Send us a text In this engaging conversation, Bob Sorrentino speaks with Tom DeSimone about their Italian roots, family histories, and the fascinating stories that come from tracing ancestry. They discuss the importance of talking to older family members, the challenges of genealogy research, and the cultural connections that shape their identities. Tom shares personal anecdotes about his family's migration to America, the role of churches in accessing historical records, and the surprising disc...
Jul 05, 2025•45 min•Season 6Ep. 27
Send us a text In this engaging conversation, Bob Sorrentino interviews Frank Ingrasciotta, the creator of 'Blood Type Ragu,' exploring themes of Italian heritage, family dynamics, and the immigrant experience. Frank shares his family's journey from Sicily to America, the challenges they faced, and the cultural nuances that shaped his identity. The discussion delves into the importance of storytelling in preserving family history, the differences in food traditions, and the emotional impact of r...
Jun 28, 2025•46 min•Season 6Ep. 26
Send us a text In this conversation, Bob Sorrentino interviews Pasquale Pacicca from visit Reggio Calabria , discussing the rich cultural heritage, natural beauty, and culinary delights of the region. They explore the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on tourism, the importance of genealogy, and the unique experiences Calabria offers compared to other Italian regions. Pasquale shares personal anecdotes and insights into the hospitality and genuine nature of Calabrian people, emphasizing the need f...
Jun 21, 2025•44 min•Season 6Ep. 25
Send us a text In this conversation, Bob Sorrentino interviews Tess Martin, who shares her journey of exploring her Italian heritage and family history. Tess discusses her background, her family's migration from Italy to America, and the unique visa that allowed her to live in the Netherlands. She delves into her genealogical research, uncovering family secrets and connections that reveal the complexities of her ancestry. The conversation highlights the importance of historical context in unders...
Jun 13, 2025•52 min•Season 6Ep. 24
Send us a text In this conversation, Bob Sorrentino interviews Dominic Arresta, a young Italian American who has recently embarked on a journey to uncover his family history. Dominic shares his experiences of discovering his roots, the challenges he faced, and the importance of preserving family stories and cultural heritage. He discusses the role of technology in genealogy, the significance of connecting with relatives in Italy, and the impact of his findings on his identity. The conversation h...
Jun 05, 2025•33 min•Season 6Ep. 23
Send us a text In this conversation, Bob Sorrentino interviews Paula Gambarota, an associate professor at Rutgers University, about her Italian roots, family history, and the impact of immigration on identity. They discuss the historical context of American Naples during WWII, and personal stories from that era. Paula shares her research on the occupation of Naples and her future projects, emphasizing the importance of community engagement and storytelling. Turnkey. The only thing you’ll lift ar...
May 05, 2025•31 min•Season 6Ep. 22
Send us a text In this engaging conversation, Bob Sorrentino interviews Mimma Scinardo from Taormina, Sicily, exploring the rich history, culture, and culinary delights of the region. Mimma shares insights on the best times to visit, the unique attractions of Taormina, and the significance of Sicilian identity. She also discusses her journey in running a bed and breakfast and her passion for helping visitors connect with their roots in Sicily. Taormina is a historic city with a rich cultural her...
Apr 26, 2025•42 min•Season 6Ep. 21
Send us a text In this conversation, Bob Sorrentino interviews Charlie and Steve Bongiorno about their Italian roots and family history. They share stories of their ancestors' immigration to the United States, cultural traditions, language, and personal experiences in Stromboli. The discussion highlights the transformation of Stromboli from a primitive island to a celebrity destination, reflecting on the changes over generations. In this engaging conversation, the speakers share their experience...
Apr 20, 2025•42 min•Season 6Ep. 20
Send us a text In this engaging conversation, jazz singer Vanessa Racci shares her journey of exploring her Italian heritage and how it intertwines with her passion for jazz music. From her family's roots in Puglia to her experiences growing up in New York, Vanessa reflects on the rich history of Italian Americans in jazz and the importance of preserving this cultural legacy. She discusses her musical projects that aim to revive Italian classics through jazz arrangements and highlights the signi...
Apr 18, 2025•39 min•Season 6Ep. 19
Send us a text In this conversation, Bob Sorrentino engages with Dr. Gilda Rorro and Dr. Mary Rorro, a mother-daughter duo, to explore their Italian heritage and the significance of family roots. They share personal stories of immigration, the importance of reconnecting with their Italian roots, and the generational differences in experiencing Italian identity. The discussion also highlights the role of food in Italian culture, the challenges of preserving heritage for future generations, and th...
