Embark on an emotional odyssey with Diane Marie Pisera as she recounts her voyage from the picturesque Italian region of Friuli Venezia Giulia to the bustling heartbeat of New York State. In her narratives of youthful summers spent in Calabria and the significant life shift of immigrating to America, Pisera’s story is a vibrant canvas of nostalgia, love, and the enduring spirit of an immigrant’s journey. Her recent engagement in the cobblestoned town of Tropea adds yet another heartfelt chapter to her tale, underscoring the profound connections that bind us to our places of origin. Our conversation then weaves through the entrepreneurial endeavors that define our collective heritage. I reflect on my own family’s past, from my grandfather’s American business success in the bridal wear industry. These narratives are not just personal recollections, but a testament to the entrepreneurial flame that flickers in the hearts of those with Italian roots. Diane’s transition from candle making to marketing, and the inspiration behind her podcast “Passport to Thrive,” further illustrate how a lineage of enterprise continues to shape our aspirations and actions today. Finally, we turn to the transformative magic of travel, urging our listeners to embark on their own paths of discovery, whether through the lens of a tourist or the ambition of a budding entrepreneur. We dissect the cultural threads that connect Italian Americans to their ancestry and muse over how traditions, such as hip hop, can fortify identities across generations. The episode culminates with the evocative experience of visiting the Vatican amidst the uncertainties of COVID-19, a poignant reminder of the complex world we navigate. Together with Diane, we invite you to join us in celebrating the intricate mosaic of Italian culture, entrepreneurship, and the unyielding quest for personal growth. Immigrating from Italy with her mom at nine years old has given Diane Marie the grit and resilience to start her own business to reshape generational legacies and create her own American Dream. An immigrant, entrepreneur, podcast host, and speaker Diane Marie is multifaceted founder, who promotes building an intentional online presence as a tool to expand reach and to create a brand with heritage that leaves a legacy. She has spoken at Iona University and diverse corporate branding and marketing workshops. Additionally, she earned recognition as a Top LinkedIn Creator, showcased on a Times Square billboard. Currently residing in Westchester County, NY, she actively contributes to the local economy and educates the community on personal branding, social media, and leveraging AI for effective business marketing. DMB Consulting Podcast Click here to join our group on Facebook Video For over twenty-five years, Dawn has helped people create a dolce vita by connecting to their purpose and by continuing their legacy.  

Ever wondered what it takes to immortalize your life’s journey in the pages of a book? That’s exactly the transformation I’ve undergone, shifting from the dizzying heights of Wall Street to the grounding realm of storytelling. In a candid revelation, I unfold the tapestry of my own narrative, sharing the epiphany that everyone has a riveting tale to tell and the birth of my venture to encapsulate these legacies. We venture into the delicate craft of biography and memoir writing, peering into the complexities and the profound impact of capturing personal stories in the ever-evolving digital landscape. In the company of Joseph from StorySavor we amplify the narrative further, underscoring his company’s heartfelt mission to bring the art of biography within reach of all. Diving into Joseph’s world, we explore how Story Saver tears down the barriers once reserved for the elite, enabling every voice to echo through the annals of history. His insights into guiding clients in selecting the ideal wordsmith to narrate their life’s script, and the subsequent journey to sharing these chronicles with the world, will inspire anyone looking to cement their story for generations to come. Join us for an episode that not only illuminates the intricate process behind personal storytelling but also celebrates the unspoken chapters of our lives. After my third novel, I realized I wanted something different – rather than inventing fictional stories I wanted to hear real ones. I started interviewing people and I quickly discovered that everyone has a story to tell but not everyone is a storyteller. I launched a website in 2013 to share these stories. With each story, the website gained more followers. I learned there is a great fascination in the untold stories of others. I interviewed dozens of people including: A man who was part of General Patton’s ‘Red Ball Express’ – a famed truck convoy system that supplied Allied forces moving quickly through Europe after breaking out from the D-Day beaches in Normandy. A man from New Zealand who overcame cerebral palsy to become a world-famous inspirational Ted Talk speaker. A blind Syrian refugee who moved to America without speaking any English and lived on the streets of Los Angeles and New York City while pursuing his dream of attending Harvard University. Through this process, I realized I loved connecting with people and sharing their stories – yet I was still self-conscious that I’d never been trained as a journalist. I wanted to improve my craft – to be the best storyteller possible – so I applied to Columbia Journalism School, and much to my surprise, I was accepted! Three years later I graduated as a professionally trained and published journalist. I founded StorySavor to connect people with professional writers so they can capture their stories too. I’m excited to bring the gift of professional storytelling to people because I know that through stories, we understand ourselves and the world we live in. About Joseph Quaderer Joseph Quaderer is a graduate of The University of Notre Dame (BA in finance), New York University Stern School of Business (MBA in finance and strategy), and Columbia University Journalism School (MS in long-form journalism). After spending 17 years as a banker on Wall Street, he left finance to pursue his passion for storytelling. Joseph C. Quaderer  Joseph.Quaderer@StorySavor.com Founder | CEO StorySavor Podcast Click here to join our group on Facebook Video For over twenty-five years, Dawn has helped people create a dolce vita by connecting to their purpose and by continuing their legacy.  

