The Italian Radio Hour

This week on The Italian Radio Hour - “If you’ve ever been told: ‘Sit. Sit..Sit.’ — this episode is for you. Today, for you, I have Actor, writer, performer, and story teller Frank Ingrasciotta.With the acclaimed Off-Broadway solo play Blood Type: Ragu… things get very Italian, very fast.”With Blood Type: Ragu, Frank brings family, food, memory, and a lot of laughter to the stage — and today, right here, to The Italian Radio Hour!So, sit back and relax, be ready to laugh!Watch the entire Off-Broadway production on Broadway on Demand:https://www.broadwayondemand.com/rentals/7ebd5cb8-fbd6-41dc-aebc-7ca198ef4a4eShow’s website:www.bloodtyperagu.com #ItalianRadioHour #BloodTypeRagu #ItalianAmerican #ItalianAmericanStories #FoodIsLove #Mangia #ItalianFamily #Storytelling #SoloTheatre #ItalianRoots #CulturalIdentity #ItalianHumor #FamilyStories

This week on The Italian Radio Hour - I am joined by Prof. Joseph V. Scelsa, Founder and President of the Italian American Museum of New York to discuss: Telling the Italian American Story—Ourselves.A scholar, educator, and lifelong advocate for cultural recognition, Dr. Scelsa transformed more than two decades of research, activism, and perseverance into the first permanent Italian American Museum in the United States, located in the heart of historic Little Italy on Mulberry Street.Together, they explore ongoing exhibitions at the Museum, major expansion project, the importance of telling our own story, and why Italian American history is essential to understanding America itself. This conversation is about truth, dignity, and the responsibility of building institutions when none exist.As Dr. Scelsa reminds us: “If you want to do it, just do it.”Museum HoursMonday: No public hoursTuesday: By appointment onlyWednesday: By appointment onlyThursday: 12:00 – 5:00 pmFriday: 12:00 – 5:00 pmSaturday: 12:00 – 5:00 pmSunday: No public hoursVisit the Museum:151 Mulberry StreetNew York, NY 10013(212) 965-9000The Italian American Museum of NY, • #JosephScelsa• #ItalianAmericanMuseum• #ItalianAmericanHistory• #LittleItalyNYC• #ItalianAmericanLegacy• #TellingOurStory• #CulturalJustice• #AmericanMosaic• #BeyondTheStereotype• #ItalianAmericanVoices• #TheItalianRadioHour• #ItalianAmericanExcellence• #HistoryMatters• #CulturalMemory

This week on The Italian Radio Hour - From the folk sounds of Abruzzo to the grand stages of Philadelphia 🎶
For our first episode of 2026, we could not have had a more special guest! If your childhood holiday memories are tied to the sound of "zampogna", meet Antonello Di Matteo — clarinetist, educator, innovator, and proud Abruzzese! 🇮🇹✨ Discover how this incredible young musician blends tradition, technology, and heart — and how a serendipitous 2011 tour in Pittsburgh brought our paths together! .
🎙️Abruzzese proverb: "Sta 'bbone Rocche, sta 'bbone tutta la rocche"Catch Antonello live by visiting his website at: https://antonellodimatteo.com/
#ItalianRadioHour#AntonelloDiMatteo#Abruzzo#ItalianMusic#ItalianCulture#Clarinet#Zampogna#FolkMusic#ClassicalMusic#WorldMusic#ItaliansAbroad#ItalianAmericans#FromAbruzzoToTheWorld#ItalianHeritage

In this episode, I welcome Giulia Scarpaleggia, Tuscan-born home cook, food writer, and founder of Jul's Kitchen, to explore the heart and soul of cucina povera" — Italy’s timeless tradition of transforming humble ingredients into unforgettable meals.Joining us from the Val d’Elsa countryside between Siena and Florence, Giulia shares how place, family, and memory shape her cooking philosophy. In her cookbook, Cucina Povera: The Italian Way of Transforming Humble Ingredients into Unforgettable Meals, is not just a collection of recipes, but a mindset rooted in sustainability, resilience, and creativity — what Italians call “l’arte dell’arrangiarsi.”Together we talk about: The cultural meaning of stale bread in Tuscan cooking Why cucina povera feels more relevant than ever today Seasonal cooking, sustainability, and zero waste Writing a cookbook during lockdown and pregnancy Preserving Italy’s regional food traditions through storytellingThis is a rich, heartfelt conversation about food as culture, memory, and love.

Learn more about Giulia and her work:• Book: Cucina Povera and her LATEST available for Pre-order: Vegetables The Italian Way
•Newsletter: Letters from Tuscany
• Blog: Juls’ Kitchen
Subscribe to The Italian Radio Hour on YouTube and wherever you get your podcasts.
Grazie for listening — and arrivederci!
Photos excerpted from Vegetables the Italian Way by Giulia Scarpaleggia (Artisan Books). Copyright © 2026. Photographs by Tommaso Galli@followers @highlight
#TheItalianRadioHour #ItalianPodcast #PodcastInterview #ItalianVoices #ItalianStories #ItalianCulture #italianlifestyle #cucinapovera #cucinaitaliana #italylovers #ItalianHeritage #LearnItalian #ItalianLanguage #MadeInItaly #LivingLaDolceVita #ItaliansOfAmerica #tuscany #ItalianInPittsburgh #culturalconnections #Storytelling #Inspiration #BehindTheScenes #MeetTheGuest #CultureAndConversation

This week on The Italian Radio Hour - Susan Gravely, Founder of Vietri returns to The Italian Radio Hour with "Italy in a Glass", an exploration of the Italian ritual of aperitivo, where cocktails, mocktails, and small bites set the stage for festive gatherings. Inspired by her own experiences in Italy, Gravely shares the art of entertaining Italian-style, blending personal stories with time-tested recipes and tips from her Italian friends. With stunning photography that brings Italy’s vibrant spirit to life, Gravely invites readers to savor the joy of Italian hospitality and create their own memorable moments with loved ones.Italy on a Plate and Italy in a Glass make a perfect gift to anyone looking to embrace entertaining with class, Italian style.Visit: https://susangravely.com/to secure your copies