Apr 15, 2025•43 min•Season 6Ep. 18
Send us a text The conversation explores the life and experiences of Rocco Scolamacchia, who grew up in Toritto, Italy, during the mid-20th century. It delves into his childhood memories, the impact of World War II on his family, the struggles of survival during difficult times, and the importance of family connections and genealogy. With his daughter Lisa the discussion highlights the cultural heritage and legacy that shapes their identities today. In this engaging conversation, the speakers de...
Apr 09, 2025•36 min•Season 6Ep. 17
Send us a text It was an honor and privilege to interview Nobel Laureate Dr. Ignarro . From humble Italian roots to a breakthrough medical discovery. In this enlightening conversation, Dr. Lou Ingnarro shares his Italian heritage, family history, and the journey that led him to win the Nobel Prize in medicine. He discusses the significance of nitric oxide in health and medicine, its discovery, and its impact on various medical treatments, including Viagra. Lou emphasizes the importance of curios...
Apr 05, 2025•38 min•Season 6Ep. 16
Send us a text In this conversation, Bob Sorrentino interviews Anthony Taddeo from the Italian musical group Allaboara . They discuss Anthony's Italian heritage, family roots, and the traditions that shaped his identity. The conversation delves into the discovery of Italian folk music, the formation of Allaboara, and the cultural impact of their performances. They explore regional variations in Italian folk music, the instruments used, and the evolution of the genre. The discussion highlights th...
Mar 21, 2025•39 min•Season 6Ep. 15
Send us a text In this conversation, Bob Sorrentino interviews Phil DiNovo, the founder and executive director of the American Italian Heritage Museum . They discuss Phil's Italian background, the journey of Italian immigrants, the values and traditions that have been passed down through generations, and the importance of preserving Italian heritage. Phil shares insights about the establishment of the museum, community engagement, and the significance of collecting and preserving artifacts that ...
Mar 12, 2025•35 min•Season 6Ep. 14
Send us a text Ilene and Gary Modica, residents of Lucca for 4 years give us some of their favorite places in Tuscany to visit. You can find all 31 in their latest book "Tuscany Treasures". https://amzn.to/43q8LL0 #tuscanytravel #lucca Tuscany Treasures Uncover the hidden gems of Tuscany with this vibrant guidebook. Get town highlights and more. Disclaimer: This post contains affiliate links. If you make a purchase, I may receive a commission at no extra cost to you. Support the show Purchase my...
Mar 08, 2025•11 min•Season 6Ep. 13
Send us a text In this engaging conversation, Bob Sorrentino speaks with Ilene and Gary Modica, authors of 'Tuscany Treasures.' They share their journey of obtaining dual citizenship through Gary's grandfather, their experiences living in Lucca, and the process of selecting the perfect Italian town. The Modicas discuss their unique approach to writing a guidebook focused on local festivals and traditions, as well as the importance of experiencing the authentic Italian culture found in smaller to...
Mar 07, 2025•43 min•Season 6Ep. 12
Send us a text In this conversation, Bob Sorrentino interviews Lisa Gagliardo about her Italian roots and family history. Lisa shares her family's immigration story, cultural traditions, and the challenges faced by her ancestors. The discussion highlights the importance of ancestry research and the connection to Italian heritage, as well as the experiences of growing up Italian American. Lisa reflects on her discoveries and aspirations to visit her family's hometown in Italy, emphasizing the sig...
Feb 27, 2025•36 min•Season 6Ep. 11
Send us a text In this conversation, chef, author, and filmmaker Margie Raimondo shares her journey from a successful career in high tech to embracing her Italian roots through cooking. After a life-changing experience during 9/11, Margie reevaluated her life and moved to Arkansas, where she discovered a vibrant Italian community. She reflects on her childhood in an immigrant neighborhood, the importance of family traditions, and her culinary journey that took her to Italy, where she learned the...
Feb 22, 2025•52 min•Season 6Ep. 10
Send us a text In this conversation, Bob Sorrentino interviews Ernesto Milani, who shares his family's migration story from Italy to the United States, particularly focusing on the early Italian immigrants in America. They discuss the correspondence between family members across the ocean, the establishment of Italian settlements in the Southern United States, and the significant role of mutual aid societies in supporting Italian immigrants. Ernesto also shares the poignant story of Rosa, an Ita...
Feb 08, 2025•46 min•Season 6Ep. 9
Send us a text In this conversation, Bob Sorrentino interviews Kristen Hertzog about her journey of relocating from the United States to Italy, exploring her family heritage, the challenges of obtaining dual citizenship, and the cultural differences she has encountered. Kristen shares her experiences of living in a small Italian village, the bureaucratic hurdles she faced, and the importance of language in building relationships. They also discuss the romanticized view of Italian life versus the...
