ITALIAN, FOR SURE  |  Conversations with Italians in Italy About Italian Culture

ITALIAN, FOR SURE | Conversations with Italians in Italy About Italian Culture

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ITALIAN, FOR SURE | Conversations with Italians in Italy About Italian Culture episodes

  • Italian Travel Culture – The August Shutdown, Traveling Solo vs Groups, Spotting American Tourists, and Tourist Food Traps

    What month Italian cities are ghost towns and how Italians can spot American tourists are just some topics we'll cover in this ITALIAN, FOR SURE episode about how Italians (vs Americans) travel.

    Recorded at the WeRoad headquarters in Milan right before Catrin steps away for maternity leave, host Catrin Skaperdas sits down with WeRoad's Brand Marketing Director Margherita Galluzzo to pull back the curtain on the quirks, traditions, and psychology behind Italian vacation habits. They have an entertaining, candid conversation about Italian travel culture inclusive of:

    • Why Italian cities turn into complete ghost towns in August
    • The mandatory 20+ vacation days in Italy vs. the American hustle to earn time off
    • Italy's obsession with "making the bridge" around bank holidays
    • How Italians approach itineraries with flexibility while Americans plan every minute
    • Generational shifts in how Italians travel
    • The difference between a casual "gita" and a true "vacanza"
    • The stereotypes Italians use to spot American tourists in Italy
    • Why booking a solo trip feels intimidating to Italians
    • The pain of Italians trying to find decent espresso outside of Italy
    • Tourist-trap food menus in Italy


    Chapters:

    00:00 Intro

    4:57 How vacation days work in Italy

    9:35 Why you shouldn’t visit Italian cities in August

    13:59 Most popular times of year that Italians travel

    14:34 How Italians treat bank holidays

    16:55 How Italians vs Americans approach trip planning

    21:37 Italian travel habits across the generations

    23:49 “Vacanza” vs “Gita”

    25:09 How Italians can spot American tourists in Italy

    27:00 Top travel destination for Italians

    28:42 What WeRoad offers travelers

    30:07 Solo travel: Italians vs Americans

    35:33 Food habits of Italians while traveling

    39:16 Tourist traps in Italy

    42:17 Outro


    WeRoad creates groups of an average of 11 people between the ages of 18 and 49 to set off and discover the world. To date, over 300,000 travelers have shared incredible adventures with WeRoad in more than 150 destinations.

    Discover WeRoad trips and travel itineraries at www.weroad.com


    This interview is available to watch on Apple Podcasts, Spotify and YouTube, and available to listen-only everywhere else you can get podcasts.

    See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

    44 min
  • The UK vs Italy - Cultural Differences, Mom-Funded Doctor Visits, and Pasta Crimes

    From committing the Italian sin of cutting pasta to understanding that the concept of time is different in various parts of the world, this episode of ITALIAN, FOR SURE is a hilarious riot of cultural clashes between the UK and Italy.

    Recorded right before Catrin’s trip to Sicily with her parents, comedian Tino Giaccotto and host Catrin Skaperdas pull back the curtain on Tino's hilarious life between the UK and Italy.

    They have a zero filter, maximum laughs conversation about Italian culture inclusive of:

    • Roasting British dining chains that pretend to be Italian
    • Unpacking why Italians eat with surgical precision
    • Stories about being mistaken for a delivery driver
    • Why cutting pasta is a tragedy
    • The realities of visiting your home country
    • Language learners being talked to like toddlers
    • Awkward small talk comparisons
    • The "game" of “Are They Gay or Italian?”
    • How "Italian time" tests Catrin’s patience
    • Tino's ritualistic first stop the second he touches down in Sicily



    Chapters:

    00:00 Intro

    03:19 The realities of going home for people living abroad 

    04:27 How time works in Italy vs the UK

    08:59 Italians vs Americans eating

    12:29 Are they gay or are they Italian?

