What Lights Us Up

Christina Minutillo
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Are you ready to uncover what truly lights you up? Join Christina each month on What Lights Us Up as she dives into heartfelt conversations with passionate people who’ve turned their dreams into reality. Through inspiring stories of purpose, creativity, and courage, you’ll be reminded that joy isn’t just a feeling—it’s a direction. Start your journey to joyful living. Follow the show on Instagram www.instagram.com/whatlightsusup For more information about Christina and the show: www.christinaminutillo.com/whatlightsusuppodcast/

WHAT LIGHTS US UP+

Monthly exclusive solo episodes from Christina

£1.99/month or £19.99/year

  1. 6 days ago

    #42: Find Your Path Through Food: Chef Tara Punzone on Italian Roots, Plant-Based Cooking, and Community

    What happens when you go against the grain, do things differently, and follow what lights you up? Tune in to hear how curiosity, courage, and staying true to yourself can lead you exactly where you're meant to be. Chef Tara Punzone is the chef and owner of Pura Vita, the first plant-based Italian restaurant of its kind in the United States, located in Los Angeles. She is also the author of Vegana Italiana, a cookbook that brings traditional Italian flavors to the plant-based table. Tara shares the moment that changed everything—watching a slaughterhouse video at just 10 years old and telling her Italian American family she would never eat meat again, a decision that eventually led her to becoming vegan and opening her groundbreaking restaurant. From growing up in a traditional Italian American family in Brooklyn to moving to Los Angeles, she reflects on the unexpected path that led her into the restaurant industry, despite her family’s hopes for a different direction. Together, Christina and Tara explore what happens when you leave behind a strong Italian American community—and how distance from your roots can deepen your connection to them in surprising ways. They discuss growing up with Italian traditions, creating joy through food, and why plant-based eating isn’t as far removed from Italian cuisine as it might seem. If you've ever felt pulled toward something different, questioned whether it's too late to change course, or wondered how to stay connected to your roots while creating your own path, this conversation is for you. Follow Chef Tara Punzone on Instagram: @cheftarapunzone  Visit Pura Vita in Los Angeles: https://puravitalosangeles.com Follow Pura Vita on Instagram: @puravita_la Get Tara’s cookbook, Vegana Italiana: https://puravitalosangeles.com/vegana-italiana-cookbook Episode Thumbnail Photo by Giovanni Reda: @giovannireda Connect with Christina: https://christinaminutillo.com

    #42: Find Your Path Through Food: Chef Tara Punzone on Italian Roots, Plant-Based Cooking, and Community

  2. 17 Aug • Subscribers Only

    Solo Episode | Behind the Scenes at an Italian Feast: Preserving Italian American Traditions

    In this first subscriber-only solo episode of What Lights Us Up, I'm taking you behind the scenes of volunteering at one of Connecticut's beloved Italian feasts, where I spent two days helping make the famous pizzelles alongside generations of volunteers. From showing up after a red-eye flight to meeting the women who have quietly preserved these family traditions for decades, this experience became about much more than fried dough. It became a reflection on Italian American heritage, the people who carry it forward, and why preserving these traditions matters. Thank you for supporting What Lights Us Up. Your subscription makes these personal stories and reflections possible. I'd love to hear what traditions have been passed down in your own family and which ones you hope will continue for generations to come.

    Solo Episode | Behind the Scenes at an Italian Feast: Preserving Italian American Traditions

  3. 3 Aug

    #41: Find Your Cultural Oasis: Vincent Fauceglia on Building Italian American Community and Connection

    What if the sense of home you’ve been missing isn’t something you have to go back to—but something you can create right where you are? Tune in to hear how reconnecting with your heritage, following what lights you up, and building community from the ground up can turn a cultural desert into your own oasis. Vincent Fauceglia is the founder and first president of the Order Sons and Daughters of Italy in America (OSDIA) Charlotte Lodge, where he has built a thriving Italian American community rooted in culture, connection, and tradition. From growing up in a strong Italian American community in Ohio to moving to what he describes as the “cultural desert” of Charlotte, Vincent faced a difficult chapter in his life. Through that experience, he discovered that creating a community around his Italian American roots helped him reconnect with his authentic self and find a path forward. Together, Christina and Vincent explore what it means to grow up in a cultural “oasis” and then find yourself searching for that same connection somewhere new. From hosting dinners and reviving traditions like bocce and Sunday meals, to building a community from scratch, they explore how culture, food, and shared experiences can bring people together in meaningful ways. If you’ve ever felt like you’re living in a cultural desert, this conversation will inspire you to find—or create—your own oasis. Follow Vincent on Instagram: @vfauceglia Follow Charlotte Sons & Daughters of Italy on Social Media: Instagram @cltosdia | Facebook CLT OSDIA Join or Find a Local Lodge: https://www.osdia.org Learn More About IAFL: https://www.iafuture.org Connect with Christina: https://christinaminutillo.com

