In this episode of The Italian American Podcast episode, we speak with Marianne Leone who is an actress and an author. She wrote an inspirational book about her son (who she lost way too early) entitled Jesse: A Mother's Story (Simon & Schuster) and then a second book entitled Ma Speaks Up: And a First-Generation Daughter Talks Back (Beacon Press) about growing up with an Italian immigrant mother. In the episode, she talks her son and what she learned from him. She also talks about grief, … [Read more...]
An Open Thank You Letter to Leonard Riggio and Barnes & Noble
Dear Mr. Riggio, Marching in the Columbus day parade with 100 fellow Italian American authors this past Monday was an honor and a privilege and I felt compelled to write this letter to you in deep gratitude. I've spent the last few years co-hosting and building The Italian American Podcast in an effort to help Italian Americans deepen their heritage and one of the things that I've discovered through this podcast is the depth and richness of the community of Italian American authors. It’s … [Read more...]
IAP 47: Lisa Scottoline on building a career and a life with Italian American values
In this episode of The Italian American Podcast, we talk with Lisa Scottoline, New York Times bestselling author and Edgar award-winning author of 29 novels, including her latest work, Exposed:A Rosato & DiNunzio Novel. In our Stories Segment, Anthony talks to Zachary DiIonno, events director for the Friends of Italy Society of Hawaii, about how he ended up in Hawaii and the feast (Festa Italiana) that his society is putting together. Episode Quote “A little more persistence, a … [Read more...]
IAP 38: Fred Gardaphé on the importance of educating Italian Americans
In this episode of The Italian American Podcast, we talk with Fred Gardaphé, Ph.D., Distinguished Professor of English and Italian American Studies at Queens College/CUNY and the John D. Calandra Italian American Institute. Fred lost his father, grandfather, as well as his godfather to violence at a very early age and tells us the story of how that lead him to not only become a professor, but to become passionate about educating Italian Americans. In our Stories Segment, Dolores talks to … [Read more...]