    16:58 Tipping culture in the UK vs Italy

    22:54 Using slang terms with foreigners

    27:17 People assuming Tino was a delivery person

    28:46 Small talk in the UK vs Italy

    30:30 Outro


    Connect with Tino on Instagram: www.instagram.com/tinogiaccotto_comedian


    This interview is available to watch on Apple Podcasts, Spotify and YouTube, and available to listen-only everywhere else you can get podcasts.

    See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

    32 min
  • The Making of Authentic Italian Rice - What Rice to Use for Risotto, Carnaroli Rice vs Arborio Rice, Aged Rice, and Northern Italian Food Culture

    Making the highest-quality Italian rice, from soil mapping techniques and aging processes to pioneering blockchain technology in modern agriculture, is something Meracinque co-founder Silvia Tovo knows all about.

    In this episode of ITALIAN, FOR SURE, host Catrin Skaperdas sits down with Silvia for a fun, deep dive into the world of Italian food, specifically rice culture - including choosing the correct rice for risotto, the real rice-dish star of Milanese cuisine (which isn't what most people think), and how food culture takes shape across Italy.

    Together, they talk about:

    • Verona, Mantova and Italian food culture
    • How Silvia built Meracinque with her four sisters
    • How Italian rice and its specific varieties are different than other rices around the world
    • The rice she produces, carnaroli rice ("the king of rice"), and how it differs from the arborio variety
    • Popular rice dishes around Italy and when in the year you eat them
    • The breakdown of how rice is planted, harvested, dried, and aged for a full year, and why aging makes all the difference in quality
    • What it’s like working with four sisters
    • The adversity Silvia and her sisters face being a women owned business, especially in this sector
    • What it’s like selling rice to different markets
    • The pros and cons of running a food business in Italy


    Chapters

    00:00 Intro

    02:04 Verona, Mantova, and Italian Food Culture

    05:24 The birth story of Meracinque

    07:39 Characteristics of rice: carnaroli vs arborio

    09:46 Different rice dishes around Italy

    12:34 What rice dishes Italians eat and when they eat them throughout the year

    14:15 Rice cultivation process start to finish

    19:11 Pros and cons of running a family-owned business

    22:06 What it’s like to be a women-owned business in this industry

    25:27 Selling Italian rice outside of Italy

    32:45 Difficulties of running a business in Italy

    38:25 Outro


    More about Meracinque:

    Founded in 2016, MeraCinque is an innovative agricultural company run entirely by Silvia and her four sisters—Margherita, Benedetta, Anna, and Maria Vittoria. Inheriting a deep passion for the land from their agronomist father, the sisters united to produce an exceptional, 100% sustainable Carnaroli Classico rice. Their name tells their story: "Mera" for meraviglia (wonder), their lifelong family nickname, and "Cinque" representing the five sisters bringing a new balance and harmony to Italy's traditional farming industry.

    Learn more about Meracinque on their website: https://www.meracinque.com/


    This interview is available to watch on Apple Podcasts, Spotify and YouTube, and available to listen-only everywhere else you can get podcasts.

    See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

    41 min
  • The Real Milan – Hidden Gems and Local Secrets Everyone Must See and Survival Tips for Foreigners from a Born-and-Raised Milanese

    Why Italians hate people from Milan, what there is to do and see in Milan (including hidden gems), and quick trips to take from Milan are just some of the things talked about on this episode of ITALIAN, FOR SURE - a perfect episode for foreigners living in or visiting Milan!

    It’s a rare treat to hear from someone who was born, raised, and still lives in Milan today. ITALIAN, FOR SURE guest, Alice Todaro, is the perfect person to take us behind the scenes of Milan and shares why she once hated Milan (and why she loves it now), as well as how the city has dramatically changed over the years.

