This episode is a rerelease from our archives, originally published on New Year’s Eve, and shared again as we ring in the new year.

On December 31, 1915, in Douglas, Alaska, a shocking murder took place in broad daylight—one that newspapers at the time described as “one of the most cold-blooded murders to ever occur in the North.” The victim was Mike Defino, an Italian immigrant whose life ended outside a saloon after a bitter dispute over money turned deadly.

In this archival episode of Italian American Stories Podcast, we revisit the tragic story of Defino’s murder, the dramatic manhunt that followed through the snow, and the disturbing details revealed during a rare early-20th-century autopsy. The case ultimately took a strange turn when the accused killer was declared mentally unfit to stand trial, leaving justice unresolved.

This episode explores:

• The New Year’s Eve murder of Mike Defino in 1915

• Italian immigrants working in Alaska’s mining communities

• Early territorial laws, arrests, and life in remote Alaska

• Graphic autopsy reporting from historical newspapers

• A murder case that ended without a trial

This rerelease is part of our effort to bring important stories from the archives back into focus—stories that remind us how much history can be hidden in a single headline.

📰 Found in print. Remembered in story.

🎙️ Italian American Stories Podcast
Hosted by Stephanie & Sandy

Every Christmas, Denver’s Civic Center glows with thousands of lights — a tradition generations have grown up with. But few people know the name of the man behind it.

In this special Christmas Day episode, Stephanie and Sandy tell the remarkable story of John Malpiede, an Italian American electrician whose creativity, perseverance, and love for his city transformed Denver into a national symbol of holiday magic. Born to immigrants from Potenza, Italy, John spent nearly four decades as Denver’s city electrician, quietly shaping the city’s skyline — from Union Station chandeliers to the Civic Center Christmas lights that drew crowds from across the country.

Through the Great Depression, World War II, devastating fires, tight budgets, and even a shocking wiretapping scandal that briefly put his career and reputation on the line, John never stopped finding ways to bring beauty and joy to Denver. His work reflected not just technical skill, but heart — salvaging materials, inventing solutions, and believing that even in hard times, a city deserved light.

This episode explores John’s family roots, his rise as Denver’s “Christmas lights man,” the controversy that nearly derailed his career, and the legacy he ultimately left behind — one that still shines every holiday season.

A story of resilience, community, and quiet craftsmanship, Episode 81 is a reminder that history is often shaped by people working behind the scenes… flipping switches, climbing ladders, and lighting the way.

In this episode of Italian American Stories, host Stephanie Detton is joined by Dina Gregory, creator of La Befana’s Table, for a deeply thoughtful conversation about folklore, belonging, creativity, and the power of gathering.

Born from Dina’s real-life experience animating a puppet of La Befana—Italy’s legendary gift-giver—in the streets of New York City during the isolation of the pandemic, La Befana’s Table began as an unexpected act of connection. What started with a puppet taken “out of the box” grew into a gathering space rooted in Italian folklore, storytelling, and community.

Dina shares how puppeteering La Befana helped her navigate grief, loneliness, and identity, and how those experiences eventually led her to create La Befana’s Table: a Substack, podcast, and evolving creative project centered on curiosity, wonder, and the sacred beauty of everyday life. Together, Stephanie and Dina explore Italian American identity, ancestral memory, storytelling traditions, and what it means to create spaces where people can show up as their full selves.

This episode is an origin story—not just of a project, but of a calling—and an invitation to pull up a chair, slow down, and reconnect with something ancient, meaningful, and deeply human.

In Part 2 of our deep dive into the chilling story of Antonio Neroni — also known as “Bava” — we pick up right where we left off: three bodies discovered beneath his cabin floor, one man still missing, and Neroni locked in a battle of wills with Colorado law enforcement.

This episode unravels the dramatic final chapter of one of Colorado’s most sensational crime stories. From the accidental discovery of Joseph Monticello’s body just 30 feet from Neroni’s cellar, to Neroni’s violent outbursts in jail, to the tense courtroom packed with reporters, townspeople, and even high-school students — we walk you through the case exactly as it unfolded in the papers of 1907 and 1908.

You’ll hear:
• How Neroni finally confessed to Monticello’s murder
• The shocking behavior that fueled an insanity defense
• Why the courtroom trial became a statewide spectacle
• The last-minute decision that saved Neroni from the gallows
• The mysterious and controversial death that ended his life behind bars
• The guard who was later charged — and convicted — in Neroni’s killing
• How Neroni’s crimes sparked outrage, reform, and headlines across Colorado

This tragic and gruesome story stretches from southern Italy to the prisons of Colorado, raising questions about violence, corruption, mental illness, and sensational journalism. It’s one of the wildest episodes we’ve ever covered — and proof that truth is often stranger than fiction.

If you enjoy the episode, make sure to follow, rate, and share the Italian American Stories Podcast. And check out our website for photos, newspaper clippings, and more historical deep dives.

