Italian Impact Podcast

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  

IIW - Episode 111 - Don Aliquo Sr.

This week we come back from our break with an absolute music legend, Don Aliquo Sr.  Don has been doing this for nearly 80 years!  He's played with some of the greats and shares some incredible stories and advice from his very storied career.  You can still catch Don out there entertaining so be sure to check him out at:  https://donaliquo-sr.com/

IIW - Episode 110 - Marco Fiorante

This week I am joined by international singer and professional tour guide, Marco Fiorante.  Marco and I have an absolutely wonderful conversation on how to appreciate your culture while accepting your new home country.  We also discuss his singing career...what a great voice!  Check him out here on his website:  https://www.marcofiorante.com/videos/ or listen to his music here:  https://music.apple.com/us/artist/marco-fiorante/1145892188
 

IIW - Episode 109 - Richard Graziano

This week I interview the co-President of the Italian Genealogical Group, Richard Graziano.  In this episode Richard shares several personal stories as well as some great advice on how to research one's roots.  The past is a true definer of who we are now, so it is very important to know it.  In addition, it is very important that we start now before the lines are broken and we are unable to find out our true past!  To learn more, visit their website here:  https://www.italiangen.org/

IIW - Episode 108 - Samuele Bozzolla

This week's guest is the great Samuele Bozzolla.  Samuele is grandson of the late opera singer Ezio Fortunato Pinza, famous for his starring role in the Broadway hit, "South Pacific", and son of the great opera singer and  Claudia Pinza Bozzolla.  In this episode we talk everything from Luciano Pavarotti, his mothers work with various opera singers, to war stories from his father.  Samuele also give talks on the various regions of Italy, his next talk called, "Hidden Gems of Southern Italy"  will be at Assumption Church 55 N. Sprague Avenue in McGovern Hall, PA on June 19 at 7:00 pm.

IIW - Episode 107 - Glenn Beech

What a wonderful episode!  Glenn and I have a very good conversation about memories and what the difference is between living in the past and remembering the past.  Glenn has been slowly gathering memories and writing them down so he can pass them on to his family, what a great idea!  Tune in to understand more about why we need to record and pass down to the next generation.