The Italian Australian Podcast

We chatted with singer, songwriter, producer and jingle queen Gisella Cozzo. Gisella was born in Melbourne and has been based in Milan for many years where her successful career bridges continents, cultures and decades of music excellence. We were thrilled for the opportunity to chat with her while she was back in Australia to be a part of the Melbourne Italian Festa and the Segmento Tarantella Festival. Follow the links below for more on Gisella.

Gisella on Instagram:

https://www.instagram.com/gisellacozzoofficial?vrfl=YjhzYjR0MHI0OHN5

Gisella on Facebook:

https://www.facebook.com/share/19aowpsyEg/?mibextid=wwXIfr

Gisella on YouTube:

https://www.facebook.com/share/19aowpsyEg/?mibextid=wwXIfr

In this episode we are talking about the iconic film, Looking for Alibrandi. Starring Pia Miranda and many other well known actors, the film is based on the novel by Melina Marchetta. Looking for Alibrandi is an Australian film about Josie, an Italian-Australian teenager navigating family expectations, her identity, first love and the challenges of finding her place in the world. This is one of our all time favourite films, being released in the year 2000 it’s a film we grew up with and we know many others in our generation can relate! Now- spoiler alert- we do give away much of the storyline in this episode. If this has left you feeling nostalgic and you need to watch it again- or if you have never seen it- do yourself a favour and watch it tonight! It is available on Netflix and other platforms.

This week we have a wonderful guest, John Minutillo, who told us all about a very special tradition, the Blessing of the Fleet. John is the President of the Fishing Fleet Festival Association and we were fascinated to hear his knowledge and passion for this amazing event. Originating in Molfetta hundreds of years ago, it is dedicated to blessing fishing boats to bring prosperity and keep the fishermen safe. Nowadays this tradition continues in Molfetta and in many other parts of the world where Molfettese have immigrated, including our very own Fremantle where the event is happening this Sunday the 25th of October. There will be so much happening in Fremantle on this day including the procession of La Madonna, food, entertainment, fireworks and more. This is an event not to be missed. For more information listen to the episode and click on the links in the shownotes.

Fremantle Blessing of the Fleet on Facebook:

https://www.facebook.com/share/14uJw89hJoG/?mibextid=wwXIfr

Fremantle Blessing of the Fleet on Instagram:

https://www.instagram.com/fremantleblessingofthefleet?rpxt=dXNoemJwN294ZGFv

Details on City of Fremantle website:

https://www.fremantle.wa.gov.au/arts-and-culture/whats-on/blessing-of-the-fleet-little-italy-festival/

In this episode we are joined by one of our favourite return guests, Melbourne based comedian, performer, MC and radio presenter James Liotta is back! We always love catching up with James for a chat about what he has been up to and what he has coming up. James is involved with many Italian festivals around Australia, and we can’t wait until he is back in Perth as the MC of the 2027 Perth Italian Festival. We also heard about James’ current show ‘Nonna and Yiayia which he performs alongside George Kapiniaris.

Click on the links in the below to listen to our previous episodes with James and to find out more about the ‘Nonna and Yiayia’ show.

Follow James on Instagram:

https://www.instagram.com/jamesliottaentertainer?mdxt=YmZzaXIydXE3cWll

Follow James on Facebook:

https://www.facebook.com/share/1CQKW9aocV/?mibextid=wwXIfr

Nonna and Yiayia tickets:

https://mailchi.mp/86fcd7334150/nonna-and-yiayia-live?utm_source=ig&utm_medium=social&utm_content=link_in_bio

Previous episodes with James:

https://open.spotify.com/episode/5XEA4iSiE1xIAIoU6jUYHr?si=i1iXy2jUSFC09oorDpfGHw&utm_source=copy-link

https://open.spotify.com/episode/4JxOYloLji1oSXpgvTZMAd?si=HoCDLn-rSnWrrIJeVrkiCg&utm_source=copy-link

https://open.spotify.com/episode/0At6zSUzutLvM8GH3ziTtl?si=YalrK6ECQ9mYlJbF7rsCcw&utm_source=copy-link

https://open.spotify.com/episode/7iStMoVvrxrizbx6msLCVG?si=sOTz3DC5QK-_l530q3DJtg&utm_source=copy-link

Massimo Corrente returns in this fun episode. We loved hearing about Massimo’s recent trip to Perth where he was part of the massive event which saw Italian soccer coming here. We also loved hearing about Massimo’s new podcast ‘A Visita’ which he hosts with his friend Christian. Be sure to listen to our previous episodes with Massimo and check out ‘A Visita’ podcast via the links below:

Episode 68: The Fully Sickest of them all featuring Massimo Corrente

https://open.spotify.com/episode/7vtws55TiQT402bFH1Godr?si=9jYbKZzTRKGryNT8zleFjw&utm_source=copy-link

Episode 84: Favourite ‘Nonni words’ with Massimo Corrente

https://open.spotify.com/episode/739h8BSLScQzMPGkl94OSP?si=RM-JsNLeSbmTN7KfBaSOBg&utm_source=copy-link

Episode 109: Massimo meets Merendino

https://open.spotify.com/episode/0cynRgKcdrEzjiKqOEv0f7?si=WD4Opiz-QLiZGf0LCNzQjw&utm_source=copy-link