Feb 06, 2025•41 min•Season 6Ep. 8
Send us a text In this engaging conversation, Bob Sorrentino and Daniel Niemiec delve into the intricate world of genealogy, exploring Daniel's extensive research into his family history, which includes over 90,000 ancestors. They discuss migration patterns, the significance of family connections, and the emotional weight of discovering both extraordinary and tragic family stories. Daniel shares insights from his research, including the challenges of tracing lineage, the impact of historical eve...
Jan 31, 2025•57 min•Season 6Ep. 7
Send us a text In this conversation, Bob Sorrentino interviews Katy Bodenhorn, a professional genealogist, discussing her journey into genealogy, the importance of historical societies, and tips for aspiring genealogists. They explore the challenges and rewards of genealogy research, the significance of family stories, and the evolving landscape of genealogy with technology and DNA testing. Katy shares insights on her business, the services she offers, and the fascinating stories that emerge fro...
Jan 23, 2025•38 min•Season 6Ep. 6
Send us a text In this engaging conversation, Bob Sorrentino and Carlo Treviso delve into the rich history and culture of Sicily, exploring Carlo's personal journey of discovering his Sicilian roots and the inspiration behind his novel, Siciliana. They discuss the process of writing historical fiction, the significance of female protagonists, and the importance of preserving Italian culture and traditions in America. Takeaways Carlo's journey to Sicily sparked his interest in writing. Sicilian c...
Jan 17, 2025•28 min•Season 6Ep. 5
Send us a text In this engaging conversation, Bob Sorrentino hosts Ted Luccarelli and Cindy Lombardo, who share their experiences and insights into their Italian heritage, family history, and the journey of discovering their roots. They discuss the challenges of researching family ancestry, the significance of name changes among immigrants, and their personal stories of connecting with their ancestral town of Torito, Italy. The conversation also touches on their travels to Italy, cultural differ...
Jan 13, 2025•48 min•Season 6Ep. 4
Send us a text This conversation explores the rich history of Italian immigration to Louisiana, focusing on the experiences of Sicilian immigrants in the late 19th and early 20th centuries. Joe Cacibauda discusses his book, 'After Laughing Comes Crying,' which is inspired by his grandfather's journey and the broader context of Italian immigrants working on plantations. The discussion delves into the socio-political dynamics of the time, the challenges faced by these immigrants, and their contrib...
Jan 10, 2025•52 min•Season 6Ep. 3
Send us a text The conversation revolves around an upcoming Little Italys Around The World Italian festival in Connecticut, focusing on cultural heritage, community involvement, and the importance of preserving Italian traditions. Participants share their family roots, experiences, and the significance of uniting various Italian communities across the U.S. The discussion highlights the festival's logistics, including entertainment, food, and opportunities for sponsorship, aiming to create a vibr...
Jan 05, 2025•36 min•Season 6Ep. 2
Send us a text Best wishes in the New Year from all of us. Catch our best moments from 2024. Turnkey. The only thing you’ll lift are your spirits. Italian Marketplace LLC Online tee shirts, hoodies and more for Italians Buzzsprout - Let's get your podcast launched! Start for FREE Disclaimer: This post contains affiliate links. If you make a purchase, I may receive a commission at no extra cost to you. Support the show Purchase my book "Farmers and Nobles" here or at Amazon ....
Jan 04, 2025•58 min•Season 6Ep. 1
Send us a text In this conversation, the hosts and guests share their unique Christmas traditions from their respective cultures, focusing on the differences and similarities between Italian, English, and American customs. They discuss the significance of food, particularly the Italian-American tradition of the 'seven fishes,' and reminisce about their childhood memories of Christmas celebrations, including midnight mass and family gatherings. The conversation also touches on the impact of cultu...
Dec 17, 2024•53 min•Season 5Ep. 40
Send us a text Join us on a heartfelt exploration as George Gingerelli takes us on his remarkable journey of rediscovering his Italian heritage. Picture the scene: George and his sister, motivated by family lore and childhood stories, find themselves piecing together a family puzzle that spans continents and generations. Their emotional voyage led them back to Montescaglioso, Italy, where a century of lost connections was rekindled with newfound relatives. George's narrative is not just about ge...
Dec 13, 2024•32 min•Season 5Ep. 39
Send us a text Uncover the remarkable journey of Italian heritage with brothers Michael and Chip Valleriano, who embarked on a quest to trace their family's roots back to their great-grandfather's migration from Italy to the United States. Their passion for genealogy shines through as they share insights from interviews with elder relatives, revealing the stories behind Ellis Island and how their family settled in Cleveland. You'll learn about Chip's dedication to preserving family stories and t...
Dec 09, 2024•53 min•Season 5Ep. 38
