Please welcome Diana Giovinazzo, author, "Daughters of Naples," whose newly-released historical fiction is inspired by the real-life Italian women who risked everything to fight for their homeland against Fascist domination and Nazism. It's a fascinating read, one I could not put down! The story centers around three Cozzolino sisters who navigate changing wartime dynamics that threaten to tear their family apart. Set in 1940s Naples under Mussolini's regime, it's got all the elements of survival, sisterhood, romance, and shifting loyalties during the time of Italian resistance, a complicated time in the history of Italia. We will speak with Diana about the historical significance behind this book, and the research that went behind it. A self-proclaimed "history nerd," Diana enjoys writing about historical fiction based in Italy, and has achieved high acclaim for her previous novels. She is also the creator of the Wine, Women, and Words Podcast, a weekly show featuring interviews with authors over a glass of wine! Love this! Please find my full interview with Diana 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.

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.

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.

Linda Stasi is synonymous with NY media royalty. She's a well known critic and columnist for the NY Post. She is also a familiar face on the NY1 News Channel, and has appeared on the Today Show, The View, CBS Morning Show, among others. And we're thrilled to have her join us to talk about her latest book The Descendant: a historical family saga based on her own Sicilian-American ancestors, following the Barbera family from Sicily to the Colorado mines and eventually to the Mafia in Brooklyn. The story blends real history with folklore, and focuses on the resilience of the family, particularly strong women, as they navigate poverty, violence, and the American dream. Let's just say it's got all the right elements of adventure, crime, and magical realism. I see a film here. Throughout our interview, we will also discuss Staci's Italian roots and the strong bond we all share as Italians and Italian Americans. There's something about Traci that I totally relate to, perhaps it's the journalist in me or the Italian family bonds. Whatever it is, she's got some incredible stories to share, and I'm thrilled to bring them to you. Please find our full interview on all video and audio platforms of #DeborahKobyltLIVE, #LittleItalyPodcast, #LittleItalyOfLAPodcast. I'm your host, #DeborahZaraKobylt, and it's my pleasure to welcome you here.

James Conlon is known as one of the most versatile and respected conductors of a generation, and throughout his career, has cultivated a vast symphonic, operatic, and choral repertoire. Today, we are honored to welcome him to our show. Since his 1974 debut with the NY Philharmonic, he has conducted virtually every major American and European symphony orchestra with precision. Needless to say, Mr. Conlon is one of classical music's most recognized interpreters. We will be speaking with him about his early days in music and conducting, his influences, and how he earned a spot as one of the premiere influences in this genre. His finale with the LA Opera with Falstaff was simply jaw-dropping, an event that will be hard to replicate for even the most seasoned and decorated conductors. Mr. Conlon makes it look effortless, which is part of his magic, because his work and career are nothing short of extraordinary. Please find our full interview with Mr. Conlon 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.

LA Mayoral candidate Spencer Pratt means business. He's pissed and wants to turn the city he grew up in to a city that functions without debilitating crime, drugs, homelessness, in addition to helping thousands of Angelenos cut through red tape so they can rebuild after losing their homes in the LA fires of 2025. It's a tall order, and he says he's fired up and wants the job. And he's working the streets every day to earn the trust of voters to be their next mayor. Spencer, a USC grad, is passionate, well-spoken, and killed it in the recent LA Mayoral debates against incumbent Mayor Bass and Councilwoman Nithya Raman. He claims their progressive policies have turned Los Angeles into a walking criminal and drug addicted city that was once the envy of the country, a place where kids could play outside, walk to the local ice cream store and feel safe. No more, and I can attest to that. Today, he joins us to tell us his plan and vision to turn LA around. For anyone who claims a former reality TV star can't do the job, I welcome you to listen to our interview. Spencer is a father, husband, son, and he loves his city. He's a college grad who is outspoken and has sensible and practice ideas on how to get this city back on track. And for anyone who wants the same old politics, I hope you'll listen to our interview and hear what Spencer has to say. He just might be what LA needs, because we certainly don't need more of the same. Please join my full interview with Spencer on all video and audio platforms of #DeborahKobyltLIVE. I'm your host, #DeborahZaraKobylt, and it's my pleasure to welcome you here.