    #41: Find Your Cultural Oasis: Vincent Fauceglia on Building Italian American Community and Connection

  4. 6 Jul

    #40: Let Yourself Be Guided: MaryAnn DiMarco on Intuition, Spirit Guides, and What Lights You Up

    What if your grandmother’s recipe and your intuition are more connected than you think? Tune in to hear how trusting your intuition and embracing spiritual guidance can lead you toward a deeper sense of connection, joy, and messages from the other side. MaryAnn DiMarco is an internationally recognized spiritual teacher, bestselling author, and speaker known as The Medium Mentor. Her path wasn’t something she planned—it was something she felt. From growing up surrounded by spirituality to finally answering a deep inner calling later in life, MaryAnn shares how trusting that voice changed everything and led her to empower others to do the same. Together, Christina and MaryAnn reflect on their Italian American culture and family traditions. From stories of grandmothers guiding from the other side to channeling tips in Italian recipes, they explore how food and ritual can keep us connected to those who came before us. If you’ve ever wondered how to trust your intuition, recognize the signs guiding your path, or even recreate a lost family recipe, this episode is a reminder that you are more connected than you think—and that the answers you’re searching for have been with you all along. Visit MaryAnn’s Website: https://maryanndimarco.com Follow MaryAnn on Instagram: ⁠@maryannthemedium⁠ Buy The Guide(s) Deck {Here}  Connect with Christina: https://christinaminutillo.com

    #40: Let Yourself Be Guided: MaryAnn DiMarco on Intuition, Spirit Guides, and What Lights You Up

  5. 1 Jun

    #39: Travel to Creativity: Adele French on Experimenting with Surf, Art, and Reinvention

    What if creativity isn’t just about talent — but about experimenting, showing up, and allowing our passions to shape who we become? Tune in to hear how embracing experimentation, exploring your passions, and following curiosity can transform your life and the way you show up in the world.  Adele French is a well-traveled global citizen and stencil artist who blends surf culture, international influence, and creative expression into a life that bridges career and art. She shares her journey from navigating burnout and personal reinvention to creating space for art and a meaningful side hustle. From growing up in France, to finding a passion for art and surf in Australia, to navigating perimenopause, Adele’s story shows how experimenting with passion and purpose can shape who we are and who we’re becoming. Christina and Adele dive into how creativity and professional life don’t have to compete — they can complement one another. They explore burnout and the power of small steps in rediscovering what lights us up, the role of travel and new experiences in sparking inspiration, and how community and creative expression help us reconnect with ourselves.  If you’ve ever wondered how creativity can help you reconnect with yourself or how to build a life that honors both practicality and passion, this episode is a reminder that experimentation and curiosity can lead to transformation.Creativity isn’t a destination — it’s a practice of discovery. Explore the Adele French Website: adelefrench.com Follow Adele on Instagram: @whoisadelefrench Connect with Christina: https://christinaminutillo.com

    #39: Travel to Creativity: Adele French on Experimenting with Surf, Art, and Reinvention

  6. 4 May

    #38: Exploring the Italian Diaspora: Anthony Castelvecchi on Building the Oriundi Community

    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

    #38: Exploring the Italian Diaspora: Anthony Castelvecchi on Building the Oriundi Community

  7. 6 Apr

    #37: Take the Leap: Lauri Schmidt on Turning a Solo Safari into a Life of Freedom and Adventure

    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

    #37: Take the Leap: Lauri Schmidt on Turning a Solo Safari into a Life of Freedom and Adventure

  8. 2 Mar

    #36: Gather at the Table: Remi Attia on Creating Joy Through Hospitality

    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

    #36: Gather at the Table: Remi Attia on Creating Joy Through Hospitality
See All (45)

About

Are you ready to uncover what truly lights you up? Join Christina each month on What Lights Us Up as she dives into heartfelt conversations with passionate people who’ve turned their dreams into reality. Through inspiring stories of purpose, creativity, and courage, you’ll be reminded that joy isn’t just a feeling—it’s a direction. Start your journey to joyful living. Follow the show on Instagram www.instagram.com/whatlightsusup For more information about Christina and the show: www.christinaminutillo.com/whatlightsusuppodcast/

Information

  • Creator
    Christina Minutillo
  • Years Active
    2023 - 2026
  • Episodes
    45
  • Rating
    Explicit
  • Copyright
    © Christina Minutillo
  • Show Website
    What Lights Us Up
  • Provider
    CM Design Consulting

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