✨ AVAILABLE NOW — Episode 77: Christina Minutillo ✨

Our newest episode is officially LIVE — and trust me, you don’t want to miss this one.

Today, I sit down with Christina Minutillo — podcaster, traveler, cookbook author, and a woman whose passion for Italian roots has completely transformed her life.

From uncovering her family’s hidden history in tiny villages outside Naples… To filming 300-person neighborhood feasts… To traveling the world cooking with locals… To hosting her very first roots-travel experience in her ancestral town…

Christina’s story is one of heritage, mystery, courage, and rediscovery.

We talk about: 🇮🇹 What it feels like to walk the streets of your ancestors 🍝 The power of food and community 🏘️ Why small Italian towns hold a magic we’ve lost ✈️ How travel helped her conquer fear 📚 The inspiration behind her cookbook Cooking with Italian Roots 🕵🏻‍♀️ And the emotional mystery she uncovered about her great-grandfather — one that still needs solving…

If you love Italian American stories, family mysteries, travel, or just hearing someone speak from the heart… this episode is for you.

🎧 Listen now to Episode 77: Christina Minutillo — available on all platforms.

In this episode of Italian American Stories Podcast, Stephanie sits down with historian and teacher Cassie Ferraiuolo, whose master’s thesis “Little Italy Colusa: The Forgotten Neighborhood” uncovers the remarkable Italian roots of a small California town.

What began as a quest to document Colusa’s past became a deeply personal journey through Cassie’s own family history — one filled with resilience, community, hard work, and even a touch of mystery. From Calabrian immigrants who risked everything to build new lives in agriculture, to the chain migration that shaped the town, and the whispers of Prohibition wine, secret societies, and a century-old murder case — Cassie brings Colusa’s hidden stories vividly to life.

Together, Stephanie and Cassie reflect on what it means to preserve small-town Italian American history, why ordinary people are never truly ordinary, and how every forgotten street corner holds a story waiting to be told.

🎧 Listen now and rediscover a piece of Italian American history that almost slipped away.

Connect with Cassie

Instagram: @cassiolo 

Email:  colusaitalians@gmail.com. 

Episode 75: Veterans Day – John Basilone

In honor of Veterans Day and the 250th birthday of the United States Marine Corps, this episode pays tribute to one of the greatest heroes in Marine Corps and Italian American history — Gunnery Sergeant John Basilone.

Join Stephanie and her husband Jared, a proud U.S. Marine veteran, as they share the incredible story of a man whose courage, humility, and sacrifice became legendary. From his humble beginnings as the son of Italian immigrants in New Jersey, to his heroic actions on Guadalcanal and ultimate sacrifice on Iwo Jima, Basilone’s story embodies the spirit of honor, courage, and commitment.

Stephanie and Jared reflect on the enduring bond between John and his wife Lena, his deep devotion to his fellow Marines, and the lasting legacy that continues to inspire generations.

This heartfelt Veterans Day episode is a moving reminder of the price of freedom — and a salute to all who have served.

🎖️ Listen now to honor the life and legacy of Gunnery Sergeant John Basilone — the Marine who became a legend.

In this episode, Stephanie sits down with the remarkable Pat Benincasa — an artist, author, educator, and podcaster whose life and work beautifully bridge creativity, heritage, and history.

From her early years in Detroit’s Italian American community to her breathtaking glass and steel sculptures, Pat has always seen her life as a canvas — each experience a brushstroke honoring the past. She shares stories from her book My Calabria: The Land Between Here and There, exploring how a single burned book of Italian love poems sparked a deep dive into her family’s immigrant journey and the powerful presence of her ancestors.

Together, Stephanie and Pat discuss art, teaching, podcasting, and the enduring connection between Italian Americans and their roots. With humor, wisdom, and heart, Pat reminds us that we are never alone — our ancestors walk beside us, guiding every step.

💬 “Know where you come from and you’ll know who you are.”

You can buy Pat's book from Apple Books or on her website  ⁠https://www.patbenincasa-art.com/ebooks⁠

 In this heartfelt episode of Italian American Stories, Stephanie welcomes Cindy Hollenbeck, a Navy veteran, writer, and proud Italian American who takes us on a deeply personal journey through her family’s past. From uncovering long-hidden truths in old newspapers and genealogical records to growing up in her father’s leather shop in Binghamton, Cindy shares how family secrets, resilience, and hard work shaped her life.

Cindy reflects on her father’s artistry as a cobbler, the challenges of an unconventional childhood, and the devastating loss of her beloved brother Tony, whose memory continues to inspire her memoir, Leather Soul. Along the way, she reminds us of the importance of preserving family history, embracing our heritage, and finding strength in even the most painful chapters of life.

This moving conversation is a celebration of resilience, identity, and the enduring power of storytelling within the Italian American community.

