The Italian Radio Hour

By Viviana AltieriSociety & Culture

The Italian Radio Hour episodes

October 09, 2024 Kickboxing World Champion Gloria Peritore lands in the US #fighttheviolence
This week on The Italian Radio Hour - Three times Kickboxing World Champion, first Italian woman to win Bellator, Gloria Peritore was recently invited to to the US to talk about her her organization "The Shadow Project" - an organization that promotes gender equality in sports and fighting domestic violence on women.
During the interview, Gloria shared her personal story of a toxic relationship that lead her to discover kickboxing and rediscover her true self, her journey into becoming a world champion, her motivation, her resilience, and her courage.
The Italian Consul General of Philadelphia Cristiana Mele and the Consul General of Detroit Allegra Baistrocchi spearheaded the initiative to bring Gloria to Philadelphia and Detroit, allowing her to share her story both in a US high school, and the general public to create awareness and sensitivity towards stereotypes again the sport, inequality, violence against women, but still give a message of hope and words of practical wisdom.
On Oct. 26th, Gloria will take the ring again for her first boxing match. Let's all wish her un enorme "In bocca al lupo".
Learn more about The Shadow Project: https://www.theshadowproject.it/
#fighttheviolence #wearefighters
38 min
October 02, 2024 The Legacy of Virgil Cantini
his week on The Italian Radio Hour - Virgil Cantini - a familiar face not only to the Pittsburgh arts world but also to hundreds of students, faculty, and visitors who walk day in an day out thru Posvar Hall, the Chevron Science Center or in front of Lawrence Hall.
Cantini was the founder of the University's Studio Arts Department, which created 13 pieces of public art for the University, most of which are still on display today.
But mainly Cantini's legacy is in the belief that art should be accessible to all.
The materials used stood the test of time and these days, and recently they had to survive one bigger test: not being covered, or destroyed because of new urban developments.
In 2018, a pedestrian tunnel underneath Bigelow Boulevard Downtown was expected to be filled in with dirt for the construction of a new park. For local preservationists, there was one issue — on the walls of the tunnel was the 1964 mosaic created by Cantini.
“We were basically told that the designers were the park did not see a place for these modern mosaics in their new design,” Cantini-Seguin said. “They had another theme going, and so at that point, the plan was to try to save three [of the 28] mosaic panels.”
After almost five years of undergoing restoration while in storage, the mosaic was reinstalled using federal funding in the Steel Plaza T station earlier this month. Its installation was made possible through the efforts of preservationists including Preservation Pittsburgh and the City of Pittsburgh.
Cantini’s daughter, Lisa Cantini-Seguin, said Cantini was inspired to create public art following a Guggenheim Fellowship in 1958.
“He had seen different decorations of public spaces in Europe, and so he was trying to bring that idea back to the United States,” Cantini-Seguin said.
Cantini, who passed away in 2009 at the age of 90, taught in the Pitt Studio Arts department for 38 years and often used Pittsburgh as inspiration for his work.
“My dad would drive all over the city of Pittsburgh to see from above and from below, from dawn until nighttime,” Cantini-Seguin said. “He wanted to see what the city looked like, since he worked in abstract.”
In this interview, Brittany Reilly, Director of Preservation Pittsburgh, Melissa Marinaro, Director of the Italian American Program at the Senator John Heinz History Center and Lisa Cantini-Seguin share with us all challenges, and the work being done to make sure that now, we can all enjoy Cantini's work. So next time you are downtown Pittsburgh, make sure to check out the Steel Plaza T Station.
1 hr 6 min
September 24, 2024 SICILIAN AVENGERS with Stephen Riggio
This week on The Italian Radio Hour - In conversation with Stephen Riggio, former CEO of Barnes and Noble on his many accomplishments and achievements to his last successful enterprise on translating in English for the first time Luigi Natoli's Sicilian saga on the legendary sect "Beati Paoli" (title in English "Sicilian Avengers").
Emerging from the dark streets and subterranean caves of Palermo, the Beati Paoli, masked and hooded, mete out their own form of justice to counter the unfettered power and privilege wielded by the aristocracy. For the voiceless, weak, and oppressed, the Beati Paoli are defenders and heroes.
Reminiscent of a Dumas novel, Sicilian Avengers is a vibrant, atmospheric fresco of early eighteenth-century Palermo. Onto the stage of the ancient city, Blasco da Castiglione, a bold, brash, orphan adventurer, arrives on a quest to discover his origins and seek his destiny. But this fearless, swashbuckling D’Artagnan-esque hero unwittingly gets caught up in a devious and murderous succession plot involving a powerful noble family.
When the Beati Paoli hear about this plot to usurp a rightful inheritance, they spring into action. Their shadowy machinations entangle the charismatic Blasco, who crosses paths with a cast of characters that test his loyalty and resolve in the pursuit of his true identity.
The historical accuracy of the novel is complemented by the most meticulous description of Sicily’s capital city ever written. Action-packed and laced with intrigue and chivalrous duels, Sicilian Avengers is a tale of love and hatred, friendship and betrayal, suffering and retribution.