Embark with us and our esteemed guest, Anna Riggs, on a journey spanning continents and generations, as we trace the deep roots of her Italian lineage back to the quaint town of Ceglie Del Campo. Hannah’s intimate narrative is more than a globe-trotting adventure; it’s a heartfelt homage to her family’s odyssey from Italy to Venezuela, and finally to the United States in 1955. Wrapped in the nostalgia of a Catholic school’s corridors and the sanctity of orchard-laden convents, Hannah’s tales are a mosaic of cherished memories. Her lilting school song transports us back in time, revealing the inevitable transformations of places once familiar. Savor the episode’s gastronomic expedition that contrasts Italian and American culinary traditions, where the simplicity of ingredients is a testament to Italian authenticity. Anna’s insights reveal how a plate of pasta can tell stories of cultural adaptation – sometimes sweetened for American palates but always steeped in the legacy of its origins. We meander through the daily rituals of Italian marketplaces, with their unforgettable fish freshness and the symphony of regional dialects, offering a slice of life in Italy that’s as rich and varied as its cuisine. Finally, we journey through the evolution of banking from the 1950s to present day and uncover the challenges of preserving Italian heritage amidst the bustling modernity of Santa Clarita. The Italian Catholic Club’s communal heartbeat echoes through our discussion, underscoring the importance of Italian cultural societies In America. And in a captivating revelation, we pay tribute to the ingenuity of Baldassare Forestiere with an exploration of Fresno’s Forestiere Underground Gardens, a subterranean marvel hand-carved from the earth – a testament to the enduring legacy of Italian immigrants in America. Podcast Click here to join our group on Facebook Video For over twenty-five years, Dawn has helped people create a dolce vita by connecting to their purpose and by continuing their legacy.  

As the new year unfolds, I’m thrilled to introduce our guest, author Diana DelRusso, who brings the rich tapestry of her Italian heritage right to our ears. Embark with us on a heartwarming journey tracing Diana’s family roots from the pastoral landscapes of Pacentro, Italy, to their courageous pursuit of the American dream in the steel mills and railroads of  Pennsylvania. We uncover the stark contrasts between shepherd life and industrial America, while diving into the intimate struggles, like her mother’s fight against tuberculosis, that have shaped her family’s story. Throughout our conversation, we paint a vivid picture of a bygone Italian lifestyle, where the community was central, and life’s rhythm flowed with the seasons. We delve into the artistry behind traditional Italian cuisine – a thread that weaves through the past and into our kitchens today, inspiring a new generation who yearns to connect with their culinary roots. With Diana, we retrace the steps of our ancestors in their native villages, reveling in the discovery of long-lost relatives and the enchanting customs that remain unfamiliar to many Italian-Americans. Wrapping things up, Diana shares her journey into the world of children’s literature, capturing the essence of family heritage and the power of language in her multilingual books. These tales aim not just to entertain, but to forge familial bonds across continents. We also explore the importance of maintaining a connection to our lineage, and how these enduring ties inform our identities. So join us as we celebrate the stories that connect us and pay homage to the legacies that continue to shape our lives. https://dianadelrusso.com/ My Cousins, My Friends Often times a small child’s first best friend is a cousin.This book is a tribute to cousins. Podcast Click here to join our group on Facebook Video For over twenty-five years, Dawn has helped people create a dolce vita by connecting to their purpose and by continuing their legacy.  

