Italians Sicilians Do It Better Podcast

Frank Diesel
  • 5.0 (21)
  • Comedy
  • Updated Biweekly

Sicilians from Queens New York! Two brothers, & life time friends all first generation, all brought up the same. We bring EVERYTHING to table, from cooking to stories, to comedy, philosophy (pretty much anything we think and do) to bring you into our world. Sit back and have fun with us! Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/italians-sicilians-do-it-better-podcast--5871137/support.

  1. 12h ago

    Are We the Last Generation Raised the Right Way?

    Frank kicks this episode off HOT with one question that makes the whole room go quiet: “Are we the last generation that was raised the right way?” 😳 And from there… it’s ON. Frank talks about growing up before everyone lived on their phones, before social media controlled everything, and when kids spent more time actually living life outside. Enza agrees — but Marcus isn’t letting her off that easy. 😂 Gee has his own take: maybe kids today aren’t necessarily worse… maybe technology has just made everything easier. Then Enza flips the conversation to entitlement: “I feel this, I feel that!” — which leads Marcus to point out that parenting has definitely changed because apparently we’re not putting kids through sheetrock walls anymore. 😂 And just when everyone thinks the debate is settling down, Frank drops another one: “What’s something WE did growing up that would NEVER fly today?” Now the stories really start coming out. Some of it is hilarious. Some gets serious. Some will probably have you saying, “Yep, we did that too!” Were we actually raised better? Were our parents just tougher? Or is every generation convinced the next generation has it too easy? Frank, Gee, Marcus & Enza go at it — disagreeing, laughing, breaking balls and somehow making a serious conversation feel like a party. Italians Sicilians Do It Better Podcast Full video on YouTube. Listen on Spotify, Apple Podcasts, Amazon Music & iHeartRadio. Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/italians-sicilians-do-it-better-podcast--5871137/support. Listen, Watch & Follow: 🎥 Full video episodes on YouTube 🎧 Available on Spotify, Apple Podcasts, Amazon Music & iHeartRadio 📲 Follow us on Instagram: @ItaliansSiciliansDoItBetter 🛍️ Shop merch: ItaliansSiciliansDoItBetter.com 👉 New episodes drop Tuesdays at 11AM

    Are We the Last Generation Raised the Right Way?

  2. Sep 1

    Johnny Potenza: Born to Break Balls | Old School Italians vs. 2026

    Johnny Potenza joins the guys on this Episode— and the ball breaking starts before we can even properly open the show. 😂 Frank kicks things off with an important question: Who breaks more balls in the five boroughs? Johnny, a self-proclaimed Top 5 Ball Breaker in Staten Island, takes us through the old-school Brooklyn and Staten Island art of breaking chops, the nicknames everybody had growing up, and the stories behind how some of those names actually came to be. But the conversation quickly becomes something bigger: What happened to the way we used to interact with each other? Johnny tells us about watching a guy approach a woman at the beach, ask for her social-media handle, exchange information and walk away. No real conversation. No getting to know each other. Just, "What's your handle?" and they'll talk online later. That sends us down the rabbit hole. Phone calls became texts. Meeting people became following people. Hanging out at the mall became sitting at home scrolling. Film became digital. VHS disappeared. And somehow, it feels like everything—and everyone—is online now. We even ask the question: If our old-school Italian parents had to raise kids in 2026, would they survive? 😂 Frank and Johnny also get into how much society has changed, from the things we got away with as kids to the way policing and consequences have changed today. And then Frank drops the question that opens up one of the best conversations of the episode: What's the difference between REAL Italians and "Instagram Italians"? Old-school stories, Italian-American culture, Brooklyn vs. Staten Island, nicknames, VHS, dating, social media, raising kids, plenty of laughs—and plenty of ball breaking. This is one of those conversations that feels like sitting around the table with the guys. Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/italians-sicilians-do-it-better-podcast--5871137/support. Listen, Watch & Follow: 🎥 Full video episodes on YouTube 🎧 Available on Spotify, Apple Podcasts, Amazon Music & iHeartRadio 📲 Follow us on Instagram: @ItaliansSiciliansDoItBetter 🛍️ Shop merch: ItaliansSiciliansDoItBetter.com 👉 New episodes drop Tuesdays at 11AM

    Johnny Potenza: Born to Break Balls | Old School Italians vs. 2026

  3. Aug 18

    What Makes You REALLY Sicilian? Ms. Siciliana Returns & Holds NOTHING Back!

