Mike Crispi, president of The Italian American Civil Rights League, joins us to discuss the recent uproar over the Little Italy New York enclave being removed from the City's list of immigrant neighborhoods. Italians took notice and fought back.

In fact, Crispi's resume reads as a man who has been fighting for justice much of his life as a political activist, frequent commentator, and talk show host. And this topic made the top of his list.

Cristi points out that much of New York - from the skyscrapers to underground tunnels, was built on the backs of Italian immigrant laborers, many of them settling into the lower east side of Manhattan, commonly referred to as #LittleItaly, so he joins us today to talk about the history of the people there and how it matters today. It's a lesson in history that many might not know, and one that should not be forgotten.

Please join us today on all video and audio platforms of #DeborahKobyltLIVE, #LittleItalyPodcast, and #LittleItalyOfLAPodcast. I'm your host, #DeborahZaraKobylt, and it's my pleasure to welcome you here.

Award-winning author and co-founder/editor-in-chief of Appetito Magazine, #AndrewCotto, joins us to discuss the deep-rooted history of Italians and Italian Americans in New York through hard-work, grit, culture and their culinary expertise, literally taking over the food scene from the moment the Italians landed on our shores. When it was discovered that #LittleItaly was no longer included on the map of immigrant communities in NYC, Italians stood up and fought back for their ancestors to be recognized for their contributions to making NY and America prosperous. Andrew has written extensively for the New York Times, Appetito, Condé Nast Traveler, Italy magazine, and others, and has extensive knowledge of Italians in NY, and he joins us today to talk about that and the strong sense of pride Italian Americans continue to fight for, including the history Italians want to make sure is not forgotten. Please join us on all video and audio platforms of #DeborahKobyltLIVE, #LittleItalyPodcast, and #LittleItalyOfLAPodcast. I'm your host, #DeborahZaraKobylt, and it's an honor to have you with us.

Please welcome infamous mandolin player #JohnnyAnello, also the founder of Italian
American Radio, who joins us to talk about the history of Italians who came to this
country through Ellis Island, settled primarily in #LittleItaly on the lower east side of
Manhattan, and became the heart and soul of New York, building bridges, digging
subway tracks and tunnels and anything else that needed to be done to help make the
City of New York great.
Johnny has had a decorated career as a musician, performing LIVE throughout NY and
the entire tri-state area, but particularly in Little Italy, New York. In fact, he will be
opening this year for the 100th anniversary of the San Gennaro Festival in NY, a terrific
honor. Needless to say, Johnny knows much about current life in New York's Little
Italy, in addition to its rich history. And since the recent uproar over Little Italy not
being included in the map of immigrant communities in NYC, he's got a lot to say
about it.
Johnny also founded Italian American Radio, and we'll be talking about that, too. He's
a terrific preservationist of all things Italian, and I'm honored to speak with him today.
Please find my full discussion with Johnny "Mandolin" Anello on all video and audio
platforms of #DeborahKobyltLIVE, #LittleItalyPodcast, and #LittleItalyOfLAPodcast.
I'm your host, #DeborahZaraKobylt, and it's my pleasure to welcome you here.

"Moodtopia for Kids: Nurturing Emotional Wellness with Nature's Remedies" is a guide to help parents balance medical and holistic care for their children, written by Sara Chana Silverstein," a renowned homeopath and master herbalist. And her research is based in years of research working with children and families, helping to find balance while treating various issues that young people are facing, from neurological to emotional. The book focuses on supporting a child's nervous system first to build long-term resilience rather than defaulting immediately to pharmaceuticals. She talks about how to alleviate day-to-day anxiety, tension, insomnia, anger, depression, and other issues. Sara also talks about how to manage ADHD and other neurological issues to help children grow into functioning adults without the constant need for meds. Sara also wrote "Moodtopia," which applies the same principals in adults, and has been wildly successful. Please find my full interview with Sara Chana Silverstein on all video and audio platforms of #DeborahKobyltLIVE. I'm your host, #DeborahZaraKobylt, and it's my pleasure to welcome you here.

