Italian Impact Weekly Podcast

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!

IIW - Episode 64 - Small Business Celebration

In this week's episode, we interview several small business owners.  If you are in the Pittsburgh area, we encourage you to check them out:
1. Sam Tanner head of marketing the Juicery - check them out here at:  https://www.juiceryatoakmont.com/
2. Cassandra Ross owner of Wild Rosemary -  https://www.instagram.com/wildrosemary_herbal/?img_index=1
3. Dr. Max Thomas & Dr.Mourad Jalloul of Maximum Health Center - https://maximumhealthcenter.com/about-us/
4. Mark Wyland trainer at Pittsburgh Training and Fitness Center - https://www.pghtrainingandfitness.com/
5. Jessie Renek of Project #1 Nutrition Sales Director - https://www.project1nutrition.com/
6. Dr Kevin Pawlowicz owner the Juicery - https://www.juiceryatoakmont.com/

IIW - Episode 63 - Tom Ficara

In this week's episode, we interview Tom Ficara.  Tom is very proud of his Italian roots and has had a successful career in the entertainment business since the early 1970's.  He has owned and operated the TVS Television Network, the fourth-oldest commercial broadcast network in the USA, since 1990. He also owns and has operated the RKO Unique Record Company since 1995.  In this episode Tom will share stories from his past as well as give listeners some unique perspectives into his success.

IIW - Episode 62 - Dr. Stephanie Longo

This week we interview the great Italian-American author, Dr. Stephanie Longo.  Stephanie shares her passion for the Italian culture and what inspired her to write several books.  We also learn of the rich traditions of Italians in Northeastern Pennsylvania.  Her books include:  Italians of Northeastern Pennsylvania (2004), Italians of Lackawanna County (2018) and Dunmore (2012).  This is a fun and exciting episode with a lot of interesting points made about the state of the Italian community in America in both past and present times.  To learn more about Stephanie, check out her website here:https://stephanielongowriter.com/
 

IIW - Episode 61 - Dr. Alan Perry

This week we interview Dr. Alan Perry a professor of Italian Studies at Gettysburg College.  This interview provides a fascinating look into why we continue to celebrate our Italian heritage.  We also discuss various facets regarding the Italian Prisoners of War who were kept here in the US.  This is a very insightful and enjoyable interview that you will definitely want to share.

IIW - Episode 60 - The Documentary - Fedeltà: Prisoner. Soldier.

In this weeks episode we discuss the upcoming documentary - Fedeltà.  A very inspiring look at the experience of Italian Prisoners of War who came to America as "prisoners" but left as soldiers!  It has an expected release date of early July 2024:
Catch the trailer and feel free to support this wonderful documentary:
https://www.gofundme.com/f/documentary-on-letterkenny-italian-service-unit?copy-link=1
 
 

IIW - Episode 59 - Pat Pecora

This week we interview Pat Pecora.  With strong roots garnered through his Italian family traditions, Pat takes this approach to his players.  As a result, he has been very successful.  In fact, he is nine halls of fame:  Pennsylvania Sports Hall of Fame-East Boro Chapter (1994), Cambria County Sports (1998) West Liberty State (W.Va.) College Halls of Fame (1998), Pennsylvania Wrestling Coaches Hall of Fame (2001), NCAA Division II Wrestling Hall of Fame (2003), Pitt-Johnstown Athletics Hall of Fame (2015), Western Chapter of the Pennsylvania Sports Hall of Fame (2016), Pennsylvania Chapter of the National Wrestling Hall of Fame (2017), and the Pittsburgh Chapter of the Italian-American Sports Hall of Fame (2021).  This is a great interview where the importance of having a strong family background is shown to  help make you successful in any endeavor. 

IIW - Episode 58 - Bruce Wawrzyniak

This week we interview Bruce Wawrzyniak.  Bruce is the host and creator of Catholic Sports Radio.  He was born and baptized Catholic, has spent the majority of his professional career working in sports, and is a veteran broadcaster and podcaster. In fact, Bruce worked for ten seasons for a National Hockey League team doing public relations, the last six of which he served concurrently as the Director of Public Relations for the pro indoor lacrosse team that the organization also operated.   
...and yes, Bruce is Italian too!  :-)
You can listen to Bruce here:  https://catholicsportsradio.net/

IIW - Episode 57 - Jack Teitz

In this week's episode, we interview Jack Teitz, the President of the Western Chapter of the Pennsylvania Sports Hall of Fame.  Jack is a former Big-10 referee with a lot of interesting stories, as well as being the President, Jack provides a lot of entertainment in this episode. 
As was mentioned in the show, if you are interested in learning more about the upcoming awards dinner, visit the website at:  https://westernpasportshof.org/awards-dinner
 

IIW - Episode 56 - Anna Harsh

This week we interview Anna Harsh.  Anna is an expert on traditional Italian folk dances, among other dance styles.   As she states, "I am a dancer, writer and a creative soul."   In this interview we talk about how she travels throughout Italy to learn various dance styles and then shares this knowledge through classes, her books, and instruction.  This is a wonderful interview and you will be very surprised to learn about the true differences among Italian and Italian -American dance styles.
Feel free to visit her website to learn more:  https://www.annaharsh.com/
...and tell her, Claudio and Steve sent you!