Italian Impact Podcast

IIW - Episode 121 - Mike Embrescia

This week we meet an absolutely wonderful person, a proud Italian-American, family man, successful businessman and just a great guest for us, Mike Embrescia.  Mike represents all of the 1.2 million residents of Allegheny County and embodies what we all want from our leaders.  In this episode, we talk about what those early influences were that made him who he is today.  Learn more about Mike here but tune in as this is just a fantastic interview!  https://mikeembrescia.com/meet-mike/

IIW - Episode 120 - Mike DeLucia

This week's guest is author and screenwriter Mike DeLucia.   Mike is very passionate about representing Italians in a far more favorable light than is typically seen  in movies/shows.  His latest work, Time Passages: Echoes of Troy, is a wonderful, must read story of time travel and is absolutely a book you won't want to put down!  You can find out more about Mike and his works here:  https://www.booksbymikedelucia.com/

IIW - Episode 119 - Ron Vrana

This week we interview Ron Vrana.  Ron is a successful marketing and scouting professional who is now working to reimagine golf!  This is a very entertaining episode with a tremendous amount of knowledge being shared.  Absolutely a must listen to episode,  Learn more about Ron's ROTAGO Team Golf vision here:  https://www.rotagogolf.com/

IIW - Episode 118 - Mike Battalini

This week's guest, Mike Battalini, is the President and CEO of The Pittsburgh Wealth Management Group.  We talk to Mike about the impact his Italian upbringing had on his success as a businessman.  Mike also offers some very good advice on what to look for when it comes to deciding on how to choose a good financial consultant.  There is a lot of good wisdom you can takeaway from this episode.  You can learn more about Mike here:  https://michaelbattalini.com/

IIW - Episode 117 - Suzie Jackson

This week we interview a very wonderful guest, Suzie Jackson.  Suzie is a few generations removed from her family in Italy but that doesn't stop her from being passionate about the Italian culture.  In fact, Suzie's sister currently lives in Rome and sings opera!  Suzie is also passionate about helping others and in this episode we are going to talk about an upcoming fundraiser wherein her sister will come from Rome to do a special concert.  For more information on the upcoming event, please check out:  https://www.heraldstaronline.com/news/community/2025/09/opera-concert-to-benefit-nonprofit/
To learn more about the non-profit, you can check them out here:  https://www.hbsteubenville.org/
Or follow them here:  https://m.facebook.com/hbsteubenville/

IIW - Episode 116 - Nick Fiorentino

This week we interview a very special guest, Nick Fiorentino.  Nick has a passion for Italian culture and shows it by running one of the most popular social media campaigns to promote Italian culture in the Pittsburgh area.  This is a great episode and Nick's passion and exuberance really shine through!  Follow Nick here on Instagram:  https://www.instagram.com/pittsburghitalians412/

IIW - Episode 115 - Ray 'Boom Boom' Mancini

This week Claudio and I interview the great Ray 'Boom Boom' Mancini.  Ray reflects on everything from his multiple careers to current projects.  He also provide some very powerful insight on how to be successful and it has nothing to do with luck.

IIW - Episode 114 - Kevin Glavin

This week I interview international opera singer and Pittsburgh native, Kevin Glavin.  Kevin dreamt of smoking cigars and singing in lounge acts in Vegas but ended up performing opera with the world's best opera singers, including the great Luciano Pavarotti.  We have an absolute fantastic time and in fact, you may even hear a little singing in this episode...

IIW - Episode 113 - Paul Cosentino and Claudio Reilsono

This week, the great Claudio Reilsono returns for a very wonderful conversation but first, I start with Paul Cosentino.  Paul has been a musician for over 30 years and currently plays with the fantastic and very talented Boilermaker Jazz Band.  We have a wonderful time talking everything from Sicily to music!  Check out Paul and the Boilermaker Jazz Band here:  www.boilermakerjazzband.com

IIW - Episode 112 - Nick Ferraro

This week I am joined by the very successful entertainer, Nick Ferraro.  Nick is known for many things, a talented musician, actor, screen writer and much more but he was also dubbed "The Philly Elvis" by none other than Bruce Springsteen on October 19th, 2009 at the Spectrum in Philadelphia PA.  In fact, in the 2013 documentary titled "Springsteen & I", Nick's story is a part of the film.  Check out Nick Ferraro & the All Stars performing "Born to Run" here:  https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Pz9A0J88uuA