In the dramatic conclusion of our four-part series, we follow the twists and turns of Angelina Garramone’s murder trial in early 20th-century Denver. From shocking testimony about cruelty in Concetta Forgione’s past, to accusations of witchcraft, forged checks, and family betrayals, this final chapter brings the story of Maria LaGuardia’s death into sharp focus.

We uncover how witnesses, including Concetta, Stella, and even Angelina’s husband Luigi, shaped the case, how the Italian community reacted, and how newspaper portrayals of Angelina reflected the prejudices of the time. The verdict may have sealed her fate, but questions still linger about motive, justice, and what truly became of Angelina after prison.

Join us as we close the book on one of Colorado’s most haunting Italian American stories.

The story of La Diavola Rossa takes a darker turn in Part 3 of our Angelina series. After years of scams, trials, and whispers of violence, Angelina becomes entangled in the disappearance and murder of Maria LaGuardia—a 65-year-old woman from Denver’s Little Italy who spent her life searching for her missing husband.

In this episode, we follow Maria’s tragic final days, the chilling details of her murder, and the shocking confessions that implicated Angelina and others in the crime. From coded gestures of silence to gruesome superstitions, this chapter reveals just how deep fear of Angelina ran in her community.

Join us as we uncover the testimony, the drama, and the haunting aftermath of one of Denver’s most notorious cases.

🎧 Italian American Stories Podcast – Bringing Our Ancestors’ Stories to Life

In this second installment of Angelina Garramone’s story, we unravel the darker side of a woman whose schemes went far beyond fraud and forgery. When two Italian women, Dorinda Cellante and Maria LaGuardia, disappeared from Denver’s Italian colony in 1910, suspicion began to swirl around Angelina.

This episode dives deep into the shocking murder of Dorinda, her tumultuous life, dramatic divorces, and tragic end. From bizarre newspaper depictions and courtroom battles to chilling evidence like forged deeds and handwriting quirks, we explore how Angelina’s cleverness and cruelty left a lasting mark on the community.

Join us as we continue peeling back the layers of one of Denver’s most infamous Italian American stories—a tale of power, manipulation, and murder.

🎙️ Christina and the Whitefish with Author & Filmmaker Stephen Vittoria

In this episode, I sit down with filmmaker and author Stephen Vittoria to explore his powerful new novel, Christina and the Whitefish. Set in 1994 Asbury Park, the story follows Christina, a young Gulf War veteran, and the Whitefish, a disabled Vietnam veteran, as their lives intersect in a tale of trauma, resilience, and redemption.

Stephen shares how his Italian American roots, decades in filmmaking, and personal family history shaped the novel. Together, we discuss the struggles of veterans across generations, the impact of PTSD, the healing power of human connection, and how fiction can shine a light on the costs of war.

It’s a heartfelt conversation that blends history, culture, and storytelling—one you won’t want to miss.

✨ Christina and the Whitefish is available now wherever books are sold.

https://stephenvittoria.com

In this edition of Tales from the Archives, Stephanie and Sandy share a collection of fascinating, quirky, and heartfelt Italian American stories pulled from old newspapers across the country. From a young immigrant girl mistaking New York’s Trinity Church doors for a saint’s shrine, to six unfortunate monkeys lost in a Nashville fire, to the hidden talent of a sculptor in Riverside, California—each story offers a glimpse into everyday lives of the past.

You’ll meet fiery saloon keeper Mary Panzano of Memphis, whose broom made headlines, and Celeste Kari of Chicago, the remarkable “Nut Queen” who built a thriving business empire after being widowed as a young mother. Along the way, there’s also young love, courtroom comedy involving missing pants, and more odd headlines that remind us just how colorful history can be.

Join us as we dust off these forgotten clippings and bring to life the small but unforgettable fragments of Italian American history.

In this episode of Italian American Stories Podcast, Stephanie and Sandy step up to the plate with the trailblazing story of Lucille Colacito, a Colorado-born Italian American who made history in the All-American Girls Professional Baseball League during World War II.

From her childhood in Denver’s Little Italy to her days as a catcher for the Kenosha Comets, Lucille broke barriers and became the first woman from Denver to reach the softball “big leagues.” Along the way, she balanced the expectations of the 1940s—where women ballplayers were trained in etiquette as much as batting—while proving her talent on the field.

Lucille’s journey didn’t end with baseball; she went on to win state softball championships, earn a hole-in-one as a golfer, and receive recognition in both the Denver Metro Amateur Softball Hall of Fame and the Baseball Hall of Fame’s Women in Baseball exhibit.

Her career may have been short, but her impact was powerful—paving the way for future generations of women athletes. ⚾✨

In 1929, Detroit was rocked by the brutal Evangelista Massacre. Italian immigrant and mystic healer Benny Evangelista was found beheaded in his basement beside a bizarre shrine, while his wife and four children were murdered upstairs.

Cults, curses, and countless theories followed—but the case remains unsolved to this day.

Join us as we uncover the strange life, mysterious practices, and haunting legacy of one of Detroit’s most shocking crimes.

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