The Italian American Podcast – Détails, épisodes et analyse

Join us in this lively episode of the Italian American Podcast as we welcome special guests from Boston, two brothers and their sister, who share their expertise on Italian feasts and the fascinating blend of their Irish and Italian heritage. Listen in as we prepare for the iconic Festa delle Tutte Feste, San Gennaro, and explore the strategic, and sometimes contentious, planning that goes into these significant cultural events. We'll reflect on the cultural dynamics between Italian and Irish communities and the contrasting attitudes toward unity and leadership within these vibrant cultures. Our journey continues with a nostalgic look at New York City's historic neighborhoods and the evolution of the San Gennaro Feast into a multi-ethnic celebration. We reminisce about the Italian heritage, the transformation of these communities, and the broader cultural shifts that have shaped New York over the years. The discussion is enriched with memories of local delicacies and historical holidays that have faded over time, painting a vivid picture of a bygone era and its lasting impact on the city's cultural landscape. We then explore the culinary and cultural traditions of Italian American neighborhoods in Boston and New York, highlighting unique dishes and festive street life. The conversation touches on memorable dining experiences, the importance of local connections, and the vibrant atmosphere during Italian feasts. Special mentions include notable Italian personalities and the traditions like the passeggiata, which add depth to our appreciation of these tight knit communities. Finally, we reflect on the enduring pride, familial ties, and playful rivalries that bind these cultures together, leaving you with a rich tapestry of Italian American life.

Join us for an engaging episode as we welcome esteemed editors Stanislao Pugliese and William Connell to explore the evolving field of Italian American studies. Listen in as we trace the academic journey of this discipline, which has grown from an overlooked orphan to a respected and interdisciplinary field. With contributions from scholars worldwide, we discuss the significance of attracting interest from non Italian Americans and the importance of Italian translations to foster cultural understanding between Italian Americans and their counterparts in Italy. Discover the remarkable impact of Italian heritage and studies at Seton Hall University, supported by generous benefactors like Mr. Valente. Learn about the establishment of an Italian studies chair and a comprehensive Italian library boasting 50,000 books, including a rare 1541 manuscript proposing radical church reforms. This chapter highlights the significance of supporting academic institutions and preserving historical texts, with a special acknowledgment from the Pope underscoring the global importance of such discoveries. Finally, explore the intricate process of cataloging and preserving Italian American memorabilia, the efforts of the Italian American Museum, and the rich cultural heritage of Italian Americans. Hear personal narratives, the challenges of maintaining traditions, and the efforts by organizations to promote Italian American literature. We also touch on significant academic projects and the role of Italian feast bands in keeping cultural traditions alive. This episode beautifully encapsulates the theme of exile and migration, drawing parallels to historical events and celebrating a century of cultural preservation.

Ever wondered what it’s like to navigate Hollywood’s golden era with icons like Frank Sinatra and Robert Mitchum? What defines the essence of resilience and the enduring power of family bonds? Join us as we sit down with the remarkable Brenda Vaccaro, who takes us on a heartfelt journey through her Italian heritage and family history. Venture into Brenda's illustrious acting career as she reminisces about her early days in New York City, the emotional dynamics of theater, and the differences between acting in various mediums. Brenda's admiration for Norwegian and English actors provides deep insight into her craft. At the same time, a humorous story from the set of "Naked City" offers a light-hearted glimpse into her experiences. We also explore the profound impact of losing a loved one and how their wisdom influences her work and life. From Brooklyn to Dallas, Brenda shares the struggles and triumphs of her family during the Great Depression, highlighting her father's challenges as an Italian immigrant and corporate lawyer educated at NYU. Through poignant anecdotes, Brenda emphasizes the values instilled in her by her parents and the unbreakable ties that shaped her upbringing. While listening, you can experience the glamour and excitement of Hollywood through Brenda's eyes as she recounts her first film experience and the cultural clash of the 1960s and 1970s. From wild Hollywood parties to the genuine camaraderie among artists, Brenda's stories paint a vivid picture of a bygone era in entertainment. Reflecting on her Italian American family roots, Brenda emphasizes the enduring power of family traditions and the deep connections that define her heritage. This episode is a heartfelt tribute to the importance of family, heritage, and the colorful personalities that shaped Brenda's life and career.

When we scored an interview with famed Italo-Australian comedian Joe Avati, we figured we would be lucky to get 45 minutes with the man many credit with creating a worldwide Italian comedy revolution. In fact, we ended up spending two hours in deep discussion with the man known around the world as the “Italian Seinfeld!"

