the strategic, and sometimes contentious, planning that goes into th...

Join us for an engaging episode as we welcome esteemed editors Stanislao Pugliese and William Connell to explore the evolving field of Italian American studies. Listen in as we trace the academic journey of this discipline, which has grown from an overlooked orphan to a respected and interdisciplinary field. With contributions from scholars worldwide, we discuss the significance of attracting inte...

Join us as we bring you a heartwarming conversation with Christina Conte, the culinary genius behind "Christina's Cucina." Christina's journey from a children's social worker in Scotland to a beloved food blogger in California is nothing short of inspirational. Discover how a simple nudge from friends led her to create a blog that now resonates with food enthusiasts worldwide. We'll explore the tr...

Join us for an engaging and heartfelt journey through Italian American heritage and filmmaking. We were lucky to have this fascinating discussion with filmmakers Mary Lou and Jerome Bongiorno. In this podcast, they each shared their rich Italian roots, tracing back to the Veneto region and connections to Shakespeare's "Romeo and Juliet." The conversation also explores the distinct Italian communit...

Discover the untold stories and rich heritage of Italian American baseball as we welcome Joe Quagliano, Chris Vaccaro, and Carmine Gangone from the Italian American Baseball Foundation. You'll learn how the foundation is creating a vibrant community through events like Italian American heritage nights at major and minor league stadiums across the nation. Tune in to hear about recent celebrations a...

What happens when family expectations clash with personal desires? In our latest episode, we explore the powerful influence of family values and identity within Italian American communities. From the intense pressure to uphold family honor to the warmth and security provided by close family ties, we uncover stories that highlight both the joy and the challenges of maintaining cultural traditions....

We are thrilled to feature Lauren Braun-Strumfels, the brilliant author of "Partners in Gatekeeping," who shares her fascinating journey into Italian culture and immigration. Together, we uncover the allure and complexity of Italian culture, drawing parallels to Lauren's personal experiences and discussing cultural obsessions that shape our lives. From Arthur Schwartz's Neapolitan cooking to Jhump...

Join us for an entertaining and heartfelt episode of the Italian American Podcast as John Viola, Patrick O'Boyle, and special guest Mark Rotella bring you into the heart of Little Italy from their newly set up studio. Listen in as we banter everything from mismatched attire to the nostalgia of simpler times when we enjoyed French pastries during recordings. Despite the challenges, we preview upcom...

What ancient Italian remedy could save you from your next cold, and which family superstition might just predict your next visitor? Join us on a nostalgic journey through the rich tapestry of Italian traditions and remedies as we continue part 2 of this discussion with Zia Rosa!  In this episode we learn heartfelt stories and cultural practices passed down through generations between Pat, John and...

Brace yourself for a heartwarming and hilarious journey through Italian American culture as we introduce the newest member of our podcast family, the delightful (folk) Doctor Zia Rosa! This special episode is filled with light-hearted banter as we delve into the rich traditions of Italian nicknames and family bonds, setting the tone for an episode brimming with nostalgia and charm. Our journey sta...

Ever wondered what it's like to navigate Hollywood's golden era with icons like Frank Sinatra and Robert Mitchum? What defines the essence of resilience and the enduring power of family bonds? Join us as we sit down with the remarkable Brenda Vaccaro, who takes us on a heartfelt journey through her Italian heritage and family history. Venture into Brenda's illustrious acting career as she reminisc...