Follow Massimo on Instagram:

https://www.instagram.com/masscorrente?stkn=bDNxcnVxanl5YW5u

Follow Massimo on Facebook:

https://www.facebook.com/share/1DsZZJwRLK/?mibextid=wwXIfr

A Visita Podcast on Instagram:

https://www.instagram.com/a.visita.pod?stkn=MTNvZGpidDJ0ZXNveA==

A Visita Podcast on Spotify:

https://open.spotify.com/show/033ZB85KGiRMeIwuKuKJd8?si=yxKNNd2XQ5Wrvbz8p1UlqA&utm_source=copy-link

A Visita Podcast on YouTube:

https://youtube.com/@masscorrente?si=T6clCuph7KfspieC

This week we’re joined by the lovely Dannii Savoia from Cuore Italiano Tales, where heartfelt bilingual stories of love, family and Italian heritage bring generations together through the power of storytelling.

Dannii’s first book, Mangia Mangia, was written as a beautiful tribute to the memory of her beloved Nonna, and it has been incredibly well received. Now, Dannii has two exciting new books on the way, including a very special bilingual prayer book — something we were so interested to hear more about.

We absolutely loved chatting with Dannii and hearing the story behind her books, her inspiration and her passion for keeping our traditions and connections alive through storytelling. Make sure to follow Dannii on socials via the links in the shownotes, you will also find the link to her online store.

She is such a warm and genuine person, and we’re thrilled to share her beautiful story with you. This is definitely an episode you won’t want to miss!

Follow Dannii on instagram:

https://www.instagram.com/cuoreitalianotales?stkn=djdxendvemh1c2ow

Cuore Italiano Tales shop online:

https://www.cuoreitalianotales.com/s/shop

Follow Dannii on Facebook:

https://www.facebook.com/share/1JHVpd47Lt/?mibextid=wwXIfr

This week we’re joined by Adelaide-based content creator Lauren Finelli!

Lauren has built a huge following online by celebrating Italian culture in the most hilarious and nostalgic way—bringing her Nonna’s voice and personality to life in her much-loved videos.

We had such a fun chat about family, traditions and the ways we keep our Italian culture alive across generations. We also loved hearing all about Lauren’s experience on My Kitchen Rules and what it was really like being part of the show!

It’s a fun, heartfelt episode filled with plenty of laughs and Italian family memories.

Follow Lauren on Instagram:

https://www.instagram.com/lauren.finelli?stkn=MW5tZnhlMzQ4MXBpMw==

Follow Lauren on Facebook:

https://www.facebook.com/share/1Ema8VPFVe/?mibextid=wwXIfr

This week, we are chatting about the Italian Theatre of Western Australia and the important role it has played in keeping the Italian language and culture alive in Perth.

Our guests, Lara and Giuseppe, take us through the fascinating history of the theatre company, which has been bringing stage plays performed entirely in Italian to Perth audiences for years. In fact, it is the only Italian theatre company still operating in Australia!

Whether you speak Italian fluently or simply love hearing the language, these productions are such a fun, entertaining and beautiful way to connect with Italian culture.

This year’s production is ‘Matrimonio Senza Dote’, opening on October 14, with a total of eight performances! Tickets are known to sell out, so don’t wait! Check out the links below or head over to the Italian Theatre of WA on social media for all the details.

Matrimonio senza Dote tickets:

https://www.trybooking.com/au/event/1633000

Italian Theatre of WA on Instagram:

https://www.instagram.com/italiantheatre_wa?stkn=MW56Mmhyc3RrOGMxYg==

Italian Theatre of WA on Facebook:

https://www.facebook.com/share/19Rcu3KBS5/?mibextid=wwXIfr

Honouring the memories of our Nonni and keeping our Italian culture alive for the next generation are things that mean so much to us.

This week, we were thrilled to chat with the wonderful Chiara Ravnik about these things, her Italian heritage and so much more. Based in Melbourne, Chiara works as a teacher and is also the creator of the popular social media page Nonna’s Casa, where her much-loved character, Nonna Angela, comes to life.

We loved hearing the story behind Nonna Angela. And there’s even more exciting news! Chiara is teaming up with the incredibly talented Jenna Lo Bianco to bring us La Serata Giovane on November 21st — a night for young Italo-Australians, inspired by the classic Italian dinner dance but with a fresh, modern twist.

It sounds like it’s going to be an unforgettable night!

Tune in to hear all about Chiara, Nonna Angela, La Serata Giovane and the importance of keeping our Italian traditions alive for generations to come.

And of course, be sure to check out the links below to learn more about Chiara and La Serata Giovane and to grab your tickets!

Nonna’s Casa on Instagram:

https://www.instagram.com/nonnas_casa?stkn=MTJua3dweDBjbXZlcQ==

La Serata Giovane Tickets:

https://www.trybooking.com/au/event/1628849

This week we’re joined by the wonderful Belinda from Restoring Wellness in Melbourne. We loved hearing about Belinda’s deep love for the Italian language, her time studying in Italy and the journey that led her to completely change careers and follow her passion for yoga, wellness and holistic living. What happens when you take a leap of faith and decide to pursue something that truly makes you happy? Tune in to hear more about this. You won’t want to miss this one!

Restoring Wellness on instagram:

https://www.instagram.com/restoring_wellness?igsi=bHh0bzJibXE1bjlh