In this heartwarming episode, we sit down with Richard Leto, author of My Italian American Roots. Rich shares the remarkable story behind a dusty cardboard box filled with family documents and photos—a box that sat untouched for decades until it revealed a priceless family legacy. From Philadelphia’s historic Little Italy to the villages of Calabria and Puglia, Rich takes us through his journey of rediscovery, honoring the generations who came before him.

We talk about the power of physical artifacts, the evolution of genealogy from microfilm to social media, and the emotional journey of bringing hidden stories to light. Whether you're an avid researcher, a proud Italian American, or someone who loves stories that connect us to our roots—this episode is for you.

📚 Find Rich’s book on Amazon

@south_philly.rich

In this special episode, we sit down with the incredibly talented Michelle Danner—acclaimed actress, director, acting coach, and the creative force behind the heartfelt new film The Italians. Michelle opens up about the making of this beautiful and deeply personal movie, inspired in part by her own fiery and unforgettable Italian mother.

We dive into how The Italians came to life—from its origins as a stage play to its transformation into a feature film featuring a dynamic ensemble cast including Rob Estes, Abigail Breslin, and Matthew Daddario. Michelle shares behind-the-scenes stories, touching moments from set, and why food (and lots of it!) played such a big role in the filmmaking process.

Whether you’ve seen The Italians or are about to hit “play” on Amazon, this episode is a beautiful reflection on family, identity, and the power of story.

🎧 Don’t forget to rate and review The Italians on Amazon, Rotten Tomatoes, and IMDb to help support independent film!

https://www.amazon.com/gp/video/detail/B0DZRDR5G2/ref=atv_dp_share_cu_r

@theitaliansmovie

In this episode, I’m joined by Bob Sorrentino, host of the Italian Roots and Genealogy podcast and author of Farmers and Nobles. Bob shares his incredible journey tracing his Italian ancestry—from humble farming origins in Bari to a noble lineage that includes dukes, princesses, and even a pope!

We talk about how a simple calling card sparked years of genealogical research, the powerful forces that seem to guide us back to our roots, and the emotional moments of walking in the footsteps of his ancestors. Bob also shares tips and resources for listeners wanting to start their own journey, including the value of Facebook groups, cemetery visits, DNA testing, and familysearch.org.

Whether you're a genealogy lover, history buff, or just curious about your own roots, you’ll love this heartfelt and inspiring conversation. 🇮🇹

📚 Grab Bob’s book Farmers and Nobles on Amazon
🎧 Follow his podcast Italian Roots and Genealogy on YouTube or your favorite podcast app
👥 Join the Italian Roots and Genealogy Facebook group to connect with others on the same journey

https://www.italiangenealogy.blog/

In this special episode, we’re joined by Marianna Gatto — historian, educator, and Executive Director of the Italian American Museum of Los Angeles. Marianna shares stories from her remarkable book Italian Americans of Los Angeles, offering a deep dive into the overlooked history of Italian immigrants in California.

We talk about her personal ties to Colorado’s Italian roots, the surprising early history of Italians in LA, the influence of women like auto-racing pioneer Nina Vita Italiano, and how preservation and storytelling can reshape our understanding of identity.

Whether you're from Denver, Los Angeles, or anywhere in between, this conversation is a reminder of how powerful our connections — and our stories — truly are.

📚 Learn more about Marianna and her book at www.mariannagatto.com
🏛️ Explore the Italian American Museum of Los Angeles at www.iamla.org

Instagram: @gattolosangeles

In this episode of the Italian American Stories Podcast, we’re joined by bestselling author and former CIA officer Carmen Amato for a conversation that weaves together heritage, history, and heart. Carmen shares the incredible story of her family’s roots in Serra San Bruno, Calabria, and how their journey to Rome, New York shaped her upbringing and inspired her historical fiction series, The Galliano Club.

