CRO-AM Connections

Discover the vibrant history of the Croatian community in New Orleans, Louisiana through the eyes of Miss Klara and Tommy Cvitianovich, owners of Drago's Seafood Restaurant.

In this episode of CRO-AM Connections, we dive into the modern-day stories, cultural heritage, and traditions of Croatian-Americans living in New Orleans, Louisiana. Explore how active organizations, families, and individuals keep their roots alive through music, food, and community events today in Metairie.

We sit down with Tommy Cvitanovich and his mother, Miss Klara Cvitanovich, the heartbeat and owners behind the legendary Drago's Seafood Restaurant in Metaire's Fat City.

Miss Klara share their history of migrating from Croatia to Louisiana. She shares how New Orleans' close-knit Croatian community welcomed them and how keeping their cultural roots alive shaped their relentless work ethic.

Tommy and Klara take us behind the scenes of opening their flagship Fat City location. Tommy share the origin story of how he created their iconic char grilled oyster turning it into "the single best bite of food in New Orleans". We also talk about their philanthropic efforts, from serving 80,000 free meals after Hurricane Katrina to ongoing work to support the Fat City neighborhood.

Discover the vibrant history of the Croatian community in Boston, Massachusetts through the eyes of Mirena Bagur.

In this episode of CRO-AM Connections, we dive into the the modern day stories, cultural heritage and traditions of Croatian-Americans living in Boston, Massachusetts. Explore how active organizations, families, and individuals keep thier roots alive through music, food and community events today.

Mirena Bagur is the co-founder and VP of Brand Management for Croatian Premium Wine Imports, an organization that acts as a premier bridge bringining indigenous Croatian wines from all four wine reqions of Croatia into the United States. Born and raised in Metkovic within the Neretva Valley of Dalmatia, she combines a deep family legacy of cultrual preservation and education with decades of global marketing expertise to champion the Wines of Croatia on the international stage.

Discover the vibrant history of the Croatian community in Seattle, Washington through the eyes of John (Johnny) Morovich.

In this episode of CRO-AM Connections, we dive into the modern-day stories, cultural heritage, and traditions of Croatian-Americans living in Seattle, Washington. Explore how active organizations, families, and individuals keep their roots alive through musice, food, and community events today.

John Morovich, is the Artistic Director of the Seattle Junior Tamburitzans and Tamuraski Orkestar Kisobran, he is on the Board of Directors for Croatia Fest, founding member of the band Sinovi, and he has studied, performed and taught traditional Croatian dance and music since 1973, just to name a few things John has accomplished.

CRO-AM Connections connecting with Croatian Americans through conversation and events to share our culture.

The podscast is broken into three parts. The first part is aimed at understanding the guests family heritage or Croatian roots. The second part is about their current day activities in the Croatian community and how they are working to promote the Croatian culture. The third part is learning about their future aspirations and what their organization is doing with future events.

Today on our show we have Vedran Brozovic, the president of the Seattle Chapter of ACAP, Chair of the Technology and Innovation Committee, Assitant Secretary and on the Board of Directors of ACAP and he is also the Conference Chair for the 10th Annual ACAP conference in Seattle and you guessed it, he's coming to us from Seattle, Washington.

CRO-AM Connections connecting with Croatian Americans through conversation and events to share our culture.

The podscast is broken into three parts. The first part is aimed at understanding the guests family heritage or Croatian roots. The second part is about their current day activities in the Croatian community and how they are working to promote the Croatian culture. The third part is learning about their future aspirations and what their organization is doing with future events.

Today on our show we meet the Baric brothers, Joe and Jim, who carry their Croatian heritage through music and dance. Their father emigrated from Croatia in the 60's, bringing rich traditions to Kansas City. From playing the accordian as kids to captivating audiences today, they embody the spirit of their audiences.

Strawberry Hill, where they grew up, is a melting pot of cultures, showcasing the evolution of their community over the decades. With influences from their talented mother and mentorship from Don Lipovac, their journey is a testament to the power of music in preserving and celebrating heritage.

CRO-AM Connections connecting with Croatian Americans through conversation and events to share our culture.

The podscast is broken into three parts. The first part is aimed at understanding the guests family heritage or Croatian roots. The second part is about their current day activities in the Croatian community and how they are working to promote the Croatian culture. The third part is learning about their future aspirations and what their organization is doing with future events.

Today on our show wwe sit down for a conversation with Jack Baric. Jack is an Emmy award-winning documentary filmmaker who has made significant contributions to both film and the Croatian community. His journey spans from his family's escape from communism to his advocacy during the Croatian War of Independence, and now his impactful storytelling in film.

Join us as we explore Jack's background, his career, and the lessons he's learned along the way and to learn about his most current project telling the story of the Croatian National Basketball team in the 1992 Olympics during a time of war and a fight for Croatian Independence. The film More Than A Dream is due out in 2028 during the Olympics in Los Angeles.

CRO-AM Connections connecting with Croatian Americans through conversation and events to share our culture.

The podscast is broken into three parts. The first part is aimed at understanding the guests family heritage or Croatian roots. The second part is about their current day activities in the Croatian community and how they are working to promote the Croatian culture. The third part is learning about their future aspirations and what their organization is doing with future events.

In today's show we sit down with Marina Artukovic, she is a third year student at UCLA majoring in Pre-Law and she is the founder of the first Croatian-American Student Organization, Croatian Bruins, at UCLA.

CRO-AM Connections connecting with Croatian Americans through conversation and events to share our culture.

The podscast is broken into three parts. The first part is aimed at understanding the guests family heritage or Croatian roots. The second part is about their current day activities in the Croatian community and how they are working to promote the Croatian culture. The third part is learning about their future aspirations and what their organization is doing with future events.

Today on our show we sit down for a conversation with Peter Hazdovac, a Croatian American from San Pedro, California. The interview with Peter explores his family's Croatian heritage, the evolution of their travel business (Adriatic Travel), community involvement, and upcoming events like the Olympics in LA in 2028 and World Cup Activities in 2026. Discover how cultural roots and entrepreneurial spirit drive impactful community projects and international connections.

CRO-AM Connections connecting with Croatian Americans through conversation and events to share our culture.

The podscast is broken into three parts. The first part is aimed at understanding the guests family heritage or Croatian roots. The second part is about their current day activities in the Croatian community and how they are working to promote the Croatian culture. The third part is learning about their future aspirations and what their organization is doing with future events.

In this engaging conversation, Rob Greenawalt shares his unique journey from a college student to a Croatian-American rapper during a pivotal time in history. He discusses his family roots, the cultural significance of his music, and the impact of his song "Croatia's Gotta Be Free" during Croatia's war for independence. The conversation also touches on his experiences in the music industry, reflections of his past, and the possibility of a future comeback, if the opportunity arises.

CRO-AM Connections connecting with Croatian Americans through conversation and events to share our culture.

The podscast is broken into three parts. The first part is aimed at understanding the guests family heritage or Croatian roots. The second part is about their current day activities in the Croatian community and how they are working to promote the Croatian culture. The third part is learning about their future aspirations and what their organization is doing with future events.

In this conversation, Robert Jerin, a Croatian-American genealogist, shares his journey of tracing family roots and connecting with heritage. He discussed his family's history, the evolution of his inerest in genealogy, and the importance of community engagement. Robert highlights the significance of heritage tours in reconnecting individuals with their ancestral villages and relatives. He also reflects on the growth of his online community and future plans for continuing his work in genealogy and heritage education.