Your ultimate (and accurate) guide to Italian culture! ITALIAN, FOR SURE goes beyond the cliches and stereotypes to reveal the true Italian way of living.
Catrin Skaperdas, an American living in Italy, hosts lively interviews with locals in an effort to give Italians the (befitting) stage to passionately share their wisdom, stories and insights about Italy.
ITALIAN, FOR SURE is perfect for listeners who desire to learn more about Italian culture, dream of moving to Italy, plan on visiting or studying abroad in Italy, or have Italian roots or heritage. It covers topics that help develop your cultural awareness, making it easier to navigate Italy, and equip you with fun facts to share.
Listen and embark on a culturally rich journey every other Wednesday at 6:00am CEST that will transport you to different corners of Italy through the voices of locals who make this country truly special. Italians will set the record straight, allowing you to know what’s truly Italian and what’s not by unveiling hidden gems about the Italian customs.
Italian Travel Culture – The August Shutdown, Traveling Solo vs Groups, Spotting American Tourists, and Tourist Food Traps
Episode 25
Wednesday, September 23, 2026 • Duration 43:35
What month Italian cities are ghost towns and how Italians can spot American tourists are just some topics we'll cover in this ITALIAN, FOR SURE episode about how Italians (vs Americans) travel.
Recorded at the WeRoad headquarters in Milan right before Catrin steps away for maternity leave, host Catrin Skaperdas sits down with WeRoad's Brand Marketing Director Margherita Galluzzo to pull back the curtain on the quirks, traditions, and psychology behind Italian vacation habits. They have an entertaining, candid conversation about Italian travel culture inclusive of:
Why Italian cities turn into complete ghost towns in August
The mandatory 20+ vacation days in Italy vs. the American hustle to earn time off
Italy's obsession with "making the bridge" around bank holidays
How Italians approach itineraries with flexibility while Americans plan every minute
Generational shifts in how Italians travel
The difference between a casual "gita" and a true "vacanza"
The stereotypes Italians use to spot American tourists in Italy
Why booking a solo trip feels intimidating to Italians
The pain of Italians trying to find decent espresso outside of Italy
Tourist-trap food menus in Italy
Chapters:
00:00 Intro
4:57 How vacation days work in Italy
9:35 Why you shouldn’t visit Italian cities in August
13:59 Most popular times of year that Italians travel
14:34 How Italians treat bank holidays
16:55 How Italians vs Americans approach trip planning
21:37 Italian travel habits across the generations
23:49 “Vacanza” vs “Gita”
25:09 How Italians can spot American tourists in Italy
27:00 Top travel destination for Italians
28:42 What WeRoad offers travelers
30:07 Solo travel: Italians vs Americans
35:33 Food habits of Italians while traveling
39:16 Tourist traps in Italy
42:17 Outro
WeRoad creates groups of an average of 11 people between the ages of 18 and 49 to set off and discover the world. To date, over 300,000 travelers have shared incredible adventures with WeRoad in more than 150 destinations.
Discover WeRoad trips and travel itineraries at www.weroad.com
This interview is available to watch on Apple Podcasts, Spotify and YouTube, and available to listen-only everywhere else you can get podcasts.
The UK vs Italy - Cultural Differences, Mom-Funded Doctor Visits, and Pasta Crimes
Episode 24
Wednesday, August 12, 2026 • Duration 31:30
From committing the Italian sin of cutting pasta to understanding that the concept of time is different in various parts of the world, this episode of ITALIAN, FOR SURE is a hilarious riot of cultural clashes between the UK and Italy.
Recorded right before Catrin’s trip to Sicily with her parents, comedian Tino Giaccotto and host Catrin Skaperdas pull back the curtain on Tino's hilarious life between the UK and Italy.
They have a zero filter, maximum laughs conversation about Italian culture inclusive of:
Roasting British dining chains that pretend to be Italian
Unpacking why Italians eat with surgical precision
Stories about being mistaken for a delivery driver
Why cutting pasta is a tragedy
The realities of visiting your home country
Language learners being talked to like toddlers
Awkward small talk comparisons
The "game" of “Are They Gay or Italian?”