    Ms. Siciliana is BACK for Round 2 and this one goes off the rails FAST! 😂 Nancee returns to the *Italians Sicilians Do It Better Podcast*, and from the minute we get started, Marcus decides to poke the bear. Are Sicilian women more traditional or more outspoken? According to Nancee, men just have **selective hearing**! 😂 Marcus keeps pushing, Nancee keeps firing back, and Frank is literally in tears laughing. We get into whether **Sicilian men are really built different… or if we’re all just LOUD**, how dating and meeting people has completely changed from the way we grew up, and we kick it back to the good old days when family, traditions, and being together meant everything. T Then Frank and Nancee get into a conversation that hits close to home: **What makes someone a “real” Italian?** The people who actually speak the language, know the traditions, dance the dances, cook the food, and live the culture sometimes get overlooked — while people who exaggerate or mock Italian culture can rack up millions of views. Has social media reached the point where people would rather watch entertainment than authenticity? And then comes the bigger question… Italians criticize Italian Americans. Italian Americans criticize each other. Italians even criticize other Italians — so who gets to decide what makes someone Italian?** Culture? Language? Blood? Traditions? Where you were born? Or how you were raised? It’s a conversation about **Sicilians, Italian Americans, dating, family, tradition, social media, authenticity and identity** — with plenty of arguments, stories, shots fired and nonstop laughs along the way. Ms. Siciliana returns, Marcus has way too much courage, Nancee comes prepared with the comebacks, and Frank can barely keep it together.  Another episode that feels less like an interview and more like sitting around the table with family.😂 Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/italians-sicilians-do-it-better-podcast--5871137/support. Listen, Watch & Follow: 🎥 Full video episodes on YouTube 🎧 Available on Spotify, Apple Podcasts, Amazon Music & iHeartRadio 📲 Follow us on Instagram: @ItaliansSiciliansDoItBetter 🛍️ Shop merch: ItaliansSiciliansDoItBetter.com 👉 New episodes drop Tuesdays at 11AM

    What Makes You REALLY Sicilian? Ms. Siciliana Returns & Holds NOTHING Back!

  4. Aug 4

    Maria Venuto Is Back! We Talk Going Viral, Trolls & Keeping It Real

    Maria Venuto is back in the studio! Joining Frank, Marcus, and Enza for another fun-filled episode, the laughs start immediately as Frank jumps right into Maria's viral success with her hit song "Angels in the Snow," which even made it onto the radio. Maria shares how it all happened, how social media has changed her life, and why she's finally enjoying being herself online—even her students are now cheering her on and giving her ideas for future videos! The conversation shifts to the darker side of social media, where Frank calls out the countless "ghost" accounts that exist only to criticize and humiliate others. But instead of letting the negativity win, the crew explains why ignoring the trolls is often the best response—and how loyal supporters usually step in to defend you. Sometimes, those same comments even help push your videos to a bigger audience... so maybe the trolls deserve a sarcastic "thank you!" The group also dives into a conversation many Italian-Americans can relate to: why are authentic Italians sometimes labeled as "fake," while people who completely butcher the culture get praised? Frank shares his thoughts on why entertainment often wins over authenticity, leading to an honest discussion about preserving heritage in today's social media world. As always, the episode wouldn't be complete without plenty of laughs. Marcus reveals his unusual tanning secret involving beer, the crew reminisces about growing up in Sicilian households where English and Sicilian blended together, shares memories of the old days, and wraps things up with one of the biggest Italian family debates of them all... Do you fry your meatballs first, or do they go straight into the sauce?It's another episode packed with laughs, nostalgia, honest conversations, and plenty of Italian-American family moments you won't want to miss. It's another episode packed with laughs, nostalgia, honest conversations, and plenty of Italian-American family moments you won't want to miss. Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/italians-sicilians-do-it-better-podcast--5871137/support. Listen, Watch & Follow: 🎥 Full video episodes on YouTube 🎧 Available on Spotify, Apple Podcasts, Amazon Music & iHeartRadio 📲 Follow us on Instagram: @ItaliansSiciliansDoItBetter 🛍️ Shop merch: ItaliansSiciliansDoItBetter.com 👉 New episodes drop Tuesdays at 11AM

    Maria Venuto Is Back! We Talk Going Viral, Trolls & Keeping It Real

  5. Jul 21

    Would Our Kids Survive the Way We Grew Up?

    Frank, Enza, and Marcus are back with another episode full of laughs, debates, and stories that every Italian or Italian-American family can relate to. This week, Frank asks a simple question: Would our kids survive growing up the way we did? From playing outside until the streetlights came on to learning lessons the old-school way, we look back at how different childhood was compared to today. Enza believes boys definitely had it easier than girls growing up. Were daughters treated more strictly than sons? And have parents become too protective, or are we simply raising kids differently because times have changed? Then comes the surprise of the episode... after all these years, we discover Marcus isn't just Italian. He's actually one-third of something else... and you'll have to listen to find out! Do you think kids today have it easier, or were we tougher because of how we were raised? Let us know in the comments!  🎙️ Watch on YouTube or listen on Spotify, Apple Podcasts, Amazon Music, iHeartRadio, and wherever you get your podcasts.  Don't forget to Like, Comment, Subscribe, and Share! Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/italians-sicilians-do-it-better-podcast--5871137/support. Listen, Watch & Follow: 🎥 Full video episodes on YouTube 🎧 Available on Spotify, Apple Podcasts, Amazon Music & iHeartRadio 📲 Follow us on Instagram: @ItaliansSiciliansDoItBetter 🛍️ Shop merch: ItaliansSiciliansDoItBetter.com 👉 New episodes drop Tuesdays at 11AM

    Would Our Kids Survive the Way We Grew Up?