As French critic Jean Noël Schifano said, Natoli's novel is “the fifth historical monument of contemporary Italian literature.”
Book 1 of 2 that includes an afterword by Umberto Eco.
Available for preorder on:
https://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/sicilian-avengers-luigi-natoli/1145136699?ean=9781635769272
https://www.amazon.com/Sicilian-Avengers-Book-Luigi-Natoli/dp/1635769272
55 min
September 16, 2024 GENOVA JEANS WEEK (Oct 1-6th) with Anna Orlando
This week on The Italian Radio Hour: GENOVA and JEANS Week (Oct 1-6th) with Anna Orlando.VIDEO INTERVIEW: https://youtu.be/xYI3hHq7PzcThis week on The Italian Radio Hour - We travel to Genoa, once nicknamed "La Superba" for being an extremely strong financial powerhouse, for the upcoming Genova Jeans Week (Oct. 1st-6th) to explore the history of Jeans thru beauty, arts, culture, innovation, and sustainability.Anna Orlando, curator's of this year's edition will share how the history of Genova is connected with the most popular fabric in the world, and how the name of this popular fabric is connected back to Genova.Those who will follow the "Jeans Trails", will experience 13 amazing locations to discover the secrets of jeans and how the history of Genova is connected with the most popular fabric in the world.- BUGe - Biblioteca Universitaria di Genova- MEI – Museo dell’Emigrazione Italiana – Commenda di Prè- Via di Prè- Darsena- Agenzia delle Dogane e dei Monopoli- Via del Campo- Museo del Risorgimento- Via San Luca- Palazzo Grillo- Via Luccoli- Palazzo Imperiale- Via di Scurreria- Museo DiocesanoLots of other activities, tours and experiences throughout Genova.Visit: https://www.visitgenoa.it/it/genova-jeans-week-2024 to learn more.
30 min
September 09, 2024 L'ULTIMA DINASTIA - The Last Dynasty. The Saga of the Agnelli from Giovanni to John with Jennifer Clark
This week on The Italian Radio Hour: L'ULTIMA DINASTIA - The Last Dynasty, the Saga of the Agnelli from Giovanni to John with Jennifer Clark.
Maybe you’ve heard of Gianni Agnelli. You’ve most likely heard of car manufacturer Fiat. But you might not know the rest of the Agnelli family — Giovanni, Margherita, Edoardo, John — and the both inspiring and tragic stories of an industrial family dynasty that is as much a symbol of modern Italy as the vintage Fiat 500.In Italy, the Agnelli family has been an inescapable presence for more than a century — their influence seeping into fashion, sports, politics and media, the vicissitudes of their businesses and personal lives splashed across tabloids and newspapers alike. But the details, belonging as they do to this powerful faction of the upper crust, have often remained sealed within the stoic family villas.Jennifer Clark, a journalist originally from Chicago, covered business from Milan for nearly two decades before she began exclusively writing about the automotive industry for four years. She was always aware of the Agnelli family, as much as anyone in Italy is, but became particularly intrigued by the century-long saga of the family while covering Fiat’s financial struggles in the 2000s. Clark began combing through Fiat archives and interviews to write her first book Mondo Agnelli: Fiat, Chrysler and the Power of a Dynasty (Wiley, 2011), which inspired a 2018 HBO documentary, Agnelli. Now, coinciding with Fiat’s 125th year, Clark has woven a more intimate narrative of the lives of "Italy’s Kennedys" in her new book L’ultima dinastia — in English, “The Last Dynasty” — published by Solferino Libri.
56 min
September 03, 2024 From El Camino de Santiago to the path to Italian Citizenship with Suzanne Maggio
This week on The Italian Radio Hour - After years of working as a social worker and psychology instructor, Suzanne Maggio walked El Camino de Santiago in Spain traveling solo. She was 60 when she did it and is a big advocate for solo travel.
"There is never a right time to take a big adventure". And so she did. And she prepared for it but in ways that, along the way, she realized were too connected to the material aspect of the "camino" versus what she experienced, a true "camino" of the soul.
She is now 65 and, has taken three long solo walking trips. One was the third leg of the Via Francigena in Italy. It starts in the Tuscan town of Lucca and ends in Rome. The walk took her 19 days to complete. She says it was gorgeous, the food was incredible, and the people were wonderful. Her walk finished at the Vatican.
She has written a book about walking the Camino called Estrellas: Moments of Illumination Along El Camino de Santiago and currently working on her next book on the experiences along Via Francigena.
I interviewed her about her book and her travels, and her inner journey throughout these "camini", and her journey to Italian Citizenship.
52 min
August 24, 2024 The iconic 1000 Miglia race is coming to the US!
This week on The Italian Radio Hour: REV UP your engines! The iconic 1000 Miglia race is coming to the US!
