Italian Impact Weekly Podcast

IIW - Episode 74 - Joe Ingrassia

This week's guest is the great Joe Ingrassia! Joe is an Executive Board Member at the Columbus Piave Club, where he plays a vital role in welcoming new members and organizing memorable events. An avid foodie, Joe has a passion for culinary adventures, always on the lookout for new flavors and experiences. He's also a cocktail connoisseur, skilled in crafting both classic and innovative drinks. In this episode, we have a great discussion about how to revive social clubs.  Obviously, we talk the usual stuff and get to know Joe but he provides some fantastic advice on how to revive the older social clubs.  Again, we need to preserve it for we lose it. 

IIW - Episode 73 - Stephen Riggio

This week I had the privilege of interviewing Stephen Riggio.  Stephen is the former Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of Barnes & Noble (2002-2012).  For over forty years he was a key leader transforming the single flagship New York location into a national retailer that expanded into e-commerce and book publishing.  He has served on the boards of the National Book Foundation, the National Down Syndrome Society, and is a founding member of the AHRC New York City Foundation Board.  In this week's episode, we discuss the importance of tracing one's roots and why this is important for everyone.  We also discuss Stephen's voyage of truly immersing himself into the Italian language, culminating in his translation of Luigi Natoli's classic Sicilian novel, I Beati Paoli, into English for the first time.  For more information on the novel feel free to visit:  https://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/sicilian-avengers-luigi-natoli/1145136699
 

IIW - Episode 72 - Tony Marotta - Host of Radio Italia Cleveland

In this episode, I had the chance to interview one of the greats in Italian-American radio:  Mr. Tony Marotta!  Tony and I had a great conversation on everything from family to Italian music.   Tony has been on the radio for decades, operating out of Cleveland.  Tony knows what it takes to last in radio and having started at a young age, he is truly one of the best with a lifetime of knowledge and well worth listening to! 
You can follow Tony here:  https://www.facebook.com/italiansounds.tonymarotta

IIW - Episode 71 - Chris Vaccaro

This week I am joined by Chris Vaccaro.  Chris is a journalist, an author of 10 books, a professor, a two-time Emmy Award winner and nine-time Edward R. Murrow Award winner.  In this episode, we discuss the importance of Italian culture and how Chris rediscovered his roots and made it a priority to instill those Italian values he learned growing up into his children.  We also discuss how The Italian American Baseball Foundation (IABF), of which Chris is a board trustee, is helping to grow the sport of baseball in Italy.  This is a wonderful episode that really answers the question, why is understanding Italian culture so important?  Lastly, Chris is the Executive Director of the Italian American Heritage Society of Long Island.
To learn more about IABF and Chris,. check out their website here:   https://iabf.foundation/iabf-appoints-chris-r-vaccaro-to-advisory-board/
 

IIW - Episode 70 - David Sciamanna

This week's guest is David Sciamanna.  David is on the Board of Directors for the Historic Letterkenny Chapel and Franklin County Veterans and 9/11 Memorial Park Foundation. (https://www.veterantrailpa.org/)  David and I discuss the story of the Letterkenny chapel in Chambersburg, PA.  Built by Italian POW's during the second world war, it stands an important reminder for the importance of hope.  We also discuss the importance of keeping this story alive as well as other history before it is lost to time.  This is a fun and lively conversation!

IIW - Episode 69 - Danielle Pastin

This week we interview the very talented, Danielle Pastin, both an accomplished opera singer and business owner.  We talk to Danielle about how her Italian roots and upbringing shaped her career choice.  Coming from a military and musical family that was very close, Danielle developed her passion for music and love for family.   As her bio notes, "With her “lovely demeanor and irresistible creamy timbre”, soprano Danielle Pastin is in demand nationwide and abroad. Her wide-ranging repertoire encompasses the classical as well as the contemporary and she is equally at home in opera and concert." To learn more about Danielle, check out her website here:  https://www.daniellepastin.com/bio
 

IIW - Episode 68 - Ray Guarini

This week I interview Ray Guarini, Director of the Italian Enclaves Historical Society.  Ray and I had a wonderful discussion about how the old neighborhoods had a lasting impact on future generations, without even realizing it at the time.  However, as the older generations have passed on, it is imperative the younger generations maintain and even start new traditions which celebrate Italian culture or whatever culture you are a part of.  For more information in the Italian Enclaves Historical Society, visit their website:  https://italianenclaves.org/
Or follow them on Facebook:  https://www.facebook.com/ItalianEnclaves
 
 

IIW - Episode 67 - Philly Rich

Finally!  We have Philly Rich as our guest.  A great guy with a sincere passion for the Italian culture and frankly, all things Italian. Join us this week for a very lively and passionate discussion about Italian culture, and even a little talk on 'Philly'.

IIW - Episode 66 - Mike and Jenny Modugno

This week in keeping with our theme of supporting small businesses, we interview Mike and Jenny Modugno, the owners of The Bridgeside Market.  These two have a love for the Italian culture and it shows in how they operate their business and treat customers.  Filled with family traditions, they are the epitome of Italian culture.

IIW - Episode 65 - Sean Stellato

This week we had the opportunity to speak with Sean Stellato.  Sean is a sports agent, motivational speaker, and author.  It turns out, he is also a passionate family man and very proud of his Italian roots.  Sean gives us a lot of insight into what makes him a very successful pro-athlete turned agent.  Sean is also the author of 4th and Long The Odds: My Journey and No Backing Down, two books which are both about his life and sports. This is a another great guest and we know he will have tremendous impact in your life!