    Alice - Milan local and Founder of @daysofmilan - reveals to host Catrin Skaperdas why Milan is ultimately her "best friend" and the two of them talk about the following:

    • What you actually need to see if you’re visiting Milan for the first time
    • A completely hidden, secret museum most tourists pass right by
    • How Alice used to "escape Milan" while still physically being in the city
    • The West Side vs. the East Side
    • The reality of safety in Milan from two women living there
    • A rapid-fire game sharing Alice’s favorite local restaurants, cafes, gelaterias, vintage shops, and aperitivo spots!
    • What people eat in Milan


    Chapters

    00:00 Intro

    01:16 Why Alice is the perfect person to speak with us about Milan

    02:37 Why Alice left Milan and why she came back

    05:02 How Milan has changed over the years

    07:04 Why Milan is a great place for foreigners to live

    11:37 Why people hate Milan

    13:40 Why Catrin likes Milan

    15:37 What someone should see if they were visiting Milan for the first time

    23:08 West side vs East side of Milan

    26:26 The safety of Milan

    30:11 Alice shares her “favorites” in Milan

    34:23 Where Alice recommends going for a quick trip outside of Milan

    35:40 Typical night out in Milan

    40:31 What people eat in Milan

    45:18 Outro


    More about @daysofmilan:

    Days of Milan is more than just a guide; it’s a companion for anyone navigating life in Milan, whether they’re here temporarily or for the long term. Our mission is to make the journey of discovering Milan smoother and more enjoyable by providing curated insights into the city’s treasures — ranging from hidden gems tucked away in quiet streets to the bustling hotspots locals and visitors alike adore. Beyond that, we aim to foster connections and help expats integrate seamlessly into the local culture, creating a community that celebrates both Milan’s heritage and its growing global influence. At Days of Milan, we believe that exploring a city should be an enriching experience, not an intimidating one. Our goal is to empower expats with the tools, information, and inspiration they need to thrive in Milan and make it their own.


    Connect with Alice on Instagram: www.instagram.com/daysofmilan


    This interview is available to watch on Apple Podcasts, Spotify and YouTube, and available to listen-only everywhere else you can get podcasts.

    See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

    49 min
  • Cultural Contrasts Between Northern and Southern Italy - Regional Languages vs Dialects, Movie Dubbing and Title Translations, Sicilian Pride, and the Arancino Debate

    From the high-paced streets of Milan to the high-speed-train-less tracks of Sicily, we are navigating through Italy and its regional differences. In this episode of ITALIAN, FOR SURE, we also tackle Italy's hilarious relationship with Hollywood, from the elite world of Italian voice dubbers to why nobody can pronounce Matthew McConaughey, and the wildest movie title translations you've ever heard.

    We also chat about the ultimate Sicilian food debate (Arancino vs. Arancina), unpack the difference between Northern and Southern Italy (such as hospitality), before wrapping up with a fun look at why phonetic Italian is so straightforward to learn compared to the rule-breaking nightmare of the English language.

    * Join the ITALIAN, FOR SURE Trip to Italy! https://italianforsurepodcast.beehiiv.com *

    Sicilian Turin resident Samuele Brusca - Content Creator, Co-Founder of Samuele Brusca Academy and TEDx Speaker - and host Catrin Skaperdas bring you an entertaining and educational episode about Italian culture inclusive of:

    • Why Catrin thinks Milan is a good landing spot for someone from Long Island moving to Italy
    • What differentiates a regional language from a dialect
    • If people in Italy speak English, how well, and why that might be
    • Dubbing culture in Italy
    • Different Italian regional accents accents
    • How Italians pronounce famous foreign actors names wrong
    • The pronunciation of Italian letters
    • Films that have their names “translated” from English to something in Italian
    • Is it an arancino or arancina?
    • Difference between kindness and familiar-ness in the north vs south of Italy
    • How Sicily doesn’t have high speed trains
    • Sicilians are prideful about being from Sicily


    Chapters

    00:00 Intro

    03:50 Differences between Milan and Turin

    06:58 How Sicilian and Neapolitan is an actual a regional language, not a dialect