How "Italian time" tests Catrin’s patience
Tino's ritualistic first stop the second he touches down in Sicily
Chapters:
00:00 Intro
03:19 The realities of going home for people living abroad
04:27 How time works in Italy vs the UK
08:59 Italians vs Americans eating
12:29 Are they gay or are they Italian?
16:58 Tipping culture in the UK vs Italy
22:54 Using slang terms with foreigners
27:17 People assuming Tino was a delivery person
28:46 Small talk in the UK vs Italy
30:30 Outro
Connect with Tino on Instagram:
The Making of Authentic Italian Rice - What Rice to Use for Risotto, Carnaroli Rice vs Arborio Rice, Aged Rice, and Northern Italian Food Culture
Episode 23
Wednesday, July 29, 2026 • Duration 40:58
Making the highest-quality Italian rice, from soil mapping techniques and aging processes to pioneering blockchain technology in modern agriculture, is something Meracinque co-founder Silvia Tovo knows all about.
In this episode of ITALIAN, FOR SURE, host Catrin Skaperdas sits down with Silvia for a fun, deep dive into the world of Italian food, specifically rice culture - including choosing the correct rice for risotto, the real rice-dish star of Milanese cuisine (which isn't what most people think), and how food culture takes shape across Italy.
Together, they talk about:
Verona, Mantova and Italian food culture
How Silvia built Meracinque with her four sisters
How Italian rice and its specific varieties are different than other rices around the world
The rice she produces, carnaroli rice ("the king of rice"), and how it differs from the arborio variety
Popular rice dishes around Italy and when in the year you eat them
The breakdown of how rice is planted, harvested, dried, and aged for a full year, and why aging makes all the difference in quality
What it’s like working with four sisters
The adversity Silvia and her sisters face being a women owned business, especially in this sector
What it’s like selling rice to different markets
The pros and cons of running a food business in Italy
Chapters
02:01 Intro
03:08 Verona, Montava, and Italian Food Culture
06:28 The birth story of Meracinque
08:43 Characteristics of rice: carnaroli vs arborio
12:09 Different rice dishes around Italy
14:57 What rice dishes Italians eat and when they eat them throughout the year
16:08 Rice cultivation process start to finish
The Real Milan – Hidden Gems and Local Secrets Everyone Must See and Survival Tips for Foreigners from a Born-and-Raised Milanese
Episode 22
Wednesday, July 15, 2026 • Duration 48:05
Why Italians hate people from Milan, what there is to do and see in Milan (including hidden gems), and quick trips to take from Milan are just some of the things talked about on this episode of ITALIAN, FOR SURE - a perfect episode for foreigners living in or visiting Milan!
It’s a rare treat to hear from someone who was born, raised, and still lives in Milan today. ITALIAN, FOR SURE guest, Alice Todaro, is the perfect person to take us behind the scenes of Milan and shares why she once hated Milan (and why she loves it now), as well as how the city has dramatically changed over the years.
Alice - Milan local and Founder of @daysofmilan - reveals to host Catrin Skaperdas why Milan is ultimately her "best friend" and the two of them talk about the following:
What you actually need to see if you’re visiting Milan for the first time
A completely hidden, secret museum most tourists pass right by
How Alice used to "escape Milan" while still physically being in the city
The West Side vs. the East Side
The reality of safety in Milan from two women living there
A rapid-fire game sharing Alice’s favorite local restaurants, cafes, gelaterias, vintage shops, and aperitivo spots!
What people eat in Milan
Chapters
02:06 Intro
02:20 why Alice is the perfect person to speak with us about Milan
03:41 Why Alice left Milan and why she came back (why she hated Milan at one point and why she loves it now)
06:06 WHAT DID I ASK - MISSING AUDIO - how has Milan changed over the years, maybe?