We all know that Italian Food is the best in the world, but have you ever wondered where it came from.  As both a trained chef and a avid genealogist I’ll help to shed some light, and even a few recipes.  I’m sure that most of you growing up loved the smell of the Italian Food cooking on a Sunday morning.  Depending on what part of the US you come from, there was always a big pot of sauce/gravy percolating on the stove.  Most of our food comes from someplace else, we just happened to make it much better!  Be sure to check the two family recipes at the bottom.  I hope to have a page of recipes soon. Click Here To Join Our Facebook Group Ancient Times The first “Italian Food” comes from the Etruscans and ancient Romans.  The relied mostly on beans and ancient grains for protein, with some fish and game used when available.  Faro, was used to create soups and porridge-like dishes.  In fact, the Roman soldiers carried faro on long marches. Imperial Rome also relied on beans and grains, fish from the Tiber and figs.  Garum, made from pressing anchovies in salt was used as a condiment.  The Aristocrats dined on exotic meats, sweet wines and dishes made with honey,  A Roman by the name of Apicius is credited with writing the first cookbook in the 4th century BC! Dark Ages In the north of Italy, after the fall of Rome, the cuisine was mostly roasted meats and whatever could be grown and harvested locally.  Even today the northern Italian food differs from the south.  In the south, and mostly Sicily the cuisine was much different.  The Arabs introduced spices and techniques from North Africa and the Middle East.  We still see this in today’s Italian food.  Almonds, citrus, and ices are still the tradition.   Medieval Revival The big powerful city states like Florence, Siena, Milan and Venice started to have sumptuous banquets with the food flavored by honey, nuts, garlic ( yeah ) and other exotic spices.  Noodles were not introduced to Italian Food by Marco Polo as we were all taught.  Pasta, was most likely introduced to Italy in the 8th century by the Arabs.  Marco Polo may have brought rice back from China instead.  Here’s a link to some Medieval Italian Recipes. The New World Here’s where we get all the good stuff from.  Italian sailors brought back potatoes, tomatoes, maize, peppers, coffee, tea, sugar cane and spices.  Peppers where incorporated quickly, however tomatoes were not widely used until the 19th century.  Cornmeal replaced faro in the north and polenta was born.  Spices allowed cooks to preserve meats and sugar was used to candy fruits and nuts.  The history of the tomato in Italy. The Renaissance The sophisticated Italian Food was brought to France ( HA ), by Catherine de Medici in the 16th century when she became Queen of France.  She brought the French lettuce, truffles, artichokes and frozen desserts, and table manners also.  Two centuries later, France and Austria imparted some of their cuisine to the North.  The history of gelato. . Why Is Italian Food The Best? I think the general consensus is that Italians try to always use the best and the freshest ingredients.   Also, our staple ingredients, such as, basil, olive oil, rosemary, garlic etc.  are aromatic and very flavorful.  But, I think the love of food, the passion of the cooks and chefs, and pleasing our family has a lot to do with the Italian Food traditions.  My mom and aunts put a lot of love in the meals they served. Pizza Dolce Pizza Dolce was a staple in the Nicoletti family.  We always referred to it as “cheesecake” but it’s actually more like a flan.  Lots of eggs, ricotta and sugar.  Use lemon rind, not that  bottled crap, and you can use Sambucca or Anisette.  Give it a try. Nonna Sorrentino’s Tomato Sauce I know the celery seems odd, but it cuts the acidity of the tomatoes.  Butter yikes!  It adds richness, I sometimes use fresh mozzarella instead.  You can add a bit of wine also.  Trust me on this one, you’ve never had sauce like this. To see my recommended cookbooks, visit my books page. For my families home recipes click here. Or my main blog page for other great info on Italians. More Recipes