We talk about the real-life stories behind her richly layered characters, her grandfather’s colorful days as a deputy sheriff during Prohibition, and the shocking family secret she uncovered only after her grandmother’s death. Carmen also shares how a local knitting club brought her novels to life with custom yarns and patterns—and how beer, yes beer, just might inspire her next project.

Whether you’re a history buff, a lover of Italian American tales, or a reader in search of your next favorite book, this episode is full of warmth, surprises, and stories that stay with you.

📚 Learn more about Carmen and her books at carmenamato.net

@authorcarmenamato

https://geni.us/GalClubpaper

https://www.facebook.com/authorcarmenamato

https://mysteryahead.substack.com

https://frominwoodout.com/travel-guide-galliano-club-thrillers-rome-new-york/

https://orderisda.org/culture/literature/from-stories-to-saga-a-deputy-sheriff-during-prohibition/

In this heartfelt episode, I sit down with Louis G. Bruno Jr., author of The Love of San Demetrio, a powerful family memoir that spans continents and generations. Lou takes us on a journey from a small Italian village to the steel towns of western Pennsylvania, sharing the unforgettable story of his family’s immigration, perseverance, and the deep mysteries that lingered for nearly a century.

To learn more about Lou and grab a copy of his book, visit www.byloubruno.com.

In this episode of Italian American Stories, we explore the inspiring life of Denver’s own Kate Ferretti—an Italian American milliner who left her mark on the city’s fashion scene with creativity, grit, and heart.

Born Henrietta Malnati to Italian immigrants who helped build the Colorado State Capitol, Kate grew up watching her mother sew Easter outfits and learned the value of hard work from a young age. After working under fashion icons like Madame Lily and Madame Rossi, she rose to fame in Denver as a talented hatmaker with clients ranging from society women to the legendary Molly Brown.

Kate’s story is one of joy and heartbreak—from becoming a mother to Denver’s first triplets to experiencing unimaginable loss. But through it all, she poured her heart into her craft, building a thriving millinery business right in the heart of Little Italy.

Join us as we remember the woman whose handmade hats turned heads, shaped trends, and brought a touch of Paris to North Denver.

In this episode, we dive into one of the most unusual and stories we've come across —the case of little Alice Minto. In 1909 San Francisco, a young Italian American girl was found living in a Chinatown basement, speaking only Chinese, and clinging to a half-starved puppy. Newspapers called her a kidnapped child, a “white girl held captive,” but the truth was far more complicated.

Was she stolen, sold, adopted, or abandoned? Through court records, adoption scandals, and public outcry, we follow Alice’s tangled journey through the foster care system, social prejudice, and cultural misunderstanding.

Join us as we explore the strange case of Alice Minto.

In this strange-but-true tale from 1949 Milwaukee, Wisconsin, two Italian American women—Angelina Farrina and Mary Sanfelippo—find themselves at the center of a courtroom drama involving ghosts, burned money, and a fortune-telling scheme. When Mary believed spirits were haunting her tavern, she turned to Angelina, a so-called "sorceress," for help. What followed was nearly two decades of weekly payments meant to appease the dead... or so she was told.

Was Angelina truly communicating with troubled spirits—or running an elaborate con? Join us as we explore this eerie and emotional story of faith, fear, and the deep bond of family caught in the middle of the supernatural and the suspicious.

In this episode, we’re joined by the incredibly talented Bob Spiotto—actor, director, producer, and passionate Italian American storyteller. Bob shares his personal story growing up in a tight-knit Italian American family in Queens, NY, and how those roots still influence him today.

From performing one-man shows as historical icons like Giuseppe Garibaldi, Michelangelo, and PT Barnum, to founding cultural clubs and paying tribute to unsung Italian American heroes, Bob uses theater as a powerful way to bring history—and heritage—to life.

We talk about humor, heritage, storytelling, and the special kind of magic that happens when passion meets purpose.

🪑 Plus, you’ll hear about the special table from his childhood holidays that still sits in his office!

This episode is full of laughs, wisdom, and inspiration—and a reminder that storytelling keeps our culture alive.