National Italian American Foundation (NIAF) and EGA, the Italian official licensee for 1000 Miglia Experience in Florida recently announced a partnership to promote and support the first-ever "1000 Miglia Experience USA Florida," a prestigious road rally for classic and exotic cars. We caught with Mario Liguori, Executive Director di EGA to get first-hand information on the when, where, and how to best enjoy the race. The event will take place from February 22-25, 2025, across Florida. The multi-day road rally will feature a route across Florida showcasing beautiful cars, distinguished guests, and glamorous lifestyle experiences.The National Italian American Foundation (NIAF) 1000 Miglia Experience Florida #florida #1000miglia Lamborghini Ferrari Maserati
37 min
August 12, 2024 Anything's Pastable with Dan Pashman and Katie Parla
This week on The Italian Radio Hour - All about food, food trends, pasta shapes, and Rome with this week's guests: Dan Pashman and Katie Parla.Both Dan and Katie are internationally known best selling authors, journalists, podcasters (and much more!). With their books, articles, and respective award winning podcasts have been keeping informed and educated on what's going on in the food scene.As many know Dan is also the inventor of a new pasta shape, (Cascatelli), and during this interview, he shares some of his journey with us. (You can listen to our episode with Sfoglini, Dan's partner in the production of his new pasta shape and The Sporkful with Dan Pashman Podcast "Mission ImPASTABLE).Katie Parla is my #1 person to explore Foods of the Italian Islands, and my favorite to-go person while in Rome for many delicious recommendations. Her website provides a wealth of information that travelers will find useful to secure accommodations, amazing restaurants, her books and how to book a food tour with Katie, while in Rome.As if she wasn't busy enough, she is working on her next book that is currently under the nickname of "The Untitled Rome Book" as she will be sharing her own approach and research of a city that never sleeps, Rome!Dan and Katie are also collaborating on Dan's Pasta Tour in November. There are only a couple of spots left.Check out all the necessary info here!Dan Pashman: https://www.sporkful.com/Katie Parla: https://katieparla.com/ Our episode with Sfoglini: https://youtu.be/qtv5iFvR0sY?si=FZ3hUEYfZmCjgAlOhttps://youtu.be/7QsjH2ROBs8@followers
51 min
August 05, 2024 "Our return to Italy" with filmmakers Marylou and Jerome Bongiorno
This week on The Italian Radio Hour - Emmy nominated, award-winning, husband and wife filmmakers, Marylou Tibaldo-Bongiorno and Jerome Bongiorno sit with us this week to talk about their the 3Rs trilogy of documentaries on urban America: Revolution '67 on the 1967 Newark riots/rebellion; The Rule, on the highly successful urban school model of Newark Abbey and Saint Benedict's Preparatory School (screened by the White House Initiative on Educational Excellence for African Americans at the U.S. Department of Education, both broadcast nationally on PBS, and Rust, on solutions to inner city poverty.
Additionally, they share interesting anecdotes around their Emmy-nominated documentary Mother-Tongue: Italian American Sons & Mothers featured Martin Scorsese, John Turturro, Rudy Giuliani and Pat DiNizio, their documentary about Mother Cabrini and "Our return to Italy" production.
If you'd like to support their projects, visit the Bongiorno Productions website at:
http://www.bongiornoproductions.com/index.html
47 min
July 29, 2024 Pittsburgh Italian Scholarship Fund and Basil Russo "Man of the Year"
This week on The Italian Radio Hour - The Pittsburgh Italian Scholarship Fund was established 40 years ago with the mission of assisting academically qualified local high school graduates of Italian ancestry with their college education. Additionally, they honor a local Pittsburgh professional of Italian descent who has demonstrated meritorious distinction in his or her profession. And this year’s recipients will be Mr. and Mrs. Basil and Pat Russo.
Tune in to enjoy our conversation with the President of the PISF, a scholarship recipient as well, the upcoming Golf Classic and Scholarship Award Dinner on Tuesday August 13th at the Valley Brook Country Club, honoring the 2024 Husband and Wife of the Year, Mr. & Mrs. Basil and Pat Russo.
Cav. Basil M. Russo has served as national president of both the Italian Sons and Daughters of America (ISDA), and its afﬁliate, ISDA Financial Life, since 2014. As ISDA president he developed the largest Italian American social media platform in the country, which currently has more than 725,000 followers. He also created the organization’s outstanding monthly newspaper, La Nostra Voce, and he has established many new lodges and districts nationwide, while increasing the organization’s membership by more than 20%. As the ISDA Financial Life president, he directed the growth of the organization’s insurance, IRA, and annuity company from $60 million in assets to over $391 million in assets, making it the largest Italian American fraternal insurance company in America.
Additionally, in 2017, Basil, his wife Patricia (Gallupoli) and their children created the Russo Brothers Italian American Filmmaker Forum, which provides grants to aspiring ﬁlmmakers who depict the Italian American experience in a positive way. To date, 48 ﬁlms have been awarded $400,000 in grants with several of the ﬁlms being aired and acclaimed in prominent ﬁlm festivals throughout the U.S. and Italy.
1 hr