In this strange-but-true tale from 1949 Milwaukee, 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…
In this episode, we’re joined by the incredibly talented Bob Spiotto—actor, director, producer, and passionate Italian American storyteller. Bob shares his personal story growing up in a tight-knit Italian American family in Queens, NY, and how those roots still influence him today. From performing one-man shows as historical icons like…
In this episode, we’re joined by the incredibly talented Bob Spiotto—actor, director, producer, and passionate Italian American storyteller. Bob shares his personal story growing up in a tight-knit Italian American family in Queens, NY, and how those roots still influence him today. From performing one-man shows as historical icons like…
Dr. Ignarro talking about his mom's pasta sauce! Check out the full interview - Episode 53: Dr. Ignarro
In this special episode, we sit down with Dr. Louis Ignarro, a Nobel Prize-winning scientist with deep Italian American roots. Born to immigrant parents from Naples and Sicily, Dr. Ignarro shares how his upbringing in Brooklyn shaped his journey into the world of science. He reflects on his family’s traditions,…
In this special episode, we sit down with Dr. Louis Ignarro, a Nobel Prize-winning scientist with deep Italian American roots. Born to immigrant parents from Naples and Sicily, Dr. Ignarro shares how his upbringing in Brooklyn shaped his journey into the world of science. He reflects on his family’s traditions,…
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…
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…
Happy Valentine’s Day! In this special episode, we’re bringing you a collection of historical love stories—some sweet, some dramatic, and some downright scandalous! First, we takHappy Valentine’s Day! In this special episode, we’re bringing you a collection of historical love stories—some sweet, some dramatic, and some downright scandalous! First, we…
Happy Valentine’s Day! In this special episode, we’re bringing you a collection of historical love stories—some sweet, some dramatic, and some downright scandalous! First, we take you back to 1879 with a New York Herald article about Edward Zola and Adeline Ochetti, a real-life Romeo and Juliet who fled Italy…
North Denver Cannoli
In this special episode, we welcome the entire band Amici! While we previously spoke with lead member Stephen Pishner, this time, the whole group joins us to share their journey. We dive into how they came together, their experience performing at the 2024 Columbus Day Parade, and their future plans.…
In this special episode, we welcome the entire band Amici! While we previously spoke with lead member Stephen Pishner, this time, the whole group joins us to share their journey. We dive into how they came together, their experience performing at the 2024 Columbus Day Parade, and their future plans.…
🎶 Sneak peek! 🎶 Catch a small clip from this week’s episode as Amici shares stories from their incredible 40 years together! 🎸🥁 Don’t miss the full episode—coming this Thursday! 🎧✨ #ItalianAmericanStories #AmiciBand #PodcastPreview #italianamerican #amici #podcast #newepisode #proudtobeitalian
Joseph Bona and Buffalo Bill Cody!
In this episode, we dive into the extraordinary life of Joseph Bona, a prominent Italian American mortician in Denver, Colorado. From his humble beginnings in Chicago to becoming the trusted undertaker for Buffalo Bill Cody, Joseph’s story is one of ambition, dedication, and a touch of humor. Discover his journey…
In this episode, we uncover the story of Julius Cesar Carrera, or JC—a brilliant and largely overlooked figure in American history. An educator, mineralogist, professor, and pioneer in the mining industry of the western United States, JC also founded a college and gained worldwide recognition for his expertise. Join us…
It’s time for another installment of Tales from the Archives! In this mini-episode, we dive into quirky and unexpected stories from old articles about Italian Americans. Hear about a man chased up a tree by a bull, two women furious over an unpainted kitchen, a heroic dog saving a family…
In this deeply personal episode, we share a story brought to us by Chris Massari, a follower on Instagram, about the tragic murder of his great-aunt Augustina Massari. Witnessed by her younger brother, Mario—Chris’s grandfather—the event left a lasting mark on the family. We explore the details of the murder,…
Step back in time to 1930s North Denver’s Little Italy, where a shocking murder tested a family's strength. In this episode, we unravel the tragic story of Theresa Spanarella, who was killed by her jealous brother-in-law, Alex. The dramatic trial that followed revealed deep family conflicts, but despite the gravity…
We've on a break for the holidays, but thought we would re-release our first Christmas Special Episode! Merry Christmas, Everyone! Dive into the warmth of the season with our Christmas Special episode of Italian American Stories, where we unwrap the past through nostalgic newspaper articles. In this episode, we bring…
