Italian Impact Podcast

IIW - Episode 50 - Pat Mendicino

In this week's episode, Steve and Claudio interview Pat Mendicino.  Pat is the owner of Mendicino Foods located in the heart of Pittsburgh, PA.  This interview presents a lot of fun topics but really, what is your favorite style sauce?  We know you're going to enjoy this week's episode!

IIW - Episode 49 - John Perrotto and Karen Ionta

John Perrotto is a journalist who has written for The Beaver County Times, the Baseball Prospectus, DKPittsburghsports.com, and the Basketball Prospectus. He is a member of the Baseball Writers' Association of America and a voter in the Baseball Hall of Fame election. 
Karen Ionta is the school president for Kennedy Catholic Schools.  In this interview, Karen provides wonderful insight into the power of Catholic education.  This is a don't miss interview to better understand what a Catholic education actually means.

IIW - Episode 48 - Michael Pizzuto

In this week's episode, we interview Michael Pizzuto.  Michael is an up and coming wine importer who specializes in various regional Italian wines.  In this episode we talk everything from these regional wines to cured meats.  As always, it is a fun and entertaining episode!

IIW - Episode 47 - Dorina Lantella and Bill Ronayne

In this week's episode we interview two very special guests: Dorina Lantella and Bill Ronayne. 
Dorina is a Wife of 1, Mamma of 6 (5 boys and 1 girl!)  Chef, Soccer Coach/Trainer, Artist, Lover of all things Italian especially Roseto, the best place in the world and a good cappuccino with friends!  She also teaches authentic Italian cooking and offers custom tours to Italy.  For more information, check out her site:  www.dorinaskitchen.com 
Our second guest was Bill Ronayne. Bill runs the Mario Lanza museum in Philadelphia.  For more information, check out the site here:  https://www.mariolanzainstitute.org/museum-info/
 

IIW - Episode 46 - Pat Benincasa

This week we have the please to interview Pat Benincasa.  Pat is a first-generation Italian American woman, visual artist, art educator and podcaster.  She has received national and international recognition for her work and been awarded National Percent for Art,  and General Services Administration (GSA) Art In Architecture commissions. Her selected work is archived in the Minnesota Historical Society.
Find out more about Pat and view her wonderful work at:  https://www.patbenincasa-art.com/
 

IIW - Episode 45 - Bob Sorrentino

This week we interview Bob Sorrentino.  Bob began researching his family roots in 2008 beginning with his great-grandfather’s calling card brought from Italy by his paternal grandmother Maria Luigia Piromallo. In 2018, he decided to share his experiences in a blog and in 2020 created his podcast Italian Roots and Genealogy. Bob firmly believes that our ancestors want to be found and shares fascinating stories from others who believe the same.
To learn more about Bob's work, check out his blog and podcast at:
https://italianrootsandgenealogy.buzzsprout.com/
https://italianroots.beehiiv.com/

IIW - Episode 44 - Jeff Getty

In this week's episode, we brought in a very successful author and speaker who has spent over 25 years working with different entrepreneurs, business owners, and executives - Jeff Getty.  His most recent book, "The Descent is the Real Climb" is a #1 international best seller.  This interview presents a lot of very valuable information and hopefully, will help you become more successful in any of your endeavors.  

IIW - Episode 43 - Michael Cavalieri

This week we interview the GREAT Michael Cavalieri!  Michael is an Actor and Writer/Director originally from New York.  Michael made his Acting Debut starring opposite Academy Award-winner Hilary Swank in Columbia Pictures, “The Next Karate Kid.”  Since that debut, he has had supporting roles in numerous features including acclaimed Director Walter Hill’s “Last Man Standing,” starring Bruce Willis and Christopher Walken.  His Directorial Debut “Ritornato” which he also stars in was awarded a special grant by the Russo Brothers, the Directors of Avengers: Endgame (the highest grossing film of all time), the National Italian American Foundation and the Italian Sons and Daughters of America.  It was shot in four and a half days for less than eight thousand dollars and has gone on to win several film festivals worldwide.  "Ritornato" was the only Sicilian-American film chosen for the prestigious Taormina Film Festival in Sicily. 

IIW - Episode 42 - Bob ”Papamutes” Muto

In this week's episode, we interview the great Papamutes!   Papamutes is from the Pittsburgh area and has a wonderful podcast where he has interviewed some fantastic guests.  We spend an hour with Papamutes discussing everything from Pittsburgh's little Italy to his start in podcasting.  Again, it's a truly entertaining episode we know you will enjoy.

IIW - Episode 41 - Karen Haid

This week we interview the award-winning author, Karen Haid.  (https://karenhaid.com/)  Karen Haid is the award-winning author of Calabria: The Other Italy and continues her exploration of the bel paese with her latest book Basilicata: Authentic Italy. A fluent Italian speaker, she has spent many years in Southern Italy getting to know the people, their land and culture, which she brings to life in her vivid writing, praised by Publisher’s Weekly as “an intoxicating blend of humor, joy, and reverence.”   This is a very wonderful interview and we know you will enjoy it!