What was superstar #MichaelJackson really like when he wasn't performing, particularly when
he was much younger? Darls Centola, who wrote "Finding Truth With Michael: A Memoir of
Friendship, Faith, and First Love" takes us there in a way that's never been done before.
Darls befriended Michael and sister La Toya during their high school years, and she was one
of the only friends outside of the Jackson's performing world to cut through all the noise and
just be a friend.
The memoir chronicles the everyday life of the famous Jacksons, from roller skating in
Sherman Oaks to joyriding in her beat-up yellow Toyota. It also talks about the faith they
shared, and the crush she ultimately developed on the superstar Michael
Finding Truth With Michael offers a personal look at Michael away from peering eyes, and is
certainly well-timed with the release of the film "Michael," sharing his nephew Jaafar Jackson.
Please find my full interview with Darls on all video and audio platforms of
#DeborahKobyltLIVE.
I'm your host, #DeborahZaraKobylt, and it's my pleasure to welcome you here.

Idanna Pucci's latest book, "Emilio Pucci: The Astonishing Odyssey of a
Fashion Icon," is a biography co-authored by the niece of the famed designer
along with her husband, Terence Ward. The narrative moves beyond Emilio
Pucci's vibrant prints to uncover his harrowing experience during World War II
and his role in postwar Italian reconstruction.
Carefully detailed and researched by Idanna Pucci and her husband, this is an
inside look at an extraordinary story of bravery long before anyone knew
#EmilioPucci as the fashion artist he became. The authors recount Pucci's
capture, imprisonment, and torture by Nazis following a secret mission to
assist the opposition, and they explore his transition from war hero to fashion
icon, with details about his shop on the island of Capri. It's a captivating read,
in part because it comes first-hand from family members, most notably Idanna,
who grew up in the Pucci palace in Florence and later worked for her uncle at
his Saks Fifth Avenue boutique in New York. The biography draws from
intimate family sources, including personal diaries and declassified war
records.
Please join me in welcoming #IdannaPucci on all video and audio platforms of
#DeborahKobyltLIVE, #LittleItalyPodcast and the #LittleItalyOfLAPodcast. I'm
your host, #DeborahZaraKobylt, and it's my pleasure to welcome you here.

I started my summer reading a little early this year with "Bel-Air Confidential," a futuristic romance by Jeni Lynn, a journalist who has spent much of her career writing about technology and NASA. This is her first novel and series of "Confidential" books, each set in a different historic hotel. I must say, I'm already hooked. The book takes place in LA in the year 2172, and follows Alex and her boss, Eric, as they navigate a dangerous world where a secret society wants to prevent humanity from leaving earth. In the process, the two develop an epic romance. This is a clever book with lots of intrigue, and while I don't often read or interview authors who write fiction, this one caught my eye, particularly for the summer reading season. I ponder a Los Angeles in the future and what it might be like, and she's got all the elements of possibility here. It kept me turning the pages. Throughout our interview, I'll be asking Jeni about her process from journalist to novelist, which isn't so easy. We'll also talk about character development, where she got some of her character ideas from, in addition to what's next in the series. I hope you'll join me on this futuristic ride with Jeni Lynn, and please tell your friends, too. I'm your host, @DeborahZaraKobylt, and I want to thank you for joining us today on our podcast, #DeborahKobyltLIVE.

Let's rewrite the narrative on aging. Simply put, as long as we have our health, getting older can be a fun and invigorating, a time to live with no boundaries and try whatever it is we've always wanted to do but didn't because everyday living got in the way. So how do we age with purpose? We invited Beverly Hills psychiatrist Dr. Arnold Gilberg, author, "The Myth of Aging," to join the conversation. Dr. Gilbert argues that aging itself isn't the enemy, disengagement is, and he uses decades of clinical experience to provide a "prescription" for happiness that includes brain health, finding purpose in retirement, and how to cultivate meaningful relationships at a certain age. Not always easy, but Dr. Gilbert shows us how. Dr. Gilberg says emotional and physical well-being work hand-in-hand, and he shows us how to find true happiness as we age, even if we're alone and living far from loved ones. He talks about finding joy and the energy to "speed up," as we age, and not "slow down." His practical methods work, and he's still working after 60 years helping people find their bliss into the twilight years. Because let's face it, we're never too old to embrace our dreams as long as we're alive. So let's go for it. Please find my interview with Dr. Gilberg on all video and audio platforms of #DeborahKobyltLIVE. I'm your host, #DeborahZaraKobylt, and it's my pleasure to welcome you here.