In the series, “The Italian Americans,” written and directed by John Maggio, The Italian American Podcast’s guest for Episode 24, there is a scene where author Pete Hamill, discussing the incredible importance of community and la famiglia among Italian Americans, talks about young men he knew in the 1950's in Brooklyn, who were talented and smart, but never left the neighborhood to pursue expansive careers. Their strong ties to their families, Hamill insinuates, being the reason. A … [Read more...]
Catholicism as connection to our heritage
One night, when I was a little girl, I walked into my mother’s room as she lay in bed watching television, the blue-red light of the screen shafting over her sleepy face, and I don’t recall how, or why, but the matter of Jesus came up. My best guess is I had recently started CCD (Confraternity of Christian Doctrine) to begin learning about Catholicism and preparing for my first communion, and the whole subject had peaked my curiosity, as most things did, both then and now. My poor mother – … [Read more...]
The power of things
A quick note: New episodes of The Italian American Podcast will resume airing on or around November 27th. Anthony and Dolores are pulling together some terrific new shows with amazing Italian Americans, including holiday episodes, so stay tuned! In the meantime, blog posts will be published on each of the next coming Sundays for your reading pleasure! The last trip I took to Italy, I asked my Zia, Assunta, my mother’s sister, if she had anything that belonged to my grandmother, Addolorata, … [Read more...]
IAP 27: Listener stories on Italian names, Italian-American family traditions, and the language of your soul
In this episode we feature listener stories that have been submitted by listeners of The Italian American Podcast. In the first story, Dina Horwedel explains how an Indian College President inspired her to learn Italian and travel to Italy to re-connect with her family. Since she made her first trip, she has been back seven times. In the second story, Amadeo Lauria explains how his teacher refused to call him by his true Italian name, so she changed it. Lastly, Virginia Mastroianni … [Read more...]