08:08 Why Milan is a great place to live for foreigners or Italians that moved back after living abroad
12:41 Why people hate Milan
14:53 Why Catrin likes Milan
16:03 Why Catrin likes Milan
Cultural Contrasts Between Northern and Southern Italy - Regional Languages vs Dialects, Movie Dubbing and Title Translations, Sicilian Pride, and the Arancino Debate
Episode 21
Wednesday, July 1, 2026 • Duration 40:18
From the high-paced streets of Milan to the high-speed-train-less tracks of Sicily, we are navigating through Italy and its regional differences. In this episode of ITALIAN, FOR SURE, we also tackle Italy's hilarious relationship with Hollywood, from the elite world of Italian voice dubbers to why nobody can pronounce Matthew McConaughey, and the wildest movie title translations you've ever heard.
We also chat about the ultimate Sicilian food debate (Arancino vs. Arancina), unpack the difference between Northern and Southern Italy (such as hospitality), before wrapping up with a fun look at why phonetic Italian is so straightforward to learn compared to the rule-breaking nightmare of the English language.
Sicilian Turin resident Samuele Brusca - Content Creator, Co-Founder of Samuele Brusca Academy and TEDx Speaker - and host Catrin Skaperdas bring you an entertaining and educational episode about Italian culture inclusive of:
Why Catrin thinks Milan is a good landing spot for someone from Long Island moving to Italy
What differentiates a regional language from a dialect
If people in Italy speak English, how well, and why that might be
Dubbing culture in Italy
Different Italian regional accents accents
How Italians pronounce famous foreign actors names wrong
The pronunciation of Italian letters
Films that have their names “translated” from English to something in Italian
Is it an arancino or arancina?
Difference between kindness and familiar-ness in the north vs south of Italy
How Sicily doesn’t have high speed trains
Sicilians are prideful about being from Sicily
Chapters
1:09 Intro
3:50 differences between Milan and Turin
An Italian Expert Explains What Grappa Actually Is - Francesca Nonino on its History, Making Process, and the Biggest Drinking Mistakes
Episode 20
Wednesday, June 17, 2026 • Duration 50:53
Unlocking the real world of elite Italian drinking culture requires moving past the "lighter fluid" stereotypes to explore the rigorous science, hidden history, and strict family dynamics behind crafting authentic, single-varietal grappa - and don't forget about the lethal production testing required to keep consumers alive.
* Join the ITALIAN, FOR SURE Trip to Italy! https://italianforsurepodcast.beehiiv.com *
Francesca Nonino, sixth generation of the Nonino family, and host Catrin Skaperdas have an entertaining and informative conversation about Italian culture inclusive of:
What is grappa
What makes grappa authentic
How grappa was discovered
Catrin's first experience with grappa
What grappa not to drink
The test that grappa producers need to do in order to ensure it won’t kill you
How Grappa fits into Italian culture
Why you need to read the label when you buy/drink grappa
The process of making grappa
How the first single variety grappa was born
Running a woman-run business Italy
Being a woman in the grappa industry in Italy
Pros and cons of running a family owned business in Italy
Francesca Nonino’s journey and passion for her family and her company
The Nonino family story
The story of the first female master distiller in Italy
History of grappa
Drinking culture in the U.S. vs Italy
The biggest mistake you can make when drinking grappa
Francesca’s thoughts on Made in Italy
Chapters
2:15 Intro
4:20 What is Grappa
6:54 Catrin’s first experience with Grappa
9:41 How Grappa is part of Italian culture
12:15 Why it’s important to read the Grappa label
Cultural Confessions of an Italian - Middle Names, Religion, Dating and Sex, Fashion, Egg Freezing and Surrogacy in Italy
Episode 19
Wednesday, June 3, 2026 • Duration 01:02:48
In Italy, without a comma in-between a first name and a middle name [e.g. Catrin, Austin], the two names become one, legally binding first name [e.g. Catrin Austin]. Did you know that? Or how about the fact that a woman cannot legally thaw eggs she’s had frozen in Italy to use them unless she is in a documented heterosexual relationship; Blows your mind, right?
Milanese local Giulia Lavinia Futura Baroni and host Catrin Austin Skaperdas have an entertaining and uncensored conversation about Italian culture inclusive of:
Middle Names
Popular Given Names, like Giulia: If you grew up in Italy during the 1990s, half of your friends were named Giulia.