    09:23 Italians speaking English in Italy

    12:27 Movie dubbing in Italy

    13:44 Regional accents across Italy

    17:51 How foreign actors names are pronounced in Italy

    22:47 Funny movie title translations

    26:40 Arancino or arancina debate

    30:47 North vs South of Italy

    35:39 Sicilian pride

    38:40 Outro

    See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

    41 min
  • An Italian Expert Explains What Grappa Actually Is - Francesca Nonino on its History, Making Process, and the Biggest Drinking Mistakes

    Unlocking the real world of elite Italian drinking culture requires moving past the "lighter fluid" stereotypes to explore the rigorous science, hidden history, and strict family dynamics behind crafting authentic, single-varietal grappa - and don't forget about the lethal production testing required to keep consumers alive.

    * Join the ITALIAN, FOR SURE Trip to Italy! https://italianforsurepodcast.beehiiv.com *

    Francesca Nonino, sixth generation of the Nonino family, and host Catrin Skaperdas have an entertaining and informative conversation about Italian culture inclusive of:

    • What is grappa
    • What makes grappa authentic
    • How grappa was discovered
    • Catrin's first experience with grappa
    • What grappa not to drink
    • The test that grappa producers need to do in order to ensure it won’t kill you
    • How Grappa fits into Italian culture
    • Why you need to read the label when you buy/drink grappa
    • The process of making grappa
    • How the first single variety grappa was born
    • Running a woman-run business Italy
    • Being a woman in the grappa industry in Italy
    • Pros and cons of running a family owned business in Italy
    • Francesca Nonino’s journey and passion for her family and her company
    • The Nonino family story
    • The story of the first female master distiller in Italy
    • History of grappa 
    • Drinking culture in the U.S. vs Italy
    • The biggest mistake you can make when drinking grappa
    • Francesca’s thoughts on Made in Italy


    Chapters

    2:15 Intro

    4:20 What is Grappa

    6:54 Catrin’s first experience with Grappa

    9:41 How Grappa is part of Italian culture

    12:15 Why it’s important to read the Grappa label

    16:40 The process of making grappa

    21:44 Francesca Nonino’s memory with her Nonno

    23:24 The birth of the single variety grappa

    26:38 Running a woman-run business in Italy

    29:29 The story of the first female master distiller in Italy

    31:10 Dynamics of running a family run business in Italy

    38:08 Marketing Grappa in the United States

    44:18 Drinking culture in the Us and Italy

    47:18 The biggest mistake you can make when drinking grappa

    49:21 The truth about made in Italy

    51:37 Outro


    More about Francesca Nonino:

    Francesca Bardelli Nonino, sixth generation of the Nonino family, is Head of Web Communication and co-responsible for the U.S. market alongside her aunt Elisabetta at Nonino Distillatori.

    After earning a Master’s degree in Economics and Business Management — enriched by a semester at Yonsei University in Seoul and an internship at illycaffè — she joined the company as a Brand Ambassador. Alongside her professional role, she further developed her expertise through two master’s programs in Social Media Communication and User Experience, a certified bartender course, the AIS sommelier certification, and the WSET Level 3 qualification.

    In February 2021, she was selected by LinkedIn to officially join its global LinkedIn Influencer program, a network of leading entrepreneurs, academics, and managers. In May of the same year, she was recognized as “The Grappa Influencer.”

    In 2022, she received the America Award for promoting an iconic Made in Italy product overseas. In June 2023, she won the “Digital Night – Talents Transforming the Digital World” award for modernizing the communication of a historic product, followed in October by the “Impact Marketing Award.”

    In August 2024, she was included in Wine Enthusiast’s global “Future 40” list, highlighting professionals shaping the future of the beverage industry, and was also named among the Top 100 communicators by Forbes Italia. In 2025, she received the Italy Ambassador Award in the Food & Beverage category, dedicated to content creators who promote Italy in the digital world. In 2026, she was awarded the Dominae Prize, recognizing women who represent Made in Italy globally.

    Her next goal is to learn the art of artisanal distillation from her mother and grandfather and become a Master Distiller.

