"Italiam non sponte sequor - I am pushed toward Italy and it is beyond my control" - Virgil, Aeneid

Welcome to Episode #149:

Today I share some of the signs and symptoms that you may be an Italophile. Someone who loves Italian culture, who enjoys everything that Italy offers and pretty much cannot get enough!

Italophile: noun:

1. a person who admires Italian customs, traditions, etc.

Enjoy this episode,

Michelle x

Shownotes

A Writer in Italy Instagram

Substack - At My Table

Michelle’s Books

A Writer in Italy is about travel and life. A place to share the beautiful travel journeys and the discoveries along the way.

Italy has many attractions - art, design, architecture, history and the wonderful food culture. Michelle shares her love of books on Italy and the places and regions that have inspired her along the way.

Michelle started 'A Writer in Italy Podcast’ to share personal stories and the love of books on Italy that would lead to beautiful conversations with people and like minded souls who share a deep love affair with Italian Culture and the country as a place of beauty and spiritual renewal.

Michelle Johnston lives in Australia with her family.

A Writer in Italy Podcast respectfully acknowledges that this work is created on the country of the Ngambri peoples and culture, and pays respects to their Elders, past and present.

Musical Scores by Richard Johnston

© 2026 A Writer In Italy - travel, books, art and life
Music Composed by Richard Johnston © 2026

Support the show

"The history, art, language, beauty, colour and so much to learn, and know. I realise, Italy as a subject is bountiful, rich, alluring. Keep teaching me Italy, I want more" - Michelle Johnston, In the Shadow of a Cypress - An Italian Adventure

Welcome to Episode #148:

Today I share some of the background details of publishing my new print book, In the Shadow of a Cypress that is now available in print, and that is its own kind of beautiful thing. I am excited to share some of the stories and adventures of getting to this place on the journey. I remembered that, really this was the type of book I wanted to read, so I wrote it. It was a work in progress, a bit like me. But as they say, it is the journey and not the destination.

So enjoy this personal share about writing my books and getting them into print.

Enjoy this episode,

Michelle x

P.s If you did want to listen to the book it is available on Substack app via the monthly subscription. You can download the audio there and keep it for easy listening. Also, I am not offended if you want to pay for one month to get the audio and then unsubscribe. That is fine by me. The final chapter will be uploaded this week. There are 6-7 hours of the book available for paid subscribers.

Shownotes

A Writer in Italy Instagram

Substack - At My Table

Michelle’s Books

Musical Scores by Richard Johnston

A White Chalk Production

A Writer in Italy is about travel and life. A place to share the beautiful travel journeys and the discoveries along the way.

Italy has many attractions - art, design, architecture, history and the wonderful food culture. Michelle shares her love of books on Italy and the places and regions that have inspired her along the way.

Michelle started 'A Writer in Italy Podcast’ to share personal stories and the love of books on Italy that would lead to beautiful conversations with people and like minded souls who share a deep love affair with Italian Culture and the country as a place of beauty and spiritual renewal.

Michelle Johnston lives in Australia with her family.

A Writer in Italy Podcast respectfully acknowledges that this work is created on the country of the Ngambri peoples and culture, and pays respects to their Elders, past and present.

© 2026 A Writer In Italy - travel, books, art and life
Music Composed by Richard Johnston © 2026

Support the show

“Learning Italian is about more than memorizing vocabulary. It is an invitation to experience a way of life” - Margherita Berti, Italian History & Culture Through Language

Get prepared for your next Italian Journey with this wonderful book and guide - Italian History & Culture Through Language by Italian Linguistics Teacher and Podcast host Margherita Berti PhD.

Today Margherita shares the release of her new book 'Italian History & Culture Through Language' and the story behind creating her Italian Matters Language courses for seekers of Italy. Enjoy this conversation...

About the Author:

Margherita Berti is the founder of Italian Matters, an online Italian language hub with 5 million followers across platforms. She holds a Ph.D. in Applied Linguistics and creates digital courses and resources to help learners build real-world Italian fluency. Margherita also hosts the Italian Matters podcast and shares language tips through engaging videos and social content.

This book is:

"Perfect for travelers, language learners, Italophiles, and anyone reconnecting with their heritage, Speak the World: Italian is both an entertaining cultural keepsake and a practical introduction to the language. Whether paired with travel plans, family traditions, or dreams of Italian cafés and gondola rides, the book makes an ideal gift for lovers of Italy and its timeless charm".

Book: Italian History & Culture Through Language by Margherita Berti

Visit Margherita Berti at Italian Matters

Follow Marghertia Berti on Instagram @ItalianMatters

Shownotes

A Writer in Italy Instagram

Substack - At My Table

Michelle’s Books

Musical Scores by Richard Johnston

A Writer in Italy is about travel and life. A place to share the beautiful travel journeys and the discoveries along the way.

Italy has many attractions - art, design, architecture, history and the wonderful food culture. Michelle shares her love of books on Italy and the places and regions that have inspired her along the way.

Michelle started 'A Writer in Italy Podcast’ to share personal stories and the love of books on Italy that would lead to beautiful conversations with people and like minded souls who share a deep love affair with Italian Culture and the country as a place of beauty and spiritual renewal.

Michelle Johnston lives in Australia with her family.

© 2026 A Writer In Italy - travel, books, art and life
Music Composed by Richard Johnston © 2026

A Writer in Italy Podcast respectfully acknowledges that this work is created on the country of the Ngambri peoples and culture, and pays respects to their Elders, past and present.

A White Chalk Production

Support the show