On this week’s episode of the Italian American Podcast, we’re bringing you Part 2 of this fascinating discussion, commercial-free, and picking up right where last week’s episode left off with an exploration of “Cancel Culture” in the comedy world, and why Italian stereotyping might be one of the last acceptable subjects of ethnic humor.

Plus, we’ll look at whether or not there is some truth to the cliches that are oftentimes associated with our community, why many of us feel so connected to our Italian roots even when we are generations removed from our immigrant ancestors, American “assimilation” versus Australian “integration," and why Italian identity appeals so deeply to the many varied peoples who have a stake in it.

We’ll share some laughs exploring the relationship between Italians and Greeks, and why so many of us root for Italy against our own countries when the World Cup rolls around!

If you enjoyed Part 1 of this impassioned interview, you won’t want to miss the thoughtful conclusion of our afternoon with the one-and-only Joe Avati!

For more information on Joe's North American tour, click here!

Until recently, Joe Avati never thought of himself as a “real comic."  This bout of self-deprecation probably comes as something of a surprise to the Italo-Australian's legion of devoted fans, who many years ago dubbed him the “Italian Seinfeld!"

Avati’s signature “clean style” of comedy and his laser-sharp insight into the minds of Italians around the world have made him a comedy superstar in his native Australia, Canada, the United Kingdom, the United States, and anywhere more than a handful of paesani have made their home!

Taking a few hour break from his current World Tour, Joe sits down with us to discuss the global Italian comedy revolution he unintentionally kicked off more than 20 years ago, and why audiences in all parts of Italy’s vast diaspora can relate to his observations, and to one another.

In this week’s episode, part 1 of 2, we’ll examine the similarities and differences between Italians around the globe, where our unique identity finds its origins, and how his set reflects on the Italian American comedians for years gone by.

He’ll share why he never wavered from his commitment to “clean comedy” and whether or not we at the Italian American Podcast set out to create a “clean show” of our own for the same reasons.  We’ll discuss why he's enjoying being a “real comic” a quarter of a century into his incredible career.

And, we’ll address the simmering issue of “Cancel Culture” in the comedy world, and why Italians don’t seem to want to cancel anyone!

Plus, we look at the humor in the often unexplainable Italian traditions we hold dear, and in the Italian fear of the things we don't see… from the Malocchio to the air conditioning, to a summer breeze… all the things that give us sicknesses that no other ethnic groups seem to contract!

It’s a 45-minute appointment that turned into a two-hour “Paesani Mind Meld," and you WON’T want to miss the first half!

Are you interested in seeing Joe Avati during his North American tour? Visit www.joeavati.com for more information!

It’s said that Heaven touches Brooklyn, New York, every July… and if you know Brooklyn like we do, then you know that celestial poke occurs at the famed Festa del Giglio at Our Lady of Mount Carmel Parish, and you also know the passionate pastor there!

This week we sit down with the one-and-only Monsignor Jamie Gigantiello who, beyond his job as the spiritual father of one of the nation's most important Italian parishes, also serves as the vicar of development for the Diocese of Brooklyn, as well as chaplain for the New York City Fire Department.  Msgr. Jamie is a familiar face to those of us in the New York City area, since in his “spare time” he hosts his long-running cooking show, “Breaking Bread," and is the author of a forthcoming cookbook of the same name!

Msgr. Jamie will share details of his 10 years of experience working in hospitality before receiving the call to the priesthood, his thoughts on why traditional Italian Sunday dinners are a cornerstone of civilization, what the current state of Catholic education means to our nation, and why the kitchen table and the altar table have so much to do with one another.

Of course, we can’t have Msgr. Jamie on air without asking him about Brooklyn’s world-renowned Giglio Feast, which takes place this year from July 6-17. He shares the history of the feast’s origins from Nola, Campania to its various iterations in New York City and beyond, and explains why this particular event is a “must see” bucket list location for all Italian Americans!

Get ready to start planning your road trip to Brooklyn as we give you an insider's look at the history and happenings behind an event that’s near and dear to our Italian American hearts!

For more information about the Brooklyn Giglio feast, visit www.olmcfeast.com.

Family is the cornerstone of our life as Italian Americans, but what happens when one member of the family is diagnosed with a serious illness?

That’s just one of the topics we cover with this week’s guest, Dr. Benedict Albensi, Ph. D., BCMAS, CRQM. Dr. Albensi is a professor and chair of the department of pharmaceutical sciences at Nova Southeastern University in Ft. Lauderdale, Florida.