    Connect with Francesca on Instagram: www.instagram.com/francesca.nonino


    This interview is available to watch on Apple Podcasts, Spotify and YouTube, and available to listen-only everywhere else you can get podcasts.

    See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

    51 min
  • Cultural Confessions of an Italian - Middle Names, Religion, Dating and Sex, Fashion, Egg Freezing and Surrogacy in Italy

    In Italy, without a comma in-between a first name and a middle name [e.g. Catrin, Austin], the two names become one, legally binding first name [e.g. Catrin Austin]. Did you know that? Or how about the fact that a woman cannot legally thaw eggs she’s had frozen in Italy to use them unless she is in a documented heterosexual relationship; Blows your mind, right?

    Milanese local Giulia Lavinia Futura Baroni and host Catrin Austin Skaperdas have an entertaining and uncensored conversation about Italian culture inclusive of:

    • Middle Names
    • Popular Given Names, like Giulia: If you grew up in Italy during the 1990s, half of your friends were named Giulia.
    • Religion in a Modern Society: While Italian-Americans fiercely preserve old-school Catholic traditions, modern young families in Northern Italy are increasingly raising their kids completely detached from the Church.
    • Dating, Sex, and Circumcision: An unfiltered look into Italy's view regarding sexual culture, dating rules, and modern intimacy.
    • Fashion in Milan: Milanese fashion is effortless elegance.
    • Egg Freezing: We look at the practical, emotional, and financial realities of freezing your eggs in Italy.
    • Surrogacy: Surrogacy is illegal in Italy.
    • Italian Food: Why Italians don't all balloon in weight despite eating pasta and pizza nearly daily comes down to ingredient quality, processing standards, and walking culture.



    Trigger Warning: This episode contains open conversations regarding sex, anatomy, and reproductive topics.


    Disclaimer: The information provided in this episode is for informational and educational purposes only and does not constitute medical advice. The views expressed are personal experiences and opinions of non-healthcare professionals. Always consult a qualified medical professional for any health-related questions or treatments.


    Recording Date: This episode was recorded in 2024. All personal reflections reflect the timeline of recording.


    Chapters:

    00:00:00 Intro

    00:02:28 Middle names in Italy

    00:07:11 Common given names in Italy

    00:12:13 Religion in Italy

    00:21:25 Dating in Italy

    00:36:20 Sex in Italy

    00:40:33 Circumcision: Italy vs U.S.

    00:44:22 Fashion in Milan, Italy

    00:51:31 Egg freezing in Italy

    00:55:41 Surrogacy in Italy

    00:57:59 Italian food

    01:02:26 Outro


    This interview of ITALIAN, FOR SURE is available to watch on Apple Podcasts, Spotify and YouTube, and available to listen-only everywhere else you can get podcasts.

    See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

    1 hr 3 min
  • Buying Property in Italy - 1 Euro Homes, Mortgages from Italian Banks, First-Time Buyer Perks, and the One Costly Mistake to Avoid

    The essential steps to navigating the Italian real estate market are mapped out in this episode of ITALIAN, FOR SURE. Want to buy property in Italy without the stress of landing on financial landmines, or simply curious to learn what it would take to live in the land of the No.1 cuisine in the world, according to TasteAtlas rankings (2025/2026)?

    Specializing in helping foreign buyers buy, invest in, and manage property in Italy, Jacopo Tartaglia (an Italian real estate agent and the founder of Valente Italian Properties) and host Catrin Skaperdas (an American who has bought property in Italy) help make the property buying process in Italy understandable. Jacopo walks you through the process of buying property in Italy, step by step, making it very easy to understand so you’re prepared for your property buying journey - even if you want to buy a castle.