Religion in a Modern Society: While Italian-Americans fiercely preserve old-school Catholic traditions, modern young families in Northern Italy are increasingly raising their kids completely detached from the Church.
Dating, Sex, and Circumcision: An unfiltered look into Italy's view regarding sexual culture, dating rules, and modern intimacy.
Fashion in Milan: Milanese fashion is effortless elegance.
Egg Freezing: We look at the practical, emotional, and financial realities of freezing your eggs in Italy.
Surrogacy: Surrogacy is illegal in Italy.
Italian Food: Why Italians don't all balloon in weight despite eating pasta and pizza nearly daily comes down to ingredient quality, processing standards, and walking culture.
Trigger Warning: This episode contains open conversations regarding sex, anatomy, and reproductive topics.
Disclaimer: The information provided in this episode is for informational and educational purposes only and does not constitute medical advice. The views expressed are personal experiences and opinions of non-healthcare professionals. Always consult a qualified medical professional for any health-related questions or treatments.
Buying Property in Italy - 1 Euro Homes, Mortgages from Italian Banks, First-Time Buyer Perks, and the One Costly Mistake to Avoid
Episode 18
Wednesday, May 20, 2026 • Duration 38:31
The essential steps to navigating the Italian real estate market are mapped out in this episode of ITALIAN, FOR SURE. Want to buy property in Italy without the stress of landing on financial landmines, or simply curious to learn what it would take to live in the land of the No.1 cuisine in the world, according to TasteAtlas rankings (2025/2026)?
Specializing in helping foreign buyers buy, invest in, and manage property in Italy, Jacopo Tartaglia (an Italian real estate agent and the founder of Valente Italian Properties) and host Catrin Skaperdas (an American who has bought property in Italy) help make the property buying process in Italy understandable. Jacopo walks you through the process of buying property in Italy, step by step, making it very easy to understand so you’re prepared for your property buying journey - even if you want to buy a castle.
Jacopo and Catrin have an entertaining and useful conversation about Italian culture inclusive of:
If foreigners can buy a property in Italy, without being a resident
If Italy’s 1 euro homes are worth it
One very helpful tip to avoid spending thousands of dollars unnecessarily and having a major headache to deal with
What budgets you should consider when looking to buy in Italy
If foreigners can get a loan from an Italian bank if they’re not a resident in Italy
Perks for 1st time home buyers
What costs you should consider when buying property in Italy
Places where you can find Italian property listings online
Why you shouldn’t overlook a property listing with bad photos
The Italian Podcast Market - Co-founder of the Largest Italian Podcast Media Company Offers Insights into the Podcasting Industry in Italy
Episode 17
Wednesday, May 6, 2026 • Duration 50:05
Get the inside scoop on the Italian podcast market, like what podcast genres are popular (or not) in Italy, how the non-verbal in Italian culture - like Italian hand gestures - affects podcast listening, and growth and monetization techniques.
Francesco Tassi, co-founder and CEO of VOIS, the Milan-based podcast creators network achieving 6M monthly listens, and host Catrin Skaperdas sit down at the VOIS studios (on March 3, 2026) to navigate the evolution of the Italian podcast industry from 2019 to today, bringing you an entertaining and educational episode about Italian media culture inclusive of:
The Italian podcast market in 2019 and why VOIS only worked because of where in Italy it was launched
Francesco gives a podcast 101 lesson about the two waves of podcasting (2004 and 2014)
The reaction of Francesco telling his Italian friends and family that he was starting a podcast company in 2019
How the podcast market in Italy has changed from 2019 to now and how VOIS has changed from then until now
Cross-promotion and monetization techniques in Italy, including dynamic ad insertion (DAI)
How podcasts moving toward video has affected the Italian podcast market
How other forms of media perceive podcasts (e.g. how radio stations see podcasts)
How competition exists between podcasts and between podcasts and radio
How the Italian podcast market differs from other markets around the world
Podcast genres that are not popular in Italy: comedy and sports
Francesco describes what they call at VOIS “responsible entertainment”
Average length of podcasts in Italy and when people are listening, according to the data, and what Francisco thinks about it
How non-verbal in Italian culture affects Italian podcast listening, or doesn’t (affect it)
Francesco talks about how the Italian podcast market is a great opportunity right now
Chapters:
01:14 Intro
3:01 The Italian podcast market from 2019 to now
Living in Italy vs the U.S. - Culture Shocks Between an American and an Italian, Including Cost of Living, Drivers License Exams, Breakups, Health Care, and the Drinking Age
Episode 16
Wednesday, April 22, 2026 • Duration 52:49
Uncover where "Tuscany without the tourists" is and healthcare hacks that can save Americans money, and laugh with us through a cross-cultural roadmap between Italy and the US, on this episode of ITALIAN, FOR SURE.
