What if the most authentic version of yourself is waiting to be uncovered through food, travel, and the stories we share around the table? Tune in to explore how embracing curiosity, following your gut, and daring to ask deeper questions can guide you back to your authenticity—and your purpose.

Janna Tamargo, sociologist, media entrepreneur, and founder of AuthenticFood.com, shares the unexpected path that led her to pursue a PhD in sociology to study what makes food truly “authentic.” From spontaneous dinners with airline crews in Milan to teaching food studies in Rome, Janna’s story is a reminder that depth, connection, and joy are often found in the least expected places.

Christina and Janna talk about building community through food, what it means to share tradition, and how authenticity can be a personal, evolving experience. Janna opens up about the turning point that inspired her to launch her platform, how she collects stories from around the world, and why our obsession with authenticity reveals something deeper about who we are.

If you’ve ever felt lit up by a meal, wondered how to connect with locals while traveling, or wanted to live more authentically but didn’t know where to start—this episode is for you. Janna’s insights will leave you craving meaningful conversation, off-the-beaten-path adventures, and the courage to live out your authenticity.

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Follow Janna Tamargo on Instagram: @jannatamargo

Connect with Christina: https://christinaminutillo.com

What if your roots held the key to your passion—and your path forward?

In this heartfelt episode, recorded inside the Italian American Museum of Los Angeles, Christina sits down with historian, author, and museum director Marianna Gatto, whose lifelong love for her Italian heritage has fueled decades of work preserving the stories of Italian Americans in LA—stories often left untold.

Marianna shares how growing up in a diverse Los Angeles neighborhood sparked a deep curiosity about her family’s past—one that ultimately became her calling. That calling led her to restore a crumbling historic building and transform it into a vibrant cultural institution, honoring the legacies of those who came before her. Her journey from educator to historian and cultural advocate is a testament to what happens when we follow the spark within.

Christina and Marianna explore the power of reconnecting with your roots, the magic of storytelling, and how honoring the past can illuminate your purpose. Marianna shares powerful insights about resilience, faith, and the unseen hands that guide us when we step into our purpose.

If you're looking for inspiration to create something meaningful, reconnect with your heritage, or rediscover what lights you up—this conversation is a heartfelt reminder that our past often holds the key to our future.

Visit the Italian American Museum of Los Angeles: https://www.iamla.org

Follow the Italian American Museum of Los Angeles on Instagram @italianamericanmuseumofla

Follow the Italian American Museum of Los Angeles on Facebook @iamofla

Buy a signed copy of The Italian Americans of Los Angeles: https://losangeleslittleitaly.com

Find the book at I AM BOOKS in Boston

Follow Marianna Gatto on Instagram @gattolosangeles

Connect with Christina: https://christinaminutillo.com

Ever wonder how stories from the past can guide your path today? Tune in to discover how uncovering buried family histories, long-forgotten newspaper clippings, and everyday heroes can spark your sense of connection, curiosity, and courage to follow what lights you up.

Stephanie Detton, host and creator of the Italian American Stories Podcast, is on a mission to bring forgotten stories of Italian Americans—past and present—back to life. What started as a personal passion for exploring her own family history has grown into a living archive of voices that honor ancestors, preserve heritage, and help families rediscover their roots.

Christina and Stephanie dive deep into what it means to celebrate those who came before us, the joy of breathing new life into forgotten stories, and the power of human connection that bridges generations. They even bond over the quirks of being only children and the shared pride they find in Italian American culture.

If you’re searching for your creative spark, curious about your heritage, or simply need a reminder that storytelling connects us all, this episode will inspire you to slow down, listen, and share the stories that bind us together.

Explore the Italian American Stories Website

Follow the Italian American Stories Podcast on Instagram

Listen to the Italian American Stories Podcast on Spotify

Connect with Christina at: https://christinaminutillo.com