Episode 85: Josephine Bruno
In April of 1923, eight-year-old Josephine Bruno disappeared just steps from her Brooklyn home. By the next morning, she was found brutally murdered in the shared cellar of her apartment building — and despite an intense investigation, her killer was never identified.
Josephine was born in Lombardi, Italy, and came to America with her family as a small child. On a rainy spring night, her mother left her waiting briefly while she went back inside to retrieve an umbrella. Josephine vanished in those few minutes, setting off frantic searches by her family, neighbors, and eventually the police.
In this episode, I tell Josephine’s story through contemporary newspaper accounts, tracing the night she disappeared, the devastating discovery made by a neighbor the following morning, and the investigation that followed. We look at suspicious arrests that went nowhere, the heartbreaking funeral attended by thousands, and the troubling questions raised by journalists months later — including whether critical mistakes in the early hours cost the case its chance at justice.
More than a true crime story, this is a quiet remembrance of a little girl whose life was cut short and whose name slowly faded from the headlines. By revisiting her story over a century later, we honor Josephine Bruno, her family, and the truth that her life — and her death — mattered.
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Episode 72: Interview with Cindy Hollenbeck
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.
Episode 69: Angelina Garramone - The Re-release (Part 2)
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.
Episode 56: Alice Minto
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.
Episode 35: Interview with Margaret Fontana
In this episode of the Italian American Stories Podcast, I sit down with Margaret Fontana, a dynamic leader who runs her own media company, hosts a podcast, and serves as the executive director of the New Jersey Italian Heritage Commission. Margaret shares her insights on the importance of preserving Italian American culture, and we dive into a heartfelt conversation about family traditions, heritage, and the future of our community.
Throughout the episode, Margaret also shares some wonderful stories from her own family, giving us a glimpse into the rich and vibrant world of Italian American life. Don't miss this inspiring discussion!