Renowned for his work with factors involved in aging, cognition, and Alzheimer's disease (AD), Dr. Albensi has been ranked in the top one percent worldwide by Expertscape.com for his number of publications from 2010-2020 in seven areas, including expertise in Alzheimer’s Disease, neurocognitive disorders, tauopathies, and dementia. On this week’s episode, he’ll share the personal reasons that lead him to study the effects of Alzheimer’s disease and dementia, and what his research has revealed over his several decades of experience. We discuss the hallmarks of aging and what people can do to increase their longevity, and how Italian American staples like a traditional Mediterranean diet, and the primacy of “La Famiglia” might just hold the keys to longer, healthier lives.

We’ll explore how genetics plays a role in the development of dementia, and how certain ethnicities are prone to certain illnesses, such as Cooley’s Anemia in our own community.

We also look at how family protection comes into play, and how when families rally around a member who has been diagnosed with a cognitive illness, it can be some of the best medicine possible for all concerned!

If you’re interested in developing a healthier lifestyle or if Alzheimer’s Disease or dementia has affected your family, you won’t want to miss this week’s episode!

Are you guilty of crimes against Italian food?

A recent YouGov survey that polled 20,000 people across 17 different countries decided that Italian cuisine was the most beloved on earth… but also established a list of alleged "Italian Food Crimes" that might trip up even the most passionate Italian American, let alone the first-time visitor to "il Bel Paese."

Some of the worst offenders list will read like a familiar set of “Culinary Commandments” for those who know Italy well… putting pasta in cold water before bringing it to boil, serving pasta as a side, cutting long pasta with a knife, adding cheese to a fish dish, or (gasp) drinking cappuccino after a meal!

Yet others might surprise even the most accepting pallette… Do we really need to reiterate that ketchup on pasta is a crime against humanity, and serving pineapple on pizza an inexcusable abuse of the world's most beloved food?

We’re going to unpack these results and provide our own take on how and why these offenses even exist. We’re also going to discuss what we think are the worst Italian food crimes, and which alleged crimes really aren’t so bad after all.

Get ready as we serve up a new take on the cuisine we all know and love in this week’s episode of the Italian American Podcast!

We’re back for the second half of our incredible conversation with Ian MacAllen, the author of Red Sauce: How Italian Food Became American, as we continue our quest to understand the evolution of “Red Sauce Italian,” - that unique cuisine born of the melding of Southern Italian tastes and American abundance.

This week, in Part 2, we’ll take the conversation even deeper to explore everything from the ingredients that we treasure to the Red Sauce standards that have gone the way of the Dodo.  We’ll discover which beloved Italian American family dish originally contained cow utters, how to differentiate between pasta and macaroni, how those famed pastas REALLY got their shapes, and learn about the strange era when the Italian government tried to ban pasta!

We’re also digging into some of the heirloom products Italian Americans created, and made our own, here in America, looking at lost recipes from Red Sauce days gone by, and uncovering two long lost classics that were once amongst the most famous spaghetti dishes in America… created for America’s most famous Italian opera stars!

And, as we always do here on the Italian American Podcast, we’re asking the important questions… like how DID grated cheese and crushed red pepper become the ubiquitous Italian American table-side seasonings, and where do our cheeses come from, and why does it matter?

It’s the conclusion of one of our most popular episodes we’ve ever released, so tuck into a plate of your favorite Red Sauce specialty, and join us as we explore the unique creation that is Italian American cuisine!

Once in a long while, a book comes along and immediately qualifies as a “must have” in the Italian American home library. In Red Sauce: How Italian Food Became American, author Ian MacAllen has created one of those books!

In this rollicking two-part episode, we’re joined by this proud Italian American writer as he leads us in an exploration of the evolution of traditional Italian American cuisine, lovingly referred to as “Red Sauce Italian,” from its origins in Italy to its transformation in America into a new, distinct, and wildly popular cuisine.

This week, in Part 1, we’ll take a look at the fascinating social and culinary history exploring the integration of Red Sauce food into mainstream America alongside the blending of Italian immigrant otherness into a national American identity.

We’re looking for the “roots of red sauce” in Southern Italian cuisine, and how early Italian immigrants to America developed new recipes and modified old ones based on the new foods they found in America, and how they were able to introduce and eventually domesticate the staple ingredients they couldn’t leave behind.

We’ll search out the origins of uniquely Italian American dishes like Penne alla Vodka, and examine the new fascinating history of how the earliest Italian immigrants brought the tomato into mainstream America… and why the differences in manufacturing between tomato paste versus canned tomatoes might explain how YOUR family recipes came to be distinct from those of other Italian American clans.  And, we’ll seek to answer the age old question: “Why do I add sugar to my sauce?"

It’s the first half of one of our most enjoyable episodes, on a topic we know every Italian American can agree on -- the unique brilliance of Italian American cuisine!