  6. Jul 7

    Dario's Pizza - The Roman Behind Long Island’s Viral Sensation

    This week we're joined by the owner of Dario's Roman Style Pizza, Dario himself! Born and raised in Rome, Dario moved to the United States in 2016 with a dream, a passion for authentic Roman cuisine, and a vision to share a true taste of Italy with New Yorkers. From his viral Roman-style pizzas to his famous cheesesteaks and unforgettable homemade bomboloni, Dario has built a loyal following and expanded from Hempstead to a new location in Massapequa. On this episode, we go beyond the food and get to know the man behind the brand. Dario shares his journey from Rome to Long Island, the challenges of building a business from the ground up, what makes Roman-style pizza different, and what's next for his growing empire. If you love authentic Italian food, inspiring success stories, and hearing from passionate entrepreneurs, this is an episode you won't want to miss. Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/italians-sicilians-do-it-better-podcast--5871137/support. Listen, Watch & Follow: 🎥 Full video episodes on YouTube 🎧 Available on Spotify, Apple Podcasts, Amazon Music & iHeartRadio 📲 Follow us on Instagram: @ItaliansSiciliansDoItBetter 🛍️ Shop merch: ItaliansSiciliansDoItBetter.com 👉 New episodes drop Tuesdays at 11AM

    Dario's Pizza - The Roman Behind Long Island’s Viral Sensation

  7. Jun 23

    From a $64 Paycheck to The Sopranos: Lou Martini Jr.'s Incredible Journey

    This week on the Italians Sicilians Do It Better Podcast, we sit down with veteran actor Lou Martini Jr. for an incredible conversation about a career that spans over six decades. Lou takes us back to where it all began as a child actor in 1964, even showing us his very first pay stub for $64 from a production company known as Buena Vista Productions before it became the entertainment giant we know today. Growing up in an acting family, Lou shares how his father helped open doors into the business and how the entire family became involved in the world of film and television. We also dive into his family's connection to the making of The Godfather, including the story of how his father was originally considered for the role of Luca Brasi before tragedy struck. From starring in the hit Broadway production Tony n' Tina's Wedding to landing roles on Law & Order, The Sopranos, Manifest, Power and countless other productions, Lou reflects on the highs, lows, and roadblocks he faced throughout his career. Despite the challenges, he never stopped pushing forward and always found a way to turn opportunities into success. We share laughs, memories, behind-the-scenes stories from Hollywood, and lessons learned from a lifetime in the entertainment industry. It was an absolute pleasure getting to know Lou and hearing the incredible stories that shaped his journey. Be sure to also check out Lou's podcast, Breakin Ballz, with Johnny P.  Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/italians-sicilians-do-it-better-podcast--5871137/support. Listen, Watch & Follow: 🎥 Full video episodes on YouTube 🎧 Available on Spotify, Apple Podcasts, Amazon Music & iHeartRadio 📲 Follow us on Instagram: @ItaliansSiciliansDoItBetter 🛍️ Shop merch: ItaliansSiciliansDoItBetter.com 👉 New episodes drop Tuesdays at 11AM

    From a $64 Paycheck to The Sopranos: Lou Martini Jr.'s Incredible Journey

  8. Jun 9

    Domenico Leo: Calabria, Comedy, Cooking in Italy & a Near-Death Experience

    This week on the Italians Sicilians Do It Better Podcast, we sit down with the hilarious and talented Domenico Leo, a rising Calabrese content creator whose comedy skits have connected with Italians and Italian Americans around the world. Domenico takes us through his incredible journey—from growing up with strong Calabrese roots to chasing his culinary dreams in Italy. He shares unforgettable stories about moving overseas to learn from some of the best chefs in the industry, including a Sicilian chef who became like a brother and mentor in the kitchen. We also dive into one of the craziest moments of his life when a simple trip to get a pack of cigarettes nearly ended in tragedy after a devastating car accident. Domenico opens up about the lessons he learned, the challenges he faced, and how those experiences shaped the person he is today. The conversation also covers his appearance on The Biggest Loser, his rise on social media, Italian family traditions, life in Calabria, food culture, and plenty of hilarious stories that had us laughing throughout the episode. If you love Italian culture, authentic stories, comedy, food, and inspiring journeys, this is an episode you don't want to miss. Listen on Spotify, Apple Podcasts, Amazon Music, iHeartRadio, and wherever you get your podcasts. Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/italians-sicilians-do-it-better-podcast--5871137/support. Listen, Watch & Follow: 🎥 Full video episodes on YouTube 🎧 Available on Spotify, Apple Podcasts, Amazon Music & iHeartRadio 📲 Follow us on Instagram: @ItaliansSiciliansDoItBetter 🛍️ Shop merch: ItaliansSiciliansDoItBetter.com 👉 New episodes drop Tuesdays at 11AM

    Domenico Leo: Calabria, Comedy, Cooking in Italy & a Near-Death Experience
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5
out of 5
21 Ratings

About

Sicilians from Queens New York! Two brothers, & life time friends all first generation, all brought up the same. We bring EVERYTHING to table, from cooking to stories, to comedy, philosophy (pretty much anything we think and do) to bring you into our world. Sit back and have fun with us! Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/italians-sicilians-do-it-better-podcast--5871137/support.

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