Italian D.C. resident Amedeo Jashi, real estate and affordable healthcare entrepreneur and content creator, and host Catrin Skaperdas chat their way through cultural differences between Italians and Americans to bring you an entertaining and educational episode about Italian culture inclusive of:
Amedeo's views of America and Italy, as an Italian that lives in America
Areas of Italy that feel more “Italian” vs less
Cost of living in Italy vs America
Income taxes for the employee vs employer in Italy vs America
Why Amedeo thinks Abruzzo is amazing
Living like an Italian in Washington DC
How hard it is to get a drivers license in Italy
Drinking culture in Italy vs America
The difference of Amedeo’s independence as a child growing up in Italy vs Catrin’s independence as a child growing up in the U.S.
Gross vs net income in US vs America
Cost of labor in Italy vs America
The differences of American and Italian health care
How in Italy it’s more common than in the U.S. to have friends who are of the opposite sex
Breakup “culture” in the US vs Italy
Chapters:
1:08 Intro
3:50 How an Italian views America and Italy
8:06 The cost of living and taxes in Italy
9:58 Amedeo tells us about Abruzzo
13:03 Living like an Italian in Washington DC / An Italian’s view of America’s cost of living
21:08 Pros and cons of running a family-owned business
23:58 What it’s like to be a women-owned business in this industry
28:22 Selling Italian rice outside of Italy
35:27 Difficulties of running a business in Italy
40:56 Outro
More about Meracinque:
Founded in 2016, MeraCinque is an innovative agricultural company run entirely by Silvia and her four sisters—Margherita, Benedetta, Anna, and Maria Vittoria. Inheriting a deep passion for the land from their agronomist father, the sisters united to produce an exceptional, 100% sustainable Carnaroli Classico rice. Their name tells their story: "Mera" for meraviglia (wonder), their lifelong family nickname, and "Cinque" representing the five sisters bringing a new balance and harmony to Italy's traditional farming industry.
Learn more about Meracinque on their website: https://www.meracinque.com/
This interview is available to watch on Apple Podcasts, Spotify and YouTube, and available to listen-only everywhere else you can get podcasts.
17:59 what someone should see if they were visiting Milan for the first time
25:30 West side vs East side of Milan
28:48 the safety of Milan
33:08 Alice shares her “favorites” in Milan
37:20 Where Alice recommends going for a quick trip outside of Milan, near by
38:37 Typical night out in Milan
43:28 What people eat in Milan
48:15 Outro
More about @daysofmilan:
Daysofmilan is more than just a guide; it’s a companion for anyone navigating life in Milan, whether they’re here temporarily or for the long term. Our mission is to make the journey of discovering Milan smoother and more enjoyable by providing curated insights into the city’s treasures — ranging from hidden gems tucked away in quiet streets to the bustling hotspots locals and visitors alike adore. Beyond that, we aim to foster connections and help expats integrate seamlessly into the local culture, creating a community that celebrates both Milan’s heritage and its growing global influence. At Daysofmilan, we believe that exploring a city should be an enriching experience, not an intimidating one. Our goal is to empower expats with the tools, information, and inspiration they need to thrive in Milan and make it their own.
