In this episode, Stephanie sits down with the remarkable Pat Benincasa — an artist, author, educator, and podcaster whose life and work beautifully bridge creativity, heritage, and history.

From her early years in Detroit’s Italian American community to her breathtaking glass and steel sculptures, Pat has always seen her life as a canvas — each experience a brushstroke honoring the past. She shares stories from her book My Calabria: The Land Between Here and There, exploring how a single burned book of Italian love poems sparked a deep dive into her family’s immigrant journey and the powerful presence of her ancestors.

Together, Stephanie and Pat discuss art, teaching, podcasting, and the enduring connection between Italian Americans and their roots. With humor, wisdom, and heart, Pat reminds us that we are never alone — our ancestors walk beside us, guiding every step.

💬 “Know where you come from and you’ll know who you are.”

You can buy Pat's book from Apple Books or on her website https://www.patbenincasa-art.com/ebooks

In this episode of Italian American Stories, Stephanie sits down with author Don Ladolcetta, whose heartfelt novels preserve the legacies of his family on both sides of the Atlantic. Don shares the inspiration behind his books, Hannah, the Lighthouse Girl of Newfoundland and A Brooklyn Tale, stories that weave together family history, immigrant struggles, cultural heritage, and a touch of fiction to bring the past vividly to life.

From the hardships of Southern Italy and the dangerous journey through Ellis Island, to the challenges of starting over in Brooklyn’s Italian neighborhoods, Don recounts his ancestors’ resilience, sacrifice, and determination to create a better life for future generations. Along the way, he reflects on the importance of recording family stories, the mix of truth and imagination that shapes his writing, and the message of hope and perseverance that runs through his work.

If you’ve ever wondered about your own family’s immigrant journey, or why preserving these stories matters, this conversation will inspire you to ask the questions, record the memories, and honor the sacrifices that made your life possible.

🎙️ Bonus Episode: Mamma, That’s All Right — Italians in the American South

In this bonus episode of Italian American Stories, Stephanie sits down with director Valentina Signorelli and Italian musicians Luca Chiappara and Mario Monterosso to discuss their new documentary, Mamma, That’s All Right, which debuted at the National Italian American Foundation’s 50th Anniversary Gala in Washington, D.C.

The film follows Luca and Mario as they journey from Italy to the American South, tracing their pursuit of the American Dream through music, friendship, and culture. Set against the backroads of Nashville and Memphis, the story bridges two worlds, Sicily and Tennessee, through rhythm, heritage, and heart.

With a special cameo by Priscilla Presley, this conversation explores the shared soul between Italian passion and Southern sound, and the beauty of chasing dreams far from home. As Mario puts it best, “My family gave me my roots but rock and roll gave me my wings.”

Check out more information about the film at www.daitona.it

Follow Valentina, Luca and Mario

Valentina:

Instagram - @cosmopolitan_londoner

Luka:

https://lucachiappara.com/

Instagram - @luca.chiappara

Facebook: “Luca Chiappara Music” page

Mario:

mariomonterosso.com

Instagram - @marioredmount

Facebook page “Mario Monterosso Music”

In this heartfelt episode of Italian American Stories, Stephanie welcomes Cindy Hollenbeck, a Navy veteran, writer, and proud Italian American who takes us on a deeply personal journey through her family’s past. From uncovering long-hidden truths in old newspapers and genealogical records to growing up in her father’s leather shop in Binghamton, Cindy shares how family secrets, resilience, and hard work shaped her life.

Cindy reflects on her father’s artistry as a cobbler, the challenges of an unconventional childhood, and the devastating loss of her beloved brother Tony, whose memory continues to inspire her memoir, Leather Soul. Along the way, she reminds us of the importance of preserving family history, embracing our heritage, and finding strength in even the most painful chapters of life.

This moving conversation is a celebration of resilience, identity, and the enduring power of storytelling within the Italian American community.

In the dramatic conclusion of our four-part series, we follow the twists and turns of Angelina Garramone’s murder trial in early 20th-century Denver. From shocking testimony about cruelty in Concetta Forgione’s past, to accusations of witchcraft, forged checks, and family betrayals, this final chapter brings the story of Maria LaGuardia’s death into sharp focus.

We uncover how witnesses, including Concetta, Stella, and even Angelina’s husband Luigi, shaped the case, how the Italian community reacted, and how newspaper portrayals of Angelina reflected the prejudices of the time. The verdict may have sealed her fate, but questions still linger about motive, justice, and what truly became of Angelina after prison.

Join us as we close the book on one of Colorado’s most haunting Italian American stories.

Episode 69: Angelina Garramone – Part 3
The story of La Diavola Rossa takes a darker turn in Part 3 of our Angelina series. After years of scams, trials, and whispers of violence, Angelina becomes entangled in the disappearance and murder of Maria LaGuardia—a 65-year-old woman from Denver’s Little Italy who spent her life searching for her missing husband.

In this episode, we follow Maria’s tragic final days, the chilling details of her murder, and the shocking confessions that implicated Angelina and others in the crime. From coded gestures of silence to gruesome superstitions, this chapter reveals just how deep fear of Angelina ran in her community.

Join us as we uncover the testimony, the drama, and the haunting aftermath of one of Denver’s most notorious cases.

🎧 Italian American Stories Podcast – Bringing Our Ancestors’ Stories to Life

In this second installment of Angelina Garramone’s story, we unravel the darker side of a woman whose schemes went far beyond fraud and forgery. When two Italian women, Dorinda Cellante and Maria LaGuardia, disappeared from Denver’s Italian colony in 1910, suspicion began to swirl around Angelina.

This episode dives deep into the shocking murder of Dorinda, her tumultuous life, dramatic divorces, and tragic end. From bizarre newspaper depictions and courtroom battles to chilling evidence like forged deeds and handwriting quirks, we explore how Angelina’s cleverness and cruelty left a lasting mark on the community.

Join us as we continue peeling back the layers of one of Denver’s most infamous Italian American stories—a tale of power, manipulation, and murder.

In this special re-release, we return to the story that first sparked the creation of the Italian American Stories Podcast, the scandalous and fascinating life of Angelina Garramone.

Born in Potenza, Basilicata, Angelina arrived in Denver’s Little Italy as a young girl and grew into one of the most talked about figures in the community. Known both as a fortune teller and the “Queen of Little Italy,” her story blends family tragedy, fiery scandals, and elaborate real estate scams that preyed on her own community. From a dramatic courtroom confrontation to schemes involving forged deeds and even piano rentals, Angelina’s life was filled with ambition, controversy, and intrigue.

Join us as we revisit one of our favorite Italian American stories packed with newspaper drama, community feuds, and the early signs of crimes that would eventually define Angelina’s legacy. This is part one of a multi-episode series uncovering the rise of one of Denver’s most notorious Italian American women.