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 followed—but the case remains unsolved to this day. Join…
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 photos—a box that sat untouched for decades until it revealed a priceless family legacy. From Philadelphia’s historic Little Italy…
Storytelling is in my blood.” In this clip, award-winning director and acting coach Michelle Danner shares her passion for storytelling—whether it’s through film, theater, or the classroom. From her upcoming rom-com Starstruck to a thrilling new sci-fi project, Michelle’s creative journey is nonstop. 🎭✨ Catch this inspiring moment from our…
In this special episode, we sit down with the incredibly talented Michelle Danner—acclaimed 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 unforgettable…
✨ Is it fate… or something more? ✨ Have you ever felt an invisible pull toward your ancestry—like 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 of…
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! 🇮🇹🎥 #italianamerican #proudtobeitalian #podcast #italianamericanstories #italianamericanexperience #theitalians #italianactress #michelledanner #movie
In this episode, I’m 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 ancestry—from humble farming origins in Bari to a noble lineage that includes dukes, princesses, and even a pope! We talk…
🇮🇹 In this clip from last week's interview, we explore the cultural disconnect—and deep emotional ties—that still linger more than 150 years later. @gattolosangeles 🎙️ #ItalianAmericanStories #CulturalIdentity #ItalyVsItalianAmerica #HeritageMatters #itlalianamerican
In this special episode, we’re joined by Marianna Gatto — 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 talk…
Murder. Blackmail. Revenge. Author Carmen Amato gives us the juicy origin story behind Road to the Gallo Club—and the characters you won’t forget: Luca the bartender, Benny the Bootlegger, and Ruth Cross from the dance studio upstairs. 👀✨ This is just a sneak peek from our interview—full episode now streaming!…
In this episode of the Italian American Stories Podcast, we’re 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 family’s roots in Serra San Bruno, Calabria, and how their journey to Rome,…
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. 🇮🇹💪 His book is more than a story — it’s a down payment on a debt of gratitude we…
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 story…
In this episode of Italian American Stories, we explore the inspiring life of Denver’s own Kate Ferretti—an Italian American milliner who left her mark on the city’s fashion scene with creativity, grit, and heart. Born Henrietta Malnati to Italian immigrants who helped build the Colorado State Capitol, Kate grew up…
In this episode, we dive into one of the most unusual and stories we've come across —the 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 her…
In this strange-but-true tale from 1949 Milwaukee, two Italian American women—Angelina Farrina and Mary Sanfelippo—find 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 followed…
In this episode, we’re joined by the incredibly talented Bob Spiotto—actor, 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 like…
In this episode, we’re joined by the incredibly talented Bob Spiotto—actor, 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 like…
Dr. Ignarro talking about his mom's pasta sauce! Check out the full interview - Episode 53: Dr. Ignarro
In this special episode, we sit down with Dr. Louis Ignarro, a Nobel Prize-winning scientist with deep Italian American roots. Born to immigrant parents from Naples and Sicily, Dr. Ignarro shares how his upbringing in Brooklyn shaped his journey into the world of science. He reflects on his family’s traditions,…
In this special episode, we sit down with Dr. Louis Ignarro, a Nobel Prize-winning scientist with deep Italian American roots. Born to immigrant parents from Naples and Sicily, Dr. Ignarro shares how his upbringing in Brooklyn shaped his journey into the world of science. He reflects on his family’s traditions,…
In this episode, we continue the incredible and dramatic story of Maria Barbella, the first woman in America sentenced to die in the electric chair. After public outcry and support from a determined countess, Maria was granted a second trial—one that would take a very different turn. Join us for…
Today, we dive into one of the most dramatic cases in Italian American history—the story of Maria Barbella, the first woman in America sentenced to die in the electric chair. Maria's story is one of love, betrayal, and justice in 1890s New York. After being deceived by Domenico Cataldo, a…
