The Italian American Podcast

The Italian American Podcast


Latest Episodes

IAP 196: The Italian American Girl in the Pink Wheelchair: Dom Sessa on Disability Awareness in Italian America
July 28, 2021

How is the Italian American experience defined for a person with disabilities? In this week’s episode, we close out the month of July by paying tribute to National Disability Awareness Month with our special guest, Dominique Sessa. Dominique is a disabili

IAP 195: "I Survived the Andrea Doria" with Special Guest Pierette Simpson
July 20, 2021

Nearly 65 years ago, on the night of July 25, 1956, the SS Andrea Doria, the pride of the Italian Line and a symbol of Italy’s burgeoning post-war recovery, approached the coast of Nantucket, Massachusetts at the end of a foggy eighth day of a nine-day vo

IAP 194: Joe Colombo & The Italian American Civil Rights League: Crime, Conspiracy, and Community Leadership (Part 2)
July 13, 2021

It’s Part 2 of our two-part episode exploring one of the most unique chapters in Italian American history as we sit down with author Don Capria to explore the life and times of Mafia boss and Italian American community leader Joseph Colombo, founder of th

IAP 193: Joe Colombo & The Italian American Civil Rights League -- Crime, Conspiracy, and Community Leadership (Part 1)
June 29, 2021

Exactly 50 years ago this week, on Monday, June 28, 1971, one of the more bizarre chapters in Italian American history unfolded in New York City's Columbus Circle, as tens of thousands of people gathered for the second annual Italian American Unity Day! O

IAP 192: Il Museo del Cognome: The Museum of Surnames -- A Resource for the Italian Diaspora
June 22, 2021

For many Italian American families, the quest to unearth family histories often appears to be a daunting task.  But, in this week’s episode of the Italian American Podcast, we’re joined by an Italian genealogist who wants you to set aside your anxiet

IAP 191: Her Superhero Dad: How An Italian American Daughter's Love Inspired a Literary Career
June 15, 2021

When we think about the Italian American experience, our mind floods with images of parents and grandparents, traditions passed on through time with the family, and a multi-generational story that plays out over a lifetime of shared memories. But, how do

IAP 190: Potentially Dangerous: When It Was a Crime to Be Italian -- A Conversation on Italian Internments with Filmmaker Zach Baliva
June 08, 2021

In the United States of America, it was once a crime to be Italian. That’s what filmmaker Zach Baliva, director of the forthcoming documentary, “Potentially Dangerous,” reveals to our listeners in this all-new episode of The Italian American Podcast! As A

IAP 189: A "Certified" Success: The Italian American CEO Leading a Wellness Revolution
May 24, 2021

For many Americans, the gradual reopening of the country means more time out of doors, the slow return to gyms, and the chance to take a good look at how we’ve been treating our bodies during the many months we’ve spent, for the most part, indoors. But wh

IAP 188: The Past, Present, & Future of Italian Americans in Boxing with Special Guest Coach Dino Spencer
May 18, 2021

For many Italian Americans, the sport of boxing is synonymous with Italian American pride, thanks to the timeless accomplishments of legendary names like Rocky Marciano, “Boom Boom Mancini,"  Jake La Motta, Carmen Basilio, and the late, great Angelo