    Jacopo and Catrin have an entertaining and useful conversation about Italian culture inclusive of:

    • If foreigners can buy a property in Italy, without being a resident
    • If Italy’s 1 euro homes are worth it
    • One very helpful tip to avoid spending thousands of dollars unnecessarily and having a major headache to deal with
    • What budgets you should consider when looking to buy in Italy
    • If foreigners can get a loan from an Italian bank if they’re not a resident in Italy
    • Perks for 1st time home buyers 
    • What costs you should consider when buying property in Italy
    • Places where you can find Italian property listings online
    • Why you shouldn’t overlook a property listing with bad photos
    • If buying property in Italy is really worth it


    The top websites for Italian property listings:

    • Immobiliare.it
    • Idealista.it


    This episode is perfect for people who:

    • Want to buy property in Italy while still living in the US
    • Are moving to Italy and looking for property
    • Foreigners already living in Italy that want to buy property
    • Would be interested in investing in rental property in Italy
    • Want to understand what it would be like to buy property in Italy


    Chapters:

    00:00 Intro

    01:29 The most researched city by foreign buyers of property in Italy

    04:58 Jacopo explains why he’s the right person to speak about the topic of real estate in Italy

    07:18 Where foreign buyers are looking for property in Italy

    09:22 If it's worth it to buy 1 euro homes in Italy

    11:12 Revealing budgets someone should consider when looking to buy in Italy

    13:17 If foreigners can get a loan from an Italian bank if they’re not a resident in Italy

    15:04 What costs you should consider when buying property in Italy

    15:29 Perks for 1st time home buyers

    17:42 One very helpful tip to avoid spending thousands of dollars and having a major headache in the future

    20:53 Why you can’t trust Italian real estate agents

    23:00 Jacopo walks you through the process of buying property in Italy, step by step, making it very easy to understand so you’re prepared for your property buying journey - even if you want to buy a castle

    26:16 Where you can find Italian property listings online

    31:47 Why you shouldn’t overlook a property listing with "bad” photos

    35:01 Is buying property in Italy worth it

    35:34 Property tax benefits in Italy

    37:22 Outro


    Jacopo Tartaglia is a real estate agent and the founder of Valente Italian Properties. Through his work and social channels, he shares practical insights on buying, investing, and living in Italy, helping international clients navigate the Italian real estate market.

    Contact Jacopo: https://valenteit.com/it/contact-us/&utm_medium=organic&fonte=Youtube&hs_language=it 


    This interview is available to watch on Apple Podcasts, Spotify and YouTube, and available to listen-only everywhere else you can get podcasts.

    See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

    39 min
  • The Italian Podcast Market - Co-founder of the Largest Italian Podcast Media Company Offers Insights into the Podcasting Industry in Italy

    Get the inside scoop on the Italian podcast market, like what podcast genres are popular (or not) in Italy, how the non-verbal in Italian culture - like Italian hand gestures - affects podcast listening, and growth and monetization techniques.

    Francesco Tassi, co-founder and CEO of VOIS, the Milan-based podcast creators network achieving 6M monthly listens, and host Catrin Skaperdas sit down at the VOIS studios (on March 3, 2026) to navigate the evolution of the Italian podcast industry from 2019 to today, bringing you an entertaining and educational episode about Italian media culture inclusive of:

    • The Italian podcast market in 2019 and why VOIS only worked because of where in Italy it was launched
    • Francesco gives a podcast 101 lesson about the two waves of podcasting (2004 and 2014)
    • The reaction of Francesco telling his Italian friends and family that he was starting a podcast company in 2019
    • How the podcast market in Italy has changed from 2019 to now and how VOIS has changed from then until now
    • Cross-promotion and monetization techniques in Italy, including dynamic ad insertion (DAI)
    • How podcasts moving toward video has affected the Italian podcast market
    • How other forms of media perceive podcasts (e.g. how radio stations see podcasts)
    • How competition exists between podcasts and between podcasts and radio
    • How the Italian podcast market differs from other markets around the world 
    • Podcast genres that are not popular in Italy: comedy and sports
    • Francesco describes what they call at VOIS “responsible entertainment”
    • Average length of podcasts in Italy and when people are listening, according to the data, and what Francisco thinks about it
    • How non-verbal in Italian culture affects Italian podcast listening, or doesn’t (affect it)
    • Francesco talks about how the Italian podcast market is a great opportunity right now


