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 throu…

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 …

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 mus…

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 t…

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 …

Comedy fans, get ready to laugh as we welcome back the hilarious Joe Avati, whose stories from his whirlwind show are nothing short of epic. From the peculiar connection between Italians and professional wrestling to his jet-setting gigs in Toronto, New Jersey, and Dubai, Joe gives us a peek into the often chaotic, yet endlessly entertaining life o…

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 under…

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, e…

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 tack…

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 a…

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 i…

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 Yo…

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…

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 worldwi…

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 wit…

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 conver…

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 n…