In this special re-release, we return to the story that first sparked the creation of the Italian American Stories Podcast, the scandalous and fascinating life of Angelina Garramone. Born in Potenza, Basilicata, Angelina arrived in Denverās Little Italy as a young girl and grew into one of the most talkedā¦
šļø Christina and the Whitefish with Author & Filmmaker Stephen Vittoria In this episode, I sit down with filmmaker and author Stephen Vittoria to explore his powerful new novel, Christina and the Whitefish. Set in 1994 Asbury Park, the story follows Christina, a young Gulf War veteran, and the Whitefish,ā¦
š„š Six Burning Monkeys?! šš„ This bizarre headline from 1902 opens a surprising window into Italian immigrant life at the turn of the century. From New Yorkās crowded streets to small towns in Tennessee and even out west in California, stories like these show us just how unusualāand fascinatingāour ancestorsāā¦
In this episode of Italian American Stories Podcast, Stephanie and Sandy step up to the plate with the trailblazing story of Lucille Colacito, a Colorado-born Italian American who made history in the All-American Girls Professional Baseball League during World War II. From her childhood in Denverās Little Italy to herā¦
In 1929, Detroit was rocked by the brutal Evangelista Massacre. Italian immigrant and mystic healer Benny Evangelista was found beheaded in his basement beside a bizarre shrine, while his wife and four children were murdered upstairs. Cults, curses, and countless theories followedābut the case remains unsolved to this day. Joinā¦
In this heartwarming episode, we sit down with Richard Leto, author of My Italian American Roots. Rich shares the remarkable story behind a dusty cardboard box filled with family documents and photosāa box that sat untouched for decades until it revealed a priceless family legacy. From Philadelphiaās historic Little Italyā¦
Storytelling is in my blood.ā In this clip, award-winning director and acting coach Michelle Danner shares her passion for storytellingāwhether itās through film, theater, or the classroom. From her upcoming rom-com Starstruck to a thrilling new sci-fi project, Michelleās creative journey is nonstop. šāØ Catch this inspiring moment from ourā¦
In this special episode, we sit down with the incredibly talented Michelle Dannerāacclaimed actress, director, acting coach, and the creative force behind the heartfelt new film The Italians. Michelle opens up about the making of this beautiful and deeply personal movie, inspired in part by her own fiery and unforgettableā¦
āØ Is it fateā¦ or something more? āØ Have you ever felt an invisible pull toward your ancestryālike you were meant to find something? In this clip, Bob Sorrentino talks about the mysterious, sometimes magical feeling that comes with discovering your Italian roots. From growing up with nine sets ofā¦
Actress and director, Michelle Danner @michelledannerla joined me yesterday for a great conversation about her movie, The Italians. @theitaliansmovie Full episode will be posted next week! š®š¹š„ #italianamerican #proudtobeitalian #podcast #italianamericanstories #italianamericanexperience #theitalians #italianactress #michelledanner #movie
In this episode, Iām joined by Bob Sorrentino, host of the Italian Roots and Genealogy podcast and author of Farmers and Nobles. Bob shares his incredible journey tracing his Italian ancestryāfrom humble farming origins in Bari to a noble lineage that includes dukes, princesses, and even a pope! We talkā¦
š®š¹ In this clip from last week's interview, we explore the cultural disconnectāand deep emotional tiesāthat still linger more than 150 years later. @gattolosangeles šļø #ItalianAmericanStories #CulturalIdentity #ItalyVsItalianAmerica #HeritageMatters #itlalianamerican
In this special episode, weāre joined by Marianna Gatto ā historian, educator, and Executive Director of the Italian American Museum of Los Angeles. Marianna shares stories from her remarkable book Italian Americans of Los Angeles, offering a deep dive into the overlooked history of Italian immigrants in California. We talkā¦
Murder. Blackmail. Revenge. Author Carmen Amato gives us the juicy origin story behind Road to the Gallo Clubāand the characters you wonāt forget: Luca the bartender, Benny the Bootlegger, and Ruth Cross from the dance studio upstairs. šāØ This is just a sneak peek from our interviewāfull episode now streaming!ā¦
In this episode of the Italian American Stories Podcast, weāre joined by bestselling author and former CIA officer Carmen Amato for a conversation that weaves together heritage, history, and heart. Carmen shares the incredible story of her familyās roots in Serra San Bruno, Calabria, and how their journey to Rome,ā¦
In this clip from last week's interview, Louis G. Bruno Jr. reflects on the courage of Italian immigrants and the timeless virtues that carried them through: love, faith, and unwavering perseverance. š®š¹šŖ His book is more than a story ā itās a down payment on a debt of gratitude weā¦
In this heartfelt episode, I sit down with Louis G. Bruno Jr., author of The Love of San Demetrio, a powerful family memoir that spans continents and generations. Lou takes us on a journey from a small Italian village to the steel towns of western Pennsylvania, sharing the unforgettable storyā¦
In this episode of Italian American Stories, we explore the inspiring life of Denverās own Kate Ferrettiāan Italian American milliner who left her mark on the cityās fashion scene with creativity, grit, and heart. Born Henrietta Malnati to Italian immigrants who helped build the Colorado State Capitol, Kate grew upā¦
In this episode, we dive into one of the most unusual and stories we've come across āthe case of little Alice Minto. In 1909 San Francisco, a young Italian American girl was found living in a Chinatown basement, speaking only Chinese, and clinging to a half-starved puppy. Newspapers called herā¦
In this strange-but-true tale from 1949 Milwaukee, two Italian American womenāAngelina Farrina and Mary Sanfelippoāfind themselves at the center of a courtroom drama involving ghosts, burned money, and a fortune-telling scheme. When Mary believed spirits were haunting her tavern, she turned to Angelina, a so-called "sorceress," for help. What followedā¦
In this episode, weāre joined by the incredibly talented Bob Spiottoāactor, director, producer, and passionate Italian American storyteller. Bob shares his personal story growing up in a tight-knit Italian American family in Queens, NY, and how those roots still influence him today. From performing one-man shows as historical icons likeā¦