✨ 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. 

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.

In this special re-release, we return to the story that first sparked the creation of the Italian American Stories Podcast, the scandalous and fascinating life of Angelina Garramone.

Born in Potenza, Basilicata, Angelina arrived in Denver’s Little Italy as a young girl and grew into one of the most talked about figures in the community. Known both as a fortune teller and the “Queen of Little Italy,” her story blends family tragedy, fiery scandals, and elaborate real estate scams that preyed on her own community. From a dramatic courtroom confrontation to schemes involving forged deeds and even piano rentals, Angelina’s life was filled with ambition, controversy, and intrigue.

Join us as we revisit one of our favorite Italian American stories packed with newspaper drama, community feuds, and the early signs of crimes that would eventually define Angelina’s legacy. This is part one of a multi-episode series uncovering the rise of one of Denver’s most notorious Italian American women.

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 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 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

In this episode of the Italian American Stories Podcast, we’re joined by bestselling author and former CIA officer Carmen Amato for a conversation that weaves together heritage, history, and heart. Carmen shares the incredible story of her family’s roots in Serra San Bruno, Calabria, and how their journey to Rome, New York shaped her upbringing and inspired her historical fiction series, The Galliano Club.

We talk about the real-life stories behind her richly layered characters, her grandfather’s colorful days as a deputy sheriff during Prohibition, and the shocking family secret she uncovered only after her grandmother’s death. Carmen also shares how a local knitting club brought her novels to life with custom yarns and patterns—and how beer, yes beer, just might inspire her next project.

Whether you’re a history buff, a lover of Italian American tales, or a reader in search of your next favorite book, this episode is full of warmth, surprises, and stories that stay with you.

📚 Learn more about Carmen and her books at ⁠carmenamato.net⁠

⁠@authorcarmenamato⁠

⁠https://geni.us/GalClubpaper⁠

https://www.facebook.com/authorcarmenamato

⁠https://mysteryahead.substack.com⁠

⁠https://frominwoodout.com/travel-guide-galliano-club-thrillers-rome-new-york/⁠

⁠https://orderisda.org/culture/literature/from-stories-to-saga-a-deputy-sheriff-during-prohibition/

In this episode of Italian American Stories, we explore the inspiring life of Denver’s own Kate Ferretti—an Italian American milliner who left her mark on the city’s fashion scene with creativity, grit, and heart.

Born Henrietta Malnati to Italian immigrants who helped build the Colorado State Capitol, Kate grew up watching her mother sew Easter outfits and learned the value of hard work from a young age. After working under fashion icons like Madame Lily and Madame Rossi, she rose to fame in Denver as a talented hatmaker with clients ranging from society women to the legendary Molly Brown.

Kate’s story is one of joy and heartbreak—from becoming a mother to Denver’s first triplets to experiencing unimaginable loss. But through it all, she poured her heart into her craft, building a thriving millinery business right in the heart of Little Italy.

Join us as we remember the woman whose handmade hats turned heads, shaped trends, and brought a touch of Paris to North Denver.

In this strange-but-true tale from 1949 Milwaukee, Wisconsin, two Italian American women—Angelina Farrina and Mary Sanfelippo—find themselves at the center of a courtroom drama involving ghosts, burned money, and a fortune-telling scheme. When Mary believed spirits were haunting her tavern, she turned to Angelina, a so-called "sorceress," for help. What followed was nearly two decades of weekly payments meant to appease the dead... or so she was told.

Was Angelina truly communicating with troubled spirits—or running an elaborate con? Join us as we explore this eerie and emotional story of faith, fear, and the deep bond of family caught in the middle of the supernatural and the suspicious.

In this episode, we continue the incredible and dramatic story of Maria Barbella, the first woman in America sentenced to die in the electric chair. After public outcry and support from a determined countess, Maria was granted a second trial—one that would take a very different turn. Join us for the conclusion of Maria Barbella’s story—one filled with courtroom drama, surprising twists, and an unbelievable aftermath that kept her in the public eye long after the trial ended.

Today, we dive into one of the most dramatic cases in Italian American history—the story of Maria Barbella, the first woman in America sentenced to die in the electric chair.

Maria's story is one of love, betrayal, and justice in 1890s New York. After being deceived by Domenico Cataldo, a man who promised her marriage but instead brought her shame and heartbreak, Maria took matters into her own hands. What followed was a sensational murder trial that captivated the press, enraged the Italian American community, and raised serious questions about justice for immigrant women.

In this episode, we explore Maria’s early life, her complicated relationship with Cataldo, and the fateful day that changed everything. With twists and turns that shocked the nation, Maria’s case is far from over. Stay tuned for Part 2!