What if the food you eat, the stories you hear, and the traditions you grew up with are part of a bigger story — one that connects Italians across the world? Tune in to discover how curiosity about culture, heritage, and shared traditions can spark connection, wherever you are.

Anthony Castelvecchi is the founder of Oriundi, a media project and Italian lifestyle brand connecting the global Italian diaspora to modern-day Italy. He shares his journey from the corporate world to building Oriundi, inspired by his Italian American upbringing and curiosity about his roots. From Italy to communities around the world, Anthony explores how traditions evolved — from Brazilian polenta to Argentine Milanese — reminding us that culture adapts, it doesn’t disappear.

Christina and Anthony dive into what it means to preserve heritage while adapting to new places, the differences between Italian communities across the US and beyond, and how migration shapes food, traditions, and identity. They explore the power of food as a bridge between cultures and why knowing the history behind what we eat matters.

If you’ve ever felt disconnected from your roots or wondered how to keep culture alive, this episode is a reminder that community begins with you. Preserving culture happens one connection at a time.

Explore Oriundi Website: oriundi.info

Follow Anthony on Instagram: @oriundi_

Follow Anthony on TikTok: @oriundi_

Follow Anthony on Facebook: @anthony.castelvecchi

Subscribe to Oriundi on YouTube: @oriundigroup

Connect with Christina: https://christinaminutillo.com

What if the thing you can’t stop thinking about is actually pointing you toward the life you’re meant to live? Tune in to learn how trusting a feeling, taking small steps, and redefining success can lead to freedom, confidence, and a life that truly lights you up.

Lauri Schmidt is the founder of Safari Lauri, a travel company sparked by a single solo trip to Africa that lit her up and inspired her to share that magic with others. Lauri shares how following that feeling led her to leave a long corporate career and build a life centered around travel, adventure, and freedom. From solo travel to small-group safaris, Lauri offers practical tips on financial independence, pursuing your passions, and creating experiences that open doors to perspective, presence, and connection.

If you’ve ever felt stuck, uninspired, or caught waiting for the “right” time, this episode is a reminder to take one step toward what lights you up. Lauri reminds us that life is short—and sometimes the bravest thing you can do is to book the trip and trust the feeling that keeps calling you forward.

Your Dream Safari Starts Here: https://safarilauri.com

Follow Lauri on Instagram: @safari_lauri

Connect with Christina: https://christinaminutillo.com

What if the simplest way to reconnect—with yourself, your roots, and the people you love—was to gather around the table? Tune in to explore how food, tradition, and thoughtful hosting can transform everyday moments into meaningful experiences rooted in culture, memory, and joy.

Remi Attia is founder of The Nosh Table, a brand dedicated to creating playful, beautiful tableware and tablescapes that spark connection and conversation. Remi shares the story of building her brand inspired by her Jewish and Italian roots and the vibrant gatherings that shaped her childhood. From colorful napkins printed with Italian and Jewish phrases to modern heirloom pieces designed to bring people together, Remi’s work is built around one core belief: hospitality should nourish both the stomach and the soul.

Christina and Remi bond over their shared love for the Italian culture and the deep cultural importance of the table—exploring how Italians express love through food, stories of ancestral towns, grandmothers setting unforgettable tables, and how reconnecting with tradition can be profoundly grounding in a chaotic modern world. Together, they reflect on why Italy continues to captivate us: the craftsmanship, the small-scale artistry, time-honored rituals, and the way food ties us to memory through taste, smell, and shared experience.

If you’ve ever felt called to slow down, honor where you come from, or bring more meaning and warmth into your everyday life, this episode is a reminder that the table is where it all begins. Remi reminds us that there’s always a reason to celebrate—and that joy can begin with something as simple as inviting one person over for a meal.

Explore The Nosh Table: thenoshtable.com

Follow The Nosh Table on Instagram: @thenoshtable

Connect with Christina: christinaminutillo.com

What if the key to reconnecting with yourself is to slow down—and learn to live the Southern Italian way? Tune in to explore how Italy’s work–life balance and daily rhythms can reshape your perspective, your purpose, and your sense of self.

Giorgio Arcamone, founder of Vicus, is building a passion-driven startup dedicated to offering slow-living travel experiences for remote workers—designed to help regenerate small villages in Southern Italy, beginning with his home island of Ischia where his Italian roots run deep. In this episode, Giorgio shares the story behind his project in Ischia: a labor of love inspired by his late grandmother and rooted in 20 years of imagining a different kind of tourism—one that invites you to pause, breathe, and truly feel the world around you.

Christina and Giorgio connect over their shared passion for helping people reconnect with their roots, traditions, and the grounding rhythm of Italian life. Their conversation explores what it means to truly live slow, disconnect from performance culture, and remember who you are through food, people, and place.

Together, they reflect on the contrast between fast-paced American life and the soulful slowness of Southern Italy—discovering what we can learn from the Neapolitan way of living: hospitality that feels like home, connection over productivity, and the small daily rituals that bring us back to joy. They explore how food heritage, ancestral identity, and the natural cadence of Southern Italy can radically reshape how we work, live, and experience meaning.

If you’ve ever wondered how to experience the Italian way of life, this episode is your invitation to slow down, return to your roots, and reimagine what joy can look like in your everyday life.

Explore the Vicus Travel Experiences: https://vicus.it

Follow Giorgio on Instagram: @giorgio_arcamone

Connect with Christina: https://christinaminutillo.com

What if the key to joy is giving yourself permission to change—and create from a place of authenticity? Tune in to hear how letting yourself evolve, follow curiosity, and create from the heart can open the door to deeper joy and purpose.

Artist Sara Joy Annapolen shares her journey of pivoting from creating wearable joy to a life rooted in art, community, and meaning. From launching a resortwear line to painting murals and exploring her Jewish heritage through modern art, Sara’s story is a masterclass in trusting the unknown and letting passion lead the way.

Christina and Sara reflect on choosing joy in everyday life—how slowing down, having fun, and leaning into what lights you up can shift everything. They talk about the art of pivoting in midlife, creating community through creativity, and how honoring your roots (whether through food, art, or tradition) helps preserve connection across generations.

If you’ve ever questioned what’s next, felt the fear of starting over, or longed to create more joy in your life, this episode will remind you that joy isn’t a destination—it’s something you can choose and create every day.

Follow Sara Joy @shopsarajoy

Explore Her World of Art at shopsarajoy.com

Connect with Christina at christinaminutillo.com

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.

Sign up for the weekly newsletter at: AuthenticFood.com

Follow Authentic Food on Instagram: @authenticfoodinsta

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