    Chapters:

    01:14 Intro

    3:01 The Italian podcast market from 2019 to now

    7:03 The reaction of Italians when Francesco told people in his life that he was starting a podcast company

    10:03 Italian work culture vs the US work culture

    13:39 How VOIS / the Italian market has changed from 2019 until now

    16:15 Dynamic ad insertion (DAI) in Italian podcasts

    22:56 The sense of competition in the Italian podcast market between radio v podcasts or podcasts v podcasts 

    27:13 How the Italian podcast market differs from other podcast markets around the world 

    28:22 Italian podcast genres and why certain ones are more popular than others 

    33:38 “Responsible entertainment” explained

    37:55 Average podcast length in Italy

    44:28 How non-verbal in Italian culture affects Italian podcast listening, or doesn’t

    50:00 Francesco’s final thoughts on the Italian podcast market

    52:00 Outro


    To learn more about VOIS, check out their website https://vois.fm/


    This interview is available to watch on Apple Podcasts, Spotify and YouTube, and available to listen-only everywhere else you can get podcasts.

    See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

    51 min
  • Living in Italy vs the U.S. - Culture Shocks Between an American and an Italian, Including Cost of Living, Drivers License Exams, Breakups, Health Care, and the Drinking Age

    Uncover where "Tuscany without the tourists" is and healthcare hacks that can save Americans money, and laugh with us through a cross-cultural roadmap between Italy and the US, on this episode of ITALIAN, FOR SURE.

    Italian D.C. resident Amedeo Jashi, real estate and affordable healthcare entrepreneur and content creator, and host Catrin Skaperdas chat their way through cultural differences between Italians and Americans to bring you an entertaining and educational episode about Italian culture inclusive of:

    • Amedeo's views of America and Italy, as an Italian that lives in America
    • Areas of Italy that feel more “Italian” vs less
    • Cost of living in Italy vs America
    • Income taxes for the employee vs employer in Italy vs America
    • Why Amedeo thinks Abruzzo is amazing
    • Living like an Italian in Washington DC
    • How hard it is to get a drivers license in Italy
    • Drinking culture in Italy vs America
    • The difference of Amedeo’s independence as a child growing up in Italy vs Catrin’s independence as a child growing up in the U.S.
    • Gross vs net income in US vs America
    • Cost of labor in Italy vs America
    • The differences of American and Italian health care
    • How in Italy it’s more common than in the U.S. to have friends who are of the opposite sex
    • Breakup “culture” in the US vs Italy


    Chapters:

    1:08 Intro

    3:50 How an Italian views America and Italy 

    8:06 The cost of living and taxes in Italy

    9:58 Amedeo tells us about Abruzzo

    13:03 Living like an Italian in Washington DC / An Italian’s view of America’s cost of living

    16:39 Getting a drivers license in Italy

    18:29 Saving money in the US vs Italy

    19:13 Drinking culture in Italy vs America 

    22:26 Independence in Italy

    24:58 The way Italians do business in Italy

    28:38 Cost of labor in Italy vs America

    31:28 How to be self-employed in Italy

    33:54 Healthcare in Italy vs America

    44:32 Breakups in Italy vs America

    52:22 Why Amedeo calls people peasants

    55:23 Outro


    To check out Amedeo on Instagram, click here https://www.instagram.com/amedeo_iasci/


    This interview is available to watch on Apple Podcasts, Spotify and YouTube, and available to listen-only everywhere else you can get podcasts.

    See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

    53 min

About ITALIAN, FOR SURE | Conversations with Italians in Italy About Italian Culture

From the publisher's feed

Your ultimate (and accurate) guide to Italian culture! ITALIAN, FOR SURE goes beyond the cliches and stereotypes to reveal the true Italian way of living.

Catrin Skaperdas, an American living…

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