29:29 The story of the first female master distiller in Italy
31:10 Dynamics of running a family run business in Italy
38:08 Marketing Grappa in the United States
44:18 Drinking culture in the Us and Italy
47:18 The biggest mistake you can make when drinking grappa
49:21 The truth about made in Italy
51:37 Outro
More about Francesca Nonino:
Francesca Bardelli Nonino, sixth generation of the Nonino family, is Head of Web Communication and co-responsible for the U.S. market alongside her aunt Elisabetta at Nonino Distillatori.
After earning a Master’s degree in Economics and Business Management — enriched by a semester at Yonsei University in Seoul and an internship at illycaffè — she joined the company as a Brand Ambassador. Alongside her professional role, she further developed her expertise through two master’s programs in Social Media Communication and User Experience, a certified bartender course, the AIS sommelier certification, and the WSET Level 3 qualification.
In February 2021, she was selected by LinkedIn to officially join its global LinkedIn Influencer program, a network of leading entrepreneurs, academics, and managers. In May of the same year, she was recognized as “The Grappa Influencer.”
In 2022, she received the America Award for promoting an iconic Made in Italy product overseas. In June 2023, she won the “Digital Night – Talents Transforming the Digital World” award for modernizing the communication of a historic product, followed in October by the “Impact Marketing Award.”
In August 2024, she was included in Wine Enthusiast’s global “Future 40” list, highlighting professionals shaping the future of the beverage industry, and was also named among the Top 100 communicators by Forbes Italia. In 2025, she received the Italy Ambassador Award in the Food & Beverage category, dedicated to content creators who promote Italy in the digital world. In 2026, she was awarded the Dominae Prize, recognizing women who represent Made in Italy globally.
Her next goal is to learn the art of artisanal distillation from her mother and grandfather and become a Master Distiller.
Connect with Francesca on Instagram: www.instagram.com/francesca.nonino
This interview is available to watch on Apple Podcasts, Spotify and YouTube, and available to listen-only everywhere else you can get podcasts.
Recording Date: This episode was recorded in 2024. All personal reflections reflect the timeline of recording.
Chapters:
00:02:08 Intro
00:03:32 Middle names in Italy
00:08:15 Common given names in Italy
00:14:35 Religion in Italy
00:23:47 Dating in Italy
00:39:17 Sex in Italy
00:43:30 Circumcision: Italy vs U.S.
00:47:19 Fashion in Milan, Italy
00:54:28 Egg freezing in Italy
00:58:38 Surrogacy in Italy
01:00:56 Italian food
01:05:23 Outro
This interview of ITALIAN, FOR SURE is available to watch on Apple Podcasts, Spotify and YouTube, and available to listen-only everywhere else you can get podcasts.
Want to buy property in Italy while still living in the US
Are moving to Italy and looking for property
Foreigners already living in Italy that want to buy property
Would be interested in investing in rental property in Italy
Want to understand what it would be like to buy property in Italy
Chapters (Apple Podcasts, Spotify):
2:02 Intro
2:33 The most researched city by foreign buyers of property in Italy
6:02 Jacopo explains why he’s the right person to speak about the topic of real estate in Italy
8:22 Where foreign buyers are looking for property in Italy
11:44 If it's worth it to buy 1 euro homes in Italy
13:34 Revealing budgets someone should consider when looking to buy in Italy
15:39 If foreigners can get a loan from an Italian bank if they’re not a resident in Italy
17:26 What costs you should consider when buying property in Italy
17:51 Perks for 1st time home buyers
20:04 One very helpful tip to avoid spending thousands of dollars and having a major headache in the future
23:15 Why you can’t trust Italian real estate agents
25:22 Jacopo walks you through the process of buying property in Italy, step by step, making it very easy to understand so you’re prepared for your property buying journey - even if you want to buy a castle
29:12 Where you can find Italian property listings online
34:43 Why you shouldn’t overlook a property listing with "bad” photos
37:57 Is buying property in Italy worth it
38:30 Property tax benefits in Italy
40:18 Outro
Jacopo Tartaglia is a real estate agent and the founder of Valente Italian Properties. Through his work and social channels, he shares practical insights on buying, investing, and living in Italy, helping international clients navigate the Italian real estate market.
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